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Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
Outfielder Zach Ehrhard hit his 30th double, drew a walk, and scored both runs for the Oklahoma City Comets in their 2-1 regular-season finale win over El Paso. Ehrhard padded his Pacific Coast League-leading total to 120 runs scored—the most by a Dodgers minor leaguer since 1983—and finished the year batting .291 with 20 home runs, 28 steals, and 94 walks.
Center fielder Alek Thomas delivered a clutch performance in the Oklahoma City Comets' regular-season finale, collecting two hits, including an eighth-inning triple that drove in the game-winning run. Thomas's late heroics helped secure a 2-1 victory over the El Paso Chihuahuas, allowing the Comets to finish the campaign with an 89-50 record, the best mark in the Pacific Coast League.
Relief pitcher Brent Headrick surrendered a crucial fifth-inning grand slam to Nolan Arenado during the New York Yankees' matchup against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. With a 2-0 count against the Yankees lefty, Arenado launched the pitch into the left field seats, erasing the lead and giving the Diamondbacks a decisive advantage in their late-season comeback victory.
David McCabe had a stellar day at the plate, going 4-for-4 with a run and an RBI in the Gwinnett Stripers' season finale against the Indianapolis Indians. Despite a furious late-game rally featuring key hits and a clutch single by McCabe that scored Luke Williams to tie the game in the seventh, the Stripers ultimately fell 9-6, bringing an end to the minor league season for the Atlanta Braves organization.
Former New York Mets pitcher Craig Kimbrel’s 36-year-old younger brother, Matt Kimbrel, was killed in a motorcycle crash in Huntsville, Alabama, after slamming into a dump truck. Matt Kimbrel was a former minor leaguer drafted by the Atlanta Braves. The tragedy comes a month after Craig Kimbrel signed with the Kansas City Royals as the 12th MLB team of his career, following 14 appearances for the Mets earlier this season.
Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Kyle Tucker held out of the starting lineup Sunday after fouling a ball off his right knee on Saturday, though he later made a pinch-hitting appearance in the eighth inning. Manager Dave Roberts treated the sit-out as a routine rest day combined with Monday's off day. Tucker is on a fiery surge, hitting .417/.500/.972 with five home runs over his last 10 starts.
Kansas City Royals catcher Carter Jensen set the franchise single-season rookie home run record by hitting his 25th home run of the year, a solo shot off Bubba Chandler in the third inning against Pittsburgh. The 23-year-old surpassed Bob Hamelin's previous mark of 24 homers set in 1994. Jensen, who has anchored the leadoff spot, expressed pride in reaching the milestone during a standout debut season.
New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge has returned to the injured list after suffering a strained calf. Judge expressed frustration over his injury-plagued season but remains hopeful about returning to the lineup in time for the postseason. However, his manager indicated uncertainty regarding his exact timeline. The injury adds a significant question mark for the Yankees as they prepare for their upcoming playoff run.
Trace Bright wrapped up a tough season with Triple-A Norfolk, allowing six runs on three home runs over four innings in the season finale. After beginning the year with Double-A Chesapeake (3.82 ERA in six starts), the 25-year-old right-hander struggled mightily in Triple-A, finishing 2-11 with a 7.70 ERA, 1.70 WHIP, and a .315 opposing batting average across 21 appearances (20 starts) while walking over four batters per game.
Philadelphia Phillies reliever Orion Kerkering has been optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley following his latest brutal performance on the mound. In an unusual twist, Lehigh Valley's season has already officially ended, leaving Kerkering without minor league games to pitch in as the Phillies manage their pitching staff ahead of the final week of the regular season and the upcoming postseason.
Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Braxton Ashcraft confirmed that his season-ending right arm discomfort and fatigue involves no structural damage or long-term concern following evaluations in Arlington. Placed on the 15-day injured list on Sept. 10, the All-Star right-hander ends his strong campaign with a 14-6 record and 3.65 ERA over 28 starts. Ashcraft attempted to pitch through it but is expected ready for next season.
New York Yankees outfielder Trent Grisham remains unlikely to return before the regular season ends as he recovers from a Grade 2 right hamstring strain suffered on Sept. 4. Manager Aaron Boone noted that activating Grisham presents roster complications, as doing so would require optioning or DFAing a player who would then be ineligible for 10 to 15 days. Spencer Jones continues to fill in in center field while Grisham targets a potential postseason return.
Acquired from the White Sox on June 11, Derek Hill spearheaded the creation of "Team Blessed," a close-knit reserve trio with Philadelphia Phillies teammates Bryan De La Cruz and Edmundo Sosa. Hill has provided clutch late-game impact, hitting three of the group's four home runs. Entering games from the eighth inning on, the reserve trio has combined for a .394 batting average, four home runs, and a 1.200 OPS in 34 plate appearances, while the Phillies bench leads MLB with a .284 average.
Promoted from Triple-A on July 21, Bryan De La Cruz has emerged as a key member of the Philadelphia Phillies' reserve trio known as "Team Blessed." Partnering with Derek Hill and Edmundo Sosa, De La Cruz participates in competitive in-game cage work that has fueled elite production. Since June 11, the bench trio has combined to hit .394 with four home runs and a 1.200 OPS in 34 late-game plate appearances from the eighth inning on, keeping Philadelphia's reserves sharp.
Edmundo Sosa serves as a key spark plug and umpire during in-game cage competitions for the Philadelphia Phillies reserve trio, dubbed "Team Blessed." Alongside Derek Hill and Bryan De La Cruz, Sosa has helped power a bench unit hitting .284 with a .453 slugging percentage since June 11. Entering late off the bench from the eighth inning on, the trio has posted a combined .394 batting average, four home runs, and a 1.200 OPS in 34 plate appearances.
New York Yankees relief pitcher Clarke Schmidt experienced right biceps cramping while warming up Sunday, keeping him out of an 8-4 loss to the Diamondbacks. Just 14 months removed from Tommy John surgery, Schmidt and manager Aaron Boone stressed it was purely precautionary with no structural issues found. All initial testing was fine, with no shoulder or elbow concerns. Schmidt was expected to see the team doctor upon returning home as the Yankees navigate his playoff bullpen role.
Jackson Chourio went 1-for-3 with a walk and two stolen bases in Sunday's 3-0 win over the Orioles, bringing his season total to 21 thefts. With this performance, he secured his third straight 20-20 campaign to begin his career, complementing a personal-best 24 home runs through 121 contests. Chourio has picked up the pace on the basepaths with seven steals in September alone, boasting a .285 batting average and .825 OPS.
William Contreras went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Sunday's 3-0 win over the Baltimore Orioles. Contreras has now hit safely in his last nine games, batting .306 with four homers and 14 RBI during that span. On the season, the catcher is batting .271 with a .765 OPS, 18 homers, 88 RBI, and 82 runs scored across 142 contests, though he may receive a few more full off days down the stretch.
Milwaukee Brewers ace Jacob Misiorowski allowed just one hit and struck out four over three scoreless innings in a planned abbreviated start during a 3-0 win over the Baltimore Orioles. Misiorowski moved into second place on the franchise's single-season strikeout list with 247 and lowered his MLB-leading ERA to 1.86. He is expected to make one more regular-season start against the Cardinals before taking the mound in the ALDS.
Atlanta Braves pitcher Robert Suarez returned to the mound to begin a rehab assignment in Gwinnett for the first time in three months. While his performance was described as a bit shaky, he successfully completed the inning without experiencing any setbacks, marking a positive step forward in his recovery as the Braves look toward their postseason run after clinching the NL East division title.
