New York Post | Jon Heyman: ($) One of the most prominent names in Yankees media added his voice to the chorus calling for Aaron Boone’s dismissal Friday. The reasons are not revelatory — lack of postseason success, discipline, and accountability. Heyman offers his own “analytics,” namely the Yankees manager’s inability to lead his team to a single championship in nine years (and only one World Series berth as well). He joins a crowded field, including The Athletic’s Ian O’Connor, in drawing a line in the sand.
New York Daily News | Gary Phillips: Despite the increasing urgency for a leadership change from journalists and fans alike, there are some key indicators that Boone is likely to stick around for at least one more season. For one, he’s owed $5.5 million for last year, the last on his deal. For another, the impending lockout would make it an uphill battle for a new manager to put in the legwork necessary to build trust with his players before the new season, as they wouldn’t be able to contact each other from December 1st until a new CBA is struck. Boone also retains the vocal support of his locker room, a fact which might solicit eyerolls from the Yankees faithful but still holds sway with the front office.
FanGraphs | Brendan Gawlowski: The Arizona Fall League is a full week into play at this point, and Michael Zeno helpfully wrote up the action on how the Yankees’ prospects fared our west during this initial showing. For more on one of said prospects, here’s Gawlowski on a number of different AFL-ers (a-fellers?) who he saw in person. He’s a big fan of Dax Kilby, the Yankees’ top draft pick from 2025 who had an injury-riddled year and is catching up on lost time. Gawlowski wrote that Kilby is the best player he saw, and that he “is quick and direct to the ball, he doesn’t leak early, his swing stays on plane forever, he adjusts well off the fastball, and he can use the whole field.” Good review!
MLB Trade Rumors | Charlie Wright: The 2026 season went better for Paul Goldschmidt than his Yankees debut in 2025, when he burned bright early but faded down the stretch. There was some of that this past season as well for the veteran, but he was generally more consistent and the Yankees were more disciplined about using him less against righties. All told, it led to a 111 OPS+ and 18 homers in 380 plate appearances, good for a .452 slugging percentage that was his highest since his NL MVP-winning 2022 in St. Louis (with a reliable glove at first, too). Although Goldschmidt turned 39 in September, he would like to keep playing in 2027.
The fit might not be there for the Yankees with Luis García Jr. now joining Ben Rice in the first base mix next spring, but if Goldy wants to play for a few million again, I suspect that someone can pick him up — if not only to see if he can get the 10 homers he needs to reach 400 in an excellent career that is a bit of a dark horse Hall of Fame case.
Australia resumes on Day 2 in Durban with plenty for Matt Renshaw, Pat Cummins and the tail to do to mount a competitive first innings total – as a huge day with the ball awaits. Live updates below!
How will Arsenal and Leeds United fare today? Here is what to know, including kick-off time, TV channels and live stream options
Three points is all that separates Arsenal and Leeds United as the Premier League returns after a three-week international break, with the latter one of the surprise packages of the season so far.
Unlike Arsenal, Leeds have yet to lose a league game this season. Daniel Farke’s team have earned a reputation for being difficult to beat and have the quality to cause an upset in north London this weekend.
The Wallabies suffer a 12th straight defeat to the All Blacks as the home side extend their unbeaten streak at Eden Park to 54 Tests
Out come the Wallabies into the arena. The response, as you might expect, is muted. The Eden Park floodlights are starting to take effect as a beautiful evening transitions into a gloaming.
Tonight’s referee is the Cardiff-born, former Belgium international, now Irish Rugby Football Union official Andrew Brace.
The Wallabies were looking to do something they haven’t done in 24 years as they took on the All Blacks in the opening Bledisloe Cup Test at Eden Park.
For their first road trip of the 2026-27 season, the Anaheim Ducks set out for a brief two-game-in-two-days trip to Canada to face the Winnipeg Jets on Friday, followed by the Calgary Flames on Saturday.
After winning their first two games of the season, the Ducks suffered their first loss at the hands of the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday.
