MLB Player News

Armstrong and the Guardians won't face the Rays on Friday in Game 4 of the ALCS, as the game was postponed due to inclement weather.

Games 4 and 5 will both be pushed back a day as a result. Armstrong had been slated to work as an opener in Game 4 after logging 5.1 shutout innings to begin the postseason, and the Guardians will stand pat with their plan to use him in the first inning of Saturday's contest, per Tim Stebbins of MLB.com. Tanner Bibee and Joey Cantillo will be candidates to follow Armstrong in a bulk role.

Armstrong will serve as the Guardians' opener Friday in Game 4 of the ALCS against the Rays, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Armstrong has been terrific this postseason, logging 5.1 scoreless innings while allowing just one hit with a 5:0 K:BB. Tanner Bibee and/or Joey Cantillo will be options for bulk relief for the Guardians on Friday.

Smith struck out two over 1.1 perfect innings to record the save in Game 3 of the ALCS against the Rays on Thursday.

The right-hander was tasked with recording the final four outs of Game 3 with Cleveland leading 3-2, and he retired all four batters he faced on 18 pitches (13 strikes). Smith didn't pitch in the Game 2 loss on Tuesday, which was the first playoff game this season that he did not make an appearance for Cleveland. He's been dominant despite the heavy workload, surrendering just one run on two hits and one walk while striking out 13 across 8.2 frames.

Holderman underwent surgery Wednesday to relieve recurring tendinitis in his right wrist, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

The operation was successful, and Holderman is expected to be 100 percent in time for spring training. Holderman posted a 2.73 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 50:20 K:BB over 52.2 frames for the Guardians this season. The 31-year-old is eligible for salary arbitration this winter.

White Sox general manager Chris Getz said Wednesday that he believes Smith will be a starting pitcher in the majors "at some point," but a decision on the lefty's role for 2027 hasn't been made, James Fegan of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Smith began the 2026 season in the rotation at Triple-A Charlotte, but he was moved to the bullpen in July and it was in a relief role where he impacted the major-league club, posting a 1.29 ERA and 47:24 K:BB across 35 regular-season innings. The No. 5 overall pick in the 2024 First-Year Player Draft, Smith has shown flashes of dominance but overall has been erratic boasting a 33.4 percent strikeout rate but also a 16.2 percent walk rate in the minors.

White Sox general manager Chris Getz said Tuesday that the team has yet to make a decision on whether to deploy Taylor as a starting pitcher or reliever next season, James Fegan of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Getz noted that he believes Taylor will be a starting pitcher in the majors "at some point," but whether that will happen in 2027 is undetermined. Taylor logged a 2.25 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 106:30 K:BB over 84 regular-season innings for the White Sox in 2026 as a reliever and occasional opener. The 24-year-old notched 10 saves during the regular season and another two in the playoffs, and he will likely open 2027 as the team's closer if the White Sox elect to keep him in the bullpen. However, Taylor has loads of upside as a starting pitcher, and if the White Sox intend to make the role shift eventually, next season might be the time to do it.

Baker struck out one while retiring all three batters he faced in the ninth inning to earn the save in Game 2 of the ALCS against the Guardians on Tuesday.

The right-hander entered with a 3-1 lead and closed things out with little fanfare, as he needed just eight pitches to even the series at one game apiece. It's the fourth save of the playoffs for Baker, who has yet to allow a hit and has a 5:1 K:BB across four innings. He's now converted his past 34 save opportunities, with his last blown save coming May 13 in Toronto.

Hopkins has been included on the Rays' roster for the ALCS, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.

He will take the roster spot of Garrett Cleavinger, as the Rays will swap out a righty for a lefty in their bullpen. Hopkins made six appearances out of the bullpen down the stretch for the Rays, allowing three runs with a 7:6 K:BB in 5.1 frames. The 24-year-old has electric stuff, but manager Kevin Cash might not feel comfortable using Hopkins in high leverage due to his control problems.

Cleavinger will not be on the Rays' ALCS roster, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.

Cleavinger returned from a forearm injury in time to be part of the ALDS roster, but the southpaw did not make an appearance against the Yankees. He's roster spot will be absorbed by Brody Hopkins.

Whitlock was diagnosed with a fractured right tibia after the Red Sox were eliminated from the postseason in the wild-card round, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Whitlock pitched through leg pain during the final month of the regular season, and only after undergoing imaging following the wild-card series did he discover he'd suffered a fracture. He'll spend roughly six weeks in a walking boot but should avoid surgery, and he's expected to be fully healthy by the time spring training begins.