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MLB News

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

Thursday, October 1

Dominic Smith Bats Ninth and Starts at DH for Braves in Game 3

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Dominic Smith is penciled in to bat ninth and serve as the designated hitter for the Atlanta Braves in Game 3 of the Wild Card series against the Philadelphia Phillies. Smith enters the decisive matchup looking to build on recent momentum after previously hitting a crucial two-run home run in the second inning during a September 26 victory against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park as the Braves fight to advance past their division rivals.

Edmundo Sosa Returns to Start Game 3 Despite Groin Injury

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Edmundo Sosa will start at third base and bat seventh for the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 3 of the wild-card series in Atlanta. Sosa was forced to leave Game 2 after aggravating a groin injury initially suffered Sunday. Though well under 100 percent, he is attempting to play through the issue. He has gone 2-for-6 with a double and a 0:1 BB:K across his first two postseason games.

Chase Meidroth Belts Three-Run Home Run to Seal Playoff Series Win

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Chase Meidroth delivered the definitive blow for the Chicago White Sox in Game 2 of the American League Wild Card Series against the Houston Astros, belting a clutch three-run home run in the sixth inning. Meidroth's powerful swing put the game and the series out of reach, capping off a decisive victory and securing the franchise's first playoff advancement in more than 20 years, an unforgettable moment commemorated on new merchandise.

Jacob Misiorowski Scheduled to Start NLDS Game 1 for Milwaukee Brewers

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Milwaukee Brewers ace and Cy Young favorite Jacob Misiorowski (16-5, 1.80 ERA) is set to take the hill for Game 1 of the NLDS against the San Diego Padres on Saturday, Oct. 3, at American Family Field. As the Brewers meet San Diego in the postseason for the first time in history, Misiorowski's electric arm leads a pitching staff for MLB's winningest team in 2026, with oddsmakers projecting Milwaukee as -180 favorites heading into the best-of-five series.

Mason Miller and Milwaukee Brewers Prepare for Historic NLDS Matchup

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Flame-throwing pitcher Mason Miller and the Milwaukee Brewers are gearing up to host the San Diego Padres in their first-ever postseason meeting during the 2026 NLDS, starting Saturday, Oct. 3 at American Family Field. As MLB's winningest team in 2026, the Brewers enter as -180 favorites under manager guidance, featuring high-stakes pitching matchups that promise an electric series as both clubs fight for a trip to the World Series.

Walker Jenkins Undergoes Successful Right Elbow Debridement Surgery

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Minnesota Twins outfielder Walker Jenkins underwent right elbow debridement surgery on Wednesday to remove a bone chip and bone spur. The 21-year-old is expected to be fully recovered and ready for the start of spring training. Jenkins struggled early in his debut with a 4-for-45 start over 16 games, but rebounded strongly by closing the year with a 1.015 OPS and three home runs in his final 10 contests, positioning him to be a starting outfielder in 2027.

Edouard Julien Endures Roller-Coaster 2026 Season With Rockies

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Edouard Julien finished the 2026 season batting .208/.322/.292 across 88 games for the Rockies, posting a -1.0 rWAR. After a strong start in April, he struggled significantly in May and July, leading to a demotion to Triple-A. Despite a high 14.1% walk rate and career-high contact rates, defensive struggles at second base (-7 DRS) and a heavy 50.3% groundball rate hampered his production, making his future with the club uncertain entering the offseason.

Justin Verlander Retires After 21 Seasons Following Final Start

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Justin Verlander concluded his legendary 21-year MLB career with a 4-3 win for the Detroit Tigers against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The 43-year-old three-time Cy Young winner gave up five hits and two runs with six strikeouts, finishing the season with a 7.00 ERA. Before the game, his 7-year-old daughter Genevieve threw a first pitch strike. Verlander leaves the game ranking 36th all-time with 266 wins and eighth with 3,560 career strikeouts, embracing an emotional farewell with his family.

Munetaka Murakami Celebrates White Sox Wild Card Sweep With Viral Antics

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Munetaka Murakami stole the show during the Chicago White Sox's raucous clubhouse celebration after sweeping the Houston Astros 7-3 to advance to the ALDS. Fresh off a surprising regular-season transformation into a powerhouse, the infielder provided hilarious, viral drunken interviews while celebrating the team's historic turnaround. Murakami and the surging White Sox now turn their focus to a Saturday matchup against the Cleveland Guardians in the American League Division Series.

Cam Schlittler Dominates Red Sox With 10 Ks in Yankees Playoff Sweep

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Cam Schlittler delivered a stellar Game 1 performance for the New York Yankees, throwing 6.1 scoreless innings with 10 strikeouts in a Wild Card sweep of the Boston Red Sox. Utilizing a career-high 32 curveballs alongside his 101 mph fastball, Schlittler joined Bob Gibson as the only pitchers with multiple scoreless postseason starts of 10+ strikeouts against Boston. Following the series win, Schlittler continued his feud with Red Sox media via social media.

