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MLB News

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

Monday, September 21

Shohei Ohtani Set for Dodgers Return Despite Lingering Arm and Knee Discomfort

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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.

Roki Sasaki Activated by Dodgers to Work Out of Bullpen

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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.

Pete Alonso Launches 39th and 40th Home Runs on Son's First Birthday

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Pete Alonso celebrated his son Theodore's first birthday by hitting his 39th and 40th home runs of the season, leading the Orioles to a 4-3 win over Toronto. Alonso hit an opposite-field solo shot and a game-winning two-run blast off Tyler Rogers in the eighth. The slugger leads the American League with 108 RBIs, batting .265 with 40 homers and 94 runs across 157 games in the first year of his five-year, $155 million contract with Baltimore.

Blake Snell Takes Playful Social Media Jab at Tarik Skubal

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Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell poked fun at teammate Tarik Skubal on social media after Skubal was seen attending a Rams game solo at SoFi Stadium. Snell commented on Instagram, "You think you know a guy… then he goes to the rams game solo…" The two aces serve as key anchors in the Dodgers' starting rotation as Los Angeles closes out the regular season, aiming for a first-round postseason bye and another World Series run.

Tarik Skubal Teased by Teammate Blake Snell at Rams Game

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Tarik Skubal was spotted solo at SoFi Stadium for Monday Night Football, prompting a lighthearted social media post from Dodgers teammate Blake Snell. Acquired by Los Angeles at the trade deadline, the two-time Cy Young winner has posted a 2.95 ERA since joining the Dodgers' rotation. Skubal is expected to play a major role in LA's October postseason push as the team aims for another deep playoff run and a first-round bye.

Luis Mey Delivers Pitch That Results in Freak Injury to Alex Bregman

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Cincinnati Reds pitcher Luis Mey threw a pitch that was fouled off by Chicago Cubs batter Michael Busch during a game. The batted ball unfortunately struck Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman in the on-deck circle, causing multiple facial fractures that will sideline Bregman for the remainder of the regular season. Teammates noted Mey was throwing hard on the play that led to the frightening accident.

Michael Busch Fouls Ball Into On-Deck Circle Resulting in Bregman Injury

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Chicago Cubs infielder Michael Busch checked his swing and fouled off a pitch from Cincinnati Reds pitcher Luis Mey that inadvertently struck teammate Alex Bregman in the face in the on-deck circle. Busch expressed shock and concern over the accident, which resulted in facial fractures for Bregman and ended his regular season. Busch noted how quickly the play developed and emphasized the scary nature of head-area incidents in baseball.

Alex Bregman Suffers Facial Fractures After Being Struck By Foul Ball

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Chicago Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman suffered facial fractures when struck by a teammate's foul ball in the on-deck circle. Bregman avoids surgery but will miss the remainder of the regular season, finishing with a .262 average, 26 home runs, and 89 RBIs. With his left eye swollen shut, he remains hopeful for a postseason return. The Cubs are evaluating Pedro Ramírez and Matt Shaw as internal replacements at third base.

Mason Fluharty Pitches in Tight Eighth Inning Against Orioles

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Mason Fluharty took the mound for the Toronto Blue Jays in the bottom of the eighth inning, surrendering a leadoff walk before recording a pop out and a fly out. With powerhouse hitter Pete Alonso stepping up to the plate next, manager John Schneider brought in submarine pitcher Tyler Rogers to navigate the high-leverage spot. Unfortunately, the strategy backfired when Alonso launched a game-winning home run, sealing a disappointing 4-3 loss for Toronto.

Toronto Blue Jays Reliever Tyler Rogers Surrenders Late Home Run

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Submarine pitcher Tyler Rogers was summoned in the eighth inning to help the Toronto Blue Jays avoid the long ball against Baltimore Orioles slugger Pete Alonso. However, Rogers left a pitch center-cut, and Alonso hooked it 400 feet for a go-ahead home run, handing Toronto a heartbreaking 4-3 defeat. The loss dropped the Blue Jays to 77-80 as they fight to maintain their positioning in the fiercely contested American League wild card race.

River Ryan Makes Stellar Detroit Debut in Win Against Nationals

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Right-hander River Ryan dazzled in his Detroit debut Monday night, pitching three scoreless innings in a win against the Nationals. Acquired from the Dodgers in the Tarik Skubal trade, Ryan enters the contest with a 0.00 ERA on the season as he makes his 2026 major league debut. In four starts during the 2024 season, Ryan pitched 20.1 innings while posting a 3.36 FIP, a 22.2 percent strikeout rate, and a 50.0 percent ground-ball rate for Detroit.

