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

Friday, September 12, 2025

Orioles LHP Trevor Rogers Leaves Friday Start Early with Sore Toe

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Baltimore Orioles left-hander Trevor Rogers was forced to leave his start early on Friday night, September 12, 2025, during a game against Toronto. Rogers exited the mound after completing five innings of work, citing a sore toe on his left foot as the reason for his departure. The incident, reported on September 13, 2025, means the Orioles' LHP was unable to finish his scheduled outing, and the team will now be monitoring his condition closely following this injury concern.

Aaron Judge Blasts 362nd Career Homer, Surpassing DiMaggio for Fourth in Yankees History

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New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge made history on Friday night, September 12, 2025, hitting his 362nd career home run. This 468-foot solo shot over the Green Monster in the first inning off Boston's Lucas Giolito gave the Yankees a 1-0 lead and moved Judge past Hall of Famer Joe DiMaggio for sole possession of fourth place on the franchise's all-time list. Judge achieved this milestone in just his 1,130th game, significantly fewer than DiMaggio's 1,736 games. This was his 47th homer of the season, raising his major league-best batting average to .324. He also contributed to the offense by drawing a seven-pitch walk and scoring the Yankees' second run later in the game, having previously surpassed Yogi Berra for fifth place earlier in the week.

Mets' Jeff McNeil Ejected After Heated Argument Over Called Third Strike

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New York Mets second baseman Jeff McNeil was ejected from Friday night's game against the Texas Rangers in the bottom of the fourth inning. The ejection came after McNeil vehemently disagreed with a called third strike from Rangers pitcher Jacob deGrom, which appeared to be low. Home plate umpire Scott Barry made the call and subsequently tossed McNeil, who reacted angrily. At the time of his ejection, McNeil was 0-for-2 on the night. Following his departure, Ronny Mauricio entered the game to play third base, with Brett Baty shifting to second base to cover McNeil's position.

AL Cy Young Frontrunner Tarik Skubal Exits Game with Rib Cage Discomfort, Imaging Scheduled

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Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal, the reigning Cy Young winner and current AL Cy Young frontrunner, exited Friday's game in the fourth inning due to tightness in his left side, later identified as discomfort near his left rib cage. He will undergo imaging on Saturday to determine the injury's severity, raising concerns about his playoff availability with the postseason less than three weeks away. Before his exit, Skubal had pitched 3 1/3 innings against the Miami Marlins, allowing four runs. He entered the game leading the league in ERA (2.10), WHIP (0.856), strikeout rate (32.6%), and walk rate (4.1%), cementing his reputation as the American League's top pitcher this season.

Brendan Donovan Activated from Injured List, Returns to Cardinals Lineup

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St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Brendan Donovan has been officially activated from the injured list, marking his return to the team after a 25-game absence. Donovan had been sidelined due to a strained left groin. His activation on September 13, 2025, allows him to rejoin the Cardinals' active roster, providing a boost as the team moves forward. This development brings an end to his recovery period, making him available for play.

Yankees' Anthony Volpe Sidelined for Weekend Series Amidst Season Struggles and Cashman's Continued Support

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New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe will not start any of the three games against the Red Sox this weekend as he recovers from a cortisone shot in his injured shoulder. He is expected to be available off the bench, marking the first time in his big-league career he's been sidelined for two consecutive games. Volpe has endured a challenging season, struggling on both sides of the ball. He is hitting just .206 with a .268 on-base percentage, 19 home runs, and 140 strikeouts over 141 games. Defensively, he has committed a league-high 19 errors and accounted for -9 Outs Above Average, having played through a shoulder injury for some time. Despite these struggles, GM Brian Cashman expressed continued belief in Volpe, stating, "This year not withstanding, I think he’s got a lot of abilities that are positive... that doesn’t change our viewpoint of what he’s capable of."

Kodai Senga Dominates in First Triple-A Start Following Mets Demotion

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New York Mets pitcher Kodai Senga delivered a dominant performance in his first Triple-A start for Syracuse on Friday night, September 13, 2025, following his demotion from the major league club. The right-hander pitched six efficient innings, allowing just one earned run on three hits with no walks and striking out eight batters. Senga utilized his full arsenal, throwing 74 pitches, 52 for strikes. While he gave up a run in the second inning, he quickly rebounded, cruising through the rest of his outing. This impressive outing marks a strong first step for Senga, who had struggled in recent big-league appearances, allowing three or more earned runs in six of his last eight outings and raising his season ERA to 3.02. He is anticipated to make at least two more minor league starts before potentially rejoining the Mets.

