MLB Player News

Lynn (bereavement list) threw four innings in a sim game Thursday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Manager Dave Roberts noted that the earliest Lynn could pitch in the NLDS against Arizona would be Game 3, but he didn't commit to using Lynn as a starter. Gavin Stone also threw a sim game Thursday, though Ryan Pepiot would be the likeliest candidate to take the ball if Lynn were passed over.

The Diamondbacks named Kelly as their starter for Game 1 of Arizona's NLDS matchup against the Dodgers on Saturday.

Kelly will be fully rested for Saturday after not having to pitch during the D-backs' two-game sweep of the Brewers. Kelly was dominant in his final three starts of the regular season, allowing just four runs over 18.2 innings. However, Kelly gave up seven runs in five innings during his last matchup against the Dodgers on Aug. 29.

Hill plans to continue his playing career in 2024, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

Hill made the revelation on Bradford's "Baseball Isn't Boring" podcast. The 43-year-old left-hander didn't have a great 2023 campaign, posting a 5.41 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 129:58 K:BB over 146.1 innings for the Pirates and Padres. Hill will turn 44 shortly after Opening Day next year but should be able to find a club willing to give him a one-year contract.

Elder is scheduled to pitch in an intrasquad game Thursday in Atlanta, lining him up for a potential NLDS Game 3 start next Wednesday at Philadelphia, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Spencer Strider and Max Fried (finger) are pretty much locked into Games 1 and 2 at Truist Park in Atlanta, and the NL East champs will probably then turn to Elder to handle Game 3 at Citizens Bank Park. The young right-hander struggled over his final three regular-season starts, yielding 13 earned runs in 12.1 innings, but he delivered a solid 3.81 ERA across 174.2 total frames for the year and earned his first All-Star nod.

The Dodgers announced Kershaw as their starter for Game 1 of Los Angeles' NL Divisional Series matchup against the Diamondbacks.

As expected, Kershaw will kick off the Dodgers' postseason run Saturday after recording a 2.41 ERA and 1.06 WHIP through 131.2 innings in the regular season. The 35-year-old ace will face a Diamondbacks offense that put up a .730 OPS during the regular season -- the lowest mark out of the teams remaining in the postseason.

Fried (finger) remains on track to start Game 2 of the NLDS on Monday after throwing five innings in a simulated game Tuesday, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Fried wore a protective bandage across the blister on his left index finger, which he won't be able to wear in an actual game, but he avoided any setbacks in the 76-pitch outing against his Atlanta teammates and should get the call in NLDS Game 2 next week after Spencer Strider handles Game 1. When healthy this season, Fried delivered a sharp 2.55 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 80:18 K:BB in 77.2 innings (14 starts) for the National League East champions.

Luzardo allowed three runs on eight hits across four innings, taking the loss in Tuesday's 4-1 defeat to the Phillies in Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series. He struck out five.

Luzardo was knocked around by the Phillies lineup early and often, giving up a hit to every batter besides Bryce Harper at some point in his four innings of work. The pressure of the Phillies' home crowd may have gotten to him some considering he uncorked a pair of wild pitches, one which set up an RBI single by Christian Pache in the fifth inning. After Tuesday's outing, Luzardo is up to a 6.75 ERA and 1.64 WHIP with 16 strikeouts across 14.2 career postseason innings.

Wheeler allowed one run on five hits across 6.2 innings to secure the win in Tuesday's 4-1 victory over the Marlins in Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series. He struck out eight.

Wheeler was dominant in this outing, as he made quick work of the Marlins lineup, racking up 18 whiffs in the process. His sole mistake was allowing an RBI single to Bryan De La Cruz in the seventh inning that was set up by a defensive miscue when Wheeler forgot to cover first base. The right-hander thrives under pressure, as he now has a mint 2.55 ERA and 0.73 WHIP with 41 strikeouts across 42.1 career postseason innings.

Peralta will start Game 2 of the Brewers' NL Wild Card Series matchup against the Diamondbacks on Wednesday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

With Brandon Woodruff nursing a shoulder injury and out indefinitely, Peralta will be bumped up to start Wednesday. Peralta put up a 3.38 ERA and 0.83 WHIP through 26.2 innings across his final five starts of the regular season, though he surrendered four runs in just three frames during his most recent outing.

Cobb will get a second opinion on his troublesome left hip in the coming weeks, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Cobb battled hip discomfort throughout the second half and finished the regular season on the 15-day injured list with what was diagnosed as a left hip impingement. He's trying the rest-and-rehab route at the moment but will seek out other possible treatment options. San Francisco holds a $10 million club option (or $2 million buyout) on the 35-year-old right-hander for the 2024 campaign.