MLB Player News

Cease pitched 3.2 shutout innings Wednesday against the Cubs, surrendering three hits and a walk while striking out five batters. He did not factor into the decision.

A sacrifice fly from Jackson Merrill during the top of the first inning gave Cease a 1-0 lead to work with before he even stepped on the mound Wednesday. He kept the Cubs' offense at bay for the duration of his start, but he got an early hook from manager Mike Shildt after giving up a double to Seiya Suzuki on his 69th pitch of the day. While Cease's brief outing prevented him from picking up the win in Game 2, it will help to keep him fresh for the NLDS if San Diego takes Game 3.

Imanaga gave up two earned runs on three hits and two walks while striking out three batters over four relief innings during Wednesday's 3-0 loss to the Padres. He did not factor into the decision.

The left-hander entered the game in the second inning after opener Andrew Kittredge allowed the Padres to score a run in the first. Imanaga made it through three frames before conceding a two-run blast to Manny Machado in the fifth, which gave the Padres more insurance than it needed while the Cubs' offense struggled to put a rally together. If Chicago prevails in Thursday's win-or-go-home matchup, Imanaga would likely be in the running to pitch in Game 3 of the NLDS next Wednesday.

Taillon will start Game 3 of the NL Wild Card series against the Padres on Thursday, Jared Wyllys of AllCHGO.com reports.

After turning in a 3.68 ERA and 1.06 WHIP across 129.2 frames in the regular season, Taillon will take the mound in Thursday's win-or-go-home contest. The 33-year-old has already faced the Padres once this year, allowing two earned runs over 5.1 innings during a 10-4 loss on April 14.

Bibee yielded one run on five hits and three walks over 4.2 frames Wednesday, taking a no-decision in a win over the Tigers in Game 2 of the American League Wild Card Series. He struck out six.

Bibee had to pitch out of a jam right away, with the first two batters of the game reaching on a single and an error. He was up to the challenge, fanning the next three hitters. He permitted one run in the fourth on a Javier Baez RBI single and was spared from being charged with another when Zach McKinstry ran into an out on the bases. Bibee was unable to get through the fifth inning after issuing a two-out walk to put a second runner on, but the Guardians' bullpen then shut things down the rest of the way in a 6-1 win. The righty was trending in the right direction late in the regular season with a 1.30 ERA in September, and he kept it going in his first outing of the postseason.

Mize took a no-decision in Wednesday's game versus the Guardians, allowing one run on one hit and two walks over three-plus innings.

The only hit and run Mize surrendered came courtesy of George Valera, who cranked a solo home run in the bottom of the first inning. Mize struck out just one batter, though, and had thrown 62 pitches when he was lifted after issuing a leadoff walk in the bottom of the fourth inning. The right-hander should get another start if the Tigers advance to the ALDS, but manager A.J. Hinch would likely have a quick hook again.

Woo (pectoral) is slated to throw a bullpen session Thursday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

It will be the first time Woo has thrown off a mound since he suffered a right pectoral injury during his Sept. 19 start in Houston. If the Mariners want Woo to throw at least two bullpen sessions before clearing him to rejoin the rotation, he would not be available to start until Game 3 of the ALDS. More should be known about Woo's status following Thursday's throwing session.

The Tigers would need to advance to the World Series in order for Olson (shoulder) to become an option to be added to their roster, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Olson has been sidelined since late July with a right shoulder strain but began a throwing progression in early September. It's unclear whether he's progressed to mound work, and given how long Olson's layoff has been, the right-hander seems like a long shot to pitch again in 2025.

Bassitt (back) is expected to be available to pitch during the ALDS, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Bassitt landed on the 15-day injured list late in the regular season with lower-back inflammation, but he's made good progress with the injury since then. While it appears likely Bassitt will be included on the Blue Jays' ALDS roster, it's unclear whether the club will use him in the rotation or bullpen.

Berrios (elbow) has yet to resume throwing and will not be part of the Blue Jays' ALDS roster, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

A second opinion on Berrios' right elbow confirmed that he has no structural damage, but he's not close to being ready to pitch in a game setting. While i's possible Berrios will be an option later in the playoffs if the Blue Jays make a run, that won't be a consideration until he's ramped up his throwing.

Greene took the loss to the Dodgers on Tuesday in Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series. He allowed five runs on six hits and two walks while striking out four over three innings.

The hard-throwing righty gave up a leadoff home run to Shohei Ohtani in the bottom of the first, which set the tone early for the Dodgers. Greene appeared to be settling in but lost his focus and command entirely in the third inning when he gave up back-to-back walks and then back-to-back homers to Teoscar Hernandez and Tommy Edman. After missing more than two months with a groin injury, Greene returned to post a 2.81 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 59:12 K:BB over his final 48 regular-season innings prior to Tuesday's hiccup.