Starling Marte Takes a Seat on Thursday
Starling Marte (rest) is out of the starting lineup ahead of Thursday's game against the Chicago Cubs. This appears to be a routine rest day for Marte who has started in each of the last two games. During that time, Marte has gone 1-for-8 at the plate with one run scored. That being said, it's not a terrible idea to give the veteran slugger the night off. In his absence, Mark Vientos will serve as the designated hitter while Brandon Nimmo covers left field against left-hander Shota Imanaga.
Source: mlb.com
New York Mets outfielder Source: mlb.com
Francisco Alvarez Out Due to Cramps
Francisco Alvarez (cramps) is out of the starting lineup ahead of Thursday's game against the Chicago Cubs. Alvarez reportedly felt cramping in his lower half during Wednesday's game. As a result, Alvarez will take a seat on Thursday, but will hopefully only miss one game. Mets' manager Carlos Mendoza mentioned that Alvarez is available off the bench. That being said, Alvarez is likely dealing with a minor issue and should be considered day-to-day. Luis Torrens will draw the start behind the plate and bat sixth on Thursday.
Source: mlb.com
New York Mets catcher Source: mlb.com
Taylor Ward Absent from Thursday's Lineup
Taylor Ward is absent from the starting lineup ahead of Thursday's game against the Kansas City Royals. This appears to be a routine rest day for Ward who has started in every game since September 2. He has been hot at the plate recently, so resting him now seems like a bit of an odd decision. Ward currently has a seven-game hitting streak where he has 10 hits and five home runs during that span. He's worth rostering in most fantasy formats down the stretch of the season. Chris Taylor will take over left field and bat fifth on Thursday.
Source: mlb.com
Los Angeles Angels outfielder Source: mlb.com
Jose Berrios Heading to Injured List With Elbow Inflammation
Jose Berrios (elbow) is heading to the 15-day injured list on Thursday with right-elbow inflammation, according to Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. Berrios is en route to getting an MRI exam, which will determine if he'll be available for Toronto in the postseason next month. The 31-year-old veteran Puerto Rican hurler was recently moved from the starting rotation to a relief role, so if he's healthy enough to return if the Blue Jays make a deep run in the playoffs, he'll almost certainly be coming out of the bullpen. Berrios will finish his 2025 season (his fourth full year in Toronto) with a 9-5 record, 4.17 ERA (4.65 FIP), and 1.30 WHIP with 138 strikeouts and 56 walks in 166 innings over 31 appearances (30 starts). Toronto recalled pitcher Paxton Schultz from Triple-A Buffalo in a corresponding move.
Source: MLB.com - Keegan Matheson
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Source: MLB.com - Keegan Matheson
Yandy Diaz Day-to-Day After Leaving Early With Groin Injury
Yandy Diaz (groin) is being considered day-to-day after leaving Thursday's game against the Baltimore Orioles in the fifth inning with right-groin tightness, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Before leaving the eventual 6-5 loss, Diaz went 1-for-2 at the plate with a run scored. He was replaced at DH by Hunter Feduccia. The 34-year-old's injury isn't considered serious, but with only three games left in the season this weekend in Toronto against the division-rival Blue Jays, it's possible we won't see Diaz again in 2025. It would be a disappointing end to a career year for the Cuban slugger. Diaz entered play on Thursday with a healthy .301 average (173-for-575) with a career-best 25 home runs and a career-high 83 RBI while adding 78 runs scored and three steals in 147 games.
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
Tampa Bay Rays first baseman/designated hitter Source: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
Nick Lodolo has Career Day, Leaves Early With Groin Injury
Nick Lodolo (groin) was downright dominant in a 2-1 win over the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates in Thursday's series finale at Great American Ballpark, but it ended on a sour note after he was pulled early as a precaution with a right-groin injury, according to the team. Lodolo picked up his ninth win of the year by tossing 6 1/3 shutout innings with 12 strikeouts and only one walk. He gave up just two hits. The Reds think it's a minor injury for the 27-year-old southpaw, so hopefully he'll be available next week for the playoffs if Cincy can capture the final wild-card spot in the National League. With their win over the Bucs on Thursday, they're half a game behind the New York Mets for the final playoff spot in the NL. Lodolo continues to be injury-prone, but he finishes his 2025 season with a 3.30 ERA, 156 strikeouts, and only 29 walks in 28 starts.
