October 29, 2025
Cincinnati Reds right-handed pitching prospect
Rhett Lowder (forearm, oblique) missed the entire 2025 big-league season due to a right-forearm strain and a left-oblique strain, but he has been pitching for the Peoria Javelinas in the Arizona Fall League and has a 3.00 ERA with no walks and six strikeouts through six innings, according to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. The former first-round pick in 2023 gave up an earned run on two hits over two innings in his outing last Saturday. Lowder made his major-league debut at the end of the 2024 season and looked great, posting a tidy 1.17 ERA over his first six MLB starts. If he is fully healthy for spring training in 2026, the Reds will be hoping to put him in their Opening Day starting rotation. Lowder has four adequate pitches in his arsenal, but it wouldn't be a surprise if they take their time with him and start him in the minors to begin 2026, either.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Mark Sheldon
October 29, 2025
The Minnesota Twins are hiring former Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton as their new manager on Wednesday, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Shelton was fired as the Pirates' skipper back on May 8, but he has quickly landed a new managerial job and will replace Rocco Baldelli, who was fired by Minnesota on Sept. 29. The 55-year-old Shelton will be returning to the Twins organization after he served as their bench coach in 2018 and 2019. James Rowson, Scott Servais, and Ryan Flaherty were in the mix for the Twins job before they settled on Shelton. The Twins had a disappointing 2025 season and traded away 10 players at the deadline during the summer, ultimately going 23-43 after the All-Star break to finish last in the American League Central with a 70-92 record, the fourth-worst record in the majors and the Twins' worst mark since 2016.
--Keith HernandezSource: New York Post - Jon Heyman
October 29, 2025
The San Diego Padres interviewed future Hall of Famer
Albert Pujols on Tuesday for a second time for their vacant managerial position, according to Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune. Pujols, who was unable to agree on a deal to become the next manager of the Los Angeles Angels this offseason, is now one of the finalists for the Padres' job, along with pitching coach Ruben Niebla and bench coach Brian Esposito. The Padres are looking for new leadership after previous manager Mike Shildt stepped down following the team's loss to the Chicago Cubs in the National League wild-card series in early October. Pujols has no managerial experience, but he will serve as the manager for the Dominican Republic in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
--Keith HernandezSource: The San Diego Union-Tribune - Kevin Acee
October 29, 2025
Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter
George Springer (side) is out of the starting lineup again on Wednesday night for Game 5 of the World Series against the hosting Los Angeles Dodgers and left-hander
Blake Snell. Although Springer has reportedly made good progress since injuring his right side on a swing in the loss in Game 3 on Monday night in L.A., he will miss his second straight game. Infielder
Bo Bichette is the DH and will bat third for Toronto, while
Isiah Kiner-Falefa will start at the keystone and hit in the eight-hole against Snell as the Blue Jays look to take a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series. Springer will be available off the bench for the second straight game, but it remains to be seen if he'll be able to play again in the World Series. Bichette has gone just 2-for-11 in his career against Snell, while Kiner-Falefa is 0-for-3 with a walk and two K's against the lefty.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
October 29, 2025
Chicago White Sox first baseman
Tim Elko (knee) had successful surgery on Tuesday to fix a torn ACL in his right knee, according to Scott Merkin of MLB.com. Elko is expected to be out for eight months, according to the team. The 26-year-old missed three weeks this summer with what was being called a right-knee sprain. He struggled at the plate in his debut season in the majors in 2025, going 9-for-67 (.194) with four home runs, eight RBI, five walks, and 30 strikeouts in 72 plate appearances over 23 games played, but his knee injury certainly played a part. Elko will now miss the first half of the 2025 season and can be ignored in redraft leagues next spring. Before getting the call to the big leagues, he hit .292/.357/.552 with a .910 OPS, 26 home runs, and 70 RBI in 96 games for Triple-A Charlotte.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Scott Merkin
October 29, 2025
St. Louis Cardinals outfielder
Lars Nootbaar (heels) has been dealing with pain in both of his heels for the last two and a half years, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Nootbaar had surgery on both of his heels on Oct. 7 and hopes to put the issues in the past in 2026. The 28-year-old outfielder admitted that he was definitely affected by his foot problems again in 2025, in which he slashed .234/.325/.361 with a .686 OPS, 13 home runs, 48 RBI, 68 runs scored, and only four stolen bases in 509 at-bats over a career-high 135 games played. He may be able to rebound next year if the surgeries solve his problems, but fantasy managers won't be in a rush to find out, especially since he could be delayed beyond Opening Day. In his five MLB seasons, Nootbaar has been unable to clear the 14-homer mark and doesn't have more than 48 RBI in a single season.
