MLB Player News

Two strikeouts and a weak grounder today. Barger has been on base just once in five games, collecting a lone single, and he’s struck out six times. He’ll need to pick it up if he’s going to survive Kevin Kiermaier’s eventual return.

Manaea gave up three hits, walked two and struck out six. It’s safe to say Manaea made himself some money this offseason with the dominant effort. The 32-year-old entered Tuesday night’s start with a 10.66 ERA in three career playoff starts. Pitching for his fourth team in the last four years and in the biggest game of his career to this point, Manaea turned in an excellent performance. He could be in line for Game 1 of the NLCS should the Mets close out the series.

Wacha allowed three runs in four innings in a no-decision in Game 1. He’ll be pitching with four days of rest on Thursday.

Freeman left midway through Game 2 after he tweaked his ankle in his second at-bat, but it’s the playoffs so he’ll try to play again. Freeman missed the final three games of the regular season with an ankle injury. He was replaced by Enrique Hernandez in Game 2 on Sunday.

Casparius has replaced Michael Grove, who suffered an apparent injury. The Dodgers are still carrying 13 pitchers for the rest of the NLDS.

It’s unclear what injury Grove has. The Dodgers will still carry 13 pitchers for the rest of this series as Ben Casparius has been added to the roster.

The Yankees surprisingly had Jon Berti play first base against the Royals in the Game 2 loss even though he’d never played the position before. Berti does have some (small sampled) success against starter Seth Lugo; going 3-for-6 in his limited action. If it’s not Berti, the Yankees could have Oswaldo Cabrera or Ben Rice handle the not-so-hot corner.

Black will manage the Rockies for a ninth season. The 67-year-old has more wins than any other skipper in the club’s history; even with a record of just 537-657 over the first eight years. It’s not likely that W-L gets any better in 2025.

The hope is that McNeil could get those at-bats in Arizona and be ready to return for the Mets in the NLCS — if the Mets are able to advance past the Phillies, of course. The 32-year-old has not played since September 7, but it sounds like it’s very likely — maybe even probable — that he’ll be a part of the Mets in some sort of role if they’re able to continue their run past the Divisional Series.

Bohm was benched for Game 2 against New York, but even after going hitless off the bench the 28-year-old will be back on the hot corner against southpaw Sean Manaea. Edmundo Sosa is still in the lineup with Bryson Stott sitting against the left-hander, and Austin Hays gets the start in left with Brandon Marsh on the bench to begin play. The full lineup for Philadelphia as they look to take a 2-1 series lead: DH Kyle Schwarber, SS Trea Turner, 1B Bryce Harper, RF Nick Castellanos, 3B Bohm, C J.T. Realmuto, LF Austin Hays, 2B Sosa, and CF Johan Rojas.

Aguiar was diagnosed with a shoulder strain back in September, but clearly there was more to the injury than first believed — or at least first described. The surgery will keep him from being able to pitch in 2025, and he’ll battle for a roster spot in 2026 if all goes well.