Athletics outfielder Lawrence Butler (knee) is moving around well following knee surgery and said he will be fully ready for the start of spring training in February, according to Martin Gallegos of MLB.com. Butler has dealt with knee issues in the past, and he had surgery early this month to fix a torn right patellar tendon. The 25-year-old also had scar tissue removed from the same knee and received a platelet-rich plasma injection in his left patellar tendon. Butler cleared the 20-homer mark for the second straight season and also had his first 20-20 campaign with the A's in 152 games played in 2025 in his second full season in the big leagues, but his knee issues could help explain why he hit only .234 (133-for-569) in 630 plate appearances. With better health in his knees, Butler's fantasy profile is still on the rise as a budding power-speed outfield threat.

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Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter George Springer (side) went for an MRI exam because of "right-side discomfort" that knocked him from Game 3 of the World Series on Monday night against the Los Angeles Dodgers, according to J.P. Hoornstra of Newsweek Sports. "We'll see how he is tomorrow," manager John Schneider said. Springer called for a trainer following a swing in the top of the seventh inning and left the contest shortly after to be evaluated. Ty France replaced him as a pinch-hitter, who was later replaced by Davis Schneider in the 18-inning marathon. It's unclear if Springer will be able to play in Game 4 of the World Series on Tuesday night in L.A., but if he's dealing with an oblique injury, there's a good chance he won't be able to play for the rest of the series. Springer has been a major contributor all year for Toronto, so losing their leadoff hitter for the rest of the series would be a big blow. He went 0-for-3 with two K's on Monday night before leaving, and he's gone 14-for-57 (.246) with four homers, six doubles, nine RBI, and 13 runs in 14 playoff games this October.

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Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter George Springer (side) was pulled from Game 3 of the World Series early on Monday night against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the top of the seventh inning with what appeared to be a right-side injury, according to Shi Davidi of Sportsnet. Springer called out for a trainer to examine him before leaving the game, with Ty France replacing him as a pinch-hitter. The 36-year-old dealt with a knee scare this postseason as well, but didn't miss any time. However, if this ends up being an oblique injury, it could easily knock him out for the remainder of the World Series, which would be a big loss for Toronto. We won't know Springer's status for Game 4 of the best-of-seven series on Tuesday until he undergoes some tests. Before leaving in the seventh, Springer went 0-for-3 at the plate with two strikeouts.

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Boston Red Sox second baseman Kristian Campbell will focus on adding weight and strength to his frame this offseason, according to Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic. Campbell won the second base job out of spring training, signed an eight-year, $60 million deal in April, and then won American League Rookie of the Month honors. However, he struggled over the next couple of months and was sent to Triple-A Worcester in June. The 23-year-old stayed there through the rest of the season. He hit .223 with a .664 OPS in 67 games with the BoSox, and while his numbers looked better on the farm, he still wasn't lifting the ball much. At 6-foot-3, 191 pounds, Campbell already has a wiry frame, but he lost weight during the season, which led to a noticeable dip in his exit velocity and hard-hit rates. Boston still believes in Campbell for the long term, but chief baseball officer Craig Breslow didn't commit to a role for Campbell on the big-league roster to start the 2026 season.

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St. Louis Cardinals president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom said that outfielder Lars Nootbaar (heels) isn't guaranteed to be ready for Opening Day in 2026 after having surgery on both of his heels. The Cardinals will not rush Nootbaar through the rehab process, but if he does miss time at the start of the season, it would be a "limited amount of time." The 28-year-old outfielder had surgery on both of his heels on Oct. 7 and could be delayed in the early going next season. Despite playing in a career-high 135 games for the Red Birds in 2025, Nootbaar wasn't able to improve on his counting stats as a hitter. The former eighth-round pick in 2018 out of USC slashed .234/.325/.361 with a .686 OPS, 13 home runs, 68 runs scored, 48 RBI, and four stolen bases in his 509 at-bats. At best, Nootbaar will be a late-round flier for outfield depth in fantasy drafts next spring.

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Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper said he felt "uncomfortable" by recent comments made by president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski, when Dombrowski wondered aloud about whether Harper could return to an elite level in 2026. "I have given my all to Philly from the start," Harper said. "Now there is trade talk? I made every effort to avoid this. It's all I heard in D.C. (with the Nationals). I hated it. It makes me feel uncomfortable." Harper added that he was "hurt" by Dombrowski's original comments. Dombrowski said it "couldn't be further from the truth" that the Phillies are considering trading Harper this offseason, and that "we love him." The 33-year-old former MVP is signed through the 2031 season, but he posted an .844 OPS in 2025, his lowest mark since 2016. Still, Harper was a productive hitter for the Phils, hitting 27 homers in 132 regular-season games. Harper has a full no-trade clause in his contract, but he didn't negotiate an opt-out clause into his 13-year, $330 million deal.

