MLB Player News

Alonso went 4-for-8 with two home runs, two walks, three RBI and four runs scored across both games of Friday's doubleheader against the Yankees.

Alonso took sole possession of the American League lead in home runs with two long balls in Game 1 before reaching base three times in Game 2. Prior to his single in the fourth inning of the first game, the slugger's previous seven hits had left the yard. He's gone deep 11 times overall in 23 September contests and is slashing .267/.363/.522 with 43 homers, 113 RBI, 100 runs scored and five steals across 700 plate appearances with one game to go this season.

Walker went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a second run scored in Thursday's 7-5 win over the Athletics.

Walker has reclaimed some power this week, going yard twice over his last three games. He is 6-for-20 (.300) across his last five contests after a brutal 0-for-20 stretch from Sept. 11-18. The first baseman is batting .223 with a .710 OPS, 27 homers, 84 RBI, 69 runs scored, 25 doubles and one triple across 153 games this season.

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.