New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge (elbow) will not need surgery on his right elbow this offseason after undergoing an MRI exam, according to manager Aaron Boone. "He'll take some time off and continue to do strengthening things and rehab stuff," Boone said. Judge had a flexor strain in his throwing arm in late July and spent 10 days on the injured list. When the 33-year-old two-time MVP returned, he was limited to designated hitter duties for a month. He eventually returned to everyday duties in right field in the Bronx and should have a pretty normal offseason, barring a setback over the winter. Boone expects Judge to open the 2026 campaign as the team's starting right fielder. Judge had 50-plus homers for the second straight year in 2025 and led the league in runs (137), WAR (9.7), walks (124), average (.331), on-base percentage (.457), slugging (.688), OPS (1.144), and total bases (372) in 152 games played.

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New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe (shoulder) will be delayed to start the 2026 season after recently having surgery to fix a partially torn labrum in his left (non-throwing) shoulder, according to Deesha Thosar of FOX Sports. The Yankees are expecting Volpe to start hitting at the start of February, but he will not be allowed to dive on his surgically repaired shoulder until around April. While Volpe finished just one home run and two stolen bases shy of his second 20-20 season in his third year in the big leagues, he wasn't the same offensively after injuring his left shoulder in early May. The good news is that the 24-year-old will be back in May in a worst-case scenario, so he shouldn't have to miss too much time to begin 2026. Until Volpe is ready, expect the speedy Jose Caballero to start at the 6 for the Yankees. When Volpe is ready to return, he'll be firmly in the mix to take over at shortstop in the Bronx.

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New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that right-hander Clarke Schmidt (elbow) could be an option in the second half of next season, according to The Athletic's Chris Kirschner. Schmidt will miss the first half of the 2026 campaign after having an internal brace procedure on his right elbow on July 11. The 29-year-old hurler has been a solid rotation piece for the Yankees over the last two seasons, but he also hasn't been reliable due to multiple injuries. He had a 2.85 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in 16 starts in 2024 before going 4-4 with a 3.32 ERA (3.95 FIP) and 1.09 WHIP with 73 strikeouts and 30 walks in 14 starts this past season. Schmidt had a career-high 149 K's and 46 walks in 33 outings (32 starts) for the Bombers back in 2023. He will not be on the fantasy radar in single-year leagues next spring, and it remains to be seen how much he'll be able to contribute to New York's rotation after the All-Star break.

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New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone confirmed that right-hander Gerrit Cole (elbow) will not be ready for Opening Day in 2026, although the hope is that he will be ready soon after, according to Chris Kirschner of The Athletic. Cole underwent Tommy John surgery that included an internal-brace procedure on his right elbow back in March, so it's not a surprise that he won't be ready for the start of next regular season. The good news is that the Yankees shouldn't have to wait long for the ace to make his debut, barring a setback in his recovery. The 35-year-old former American League Cy Young winner has already resumed throwing on flat ground. Cole made only 17 starts for the Yankees in 2024 due to injuries and was unable to pitch at all in 2025, so it's understandable for fantasy managers to wonder if he can return to his Cy Young form in 2026.

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New York Yankees outfield prospect Spencer Jones has put himself "in the conversation" to be an everyday big-leaguer in 2026, according to general manager Brian Cashman. Jones is definitely on the rise and has an exciting blend of power and speed for fantasy managers, but it might be hard for the Yankees to fit the 24-year-old left-handed slugger in their big-league lineup regularly, barring injuries. Jones is listed as the No. 99 overall prospect by MLB Pipeline. Standing at a hulking 6-foot-7, 240 pounds, he's a hulking physical specimen with elite power/speed upside. He hit .274/.362/.571 with 35 home runs and 29 stolen bases in 2025 with Double-A Somerset and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, which was great, but it also came with a strikeout rate of 35.4%. The swing and miss in his game is concerning and could be exposed even more in the majors, but it's not often this kind of power/speed upside comes along.

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Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Anthony Santander (back) is returning to the starting lineup ahead of Game 3 of the ALCS against the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday. Santander is back in the mix after being scratched ahead of Game 2 due to back tightness. Luckily, Santander will only miss that contest and is back for an important must-win Game 3. So far this postseason, Santander is 3-for-13 with two RBI in four games. The Jays are hopeful to get more out of his bat here. That being said, Santander has been bumped up to the cleanup spot and he'll cover right field versus right-hander George Kirby on Wednesday.

