October 21, 2025
The Los Angeles Angels are hiring former big-league catcher Kurt Suzuki as their new manager, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Former Angels players
Albert Pujols and Torii Hunter were also in consideration to replace Ron Washington, who missed almost half of the 2025 season after undergoing quadruple bypass surgery. Suzuki, 42, played with five different teams in 16 big-league seasons -- he won the World Series in 2019 with the Washington Nationals -- but he has no professional coaching experience. Before being named the Angels' manager, Suzuki spent the last three years as a special assistant to general manager Perry Minasian. He will look to turn around a franchise that currently has the longest playoff drought in the league. The Angels have made it to the playoffs just once since the 2009 season and were swept in 2014 by the Kansas City Royals.
--Keith HernandezSource: New York Post - Jon Heyman
October 21, 2025
Toronto Blue Jays shortstop
Bo Bichette (knee) said, "I'll be ready," when asked about his availability for the upcoming World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, according to Rob Longley of The Toronto Star. The Blue Jays were victorious over the Seattle Mariners in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series on Monday night, advancing to the World Series (which starts on Friday) and giving the 27-year-old All-Star a chance to make his return for the first time since suffering a PCL sprain in his left knee in early September. He will need to be able to run full speed this week at some point to be cleared to be on the World Series roster. Bichette was one of the best hitters in baseball during the regular season, with a .311 average and 94 RBI, but the rust factor must be considered, since he hasn't faced live pitching in a game in over six weeks.
--Keith HernandezSource: Toronto Star - Rob Longley
October 20, 2025
Albert Pujols is no longer considered a candidate to become the Los Angeles Angels' next manager, a team source told The Athletic's Sam Blum on Monday. There was mutual interest between Pujols and the Angels, but the two sides couldn't get close on dollars or years. It's believed to be very unlikely that the two sides would find common ground. Another former Angels player, Torii Hunter, is still in consideration for the role, but he's not considered a slam-dunk candidate. The Halos are also eyeing ex-managers Brandon Hyde and Rocco Baldelli, and another former Angels player, Kurt Suzuki, is in the mix. Both Hunter and Suzuki currently work as special assistants to Angels general manager Perry Minasian. The Angels remain on the hook to pay Pujols' $7 million over the next seven years as part of the personal services contract he signed with the organization.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Sam Blum
October 20, 2025
Milwaukee Brewers right-hander
Brandon Woodruff (lat) missed the National League Division Series against the Chicago Cubs and the NL Championship Series versus the Los Angeles Dodgers, and would not have pitched in the World Series had the team advanced due to a right-lat strain. However, Woodruff should be ready well ahead of spring training in February and expects to be ready for the start of the 2026 regular season. The veteran right-hander was shut down with his lat strain late in September. The good news is that his injury isn't related to his right-shoulder injury that required surgery and caused him to get a late start to the 2025 season. When healthy this year, Woodruff looked good, posting a 3.20 ERA and 0.91 WHIP with 83 strikeouts and 14 walks in 12 starts over 64 2/3 innings. He's a top-end starting pitcher in fantasy when healthy, but he has more health concerns than ever before. The Brewers and Woodruff hold a $20 million mutual option for 2026 season that comes with a $10 million buyout.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
October 20, 2025
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander
Jose Berrios (elbow) has resumed throwing, but he will not return for the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers if the team can beat the Seattle Mariners on Monday night in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series, according to manager John Schneider. Berrios ended the regular season in September on the shelf with inflammation in his right elbow, and he hasn't been able to help the team during their postseason run. The 31-year-old veteran was moved from the starting rotation to the bullpen late in the year, too, with his last appearance out of the bullpen coming on Sept. 24. His last start for the Jays was back on Sept. 16, so if he was available to return for the World Series, it likely would have been in a relief role. Berrios should be ready for spring training next February, barring a setback with his elbow, but it's unclear what his role will be.
--Keith HernandezSource: Sportsnet - Ben Nicholson-Smith
October 20, 2025
Toronto Blue Jays shortstop
Bo Bichette (knee) has been making "significant progress" behind the scenes lately, according to manager John Schneider. Bichette has been unable to play in the postseason due to a PCL sprain in his left knee that he suffered in early September. The 27-year-old is making progress, but it remains to be seen if he'll be available to play in the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers if the Blue Jays can beat the Seattle Mariners in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series on Monday. Game 1 of this year's World Series doesn't begin until Friday, so if Toronto advances, Bichette will have another couple of days to try and gain clearance from his knee injury. The Blue Jays could really use the former second-rounder if they advance to try and knock off the Dodgers, as Bichette was one of the best hitters in all of baseball during the regular season, with a .311 average and 181 hits in 139 games played.
