MLB Player News

Messick was charged with the loss in Game 5 of the ALCS against Tampa Bay on Sunday, giving up two runs on five hits with three strikeouts and two walks across two innings.

It was a messy performance from the left-hander, who needed 57 pitches (34 strikes) to record just six outs in a pivotal Game 5. After a strong second half of the regular season that saw him post a 2.30 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 10.0 K/9 in 13 starts after the All-Star break, Messick has given up nine runs (six earned) over 13.2 frames through four postseason starts. If the Guardians can win Monday to force a Game 7, Messick could be available given his shortened outing Sunday.

Rasmussen earned the win in Game 5 of the ALCS against the Guardians on Sunday, allowing one run on four hits with six strikeouts and one walk over seven innings.

It was another strong showing from Rasmussen, who has surrendered just three earned runs over 21 frames in three playoffs starts and has given up two runs or fewer in each of his past nine outings dating back to Aug. 24. The right-hander has blossomed into an ace, and Sunday's performance puts Tampa Bay one victory away from making the World Series.

Peralta will start Game 6 of the ALCS against the Guardians on Monday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Peralta will take the mound for his second start of the series after he pitched six scoreless innings while striking out six batters on his way to a win in Game 2. He also pitched two-thirds of an inning, allowing a walk without surrendering a run in an appearance out of the bullpen in the team's 7-3 victory in Game 4. The right-hander has posted a 0.79 ERA over three postseason appearances this year, and he'll have a chance to help punch the Rays' ticket to the World Series with a win Monday.

Mesa is out of the lineup for Game 5 of the ALCS against the Guardians on Sunday.

The 25-year-old has started all seven of Tampa Bay's playoff games, but he'll head to the bench Sunday against Cleveland lefty Parker Messick. Mesa clubbed a decisive two-run homer in Game 3 of the ALDS versus the Yankees, but overall he's batting just .160 (4-for-25) with 11 strikeouts in October.

Palacios is out of the lineup for Game 5 of the ALCS against the Guardians on Sunday.

Palacios went 3-for-4 with a stolen base and two runs in Game 4 on Saturday but will take a seat Sunday since southpaw Parker Messick is starting for Cleveland. Ben Williamson is manning the keystone and batting eighth in a pivotal Game 5.

Bazzana went 2-for-3 with a walk and a solo homer in Game 4 of the ALCS against the Rays on Saturday.

The rookie second baseman gave the Guardians some life with a seventh-inning solo homer that cut the deficit to 5-2, but Cleveland was able to score just one additional run. It was the first multi-hit performance of the playoffs for Bazzana, who has a .200/.294/.367 slash line with two doubles, a homer, a stolen base, two RBI and four runs through nine games.

Diaz went 2-for-5 with a double, a two-run homer and an additional run scored in Game 4 of the ALCS against the Guardians on Saturday.

Diaz scored Tampa Bay's first run after doubling during the third inning and provided some late insurance with a two-run homer in the top of the ninth to stretch the lead to 7-3. It's been a productive series thus far for the 35-year-old slugger, who is batting .278 (5-for-18) with three doubles, a homer, two RBI and four runs through four games.

Aranda went 3-for-4 with a walk, two RBI and two runs during Game 4 of the ALCS against the Guardians on Saturday.

The first baseman went hitless in the first three games of the series, but he delivered a pair of RBI singles and scored twice Saturday to help Tampa Bay even the series 2-2. Aranda homered in Game 1 of the ALCS against the Yankees but is otherwise without an extra-base hit in October. Still, the three-hit performance improve his postseason slash line to .269/.345/.385 through seven games.

Griffin didn't factor in the decision after giving up one run on four hits and no walks over 3.2 innings during Game 4 of the ALCS against the Rays on Saturday. He struck out five.

The left-hander allowed two runs over four innings while starting Game 1 of the series, but manager Stephen Vogt elected to have him follow opener Shawn Armstrong on Saturday. Griffin gave up a run on a double and a single during the third inning but was otherwise able to keep Tampa Bay in check. He shouldn't pitch Sunday in Game 5 after throwing 44 pitches but seems likely to be available for Game 6 and a possible Game 7.

Martinez earned the win in Game 4 of the ALCS against the Guardians on Saturday, allowing one run on two hits with three strikeouts and two walks across 5.1 innings.

The right-hander surrendered a run on two hits and a wild pitch during the opening frame but otherwise was able to keep Cleveland off the board to help even the series at 2-2. It was an improved effort from Martinez compared to his first playoff start during the ALDS, when he gave up two runs on five hits in 3.2 innings. He doesn't line up for another start versus the Guardians but could be available out of the bullpen for the final games of the series.