MLB Player News

Watson underwent sports hernia surgery Tuesday and will be sidelined 8-to-12 weeks.

It's not clear how long Watson had been dealing with a sports hernia, but the decision to have surgery was made after he visited with Dr. William Meyers in Philadelphia. Watson should be fully recovered well ahead of spring training. The 23-year-old slashed just .239/.264/.341 with a 3:32 BB:K over his first 27 contests in the majors, but he turned in a .247/.361/.455 batting line with 19 home runs and 24 steals in 98 games with Triple-A Columbus. Watson will compete next year for playing time in the Guardians' outfield.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said Wednesday that Judge has a follow-up exam scheduled with Dr. Gregory Pearl regarding his rib, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

A calf strain prematurely ended his season, but Judge missed more than three months of action during the regular season with a stress fracture in his ribs. Cashman noted that the team feels like it's "in a good place" with Judge's injury and they expect the slugger to be ready to go for spring training. Barring any surprises, Judge should receive clearance from Dr. Pearl to go through his normal offseason workouts.

Mesa is out of the lineup for Game 5 of the ALCS against the Guardians on Sunday.

The 25-year-old has started all seven of Tampa Bay's playoff games, but he'll head to the bench Sunday against Cleveland lefty Parker Messick. Mesa clubbed a decisive two-run homer in Game 3 of the ALDS versus the Yankees, but overall he's batting just .160 (4-for-25) with 11 strikeouts in October.

Halpin went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run during Game 3 of the ALCS against the rays on Thursday.

Halpin primarily came off the bench during the ALDS against the White Sox, but he's started in center field in all three games so far versus Tampa Bay. The 24-year-old gave Cleveland a 3-2 lead with his two-run blast during the fifth inning, which held up as the final score. Across his four playoff starts, Halpin has gone 4-for-11 with two doubles, the two-run homer and four strikeouts.

Vilade is absent from the lineup Tuesday for Game 2 of the ALCS against the Guardians.

The right-handed-hitting Vilade typically started versus lefties this season, but he will begin this one on the bench despite the Guardians sending southpaw Parker Messick to the hill. Speedster Chandler Simpson will start in left field for the Rays.

DeLauter went 3-for-4 with a walk, a double, a solo homer and two additional runs scored in Game 1 of the ALCS against the Rays on Monday.

The rookie outfielder went 0-for-4 in his playoff debut versus the White Sox in Game 1 of the ALDS, but he's now collected at least one hit in five straight games. DeLauter broke the seal for Cleveland on Monday with his sixth-inning solo shot, and he came around to score after doubling in the eighth and working a walk in the ninth. Through his first six postseason games, the 25-year-old is batting .333 with three walks, two extra-base hits, three RBI and five runs.

Simpson is absent from the lineup Monday in Game 1 of the ALCS against the Guardians.

With left-hander Foster Griffin toeing the rubber for Cleveland, the left-handed-hitting Simpson will begin the festivities on the bench. The Rays will roll out Ryan Vilade in left field. Simpson is a good bet to eventually enter Monday's contest after the Guardians turn to their bullpen.

Martinez is not in the lineup Monday for Game 1 of the ALCS versus the Rays.

Martinez started in left field in the Guardians' first four postseason games but went 0-for-15 at the plate. He has since been out of the lineup for two consecutive contests. Cleveland will go with Steven Kwan in left field and Petey Halpin in center field Monday.

Scheemann is absent from the Guardians' roster for the ALCS, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

The Guardians will go with an additional pitcher against the Rays instead, with Slade Cecconi joining the bullpen. Schneemann did not make an appearance during the ALDS versus the White Sox.

Martinez isn't in the lineup for Game 5 of the ALDS against the White Sox on Saturday, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

Martinez will retreat to the bench Saturday after going 0-for-15 to begin the Guardians' postseason run. Steven Kwan will shift to left field as a result, allowing Petey Halpin to start in center.