--Keith HernandezSource: St. Louis Post-Dispatch - Derrick Goold
October 29, 2025
New York Mets right-hander
Christian Scott (elbow), who is over a year removed from Tommy John surgery and an internal-brace procedure on his right elbow, is nearing the end of his rehab process this year and is expected to be a full-go in spring training next year, according to Will Sammon of The Athletic. The 26-year-old was scheduled to throw his final live bullpen session on Tuesday. He said the plan is to move to a "de-load" period before he ramps his throwing back up in January. Scott, who was the team's top pitching prospect in 2024, will be in the team's rotation picture next year if he's healthy, but he's unlikely to be in the Opening Day rotation. He had a 4.56 ERA in his first nine MLB starts in 2024 before having surgery, and he's been tinkering with his changeup while rehabbing. Don't forget about Scott as a potential post-hype prospect in fantasy baseball.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Will Sammon
October 29, 2025
Los Angeles Dodgers struggling outfielder
Andy Pages will retreat to the bench in Game 5 of the World Series on Wednesday night against the visiting Toronto Blue Jays and rookie right-hander
Trey Yesavage.
Enrique Hernandez will make the start in center field and will hit eighth, with
Alex Call starting in left field and batting in the nine-hole. Catcher
Will Smith will move up to No. 2 in the batting order. Pages may not start another game in the Fall Classic after going just 4-for-50 with 11 strikeouts and no walks in 14 games during this year's playoffs. Call has appeared in six games this October with L.A. and has gone 4-for-9 with two walks and a strikeout in his first 12 playoff plate appearances. Call will have very little DFS appeal at the bottom of the batting order against an up-and-coming young pitcher whom he has never faced.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
October 28, 2025
Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter
George Springer (side) is not in the starting lineup for Game 4 of the World Series on Tuesday against the hosting Los Angeles Dodgers. Springer injured his right side on a swing in the top of the seventh inning in the Game 3 loss on Monday night. The Blue Jays have not replaced him on the World Series roster, though, so he will presumably be available off the bench on Tuesday. With Springer out, infielder
Bo Bichette will serve as the DH for Toronto and bat third, with
Isiah Kiner-Falefa playing second base and batting ninth against Dodgers right-hander
Shohei Ohtani. Outfielder
Nathan Lukes will also serve as the team's leadoff hitter following the 18-inning marathon on Monday night. For now, Springer, who hit over .300 with over 30 homers during the regular season, should be considered day-to-day.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
October 28, 2025
Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter
George Springer (side) is "hour-to-hour" in terms of his availability for Game 4 of the World Series on Tuesday in Los Angeles against the Dodgers, according to manager John Schneider. The Blue Jays are still deciding on if Springer will start on Tuesday or be on the bench, but it doesn't sound like he'll be removed from the World Series roster on Tuesday. The 36-year-old veteran was pulled from the Game 3 loss on Monday night in the top of the seventh inning when he suffered a right-side injury on a swing. Springer underwent an MRI exam on Tuesday morning, but the results of the testing have not been made public. He was one of the team's biggest offensive contributors during the regular season, hitting .309 with 32 home runs, 84 RBI, and 18 stolen bases, so Toronto can ill-afford to lose their leadoff hitter for the remainder of the best-of-seven series.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Keegan Matheson
October 28, 2025
Toronto Blue Jays rookie right-hander
Trey Yesavage will start Game 5 of the World Series on Wednesday in Los Angeles against the Dodgers, according to manager John Schneider. It will be Yesavage's second start in the Fall Classic after he allowed two earned runs on four hits while walking three and striking out five in a no-decision in four innings in Game 1 last Friday. The 22-year-old former first-rounder from East Carolina was the second-youngest pitcher in MLB history to start Game 1 of the World Series, and he handled himself pretty nicely, all things considered. Wednesday's start will be just his eighth big-league start. In his four postseason starts this October, Yesavage has allowed nine earned runs on 14 hits (two homers) while walking 10 and striking out 27 in 19 frames. The pressure will be on the young, hard-throwing hurler this week on the road in a hostile environment.
