Yankees' Cody Bellinger: Will opt out, become free agent
Rotowire
Bellinger plans to decline his $25 million player option for 2026 and become a free agent, Jorge Castillo of ESPN.com reports.
Bellinger opting out of the final year of his deal and hitting the free-agent market this winter has been a foregone conclusion for a while now, as the 30-year-old is in line to net a lucrative, multi-year pact. He slashed .272/.334/.480 with 29 home runs, 98 RBI and 13 stolen bases over 152 games in 2025 while playing plus defense at multiple positions. Having previously received a qualifying offer, Bellinger is not eligible to get another one, which will only enhance his free-agent appeal.
Yankees' Aaron Judge: Doesn't rule out elbow surgery
Rotowire
Judge on Wednesday didn't dismiss the possibility of undergoing surgery to repair the flexor strain in his right elbow, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.
Following the Yankees' elimination from the postseason, Judge said of his elbow that "we'll definitely do some work on it and get it right." When asked whether that could mean surgery, he replied, "I'm not a doctor. I don't know." Judge was diagnosed with a flexor strain in late July, spent 10 days on the injured list and was limited to designated hitter for a month upon his return. He played right field regularly over the final few weeks of the regular season and in the playoffs, but his throwing was noticeably compromised. A decision on how best to treat Judge's elbow injury should be made soon.
Yankees' Cam Schlittler: Takes tough-luck loss in Game 4
Rotowire
Schlittler took the loss to the Blue Jays on Wednesday in Game 4 of the American League Division Series. He allowed four runs (two earned) on eight hits while striking out two without a walk over 6.1 innings.
Making a second consecutive start with the season on the line, Schlittler pitched well, but the Yankees couldn't stave off elimination this time around. Still, per MLB's Sarah Langs, Schlittler became just the 10th pitcher in modern history with at least six innings pitched and two earned runs or fewer allowed in multiple starts facing elimination in a single postseason. The 24-year-old right-hander finishes his first playoff run with a 1.26 ERA over 14.1 innings, and he figures to be a hot commodity in fantasy drafts next spring.
Goldschmidt will start at first base and bat sixth Wednesday in Game 4 of the ALDS against the Blue Jays.
It will be Goldschmidt's first start of the series and just his second start so far this postseason. Right-handed reliever Louis Varland is serving as the opener in what will be a bullpen game for the Blue Jays.
Rice is not in the lineup Wednesday for Game 4 of the ALDS versus the Blue Jays.
The Yankees are turning to Paul Goldschmidt at first base as the Blue Jays go with a bullpen game. Rice is 4-for-18 with one home run, four RBI and a 1:8 BB:K across five games this postseason.
0:54
0:56
0:49
1:06
1:17
1:48
1:59
0:50
0:44
1:01
0:49
0:57
10:59
1:46
1:29
9:04
1:58
1:04
1:12
0:31
