The Cincinnati Reds outrighted infielder Santiago Espinal off their 40-man roster and to Triple-A Louisville on Friday, according to Charlie Goldsmith. Espinal will now have the option to elect free agency this offseason and sign with any team. The 30-year-old Dominican played in 114 games in 2025 in his second year with the Reds and went 73-for-301 (.243) with no home runs, 16 RBI, 25 runs scored, and two stolen bases in 328 plate appearances. It was a pretty disappointing showing for Espinal, who was an All-Star with the Toronto Blue Jays back in 2022, when he hit .267/.322/.370 with seven homers and 51 RBI in a career-high 135 games played. For fantasy purposes, Espinal isn't much to look at as a utility infielder without much power. It remains to be seen where he'll be hanging his hat in 2026, but at best, Espinal will be a utility bench option in deeper fantasy leagues.

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Detroit Tigers second baseman Gleyber Torres (hernia) had surgery on Friday to fix a sports hernia on his left side, according to Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press. Torres is expected to be cleared for baseball activities in four weeks, so he'll be ready to go for the start of spring training in February and the regular season in 2026. The 28-year-old Venezuelan infielder played through his sports hernia in the final month of the regular season and during the playoffs. Torres was an All-Star for the third time in his career in 2025 in his first year in Motown, slashing .256/.358/.387 with a .745 OPS, 16 home runs, 74 RBI, 79 runs scored, and four stolen bases in his 628 plate appearances. He only signed a one-year deal with the Tigers last offseason, though, so he might be one and done with the Tigers, unless they decide to re-sign him.

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Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette (knee) said he's not expecting to need offseason surgery on his knee, according to Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith. Bichette suffered a sprained PCL in his left knee in early September and wasn't available for the Blue Jays until Game 1 of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers last Friday. Although the All-Star shortstop has been available to the Blue Jays during the Fall Classic, he hasn't been moving around the same and has been limited to the designated hitter role and second base. However, he has somehow managed to go 5-for-16 (.313) at the plate with three RBI, a run scored, two walks, and two strikeouts in five games versus the Dodgers. Undergoing knee surgery this offseason would be very notable for a high-profile player who is set for free agency this winter. Barring a setback with his knee, Bichette should be ready for the start of the 2026 season, but it's unclear if that will come back in Toronto or with a new team.

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If necessary, Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Max Scherzer will take the ball to start Game 7 of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at the Rogers Centre on Saturday, according to Rob Longley of the Toronto Star. A deciding Game 7 would be necessary if the Blue Jays cannot close things out on Friday night in Game 6. Scherzer, 41, took a no-decision in his first start of the Fall Classic on Monday night in Los Angeles, allowing three runs in 4 1/3 innings pitched while giving up two home runs, walking only one, and striking out three. The veteran hurler has only made two starts in the postseason this year for Toronto, with his other outing coming in the American League Championship Series, when he gave up two earned runs in 5 2/3 innings for a win over the Mariners. Scherzer had an ERA over 5.00 during the regular season and made only 17 starts due to injuries, but he's the type of veteran bulldog pitcher that would love nothing more than to take the ball in a deciding Game 7 of the Fall Classic.

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Los Angeles Dodgers struggling shortstop Mookie Betts is being moved from the two-hole in the batting order to cleanup for a must-win Game 6 of the World Series on Friday night in Toronto against the Blue Jays and right-hander Kevin Gausman. Catcher Will Smith will occupy the No. 2 spot behind Shohei Ohtani. Although Betts managed 20 homers during the regular season, he hit just .258 (152-for-589), a stark dropoff after he batted .289 in 2024. The 33-year-old eight-time All-Star and former MVP has hit only .234 (15-for-64) in 15 postseason games this year and is still searching for his first home run. In five World Series games against Toronto, he's gone just 3-for-23 with no extra-base hits, a run, three walks, and five K's. The Dodgers will be hoping the lineup shakeup will get Betts going. In 54 career at-bats against Gausman, Betts has hit a strong .296 with three homers, a double, and eight RBI.

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Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter George Springer (side) is back at DH and as the leadoff hitter on Friday night for Game 6 of the World Series against Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Springer injured his right side on a swing late in the loss on Monday night in Game 3 of the Fall Classic, and he was held out of the team's wins in both Game 4 and 5. With an off day on Thursday, Springer is feeling better and will return as the club's leadoff hitter as they seek their first World Series title in over 30 years on Halloween. It's definitely a boost to Toronto's lineup, as the veteran outfielder/DH has four homers and an .884 OPS through 14 postseason games this October. Yamamoto has been one of the toughest pitchers to hit in this year's playoffs, although Springer did go 1-for-3 against him with a double and a run scored in Game 2 of this series last Saturday.

