MLB Player News

File, 30, was designated for assignment near the end of May by the Brewers. The right-hander stayed in the organization and registered a 4.57 ERA in 26 appearances -- 19 of them starts -- for Triple-A Nashville. He’ll have a chance to pitch in the KBO and impress, and doing so could lead to him being yet another pitcher who improves their stock by throwing well overseas.

Ohtani suffered the injury while sliding into second base on a steal attempt in the seventh inning. For those scoring at home, a subluxation is a partial dislocation. However, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters that they’re encouraged by Ohtani’s strength and range of motion. He’ll undergo further testing on his shoulder tomorrow and the Dodgers will know more about his availability once they get the scans back. Ohtani is paramount to the Dodgers success and losing him for any amount of time now would be at best unfortunate and at worst catastrophic, but the initial signs seem positive based on what Roberts told the media.

Judge’s swing looks broken. John Smoltz correctly pointed out on the FOX broadcast that Judge’s front hip is flying open too early, which is preventing him from driving the ball. That’s if he were to make contact. Judge is now 6-for-40 with 19 strikeouts in the playoffs. That’s a 47 percent strikeout percentage, which is nearly twice as high as the 24 percent strikeout percentage he had during the regular season. He’s 1-for-9 with six strikeouts already in the World Series. The Yankees absolutely need Judge to break out of this funk if they’re going to get back in the series after falling behind 2-0, but he doesn’t look close to doing that at the moment.

Soto crushed his fourth home run of the playoffs. It was a solo shot off Yoshinobu Yamamoto in the third inning that left his bat at 105.4 mph exit velocity and traveled 386 feet. Soto also started the Yankees rally in the ninth inning with a single off Dodgers closer Blake Treinen. He’s hitting .350 with a 1.160 OPS and nine RBI in the playoffs. Soto will become a free agent shortly after the World Series and is poised to sign the largest contract for a position player in baseball history.

Freeman’s home run was his second of the World Series already. He turned around a fastball up and in from Carlos Rodon and sent it out deep to right field at 108.7 mph exit velocity. His solo shot traveled 401 feet. Considering Freeman had a walkoff grand slam in Game 1 and another home run in Game 2, he has to be the favorite to be the MVP of the World Series at this point.

Hernandez’ home run was his third of the playoffs. He hit a two-run shot to the opposite field off Carlos Rodon in the third inning. Hernandez put the Dodgers ahead for good with his home run, which left his bat at 107.9 mph exit velocity and traveled 392 feet. After having one of his best seasons on a one-year deal this year, Hernandez has proven himself to be a key player in the Dodgers’ lineup and likely earned a significant payday this offseason.

Rodon gave up six hits, walked none and struck out three. Rodon actually had his good fastball on Saturday as he hit 98 mph multiple times, but it wasn’t enough against the strong Dodgers offense. Los Angeles took the lead on a solo home run by Tommy Edman in the second inning and scored three more runs on a two-run homer by Teoscar Hernandez and a solo shot by Freddie Freeman in the third inning. Rodon has struggled to keep the ball in the ballpark down the stretch. He’s now allowed at least one home run in eight of his last 10 starts including the playoffs. It was an easy call for the Yankees to remove him in the fourth inning with an off day Sunday before Game 3. Rodon would only pitch again if the series goes six games.

Yamamoto gave up one hit, walked two and struck out four. The only hit he allowed was a solo home run by Juan Soto in the third inning. Yamamoto was dominant otherwise as he turned in his best playoff start yet at the perfect time to give the Dodgers a 2-0 lead in the series. He’ll only pitch again if the series ends up going six games.

No word yet on the severity of the injury, but this might be good news or at least better news than if Ohtani had injured his wrist. If his shoulder popped out of place, the training staff can probably fix that in time for Monday’s Game 3. Ohtani is obviously a key part of the Dodgers offense as their leadoff hitter and presumptive MVP of the National League.

Ohtani was down in pain for a moment before leaving the field with the help of the Dodgers trainer. We’ll have another update once more is known about the nature of the injury. It almost goes without saying that losing Ohtani for any amount of time in the World Series would be awful for the Dodgers.

Olney notes that Flaherty experienced tightness in his hamstring just before he allowed a two-run home run to Giancarlo Stanton. It’s unclear how severe the injury is for Flaherty or if he’ll be able to make his next start, which could come as early as Game 4 of the series. The Dodgers can ill afford to lose Flaherty, their best starting pitcher.