MLB Player News

Ashby struck out two without allowing a baserunning in 1.2 scoreless innings to earn the save in Game 2 of the NLCS against the Dodgers on Monday.

The left-hander continued his dominant run this postseason, as he's given up just two hits and three walks while striking out eight across 9.1 frames through five appearances. Manager Pat Murphy continues to utilize Ashby as a Swiss-army knife, as he's already recorded a win, a hold and a save while working in every frame from the fifth through ninth innings. Milwaukee's bullpen has been dominant as a unit in October, with Ashby leading the charge.

Hopkins has been included on the Rays' roster for the ALCS, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.

He will take the roster spot of Garrett Cleavinger, as the Rays will swap out a righty for a lefty in their bullpen. Hopkins made six appearances out of the bullpen down the stretch for the Rays, allowing three runs with a 7:6 K:BB in 5.1 frames. The 24-year-old has electric stuff, but manager Kevin Cash might not feel comfortable using Hopkins in high leverage due to his control problems.

Cleavinger will not be on the Rays' ALCS roster, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.

Cleavinger returned from a forearm injury in time to be part of the ALDS roster, but the southpaw did not make an appearance against the Yankees. He's roster spot will be absorbed by Brody Hopkins.

General manager Alex Anthopoulos said Sunday that Fuentes will enter spring training as a starting pitcher and could be transitioned to a relief role, if needed, Lindsay Crosby of BravesToday.com reports.

Atlanta had a similar plan for the right-hander in 2026, and he ended up working out of the bullpen to stellar results. Fuentes made 58 appearances during the regular season, recording thee saves and 17 holds with a 2.45 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 92:21 K:BB across 73.1 innings during his first full MLB campaign. He was also a key contributor in the playoffs, allowing three runs on five hits with a 5:2 K:BB over seven innings.

Whitlock was diagnosed with a fractured right tibia after the Red Sox were eliminated from the postseason in the wild-card round, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Whitlock pitched through leg pain during the final month of the regular season, and only after undergoing imaging following the wild-card series did he discover he'd suffered a fracture. He'll spend roughly six weeks in a walking boot but should avoid surgery, and he's expected to be fully healthy by the time spring training begins.

White Sox manager Will Venable said Thursday that Fedde and Anthony Kay are likely bulk relief options in ALDS Game 4 versus the Guardians, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Hagen Smith will take the ball first and is likely to cover multiple frames, but it will be yet another playoff game where the White Sox use their bullpen early and often. Fedde has made one appearance this postseason, striking out three over two scoreless innings during the AL Wild Card Series clincher against the Astros.

Zuber will undergo UCL surgery with an internal brace on his right elbow Monday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

The internal brace procedure comes with a shorter rehab timetable than a full Tommy John surgery, but Zuber nonetheless could be sidelined until the 2028 season. Zuber posted a 5.67 ERA in 2026 thanks in large part to 10 home runs allowed in 39.2 innings, but a 42:11 K:BB offered more promise.

Baker gave up no hits and one walk in a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save in Game 3 of the ALDS against the Yankees on Wednesday.

Tampa Bay may have swept New York, but the series was hardly a breeze as Baker was needed for the save in all three games. The right-hander issued a one-out walk Wednesday -- the first baserunner he allowed in the series -- but retired the next two batters to close out the ALDS. Including the playoffs, Baker has converted 33 consecutive save chances and is unscored upon in his past 10 appearances.

Diaz retired all three batters he faced with one strikeout to earn the save in Game 4 of the NLDS against Atlanta on Wednesday.

It's the second straight day with a save for Diaz, who was shifted to a low-leverage role late in the season and also dealt with a neck injury. Tanner Scott operated as the Dodgers' primary closer down the stretch, but he surrendered two runs in Game 1 and was used in a setup role Wednesday. Diaz's 8.68 ERA in 21 appearances during the regular season will likely prevent him from being viewed as a lockdown closer this October, but he's been unscored upon in his last eight appearances (three postseason) and is clearly back in the high-leverage mix for manager Dave Roberts.

Smith will serve as the opener Thursday in Game 4 of the ALDS against the Guardians, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Smith has given up one earned run in 6.1 innings across his three postseason appearances, and the White Sox will turn to him again to pitch the first inning of Game 4. Erick Fedde is a likely candidate to follow Smith out of the bullpen.