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3Bplay · 10-08-2025, 03:48 PM

MLB NEWS WIRE
Yankees, Mariners to get key contributors back ahead of postseason

By MLB.com staff
09/29/2025

9/26 -- Royals release three ahead of final series: With the Royals' postseason fate all but assured, they announced the release of three veterans in infielders DJ LeMahieu and Jorge Mateo, along with veteran catcher Luke Maile. LeMahieu was a minor league signing back in mid-August, while Mateo was a waiver wire pickup just prior to the September 1st deadline, making him postseason-eligible.

Maile was in the midst of his second stint with the Royals this season, having been designated off the roster earlier in the season, only to be brought back once Freddy Fermin was traded to the Padres. The move also frees up three 40-man roster slots, which at least two of those that will likely be filled by Kris Bubic and Alec Marsh, as the latter has missed the entirety of the 2025 season.

James McArthur, another contributing pitcher from the 2024 season who missed all of the year, could also fill the other spot; but he's arbitration-eligible and could be in line for a non-tender. Jonathan Bowlan and Tyler Tolbert, also both on the 60-day currently, seem much more likely to be possibilities for that final 40-man slot.

Outfielders Dairon Blanco and John Rave were re-called from Triple-A, along with second baseman Michael Massey to fill out the bench. While Massey and Rave have had multiple stints with varying levels of success with the Royals this season, Blanco hasn't been with the parent club since the end of May. He has just eight plate appearances and three steals in five tries this season, both far cries from last season in which he stole thirty-one bases in just eighty-eight games, mainly as a reserve and spot starter.

Despite his lack of extra-base power and average on-base skills, Blanco has managed to maintain a better-than-league-average offensive profile (104 OPS+) in his MLB career to-date. Manager Matt Quatraro also noted that he's been playing through several nagging injuries this season, but has managed to stay off the injured list minus a short stint on the 7-day IL in the minors. He also has strong Triple-A numbers (115 OPS+), so it stands to reason he's an excellent depth piece going forward that still has an option year left after this one.

9/27 -- Yankees activate McMahon, Cabrera ahead of postseason: New York appears to be getting healthier at the right time, as they expect to have both infielders Ryan McMahon and Oswaldo Cabrera in time for the Wildcard series next week. The Yankees are currently locked into the top wildcard position, and will likely get their intra-divisional rival Toronto in that series.

Acquired from the Rockies prior to the deadline, McMahon has solidified the third base spot in the Bronx, putting up a .790 OPS (122 OPS+) in 172 plate appearances since coming over from Colorado. He's played and started in forty-seven games, all at third base for the Bombers.

They'll also get reserve infielder Oswaldo Cabrera back as well from the injured list, but he was optioned to Triple-A upon his return, so it seems unlikely that he'll be on the postseason roster. Cebrera has been out since early May with a fractured ankle, suffered upon a slide into home plate on May 12th against the Mariners.

He was taken off the field in an ambulance, where they were able to stabilize his injured leg. He underwent surgery six days later; and then went on the 60-day injured list. Manager Aaron Boone noted that the option was more about potential lingering effects of the injury, and less about being passed up by other players.

"We're thrilled that he's coming back, but what I'm aware of is that there is still a little concern with the ankle from the team docs," he said. "They think he could play on it if needed, but they stressed that another week or two would really help him, so we made the decision to option him and let him continue to get some light work in as he recovers."

9/28 -- Mariners to activate Garver, designate Taveras: The Mariners welcomed veteran backup catcher Mitch Garver back from the injured list, as it is expected that they'll option youngster Harry Ford back to Triple-A Tacoma to trim the roster to twenty-six for the postseason, as the Mariners have clinched at least a wildcard spot.

To make room on the 40-man, they designated outfielder Leody Tavares for assignment. Seattle also had to place Luke Raley (hamstring) on the injured list, meaning he'll be out for at least through the wildcard series. Dominic Canzone was re-called to replace him on the active roster.

Ford, only twenty-two and their 2021 first-round pick, played in just five games (three starts), going 2-for-10 (.200) with three RBI and a couple of walks, doing all of his damage on Thursday in a win over the Dodgers. Garver has played sparingly in September, making just three starts in relief of mainstay Cal Raleigh and going 2-for-9 (.222) with a walk and a couple of strikeouts before going on the IL with ankle and hamstring soreness.

