November 2, 2025
Los Angeles Dodgers veteran middle infielder
Miguel Rojas (rib) said he felt a sharp pain in his rib area while celebrating the Game 6 win of the World Series over the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday night and was unsure if he'd be available to play in Game 7 on Saturday, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN. The 36-year-old Venezuelan took several rounds of pain-killing injections and got the start again in the deciding Game 7, going 2-for-5 with the game-tying solo home run in the top of the ninth inning in the eventual 5-4 win in 11 innings to help the Dodgers win back-to-back world championships. Rojas, who had hit just 57 home runs in 4,159 career plate appearances going into the ninth inning, ended up being an unlikely hero for the Dodgers. He spent most of the regular season and playoffs as a utility infielder, hitting .262 with only seven home runs and 27 RBI in 114 games. Rojas will be an unrestricted free agent this winter.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
November 2, 2025
Although nothing is 100% decided, Toronto Blue Jays veteran right-hander
Max Scherzer said he currently has no plans to retire this offseason, according to Jesse Rogers of ESPN. "The only thing I can say is it's going to take some time to give a full answer to that, but there is no way that was my last pitch," Scherzer said after Toronto lost Game 7 of the World Series on Saturday night to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The 41-year-old three-time Cy Young winner and future Hall of Famer put the Blue Jays in a good position for the win in Game 7, allowing only an earned run with a walk and three strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings in a no-decision. In his three playoff starts, Scherzer gave up six earned runs on 12 hits (three homers) while walking six and fanning 11 in 14 1/3 innings. The veteran bulldog is a pretty big injury risk in fantasy -- he made only 17 regular-season starts in 2025 -- and had an ERA above 5.00 for the first time in his career.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN Chicago - Jesse Rogers
November 2, 2025
As expected, San Diego Padres right-hander
Michael King declined his side of a $15 million mutual option for the 2026 season on Sunday, according to Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune. King will now become a free agent this offseason. The 30-year-old veteran finished the 2024 season as the Padres' most dominant starter, but he was unable to capture that magic in his second year with the team in 2025, mainly due to injuries. He only ended up making 15 starts in the regular season and posted a 3.44 ERA (4.42 FIP), 1.20 WHIP, 76 strikeouts, and 26 walks in 73 1/3 innings pitched. King now seeks a multi-year contract on the open market, and he's unlikely to return to San Diego in 2026. When healthy, he was a strong fantasy asset the last two years in SD, compiling an 18-12 record, 3.10 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and 277:89 K:BB in 247 frames over 46 outings (45 starts).
--Keith HernandezSource: The San Diego Union-Tribune - Kevin Acee
November 2, 2025
Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander
Yoshinobu Yamamoto was named the 2025 World Series MVP on Saturday night after the Dodgers beat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 in 11 innings at the Rogers Centre to win back-to-back championships. After going six innings for his second win of the World Series on Friday night in Game 6, Yamamoto tossed 2 2/3 scoreless innings of relief on zero days of rest on Saturday to cap off an amazing performance in the Fall Classic. In his first start of the series, Yamamoto threw a complete game, his second straight of the postseason. The 27-year-old Japanese hurler threw 17 2/3 innings over three appearances in a week to win MVP honors for the Blue. He went 3-0 against Toronto with a 1.02 ERA and became just the 14th pitcher in history to record three wins in a single World Series, and the first since Randy Johnson did it for the Diamondbacks in 2001.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Anthony Castrovince
November 2, 2025
The Athletic's Fabian Ardaya reported before the Los Angeles Dodgers' Game 7 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday to win back-to-back World Series championships that right-hander
Tyler Glasnow (side) had been dealing with discomfort in his side, according to FOX Sports' Tom Verducci. Despite starting Game 3 and closing out Friday's Game 6 win, the hard-throwing right-hander appeared in Game 7 on Saturday in relief and threw 2 1/3 frames, allowing an earned run on three hits while walking none and striking out two. It was the first time that the 32-year-old had ever pitched on back-to-back days in his professional career. In addition to Glasnow, the Dodgers used starters
Shohei Ohtani,
Blake Snell, and
Yoshinobu Yamamoto in the 5-4, 11-inning victory at Rogers Centre. In his 21 1/3 innings pitched (three starts) during this year's postseason, Glasnow gave up six runs (four earned) on 15 hits with 11 walks, 25 strikeouts, a hold, and a save.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Fabian Ardaya
November 1, 2025
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher
Yoshinobu Yamamoto has volunteered to pitch out of the bullpen in Game 7 of the World Series on Saturday night. The 27-year-old is ready to go after throwing nearly 100 pitches during his start on Friday. He reportedly played catch on Saturday and is available if needed out of the bullpen. If he does pitch, Yamamoto is likely on a short leash considering he pitched deep into Friday's game. It appears it'll be an all hands-on-deck type of situation for Game 7 against the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday.
