San Diego Padres All-Star closer Robert Suarez, who led the National League with 40 saves in 2025, opted out of his contract on Monday and will now officially become a free agent, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Suarez had $16 million over two years to go on his deal with San Diego, but now he'll be one of the most sought-after relief arms on the market this winter. The 34-year-old right-hander also had a 2.87 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 134 strikeouts and 32 walks in 134 2/3 innings out of the bullpen during the regular season in addition to his league-best 40 saves. If Suarez doesn't return to the Padres, the Friars could use flamethrower Mason Miller as their primary closer in 2026, if they don't transition him back to a starting role. Suarez, meanwhile, should be able to easily land a hefty multi-year deal, but his 2026 fantasy value will depend on where he lands.

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New York Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger is now a free agent after opting out of his contract with the Yankees on Monday, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN. Bellinger officially declined his $25 million player option for the 2026 season and will be free to sign with any team this winter. The 30-year-old veteran left-handed slugger had a nice first season in the Bronx, slashing .272/.334/.480 with an .813 OPS, 29 home runs, 98 RBI, 89 runs scored, and 13 stolen bases in 152 regular-season games. Bellinger's 29 long balls were his most in a season since he hit 47 back in 2019 with the Los Angeles Dodgers to win National League MVP honors. Returning to New York might be best for Bellinger's fantasy value in 2026 and beyond, but he certainly won't have a lack of suitors on the open market after bouncing back the last few seasons.

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Los Angeles Dodgers veteran middle infielder Miguel Rojas (rib) said he felt a sharp pain in his rib area while celebrating the Game 6 win of the World Series over the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday night and was unsure if he'd be available to play in Game 7 on Saturday, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN. The 36-year-old Venezuelan took several rounds of pain-killing injections and got the start again in the deciding Game 7, going 2-for-5 with the game-tying solo home run in the top of the ninth inning in the eventual 5-4 win in 11 innings to help the Dodgers win back-to-back world championships. Rojas, who had hit just 57 home runs in 4,159 career plate appearances going into the ninth inning, ended up being an unlikely hero for the Dodgers. He spent most of the regular season and playoffs as a utility infielder, hitting .262 with only seven home runs and 27 RBI in 114 games. Rojas will be an unrestricted free agent this winter.

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Although nothing is 100% decided, Toronto Blue Jays veteran right-hander Max Scherzer said he currently has no plans to retire this offseason, according to Jesse Rogers of ESPN. "The only thing I can say is it's going to take some time to give a full answer to that, but there is no way that was my last pitch," Scherzer said after Toronto lost Game 7 of the World Series on Saturday night to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The 41-year-old three-time Cy Young winner and future Hall of Famer put the Blue Jays in a good position for the win in Game 7, allowing only an earned run with a walk and three strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings in a no-decision. In his three playoff starts, Scherzer gave up six earned runs on 12 hits (three homers) while walking six and fanning 11 in 14 1/3 innings. The veteran bulldog is a pretty big injury risk in fantasy -- he made only 17 regular-season starts in 2025 -- and had an ERA above 5.00 for the first time in his career.

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As expected, San Diego Padres right-hander Michael King declined his side of a $15 million mutual option for the 2026 season on Sunday, according to Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune. King will now become a free agent this offseason. The 30-year-old veteran finished the 2024 season as the Padres' most dominant starter, but he was unable to capture that magic in his second year with the team in 2025, mainly due to injuries. He only ended up making 15 starts in the regular season and posted a 3.44 ERA (4.42 FIP), 1.20 WHIP, 76 strikeouts, and 26 walks in 73 1/3 innings pitched. King now seeks a multi-year contract on the open market, and he's unlikely to return to San Diego in 2026. When healthy, he was a strong fantasy asset the last two years in SD, compiling an 18-12 record, 3.10 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and 277:89 K:BB in 247 frames over 46 outings (45 starts).

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Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto was named the 2025 World Series MVP on Saturday night after the Dodgers beat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 in 11 innings at the Rogers Centre to win back-to-back championships. After going six innings for his second win of the World Series on Friday night in Game 6, Yamamoto tossed 2 2/3 scoreless innings of relief on zero days of rest on Saturday to cap off an amazing performance in the Fall Classic. In his first start of the series, Yamamoto threw a complete game, his second straight of the postseason. The 27-year-old Japanese hurler threw 17 2/3 innings over three appearances in a week to win MVP honors for the Blue. He went 3-0 against Toronto with a 1.02 ERA and became just the 14th pitcher in history to record three wins in a single World Series, and the first since Randy Johnson did it for the Diamondbacks in 2001.

