October 11, 2025
Seattle Mariners starting pitcher
Bryce Miller has been named the Game 1 starter for the ALCS against the Toronto Blue Jays. The team has made it official that Miller will take the ball for the first game of the series on Sunday. Miller tossed 4.1 innings on Wednesday, so he'll be pitching on short rest. The right-hander did only throw 44 pitches during his latest outing, but figures to still have an abbreviated start. It's unclear who will follow Miller, but he'll at least get the first chance at it during Sunday's contest.
--Andy WebbSource: Seattle Mariners
October 11, 2025
Milwaukee Brewers right-handed relief pitcher
Trevor Megill has been named the opener for Saturday's Game 5 of the National League Division Series against the division-rival Chicago Cubs. It appears Megill will start in what will be a bullpen game for the Brewers in this elimination contest. The All-Star closer missed time down the stretch, but he has recorded some big outs for the Brewers in this series. It's unclear who is going to follow Megill, but the right-hander will likely only pitch the first inning.
--Andy WebbSource: Adam McCalvy
October 11, 2025
Chicago Cubs relief pitcher
Drew Pomeranz has been named the opener for Saturday's Game 5 of the NLDS versus the Milwaukee Brewers. It looks like the Cubs are using a bullpen game in this elimination contest. The veteran left-hander has been solid for the Cubs both in the regular season and postseason. So far, Pomeranz has allowed only one run across five innings this postseason. It's unclear who will follow Pomeranz, but the veteran southpaw figures to only pitch the opening frame.
--Andy WebbSource: Maddie Lee
October 11, 2025
Los Angeles Dodgers infielder
Miguel Rojas said that he plans to retire after the 2026 season, per Doug McKain of Dodgers Nation. Rojas also said he is hoping to finish his career with one more season of playing for the Dodgers. The 36-year-old slashed .262/.318/.397 with seven home runs, 27 RBI, 35 runs scored, and five stolen bases across 317 plate appearances this season for Los Angeles. He's been a useful utility infielder off the bench for the Dodgers since 2023, but is currently playing out his final season under contract with the team. Given Rojas' solid production for a bench player and his defensive versatility, it seems likely he'll find a home for the 2026 season.
--Will BradySource: Dodgers Nation - Doug McKain
October 11, 2025
Detroit Tigers right-hander
Kyle Finnegan said he "loved every second of his time" in Detroit and hopes "the feeling is mutual," per Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic. The Tigers acquired Finnegan from the Washington Nationals in a mid-season deal. In 18 innings (16 games) for Detroit, the 24-year-old pitched to a 1.50 ERA and 0.72 WHIP with 23 strikeouts and four saves. Finnegan's season-long numbers are not as impressive, as he recorded a 3.47 ERA and 1.11 WHIP across 57 combined innings with the Nationals and Tigers. Still, he will enter free agency as an experienced closer who has logged 112 saves since the start of the 2021 season.
--Will BradySource: The Athletic - Cody Stavenhagen
October 11, 2025
Toronto Blue Jays veteran starting pitcher
Kevin Gausman is listed as the team's starting pitcher for Game 1 of the American League Championship Series, according to Shi Davidi of Sportsnet. Gausman and the Blue Jays will take on the Seattle Mariners starting on Sunday. The 34-year-old went 10-11 with a 3.59 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, and 189 strikeouts in 193 innings (32 starts) for Toronto this season. He was excellent in one appearance in the ALDS against the New York Yankees, pitching 5 2/3 innings of one-run ball and recording the victory. In his lone start against Seattle this season, Gausman earned a win by pitching 5 1/3 innings and allowing seven hits and three earned runs while walking none and striking out three.
