MLB Player News

The 34-year-old right-hander opted out of the final four years and $144 million that he had remaining on his contract with the Yankees, but the club has the option to void that opt-out by adding a fifth year and $36 million to the contract. Multiple sources have indicated that the Yankees are likely to retain Cole, but nothing is official just yet. If they do add the extra year, they’ll owe him $180 million over the next five seasons. Cole looked especially sharp during the Yankees’ postseason run and would be very difficult for them to replace on the free agent market.

The game sat in a 1-1 tie for most of the game — and through a lengthy rain delay — until the Phillies finally scratched out a run on a two-out bases loaded walk in the top of the 11th. Austin Riley then evened the score with an RBI double to start the 10th before Ozuna walloped a Joe Ross fastball for a 429-foot (108.6 mph EV) walk-off blast. The 34-year-old slugger finished the day 3-for-5 and is now slashing a robust .316/.509/.526 with a pair of homers and seven RBI on the season.

The 24-year-old right-hander punched out five on the night while issuing a pair of walks. Schwellenbach served up a long solo homer to Kyle Schwarber in the third inning, but aside from that he completely stifled the Phillies’ offense. He was returning to the mound to start the seventh inning — after throwing only 81 pitches — when a rain delay caused his evening to end prematurely. Schwellenbach got 10 whiffs on the night, five of those on his slider, while posting a CSW of 27 percent. He’ll carry a microscopic 0.45 ERA, 0.65 WHIP and a 19/3 K/BB ratio (20 innings) into Tuesday’s matchup against the Blue Jays in Toronto.

Schwarber tagged Braves’ right-hander Spencer Schwellenbach for a 429-foot (108.6 mph EV) solo shot in the third inning that evened the score at one run apiece. The 32-year-old slugger also worked a walk in the contest, finishing the day 1-for-5. On the season, he’s slashing a healthy .283/.411/.739 with six long balls and 12 RBI.

The 27-year-old southpaw struck out six batters on the night while allowing only one base on balls. The Braves scratched out a run against him in the opening inning as they strung together a walk, double and an RBI ground out, but that was the extent of the damage done against him. Luzardo got 12 whiffs on 98 pitches on the night, posting a CSW of 26 percent. He has been nothing short of dominant through his first three starts with the Phillies, registering a 1.50 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and a 25/5 K/BB ratio over 18 innings. He’ll look to improve to 3-0 when he does battle against the Giants on Tuesday.

Suárez struck out four batters on the evening, throwing 24 of his 33 total pitches for strikes. His average fastball velocity sat at 92.2 mph on the night — a slight uptick from the 91.8 mph that he averaged during the 2024 season. He’s expected to need two additional rehab starts before he’s ready to rejoin the Phillies’ rotation.

The 29-year-old right-hander had been designated for assignment earlier in the week, but he passed through waivers unclaimed and will continue to function as extra bullpen depth for the Twins. McCaughan has pitched well in 5 1/3 innings for the big league club this season — allowing just one run with a 6/1 K/BB ratio across 5 1/3 innings. He’ll almost assuredly get another opportunity in Minneapolis in relatively short order.

With Matt McLain sidelined and Noelvi Marte moved up to the big league club, the Reds were light on infield depth in the upper minors, so this move makes plenty of sense. The 29-year-old spent the 2024 campaign in the Diamondbacks’ organization where he slashed .335/.385/.474 with nine homers, 61 RBI and 10 stolen bases at Triple-A Reno.

The White Sox needed to free up a spot on their 40-man roster on Thursday and since Carela couldn’t be designated for assignment while injured (recovering from Tommy John surgery), he had to be released. It wouldn’t be surprising in the slightest to see them bring him back on a minor league pact.

Hicklen’s stay with the big league club lasted just two games — neither of which he appeared in. He’ll continue to bide his time at the Triple-A level until he’s needed once more. The expectation is that Gleyber Torres will be joining the team in Minneapolis and will be activated from the injured list prior to Friday’s game.

The Dodgers needed to free up a spot on their active roster for the return of Freddie Freeman (ankle) on Friday, so this move doesn’t come as a surprise. The 27-year-old backstop went hitless in two at-bats during his brief stay with the big league club this time around.