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The Baltimore Orioles announced on Thursday that they re-signed infielder Luis Vazquez to an undisclosed one-year major-league contract for the 2026 season. Vazquez will return to Baltimore next year after playing in 32 games with the O's in his second major-league season. In 53 plate appearances with Baltimore, he went just 8-for-50 (.160) with his first career home run, three RBI, six runs scored, and two stolen bases. In his first MLB season the year prior with the Chicago Cubs, Vazquez went 1-for-12 with an RBI in just 11 games played. The Puerto Rican middle infielder looked better at the plate in his time at Triple-A Norfolk last year, but he'll be nothing more than infield depth for the O's in 2026 and will probably begin the regular season back in the minors.

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Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter George Springer (side) came close to starting in the Game 5 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series on Wednesday night, according to manager John Schneider. The skipper added that Springer has "checked every box physically so far." Sportsnet's Arden Zwelling writes that it "sounds like a strong possibility" that Springer returns to the lineup for Game 6 back in Toronto on Halloween night on Friday, "if he continues trending the way he has." The 36-year-old veteran injured his right side on a swing in the Game 3 loss on Monday night in L.A., causing him to miss Games 4 and 5 of the Fall Classic. If Springer returns to the lineup on Friday at the Rogers Centre, it will push infielder Bo Bichette back to the keystone. Springer has been a key offensive force for the Jays all year and has hit .246 (14-for-57) with four homers and nine RBI in 14 postseason games this year.

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Seattle Mariners right-hander Bryce Miller (elbow) said he doesn't expect to need surgery for a right-elbow injury that kept him out for half of the 2025 season. The same can be said for right-handed starters George Kirby (shoulder) and Logan Gilbert (elbow), who also missed around two months each in the first half of the season. Miller added that he has a follow-up exam with Dr. Keith Meister early this offseason to determine his next steps for a small bone spur in his right elbow. The 27-year-old had a platelet-rich plasma injection in his elbow in early June and didn't return to the rotation until Aug. 19, making eight starts over the final eight weeks of the regular season. Miller may receive a cortisone injection early in the offseason, and then maybe another one at the start of spring training. But barring a setback, Miller should be ready for the start of 2026. Fantasy managers shouldn't forget that he ranked among the American League leaders in 2024 with a 2.94 ERA and 180 1/3 innings over 31 starts.

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The Baltimore Orioles announced on Thursday that they re-signed right-hander Rico Garcia to an undisclosed one-year major-league deal for the 2026 season. The Orioles will have Garcia back next year after he finished up the year strong with Baltimore, posting a 2.84 ERA and 1.42 WHIP with 20 strikeouts and six walks in 19 innings pitched over 20 appearances (one start). He also pitched with the New York Mets and New York Yankees in 2025, posting a combined 0-2 record, 3.15 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and 38:10 K:BB in 34 1/3 big-league frames. The 31-year-old veteran will report to spring training next February, looking to win a middle-relief role for the O's out of spring training. Garcia is not on the fantasy radar at all and holds a career 5.27 ERA and 1.54 WHIP in his 70 big-league innings over five seasons.

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Blue Jays' SP Trey Yesavage recorded 12 strikeouts in 7 innings with the win in a 6-1 win over the Dodgers on Wednesday, Oct. 29.

Cincinnati Reds right-handed pitching prospect Rhett Lowder (forearm, oblique) missed the entire 2025 big-league season due to a right-forearm strain and a left-oblique strain, but he has been pitching for the Peoria Javelinas in the Arizona Fall League and has a 3.00 ERA with no walks and six strikeouts through six innings, according to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. The former first-round pick in 2023 gave up an earned run on two hits over two innings in his outing last Saturday. Lowder made his major-league debut at the end of the 2024 season and looked great, posting a tidy 1.17 ERA over his first six MLB starts. If he is fully healthy for spring training in 2026, the Reds will be hoping to put him in their Opening Day starting rotation. Lowder has four adequate pitches in his arsenal, but it wouldn't be a surprise if they take their time with him and start him in the minors to begin 2026, either.

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The San Diego Padres interviewed future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols on Tuesday for a second time for their vacant managerial position, according to Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune. Pujols, who was unable to agree on a deal to become the next manager of the Los Angeles Angels this offseason, is now one of the finalists for the Padres' job, along with pitching coach Ruben Niebla and bench coach Brian Esposito. The Padres are looking for new leadership after previous manager Mike Shildt stepped down following the team's loss to the Chicago Cubs in the National League wild-card series in early October. Pujols has no managerial experience, but he will serve as the manager for the Dominican Republic in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

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Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter George Springer (side) is out of the starting lineup again on Wednesday night for Game 5 of the World Series against the hosting Los Angeles Dodgers and left-hander Blake Snell. Although Springer has reportedly made good progress since injuring his right side on a swing in the loss in Game 3 on Monday night in L.A., he will miss his second straight game. Infielder Bo Bichette is the DH and will bat third for Toronto, while Isiah Kiner-Falefa will start at the keystone and hit in the eight-hole against Snell as the Blue Jays look to take a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series. Springer will be available off the bench for the second straight game, but it remains to be seen if he'll be able to play again in the World Series. Bichette has gone just 2-for-11 in his career against Snell, while Kiner-Falefa is 0-for-3 with a walk and two K's against the lefty.

