October 19, 2025
Toronto Blue Jays star outfielder
George Springer (knee) is in the lineup as the designated hitter Sunday night for Game 6 against the Seattle Mariners. Springer was hit squarely on the kneecap by a 96 mph fastball from
Bryan Woo in Friday's loss and was questionable to play. X-rays came back negative, and it became a matter of mobility and strength to determine his availability. The Blue Jays are relieved to have their veteran leadoff hitter back for a must-win contest as they look to take two at home and advance to the World Series against the Dodgers. Springer has been a key contributor this postseason, slashing .256/.318/.615 with three home runs in nine games.
--Julian BrookeSource: MLB.com
October 18, 2025
The Los Angeles Dodgers are reportedly ready to spend big this offseason. According to Jon Heyman, the Dodgers are expected to pursue outfielder
Kyle Tucker this offseason. This should come as no surprise given the Dodgers pursuit of elite talent over the last few years. The Dodgers consider the outfield an area of need and Tucker is expected to be the best outfielder available on the market. He slashed .266/.376/.464 with 22 home runs, 73 RBI, and 25 stolen bases in 134 games with the Chicago Cubs this past season. His numbers did take a dip in the second half, but Tucker still figures to get an enormous contract this winter. This deal would make sense for both sides, but we'll see who else goes after Tucker this offseason.
--Andy WebbSource: New York Post
October 18, 2025
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder
George Springer (knee) was forced to make an early exit from Friday's Game 5 after getting hit by a pitch. He was pulled from the contest after taking a fastball off the knee in the seventh inning. Springer underwent testing that came back negative for any structural damage. Jays' manager John Schneider told reporters on Saturday that Springer is feeling much improved. All signs are pointing towards Springer being available for Sunday's Game 2 against the Seattle Mariners. The team will likely wait until closer to first pitch before making a final decision.
--Andy WebbSource: Mitch Bannon
October 18, 2025
The San Francisco Giants are reportedly nearing a deal that would make Tony Vitello the next manager of the team. The Giants parted ways with veteran manager Bob Melvin after a frustrating conclusion to their 2025 campaign. In an odd turn of events, the Giants are close to hiring Tennessee Volunteers head coach as their new manager. It's extremely rare for someone to go from college straight to managing a professional team without any prior experience. Vitello does have plenty of success at Tennessee, including a National Championship in 2024. He has done an excellent job of turning around that program since he took over in 2017. This would certainly give the Giants dugout a new voice and maybe one that they need in 2026.
--Andy WebbSource: New York Times
October 18, 2025
Seattle Mariners starting pitcher
Logan Gilbert has been named the starting pitcher ahead of Game 6 of the ALCS against the Toronto Blue Jays. As expected, Gilbert will get the ball as he attempts to get his team to the World Series for the first time in franchise history. Gilbert gave up three runs (two earned) across three innings of work during Monday's Game 2. The right-hander holds a 2.45 ERA, 1.27 WHIP with 11 strikeouts in 11 innings this postseason. He only threw 58 pitches during his last outing, so he should be fairly fresh for this contest.
--Andy WebbSource: Ryan Divish
October 18, 2025
Cincinnati Reds shortstop
Elly De La Cruz won't be moving positions for the upcoming 2026 season. There was speculation that the Reds would shift De La Cruz elsewhere after leading the league in errors. The thought was that the Reds would move De La Cruz into the outfield much like the Pittsburgh Pirates did with
Oneil Cruz due to his defensive skills. The Reds also have shortstop prospect
Edwin Arroyo waiting in the wings, so moving De La Cruz does make sense on paper. For now, the Reds are keeping De La Cruz at shortstop, but they might have to make a tough decision once Arroyo is ready for the big league level.
--Andy WebbSource: mlb.com
October 18, 2025
Detroit Tigers pitcher
Troy Melton is expected to move into the starting rotation next season. Tigers president of baseball operations and manager A.J. Hinch said at the end of the regular season press conference that Melton would be moved into the rotation next season. Melton posted a 2.76 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, and a 36/15 K/BB ratio across 16 games (four starts) with the Tigers this past season. He was a full-time starter in the minors before joining the big league roster. The 24-year-old should be able to make a smooth transition into the rotation in 2026.
--Andy WebbSource: Detroit Free Press
October 18, 2025
Philadelphia Phillies infielder/outfielder
Otto Kemp (knee, shoulder) will undergo two surgeries this offseason. Kemp will have one to repair his left kneecap, and the other to clean out his left shoulder. The 26-year-old played through the knee injury for a few months after suffering the injury in the middle of June. It's unclear when he suffered the shoulder injury, but now he'll get both of the issues resolved. It's unknown if Kemp is going to be ready in time for spring training. His availability isn't a big issue for the Phillies, as Kemp is viewed as more of a depth piece in both the infield and outfield. Kemp slashed .234/.298/.411 with eight home runs and 28 RBI in 62 games with the Phillies in 2025.