The opposing Jets entered the game undefeated in regulation, with a surprising 3-0-1 record on the season. They were without star defenseman Josh Morrissey in this game, who is listed as “day-to-day” with an upper body injury.
Ducks head coach Joel Quenneville shuffled several of his lines and pairs, as he’s want to do after losses, and especially losses where multiple lines need a jolt. The only forward line to remain intact from Wednesday was the fourth line and the only defense pair untouched was the middle pair.
Here’s how the Ducks lined up to start this game:
Sennecke-Carlsson-Colangelo
Gauthier-Granlund-Nesterenko
Killorn-Poehling-Greer
Malott-Washe-Caulfield
LaCombe-Warren
Mintyukov-Mitchell
Hinds-Luneau
Lukas Dostal got the start for the Ducks for the fourth time in four games to open the season and stopped 15 of 16 shots. He was opposed by Clay Stevenson in the Winnipeg crease, who saved 12 of 16.
This was far and away the Ducks’ tightest-checking, low-event game of the season and likely such in recent memory. However, it was less sloppy and more efficient an effort, as they were opportunistic on the rush, where all five of their goals were scored, and they allowed virtually no inside looks for Winnipeg and cleared any second-chance opportunities.
Game Notes
Fourth Line: Scoring two of the Ducks’ five goals was their consistent fourth line. They did everything expected of a modern NHL fourth line in this game: provided energy, displayed responsible defense, pressured heavily on the forecheck, etc.
However, when they won possession of the puck, they operated like an excellent top-nine line in this game. They were reading how plays were breaking, carried pucks smartly and skillfully through neutral ice with speed, and revealed a finishing quality that’s rare among players in their roles.
Washe was disruptive on the defensive end and drove cycles, Mallot showed surprising IQ, speed, and vision with the puck on his stick, and Caulfield made stickhandles and passes under opposing sticks all game.
The Ducks needed to find depth scoring from somewhere, and the fourth line, the last place one would expect to find it, delivered masterfully.
Noah Warren: Warren finished the Ducks’ game against the Oilers alongside star defenseman Jackson LaCombe, where he played the entirety of this game. He logged 24:12 TOI, including 5:16 on the penalty kill, where he was a significant contributor to the Ducks killing all four penalties they took.
Warren didn’t miss a beat with his promotion, and provided not only “stay at home” support for LaCombe, but he proved remarkably effective with his mobility, more akin to a modern-day shutdown defenseman. As mentioned, he covered a lot of ice on the defensive side of the puck with his stride and reach, greatly and rapidly minimizing time and space for his opponent.
Even on the occasional misread, he recovered remarkably well and was able to disrupt multiple attacks singlehandedly. His puck-moving was simple, but effective, as he was equal parts careful and decisive.
Breakouts: As a whole, the Ducks breakouts were much more simplified in this game. Defensemen weren’t quick to settle for rimming pucks to open half walls. Instead, if they were unable to make a tape-to-tape outlet, they resorted to high flips or glass-chips into neutral ice, so as to punt an ensuing battle to neutral instead of deep in the defensive zone.
Forwards, especially lower in the lineup, were similarly elementary with their second touches and more willing to chase down and pressure opponents who attained possession.
Beckett Sennecke: Sennecke’s 365-day evolution from turnover-prone rookie to bona fide play-driving sophomore will go a long way toward mitigating what the Ducks’ depth chart lost over the offseason. One of his biggest strengths coming out of junior was his ability to read how pucks bounce out of battles and how to manufacture puck touches for himself at full speed.
He’s translating that element of his game seamlessly just 86 games into his career. He’s understanding his limitations at the NHL level, limiting his propensity for risky plays. Sennecke is attacking the game rather than letting it come to him and operating at breakneck speed. He’s singlehandedly dictating the flow of play and not only reading and manipulating single defenders one-on-one, but entire opposing defensive structures. He’s playing like a true superstar winger four games into this young season.
The Ducks will have a quick turnaround, as they’ll travel to Calgary to face the Flames on Saturday at 7 pm PST.
