MLB Player News

Batten provides San Diego with some extra infield depth while starting shortstop Ha-Seong Kim is on the injured list with a shoulder ailment. The 29-year-old has appeared in just one game this season for the Padres after getting into 58 contests the previous two years.

Luis Gil is going to be a reliever for now, since the Yankees won’t need a fourth starter in the ALDS because of how spaced out the games are. Schmidt went 5-5 with a 2.85 ERA in 16 starts this season. He came in at 3.65 in five September starts after returning from a lat strain.

It’s Garcia’s first time leading off since Aug. 31. Michael Massey, who has been leading off against righties, is in in the lineup tonight, but he’s batting sixth. The lineup: 3B Garcia, SS Bobby Witt Jr., DH Vinnie Pasquantino, C Salvador Perez, 1B Yuli Gurriel, 2B Massey, LF Tommy Pham, RF Hunter Renfroe, CF Garrett Hampson.

Berti has never played first base in an MLB game but the Yankees will turn to him here in Game 2 of the ALDS. They wanted a right-handed bat in the lineup against Cole Ragans, so they’ll roll the dice that the long-time infielder can make the quick transition to a new position.

It will be a battle of left-hander with Suárez up against Jose Quintana. Suárez was one of the best pitchers in baseball over the few couple of months of the season but predictably settled in as just a solid depth piece in the rotation. He finishes with a 3.46 ERA in 27 starts but gives the Phillies a solid option in a crucial Game 4.

With the Tigers throwing left-hander Tarik Skubal, the left-handed hitter Naylor will take a seat in favor of veteran Austin Hedges.

With Tyler Freeman sustaining an oblique injury, Martínez will be called up to take his place as a versatile bench option for the ALDS. The switch-hitter bated just .232/.298/.338 with three home runs and three steals in 43 games this season, but he can hit from both sides of the plate and play most positions around the field, which makes him a solid bench option for the Guardians.

Freeman finished the season in Triple-A, so it was a bit of a surprise that he made the ALDS roster over Angel Martínez; however, the injury will now rob him over the opportunity to play in a postseason game. Martínez will be added to take his place.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Senga “continues to feel good” after throwing two innings in Game 1, and the right-hander could throw three innings in Game 5 if the series gets there. Senga faced eight hitters over two innings on Saturday, striking out three and walking one. There was some rust, which is understandable considering he made just one start this season, but he looked pretty good considering how long he’s been out so that should fill the Mets with confidence.

Quintana threw six shutout innings for the Mets in the Wild Card round against the Brewers, and will look to keep that run of success going against the Phillies in Game 4, which would either be an opportunity for the Mets to advance or stave off elimination.

There had been some question of whether it would be Cobb or Joey Cantillo who would get the start after Gavin Williams said himself that he would be used out of the bullpen this series. Now we know it will be the 37-year-old veteran taking the ball. Cobb pitched just 16 1/3 innings this season for the Guardians after coming over in a deadline deal with the Giants; however, he has allowed just two runs on 13 hits in 11 2/3 career postseason innings while striking out 10 and walking three, so Vogt will turn to that experience over the rookie Cantillo.