Player news from trusted outlets
Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
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.
The Philadelphia Phillies face a significant outfield overhaul this offseason as ongoing roster questions shape their future plans. Brandon Marsh remains a focal point for the team as they evaluate their outfield options moving forward. The upcoming changes will be critical for the Phillies as they look to retool their roster for the next campaign, with various performance evaluations and strategic decisions determining the shape of the outfield heading into the next year.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto will start Game 2 of the NLCS for the Los Angeles Dodgers against Milwaukee on five days of rest. The right-hander earned a victory in Game 3 of the NLDS against Atlanta, striking out 10 batters over seven dominant innings while allowing just one run on four hits and one walk. Yamamoto holds an 8-1 postseason record with a 2.14 ERA over the last three seasons and is the only pitcher in playoff history to win five straight road outings allowing one run or less.
Tarik Skubal will start Game 1 of the NLCS for the Los Angeles Dodgers on the road against the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday. The ace left-hander, acquired from Detroit in August, earned a win in Game 1 of the NLDS against Atlanta, allowing just one run on two hits while striking out seven over six innings. Across seven career postseason starts, Skubal boasts a 1.97 ERA with 63 strikeouts in 45 2/3 innings, pitching at least six frames in every outing.
Boston Red Sox reliever Garrett Whitlock pitched through a fractured right tibia during the final month of the 2026 season. Diagnosed after Boston's postseason elimination, the injury will not require surgery, requiring four to six weeks in a walking boot with expectations to be ready for spring training. Whitlock posted a stellar 1.72 ERA, 59 strikeouts, and 26 holds over 52.1 innings in the regular season, including a scoreless September (7.1 IP), before struggling in the playoffs (20.25 ERA).
Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts emphasized that the team is not underestimating the Milwaukee Brewers ahead of their NLCS rematch. Despite LA sweeping Milwaukee in four games during last year's postseason, Betts noted that the 100-win Brewers are a much-improved and more experienced squad, stating, "They're just better." Both juggernaut teams finished with identical 100-win regular seasons, making this matchup a battle of lethal contenders vying for the NL pennant.
Gavin Williams will start winner-take-all Game 5 of the ALDS for the Cleveland Guardians against the White Sox. Williams closed out Thursday's Game 4 win in relief, throwing 18 pitches in a scoreless ninth inning. The right-hander, who led the AL with 248 strikeouts during a 14-8 regular season, previously struck out 11 batters over five-plus innings in Game 2. He will face Chicago starter Sean Burke in the decisive matchup.
White Sox manager Will Venable announced that Sean Burke will make a traditional start in Saturday's winner-take-all ALDS Game 5 against the Cleveland Guardians. Burke earned a win in bulk relief during Game 2, allowing just one run on one hit over 5.1 innings with six strikeouts while retiring 13 straight batters. Burke is 3-0 with a 1.19 ERA against Cleveland this season and will oppose Guardians starter Gavin Williams.
Miguel Rojas remains questionable for the Dodgers' NLCS roster after suffering a back injury in Game 3 of the NLDS. Manager Dave Roberts stated Rojas is feeling better and took ground balls and batting practice during a team workout. An MRI revealed no new injury, only prior history. If he is ready, the Dodgers will likely trim an extra position player to carry 13 pitchers. The team will evaluate his progress following a Saturday workout in Milwaukee before making a final decision.
After losing his starting shortstop job and being demoted twice to Triple-A, Anthony Volpe made key swing adjustments using a back-foot stepback to reclaim a role with the New York Yankees. Volpe hit .265 with a .695 OPS, one home run, and five steals in 14 regular-season games upon returning, then went 3-for-7 in two playoff appearances. With Jazz Chisholm Jr. entering free agency, Volpe's strong transition to second base earns praise from Aaron Judge and positions him as the likely 2027 starter.
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani is expected to remain in the lineup for the NLCS against the Brewers despite enduring a 2-for-13 (.421 OPS) NLDS slump without extra-base hits. Battling lingering injuries to his knee, arm, hip, neck, and lower back, the four-time MVP has struggled at the plate since his last home run on Aug. 18. Still, Ohtani reached base five times in 16 plate appearances during the NLDS, drawing two walks, stealing a base, and scoring a crucial game-tying run in the Game 4 clincher.
Finally healthy after years of battling injuries, Garrett Mitchell has become a vital piece for the Milwaukee Brewers. After playing 145 regular-season games, he starred in the NLDS-clinching win over San Diego with a go-ahead triple and a stunning game-saving catch at the wall. Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age nine, Mitchell is now showcasing his immense two-way talent on the postseason stage as the Brewers prepare to face the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Milwaukee Brewers 20-year-old star Jackson Chourio is putting together a historic postseason run, cementing his status as one of the game's brightest young talents. His remarkable early playoff performances place his young postseason career into elite statistical context alongside some of the greatest players in Major League Baseball history as the Brewers advance through October, looking to make a deep run into the World Series.
Max Muncy addressed the Dodgers' viral NLDS celebration clip during an appearance on Foul Territory, playfully refusing to identify the teammate whose bare butt was caught on camera while expressing surprise at the fashion choice of wearing jockstraps without sliders. On the field, the third baseman continues to be a key postseason presence for Los Angeles, having hit his franchise-record 19th playoff home run during the series victory.
With the conclusion of Kevin Gausman's five-year contract signed following the 2021 season, analysts have reviewed the San Francisco Giants' strategy of replacing him with short-term pitching options. From 2022 to 2026, Gausman threw 911.1 innings with a 3.68 ERA across 157 starts for Toronto and Chicago. Meanwhile, the Giants utilized a revolving door of veteran starters including Carlos Rodon, Alex Cobb, Robbie Ray, and Blake Snell, ultimately yielding mixed financial and competitive results.
Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager recently underwent successful surgery to remove a bone spur from his right elbow after battling the issue for months. Rangers president of baseball operations Chris Young noted the procedure following the regular season. Seager, who battled the discomfort while slashing .227/.312/.424 with 20 home runs across 102 games in 2026, is expected to be eased into spring training and should be fully ready for Opening Day.
Aaron Judge addressed the media following the New York Yankees' ALDS sweep by the Tampa Bay Rays, demanding that the organization go all-in to win championships. Judge endured an injury-ravaged 2026 campaign, playing just 66 games due to a rib fracture and a calf strain that sidelined him for the entire postseason. Finishing with a career-low .871 OPS in a full season, the Yankees captain emphasized that the franchise's historic standard requires championship contention every single year.
Ben Rice emerged as the New York Yankees' most reliable and locked-in hitter during their difficult ALDS sweep by the Tampa Bay Rays. Moving up to the two-spot in manager Aaron Boone's lineup following impressive power displays earlier in the playoffs, Rice continued to provide the primary offensive spark for a struggling Yankees squad. As New York faces a major offseason roster overhaul, Rice projects to remain a central figure in the team's future offensive plans.
