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Mason Montgomery Has Emerged as an Elite Closer Option
Pittsburgh Pirates left-hander Mason Montgomery has arguably been his team's top relief option this season, recording a 2.73 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 95 strikeouts, 13 saves, and six wins across 62 2/3 innings (64 games). The hard-throwing southpaw is averaging 98.5 miles per hour on his fastball and has posted a ridiculous 37.5% strikeout rate while limiting his walk rate to a manageable 9.1%. While the Pirates deployed Montgomery in a high-leverage setup role for much of the season, he's taken over as the team's undisputed closer recently. Montgomery has already recorded six saves in September, and he has not allowed an earned run since late July. Heading into the final few weeks of the 2026 season, fantasy managers should view Montgomery as an elite closer option.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
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Josue De Paula a Must-Add Bat Amid Playing-Time Opportunity
Across 19 plate appearances since making his MLB debut on September 11, Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder/designated hitter Josue De Paula is hitting .143 with one home run, three RBI, two runs scored, and one stolen base. While the 21-year-old has just two hits in his first five big-league games, he's drawn five walks while striking out just twice. De Paula was having an absolutely ridiculous season at Double-A Tulsa before getting called up, slashing .303/.401/.547 with 27 home runs, 104 RBI, 106 runs scored, and 31 stolen bases across 588 plate appearances. With Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (knee, biceps) currently on the injured list, De Paula appears to be in line for everyday playing time in Los Angeles. Heading into the final few weeks of the 2026 season, De Paula's massive five-category upside makes him a must-add player in leagues where he remains available on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Corey Seager Has Returned to Vintage Form in September
Across 388 plate appearances in 2026, Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager is hitting .234/.325/.438 with 18 home runs, 45 RBI, 54 runs scored, and one stolen base. The 32-year-old's overall production is considerably below his career norm, and he's also missed time this season due to both back issues and a concussion. However, Seager's underlying batted-ball metrics remain very strong, as he's posted a 14.7% barrel rate and a 48.4% hard-hit rate. The veteran shortstop has also been hot of late, hitting .302 with five home runs and 11 RBI across 57 plate appearances in September. Seager's strikeout rate is up to a career-worst 22.9% in 2026, but he's struck out in just 17.8% of his trips to the plate since the All-Star break. Heading into the final few weeks of the regular season, Seager profiles as a high-end four-category producer for fantasy managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Fernando Tatis Jr. Riding Extended Hot Streak to Begin September
Across 659 plate appearances in 2026, San Diego Padres outfielder/second baseman Fernando Tatis Jr. is hitting .288/.356/.465 with 23 home runs, 78 RBI, 89 runs scored, and 35 stolen bases. The 27-year-old struggled through an extended power outage at the start of the year, hitting just one home run in 245 plate appearances through the end of May. However, Tatis Jr. has been scorching hot in the second half of the season, slashing .307/.383/.623 with 18 homers across 243 plate appearances since the All-Star break. He's been particularly molten in September, hitting .358 with six home runs and four stolen bases over his first 59 trips to the plate this month. Now that Tatis Jr.'s early-season struggles are fully behind him, he profiles as a five-category superstar for fantasy managers in the final weeks of 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Gerrit Cole's Production is Fading in September
Since returning from Tommy John surgery in late May, New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole has recorded an 8-9 record with a 3.67 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, and 117 strikeouts across 115 1/3 innings (20 starts). While the 36-year-old's numbers this year are strong, he's run into a bit of a rough patch lately. Across 16 2/3 innings (three starts) in September, Cole has allowed seven home runs and 12 earned runs while striking out just 12. Cole's HR/9 in 2026 is now up to 1.56, his worst mark since the shortened 2020 season. The veteran right-hander has struck out 24.6% of the batters he's faced while posting an elite 4.6% walk rate, so he remains an excellent source of WHIP and a solid source of strikeouts. However, it's possible that Cole may be fading a bit down the stretch in his first season back from elbow surgery.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Andres Munoz's Home Run Issues Continue to Inflate His ERA
