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Alek Manoah has been DFA’d by the Blue Jays

Anthony Santander has been preparing for a return to action for some time now. The Blue Jays’ big catch last winter, who barely played all year due to a shoulder injury, has been playing rehab games in the minors for a while.

And increasingly, the window for activating him was coming to an end. The season of the Buffalo Bisons, with whom he was playing his rehab games, is over, and we knew the hitter would be in Toronto today.

The opportunity to activate him today was therefore great… and we thought it wouldn’t happen.

In fact, Santander was not expected to be part of the Jays’ active lineup today, according to what the club announced in the last few hours.

John Schneider claimed that the club wanted to make a decision by tomorrow in the case of Santander. But surprise: Santander was finally activated today by the club.

He takes Ty France’s place in the active line-up. And to make room on the 40-man roster, Alek Manoah has been designated for assignment.

It’s a surprise in Toronto.

Is the club hoping that other teams won’t have room for him at the end of the season and that the club will manage to keep him in the Blue Jays organization? It’s possible. But it’s a risk, given the talent of the player in question.

So you have to wonder why Santander’s case was so complicated. And the fact is, it’s safe to assume that the club didn’t want to cut an active player… and that Bo Bichette may be a piece of the answer that shouldn’t be underestimated.

Because, as Keegan Matheson notes, if Bichette can’t play in the infield when he returns to the playoffs and is limited to the designated hitter position, it would be hard to find playing time in Santander. Especially since George Springer already occupies that position.

Santander’s best chance of securing a job, in that eventuality, would be to use him as a pinch-hitter. And having such a threat on the bench is a nice luxury the Jays could afford.

Because Santander, after all, is more than capable of hitting the long ball. Bringing him in at an important time to give him a chance to hit a big home run is interesting… and would allow him to find a role even with a designated hitter position already occupied.

We’ll be keeping a close eye on all of this, but Santander is the talk of Toronto right now.

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  • 23 teams were in favor of the ABS system.

  • Bryan Woo can’t make his next start.

  • Roman Anthony is not close to a return.

  • Corey Seager and Marcus Semien: season over.

  • Zack Wheeler underwent surgery.

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MLB in brief: Blue Jays playoff tickets | Salvador Perez to return in 2026

Blue Jays playoff tickets

Go on sale Thursday at 10am.

Yankees in the playoffs tonight?

With a win over Chicago, they will.

Salvador Perez to return in 2026

Good news from KC.

Rays stadium ready in 2026?

The plan is on track.

Speaking of Florida: Tim Hortons sets up shop there.

Nine straight wins for the Braves

But it’s too late.

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Major League Baseball to introduce ball and strike review system in 2026

It’s official: Rob Manfred has made another change to Major League Baseball.

Major League Baseball has just announced that, starting in 2026, the ABS system (the ball and strike review system) will be implemented throughout the season. A vote was held on the subject.

We remind you that this rule has existed in the minors for years. It was also tested at practice and at the most recent MLB All-Star Game.

For those unfamiliar with the system, we remind you that it’s a way of keeping umpires accountable, but without simply going in with a robot behind the plate.

Basically, if a pitcher, catcher or batter believes the umpire has called a strike or ball incorrectly, they have the right to tap themselves on the head (without the help of the dugout to guide them) to request a review.

Within seconds, the scoreboard displays a replay indicating whether it was a catch or a ball. This is the only aspect that can be contested.

A team has two chances per game to contest a decision, for both forward and defensive players. Each successful recovery allows the club to keep its challenge. In other words, each team can make two mistakes before losing its right to challenge a referee’s decision.

So the boys need to know when to use their restarts. After all, you can’t go to the end of a match empty-handed…

Note that in a match that goes to extra ends, a club will be given the right to a restart at the start of each end, but only if it has none in its hands.

This will ensure that players have a safety net against horrible decisions. And since each replay only lasts a few seconds, it doesn’t really lengthen matches.

In my eyes, it’s a superb system. And I think that, like the dial, people who are more resistant to the ABS system will get used to it by seeing it in 2026.

I can’t wait to see how it turns out.

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Dodger rivals frustrated by “Shohei Ohtani” rule

In the playoffs, each MLB team is limited to a maximum roster of 26 players with a maximum of 13 pitchers.

Except perhaps the Los Angeles Dodgers.

That’s because Shohei Ohtani will be able to enter the fall dance as a designated hitter and won’t occupy one of the thirteen spots reserved for gunners, even though the Dodgers plan to use Nippon as a starting pitcher in October.

This certainly gives the California outfit a distinct advantage, and some Major League Baseball organizations are frustrated by the situation, as Bob Nightengale reports.

Teams are upset that the Dodgers have one more pitcher in their lineup than everyone else, since there’s a special exemption for Shohei Ohtani as a “two-way” player.

Frustration is understandable, but just because the star of the land of the rising sun is a phenomenon in his own right doesn’t mean that the “Shohei Ohtani” rule should be applied any differently.

