Player news from trusted outlets

MLB News

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

Monday, October 5

Keibert Ruiz Revives Career With Breakout Season in Washington

AutoDraft Pro AI

Washington Nationals catcher Keibert Ruiz rebounded strongly in 2026, posting a .280 batting average, .759 OPS, and 107 OPS+ while dramatically improving his defense with +2 Fielding Run Value, largely driven by elite framing. Pulling the ball at a high rate of 58.7%, Ruiz cemented his role as an above-average starting catcher, outperforming his contract and providing vital stability behind the plate for the Nationals.

Troy Johnston Reflects on 2026 Season and Rockies Future

AutoDraft Pro AI

Colorado Rockies outfielder and first baseman Troy Johnston spent his first full major league season logging 128 games and 449 plate appearances. Finishing with a .277/.348/.393 slash line, four home runs, 32 doubles, and a -0.8 rWAR, Johnston showcased strong contact skills against right-handed pitching but struggled with platoon splits and defensive metrics. He enters the 2027 offseason with no roster guarantees.

Luis Garcia Projected to Make $11 Million in 2027 Arbitration

AutoDraft Pro AI

The New York Yankees face nine arbitration-eligible players this offseason, featuring Luis Garcia. Utilizing the MLB Trade Rumors algorithm which factors in playing time, position, role, and performance statistics while accounting for inflation, Garcia is projected to earn an estimated $11 million for the 2027 season if the team decides to tender him a contract ahead of upcoming winter negotiations.

Ryan Weathers Projected for $3.1 Million Salary in 2027

AutoDraft Pro AI

The New York Yankees have nine players eligible for salary arbitration this offseason, including pitcher Ryan Weathers. According to the MLB Trade Rumors algorithm, which evaluates playing time, position, role, and performance statistics while accounting for inflation, Weathers is projected to make $3.1 million in the 2027 season as the team manages over $276 million currently committed on their books.

Brett Baty Projected to Make $2.5 Million in Arbitration for 2027

AutoDraft Pro AI

New York Mets infielder Brett Baty is among 10 players eligible for salary arbitration this offseason and is projected by the MLB Trade Rumors algorithm to earn $2.5 million in 2027. The Mets have until February to come to terms on a new contract with Baty and other arbitration-eligible players, or both sides will submit salary proposals for independent arbitration hearings, potentially impacting the team's payroll structure as they plan for the upcoming season.

Francisco Alvarez Projected for $4.1 Million Salary in 2027

AutoDraft Pro AI

New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez enters the offseason facing trade rumors and a projected $4.1 million salary in arbitration for 2027. His 2026 campaign was limited to 113 games due to a right meniscus tear, finishing with a .520 OPS over his last 31 games. Despite struggles down the stretch, he showcased elite barrel percentages, and team executives praised his second-half defensive progress, pitch-framing, and game-calling while he remains under team control through 2029.

Freddie Freeman Emphasizes Need for Dodgers Small Ball Offense

AutoDraft Pro AI

Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman hit a solo home run in Game 2 of the NLDS against the Atlanta Braves, marking his third hit of the series. Following a game where all five Dodgers runs in Game 1 and both runs in Game 2 came via home runs, Freeman emphasized the need to generate offense without relying entirely on the long ball. He noted the difficulty of facing Atlanta's relief strategy and the team going 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position.

Garrett Crochet on Track for a Fully Healthy Normal Offspring

AutoDraft Pro AI

Boston Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow announced that pitcher Garrett Crochet is on track to experience a fully healthy and normal offseason without restrictions. Crochet missed the final five-plus months of the regular season due to a strained left lat but managed to return for a postseason appearance. While lingering durability questions persist heading into the spring, a strong Grapefruit League showing could help quiet concerns about his health moving forward.

Comparing Peak Seasons of Trevor Story and Troy Tulowitzki

AutoDraft Pro AI

A retrospective look at Colorado Rockies shortstops weighs the peak performances of Trevor Story and Troy Tulowitzki. Story's powerful 2019 season featured 35 home runs, 23 stolen bases, and 6.9 rWAR, combining elite raw power with consistent availability and speed. While Tulowitzki held a slight edge in rate-hitting and franchise legacy, Story's formidable contributions across his six seasons in Colorado highlighted an era of exceptional shortstop play before he moved on to Boston.