--Andy WebbSource: New York Times
October 18, 2025
Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher
Freddy Peralta is expected to be on the trading block this offseason. The Brewers will undoubtedly exercise Peralta's $8 million club option for the 2026 season. That is an extremely cheap deal considering what Peralta has given to the Brewers the last few years. Peralta is set to become a free agent after the 2026 season. That being said, the Brewers could move on from Peralta while they can still get something in return. The Brewers do have a few young controllable starters in
Jacob Misiorowski,
Chad Patrick, and
Quinn Priester. Given the Brewers lack of spending in recent years, Peralta could be on the move with an extension seeming unlikely at the moment. The Brewers haven't been shy about moving on from big name players such as
Corbin Burnes,
Willy Adames, and
Devin Williams. Peralta could be the next big name player leaving Milwaukee.
--Andy WebbSource: New York Times
October 18, 2025
San Diego Padres catcher
Martin Maldonado has decided to retire from baseball. Maldonado has decided to call it a career after playing 15 years in the big leagues. He began his career with the Milwaukee Brewers and played six seasons there. After that, Maldonado jumped around to a number of teams. He won a World Series with the Houston Astros in 2022. The 39-year-old was known for his defensive ability, including winning a Gold Glove in 2017. He struggled as a hitter, slashing .203/.277/.343 with 119 home runs and 384 RBI during his big league career. It wasn't a great career, but lasting 15 years in the MLB is a big accomplishment for anyone.
--Andy WebbSource: Chandler Rome
October 18, 2025
Detroit Tigers starting pitcher
Tarik Skubal could reportedly be on the trade block this offseason. According to Jon Heyman, Skubal and the Tigers are $250 million apart in long-term extension talks. That being said, the Tigers might be willing to move Skubal if the two sides can't agree on a deal. If he's available, the New York Mets are reportedly interested in acquiring Skubal. The Mets have a good young core of pitchers, but certainly need a frontline ace. Skubal would be a great fit in most organizations, but does make sense for the Mets. The 28-year-old isn't set to become a free agent until next offseason. This is a situation to monitor throughout the winter.
--Andy WebbSource: Will Sammon
October 17, 2025
The Philadelphia Phillies aren't convinced that outfield prospect
Justin Crawford can play an average big-league center field, and many rival evaluators agree that he is better in left field, according to Matt Gelb of The Athletic. There is more long-term upside from Crawford, but he could rate below
Brandon Marsh in center field right now. Crawford's offensive skill set is tailored for center field, so Gelb suggests the Phillies "might have to close their eyes and let it happen." If the 21-year-old can handle center, it would allow the team to use Marsh in the strong side of a platoon in either left or right field. Crawford is listed as the Phils' No. 3 prospect at MLB Pipeline, and he's in line to make his major-league debut in 2026 after slashing a strong .334/.411/.452 with seven home runs and 46 stolen bases at Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Crawford could be a part-time corner outfielder at first, but there's time for him to develop better defensive skills to fit center.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Matt Gelb
October 17, 2025
The St. Louis Cardinals announced on Friday that outfielder
Lars Nootbaar (heels) underwent surgery on both of his heels on Oct. 7 to shave down Haglund's deformities, according to John Denton of MLB.com. It's unclear if Nootbaar's surgeries will put his status for spring training or the start of the 2026 regular season in jeopardy at this time. The 28-year-old outfielder managed to play in a career-high 135 games for the Red Birds in 2025 in his fifth year in the majors, but his counting stats didn't take a step forward. In 583 plate appearances, the left-handed-hitting outfielder slashed a mediocre .234/.325/.361 with a career-low .686 OPS, 13 home runs, a career-high 48 RBI, 68 runs scored, and just four stolen bases. The oft-injured 28-year-old is unlikely to take the next step offensively unless he starts making better quality of contact and hitting the ball in the air more.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - John Denton
October 17, 2025
The St. Louis Cardinals announced on Friday that second baseman
Brendan Donovan (hernia) underwent sports hernia surgery on Oct. 7, according to John Denton of MLB.com. Donovan was shut down towards the tail end of the regular season in September due to a hernia that he dealt with during the second half. The 28-year-old should be recovered well in time to be ready for the start of spring training in February, though. While Donovan is a much better real-life asset than a fantasy one because of his limited power and speed, it doesn't take away from the fact that he was one of the team's most consistent contributors in 2025 while playing multiple positions on the diamond. Donovan, a former seventh-rounder in 2018 out of South Alabama, was a first-time All-Star in his fourth MLB season and slashed a healthy .287/.353/.422 with 10 home runs, 50 RBI, 64 runs scored, and three steals in 118 games played.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - John Denton
October 17, 2025
Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter
George Springer (knee) took a 95.6 mph fastball from Seattle Mariners right-hander
Bryan Woo off his right kneecap in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series on Friday night and was forced to exit early, according to Shi Davidi of Sportsnet. Springer tried to stay in the game but limped badly to first base and was replaced by outfielder
Joey Loperfido. The 36-year-old leadoff man went 1-for-3 with a double, RBI, and a strikeout in the 6-2 loss before departing. He will likely go for X-rays to rule out a serious injury, and we'll update you on the results of his tests. The good news for Springer and the Blue Jays is that they will have a day off on Saturday before the best-of-seven series heads back to Toronto on Sunday. Losing Springer for the rest of the series would be a huge blow to a team that is already without star shortstop
Bo Bichette (knee).
UPDATE: X-rays came back negative on Springer's knee.--Keith HernandezSource: Sportsnet - Shi Davidi
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