Player news from trusted outlets
Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
Chicago White Sox right-hander Sean Burke is set to start in Game 5 of the ALDS against the Cleveland Guardians with the season on the line. Burke enters the winner-take-all matchup following a solid regular season campaign where he compiled an 11-7 record alongside a 3.34 ERA. He faces off against Guardians starter Gavin Williams as the White Sox look to secure a victory and advance to the next round of the MLB postseason.
Atlanta Braves starter Tyler Mahle posted a 1.99 ERA over nine second-half appearances following a midseason trade from the Giants. The 32-year-old right-hander sustained his momentum in the postseason, delivering 13.1 innings of two-run pitching against the Phillies and Dodgers. Heading into free agency, Mahle's strong playoff performance is positioning him as an attractive rotation addition for teams like the Washington Nationals.
During August trade deadline discussions regarding Tarik Skubal, the Atlanta Braves refused to include 21-year-old hurler Didier Fuentes in any packages with the Tigers. The reluctance to part with Fuentes indicates the Braves view him as a long-term piece, potentially returning to a starting role after showing flashes of brilliance in October, including retiring 11 batters in a row during Game 2 of the NLDS under the heavy faith of manager Walt Weiss.
At 22, Jackson Chourio is a Brewers postseason legend, holding franchise records for home runs and RBI. Tied with Andruw Jones for most postseason RBI (17) under 23, he delivered a clutch walk-off, two-run single off Mason Miller in Game 2 of the NLDS. Coming off a career-best regular season with 20/20 production, Chourio enters the NLCS against the Dodgers as Milwaukee's offensive catalyst, earning praise for his elite poise in high-leverage moments.
Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Miguel Rojas participated in batting practice and took ground balls Friday as he works to be available for the NLCS roster against Milwaukee. Rojas is nursing back and hip pain suffered in Game 3 of the NLDS, which sidelined him for Game 4. Manager Dave Roberts called his progress encouraging after imaging. A key contributor against left-handed pitching with a .293/.340/.469 slash line and 121 wRC+ this season, Rojas also led Los Angeles with 40 pinch-hit plate appearances.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone faced criticism for putting Trent Grisham in the leadoff spot for Game 3 of the ALDS. Grisham went 0-for-5 with three strikeouts in the loss. He struggled during the 2026 season, recording a .308 OBP and 98 wRC+ before suffering a strained hamstring in September. Despite his career .319 OBP and 12.1% walk rate, New York placed Grisham at the top of the lineup in an effort to create traffic, reflecting a rigid organizational approach to player evaluation.
Boston Red Sox pitcher Garrett Whitlock revealed he played the latter portion of the 2026 season with an undiagnosed fractured right tibia, discovered after Boston's AL Wild Card exit. He posted a 1.72 ERA with 59 strikeouts across 52 1/3 innings. Whitlock does not require surgery but must wear a walking boot for six weeks. He is expected to be ready for spring training as the Red Sox evaluate his $8.25 million club option for the 2027 season, raising questions about team medical staff procedures.
New York Yankees closer David Bednar finished the 2026 season tied for fifth in saves with 35 and ranked 14th among relievers with a 1.9 fWAR. Following a dominant stretch after a shaky start and a solid World Baseball Classic stint with Team USA, Bednar anchored the Yankees bullpen and earned crucial postseason outs. He now enters free agency as he prepares for the next chapter of his career following two productive seasons in the Bronx.
Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager recently underwent surgery to repair a bone spur in his right elbow. Seager, who hit a two-run home run against the Minnesota Twins late in September, had the procedure following the conclusion of the Rangers' season. The star infielder's surgery addresses lingering elbow issues as Texas prepares for the offseason, with updates on his rehabilitation timeline expected as recovery progresses.
Boston Red Sox left-handed pitching prospect Payton Tolle received a lighthearted shoutout from actor Nick Offerman, who publicly claimed Tolle as his official baseball "son." The mention was highlighted in baseball news rounds following Division Series postseason action, as the young Red Sox southpaw continues to build his profile within the organization's farm system and gain media attention across the league.
Atlanta Braves left-hander Briggs McKenzie endured a tough outing in his second Arizona Fall League start, allowing eight runs (seven earned) on eight hits and two walks over 2.2 innings. Despite struggling with elevated sliders and changeups, McKenzie generated seven whiffs, including four on his fastball for a 33.3% whiff rate. The start marks just his second appearance since late June as he works his way back into form.
Atlanta Braves reliever Tyler LaPorte tossed a scoreless final inning with two strikeouts for the Glendale River Dogs in Arizona Fall League action on Friday. LaPorte has yet to allow a single run during his entire AFL stint, continuing an impressive stretch out of the bullpen. The outing provided a bright spot on pitching for Glendale, which fell 13-9 to the Salt River Rafters despite LaPorte's strong relief appearance.
Atlanta Braves prospect Isaiah Drake recorded a hit as a pinch hitter during Friday's Arizona Fall League action for the Glendale River Dogs. Drake came off the bench as the designated hitter and finished 1-for-2 with a run scored, managing to register an infield single in the contest. He is among a handful of Braves farmhands participating in AFL action while the major league postseason continues.
Atlanta Braves prospect Owen Carey went 2-for-3 with a walk, a run scored, and an RBI during Arizona Fall League action for the Glendale River Dogs on Friday. Carey tied the game at 1-1 in the top of the second inning with a two-out RBI single into right-center field. Through a short stint in the AFL, Carey is batting .300 with a .762 OPS as Braves farmhands continue making an impact during the major league postseason.
New York Mets infielder Ronny Mauricio faces a crucial offseason as he is now out of minor league options heading into 2027. The 25-year-old switch-hitter finished 2026 on a high note, going 4-for-7 with three home runs and six RBIs over the final two games. Despite showcasing elite exit velocities, Mauricio struggled with plate discipline, posting a 32.3% strikeout rate. He remains under team control through 2030.
The Atlanta Braves have designated utilityman Luke Williams for assignment as part of their initial offseason roster moves. Williams appeared in just two big league games for Atlanta during the 2026 season, drawing a walk in his sole plate appearance, though he was included on the team's Wild Card Series roster. He spent the majority of the campaign with Triple-A Gwinnett. Williams has been with the organization since 2023.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto is set to start Game 2 of the National League Championship Series for the Los Angeles Dodgers against the Milwaukee Brewers. Following Tarik Skubal's Game 1 appearance, Yamamoto will take the ball on Monday afternoon in Milwaukee as the Dodgers continue their postseason campaign and look to establish early dominance in the best-of-seven series.
Colton Cowser will face close scrutiny heading into the 2027 season with the Baltimore Orioles as he looks to return to peak form. While his exceptional defensive skills in the outfield make him an everyday necessity in the lineup regardless of pitching matchups, Cowser has experienced notable struggles against left-handed pitching that the Orioles' coaching staff will need to help him address during the upcoming offseason.
Josiah Hartshorn put together an incredible professional debut during his breakout year in the Chicago Cubs minor league system. Highlighted by MLB Pipeline among the team's standout prospects of the year, Hartshorn's early performance has drawn significant attention from analysts tracking the future of the Cubs' farm system as they navigate offseason decisions and evaluate young talent for potential future major league contributions.
Dante Nori is actively working to accelerate his ascent toward the Philadelphia Phillies with his play this fall. Participating in Arizona fall action, Nori is hoping that his current performance will help pave the way for a future promotion to the major league club. The organization is closely monitoring his development as part of their broader evaluation of young talent within the system, looking for prospects who can soon contribute at the highest level in Philadelphia.
