October 16, 2025
New York Yankees outfielder
Aaron Judge (elbow) will not need surgery on his right elbow this offseason after undergoing an MRI exam, according to manager Aaron Boone. "He'll take some time off and continue to do strengthening things and rehab stuff," Boone said. Judge had a flexor strain in his throwing arm in late July and spent 10 days on the injured list. When the 33-year-old two-time MVP returned, he was limited to designated hitter duties for a month. He eventually returned to everyday duties in right field in the Bronx and should have a pretty normal offseason, barring a setback over the winter. Boone expects Judge to open the 2026 campaign as the team's starting right fielder. Judge had 50-plus homers for the second straight year in 2025 and led the league in runs (137), WAR (9.7), walks (124), average (.331), on-base percentage (.457), slugging (.688), OPS (1.144), and total bases (372) in 152 games played.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Bryan Hoch
October 16, 2025
New York Yankees shortstop
Anthony Volpe (shoulder) will be delayed to start the 2026 season after recently having surgery to fix a partially torn labrum in his left (non-throwing) shoulder, according to Deesha Thosar of FOX Sports. The Yankees are expecting Volpe to start hitting at the start of February, but he will not be allowed to dive on his surgically repaired shoulder until around April. While Volpe finished just one home run and two stolen bases shy of his second 20-20 season in his third year in the big leagues, he wasn't the same offensively after injuring his left shoulder in early May. The good news is that the 24-year-old will be back in May in a worst-case scenario, so he shouldn't have to miss too much time to begin 2026. Until Volpe is ready, expect the speedy
Jose Caballero to start at the 6 for the Yankees. When Volpe is ready to return, he'll be firmly in the mix to take over at shortstop in the Bronx.
--Keith HernandezSource: FOX Sports - Deesha Thosar
October 16, 2025
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that right-hander
Clarke Schmidt (elbow) could be an option in the second half of next season, according to The Athletic's Chris Kirschner. Schmidt will miss the first half of the 2026 campaign after having an internal brace procedure on his right elbow on July 11. The 29-year-old hurler has been a solid rotation piece for the Yankees over the last two seasons, but he also hasn't been reliable due to multiple injuries. He had a 2.85 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in 16 starts in 2024 before going 4-4 with a 3.32 ERA (3.95 FIP) and 1.09 WHIP with 73 strikeouts and 30 walks in 14 starts this past season. Schmidt had a career-high 149 K's and 46 walks in 33 outings (32 starts) for the Bombers back in 2023. He will not be on the fantasy radar in single-year leagues next spring, and it remains to be seen how much he'll be able to contribute to New York's rotation after the All-Star break.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Chris Kirschner
October 16, 2025
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone confirmed that right-hander
Gerrit Cole (elbow) will not be ready for Opening Day in 2026, although the hope is that he will be ready soon after, according to Chris Kirschner of The Athletic. Cole underwent Tommy John surgery that included an internal-brace procedure on his right elbow back in March, so it's not a surprise that he won't be ready for the start of next regular season. The good news is that the Yankees shouldn't have to wait long for the ace to make his debut, barring a setback in his recovery. The 35-year-old former American League Cy Young winner has already resumed throwing on flat ground. Cole made only 17 starts for the Yankees in 2024 due to injuries and was unable to pitch at all in 2025, so it's understandable for fantasy managers to wonder if he can return to his Cy Young form in 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Chris Kirschner
October 16, 2025
New York Yankees outfield prospect
Spencer Jones has put himself "in the conversation" to be an everyday big-leaguer in 2026, according to general manager Brian Cashman. Jones is definitely on the rise and has an exciting blend of power and speed for fantasy managers, but it might be hard for the Yankees to fit the 24-year-old left-handed slugger in their big-league lineup regularly, barring injuries. Jones is listed as the No. 99 overall prospect by MLB Pipeline. Standing at a hulking 6-foot-7, 240 pounds, he's a hulking physical specimen with elite power/speed upside. He hit .274/.362/.571 with 35 home runs and 29 stolen bases in 2025 with Double-A Somerset and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, which was great, but it also came with a strikeout rate of 35.4%. The swing and miss in his game is concerning and could be exposed even more in the majors, but it's not often this kind of power/speed upside comes along.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Bryan Hoch
October 15, 2025
The Minnesota Twins were recently granted permission to interview Nick Punto for their vacant manager position. Punto was on the San Diego Padres managerial staff this past season, working with the infielders and other duties as well. During his 14-year career, Punto was known for his "gritty" play. Someone who was willing to do whatever it takes and do all the little things right. This seems like the kind of manager the Twins are looking to bring onto their staff. However, the Twins have a handful of other candidates they plan to interview throughout the offseason. Punto is certainly a hometown favorite given he played seven seasons with Minnesota. The 47-year-old might be exactly what this team needs, but the search to replace Rocco Baldelli has just started.
--Andy WebbSource: New York Times
October 15, 2025
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder
Anthony Santander (back) is returning to the starting lineup ahead of Game 3 of the ALCS against the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday. Santander is back in the mix after being scratched ahead of Game 2 due to back tightness. Luckily, Santander will only miss that contest and is back for an important must-win Game 3. So far this postseason, Santander is 3-for-13 with two RBI in four games. The Jays are hopeful to get more out of his bat here. That being said, Santander has been bumped up to the cleanup spot and he'll cover right field versus right-hander
George Kirby on Wednesday.
--Andy WebbSource: mlb.com
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
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