MLB Player News
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Nick Castellanos RF | PHI
Phillies' Nick Castellanos: Not in Game 1 lineup
Castellanos isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Dodgers, Charlotte Varnes of The Athletic reports.
After slashing .250/.281/.385 across 57 plate appearances in the final month of the regular season, Castellanos will retreat to the bench for the first game of the Phillies' postseason run. Max Kepler will start in right field and bat seventh.
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Will Smith C | LAD
Dodgers' Will Smith: Out of Game 1 lineup
Smith (hand) isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Phillies, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.
Smith said before Saturday's contest that his fractured right hand is feeling better, and he's expected to return behind the plate at some point in the NLDS, but the Dodgers will keep him out of the starting nine for at least one more game. Ben Rortvedt will catch for starter Shohei Ohtani while Smith rests.
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Clayton Kershaw SP | LAD
Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw: Included on NLDS roster
Kershaw is included on the Dodgers' NLDS roster.
Kershaw wasn't on the roster for the NL Wild Card Series against Cincinnati, but he'll now officially be available to pitch against the Phillies. The Dodgers have already confirmed Shohei Ohtani, Blake Snell, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Tyler Glasnow as their starting arms for the NLDS, so Kershaw will move to the bullpen to provide aid to a Dodgers bullpen that has struggled to limit runs recently.
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Matthew Boyd SP | CHC
Cubs' Matthew Boyd: Starting Game 1 of NLDS
Boyd will start against the Brewers on Saturday in Game 1 of the NLDS, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.
Boyd threw just 58 pitches across 4.1 innings during his start against the Padres in Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series on Tuesday, leaving him fresh enough to take the mound again Saturday after only three days of rest. The 34-year-old southpaw struggled against the Brewers in the regular season, giving up nine earned runs on 12 hits and eight walks while striking out five batters in 10.1 frames across his two starts against them.
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Will Smith C | LAD
Dodgers' Will Smith: Available to catch in NLDS
Manager Dave Roberts said Friday that Smith (hand) will be available to catch against Philadelphia during the NLDS, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.
Roberts didn't say whether Smith will be behind the dish in Game 1 on Saturday, but the skipper's comments are a good sign that the 30-year-old backstop is nearing his 2025 postseason debut. Smith's .901 OPS in the regular season set a new personal best for a season in which he logged at least 400 plate appearances, so his return to the starting nine will provide a significant boost to a Dodgers squad looking to defend its 2024 World Series title.
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Jose Quintana SP | MIL
Brewers' Jose Quintana: Healthy, could start Game 2
Quintana (calf) has been included on the Brewers' roster for the NLDS against the Cubs, but manager Pat Murphy declined to say whether the left-hander would start Monday's Game 2, Jack Stern of BrewerFanatic.com reports.
Quintana had been shelved since mid-September with a left calf strain, but he appears to be fully healthy now heading into the NLDS. Because of three off days, the Brewers will need only three starting pitchers for the NLDS, and Quintana looks to be in consideration for one of those spots. Freddy Peralta will take the hill for Game 1 on Saturday, leaving Quintana and Quinn Priester as the options to start Game 2.
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Brandon Woodruff SP | MIL
Brewers' Brandon Woodruff: Ruled out for NLDS
Brewers manager Pat Murphy said Friday that Woodruff (lat) will not pitch during the NLDS versus the Cubs, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
Woodruff landed on the 15-day injured list nearly two weeks ago with a right lat strain, and he has yet to resume throwing. The good news is the injury is unrelated to his previous shoulder surgery, and while Woodruff is also unlikely to be ready for the NLCS, the Brewers are not ruling him out for the World Series, should they advance that far.
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Trevor Megill RP | MIL
Brewers' Trevor Megill: Good to go for NLDS
Megill (elbow) will be available for the NLDS after bouncing back from his relief outing Sunday versus the Reds with normal soreness, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.
Megill struck out a pair in a 1-2-3 inning against the Reds in what was his first appearance since he landed on the 15-day injured list in late August with a right elbow flexor strain. The 31-year-old Megill notched 30 saves as the Brewers' primary closer this season, and he could return to the ninth-inning role now that he's deemed healthy. However, Abner Uribe also pitched well as the team's closer while Megill was injured, so manager Pat Murphy could consider either pitcher for save chances during the NLDS against the Cubs.
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Jackson Merrill SS | SD
Padres' Jackson Merrill: Pops homer to conclude postseason
Merrill went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Thursday's loss to the Cubs in Game 3 of the National League Wild Card Series.
Merrill accounted for the Padres' only run in their loss to the Cubs by leading off the ninth inning with a home run. He had a disappointing regular season but ended the campaign well, tallying eight home runs with 18 RBI and 18 runs scored across his final 22 games -- including the postseason.