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Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
San Diego Padres 20-year-old prospect Ethan Salas is set to become the youngest postseason catcher in MLB history after starting Game 2 against the Chicago Cubs. Signed for $5.6 million in 2023, Salas went 10-for-24 down the stretch following his September call-up. Catching veteran Nick Pivetta and batting seventh against righty Kevin Gausman, the left-handed hitter earns the nod as San Diego seeks to advance to the ALDS.
Bryce Harper experienced a rollercoaster afternoon in Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series. After a critical seventh-inning fielding miscue allowed an Atlanta run to score, Harper quickly atoned in the eighth by launching a 418-foot solo home run off Dylan Lee to tie the game 3-3. The blast was his second RBI of the day, following an RBI single in the first inning. The Phillies ultimately secured a thrilling 4-3 victory in 10 innings to force a decisive Game 3 against the Braves.
Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto secured a 4-3 Game 2 victory over the Atlanta Braves by initiating the first walkoff ABS challenge in MLB postseason history. With two outs and two on in the 10th inning, Realmuto successfully challenged a called ball on Andrew Painter's 0-2 pitch to Dominic Smith. The pitch was overturned to a game-ending strike three. Realmuto led all MLB catchers with an 81% ABS challenge success rate in 2026.
Philadelphia Phillies rookie reliever Andrew Painter delivered three scoreless innings to close out a 4-3 10th-inning win over the Atlanta Braves in Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series. Making his postseason debut after returning from injuries, Painter struck out three batters on 37 pitches, stranding two runners in the 10th when he caught Dominic Smith looking on a successful ABS challenge to end the game.
The Boston Red Sox added infielder Curtis Mead to their wild-card series roster ahead of Game 2 against the New York Yankees. Mead replaces Roman Anthony, who suffered a hand and wrist injury and is ineligible to play until the ALCS. Mead has spent the past two months recovering from a fractured wrist suffered during his first game with the Red Sox, and he will begin Game 2 on the bench as an option to pinch hit or start a potential Game 3.
Boston Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony is ruled out for the remainder of the postseason after imaging revealed additional muscle damage and strains in his right wrist. Anthony reinjured the same hand that previously sidelined him for nearly four months during two check-swing at-bats against Cam Schlittler in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series against the Yankees. The 22-year-old was driven to Boston for evaluations and may require surgery, with infielder Curtis Mead added to the roster as his replacement.
Payton Tolle took the loss in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series, giving up one run on five hits with four strikeouts and a walk over 4.2 frames. Removed after 83 pitches, Tolle pitched well in his first postseason start but was saddled with the loss as Boston managed just three hits. After shining as a rookie with a 3.03 ERA across 148.2 innings, the left-hander saw the bullpen ultimately yield eight runs in a 9-0 blowout defeat to the Yankees.
Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Edmundo Sosa was removed from Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series against the Braves after aggravating his left groin injury while legging out an infield single in the ninth inning. Sosa first injured his groin during Sunday's regular-season finale against the Athletics. If the Phillies are forced to remove him from the active roster due to the setback, he will be ineligible to play in the upcoming NLDS.
Houston Astros outfielder Daulton Varsho underwent left arthroscopic wrist surgery on Tuesday to remove cysts causing chronic inflammation, ruling him out for the remainder of the postseason. Varsho attempted to play through a wrist issue acquired before the trade deadline. An impending free agent, he finished 2026 combining time with the Blue Jays and Astros, slashing .221/.281/.355 with 12 home runs and 12 stolen bases over 140 games, and expects a full recovery by spring training.
Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran is absent from the starting lineup for Wednesday's Game 2 of the Wild Card Series against the New York Yankees. The left-handed-hitting Duran is frequently rested against left-handed pitching, prompting the Yankees to deploy southpaw Max Fried. Nate Eaton takes over in left field while Jahmai Jones serves as Boston's designated hitter and leadoff man.
