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Lane Thomas has been activated to the Atlanta Braves' NLDS roster following an IL stint but will begin Game 1 on the bench. Manager Walt Weiss opted to ease Thomas back into action after his layoff rather than starting him immediately against left-hander Tarik Skubal. Weiss expects Thomas to return to the starting lineup for Game 2 against another left-handed starter. Thomas expressed readiness and noted he feels fully prepared.
Brent Suter is set to serve as a vital multi-inning relief option for the Atlanta Braves during their NLDS matchup against the Los Angeles Dodgers. With starters Chris Sale and Tyler Mahle sidelined, Atlanta is leaning on a bullpen-heavy approach starting with Dylan Dodd in Game 1. Suter emphasized an "all hands on deck" mentality for the pitching staff while addressing the challenges of managing hydration during a rare LA heat wave.
Junior Caminero became just the second player in MLB history after Eddie Matthews to post consecutive 40 home run seasons before turning 23. In 2026, he hit .276/.360/.524 with 42 homers, 101 RBI, 100 runs, and a 142 wRC+ while posting the league's highest average bat speed. Named Mountain Dew's 2026 Baja Blast Champion for hitting 21 home runs of 420-plus feet, the third baseman anchors Tampa Bay's lineup entering the division series as they look to end a playoff skid.
Dodgers DH Shohei Ohtani will play in the NLDS against the Braves, batting second, despite battling left knee inflammation and a right biceps injury that landed him on the IL in September and prevents him from pitching. Manager Dave Roberts acknowledged Ohtani is not 100%, but Ohtani reported his swing feels smooth after late Friday BP. He seeks to break an 18-game homer drought dating to August 18 as the Dodgers chase their third straight World Series title.
Right-handed pitcher JR Ritchie has been named to the Atlanta Braves' 26-man NLDS roster to bolster the pitching staff against the Los Angeles Dodgers. With starting rotation options limited due to injuries to key starters like Chris Sale and Tyler Mahle, Ritchie gives Atlanta a flexible multi-inning option out of the bullpen capable of covering crucial frames during the best-of-five postseason series.
Right-hander AJ Smith-Shawver has been officially added to the Atlanta Braves' 26-man NLDS roster to provide multi-inning pitching depth against the Los Angeles Dodgers. With starting rotation uncertainty and arms like Chris Sale and Tyler Mahle unavailable or delayed, Smith-Shawver is expected to handle major bulk innings or potentially make a start during the best-of-five series to help relieve an overworked bullpen.
Boston Red Sox designated hitter Mickey Gasper underwent successful distal biceps tendon repair surgery in Boston after tearing his biceps off the tendon. The procedure carries an expected recovery timeline of 4 to 6 months, casting uncertainty over his availability for Opening Day 2027. Gasper recently hit a solo home run on September 22 against the Cleveland Guardians prior to the end of Boston's 2026 season.
San Diego Padres pitcher Walker Buehler will open the NLDS on the postseason paternity list. While teammate Joe Musgrove remained on the active roster with no other changes made from the Wild Card sweep over the Chicago Cubs, Buehler's temporary absence requires the Padres to manage their pitching depth at the start of the divisional series.
Pitcher Joe Musgrove was kept on the active roster as the San Diego Padres made no changes from their Wild Card sweep over the Chicago Cubs. The Padres head into their divisional matchups with their roster locked in, maintaining continuity following their dominant sweep of the Cubs while teammates like Walker Buehler handle opening roster adjustments.
Hagen Smith starts for the Chicago White Sox as an opener in Game 1 of the ALDS against the Cleveland Guardians. Smith previously served as an opener in Game 1 of the wild-card series versus the Houston Astros, allowing no runs and three hits in three innings. In three appearances against the Guardians during the regular season, Smith gave up 2 runs and 2 hits in 5 2/3 innings with 8 strikeouts as the rivals meet in the Division Series.
Rookie ace Parker Messick gets the start for the Cleveland Guardians in Game 1 of the ALDS against the Chicago White Sox. Messick has a strong body of work against Chicago, making four regular-season starts and giving up 8 runs in 25 2/3 innings with a 2.81 ERA and 29 strikeouts. He matches up against White Sox opener Hagen Smith as the divisional round gets underway at Progressive Field.
Ryan Weathers has been added to the New York Yankees' ALDS roster to face the Rays after missing the wild-card round to recover from a left forearm flexor strain. The left-hander, who posted a 3.60 ERA over 25 starts in the regular season, will transition to a high-impact relief role. Manager Aaron Boone noted Weathers could play a "massive role" out of the bullpen after reaching 96 mph during recent live batting practice sessions.
The Seattle Mariners made a minor roster move ahead of the Division Series, claiming first baseman Michael Toglia off waivers from the Reds. Toglia joins the organization to bolster their depth at first base moving forward.
Guardians star closer Cade Smith reflected on his remarkable development into one of the game's premier relief pitchers. As Cleveland prepares for postseason action, Smith's dominant season out of the bullpen has established him as a cornerstone of the team's pitching success.
The Kansas City Royals have officially outrighted left-handed pitcher Luke Little off their 40-man roster. The roster move comes as the team evaluates their pitching depth and organizational structure heading into the 2027 offseason following the conclusion of their season.
Carson Benge made a strong late-season case for why he feels he deserves to win the National League Rookie of the Year award. The young Mets standout wrapped up an impressive campaign that has drawn significant attention across the organization as New York evaluates its roster and payroll heading into the offseason.
Christian Zazueta won his second consecutive Branch Rickey Award as the Dodgers' minor league pitcher of the year, posting a 3.65 ERA across High-A Great Lakes and Double-A Tulsa. The Mexican right-hander notched 144 strikeouts against 20 walks in 103 2/3 innings, leading all 264 minor league pitchers with at least 100 innings with a 30.4-percent strikeout-minus-walk rate. He will be honored at Dodger Stadium.
Zach Ehrhard was named by Baseball America as one of 15 minor league prospects who dominated the playoffs after recording nine hits in 17 at-bats, including a home run and three doubles, for Triple-A Oklahoma City. Ranked as the No. 12 prospect in the Dodgers system, Ehrhard helped guide the Comets to a Pacific Coast League title and a Triple-A national championship.
Didier Fuentes provides multi-inning relief depth for the Atlanta Braves as they manage a depleted starting rotation for the opening game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. With Chris Sale and Tyler Mahle out of commission, Fuentes is part of a patchwork pitching staff.
Robert Suarez stands ready as a multi-inning option for the Atlanta Braves as they piece together their pitching strategy for the opening game of their series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. With rotation mainstays Chris Sale and Tyler Mahle unavailable, Suarez joins a bullpen group tasked with stabilizing the pitching staff.
