MLB Player News

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Wednesdaythat Blackburn (back) won't pitch at any point during the postseason, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Blackburn had hoped to be available for the Mets at some point during the playoffs, but he is still having issues after first experiencing a spinal fluid leak in mid-September. The righty posted a 5.18 ERA over five starts for the Mets after being acquired from the Athletics at the trade deadline. He'll be eligible for salary arbitration for a final time this winter.

Martinez will start at designated hitter and bat sixth Wednesday in Game 2 of the National League Wild Card Series against the Brewers, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Martinez yielded to Jesse Winker at designated hitter in Game 1, although he came off the bench to deliver a two-run single. The 37-year-old put up just a .368 OPS in September for the Mets.

Winker is not in the lineup Wednesday for Game 2 of the National League Wild Card Series in Milwaukee, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Winker contributed a two-run triple out of the designated hitter spot for the Mets in Game 1, but he will begin Wednesday's contest on the bench against Brewers righty Frankie Montas. J.D. Martinez will be the DH and bat sixth.

Myers will start a potential Game 3 of the National League Wild Card Series versus the Mets on Thursday if he's not needed in relief in Game 2, Jack Stern of BrewerFanatic.com reports.

It's all hands on deck for the Brewers on Wednesday as they try to stave off elimination, but Myers is tentatively lined up to take the ball in Game 3, if Milwaukee is able to force a winner-take-all contest. Myers was arguably the Brewers' biggest surprise this season as he held a 3.00 ERA and 127:36 K:BB across 138 frames in his rookie year.

Turnbull (lat) will pitch in an intrasquad game Wednesday at Citizens Bank Park, MLB.com reports.

Turnbull made a rehab start with Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Sept. 22 and threw 52 pitches in a live batting practice session Sept. 27. If he gets through Wednesday's session without any issues, Turnbull could be included on the Phillies' NLDS roster as a long reliever. He's been sidelined since late June with a right lat strain.

Montas will start Game 2 of the Brewers' wild-card series against the Mets on Wednesday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Montas will take the bump as the Brewers face elimination Wednesday after losing the series opener, 8-4, on Tuesday. The right-hander finished the 2024 regular season with a 4.84 ERA and 1.37 WHIP with 148 strikeouts over 150.2 innings in 30 starts with the Reds and Brewers. Montas has made two career postseason appearances, allowing seven earned runs on 10 hits and a walk while striking out six batters over 6.2 innings.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo revealed Tuesday that Ginkel suffered a fractured bone in his left leg when he was hit by a comebacker during an appearance versus the Mets on June 1, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

The Diamondbacks said at the time that X-rays on Ginkel's leg came back negative, but evidently, subsequent testing revealed the fracture. Ginkel never went on the injured list and his numbers suggest the discomfort didn't hinder him, as he held a 2.81 ERA and 57:10 K:BB over 48 innings after the incident. The reliever's leg should fully heal with a little rest this offseason.

McNeil has been cleared to ramp up activities soon after an X-ray showed his fractured right wrist is improving, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

There's no word yet on McNeil's potential availability for later in the postseason if the Mets keep advancing, but it seems as though the team is at least leaving the door open. McNeil is less than four weeks into a projected 4-to-6 week timetable.

Fried will start Wednesday in Game 2 of the National League Wild Card Series against the Padres, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Atlanta is going with AJ Smith-Shawver in Game 1 before turning to Fried on regular rest for Game 2. The veteran left-hander closed out his regular season in fine fashion, collecting a 2.14 ERA with a 36:7 K:BB over 33.2 innings in five September outings. Fried will be opposed by Joe Musgrove in Game 2.

Smith-Shawver will start Tuesday in Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series against the Padres, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

With a doubleheader Monday and Chris Sale (back) unavailable, Atlanta's options for Game 1 were limited. Smith-Shawver made just one regular-season start with the big club, tossing 4.2 frames back in May versus the Cubs. Atlanta no doubt will have Smith-Shawver on a very short leash Tuesday.