MLB Player News

Varsho underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left wrist Tuesday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Varsho has dealt with chronic inflammation in his wrist caused by cysts, and he opted to have those cysts removed Tuesday. The operation will prevent Varsho from being an option for the Astros during the postseason, but he should be fine in time for spring training. An impending free agent, Varsho slashed .221/.281/.355 with 12 home runs and 12 stolen bases over 140 games this season between the Blue Jays and Astros.

Smith didn't factor in the decision in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series against the Astros on Tuesday. He allowed two hits with one strikeout and no walks over three innings.

The left-hander served as the opener for Tuesday's bullpen game and pitched more than two frames in an appearance for the second time this year. Smith's first campaign in the big leagues has been a major success, as he finished the regular season with a 1.29 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 41:16 K:BB across 28 innings. He'll surely be unavailable for Game 2 on Wednesday after tossing 38 pitches in the series opener.

Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said Wednesday that the team has yet to decide whether Miles will be used as a starting pitcher or reliever next season, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.

Miles made eight starts and 41 relief appearances during his rookie season with the Blue Jays, logging a 2.63 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 93:25 K:BB over 95.2 innings. The righty didn't pitch at all in 2023 while recovering from Tommy John surgery, and he threw a total of just 16 innings from 2024-to-2025. It would be a significant workload increase in 2027 if the Blue Jays did decide to use Miles as a starter, and his ultimate role could depend on what Toronto does in terms of rotation additions over the offseason.

Tolle (0-1) took the loss in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series against the Yankees on Tuesday. He gave up one run on five hits with four strikeouts and a walk over 4.2 innings.

It was a solid showing from Tolle in his first postseason start, but he was saddled with the loss since the Red Sox managed just three hits in the shutout defeat. After struggling in his first taste of the big leagues with a 6.06 ERA seven appearances last year, the left-hander shined as a rookie during the 2026 regular season, making 26 starts and finishing with a 3.03 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 171:40 K:BB across 148.2 innings.

Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said Wednesday that Clement "will have to earn" the second-base job next season, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.

Atkins was quick to add that Clement "always has" earned regular playing time. The 30-year-old Clement slashed .296/.318/.433 in the first half but just .203/.235/.259 in the second half, which included a .386 OPS in September. Clement should ultimately get a chance at regular reps again in 2027, though it's too soon to say whether that will come mainly at second base or in a super-utility role.

The Red Sox are still "assessing the situation" when it comes to whether they will replace Anthony (hand) on their wild-card series roster, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Anthony was forced to depart Game 1 on Tuesday due to right hand discomfort. It's the same hand that was injured and caused him to miss a large chunk of the regular season, but it's unclear at this point how significant of a setback it is. If Anthony is removed from the roster, he would be ineligible to return until the ALCS (should the Red Sox make it).

Schlittler (1-0) earned the win in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series against the Red Sox on Tuesday. He struck out 10 and allowed two hits and one walk across 6.1 scoreless innings.

The right-hander registered 24 whiffs while throwing a career-high 117 pitches, 77 of which went for strikes. Schlittler prevented Boston from even reaching second base against him as he continued his September dominance, which saw him post a 1.20 ERA, 0.63 WHIP and 38:7 K:BB in 30 frames over his last five starts of the regular season. If the Yankees can punch their ticket to the ALDS, Schlittler tentatively lines up to start Game 2 against the Rays.

Rice went 4-for-5 with a double, two home runs and six RBI in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series against the Red Sox on Tuesday.

The 27-year-old posted a 1.055 OPS over 22 games in September and carried his hot bat into the postseason with a fifth-inning solo homer and an eighth-inning grand slam in Tuesday's blowout victory. Rice clubbed 41 homers with 97 RBI, 105 runs and a .264/.363/.534 slash line in 154 regular-season games this year, with his breakout helping to cover the absence of Aaron Judge (calf).

Sandoval wasn't included on the Red Sox's roster for their American League Wild Card Series with the Yankees that began Tuesday.

Boston's decision to keep Sandoval off the roster doesn't come as a major surprise, after he turned in a 5.15 ERA and 1.69 WHIP over 64.2 innings in 13 starts upon returning from the 60-day injured list shortly before the All-Star break. The veteran southpaw didn't fare much better while shifting to a relief role for the final week of the regular season, yielding three runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out six in 5.2 innings over two appearances. Sandoval is scheduled for free agency this offseason and will likely be donning a new uniform in 2027.

The Red Sox optioned Paez to Triple-A Worcester on Sunday.

Paez gave up his spot on the 28-man active roster and in the bullpen to Wyatt Olds, who was recalled from Triple-A ahead of the Red Sox's regular-season finale. A Rule 5 pick by the White Sox over the winter, Paez ended up making his MLB debut with Chicago but was returned to Boston in early April. He ended up making two appearances for the Red Sox in September, yielding eight runs on 13 hits and two walks while striking out eight batters across 8.2 innings.