MLB Player News

Votto said in an interview Friday that he wants to continue his baseball career for "at least one more year," Paul Pabst of The Dan Patrick Show reports.

Votto also added that while his preference would be to play for the Reds, if they would like to move on he would consider playing elsewhere. The 40-year-old finished with a .202/.314/.433 batting line with 14 home runs in 2023, as he was limited to just 65 games due to to complications in his recovery from shoulder surgery. The Reds have a $20 million club option or $7 million buyout on Votto for 2024. While they will not be exercising that option, it's possible the two sides could work out a restructured deal if the organization is keen on bringing the six-time All-Star back.

Blankenhorn (foot) was activated from the 10-day injured list Thursday, cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Rochester.

Blakenhorn missed the last few weeks of the season with plantar fasciitis and has now been booted off the Nationals' 40-man roster. He got into 10 games with the Nats this season, going 5-for-31 with one home run.

Miller will start Game 2 of the NLDS against the Diamondbacks, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

Miller boasted an impressive 3.76 ERA and 1.10 WHIP with a 119:32 K:BB across the first 124.1 innings of his big-league career in 2023. He'll now be trusted in the postseason, with Clayton Kershaw set to take the ball in Game 1.

Lynn (bereavement list) threw four innings in a sim game Thursday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Manager Dave Roberts noted that the earliest Lynn could pitch in the NLDS against Arizona would be Game 3, but he didn't commit to using Lynn as a starter. Gavin Stone also threw a sim game Thursday, though Ryan Pepiot would be the likeliest candidate to take the ball if Lynn were passed over.

The Diamondbacks named Kelly as their starter for Game 1 of Arizona's NLDS matchup against the Dodgers on Saturday.

Kelly will be fully rested for Saturday after not having to pitch during the D-backs' two-game sweep of the Brewers. Kelly was dominant in his final three starts of the regular season, allowing just four runs over 18.2 innings. However, Kelly gave up seven runs in five innings during his last matchup against the Dodgers on Aug. 29.

Hill plans to continue his playing career in 2024, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

Hill made the revelation on Bradford's "Baseball Isn't Boring" podcast. The 43-year-old left-hander didn't have a great 2023 campaign, posting a 5.41 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 129:58 K:BB over 146.1 innings for the Pirates and Padres. Hill will turn 44 shortly after Opening Day next year but should be able to find a club willing to give him a one-year contract.

Moreno (head) is expected to start at catcher for the Diamondbacks in Game 1 of the NLDS on Saturday versus the Dodgers, John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 reports.

Moreno was removed from Arizona's NL Wild Card Series clincher Wednesday in Milwaukee after getting hit in the head by a backswing, but he's been cleared of a concussion and will get a couple days off before the best-of-five NLDS begins Saturday at Dodger Stadium. The 23-year-old hit a solo home run as part of the Diamondbacks' NL Wild Card Series Game 1 win Tuesday.

Elder is scheduled to pitch in an intrasquad game Thursday in Atlanta, lining him up for a potential NLDS Game 3 start next Wednesday at Philadelphia, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Spencer Strider and Max Fried (finger) are pretty much locked into Games 1 and 2 at Truist Park in Atlanta, and the NL East champs will probably then turn to Elder to handle Game 3 at Citizens Bank Park. The young right-hander struggled over his final three regular-season starts, yielding 13 earned runs in 12.1 innings, but he delivered a solid 3.81 ERA across 174.2 total frames for the year and earned his first All-Star nod.

Alonso has hired BorasCorp agency to represent him, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Alonso has one year remaining of arbitration eligibility before free agency and has decided to add Scott Boras as his new representation as he seeks a long-term contract. The first baseman's name has popped up in trade rumors this year but, for what it's worth, new Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns has indicated that he has no intention of dealing Alonso this offseason. Whether Stearns and Boras can get on the same page in regard to a contract extension for Alonso is another matter.

The Dodgers announced Kershaw as their starter for Game 1 of Los Angeles' NL Divisional Series matchup against the Diamondbacks.

As expected, Kershaw will kick off the Dodgers' postseason run Saturday after recording a 2.41 ERA and 1.06 WHIP through 131.2 innings in the regular season. The 35-year-old ace will face a Diamondbacks offense that put up a .730 OPS during the regular season -- the lowest mark out of the teams remaining in the postseason.