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Roman Anthony Roman Anthony Exits with hand injury
Tue, Sep 29, 2026, 10:46 PM
Anthony was removed from Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series against the Yankees on Tuesday due to a right hand injury, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.
Analysis: Anthony's hand reportedly began bothering him after a check swing in the third inning, leading to his eventual removal in the sixth. The 22-year-old outfielder missed nearly four months in the regular season due to an injury in the same hand, though it's unclear whether his latest injury will force him to miss time. If he ends up needing to come off the Red Sox's wild-card roster, he would be ineligible to play again until the ALCS. |
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Edgardo Henriquez Edgardo Henriquez Feeling good after live BP
Tue, Sep 29, 2026, 7:08 PM
General manager Brandon Gomes said Tuesday that Henriquez (back) is "trending really well" after throwing an encouraging round of live batting practice, Sonja Chen of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Henriquez ended the regular season on the injured list due to a low-grade back strain, but because the Dodgers have a bye during the wild-card round, he'll have time to heal before the team begins its postseason run. The 24-year-old righty still has a few boxes left to check off, but assuming he doesn't suffer any setbacks during his remaining workouts, he'll likely be included in the Dodgers' NLDS roster. |
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Alex Bregman Alex Bregman Getting at-bats as DH
Tue, Sep 29, 2026, 5:42 PM
Bregman is starting as the designated hitter and batting second Tuesday for Game 1 of the wild-card series against the Padres.
Analysis: Bregman is not in the field Tuesday since it is the "safest way to make sure he gets at-bats" according to Cubs manager Craig Counsell, Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com reports. With the 32-year-old starting as the designated hitter, Pedro Ramirez enters the lineup as the third baseman and Michael Conforto exits to the bench. |
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Michael Conforto Michael Conforto Not starting in series opener
Tue, Sep 29, 2026, 5:33 PM
Conforto is not in the lineup Tuesday for Game 1 of the wild-card series against the Padres.
Analysis: Alex Bregman has the start as the designated hitter instead of Conforto on Tuesday and is batting second. With Bregman not in the field, Pedro Ramirez is taking over at the hot corner. |
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Jhoan Duran Jhoan Duran Takes loss in Game 1
Tue, Sep 29, 2026, 5:25 PM
Duran (0-1) was charged with a blown save and the loss in Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series against Atlanta on Tuesday. He allowed three runs on two hits with one strikeout and no walks over two innings.
Analysis: Manager Don Mattingly called upon his closer to begin the seventh inning with the Phillies leading 3-2, and Duran delivered a clean frame on 17 pitches. The right-hander returned for the eighth and retired the first two batters he faced, but an infield single and a hit-by-pitch set the table for Austin Riley to launch a three-run homer. Duran recorded more than three outs in just one of his 61 appearances during the regular season, so the multi-inning usage by Mattingly will likely be scrutinized heavily. The Phillies are now facing elimination after having their closer throw 27 pitches in Game 1. |
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Jesus Luzardo Jesus Luzardo Shines in wild-card start
Tue, Sep 29, 2026, 5:17 PM
Luzardo didn't factor in the decision Tuesday in Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series against Atlanta. He gave up a run on three hits and one walk while striking out six across five innings.
Analysis: Luzardo fired one scoreless inning out of the bullpen Sunday versus the Rays as he returned to a big-league mound after missing most of September due to shoulder inflammation, so it was quite impressive to see him in such strong form Tuesday while making his first start in three weeks. The left-hander threw 77 pitches (48 strikes) and generated 11 whiffs in what was the best playoff start of his big-league career. Luzardo closed the regular season with a 2.86 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 221:52 K:BB across 179.2 innings. The Phillies will need to win the next two games for him to make another start this year. |
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Chris Sale Chris Sale Punches out nine in Game 1
Tue, Sep 29, 2026, 5:07 PM
Sale didn't factor in the decision in Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series against the Phillies on Tuesday. He struck out nine while giving up three runs on four hits and a walk over 6.1 innings.
Analysis: The veteran left-hander surrendered a run during the first inning but shut down Philadelphia for the next five frames before he put on two runners in the seventh that came around to score on righty reliever Didier Fuentes. Sale made just three starts in September as the club managed his workload down the stretch, and he looked plenty fresh Tuesday, touching 100 mph and throwing 95 pitches (65 strikes). Atlanta completed the comeback, and should it complete the series win, Sale tentatively lines up to pitch in Game 2 of the NLDS against the Dodgers on Sunday. |
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Austin Riley Austin Riley Launches game-deciding homer
Tue, Sep 29, 2026, 4:59 PM
Riley went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run during Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series against the Phillies on Tuesday.
Analysis: The veteran third baseman came to the plate in the eighth inning with Atlanta trailing 3-2, and he delivered a three-run homer to right-center field off Philadelphia closer Jhoan Duran to flip the script. Riley closed the regular season by going 0-for-11 with six strikeouts in his last three games, dropping his OPS for the campaign to a career-worst .654 in 159 contests. Already the Game 1 hero, Riley could effectively erase all his 2026 struggles if he continues to perform in the playoffs. |
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Rodolfo Duran Rodolfo Duran Recalled, placed on 60-day IL
Tue, Sep 29, 2026, 3:52 PM
The Padres recalled Duran from Triple-A El Paso on Tuesday and placed him on the 60-day injured list with a right forearm strain.
