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MLB News

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

Tuesday, September 29

Max Fried Ready to Start Game 2 for Yankees in AL Wild Card Series

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New York Yankees left-hander Max Fried is fully healthy and ready to start Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Series against the Boston Red Sox. Fried overcame two IL stints for a left elbow bone bruise to post a 2.09 ERA over his final eight regular-season starts. Joining a rotation that boasts Cam Schlittler, Gerrit Cole, and Carlos Rodón, Fried looks to channel his strong finish into a deep postseason run after returning to his dominant form.

Payton Tolle Pitches Strong in Game 1 Before Questionable Exit

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Rookie left-hander Payton Tolle started Game 1 for the Boston Red Sox, allowing one run on five hits with four strikeouts over 83 pitches across 4.2 innings against the New York Yankees. Manager Chad Tracy pulled Tolle in the fifth inning with two outs, a decision that backfired when reliever Erik Miller surrendered a home run. Tolle, who carried a quote from his late mother on his glove, maintained a stellar 3.03 regular-season ERA.

Austin Wells Drives In Two Runs In Yankees' Game 1 Victory

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New York Yankees catcher Austin Wells went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a walk in a 9-0 Wild Card Game 1 victory over the Boston Red Sox. Wells drove in the game's opening run with a single and added a sacrifice fly later. Behind the plate, he effectively guided starter Cam Schlittler through 6.1 scoreless innings with 10 strikeouts. Overcoming a tough regular season, Wells delivered key hits off lefties to solidify his role as the team's starting postseason catcher.

Giancarlo Stanton Named to Yankees Playoff Roster for Pinch Hitting

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Giancarlo Stanton was included on the New York Yankees' 26-man Wild Card Series roster against the Boston Red Sox after being sidelined since late April with injuries to both calves. Manager Aaron Boone confirmed that the 36-year-old slugger will be restricted to pinch-hitting duties off the bench. Stanton brings vital postseason experience to the Yankees' bench, having launched 16 career postseason home runs, though he was not used in Game 1.

Shohei Ohtani Expected in Great Spot for Dodgers Postseason Opener

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Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani spent the final month largely on the injured list before returning for the final week of the regular season. Aided by a lengthy break and a strong 18-7 September finish that secured a first-round bye, the Dodgers expect a healthier Ohtani at the top of their lineup as they await their upcoming NLDS postseason opener.

Hagen Smith Throws 3.1 Scoreless Innings in White Sox Game 1 Win

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Chicago White Sox rookie left-hander Hagen Smith pitched 3.1 scoreless innings without a walk in a 6-3 victory over the Houston Astros in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series. Making just his second career major-league start, Smith surrendered two hits and stifled Houston's potent lineup, facing AL MVP candidate Yordan Alvarez and leaning heavily on a slider and cutter that generated a 33% whiff rate. The outing helped secure a strong start to the postseason for Chicago.

Zack Gelof Sues Detroit Tigers Over Comerica Park Fence Injury

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Athletics infielder Zack Gelof filed a lawsuit against the Detroit Tigers, Ilitch Holdings, and the Detroit-Wayne County Stadium Authority for damages stemming from a July 9 incident at Comerica Park. Gelof collided with an exposed metal fence while making a sliding catch, suffering a deep laceration beneath his right kneecap that forced him onto the injured list for a month. The lawsuit seeks compensation for pain, medical expenses, and lost wages due to the dangerous wall conditions.

Jarren Duran Takes Field for Boston Red Sox in Wild Card

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Jarren Duran starts in left field and features in the Boston Red Sox lineup for Game 1 of the American League Wild Card Series against the rival New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Duran looks to provide an offensive spark for the Red Sox in the postseason matchup after helping anchor Boston's outfield throughout their grueling 2026 campaign.

Matthew Boyd Starts NL Wild Card Game 1 for Chicago Cubs

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Chicago Cubs left-hander Matthew Boyd starts Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Boyd posted a 10-5 record with a 3.91 ERA across 22 regular season starts. Despite struggling early in Game 1 by surrendering first-inning home runs to Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado, Boyd brings a strong 2.86 road ERA into the postseason as the Cubs attempt to overcome the deficit at Petco Park.

Freddie Freeman Works to Fix Swing Mechanics Ahead of NLDS

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Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman expressed confidence that he will fix his swing during the team's pre-NLDS bye week after struggling through a late-season slump caused by right knee patellar tendonitis. Freeman hit just .167 over his final 18 games to finish with a career-low .792 OPS and 16 home runs. He plans to take up to 400 swings using the same mental cues that sparked his MVP performance in the 2024 World Series.