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Los Angeles Dodgers utilityman Tommy Edman (ankle) has been a strong contributor once again for the Dodgers in October despite playing through a lingering right-ankle injury that he's dealt with for the last two seasons. It's an injury that has caused Edman to miss significant time this year, landing him on the injured list two separate times. The 30-year-old had another setback with his ankle while playing in the final week of the regular season, which hasn't made him an option to take over in center field for the struggling Andy Pages. Edman has been limited to second base in the postseason. Edman said his ankle is "healthy," but he could need surgery this offseason to clean it up. The switch-hitting utility man hit a disappointing .225 during the regular season with 13 homers and 49 RBI, but he's picked things up in the postseason, going 11-for-42 (.262) with two homers and six RBI in 11 games.

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Toronto Blue Jays infielder Bo Bichette will return to the starting lineup for Game 3 of the World Series on Monday against Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Tyler Glasnow, according to manager John Schneider. Bichette will be back at second base and will most likely hit cleanup again, like he did in the team's Game 1 win on Friday night. The All-Star shortstop missed over seven weeks with a knee sprain suffered in early September, but he was included on the World Series roster and made his return in Game 1, picking up a single and a walk in the 11-4 blowout win. He did not play in the Game 2 loss on Saturday, although he did have a plate appearance off the bench late in the game. Bichette will make his second start of the World Series against a pitcher he has struggled against, as he's gone 2-for-16 with an RBI, three walks, and four K's in his career against Glasnow.

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The Chicago Cubs are expected to add reinforcements to their starting rotation this offseason. According to Bruce Levine, the Cubs are planning to pursue free-agent right-hander Dylan Cease. This doesn't come as a surprise considering Cease is going to be one of the top arms in free agency. The 29-year-old is coming off a down year where he posted a 4.55 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, and a 215/71 K/BB ratio across 32 starts with the San Diego Padres this past season. Despite a down year, Cease figures to get a hefty payday this offseason. The Cubs originally drafted Cease in the sixth round of the 2014 draft, but eventually traded him and Eloy Jimenez for Jose Quintana in 2017. This would be a nice full circle story, but there figures to be plenty of suitors for Cease.

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Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Max Scherzer has been tasked with taking the ball for Game 3 of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Scherzer will look to keep the good times rolling after tossing 5.2 innings, allowing two runs, and striking out five batters during Game 4 of the ALDS. That was his only work of the postseason, but Scherzer has plenty of experience, including two World Series championships. He'll be looking to help give his team a 2-1 lead in this series. The organization also announced that Shane Bieber would take the ball for Game 4.

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Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow will get the starting nod for Monday's Game 3 of the World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays. The Dodgers will look to even the series on Saturday after dropping the opener. Glasnow has been nearly impossible to touch during the postseason. He struck out eight batters across 5.2 innings of work during Game 3 of the NLCS. Overall, Glasnow has a 0.68 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, and 18 strikeouts over 13.1 innings during the postseason. Following Game 3, Shohei Ohtani will get the ball for Game 4 of this series.

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Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette is out of the starting lineup ahead of Saturday's Game 2 of the World Series. Bichette made his first appearance of the postseason during Game 1 of this series. He went 1-for-2 with a walk during Friday's win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. Considering the injury, it's not shocking to see the Jays' being cautious with Bichette. In his absence, Isiah Kiner-Falefa will cover second base and bat eighth versus right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto. It wouldn't be shocking to see Bichette come in as a pinch-hitter at some point during this game.

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Toronto Blue Jays infielder/outfielder Addison Barger will slide into the starting lineup ahead of Saturday's Game 2 of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Barger blasted a pinch-hit grand slam during Game 1 of this series. He has been on fire this season, Barger is slashing .324/.405/.622 through 42 plate appearances. As a result, Barger will take over in right field and bat seventh versus right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto on Saturday. Myles Straw will head to the bench after starting in right field to begin the series.

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Philadelphia Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski made it clear on Friday that he has no plans to trade first baseman Bryce Harper this offseason. "Bryce Harper's not getting traded," Dombrowski told Jon Heyman of the New York Post. "He's a great player. He's a future Hall of Famer. He's a cornerstone of our franchise, and we look to have him be with us a long, long time." Next season will be Harper's eighth with the Phillies since the former Washington National signed a then-record 13-year, $330 million deal in free agency before the 2019 campaign. Although a World Series title has eluded the Phillies during the Harper era, they won the pennant in 2022 and have earned four straight playoff berths. Harper was not at his best in 2025, the Phillies' second consecutive NL East-winning season, but the two-time MVP was still solidly above average. He slashed .261/.357/.487 line with 27 homers, 75 RBI, 72 runs scored, and 12 stolen bases over 132 games and 580 plate appearances.

