Author: MLB Baseball News, Scores, Standings, Rumors, Fantasy Games

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MLB celebrating Jackie Robinson Day on 78th anniversary of his historic debut

MLB celebrating Jackie Robinson Day on 78th anniversary of his historic debut originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

April 15 will forever be a special day for baseball.

On this day 78 years ago, Jackie Robinson made his MLB debut for the Brooklyn Dodgers and broke the sport’s color barrier. Twenty-eight years ago, commissioner Bud Selig announced that Robinson’s No. 42 would be retired across the league.

On Tuesday, however, Robinson’s number will once again be on the back of every player.

Jackie Robinson Day was first held on April 15, 2004. Five years later, a new tradition was born when every player, manager and coach began wearing No. 42 for the celebration.

That custom will continue on Tuesday, with all organizations are sporting No. 42 in Dodger blue regardless of their regular uniform colors. Players, managers, coaches and umpires will also wear a “42” patch on the side of their hats.

All 30 MLB teams will be in action on Tuesday, with Robinson’s Dodgers hosting the Colorado Rockies in Los Angeles.

MLB is also planning a league-wide pregame tribute video produced by MLB Network and featuring former pro softball player AJ Andrews.

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred and Robinson’s widow, Rachel Robinson, will be at the Jackie Robinson Museum in New York to welcome participants from local Nike Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities programs.

Down in Florida, MLB’s Jackie Robinson Training Complex in Vero Beach will host a minor league game between the Clearwater Threshers and the Palm Beach Cardinals at historic Holman Stadium, where Robinson once played. The game will raise money to support vital programs and services in Indian River County.

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MLB celebrating Jackie Robinson Day on 78th anniversary of his historic debut

MLB celebrating Jackie Robinson Day on 78th anniversary of his historic debut originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

April 15 will forever be a special day for baseball.

On this day 78 years ago, Jackie Robinson made his MLB debut for the Brooklyn Dodgers and broke the sport’s color barrier. Twenty-eight years ago, commissioner Bud Selig announced that Robinson’s No. 42 would be retired across the league.

On Tuesday, however, Robinson’s number will once again be on the back of every player.

Jackie Robinson Day was first held on April 15, 2004. Five years later, a new tradition was born when every player, manager and coach began wearing No. 42 for the celebration.

That custom will continue on Tuesday, with all organizations are sporting No. 42 in Dodger blue regardless of their regular uniform colors. Players, managers, coaches and umpires will also wear a “42” patch on the side of their hats.

All 30 MLB teams will be in action on Tuesday, with Robinson’s Dodgers hosting the Colorado Rockies in Los Angeles.

MLB is also planning a league-wide pregame tribute video produced by MLB Network and featuring former pro softball player AJ Andrews.

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred and Robinson’s widow, Rachel Robinson, will be at the Jackie Robinson Museum in New York to welcome participants from local Nike Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities programs.

Down in Florida, MLB’s Jackie Robinson Training Complex in Vero Beach will host a minor league game between the Clearwater Threshers and the Palm Beach Cardinals at historic Holman Stadium, where Robinson once played. The game will raise money to support vital programs and services in Indian River County.

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With their Big 3 intact, Dodgers rediscover their offense in win over Colorado

Mookie Betts, right, celebrates with Freddie Freeman after hitting a two-run home run against the Rockies at Dodger Stadium.
Mookie Betts, right, celebrates with Freddie Freeman after hitting a two-run home run in the first inning of a 5-3 win over the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium on Monday night. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

The Dodgers finally solved their recent offensive woes on Monday.

And the answer, it turned out, wasn’t much of a mystery.

Sure, manager Dave Roberts noted in his pregame media address, the Dodgers needed to be more selective at the plate, coming off a 3-6 skid over the last two weeks in which they’d hit .218 as a team and averaged barely three runs per game.

Read more:Wes Parker has fond memories of his Dodgers career, and no regrets that he ended it

“When you’re swinging and trying to cover every pitch, all parts of the zone, that’s tough to do in the big leagues,” Roberts said. “I think having an idea of where you want to hunt is a good start for us.”

During afternoon batting practice, the Dodgers’ hitting coaches changed up the routine, too, having batters take swings off a high-velocity pitching machine — rather than soft tosses from members of the staff — in hopes of improving the offense’s mediocre production against fastballs.

“We always prioritize hitting velocity, and that’s something we haven’t done great,” hitting coach Robert Van Scoyoc said. “So, thought it was a good day to do it.”

But the biggest difference on Monday, in the Dodgers’ 5-3 win over the Colorado Rockies, was to the lineup itself.

Dodgers pitcher Dustin May celebrates after striking out Colorado's Michael Togliato end the fourth inning Monday.
Dodgers pitcher Dustin May celebrates after striking out Colorado's Michael Togliato end the fourth inning Monday. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

For just the fifth time in 18 games, Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman were all in the batting order again.

And, for arguably the first time this season, the Dodgers’ Big 3 looked like their terrifying, thunderous selves — setting the tone, leading the way and quieting questions about the recently sluggish offense by keying a season-high 10-hit performance from the team.

“Those guys, they're perennial All-Stars for a reason,” Roberts said. “And having them do what they do is certainly helpful.”

On Monday, the Dodgers (12-6) were reminded of that from the very start.

Betts hit a two-run home run in the top of the first, after Ohtani led the game off with a single. Ohtani went yard himself in the third inning, collecting his fifth long ball of the season on a no-doubt blast to center. Freeman tacked on two hits in a return to form following time away on the injured list.

Read more:Plaschke: Invincible Dodgers look very beatable, and that’s a problem

Combined, they were seven for 14 with three RBIs and all five runs scored — a stat line that would have been bigger if two long drives from Ohtani didn’t die at the warning track on a crisp Chavez Ravine night.

“We just gotta continue to have good at-bats,” Betts said.

Those weren’t the only contributions that aided the Dodgers in their series-opening win.

Dustin May continued his strong return to health with a six-inning, one-run, seven-strikeout gem against the Rockies (3-13) and a lineup that hadn’t scored in a whopping 32 innings until an RBI double from Kyle Farmer in the fifth.

“It wasn’t fun giving up the first run in five games for them,” May joked, “but it was a solid start, so can’t complain.”

Will Smith, who was batting fourth with Teoscar Hernández out because of a stomach bug, also had two hits and two RBIs, improving to eight for 11 when batting with runners in scoring position.

Still, it was the three MVPs atop the Dodgers' lineup that injected life back into their scuffling offense, grinding out the kind of productive and taxing at-bats that had been missing in recent weeks. 

Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani beats a throw to Colorado first baseman Michael Toglia for a single Monday night.
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani beats a throw to Colorado first baseman Michael Toglia for a single Monday night. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Entering Monday, Ohtani was batting just .219 over his last eight games, cooling off from his blistering start. Same story with Betts, who hit .250 with just one extra base hit over his last 10 contests.

Then there was Freeman, the iron-man first baseman who reluctantly went on the injured list after re-aggravating his surgically repaired ankle earlier this month while slipping in the shower. After a one-for-seven showing in his return this past weekend against the Chicago Cubs, he opened with a single in the first and double in the third, before later reaching on an error in the sixth that led to a key insurance run.

Betts said the trio wasn’t feeling added pressure to snap the club out of its offensive funk. He noted that “everybody feels that responsibility, just because we all can do it.”

“We all know we’ve been struggling,” Betts said. “Everybody is trying to be the guy to get us out. But I think we have to kind of go the opposite way and stop trying so hard and just kind of let it happen ... when you just let things happen, just play the game like you always do, good things tend to happen.”

