MLB Player News

Miller, who picked up an impressive four-out save against the Orioles on Sunday, will be away from the club on bereavement leave for the next few days. He’s converted 19 saves with a microscopic 0.90 ERA and 59/12 K/BB ratio across 30 innings this season. His absence will result in either Jason Adam or Adrian Morejon handling any save chances for the Padres. The other dark horse name to watch is hard-throwing rookie Bradgley Rodriguez, who has been an unexpected revelation this season. Fantasy managers should anticipate Miller returning later this week.

Max Muncy is also taking a seat with lefty Matt Wilkinson serving as San Francisco’s opener. It appears to be a routine off day for Freeman, who missed time with a right knee issue a couple weeks ago. The 37-year-old veteran has already played 152 games this season, hitting .290/.364/.432 with 74 runs scored, 16 homers, 70 RBI and seven steals in 654 plate appearances. It’ll be Enrique Hernández and Miguel Rojas at the infield corners in this one.

Romo returns to the big leagues for the first time in nearly a month with veteran Jake Rogers away from the club on paternity leave. The 25-year-old backstop hit .141 (25-for-177) with seven homers and one steal in 60 games for the White Sox earlier this season.

Rogers will miss Chicago’s final two regular-season contests while on paternity leave. He should make it back in time for the start of the postseason next week.

Scherzer told the media that he will make a decision regarding his future in the offseason before adding that he wanted to pitch in front of his family in the Rogers Centre one final time in case he decides to hang up his spikes after 19 seasons in the big leagues. The 42-year-old Future Hall of Fame starter finds himself just a handful of strikeouts behind former Tigers teammate Justin Verlander on the all-time strikeout list heading into what could potentially be the final outing of his remarkable career.

Basabe is sitting out his straight game with left hamstring tightness. It’ll be Shay Whitcomb taking over at the hot corner in his place.

It’s a bit perplexing the Marlins basically elected to play with a shortened bench during the final week of the regular season. Edwards is sitting out his sixth consecutive game due to an ongoing left thumb issue on Saturday afternoon. It’ll be rookie Jared Serna drawing another start at second base in his place.

Curry passed through waivers unclaimed after being designated for assignment earlier this week. The 28-year-old righty will become a minor league free agent in a couple weeks after posting a respectable 5.48 ERA across 21 1/3 innings in the majors this season.

Barco joins Pittsburgh’s bullpen for their final two games of the season against the Tigers after posting an underwhelming 7.64 ERA over 17 2/3 innings over seven relief appearances earlier this season. The 25-year-old starter is one of the better pitching prospects in the Pirates’ system, but he hasn’t gotten an extended look at the highest level yet.

Dotel returns to the minors after allowing two runs over three innings during Friday’s showdown against the Tigers. The 24-year-old concludes his rookie campaign with a respectable 4.46 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 41/16 K/BB ratio across 42 1/3 innings over 22 appearances. He’s shown some flashes of potential, but Dotel remains a long way off from sustained fantasy relevance.

Culpepper returns for Minnesota’s final two regular-season contests against the Rangers following a minimum stint on the injured list with a left hamstring strain. The 23-year-old top prospect has delivered for fantasy managers since arriving in the big leagues back in early August, hitting .275/.333/.404 with 15 runs scored, three homers, 11 RBI and one steal in 120 plate appearances. He’s one of the more dynamic power and speed combo threats to reach the majors recently and should be an intriguing late-round sleeper candidate in drafts next spring.