MLB Player News

Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias said Monday that Westburg (elbow) will begin a hitting progression this week, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

Westburg underwent Tommy John surgery in May and missed the entire 2026 season. However, because he's a position player and not a pitcher, he has a good chance to head into the 2027 season without any limitations. Westburg has slashed .264/.312/.456 over parts of three major-league seasons and, assuming health, could open next season as the Orioles' primary third baseman.

Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias said Monday that Bradish will undergo surgery Tuesday to repair a sports hernia, Andy Kostka of TheBanner.com reports.

Bradish has been sidelined since mid-September with the injury and has ultimately decided to have it surgically repaired. More should be known regarding a timetable following the operation, but it should not affect Bradish's availability for the beginning of spring training. The right-hander finished the 2026 season with a 4.12 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 142:70 K:BB over 155 innings covering 29 starts.

Red Sox manager Chad Tracy said Monday that the team has yet to decide whether Crochet (lat) will be include on the American League Wild Card series roster versus the Yankees, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Crochet has not pitched in a competitive setting since late April, as he has been brought along slowly in his recovery from a left lat strain. He's been throwing off a mound for several weeks and resumed facing hitters last week. If Crochet is included on Boston's wild-card series roster, it will be in a bullpen role, as he is not stretched out to be used as a starting pitcher.

Red Sox manager Chad Tracy said Monday that Tolle will start Game 1 of the American League Wild Card Series against the Yankees on Tuesday, Sean McAdam of MassLive.com reports.

The Yankees have a left-handed-hitting heavy lineup, so the Red Sox will hand the ball to southpaw Tolle in the first game rather than righty Sonny Gray. It will be Gray starting Game 2, and Ranger Suarez will be lined up for a potential Game 3. Tolle -- who will square off against Cam Schlittler -- logged a 3.03 ERA and 171:40 K:BB over 148.2 innings covering 26 starts during the regular season.

Ward has joined the Red Sox in New York and could be part of their American League Wild Card Series roster versus the Yankees, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

The outfielder has yet to play in the majors and would need to be added to the 40-man roster. If Ward is included on Boston's wild-card roster it would be in a pinch runner/defensive replacement. The 27-year-old stole 61 bases this season with Triple-A Worcester while sporting a .251/.364/.373 batting line.

The Astros outrighted Alexander to Triple-A Sugar Land on Sunday.

Alexander passed through waivers unclaimed after being removed from the 40-man roster. The 33-year-old has been outrighted previously, so he has the ability to decline the assignment and become a free agent. Alexander posted a 9.33 ERA and 1.58 WHIP in 18.1 innings with Houston in 2026.

Caglianone went 2-for-4 with a double in Sunday's win over the Guardians.

Caglianone didn't drive in a run or score, but he did record his sixth multi-hit effort over his past seven games, going 14-for-28 (.500) during that stretch. The 23-year-old broke out in a big way in 2026, shaking off a disappointing rookie campaign in 2025 to live up to his lofty prospect pedigree. On the year, Caglianone will finish with a .289/.340/.494 slash line, 23 homers, 75 RBI, 72 runs and seven stolen bases in 143 contests.

Butler went 2-for-4 in Sunday's 9-0 loss to the Astros.

Butler was the lone Athletics player to record multiple hits in the season finale, depositing a pair of singles. The outfielder really turned things around in the second half, slashing .280/.357/.496 with 12 homers, 40 RBI, 33 runs and four stolen bases in 66 games after the All-Star break. Overall, Butler will close 2026 with a .237/.326/.394 slash line, 17 homers, 62 RBI, 64 runs and 10 stolen bases across 154 contests.

Lindor went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and an additional run scored in Sunday's 6-4 loss to the Nationals.

Lindor extended the Mets' lead to 4-1 in the second inning with a 409-foot shot off DJ Herz, his 21st homer this season and the 300th of his career. It's a nice way to wrap up what was otherwise a disappointing season for Lindor. He'd gone 14 games without a homer prior to Sunday, going 8-for-55 (.145) in that span. Overall, Lindor will finish an injury-shortened campaign with a .225/.309/.423 slash line, 63 runs scored, 49 RBI and three steals across 469 plate appearances.

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.