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Welcome to September! The month that everyone fights for five months to be in position to earn one of six coveted playoff berths in each league. Teams also get a little extra help beginning today as rosters expand by two spots (only one can be a pitcher). Will there be a top prospect called up who makes a difference for a team not only down the stretch but then in the postseason?
Today’s Headlines
Marte Returns To D’backs With Mixed Reaction
Two weeks to the day after failing to join his teammates for a game at Fenway Park, second baseman Ketel Marte made his return to the Arizona Diamondbacks for a big series opener against the Philadelphia Phillies back home at Chase Field. Before the game, Marte was peppered by the media (see the video here) and then apologized to his teammates for his absence, which landed him on the team’s restricted list before eventually going on the 10-day injured list following a meeting with team management. While only the players know how Marte is being received in the clubhouse, D’backs fans were certainly mixed when he stepped up to the plate to begin the bottom of the second, some cheering in emotional support, while others booing in disappointment that the star player would not show up for the team during a run to make the postseason. Marte went 1-for-3 with a walk in a 2-1 loss to the Phillies, nearly getting a chance to play hero as the D’backs put two runners on before the game ended with Marte in the on-deck circle. Marte called his decision not to show up at Fenway “a moment of frustration.” Bryson Stott hit a 464-foot home run for the Phillies, who pulled within four games of first-place Atlanta in the NL East. The D’backs, meanwhile, lost their hold on the No. 3 NL wild card with the loss and the San Diego Padres‘ 5-0 victory over the Cincinnati Reds. The Padres now are the No. 3 wild card, a half-game ahead of the D’backs.
"There's more boos than cheers. There's no doubt."Fans react to Ketel Marte's first at bat since he mysteriously went on the restricted list
— Talkin' Baseball (@talkinbaseballbot.bsky.social) 2026-09-01T02:23:43.000Z
Story Makes Mariners Pay As Red Sox Win In 10
While Boston Red Sox fans were extremely happy to get left fielder Roman Anthony back from the injured list Sunday, the emotions were definitely mixed when shortstop Trevor Story also made his return after the pair had been out since May. Those fans may have changed their tune a bit following the series opener against the Seattle Mariners. Story followed two intentional walks by lining a walk-off to the gap in left-center field with no outs in the bottom of the 10th inning, lifting the Red Sox to a 9-8 come-from-behind victory. Anthony also played a big role in this one, leading off the bottom of the ninth with a triple off Mariners closer Anthony Munoz and scoring on Ceddanne Rafaela’s one-out sacrifice fly to tie the game 8-8. Anthony and Story each had two hits, with Story driving in three, including a two-run double that pulled the Red Sox within 8-7 in the eighth inning. Combined with the New York Yankees‘ 10-1 loss to the Los Angeles Angels, the Red Sox pulled within three games of the Yankees, who lead the AL wild-card race, and 5½ games ahead of the Cleveland Guardians, who have the third and final wild-card spot.
Cowser’s Amazing Theft Lifts Orioles To .500
This is the time of year where magical moments can shape or swing a race for the playoffs. Will that be the case with the Baltimore Orioles? Center fielder Colton Cowser snatched a potential two-run homer from Jake McCarthy from going over the fence to end the Orioles’ 2-1 victory over the Colorado Rockies. Cowser’s grab not only got the Orioles back to .500 (69-69) for the first time since April, but it pulled them within a half-game of the Guardians for the final AL wild card. Cowser also drove in the tying run in the top of the seventh when he beat out a potential inning-ending double play (overturned by replay after initially being ruled out).
deGrom Rescues Rangers
The Texas Rangers needed to get the ball in Jacob deGrom’s hands in the worst way. Following a 2-4 road trip, the Rangers returned home and watched deGrom face the minimum over seven innings while striking out eight in the Rangers’ 8-1 win over the A’s. The veteran right-hander allowed one hit, a second-inning single to Lawrence Butler, who was erased on a double play. This was the eighth start this year where deGrom did not issue a walk and the third in which he allowed one hit. The Rangers remained two games behind the AL West-leading Houston Astros, while picking up a half-game in the AL wild-card chase. The Rangers are 1½ games behind the Cleveland Guardians, who hold the third and final AL wild card.
