October 15, 2025
Chicago Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said that right-hander
Cade Horton (ribs) would have been on the roster if the team had advanced to the National League Championship Series, and the expectation is that he will have a "relatively normal offseason," according to Jordan Bastian of MLB.com. "Given how much of a competitor he is, I was sad for him that he didn't get to pitch in the postseason. I know that's going to be his No. 1 goal going forward," Hoyer said. The 24-year-old suffered a right-rib fracture late in September and was not available for either the wild-card series against the San Diego Padres or the NL Division Series versus the Milwaukee Brewers. The former seventh overall pick out of Oklahoma back in 2022 really impressed in his first 23 big-league outings (22 starts) for the Cubs in 2025, posting a strong 2.67 ERA and 1.08 WHIP with 97 K's in 118 innings. Horton is going to be a popular starting pitching target with upside in fantasy drafts next spring.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Jordan Bastian
October 15, 2025
The Cleveland Guardians re-signed catcher
Austin Hedges to a one-year, $4 million deal on Tuesday that includes $500,000 in incentives, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Hedges is not on the fantasy radar at all as a zero with the bat in his hands, but the 33-year-old veteran is a strong defensive catcher and will return to serve as
Bo Naylor's backup in 2026. Hedges will head into his third year in Cleveland after hitting .157/.229/.251 with a rough .480 OPS, seven home runs, six doubles, 25 RBI, 25 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 134 games over the past two seasons. The former second-round pick has a .185/.244/.313 career slash line, .556 OPS, and 74 long balls in 820 regular-season games across his 11 big-league seasons. Avoid him in fantasy, even in deep two-catcher formats.
--Keith HernandezSource: New York Post - Jon Heyman
October 15, 2025
New York Yankees shortstop
Anthony Volpe (shoulder) underwent surgery to fix a partially torn labrum in his left shoulder on Tuesday, according to Joel Sherman and Greg Joyce of the New York Post. Although Volpe ended up coming one home run shy of his second 20-homer season in 153 regular-season games in 2025, his shoulder injury likely contributed to him hitting a disappointing .212 (114-for-539). The 24-year-old initially injured his left shoulder while diving for a ball on defense in early May. It was impressive that Volpe never landed on the injured list due to the injury, but he had setbacks along the way. Volpe should be recovered in time to be ready for the start of the 2026 regular season, although his timeline in spring training could be affected. He had a .786 OPS before injuring his shoulder on May 3 and a .628 OPS the rest of the season.
--Keith HernandezSource: New York Post - Joel Sherman and Greg Joyce
October 14, 2025
The Texas Rangers' top prospect, shortstop
Sebastian Walcott (arm), has been shut down in the Arizona Fall League due to arm fatigue, according to Kennedi Landry of MLB.com. The Rangers plan to have Walcott rest and be evaluated in a few days. In the one game that Walcott played in at the AFL, he went 2-for-4 at the plate with a double. As long as nothing serious is wrong with his arm, Walcott should be good to go for the start of spring training early next year. The 19-year-old spent the entire 2025 season at Double-A Frisco and hit .255/.355/.386 with a .741 OPS, 13 home runs, 59 RBI, 71 runs scored, and 32 stolen bases in 124 games for the Rough Riders. There's a lot to like about Walcott's profile. The 6-foot-4 infielder has produced high-end exit velocities, has great bat-to-ball skills, and lots of raw power at the plate at a premium position. He's the heir apparent to
Corey Seager in Texas, but he could also be moved to third base or a corner-infield spot, if necessary.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Kennedi Landry
October 14, 2025
According to a source, Cleveland Guardians closer
Emmanuel Clase will never pitch again in Major League Baseball again, with the gambling evidence found against him being irrefutable, according to
Hector Gomez. The same can be said about fellow Guardians hurler
Luis L. Ortiz. Clase and Ortiz were placed on "non-disciplinary paid leave" in July due to an ongoing gambling investigation. Neither pitcher played again for Cleveland the rest of the year, and a decision has also been made to keep both Clase and Ortiz from playing winter ball in their native Dominican Republic. Nothing is official yet, but this will be a big storyline to follow in the offseason. If it's true, it would be a massive blow to the Guardians' organization, as Clase has been one of the most dominant relief pitchers in baseball over the last few years. The three-time All-Star led baseball in saves for three consecutive years from 2022-24.
