MLB Player News

Freeman (ankle) was able to bat during Thursday's intra-squad scrimmage but not play first base, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

It was a positive sign that Freeman took part in baseball activity, though this cast the first doubt about whether he'd be ready for the NLDS. That's particularly true with Shohei Ohtani locked into the DH spot. Max Muncy was playing first base, with Enrique Hernandez at the hot corner in Freeman's absence.

Flaherty will start in Game 2 of the NLDS against the Padres on Sunday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

The Dodgers originally planned to start Flaherty in Game 1, but they are instead opting to start Yoshinobu Yamamoto to allow Yamamoto five days rest before potentially pitching in a decisive Game 5. Flaherty had a solid regular season, but he did struggle a bit down the stretch by allowing nine earned runs across his final 14 frames with a 14:9 K:BB.

Yamamoto is starting Game 1 of the NLDS against San Diego on Saturday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Yamamoto was originally slated to start Game 2, but he'll flip spots with Jack Flaherty. If the series goes a full five games, Yamamoto is projected to pitch in the decisive contest. He's pitched well in his return from a triceps injury, allowing two or fewer earned runs in three of four starts.

The Mets sent Alvarez outright to Triple-A Syracuse on Thursday after he went unclaimed on waivers.

Alvarez was designated for assignment Tuesday, as he was ineligible to be on the postseason roster due to joining the club in September from Boston.

Bauers is absent from the lineup Thursday for Game 3 of the National League Wild Card Series versus the Mets.

It's southpaw Jose Quintana on the bump for the Mets, so the left-handed hitting Bauers will yield to Gary Sanchez for the second straight day. William Contreras is receiving a turn at designated hitter while Sanchez works behind the plate. Bauers will be a candidate to come off the bench once the Mets turn to a right-handed reliever.

Mitchell is not in the lineup Thursday for Game 3 of the National League Wild Card Series against the Mets.

The Mets are starting a lefty for the second day in a row, and Mitchell has been out of the starting nine on both occasions. Mitchell came off the bench to deliver a go-ahead, two-run home run in the eighth inning of Game 2 and is a candidate to enter mid-game again Thursday when the Mets turn to a righty reliever. Blake Perkins is in center field and batting second in Game 3.

Yamamoto will start Sunday in Game 2 of the NLDS against San Diego, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Yamamoto allowed eight earned runs over six innings across his two appearances against the Padres during the regular season, though it's been nearly six months since he last faced the division rival. More recently, the 26-year-old righty turned in a 3.38 ERA and 21:5 K:BB over 16 frames following his return from the injured list Sept. 10.

Darvish will start Sunday in Game 2 of the NLDS against the Dodgers, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Michael King would be on regular rest Sunday following a dominant 12-strikeout outing in the wild-card series versus Atlanta, but the Padres will hold him back, presumably for Game 3. Darvish will be opposed by Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

Cease will start Saturday in Game 1 of the NLDS against the Dodgers, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

After not being needed in the two-game sweep of Atlanta in the wild-card round, Cease was an easy call to take the ball in the NLDS opener. The righty collected a 3.47 ERA and 224:65 K:BB across 189.1 innings covering 33 starts this season for the Padres. Cease will be opposed by Jack Flaherty.

Musgrove will undergo and MRI on his injured right elbow Thursday, Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Musgrove had to depart Wednesday's start versus Atlanta due to what the Padres are referring to now simply as right elbow tightness. Initial testing on his UCL came back clean, but more clarity will be available following Thursday's exam. For what it's worth, Musgrove said the discomfort he felt Wednesday was "very different" from the pain he experienced due to a bone spur in his elbow which sent him to the injured list twice earlier this season. The pitcher also revealed that he'd been battling some soreness in the elbow prior to the outing. If Musgrove needs to be replaced on the NLDS roster, Martin Perez is a candidate to fill that slot.