Robert Claimed By Orioles
Monday was the last day for players to change teams and be eligible for the postseason. Players who were traded were signed to minor-league deals since last appearing in the majors, making them eligible to be dealt since the deadline passed.
⚾ The Baltimore Orioles claimed Luis Robert Jr. off waivers from the New York Mets. Robert is owed about $3 million for the final month of the season. The Orioles entered play Monday one game behind the Cleveland Guardians for the third and final AL wild-card spot.
⚾ The Chicago White Sox acquired two players, outfielders Tommy Pham and Jake Cave. Pham was picked up from the Philadelphia Phillies and Cave from the Tampa Bay Rays, both in cash deals.
⚾ The New York Yankees claimed right-handed reliever John Schreiber off waivers from the Kansas City Royals.
By The Numbers
9 The Chicago Cubs hit nine homers, including three by Alex Bregman, in a 17-3 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers. It was Bregman’s second three-homer game of the season. The nine homers are one shy of the MLB record. First baseman Andrew Vaughn gave up three of those homers in his three-inning relief stint.
4/5/2019 New York Mets right-hander Robert Stock pitched 5⅓ shutout innings to earn his first win in seven years in a 3-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays. Stock’s last win came April 5, 2019, when he was credited with a BSW (blown save-win) for the San Diego Padres. His manager that day? Andy Green, who is the interim manager of the Mets. Stock has three career MLB wins, the first two coming in 2018 and 2019.
30 San Francisco Giants slugger Rafael Devers hit his 30th homer of the season in a 7-3 victory over Atlanta, which had a seven-game winning streak snapped. Devers’ 30th homer of the season gave the Giants back-to-back seasons with a 30-homer hitter after not having one since Barry Bonds in 2004.
4 San Diego Padres superstar Manny Machado went 4-for-5 with a double in a 5-0 victory over the Cincinnati Reds. It was Machado’s 26th career four-hit game and first since July 27, 2025.
Best Moments From Yesterday
Sorry I Got You Out
Red Sox left-hander Payton Tolle likes to give out hugs.
Payton Tolle is an absolute gem 😭
It’s A Tarp!
No grounds crew members were hurt in the tarping of this field.
The Tarp Monster has claimed another victim 💀
Slide Or Dance Move?
Yankees star Jazz Chisholm Jr. Jr. may have learned this slide on the dance floor.
You Like Gum, Right?
With the U.S. Open in town, the Mets sent over a few gifts to Daniil Medvedev, the 2021 men’s champion. He has a thing for bubble gum.
Injuries and Other Moves
⚾ The Padres are calling up their top prospect, 20-year-old catcher Ethan Salas, to make his MLB debut.
⚾ Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras was placed on the 10-day injured list with a strained left hamstring.
⚾ In a qualified apology, Red Sox play-by-play radio announcer Will Flemming said he “crossed a line” in comments regarding the Yankees’ Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Austin Wells. Flemming said he apologized because he was getting phone calls and threats. He also did not use Chisholm’s or Wells’ names in his statement.
⚾ Home plate umpire Manny Gonzalez left the game between the Padres and Reds before the fifth inning due to heat exhaustion.
⚾ Padres left fielder Luis Rengifo sustained a torn right ACL and a sprained MCL in Saturday’s game. He will undergo surgery and be out for the first couple months of the 2027 season as he recovers.
Articles You Should Read
Yankees didn’t address needs at deadline, but still in good shape — Ken Rosenthal, The Athletic
Here’s the Reds’ plans for Burns in September — Shelby Dermer, Cincinnati Enquirer
Mariners’ Rucker has thankless job, but is thankful — Penelope Jennings, Seattle Times
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