Nonetheless, the game is a lot easier for the Dodgers when their superstar trio is producing.

And on Monday, it trickled down to one of the club’s better all-around offensive showings. The Dodgers struck out just three times. They drew five walks. And they constantly “created stress,” as Roberts proudly pointed out, even though they squandered the opportunity to put more crooked numbers on the board by going just two for 10 with runners in scoring position.

“We took our walks, [created] a lot of traffic, really got to the starter,” Roberts said. “[We got] back to kind of who we are.”

In performance; and, even more so, personnel.

Sign up for more Dodgers news with Dodgers Dugout. Delivered at the start of each series.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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Mets Notes: Luisangel Acuña provides spark at bottom of order, Mark Vientos ‘getting close’ at plate

Postgame, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza discusses what he saw in Monday's 5-1 win over the Twins...

Acuña making his mark

The Mets haven’t received much from the bottom of the order so far this season. 

But on Monday night, Luisangel Acuña stepped up and put together one of his strongest showings of the year to this point -- reaching base three times and causing havoc with his electric speed. 

The youngster got things started for New York in the top of the third as he led off the inning with a walk and then proceeded to steal second before coming around to score three batters later on a Pete Alonso single. 

Two innings later, he lined a double down the right-field line, but was stranded there. 

Acuña then led off the top of the seventh with a perfectly-placed bunt single down the third base line -- and he came around to score one two batters later on Juan Soto’s second homer of the season. 

“Every time we get contributions from the bottom of the lineup it’s important,” Mendoza said. “Today Acuña had the walk, double, he got us going with a bunt single, stole a base. There’s a lot of different ways he can help us win games.”

Acuña is now riding a four-game hitting streak. 

This recent hot stretch comes at a perfect time as Jeff McNeil continues to progress through his rehab assignment and will likely take over the bulk of the playing time at second base before you know it.  

But Acuña could potentially continue finding his way into the lineup in center with Jose Siri now expected to miss significant time with a fractured tibia. 

Is Vientos turning the corner? 

He just might be. 

After roping a go-ahead RBI double into the right-center field gap in the top of the sixth, Vientos now has knocks in three straight games and he’s driven in a run with a extra base-hit on back-to-back days. 

He still has a ways to go to snap this early-season skid, but Mendoza is certainly happy with what he’s seen from the 25-year-old over the past few games.

“Overall he’s been giving us really good at-bats,” he said. “The results we haven’t got any -- but it’s a good sign, especially to hit it like that. I think it was a sinker and when he’s doing that those are some good signs for him.”

Vientos returning to form would be a huge boost for this struggling offense.

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Yankees Notes: Carlos Carrasco delivers best start yet, Jasson Dominguez gains confidence in outfield

When the Yankees pulled Carlos Carrasco in the fifth inning of last Tuesday's loss to the Detroit Tigers, the feel-good story he produced in spring training seemed like a distant memory. Of the four runs the veteran right-hander allowed at a frigid Comerica Park, three came via solo home runs, and he watched his ERA rise to a bloated 7.71.

But the 38-year-old demonstrated on Monday that his current spot in the starting rotation was still earned on merit, and not just given to him by neccessity. Carrasco twirled five innings of one-hit ball in the Yankees' 4-1 home win over the Kansas City Royals -- undoubtedly his most encouraging outing of the young season.

"Just moxie, man. His change was really good, had good bottom to it," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said of Carrasco. "He was kind of working through his breaking balls as the night went on and he executed some good ones there. But his changeup was really good. He was in and around the strike zone enough, able to get a little chase with it too... A big five innings from him."

Carrasco found himself in an early jam by walking a pair in the first inning, but it didn't take long for him to work out of trouble and gain composure. His lone mistake was a slider thrown to Royals stud Bobby Witt Jr. that landed in the left field seats for a solo homer and ended a competitive 10-pitch battle.

The bounceback performance from Carrasco included four strikeouts across five frames, and brought his ERA down to 5.94 (four starts, 16.2 innings). He's lined up to make his next start on the road against the Tampa Bay Rays this weekend, in the ballpark that brought him good fortune during spring camp.

Dominguez finding his footing

If the Yankees felt that Jasson Dominguez needed a healthy amount of fly balls sent his way in left field on Monday, the Royals were more than willing to cooperate. The rookie registered a career-high six putouts behind Carrasco, and his most impressive catch came in the fourth inning when he took extra bases away from Salvador Perez with a leaping over-the-shoulder catch.

"It was tough, but got a good jump on it. Just kept my eyes on the ball," Dominguez said after the game. "For myself, after I make that play, it feels pretty good. Because I've been working every day with [coach Luis Rojas], putting in consistent work, and it's showing off."

The highlight-reel play was undoubtedly a confidence-booster for Dominguez, and once he returned to the dugout when the inning ended, his teammates were there to praise him. The transition from center field to left field has been far from seamless -- missplays in spring training raised some fair questions and concerns -- but he's clearly more comfortable with the route running.

Dominguez was once again taken out of the game late for defensive purposes -- Cody Bellinger replaced him in the ninth -- but he undoubtedly made strides on Monday that reaffirmed the Yankees' faith in him settling into the new positiion. Boone has also noticed the growth in Dominguez's tracking that simply comes from constant reps.

"What I like is the ease in the routes and the ease that he's getting to those balls," Boone said of Dominguez. "Since the start of the season, I feel like he's grown. The right footwork, the right move to the ball. And that's when you're going to start seeing the range with his speed show up... There's no greater teacher than experience."

When in doubt, stick to the homer

The Yankees entered Monday with just three homers in their previous seven games, and Royals starter Seth Lugo arrived in the Bronx with only two long balls allowed to them across 14 career meetings. So, naturally, New York's power stroke returned with a vengeance and defied some history.

Jazz Chisholm Jr. delivered the first of four homers off of Lugo in the fourth, and then in the fifth, Trent Grisham, Ben Rice, and Austin Wells took the veteran righty deep into the right field seats, pushing the Yankees' lead to 4-1. There wasn't a need for further offense -- the lefty long-ball quartet did the trick.

It was the first time that the Yankees scored four-plus runs all on solo homers since 2019, and their league-high mark in homers reached 32. Boone was pleased with the competitive at-bats against Lugo, and Chisholm mentioned the return of some warmer April weather as the remedy to some cold bats.

"[Lugo] throws a lot of strikes, so we just had to go out there and attack him the way he attacks us," Chisholm told the YES Network after the game. "It was exciting. We're just happy to be out here with some good weather, playing baseball and having fun again. It was hard the last couple days, playing in the cold. But we're here and ready for it to warm up so we can warm up."

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Mets’ Clay Holmes finds way through tough fifth inning to finish off best start of season

Clay Holmes is starting to get into a groove. 

The big right-hander took the mound in the Mets' series-opening win over the Twins on Monday, putting together his strongest outing of the season to this point with eight strikeouts across five innings of one-run, two-hit ball.

“He was pretty nasty today,” manager Carlos Mendoza said.

As was the case during his last outing against the Marlins, Holmes was in control from the get-go, as he retired all but one batter while striking out six in his first time through the order. 

Things weren’t as easy from there, but he still did well to limit the damage. 

Matt Wallner was the second baserunner to reach against Holmes on Monday when he laced a two-out triple off the right field wall, but a Carlos Correa lineout helped Holmes quickly dance out of danger. 

He lost command of the strike zone a bit in the fifth, as two walks and a hit-by-pitch loaded the bases with nobody out. But he was once again able to bear down and escape the threat with just one run allowed on a sacrifice fly.