--Andy WebbSource: Bob Nightengale
November 1, 2025
Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder
Andy Pages is out of the starting lineup ahead of Game 7 of the World Series versus the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday. Pages will be out of the lineup for the third straight game. He has struggled with the bat going 4-for-20 at the plate during the postseason. The Dodgers need their best players in the lineup for this series deciding contest. That being said,
Tommy Edman will take over in center field while
Miguel Rojas plays second base against right-hander
Max Scherzer on Saturday.
--Andy WebbSource: mlb.com
November 1, 2025
Toronto Blue Jays catcher
Alejandro Kirk (hand) is in the starting lineup ahead of Game 7 of the World Series versus the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday. Kirk made an early exit on Friday after getting hit by a pitch on his left hand. Luckily, the X-rays came back negative, and Kirk appears to have avoided any significant injuries. It's going to take more than that to hold Kirk out of this series-deciding matchup. He's slashing .265/.361/.482 with five home runs and 13 RBI during the postseason. Kirk will be behind the plate and bat sixth versus right-hander
Shohei Ohtani on Saturday.
--Andy WebbSource: mlb.com
November 1, 2025
Despite still dealing with lower-back issues, Colorado Rockies outfielder/first baseman
Kris Bryant (back) said he's not considering retirement this offseason, according to Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post. "I wish I had better things to tell you," Bryant said. "It's not in the best shape, and that's pretty disheartening for me. It's exhausting for me waking up and hoping to feel (better). I can't tell you the last time I woke up feeling I'm in a good spot." The 33-year-old former MVP and four-time All-Star hasn't played in over 80 games in any of his four seasons in Colorado, and he is still under contract for three more years, with the Rockies owing him $81 million. Bryant has been doing Pilates three times a week, hoping it will alleviate the pain in his back. He turns 34 on Jan. 4 and has been diagnosed with lumbar degenerative disc disease, which means he's fighting an uphill battle to be a productive baseball player again, especially at his age.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Denver Post - Patrick Saunders
November 1, 2025
New York Yankees right-hander
Gerrit Cole (elbow) threw off a bullpen mound at Yankee Stadium on Saturday, according to Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News. The previously stated plan is for Cole to "de-load" after a few weeks before meeting with Dr. Neal ElAttrache this offseason. Manager Aaron Boone said he's hoping to see Cole "face live hitters during camp." The 35-year-old former Cy Young winner and six-time All-Star is making progress from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow, but he's not expected to be ready for the start of the 2026 regular season. The good news, though, is that Cole isn't expected to be out long early in the season before making his debut. Fantasy managers are going to have questions as to whether Cole can regain his pre-injury form at his age after making only 17 starts in 2024 and not pitching at all in 2025.
