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MLB News

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

Wednesday, October 1, 2025

Angels Owner Arte Moreno Reportedly Wants Albert Pujols as Next Manager

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Future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols is reportedly being considered for the managerial position with the Angels, as owner Arte Moreno is said to be interested in the former All-Star. Pujols, who retired after the 2022 season, has since been gaining managerial experience by managing in the Dominican Winter League. This potential move would see the revered slugger transition from his current role in winter league management to a prominent leadership position in Major League Baseball.

Athletics Eye Contract Extension for Rookie Shortstop Jacob Wilson After Stellar Season

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The Athletics are having "a lot of conversations" about a potential long-term contract extension for 23-year-old star rookie shortstop Jacob Wilson, as confirmed by general manager David Forst on October 1, 2025. Wilson enjoyed a stellar 2025 MLB season, accumulating 151 hits and achieving MLB's second-highest batting average at .311. He is expected to be a top choice for the AL Rookie of the Year award, alongside teammate Nick Kurtz. Wilson and Kurtz have expressed their shared excitement about an A's player potentially winning the award, focusing on representing the team. These discussions reflect the Athletics' interest in solidifying their young offensive core.

Athletics Pursue Long-Term Contract Extension for Star Rookie First Baseman Nick Kurtz

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The Athletics are actively discussing a long-term contract extension for 22-year-old star rookie first baseman Nick Kurtz, according to general manager David Forst on October 1, 2025. Kurtz had a standout 2025 MLB season, finishing with an impressive 36 home runs, 86 RBI, and a 1.002 OPS. He is considered a top contender for the AL Rookie of the Year award, an honor already bestowed upon him by Baseball America. Kurtz expressed excitement about an A's player winning the award, emphasizing team representation over individual accolades. These extension talks, along with those for Jacob Wilson and Shea Langeliers, aim to solidify the team's offensive foundation.

Max Fried Delivers Strong Playoff Start for Yankees Despite Bullpen Collapse

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New York Yankees ace Max Fried delivered a strong performance in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series against the Boston Red Sox on October 1, 2025, allowing just four hits in 6 1/3 scoreless innings and throwing 63 of his 102 pitches for strikes. Manager Aaron Boone initially planned to lift Fried after the sixth inning, but after Fried induced a double play and was at 99 pitches, Boone allowed him to get one more out in the seventh. Fried felt he "had enough in the tank" and "definitely felt good at the end," even beating Jarren Duran in a race to first for his final out. Boone defended his decision to pull Fried, noting increased pressure in the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings and a slight dip in command, though his stuff remained good. The Yankees led 1-0 on Anthony Volpe's solo home run when Fried exited, but the bullpen faltered, leading to a 3-1 loss.

Reds Ace Hunter Greene Struggles in Postseason Debut, Rocked by Dodgers in Hometown

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Cincinnati Reds ace Hunter Greene, a 26-year-old former All-Star, made his first postseason start in his hometown of Los Angeles on October 1, 2025, a childhood dream that ended without a "Hollywood ending." Greene, who prepped at Notre Dame High School, lasted only three innings against the Dodgers in Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series. He surrendered a leadoff homer to Shohei Ohtani (117.7 mph off a 100.4 mph fastball), walked two, struck out four, and was tagged for six hits and five runs, all on three home runs. Greene attributed his struggles to poor slider execution, stating, "that’s where I got hurt the most tonight." In the third inning, walks to Freddie Freeman and Max Muncy preceded back-to-back homers by Teoscar Hernández and Tommy Edman, extending the Dodgers' lead to 5-0 before manager Terry Francona pulled him. Despite the tough outing, Greene, who had a 7-4 record with a 2.76 ERA in 19 starts this season, expressed frustration but maintained confidence for future opportunities.

Jackson Merrill Identified as Top Home Run Bet for Wednesday Player Props

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San Diego Padres player Jackson Merrill has been highlighted as the best bet for Wednesday's home run player props on October 1st by the Inside the Lines team. This team has been consistently dishing out nightly home run bets throughout the season, accumulating over 30 units in profit on the year. For those interested in more free daily picks across various sports, the Inside the Lines blog is recommended as a resource.