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Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Kevin Gausman will start Game 2 of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday. He'll oppose Dodgers righty Yoshinobu Yamamoto. In his most recent appearance this past Monday, Gausman came out of the bullpen in an ALCS-clinching win over the Seattle Mariners in Game 7. The 34-year-old overcame three walks (including an intentional pass to Cal Raleigh) to toss a scoreless seventh inning and earn the victory, sending the Blue Jays to their first Fall Classic since 1993. Despite an underwhelming 12:9 K:BB, Gausman has recorded a sparkling 2.00 ERA while yielding just 10 hits over 18 innings this postseason.

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San Francisco Giants catcher Logan Porter has re-signed with the club on a minor-league contract, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports. Porter's deal includes an invitation to spring training. Since signing with the Kansas City Royals as an undrafted free agent in 2018, Porter has appeared in just 16 games in the bigs. The 30-year-old played in five contests with the Giants in 2025 and went 1-for-7 with a walk and a hit by pitch. Over a much larger sample of 73 games and 286 plate appearances with Triple-A Sacramento, Porter hit .212/.346/.316 with six home runs. He'll likely return to Sacramento next season. The Giants have Patrick Bailey as their starting catcher, while either Andrew Knizner or Jesus Rodriguez will open 2026 as his backup.

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Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Ty France (oblique) has been included on the team's World Series roster against the Los Angeles Dodgers. France will be on the team's roster for the first time during the playoffs after he was suffered a left-oblique strain late in the regular season. The veteran right-handed hitter will be available for Toronto against the Dodgers, starting on Friday night in Game 1 at the Rogers Centre, but he will be coming off the bench. The 31-year-old veteran began the 2025 season with the Minnesota Twins before joining the Jays. France played in 37 regular-season contests with the Blue Jays and went 26-for-94 (.277) at the plate with only one home run, eight RBI, and nine runs scored in his 103 plate appearances. He is unlikely to make any starts for Toronto in the best-of-seven series against L.A.

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The New York Mets announced on Thursday that they signed free-agent left-hander Richard Lovelady to an undisclosed one-year deal. Lovelady was with the Mets to end the 2025 regular season before electing free agency just after the conclusion of the season. The 30-year-old veteran southpaw is now back with the organization and will attempt to win an Opening Day roster spot out of the bullpen next year. Lovelady allowed 12 runs (11 earned) on 12 hits (three home runs) while walking six and striking out 12 in 11 2/3 relief innings with the Mets and Toronto Blue Jays during the 2025 campaign. However, he had an ERA under 2.00 on the farm in 38 innings pitched. Lovelady will most likely open the 2026 season at Triple-A Syracuse if he remains in the Mets' organization.

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Both Los Angeles Dodgers left-handed relievers Tanner Scott (lower body) and Alex Vesia (personal) were not included on the team's World Series roster against the Toronto Blue Jays, according to the team. Scott has been unable to pitch at all during the postseason after having a lower-body abscess surgery at the beginning of October. Meanwhile, Vesia has been away from the team of late due to a personal issue and will not be available out of the bullpen for the Fall Classic. Scott has been dreadful for the Dodgers at the back end of their bullpen all year, so he might have been left off the World Series roster even if he was fully healthy. Vesia won't be eligible to join the Dodgers' roster for the World Series at a later date because he will not go on the family medical emergency list. Vesia's absence is notable, as he has been a trusted lefty arm out of the bullpen in high-leverage situations for the Dodgers this year, recording five saves while posting a 3.02 ERA in 68 regular-season relief appearances.

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Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette (knee) will start in Game 1 of the World Series on Friday night in Toronto against the Los Angeles Dodgers and left-hander Blake Snell, starting at second base and batting cleanup. Bichette will be playing in a big-league game for the first time in seven weeks due to a PCL sprain in his left knee, and this will be his first time at the keystone since 2019 while at Triple-A Buffalo. He was one of the best hitters in baseball during the regular season, but those setting DFS lineups should probably expect some element of rust, especially against a pitcher who has been downright dominant in October. Bichette hasn't fared well in nine career at-bats against Snell, either, recording just one hit with two walks and four strikeouts against him. Andres Gimenez will remain at the 6 for Toronto and will hit ninth in the batting order.

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