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St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar (heels) has been dealing with pain in both of his heels for the last two and a half years, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Nootbaar had surgery on both of his heels on Oct. 7 and hopes to put the issues in the past in 2026. The 28-year-old outfielder admitted that he was definitely affected by his foot problems again in 2025, in which he slashed .234/.325/.361 with a .686 OPS, 13 home runs, 48 RBI, 68 runs scored, and only four stolen bases in 509 at-bats over a career-high 135 games played. He may be able to rebound next year if the surgeries solve his problems, but fantasy managers won't be in a rush to find out, especially since he could be delayed beyond Opening Day. In his five MLB seasons, Nootbaar has been unable to clear the 14-homer mark and doesn't have more than 48 RBI in a single season.

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Los Angeles Dodgers struggling outfielder Andy Pages will retreat to the bench in Game 5 of the World Series on Wednesday night against the visiting Toronto Blue Jays and rookie right-hander Trey Yesavage. Enrique Hernandez will make the start in center field and will hit eighth, with Alex Call starting in left field and batting in the nine-hole. Catcher Will Smith will move up to No. 2 in the batting order. Pages may not start another game in the Fall Classic after going just 4-for-50 with 11 strikeouts and no walks in 14 games during this year's playoffs. Call has appeared in six games this October with L.A. and has gone 4-for-9 with two walks and a strikeout in his first 12 playoff plate appearances. Call will have very little DFS appeal at the bottom of the batting order against an up-and-coming young pitcher whom he has never faced.

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New York Mets right-hander Christian Scott (elbow), who is over a year removed from Tommy John surgery and an internal-brace procedure on his right elbow, is nearing the end of his rehab process this year and is expected to be a full-go in spring training next year, according to Will Sammon of The Athletic. The 26-year-old was scheduled to throw his final live bullpen session on Tuesday. He said the plan is to move to a "de-load" period before he ramps his throwing back up in January. Scott, who was the team's top pitching prospect in 2024, will be in the team's rotation picture next year if he's healthy, but he's unlikely to be in the Opening Day rotation. He had a 4.56 ERA in his first nine MLB starts in 2024 before having surgery, and he's been tinkering with his changeup while rehabbing. Don't forget about Scott as a potential post-hype prospect in fantasy baseball.

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Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter George Springer (side) is not in the starting lineup for Game 4 of the World Series on Tuesday against the hosting Los Angeles Dodgers. Springer injured his right side on a swing in the top of the seventh inning in the Game 3 loss on Monday night. The Blue Jays have not replaced him on the World Series roster, though, so he will presumably be available off the bench on Tuesday. With Springer out, infielder Bo Bichette will serve as the DH for Toronto and bat third, with Isiah Kiner-Falefa playing second base and batting ninth against Dodgers right-hander Shohei Ohtani. Outfielder Nathan Lukes will also serve as the team's leadoff hitter following the 18-inning marathon on Monday night. For now, Springer, who hit over .300 with over 30 homers during the regular season, should be considered day-to-day.

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Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter George Springer (side) is "hour-to-hour" in terms of his availability for Game 4 of the World Series on Tuesday in Los Angeles against the Dodgers, according to manager John Schneider. The Blue Jays are still deciding on if Springer will start on Tuesday or be on the bench, but it doesn't sound like he'll be removed from the World Series roster on Tuesday. The 36-year-old veteran was pulled from the Game 3 loss on Monday night in the top of the seventh inning when he suffered a right-side injury on a swing. Springer underwent an MRI exam on Tuesday morning, but the results of the testing have not been made public. He was one of the team's biggest offensive contributors during the regular season, hitting .309 with 32 home runs, 84 RBI, and 18 stolen bases, so Toronto can ill-afford to lose their leadoff hitter for the remainder of the best-of-seven series.

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Toronto Blue Jays rookie right-hander Trey Yesavage will start Game 5 of the World Series on Wednesday in Los Angeles against the Dodgers, according to manager John Schneider. It will be Yesavage's second start in the Fall Classic after he allowed two earned runs on four hits while walking three and striking out five in a no-decision in four innings in Game 1 last Friday. The 22-year-old former first-rounder from East Carolina was the second-youngest pitcher in MLB history to start Game 1 of the World Series, and he handled himself pretty nicely, all things considered. Wednesday's start will be just his eighth big-league start. In his four postseason starts this October, Yesavage has allowed nine earned runs on 14 hits (two homers) while walking 10 and striking out 27 in 19 frames. The pressure will be on the young, hard-throwing hurler this week on the road in a hostile environment.

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