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MLB News

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

Thursday

Giancarlo Stanton Faces Uncertain Future With Yankees After Injuries

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Following a disappointing postseason, the Yankees weigh their future with nearly 37-year-old designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton. Sidelined for much of the regular season by calf injuries, Stanton made a limited pinch-hitting appearance in the ALDS and went 0-for-2. Due $25 million next season with Miami covering $10 million, his persistent injury history—playing only 764 games in nine Yankees seasons—complicates his role alongside Aaron Judge and Ben Rice.

Dave Dombrowski Issues Mandatory Defensive Warning to Trea Turner

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Philadelphia Phillies president Dave Dombrowski confirmed Trea Turner will open next season at shortstop despite a down 2026 campaign where he slashed .242/.297/.378 with 21 errors and minus-17 DRS over 157 games. Turner met with team brass, taking accountability and expressing a desire to stay at short. Dombrowski made defensive improvement mandatory to retain the job and noted Turner will work with newly hired infield coach Carlos Mendoza to bolster his performance.

Oswaldo Cabrera Signs One-Year Deal with Cincinnati Reds

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Utility infielder Oswaldo Cabrera agreed to a one-year major league contract with the Cincinnati Reds to avoid salary arbitration for the 2027 season. The deal includes a $1 million base salary with up to $200,000 in incentives. Cabrera was claimed off waivers from the New York Yankees late in the 2026 season and went 4-for-13 while showing defensive versatility across multiple infield and outfield positions before securing this new agreement.

Kyle Schwarber Set to Play More First Base in 2027

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Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber is slated to play around 30 games at first base during the 2027 season, according to president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski. Schwarber made eight appearances at first base in 2026, but the Phillies intend to field him more frequently in order to open up the designated hitter slot for other players, which will likely give the 33-year-old multi-position eligibility.

Nick Martinez Excels With Count-Agnostic Changeup

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Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Nick Martinez stood out during the 2026 season for his elite changeup usage, generating a 15.5% swinging-strike rate and a 23.2% hard-hit rate—nearly 9% below league average. Martinez emphasized his ability to command the pitch in any count against hitters, relying on its distinct movement profile, deception, and velocity differential off his fastball to suppress hard contact and yield a wOBA .052 better than average.

Parker Messick Named Award Finalist as Changeup Dominates

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Cleveland Guardians ace Parker Messick was named a finalist for the American League Outstanding Rookie Award alongside Kevin McGonigle and Munetaka Murakami. Messick's stellar rookie campaign was fueled by his elite changeup, which tied for second in MLB with 71 strikeouts on the pitch. His 86-mph changeup logged a .241 wOBA against and an 18.7% swinging-strike rate, serving as a primary counterpunch alongside his four-seam fastball.

Harry Ford Reflects On Up-And-Down Debut Season With Nationals

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Acquired by the Washington Nationals as their catcher of the future, 23-year-old Harry Ford endured a sluggish campaign, earning a D+/D grade after posting a .190 average and .664 OPS in the majors alongside 0.4 fWAR. Despite battling potential nagging shoulder issues that sapped his power and average exit velocity, Ford utilized his elite plate discipline to draw a 14.4% walk rate. He enters a crucial offseason aiming to recapture his power stroke and swing speed to contend for a starting role.

Chad Stevens Navigates Rockies Utility Role After Triple-A Success

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After signing a minor league deal last December, 27-year-old infielder Chad Stevens posted a strong .316/.409/.464 slashline across 99 games for Triple-A Albuquerque and earned a major league call-up in May. Though he struggled offensively in 16 big-league games batting .036 with 28 at-bats, his glove excelled with 2 Defensive Runs Saved and 2 Outs Above Average primarily at second base. Stevens remains a utility infield depth piece with minor league options and several years of team control.

Nathaniel Lowe Drives in Early Run with RBI Double

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Nathaniel Lowe helped the Cleveland Guardians grab an early lead by driving in a run with an RBI double during live game action. Meanwhile, the action continues across the postseason as the Brewers look to sweep the Dodgers in Game 4 in Los Angeles while Game 3 gets underway in Cleveland.

Michael Massey Reflects On Career-Best 2026 Season With Royals

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Michael Massey completed his best big league season in 2026, appearing in a career-high 131 games and posting a .272/.303/.428 line with 13 home runs. Ranking sixth among AL second basemen with 2.3 fWAR, he was a Gold Glove finalist with elite defensive metrics. Entering his second arbitration eligibility, Massey proved his value as a productive left-handed bat and stellar defender, though low walk rates remain an area for potential growth.

