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Roman Anthony Likely to Avoid Surgery
Boston Red Sox general manager Craig Breslow said that outfielder Roman Anthony (hand) "likely doesn't need surgery," per Chris Cotillo of MassLive. Anthony strained multiple muscles in his right hand during Game 1 of Boston's American League Wild Card Series loss to the New York Yankees. 2026 was largely lost to injury for Anthony, who missed a large chunk of the regular season after tearing the ligament that connects his right index finger to his wrist in early May. Given that his right hand/wrist appears to be giving him persistent issues, Anthony's health should be of at least some concern for fantasy managers going into 2027. The 22-year-old remains a potentially high-upside bat, but he will need to prove he can avoid injuries for an extended stretch.
Source: MassLive - Chris Cotillo
Source: MassLive - Chris Cotillo
Jackson Chourio the Hero of Brewers' Game 2 Win on Sunday
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Jackson Chourio was the hero of his team's 4-3 win over the San Diego Padres in Game 2 of the National League Division Series on Sunday, recording a walk-off two-run single off Padres closer Mason Miller. It was Chourio's lone hit in his four at-bats, but it came at the biggest possible time. Chourio has played a key role in both of Milwaukee's wins in the series, as he hit a game-tying two-run home run in the third inning of Game 1 after San Diego jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead. Across 573 plate appearances in the regular season, the 22-year-old hit .291/.351/.487 with 25 home runs, 75 RBI, 96 runs scored, and 23 stolen bases. If the Brewers are going to make a deep postseason run, having Chourio at his best will likely be crucial.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Kyle Tucker Homers in Dodgers Postseason Debut on Saturday
Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Kyle Tucker had a big game in his team's 5-3 win over the Atlanta Braves in Game 1 of the National League Division Series on Saturday, going two-for-four with a two-run home run and a stolen base. It was a highly underwhelming first season in Los Angeles for Tucker in 2026, as he hit .233/.330/.385 with 17 home runs, 70 RBI, 90 runs scored, and 12 stolen bases across 627 plate appearances. Tucker's barrel rate fell from 10.8% in 2025 to 6.3% this season, and his 36.3% hard-hit rate was the worst of his career. However, the 29-year-old has a chance to wipe the slate clean at the start of the postseason. Tucker also has plenty of experience in October, as he's now logged 283 plate appearances across seven career trips to the playoffs. If he can rediscover his old form, Tucker could help drive a deep postseason push for Los Angeles.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Teoscar Hernandez Powers Dodgers to Game 1 Victory on Saturday
Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernandez was one of the stars of his team's 5-3 victory over the Atlanta Braves in Game 1 of the National League Division Series on Saturday. The 33-year-old got the scoring started with a two-run home run in the fourth inning and finished the game with two hits and an additional run scored in four at-bats. Hernandez had an up-and-down regular season in 2026, hitting .267/.334/.425 with 16 home runs, 64 RBI, 66 runs scored, and five stolen bases across 491 plate appearances. The veteran slugger posted a middling .706 OPS across 251 plate appearances before the All-Star break, but he closed the season by hitting .341 with four home runs and 18 RBI across 100 trips to the plate in September. If Hernandez can carry his recent hot streak into the postseason, he could be a major difference-maker for Los Angeles.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Byron Buxton Expected to Be Ready for the Start of 2027
"All signs point" to Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (hip) being ready for the start of the 2027 season, per Dan Hayes of The Athletic. After battling a recurring hip issue for much of 2026, Buxton underwent season-ending surgery in mid-September. The 32-year-old was his usual productive self when healthy this past season, hitting .254/.319/.511 with 25 home runs, 46 RBI, 65 runs scored, and seven stolen bases. With a 15.8% barrel rate and a 46.7% hard-hit rate, Buxton remains a high-end power threat on a per-plate-appearance basis. However, health remains the obvious red flag in the veteran center fielder's profile. Buxton has reached just 450 plate appearances only once in the last nine years. Any potential lingering effects from the hip surgery could also impact Buxton's speed, which was once an appealing part of his fantasy skill set but may now be waining. Still, Buxton's power potential makes him an intriguing mid-round outfielder for fantasy managers to target in drafts going into 2027.
