MLB Player News

Chapman passed a physical examination Saturday, which was the final hurdle in order for his $13 million option for 2027 to vest, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports.

The other requirement for Chapman's option to vest was throwing at least 40 innings, which he surpassed in mid-August. It was another dominant campaign as Boston's closer, as he finished the regular season having converted 35 of 37 save chances with a 1.92 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 71:23 K:BB across 51.2 innings.

Muncy is out of the lineup for Game 2 of the NLDS against Atlanta on Sunday, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Muncy opened the playoffs by going 1-for-4 with a solo homer in Saturday's series opener, but he'll hit the bench Sunday with lefty Ray Kerr starting for Atlanta. Miguel Rojas will step in at the hot corner for Los Angeles in Game 2., with Muncy expected to enter once righty Grant Holmes enters for Atlanta, per Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com.

Sheets was added to San Diego's lineup for Game 2 of the NLDS at Milwaukee on Sunday, batting sixth as the designated hitter.

Sheets was originally poised to sit for a fourth straight game to begin the playoffs, but manager Craig Stammen chose to make a late lineup change. Ethan Salas was initially listed as the designated hitter before ultimately being a healthy scratch.

Salas was scratched from the lineup for Game 2 of the NLDS against the Brewers on Sunday as a manager's decision.

The rookie backstop was initially penciled in to serve as the designated hitter Sunday after starting behind the plate in Game 1 and going 1-for-3 with a run scored, but manager Craig Stammen has instead elected to start Gavin Sheets. Salas is healthy and will be available off the bench.

Sale is expected to start Game 3 of the NLDS against the Dodgers on Tuesday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

The veteran left-hander made a surprise appearance out of the bullpen to close out the Phillies in Game 3 of the NL Wild Card Series on Thursday, which will end up pushing back his first start of the NLDS. Sale covered 7.2 frames between his two wild-card appearances versus Philadelphia, striking out 12 with three runs allowed on five hits and one walk.

Kerr will start Game 2 of the NLDS against the Dodgers on Sunday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

The left-hander served as the opener in Game 3 of the wild-card series versus the Phillies, and he pitched well with just one hit and one walk allowed across 3.1 scoreless frames. Kerr ended up working longer than the expected bulk reliever Grant Holmes, and Atlanta could have a similar game plan Sunday.

Lara is not in the lineup for Game 2 of the NLDS against the Padres on Sunday.

The rookie outfielder went 0-for-3 with a walk in his playoff debut Saturday, but he'll take a seat for Game 2 versus San Diego ace Michael King. Sal Frelick will instead pick up a start in right field for Milwaukee while batting seventh.

Ortiz is out of the lineup for Game 2 of the NLDS against the Padres on Sunday.

Ortiz sat out the final two games of the regular season while nursing multiple injuries, but he started at third base in Game 1 of the NLDS on Saturday, going 0-for-4 with two strikeouts. David Hamilton will step in at the hot corner Sunday for Milwaukee versus San Diego ace Michael King.

Sheets is out of the lineup for Game 2 of the NLDS against the Brewers on Sunday.

It's the fourth straight game on the bench for the lefty-hitting Sheets, with the last three coming against a right-handed starting pitcher. The 30-year-old clubbed a pinch-hit, two-run homer in Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series versus the Cubs but is still searching for his first start of the playoffs. Ethan Salas worked behind the plate in Saturday's series opener while Luis Campusano served as the DH, and the two catchers will switch roles Sunday.

Pivetta is scheduled to start Game 3 of the NLDS against the Brewers on Tuesday, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

The 33-year-old pitched in Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series versus the Cubs on Wednesday, allowing a run on three hits with four strikeouts and two walks over 3.1 innings. Since returning from a flexor strain in early September, Pivetta has a 1.64 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 22:4 K:BB across 22 frames in five games, including the playoff start.