MLB Player News

Flaherty (hamstring) will start Wednesday against the Yankees in Game 5 of the World Series, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Flaherty reported having issues with his hamstring toward the end of his previous start in Game 1, but the injury was considered minor from the start and will not prevent him from making what will almost certainly be his final appearance of 2024. The 29-year-old right-hander has allowed 14 earned runs over 20.2 innings this postseason, though he surrendered only two runs in 5.1 frames in his last matchup versus New York.

Casparius will serve as the Dodgers' opening pitcher Tuesday in Game 4 of the World Series against the Yankees, J.P. Hoornstra of DodgersNation.com reports.

It will be the first appearance during the World Series for Casparius, who had three scoreless outings versus the Mets in the NLCS. The Dodgers have not revealed who else will pitch Tuesday, but Brent Honeywell is a candidate for multiple innings.

McLain is starting in center field Tuesday for the Glendale Desert Dogs during Arizona Fall League play, Doug Gray of RedlegNation.com reports.

McLain has played only second base and shortstop in pro ball, and his first five starts in the AFL came at second base. However, the outfield isn't totally foreign to the 25-year-old, as center field was his primary position in his freshman season at UCLA and he also saw some action in the corner outfield spots during college summer ball. Whether the Reds will consider using McLain in the outfield some in 2025 isn't clear, but the versatility can't hurt, especially with the club having other middle-infield options. McLain missed the entire 2024 campaign following shoulder surgery and a subsequent stress reaction in his ribcage, but he's expected to enter spring training healthy.

Ohtani (shoulder) will start at designated hitter and bat leadoff Monday in Game 3 of the World Series versus the Yankees, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Ohtani was forced to depart Game 2 of the World Series on Saturday due to a left shoulder subluxation suffered on a slide into second base. However, an MRI confirmed that he doesn't have any structural damage and he was able to go through 80 percent of his daily routine Sunday without issue. Ohtani will not be allowed to attempt any stolen bases Monday and perhaps not for the remainder of the series, per Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com, but he's feeling well enough to give it a go at the plate as the Dodgers try to take a commanding 3-0 series lead.

The Mets signed Devenski to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training Monday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Devenski, who turns 34 next month, held a 6.75 ERA and 24:14 K:BB over 26.2 innings for the Rays this season before finishing the year in the minors with the Mariners. He will compete for a bullpen job in spring training.

The Reds designated Leibrandt for assignment Monday.

It's a procedural move designed to free up a spot on the 40-man roster. Leibrandt had been set to become a free agent following the World Series.

The Reds designated Rosario for assignment Monday.

The team needed to make a couple 40-man roster moves in order to activate two players from the 60-day injured list. Rosario is set to be a free agent this offseason, so this will simply allow him to reach the market a few days earlier. He hit .280/.306/.380 with three homers and 13 steals for the Rays, Dodgers and Reds in 2024.

The Reds activated McLain (shoulder/rib) from the 60-day injured list Monday.

It's a paper move reinstating McLain to the 40-man roster, as the infielder's rehab assignment in the Arizona Fall League has technically expired. McLain missed the entire 2024 season following shoulder surgery and later a stress reaction in his rib cage, but he will enter spring training at 100 percent, barring another setback.

The Reds activated Encarnacion-Strand (wrist) from the 60-day injured list Monday.

The move was required because Encarnacion-Strand is in the Arizona Fall League on a rehab assignment, which has expired. He will continue to play in the AFL and is now back on the Reds' 40-man roster after missing most of the season following wrist surgery.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Sunday that Ohtani (shoulder) is "in a great spot and will be playing" Monday in Game 3 of the World Series against the Yankees, Karl Ravech of ESPN reports.

The presumed National League MVP suffered a left shoulder subluxation on a slide while trying to steal second base during Game 2 on Saturday, but it appears he'll be ready to go for Game 3 after undergoing an MRI. Ohtani has gone 13-for-50 (.260 average) with 12 walks, three homers, 10 RBI and 13 runs through his first 13 playoff games.