The Los Angeles Dodgers will have Tarik Skubal and Yoshinobu Yamamoto start the first two games of the National League Championship Series.
Those games will come on the road against the Milwaukee Brewers, who have home-field advantage after finishing the regular season with an MLB-best 103–59 record.
The Dodgers, seeking a three-peat, are making their 14th straight playoff appearance, tied with the Atlanta Braves (1991-2005) for the most consecutive postseason appearances in MLB history.
Skubal is slotted in as the Game 1 starter, the Dodgers said, with Yamamoto using his experience from last season's World Series run to his advantage in the second game.
Tarik Skubal starting NLCS Game 1 for Dodgers
The Dodgers acquired the ace pitcher in a blockbuster trade with the Detroit Tigers in early August, sending outfielder Zyhir Hope and right-handed pitchers River Ryan and Brady Smith to Detroit.
Skubal has already provided the Dodgers with a postseason win this season. He allowed just two hits, a home run and a pair of walks in six innings pitched against the Atlanta Braves in Game 1 of the National League Division Series on Oct. 3. He recorded seven strikeouts.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto starting NLCS Game 2 for Dodgers
Manager Dave Roberts has tabbed Yamamoto as the Game 2 starter.
Much like Skubal, the right-handed pitcher also earned a victory in his first start of the postseason. He allowed four hits and an earned run while walking one in seven innings pitched in Game 3 against the Braves. He had 10 strikeouts.
He's produced an 8-1 record with a 2.14 ERA during the postseason over the last three seasons.
ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 06: Mauricio Dubón #14 of the Atlanta Braves bats during Game Three of the National League Division Series presented by Booking.com between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on Tuesday, October 6, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images
Friday marked a slow day for the Atlanta Braves on the news front as the club settles into the offseason. After another early exit, the Braves will determine which pending free agents should rejoin the club. From Ha-Seong Kim to Mauricio Dubón, let’s dive into the looming free agents and the value they could bring to the clubhouse.
More Braves News:
Isaiah Drake recorded a hit in the Arizona Fall League. More in the minor league recap.
MLB News:
Boston Red Sox reliever Garrett Whitlock was recently diagnosed with a fractured tibia. He is not expected to require surgery.
The New York Rangers’ 3-1 loss to the Washington Capitals on Friday night was completely overshadowed by a scary lower-body injury suffered by Igor Shesterkin.
The injury occurred in the second period as Shesterkin went way out of his crease to challenge the puck carrier, Pierre-Luc Dubois. Upon sliding back into his crease, Shesterkin’s right skate made contact with the post, and he immediately collapsed to the ground, pounding the ice in pain.
The 30-year-old goaltender remained on the ice for a lengthy stretch of time before being helped to the bench by Sean Durzi and Marcus Pettersson, unable to put any weight on his right leg.
Shesterkin was quickly ruled out for the remainder of the contest, and while Mike Sullivan said after the Rangers’ loss that he had no update on the severity of Shesterkin’s injury, the way in which he exited the game brought a wave of concern throughout the entire team.
“It’s concerning,” Sullivan said of Shesterkin’s injury. “He’s an elite goaltender. I mean, you don't ever want to see anybody get hurt, but obviously, he's an important player for us.”
Through his first four starts of the season, Shesterkin was playing at an extremely high level, posting a .926 save percentage heading into Washington.
Shesterkin’s stellar goaltending helped propel the Rangers to a 4-1 start to the season, but that newfound momentum came to a screeching halt when the Blueshirts’ franchise star crumbled to the ice.
“It’s awful, he’s a pillar of this team,” J.T. Miller said. “It stinks. We don't even know what's going on, but to see him leave the game is a shock to all of us, a shock to all of us.”
In relief of Shesterkin, Dylan Garand stepped in and saved 11 of 12 shots as the rookie goaltender was thrust into a difficult situation.
Despite not knowing the severity of Shesterkin’s injury just yet, it’s hard not to speculate about the long-term ramifications that could possibly be on the horizon for the Rangers.
If Shesterkin were to miss time, the Rangers would find themselves in a difficult situation given their current goaltending depth.
