RADIO
Garrett Whitlock Pitched Through Leg Fracture
Boston Red Sox right-handed reliever Garrett Whitlock (leg) dealt with leg pain throughout the final month of the season, and a fractured right tibia was found after he underwent imaging after the Red Sox were eliminated from the Wild-Card round against the division-rival New York Yankees, according to Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald. Whitlock is expected to avoid surgery on his leg, but he will spend around the next six weeks in a walking boot as his leg heals. Barring a setback this winter, Whitlock should be ready to roll for the start of spring training in 2027. The 30-year-old veteran has become a full-time starter over the last couple of years, and he was solid again for the BoSox in 2026 in his sixth year in the league. Whitlock recorded a career-best 1.72 ERA (2.11 FIP) with a 0.89 WHIP, four saves, 59 strikeouts, and nine walks in 52 1/3 innings pitched over his 54 appearances out of the bullpen in the regular season. He does not have high-end fantasy appeal as a reliever because of his lack of saves, but Whitlock has carved out plenty of value in leagues that count holds.
Source: Boston Herald - Gabrielle Starr
Source: Boston Herald - Gabrielle Starr
MLB Proposes Shortening Regular Season, Tweaking Playoffs
Major League Baseball proposed cutting the regular-season schedule from 162 games to 154 games on Thursday in a bargaining session with the MLB Players Association, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN. Higher seeds in the playoffs getting to choose their opponents and the Division Series expanding to seven games were also part of the league's proposal. MLB is proposing a return to a 154-game schedule, starting in 2029, for the first time since the 1960s. The existing collective bargaining agreement between MLB and the Players Association is set to expire on Dec. 1, and a potential lockout could be on the horizon in 2027, which could delay the start of the regular season. The new MLB proposals will be contingent on the MLBPA accepting a salary-cap/floor system. Essentially, the league would be trimming eight regular-season games from each team's schedule while adding up to eight more postseason games total.
Source: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
Source: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
Aaron Ashby Dominates in Bulk-Relief Appearance on Wednesday
Milwaukee Brewers left-hander Aaron Ashby picked up his first win of the postseason on Wednesday, pitching three scoreless innings out of the bullpen in his team's 3-1, series-clinching win over the San Diego Padres in Game 4 of the National League Division Series. Ashby entered the game in the fifth inning and took the Brewers through the seventh, allowing two walks but surrendering zero hits while striking out three. Ashby was extremely valuable as a bulk reliever for Milwaukee all season long, recording a 13-3 record with a 3.12 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 116 strikeouts, and four saves across 89 1/3 innings (75 games). Ashby's 10.7% walk rate was slightly elevated, but he posted excellent ground-ball (56.3%) and strikeout rates (30.3%). With the Brewers' playoff rotation looking a bit shaky behind top starters Jacob Misiorowski and Logan Henderson, Ashby should be expected to play a key role in the National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Bryan Baker Notches Third Postseason Save to Send Rays to ALCS
Tampa Bay Rays closer Bryan Baker shut the door in his team's 4-3 win over the New York Yankees in Game 3 of the American League Division Series on Wednesday, pitching a scoreless ninth inning with two strikeouts. Baker was a key part of Tampa Bay's three-game sweep of New York, logging saves in all three games while allowing just one baserunner to reach. The 31-year-old emerged as one of the best closers in baseball during the regular season, recording a 1.44 ERA and 0.91 WHIP with 63 strikeouts and 41 saves across 62 1/3 innings (65 games). Heading into the American League Championship Series, Baker's dominance at the end of games gives Tampa Bay a significant advantage if it can get an early lead on its opponents.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Edwin Diaz Notches Another Save to Send Dodgers to NLCS
Los Angeles Dodgers closer Edwin Diaz picked up his second save in as many nights on Wednesday, pitching a scoreless ninth inning with a strikeout in his team's 4-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves in Game 4 of the National League Division Series. Diaz missed most of the 2026 regular season due to elbow and neck injuries. However, he's been dominant since returning from the injured list in mid-September. Diaz allowed just two baserunners while notching nine strikeouts in his final five innings pitched of the regular season, and he's now logged low-stress saves in each of his first two appearances of the playoffs. With Diaz rounding into form, Los Angeles' bullpen looks like a major strength heading into the National League Championship Series.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Foster Griffin Strikes Out Seven in ALDS Game 3 Win on Wednesday