Holmes finished the outing with his third strikeout of star outfielder Byron Buxton.

“He was really, really good,” Mendoza said of Holmes. “Even when he lost it, he kept making pitches. He kept finding a way to get back and limited the damage. He gave us a chance and then he ended up getting the win.”

While Holmes hasn’t been working deep into games early in his transition to the rotation, he has been very effective, pitching to a 3.66 ERA through four starts while recording six or more strikeouts in each of his last three.

And yet again on Monday, the Mets' bullpen did their job stepping up behind him. Huascar Brazoban put together two hitless innings, Reed Garrett struck out two in a scoreless eighth, and Ryne Stanek closed out the ninth. 

With the offense still not clicking at 100 percent, the pitching continues to lead the way. 

“They’ve been doing a really good job,” Juan Soto said. “The bullpen has been great and our starters have been setting the table for the bullpen. So I think we are in good shape right now.”

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Mets’ Jose Siri to land on injured list with fractured tibia

Mets outfielder Jose Siri will indeed land on the injured list after an additional MRI on Monday revealed that he has suffered a fractured tibia. 

Siri has been in significant pain over the past few days since suffering a left shin contusion on a foul ball during his at-bat in the second inning of Saturday’s game against the Athletics. 

The Mets don't know exactly how much time he will miss, but Carlos Mendoza said it will be "a while."

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Pete Alonso reaches four times, Juan Soto homers in Mets' 5-1 win over Twins

The Mets opened the series with a 5-1 win over the Minnesota Twins on Monday night at Target Field.

Here are some takeaways...

- Clay Holmes was a punchout machine during his last outing against the Marlins, and he picked up right where he left off to open this one. The big right-hander was on cruise control his first time through the order, striking out six while allowing just one hit over three efficient innings.

Holmes ran into some trouble in the fourth, as Matt Wallner crushed a two-out triple off the right field wall, but he was able to get Carlos Correa to line out to end the inning. Things spiraled on him a bit in the fifth, as two walks and a hit-by-pitch loaded the bases, but he settled down nicely and escaped with just one run allowed on a sacrifice fly.

Holmes finished his night with just that one run against on two hits, while walking two and striking out eight in five strong innings. While he isn't working deep into games just yet, he has now punched out six or more batters in each of his last three starts and has a 3.66 ERA on the year.

- Pete Alonso has been in the middle of everything early for the Mets, and he got the scoring started in this one. The big man drove in Luisangel Acuña with a two-out single in the top of the third to make it a 1-0 game, and he now sits second in the National League with 19 RBI. He's also hitting .450 (9-for-20) with RISP on the season.

Alonso went on to reached base in four of his five plate appearances, giving him a .345 average and 1.137 OPS.

- Acuña enjoyed a strong day at the plate as well, reaching base three times with a walk, double, and a bunt hit. With Jeff McNeil working his way back from an oblique injury, the young infielder has been heating up, as he's now riding a four-game hitting streak.

- Mark Vientos is finally starting to come out of his slump to start the season. He drove in Alonso with a double in the top of the sixth, giving him a run-scoring extra base-hit in back-to-back games. He scored a few pitches later when Luis Torrens reached on an error.

- Juan Soto had also been stuck in a bit of a rut at the plate -- until his fourth at-bat of the night, when he crushed a two-run homer to deep right-center. It was his second homer of the season, first hit with a runner in scoring position on the year, and first extra base-hit since April 7.

- The Mets' bullpen continues getting the job behind their starters. Huascar Brazoban put together two hitless innings of work, Reed Garrett struck out a pair in a 1-2-3 eighth, and Ryne Stanek put the finishing touches on the victory in the ninth.

- New York picked up their second straight win, but still finished an ugly 2-for-12 with RISP.

Game MVP: Clay Holmes

Holmes could've easily let things get out of control in the fifth, but he settled in and limited the damage.

Highlights

Whats next

Tylor Megill (2-1, 0.63 ERA) takes the mound against Bailey Ober (0-1, 7.11 ERA) as the series continues in Minnesota on Tuesday at 7:40 p.m.

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Yankees smack four lefty homers, Carlos Carrasco rebounds in 4-1 win over Royals

The Yankees enjoyed some warmer April weather on Monday night, as they crushed four homers and held the Kansas City Royals to only two hits in a 4-1 win at Yankee Stadium.

Here are the takeaways...

-- The Yankees entered Monday with a league-worst rotation ERA of 5.40, but Carlos Carrasco managed to bring that bloated mark down. After flirting with trouble in the first inning by allowing a pair of walks, the veteran starter quickly settled down and went on to complete five frames of one-run ball. His lone mistake was a solo home run to superstar Bobby Witt Jr. that placed the Royals up 1-0 in the third. Call it a huge rebound outing from Carrasco, who struck out four (79 pitches) and lowered his ERA to 5.94 through four starts.

-- Royals starter Seth Lugo arrived in the Bronx with an established history of keeping Yankees' fly balls in the ballpark, but the numbers didn't mean anything to those tasked with facing him. In the fourth, he served up a game-tying solo homer to Jazz Chisholm Jr. that landed in New York's bullpen. Then, in the fifth, a trio of lefties -- Trent Grisham, Ben Rice, and Austin Wells -- took Lugo deep into the right field seats to push the Yankees' lead to 4-1. In his pervious 14 games against the Yankees, Lugo had allowed just two homers.

-- New York relied on its bullpen to record 12 outs, and the trusted group of relievers matched Carrasco's production. Fernando Cruz took the mound for the sixth inning, striking out three of the four batters he faced. Tim Hill then entered, inducing a groundout and strikeout. Luke Weaver earned his fifth hold of the season with a scoreless eighth, and closer Devin Williams overcame more control issues by shutting down a brief Royals rally in the ninth. Kansas City was held to just two hits.

-- Perhaps some concerns about Jasson Dominguez's progress in left field were reduced, as the rookie logged a career-high six putouts. His highlight-reel catch came in the fourth, when he robbed Salvador Perez of extra bases with a leaping over-the-shoulder grab near the left field warning track. Dominguez entered Monday with 13 season putouts.

-- Cody Bellinger, who was left out of the lineup due to lingering back dicomfort, entered as a pinch-hitter in the eighth and struck out with Paul Goldschmidt on second base. He then replaced Dominguez in left during the ninth. Aaron Judge went 2-for-4 with a pair of singles and strikeouts, hours after being named captain of Team USA for the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

Game MVP: Carlos Carrasco

The 38-year-old's previous outing against the Detroit Tigers was discouraging, as he allowed four runs on six hits in 4.1 innings and made a feel-good spring training story seem even more fluky. But the Yankees received a valuable bounce-back outing from him on Monday.

Highlights

What's next

The Yankees (9-7) will play the middle game of their series against the Royals on Tuesday night, with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

Max Fried (2-0, 1.56 ERA) will take the mound, opposite Michael Wacha (0-2, 4.20 ERA).

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Mets Injury Notes: Ronny Mauricio back in game action, updates on Jeff McNeil and Francisco Alvarez

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza provided a number of injury updated prior to Monday's game in Minnesota...

Ronny Mauricio

It's been a long road to recovery for Ronny Mauricio, but he's set to take a big step this week.

The young infielder will be back in game action for the first time on Tuesday afternoon, as he slots in as the designated hitter in the Florida Complex League at extended spring training.

Mauricio was initially sidelined due to a torn ACL he suffered while playing in Winter Ball last offseason, and while working his way back, he was forced to undergo a second procedure to remove scar tissue. Shortly after, he dealt with inflammation that stalled his recovery.

