MLB Player News

Rice went 4-for-5 with a double, two home runs and six RBI in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series against the Red Sox on Tuesday.

The 27-year-old posted a 1.055 OPS over 22 games in September and carried his hot bat into the postseason with a fifth-inning solo homer and an eighth-inning grand slam in Tuesday's blowout victory. Rice clubbed 41 homers with 97 RBI, 105 runs and a .264/.363/.534 slash line in 154 regular-season games this year, with his breakout helping to cover the absence of Aaron Judge (calf).

Thomas (intercostal) will take batting practice at Truist Park on Wednesday, Jesus Cano of The Athletic reports.

Thomas is just under three weeks removed from suffering a left intercostal strain. He's responded well to increased workouts and will have a big test Wednesday in taking batting practice on the field. If Thomas proves his health, he'll be a candidate to be added to Atlanta's roster for the NLDS, should his team advance.

Sandoval wasn't included on the Red Sox's roster for their American League Wild Card Series with the Yankees that began Tuesday.

Boston's decision to keep Sandoval off the roster doesn't come as a major surprise, after he turned in a 5.15 ERA and 1.69 WHIP over 64.2 innings in 13 starts upon returning from the 60-day injured list shortly before the All-Star break. The veteran southpaw didn't fare much better while shifting to a relief role for the final week of the regular season, yielding three runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out six in 5.2 innings over two appearances. Sandoval is scheduled for free agency this offseason and will likely be donning a new uniform in 2027.

The Red Sox optioned Paez to Triple-A Worcester on Sunday.

Paez gave up his spot on the 28-man active roster and in the bullpen to Wyatt Olds, who was recalled from Triple-A ahead of the Red Sox's regular-season finale. A Rule 5 pick by the White Sox over the winter, Paez ended up making his MLB debut with Chicago but was returned to Boston in early April. He ended up making two appearances for the Red Sox in September, yielding eight runs on 13 hits and two walks while striking out eight batters across 8.2 innings.

Hendriks announced his retirement from professional baseball Tuesday.

The 37-year-old Hendriks had a mid-career breakout resulting in 114 saves and three All-Star Game appearances during a four-year stretch from 2019-to-2022. Even more impressively, he beat lymphoma and made it back from Tommy John surgery after that. All told, Hendriks will finish with a 3.88 ERA and 116 saves over parts of 14 major-league seasons.

Gausman will start Game 2 of the wild-card series versus the Padres on Wednesday, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

Gausman will be tasked with helping to stave off elimination after the Cubs were shut out in the Padres' 8-0 Game 1 victory. The right-hander injured his left (non-throwing) shoulder in his final regular-season start one week ago, but he feels well enough to take the ball in Game 2's win-or-go-home scenario.

Anthony was removed from Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series against the Yankees on Tuesday due to a right hand injury, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Anthony's hand reportedly began bothering him after a check swing in the third inning, leading to his eventual removal in the sixth. The 22-year-old outfielder missed nearly four months in the regular season due to an injury in the same hand, though it's unclear whether his latest injury will force him to miss time. If he ends up needing to come off the Red Sox's wild-card roster, he would be ineligible to play again until the ALCS.

General manager Brandon Gomes said Tuesday that Henriquez (back) is "trending really well" after throwing an encouraging round of live batting practice, Sonja Chen of MLB.com reports.

Henriquez ended the regular season on the injured list due to a low-grade back strain, but because the Dodgers have a bye during the wild-card round, he'll have time to heal before the team begins its postseason run. The 24-year-old righty still has a few boxes left to check off, but assuming he doesn't suffer any setbacks during his remaining workouts, he'll likely be included in the Dodgers' NLDS roster.

Bregman is starting as the designated hitter and batting second Tuesday for Game 1 of the wild-card series against the Padres.

Bregman is not in the field Tuesday since it is the "safest way to make sure he gets at-bats" according to Cubs manager Craig Counsell, Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com reports. With the 32-year-old starting as the designated hitter, Pedro Ramirez enters the lineup as the third baseman and Michael Conforto exits to the bench.

Conforto is not in the lineup Tuesday for Game 1 of the wild-card series against the Padres.

Alex Bregman has the start as the designated hitter instead of Conforto on Tuesday and is batting second. With Bregman not in the field, Pedro Ramirez is taking over at the hot corner.