Top News:
Alden Gonzalez / ESPN:
Dodgers considering Shohei Ohtani helping as reliever — LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani has proved to be a viable starting pitcher as the postseason approaches, but Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts acknowledged Wednesday that the organization has considered whether he might …
Discussion:
Los Angeles Times, Sportsnet.ca, Orange County Register, Bleacher Report and Yahoo Sports
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Thomas Harrigan / MLB.com:
Ohtani in the outfield? He says he's willing for the playoffs — Might we see Shohei Ohtani in the outfield this October? — Ohtani floated that possibility to members of the Japanese media after the Dodgers' 9-6 loss to the Phillies on Tuesday, during which the two-way superstar tossed five innings …
Discussion:
True Blue LA, Purple Row, Yahoo Sports, New York Post and Los Angeles Times
Jeff Passan / ESPN:
MLB orders down period for teams' monitoring of amateur players — Major League Baseball is banning team officials from watching amateur players or collecting data on them for a monthslong period over the winter, warning executives that “the amateur baseball calendar is putting young players …
ESPN:
Giants' Justin Verlander wants to pitch at age 43 in 2026 — Justin Verlander, who went a team-record 16 starts this season for the San Francisco Giants before registering a win, has fixed whatever wasn't working, is riding a hot streak and reiterated that he wants to return …
Discussion:
USA Today, Bleacher Report and Sportsnet.ca
Associated Press:
Brewers' Christian Yelich reaches major milestone in his successful comeback from back surgery — MILWAUKEE — Christian Yelich always believed he could get back to hitting the way he had earlier in his career, even as he encountered skepticism about his chances of making a successful comeback from back surgery.
Discussion:
WTMJ, Associated Press and Brew Crew Ball
Associated Press:
Yankees ace Max Fried makes winning fun for Aaron Boone and New York teammates — BALTIMORE — There's nothing like watching Max Fried pitch to alleviate some of the angst and pressure associated with managing the New York Yankees in the midst of a pennant race.
Discussion:
The Athletic
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Jorge Castillo / ESPN:
Four rivals, 13 days: Five things we learned about Yankees
Four rivals, 13 days: Five things we learned about Yankees
Discussion:
New York Daily News, Pinstripe Alley and The Athletic
Associated Press:
Machado the man for bases-loaded moments as his 14th grand slam powers Padres past Mets — NEW YORK — With the bases loaded, the last man any opposing pitcher wants to see at the plate is Manny Machado. — The seven-time All-Star once again showed why Wednesday night.
Discussion:
San Diego Union-Tribune, Gaslamp Ball and World Baseball Network
Yahoo Sports:
'I'm at peace with it.' Clayton Kershaw announces retirement after 18 seasons with Dodgers — Last year, in the middle of a World Series celebration he had spent two decades dreaming about, Clayton Kershaw took the mic at Dodger Stadium and made a declaration.
ESPN:
Astros' Yordan Alvarez out ‘a while’ with left ankle sprain — Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez has a “pretty significant” left ankle sprain and will be out of the lineup indefinitely as Houston battles for a division title and an American League playoff spot as the season winds down, manager Joe Espada said Tuesday.
Jorge Montanez / NBCSports.com:
Fantasy Baseball Closer Report: Last call for saves as end of season nears — In this week's Closer Report, we run down the last week in saves around the league and examine every team's closer situation as we come down to the final week of baseball. — Fantasy Baseball Closer Rankings — Tier 1
Jeff Passan / ESPN:
MLB labor: How fight over salary cap will shape negotiations — OF ALL THE things to cause outrage, to intensify the bleating that baseball is broken and the Los Angeles Dodgers are the culprit, the signing that generated the most consternation was that of a relief pitcher.
Discussion:
Bleacher Report
Ronald Blum / Associated Press:
MLB drops plan for London games in 2026, says nearing TV deals with NBC, ESPN, Netflix — Major League Baseball has abandoned plans to play two games in London next season because of scheduling issues with West Ham's Olympic Stadium and the sport's television partner.