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Chicago Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said that right-hander Cade Horton (ribs) would have been on the roster if the team had advanced to the National League Championship Series, and the expectation is that he will have a "relatively normal offseason," according to Jordan Bastian of MLB.com. "Given how much of a competitor he is, I was sad for him that he didn't get to pitch in the postseason. I know that's going to be his No. 1 goal going forward," Hoyer said. The 24-year-old suffered a right-rib fracture late in September and was not available for either the wild-card series against the San Diego Padres or the NL Division Series versus the Milwaukee Brewers. The former seventh overall pick out of Oklahoma back in 2022 really impressed in his first 23 big-league outings (22 starts) for the Cubs in 2025, posting a strong 2.67 ERA and 1.08 WHIP with 97 K's in 118 innings. Horton is going to be a popular starting pitching target with upside in fantasy drafts next spring.

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The Cleveland Guardians re-signed catcher Austin Hedges to a one-year, $4 million deal on Tuesday that includes $500,000 in incentives, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Hedges is not on the fantasy radar at all as a zero with the bat in his hands, but the 33-year-old veteran is a strong defensive catcher and will return to serve as Bo Naylor's backup in 2026. Hedges will head into his third year in Cleveland after hitting .157/.229/.251 with a rough .480 OPS, seven home runs, six doubles, 25 RBI, 25 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 134 games over the past two seasons. The former second-round pick has a .185/.244/.313 career slash line, .556 OPS, and 74 long balls in 820 regular-season games across his 11 big-league seasons. Avoid him in fantasy, even in deep two-catcher formats.

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New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe (shoulder) underwent surgery to fix a partially torn labrum in his left shoulder on Tuesday, according to Joel Sherman and Greg Joyce of the New York Post. Although Volpe ended up coming one home run shy of his second 20-homer season in 153 regular-season games in 2025, his shoulder injury likely contributed to him hitting a disappointing .212 (114-for-539). The 24-year-old initially injured his left shoulder while diving for a ball on defense in early May. It was impressive that Volpe never landed on the injured list due to the injury, but he had setbacks along the way. Volpe should be recovered in time to be ready for the start of the 2026 regular season, although his timeline in spring training could be affected. He had a .786 OPS before injuring his shoulder on May 3 and a .628 OPS the rest of the season.

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The Texas Rangers' top prospect, shortstop Sebastian Walcott (arm), has been shut down in the Arizona Fall League due to arm fatigue, according to Kennedi Landry of MLB.com. The Rangers plan to have Walcott rest and be evaluated in a few days. In the one game that Walcott played in at the AFL, he went 2-for-4 at the plate with a double. As long as nothing serious is wrong with his arm, Walcott should be good to go for the start of spring training early next year. The 19-year-old spent the entire 2025 season at Double-A Frisco and hit .255/.355/.386 with a .741 OPS, 13 home runs, 59 RBI, 71 runs scored, and 32 stolen bases in 124 games for the Rough Riders. There's a lot to like about Walcott's profile. The 6-foot-4 infielder has produced high-end exit velocities, has great bat-to-ball skills, and lots of raw power at the plate at a premium position. He's the heir apparent to Corey Seager in Texas, but he could also be moved to third base or a corner-infield spot, if necessary.

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According to a source, Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase will never pitch again in Major League Baseball again, with the gambling evidence found against him being irrefutable, according to Hector Gomez. The same can be said about fellow Guardians hurler Luis L. Ortiz. Clase and Ortiz were placed on "non-disciplinary paid leave" in July due to an ongoing gambling investigation. Neither pitcher played again for Cleveland the rest of the year, and a decision has also been made to keep both Clase and Ortiz from playing winter ball in their native Dominican Republic. Nothing is official yet, but this will be a big storyline to follow in the offseason. If it's true, it would be a massive blow to the Guardians' organization, as Clase has been one of the most dominant relief pitchers in baseball over the last few years. The three-time All-Star led baseball in saves for three consecutive years from 2022-24.

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Veteran third baseman Alex Bregman will opt out of his contract with the Boston Red Sox this winter, according to sources. While a return to Boston would be a logical fit in 2026, Bregman could have an extra suitor or two after a strong season in Beantown in 2025, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Despite being on the wrong side of 30, Bregman had a career-best 44.4% hard-hit rate with the BoSox while slashing .273/.360/.462 with 18 home runs and 62 RBI in 114 games played. He missed time with a quadriceps injury, though, and wasn't the same hitter after returning in the second half. At Bregman's age, injuries are going to remain a concern going forward, but his batted-ball skills and plate discipline have aged nicely. After another strong season, the three-time All-Star should be able to score a multi-year deal in free agency if he indeed opts out of his current deal after the World Series ends.

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Blue Jays manager John Schneider announced that veteran right-hander Max Scherzer will start Game 4 of the ALCS on Thursday. The 41-year-old did not pitch in the ALDS against the Yankees, but with Toronto struggling to contain Seattle's offense, the club will turn to the seasoned ace in hopes of swinging the series back in their favor. Scherzer, a two-time World Series champion, owns a 3.78 career postseason ERA across 30 appearances. Despite battling inconsistency and posting a 5.19 ERA and 1.29 WHIP over 17 starts in 2025, the Blue Jays hope playoff intensity will help him recapture his dominant form.