Since then, it's been smooth sailing for the 24-year-old. The Mets opted to not rush him back into action during spring training, but now he appears ready to take the next step.

"The fact that he's now in game action is certainly a good sign," Mendoza said. "We just want him to get at-bats in extended -- hopefully we'll get him some reps in the field and we'll see how it goes from there."

Jeff McNeil

McNeil has been feeling good over the first few days of his rehab assignment.

The slap-hitting infielder played a pair of games with Single-A St. Lucie late last week and looked strong at the plate and in the field, going 2-for-5 while also drawing a walk and scoring a run.

He has Monday off and will return to action tomorrow night with St. Lucie.

From there, McNeil will go to Triple-A Syracuse as he continues working his way back to the big league club. But Mendoza says he still has to get more at-bats before they are ready for him to return as their primary second baseman.

"He's feeling good but those are tricky injuries, with the oblique," he said.

With both Luisangel Acuña and Brett Baty struggling at the plate early on this season, getting McNeil back into the mix would certainly be a nice boost on both sides of the ball.

New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez (4) hits a single against the Washington Nationals during the fifth inning at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches
New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez (4) hits a single against the Washington Nationals during the fifth inning at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches / Sam Navarro - Imagn Images

Francisco Alvarez

Alvarez was supposed to take his rehab assignment to Triple-A this week, but instead he'll be heading to Double-A because of weather.

He's expected to join the Rumble Ponies in Reading to take on the Fightin Phils on Tuesday.

The young backstop is a bit ahead of McNeil in his road back, as he started his assignment a few days earlier, but he still has a few steps to take before rejoining the majors.

While it's more so about getting the reps than anything else, Alvarez had just one hit in 10 at-bats with St. Lucie.

It'll be interesting to see how the Mets handle the playing time when he returns, with backup Luis Torrens shining with the bat and behind the plate in his absence.

Paul Blackburn

Blackburn is scheduled to throw two-ups in live batting practice on Tuesday, and if everything goes as planned, he could begin a rehab assignment after that.

Mendoza said that the team is planning on building him back up as a starter, rather than using him as a reliever -- they indicated this toward the end of spring training. The goal is to get the veteran right-hander around 70-75 pitches.

With their busy schedule ahead, the Mets are planning on inserting a sixth starter into the rotation as early as this weekend against the Cardinals.

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2025 Fantasy Baseball Injury Tracker: Kyle Tucker's uncertainty, Yordan Alvarez hurt again

Welcome to Rotoworld’s 2025 Fantasy Baseball Injury Tracker, where the
staff will be keeping you up to date with all the latest injury news and
status on fantasy-relevant players around the league. Check back daily
for updates.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Corbin Burnes - SP (elbow)

Burnes was pulled in the fifth inning of a game against the Nationals on June 1 with right elbow discomfort. After seeking a second opinion, he's set to undergo Tommy John surgery and be out for the next 12 months or so.

Tyler Locklear - 1B (elbow)

Locklear landed on the injured list with elbow inflammation on September 8th. There has been no other update on his status and it’s likely his season is over.

Justin Martinez - RP (elbow)

Martinez was pulled from a game on June 9 with elbow tightness and was placed on the 15-day injured list with a UCL sprain in his right elbow. This comes shortly after the 23-year-old right-hander was sidelined with a shoulder injury. He's now facing a 12-13 month absence, according to the team.

A.J. Puk - RP (elbow)

Puk, sidelined since mid-April with an elbow injury, underwent Tommy John surgery on Friday, June 20. The 30-year-old left-hander will now miss all of 2025 and a significant portion of the 2026 season.

Kevin Ginkel - RP (shoulder)

Ginkel is the latest Diamondbacks' reliever to fall this season. A shoulder strain he sustained during the first week of August will end his season and the beginning of his 2026 season is in doubt as well.

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. - OF (knee)

Gurriel was carted off the field after a play in the outfield on Monday, September 1. Tests revealed a right torn ACL for the 31-year-old outfielder. He's set to undergo season-ending surgery and is likely to be sidelined for a significant portion, if not all, of 2026.

Athletics

Jacob Lopez - SP (elbow)

Lopez experienced some tightness in his forearm following his last start against the Mariners and was diagnosed with a Grade 1 left elbow flexor strain. He was placed on the 15-day injured list on August 25, but is reportedly making good progress of late and has a chance to return this season. What role he could return in is unknown though. The 27-year-old left-hander had posted a 4.08 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, and a 113/37 K/BB ratio across 92 2/3 innings.

Denzel Clarke - OF (groin)

Clarke had been working his way back from an adductor strain when he was recently diagnosed with a new Grade 2 adductor strain that will prolong his return. He remains without a timeline.

Gunnar Hoglund - SP (hip)

After giving up eight runs over six innings in a start against the Blue Jays, Hoglund landed on the 15-day injured list with a left hip impingement. He underwent hip surgery on Friday, June 13, and is expected to miss the remainder of the 2025 season.

Max Muncy - SS/2B (fractured hand)

Muncy suffered a fractured right hand after he was hit by a pitch against the Rangers on July 21. The Athletics placed the 22-year-old infielder on the 10-day injured list and he resumed baseball activities soon thereafter. He's started a hitting progression and will likely need a rehab assignment to ramp back up before he's activated sometime in September.

Jack Perkins - SP (shoulder)

Perkins landed on the 15-day injured list with a right shoulder strain on August 22. He received an injection a few days later but still remains without a timetable. It's possible Perkins' season is over. The 25-year-old right-hander posted a solid 4.19 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 37/18 K/BB ratio across 38 2/3 innings.

Atlanta Braves

Austin Riley - 3B (abdominal muscle)

After missing two weeks with an abdominal strain, Riley went back on the IL with the same injury. He recently experienced renewed discomfort after running the bases and underwent season-ending core muscle surgery with the expectation that he'll be ready for 2026 Spring Training.

Spencer Schwellenbach - SP (elbow)

Schwellenbach felt soreness in his right elbow following his last start on June 28 and landed on the 60-day injured list with a fractured right elbow. The 25-year-old right-hander believes his added velocity this season may have contributed to the injury. While he'll be eligible to return in late August, he still hasn't resumed throwing and there's a strong chance his season may be over.

Sean Murphy - C (hip)

Murphy was diagnosed with a labrum tear in his right hip which will require surgery and knock him out for the rest of the season. That serious of an injury could put him in jeopardy for spring training next season.

AJ Smith-Shawver - SP (Tommy John surgery)

Smith-Shawver left his start on May 29 against the Phillies after feeling a "pop" in his right elbow. Things progressed quickly from there as he was moved to the 60-day injured list and underwent Tommy John surgery, likely sidelining him for most of 2026.

Grant Holmes - SP (elbow)

Holmes' season has effectively come to an end as the 29-year-old right-hander was placed on the 60-day injured list with right elbow inflammation. With his roster spot cleared, the team acquired Erick Fedde in a deal with the Cardinals. Holmes ends the season with a 3.99 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, and a 123/54 K/BB ratio across 115 innings.

Baltimore Orioles

Adley Rutchman - C (oblique)

Rutchman was placed on the 10-day injured list with a mild right oblique strain on August 21. He was able to take batting practice with the team last week and should be cleared for a rehab assignment this weekend. That puts him on track to rejoin the Orioles for their final few games of the season.