--Keith HernandezSource: New York Daily News - Gary Phillips
November 1, 2025
Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star
Shohei Ohtani will start on the mound in Game 7 of the World Series on Saturday at the Rogers Centre against the hosting Toronto Blue Jays, the team announced. Ohtani will be pitching on short rest in the winner-take-all game. The Japanese superstar started the Game 4 loss in Los Angeles, going six innings and giving up four earned runs on six hits (one homer) while walking one and striking out six. In Ohtani's first three career postseason starts this year as a starting pitcher, he's allowed seven earned runs on 11 hits (one homer) while walking five and fanning 25 in 18 innings pitched. He's gone exactly six innings in each of his three starts versus the Phillies, Brewers, and Blue Jays, although he's likely to come short of that on Saturday on Saturday as the Dodgers look to piece things together as they go for back-to-back World Series championships.
--Keith HernandezSource: Los Angeles Dodgers
November 1, 2025
The Pittsburgh Pirates claimed right-hander
Dugan Darnell (hip) off waivers from the Colorado Rockies on Friday and placed him on the 60-day injured list, according to Alex Stumpf of MLB.com. Darnell made his major-league debut in Colorado in 2025 and pitched to a 3.86 ERA and 1.46 WHIP with seven walks and five strikeouts in just 11 2/3 innings out of the bullpen for the Rockies. The 28-year-old had a 3.19 ERA in 53 2/3 innings at Triple-A Albuquerque. Darnell mixes in a four-seam fastball that averaged 93.7 mph this year and also uses a slider and splitter. His 2025 season was cut short by a torn labrum in his left hip in late August. It's unclear if Darnell will be ready for spring training in mid-February, but when he's healthy, he'll be competing for a middle-relief role in Pittsburgh.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Alex Stumpf
November 1, 2025
Updating a previous report, X-rays on Toronto Blue Jays catcher
Alejandro Kirk's left hand came back negative and "showed no fractures," according to Shi Davidi of Sportsnet. Kirk will be ready to play in the deciding Game 7 of the World Series on Saturday night at the Rogers Centre against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The 26-year-old Mexican backstop was lifted for a pinch-runner in the top of the ninth inning in the Game 6 loss on Friday night after he was hit by a pitch from right-hander
Roki Sasaki, but he avoided any fractures in his hand and should start in Game 7. It's great news for the Blue Jays as they seek their first World Series championship in over 30 years, as Kirk has gone 6-for-21 (.286) with two home runs and six RBI in six games during the Fall Classic. He has five long balls and 13 RBI in 17 total postseason games this year.
--Keith HernandezSource: Sportsnet - Shi Davidi
November 1, 2025
MLB.com's Keegan Matheson reports that Toronto Blue Jays catcher
Alejandro Kirk (hand) will head for X-rays on his left hand after he was hit by a pitch on Friday night in the Game 6 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The good news is that the X-rays sound precautionary, according to manager John Schneider. Kirk was hit by Dodgers right-hander
Roki Sasaki in the bottom of the ninth inning and was lifted for a pinch-runner. The pitch didn't appear to hit him squarely in the hand, but the Blue Jays want to make sure the starting catcher doesn't have a fracture in his hand. If Kirk is unable to play in Game 7 of the World Series on Saturday night,
Tyler Heineman would get the nod behind the dish. Kirk has been a big part of Toronto's postseason success this year, hitting .242 (16-for-66) with five homers and 13 RBI, and he's gone 6-for-21 with two homers and six RBI in the Fall Classic.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Keegan Matheson
October 31, 2025
The Cincinnati Reds outrighted infielder
Santiago Espinal off their 40-man roster and to Triple-A Louisville on Friday, according to Charlie Goldsmith. Espinal will now have the option to elect free agency this offseason and sign with any team. The 30-year-old Dominican played in 114 games in 2025 in his second year with the Reds and went 73-for-301 (.243) with no home runs, 16 RBI, 25 runs scored, and two stolen bases in 328 plate appearances. It was a pretty disappointing showing for Espinal, who was an All-Star with the Toronto Blue Jays back in 2022, when he hit .267/.322/.370 with seven homers and 51 RBI in a career-high 135 games played. For fantasy purposes, Espinal isn't much to look at as a utility infielder without much power. It remains to be seen where he'll be hanging his hat in 2026, but at best, Espinal will be a utility bench option in deeper fantasy leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: Charlie Goldsmith
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