Cleveland Guardians left-hander Foster Griffin was dominant in a bulk relief appearance in his team's 9-3 win over the Chicago White Sox in Game 3 of the American League Division Series on Wednesday. Griffin followed Cleveland opener Daniel Espino and allowed two hits and one earned run while striking out seven across 2 2/3 innings of work. The 31-year-old was used exclusively as a starting pitcher during the regular season, posting a 15-6 record with a 3.60 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, and 158 strikeouts across 172 2/3 innings (31 starts) split between the Guardians and the Washington Nationals. However, Griffin struggled mightily late in the year, pitching to a 5.05 ERA in the second half and a 6.87 ERA across 18 1/3 innings in September. If Griffin can rediscover his early-season form in a bullpen role, he could help Cleveland mount a comeback in the ALDS.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Cade Smith Shuts the Door in ALDS Game 3 Victory on Wednesday
Cleveland Guardians right-hander Cade Smith was lights out to secure his team's 9-3 victory over the Chicago White Sox in Game 3 of the American League Division Series on Wednesday. Smith entered the game in the eighth inning and recorded the final six outs, logging five strikeouts without allowing a single baserunner. The 27-year-old was one of the best closers in baseball during the regular season, pitching to a 1.95 ERA and 0.96 WHIP with 107 strikeouts and 41 saves across 74 innings (69 games). Smith has been dominant so far in the Division Series as well, as he's yet to allow a hit or a walk in his four innings of work. If Cleveland is going to mount a comeback in the series, it will likely need Smith to continue his dominance.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Mason Miller Back From the Paternity List for Game 4
The San Diego Padres announced on Wednesday that they returned right-handed closer Mason Miller from the paternity list, taking the place on the National League Division Series roster of left-handed reliever Wandy Peralta. Miller blew a two-inning save in Game 2 of the series in Milwaukee against the Brewers and was then unavailable for the win in Game 3 at Petco Park on Tuesday night. It is great news for the Padres, who did not have left-handed high-leverage reliever Adrian Morejon on Tuesday due to a left-shoulder issue. The Padres had to go to Game 1 starter, right-hander Michael King, for the two-inning save with both Miller and Morejon unavailable. It is uncertain if Morejon will be able to pitch late in the game in another must-win contest on Wednesday in Game 4, but the Padres will at least have their stud closer back in the fold. The two-time All-Star was lights-out during the regular season, his first full season with the Friars, posting a 1.67 ERA (1.17 FIP), 0.900 WHIP, a career-high and league-high 38 saves, a career-high 129 strikeouts, and 26 walks in just 70 innings pitched. With their season on the line, expect manager Craig Stammen to be aggressive in his usage of Miller if Game 4 is close in the later innings, even though he showed command issues in the ninth on Sunday in Milwaukee.
Source: San Diego Padres
Source: San Diego Padres
Riley O'Brien Looking to Add Muscle After Fading Down the Stretch
St. Louis Cardinals right-handed closer Riley O'Brien was a first-time All-Star in 2026 in his first full season as the team's closer, and he ended the year tied with San Diego Padres closer Mason Miller for the National League lead in saves (38) with a 4.08 ERA across a career-high 64 innings pitched. O'Brien also set a career high in appearances (66) in his first full year as a big-leaguer. He did not allow an earned run in his first 13 appearances of the year and ended the first half with a 3.43 ERA and a 7.9% walk rate in 39 1/3 frames. O'Brien had 24 saves in his first 28 opportunities. But in 27 appearances after the All-Star break, O'Brien had a 5.11 ERA in 24 2/3 innings, and his walk rate rose to 14.4% while he went 14-for-18 in save chances. Three of his blown saves in the second half came in September, and five of his losing decisions came in his final 13 outings. The 31-year-old said he experienced "fatigue" in the closing days of the season and that his legs have "been feeling heavy compared to how they felt early in the year," according to Daniel Guerrero of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. As he tired, the velocity of O'Brien's pitches suffered. To be able to maintain velocity through the entire season, O'Brien said he plans to focus on putting on "as much muscle as I can."
Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch - Daniel Guerrero
Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch - Daniel Guerrero
Adrian Morejon Dealing With "Stickiness in his Shoulder"
San Diego Padres left-handed reliever Adrian Morejon (shoulder) was unavailable in Game 3 of the National League Division Series at Petco Park on Tuesday night against the Milwaukee Brewers due to "stickiness in his shoulder," manager Craig Stammen told AJ Cassavell of MLB.com. There is still a chance that Morejon will be available for Game 4 against the Brewers in San Diego on Wednesday night as the Friars attempt to force a Game 5 back in Milwaukee on Friday night. With Morejon unavailable and closer Mason Miller on the paternity list, the Padres' bullpen was very short on Tuesday night, but Game 1 starter Michael King came to the rescue and threw the final two innings for SD to pick up a save in the 4-3 victory. Morejon has already had two two-inning appearances in this postseason, once in the Wild-Card Series against the Chicago Cubs and again on Saturday against the Brewers in Game of the NLDS, when he allowed the game-winning home run to catcher William Contreras. The hard-throwing Cuban left-hander was one of the most effective late-inning setup men during the regular season, though, going 9-3 with a 2.83 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, three saves, and a career-high 107 strikeouts in just 86 innings out of the bullpen. With Miller unlikely to be back with the team on Wednesday, the Padres could really use Morejon's left arm on Wednesday evening.
