MLB Player News

Kent will begin his 2024 campaign at the Triple-A level after having a tough spring camp with the defending champs. In three spring games, Kent posted a 12.27 ERA and allowed five earned runs over 3 2/3 innings of work.

Effross gets the boot as the Yankees need the roster room for Ben Rice, and Rice was recalled in a corresponding transaction. Effross could still pitch in the postseason, but it seems doubtful he’ll be a big part of that pitching staff.

Anthony Banda will get the start for the Dodgers, but then give way early to Knack. It seems likely that will be Knack’s postseason role as well, but that’s still to be determined. Knack still gets a shot at a win, but keep in mind he’s pitching in Coors Field and not likely to pile up the strikeouts.

That session will take place in either Baltimore or Houston; depending on where the Royals are heading. The 26-year-old has not played since the end of August with his fractured thumb, but he’s making progress; enough so that he just might be an option for the Wild Card series or the ALDS if the Royals are able to advance.

“He’ll be a factor out there,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. We know what he brings to the table with his ability to get righties out, his ability to compete at a really high level. … We would expect his velo to go up.” Cole Ragans, Seth Lugo, and Michael Wacha — in that order — will be the starters for KC in the series against the Tigers or Astros.

Sounds bad, but Giants manager Bob Melvin told reporters that the issues are minor and that Ramos could be the DH if necessary. His season ends with a .269 average, .792 OPS, 22 homers and 72 RBI. He should be in for a similar amount of work — and potentially more production — in 2025.

Rodriguez allowed two runs in five innings in his outing against the Marlins. It was an uneven year for the 27-year-old that saw him strikeout 85 batters in 86 2/3 innings, but also register a 4.47 ERA and issue 40 walks in that timeframe.

Eisert gets another call-up from Buffalo and likely will be used in the season finale against the Marlins. He takes the roster spot of Yariel Rodriguez.

The Phillies have had Hays out of the lineup because of a sore back, and they called Buddy Kennedy up from Triple-A to help out the bench for the regular season finale. Hays will likely be a weapon against left-handed pitching if he is able to go for that best-of-five series.

Cousins will then hopefully throw a live bullpen session Thursday. If those go well, there’s a good chance Cousins will be on the ALDS roster, and he’ll be a mid-to-late inning option for the Yankees’ bullpen in that series against the Orioles, Royals or Tigers.

Yoshida has dealt with issues with the shoulder, and according to Yamazaki, an operation might be necessary for the 31-year-old. Yoshida has also been the subject of trade rumors after the comments from president of baseball operations Craig Breslow suggesting potential trades of their left-handed bats, but obviously his market will be limited if a surgery needs to take place.