Joonas Korpisalo was placed on injured reserve following the Rangers’ season opener due to a lower-body injury, and he had not resumed skating as of Thursday.
Meanwhile, Hartford Wolf Pack goaltender Spencer Martin is day-to-day with a lower-body injury, which means the Rangers may be forced to call up Callum Tung from the American Hockey League, who has no NHL experience under his belt.
Garand, who was placed on waivers by the Rangers before the season began, is slated to take on the Rangers’ starting goaltending role if Shesterkin misses time.
The Rangers’ impressive start to the season brought forward so much hope and excitement for a team desperately looking to turn the page after a frustrating two-year span.
Now, the Rangers are facing down the barrel of potentially missing Shesterkin for a long period of time, which would almost certainly set back any progress the organization was hoping to make.
“We're not going to let (Igor's injury) take the wind out of our sails,” Miller said.
The only thing left for Rangers fans to do at this point is wait to find out more about Shesterkin’s status and hope he is OK, or at least that the injury was not as bad as it looked.
“Definitely not a good feeling for anyone seeing anyone on your team go down, especially a guy like that who’s kind of the pillar on the back end,” Adam Fox said. “It sucks. Obviously, we’re hoping for the best for him.”
After two poor efforts against the Winnipeg Jets and Washington Capitals, it was reasonable to assume that the Pittsburgh Penguins might bring their A-game Friday against an opponent they've historically gotten the best of.
But whatever is the exact opposite of an A-game is what ended up translating on the ice for the vast majority of the game.
The Penguins fought their way back from a 2-0 deficit against the Columbus Blue Jackets to force overtime and a shootout, but the Jackets ultimately prevailed, 3-2, to cap off what was a dominant effort from them. Columbus outshot the Penguins by a wide margin, 45-22, and the Penguins compiled most of their shots in the third period.
Sergei Murashov was outstanding for Pittsburgh, stopping 43 of 45 shots on goal.
From the jump, the Penguins could not get much generated. Columbus was skating circles around them, and it culminated when Damon Severson scored to give the Jackets a 1-0 lead midway through the first period.
For much of the second period, it was the same song and dance. Pittsburgh was disjointed, and Columbus kept taking advantage of that with sustained zone time. Mathieu Olivier made it 2-0 with eight and a half to go in the middle frame, and the Penguins got a late goal from Bryan Rust - his patented power move around a defender and across the net-front - to cut the deficit to one.
Stepping in and stepping up 💪
Bryan Rust has his second goal in as many games after making his season debut. pic.twitter.com/qXJ9Ce4F8e
Then, considering how things went in the first 40 minutes, Pittsburgh was much better in the third.
A little more than three minutes into the final frame, the Penguins' first line was pressuring in the offensive zone. A fresh Evgeni Malkin crashed the net, and Erik Karlsson sent a shot in his vicinity that may or may not have hit Rickard Rakell on the way in. Malkin poke the puck through the five-hole of Jackets' netminder Cam Talbot, and the game was suddenly tied.
Murashov worked hard to get the game to overtime, stopping 40 of 42 shots in regulation. However, a back-and-forth overtime was not enough, and a shootout was forced - which has, in recent years, not been good news for the Penguins.
None of Rakell, Egor Chinakhov, or Ben Kindel managed to score on Talbot, but Columbus's first by Kent Johnson beat Murashov to give Columbus the win. That gives the Penguins their 15th shootout loss in their last 18.
- There is nothing good to say about the first two periods of this game for the Penguins.
They had three shots in the first period. By the end of the second period, they had six. Even with the goal by Rust toward the end of the second, the Penguins were still sloppy for the rest of the period.
Fast starts were a trademark for the Penguins last season and in the first two games of this season against the Philadelphia Flyers and Montreal Canadiens. In the last three, the Penguins were plain lethargic to start, and they've had a hard time coming back from that.
It bears repeating, but this team just looks so disjointed for large stretches right now. Maybe that's due to a shortened camp and so many new faces, maybe not.
