MLB Player News

Pfaadt did not factor into the decision in Thursday's 2-1 victory over the Phillies in Game 3 of the NLCS, allowing two hits across 5.2 innings. He struck out nine.

Pfaadt put together his best start of the postseason by far, but the team's offense could not get anything going, leaving him waiting on his first win of the playoffs. The rookie right-hander's success came on the back of his fastball and sweeper, which both were racking up whiffs, allowing him to finish with 17 total swing-and-misses across 70 pitches. So far in the postseason, Pfaadt has pitched to a 2.21 ERA and 0.98 WHIP with 15 strikeouts across 12.2 innings.

Suarez did not factor into the decision in Thursday's 2-1 loss to the Diamondbacks in Game 3 of the NLCS, allowing three hits and one walk across 5.1 innings. He struck out seven.

Suarez reached a career-high strikeouts with his seven punchies as he kept his playoff success rolling Thursday. The southpaw had his command on point, as evidenced by a 39 percent called strikes+whiffs rate across all pitches, markedly higher than his 28.3 percent value he averaged across 125 regular-season innings. Suarez has allowed only one run so far this postseason, where he has pitched to a clean 0.64 ERA and 0.64 WHIP with 13 strikeouts across 14 innings.

Mantiply will start Game 4 of the NLCS against the Phillies on Friday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Mantiply has made four appearances during Arizona's postseason run, but he was roughed up in Game 2 against the Phillies, when he allowed three earned runs while recording just one out. He's likely to pitch only one inning, with Ryne Nelson a strong candidate to cover bulk innings after him.

Sanchez will start Game 4 of the NLCS on Friday against the Diamondbacks, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Taijuan Walker was the presumed starter for Game 4, but Sanchez will instead get the ball in a pivotal matchup. Sanchez pitched well during the regular season, maintaining a 3.44 ERA with a 20.2 K-BB% across 99.1 innings. He has yet to appear in a postseason contest during his career.

Moreno is batting third in Game 3 of the NLCS on Thursday against the Phillies.

Moreno has posted an .889 OPS through 25 plate appearances this postseason while holding down the No. 5 spot in the Diamondbacks' lineup. Facing an 0-2 series deficit, Arizona will boost the 23-year-old catcher a bit higher for Game 3 versus the Phillies and left-hander Ranger Suarez. Tommy Pham is hitting fifth Thursday.

Rivera is starting at third base and batting eighth Thursday in Game 3 of the NLCS against the Phillies.

Evan Longoria started each of the Diamondbacks' first seven games at third base this postseason, but it will be Rivera at the hot corner Thursday as Longoria slides into the designated hitter spot. Rivera did receive one plate appearance in Game 1 of the NLCS, grounding out as a pinch hitter.

Thomas is not in the lineup for Game 3 of the NLCS on Thursday versus the Phillies.

Lourdes Gurriel, Corbin Carroll and Tommy Pham will start across the outfield as the Diamondbacks take on left-hander Ranger Suarez. Thomas slashed just .143/.175/.260 in 81 plate appearances against lefties during the regular season and has gone 0-for-5 with a sacrifice fly through the first two games of the National League Championship Series.

Pham (toe) will return to the outfield Thursday in Game 3 of the NLCS against the Phillies, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Pham has been limited to DH duties since late September because of turf toe, but he's feeling better now and will give the Diamondbacks a slightly different lineup look as they try to rebound from an 0-2 series deficit. Pham is 0-for-8 with three strikeouts so far in the NLCS, but he went 7-for-22 (.318) with six runs scored in five games between the Wild Card Series and NLDS.

Roberts (elbow) is expected to have a normal throwing progression this offseason, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Robert missed the entirety of the 2023 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, but he's now more than 15 months removed from the operation and will head into the winter with no restrictions. The 26-year-old reliever has the upside to be used in high-leverage spots for the Cubs in 2024 but will have to show he's healthy and that he has his stuff is back first.

Burdi (abdomen/elbow) is expected to have a normal offseason, Tony Andracki of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Burdi required an appendectomy in May and then developed ulnar nerve irritation in his right elbow in August, logging just three total relief appearances with the Cubs in 2023, but he has put both issues in the rearview and will look to compete for an Opening Day bullpen spot next spring. Granted, the oft-injured 30-year-old could be a non-tender candidate for Chicago as he reaches arbitration this winter.