MLB Player News

Even though he’s still probably better than Henry Davis. Stallings was slated to be the Rockies’ primary catcher at this time last year, but in a rare moment of lucidity, the team ended up going with Hunter Goodman instead. Stallings was released in early June and then briefly played with the Orioles before finishing the season unrostered. A late bloomer, Stallings got his first real look as a starting catcher with the Pirates at age 31 in 2021 and proved pretty solid over a four-year span. He walks away at age 36 after hitting .232/.311/.340 with 33 homers in 1,922 career plate appearances.

Gilbert’s season-ending gem comes too little too late for most fantasy managers that made him an early-round pick a few months ago. The 29-year-old topped seven strikeouts in four of his final five outings to close the year. He finishes an underwhelming campaign with a mediocre 3.73 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 205/49 K/BB ratio across 186 innings over 32 starts.

France came out of nowhere to emerge as a viable middle-of-the-order force for San Diego this season, hitting .295/.363/.502 with a career-high 21 homers and 72 RBI in 133 games. The 32-year-old, who signed a minor league pact with the Padres last offseason, will be in the middle of the lineup when they open their NL Wild Card Series against the Cubs this week.

The Diamondbacks made an incredible run during the final week to push the Phillies to the brink, but they were unable to clear the final hurdle. Carroll was lifted for a pinch-hitter in the eighth inning once Arizona was officially eliminated from playoff contention following Philadelphia’s win over Tampa Bay. The 26-year-old franchise cornerstone battled a lingering back issue down the home stretch, but still managed to finish with 22 homers and 21 steals in 156 games. He’ll be an early-round selection in all fantasy leagues next spring.

Vásquez gave up only three hits and carried a shutout into the sixth inning before finally letting up an RBI single to Ketel Marte. He finished with two strikeouts and didn’t hand out a free pass. He’s probably going to make San Diego’s postseason roster for next week’s NL Wild Card Series against the Cubs, but will probably be an option in relief, if needed.

Soroka did everything he could to keep Arizona in the contest, managing to grind into the fifth inning with a playoff spot on the line. He gave up three hits, including a solo homer to Gavin Sheets, while finishing with four strikeouts and two walks. He threw 77 ;itches (49 strikes) in his final outing. He finishes a strong Diamondbacks debut in which he returned to fantasy relevance after a several-year odyssey with a strong 3.41 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 114/29 K/BB ratio across 116 innings over 22 appearances, including 21 starts.

The Phillies will face the Braves on Tuesday. They scored once in the first and three times in the second off Nick Martinez to take a little pressure off today. Harper and Edmundo Sosa then both homered in a three-run fifth. Harper ends the year at .269/.380/.485 with 87 RBI and 93 runs scored. His 107 walks lead the NL, and he out-OPSed Kyle Schwarber ever so slightly, .865 to .857.

Wheeler would have been held back for the Wild Card series if the Phillies could have clinched earlier. Now they’re in, but if Wheeler is going to contribute against the Braves, he’ll have to do so on short rest, presumably in a Game 3 on Thursday. Wheeler finishes the season 14-5 with a 3.00 ERA and a 193/47 K/BB in 162 innings.