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Oakland Athletics third baseman Brett Harris underwent successful surgery on his left thumb on Tuesday. If his recovery stays on track, the 27-year-old is expected to be ready for spring training and compete for the starting third base job on the rebuilding club. Harris showed promise during a limited 2025 campaign, slashing .274/.349/.342 over 32 games. Known for his glove, Harris could play a key role in the Athletics' infield next season. With a healthy return and continued development at the plate, the opportunity is there to secure the hot corner moving forward.

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Chicago Cubs rookie outfielder Owen Caissie (concussion) is reportedly symptom-free after suffering a concussion in a September 13 loss to the Rays. The 23-year-old returned to full baseball activities before the end of the season and is now focused on a productive offseason. Caissie's rookie campaign was brief, as he appeared in only 12 games and slashed .192/.222/.346. Ranked as the No. 47 overall prospect, he remains one of Chicago's most promising young talents. With his health restored, Caissie will look to secure a regular role and make a major impact in 2026.

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Chicago Cubs reliever Brad Keller has expressed a strong desire to re-sign with the team after a career-best 2025 season. The 30-year-old posted a 2.07 ERA, a 0.96 WHIP, and led Chicago's staff with 68 appearances, emerging as a key bullpen piece during the Cubs' 92-win campaign. Keller, who joined the team on a minor-league deal last winter, said, "Chicago is my favorite city. I love playing for the Cubs." As he enters free agency, Keller hopes to remain part of a clubhouse he believes is "something special," while the Cubs weigh whether to invest in keeping their top reliever.

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San Diego Padres left-hander Adrian Morejon is reportedly being reevaluated for his role on the pitching staff, with a move from the bullpen to the rotation under consideration. The 26-year-old was outstanding in 2025, posting a 2.08 ERA, a 0.90 WHIP, and 75 appearances in relief. President of baseball operations and general manager AJ Preller has yet to voice a firm decision, but Morejon's consistency could earn him another shot as a starter. He has made nine career starts, with his most recent coming in 2023, and his success this season may prompt the Padres to expand his role.

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Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that it's "unlikely" that rookie right-hander Roki Sasaki will pitch in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series on Tuesday in Milwaukee against the Brewers after he appeared in Monday night's 2-1 win in Game 1. Roberts said that Sasaki may pitch on back-to-back days in the postseason, but it has yet to happen. The 23-year-old missed most of his rookie campaign in the big leagues due to injury, and the Dodgers converted him from a starting role to a relief one right before the postseason kicked off. Sasaki wasn't effective in the Game 1 win on Monday night, either, allowing a run on one hit while walking two in two-thirds of the ninth inning before veteran Blake Treinen came in to slam the door shut. It's unclear if Roberts will have second thoughts about using Sasaki in save situations moving forward in the playoffs after he looked good in the wild-card series and divisional round for the Blue.

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When asked about San Diego Padres flame-throwing right-hander Mason Miller potentially moving from the bullpen to the starting rotation next year, general manager AJ Preller said the team will have more communication with the players moving forward, according to 97.3 The Fan in San Diego. The 27-year-old came up in the Athletics' system as a starter, but he has spent the last two years as a full-time reliever and has been one of the most dominant bullpen arms in that time. He was a first-time All-Star with the A's in 2024 and was just as good this year with the A's and Padres, posting a 2.63 ERA, 0.91 ERA, 104:28 K:BB and an absurd 15.2 K/9 in 61 2/3 regular-season innings of relief. What route the Padres go with Miller will likely depend on what happens in free agency, as they could lose closer Robert Suarez and starters Michael King and Dylan Cease. It's hard to imagine Miller being any more effective as a starter, but a move to the rotation would immediately make him one of the most sought-after starting arms in fantasy in 2026.

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When asked about left-hander Tarik Skubal's contract situation, Detroit Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris was non-committal. "He's a Tiger, he's an incredible pitcher," Harris said. "I can't comment on our players being traded. I can't comment on free agents. I can't comment on other teams' players. So, I'm going to respond by just not actually commenting on it." Skubal is probably on his way to a second straight American League Cy Young award in 2025 after going 13-6 while leading the league in ERA (2.21), FIP (2.45), WHIP (0.89), and walks per nine innings (1.5) on his way to striking out a career-best 241 hitters in 195 1/3 regular-season innings over his 31 starts. The 28-year-old has quickly become one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball, but he's entering his contract year in Detroit in 2026. If the Tigers don't have plans to commit to a hefty long-term extension with Skubal, he could be trade bait next summer.

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