MLB Player News

Springer has been playing through a laundry list of physical issues this postseason, but he’s atop Toronto’s lineup as the calendar flips to November for the most important contest for the franchise in over three decades. Alejandro Kirk is a full-go for the winner-take-all showdown at the Rogers Centre after being plunked on the left hand during the ninth inning of Game 6. Here’s the full lineup set to face Dodgers superstar Shoei Ohtani and company: Springer (DH), Nathan Lukes (LF), Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (1B), Bo Bichette (2B), Addison Barger (RF), Kirk (C), Daulton Varsho (CF), Ernie Clement (3B) and Andrés Giménez (SS).

It’s a tough development for Murray as he suffered a fracture in his left shoulder, in addition to a dislocation, that will require a surgical procedure. The 26-year-old could potentially make it back before the regular season wraps up, but he’s going to be on the shelf until at least sometime in August, even in a best-case scenario.

Stanton remains on the bench for the third consecutive contest with Jasson Domínguez, who is at DH and hitting sixth on Monday night, coming up from Triple-A to face a couple right-handed starters this week. There’s been zero indication the Yankees are going to place Stanton on the injured list, but it feels almost inevitable if he’s not going to be ready to go in a couple days. The 36-year-old will continue receiving treatment and resting as he continues to recover from a right calf issue that cropped up last week.

Rays manager Kevin Cash told reporters Cleavinger will make a couple additional rehab appearances for Triple-A Durham before rejoining Tampa Bay’s high-leverage mix. The 32-year-old lefty has been on the shelf since early April recovering from a right calf strain

St. Louis will shift to a six-man rotation with Dobbins set to make his season debut in Pittsburgh on Thursday. The 26-year-old came over from the Red Sox in the Willson Contreras trade last December and will be making his Cardinals debut. He’s compiled a respectable 4.37 ERA and 19/9 K/BB ratio over 22 2/3 innings over five rehab starts for Triple-A Memphis this season. He put together a 4.13 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 45/17 K/BB ratio over 61 innings for the Red Sox as a rookie last year.

Springer will run the bases and hit again on Tuesday at the Rogers Centre which puts him in line to return at some point this week without needing a couple games in the minors to get back up to speed. The 36-year-old veteran outfielder hit the shelf back in mid-April with a fractured toe. His imminent return should provide a much-needed lift for Toronto’s lineup.

Slater gets an opportunity with the Mets on a prorated deal as a direct replacement for veteran outfielder Tommy Pham after going 4-for-23 in 12 games for the Marlins to open the season. The 33-year-old makes sense as a lefty-mashing part-time specialist, but that’s pretty much the extent of his appeal at this stage of his career.

Wagaman augments New York’s paper-thin position player depth after being cut loose by the Twins last week. The 28-year-old is capable of handling a couple different spots across the diamond and has some over-the-fence pop. He’s more of an emergency stopgap option than a long-term project at this stage of his career.

The move is now official. Pham went 0-for-13 with seven strikeouts during a nine-game stint with the Mets. The 38-year-old’s time with New York is probably finished, but there’s always a chance he opts to remain at Triple-A Syracuse after passing through waivers.

Herget returns to Colorado’s bullpen following a brief stint away from the club on paternity leave over the weekend. The 32-year-old righty has compiled a strong 1.50 ERA with an 11/2 K/BB ratio over 12 innings of work this season.

Halvorsen returns to the minors after making a pair of scoreless relief appearances for the Rockies while Jimmy Herget was away from the club on paternity leave. The 26-year-old former high-leverage arm figures to return to Colorado at some point in the near future.