10-08-2025, 03:48 PM	#26
3Bplay Major Leagues Join Date: Jun 2018 Posts: 336	MLB News (09/26 -- 09/28) MLB NEWS WIRE Yankees, Mariners to get key contributors back ahead of postseason By MLB.com staff 09/29/2025 9/26 -- Royals release three ahead of final series: With the Royals' postseason fate all but assured, they announced the release of three veterans in infielders DJ LeMahieu and Jorge Mateo, along with veteran catcher Luke Maile. LeMahieu was a minor league signing back in mid-August, while Mateo was a waiver wire pickup just prior to the September 1st deadline, making him postseason-eligible. Maile was in the midst of his second stint with the Royals this season, having been designated off the roster earlier in the season, only to be brought back once Freddy Fermin was traded to the Padres. The move also frees up three 40-man roster slots, which at least two of those that will likely be filled by Kris Bubic and Alec Marsh, as the latter has missed the entirety of the 2025 season. James McArthur, another contributing pitcher from the 2024 season who missed all of the year, could also fill the other spot; but he's arbitration-eligible and could be in line for a non-tender. Jonathan Bowlan and Tyler Tolbert, also both on the 60-day currently, seem much more likely to be possibilities for that final 40-man slot. Outfielders Dairon Blanco and John Rave were re-called from Triple-A, along with second baseman Michael Massey to fill out the bench. While Massey and Rave have had multiple stints with varying levels of success with the Royals this season, Blanco hasn't been with the parent club since the end of May. He has just eight plate appearances and three steals in five tries this season, both far cries from last season in which he stole thirty-one bases in just eighty-eight games, mainly as a reserve and spot starter. Despite his lack of extra-base power and average on-base skills, Blanco has managed to maintain a better-than-league-average offensive profile (104 OPS+) in his MLB career to-date. Manager Matt Quatraro also noted that he's been playing through several nagging injuries this season, but has managed to stay off the injured list minus a short stint on the 7-day IL in the minors. He also has strong Triple-A numbers (115 OPS+), so it stands to reason he's an excellent depth piece going forward that still has an option year left after this one. 9/27 -- Yankees activate McMahon, Cabrera ahead of postseason: New York appears to be getting healthier at the right time, as they expect to have both infielders Ryan McMahon and Oswaldo Cabrera in time for the Wildcard series next week. The Yankees are currently locked into the top wildcard position, and will likely get their intra-divisional rival Toronto in that series. Acquired from the Rockies prior to the deadline, McMahon has solidified the third base spot in the Bronx, putting up a .790 OPS (122 OPS+) in 172 plate appearances since coming over from Colorado. He's played and started in forty-seven games, all at third base for the Bombers. They'll also get reserve infielder Oswaldo Cabrera back as well from the injured list, but he was optioned to Triple-A upon his return, so it seems unlikely that he'll be on the postseason roster. Cebrera has been out since early May with a fractured ankle, suffered upon a slide into home plate on May 12th against the Mariners. He was taken off the field in an ambulance, where they were able to stabilize his injured leg. He underwent surgery six days later; and then went on the 60-day injured list. Manager Aaron Boone noted that the option was more about potential lingering effects of the injury, and less about being passed up by other players. "We're thrilled that he's coming back, but what I'm aware of is that there is still a little concern with the ankle from the team docs," he said. "They think he could play on it if needed, but they stressed that another week or two would really help him, so we made the decision to option him and let him continue to get some light work in as he recovers." 9/28 -- Mariners to activate Garver, designate Taveras: The Mariners welcomed veteran backup catcher Mitch Garver back from the injured list, as it is expected that they'll option youngster Harry Ford back to Triple-A Tacoma to trim the roster to twenty-six for the postseason, as the Mariners have clinched at least a wildcard spot. To make room on the 40-man, they designated outfielder Leody Tavares for assignment. Seattle also had to place Luke Raley (hamstring) on the injured list, meaning he'll be out for at least through the wildcard series. Dominic Canzone was re-called to replace him on the active roster. Ford, only twenty-two and their 2021 first-round pick, played in just five games (three starts), going 2-for-10 (.200) with three RBI and a couple of walks, doing all of his damage on Thursday in a win over the Dodgers. Garver has played sparingly in September, making just three starts in relief of mainstay Cal Raleigh and going 2-for-9 (.222) with a walk and a couple of strikeouts before going on the IL with ankle and hamstring soreness.