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The Athletic's Fabian Ardaya reported before the Los Angeles Dodgers' Game 7 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday to win back-to-back World Series championships that right-hander Tyler Glasnow (side) had been dealing with discomfort in his side, according to FOX Sports' Tom Verducci. Despite starting Game 3 and closing out Friday's Game 6 win, the hard-throwing right-hander appeared in Game 7 on Saturday in relief and threw 2 1/3 frames, allowing an earned run on three hits while walking none and striking out two. It was the first time that the 32-year-old had ever pitched on back-to-back days in his professional career. In addition to Glasnow, the Dodgers used starters Shohei Ohtani, Blake Snell, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto in the 5-4, 11-inning victory at Rogers Centre. In his 21 1/3 innings pitched (three starts) during this year's postseason, Glasnow gave up six runs (four earned) on 15 hits with 11 walks, 25 strikeouts, a hold, and a save.

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Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Andy Pages is out of the starting lineup ahead of Game 7 of the World Series versus the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday. Pages will be out of the lineup for the third straight game. He has struggled with the bat going 4-for-20 at the plate during the postseason. The Dodgers need their best players in the lineup for this series deciding contest. That being said, Tommy Edman will take over in center field while Miguel Rojas plays second base against right-hander Max Scherzer on Saturday.

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Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto has volunteered to pitch out of the bullpen in Game 7 of the World Series on Saturday night. The 27-year-old is ready to go after throwing nearly 100 pitches during his start on Friday. He reportedly played catch on Saturday and is available if needed out of the bullpen. If he does pitch, Yamamoto is likely on a short leash considering he pitched deep into Friday's game. It appears it'll be an all hands-on-deck type of situation for Game 7 against the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday.

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Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk is in the starting lineup ahead of Game 7 of the World Series versus the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday. Kirk made an early exit on Friday after getting hit by a pitch on his left hand. Luckily, the X-rays came back negative and Kirk appears to have avoided any significant injuries. It's going to take more than that to hold Kirk out of this series deciding matchup. He's slashing .265/.361/.482 with five home runs and 13 RBI during the postseason. Kirk will be behind the plate and bat sixth versus right-hander Shohei Ohtani on Saturday.

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Despite still dealing with lower-back issues, Colorado Rockies outfielder/first baseman Kris Bryant (back) said he's not considering retirement this offseason, according to Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post. "I wish I had better things to tell you," Bryant said. "It's not in the best shape, and that's pretty disheartening for me. It's exhausting for me waking up and hoping to feel (better). I can't tell you the last time I woke up feeling I'm in a good spot." The 33-year-old former MVP and four-time All-Star hasn't played in over 80 games in any of his four seasons in Colorado, and he is still under contract for three more years, with the Rockies owing him $81 million. Bryant has been doing Pilates three times a week, hoping it will alleviate the pain in his back. He turns 34 on Jan. 4 and has been diagnosed with lumbar degenerative disc disease, which means he's fighting an uphill battle to be a productive baseball player again, especially at his age.

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New York Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole (elbow) threw off a bullpen mound at Yankee Stadium on Saturday, according to Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News. The previously stated plan is for Cole to "de-load" after a few weeks before meeting with Dr. Neal ElAttrache this offseason. Manager Aaron Boone said he's hoping to see Cole "face live hitters during camp." The 35-year-old former Cy Young winner and six-time All-Star is making progress from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow, but he's not expected to be ready for the start of the 2026 regular season. The good news, though, is that Cole isn't expected to be out long early in the season before making his debut. Fantasy managers are going to have questions as to whether Cole can regain his pre-injury form at his age after making only 17 starts in 2024 and not pitching at all in 2025.

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Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani will start on the mound in Game 7 of the World Series on Saturday at the Rogers Centre against the hosting Toronto Blue Jays, the team announced. Ohtani will be pitching on short rest in the winner-take-all game. The Japanese superstar started the Game 4 loss in Los Angeles, going six innings and giving up four earned runs on six hits (one homer) while walking one and striking out six. In Ohtani's first three career postseason starts this year as a starting pitcher, he's allowed seven earned runs on 11 hits (one homer) while walking five and fanning 25 in 18 innings pitched. He's gone exactly six innings in each of his three starts versus the Phillies, Brewers, and Blue Jays, although he's likely to come short of that on Saturday on Saturday as the Dodgers look to piece things together as they go for back-to-back World Series championships.

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Updating a previous report, X-rays on Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk's left hand came back negative and "showed no fractures," according to Shi Davidi of Sportsnet. Kirk will be ready to play in the deciding Game 7 of the World Series on Saturday night at the Rogers Centre against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The 26-year-old Mexican backstop was lifted for a pinch-runner in the top of the ninth inning in the Game 6 loss on Friday night after he was hit by a pitch from right-hander Roki Sasaki, but he avoided any fractures in his hand and should start in Game 7. It's great news for the Blue Jays as they seek their first World Series championship in over 30 years, as Kirk has gone 6-for-21 (.286) with two home runs and six RBI in six games during the Fall Classic. He has five long balls and 13 RBI in 17 total postseason games this year.

