Matt Strahm To Have Knee Surgery

San Diego Padres left-handed pitcher Matt Strahm (knee) will undergo a patellar tendon repair in his right knee. He underwent a similar surgery on his left knee in 2017 when he was with the Royals. Strahm went 0-1 with a 2.61 ERA in 19 outings in his third season with the Friars this year. The... Read More

Brandon Lowe Breaks Out Of Slump In Big Way

Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Brandon Lowe hit two home runs -- both to the opposite field after he hit zero opposite-field homers in the regular season -- in the 6-4 World Series victory over the Dodgers in Game 2 on Wednesday. Lowe helped the team snap a major league record of 10 straight games... Read More

Nationals Re-Sign Josh Harrison

The Washington Nationals re-signed utilityman Josh Harrison to a one-year, $1 million deal on Thursday. Harrison was released by the Phillies in July and latched on with the Nats, hitting .278 with two doubles, three home runs, 14 RBI, six walks and 11 runs scored for Washington. The 33-year-old can make an extra $250,000 in... Read More

Julio Urias Lined Up To Start Game 4

The Los Angeles Dodgers did not use left-handed pitcher Julio Urias out of the bullpen in the Game 2 World Series loss to the Rays on Wednesday, lining him up to start Game 4 on Saturday. The Dodgers will roll with Walker Buehler, Urias and Clayton Kershaw in Games 3, 4 and 5, respectively. Urias,... Read More

Tigers Interview George Lombard, Marcus Thames

The Detroit Tigers have interviewed Dodgers first base coach George Lombard and Yankees hitting coach Marcus Thames, who both previously played for the Tigers, for their managerial opening, according to sources. The two join long-time Tigers coach Lloyd McClendon as candidates who have interviewed for the job. McLendon served as the interim manager following Ron... Read More

White Sox Interview Tony La Russa

The Chicago White Sox have interviewed Tony La Russa for their managerial opening, and he remains a top candidate in their search, according to two sources. General manager Rick Hahn and executive vice president Kenny Williams each spoke with the 76-year-old. La Russa managed the White Sox from 1979-86 before moving to the Athletics and... Read More

Charlie Morton Gets The Nod For Game 3 Of World Series

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Charlie Morton, who is 5-0 in five playoff starts with the team, will get the ball for Game 3 of the World Series against the Dodgers on Friday. Morton's velocity was down during the regular season, but he's been great in the postseason. The right-hander threw 5 2/3 scoreless innings... Read More

Mookie Betts Leads Dodgers To Game 1 Win

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts was 2-for-4 with a solo homer, a walk, two runs scored, and two stolen bases during an 8-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 1 of the World Series. The 28-year-old became the first player in MLB history to hit a homer, steal two bases, and score... Read More

Tony Gonsolin To Start Game 2 Against Rays

Los Angeles Dodgers rookie right-handed pitcher Tony Gonsolin will start Game 2 of the World Series against the Rays on Wednesday. Gonsolin faced 11 batters and tossed 41 pitches in Game 7 of the National League Championship Series against Atlanta on Sunday, so he may only be able to go a couple of innings. Manager... Read More

Dodgers Expected To Go With Bullpen In Game 2

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts wasn't willing to divulge who would start Game 2 of the World Series against the Rays on Wednesday. "It's going to be a bullpen, whatever, kind of game, using various arms," Roberts said. "Who starts that game, I just don't know yet." They'll be opposed by 2018 American League... Read More

Luis Campusano Charged With Felony Marijuana Possession

San Diego Padres catching prospect Luis Campusano was arrested and charged in Georgia with felony marijuana possession on Oct. 17. The 22-year-old was pulled over with nearly three times the felony threshold in one of the strictest states on marijuana and faces a punishment of up to 10 years in prison. The Friars No. 4 prospect... Read More

Randy Arozarena Breaking Out In Playoffs

Tampa Bay Rays rookie outfielder Randy Arozarena has been this year's breakout star during the postseason. He became the first rookie position player to be named Most Valuable Player of an LCS or World Series in the American League Championship Series against the Astros. Arozarena's first hit in the World Series will be his 22nd... Read More

Rays Add Brett Phillips, Ryan Sherriff To World Series Roster

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Brett Phillips and left-handed pitcher Ryan Sherriff have been added to the team's roster for the World Series. Right-hander Aaron Slegers and left-handed reliever Jose Alvarado were subsequently dropped from the roster. Tampa will go with 13 pitchers against the Dodgers, one fewer than they used during the American League Championship... Read More

Luis Perdomo Undergoes Tommy John Surgery

San Diego Padres pitcher Luis Perdomo (elbow) underwent Tommy John surgery last week and will miss the entire 2021 season. The 27-year-old was once a staple in the Friars staff, making 64 appearances (49 starts) across 2016-2017, but struggled to achieve consistency in the majors. Relegated to long relief and mop-up duties in 2020, Perdomo... Read More

Wander Franco Unlikely To Debut In World Series

Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco, the No. 1 prospect in baseball per MLB Pipeline, is unlikely to make his debut in the World Series against the Dodgers. Franco shared a photo on Instagram of his jersey with a World Series 2020 patch on the sleeve on Monday, fueling speculation that he could be added... Read More