Source: The Athletic - Dan Hayes
Source: The Athletic - Dan Hayes
Michael Harris II Sparks Braves' Wild Card Series Win on Thursday
Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II threw the first punch in his team's 6-2 win over the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 3 of the National League Wild Card Series on Thursday, hitting a three-run home run in the first inning. Harris II had an excellent series overall, logging five hits in 13 plate appearances to go along with three RBI and three runs scored. The 25-year-old's hot start to the postseason is a continuation of his strong close to the regular season. Across 93 plate appearances in September, Harris II hit .281 with three home runs, nine RBI, 14 runs scored, and two stolen bases. If Harris II can continue to produce at a high level, he could be an X-factor for the Braves in their upcoming National League Division Series with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Daulton Varsho Undergoes Left Wrist Surgery
Houston Astros outfielder Daulton Varsho (wrist) underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left wrist on Tuesday, per Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. Varsho hit the 10-day injured list in mid-September due to the wrist issue and wound up missing the remainder of the regular season and Houston's brief playoff run. Across 526 plate appearances split between the Astros and Toronto Blue Jays in 2026, the 30-year-old hit .221/.281/.355 with 12 home runs, 40 RBI, 51 runs scored, and 12 stolen bases. Varsho is now set to hit free agency, so the health of his wrist is crucial for his earning potential this offseason. Varsho is one of the better defensive outfielders in baseball and hit 20 home runs across just 271 plate appearances with Toronto in 2025. However, he's never reached 600 plate appearances in any of his seven seasons in the big leagues. Depending on where he lands in free agency and his health status, Varsho could be a decent bounce-back candidate for fantasy managers to target going into 2027.
Source: MLB.com - Brian McTaggart
Source: MLB.com - Brian McTaggart
Roman Anthony has "New Strains," Being Removed From Playoff Roster
The Boston Red Sox are removing outfielder Roman Anthony (hand) from the Wild-Card Series roster against the division-rival New York Yankees after he sustained "new strains to different muscles" in his right hand, manager Chad Tracy told Tim Healey of The Boston Globe. The team sent Anthony back to Boston on Tuesday night to get an MRI exam on Wednesday. Anthony will not be with the Red Sox for the remainder of the Wild-Card Series in the Bronx this week and is out for the foreseeable future. If the BoSox come back to beat the Yankees in the three-game series, it seems unlikely that he would be available for the American League Division Series against the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays. Nate Eaton is starting in left field for Boston on Wednesday in Game 2 of the series against Yankees left-hander Max Fried with Anthony hurt again. The 22-year-old former top prospect has become injury-prone early on in his MLB career, as he also ended last year on the injured list. Anthony played in just 55 games for the Red Sox in 2026, slashing .245/.339/.396 with five home runs, 15 RBI, 24 runs scored, and two stolen bases in 242 plate appearances.
Source: The Boston Globe - Tim Healey
Source: The Boston Globe - Tim Healey
Fernando Tatis Jr. Stars in Padres Game 1 Win on Tuesday
San Diego Padres outfielder/second baseman Fernando Tatis Jr. was one of the stars of his team's 8-0 win over the Chicago Cubs in Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series on Tuesday night. The 27-year-old went two-for-three with a solo home run, a walk, and two additional runs scored. Tatis Jr. set the tone by homering on the first pitch thrown by Cubs starter Matthew Boyd. Tatis Jr.'s big night was a continuation of his hot finish to the regular season, as he hit .337 with eight home runs across 104 plate appearances in September. Tatis Jr. has also been remarkably productive in the postseason to this point in his career, hitting .333/.432/.746 with seven home runs, 13 RBI, 18 runs scored, and three stolen bases across 74 plate appearances in the playoffs. Tatis Jr. and the Padres will have a chance to advance to the National League Division Series on Wednesday night against Cubs right-hander Kevin Gausman.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Roman Anthony Leaves Early With Hand Injury on Tuesday
Boston Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony (hand) left Game 1 of the Wild-Card Series early on Tuesday night against the division-rival New York Yankees because his hand "flared on him" during a check swing, manager Chad Tracy told Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald. Before leaving the eventual 9-0 loss at Yankee Stadium, Anthony went 0-for-2 at the plate with two strikeouts as the designated hitter and leadoff hitter for Boston. He was replaced at DH by Andruw Monasterio. This is not what Red Sox fans want to hear, as Anthony missed almost four months during the regular season with an injury to the same hand/wrist. For now, we will consider him day-to-day and check back on Wednesday to see if he is back in the lineup for a must-win Game 2 of the Wild-Card Series against Yankees left-hander Max Fried. Anthony, a former top outfield prospect, only managed to play in 55 games in his first full season in the big leagues, and he hit .245 (52-for-212) with five home runs, 15 RBI, 24 runs scored, and two stolen bases in 242 plate appearances.