--Keith HernandezSource: Hector Gomez
October 14, 2025
Veteran third baseman
Alex Bregman will opt out of his contract with the Boston Red Sox this winter, according to sources. While a return to Boston would be a logical fit in 2026, Bregman could have an extra suitor or two after a strong season in Beantown in 2025, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Despite being on the wrong side of 30, Bregman had a career-best 44.4% hard-hit rate with the BoSox while slashing .273/.360/.462 with 18 home runs and 62 RBI in 114 games played. He missed time with a quadriceps injury, though, and wasn't the same hitter after returning in the second half. At Bregman's age, injuries are going to remain a concern going forward, but his batted-ball skills and plate discipline have aged nicely. After another strong season, the three-time All-Star should be able to score a multi-year deal in free agency if he indeed opts out of his current deal after the World Series ends.
--Keith HernandezSource: New York Post - Jon Heyman
October 14, 2025
Blue Jays manager John Schneider announced that veteran right-hander
Max Scherzer will start Game 4 of the ALCS on Thursday. The 41-year-old did not pitch in the ALDS against the Yankees, but with Toronto struggling to contain Seattle's offense, the club will turn to the seasoned ace in hopes of swinging the series back in their favor. Scherzer, a two-time World Series champion, owns a 3.78 career postseason ERA across 30 appearances. Despite battling inconsistency and posting a 5.19 ERA and 1.29 WHIP over 17 starts in 2025, the Blue Jays hope playoff intensity will help him recapture his dominant form.
--Julian BrookeSource: Arden Zwelling
October 14, 2025
Oakland Athletics third baseman
Brett Harris (thumb) underwent successful surgery on his left thumb on Tuesday. If his recovery stays on track, the 27-year-old is expected to be ready for spring training and compete for the starting third base job on the rebuilding club. Harris showed promise during a limited 2025 campaign, slashing .274/.349/.342 over 32 games. Known for his glove, Harris could play a key role in the Athletics' infield next season. With a healthy return and continued development at the plate, the opportunity is there to secure the hot corner moving forward.
--Julian BrookeSource: Jason Burke
October 14, 2025
Chicago Cubs reliever
Brad Keller has expressed a strong desire to re-sign with the team after a career-best 2025 season. The 30-year-old posted a 2.07 ERA, a 0.96 WHIP, and led Chicago's staff with 68 appearances, emerging as a key bullpen piece during the Cubs' 92-win campaign. Keller, who joined the team on a minor-league deal last winter, said, "Chicago is my favorite city. I love playing for the Cubs." As he enters free agency, Keller hopes to remain part of a clubhouse he believes is "something special," while the Cubs weigh whether to invest in keeping their top reliever.
--Julian BrookeSource: The Athletic
October 14, 2025
Chicago Cubs rookie outfielder
Owen Caissie (concussion) is reportedly symptom-free after suffering a concussion in a September 13 loss to the Rays. The 23-year-old returned to full baseball activities before the end of the season and is now focused on a productive offseason. Caissie's rookie campaign was brief, as he appeared in only 12 games and slashed .192/.222/.346. Ranked as the No. 47 overall prospect, he remains one of Chicago's most promising young talents. With his health restored, Caissie will look to secure a regular role and make a major impact in 2026.
