October opens Tuesday with all four Wild Card Series on deck, and the eight clubs involved are still sorting through some important bodies. A handful of stars enter the postseason either just back from the injured list or trying to make a late push onto the field.
Quick facts
- Alex Bregman returned from facial fractures and went 4-for-4 with two homers in Game 162.
- Jesús Luzardo pitched a scoreless eighth inning after missing time with left shoulder inflammation.
- Aaron Judge has not appeared since Sept. 16 because of a right calf strain, but plans to try to play.
- Garrett Crochet has thrown two recent live batting-practice sessions and will travel with Boston to New York.
- Kevin Gausman could be in line for Chicago’s Game 1 start against San Diego if his left shoulder responds well.
Bregman’s injury came in an unusual fashion on Sept. 20, when a foul ball off teammate Michael Busch’s bat struck him while he was waiting in the on-deck circle. The Cubs third baseman has dealt with facial fractures and substantial swelling, but his bat looked fine in his second game back.
His four-hit, two-homer Game 162 answered the immediate questions about his vision. Chicago’s remaining call is defensive: Bregman could stay at designated hitter rather than return to third base during the series.
Luzardo made it back for Philadelphia’s regular-season finale after being sidelined since Sept. 7. He worked a clean relief inning in the clinching win over Tampa Bay, throwing four sinkers with velocity and movement slightly better than his usual levels.
The left-hander posted an NL-best 1.80 ERA after the break. He said he is ready for any assignment Philadelphia gives him, leaving open the possibility of work beyond his usual starting role.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. returned to the Yankees last Tuesday after a sprained right thumb and went straight back to second base. He finished 2-for-10 with two RBIs and two walks over three games, after building a .739 OPS during a stronger second half.
Ceddanne Rafaela also got a late return, coming back from a three-week absence caused by a right quad strain. A hamstring cramp forced him from his first game Wednesday, but he was back in Boston’s lineup the next day and quickly resumed making diving plays in center field.
Rafaela went 2-for-6 with a walk in three games last week. The more encouraging sign for the Red Sox was that he looked capable of handling his regular defensive ground in center.
Atlanta has watched Robert Suarez closely since his return from three months out with right elbow discomfort. He has surrendered a run in each of his two appearances, covering one inning total, and his velocity dipped by more than one mph from his season norm in the second outing.
Suarez said he had no concern about the elbow. Still, his stuff will be under the microscope as the Braves prepare to host the Phillies.
Padres reliever Jason Adam is in a similar spot after missing roughly three months with a right shoulder strain. He has allowed one run in two innings across two outings, walking two hitters, though his pitch quality largely matched his season levels and his changeup produced three misses.
Adam’s velocity had already been slightly lower this season than it was in 2025. With San Diego leaning on a deep bullpen, his usage could become one of the series’ quieter roster questions.
Judge’s timeline remains the biggest Yankees question
Judge remains the most consequential uncertain player in the field. The three-time MVP has missed considerable time this season, and New York would welcome him in any capacity as it heads into its Wild Card Series.
He has said he expects to play this week, but the path back from the right calf strain is tight. Judge hit and threw indoors Sunday and could face live pitching Monday, his first possible step toward returning after last playing Sept. 16.
Crochet has been out since late April with a left shoulder injury. The 2025 AL Cy Young Award runner-up has faced hitters in two live sessions during the past week and will join the Red Sox on their trip to New York, although Boston has not confirmed his roster status.
If Crochet does get into the series, he would be used from the bullpen rather than as a starter.
Philadelphia also has a major decision with Luis Arraez, who sprained his left ankle last Thursday. Manager Don Mattingly described the MRI result as discouraging, and Arraez had not swung a bat since the injury when the regular season ended.
He was considered a possible pinch-hit option in Game 162 if needed. Whether he can make the roster, hit effectively or take the field remains unsettled.
Gausman gave the Cubs a late scare while finishing a strong outing last week. The right-hander made a diving defensive play and exited with soreness in his left shoulder, adding uncertainty after uneven results following his August Trade Deadline move to Chicago.
His weekend bullpen session went well. If the shoulder recovers normally, Gausman could take the ball for the Cubs in Game 1 against the Padres.
