October 7, 2025
Baltimore Orioles outfielder
Colton Cowser (ribs) played through two broken ribs (avulsion fractures) that he suffered in June, according to The Baltimore Banner's Andy Kostka. In addition to broken ribs, Cowser missed two months earlier in the year due to a broken thumb. Injuries really hampered him this year -- he also suffered a concussion -- and the 25-year-old finished the year with an ugly .196/.269/.385 slash line with 16 home runs and 14 stolen bases in only 92 games played. It was a sharp decline from his rookie year, when he finished with a .768 OPS. Cowser was still able to showcase his power and speed amidst injuries in 2025, but he also struck out over 30 percent of the time. With better health, Cowser will be a prime bounce-back candidate with clear 20-20 potential as an everyday starting outfielder for the Orioles.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Baltimore Banner - Andy Kostka
October 7, 2025
Houston Astros second baseman/outfielder
Jose Altuve (foot) said he played through a "pretty painful" right-foot injury late in the year, "but I had no choice but to go out there and play," according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Altuve will visit with doctors, and they are going to "recommend some stuff" in the offseason. It's unclear whether that will include surgery. The 35-year-old veteran All-Star ended up only missing one game after spraining his right foot in the middle of September, but he played through it as the Astros tried to secure the final wild-card spot in the American League. That didn't happen, and now Altuve could go under the knife this offseason. Altuve's batting average came down to .265 in 2025, but he still had 26 home runs, 77 RBI, 80 runs scored, and 10 steals in 155 games. The former MVP is nearing the tail end of his career, but there's still pop in his bat, and he'll have eligibility at second base and the outfield in fantasy going into 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
October 7, 2025
Philadelphia Phillies outfielder
Harrison Bader (groin) is considered a game-time decision ahead of Game 3 of the NLDS, according to manager Rob Thomson. Bader suffered a left groin injury during Game 1 of this series on Saturday. As a result, Bader was out of the starting lineup in Game 2, but came off the bench as a pinch-hitter. He delivered a clutch ninth-inning single, but it wasn't enough as the Los Angeles Dodgers still secured the victory. Bader would likely be available as a pinch-hitter once again if he doesn't start on Wednesday.
Brandon Marsh figures to start in center field if Bader is unable to play.
--Andy WebbSource: David Vassegh
October 7, 2025
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder
Anthony Santander is back in the starting lineup ahead of Tuesday's Game 3 of the ALDS versus the New York Yankees. Santander played in the series opener, but was benched in favor of
Myles Straw in Game 2. Santander went 1-for-3 with a single in Game 1. He'll bat seventh and cover right field versus left-hander
Carlos Rodon on Tuesday. Santander was limited to 52 regular season games due to injuries. He slashed .175/.271/.294 with six home runs and 18 RBI during that time. The Jays will need him to pick it up at the plate.
--Andy WebbSource: mlb.com
October 7, 2025
Chicago Cubs starting pitcher
Cade Horton (ribs) will throw a bullpen session on Tuesday. The plan is for Horton to throw around 30 pitches at mid-intensity. If everything goes well, Horton should be available if the Cubs advance to the NLCS. The Cubs are currently down 2-0 to the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLDS. It looks like they'll have reinforcements, assuming they're able to rally and beat the Brewers. Horton hasn't pitched since September 23 due to a rib fracture.
--Andy WebbSource: Bruce Levine
October 7, 2025
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said after the Game 2 win over the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League Division Series on Monday that veteran infielder
Miguel Rojas (hamstring) is day-to-day with tightness in his hamstring, according to Cody Snavely of Dodgers Beat. Rojas made a crucial defensive play late in the game at third base and was seen grimacing as he limped to the Dodgers' dugout. He was then pinch-hit for in the seventh inning by
Max Muncy, who will likely be back in the starting lineup for Game 3 in L.A. with Phillies right-hander
Aaron Nola on the mound on Wednesday. Rojas, who normally serves in an infield utility role, has played in four playoff games (two starts) so far in October and has gone 3-for-6 with an RBI at the plate.
--Keith HernandezSource: Dodgers Beat - Cody Snavely
October 7, 2025
The Milwaukee Brewers removed outfielder
Jackson Chourio (hamstring) from the Game 2 win in the National League Division Series on Monday due to right-hamstring tightness, according to Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. "He felt it again," manager Pat Murphy said. Chourio will have a very light day at Wrigley Field on Tuesday and is day-to-day heading into Game 3 of the series on Wednesday against the Chicago Cubs. The 21-year-old tweaked his hamstring back in Game 1 on Saturday, but he was able to play on Monday, and he's gone 5-for-7 in two games in the NLDS with a home run and six RBI. Chourio is a big reason why the Brewers had the best regular-season record in baseball this year, so losing him going forward in the playoffs would be a big blow for Milwaukee.
Isaac Collins would likely make a start in the outfield on Wednesday if Chourio is unavailable.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Adam McCalvy
October 7, 2025
Chicago Cubs right-hander
Jameson Taillon will make the start on Wednesday at Wrigley Field for Game 3 of the National League Division Series against the division-rival Milwaukee Brewers as the Cubs look to keep their season alive and force a Game 4 on Thursday. The Cubs will be hoping that Taillon can deliver a second straight strong start in the postseason after shutting out the San Diego Padres for four innings in a wild-card contest last week in Chicago. It won't be as easy against Milwaukee, though, after they racked up hits in bunches in two wins in Milwaukee to begin the series. The 33-year-old veteran will most likely be pulled early if he's not on his game, so he'll be a poor choice in DFS lineups. In three starts against the Brewers in 2025, Taillon had a 4.50 ERA (eight earned runs allowed in 16 innings) while giving up 16 hits (three homers), walking three and striking out 11. His lack of strikeout stuff also makes him less appealing in DFS.