Grayson Rodriguez - SP (elbow discomfort)

Rodriguez has been sidelined since spring training with shoulder and elbow injuries. While the team was hopeful that the 25-year-old right-hander would pitch this season, he was shut down multiple times while rehabbing over the course of the season and has now officially opted for surgery ending his season. He expressed optimism that this will finally help him to avoid the consistent elbow discomfort that's plagued him for a huge chunk of the last few seasons.

Zach Eflin - SP (back)

Eflin is on the IL for the second time this summer with a back injury and has opted for lumbar microdiscectomy surgery, ending his season.

Félix Bautista - RP (shoulder)

After experiencing a dip in velocity, Bautista was placed on the injured list with what’s being described as “right shoulder discomfort” by the Orioles. He recently underwent surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff and is facing a 12-month recovery, sidelining him for likely all of next season.

Boston Red Sox

Roman Anthony - OF (oblique)

The Red Sox took a huge blow when Anthony was placed on the 10-day injured list with left oblique strain on September 3. He only just began walking on a treadmill in mid-September, so it’s apparent his season is over and his availability for the Wild Card round is in serious doubt. The 21-year-old outfielder was slashing .292/.396/.463 with eight homers and fours steals across 303 plate appearances most as the table-setting atop Boston’s lineup.

Wilyer Abreu - OF (calf)

Abreu was placed on the 10-day injured list on August 18 after sitting out a few games with right calf tightness. There was hope that it would be a minimum stint for Abreu, but he’s been held out since without many encouraging updates. He’s been with the team at Fenway Park for more than a week now though and could rejoin the lineup any day now.

Dustin May - SP (elbow)

May was placed on the 15-day IL on September 9th with right elbow neuritis. That leaves him first eligible to return on September 24th, almost certainly ending his regular season.

Triston Casas - 1B (knee)

Casas suffered a significant knee injury running to first base during a game on May 2 and had to be carted off the field. The 25-year-old first baseman underwent season-ending surgery to repair a ruptured patellar tendon in his left knee.

Tanner Houck - SP (forearm)

Houck was placed on the injured list on May 13th with a right flexor pronator strain. He appeared to be nearing the end of his rehab assignment before suffering a setback and has since opted for Tommy John surgery. His 2026 season and future as a starting pitcher is firmly in doubt.

Hunter Dobbins - SP (knee)

Dobbins left his start on July 11 against the Rays with a right knee injury he sustained while covering first base. It was later revealed the 25-year-old right-hander tore his ACL. The injury will require a significant rehab process that will keep him out until sometime in 2026.

Marcelo Mayer - 2B/3B (wrist)

Mayer was removed from a game against the Phillies on July 23 with right wrist discomfort and landed on the 10-day injured list with a right wrist sprain. He underwent right wrist surgery that will end his season.

Chicago Cubs

Kyle Tucker - OF (calf)

A nightmarish second half for Tucker has gotten worse. After battling a calf injury for a week, he landed on the IL with a strain. There was hope that he'd be able to return when first eligible on September 16th, but that date has passed and more recently there’s been an ominous update that his recovery has “plateaued” per manager Craig Counsell. He’s heading back to Tampa Bay for additional treatment which casts serious doubt he can return before the regular season is over.

Daniel Palencia - RP (shoulder)

Palencia was pulled from his appearance on September 7th with a shoulder injury. The team later put him on the 15-day IL with a strain, putting the rest of his season in jeopardy. Brad Keller and Andrew Kittdredge are splitting closer duties in his stead.

Owen Caissie - OF (concussion)

Caisse collided with the right field wall on Saturday, September 13th and was removed with concussion-like symptoms. He’s eligible to be activated on September 20th, but there’s no guarantee he will be.

Justin Steele - SP (elbow)

Steele landed on the 15-day injured list following his last start with left elbow tendinitis. After undergoing an MRI exam, it was determined the 29-year-old left-hander would need season-ending surgery on his left elbow. Steele underwent a UCL revision surgery, which is less invasive than a full Tommy John and should put him in line to return early next season.

Miguel Amaya - C (oblique)

Amaya can’t catch a break this season. After missing nearly three months with an oblique strain, he went down with a scary ankle injury in his first game back and had to be carted off the field. He could play again this season, though there's been no timeline for a return.

Chicago White Sox

Luis Robert Jr. - OF (hamstring)

Robert could be done for the season with just one month left to play after he was diagnosed with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain. If that's it for the 28-year-old outfielder, he'll end the season slashing .223/.297/.364 with 14 homers and 33 steals across 431 plate appearances.

Cincinnati Reds

Cleveland Guardians

Lane Thomas - OF (plantar fasciitis)

Thomas landed back on the injured list for the second time with plantar fasciitis in his right foot in early July. The team indicated that Thomas is progressing slowly from the injury, but he's finally begun taking batting practice with hopes to return next week before the season is over.

Colorado Rockies

Seth Halvorsen - RP (elbow)

Halvorsen was diagnosed with a 'mild' flexor strain in early August. He started his progression to a throwing program in early September but there’s no indication he’ll make it back to the mound this season.

Chase Dollander - SP (knee)

Dollander hurt his knee during his start on September 11th against the Dodgers and was placed on the injured list with a patellar tendon strain. That will end his season.

Warming Bernabel - 3B (concussion)

Bernabel suffered a scary head injury after colliding with the part of the gate down the right field line in Dodger Stadium while trying to chase down a fly ball. He’s likely to miss the rest of the season.

Thairo Estrada - 2B (hamstring)

Estrada is making his third IL trip of the season, this time with a hamstring strain. The Rockies transferred him to the 60-day IL, effectively ending his season.

Detroit Tigers

Kyle Finnegan - RP (groin)

Finnegan began to feel some discomfort in his groin on September 3rd when he was warming up in the bullpen to enter a game against the Mets. He tried to rest it for a few days, but was ultimately placed on the IL shortly thereafter. That’s opened up more save opportunities for Will Vest. Yet, Finnegan has just begun a rehab assignment and could be back for the last week for the last week of the regular season.

Alex Cobb - SP (hips)

Cobb has missed the entire season to this point after signing a one year, $15 million contract with the Tigers. He had a hip impingement that led to inflammation, yet began a rehab assignment on May 30th. Then, his other hip began to give him trouble and he was shut down until the last week of July. He then started another rehab assignment before being shut down again and needing surgery. Officially out for the season, it’s up in the air whether or not he throws another pitch in the major leagues.

Matt Vierling - OF (oblique)

Vierling hit the IL with an oblique strain on August 10th. He finally began a rehab assignment in mid-September, but was pulled off it after just a few games. That’s likely an indication that his regular season is over.

Jackson Jobe - SP (strained elbow flexor)

Jobe was placed on the 15-day injured list with a Grade 1 right elbow flexor strain on May 30. This comes after his velocity was notably down in his previous start against the Giants. It was determined shortly after that the 22-year-old right-hander will need to undergo Tommy John surgery, likely keeping him out until late 2026.

Reese Olson - SP (shoulder)

Olson will miss the rest of the regular season with a shoulder strain. The injury cropped up just after he returned from missing two months with inflammation in his right ring finger. He intends to return in time for the playoffs, but shoulder injuries can be fickle.

Houston Astros

Yordan Alvarez - OF/DH (ankle)

In a cruel turn of events, Alvarez rolled his ankle on home plate this past week and has been out of the lineup ever since. He was just beginning to find his groove after missing most of the season with a precarious hand injury and will now likely miss the rest of the regular season despite the team not placing him on the IL.

