MLB Player News

White Sox general manager Chris Getz said Tuesday that the club began discussing a contract extension with Murakami's representation in late summer and those talks are ongoing, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

Murakami is set to earn $17.5 million in 2027 after inking a two-year, $34 million contract with the White Sox last offseason. However, it sounds like both sides have interest in an extension that would keep the Japanese slugger in Chicago longer. The 26-year-old slashed .207/.347/.478 with 35 home runs over 127 regular-season contests for the White Sox in 2026, but he also had a 35.4 percent strikeout rate and hit only .156/.299/.375 in the final two months of the regular season.

White Sox general manager Chris Getz said Wednesday that he believes Smith will be a starting pitcher in the majors "at some point," but a decision on the lefty's role for 2027 hasn't been made, James Fegan of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Smith began the 2026 season in the rotation at Triple-A Charlotte, but he was moved to the bullpen in July and it was in a relief role where he impacted the major-league club, posting a 1.29 ERA and 47:24 K:BB across 35 regular-season innings. The No. 5 overall pick in the 2024 First-Year Player Draft, Smith has shown flashes of dominance but overall has been erratic boasting a 33.4 percent strikeout rate but also a 16.2 percent walk rate in the minors.

White Sox general manager Chris Getz said Tuesday that the team has yet to make a decision on whether to deploy Taylor as a starting pitcher or reliever next season, James Fegan of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Getz noted that he believes Taylor will be a starting pitcher in the majors "at some point," but whether that will happen in 2027 is undetermined. Taylor logged a 2.25 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 106:30 K:BB over 84 regular-season innings for the White Sox in 2026 as a reliever and occasional opener. The 24-year-old notched 10 saves during the regular season and another two in the playoffs, and he will likely open 2027 as the team's closer if the White Sox elect to keep him in the bullpen. However, Taylor has loads of upside as a starting pitcher, and if the White Sox intend to make the role shift eventually, next season might be the time to do it.

White Sox general manager Chris Getz said Wednesday of Martin that it's "very clear that he was hindered and wasn't himself" due to a right calf injury, James Fegan of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Per Scott Merkin of MLB.com, Martin revealed late in the regular season that he battled calf discomfort "on and off" since April. It's difficult to determine how much the nagging calf issue affected Martin's performance, but he was a different pitcher the first two months of the season (2.00 ERA, 71:14 K:BB over 67.2 innings) than he was in the final four months (5.63 ERA, 51:32 K:BB in 78.1 frames). Martin was on the roster for both of Chicago's playoff series, but he made just one relief appearance, allowing two runs over one inning of work. The calf injury for Martin should heal with extended rest over the offseason.

Jax will start Thursday in Game 3 of the ALCS against the Guardians, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Jax's lone appearance so far this postseason came in relief, as he allowed one run with four strikeouts over two innings in the Rays' ALDS Game 3 clincher versus the Yankees. Nick Martinez was the starter for that contest, but manager Kevin Cash will opt for Jax to take the ball Thursday. Jax hasn't covered five innings in a start in more than three weeks, so Tampa Bay will need its bullpen to handle a significant chunk of Game 3.

Baker struck out one while retiring all three batters he faced in the ninth inning to earn the save in Game 2 of the ALCS against the Guardians on Tuesday.

The right-hander entered with a 3-1 lead and closed things out with little fanfare, as he needed just eight pitches to even the series at one game apiece. It's the fourth save of the playoffs for Baker, who has yet to allow a hit and has a 5:1 K:BB across four innings. He's now converted his past 34 save opportunities, with his last blown save coming May 13 in Toronto.

Messick was charged with the loss in Game 2 of the ALCS against the Rays on Tuesday, giving up three unearned runs on six hits with three strikeouts and two walks across five innings.

Tampa Bay scored all three of its runs during the fourth inning, when a Jose Ramirez error extended the frame to break a scoreless tie. Messick certainly wasn't at his best as he threw just 47 of 82 pitches for strikes while putting on nine baserunners, but he was able to work around the traffic outside of the fourth inning. He's taken the loss in two of his three postseason outings while surrendering seven runs (four earned) with an 14:8 K:BB over 11.2 frames. Messick tentatively lines up to make his next start in Game 6, should it be necessary.

Peralta earned the win in Game 2 of the ALCS against the Guardians on Tuesday, allowing four hits and two walks with six strikeouts over six scoreless innings.

It's the longest postseason start of the right-hander's career and is the eighth straight outing, dating back to Aug. 26, that he's surrendered one or no runs. Through two playoff starts this year, Peralta has given up one run on seven hits with a 9:3 K:BB across 10.2 innings. He lines up to start Game 6 in Tampa Bay, should it be necessary.

Manager Dave Roberts said Tuesday that Ohtani will be in the lineup for Game 3 of the NLCS against Milwaukee on Wednesday, Jack Harris of the California Post reports.

Ohtani has been struggling mightily at the plate while playing through multiple injuries, slashing just .156/.283/.200 with one RBI and 36 strikeouts in 24 games (including the postseason) since Aug. 19. Between the 32-year-old's offensive woes and the Dodgers facing a 2-0 series deficit in the NLCS, the team was reportedly considering keeping Ohtani on the bench and deploying Josue De Paula as its DH in Game 3. However, Roberts said Ohtani was "adamant" that he is healthy enough to remain in the lineup and close to turning things around, so the Dodgers will stick with their franchise superstar and presumably keep him near the middle of their batting order. He will match up against southpaw Robert Gasser, against whom Ohtani is 0-for-6 in his career with a walk and three strikeouts.

Woodruff (shoulder) threw roughly 30 pitches during a bullpen session Tuesday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Woodruff was cleared to begin throwing bullpen sessions over the weekend, and although he was a little sore after his first round of mound work, he said he was feeling good after Tuesday's session. The Brewers will likely aim for the veteran righty to face hitters within the next couple of days, which would keep the door open for him to pitch out of the bullpen if the Brewers advance to the World Series.