Source: Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds left-hander Source: Cincinnati Reds
Trea Turner Not Guaranteed to Return This Weekend
Trea Turner (hamstring) will not play on Friday and isn't guaranteed to come off the 10-day injured list for the final series of the regular season this weekend against the visiting Minnesota Twins at Citizens Bank Park, according to manager Rob Thomson. "Still not sure about the weekend, but we know that he'll be ready for the playoffs," Thomson said. Turner has faced live pitching and will add in some running and agility drills on Thursday. He's been out since straining his right hamstring on Sept. 7, but he's making progress and is on the cusp of a return. The Phillies are set to have a first-round bye in the postseason, so their first game in October won't come until Oct. 4 in Game 1 of the NLDS. The 32-year-old Turner is currently in line to win the NL batting title with a .305 average, and he also still leads the NL with 179 hits, so it's great news that the Phils will have him in the playoffs.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer - Scott Lauber
Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Source: Philadelphia Inquirer - Scott Lauber
Bryce Harper Back From Illness on Thursday
Bryce Harper (illness) is starting at first base and is batting third in his return to the lineup on Thursday in the series finale against the division-rival Miami Marlins and right-hander Janson Junk. Harper will be back in action after missing the last two games with an illness. Fantasy managers setting DFS lineups should feel comfortable including Harper in their lineups against a right-handed pitcher. The 32-year-old former MVP has hit .236 (17-for-72) with five home runs, three doubles, 12 RBI, and 10 runs in 19 games. Harper sports a .263/.358/.495 slash line on the season with an .853 OPS, 27 home runs, 75 RBI, 72 runs scored, and 12 stolen bases in 487 at-bats. The Phillies will be hoping he can finish the 2025 regular off on a high note as the Phils head into the postseason in October. Harper has never faced Junk.
Source: MLB.com
Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Source: MLB.com
Rays "Taking it Day to Day" With Jonathan Aranda
Jonathan Aranda (wrist), according to manager Kevin Cash. If the Rays activate Aranda from the 10-day injured list, it would require them to drop someone else from the active roster, which could still be in consideration. However, the minor league seasons are already over, notes Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. The 27-year-old left-handed slugger has been out since fracturing his left wrist in late July, and it remains to be seen if he'll actually return for the final series of the regular season this weekend in Toronto against the division-rival Blue Jays. The Mexican first baseman would finish with a .316/.394/.478 slash line, .871 OPS, 12 home runs, 54 RBI, and 53 runs scored in 358 at-bats this year if he's not activated from the IL. The All-Star will be a lock to open 2026 as Tampa's regular first baseman.
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
The Tampa Bay Rays are still "taking it day to day" with first baseman Source: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
Jeremy Pena Still Out in Thursday's Series Finale
Jeremy Pena (oblique) remains on the bench to start Thursday's series finale in Sacramento against the division-rival Athletics. Mauricio Dubon will make another start at shortstop and will hit in the nine-hole against A's right-hander J.T. Ginn. Pena is dealing with a strained left oblique that could cause him to miss the rest of the season. It's terrible timing for a struggling Astros team that finds itself a game out of the final wild-card spot in the American League entering play on Thursday. If this is the end of the 28-year-old's season, it would be a frustrating finish to what was a career year for the Dominican shortstop, as he's currently slashing .304/.363/.477 with a career-best .840 OPS, 17 home runs, 62 RBI, 68 runs scored, and 20 stolen bases in 125 games. Dubon is a low-upside DFS sleeper on Thursday and is hitless in three career at-bats against Ginn.
