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MLB News

Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.

Friday, September 18

Yordan Alvarez Chases AL MVP Honors Amid Career-High 40th Home Run Season

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Houston Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez went 2-for-4 with a 375-foot solo homer off Seth Lugo in a 6-2 win over the Royals, launching his career-high 40th home run. Alvarez leads the AL in OBP (.429), slugging (.598), and OPS (1.027) while hitting .311 with 99 RBI across 149 games. As he competes against Rays third baseman Junior Caminero for the AL MVP, Alvarez faces historical precedent against full-time designated hitters winning the award.

Jac Caglianone Out of Lineup Due to Hand Injury Sustained in Practice

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Kansas City Royals outfielder Jac Caglianone was held out of the starting lineup for Friday's series opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates after injuring his hand during a practice at-bat. Considered day-to-day, manager Matt Quatraro indicated Caglianone could return as early as Saturday. Nick Loftin started in right field in his place. Caglianone is hitless in 10 at-bats since returning from a left elbow flexor strain.

Chase Burns Takes Mound for Final Home Start of Season Against Cubs

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Cincinnati Reds pitcher Chase Burns will make his final home start of the year on Friday night at Great American Ball Park against the Chicago Cubs. Burns is currently operating under a pitch count, which typically requires piggyback support from Brandon Williamson. However, after Williamson was used in mop-up duty earlier in the week, manager Terry Francona will be forced to alter his pitching plans slightly for the game.

Clay Holmes Set to Start for Cubs in Series Opener Against Reds

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Chicago Cubs starter Clay Holmes is set to share the mound against Cincinnati on Friday night at Great American Ball Park as the Cubs open a critical three-game series. The Cubs enter the matchup at 85-68, tied atop the National League Wild Card standings with the Philadelphia Phillies and holding a single-game lead over the San Diego Padres, with four games remaining ahead of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Dillon Dingler Sidelined From Starting Lineup Against White Sox

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Detroit Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler is out of the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Chicago White Sox, with Eduardo Valencia getting the nod behind the plate. Dingler has endured a prolonged offensive slump, watching his OPS plummet by more than 100 points since late July. Over his last 45 games, he is slashing just .179/.224/.285 with five home runs, 22 RBIs, and a 7:51 walk-to-strikeout ratio across 192 plate appearances.

Braxton Ashcraft Ruled Out for Remainder of the 2026 MLB Season

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Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Braxton Ashcraft played catch Friday but has been ruled out for the remainder of the season. Ashcraft landed on the 15-day injured list last week due to right arm discomfort. Although multiple medical opinions confirmed the injury is not serious, the team will not rush the right-hander back. He concludes a breakout campaign having logged a 3.65 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 173 strikeouts over 165.1 innings across 28 starts.

Hunter Goodman Returns to Colorado Rockies Lineup Against Mariners

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All-Star catcher Hunter Goodman is returning to the Colorado Rockies' starting lineup to catch and bat cleanup in Friday's series opener against the Seattle Mariners. Goodman missed four of the previous five contests while managing a nagging right thumb injury, but he has recovered sufficiently to play. The slugger enters the weekend just two home runs shy of reaching the prestigious 40-homer milestone for the 2026 Major League Baseball season.

Aroldis Chapman Downplays Lat Issue and Plans Return Next Week

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Boston Red Sox closer Aroldis Chapman downplayed a lat issue Friday, stating he is "not worried at all" and plans to pitch during the team's final regular-season homestand next week. Chapman first felt discomfort Tuesday but has shown steady improvement. With Boston closing in on a playoff berth, the team will exercise caution, keeping him unavailable for the weekend set against the Rays while Garrett Whitlock handles late-inning save opportunities.

Colson Montgomery Returns to White Sox Lineup After Wrist Injury

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Chicago White Sox shortstop Colson Montgomery is starting at shortstop and batting eighth in Friday's matchup against the Detroit Tigers. Montgomery missed Thursday's action after exiting Wednesday's game against the Guardians with a bruised left wrist when he was hit by a pitch from Parker Messick. He is currently looking to break out of a ten-game homerless slump as he takes a lower spot in the batting order for the series opener.

Garrett Mitchell Returns to Starting Lineup for Friday's Series Opener

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Garrett Mitchell is back in the Milwaukee Brewers' starting lineup for Friday's series opener against the Baltimore Orioles, playing center field and batting seventh. Mitchell had missed starts over the previous two days due to a nagging neck issue, though he did make a brief appearance off the bench in Thursday's game against the Pirates. His return provides a welcome boost to the Brewers' outfield as they push through the final stretch of the regular season.