Heliot Ramos Steps Into Starting Lineup in Aaron Judge's Absence

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New York Yankees outfielder Heliot Ramos started in right field and batted third in Game 1 of the Wild Card Series against Boston, filling in while Aaron Judge recovers from a calf strain. Acquired at the trade deadline to hit lefties, Ramos posted a .907 OPS against southpaws this season. Though he went hitless in the series opener, Ramos embraced the opportunity to contribute in his first postseason appearance after spending four seasons with San Francisco.

Grant Taylor Seals White Sox Game 1 Victory With Seven-Out Save

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Chicago White Sox right-hander Grant Taylor delivered a pivotal performance in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series, recording a seven-out save to secure a 6-3 victory over the Houston Astros. Taylor stranded two runners in the eighth inning by striking out Yainer Diaz, then completed a scoreless ninth inning. He threw a career-high 54 pitches—his most at any level since April 2025—capping an impressive effort that likely leaves him unavailable for Game 2.

Liam Hendriks Announces Retirement Following Long MLB Career

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Three-time All-Star relief pitcher Liam Hendriks has officially announced his retirement from Major League Baseball, bringing an end to an inspirational professional career. The veteran right-hander famously overcame a battle with non-Hodgkin lymphoma to return to the big leagues. Hendriks spent his final stint with the Chicago Cubs organization after establishing himself as one of the game's most dominant and resilient closers during his long MLB run.

Alex Bregman Starts as DH for Cubs 9 Days After Facial Fractures

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Chicago Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman returned to the lineup as designated hitter for Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series against the Padres, just nine days after sustaining eight facial fractures from a foul ball. Manager Craig Counsell kept Bregman at DH to protect his critical at-bats, starting Pedro Ramírez at third. Bregman finished the regular season hitting .265 with 28 homers and 93 RBIs, becoming the 11th player in MLB history to reach 10 straight postseasons.

Jhoan Duran Suffers Eighth-Inning Collapse in Phillies' Game 1 Loss

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Philadelphia Phillies closer Jhoan Duran suffered a costly eighth-inning collapse in a 5-3 loss to the Atlanta Braves in Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series. Brought in early during the seventh inning by manager Don Mattingly to protect a 3-2 lead, Duran retired two batters in the eighth before giving up an infield single, a hit-by-pitch, and a go-ahead three-run home run on a 99.9-mph fastball to Austin Riley, causing Philadelphia's bullpen plan to backfire.

Chris Sale Dominates With Nine Strikeouts in Braves' Game 1 Victory

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Veteran left-hander Chris Sale struck out a postseason career-high nine batters over 6.1 innings in Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series against the Philadelphia Phillies. Sale reached 100 mph on 95 pitches, shutting down the Phillies for five frames before departing with a 3-2 deficit in the seventh. Atlanta rallied for a 5-3 win, and Sale is tentatively lined up to start Game 2 of the NLDS if the Braves advance.

Brewers Remain Cautious With Joey Ortiz Ahead of NLDS

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Joey Ortiz believes he is healthy enough to play in Milwaukee's NLDS opener, but the Brewers are remaining careful with the 28-year-old infielder. Ortiz recently underwent an MRI on his right knee last weekend, and the team is managing his status cautiously as they prepare for the upcoming postseason series.

Veteran Relief Pitcher Kirby Yates Announces Retirement

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After 12 seasons in Major League Baseball across nine different teams, veteran reliever Kirby Yates has officially announced his retirement. Yates posted a career 3.35 ERA in 518 games and recorded over 100 career saves. His peak came during a dominant 2019 season with the San Diego Padres where he led the majors with 41 saves, posted a 1.19 ERA, and finished ninth in Cy Young voting. He also recorded a stellar 1.17 ERA over 61.2 innings with the Texas Rangers in 2024.

AJ Blubaugh Set to Pitch Game 1 for Houston Astros

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RHP AJ Blubaugh gets the nod to start Game 1 of the wild-card round for the Houston Astros as they host the Chicago White Sox. Blubaugh pitched in 64 games during the regular season, recording a 3.66 ERA with 94 strikeouts in 96 innings. Both teams are deploying bullpen games to open the series as the Astros look to build momentum after finishing the regular season with an 81-81 record and securing the AL West division title.

Ozzie Albies and Braves Ready for Postseason Rivalry

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Atlanta Braves infielder Ozzie Albies expressed excitement about playing the Wild Card Series at home in Truist Park, highlighting the energy of the home crowd and the team's rivalry with the Philadelphia Phillies. Albies noted that every postseason run is special and emphasized that the team is fully focused and hyped to face the Phillies again. The Braves enter the matchup with home-field advantage after going 9-4 against Philadelphia during the regular season.