Roman Anthony Not Expected to Need Surgery on Injured Right Hand

AutoDraft Pro AI

Boston Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony faces a long offseason of rehab after aggravating a right hand injury during Game 1 of the wild-card series against the Yankees, which wrecked his first playoff appearance. Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow stated that surgery is not expected and the injury will heal with rest. Anthony was limited to just 55 regular-season contests in 2026 due to recurring finger and hand problems after signing an eight-year contract extension.

Bobby Dalbec Turns Back the Clock With Big Power Season in Japan

AutoDraft Pro AI

At age 31, Bobby Dalbec powered the Yomiuri Giants' postseason charge in the NPB, finishing the regular season with a stellar campaign reminiscent of his rookie year. Dalbec posted a .252/.315/.457 slash line across 135 games with 25 home runs, 24 doubles, and 181 strikeouts. His strong performance helped the Giants finish just two games behind the Hanshin Tigers for the Central League pennant as they entered the Japanese postseason.

Josue De Paula Makes Historic Postseason Debut for Dodgers

AutoDraft Pro AI

Los Angeles Dodgers rookie Josue De Paula made his major league postseason debut as a pinch-hitter in Game 2, becoming the youngest Dodgers position player to bat in postseason history at 21 years and 133 days old. Earlier in the day, De Paula was honored alongside pitcher Christian Zazueta as the Dodgers' minor league player of the year for 2026.

Brandyn Garcia Highlighted in Diamondbacks' Young Roster Core

AutoDraft Pro AI

Reliever Brandyn Garcia is part of the Arizona Diamondbacks' core group of young players in their 20s. As the franchise looks ahead to an important offseason, Garcia provides developmental bullpen depth for the club.

Ryne Nelson Listed Among Diamondbacks' Key Young Rotation Pieces

AutoDraft Pro AI

Starting pitcher Ryne Nelson is highlighted among the Arizona Diamondbacks' core group of young players in their 20s. As the front office addresses critical offseason questions, Nelson stands out as a key young arm for the franchise's rotation plans.

Nolan Arenado Highlights Comeback Year and Solid Defense

AutoDraft Pro AI

Veteran third baseman Nolan Arenado showcased a comeback year featuring a career-high 20.0% strikeout rate and above-average Batting Run Value (+23). Although his Statcast metrics reveal extreme power gaps that suggest regression next year, Arenado remains a competent defender, worth +2 Outs Above Average at the hot corner for the Diamondbacks.

Geraldo Perdomo Serves as Key Building Block for Diamondbacks

AutoDraft Pro AI

Shortstop Geraldo Perdomo is a key component of the Arizona Diamondbacks' core group of players in their 20s. As the franchise analyzes necessary roster upgrades during a critical offseason, Perdomo remains an essential building block in the middle infield.

Gabriel Moreno Anchors Young Foundation for Arizona Diamondbacks

AutoDraft Pro AI

Catcher Gabriel Moreno anchors the Arizona Diamondbacks' strong young core of players in their 20s. Alongside infielders and pitchers, Moreno's presence behind the plate serves as a focal point for the franchise as they evaluate the roster ahead of the offseason.

Juan Morillo Identified in Diamondbacks' Young Pitching Core

AutoDraft Pro AI

Reliever Juan Morillo is part of a promising group of young pitchers in their 20s for the Arizona Diamondbacks. As the front office addresses critical offseason questions, arms like Morillo provide foundational depth for the franchise's pitching staff.

Brandon Pfaadt Key Part of Arizona Diamondbacks' Young Core

AutoDraft Pro AI

Starting pitcher Brandon Pfaadt is identified as a vital pillar within the Arizona Diamondbacks' young core. As the franchise prepares to address roster flaws and answer crucial offseason questions, Pfaadt remains a foundational rotation piece in his 20s.

Corbin Carroll Forms Core Foundation for Arizona Diamondbacks

AutoDraft Pro AI

Outfielder Corbin Carroll represents a cornerstone of the Arizona Diamondbacks' strong young core in their 20s. Alongside Gabriel Moreno, Geraldo Perdomo, and starting pitchers Brandon Pfaadt and Ryne Nelson, Carroll forms the foundation for the franchise heading into the offseason.