Source: Boston Herald - Gabrielle Starr
Source: Boston Herald - Gabrielle Starr
Jakob Marsee Battling Elbow Discomfort, Will See Specialist
Miami Marlins outfielder Jakob Marsee (elbow) felt discomfort in his elbow and will see renowned specialist Dr. Keith Meister, per Christina De Nicola of MLB.com. Across 616 plate appearances in 2026, Marsee hit .231/.348/.359 with 11 home runs, 41 RBI, 83 runs scored, and 23 stolen bases. The 25-year-old does not profile as a major power threat, logging a 3.8% barrel rate and a 34.5% hard-hit rate. However, his excellent 12.7% walk rate allowed him to consistently get on base and be a valuable source of speed for fantasy managers. Part of Marsee's value to the Marlins is his above-average defense in center field, so the team will need to make sure that his throwing arm is fully healthy going into 2027. Fantasy managers should check back for further updates on Marsee's status in the coming days.
Source: MLB.com - Christina De Nicola
Source: MLB.com - Christina De Nicola
Jordan Walker Battled Hip Pain Late in 2026 Regular Season
St. Louis Cardinals president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom said that outfielder Jordan Walker (hip) played through hip pain late in the 2026 regular season, per Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Walker was one of the breakout success stories of 2026, hitting .269/.327/.466 with 29 home runs, 102 RBI, 97 runs scored, and 22 stolen bases across 667 plate appearances. However, the 24-year-old was significantly worse in the second half of the season than he was in the first, hitting .234 with a .660 OPS and seven home runs across 272 plate appearances after the All-Star break. Walker's barrel rate fell from 14.1% to 11.9%, and his strikeout rate increased from 24.8% to 27.9%. Assuming Walker can get healthy over the offseason, fantasy managers can potentially discount some of his second-half struggles as health-related.
Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch - Derrick Goold
Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch - Derrick Goold
Walker Jenkins Set to Undergo Elbow Surgery
Minnesota Twins outfielder Walker Jenkins (elbow) will undergo surgery to "remove bone chips/spurs" from his right elbow, per Bobby Nightengale of The Minnesota Star Tribune. Jenkins made his MLB debut with the Twins in late August, hitting .226/.293/.393 with four home runs, 10 RBI, 14 runs scored, and one stolen base across 93 plate appearances in the big leagues. The 21-year-old is widely considered to be one of the better outfield prospects in baseball and dominated Triple-A pitching before getting promoted, hitting .308 with 12 home runs and 17 stolen bases across 307 trips to the plate. Assuming Jenkins is able to make a full recovery ahead of next spring, he could be a key piece of the Twins' 2027 plans. However, fantasy managers should be aware that he will not have a fully healthy offseason to continue developing his game.
Source: The Minnesota Star Tribune - Bobby Nightengale
Source: The Minnesota Star Tribune - Bobby Nightengale
Aaron Judge "Not Quite There Yet"
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone, outfielder Aaron Judge, and a couple of the team's trainers met on Monday night after Judge's live batting practice session to discuss the slugger's health situation, according to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. "We just felt like he's not quite there yet," Boone said. The Yankees made the decision to leave Judge off the roster for the Wild-Card Series this week against the division-rival Boston Red Sox. Not having the three-time MVP for the start of the playoffs is not ideal, but the good news is that the Yankees are getting both outfielders Giancarlo Stanton (calves) and Trent Grisham (hamstring) back for their series against Boston. The 34-year-old was placed on the 10-day injured list less than two weeks ago with a moderate right-calf strain after missing most of the 2026 regular season with a stress fracture in his rib. Judge is obviously one of the best power hitters in the game, but the Yankees will be without him for the three-game series in the Bronx. If New York advances to face the Cleveland Guardians in the American League Division Series, it is unclear if Judge will be cleared. He will definitely need to test his calf by running the bases before then.
Source: MLB.com - Bryan Hoch
Source: MLB.com - Bryan Hoch
Trent Grisham on the Yankees' Wild-Card Roster
New York Yankees outfielder Trent Grisham (hamstring) has been activated from the 10-day injured list and is on the team's roster for the Wild-Card Series this week versus the division-rival Boston Red Sox, per the MLB Network's Jon Morosi. Outfielder Aaron Judge (calf) was not cleared to return for the start of the postseason, but the Yankees will also get outfielder/designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton (calves) back for the first time since late April. Grisham will return for the first time in three-plus weeks after being sidelined by a strained right hamstring, but now that he is active, he should serve as the team's starting center fielder against right-handed pitchers. With Boston lefty Payton Tolle going in Game 1 of the series on Tuesday, Grisham will likely find himself on the bench. The 29-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder was not as good in 2026 as he was in 2025, when he hit a career-high 34 home runs in 143 regular-season games. In 121 games in his third year in the Bronx, Grisham hit .211/.308/.395 with a .703 OPS, 18 homers, 59 RBI, 67 runs scored, and nine steals in 484 plate appearances.
Source: MLB Network - Jon Morosi
Source: MLB Network - Jon Morosi
