MLB Player News

Lawlar played center field Tuesday in his first game with Tigres del Licey in the Dominican Winter League.

Lawlar has never played the outfield as a pro, but he's being introduced to center field in winter ball as the Diamondbacks evaluate how the 23-year-old fits into their roster picture for 2026. The former top prospect is a shortstop by trade, but that position is being held down by Geraldo Perdomo with the big club. Lawlar played some third base last season for the Diamondbacks, but manager Torey Lovullo shied away from him down the stretch during their playoff push due to defense, instead preferring Blaze Alexander there. The hot corner is still an option for Lawlar, but a successful transition to outfield would solve a problem for the Diamondbacks, who will be without Lourdes Gurriel (knee) for most of the season. Lawlar's offensive potential is considered better than that of either Alek Thomas or Jake McCarthy.

Scott (elbow) expects to be a full participant during spring training, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

Recovering from a hybrid Tommy John and internal brace procedure on his right elbow, Scott was scheduled to throw a live bullpen session Tuesday. It was the fourth time he's faced hitters since the September 2024 surgery and the second time he's done so on a five-day schedule. The righty said he's been sitting around 94 mph and touching 96 mph during his bullpen sessions. Scott will now go through a de-loading period before ramping his throwing back up in January. While Scott could be slow-played at the start of spring training following a long layoff, he should be ready to go for the start of the regular season. A spot in the Opening Day rotation is unlikely, but the 26-year-old could be part of the Mets' rotation at some point in 2026.

Elko is expected to be sidelined for eight months following surgery Tuesday to repair a torn ACL in his right knee, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Elko was diagnosed with a right knee sprain July 11 and was sidelined for three-plus weeks. He did not miss any additional time after that during the 2025 season, but a recent medical exam evidently revealed the need for surgery. With Elko slated to be out until around midseason of next year, he'll likely open the campaign on the 60-day injured list.

Nootbaar -- who is recovering from Oct. 7 surgery to address deformities on both of his heels -- has dealt with discomfort in both feet off and on over the past two-and-a-half years, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Nootbaar has had ongoing treatment during the season to address recurring soreness in his heels, but he elected to have surgery earlier this month with the goal of alleviating the condition. It's difficult to gauge how much the foot issues have affected Nootbaar's play, but it's notable that his sprint speed has fallen each year, from the 83rd percentile in 2021 to just the 39th percentile in 2025. The outfielder admits that the discomfort "was holding me back." Nootbaar -- who played a career-high 135 games this season but produced a career-low .686 OPS -- has not been ruled out for Opening Day next season, but because the surgery he had is uncommon, there's uncertainty regarding how long his rehab will take.

Ohtani took the loss in Game 4 of the World Series against the Blue Jays on Tuesday after allowing four earned runs on six hits and a walk while striking out six batters over six-plus innings. He also went 0-for-3 with a walk and two strikeouts as a batter.

After getting through the first two innings without giving up a run, Ohtani allowed a single to Nathan Lukes in the third before serving up a home run to Vladimir Guerrero in the ensuing at-bat. The two-way superstar kept the game close for the next several innings but was pulled after allowing the first two men he faced in the seventh to reach base -- both of whom eventually came around to score. Ohtani is likely now done making starts on the mound for the Dodgers this postseason, but he will likely be available out of the bullpen for the remainder of the series and also remains one of the most dynamic bats in Los Angeles' lineup.

Guerrero went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer, a walk and an additional run scored during Tuesday's 6-2 win over the Dodgers in Game 4 of the World Series.

With the Blue Jays down 1-0 in the top of the third inning and Nathan Lukes standing on first, Guerrero hit a 395-foot shot off Shohei Ohtani to give Toronto a lead that it wouldn't relinquish for the rest of the game. The 26-year-old slugger has now belted seven home runs in the postseason and sports a monstrous 1.306 OPS through 74 plate appearances.

Bieber earned the win during Game 4 of the World Series against the Dodgers on Tuesday, allowing one earned run on four hits and three walks while striking out three batters across 5.1 innings.

Bieber allowed the Dodgers to take a 1-0 lead in the second inning courtesy of a sacrifice fly from Enrique Hernandez, but the right-hander settled in nicely afterward, allowing just two of the next 12 batters he faced to reach base. He also did the Blue Jays' bullpen -- extremely fatigued from Monday's 18-inning marathon -- a solid by pitching into the sixth inning. Mason Fluharty returned the favor after Bieber's removal by stranding both of the inherited runners, keeping the latter in line for the win. Now carrying a 3.57 ERA through 17.2 innings in the postseason, the 30-year-old figures to have made his last start, though he could be available out of the bullpen going forward.

The Reds reinstated Gibaut (shoulder) from the 60-day injured list Tuesday and sent him outright to Triple-A Louisville.

Gibaut posted a 4.62 ERA and 1.34 WHIP across 25.1 regular-season innings this year before undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery in late August. He has enough service time necessary to reject his assignment and enter free agency, though it's unknown what his plans are.

Springer (side) isn't in the lineup for Game 4 of the World Series against the Dodgers on Tuesday.

Springer was forced to leave Game 3 early after injuring his side on a swing in the seventh inning, and he'll officially remain on the bench for the beginning of Tuesday's contest. Bo Bichette will work as Toronto's designated hitter in Springer's stead, opening up second base for Isiah Kiner-Falefa.

Butler (knee) said Monday that he will be fully ready for the beginning of spring training, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Butler underwent surgery in early October to repair a tear in his right patellar tendon and also had a debridement of chronic scar tissue in the knee. Additionally, he was given a platelet-rich plasma injection to combat chronic tendinitis in his left patellar tendon. Butler played through knee problems for a portion of the 2025 campaign, which could have contributed to his disappointing .234/.306/.404 batting line. While Butler is optimistic his recovery will not impact his readiness for the start of camp, it would not be a surprise if the Athletics slow-played the outfielder early on in spring training.