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Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
James Wood is experiencing a second-half slump for the Washington Nationals for the second consecutive season. He has not hit a home run in his last 25 games and has only 9 extra-base hits since the All-Star Break. An oblique strain in August may have contributed, but questions about his effort level and physical/mental fatigue have also been raised.
The New York Yankees are considering whether to start AL Cy Young candidate Cam Schlittler or Gerrit Cole in Game 1 of the Wild Card Series against the Boston Red Sox. Schlittler, with a 1.94 ERA, offers a better chance at an early lead, while Cole brings postseason experience. The decision impacts potential availability for later rounds.
Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes believes his participation in the World Baseball Classic significantly impacted his 2026 season, contributing to a dip in velocity and overall struggles. Despite a down year by his standards, Skenes's performance still includes a 3.91 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, and 192 strikeouts over 168.0 innings. He noted that the WBC's timing disrupted his usual ramp-up process, affecting his ability to find his peak velocity early in the season.
Kade Anderson has been named Texas League Pitcher of the Year for his performance with the Double-A Arkansas Travelers. This news was part of a broader update on Mariners and other league news, including Dylan Cease's injury and Alex Bregman's facial fractures.
Amid a 31-year playoff series drought for the franchise, Reds icon Joey Votto has joined club legend Barry Larkin in publicly calling for urgent changes from ownership, pointing to small-market payroll hurdles as the team endures another losing season.
Miguel Vargas captured his second career AL Player of the Week award after batting .348 with three homers, nine RBIs, and two steals last week. The breakout star is enjoying a stellar career year for the Chicago White Sox, slashing .251/.362/.482 with 33 home runs, 88 RBIs, and 20 steals. Vargas has driven the team's playoff push, becoming just the third White Sox player in history with at least 30 homers and 20 steals in a single season while anchoring third base.
Brett Squires was named the George Brett Hitter of the Year and received the Mike Sweeney Community Impact Award, becoming the first Royals player to win multiple organizational awards in the same season. The 26-year-old split 2026 between Double-A and Triple-A, slashing .277/.351/.549 with 34 doubles, 31 home runs, and 103 RBI across 132 games, joining an elite group of minor leaguers to reach the 30-homer and 100-RBI plateaus this year.
Orioles 21-year-old switch-hitting infielder Aron Estrada enjoyed a strong campaign primarily with Double-A Chesapeake, slashing .281/.325/.482 with 25 home runs over 128 games. Facing competition averaging 2.5 years older, the second baseman showed significant power growth but will need to prove himself at Triple-A Norfolk next year. Estrada batted much better as a left-handed hitter against righties, and he becomes Rule 5 Draft eligible, prompting roster decisions this offseason.
Eric Hartman has been named the Braves minor league player of the year by Baseball America after establishing himself as one of the biggest breakout stars across all of minor league baseball during the 2026 season. Meanwhile, the Atlanta Braves continue sorting through their final roster decisions and postseason rotation plans as the regular season comes to a close, with pitcher Robert Suarez potentially nearing a return to the major league club.
Philadelphia Phillies prospect Alex McFarlane deservingly won the 2026 Paul Owens Award alongside teammate Bryan Rincon. McFarlane recently pitched for the Phillies during a September 13 game against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park. In broader club news, the team is evaluating reliever Orion Kerkering's future following a recent demotion and taking a wait-and-see approach with the bullpen as they prepare for the upcoming postseason schedule.
Philadelphia Phillies reliever Orion Kerkering faces questions about his future with the organization following his latest demotion. As the Phillies approach the playoffs, the team is utilizing a wait-and-see approach with the bullpen to evaluate their pitching depth. Meanwhile, teammates Alex McFarlane and Bryan Rincon recently earned recognition by winning the 2026 Paul Owens Award for their efforts in the organization.
River Ryan looked sharp in his debut wearing the Olde English D, helping the Detroit Tigers secure a 9-2 victory over the Washington Nationals in the opening game of their penultimate series at Comerica Park on Monday night. Ryan's strong pitching performance was supported by home runs from the bottom of the order by Spencer Torkelson and Javier Báez as the Tigers improved their late-season standing.
Spencer Torkelson contributed a home run from the bottom of the batting order to help fuel the Detroit Tigers' offensive output in a 9-2 victory over the Washington Nationals at Comerica Park on Monday night. The win opened up the penultimate series of the 2026 campaign for Detroit, backed by a strong debut from River Ryan and additional home run support from Javier Báez.
Following his call-up to the Los Angeles Dodgers when Shohei Ohtani went on the injured list, rookie outfielder Josue De Paula is intently focused on improving his defense to secure a postseason roster spot. After launching a three-run home run for his first major-league hit, De Paula has been working closely with coaches Dino Ebel and Dave Roberts, as well as mentor Jason Heyward, aiming to turn his defense into a strength and eventually win a Gold Glove.
Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Brandon Lowe expressed interest in remaining with the team long-term as he approaches free agency. Lowe, who leads Pittsburgh with 33 home runs and 93 RBIs this season, noted the team has not yet approached him regarding an extension but said he is 'all ears' to talk. If a multiyear deal is not reached before November free agency, the Pirates will likely extend a $23.1 million qualifying offer to the veteran slugger.
Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez enters the regular season's final week chasing the American League Triple Crown. Alvarez leads MLB with a 1.027 OPS while slashing .313/.430/.597 with 40 home runs and 99 RBI. He currently leads the AL in batting average (.313), trails Junior Caminero by one home run, and sits six RBI behind leader Pete Alonso. Alvarez's elite production remains essential as the Astros attempt to hold on to the AL West title.
Chicago Cubs superstar Pete Crow-Armstrong is closing in on a historic 40-40 season, sitting at 45 home runs and 38 stolen bases entering the final week. The 24-year-old NL MVP favorite recently put together a productive week, batting .345/.367/.897 with four home runs and nine RBI despite a 0-for-15 slump in between. Crow-Armstrong aims to become the seventh 40-40 member in MLB history as the Cubs conclude the regular season against the Marlins and Red Sox.
Outfielder Andy Pages was activated from the 10-day injured list on Monday ahead of the Los Angeles Dodgers' series against the San Diego Padres. Pages missed a month while recovering from surgery to repair a fractured left hand. Prior to the injury, he batted .288 with three home runs, nine RBI, two stolen bases, and eight runs scored in 19 games. He is set to resume his starting center field role, shifting Josue De Paula to reserve.
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani is expected to return to the lineup Wednesday after missing two weeks with left knee, neck, and right biceps injuries. Shut down from pitching for the season, Ohtani will serve strictly as DH for the final five regular-season games to prepare for the postseason. Manager Dave Roberts acknowledged Ohtani is not 100% pain-free, but Ohtani believes swing adjustments will allow him to overcome his physical issues after hitting 30 home runs earlier this year.
The Los Angeles Dodgers activated Roki Sasaki from the injured list on Monday, moving him to the bullpen as a one-inning reliever for the upcoming series against the San Diego Padres. Sidelined since August 27 with a pitching hand blister, Sasaki posted a 5-5 record and a 4.70 ERA across 23 starts this season. Manager Dave Roberts expressed trust using Sasaki in late-inning situations as he auditions for a postseason bullpen role.
