MLB Player News

Martinez will start Game 1 of the World Series in Milwaukee on Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Giving Martinez the ball in Game 1 allows ace Drew Rasmussen an extra day of rest, and it pushes Freddy Peralta back to Game 3 at Tropicana Field, where he's posted a 2.03 ERA in five starts in 2026 between the regular and postseason. Both of Martinez's outings this postseason have been on the road, and he's allowed a total of three runs with a 6:3 K:BB over nine innings in those starts. The Brewers will counter with Jacob Misiorowski in Game 1.

Adams signed a minor-league contract with the Red Sox on Thursday, Ari Alexander of 7 News Boston reports.

Adams spent the entire 2026 campaign in the minors, slashing .270/.385/.500 with 16 homers, 50 RBI and 58 runs scored across 327 plate appearances. He'll likely get an opportunity to compete for a roster spot during spring training, though he's more likely to fill in as depth at Triple-A Worcester.

Watson underwent sports hernia surgery Tuesday and will be sidelined 8-to-12 weeks.

It's not clear how long Watson had been dealing with a sports hernia, but the decision to have surgery was made after he visited with Dr. William Meyers in Philadelphia. Watson should be fully recovered well ahead of spring training. The 23-year-old slashed just .239/.264/.341 with a 3:32 BB:K over his first 27 contests in the majors, but he turned in a .247/.361/.455 batting line with 19 home runs and 24 steals in 98 games with Triple-A Columbus. Watson will compete next year for playing time in the Guardians' outfield.

Hernandez (oblique) said Thursday that he feels 100 percent healthy and has since the first or second week of September, Aiden Stepansky of MLB.com reports.

Hernandez suffered a left oblique strain at High-A Greensboro in late July and was eventually shut down for the season. However, he will not be under any restrictions when it comes to his offseason throwing program. Hernandez cemented himself as one of the game's top pitching prospects in 2026, posting a 2.43 ERA and 118:31 K:BB over 74 innings between Greensboro and Single-A Bradenton. The 20-year-old also noted Thursday that his goal is to reach the majors in 2027, though that looks like a long shot.

Klein underwent surgery to remove bone chips in his right elbow Wednesday.

Klein spent the final two months of the season on the injured list due to his elbow, and he's now decided to go under the knife to treat the issue. He's expected to be fully recovered by the time spring training begins and may have to compete for a spot in the Dodgers' bullpen after posting a 3.67 ERA and 1.56 WHIP across 41.2 innings.

Rushing will undergo a hybrid internal brace procedure on his right elbow Wednesday, Maddie Lee of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Rushing was diagnosed with a partial UCL tear in early August, which kept him from catching and limited him to just 11 plate appearances in the final two months of the regular season. The surgery will prevent him from catching on a full-time basis for nine months, a timeline that stretches into the second half of next season. Rushing will be able to hit well before then, but it's unclear whether the Dodgers would consider carrying him on their active roster only as a hitter, especially with the designated hitter slot already filled by Shohei Ohtani. Rushing slashed .246/.328/.460 with 12 home runs in 80 contests for the Dodgers this season.

Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said Wednesday that Ohtani will not require offseason surgery on his left knee or right biceps, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Ohtani dealt with nagging knee and biceps issues that kept him from pitching after July 3 and affected his offensive production in the second half (.245/.325/.447, eight home runs). However, the belief is Ohtani will heal with rest and be 100 percent by the time spring training rolls around. Friedman also noted Wednesday that he "fully expects" Ohtani to be a two-way player again in 2027.

Cholowsky (wrist) will likely be cleared in early November to swing a bat without restrictions, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

The first overall selection in the 2026 First-Year Player Draft, Cholowsky played nine games for High-A Winston-Salem before being shut down in late August with right wrist tendinitis. The injury is not expected to hinder his offseason workouts, however. Cholowsky is viewed as a likely fast-mover through the White Sox's minor-league system, but a major-league debut in 2027 is unlikely.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday that Garcia could play some second base next season, and third base is a possibility, as well, YES Network reports.

Second base was Garcia's primary position for his first five major-league seasons, but he consistently graded as a poor defender and in 2026 made a full-time move to first base, where he graded out as above average. The Yankees have a clear opening at second base, and potentially third base, as well. While it seems unlikely Garcia would play either of those spots on a full-time basis, he could be used there enough to regain eligibility in fantasy leagues. Garcia slashed .277/.309/.521 with 30 home runs and 92 RBI over 147 regular-season games between the Nationals and Yankees in 2026. He will be eligible for salary arbitration for a final time this winter.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday that Fried had his left elbow re-imaged and his UCL is in a good spot heading into the offseason, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Fried made two trips to the injured list this season due to a bone bruise in his pitching elbow. However, he ended the campaign healthy, and there are no concerns about the pitcher's ligament entering the winter. Fried was limited to 20 regular-season starts in 2026 but was highly effective when on the mound, logging a 2.80 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 104:33 K:BB over 112.2 innings. The 2027 season will be the third year of Fried's eight-year, $218 million contract.