MLB Player News

Valencia went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Sunday's 4-2 loss to the Pirates.

The 26-year-old backstop along with Kevin McGonigle provided all of Detroit's offense in the regular season finale with a pair of solo home runs, giving Valencia two homers in as many days. The rookie thus wraps up an impressive debut campaign in which he batted .341 with a 1.016 OPS and eight long balls across 42 games. MLB pitchers will certainly make adjustments in how they attack Valencia next year, though he looks like a more-than-capable hitter in the majors who could see his fantasy value climb if his role with the Tigers expands.

Madden tossed three scoreless innings of relief with three strikeouts in Sunday's 4-2 loss to the Pirates.

The Tigers only got 1.1 innings out of starter River Ryan in the regular season finale Sunday, so they needed some length from Madden and two other relievers. The righty bounced back from allowing two runs in his last appearance to wrap up his 2026 campaign on a high note. Madden finishes the year with a 3.26 ERA and 46 strikeouts across 47 innings, and he figures to be in the mix for a bullpen spot with the Tigers once again in 2027.

Rea tossed two scoreless innings of relief with a strikeout to earn the save in Sunday's 6-2 win over the Red Sox.

Rea was the fourth Chicago pitcher to enter the ballgame, following Shota Imanaga, Braxton Garrett and Jacob Webb, and he shut the door over the final two innings to secure his second save of the year. The veteran righty finishes the regular season with a 4.34 ERA across 137 innings in 34 games, which included 19 starts. Rea will likely have a low-leverage relief role for the Cubs in the postseason, though he can give the team some length out of the bullpen if needed.

Taylor went 2-for-4 with two runs scored in Sunday's 6-2 win over the Red Sox.

Taylor didn't start this contest, but he pinch ran for presumptive National League MVP Pete Crow-Armstrong in the first inning and proceeded to come across twice for the Cubs. The 32-year-old outfielder fit in well with Chicago, posting a .351/.390/.500 slash line across 74 at-bats in 30 games with the team since coming over at the trade deadline. Taylor gives the Cubs a reliable veteran presence on the bench heading into the postseason, and his defensive prowess could get him off the pine frequently late in close contests.

Hays went 2-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored in Sunday's 9-4 win over Arizona.

Hays picked up a pair of singles, with his eighth-inning knock scoring two runs. Since joining San Diego in early August, the veteran has slashed .316/.344/.456 with two homers, eight RBI and 13 runs in 26 games. While he drew the start against right-handed starter Michael Soroka on Sunday, Hays is likely to be relegated to a short-side platoon role in the postseason.

Fermin went 2-for-4 with a double and three RBI in Sunday's 9-4 win over the Diamondbacks.

Fermin matched a season high with three RBI in his 10th multi-hit effort of the campaign. The 31-year-old has seen his playing time dwindle of late, logging just 23 at-bats in September while Luis Campusano and Ethan Salas have seen much more action behind the dish. Fermin will end the regular season with a .203/.274/.315 slash line, four homers, 24 RBI, 22 runs and a stolen base across 96 games.

Sheets went 1-for-2 with a solo home run in Sunday's 9-4 win over the Diamondbacks.

Sheets blasted a solo shot to right-center field in the fourth inning before being replaced at designated hitter by Luis Campusano. Sheets has gone 2-for-7 (.286) in two contests since being reinstated from the injured list after recovering from a left foot sprain. He'll close the regular season with a .212/.313/.397 slash line, 17 homers, 48 RBI, 47 runs and four stolen bases over 125 games.

Soroka did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing three runs on three hits and two walks over 4.2 innings against the Padres. He struck out four.

Soroka worked two scoreless innings before surrendering runs in each of the next three frames, including a solo homer to Gavin Sheets in the fourth. In four outings since returning from right shoulder inflammation, the right-handed hurler posted a 3.48 ERA, 0.73 WHIP and 23:5 K:BB across 20.2 innings. With the Diamondbacks falling short of a playoff berth, Soroka will end the 2026 campaign with a 9-5 record, 3.41 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 114:29 K:BB over 116 innings (22 appearances).

Vasquez did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing one run on three hits and no walks over six innings in a 9-4 win over Arizona. He struck out two.

Making his first start since Sept. 1, Vasquez was sharp and economical, allowing just one run in the sixth inning before departing at 68 pitches (54 strikes). Bouncing between the rotation and bullpen, the right-hander will end the regular season with a 10-6 record, 3.90 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 87:37 K:BB across 140.2 innings (32 appearances). If San Diego uses Vasquez in the postseason, it will likely be as a reliever.

Dubon went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and an additional RBI in Sunday's 5-3 loss to the Marlins.

Dubon opened the scoring by launching a solo shot in the third inning, later adding an RBI single in the seventh frame. The utility man has been heating up, hitting .325/.367/.470 with two homers, nine RBI, eight runs and three stolen bases in 22 September contests. Overall, Dubon will close the regular season with a .276/.321/.399 slash line, 12 homers, 73 RBI, 66 runs and 10 stolen bases in 153 games.