Mookie Betts rediscovered his stroke and paced the Los Angeles Dodgers offense during the final third of the regular season, anchoring a lineup that navigated various injuries. Betts rebounded strongly after a slow start to the campaign, helping the Dodgers secure a 96-win regular-season pace. Los Angeles finished their 162-game schedule and prepared their pitching staff, featuring a stellar group of starters, for a deep run into October.
Guardians rookie left-hander Parker Messick will take the mound for Game 1 of the ALDS following a dominant regular season where he posted a 2.56 ERA over 32 starts—the lowest by a qualified rookie since 2013. Messick's signature four-seam fastball generated a +26 run value, holding opposing batters to a .186 average with 101 strikeouts. A 1.5 mph velocity increase to 94.4 mph, combined with exceptional command and deceptive delivery, turned his heater into one of MLB's premier pitches.
Michael Lorenzen endured a difficult 2026 campaign split between the Colorado Rockies and Toronto Blue Jays, finishing with a 3-13 record and a 7.21 ERA over 32 appearances and 25 starts. Signed by Colorado last winter to provide veteran stability and innings, Lorenzen struggled immediately, recording a 7.08 ERA and 1.88 WHIP before being designated for assignment in August. He subsequently signed with Toronto, where he made relief appearances before being DFA'd again in September.
Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola is lined up to start a potential Game 3 of the wild-card series against Atlanta on Thursday, according to reports. While Zack Wheeler would be available out of the bullpen on three days' rest, the Phillies are expected to turn to Nola on normal rest first if they force a winner-take-all contest. Nola finished the regular season strong, collecting a 2.93 ERA with 61 strikeouts over 61.1 innings across his final 11 starts.
Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani is using the playoff bye to fine-tune his swing ahead of the NLDS, following a rocky end to the regular season marred by right biceps and left knee issues. While GM Brandon Gomes and manager Dave Roberts assert Ohtani is feeling great physically and ready to be a major lineup threat, questions lingered regarding his recent offensive slump. Roberts expects the slugger to match the brilliant form he showed over the last two months.
Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Cristopher Sánchez takes the mound in a crucial do-or-die Game 2 playoff matchup against the Atlanta Braves. Coming off a brilliant regular season where he went 18-9 with a 2.91 ERA and a league-leading 8.1 bWAR, Sánchez has experienced a late-year ERA spike above five since September. He faces immense pressure to pitch deep and keep Philadelphia's postseason run alive against an Atlanta playoff roster holding a combined .759 career OPS against him.
Milwaukee Brewers infielder Joey Ortiz believes he is healthy enough to play in the NL Division Series opener, but the team is remaining careful after he underwent an MRI on his right knee. Ortiz suffered the injury attempting to play a foul ball in Philadelphia and missed the final two regular-season games. Despite early-year struggles, he emerged as a vital hitter, batting .270 with nine homers and 47 RBIs in 134 games while providing elite defense at third and short.
Trea Turner gets the nod as the leadoff hitter and starting shortstop for the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 2 of the Wild Card Series against the Atlanta Braves. Turner and the Phillies offense aim to rebound from a Game 1 loss and keep their postseason hopes alive against Braves right-hander Tyler Mahle.
Kyle Schwarber is slated as the designated hitter and batting second in the Philadelphia Phillies' starting lineup for Game 2 of their Wild Card Series matchup against the Atlanta Braves. Schwarber and the Phillies look to bounce back and stave off elimination against Braves starting pitcher Tyler Mahle in Wednesday's crucial postseason contest at Truist Park.
Michael King earned the win in Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series against the Cubs, tossing seven shutout innings while giving up just one hit, three walks, and striking out eight. King held Chicago hitless until Nico Hoerner's seventh-inning infield single, generating 17 whiffs on 97 pitches. Capable of a productive 3.21 ERA regular season, King tentatively lines up to start Game 2 of the NLDS in Milwaukee if the Padres can advance past the Cubs.
