MLB Player News

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.

Anthony was removed from Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series against the Yankees on Tuesday due to a right hand injury, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Anthony's hand reportedly began bothering him after a check swing in the third inning, leading to his eventual removal in the sixth. The 22-year-old outfielder missed nearly four months in the regular season due to an injury in the same hand, though it's unclear whether his latest injury will force him to miss time. If he ends up needing to come off the Red Sox's wild-card roster, he would be ineligible to play again until the ALCS.

Gasper will undergo surgery Friday to repair a torn right biceps, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.

Gasper's biceps tendon tore completely off the bone on a swinging strikeout during a Sept. 25 contest against the Cubs. He will be unavailable for the entirety of the postseason, and it's unclear how long the rehab process will take. Assuming health, Gasper should be in the mix for a utility role with the Red Sox again next season after slashing .251/.357/.466 with 10 home runs and a 27:39 BB:K over 67 games in 2026.

Red Sox manager Chad Tracy said Tuesday that Gonzalez is still recovering from a hyperextended elbow injury suffered at Triple-A Worcester but is "very much in play" for the ALDS roster if Boston advances, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

Gonzalez slashed just .185/.264/.308 in 19 games for the Red Sox this season and spent the final two months of the year at Worcester. However, the 30-year-old had a .978 OPS versus lefties in 2025, so he could be a useful reserve for the Red Sox in subsequent rounds if he can get healthy.

Chisholm is not in the lineup Tuesday for Game 1 of the wild-card series against the Red Sox.

The left-handed-swinging Chisholm was often held out of the lineup this season when the opposition had a tough opposing southpaw on the bump, and Game 1 starter Payton Tolle qualifies. It will be Anthony Volpe handling second base while Chisholm begins the contest on the bench.

Meidroth (hamstring) will start at second base and bat eighth Tuesday in Game 1 of the American League Wild Card series in Houston.

Meidroth's final regular-season start came last Thursday, as he dealt with a left hamstring issue down the stretch. He did appear off the bench Saturday, and the infielder is ready to give it a go in his first career postseason contest. Meidroth was one of the White Sox's better hitters in the second half, slashing .286/.364/.473 with nine home runs.

Okert (hamstring) is not included on the Astros' wild-card roster against the White Sox, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Okert has been out since early September while recovering from a strained right hamtring. He threw a bullpen session Monday, but it wasn't enough to convince the Astros he was ready. Okert could be in play for the ALDS, should his club advance.

Pecko is dealing with an undisclosed injury and is not on the Astros' wild-card series roster versus the White Sox, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Pecko tossed three scoreless relief innings in Sunday's regular-season finale against the Athletics, but he apparently came out of the appearance with an injury. It's unclear what exactly he's dealing with, or whether he could be in play for the ALDS if the Astros advance.