--Keith HernandezSource: Marquee Sports Network
October 7, 2025
Milwaukee Brewers right-hander
Quinn Priester will start Game 3 of the National League Division Series on Wednesday at Wrigley Field against the division-rival Chicago Cubs, according to Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Priester will get the nod to potentially close out the NLDS with a sweep over Chicago after he was not used out of the bullpen as a long man in the Game 2 win over Chicago on Monday. The 25-year-old settled in nicely in his first year in Milwaukee in 2025 and ended up appearing in a career-high 29 games (24 starts) for the Brew Crew, going 13-3 with a nice 3.32 ERA (4.01 FIP) and 1.24 WHIP with 132 strikeouts and 50 walks in 157 1/3 innings pitched. He'll be looking to bounce back against the Cubbies, who he will be facing for the fourth time this year. In three outings (two starts) against them in the regular season, Priester allowed 10 earned runs in 14 1/3 innings with 17 hits allowed (three homers), 11 walks, and 11 strikeouts.
--Keith HernandezSource: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Curt Hogg
October 7, 2025
Philadelphia Phillies right-hander
Aaron Nola will start Game 3 of the National League Division Series on Wednesday in Los Angeles against the Dodgers, according to manager Rob Thomson. Left-hander
Ranger Suarez is in line to pitch behind Nola out of the bullpen, according to Matt Gelb of The Athletic. Nola will be tasked with trying to keep Philly's season alive after they lost the first two games of the best-of-five series in Philadelphia. The 32-year-old veteran will have a short leash in the starting role in a game the Phillies must win. Although Nola's 2025 campaign was a nightmare overall -- he went 5-10 with a 6.01 ERA and 1.35 WHIP in just 17 starts -- he finished the regular season in much better form on the mound. In his lone start against the Dodgers back on April 5, Nola took the loss by allowing three earned runs in six innings with seven hits allowed (two homers), one walk, and only two strikeouts.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Matt Gelb
October 7, 2025
Seattle Mariners first baseman
Josh Naylor (personal) is starting at first base and hitting fifth on Tuesday for Game 3 of the American League Division Series at Comerica Park against right-hander
Jack Flaherty. It was unclear if Naylor would be available for Game 3 of the ALDS after he did not travel with the team to Detroit to stay behind while he and his wife were expecting the birth of their first child. The 28-year-old has rejoined the team and will start on Tuesday, though, after going hitless in eight at-bats with a walk and a strikeout in the first two games of the series. Naylor will be looking to get back on track offensively in Game 3, and he has three hits in 12 plate appearances with two walks and a strikeout in his career against Flaherty.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
October 6, 2025
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder
Jackson Chourio (hamstring) is starting in left field and leading off in Game 2 of the National League Division Series against the Chicago Cubs and left-hander
Shota Imanaga. Chourio left Game 1 due to hamstring tightness and underwent an MRI that produced inconclusive results. However, it appears the injury is not serious enough to keep Chourio from giving it a go. The 21-year-old slashed .270/.308/.463 with 21 home runs, 78 RBI, 88 runs scored, and 21 stolen bases across 589 plate appearances this season. He was three-for-three with three RBI and a run scored in Game 1 before leaving the game.
--Will BradySource: MLB.com
October 6, 2025
Chicago Cubs infielder/designated hitter
Justin Turner is leading off and playing first base in Game 2 of the National League Division Series against Milwaukee Brewers left-hander
Aaron Ashby. Turner replaces left-handed hitting
Michael Busch at first base, who homered in Game 1 but struggles against same-handed pitching. Turner slashed .276/.330/.429 with three home runs in 109 plate appearances against southpaws in the regular season. Busch will almost certainly replace Turner early in Game 2, as Ashby is expected to be used as an opener and will likely only pitch an inning or two at most.
--Will BradySource: MLB.com
October 6, 2025
Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman
Max Muncy will start Game 2 of the National League Division Series against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on Monday on the bench with left-hander
Jesus Luzardo on the mound for the Phils. Veteran
Miguel Rojas will start at third base and will bat seventh versus Luzardo. Muncy really struggled against southpaws during the regular season, going 11-for-70 (.157) against them with only three of his 19 home runs against them and 22 strikeouts in 80 plate appearances. The 35-year-old veteran also did not start the Game 1 win over Philly on Saturday with a left-hander starting, but he did enter the game in the sixth inning and went hitless in two trips to the plate with a walk. In two wild-card games against the Cincinnati Reds, Muncy went 1-for-7 with two runs scored, two walks, and three strikeouts. In seven career at-bats versus Luzardo, Rojas has two hits and a strikeout.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
October 6, 2025
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher
Will Smith (hand) remains out of the starting lineup for Game 2 of the National League Division Series on Monday against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park as the Dodgers go for a commanding 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series.
Ben Rortvedt will make another start behind the plate and will catch left-hander
Blake Snell while hitting ninth against Phillies left-hander
Jesus Luzardo. Smith was not on the roster for the wild-card series against the Cincinnati Reds and has not started a game in almost a month due to a right-hand fracture. However, the 30-year-old All-Star is making progress and was able to pinch hit before staying in the game to play defense in the Game 1 win over the Phils on Saturday. Manager Dave Roberts said Smith is trending toward starting in Game 3 on Wednesday in L.A. One of the best-hitting catchers in baseball, the Dodgers' already potent lineup will get a big boost when Smith returns to his starting spot.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
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