--Will BradySource: Sportsnet - Shi Davidi
October 11, 2025
Detroit Tigers second baseman
Gleyber Torres (hernia) is planning to undergo sports-hernia surgery now that his team's season has come to a close, per Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic. Torres reportedly said he had been playing through the injury for the past month. The 28-year-old is entering free agency this winter after posting a .256/.358/.387 slash line with 16 home runs, 74 RBI, 79 runs, and four stolen bases across 628 plate appearances this season for Detroit. He hit just .209/.317/.314 over his final 101 plate appearances of the regular season, so this injury was likely impacting his performance. Sports hernia surgeries do not usually require an extended recovery timeline, so Torres should be ready to go by the time 2026 Spring Training rolls around.
--Will BradySource: The Athletic - Cody Stavenhagen
October 11, 2025
Seattle Mariners President of Baseball Operations Jerry Dipoto said that starting pitcher
Bryan Woo (pectoral) is expected to be part of the team's roster for the American League Championship Series, according to Adam Jude of The Seattle Times. Woo has not pitched since September 19 due to pectoral tightness. The 25-year-old was arguably Seattle's best pitcher during the regular season, posting a 15-7 record with a 2.94 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, and 198 strikeouts in 186 2/3 innings (30 starts). Dipoto said that Woo will not pitch until "midway through the series," so it remains unclear who will take the ball for Seattle in Game 1 against the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday. Seattle used three of its regular starters in
George Kirby,
Logan Gilbert, and
Luis Castillo to close out the ALDS on Friday night.
--Will BradySource: The Seattle Times - Adam Jude
October 10, 2025
The Boston Red Sox announced that catcher
Carlos Narvaez (knee) underwent a successful left-knee meniscectomy on Wednesday, according to Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald. The procedure was performed by Dr. Eric Berkson at Mass General Brigham Healthcare Center. Fellow backstop
Connor Wong also had hand surgery this week, but both catchers are expected to be fine for the start of spring training in mid-February of next year. Narvaez played through a meniscus injury in his knee for much of the second half of the season, which probably helps explain why he hit just .187 (28-for-150) with 44 strikeouts and only eight walks in 45 games after the All-Star break. Still, the Venezuelan was much more productive than Connor Wong and stole the starting gig from him early on in 2025. Narvaez had 15 long balls and 50 RBI in 118 games and is set to enter spring training as Boston's starting catcher in 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: Boston Herald - Mac Cerullo
October 10, 2025
The Boston Red Sox announced that catcher
Connor Wong (hand) had successful right-hand carpal-boss excision on Thursday, according to Christopher Smith of Mass Live. The procedure was performed by Dr. Matthew Leibman at Mass General Brigham Hospital. The surgery was considered more of a minor procedure, so Wong should be ready to report to spring training in mid-February of 2026. The 29-year-old backstop broke out in 2024 with a .280 average (125-for-447) with a career-best 13 home runs, 52 RBI, 54 runs, and eight stolen bases. Injuries didn't help him in 2025, though, and he quickly lost the starting gig in Beantown to
Carlos Narvaez and finished with an ugly .190/.262/.238 slash line, no home runs, seven RBI, 16 runs, and two steals in just 63 games. Wong will enter spring training next year as the backup to Narvaez.
