MLB Player News

Kerr will be Atlanta's opener Thursday in Game 3 of the wild-card series versus the Phillies.

The left-handed Kerr will be tasked with facing lefties Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper at least once. He threw 6.1 scoreless frames covering two appearances in September against Philadelphia. Grant Holmes is slated to absorb the lion's share of the workload for Atlanta in Game 3 as a bulk reliever.

Gausman took the loss after giving up three runs on five hits and no walks across 3.1 innings during Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series against the Padres on Wednesday. He struck out one.

The veteran right-hander surrendered two runs during the second inning and was pulled with one out in the fourth after allowing a double to Xander Bogaerts, who later came around to score on Gavin Sheets' two-run homer. Gausman finished the regular season pitching well with two runs allowed over exactly 5.2 frames in each of his last two starts, but his overall performance for the Cubs after being acquired from the Blue Jays at the trade deadline was underwhelming. Including the playoff start, he pitched in 10 games for Chicago and had a 5.03 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 58:11 K:BB across 53.2 innings. Gausman heads into free agency this winter after posting a 4.51 ERA in 32 regular-season starts in 2026, which is his worst mark since 2019.

Nola will start Thursday in Game 3 of the wild-card series in Atlanta, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Nola will take the ball on regular rest Thursday, and the Phillies will also have Zack Wheeler and Jesus Luzardo available out of the bullpen in the winner-take-all game. The 33-year-old Nola has posted a 2.93 ERA and 61:20 K:BB over 61.1 innings covering 11 starts since the beginning of August.

Atlanta outrighted Vanasco to Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday.

Vanasco has been outrighted before, so he has the ability to decline the assignment and become a free agent. The 27-year-old was claimed off waivers by Atlanta in August but never made an appearance for them. Vanasco has permitted 15 runs (14 earned) over 10.1 career innings in the majors.

Sheets isn't in the lineup Wednesday for Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series against the Cubs.

Sheets will step out of the starting nine despite Chicago sending right-hander Kevin Gausman to the mound to begin Wednesday's contest. Sheets' absence will allow Austin Hays to work as San Diego's designated hitter while batting eighth.

Conforto isn't in the lineup Wednesday for Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series against the Padres.

Conforto will retreat to the bench for a second straight game as the Cubs use Alex Bregman as their designated hitter again, allowing Matt Shaw to start at the hot corner.

Sanchez didn't factor in the decision in Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series in Atlanta on Wednesday. He gave up three runs on six hits with six strikeouts and five walks over 6.2 innings.

The left-hander locked in with five scoreless innings after giving up a run in the opening frame, but he then ran into trouble in the seventh. Sanchez surrendered two runs on two walks, a double, a sacrifice bunt and a sacrifice fly, though the two-bagger was a bit of a misplay Bryce Harper in right field. Regardless, the 29-year-old certainly wasn't at his best Wednesday as he tied a season high with five free passes. Sanchez would likely take the ball in Game 3 of the NLDS against the Dodgers next week, if the Phillies can get past Atlanta.

Atlanta manager Walt Weiss said after Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series against the Phillies on Wednesday that Mahle suffered an abdominal injury while warming up and nearly didn't start as scheduled, Grant McAuley of the Marietta Daily Journal reports. The right-hander didn't factor in the decision, giving up one run on six hits with six strikeouts and one walk across seven innings.

Mahle fully downplayed the injury, but it makes the playoff performance even more impressive as he tied a season best for innings pitched. It continues a strong run of form for the 32-year-old, who posted a 1.99 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 48:9 K:BB in 54.1 frames across nine regular-season starts after being acquired from the Giants at the trade deadline. Should Atlanta advance to the NLDS, Mahle tentatively lines up to take the mound in Game 3 against the Dodgers next week.

Bohm went 2-for-4 with a walk and a solo home run during Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series against Atlanta on Wednesday.

The 30-year-old ended the regular season without a home run in his final 21 games and went 1-for-4 with an RBI double in the series opener, but he came through in the clutch Wednesday with a 10th-inning homer to break a 3-3 tie. Bohm's .698 OPS over 155 regular-season games this year is the worst since his first full MLB season in 2021, but that performance would be quickly forgotten if he can produce during a playoff run.

Sosa was removed from Game 2 of the wild-card series versus Atlanta on Wednesday after aggravating his left groin injury, Cory Nidoh of Philly Sports Network reports.

Sosa first injured his groin during Sunday's regular-season finale versus the Athletics. He aggravated the injury further Wednesday while legging out an infield single in the ninth inning. If the Phillies are forced to remove Sosa from the roster, he would be ineligible for the NLDS.