Seattle Mariners closer Andres Munoz has had a down year in 2026, recording a 4.25 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP with 86 strikeouts across 55 innings (58 games). Munoz's underlying numbers remain very strong, as he's averaged 99.7 miles per hour on his fastball and has posted an elite 37.4% strikeout rate. However, the 27-year-old's HR/9 has skyrocketed to 1.31, and he's blown a career-worst 10 saves. Between his issues with command (10% walk rate) and his penchant for giving up the long ball, Munoz has been prone to blow-up outings in 2026. His most recent appearance on Sunday was one such outing, as he allowed two earned runs across 2/3 of an inning to take the loss against the Athletics. Munoz remains a must-start closer for fantasy managers, but he never quite discovered his peak form this season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Miguel Vargas Showing Off Increased Speed in September
Chicago White Sox corner infielder Miguel Vargas has been one of the breakout success stories of the 2026 season, hitting .249/.358/.475 with 31 home runs, 84 RBI, 98 runs scored, and 19 stolen bases across 658 plate appearances. The 26-year-old's underlying metrics largely support his power emergence, as he's posted a 13.4% barrel rate and a 44.2% hard-hit rate. Vargas also offers an elite approach at the plate, logging a 13.7% walk rate while striking out in just 17.9% of his plate appearances. Vargas has also significantly boosted his aggression on the basepaths in recent games, going six-for-six as a base stealer in September. Heading into the final stretch of the regular season, Vargas profiles as an elite option at either third or first base for fantasy managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Victor Mesa Jr. Emerging as a Priority Waiver Wire Target
Across 223 plate appearances in 2026, Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Victor Mesa Jr. is hitting .257/.326/.510 with 13 home runs, 30 RBI, 32 runs scored, and nine stolen bases. The 25-year-old has been scorching hot in September, hitting .450 with three home runs and three stolen bases across 44 trips to the plate. The lefty-swinging Mesa Jr. has seen most of his playing time this year against right-handed pitching, but he's begun to see everyday playing time in the midst of his current hot streak. Mesa Jr.'s underlying metrics suggest that some slight regression might be coming, but he's still posted an 11.4% barrel rate while keeping his strikeout rate below 20%. With his ability to produce across all five categories, Mesa Jr. profiles as a priority waiver wire target going into the final stretch of the 2026 season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kaelen Culpepper Exits Early on Tuesday with Apparent Leg Injury
Minnesota Twins shortstop Kaelen Culpepper (leg) was removed in the sixth inning of his team's game against the New York Yankees on Tuesday after grabbing at his leg while running out a ground ball, per Twins beat writer Aaron Gleeman. Culpepper was hitless in three plate appearances before exiting the game. Culpepper returned to the lineup on Tuesday after missing two games with a shoulder injury, but it appears he could now be facing additional missed time. Across 120 plate appearances since making his MLB debut in early August, the 23-year-old is hitting .275/.333/.404 with three home runs, 11 RBI, 15 runs scored, and one stolen base. Twins utility man Ryan Kreidler replaced Culpepper at shortstop on Tuesday.
Source: Aaron Gleeman
Source: Aaron Gleeman
CJ Abrams Scratched on Tuesday with Neck Tightness
Washington Nationals infielder CJ Abrams (neck) was scratched from his team's lineup on Tuesday due to neck tightness, per Mark Zuckerman of Nats Journal. It's not yet clear if Abrams will require a trip to the injured list or if he will be able to return to Washington's lineup within the next few days. Across 613 plate appearances this season, the 25-year-old is hitting .264/.339/.494 with 30 home runs, 96 RBI, 88 runs scored, and 29 stolen bases. While Abrams has had an excellent year overall, his production has fallen off of late. Across 155 plate appearances since the start of August, Abrams is hitting just .192 with two home runs and a 33.5% strikeout rate. In addition to his current neck issue, Abrams has also dealt with back tightness. If he misses time, Nationals infielder Jorbit Vivas would likely see an increase in at-bats.
Source: Nats Journal - Mark Zuckerman
Source: Nats Journal - Mark Zuckerman
Shane Baz Hit on Elbow by Comebacker on Tuesday
Baltimore Orioles right-hander Shane Baz (elbow) was hit in what appeared to be his right elbow by a 105.1 mph comebacker off the bat of Mets infielder Bo Bichette on Tuesday night and was pulled from the contest, according to Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun. Baz tried to throw a warm-up pitch, and it went over the catcher's head. Before getting hit in the arm, Baz allowed three earned runs on seven hits (one homer) while walking two and striking out two in four innings to raise his ERA for the season to 4.11. The Orioles will likely send Baz for X-rays to see if he has a crack or break in his elbow. Even if he avoids a broken arm, there is no guarantee that he will be cleared to make his next start for Baltimore. The Orioles are technically still in the playoff hunt in the American League, coming into Tuesday's action three games out of the final wild-card spot, but with two teams in front of them. Baz came into his 30th start of 2026 with a league-high 15 losses, a 4.05 ERA (3.54 FIP), a 1.33 WHIP, and a 150:58 K:BB in 169 innings pitched.