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The Pittsburgh Pirates claimed right-hander Dugan Darnell (hip) off waivers from the Colorado Rockies on Friday and placed him on the 60-day injured list, according to Alex Stumpf of MLB.com. Darnell made his major-league debut in Colorado in 2025 and pitched to a 3.86 ERA and 1.46 WHIP with seven walks and five strikeouts in just 11 2/3 innings out of the bullpen for the Rockies. The 28-year-old had a 3.19 ERA in 53 2/3 innings at Triple-A Albuquerque. Darnell mixes in a four-seam fastball that averaged 93.7 mph this year and also uses a slider and splitter. His 2025 season was cut short by a torn labrum in his left hip in late August. It's unclear if Darnell will be ready for spring training in mid-February, but when he's healthy, he'll be competing for a middle-relief role in Pittsburgh.

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MLB.com's Keegan Matheson reports that Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk (hand) will head for X-rays on his left hand after he was hit by a pitch on Friday night in the Game 6 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The good news is that the X-rays sound precautionary, according to manager John Schneider. Kirk was hit by Dodgers right-hander Roki Sasaki in the bottom of the ninth inning and was lifted for a pinch-runner. The pitch didn't appear to hit him squarely in the hand, but the Blue Jays want to make sure the starting catcher doesn't have a fracture in his hand. If Kirk is unable to play in Game 7 of the World Series on Saturday night, Tyler Heineman would get the nod behind the dish. Kirk has been a big part of Toronto's postseason success this year, hitting .242 (16-for-66) with five homers and 13 RBI, and he's gone 6-for-21 with two homers and six RBI in the Fall Classic.

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The Cincinnati Reds outrighted infielder Santiago Espinal off their 40-man roster and to Triple-A Louisville on Friday, according to Charlie Goldsmith. Espinal will now have the option to elect free agency this offseason and sign with any team. The 30-year-old Dominican played in 114 games in 2025 in his second year with the Reds and went 73-for-301 (.243) with no home runs, 16 RBI, 25 runs scored, and two stolen bases in 328 plate appearances. It was a pretty disappointing showing for Espinal, who was an All-Star with the Toronto Blue Jays back in 2022, when he hit .267/.322/.370 with seven homers and 51 RBI in a career-high 135 games played. For fantasy purposes, Espinal isn't much to look at as a utility infielder without much power. It remains to be seen where he'll be hanging his hat in 2026, but at best, Espinal will be a utility bench option in deeper fantasy leagues.

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Detroit Tigers second baseman Gleyber Torres (hernia) had surgery on Friday to fix a sports hernia on his left side, according to Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press. Torres is expected to be cleared for baseball activities in four weeks, so he'll be ready to go for the start of spring training in February and the regular season in 2026. The 28-year-old Venezuelan infielder played through his sports hernia in the final month of the regular season and during the playoffs. Torres was an All-Star for the third time in his career in 2025 in his first year in Motown, slashing .256/.358/.387 with a .745 OPS, 16 home runs, 74 RBI, 79 runs scored, and four stolen bases in his 628 plate appearances. He only signed a one-year deal with the Tigers last offseason, though, so he might be one and done with the Tigers, unless they decide to re-sign him.

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Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette (knee) said he's not expecting to need offseason surgery on his knee, according to Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith. Bichette suffered a sprained PCL in his left knee in early September and wasn't available for the Blue Jays until Game 1 of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers last Friday. Although the All-Star shortstop has been available to the Blue Jays during the Fall Classic, he hasn't been moving around the same and has been limited to the designated hitter role and second base. However, he has somehow managed to go 5-for-16 (.313) at the plate with three RBI, a run scored, two walks, and two strikeouts in five games versus the Dodgers. Undergoing knee surgery this offseason would be very notable for a high-profile player who is set for free agency this winter. Barring a setback with his knee, Bichette should be ready for the start of the 2026 season, but it's unclear if that will come back in Toronto or with a new team.

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If necessary, Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Max Scherzer will take the ball to start Game 7 of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at the Rogers Centre on Saturday, according to Rob Longley of the Toronto Star. A deciding Game 7 would be necessary if the Blue Jays cannot close things out on Friday night in Game 6. Scherzer, 41, took a no-decision in his first start of the Fall Classic on Monday night in Los Angeles, allowing three runs in 4 1/3 innings pitched while giving up two home runs, walking only one, and striking out three. The veteran hurler has only made two starts in the postseason this year for Toronto, with his other outing coming in the American League Championship Series, when he gave up two earned runs in 5 2/3 innings for a win over the Mariners. Scherzer had an ERA over 5.00 during the regular season and made only 17 starts due to injuries, but he's the type of veteran bulldog pitcher that would love nothing more than to take the ball in a deciding Game 7 of the Fall Classic.

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