If Ohtani starts a game as the starting pitcher in the playoffs, he can stay in the game as the designated hitter once he’s replaced on the mound. If the Japanese starts the game as a designated hitter and pitches in relief, the Dodgers would lose the designated hitter position once his relief appearance is over, unless they place Ohtani in the outfield, where he hasn’t pitched since 2021.

The 31-year-old has expressed a willingness to play the outfield if it means giving the Dodgers an edge in the playoff lineup. However, it’s likely, according to Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, that Ohtani won’t make a single appearance on the outfield turf during the fall dance.

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Blue Jays: five questions to ask yourself before the playoffs

The Blue Jays secured a playoff spot on Sunday. Is the club gearing up to avoid best-of-second games? The way things are going, you’d think so.

But even if the club is theoretically the best in America, there are still questions to be asked in view of the playoffs.

Which pitchers will be in the rotation?

As our colleague Sébastien Berrouard said, the Blue Jays don’t have the best rotation for the playoffs. The proof? Right now, we’re wondering if Trey Yesavage will be the #3 pitcher in the rotation.

Because yes, we’re taking it for granted that Kevin Gausman and Shane Bieber are the two pitchers who’ll get the home assignment.

After that, we can probably rule out the Eric Lauer and Jose Berrios of this world, they being in the bullpen. And since Yesavage has the fewest question marks…

What’s next? If Chris Bassitt is healthy on October 4 and Max Scherzer finishes the season poorly, the legendary pitcher could be dropped from the rotation… in favour of Yesavage and Bassitt. But nothing’s decided yet, at this point.

Which relievers will make the cut?

That’s a tough question to answer, since it’s conditional on another question: how many starters will be in the bullpen?

If Max Scherzer doesn’t make the rotation, will he be left out or converted to a reliever? What about Jose Berrios? And if all these guys are in the bullpen, what would Eric Lauer’s role be?

So, basically, it’s impossible to know how many spots there will be left for relievers. But the question has to be raised, since some relievers must be wondering what lies ahead.

We’ll see next week.

What would Anthony Santander’s role be?

If Anthony Santander is able to play, will the club want to give him playing time? If so, in what position? How dominant does he have to be next week to earn a playoff spot?

That’s a BIG question mark. But if he’s fit, he could be a game-changer.

How healthy will Bo Bichette be?

Obviously, if Bo Bichette can come back, the Blue Jays will take him. And that’s whether he’s able to play pinch-hitter or resume his regular spot at shortstop.

But the way Andres Gimenez is playing defensively, would it surprise you to learn that the Blue Jays don’t want to touch their current defense? I don’t think it’s impossible.

Which hitters are at risk of losing their place?

If Santander and/or Bichette return, their roles will speak volumes about the Blue Jays’ intentions. After all, if there’s congestion at the pinch-hitter position, which would push George Springer back into the field, it could create a surplus of outfielders.

At that point, would Nathan Lukes, who has been slowing down, be left out? Perhaps, yes. Who knows?

Of necessity, Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Joey Loperfido are also candidates to be left out of the 13 hitters who will form the Blue Jays’ playoff lineup. Decisions will have to be made in Toronto.

Expect the Blue Jays to take their time before making up their minds. Because, as you can see, nothing is simple.

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Padres confirm their place in the playoffs

The final playoff picture will be known this week, as some Major League Baseball teams are still trying to get their hands on the last available passes for the fall dance.

But that’s no longer the case for the San Diego Padres. The Padres will return to the playoffs for the fourth time in six seasons thanks to a dramatic 5-4 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers.

Freddy Fermin, acquired from the Kansas City Royals at the trade deadline on July 31, hit a single scoring ghost runner Bryce Johnson with one out in the eleventh inning to spark an explosion from the crowd of 42,371 gathered at Petco Park.

The Padres have thus closed to within two-and-a-half games of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the race for the National League West Section title, and within two-and-a-half games of the Chicago Cubs in the race for the first of three National League fourth-ace spots.

If the current standings hold, the Padres would visit the Cubs for a best-of-three Wild Card series.

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The winner would advance to the division series against the Brewers, who won their third consecutive section title on Sunday and are in the playoffs for the seventh time in eight seasons.

San Diego will be hoping things go better in October than they did last year. After sweeping the Atlanta Braves in a home series to earn a chance to face their eternal rivals, the Dodgers, the Padres led the series 2-1 before failing to score a single run in the final 24 innings and losing the series in five games.

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  • Again?

  • Ozzie Albies is injured.

  • A bases-on-balls machine.

  • Another 200 strikeouts for Freddy Peralta.

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Paul Skenes sends a clear message to Pirates management

With the season he’s having, Paul Skenes is likely heading for the first Cy Young trophy of his young career. That would be a remarkable feat, especially after finishing third in the race last year, in his rookie season no less.

From a sporting point of view, it’s hard to fault him for anything. What’s more, on a human level, he’s involved in the city of Pittsburgh and is appreciated by the fans.

Another feather in his cap is that he doesn’t mince his words.

The big right-hander told the media that the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 2025 season would be a lost year if changes were not made in the off-season to improve the team. Finally, an athlete who dares to publicly express his displeasure.