Miguel Cabrera Noted in Historical Triple Crown Discussions

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Miguel Cabrera was referenced in discussions surrounding rare historical achievements, specifically as the only hitter to win a Major League Baseball Triple Crown over the last 59 years, having accomplished the feat during the 2012 season. His historic milestone serves as the benchmark when evaluating modern sluggers attempting to capture the prestigious batting title, home run crown, and RBI leadership in a single campaign.

Joshua Baez Lands on 10-Day Injured List With Left Oblique Strain

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The St. Louis Cardinals placed outfielder Joshua Baez on the 10-day injured list Friday due to a left oblique strain sustained during Wednesday's game against the Giants. Though eligible to return for the final game of the regular season, the injury effectively ends his rookie campaign. Baez finishes his debut year flashing both power and high strikeout tendencies, recording seven home runs and a .510 slugging percentage alongside a 30.6 percent strikeout rate.

Dansby Swanson Reinstated From Injured List by Chicago Cubs

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The Chicago Cubs officially reinstated shortstop Dansby Swanson from the 10-day injured list after a month-long absence due to a Grade 2 left oblique strain sustained in mid-August. Swanson skipped a minor league rehab assignment in favor of a simulated game at Wrigley Field earlier in the week. His return restores elite defense to the middle infield, pushing Nico Hoerner back to second base.

Jacob Misiorowski Leads Majors With 105 MPH Fastball and Stellar ERA

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Milwaukee Brewers breakout star and Cy Young favorite Jacob Misiorowski continues to dominate, leading the majors with a 1.89 ERA and 243 strikeouts while averaging over 13 strikeouts per nine innings. Observers marvel at his electric repertoire, highlighted by an astonishing 105 mph fastball and over 1,000 pitches exceeding 100 mph this season, making his campaign one of the best in franchise history.

Jarren Duran Sits Out Friday Versus Left-Hander Ian Seymour

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Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran is out of the starting lineup for Friday's game against left-handed starter Ian Seymour of the Tampa Bay Rays. Sitting against left-handed starters has become routine for Duran, who is batting just .159 with a .463 OPS across 47 plate appearances this month. Roman Anthony, Nate Eaton, and Wilyer Abreu will start across the outfield.

Willson Contreras Avoids Fracture After Right Hand Hit By Pitch

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Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras avoided a hand fracture after post-game X-rays were negative, though he was diagnosed with a bruised and swollen right hand following an eighth-inning pitch by Jakob Junis. Contreras, who ranks third in the majors in hit-by-pitches, stated his hand went numb for five minutes. Listed day-to-day, he will miss Friday's series opener against the Rays as the Red Sox manage injuries heading into the final stretch.

Adley Rutschman Rests on Bench for Friday's Game Against Rays

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Boston Red Sox catcher Adley Rutschman is out of the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays, with Connor Wong catching Ranger Suarez and batting ninth. Rutschman has hit three home runs this month, batting .211 with a .776 OPS across 40 plate appearances during September as the Red Sox navigate their late-season schedule.

Julian Aguiar Recalled by Cincinnati Reds Following Roster Moves

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The Cincinnati Reds recalled Julian Aguiar for his first major league action since undergoing Tommy John surgery. Aguiar takes the roster spot of Julian Garcia, whose season has ended due to surgery to remove loose bodies in his right elbow. Aguiar is expected to provide valuable starting and bulk-inning length out of the bullpen.

Oswaldo Cabrera Claimed Off Waivers by Cincinnati Reds From Yankees

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The Cincinnati Reds claimed versatile switch-hitter Oswaldo Cabrera off waivers from the New York Yankees after he was designated for assignment to open a 40-man roster spot for Clarke Schmidt. Cabrera, 27, was the second-longest tenured player in New York's organization behind Aaron Judge, appearing in 305 major league games across multiple positions while batting .288 with a .790 OPS in 122 Triple-A games this year. He carries a $1.2 million salary.

Christian Scott Featured as Fantasy Lineup Option for Strikeouts

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New York Mets pitcher Christian Scott has been highlighted in fantasy baseball analysis as a recommended lineup addition for Saturday's MLB slate, specifically targeted by managers seeking a boost in strikeout production as the regular season reaches its final weeks.