--Julian BrookeSource: MLB.com
October 14, 2025
San Diego Padres left-hander
Adrian Morejon is reportedly being reevaluated for his role on the pitching staff, with a move from the bullpen to the rotation under consideration. The 26-year-old was outstanding in 2025, posting a 2.08 ERA, a 0.90 WHIP, and 75 appearances in relief. President of baseball operations and general manager AJ Preller has yet to voice a firm decision, but Morejon's consistency could earn him another shot as a starter. He has made nine career starts, with his most recent coming in 2023, and his success this season may prompt the Padres to expand his role.
--Julian BrookeSource: 97.3 The Fan
October 14, 2025
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that it's "unlikely" that rookie right-hander
Roki Sasaki will pitch in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series on Tuesday in Milwaukee against the Brewers after he appeared in Monday night's 2-1 win in Game 1. Roberts said that Sasaki may pitch on back-to-back days in the postseason, but it has yet to happen. The 23-year-old missed most of his rookie campaign in the big leagues due to injury, and the Dodgers converted him from a starting role to a relief one right before the postseason kicked off. Sasaki wasn't effective in the Game 1 win on Monday night, either, allowing a run on one hit while walking two in two-thirds of the ninth inning before veteran
Blake Treinen came in to slam the door shut. It's unclear if Roberts will have second thoughts about using Sasaki in save situations moving forward in the playoffs after he looked good in the wild-card series and divisional round for the Blue.
--Keith HernandezSource: Matthew Moreno
October 14, 2025
When asked about San Diego Padres flame-throwing right-hander
Mason Miller potentially moving from the bullpen to the starting rotation next year, general manager AJ Preller said the team will have more communication with the players moving forward, according to 97.3 The Fan in San Diego. The 27-year-old came up in the Athletics' system as a starter, but he has spent the last two years as a full-time reliever and has been one of the most dominant bullpen arms in that time. He was a first-time All-Star with the A's in 2024 and was just as good this year with the A's and Padres, posting a 2.63 ERA, 0.91 ERA, 104:28 K:BB and an absurd 15.2 K/9 in 61 2/3 regular-season innings of relief. What route the Padres go with Miller will likely depend on what happens in free agency, as they could lose closer
Robert Suarez and starters
Michael King and
Dylan Cease. It's hard to imagine Miller being any more effective as a starter, but a move to the rotation would immediately make him one of the most sought-after starting arms in fantasy in 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: 97.3 The Fan
October 14, 2025
When asked about left-hander
Tarik Skubal's contract situation, Detroit Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris was non-committal. "He's a Tiger, he's an incredible pitcher," Harris said. "I can't comment on our players being traded. I can't comment on free agents. I can't comment on other teams' players. So, I'm going to respond by just not actually commenting on it." Skubal is probably on his way to a second straight American League Cy Young award in 2025 after going 13-6 while leading the league in ERA (2.21), FIP (2.45), WHIP (0.89), and walks per nine innings (1.5) on his way to striking out a career-best 241 hitters in 195 1/3 regular-season innings over his 31 starts. The 28-year-old has quickly become one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball, but he's entering his contract year in Detroit in 2026. If the Tigers don't have plans to commit to a hefty long-term extension with Skubal, he could be trade bait next summer.
--Keith HernandezSource: Woodward Sports Network
October 14, 2025
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander
Shane Bieber will make the start in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series on Wednesday night in Seattle against the Mariners with the team down two games to none in the best-of-seven series. Toronto cannot afford to fall down three games to none in the series, so they'll be hoping that Bieber will look a lot better than he did in Game 3 of the AL Division Series against the New York Yankees, when he allowed three runs (two earned) in just 2 2/3 innings pitched. Bieber got a late start to the 2025 season after recovering from right-elbow surgery, making just seven starts for the Jays. He went 4-2 with a 3.57 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and 37:7 K:BB in 40 1/3 innings. The 30-year-old former AL Cy Young winner did not face the Mariners in his seven regular-season starts this year. Bieber will probably be on a very short leash in Game 3 if he doesn't have it early on.
--Keith HernandezSource: WKYC Cleveland - NIck Camino
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