MLB Player News

Pivetta didn't factor in the decision in Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series against the Cubs on Wednesday. He allowed one run on three hits with four strikeouts and two walks over 3.1 innings.

The right-hander wasn't particularly sharp as he threw just 36 of 66 pitches for strikes, but all three hits he gave up were singles as he limited Chicago to a single run. Pivetta missed most of the season after suffering a flexor strain in mid-April, but he returned from the IL in early September and posted a 1.45 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 18:2 K:BB across four starts to close out the regular season. He now tentatively lines up to take the mound in the NLDS versus the Brewers, potentially in Game 3 on Tuesday.

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.

Urquidy elected free agency Wednesday after clearing waivers.

Designated for assignment by the Phillies on Sunday, Urquidy wasn't scooped up by another team and will now get a head start on finding a new destination heading into 2027. The 31-year-old righty made big-league stops with the Pirates, White Sox and Phillies this season, logging a 4.95 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 30:7 K:BB over 36.1 innings.

Buxton had the stitches removed from his surgically repaired right hip earlier this week and has begun the rehab process, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Buxton underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right hip Sept. 18. He will continue rehabbing through Christmas, at which point he will shift to ramping up for the 2027 season. The Twins expect Buxton to be ready to roll for the start of spring training. He finished this season with a .254/.319/.511 batting line, 25 home runs and seven stolen bases over 93 games.

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.

Hernandez cleared waivers and elected to become a free agent Wednesday.

Hernandez had been removed from Atlanta's 40-man roster, and he's now a free agent after clearing waivers. The righty had been set for minor league free agency, anyway, so this simply gives him a head start. Hernandez gave Atlanta quality work out of the bullpen this season, posting a 2.25 ERA and 13:6 K:BB over 12 frames.

Bellinger went 2-for-5 with a three-run home run and an additional RBI during Wednesday's win over the Red Sox in Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Series.

The 31-year-old outfielder pushed the Yankees' lead to 2-0 with an RBI single during the fifth inning, and he then blew the game open in the following frame with a three-run shot off Garrett Whitlock. Bellinger finished the regular season in a 2-for-23 slump, but he's quickly got back on track in the playoffs to help New York advance to face the Rays in the ALDS.

Gray was charged with the loss in Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Series against the Yankees on Wednesday. He gave up two runs on six hits with five strikeouts and no walks over 4.2 innings.

Gray started off with three scoreless frames but surrendered a solo homer to Luis Garcia in the fourth and was pulled with two on and two out in the fifth at 70 pitches. One of the inherited runners came around to score, and New York erupted for six runs the following inning. It was the veteran right-hander's shortest outing since late May, as he had covered at least five frames in 20 consecutive starts. Though the early playoff exit leaves a sour taste, it was still one of the best regular seasons of Gray's career with a 2.72 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 149:46 K:BB over 169 innings.