Carlos Mendoza Hired by Phillies as Infield and Third Base Coach

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Former Mets manager Carlos Mendoza has been hired by the Philadelphia Phillies as their third base and infield coach under newly signed manager Don Mattingly. Mendoza spent three seasons leading the Mets, compiling a 206-199 record with an NLCS appearance in his first year before being fired this past June. He returns to the NL East after previously working as a coach for the New York Yankees from 2018 through 2023, joining the Phillies' revamped coaching staff.

Jorge Polanco Endures Historic Disappointment in First Season with Mets

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Signed to a two-year, $40 million deal, Jorge Polanco suffered through one of the worst seasons in Mets history, posting a .148/.201/.230 slash line and a -1.4 fWAR across 37 games. Persistent lower leg injuries limited him to just two starts at first base before forcing him into a full-time designated hitter role. Entering his age-33 season, Polanco faces major questions regarding his future with the franchise as he attempts to bounce back from an injury-plagued campaign.

Francisco Lindor Undergoes Offseason Vasectomy

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New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor spent the beginning of his offseason undergoing a vasectomy, as revealed by his wife Katia on Instagram. Following the completion of a disappointing 74-88 season where the Mets missed the postseason, Katia gifted the five-time All-Star a humorously themed snack basket and card to celebrate completing their family of three children, with Lindor cheerfully accepting the gesture at home.

Caleb Kilian's First Season with Phillies Ends Due to Oblique Injury

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Acquired by the Philadelphia Phillies from the San Francisco Giants at the trade deadline in a deal headlined by Luis Arraez, pitcher Caleb Kilian had his season cut short by an oblique strain. Kilian made just one relief appearance, throwing 48 pitches before injury sidelined him for the remainder of the stretch run. Because of his extremely limited action, his season grade is incomplete, leaving the team to evaluate his potential as bullpen depth for future years.

David Peterson Puts Up Strong Numbers in Chicago Cubs Rotation

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Acquired by the Chicago Cubs from the Mets in late June, pitcher David Peterson posted a solid 3.70 ERA and 1.369 WHIP over 16 appearances (15 starts). His ERA was heavily impacted by a brutal 10-run outing against the Cardinals on July 3; in his other 14 games, he registered a stellar 2.66 ERA. Despite his effectiveness and a ground-ball profile, he was underutilized in the postseason. Turning 31 in September, he enters the offseason as a strong candidate for a multi-year extension.

Troy Melton Given Clean Bill Of Health For Normal Offseason

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Detroit Tigers right-hander Troy Melton is expected to have a normal offseason after a follow-up evaluation on his right forearm revealed no issues. Melton's 2026 campaign ended in mid-September due to forearm tightness and fatigue following a late start caused by an elbow strain. Across 20 starts upon his return, he excelled by collecting a 2.76 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, and 94:37 strikeouts-to-walks ratio over 114.1 innings.

Kevin McGonigle Named Players Choice Award Finalist

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Detroit's Kevin McGonigle has been named one of three finalists for the American League Outstanding Rookie Award in the MLBPA's Players Choice Awards. The all-AL Central field also features Cleveland's Parker Messick and Chicago's Munetaka Murakami, with the winners scheduled to be announced the week of October 26 following a vote conducted by major league players.

Boston Smith Competes In Arizona Fall League After Trade

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Seattle Mariners prospect Boston Smith is currently playing in the Arizona Fall League. Smith was originally acquired by the organization in the trade that sent Luis Castillo to a new team, continuing his development in the fall showcase.

Cole Young Named Finalist For 2026 Gold Glove Award

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Major League Baseball unveiled its list of finalists for the 2026 Gold Glove awards, with Cole Young highlighted as the lone representative for the Seattle Mariners. Young continues to garner recognition for his defensive capabilities following a strong season with the organization.

Ty France Earns Recognition as 2026 Rawlings Gold Glove Finalist

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San Diego Padres first baseman Ty France was announced as a finalist for the 2026 Rawlings Gold Glove Awards. France led in almost all defensive categories for first basemen throughout the season, anchoring his candidacy with an impressive +10 Fielding Run Value and a +7 Outs Above Average, trailing only Matt Olson's +12 marks in those respective metrics. The winners will be officially announced on November 1 during an ESPN broadcast.