Andrew Painter Shines With Scoreless Relief in Phillies Wild Card Win

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Twenty-three-year-old Andrew Painter delivered a stellar performance, throwing three scoreless innings in relief to help the Philadelphia Phillies defeat the Atlanta Braves and force a decisive Game 3 in the Wild Card round. Painter secured his final strikeout following an overturned call on a challenge by J.T. Realmuto, overcoming early-season struggles to earn a massive playoff win while showcasing an elite, highly effective changeup against high-leverage hitters.

Tarik Skubal Opens Up on Pressure and Championship Expectations in L.A.

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Dodgers pitcher Tarik Skubal discussed the immense pressure and expectations of chasing a World Series title after being acquired by Los Angeles. Heading into his first postseason start with the club, the two-time Cy Young winner acknowledged that his career would feel diminished without a championship. Skubal received welcoming advice from Clayton Kershaw regarding L.A. life, while manager Dave Roberts praised his transition into the team's culture as they aim for a third straight title.

Nick Pivetta Delivers Solid Relief and Lining Up for NLDS

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Nick Pivetta took the mound in Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series for the San Diego Padres, allowing just one run on three hits with four strikeouts and two walks over 3.1 innings. Throwing 36 of 66 pitches for strikes, Pivetta limited the Cubs to a single run. Having missed most of the season due to a flexor strain, he has posted a stellar 1.45 ERA since returning in September and tentatively lines up to start Game 3 of the NLDS against the Brewers.

Max Fried and Rotation Lead Yankees Past Red Sox in Wild Card Sweep

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Max Fried delivered a stellar performance on the mound as part of a dominant starting rotation that propelled the New York Yankees to a Wild Card sweep over the Boston Red Sox. Combined with Cam Schlitter, Fried helped limit Boston's bats to just two runs over 18 postseason innings, anchoring a pitching staff that posted a stellar 0.73 ERA against their division rivals to set up an ALDS matchup against the Rays.

Kevin Gausman Suffers Loss in Game 2 of Wild Card Series

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Kevin Gausman took the loss in Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series, giving up three runs on five hits across 3.1 innings against the Padres. Pulled after allowing a double to Xander Bogaerts that set up a pivotal home run, Gausman finished an underwhelming stretch with Chicago after a deadline trade from Toronto, posting a 5.03 ERA in 10 games. The veteran right-hander now heads into free agency following a regular season marked by a 4.51 ERA.

Kazuma Okamoto Concludes Promising Rookie Season With Blue Jays

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Kazuma Okamoto wrapped up his four-year, $60 million debut season with the Toronto Blue Jays after starring 11 years in Japan. Posting a 2.5 WAR, Okamoto hit .232/.310/.452 with 25 home runs and 83 RBIs across 156 games, flashing strong barrel rates but a league-leading 20 errors at third base. Toronto anticipates he will improve and potentially see more time at designated hitter in future seasons following his solid transition to MLB.

Fernando Tatis Celebrates NLDS Clinch with Padres Owner Kwanza Jones

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Following a two-game sweep of the Chicago Cubs to advance to the National League Division Series, San Diego Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. celebrated in the clubhouse with new owner Kwanza Jones. The Padres scored 12 runs in two games while their pitching staff limited Chicago to a single run throughout the wild-card series. San Diego will now advance to face the NL-best Milwaukee Brewers in the next round of the 2026 MLB Playoffs.

Nico Hoerner Shines Bright Despite Cubs Wild Card Sweep

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Nico Hoerner provided the lone offensive spark for the Chicago Cubs during their Wild Card Series sweep by the San Diego Padres. Hoerner broke up Michael King's no-hit bid with an infield single in Game 1 and went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI in Game 2. Despite his multi-hit efforts and solid situational hitting, the rest of the Cubs offense floundered heavily, collecting just three total hits in the opener and getting outmatched overall.

Byron Buxton Has Stitches Removed and Begins Right Hip Rehab

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Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton had stitches removed from his surgically repaired right hip earlier this week and has officially begun the rehab process. Buxton underwent arthroscopic surgery on September 18 and will continue rehabbing through Christmas before ramping up for 2027. The Twins expect him ready for spring training after he finished this season batting .254 with 25 homers and seven steals across 93 games.

Alec Bohm Hits Tenth-Inning Homer to Force Game 3 Against Braves

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Alec Bohm continued his incredible redemption tour by hitting a dramatic opposite-field solo home run in the 10th inning to lift the Phillies to a 4-3 win and force a Game 3. Bohm, who was on the bubble of being non-tendered in the offseason, also drove in the game's first run with an RBI single. His clutch extra-inning heroics kept Philadelphia's season alive in the National League Wild Card Series, setting up a decisive winner-take-all showdown in Atlanta.