Kyle Finnegan Hoping to Return to Detroit in 2026?
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.
Source: The Athletic - Cody Stavenhagen
Detroit Tigers right-hander Source: The Athletic - Cody Stavenhagen
Kevin Gausman Listed as Blue Jays' ALCS Game 1 Starter
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.
Source: Sportsnet - Shi Davidi
Toronto Blue Jays veteran starting pitcher Source: Sportsnet - Shi Davidi
Gleyber Torres Will Undergo Surgery to Repair Sports Hernia
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.
Source: The Athletic - Cody Stavenhagen
Detroit Tigers second baseman Source: The Athletic - Cody Stavenhagen
Bryan Woo Expected to be on Mariners' ALCS Roster
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.
Source: The Seattle Times - Adam Jude
Seattle Mariners President of Baseball Operations Jerry Dipoto said that starting pitcher Source: The Seattle Times - Adam Jude
Carlos Narvaez Undergoes Knee Surgery
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.
Source: Boston Herald - Mac Cerullo
The Boston Red Sox announced that catcher Source: Boston Herald - Mac Cerullo
Connor Wong Undergoes Hand Surgery
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.
Source: Mass Live - Christopher Smith
The Boston Red Sox announced that catcher Source: Mass Live - Christopher Smith
Albert Suarez Diagnosed With Mild Flexor Strain
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.
Source: The Baltimore Banner - Andy Kostka
The Baltimore Orioles are saying that right-hander Source: The Baltimore Banner - Andy Kostka
Albert Pujols the Front-Runner for Angels Managerial Job?
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.
Source: Sam Blum, Katie Woo - The Athletic
The Los Angeles Angels interviewed legendary slugger Source: Sam Blum, Katie Woo - The Athletic
Paul Goldschmidt Plans to Play Next Year
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.
Source: Jon Heyman - New York Post
New York Yankees first baseman and soon-to-be free agent Source: Jon Heyman - New York Post
Cody Bellinger Plans to Opt Out of Contract
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.
Source: Jorge Castillo - ESPN
New York Yankees outfielder Source: Jorge Castillo - ESPN
Munetaka Murakami Will be Posted This Winter
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.
Source: Mark Feinsand - MLB.com
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 Source: Mark Feinsand - MLB.com
Bryan Woo Throws Bullpen Session
Bryan Woo (pectoral) threw an up-down bullpen session of around 30 pitches on Friday, Adam Jude of the Seattle Times reports. The AL West-winning Mariners have gone without Woo since he left what turned out to be his final regular-season start on Sept. 19 with pectoral tightness. If the Mariners defeat the Detroit Tigers in a do-or-die Game 5 of the ALDS on Friday, they'll have to determine whether to carry Woo on their ALCS roster against the Toronto Blue Jays. Manager Dan Wilson said the Mariners are "certainly hopeful" that Woo will return if they advance. The 25-year-old was among the key contributors during the Mariners' first division-winning campaign since 2001. Across 30 starts and 186 2/3 innings, Woo went 15-7 with a 2.94 ERA, a .93 WHIP, and 198:36 K:BB.
Source: Adam Jude - The Seattle Times
Seattle Mariners right-hander Source: Adam Jude - The Seattle Times
Nathan Eovaldi has Hernia Surgery, Should be Ready for Spring Training
Nathan Eovaldi (hernia) underwent surgery on Wednesday for a sports hernia, baseball sources told Jeff Wilson of AllDlls.com. Eovaldi, who was excellent with a 1.73 ERA for the Rangers when he did pitch in 2025, was shut down in August with a rotator-cuff strain in his right shoulder. While it's more bad injury news for a player with a long list of injuries in his career, the good news is that Eovaldi is expected to be ready for the start of spring training next year in mid-February. Eovaldi got good news on his rotator cuff, so that shouldn't be an issue going into next season. He is expected to be sidelined for six to eight weeks, so he should be able to resume throwing in the offseason around when he normally does. If healthy, Eovaldi and Jacob deGrom are expected to sit at the top of Texas' rotation next year as they look to bounce back from a disappointing 2025 campaign.
Source: AllDlls.com - Jeff Wilson
Texas Rangers right-hander Source: AllDlls.com - Jeff Wilson
Bo Bichette Not a Lock to Return for ALCS
Bo Bichette (knee), who has been out with a PCL in his left knee since Sept. 6. Before Wednesday's series-clinching win over New York, Bichette ran on the field after taking simulated at-bats against live pitchers on Tuesday. However, Bichette still needs "to make sure I can run the bases" before the AL Championship Series against either the Seattle Mariners or Detroit Tigers starts on Sunday in Toronto. Even if Bichette is limited to designated hitter duties, his return would give the Jays' offense a huge boost. Bichette was the team's cleanup hitter this year and finished tied for second in the majors with 181 hits and 44 doubles. He also led the team with 94 RBI despite missing the last three weeks of the regular season. The 27-year-old All-Star is optimistic he can return, but it will ultimately be the team's decision.
Source: Sportsnet - Shi Davidi
The Toronto Blue Jays got the job done and beat the division-rival New York Yankees in the American League Division Series without star shortstop Source: Sportsnet - Shi Davidi
Reed Garrett Undergoes UCL Reconstruction, to Miss All of 2026
Reed Garrett (elbow) underwent "UCL reconstruction" surgery on Wednesday, according to Jorge Castillo of ESPN. It will be Garrett's second surgery on his right elbow this year, as he also went under the knife to deal with a nerve issue in his arm. It's not the ideal situation for a pitcher, and the 32-year-old veteran will miss the entire 2026 season as a result. In his two full seasons with the Mets, Garrett has gone 11-11 with a 3.83 ERA (3.38 FIP), a 1.36 WHIP, seven saves, and a 147:56 K:BB in 112 2/3 innings over 111 appearances (one start). He has been in the high-leverage mix during his time with the Mets, but he has a long road back to being a trustworthy option at the back end of a bullpen.
Source: ESPN.com - Jorge Castillo
The New York Mets announced that right-handed reliever
Source: ESPN.com - Jorge Castillo