Josh Hader - RP (shoulder)

After announcing Hader was unavailable during their game on August 11th, the Astros placed him on the IL soon thereafter with what they called a shoulder strain. Things went from bad to worse when it was reported he was seeking a second opinion and we learned on August 15th that he more specifically has a sprain in his shoulder capsule and will be shut down for the next few weeks. As of September 15th, he’d still not resumed throwing and his availability for the playoffs is in doubt.

Luis Garcia - SP (elbow)

In just his second start back from Tommy John surgery, Garcia was removed with elbow discomfort and placed back on the IL. He threw a fastball 88 mph and immediately called for the trainers. This is an awful development after missing nearly 30 months following his last surgery.

Brandon Walter - SP (elbow)

Walter was placed on the IL with elbow inflammation on July 25th. He took a couple weeks off before resuming a throwing program, but was shut down again with recurring elbow soreness. It was reported he underwent surgery on September 15th, which will officially end his season.

Isaac Paredes - 3B (hamstring)

Paredes was placed on the 10-day injured list on July 20 with a significant right hamstring strain. After a few months of rest and rehab, manager Joe Espada said “there’s an outside chance” he could be back this weekend despite not getting any reps in rehab games.

Spencer Arrighetti - SP (elbow)

Arrighetti was placed on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to August 31, with right elbow inflammation. He’s heading for a second opinion, which is never a good sign. There's a strong chance his season is over and the hope is that it isn't something that could go into next season.

Kansas City Royals

Seth Lugo - SP (back)

Lugo had a start pushed back because of lower back tightness in early September and was ultimately placed on the IL. Apparently on the mend, he threw a bullpen session on September 14th, but still felt discomfort and was shut down again. It’s growing increasingly less likely he pitches again this season.

Ryan Bergert - SP (elbow)

Initially, Bergert was said to have forearm tightness. Then, he was placed on the IL with what the team called an elbow strain on September 18th. This will almost certainly end his season and casts a bit of doubt as to his health heading into 2026.

Kris Bubic - SP (shoulder)

Bubic reported some shoulder soreness after giving up four runs over 2 2/3 innings in his last start. He was placed on the 15-day injured list and transferred to the 60-day IL, sidelining him for the rest of the season. The 27-year-old left-hander had been enjoying a breakout season, posting a 2.55 ERA with a 116/39 K/BB ratio across 116 1/3 innings.

Los Angeles Angels

Zach Neto - SS (hand)

Neto battled wrist and hand soreness for the better part of a week before finally succumbing to the IL this past Tuesday. That will effectively end his season.

Travis d’Arnaud - C (concussion)

d’Arnaud was hit by a backswing in the Angels’ game on September 12th and placed on the 7-day concussion IL shortly thereafter. It’s unlikely he plays again this season.

José Soriano - SP (forearm contusion)

Soriano was struck by a 107 mph line drive on his hand in a start on September 17th. Luckily, x-rays came back negative, but the Angels still opted to place him on the IL and end his season.

Jorge Soler - OF (back)

Soler was removed from a game against the Mets on July 23 with lower back tightness and was held out of the lineup for two days before ultimately landing on the 10-day injured list with lower back inflammation. He's participated in batting practice, but has yet to go on a rehab assignment.

Nolan Schanuel - 1B (wrist)

Schanuel was placed on the 10-day injured list on August 24 with a left wrist contusion. Testing revealed no fractures or structural damage and he recently went to the Angels’ facility in Arizona to restart baseball activities. He could be back at some point during the team’s upcoming road trip.

Tyler Anderson - SP (strained oblique)

Anderson was placed on the 15-day injured list on August 30 with a left oblique strain. Given the timing of the injury, he's likely done for the season, ending his 2025 with a 4.56 ERA across 136 1/3 innings.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Will Smith - C (hand)

Smith hasn’t played since September 3rd after taking a foul ball off his throwing hand in a game against the Pirates. He rested while on the active roster and returned to the lineup six days later. After playing in that game and being penciled in to also play the next, he was suddenly scratched. That was the last time he’d play before finally being placed on the IL on September 13th. It’s a toss-up as to whether or not he’ll make it back before the end of the regular season.

Roki Sasaki - SP (shoulder)

Sasaki was placed on the 15-day injured list with a right shoulder impingement on May 13, an issue he had pitched through for a few starts. He resumed throwing in late May but was shut down a few weeks later and the Dodgers have since transferred him to the 60-day IL. He made his first rehab start on August 14th and his fastball sat in the low-90s for nearly a month straight. Then, last week, he was back to throwing 100 mph seemingly out of nowhere. That led to a meeting where he met with team officials to discuss a potential role on their playoff roster. Since, a calf issue cropped up that has allowed his rehab assignment to be extended past the 30-day allotment.

Miami Marlins

Kyle Stowers - OF (oblique)

The breakout outfielder was placed on the IL with an oblique strain on August 16th. It’s just a Grade 1 strain, but Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said that Stowers would be out for “several weeks”. He had started a minor league rehab assignment but was shut down after suffering a setback. Stowers' season could be over.

Edward Cabrera - SP (elbow)

Cabrera was placed on the 15-day IL with a right elbow strain after his start on August 30th. An elbow injury this late in the season is likely a season-ender, which is a shame because of how well he’s pitched. He threw a 50-pitch simulated game on Wednesday and hopes to return for one last start before the end of the season.

Max Meyer - SP (hip impingement)

After giving up 11 runs over his last two starts, the Marlins put Meyer on the 15-day injured list with a hip impingement on June 3. It wasn't expected to be a long stay on the injured list, but after meeting with a specialist, it was determined he'd need season-ending hip surgery. He should be ready for the start of spring training next season.

Griffin Conine - OF (shoulder)

Conine suffered a dislocated left shoulder on a slide into second base on April 19 and underwent season-ending surgery. The 27-year-old outfielder was in the midst of a breakout season, hitting .281/.352/.438 over 71 plate appearances.

Ryan Gusto - SP (shoulder)

Gusto went on the IL with a shoulder impingement after an awful outing against the Braves on August 27th where he allowed nine runs. That injury will likely end his season.

Milwaukee Brewers

Logan Henderson - SP (elbow)

Henderson was recalled from Triple-A to join the rotation after Jacob Misiorowski landed on the injured list with a shin contusion. After one start, Henderson was placed on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation and later transferred to the 60-day, ending his season.

Trevor Megill - RP (elbow)

Megill blew two saves inside of a week before landing on the IL in late August with a ‘mild’ flexor strain in his right elbow. He was hoping it would be just a minimum stint on the injured list but had to shut things down for a few days after experiencing some soreness. Megill is targeting the last weekend of the season for a return before the start of the playoffs.

Jose Quintana - SP (calf)

Quintana's regular season is over after he was placed on the 15-day injured list with a left calf strain. The time off should give him plenty of time to rest before he could potentially contribute during the postseason.

Minnesota Twins

Ryan Jeffers - C (concussion)

Jeffers took a foul ball off his mask and was removed from a game against the White Sox last Thursday. He was placed on the 7-day concussion injured list after missing the next two games with no timeline to return.

Justin Topa - RP (oblique)

Topa was placed on the 15-day injured list on September 12 with a left oblique strain, likely ending his season. Topa had stepped into a high-leverage role over the last month, converting four saves.

New York Mets

Tylor Megill - SP (elbow)

Megill was placed on the 15-day IL with an elbow sprain on June 15th. It was originally reported that he'd miss about a month, but was transferred to the 60-day IL soon thereafter. He began ramping up towards the tail-end of July and had an excellent rehab stint before experiencing renewed arm soreness, likely ending his season.

