MLB Weekly Digest: Playoff Bracket Set, Pete Alonso set to hit free agency, Injury Updates

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This week in MLB featured the completion of the playoff races, multiple key injury updates, and an addition to the free agent class.

Pete Alonso to opt out of his contract –

Breaking: Mets all-star first baseman Pete Alonso is opting out of his contract and will enter free agency, he said after New York’s final game of the season. pic.twitter.com/Ne8A1T4wbM

— ESPN (@espn) September 28, 2025

The New York Mets completed their all-time collapse Sunday after losing to the Miami Marlins 4-0, securing their spot in Cancun this week.

To add insult to injury, their longtime All-Star first baseman, Pete Alonso, announced postgame that he would be exercising his opt-out clause in his contract.

Alonso resigned with the Mets in February, signing a two-year $54 million contract. Set to make $24 million in 2026, Alonso will seek a longer deal around $30 million AAV.

The slugging first baseman had one of his best years to date in 2025, slashing .273/.348/.526 with an OPS of .873 and 38 home runs.

Padres lose key outfielder for most of postseason –

We have placed OF Ramón Laureano on the 10-day IL with a right index finger fracture (retro to 9/25) and recalled INF Will Wagner from the Arizona Complex League.

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) September 27, 2025

The San Diego Padres will be without OF Ramon Laureano for what looks to be the remainder of the 2025 season.

Laureano left the Padres game on September 24th with a fractured finger and was placed on the IL on September 27th.

Laureano himself said that he has “delusional hope” to return this season.

The right-handed hitting OF began the season with the Orioles and was traded to the Padres at the trade deadline. He has been one of the best trade acquisitions, slashing 271/.325/: 492 line and 128 wRC+ with nine homeruns in 49 games since being traded.

Cubs without top arm for Wild Card series –

Cubs place RHP Cade Horton on the 15-day IL with a right rib fracture. pic.twitter.com/MVH1wWWp95

— MLB (@MLB) September 27, 2025

The Chicago Cubs will be without breakout rookie RHP Cade Horton for at least their Wild Card Series vs the Padres.

Horton left his start early Tuesday and was placed on the IL with a non-displaced right rib fracture.

The rookie will be eligible to be activated for game five of the NLDS, should the Cubs advance there. Due to this, he is unlikely to pitch until the NLCS.

Horton, who is expected to get some rookie of the year votes, finished with a 2.67 ERA in 23 games started and 118 IP with 97 K.

MLB to implement ABS –

Automated balls and strikes are coming to MLB in 2026.

Following tests in the minor leagues, spring training, and the All-Star Game, MLB has officially announced it is ready for the regular season.

BREAKING: Major League Baseball will use the Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System (ABS) during the entire 2026 season

ABS CHALLENGE RULES:

– Each team will get two challenges and can keep them if they’re successful

– Challenges can only be initiated by a pitcher, catcher, or… pic.twitter.com/xHkRIbHrRx

— MLB (@MLB) September 23, 2025

MLB Playoff bracket set –

The stage is set!

Your 2025 #Postseason bracket ???? pic.twitter.com/FrP4HP6ePm

— MLB (@MLB) September 28, 2025

The MLB 2025 regular season has come to an end.

The Toronto Blue Jays have won the American League East for the first time since 2015.

The Boston Red Sox will play in October for the first time in four years.

The Cleveland Guardians have overcome a 15 1/2 game deficit to catch the Detroit Tigers to win the American League Central.

The Seattle Mariners have won the American League West for the first time since 2001.

The Houston Astros have missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016.

The New York Mets have missed the playoffs.

The Cincinnati Reds have made the playoffs for the first time in a full season since 2013.

The final week of the MLB season featured numerous playoff races, and now the stage is set for the Wild Card best-of-three series, which begins on Tuesday.

The slates are the same Tuesday-Thursday.

Tigers @ Guardians 1:08 PM (Winner will play Seattle)

Padres @ Cubs 3:08 PM (Winner will play Milwaukee)

Red Sox @ Yankees 6:08 PM (Winner will play Toronto)

Reds @ Dodgers (Winner will play Philadelphia)

About Post Author

Michael Bodzenta

Growing up in Cleveland, Ohio, I fell in love with sports from a young age. Whether I was playing them throughout high school or in the yard with my friends, I knew I had found something I loved. Watching them was also a main part of my childhood, as I could name almost every player on all three Cleveland sports teams. Talking about sports is something I can do for hours, so as I got older, I quickly realized that I knew what I wanted to do. I started writing about sports and talking about sports in high school. It was fun and easy for me. My dream goal would be to become baseball analyst, covering breaking news and other stories in the sport. I've written numerous articles about sports including the Browns and the Guardians. I currently write for Kent Wired, where I expanded my knowledge to cover Health and Fitness. I have experience with Adobe Photoshop, Premier, and Audition. I work as the social media manager/representative for the Kent State Club Baseball team creating graphics mostly on Instagram and some on Twitter (X) . The goal of this is to get more engagement for the team, create awareness, and raise money. I also currently coach for a 17u travel baseball organization (Midwest Stars) out of Hudson, Ohio. Through this I have been able to continue my love for the game, give back to the community, and strengthen my leadership qualities. My passion for sports especially baseball remains unquestioned and I strive to continue to report on something I love.

mbodzent@kent.edu

https://ngscsports.com/