MLB Player News

Simpson has undergone a range of surgeries since the Giants selected him in the 21st round of the 2013 MLB Draft, but he’s throwing harder than ever at age 30 and could perhaps finally climb to the big leagues at some point in 2022. He holds a career 3.45 ERA and 11.9 K/9 in the minors.

While the Dodgers have had success with bullpen games in these playoffs, it always made the most sense for them to go with Jack Flaherty and Yamamoto in the first two games of the World Series. The Dodgers have won each of Yamamoto’s last two starts in the playoffs (NLCS Game 4 and NLDS Game 5). Walker Buehler is the only other starting pitcher to start for the Dodgers this postseason. It’s unclear when or if the Dodgers will go with a bullpen game in this series.

Flaherty allowed eight runs in three innings in his last appearance in Game 5 of the NLCS against the Mets. He was solid in his other two playoff appearances, though. With the Dodgers starting pitching depth lessened due to all the injuries they’ve had, it’s clear Los Angeles views Flaherty as its best starter now. He’s now in line to pitch multiple times in the Fall Classic if the series requires it.

Good news for the Dodgers. Freeman sat out Game 6 of the NLCS as the Dodgers advanced to the World Series with Max Muncy playing first base. The Mets were throwing Sean Manaea in that game, though, so it was an easy call to bench Freeman, who is less than 100 percent, against a tough lefty. He should be out there against Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole in Game 1 Friday.

Brown replaces Turner Ward after Ward didn’t have his contract renewed for 2025. Brown was last with the Mariners under the title of offensive coordinator until he was let go at the end of May. Prior to working with Seattle the 53-year-old was the hitting coach for the Marlins and has also coached for the Dodgers.

Fry dealt with elbow issues late in the season that limited him to the designated hitter position. The 28-year-old was a breakout player for the Guardians in 2025 and hit a game-winning homer in Game 3 of the ALCS against the Yankees, but it’s possible he may need to undergo an operation that could limit his availability to begin 2025. That’s purely speculative, and fantasy managers should have more clarity by the end of October.

Ogasawara has been effective in the NBP, and is coming off a season where he forged a 3.12 ERA over 24 starts and 144 1/3 innings. He’s best known for his command, and his size along with his ability to throw strikes makes him comparable to Shota Imanaga. Fantasy managers shouldn’t expect the same level of success and will want to see where he lands, but his stuff/control makes him an interesting fantasy option wherever he lands.

Blackburn is expected to miss 4-to-5 months after undergoing the procedure. That gives him a chance to be ready for Opening Day, but that’s far from a guarantee. Once healthy, Blackburn should be a backend starter for the Mets in 2025.

There wasn’t any talk of Hoerner dealing with elbow issues this season, but perhaps it was a factor in him putting up the worst exit velocity numbers of his career. Still, he did wind up playing in a career-high 151 games and hitting .273/.335/.373, which was good for a 101 OPS+. He’s finished with OPS+s between 101 and 106 each of the last four years.

Team USA, managed by Mike Scioscia, will play in Mexico from Nov. 9-14. If it advances out of the group stage, the Super Round will take part in Tokyo from Nov. 21-24. Touki Toussaint, Dan Altavilla, Dylan Covey and Anthony Gose are among the other major league veterans on the roster. Top prospects include Carson Williams (Rays), Matt Shaw (Cubs), Termarr Johnson (Pirates), Justin Crawford (Phillies) and Drake Baldwin (Braves).

Cortes last pitched on Sept. 18 and was diagnosed with a flexor tendon strain a week later. He’s expected to serve as a reliever in the World Series, and he could take Marcus Stroman’s roster spot after Stroman went unused in the ALCS.