Jesse Winker - OF (oblique, back)

Winker was placed on the IL with a Grade 2 oblique strain on May 5th. He came back in mid-July, played two games, and then landed back on the injured list with back inflammation. He began a rehab assignment around Labor Day, but his back was still barking and he’s been shut down indefinitely. He's likely to miss the rest of the season.

Griffin Canning - SP (torn Achilles)

Canning was removed from his start on Thursday, June 26, with a left ankle injury. It was revealed that the 29-year-old right-hander suffered a ruptured left Achilles tendon, sidelining him for the rest of the season.

New York Yankees

Clarke Schmidt - SP (Tommy John surgery)

The oft-injured Schmidt was pulled from his start on July 3rd with forearm tightness. He was then sent for an MRI that revealed a tear in his UCL that required Tommy John surgery. He will obviously be out for the rest of this season and likely most of the next one, too.

Anthony Volpe - SS (shoulder)

Volpe sat out two games and was given a cortisone shot in his left shoulder, the same shoulder he reportedly heard "go pop" in May. He's apparently felt some discomfort on occasion, though the team insists he's healthy. It could be something to monitor and might've had an effect on his performance this season.

Philadelphia Phillies

Zack Wheeler - SP (blood clot)

The Phillies pushed one of Wheeler’s starts back with what they called shoulder stiffness towards the beginning of August. Then, in his next start, he only lasted for 83 pitches and his velocity was down across the board. About a week later, we learned he had an upper extremity blood clot in his right shoulder and was placed on the IL. He’s since had successful surgery to remove the blood clot and will have a second surgery for thorcic outlet syndrome with a 6-8 month recovery timeline.

Alec Bohm - 3B (shoulder)

Bohm was placed on the 10-day injured list with left shoulder inflammation after battling some soreness. Bohm hopes to return before the end of the regular season, but it's no guarantee. Rookie Otto Kemp will step in at the hot corner in Bohm's absence.

Trea Turner - SS (hamstring)

Turner was removed from a game against the Marlins on Sunday, September 7 with right hamstring tightness. He was diagnosed with a Grade 1 hamstring strain and placed on the 10-day injured list with the expectation that he'll return before the end of the regular season. Turner was cleared to resume baseball activities earlier this week.

Pittsburgh Pirates

Jared Jones - SP (elbow discomfort)

The Pirates were dealt a blow when Jones was diagnosed with a right UCL sprain in his elbow before the start of the season. The 23-year-old right-hander was placed on the 60-day injured list and underwent season-ending surgery. He could be ready to return in early 2026 following an internal brace procedure rather than a full Tommy John surgery.

San Diego Padres

Xander Bogaerts - SS/2B (foot)

Bogaerts fouled a ball off his foot on August 27th that fractured it. It was thought that he'd miss the rest of the season but he was cleared to resume some baseball activities and could be return during the final week of the regular season.

Nestor Cortes - SP (biceps)

Cortes was placed on the 15-day injured list with left biceps tendinitis following his last start in which he surrendered six runs over 2 1/3 innings against the Orioles. It's apparently an issue Cortes had been dealing with for a while. Cortes is set to face hitters over the weekend as he ramps back up for a potential return for the postseason.

San Francisco Giants

Landen Roupp - SP (knee)

Roupp was carted off the field during his start on August 20th after he twisted his knee awkwardly while trying to field a comebacker. He was placed on the IL with what the team called left knee inflammation, but was diagnosed with a bone bruise. He's advanced to throwing bullpen sessions but is running out of time to make it back before the end of the season unless the Giants land a playoff spot.

Randy Rodriguez - SP (elbow)

The Giants’ supposed closer after Camilo Doval was shipped off the Yankees at the trade deadline, Rodriguez struggled in that role and then was placed on the 15-day IL in late August with an elbow strain. He was later recommended Tommy John surgery and transferred to the 60-day IL, ending his season.

Carson Whisenhunt - (back)

Whisenhunt reported dealing with some back discomfort after his start on August 28th and was placed on the 15-day injured list soon thereafter. He made a rehab appearance with Triple-A Sacramento this week and should return to the Giants rotation over the weekend.

Seattle Mariners

Logan Evans - SP (elbow)

Evans was pulled from his start on August 14th and was placed on the IL with elbow inflammation soon thereafter. He threw a scoreless inning with Triple-A Tacoma on Tuesday, throwing 22 pitches. He reportedly came out of the game feeling good and could potentially be an option out of the bullpen during the postseason.

St. Louis Cardinals

Masyn Winn - SS (knee)

Winn was placed on the 10-day injured list and shut down for the rest of the season with a torn meniscus in his right knee. He'll undergo surgery to repair the damage and should be ready for the start of spring training in 2026.

Willson Contreras - 1B (shoulder)

Contreras sat out a game with biceps soreness and landed on the 10-day injured list with a right shoulder strain. The timing of the injury effectively ends his season. The 33-year-old made the full transition to first base this year, slashing .257/.344/.447 with 20 home runs, 80 RBI, and five steals.

Tampa Bay Rays

Jonathan Aranda - 1B (wrist)

Aranda left the Rays' game on July 31st after Giancarlo Stanton ran through his wrist on a close play at first base and was clearly in serious pain. The 27-year-old was diagnosed with a left wrist fracture and placed on the 10-day injured list. He vowed to return before the end of the season. He resumed swinging in early September and took batting practice this week, putting him in line to make good on his word and potentially return for the final week of the regular season.

Shane McClanahan - SP (triceps nerve inflammation)

McClanahan, making his way back from Tommy John surgery, suffered a left arm injury during a spring training start on March 22. He was diagnosed with nerve inflammation in his left triceps that he has struggled to come back from all season. The 28-year-old right-hander finally underwent season-ending surgery in an attempt to fix the nerve problem. His readiness for 2026 will be something to monitor over the offseason.

Jonny DeLuca - OF (hamstring)

DeLuca was removed from a game against the Angels in early August with left hamstring tightness. He recently suffered a setback and he's set to miss the rest of the season.

Texas Rangers

Corey Seager - SS (appendectomy)

Seager underwent an emergency appendectomy on August 28th that will reportedly keep him out for several weeks. He intends to return this season though as the surging Rangers have suddenly found themselves in the thick of the playoff race. Seager did some light jogging this week but still needs to make some strides in his hitting progression. A return before the end of the regular season seems unlikely.

Nathan Eovaldi - SP (shoulder)

Eovaldi’s tremendous season has been cut short by a rotator cuff strain that landed him on the injured list. It likely will not require surgery, which is a great sign for next year, but it’s a brutal blow for the Rangers and fantasy managers alike to lose him and his 1.73 ERA at this juncture.

Marcus Semien - 2B (foot)

Semien fouled a ball off his left foot on August 21st and spent a few days trying to play through the pain before landing on the 15-day IL. Later, imaging revealed a fracture and lisfranc sprain, which will end his season.

Evan Carter - OF (wrist)

Carter fractured his right wrist on a hit by pitch in late August and will miss the rest of the season.

Toronto Blue Jays

Bo Bichette - SS (knee)

Bichette suffered a leg injury sliding into home plate during a game against the Yankees on September 6. He was placed on the 10-day injured list with a sprained left knee. Manager John Schneider confirmed that Bichette won't return before the end of the regular season and remains without a timeline.

Anthony Santander - OF (shoulder)

Santander has been out with a shoulder injury since late May. He struggled to a .577 OPS before going out and the Blue Jays caught fire without him, so there wasn’t much of a rush on their end to bring him back. He was finally ready to start a rehab assignment with Triple-A Buffalo but suffered a bit of a setback with some lower back tightness. Santander was cleared to continue his rehab assignment and hope to get back into the Toronto lineup for the final week of the regular season.