Nolan Arenado Continues Resurgent Season with Arizona Diamondbacks

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Eight-time All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado is having a resurgence with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2026, hitting .247/.322/.455 with 27 homers and 82 RBI. This season marks the sixth since the Rockies traded Arenado to the St. Louis Cardinals, and for the first time, Colorado isn’t paying part of his salary. Fresh off a grand slam against the Yankees, Arenado aims to help the Diamondbacks secure a Wild Card spot as they head into their final series.

Jazz Chisholm Nears Yankees Return from Thumb Sprain Ahead of Doubleheader

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New York Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm is near activation from the injured list following a right thumb sprain suffered diving into second base Sept. 8. Chisholm could be activated for Tuesday's doubleheader against the Rays, forcing manager Aaron Boone to make difficult lineup decisions regarding rookie Anthony Volpe. Before his injury, Chisholm was hitting .391 with a 1.028 OPS over his previous 15 games, though he has struggled to a .221 average against left-handed pitching.

Samuel Basallo Removed Early Monday After Foul Ball Impact

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Baltimore Orioles catcher Samuel Basallo was pulled early from Monday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays after taking a hard foul ball off his mask. Though he was evaluated by trainers and initially remained in the game, he was removed in the seventh inning after also absorbing several foul tips to his arm and elbow. The removal was deemed a cautionary measure, with further updates on his availability expected shortly.

Blade Tidwell Leaves Start Early For Giants Due to Apparent Injury

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San Francisco Giants right-hander Blade Tidwell exited Monday's game against the Minnesota Twins in the fourth inning after signaling to the dugout and walking off with a trainer. Tidwell had tossed 3.1 innings of one-run ball before sustaining the apparent injury. His departure marks the third time in less than a month that a Giants starting pitcher has left a game early due to injury, adding to a heavily depleted San Francisco pitching staff.

Zebby Matthews Takes Mound for Twins Against Giants

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Right-hander Zebby Matthews gets the start for the Minnesota Twins against the San Francisco Giants on Monday. On the season, Matthews holds a 4.74 ERA, 4.80 FIP, and a 107:39 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 125.1 innings pitched across his appearances. In his previous outing last Wednesday, he delivered a stellar performance, holding the New York Yankees to two hits and two walks while striking out eight over six innings.

Bryce Eldridge Placed on Concussion IL, Season Likely Over

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San Francisco Giants rookie Bryce Eldridge was placed on the 7-day concussion injured list retroactive to September 18 after hitting his head at the team hotel. Manager Tony Vitello does not expect Eldridge to return this season, effectively ending his impressive rookie campaign. Eldridge's absence, combined with Jung Hoo Lee's injury, leaves the Giants without any members of their Opening Day lineup as they close out the 2026 season.

Aaron Sabato Set to Make MLB Debut for Minnesota Twins

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Former first-round pick Aaron Sabato is set to make his Major League debut for the Minnesota Twins against the San Francisco Giants, batting seventh and playing first base. The 27-year-old power hitter spent the season in Triple-A, posting an .857 OPS overall and crushing left-handed pitching with a .937 OPS. With the Twins eliminated from playoff contention, Minnesota is using the final week to evaluate Sabato.

Dylan Cease Avoids Shoulder Surgery, Season Likely Finished

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Toronto Blue Jays ace Dylan Cease will not require right shoulder surgery after an MRI confirmed only inflammation following his early exit against Texas. Although he avoided major surgery, Cease's 2026 season is likely complete unless Toronto secures an unlikely postseason berth. In the first year of a seven-year, $210 million contract, Cease compiled a 2.40 ERA and an AL-leading 239 strikeouts across 169 innings pitched.

Jonathan Santucci Named Eastern League All-Star

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Mets pitching prospect Jonathan Santucci capped his fantastic season by being named an Eastern League All-Star. The 23-year-old left-hander started the year with Double-A Binghamton, leading the level in strikeouts (120) and ranking fifth in ERA (3.57) before advancing to Syracuse's rotation. Overall, Santucci led all minor league pitchers with 163 strikeouts, marking the second straight year a Mets prospect accomplished the feat. He projects as a mid-rotation starter for next season.