Toronto rode a sharp start from Gausman, then surged late as Louis Varland shut the door with a 101 mph strikeout to back a four-run burst in both the seventh and eighth innings. The sequence—Gausman’s fifth-inning escape from a bases-loaded jam, then Varland’s high-leverage dominance—punctuated a 10-1 playoff-opening win over the Yankees and underscored Toronto’s bullpen depth and late-inning punch.

For fantasy managers, Varland’s ascent makes the Jays’ bullpen a dynamic asset in postseason rosters, while Roden’s inclusion hints at deeper outfield options behind a steady Gausman. The Yankees’ offense fizzled after the sixth, leaving Toronto’s mound plan and late-game production as the storylines to monitor as the series progresses.

Austin Martin finishes the season strong for Minnesota, posting a .282 clip with eight doubles, seven RBIs, 22 runs in 50 games after the trade deadline, while swiping 11 bags on 15 attempts. His defensive gains in the outfield and a disciplined, contact-first approach push him into the Twins’ 2026 outlook as a possible everyday contributor amid outfield depth.

The organization signals a broader developmental win, reshuffling Minor League staff and noting improved baserunning and plate discipline from Martin. Injuries surface as spring plans loom: Luke Keaschall’s thumb surgery, Alan Roden’s status, Emmanuel Rodriguez’s winter-soaks, and a crowded outfield future for the club.

Alan Roden’s season ends with a left-thumb UCL sprain that could require surgery, costing him roughly two months away from the Twins. His first MLB stint was brief, and the injury trades off a potential everyday-outfielder path he was carving in Minnesota. The Twins also update Simeon Woods Richardson’s return from illness via a rehab start, while Connor Prielipp and Marek Houston continue to push in the minors, hinting at a deeper outfield and pitching pipeline for 2026.

Roden’s development trajectory remains intact long-term, but the immediate impact is a depth scare for Minnesota’s outfield as they navigate the post-deadline roster shuffle that brought in 13 players. The article also notes the post-deadline dynamic, with Roden the only newcomer to join the big league club, underscoring how the Twins’ farm-to-big-league pipeline could feed fantasy rosters ahead of spring training.

Meanwhile, Woods Richardson advances toward rejoining the MLB rotation after a parasite-removal procedure sidelined him, throwing in a Class AAA rehab and signaling a measured path back. Prielipp’s Class AAA debut features a heater touching 98 mph, illustrating the Twins’ high-upside pitching depth, while Marek Houston’s promotion to Cedar Rapids highlights Minnesota’s investment in its top prospects.

The Toronto Blue Jays have transferred Bowden Francis to the 60-day injured list due to a right shoulder impingement, following his initial placement on the 15-day IL. The right-hander has had a tough season, with a record of 2-8 and a 6.05 ERA over 14 starts, allowing 19 home runs. This comes after a promising 2024 season where he posted an 8-5 record with a 3.30 ERA. In other roster moves, infielder Will Wagner was reinstated from the restricted list, while outfielder Alan Roden was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo.

Will Wagner has been placed on the Toronto Blue Jays’ restricted list, taking a day off to attend his father Billy Wagner's Hall of Fame induction. This decision opens a roster spot for Alan Roden, who has been recalled from the triple-A Buffalo Bisons. Will Wagner's batting average of .243 with a modest six RBIs in 36 games indicates he is still finding his footing in his second MLB season. In contrast, Roden has struggled at the plate with a .206 average in his brief appearances with the Blue Jays this year.

Billy Wagner, who tallied an impressive 422 saves over his 16-year career, is being honored alongside Ichiro Suzuki and CC Sabathia, both first-ballot inductees. Wagner's election marks a significant milestone as he garnered 82.5% of the votes on his 10th ballot.