MLB · AL East
Tampa Bay Rays news Thursday, November 12, 2026
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The 30-second version
- MLBCam Schlittler wins the AL Cy Young and Jacob Misiorowski the NL Cy Young, both unanimously.
- MLBAstros hire Brad Ausmus as manager, a former Tigers and Angels skipper who was most recently Yankees bench coach.
- MLBBlue Jays closer Louis Varland wins AL Reliever of the Year over Cade Smith and Bryan Baker.
The 5-minute version
202698–64
1st AL East · Made playoffs
Fri, Feb 19 at Twins
No. 3 in the 30-second version
Blue Jays closer Louis Varland wins AL Reliever of the Year over Cade Smith and Bryan Baker.
Varland received 16 of 30 first-place votes and 146 points, ahead of Cade Smith with 133 and Bryan Baker with 111. He posted a 1.27 ERA and 35 saves in his first season as Toronto's closer, after four seasons with the Twins, mostly in starts and middle relief. He will take the award into salary arbitration this offseason.
Source: Yahoo Sports
From Monday
Junior Caminero is a Most Valuable Player finalist, the only Rays player ever to earn that honor.
Caminero hit .276 with 42 home runs and a team-high 5.3 fWAR, and played all 162 regular-season games. DRaysBay also reports he is a Silver Slugger finalist at third base alongside Chandler Simpson, who is up for the award with zero home runs and leads the league in batting average at .306.
Source: DRaysBay
From Monday
DRaysBay suggests the Rays could target Reds left-hander Nick Lodolo this offseason.
The article says Lodolo's projected 2027 salary is $5.7 million and that his recent injuries and middling results could create a buying opportunity. The author notes his breaking-ball location consistency declined in 2026 after a July grip change, and suggests reverting to the old grip could be worth considering.
Source: DRaysBay
Around the MLB
No. 1 in the 30-second version
Cam Schlittler wins the AL Cy Young and Jacob Misiorowski the NL Cy Young, both unanimously.
Schlittler posted an AL-leading 1.95 ERA and became the seventh Yankee to win the award, the first since Gerrit Cole in 2023. Misiorowski led the majors in ERA (1.80), strikeouts (252) and WHIP (0.80), and is the fourth Brewer to win the NL award, after helping Milwaukee win its first World Series. MLB Trade Rumors reported the Yankees appear interested in third baseman Alec Bohm, and NJ.com reported Brian Cashman all but confirmed Jazz Chisholm Jr. will not return.
Sources: NBC Sports · CBS Sports · USA TODAY Sports · Yahoo Sports
No. 2 in the 30-second version
Astros hire Brad Ausmus as manager, a former Tigers and Angels skipper who was most recently Yankees bench coach.
The Crawfish Boxes reported Ausmus will be the 21st manager in franchise history, with a press conference scheduled for Friday at 10 AM. Lookout Landing reported the Astros kept their pitching, hitting and first base coaches, and the hire follows GM Randy Flores's appointment two weeks earlier. Lone Star Ball noted Ausmus is reportedly close with Jeff Bagwell, an adviser to owner Jim Crane.
Sources: Yahoo Sports · CBS Sports · MLB.com · ESPN
Dodgers, Mets, Padres and Blue Jays are among the teams pursuing free agent Tarik Skubal.
Yahoo Sports reports the Dodgers and Mets have emerged as early front-runners, with the Mets viewed as the favorites. The New York Post, citing Jon Heyman, says Skubal is scheduled to meet six teams, including those four, at agent Scott Boras's California headquarters next week. Dodgers GM Brandon Gomes said the team expects to meet with Skubal, and a lockout is looming next month.
Sources: Yahoo Sports · NY Post Sports · LA Times · True Blue LA
Pat Murphy wins NL Manager of the Year for a third straight season, and Will Venable takes the AL award.
The Baseball Writers' Association of America announced the awards Tuesday, according to ESPN. Venable received 111 points to Kevin Cash's 98, and per South Side Sox, the White Sox finished 84-78 and reached the postseason for the first time since 2021. Murphy is the first manager to win three straight, and CBS Sports reports the Brewers had the league's best record.
Sources: ESPN · CBS Sports · South Side Sox · Brew Crew Ball
Bob Boone, World Series champ, Phillies Wall of Famer dies at 78.
Former Phillies catcher Bob Boone has died at the age of 78. In addition to being a crucial member of the 1980 World Series Championship team, Boone’s accomplishments in a Phillies uniform include three All-Star appearances, two Gold Gloves, and induction into the Phillies Wall of Fame.
Sources: NBC Sports Philadelphia · CBS Sports · The Good Phight · Lone Star Ball
How this is made: Summaries are written with AI from the linked reporting. For the full account, read the sources.