MLB Player News
-
Drew Pomeranz RP | LAA
Cubs' Drew Pomeranz: Opening Game 5
Pomeranz will serve as the Cubs' opening pitcher Saturday in Game 5 of the NLDS versus Milwaukee, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Pomeranz has struck out five batters across five scoreless innings in the postseason so far, and the Cubs will now entrust him to collect the first several outs of Saturday's winner-take-all matchup. He most likely will come out of the game after the first inning, at which point Shota Imanaga could take over as the Cubs' bulk reliever.
-
Jordan Lawlar SS | ARI
Diamondbacks' Jordan Lawlar: Heading to winter ball
Lawlar will play winter ball in the Dominican Republic, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.
The Diamondbacks need to find a home for Lawlar, who was drafted as a shortstop but is blocked at the position by Geraldo Perdomo, and the plan is to use him at a couple of positions in the DR. During his late-season call-up, Lawlar played third base, but shaky mechanics and footwork led to him being primarily a DH. In winter ball, he's expected to get regular reps at third base and in center field.
-
Jose Iglesias 2B | SD
Padres' Jose Iglesias: Suspended one game by MLB
Iglesias has been suspended one game by Major League Baseball for his actions following Game 3 of the National League Wild Card Series against the Cubs, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.
Iglesias was among several Padres players to voice their displeasure to the umpire crew following their Game 3 loss, but he's the only one to receive a suspension. Much of the angst was over a strike three call on Xander Bogaerts, who received a fine. Barring a successful appeal, Iglesias will serve the suspension on Opening Day next year. The 35-year-old is a pending free agent.
-
Jacob Misiorowski SP | MIL
Brewers' Jacob Misiorowski: Likely to be featured in Game 5
Misiorowski could be key to the Brewers' pitching plans in Game 5, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.
The Brewers have yet to announce a starter for Saturday's winner-take-all contest against the Cubs, but they are likely to go with a de facto bullpen game. Misiorowski earned the win in a bullpen game in Game 2 for Milwaukee, striking out four over three scoreless innings. He was the third of seven pitchers the Brewers used in that contest, and while Misiorowski might not start Saturday, he's a good bet to be heavily featured. The only pitcher likely to be unavailable for the Brewers in Game 5 is Freddy Peralta, who threw 84 pitches in Thursday's Game 4 loss.
-
Michael Busch 3B | CHC
Cubs' Michael Busch: Smacks fourth homer of postseason
Busch went 1-for-4 with a walk and a solo home run in Thursday's win over the Brewers in Game 4 of the National League Division Series.
Busch put the game away with his left-on-left homer off Robert Gasser in the eighth inning, which pushed Busch's playoff OPS to 1.162. His four homers this postseason lead the majors -- one more than Vladimir Guerrero and Teoscar Hernandez. It's still possible Busch starts Game 5 on the bench if the Brewers go with a lefty opener, but he should enter as soon as a right-hander takes the mound for the opposition.
-
Freddy Peralta SP | MIL
Brewers' Freddy Peralta: Takes loss in Game 4
Peralta took the loss to the Cubs on Thursday in Game 4 of the National League Division Series. He allowed three runs on three hits and two walks while striking out six over four innings.
Ian Happ did all of the damage against Peralta with one swing of the bat in the first inning. Peralta threw 55 of his 84 pitches for strikes, generating 15 swings-and-misses in total. He hasn't quite performed up to his usual standards this postseason (4.66 ERA), and the Brewers are now looking at another bullpen game in Saturday's decisive Game 5 after getting out to a 2-0 series lead initially.
-
Matthew Boyd SP | CHC
Cubs' Matthew Boyd: Shines in elimination game
Boyd did not factor into the decision in Thursday's win over the Brewers in Game 4 of the National League Division Series. He allowed two hits and three walks while striking out six over 4.2 scoreless innings.
The lefty changed speeds effectively and left the mound to a standing ovation from the Wrigley Field faithful, having fanned Christian Yelich with two runners in scoring position for his final out. Boyd has posted a 2.79 ERA and 1.55 WHIP in 9.2 innings spanning three starts this postseason after putting up a 3.21 ERA and 1.09 WHIP across 31 starts (179.2 innings) during the regular season.
-
Nick Castellanos RF | PHI
Phillies' Nick Castellanos: Delivers big hit in loss
Castellanos went 1-for-4 with a double and an RBI in Game 4 of the NLDS against the Dodgers on Thursday.
Castellanos started each of the final three games and went 2-for-15 with five strikeouts in the series. Despite the poor overall numbers, he delivered a key knock in Thursday's loss by doubling in the seventh inning to give the Phillies a lead. Castellanos is entering the final year of his current contract, but he could be a trade candidate or otherwise have a change of scenery this offseason after managing only a 90 wRC+ across 589 plate appearances in 2025.
-
Ian Happ LF | CHC
Cubs' Ian Happ: Helps Cubs force Game 5
Happ went 1-for-5 with a three-run home run in Thursday's 6-0 win over the Brewers in Game 4 of the National League Division Series.
After Nico Hoerner and Kyle Tucker reached base in the bottom of the first inning, Happ cashed in with a three-run homer, which proved to be enough offense to win the game and even the series. The homer was Happ's second of the playoffs, though he's struggled overall with a .115 average (3-for-26) and 11 strikeouts this postseason.
-
Harrison Bader CF | PHI
Phillies' Harrison Bader: Appears as pinch hitter
Bader (groin) went 0-for-1 with a strikeout in Game 4 of the NLDS on Thursday against the Dodgers.
Bader was out of the lineup due to a groin injury but appeared as a pinch hitter in the 11th inning. He was immediately replaced for defensive purposes, suggesting he may not have been feeling healthy enough to handle left field. Bader could be headed for recovery early in the offseason, but he should be healthy in plenty of time for spring training.