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Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
Kyle Stowers is out of the starting lineup for Friday's game against Atlanta as the opponent deploys a left-handed opener in Ray Kerr. The left-handed hitter retreated to the bench for the second consecutive day after coming on as a pinch-hitter in Thursday's contest against the Cubs, keeping him a candidate for mid-game action.
Connelly Early will be activated from the 60-day injured list to make his Nationals debut with a start Saturday against the Mets. Early is scheduled to throw 2-to-3 innings before handing over to Jake Irvin in a bulk relief role. Acquired from the Red Sox at the deadline while recovering from left elbow inflammation, he hasn't pitched in the majors since late June. He made two rehab starts, logging 2.2 innings and allowing six runs (three earned) with a 4:5 K:BB ratio.
Ceddanne Rafaela sat out both games of Friday's doubleheader against the Cubs. Rafaela recently suffered a right hamstring cramp on Wednesday against the Guardians—his very first game back from a right quad strain—and is likely dealing with lingering effects from the hamstring issue. While initially expected to return for the nightcap after resting the afternoon tilt, he remained out of the lineup. The Red Sox may also be playing it safe with their playoff seeding already set.
Anthony Santander will not return to the Toronto Blue Jays this season. Santander had been working his way back from left shoulder surgery and advanced to a rehab assignment this month, but a back issue cropped up. The Blue Jays ultimately decided to have him get an early start on offseason training. Santander did not make a single big-league appearance this season and has totaled just 54 regular-season games played in his first two years with Toronto.
Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Luis Arraez is day-to-day with a left ankle sprain suffered while avoiding a tag at first base. Negative X-rays were followed by an MRI confirming the sprain, leaving him stiff, sore, and doubtful for the final regular-season games. Interim manager Don Mattingly hopes Arraez might be available to pinch-hit soon. Arraez finishes the regular campaign securing the NL batting title, batting .278 since arriving via trade in August.
Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras is fighting a lingering right hand injury from a September 17 hit-by-pitch that may sideline him for the wild-card series against the Yankees. Contreras revealed he cannot swing without pain due to inflammation and a bone bruise, leaving him frustrated as he attempts to return. He is hitting .276 with 27 homers and 81 RBIs, and plans to be completely honest with the team regarding his availability.
Alex Bregman returned to the Chicago Cubs' lineup as the designated hitter in Friday's doubleheader opener against Boston, just five days after sustaining facial fractures from a foul ball. Avoiding surgery, he missed only three games and has hit 26 home runs in his first season in Chicago. However, he was absent from the lineup for the second game of the twin bill. He aims to be fully ready for Tuesday's wild-card opener following his surprisingly rapid recovery.
Roman Anthony led the Boston Red Sox to a 4-3 comeback victory in Game 1 of Friday's doubleheader against the Chicago Cubs. Anthony went 3-for-3 with a walk, scoring on a throwing error in the third inning and tripling in the seventh to set up Connor Wong's go-ahead double. Being on base four times with his fingerprints all over both comeback sequences, Anthony delivered a relentless performance all afternoon at Fenway Park to help overcome an early deficit.
Michael Busch went 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored in the first game of Friday's doubleheader against the Red Sox, a 4-3 loss. The Chicago first baseman has three multi-hit performances over his last six games, pushing his season batting average to .241 with a .748 OPS. Busch remains limited against left-handed pitchers, and the Cubs will likely try to shield him from those matchups in the postseason, though he figures to be a regular as they begin their playoff march.
Jack Weisenburger was optioned to the FCL Mets as the New York Mets recalled Justin Hagenman prior to Friday's game against the Nationals. Weisenburger was solid in his first two major league stints this year, posting a 2.13 ERA and a 1.83 FIP across 12.2 innings with 14 strikeouts and 10 hits allowed. He pitched in Thursday's 3-1 loss to Texas, getting into trouble with a walk and hit before escaping via a double play to conclude his outing and his season.
Prior to Friday's game against the Nationals, the New York Mets called up Justin Hagenman to the active roster. To make room, the team optioned Jack Weisenburger to the FCL Mets and announced that Xzavion Curry cleared waivers and was outrighted. With Christian Scott hitting the injured list and missing his start, Hagenman is expected to play a significant role. He has appeared in two games this month, allowing two earned runs on three hits with two strikeouts and one walk.
Alec Burleson is out of the starting lineup for Friday's game in Milwaukee against the Brewers. The lefty-swinging outfielder is getting a breather as left-hander Robert Gasser takes the mound for Milwaukee. Leo Bernal is grabbing a start at first base for the Cardinals, and Pedro Pages will handle the catching duties while Burleson rests on the bench for the series opener.
Left-hander Trevor Rogers takes the mound for the Baltimore Orioles against the New York Yankees in Friday's rescheduled doubleheader opener. Rogers carries a 4.07 ERA across 165.2 innings this season. With his contract expiring at the conclusion of the year, this outing could mark his final regular-season start for Baltimore following an up-and-down tenure that began back at the 2024 Trade Deadline. The game features the rescheduled CC Sabathia number retirement ceremony.
Brendan Beck will receive the start for the New York Yankees in the opening game of Friday's rescheduled doubleheader against the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium. Recently called up alongside Yerry De los Santos while Luis Gil and Bradley Hanner were optioned down, Beck has made three MLB appearances this season with an 8.22 ERA in 7.2 innings. The Yankees hope the young right-hander can successfully absorb valuable innings amid anticipated inclement weekend weather.
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone ruled out Carlos Lagrange for Friday's doubleheader, recalling Yerry de los Santos and Brendan Beck instead. Lagrange threw live batting practice Wednesday after recovering from a late-June right shoulder sprain, but Boone emphasized the 23-year-old right-hander is not in play right now as he builds back his workload following a season with a 4.48 ERA over 64.1 innings. He remains a playoff debut option.
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone provided injury updates, noting that left-hander Ryan Weathers touched 96 mph while throwing a one-inning simulated game in the Bronx on Friday. Weathers has been sidelined since late August with a left forearm flexor strain. While Boone stopped short of fully committing him to the Wild Card roster, Weathers looked strong stuff-wise, and the team expects him to contribute before the season concludes as they prepare for postseason action.
Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Jesús Luzardo is making strong progress in his recovery from left shoulder inflammation, throwing 30 pitches in a bullpen session. He feels good and is lined up to face hitters soon, potentially in a simulated game. The Phillies are weighing whether to deploy Luzardo as a starter or leverage his arm out of the bullpen to help stabilize their middle relief for the upcoming postseason push.
Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Eric Lauer will miss the postseason after finishing his season on the injured list. Acquired early in the year to bolster a depleted rotation missing Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow, Lauer guided Los Angeles to victories in each of his first nine starts with an ERA under 3.00. Though he finished with a 4.50 ERA across 12 games after midseason struggles, his early production provided crucial regular-season stability.
New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge claims the second-most popular jersey in MLB for 2026—leading all American League players—while questions surround his availability for the upcoming Wild Card Series. The news comes as the Yankees navigate late-season messaging and communication hurdles involving Judge, manager Aaron Boone, and front office personnel. As New York prepares for October, resolving internal dynamics remains critical for a deep postseason push.
Washington Nationals utility infielder Jorbit Vivas has drawn criticism but has proven to be a capable player. Vivas is hitting .242 with a .662 OPS and a .335 OBP. He demonstrates strong plate discipline, striking out only 14.8% and walking 11.4%. Despite early struggles with runners in scoring position (0-for-24), he has shown improved effort and clutch hitting since late August. Vivas provides solid defense with 4 outs above average and has accumulated 1.1 fWAR, making him a valuable bench piece.
