MLB Player News

Atlanta manager Walt Weiss said Friday that Thomas (intercostal) is a candidate to be added to the roster for the NLDS, Harrison Smajovits of SI.com reports.

Thomas has been shelved since mid-September with a left intercostal strain, but he took pregame batting practice before Thursday's win over the Phillies and has responded well to treatment. With the bevy of left-handers available for the Dodgers, the right-handed-hitting Thomas is a good bet to join the Atlanta roster for the NLDS.

Atlanta manager Walt Weiss said Friday that Perez (back) will not be available for the NLDS against the Dodgers, Aiden Stepansky of MLB.com reports.

Perez isn't eligible to return from his lower-back inflammation until Game 3 of the NLDS on Tuesday, but he will not be activated at any point during the series. It's possible the lefty is an option for the NLCS, should Atlanta advance, though it's unclear whether Perez has done any throwing since the injury.

Atlanta manager Walt Weiss said Friday that Elder (knee) will not be available for the NLDS against the Dodgers, Aiden Stepansky of MLB.com reports.

Elder underwent arthroscopic right knee surgery less than a month ago. He progressed to live batting practice Monday and could be in play if Atlanta advances to the NLCS, but the club doesn't feel he's ready to contribute just yet. Elder posted a 4.11 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 121:49 K:BB over 149 innings covering 26 starts for Atlanta this season.

Atlanta manager Walt Weiss said Friday that Sale starting NLDS Game 2 versus the Dodgers on Sunday is "still on the table" after Sale threw 1.1 scoreless innings Thursday to close out the wild-card series win over the Phillies, Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com reports.

Sale threw 21 pitches Thursday, and Weiss cautioned Friday regarding the lefty that the club is "gonna err on the side of giving him (time to rest) if it's even close." It seems Weiss' preference would be to hold Sale back for Game 3 in Atlanta on Tuesday, but it would not be a surprise if the left-hander talks his way into a start Sunday.

Gasper is expected to be sidelined 4-to-6 month after undergoing distal right biceps tendon surgery Friday, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

The 4-to-6 month timeline is for Gasper's return to game action, so there's a good chance he'll be held out of spring training action initially, and his availability for Opening Day isn't a given. Gasper slashed .251/.357/.466 with 10 home runs and a 27:39 BB:K over 67 games in 2026.

Smith will serve as an opener Saturday in Game 1 of the ALDS against the Guardians, James Fegan of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Smith tossed three scoreless frames in Game 1 of the wild-card series versus the Astros, and the White Sox will turn back to the lefty Saturday on three days' rest. The lefty will be capable of covering multiple innings against Cleveland, if needed, but it will be a bullpen game for the White Sox.

The Royals outrighted Little to Triple-A Omaha on Thursday.

Little was claimed off waivers by the Royals in August but never pitched for them at the major-league level. The lefty reliever has collected a 2.97 ERA over parts of four seasons in the majors, but he's also got a 1.40 WHIP and 17.6 percent walk rate. Little will remain in the organization as bullpen depth.

Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall said Thursday that Singer was plagued by blister issues during the season, Mike Petraglia of CLNSCincy.com reports.

Singer was unavailable for a bit during spring training because of a blister problem, but he didn't miss any starts during the regular season. However, the blister issues could have affected his performance, as Singer posted a career-worst 5.85 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 126:62 K:BB over 157 innings. The 30-year-old hurler will be a free agent this offseason.

Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall revealed Thursday that Myers recently underwent arthroscopic surgery to repair the AC joint in his left shoulder, Mike Petraglia of CLNSCincy.com reports.

Myers spent time on the injured list this season with the AC joint issue. The cleanup procedure should not affect Myers' availability for the beginning of spring training. Myers slashed .268/.352/.425 versus lefties in 2026 and should at least have a short-side platoon role with the Reds in 2027.

Cole will start Game 1 of the ALDS against the Rays on Saturday.

The Rays were much better against right-handers (fourth in OPS) than left-handers (25th in OPS) this season, but the Yankees will roll with Cole rather than lefty Carlos Rodon in Game 1. Cole made three starts against the Rays in the regular season, logging a 2.50 ERA and 16:7 K:BB over 18 frames.