Patrick Bailey Blasts Walk-Off Grand Slam, Makes MLB History for Giants

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San Francisco Giants catcher Patrick Bailey delivered a dramatic walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the 10th inning against the Dodgers on Friday, securing a 5-1 victory. Despite a challenging season at the plate where he's struggled with his batting average, Bailey showcased his clutch hitting, hitting his first grand slam in 56 years for a Giants catcher and his first homer from the right side in over two years. This memorable blast also made him the first MLB player to record both a walk-off grand slam and a walk-off inside-the-park homer in a single season. Known for his exceptional defense, aiming for a second Gold Glove, Bailey's offensive heroics provided a significant boost to the Giants' postseason aspirations.

Justin Verlander Delivers Seven Strong Innings, Celebrates 20 Seasons in Giants' Win

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San Francisco Giants pitcher Justin Verlander delivered a strong performance on Friday, throwing seven solid innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers. This outing marked a significant milestone for Verlander, as he celebrated 20 seasons of MLB service time. His efforts were crucial in keeping the Giants competitive, allowing them to eventually secure an unforgettable extra-innings walk-off victory. Verlander commented on the team's growth, noting the importance of young players experiencing and succeeding in high-pressure situations, which he believes builds confidence for future playoff moments as the Giants close in on a postseason spot.

Walker Buehler Delivers Strong Performance in Winning Phillies Debut Against Royals

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Walker Buehler made a victorious debut for the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park, contributing to an 8-2 win over the Kansas City Royals. The 31-year-old right-hander pitched five good innings, allowing just one run on five hits, one walk, and striking out three. Despite giving up an early lead in his first inning as a Phillie, Buehler settled in, working around a four-seam fastball that averaged 93.8 mph and throwing strikes on 26 of his first 35 pitches. His effective pitching limited the Royals, who managed only one ball in play with an exit velocity over 100 mph through four innings, as the Phillies became the first MLB team to reach 50 home wins this season.

Rookie Sensation Cade Horton Secures Two Starts for Cubs Amidst Stellar Campaign

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Chicago Cubs rookie Cade Horton is set for a two-start week beginning September 15, with divisional matchups against the Pirates and Reds. The 24-year-old has been remarkable in his debut season, stepping into a significant rotation role due to injuries and emerging as one of the National League's best pitchers. Through 21 appearances (20 starts), Horton holds a 10-4 record with a 2.70 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 89 strikeouts against 32 walks over 110 innings. His pristine ratios and solid win total make him a top option for all leagues.

Paul Skenes Dominates, Leads Two-Start Pitchers in Cy Young Bid

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Pittsburgh Pirates phenom Paul Skenes is scheduled for two home starts at PNC Park against the Cubs and Athletics during the week of September 15. The 23-year-old right-hander has been an "absolute stud," maintaining an outstanding 1.92 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, and a 203/39 K/BB ratio over 178 innings through his first 30 starts, despite an underwhelming 10-9 record. Skenes is considered the top overall pitching option for the week, as he continues to strengthen his National League Cy Young award resume with his consistent dominance.

Michael King Poised for Two Starts, Continues Phenomenal Season for Padres

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San Diego Padres right-hander Michael King is projected for two starts during the week of September 15, with matchups against the Mets and White Sox. When healthy, King has been phenomenal this season, registering a 2.87 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and a 67/20 K/BB ratio across 62 2/3 innings in his first 12 starts. His strong performance suggests he will continue to deliver quality ratios and at least double-digit strikeouts, making him a reliable option to add to his win total in the upcoming two-start week.

Carlos Rodón Set for Two Starts, Continues Terrific Season for Yankees

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New York Yankees southpaw Carlos Rodón is slated for two starts in the upcoming week of September 15, facing the Twins and Orioles on the road. The 32-year-old is having another terrific season, boasting a 16-8 record with a 3.11 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and 186 strikeouts against 70 walks over 176 1/3 innings through 30 starts. His consistent high-level performance makes him a must-start in all fantasy leagues, with the added volume from two outings expected to further boost his production.

