MLB Player News

Sale is expected to start Game 3 of the NLDS against the Dodgers on Tuesday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

The veteran left-hander made a surprise appearance out of the bullpen to close out the Phillies in Game 3 of the NL Wild Card Series on Thursday, which will end up pushing back his first start of the NLDS. Sale covered 7.2 frames between his two wild-card appearances versus Philadelphia, striking out 12 with three runs allowed on five hits and one walk.

Pivetta is scheduled to start Game 3 of the NLDS against the Brewers on Tuesday, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

The 33-year-old pitched in Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series versus the Cubs on Wednesday, allowing a run on three hits with four strikeouts and two walks over 3.1 innings. Since returning from a flexor strain in early September, Pivetta has a 1.64 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 22:4 K:BB across 22 frames in five games, including the playoff start.

Brewers manager Pat Muphy announced Sunday that May will start Game 3 of the NLDS against the Padres on Tuesday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

The veteran right-hander had plenty of ups and downs after being acquired from St. Louis at the trade deadline, posting a 5.65 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 38:15 K:BB across 36.2 innings over 10 starts for Milwaukee. May will still end up getting the call for the Brewers on Tuesday, in part due to his success versus the Padres this year -- across three starts against San Diego, he surrendered just three earned runs with a 22:5 K:BB in 22 frames, including a one-hit shutout in June.

Vasquez was added to the Padres' NLDS roster Saturday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Vasquez will be filling in for Walker Buehler, who was placed on the postseason paternity list Saturday. Once Buehler returns, Vasquez will have to be removed from the Friars' roster.

The Padres placed Buehler on the postseason paternity list Saturday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Buehler will be allowed to miss up to three days while he welcomes a new addition to his family, and he'll be eligible to rejoin the Padres' NLDS roster immediately upon returning. In the meantime, Randy Vasquez will replace Buehler on San Diego's pitching staff.

Harrison is listed on the Brewers' roster for their National League Division Series against the Padres.

Harrison was at risk of missing out on the Brewers' postseason roster after giving up 25 runs (22 earned) in his final 12.1 regular-season innings, but the team seems to feel comfortable including him to presumably work out of the bullpen. The 25-year-old lefty looked sharper during his final regular-season outing against the Cardinals, tossing two scoreless innings while striking out four batters, but he still isn't likely to see high-leverage work in the playoffs.

The Padres will start Ray in Game 1 of the NLDS against the Brewers on Saturday.

With Michael King and Nick Pivetta making starts in the Padres' wild-card series victory over the Cubs, Ray was the obvious choice to take the ball in the lid-lifter versus the Brewers. Ray struggled in nine starts after landing in San Diego at the trade deadline, holding a 5.02 ERA and 33:27 K:BB over 43 frames.

Skubal will start Game 1 of the NLDS against Atlanta on Saturday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

The Dodgers have an embarrassment of riches in their rotation, and they'll opt for Skubal over Yoshinobu Yamamoto in Game 1. Presumably, Yamamoto will take the ball in Game 2, with Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow lurking. Skubal made 10 starts for the Dodgers after landing in Los Angeles at the trade deadline, logging a 2.61 ERA and 70:13 K:BB across 62 innings.

Atlanta manager Walt Weiss said Friday that Perez (back) will not be available for the NLDS against the Dodgers, Aiden Stepansky of MLB.com reports.

Perez isn't eligible to return from his lower-back inflammation until Game 3 of the NLDS on Tuesday, but he will not be activated at any point during the series. It's possible the lefty is an option for the NLCS, should Atlanta advance, though it's unclear whether Perez has done any throwing since the injury.

Atlanta manager Walt Weiss said Friday that Elder (knee) will not be available for the NLDS against the Dodgers, Aiden Stepansky of MLB.com reports.

Elder underwent arthroscopic right knee surgery less than a month ago. He progressed to live batting practice Monday and could be in play if Atlanta advances to the NLCS, but the club doesn't feel he's ready to contribute just yet. Elder posted a 4.11 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 121:49 K:BB over 149 innings covering 26 starts for Atlanta this season.