But it's something they need to correct quickly.
- That said, the one guy on the ice - aside from Kindel, who has been excellent - actually looking pretty good through the two games he's played in is Rust.
It was pointed out by many that Rust had an extra step in training camp this year. It was noticeable, and he was far and away one of the standout players in camp before yet another injury plagued him to start the season.
Rust looks like he's carried that momentum into the regular season. His speed has seen a resurgence, and he's a difference-maker in this lineup right now.
The Penguins sorely missed him. He needs to stay healthy for a variety of reasons.
- Someone I'd like to see more from is Chinakhov. He did have two of the Penguins' three shots in the first period, but it feels as though Malkin and Tommy Novak have been able to generate offense more consistently than Chinakhov up to this point.
He's very close. Once he breaks through and rips one, it feels like the floodgates will open.
But, in general, the Penguins need more from their top-six as a whole, especially the first line. It was another rough night for Sidney Crosby and Rakell.
- I haven't been overly impressed with Hendrix Lapierre in these last couple of games.
Like everyone else, he was shot out of a cannon to start the season. Since the Montreal game, though, I think he's looked very much like a fourth-liner.
I'd like to see Robertson elevated back up in the lineup, and perhaps, Elmer Soderblom get a game in place of Lapierre on the fourth line. The Penguins could use Soderblom's size and forechecking right now, and Blake Lizotte, Connor Dewar, and Soderblom were a tried and true combination in the stretch run last season.
- It's hard to be overly critical of the defensive pairings - Sam Girard and Kaedan Korczak have, by far, been the best pairing for the Penguins so far - because there are three new guys on it, and it's going to take some time for things to gel.
But this is a third-straight less-than-pedestrian effort from the Trevor van Riemsdyk and Kris Letang pairing.
I believe there's another level to both of these guys. They played well in the first two games of the season, along with most of the rest of the Penguins. But if they are unable to find another level in the next handful of games, I don't think load management, at the very least, should be out of the question.
The Penguins have Spencer Stastney, and they have two very capable young defenders in Owen Pickering and Harrison Brunicke down at the AHL level. Of course, waivers and other roster moves would have to be made in order for the latter two to make the jump, but it will be interesting to monitor how those two are doing in comparison to the bottom pairing on the NHL club.
- The single-biggest story of this game was Murashov. And, boy, was he magnificent.
His performance through the end of overtime gives him a .938 save percentage through two starts on the season - the eighth-best mark in the NHL. Many of those saves were ten-bell saves, too, including one nearing the end of regulation on a Zach Werenski chance.
This guy is so far beyond his age when it comes to poise and confidence, and his quickness is effortless. The ease and speed at which he gets post-to-post, left-to-right, and up-and-down is insanely quick, and his anticipation and reads are phenomenal.
Arturs Silovs has mostly been fine to start the season, and given that the Penguins play a back-to-back, he will get the net Saturday against the Dallas Stars. But, right now - unless Silovs puts forth an effort against Dallas akin to his playoff performance last season - Murashov is quickly separating himself as the team's No. 1.
There is something different about this guy. This was a statement game from the rookie who looks absolutely nothing like a rookie out there, and it's something for Murashov to continue building on as the Penguins navigate a tough Western road trip starting Tuesday.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Boone Jenner’s goal in the second period proved to be the winner as the Washington Capitals beat the Rangers 3-1 on Friday night after New York goaltender Igor Shesterkin had to be helped from the ice after being injured.
Jenner scored on a wrist shot that made it a 2-1 game with 2:22 remaining in the second period. Tom Wilson and Timothy Liljegren also scored for the Capitals. Logan Thompson made 21 saves.
Alexis Lafreniere scored for the Rangers.
Dylan Garand made 11 saves for the Rangers after entering the game for the injured Shesterkin, who had 13 saves.
Shesterkin had to be helped off the ice after an awkward fall into his own net. He came well out of his crease to challenge a shooter and fell as he scrambled back to the net midway through the second period. The 30-year-old Russian caught his skate on the post as he slid back into the crease and collapsed into the net.