Michael Soroka Nears Cubs Return After Strong Rehab Outing, Velocity Boost

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Michael Soroka is on the cusp of returning to the Chicago Cubs after a shoulder strain, showing promising signs in his recent rehab appearance. The 28-year-old right-hander pitched 2 1/3 innings of one-run ball for Triple-A Iowa, with his fastball velocity reaching 96.6 mph, a notable improvement from before his injury. Manager Craig Counsell confirmed Soroka will be activated for his next outing, though a specific date is pending. Acquired in a trade deadline deal with Washington, Soroka previously made one two-inning start for the Cubs on August 4 before being sidelined. He holds a 3-8 record with a 4.86 ERA in 17 starts this season and may transition to a bullpen role upon rejoining the team.

Jason Alexander Tapped as Top Two-Start Fantasy Option for Astros

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Houston Astros pitcher Jason Alexander is being highlighted as a top fantasy baseball waiver wire pickup, specifically as the best available two-start pitcher for the upcoming week. Rostered in 17% of Yahoo leagues, Alexander is slated to face contenders like the Rangers and Mariners, but has recently demonstrated strong outings, including seven scoreless innings against the Blue Jays and allowing only three runs over 11 innings in two starts against the Yankees. The 32-year-old journeyman, who posted a 5.40 ERA with the Brewers in 2022, currently holds a 4.19 ERA in 10 starts and five relief appearances for the Astros this season. Despite his below-average fastball and sinker, he's projected to secure a win with minimal ERA and WHIP impact.

Luis Rengifo Recommended as Fantasy Waiver Pick for Coors Field Series

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Los Angeles Angels infielder Luis Rengifo is being recommended as a fantasy baseball waiver wire pickup, especially for the upcoming series at Coors Field. Rostered in 16% of Yahoo leagues, Rengifo has had a disappointing walk year, posting a 76 OPS+ and 0.4 WAR in 135 games, a significant drop from his 2022-24 averages. However, he has shown improvement in the second half of the season, hitting .257/.333/.382 over 46 games. Notably, Rengifo has been perfect on the basepaths in the second half, stealing 8-for-8 after a 2-for-8 first half, making him a valuable option for managers prioritizing stolen bases.

Luis Severino Emerges as Strong Fantasy Pick for Upcoming Road Start

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Athletics pitcher Luis Severino is highlighted as a top fantasy baseball waiver wire pickup, particularly for next week's action. Rostered in 32% of Yahoo leagues, Severino is recommended for his upcoming road start in Pittsburgh, a favorable matchup against the league's lowest-scoring team, the Pirates. The right-hander has demonstrated a significant split in his performance this season, boasting a 5-2 record with a 3.11 ERA in away games compared to a 1-9 record and 6.34 ERA at home in Sacramento. Since his return from the injured list, both of his starts have been on the road, where he's allowed just three runs and fanned 11 batters over 10 innings against the Cardinals and Angels, positioning him well for a potential win.

Jose Quintana Offers Steady Performance and Win Potential for Brewers in Two-Start Week

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Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Jose Quintana has delivered a steady, if unspectacular, season with a 3.88 ERA and 1.28 WHIP. Benefiting from playing for baseball's top team, he has accumulated 11 wins. While his strikeout rate (6.1 K/9) is modest, it becomes less of a concern in a two-start week, which Quintana is scheduled for next week. He will face the Angels and Cardinals, both teams that have fallen out of postseason contention. This favorable schedule makes Quintana a strong option for fantasy managers in roto leagues, particularly those looking to secure wins.

Kyle Manzardo Emerges as Power Source for Guardians, Poised for Strong Stretch Run

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Cleveland Guardians first baseman Kyle Manzardo has established himself as a reliable power hitter, showcasing significant production in the latter half of the season. Across July and August, Manzardo blasted 10 home runs and drove in 27 RBIs. He has continued his impressive performance in September, adding three more homers and posting a stellar 1.126 OPS. As a left-handed hitter, Manzardo typically excels against right-handed pitching, and his upcoming schedule is highly favorable, with the Guardians slated to face right-handers in eight of their next nine games starting Saturday. This advantageous matchup positions Manzardo for continued success as the season concludes.