Bowden Francis - SP (shoulder)

Francis was shut down in mid-June with a shoulder impingement and was expected to miss around a month. He suffered a setback after his first bullpen session in mid-July and moved to the 60-day injured list. Francis has progressed to facing live hitters and could return in a bullpen role during the postseason.

Washington Nationals

Keibert Ruiz - C (concussion)

Keibert was concussed after a freak incident where a foul ball from teammate Josh Bell flew into their dugout and hit him on the side of his head. He returned rather quickly, then went back on the 7-day IL just a few days later after recurring concussion-like symptoms. He began a rehab assignment in early September but was pulled after experiencing recurring symptoms. He hasn't been shut down, but a return this season is starting to seem unlikely.

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Umpire trolled by LASIK company for atrocious call in Giants game

Umpire trolled by LASIK company for atrocious call in Giants game originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

For all of the talk about the ABS system making its way to MLB games, the Giants certainly benefited from its absence in their 10-4 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday at Citizens Bank Park.

Home plate umpire Tony Randazzo fell victim to Giants catcher Patrick Bailey’s elite framing skills in the bottom of the seventh inning, calling Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto out on strikes with runners on first and second and Philadelphia trailing 8-4. Unfortunately for the Phillies, Erik Miller’s slider was almost in the other batter’s box and should have been called ball four.

Mistakes happen, but LASIK.com took the opportunity to question Randazzo’s eyesight with a comical advertisement aimed at MLB umpires on X, formerly known as Twitter, after the call.

Only time will tell if Randazzo takes up the company’s offer. But the Giants and Miller certainly weren’t complaining after improving to 12-4 on the 2025 MLB season following the questionable call in a big spot on Monday.

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Mets’ Sean Manaea resumes light throwing after latest MRI shows improvement

Mets starter Sean Manaea took a big step on Monday afternoon.

The left-hander was able to resume light throwing from up to 60 feet after the latest MRI on his right oblique showed “improvement,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. 

Manaea, of course, was first sidelined with the injury during the early stages of spring training -- and he was initially expected to make his return to the mound somewhere in mid-to-late April.

Things had been progressing as planned until that timeline ended up being pushed back at the beginning of the month, when he was shut down after experiencing discomfort in his oblique.

An MRI showed some inflammation and he received a PRP injection, slowing him another two weeks.

After taking that time off, it appears that Manaea is finally ready to get back on his road to recovery -- though Mendoza did say that the team will keep him at the distance and intensity for the next ten days or so in an effort to play it safe.

If everything continues going as planned, he could be back towards the end of May or later.

Siri IL decision coming soon

Jose Siri is still very sore after suffering a shin contusion during Saturday's game in Sacramento.

The speedy outfielder is undergoing another MRI, and manager Carlos Mendoza said the team is hoping to have a decision on if he'll have to go on the injured list or not following Monday's game.

"We'll see how the results are, but we'll have a conversation after and see where we go from there," he said.

The skipper added that everything is on the table as far as replacing Siri if he were to miss additional time, and he told Luisangel Acuña to make sure he gets some reps out there during BP after finishing his infield work.

The youngster has only played the infield during his time in the majors, but he appeared in 31 games in center while in Triple-A last season.

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Walker's hiccup inning against Giants a flashback to 2024 season

Walker's hiccup inning against Giants a flashback to 2024 season originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Taijuan Walker wasn’t going to keep the goose egg earned run average forever — but things certainly escalated quickly.

And unfortunately when it comes to the right-handed pitcher, if it rains, it pours.

The Giants entered Monday night with the second-best winning percentage in the Majors — and in his first real test of the season — Walker faltered in the Phillies’ 10-4 loss at Citizens Bank Park.

The club is now 9-7 on the season and have dropped four of their last five games.

Walker entered the second frame with early run support, an infrequent occurrence through the first 16 games. It was flushed away in a blowout inning from the Giants, who batted through the order and put up six runs.

One play goes differently and the Phillies would’ve gotten out of the inning allowing just one run and still holding the lead. Instead of a double play, a throwing error from Walker sent the ball into shallow center field and play continued.

What happened next gave flashbacks to 2024 Walker with the domino effect in place. He gave up home runs to Tyler Fitzgerald and Willy Adames, both of which hadn’t homered to this point in the season.

“I think (the error) changes the entire inning,” Rob Thomson said after the game. “Other than that one inning where he made a couple of mistakes, hanging cutter and a fastball he’s trying to go in and left it out over the plate, I thought he pitched pretty good. His stuff was good, he saved the pen, he grinded through five innings.”

The error on Walker came a few plays after his 28th pickoff since 2015. It’s the most by any right-handed pitcher in that span and third overall in MLB.

“I felt like my stuff was pretty good still, attacking the zone,” Walker said after the outing. “One of the biggest things, I would get (ahead in the count) pretty quick and could put them away. Quite a few (full) counts and the pitch count got too high but for the most part though, my stuff was pretty good, it’s just really that one inning.”

He’s right. You take away the second inning and suddenly he has four scoreless and only gave up two hits. Unfortunately, that’s not how it works. The magnitude of the inning that needed to be flushed was too big of a burden to bear for the Phillies’ offense.

Hot right out of the gate, the Phillies put up three runs in the first inning. The only other offensive contribution was a Nick Castellanos solo home run. With two men on in the seventh, J.T. Realmuto was inches away from the second home run of the night but it hooked the wrong side of the left field foul pole. Three pitches later on a full count, he was called out on strikes on a very questionable slider that was well off the plate.

Walker has turned into a surprising storyline after his first start of the year against the Rockies. He pitched six scoreless innings and collected his first win since May of last season.

That was followed up with another scoreless outing against the Braves. Suddenly, the spot in the rotation with the most question marks heading into the season, showed some promise.

Which leads us to his performance against the Giants: 5.0 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 99 P, 2.30 ERA

They say once is an accident, twice is a coincidence and three times is a pattern.

So, was the hiccup inning an accident? Were his first two starts only a coincidence?

The way he responds the next time he takes the mound will be telling.

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How Giants' defense made MLB history on road in red-hot start

How Giants' defense made MLB history on road in red-hot start originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Your eyes do not deceive you – the Giants’ defense has been that good.

In fact, San Francisco made defensive history in its 10-4 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday at Citizens Bank Park.

The Giants are the first team in MLB’s modern era (since 1901) to win eight or more of their first 10 road games while not recording a single error, per OptaSTATS.

Amid their 12-4 start to the 2025 MLB season, the Giants have made just three errors, tying them with the Phillies for the league’s lowest mark. The Detroit Tigers and Atlanta Braves are tied for second place with five, and the league-worst Boston Red Sox already have 19.

Interestingly, San Francisco still has plenty of room for improvement. 

The Giants are 27th in baseball with an outs-above-average of minus-six and are a middling 19th with a 79-percent success rate. StatCast has them in a five-way tie for second – with the San Diego Padres, Tampa Bay Rays, Toronto Blue Jays, Houston Astros and the Cincinnati Reds – with an 82-percent estimated success rate.

Outside of center fielder Jung Hoo Lee, who has a third-best 97-percent success rate, the Giants don’t have many high defensive rankings, team- or individual-based, to boast. But it’s fair to assume elite infielders such as Matt Chapman and Willy Adames will end up in their respective upper echelons by season’s end.

Nonetheless, it has so been so far, so good for the Giants errors-wise. And they’d love to keep it that way.

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