--Keith HernandezSource: Sportsnet - Ben Nicholson-Smith
October 20, 2025
Chicago Cubs starting pitcher
Justin Steele (elbow) resumed throwing the baseball on Monday. It's nice to see Steele throwing again after he underwent UCL surgery in April. He was only able to make four starts during the 2025 season before needing his ligament repaired. It's unlikely that Steele is ready for Opening Day, but it'll likely depend on his level of progress over the winter. If not, Steele should be ready in the early part of the 2026 season.
--Andy WebbSource: Justin Steele
October 20, 2025
Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher
Shelby Miller (elbow) recently underwent surgery to repair the UCL and flexor tendon in his right elbow. Miller was hopeful to avoid surgery, but sadly he wasn't able to do that. This means Miller will likely miss most of the 2026 campaign. He posted a 2.74 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, and a 54/15 K/BB ratio across 48 appearances between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Brewers this season. The 35-year-old is set to hit free agency this winter. We'll see what kind of interest he draws considering he might miss all of 2026.
--Andy WebbSource: Adam McCalvy
October 20, 2025
Seattle Mariners first baseman
Josh Naylor will move into the three-hole in the lineup ahead of Monday's Game 7 of the ALCS against the Toronto Blue Jays. Naylor has mainly been batting cleanup or fifth during this series. However, he'll move into the third spot with
Jorge Polanco sliding into the cleanup spot during this elimination contest. Naylor has been on fire at the plate with a .341 batting average and three home runs during the postseason. The Mariners want to keep their hot hitting left-handed slugger near the top of the order for this one. We'll see if he's able to do any damage against right-hander
Shane Bieber and help send his team to their first ever World Series.
--Andy WebbSource: mlb.com
October 20, 2025
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder
George Springer (knee) will remain in the leadoff spot ahead of Monday's Game 7 of the ALCS against the Seattle Mariners. Springer made an early exit during Game 5 of this series on Friday night. Luckily, he was able to return in Game 6, but went 0-for-4 at the plate. Despite his struggles on Sunday, Springer will remain in the leadoff spot for this elimination contest. He'll serve as the designated hitter and get the first crack at right-hander
George Kirby on Monday night.
--Andy WebbSource: mlb.com
October 20, 2025
Seattle Mariners outfielder
Dominic Canzone is absent from the starting lineup ahead of Monday's ALCS Game 7 against the Toronto Blue Jays. Canzone has been in the lineup almost exclusively against right-handed pitching this postseason. However, he has struggled with only three hits during those nine games. That being said,
Victor Robles will take over in right field and bat ninth against right-hander
Shane Bieber on Monday. Robles has actually been worse as he's 1-for-12 during this series, so it's possible we see both players during this elimination contest.
--Andy WebbSource: mlb.com
October 19, 2025
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander
Kevin Gausman has declared his readiness for a potential Game 7 of the ALCS against the Seattle Mariners. Gausman told reporters he will be "out there cleated up and ready to go" in the bullpen if the series reaches a decisive game. The veteran starter has pitched in both Game 1 and Game 5 of this series, posting a strong 2.12 ERA across the entire postseason while delivering key innings throughout Toronto's playoff run. Gausman has been instrumental to the Blue Jays' success and with both teams adopting a win-by-all-means mindset, Gausman could play a pivotal role if the Blue Jays push the series to its limit.
--Julian BrookeSource: Arden Zwelling
October 19, 2025
Toronto Blue Jays shortstop
Bo Bichette (knee) has increased his running workload but has not yet advanced to running the bases, according to manager John Schneider. Bichette has been sidelined since September 7 with a left knee sprain and was ruled out for the ALCS. However, optimism remains that he could return if the Blue Jays reach the World Series. Schneider added that Bichette's swing has shown significant improvement, offering a positive sign for Toronto fans.
--Julian BrookeSource: Arden Zwelling
October 19, 2025
Seattle Mariners right-hander
Trent Thornton (Achilles) is out of his protective walking boot as he continues to recover from a torn left Achilles tendon. The 32-year-old underwent surgery on August 5 after being placed on the injured list four days earlier. The recovery timeline is expected to be around six to eight months, putting Thornton on track for a possible return by 2026 spring training. He has remained in good spirits while supporting his team during their postseason run. Thornton finished the regular season with a 4.68 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP across 42 1/3 innings.
--Julian BrookeSource: MLB.com
October 19, 2025
Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander
Tanner Scott (lower body) has resumed playing catch as the team celebrated clinching its World Series berth with a series sweep over the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Championship Series. Scott has been sidelined since September 26 after undergoing a procedure to treat a lower-body abscess. The Dodgers remain hopeful the 31-year-old reliever can return in some capacity for the World Series, depending on how manager Dave Roberts chooses to deploy him. Scott had an up-and-down regular season in Los Angeles, posting a 4.47 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP. He'll look to contribute meaningful innings as the Dodgers aim for back-to-back championships.
--Julian BrookeSource: MLB.com
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