Walker Buehler To Start Game 3 Of World Series

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler will start Game 3 of the World Series against the Rays on Friday. Buehler started Game 1 in the first three rounds of the playoffs, but he just pitched on Saturday in Game 6 of the National League Championship Series. Instead, lefty Clayton Kershaw will be pitching on... Read More

Clayton Kershaw To Start Game 1 Against Rays

Los Angeles Dodgers three-time National League Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw will start Game 1 of the World Series against the Rays on Tuesday. Kershaw will be going on normal rest after he threw five-plus innings and allowed four runs in the Game 4 loss to the Braves in the National League Championship Series. The... Read More

Tyler Glasnow, Blake Snell To Start First Two Games Of Series

Tampa Bay Rays right-handed pitcher Tyler Glasnow will start Game 1 of the World Series against the Dodgers on Tuesday, while left-hander Blake Snell will get the nod in Game 2 on Wednesday. Glasnow has a 4.66 ERA in four starts this postseason with 25 strikeouts in his 19 1/3 innings. Snell has sported an... Read More

Cody Bellinger Should Be Fine For Game 1 Of World Series

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Cody Bellinger (shoulder) popped his shoulder out of socket during a celebration with Kike Hernandez after his go-ahead home run in Game 7 of the National League Championship Series against the Braves on Sunday. The training staff popped Bellinger's shoulder back into place and he returned to the field in the... Read More

A.J. Minter To Start For Braves In Game 5

Former Atlanta Braves left-handed closer A.J. Minter will make his first career start in Game 5 of the National League Championship Series against the Dodgers on Friday as the Braves look to close out the series and advance to the World Series for the first time since 1999. It will be a bullpen game for... Read More

Dustin May To Start Game 5 Against Braves

Los Angeles Dodgers rookie right-hander Dustin May will start Game 5 of the National League Championship Series on Friday against the Braves with the Dodgers trying to stave off elimination in the series. Gingergaard went 3-1 with a 2.57 ERA in 12 outings (10 starts) during the regular season, and he hasn't give up a... Read More

Mike Clevinger And Dinelson Lamet Expected To Avoid Surgery

San Diego Padres general manager A.J. Preller is confident starters Mike Clevinger (elbow) and Dinelson Lamet (biceps) will not need surgery. Both frontline starters experienced arm issues to end 2020, derailing their seasons and the Friars playoff hopes. After extensive tests, both pitchers were recommended rest and recovery and should be ready for 2021. Clevinger... Read More

Luis Garcia Starting For Astros In Game 5

The Houston Astros will go with rookie pitcher Luis Garcia as the starter in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series against the Rays on Thursday. Garcia appeared in just five games in 2020, making only one start in the abbreviated season. He had a 2.92 ERA and nine strikeouts in his 12 1/3... Read More

John Curtiss To Be Used As Opener In Game 5

The Tampa Bay Rays will use right-handed pitcher John Curtiss as their opener for Game 5 of the American League Championship Series against the Astros on Thursday. Curtiss went 3-0 with a sparkling 1.80 ERA in 25 inning during the shortened regular season. But it hasn't been smooth sailing in the playoffs, as he's posted... Read More

Clayton Kershaw To Start Game 4 Of NLCS

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (back) will start Game 4 of the National League Championship Series against the Braves on Thursday, according to manager Dave Roberts. Kershaw was scratched from the Game 2 start on Tuesday after suffering back spasms during a Saturday bullpen session, but the lefty made steady progress each day.... Read More

Brandon Lowe, Kevin Kiermaier Rested Wednesday

Tampa Bay Rays infielder Brandon Lowe and outfielder Kevin Kiermaier (hand) were both out of the starting lineup for Game 4 of the American League Championship Series against the Astros on Wednesday. Kiermaier was hit on the left hand by a pitch in Game 3 on Tuesday, but X-rays came back negative and he is... Read More

Padres, Fernando Tatis Jr. Interested In Extension

San Diego Padres general manager A.J. Preller said there's "interest on both sides" regarding a contract extension for superstar shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr., but neither side has taken the initial steps to begin negotiations. Tatis has one more season before he starts salary arbitration and has four years of team control left before he can... Read More

Gio Urshela Doesn't Need Surgery On Elbow

New York Yankees third baseman Gio Urshela (elbow) did not need surgery for a bone spur in his right elbow after the team was eliminated by the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays in Game 5 of the American League Division Series. The 29-year-old will go with rest and recovery in the offseason. Urshela has played extremely... Read More

Bryse Wilson To Start Game 4 Of NLCS

Atlanta Braves right-handed starter Bryse Wilson will get the start in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series on Thursday in what will likely be a bullpen game for the Braves. Wilson has started seven of his 15 career regular season appearances, including two starts to close out the 2020 regular season. His longest... Read More

Gary Sanchez Not Locked Into Starting Role Next Year

New York Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez is not locked in as the team’s starting catcher for 2021, with general manager Brian Cashman refusing to commit to Sanchez filling that role on Wednesday. Sanchez endured a miserable 2020 season with a .618 OPS and a 36% strikeout rate over 49 games, and catcher Kyle Higashioka started... Read More