Player news from trusted outlets
Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
New York Yankees center fielder Trent Grisham participated in live batting practice and ran the bases at Double-A Somerset on Wednesday alongside teammate Giancarlo Stanton. Grisham has been sidelined since straining his right hamstring on September 4, as the Yankees evaluate their roster options and health ahead of the upcoming postseason matchups.
Top pitching prospect Carlos Lagrange faced hitters in a live batting practice session at Somerset as part of the Yankees’ stay-ready group. Diagnosed with a capsular sprain of the right shoulder in early July, Lagrange recently returned to pitch an inning in a Triple-A game while topping out at 102.1 mph. Manager Aaron Boone acknowledged that Lagrange is in the conversation for the AL wild-card series roster, offering the team an intriguing and powerful bullpen option.
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Merrill Kelly takes the mound against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Kelly enters with a 9-14 record and a 5.00 ERA through 28 starts, seeking to rebound after taking losses in five of his last seven outings. The Diamondbacks are looking to gain ground in the Wild Card standings, currently sitting four games behind the Cubs, Phillies, and Padres, while facing Rockies rookie starter Mason Adams.
Pete Alonso was unanimously named Most Valuable Oriole after posting a 4.6 bWAR, .265/.359/.510 line, and hitting his 41st home run with 110 RBIs in a win over Toronto that eliminated the Blue Jays. Alonso added a two-run shot in the fifth to tie for the AL lead in homers while holding an eight-RBI lead for the league lead. He anchored first base with elite defense and expressed excitement about his four remaining contract years with Baltimore.
Cleveland Guardians left-hander Foster Griffin faces off against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park as the Guardians look to clinch a postseason spot. The 31-year-old is enjoying the best season of his career, emerging as a vital starter down the stretch.
Pitcher Payton Tolle was highlighted in discussions surrounding recent pitching matchups for the Boston Red Sox against the Cleveland Guardians at Fenway Park during the final stretch of the regular season.
Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Dylan Cease was placed on the 15-day injured list Wednesday due to right shoulder inflammation, ending his 2026 season. Medical evaluations confirmed the injury will not require surgery. In his first year with Toronto following a megadeal, Cease recorded an 11-6 record, 2.40 ERA, and 1.10 WHIP while posting a career-high 239 strikeouts over 169 innings across 29 starts before the team's postseason elimination following a doubleheader loss to Baltimore.
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Andrew Abbott takes the mound against ace Chris Sale and the Atlanta Braves in a Wednesday night matchup at Truist Park. Abbott is navigating the toughest season of his four-year career opposite Sale's Cy Young-caliber campaign. First pitch is set for 7:15 PM ET with Abbott leading the Reds' starting rotation featuring Juan Brito, Elly De La Cruz, and Sal Stewart.
Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash announced Wednesday that pitcher Shane McClanahan (forearm) will not be included on the team's ALDS roster. McClanahan was already ruled out for the remainder of the regular season due to tightness in his left forearm. Although the Rays earned a first-round bye in the Wild Card Series, he will not be ready to pitch at the start of the postseason, though a potential return for the ALCS remains possible depending on his throwing progression.
Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Mason Englert takes the mound Wednesday night against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Englert enters the matchup dealing with recent home run struggles of his own, having surrendered five long balls over his last two starts as the Rays round out the regular season.
Yankees reliever Fernando Cruz is defying expectations in his recovery from a partially torn UCL diagnosed in late August, throwing a bullpen session and planning another. Refusing to accept surgery, the 36-year-old right-hander is working to return this season after posting a 3.13 ERA across 61 appearances. Manager Aaron Boone noted potential roster decisions will be evaluated at the end of the regular season.
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Lake Bachar gets the start Wednesday evening at PNC Park in the second game of a three-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals. Bachar enters the contest carrying a 1-4 record and a 3.56 ERA on the season. He faces off against Cardinals left-hander Matthew Liberatore as the Pirates look to secure a home victory over their division rival.
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tarik Skubal was reinstated from the bereavement list Wednesday after spending three days attending to personal matters. Skubal is scheduled to make his final regular-season start on Friday against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park, carrying a 2.95 ERA and 60 strikeouts across nine starts with Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Kyle Hurt was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday in a corresponding move to Tarik Skubal returning from the bereavement list. Hurt recently pitched two scoreless frames with two strikeouts in a combined shutout against San Diego, bringing his season totals to a 4.14 ERA across 44 appearances.
Toronto Blue Jays pitcher CJ Van Eyk was added to the active roster ahead of Wednesday's doubleheader nightcap. The roster move follows Dylan Cease being placed on the injured list, with Van Eyk providing fresh bullpen depth for the Blue Jays against the Baltimore Orioles.
Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Chase Lee was added to the active roster following a doubleheader roster shuffle that included Dylan Cease going to the injured list. Lee joins the club alongside CJ Van Eyk as the Blue Jays adjust their bullpen and pitching depth for the final stretch of the regular season.
Max Scherzer made his 500th career appearance, allowing four runs over five innings with seven strikeouts as the Toronto Blue Jays were eliminated from playoff contention by Baltimore. The 42-year-old veteran carries a 6.14 ERA and 3-9 record this season, sitting four strikeouts behind Justin Verlander. Scherzer stated he plans to pitch in Sunday's regular-season finale and will address his future retirement decision in the next couple of days.
Cincinnati Reds superstar Elly De La Cruz is on the cusp of statistical history, needing just one home run and one stolen base to join the exclusive '30-30' club with 29 homers and 29 steals. Anchoring an offensive breakout with a 6.5 fWAR, an .891 OPS, and a .384 wOBA, De La Cruz is putting himself into NL MVP contention as the Reds wrap up the final five games of the 2026 regular season.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone announced Anthony Volpe will test out playing third base over the final five games of the regular season to address hot-corner struggles before the postseason. Volpe took pregame grounders at third and stated he is ready if needed, while hitting .263 with seven RBI in 11 games since his recall. The team weighs defensive flexibility with Ryan McMahon and potential options like Jazz Chisholm Jr.
Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr. is expected to return to the lineup Thursday after being held out Wednesday for rest. Acuña, who suffered a left shin contusion after fouling a ball off his leg, tried to convince manager Walt Weiss to play him after walking without a limp. X-rays were negative, revealing a minor bone bruise. Acuña has been hot since late August, hitting .348 with a 1.049 OPS over his past month.