Garrett Crochet's Signature Rolled Pants: A Look at His Style and Stellar Performance

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Boston Red Sox left-hander Garrett Crochet, who delivered a stellar performance against the Yankees in their AL Wild Card Series Game 1 win, is notable for his distinctive tight cuff at the ankle of his uniform pants. This unique style, particularly evident with his straight-leg pitching delivery, originated in 2018 during his time with the Santa Barbara Foresters after his freshman year at the University of Tennessee. Crochet explained on the "Baseball Isn't Boring" podcast that the pants provided were too large, prompting him to adopt a tight roll technique learned from college friends. His college coach, Tony Vitello, never objected, leading him to maintain the look throughout his career. Crochet had a Cy Young-caliber regular season, posting a 2.59 ERA, leading the AL with 255 strikeouts and 205 1/3 innings, and striking out 11 over seven innings against the Yankees on Tuesday. He stated, "I just feel really weird when my pants aren't like this," indicating the style is here to stay.

Pete Alonso Faces Decision: Mets Weigh Re-signing Star First Baseman Amidst Free Agency

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Pete Alonso is set to become a free agent again, a year after a lengthy negotiation process resulted in a two-year deal with an opt-out to return to the New York Mets. This past season, Alonso played all 162 games, slashing .272/.347/.524 with 38 home runs, a career-best 41 doubles, and 126 RBI, earning his fifth All-Star selection and breaking the Mets' all-time home run record with 264. Mets president David Stearns expressed a desire to have Alonso back, emphasizing his value on and off the field. However, considerations include Alonso's age (entering his age-31 season in 2026), potential defensive shortcomings (ranking low in range and arm grade), and increased swing-and-miss in his game. The Mets also face the possibility of shaking up their core, with Alonso being a potential candidate to move on. On the other hand, Alonso remains a powerful hitter with strong advanced metrics and the Mets lack a ready replacement at first base, with Mark Vientos having a down year and minor league options not yet polished. Given his consistent availability and desire to stay in New York, re-signing Alonso, potentially with a transition to designated hitter, makes sense if his market doesn't escalate excessively, though negotiations with agent Scott Boras present a challenge.

Giants Top Prospect Bryce Eldridge Undergoes Wrist Surgery, Expected Ready for Spring Training

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San Francisco Giants' top prospect, 20-year-old Bryce Eldridge, is scheduled for offseason surgery on his left wrist to remove a bone spur, the team announced Tuesday. The 6-foot-7 first baseman, who was the 16th overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, will undergo an eight-week rehabilitation process. This recovery timeline is not expected to impact his preparation for spring training or his availability for the upcoming 2026 season. Eldridge joined the MLB roster in mid-September 2025, finishing with a .107 average in 10 games, a struggle that may have been attributed to the wrist issue. Prior to his call-up, he hit 18 home runs in 66 Triple-A games, after starting the season in rookie ball and playing 34 games at Double-A. Giants general manager Zack Minasian stated the team remains open-minded about Eldridge's long-term position, emphasizing the offseason focus is on his full recovery.

Blake Snell Delivers Seven Strong Innings as Dodgers Consider Him for Relief

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Blake Snell completed seven innings for the Los Angeles Dodgers in their 10-5 victory over the Cincinnati Reds in Game 1 of a National League wild-card series on Tuesday night. Despite Snell's strong outing, the Dodgers' bullpen struggled significantly, nearly creating a save situation out of an eight-run lead, with relievers like Edgardo Henriquez, Jack Dreyer, and Alex Vesia performing poorly. To address their unreliable bullpen, the Dodgers are contemplating deploying starting pitchers such as Snell, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Tyler Glasnow in relief roles, potentially having Snell pitch in relief instead of throwing scheduled bullpen sessions between starts. However, it remains unclear if pitching in relief would negatively affect his subsequent starts.