Winning baseball games

I’m sure if you asked Skenes what he’d rather win than individual trophies, he’d say he’d rather win games and possibly a World Series.

He knows full well that he’s a long way from that goal with his current club, as his owner refuses to invest in his team. To such an extent that many players are cut from the lineup or placed in waivers to avoid paying bonuses. The case of Isiah Kiner-Falefa, now a member of the Blue Jays, is the best example of this.

It’s hard to win games when your team has, by and large, the worst forward line in the league. Such is the case for Pittsburgh, which ranks last in many categories. Skenes may not give the opposition many points, but he can’t keep score himself. He needs help, and he doesn’t have much. And he can’t be on the mound every game!

He also told the media that management knows what changes it needs to make to have a more competitive team on the field, and that the next step is to make them for 2026. The message is direct and to the point!

Preparing to leave Pittsburgh?

If you were in Skenes’ studs, would you really be interested in staying in the Pittsburgh market, when winning isn’t a priority?

Skenes will be eligible for salary arbitration starting at the end of the 2026 season, for a period of three years. After the 2029 season, he’ll be free as a bird.

In my opinion, such a statement sends a clear message about his expectations, and if nothing is done in this regard, he will go where his expectations are respected. He’s not officially in control of his destiny, but when you’re a generational talent like Paul Skenes, let’s just say you can control more things than the average player.

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Charlie Morton is back with the Braves

Charlie Morton didn’t have a great 2025 season. The pitcher, who turns 42 in November, didn’t have much success in Baltimore, to the point where the Orioles let him go.

The Tigers then brought him to town and gave him nine starts… which weren’t much better.

So Morton was released by the Tigers, and there was good reason to believe his career was over…

But now we learn that one team has reached an agreement with Morton: the Atlanta Braves.

This will be Morton’s third stint in Atlanta.

Morton began his career with the Braves in 2008, and was seen again with the club between 2021 and 2024. He was a beloved pitcher in Atlanta, and you’d think the club would want to give him the chance to retire with the team that drafted him in 2002.

For the moment, there’s no confirmation that he’ll be pitching with the Braves by the end of the season (i.e., this week), but the club will be talking to him about it tomorrow. It’s conceivable that, if Morton so desires, he’ll have the opportunity to pitch one last game in the majors.

Note that this weekend, the Braves will host the Pirates, the team with which Morton has played the most seasons in his career. This will be a great opportunity for Morton to pitch one last time with the team that drafted him… and to do so against a team with which he has played seven campaigns.

In a season that is lost to Atlanta, he might as well give the fans that moment.

So we’ll see if Morton gets one last game in the majors this week, but it’s great news to see that the Braves seem open to giving him that opportunity.

And even if he doesn’t take it, seeing him end his career and announce his retirement where it all began will please the sport’s great romantics.

  • Great read on the Blue Jays.

  • A fight to the finish.

  • Rays officially sold.

  • News from Xander Bogaerts.

  • Reds fans responded this weekend.

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MLB in brief: Mariners in the playoffs tomorrow | Tigers’ mistake

Mariners in the playoffs tomorrow?

It could be made official with a win for the club and a win for the Yankees. Both games take place tomorrow.

The Tigers’ mistake

Not doing enough at the deadline hurt.

Bo Bichette wants to win

With good reason.

Hunter Barco recalled

Another big pitcher in Pittsburgh.

Trey Yesavage, Blue Jays minor leaguer

Of course he will.

Jose Ramirez the MVP?

Still being discussed.

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The Red Sox change their rotation for their series against the Blue Jays

The final week of MLB’s 2025 campaign gets underway tonight (Monday). And among the teams with their season in their hands are the Boston Red Sox, who are currently one game ahead in the race to be drafted.

The Low Reds face the Toronto Blue Jays in a three-game series at Rogers Centre starting tomorrow (Tuesday), before welcoming the Detroit Tigers to Fenway Park for three more games on Friday.

And on the eve of this crucial week, manager Alex Cora made a bold decision.

The Red Sox were to use their top three starting pitchers in their series against the Blue Jays – Lucas Giolito, Brayan Bello and Garrett Crochet – in that order. However, rather than maintain the status quo in the starting rotation, Cora is shuffling the deck.

According to MassLive’s Sean McAdam, the Boston skipper will trade Crochet and Bello for the final two games in Ontario. Hook will take to the mound with four days’ rest on Wednesday, while Bello will take to the mound with six days off on Thursday.

With veteran Max Scherzer pitching for the Blue Jays on Wednesday and experiencing his fair share of troubles these days, Cora is betting that the Red Sox will win this game with their ace pitcher on the mound.

What’s more, although Cora may not want to say it out loud, there may be a slim chance that, if the Red Sox need a win, Captain Hook could return to the mound on Sunday in the final game of the season on three days’ rest. Because the Tigers could have Cy Young Trophy favorite Tarik Skubal on the mound that day.

With all these important decisions to be made this week, the best baseball of the year is well and truly underway.

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