Source: MLB.com - AJ Cassavell
Source: MLB.com - AJ Cassavell
Edwin Diaz Picks Up First Save of 2026 Postseason on Tuesday
Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Edwin Diaz notched his first save of the 2026 postseason on Tuesday, shutting the door in his team's 3-1 win over the Atlanta Braves in Game 3 of the National League Division Series. Diaz allowed a leadoff double to Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies but rallied to retire the next three batters he faced. The 2026 regular season was largely lost to injury for Diaz, who spent time on the injured list due to both elbow and neck issues. However, the 32-year-old closed the season strong after returning from the neck injury in mid-September, allowing just one hit and one walk while recording nine strikeouts across his final five innings (five games) of the year. If Diaz can rediscover his peak form in October, he could be an impact arm for the Dodgers at the end of games.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Mason Miller Placed on Paternity List Ahead of NLDS Game 3
San Diego Padres closer Mason Miller has been placed on the paternity list and will not be available for his team's matchup against the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 3 of the National League Division Series on Tuesday, per Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune. Miller blew a save opportunity in San Diego's Game 2 loss to the Brewers, allowing a walk-off, two-run single to Milwaukee outfielder Jackson Chourio. Still, the hard-throwing right-hander was one of the best relievers in baseball in the regular season. Across 70 innings (66 games), Miller pitched to a 1.67 ERA and 0.90 WHIP with 129 strikeouts and 38 saves. Without Miller, San Diego left-hander Adrian Morejon could be the next man up in the ninth inning for the Padres.
Source: The San Diego Union-Tribune - Kevin Acee
Source: The San Diego Union-Tribune - Kevin Acee
Bryan Baker Pitches Flawless Ninth For The Save
Tampa Bay Rays closer Bryan Baker pitched a perfect ninth inning to earn his second save of the postseason in the team's 5-2 win over the New York Yankees on Monday night. Baker came on with a three-run lead and quickly induced three ground balls to preserve the Rays second win of the series for a 2-0 ALDS lead. Baker did not strike out a batter, but left little to doubt after he gave up three ground balls to the right side of the infield. Baker also pitched a scoreless ninth in the Rays' 1-0 win in Game 1 on Saturday. In that game he struck out two Yankees batters. Baker turned in a dominant regular season with 41 saves and a 1.44 ERA and 0.91 WHIP. The right-hander looks to be a major weapon moving forward for the Rays in the postseason.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Sean Burke Turns In Elite Relief Outing
Chicago White Sox pitcher Sean Burke came out of the bullpen in Game 2 against the Cleveland Guardians and pitched masterfully as the team earned a 4-3 comeback win to go up 2-0 in the series. Burke came in after Anthony Kay and Sean Newcomb already pitched and calmed things down with 5 1/3 innings of work with one earned run on one hit and one walk with six strikeouts. Burke came out of the pen to throw 83 pitches and didn't give up a run until Grant Taylor allowed an inherited runner to score. Burke mixed his fastball with his offspeed pitches brilliantly and kept the Guardians' hitters off balance during his whole outing. The right-hander entered the game with the White Sox trailing and saw the team score three runs to take over the lead and take a commanding lead in the series.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Mason Miller Blows Save in Game 2 of National League Division Series
San Diego Padres closer Mason Miller had a rare off outing in his team's 4-3 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 2 of the National League Division Series on Sunday. The 28-year-old was asked to get a six-out save and came up just short, allowing a hit, three walks, and two earned runs across 1 2/3 innings. Miller cruised through the eighth inning, but he walked three of the first four batters he faced in the ninth before allowing the game-winning two-run single to Brewers outfielder Jackson Chourio. Miller was arguably the best relief pitcher in baseball this season, recording a 1.67 ERA and 0.90 WHIP with 129 strikeouts and 38 saves across 70 innings (66 games). However, the flame-throwing right-hander looked more mortal in the second half of the season, recording a 2.67 ERA with a 10.6% walk rate after the All-Star break. If San Diego is going to come back from down two games to zero against Milwaukee, it will need Miller to bounce back.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
