MLB Player News

Leclerc tossed a perfect inning to earn the save in Sunday's 2-0 victory over the Astros in Game 1 of the ALCS. He struck out one.

Leclerc's string of dominance continued Sunday, as he pitched a perfect inning for the second appearance in a row. While Leclerc was not typically featured as a closer in the regular season, earning only four saves in 57 innings of work, he has now successfully converted both of the team's' saves in the postseason, which may signal more opportunities down the road. In October, Leclerc has pitched to a mint 1.54 ERA and 0.83 WHIP with seven strikeouts across six innings.

Burdi elected free agency Sunday, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

The 28-year-old remained with the Dodgers after being outrighted off the 40-man roster in early June, but he'll now enter the open market. Burdi never made an appearance for Los Angeles but pitched in three games for Tampa Bay earlier in the season, and he allowed five earned runs across four innings.

Blanco is on the Astros' roster for the ALCS against the Rangers, which begins Sunday night in Houston, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

The right-hander was absent for the ALDS but will be available for the championship series with Jake Meyers off the roster. Blanco made seven starts in 17 appearances and had a 4.50 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 52:28 K:BB across 52 innings this season, and he's likely to be a long-relief option for Houston.

Burke wasn't included on the Rangers' roster for the ALCS against the Astros, which starts Sunday night in Houston, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Burke made just one appearance between the ALDS and wild-card series, allowing two runs on a hit and a walk over one-third of an inning against the Orioles. The left-hander was a key reliever for Texas during the first four months of the season with a 2.72 ERA and nine holds, but he's surrendered 18 earned runs in 19 appearances since Aug. 1, including the postseason.

Manager Dusty Baker said Saturday that Graveman (shoulder) will not be on the Astros' ALCS roster, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Shoulder discomfort caused Graveman to be sidelined for the ALDS, and his condition has not improved since then. There's still a chance the 32-year-old righty makes it back in time for the World Series, but significant progress would have to be made relatively quickly in order for that to happen.

Atlanta general manager Alex Anthopoulos said Friday that Matzek (elbow) is expected to be ready for spring training, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

After undergoing Tommy John surgery in October 2022, Matzek resumed throwing in late May and remains on pace to return to Atlanta's bullpen for the start of 2024. The 32-year-old lefty holds a 2.92 ERA and 1.22 WHIP since joining the team in 2020.

Lee underwent a cleanup procedure on his left shoulder Friday, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Lee posted a 4.18 ERA and 1.35 WHIP through 23.2 innings in 2023. However, he missed a large portion of the season due to inflammation in his left shoulder, so he underwent surgery in order to address the issue. The 29-year-old southpaw is expected to be ready for spring training.

Carasiti cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Albuquerque on Friday.

Carasiti is no longer on the Rockies' 40-man roster but will remain in the organization. The right-handed reliever has posted a 6.89 ERA over 46 appearances across parts of three major-league seasons.

The Mariners claimed Ort (elbow) off waivers from Boston on Friday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Ort struggled to a 6.26 ERA and 1.57 WHIP through 23 innings in the majors in 2023, and his season was cut short by an elbow injury in early July. The 31-year-old righty likely won't have a significant role should he crack the Mariners' bullpen.

Long cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Las Vegas on Thursday.

The Athletics needed to do some 40-man roster maneuvering and felt Long's spot could be put to better use. He put up a 5.60 ERA and 32:21 K:BB over 45 innings out of Oakland's bullpen this season.