Tuesday, September 30, 2025

Blake Snell Dominates Seven Innings in Dodgers Postseason Debut

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Blake Snell delivered a dominant performance in his Los Angeles Dodgers postseason debut, allowing just two runs over seven innings as the Dodgers defeated the Cincinnati Reds 10-5 in Game 1. Snell did not surrender a run until the seventh inning, giving up only one hit through the first six frames. He effectively adjusted to Cincinnati's aggressive approach on first-pitch fastballs by incorporating more changeups. In the third inning, after disagreeing with an umpire's call, Snell composed himself to induce an inning-ending swing-and-miss with a sharp curveball. This outing marked his longest in 11 postseason appearances, surpassing his previous high of 5 ⅔ innings. Snell emphasized the importance of starters going deep into games, stating it "means we’re pitching good, and two, we’re giving the bullpen a break," a critical point given the Dodgers' bullpen struggles that made an eight-run lead precarious.

Shohei Ohtani's Two-Homer Postseason Debut Powers Dodgers to Game 1 Win

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Shohei Ohtani powered the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 10-5 Game 1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds, hitting two home runs and helping his team move one win away from the NLDS. Ohtani set the tone early, opening the bottom of the first inning with a laser home run off Hunter Greene's 100-mph fastball. He struck again in the sixth inning with a 454-foot moon shot off Connor Phillips, extending the Dodgers' lead to 8-0 amidst "M-V-P" chants. Manager Dave Roberts praised Ohtani's elevated postseason focus and at-bat quality, stating, "His focus gets more keen, and the at-bat quality is better. That’s a reason why he signed to be with this ball club, this organization, to play in games like this, to showcase his otherworldly talent. I expect really fun things this postseason out of Shohei.” While Ohtani struck out in his other three at-bats, his two blasts contributed to the Dodgers' five home runs, tying a single-game playoff record.

Garrett Crochet Delivers Historic Playoff Masterclass, Red Sox Take Game 1

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Boston Red Sox ace Garrett Crochet pitched an unforgettable October masterclass in Game 1 of the wild-card round against the Yankees, leading his team to a 3-1 victory. In his first career playoff start, Crochet threw a career-high 117 pitches, surrendering just four hits and striking out 11 hitters across 7 2/3 innings. The only blemish was a solo homer by Anthony Volpe in the second inning, after which Crochet retired the final 17 hitters he faced. He threw his fastest pitch, 100.2 mph, on his 117th and final pitch, getting Austin Wells looking. Manager Alex Cora praised Crochet's desire and faith, sending him back out for the eighth inning at 100 pitches. This performance was historic, marking the most pitches by a starter in a postseason game since Stephen Strasburg in 2019 and the most in a playoff debut since Jacob deGrom in 2016. Red Sox third baseman Alex Bregman, playing his 100th career postseason game, lauded Crochet's "big-time" performance. Crochet will not pitch again in this series but is expected to start Game 2 of the ALDS if Boston advances, and he enjoys playing "Clash Royale" in his downtime.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto Set to Pitch Game 2 for Dodgers

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Los Angeles Dodgers ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto is scheduled to take the mound for Game 2 of the wild-card series against the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday. With the Dodgers already holding a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series after a dominant Game 1 victory, a win with Yamamoto pitching seems likely, aiming for a sweep to advance to the division series.

Luke Weaver Disappointed by Game 1 Outing, Vows to Improve for Yankees' Playoff Run

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New York Yankees reliever Luke Weaver expressed disappointment following his Game 1 loss outing against the Red Sox on Tuesday, stating, "I just got to be better." Manager Aaron Boone brought the 32-year-old right-hander into the seventh inning with one out, explaining he wanted to save Devin Williams or Fernando Cruz for later in the order. Weaver, who finished the regular season with a 3.62 ERA but struggled in September with a 9.64 ERA due to bad outings, walked Ceddanne Rafaela after getting ahead 0-2 in an 11-pitch at-bat. He then allowed a hustle double to Nick Sogard and a two-run single to pinch-hitter Masataka Yoshida, surrendering two runs without recording an out. Boone noted Weaver "lost the strike zone" and left pitches "a little up." Weaver acknowledged the Rafaela at-bat was "a real tough one to swallow," despite feeling his overall outing was "very competitive." The Yankees' bullpen, including Weaver, needs to perform better for a deep October run.

