MacKenzie Gore’s 2025 season reads like a fantasy case study: a blistering first half that earned him an All-Star nod, then a shoulder injury and a late fade. Washington now faces a high-stakes call: extend him as a cornerstone or sell high while his value is elevated. Under the hood, fastball velocity and hard contact declined in the second half, even as whiff and strikeout rates showed flashes of the upside that made him a top prospect.

The plan moving forward hinges on adjustments to his arsenal and approach. Gore has leaned into off-speed offerings, with the slider delivering the strongest results and the four-seamer lagging. If he can re-emphasize the cutter and add a sinker to induce more grounders, he could reclaim 2025’s upside. For fantasy managers, health, workload, and a willingness to tweak mechanics determine whether he’s a long-term hold or a sell-high candidate.

Mariners, Aroldis Chapman, and Xander Bogaerts headline a busy MLB update, with Eugenio Suárez and new infield drills hinting at growing Seattle chemistry. Chapman’s Boston extension tightens the closing role, while Bogaerts faces a 10-day IL fracture that could reshape San Diego’s infield balance as the playoff chase heats up.

MacKenzie Gore’s IL placement clouds Washington’s rotation outlook, Alek Manoah nears a return for Toronto, and Tom Murphy opened up about past medical issues affecting his season. Kona Takahashi remains a looming winter posting target for MLB teams. Fantasy managers should recalibrate risk and upside across these veteran players as rosters shift.

MacKenzie Gore landed on the Nationals' injured list with shoulder inflammation, a setback that clouds Washington’s rotation plans and fantasy timelines.

Gore posted 4.15 ERA over 147.1 innings with 173 punchouts this year, but his second-half slide—7.54 ERA in eight starts after the break—has fantasy managers weighing durability against upside. Washington stuck with him at the Deadline, and the IL stint adds urgency to 2026 planning and trade considerations.

As Gore rests the shoulder for the minimum 15 days, fantasy rosters will need to pivot, monitoring rehab progress and potential ramp for a late-season return. The injury also tempers Gore’s long-term trade value, heightening scrutiny of his durability heading into free agency after 2027.