Shesterkin lay on the ice for several minutes holding his right knee as he received medical attention. He did not put any weight on his right leg as he was helped off the ice by teammates.
KRAKEN 6, RED WINGS 3
DETROIT (AP) — Frederick Gaudreau scored twice, Ben Myers had a goal and two assists and Seattle had a four-goal second period in a victory over Detroit.
Philipp Grubauer made 38 saves in Seattle’s first regulation victory in Detroit.
The fans at Little Caesars Arena’s chant of “Sell The Team! Sell The Team!” got louder and louder as the game drifted to a finish.
Detroit dominated early, putting eight shots on goal in the first seven minutes, but Grubauer made several tough saves.
The Red Wings were more successful with the man advantage, taking the lead at 9:19 when Viktor Arvidsson tapped the puck across the line after Grubauer didn’t cleanly handle Lucas Raymond’s shot. Arvidsson has power-play goals in each of Detroit’s last three games.
Seattle was being outshot 16-3 before Berkly Catton took a pass from Kaapo Kakko, drove to the net and put a backhander over Gibson’s pad.
Detroit defenseman William Wallinder made it 2-1 at 4:00 of the second with his first NHL goal, but the Kraken answered with three goals on their next four shots to take a two-goal lead.
Gaudreau got the first and third goals, both off passes from Ryan Winterton. Mackie Samoskevich scored the middle goal at 6:59 after Wallinder’s turnover.
BLUE JACKETS 3, PENGUINS 2, SO
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Kent Johnson scored the only goal in a shootout to lift Columbus over Pittsburgh.
Damon Severson had a goal and an assist for Columbus. Mathieu Olivier also scored, and Cole Sillinger added two assists.
Cam Talbot made 20 saves and denied all three Pittsburgh attempts in the shootout.
Evgeni Malkin and Bryan Rust scored for the Penguins, who have dropped three straight games since winning their first two this season. Malkin tied it 2-all at 3:19 of the third period.
Johnson beat Sergei Murashov with a snap shot to begin the shootout.
Murashov stopped 43 shots in regulation.
The Blue Jackets outshot the Penguins 45-22 and won 66.7% of the faceoffs. Columbus outhit Pittsburgh 21-9.
The Penguins blocked 20 shots.
DUCKS 5, JETS 1
WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) — Rookie Judd Caulfield scored his first NHL goal and added an assist to help Anaheim beat Winnipeg for its first regulation loss of the season.
Tim Washe and Mikael Granlund each had a goal and an assist, and Sam Colangelo and Nikita Nesterenko also scored to help the Ducks improve to 3-1-0.
Lukas Dostal stopped 15 shots or Anaheim, allowing only Kyle Conner’s goal.
After the Jets trimmed it to 3-1 midway through the third period, Granlund sunk Winnipeg’s hopes with a goal with 5:54 remaining.
Conner, who was playing in his 700th NHL game, pulled the Jets to 3-1 when Mark Scheifele sent him in alone on Dostal for his sixth goal of the season.
Clay Stevenson made 12 saves for Winnipeg. The Jets are 3-1-1.
WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) — Rookie Judd Caulfield scored his first NHL goal and added an assist to help the Anaheim Ducks beat Winnipeg 5-1 on Friday night for the Jets' first regulation loss of the season.
Tim Washe and Mikael Granlund each had a goal and an assist, and Sam Colangelo and Nikita Nesterenko also scored to help the Ducks improve to 3-1-0.
Dostal stopped 15 shots or Anaheim, allowing only Kyle Conner's goal.
After the Jets trimmed it to 3-1 midway through the third period, Granlund sunk Winnipeg’s hopes with a goal with 5:54 remaining.
Conner, who was playing in his 700th NHL game, pulled the Jets to 3-1 when Mark Scheifele sent him in alone on Lukas Dostal for his sixth goal of the season.
Clay Stevenson made 12 saves for Winnipeg. The Jets are 3-1-1.