--Keith HernandezSource: Mass Live - Christopher Smith
October 10, 2025
The Baltimore Orioles are saying that right-hander
Albert Suarez (forearm) suffered a mild forearm flexor strain during his last appearance of the season on Sept. 14, according to Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Banner. Suarez has continued his rehab into the winter, and the Orioles expect him to begin a throwing progression in the coming weeks. It was an injury-plagued year for the 36-year-old veteran Venezuelan hurler, as he only threw 11 2/3 innings for Baltimore. In his five outings (one start), Suarez was 2-0 with a 2.31 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, and 10 strikeouts. He missed most of the season with a right-shoulder injury. In his two seasons with the O's, Suarez has a combined 11-7 record, 3.59 ERA (4.07 FIP), a 1.27 WHIP, and a 118:45 K:BB in 145 1/3 innings over 37 outings (25 starts). It sounds like Suarez has a chance to be ready for spring training to give Baltimore flexibility between the rotation and bullpen.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Baltimore Banner - Andy Kostka
October 10, 2025
The Los Angeles Angels interviewed legendary slugger
Albert Pujols for their managerial job on Thursday, Sam Blum and Katie Woo of The Athletic report. While a deal isn't imminent, the meeting went well enough that the job is considered Pujols' if he wants it. Otherwise, the Angels could pivot to another of their former players, Torii Hunter, who's now a special assistant to general manager Perry Minasian. Pujols spent the first 11 seasons of his career with the St. Louis Cardinals before signing a 10-year, $240 million contract with the Angels ahead of the 2012 campaign. While Pujols' production dropped off with the Angels, who designated him for assignment in 2021, he still finished his career with 703 home runs (good for fourth all-time). The 45-year-old has been a special assistant with the Angels since 2023. Although Pujols doesn't have any managerial experience in the majors or minors, he guided Leones Del Escogido to a Dominican Winter League championship last year. If he succeeds the departed Ron Washington as the Angels' manager, he'll be taking over a team that went 72-90 in 2025 and owns a league-worst 11-year playoff drought. Pujols was the Angels' primary first baseman during their most recent playoff season in 2014.
--Connor ByrneSource: Sam Blum, Katie Woo - The Athletic
October 10, 2025
New York Yankees first baseman and soon-to-be free agent
Paul Goldschmidt plans to continue his career in 2026, Jon Heyman of the New York Post relays. "I love playing," the 38-year-old said after the Toronto Blue Jays eliminated the Yankees from the playoffs on Wednesday. A former Arizona Diamondback and St. Louis Cardinal, Goldschmidt signed a one-year, $12.5 million contract with the Yankees last winter and went on to hit a modest .274/.328/.403 with 10 homers, 45 RBI, 76 runs scored, and five stolen bases in 146 games and 534 plate appearances. While his MVP-caliber days are long behind him, the seven-time All-Star remains a force against left-handed pitchers (he slashed .336/.411/.570 versus southpaws in 2025), a steady defender, and a respected clubhouse presence. With that in mind, Goldschmidt figures to land another major league contract in the coming months.
--Connor ByrneSource: Jon Heyman - New York Post
October 10, 2025
New York Yankees outfielder
Cody Bellinger plans to opt out of the final season of his contract and become a free agent, Jorge Castillo of ESPN.com reports. With a $25 million player option and a $5 million buyout, Bellinger will leave $20 million on the table if he chooses to reach free agency. However, he shouldn't have trouble landing a lucrative multiyear contract on the heels of a bounce-back season in 2025. Acquired from the Chicago Cubs in a salary-dumping trade last offseason, Bellinger's terrific all-around contributions helped the Yankees earn a playoff berth. Over 152 games and 656 plate appearances, Bellinger slashed .272/.334/.480 with 29 homers, 98 RBI, 89 runs scored, and 13 stolen bases. In the field, the 30-year-old former MVP combined for seven Outs Above Average and eight Defensive Runs Saved at all three outfield positions and first base.
--Connor ByrneSource: Jorge Castillo - ESPN
October 10, 2025
The Yakult Swallows of Nippon Professional Baseball will post Japanese corner infielder Munetaka Murakami this winter, making him available to all 30 major league teams, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports. Once Murakami is posted, he'll have 45 days to negotiate with MLB clubs. At 25 years old and with more than six seasons of professional experience, Murakami will not face any restrictions on earning power. Boston Red Sox outfielder
Masataka Yoshida's five-year, $90 million contract stands as the richest deal ever given to a Japanese position player. Murakami may have a chance to surpass him. A career .270/.394/.557 hitter with 246 home runs in eight NPB seasons, Murakami has won two Central League MVPs and earned four All-Star nods. Injuries limited Murakami to 56 games in 2025, but he still slashed a power-packed .273/.379/.663 with 22 HRs in 224 plate appearances.
--Connor ByrneSource: Mark Feinsand - MLB.com
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