Source: MLB.com
Houston Astros shortstop Source: MLB.com
Charlie Morton to Start on Sunday, Chris Sale to be Used in Relief
Charlie Morton will now make the start in the regular-season finale on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Pirates, with left-hander Chris Sale following in relief, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com. It will be the final start of his career for Morton, who has announced that he will retire following the season. The 41-year-old veteran was drafted by the Braves in the third round back in 2002, and he's spent five of his 18 MLB seasons in Atlanta. Morton spent the most years (seven) of his career with Pittsburgh, so it will be a fitting end for him this weekend. The two-time All-Star began the year with the Baltimore Orioles before joining the Detroit Tigers. Morton has struggled in his final professional season, going 9-11 with a 5.89 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, and 148:71 K:BB in 140 2/3 innings. In his prime, Morton was a back-to-back All-Star in 2018 and 2019 with the Houston Astros and Tampa Bay Rays, and he's won two World Series titles.
Source: MLB.com - Mark Bowman
Atlanta Braves right-hander Source: MLB.com - Mark Bowman
Sonny Gray Could Waive his No-Trade Clause
Sonny Gray said that he will consider waiving his no-trade clause in the offseason to open up the possibility of being traded elsewhere this winter. "Whether I do decide that I want to go somewhere - whether that actually happens - I don't have complete control of that," said Gray. The 35-year-old former first-rounder and three-time All-Star is nearing the end of his career, but he could attract interest on the offseason trade market for a team looking to improve its starting rotation depth. Gray finished his 13th year in the big leagues in 2025 (second year with St. Louis) by going 14-8 with a 4.28 ERA (3.39 FIP) and 1.23 WHIP with 201 strikeouts and 38 walks in 180 2/3 innings over his 32 starts. He now has back-to-back 200-strikeout seasons for the first time in his career, and he's made 30 starts in two of the last three years.
Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch
St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Jackson Holliday Still Out on Thursday
Jackson Holliday (knee) remains out of the starting lineup on Thursday against the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays. Jorge Mateo is at the keystone on Thursday for the series finale and will hit ninth against Rays right-hander Drew Rasmussen. Holliday is undergoing an MRI exam on his knee on Thursday, which means we might not see the 21-year-old for the final series of the season this weekend. However, interim manager Tony Mansolino is optimistic that Holliday will be alright and that the issue is just day-to-day. Holliday's next chance to play will be for Friday's series opener in the Bronx against the division-rival New York Yankees. Mateo won't be a very attractive DFS sleeper in the nine-hole on Thursday, but he has hit .375 with a .944 OPS in eight career at-bats against Rasmussen.
Source: MLB.com
Baltimore Orioles second baseman Source: MLB.com
Oneil Cruz Exits With Ankle Injury on Wednesday
Oneil Cruz (ankle) exited the team's game against the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday with discomfort in his left ankle, according to Alex Stumpf of MLB.com. Cruz suffered the injury when he collided with the wall in center field in the eighth inning, and the Pirates brought in Jack Suwinski to replace him in the ninth. He ended the night 0-for-4 with three strikeouts to continue a prolonged slump. Cruz posted an unsightly .502 OPS in August and entered Wednesday's game with a .584 mark over 18 games in September. While Cruz has smacked 20 homers and totaled a career-high 38 stolen bases this season, he has registered a disappointing .201/.300/.381 line with 61 RBI and 62 runs scored in 540 plate appearances.
Source: Alex Stumpf - MLB.com
Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Source: Alex Stumpf - MLB.com
Luis Garcia to Undergo Elbow Surgery, Miss 2026 Season
Luis Garcia (elbow) will undergo elbow surgery and miss the entire 2026 season, manager Joe Espada announced. It's unclear whether Garcia will require Tommy John surgery, which he previously underwent in 2023. Garcia, who took more than two calendar years to recover from that procedure, finally returned to take the mound for the Astros on Sept. 1. However, after just two starts in which he combined to throw 7 2/3 innings, elbow discomfort forced Garcia back to the 15-day injured list. The Astros transferred Garcia to the 60-day IL earlier this month, ending his season. It's devastating for Garcia and the Astros that elbow problems have thrown his career off course, as the 28-year-old has established himself as a quality starter when healthy. Since debuting in 2020, Garcia has gone 29-19 with a 3.60 ERA, a 1.15 WHIP, 9.28 K/9, and 2.83 BB/9 across 71 appearances (65 starts) and 359 2/3 innings.
Source: Chandler Rome - The Athletic
Houston Astros right-hander
Source: Chandler Rome - The Athletic