Teoscar Hernández Hits Two Homers, Fuels Dodgers' Game 1 Rout

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Teoscar Hernández was a key offensive force for the Los Angeles Dodgers in their 10-5 Game 1 wild-card win over the Reds, hitting two home runs. In the third inning, he hit a three-run bomb off Hunter Greene's hanging slider, reminiscent of his heroics last October, flipping his bat as he skipped out of the box. Hernández later added his second home run of the game in the fifth inning off right-hander Connor Phillips. His powerful hitting contributed significantly to the Dodgers tying a club postseason record with five homers and dismantling the Reds.

Masataka Yoshida's Pinch-Hit Heroics Secure Red Sox Game 1 Victory Over Yankees

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Masataka Yoshida proved to be the difference-maker for the Boston Red Sox in their 3-1 AL Wild Card Series opener win against the New York Yankees on Tuesday night. Entering as a pinch-hitter in the top of the seventh inning, Yoshida delivered a crucial go-ahead two-run single off Yankees reliever Luke Weaver. This significant hit allowed the Red Sox to take the lead, with Boston later adding another run against David Bednar. Yoshida's clutch performance, which immediately followed Aaron Boone's decision to pull Max Fried, was highlighted as the "big blow" that ultimately decided the game.

Jazz Chisholm Jr. Addresses Being Benched, Yankees Teammates Downplay Drama

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New York Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. expressed mild surprise after being left out of the starting lineup for Game 1 against the Red Sox, a decision made by manager Aaron Boone for a right-heavy lineup against left-handed ace Garrett Crochet. Chisholm, who entered defensively in the eighth, told reporters, "I mean, I guess, yeah," when asked about not starting, and noted a "little conversation, not much" with Boone. Despite his mild tone, his body language sparked online controversy. Internally, a Yankees source indicated Chisholm had taken the news well initially, and other team personnel speculated he might have been embarrassed rather than angry, noting he remains a popular teammate. Yankees captain Aaron Judge stated the situation would cause "drama on the outside" but affirmed, "Inside this clubhouse, we’re all good," suggesting internal resolution without major crisis.

Yankees Captain Aaron Judge Provides Context on Jazz Chisholm Jr.'s Postgame Comments

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New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge addressed the postgame comments made by teammate Jazz Chisholm Jr. after Chisholm was left out of the starting lineup for Game 1 against the Red Sox. Judge, who was briefed on Chisholm's remarks, acknowledged the potential for "drama on the outside" but emphasized the strong internal unity within the clubhouse, stating, "Inside this clubhouse, we’re all good. We’re pulling for each other." He suggested he would handle the situation internally, downplaying it as a major crisis or cleanup. Judge's perspective was sought for his understanding of clubhouse dynamics, providing valuable context to Chisholm's public reaction to manager Aaron Boone's lineup decision.

Max Fried's Stellar Yankees Postseason Debut Ends Abruptly in Game 1 Loss

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Max Fried delivered a spectacular performance in his Yankees postseason debut on Tuesday night against the Boston Red Sox, despite the team's eventual 3-1 loss. He efficiently navigated the first three frames, limiting the Red Sox to just two hits, but encountered trouble in the fourth and fifth innings. Fried worked out of two-on, two-out jams in both frames, striking out Jaren Duran and getting Alex Bregman to ground out. He labored again in the sixth after a walk but escaped with an inning-ending double play from Nate Eaton. Fried admitted expending significant energy but felt he had more to give. Manager Aaron Boone, however, pulled Fried after 102 pitches and getting the first out of the seventh inning, stating, "He gave us what we needed." Boone defended the decision, noting Fried "had to work pretty hard" through the middle innings, despite the bullpen immediately blowing the lead.