Garrett Whitlock pitches during the ninth inning of a game against the Tampa Bay Rays on September 19, 2026 at at Tropicana Field in St Petersburg, Florida.
Red Sox pitcher Garrett Whitlock spent the final month of the 2026 season pitching through a broken leg without knowing the full extent of his injury.
The 30-year-old right-hander was diagnosed with a fractured right tibia after Boston’s elimination from the postseason at the hands of the Yankees, according to the Boston Globe.
Whitlock had been dealing with leg discomfort throughout September but continued pitching during the Red Sox’s playoff push, leading to their American League wild-card series appearance against the Yankees.
Further evaluation following Boston’s postseason exit revealed the fracture, which had not previously been diagnosed.
Garrett Whitlock pitches during the ninth inning of a game against the Tampa Bay Rays on September 19, 2026, at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. Getty Images
Despite the injury, Whitlock put together an impressive final month of the regular season.
He made eight appearances in September, allowing zero earned runs across 7 ⅓ innings while recording nine strikeouts and two walks.
Whitlock also allowed just six hits during that stretch, helping Boston secure a postseason berth.
Unfortunately, Whitlock was ineffective in the playoffs, allowing three earned runs in just 1 ⅓ innings, finishing the postseason with a 20.25 ERA.
Garrett Whitlock pitches during the eighth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on August 29, 2026, in New York City. Getty Images
The Red Sox were aware of his discomfort and reportedly worked with Whitlock to manage the pain, although the fracture itself remained undetected.
Fortunately for Whitlock, the fracture is not expected to require surgery, according to the Globe.
He will reportedly spend four to six weeks in a walking boot while the injury heals, with the expectation that he will be healthy enough to participate in spring training next year, assuming the season starts on time amid rumors of a potential lockout.
Whitlock finished the regular season with a career-best 1.72 ERA across 54 appearances, striking out 59 batters and walking just nine over 52 ⅓ innings.
He also recorded a career-high 26 holds while serving as one of Boston’s primary setup options ahead of closer Aroldis Chapman.
The injury adds to a season in which Whitlock already spent time on the injured list with a left knee injury and later elbow inflammation.
Whitlock remains under team control with club options for the 2027 and 2028 seasons.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Cam Talbot became the first NHL goalie to win a game with nine different teams by stopping 20 shots in the Columbus Blue Jackets' 3-2 shootout win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday night.
In his first season with Columbus, Talbot stopped all three of Chicago's shots in the shootout to surpass the previous record set by Curtis McElhinney, Sean Burke and Ron Tugnutt.
Talbot, in his 13th NHL season, has won games with the New York Rangers, Edmonton, Philadelphia, Calgary, Minnesota, Ottawa, Detroit and the Los Angeles Kings.
DENVER, CO - JUNE 24: Colorado Rockies outfielders Mickey Moniak (22), Cole Carrigg (16), and Jake McCarthy (31) celebrate the win after a game between the Boston Red Sox and the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on June 24, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The offseason is in full swing and teams will be looking ahead to the moves they want to make. There can’t be any action until after the World Series has concluded, but that doesn’t mean teams can’t have discussions with players about their futures ahead of the potential lockout that is looming in early December.
One of the possible futures is a contract extension.
We saw the Rockies extend Mickey Moniak earlier this season, but there are a few others who might be candidates: Hunter Goodman, Jake McCarthy, and/or Cole Carrigg.
Goodman is a two-time All-Star and became the first Rockie to hit 40+ home runs in a season since Nolan Arenado in 2019. He also set all sorts of records both for catchers, Rockies, and Rockies catchers.
McCarthy was traded for last offseason and immediately made an impact on the roster. He became a threat all over the basepaths and set a tone for what the Rockies are potentially looking for in players.
Carrigg is “Mr. Utility” and that was on display this year. The switch-hitting INF/OF’s “hair on fire” style of play was on full display in 2026. While he is merely a rookie, we’ve seen plenty of teams extend young players in their first or second year.
What do you think, Rowers? Which of these players are prime candidates for an extension, or might they all be? Let us know in the comments!
