MLB Player News

Contreras (hand) expressed concern Thursday about his availability for Game 1 of the AL Wild Card Series next week, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports. "I'm working hard with the trainers, the hand is slowly getting better," Contreras said. "But I haven't been able to swing the last two days. I'll be honest with the team. I know Tuesday is a really important game. It's a really important series, and I'll be completely honest with the team."

Contreras swung a bat prior to Tuesday's series opener against Cleveland, but he was unable to repeat the exercise Wednesday or Thursday. Additional imaging was done Wednesday, which confirmed there is no fracture in Contreras' right hand, and the Red Sox are still holding out hope that Contreras will improve in the coming days. Boston is expected to face the division-rival Yankees in the first round of the playoffs.

Contreras (hand) still can't swing pain free and doesn't expect to play during Friday's doubleheader against the Cubs, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

Contreras was held out of the lineup for a sixth straight contest Thursday night against Cleveland, and he now appears to be set to miss at least two more games Friday. The first baseman is dealing with a bruised right hand, and there's a chance that he won't be able to return to action until the postseason.

Aranda isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Yankees, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.

After going 1-for-8 with four strikeouts over the first three games of the series, Aranda will grab a seat on the bench to begin Thursday's finale. Ryan Vilade will fill in at first base and bat eighth.

Contreras (hand) remains out of the lineup for Thursday's contest against the Guardians.

It marks the sixth straight absence for Contreras, who is working his way back from a bruised right hand. The Red Sox are considering the slugger day-to-day. Nick Sogard will slot in at first base in Contreras' stead on Thursday.

Alonso went 1-for-3 with a walk and a two-run home run in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader sweep of the Blue Jays.

The first baseman took future Hall of Famer Max Scherzer deep in the fifth inning, Alonso's ninth homer in September and his 41st of the season. His first year with Baltimore has gone as well as the team could have hoped -- in addition to an .871 OPS that's tied for the second-best mark of his career, he's reached the 40-homer mark for the fourth time and the 100-RBI plateau for the fifth time. Alonso also needs to cross the plate just four more times to record his second season with 100-plus runs.

Grissom went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a second RBI in Wednesday's 7-3 loss to the Athletics.

Grissom has homered twice over his last four games, a span in which he has also gone 7-for-16 at the plate. The infielder is batting .244 with a .706 OPS, 13 homers, 70 RBI, 46 runs scored, 22 doubles and a stolen base across 115 contests this season. He's put together a serviceable stat line while seeing steady playing time since late June.

Guerrero is not in the starting lineup for the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Orioles.

The Blue Jays were officially eliminated from postseason contention with a loss in the matinee, and Guerrero will rest for the nightcap. The slugging first baseman, who went 1-for-4 with a double in Game 1, is in danger of finishing the year with an OPS below .700, after closing the 2025 regular season with an .848 mark.

Contreras (hand) is not in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against the Guardians, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

Make it five consecutive absences for Contreras since he was plunked on his right hand last Thursday. He has not appeared off the bench in any of the Red Sox's last four games. Contreras said he thought his hand was broken initially, but X-rays were negative and he remains day-to-day.

Guerrero (back) will start at first base and bat second in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader versus the Orioles.

Guerrero was not included in the initial lineup, but he did some hitting on the field pregame and convinced Blue Jays manager John Schneider that he was ready to play. Vlad Jr. had exited Sunday's contest versus the Rangers and didn't play Monday because of lower-back tightness.

Guerrero (back) remains out of the lineup for the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader in Baltimore.

Guerrero has not played since departing Sunday's game against the Rangers with lower-back tightness. He did some hitting pregame Wednesday and could be available to play in the nightcap, per Hazel Mae of Sportsnet. Sean Keys will grab another start at first base for the Blue Jays while Guerrero rests.