Analysis: The transaction was made in order to free a spot on the 40-man roster for Joe Musgrove (elbow), who was activated from the 60-day IL. Duran should recover from his forearm injury well ahead of spring training. |
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Mickey Gasper Mickey Gasper Set for biceps surgery Friday
Tue, Sep 29, 2026, 3:44 PM
Gasper will undergo surgery Friday to repair a torn right biceps, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.
Analysis: Gasper's biceps tendon tore completely off the bone on a swinging strikeout during a Sept. 25 contest against the Cubs. He will be unavailable for the entirety of the postseason, and it's unclear how long the rehab process will take. Assuming health, Gasper should be in the mix for a utility role with the Red Sox again next season after slashing .251/.357/.466 with 10 home runs and a 27:39 BB:K over 67 games in 2026. |
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Romy Gonzalez Romy Gonzalez Option for ALDS
Tue, Sep 29, 2026, 3:30 PM
Red Sox manager Chad Tracy said Tuesday that Gonzalez is still recovering from a hyperextended elbow injury suffered at Triple-A Worcester but is "very much in play" for the ALDS roster if Boston advances, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.
Analysis: Gonzalez slashed just .185/.264/.308 in 19 games for the Red Sox this season and spent the final two months of the year at Worcester. However, the 30-year-old had a .978 OPS versus lefties in 2025, so he could be a useful reserve for the Red Sox in subsequent rounds if he can get healthy. |
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Andrew Vaughn Andrew Vaughn Full-go in workout
Tue, Sep 29, 2026, 3:19 PM
Vaughn (illness) has been cleared to go through a full team workout with the Brewers on Tuesday, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
Analysis: Vaughn last played in a game Sept. 19, as he dealt with a stomach bug that caused him to lose 10 pounds. He is now considered fully healthy and will be included on the Brewers' NLDS roster, likely seeing some opportunities against left-handers. |
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Brandon Woodruff Brandon Woodruff Awaiting clearance for mound work
Tue, Sep 29, 2026, 2:54 PM
Woodruff (shoulder) completed the flat-ground portion of his throwing program Sunday and is awaiting to receive clearance to throw off the mound, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: The veteran hurler is working his way back from a capsule strain in his right shoulder, an injury that was initially expected to require surgery before Woodruff healed more quickly than anticipated. If Woodruff gains clearance for mound work -- which isn't a given -- the right-hander could have a small chance to pitch at some point in the postseason. |
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Jazz Chisholm Jr. Jazz Chisholm Jr. Not starting Game 1 vs. Tolle
Tue, Sep 29, 2026, 2:42 PM
Chisholm is not in the lineup Tuesday for Game 1 of the wild-card series against the Red Sox.
Analysis: The left-handed-swinging Chisholm was often held out of the lineup this season when the opposition had a tough opposing southpaw on the bump, and Game 1 starter Payton Tolle qualifies. It will be Anthony Volpe handling second base while Chisholm begins the contest on the bench. |
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Keaton Winn Keaton Winn Resuming workouts in November
Tue, Sep 29, 2026, 1:09 PM
Winn (elbow) continues to go through physical therapy and is slated to begin his normal offseason workouts in November, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.
Analysis: Winn was sidelined for the last month-plus of the regular season while dealing with right elbow neuritis. Barring any setbacks, he will be ready to roll by the time spring training rolls around. |
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Blade Tidwell Blade Tidwell UCL surgery scheduled
Tue, Sep 29, 2026, 1:03 PM
Tidwell will undergo a right elbow UCL repair in mid-October, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury Newsreports.
Analysis: Surgery for the right-hander was the expected outcome, and now it has officially been scheduled. If Tidwell winds up needing a full Tommy John surgery -- which is likely since he's dealing with a high-grade tear -- he'll be sidelined until the 2028 season. |
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Joel Peguero Joel Peguero Will face hitters in October
Tue, Sep 29, 2026, 12:57 PM
Peguero (hamstring) has expanded his flat-ground throwing to 105 feet and is schedule to throw live batting practice sessions by late October, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.
Analysis: Peguero missed much of the 2026 season with a recurring left hamstring strain, with his last appearance coming in mid-August. However, the reliever appears set for a normal offseason before competing for a bullpen job with the Giants in 2027. |
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Adrian Houser Adrian Houser Typical offseason throwing program
Tue, Sep 29, 2026, 12:51 PM
Houser (forearm) is expected to have a normal offseason throwing program and be ready for spring training, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.
Analysis: Houser missed the final month-plus of the regular season while dealing with a right forearm strain. He will continue going through physical therapy for now but is expected to begin his offseason throwing at his normal time. Houser posted a 4.02 ERA and 75:34 K:BB over 109.2 innings in 2026 across 16 starts and 10 relief outings. |
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Matt Gage Matt Gage Receives clean bill of health
Tue, Sep 29, 2026, 12:45 PM
Gage (elbow) has been fully cleared and will have a normal offseason, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.
Analysis: Gage had to be pulled off his rehab assignment Sept. 1 due to renewed discomfort in his left elbow, but he's recovered well since then and heads into the offseason sans limitations. The southpaw held a 5.60 ERA and 22:17 K:BB over 27.1 frames this season. |
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Justin Steele Justin Steele Left off wild-card roster
Tue, Sep 29, 2026, 12:37 PM
Steele (elbow) is not on the Cubs' roster for their wild-card series versus the Padres, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Analysis: Steele has been out all season while recovering from UCL revision surgery and a flexor strain. He is physically ready to pitch now, having made four rehab appearances this month, but the Cubs have decided he's not a fit for their playoff roster. Steele could earn consideration in subsequent rounds, if his team advances. |
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