MLB Player News

White Sox general manager Chris Getz said Wednesday of Martin that it's "very clear that he was hindered and wasn't himself" due to a right calf injury, James Fegan of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Per Scott Merkin of MLB.com, Martin revealed late in the regular season that he battled calf discomfort "on and off" since April. It's difficult to determine how much the nagging calf issue affected Martin's performance, but he was a different pitcher the first two months of the season (2.00 ERA, 71:14 K:BB over 67.2 innings) than he was in the final four months (5.63 ERA, 51:32 K:BB in 78.1 frames). Martin was on the roster for both of Chicago's playoff series, but he made just one relief appearance, allowing two runs over one inning of work. The calf injury for Martin should heal with extended rest over the offseason.

Jax will start Thursday in Game 3 of the ALCS against the Guardians, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Jax's lone appearance so far this postseason came in relief, as he allowed one run with four strikeouts over two innings in the Rays' ALDS Game 3 clincher versus the Yankees. Nick Martinez was the starter for that contest, but manager Kevin Cash will opt for Jax to take the ball Thursday. Jax hasn't covered five innings in a start in more than three weeks, so Tampa Bay will need its bullpen to handle a significant chunk of Game 3.

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.

Messick was charged with the loss in Game 2 of the ALCS against the Rays on Tuesday, giving up three unearned runs on six hits with three strikeouts and two walks across five innings.

Tampa Bay scored all three of its runs during the fourth inning, when a Jose Ramirez error extended the frame to break a scoreless tie. Messick certainly wasn't at his best as he threw just 47 of 82 pitches for strikes while putting on nine baserunners, but he was able to work around the traffic outside of the fourth inning. He's taken the loss in two of his three postseason outings while surrendering seven runs (four earned) with an 14:8 K:BB over 11.2 frames. Messick tentatively lines up to make his next start in Game 6, should it be necessary.

Peralta earned the win in Game 2 of the ALCS against the Guardians on Tuesday, allowing four hits and two walks with six strikeouts over six scoreless innings.

It's the longest postseason start of the right-hander's career and is the eighth straight outing, dating back to Aug. 26, that he's surrendered one or no runs. Through two playoff starts this year, Peralta has given up one run on seven hits with a 9:3 K:BB across 10.2 innings. He lines up to start Game 6 in Tampa Bay, should it be necessary.

Bailey is not in the lineup Tuesday for Game 2 of the ALCS against the Rays.

Bailey cranked a solo home run as part of a two-hit effort in the Guardians' Game 1 victory, but he will retreat to the bench in Game 2. Austin Hedges has been Parker Messick's personal catcher this season, and that will continue with Hedges getting the start Tuesday.

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.

Griffin didn't factor in the decision in Game 1 of the ALCS against the Rays on Monday, giving up two runs on five hits with three strikeouts and no walks over four innings.

The left-hander was called upon to start the series opener and did a serviceable job for Cleveland, firing three scoreless innings after surrendering a pair of runs in the first. Griffin followed an opener during his playoff debut in the ALDS and has given up three earned runs with a 10:0 K:BB across 6.2 frames in his first two postseason appearances. He tentatively lines up to take the mound for Game 5 in Cleveland.

Rasmussen didn't factor in the decision in Game 1 of the ALCS against the Guardians on Monday, allowing two runs on eight hits with seven strikeouts and no walks over six innings.

After striking out 10 and allowing just one hit across eight scoreless frames against the Yankees in the ALDS, Rasmussen wasn't quite able to replicate that performance to begin the championship series. Still, it was a good showing from the right-hander, who departed after serving up a leadoff homer to Patrick Bailey to begin the seventh inning, which tied the game 2-2. Rasmussen has a 1.29 ERA and 17:2 K:BB across 14 innings through his first two starts of the playoffs and tentatively lines up to take the ball in Game 5 at Cleveland on Saturday.