MLB Player News

Heath Bell is struggling mightily in the early going, so the Fish are going to use him in lower-pressure situations for a little while. Cishek, 25, has registered a dominant 0.91 ERA, 0.63 WHIP and 15/6 K/BB ratio in 14 1/3 innings this season and should do well as Miami’s temporary ninth-inning man. Ryan Webb and Edward Mujica could also see some save opportunities.

Burnes gave up five hits, walked one and struck out three. He pitched well enough to win, but the Orioles offense was shutout in the loss. In the sixth inning, Burnes walked Maikel Garcia, who then stole second base and scored on a two-out RBI single by Bobby Witt Jr. That was the only run either team could push across. Burnes would only get another chance to start if the Orioles come back to win the series and advance to the Division series. He’s a free agent this offseason.

Skubal was the winning pitcher in Game 1 of the Wild Card series against the Astros, but he left after six innings. He was visited on the mound by trainers and Hinch in the sixth inning, but stayed in to complete the inning. Skubal should be ready to make another start if the Tigers advance.

Ragans had allowed only four hits in six shutout innings while striking out eight batters. It seemed puzzling that the Royals would take him out after 80 pitches, but the club announced shortly after that Ragans had calf cramps.

Skubal got two visits from the trainer in this one. The first was because he took a liner off his glove hand, something that also happened a couple of weeks ago. The second came in the sixth, but he was able to continue with what appeared to be left leg issue. He exited after that inning, having thrown 88 pitches. He struck out six and walked one in earning the win in his first career postseason outing.

Jason Foley opened the ninth with a 3-0 lead and gave up a rocket double to Yordan Alvarez and then a pair of rather unlucky hits on grounders, making it a 3-1 game. Jeremy Peña followed with a sac bunt that advanced both runners. With the Tigers wanting strikeouts more than grounders at that point, Brieske replaced Foley. Brieske didn’t actually produce any strikeouts; his outs both came on liners, with a walk in between, but the end result was as hoped.

Valdez’s postseason career got off to an awesome start — he had a 1.44 ERA in 12 starts and one relief appearances through the 2022 World Series — but four outings dating back to last year have produced four defeats, with Valdez giving up 15 earned runs over 16 1/3 innings. The Astros will need to win these next two games for Valdez to have another chance in the ALDS.

As planned, Alvarez took it quite slow on the bases. His double came in the ninth, and he was removed for a pinch-runner afterwards.

One of those options for left field is Jasson Dominguez, and Boone did state that he expects the 21-year-old to play a “big part” in their postseason plans. That doesn’t mean he’ll be in the lineup everyday, however, and the Yankees may want to ease the talented outfielder into action. Alex Verdugo and Trent Grisham are other options for the Yankees, but don’t be surprise if The Martian is in the lineup against either the Orioles or Royals when that series begins.

Smith-Shawver will get the nod with Chris Sale (back) unable to pitch and the remaining starters not available. It’ll likely be a short leash for the 21-year-old, with Bryce Elder a potential early replacement if things go haywire. Max Fried will start Game 2 for Atlanta.

McNeil received an “improved” X-ray on his fractured wrist, and that means the 32-year-old can start accelerating his return. It seems unlikely that McNeil would be available for the NLCS at this point, but if the Mets can keep their good run going, it’s possible we see him in the lineup at some point.