--Keith HernandezSource: Sportsnet - Shi Davidi
October 28, 2025
Athletics outfielder
Lawrence Butler (knee) is moving around well following knee surgery and said he will be fully ready for the start of spring training in February, according to Martin Gallegos of MLB.com. Butler has dealt with knee issues in the past, and he had surgery early this month to fix a torn right patellar tendon. The 25-year-old also had scar tissue removed from the same knee and received a platelet-rich plasma injection in his left patellar tendon. Butler cleared the 20-homer mark for the second straight season and also had his first 20-20 campaign with the A's in 152 games played in 2025 in his second full season in the big leagues, but his knee issues could help explain why he hit only .234 (133-for-569) in 630 plate appearances. With better health in his knees, Butler's fantasy profile is still on the rise as a budding power-speed outfield threat.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Martin Gallegos
October 28, 2025
Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter
George Springer (side) went for an MRI exam because of "right-side discomfort" that knocked him from Game 3 of the World Series on Monday night against the Los Angeles Dodgers, according to J.P. Hoornstra of Newsweek Sports. "We'll see how he is tomorrow," manager John Schneider said. Springer called for a trainer following a swing in the top of the seventh inning and left the contest shortly after to be evaluated.
Ty France replaced him as a pinch-hitter, who was later replaced by
Davis Schneider in the 18-inning marathon. It's unclear if Springer will be able to play in Game 4 of the World Series on Tuesday night in L.A., but if he's dealing with an oblique injury, there's a good chance he won't be able to play for the rest of the series. Springer has been a major contributor all year for Toronto, so losing their leadoff hitter for the rest of the series would be a big blow. He went 0-for-3 with two K's on Monday night before leaving, and he's gone 14-for-57 (.246) with four homers, six doubles, nine RBI, and 13 runs in 14 playoff games this October.
--Keith HernandezSource: Newsweek Sports - J.P. Hoornstra
October 27, 2025
Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter
George Springer (side) was pulled from Game 3 of the World Series early on Monday night against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the top of the seventh inning with what appeared to be a right-side injury, according to Shi Davidi of Sportsnet. Springer called out for a trainer to examine him before leaving the game, with
Ty France replacing him as a pinch-hitter. The 36-year-old dealt with a knee scare this postseason as well, but didn't miss any time. However, if this ends up being an oblique injury, it could easily knock him out for the remainder of the World Series, which would be a big loss for Toronto. We won't know Springer's status for Game 4 of the best-of-seven series on Tuesday until he undergoes some tests. Before leaving in the seventh, Springer went 0-for-3 at the plate with two strikeouts.
--Keith HernandezSource: Sportsnet - Shi Davidi
October 27, 2025
Boston Red Sox second baseman
Kristian Campbell will focus on adding weight and strength to his frame this offseason, according to Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic. Campbell won the second base job out of spring training, signed an eight-year, $60 million deal in April, and then won American League Rookie of the Month honors. However, he struggled over the next couple of months and was sent to Triple-A Worcester in June. The 23-year-old stayed there through the rest of the season. He hit .223 with a .664 OPS in 67 games with the BoSox, and while his numbers looked better on the farm, he still wasn't lifting the ball much. At 6-foot-3, 191 pounds, Campbell already has a wiry frame, but he lost weight during the season, which led to a noticeable dip in his exit velocity and hard-hit rates. Boston still believes in Campbell for the long term, but chief baseball officer
Craig Breslow didn't commit to a role for Campbell on the big-league roster to start the 2026 season.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Jen McCaffrey
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