Source: The Baltimore Sun - Matt Weyrich
Source: The Baltimore Sun - Matt Weyrich
Pete Fairbanks Lands on Injured List Again With Nerve Irritation
The Miami Marlins announced on Tuesday that they placed right-handed reliever Pete Fairbanks (hand) back on the 15-day injured list with right median nerve irritation in his right hand and recalled right-hander Bradley Blalock from Triple-A Jacksonville in a corresponding move. Fairbanks was called on to close things out against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday night, but he was quickly pulled after losing sensation in his hand after just returning from the IL over the weekend. Right-hander Jack Ralston was given a chance to pick up his first career save, but he instead allowed a walk-off, game-winning home run to D-backs outfielder Corbin Carroll. With Fairbanks now lost for the remainder of the 2026 campaign, right-hander Calvin Faucher will likely go back to being the favorite for saves in the ninth inning for manager Clayton McCullough. This will be Fairbanks' third time going on the IL for the same injury, which is concerning as he heads into next season. He will finish the 2026 campaign with 19 saves, an ugly 6.31 ERA, and a 1.35 WHIP in only 41 1/3 innings pitched in his first year in South Beach.
Source: Miami Marlins
Source: Miami Marlins
Trey Yesavage Struggles in Rehab Outing on Tuesday
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Trey Yesavage (knee) threw 34 pitches and was unable to get out of the first inning in his minor-league rehab outing at Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday, per Shi Davidi of Sportsnet. Yesavage sat at 93.3 mph with his fastball and topped out at 94.4 mph while giving up two runs (one earned) on two hits and a walk. The Blue Jays' plan is to have Yesavage return from the 15-day injured list to make his next start next Monday in Baltimore against the division-rival Orioles, but it remains to be seen if that will still be the plan after his short outing on the farm on Tuesday. If Yesavage does return to the big-league rotation to begin next week, he will be an extremely risky fantasy baseball streamer in his return for the Jays. Going into MLB action on Tuesday, the Blue Jays are just one game behind the Cleveland Guardians for the final wild-card spot in the American League. Getting Yesavage back would be huge for the Jays in the final week of the regular season. The former first-rounder has gone 5-5 with a 3.65 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and 91:46 K:BB in 93 2/3 innings across 18 starts in 2026 in his first full year in the majors.
Source: Sportsnet - Shi Davidi
Source: Sportsnet - Shi Davidi
Jameson Taillon Says his "Season is Over"
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Jameson Taillon (elbow), who is still seeking clarity on his elbow injury, is visiting with Dr. Keith Meister in Texas next Tuesday, according to Shi Davidi of Sportsnet. Taillon said "my season is over," but is "hopeful it's not anything super major, maybe an injection or two and a good offseason rehabbing, and I'll be in a good spot to build up." The 34-year-old veteran will wrap up his 10th year in the big leagues in 2026 with a 2-6 record, 5.65 ERA (6.60 FIP), 1.36 WHIP, and 76:32 K:BB in 86 innings over 18 starts with the Blue Jays and Chicago Cubs. Fifteen of his starts this year came for the Cubs. Taillon was in the final year of a four-year, $68 million contract that he signed with Chicago prior to the 2023 season, so the veteran right-handed hurler will enter unrestricted free agency in the offseason. Given his age and the fact that his campaign ended early with an elbow injury, we do not think that other MLB teams will be in a rush to sign him with a potential lockout on the horizon.
Source: Sportsnet - Shi Davidi
Source: Sportsnet - Shi Davidi
Carlos Correa Won't Return This Season
Houston Astros infielder Carlos Correa (ankle) will not return to the team this season, manager Joe Espada told Chandler Rome of The Athletic. It is not in the cards for Correa to return for a playoff run with the Astros after he had surgery on his ankle back in May. The 31-year-old former American League Rookie of the Year and three-time All-Star ended up playing in just 32 games (141 plate appearances) in his first full season back with the team in 2026 after he was traded back to the Astros from the Minnesota Twins last year. In his 32 games this season, Correa slashed a solid .279/.369/.418, but with only three home runs, 16 RBI, 22 runs scored, and a stolen base in his 12th year in the league. The veteran infielder is only rostered in 9% of Yahoo leagues, but the news that he will not return again in 2026 will limit the Astros' options on the infield going into the postseason. As long as Correa does not suffer a setback with his ankle in the offseason, he should be a full-go for spring training in 2027 if there is no lockout.
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Phillies Putting Jesus Luzardo on Injured List With Shoulder Inflammation
The Philadelphia Phillies are placing left-hander Jesus Luzardo (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list on Tuesday with inflammation in his left shoulder, according to Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Luzardo will not be eligible to return from the IL until the last game of the 2026 regular season. The Phillies were hoping that the inflammation would leave Luzardo's shoulder after he did not throw for two days, but that did not end up being the case. Interim manager Don Mattingly did not rule out Luzardo making a start in the playoffs (if the Phillies qualify) in October. It is a premature ending to what has been a great season for the 28-year-old southpaw, who has gone 14-5 with a 2.87 ERA (2.78 FIP) and 1.08 WHIP with a career-high 221 strikeouts and 52 walks in 178 2/3 innings across his 29 starts as a first-time All-Star in his second year in Philly. The move to put Luzardo on the IL comes after the Phillies scratched him from his most recent start on Saturday against the division-rival Atlanta Braves due to shoulder stiffness and inflammation.
Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer - Scott Lauber
Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer - Scott Lauber
Joc Pederson Dealing With Hand Fracture
Texas Rangers outfielder Joc Pederson (hand) is dealing with a small fracture of a bone in his left hand, but he will attempt to play through the injury based on pain tolerance, according to Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News. The immediate issue for the Rangers is to reduce swelling in the area to allow him to properly grip and swing a bat. With Texas facing Boston Red Sox left-hander Patrick Sandoval on Tuesday, Pederson will start on the bench, with catcher Elias Diaz serving as the designated hitter and batting eighth. Pederson's injury is the result of being hit by a fastball from Diamondbacks right-hander Brandon Pfaadt on Saturday. The lefty slugger was wearing an infrared glove designed to promote circulation and recovery, and he is also loading up on compression fabric to boost circulation while taking anti-inflammatories to reduce swelling in his hand. The 34-year-old veteran shares the team lead in homers with Jake Burger at 26, but he is coming off a month of August where he hit .138 (9-for-65) with four homers, seven RBI, seven runs, nine walks, and 21 strikeouts in 27 games. Despite his power from the left side, Pederson is rostered in only 4% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: The Dallas Morning News - Evan Grant
Source: The Dallas Morning News - Evan Grant
Maikel Garcia Reinstated and Starting on Tuesday
The Kansas City Royals announced on Tuesday that they reinstated infielder/outfielder Maikel Garcia (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list and optioned outfielder Matthew Lugo to Triple-A Omaha in a corresponding move. Garcia will immediately return to Tuesday's starting lineup against the hosting Houston Astros and right-hander Hunter Brown, starting at third base and batting cleanup for the Royals. The 26-year-old Venezuelan returns for the final couple of weeks of the regular season as he looks to turn his season around in short order. Garcia has been a major disappointment for fantasy managers this year, playing in only 73 games due to injury and hitting .269/.324/.385 with a .709 OPS, only three home runs, 32 RBI, 34 runs scored, and five stolen bases across 309 plate appearances in his fifth year in the big leagues. It is especially disappointing when considering that Garcia was a first-time All-Star in 2025, when he slashed .286/.351/.449 with 16 homers, 74 RBI, 23 steals, and 81 runs scored in 160 games.
Source: Kansas City Royals
Source: Kansas City Royals
Chase DeLauter Sidelined Again With Wrist Issue
Cleveland Guardians rookie outfielder Chase DeLauter (wrist) felt his right-wrist issue again in his final at-bat on Monday night and came in sore on Tuesday, which is why he is out of the starting lineup against the division-rival Chicago White Sox, according to Tim Stebbins of MLB.com. Manager Stephen Vogt said that DeLauter is day-to-day. Outfielder Angel Martinez (side) is also day-to-day and is out of the starting nine, giving Jo Adell a start in right field while he bats third for Cleveland on Tuesday against White Sox left-hander Chris Murphy. DeLauter's wrist injury caused him to miss four straight games recently, and he apparently is not fully recovered. The 24-year-old left-handed slugger is day-to-day for now, but if he cannot play through the end of the week, the Guards might be forced to shut him down for the remainder of the 2026 season. DeLauter has been excellent in his first 464 major-league at-bats this year, slashing .289/.362/.453 with an .815 OPS, 14 homers, 62 RBI, 57 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases. He has cooled off a bit after a blistering month of August, though, and has gone 9-for-37 (.243) with a homer, four doubles, two RBI, two runs, and two steals in 10 games so far in September.
Source: MLB.com - Tim Stebbins
Source: MLB.com - Tim Stebbins
Kaelen Culpepper Back in Action for Twins on Tuesday
Minnesota Twins shortstop prospect Kaelen Culpepper (shoulder) and corner infielder Royce Lewis (shoulder) are both back from their shoulder injuries on Tuesday against the visiting New York Yankees and left-hander Max Fried at Target Field, according to MLB.com. Culpepper is starting at short and batting second, with Lewis manning first base and hitting fifth for the Twins. Culpepper has never faced Fried, while Lewis is hitless against him in just three at-bats. The 23-year-old Culpepper missed the last two games after being hit by a pitch on his shoulder on Saturday against the Cleveland Guardians, but he is back now and looking to continue his strong start in his MLB debut late this season. The former 21st overall pick in 2024 from Kansas State has gone 30-for-106 (.283) with three home runs, 11 RBI, 15 runs scored, and a stolen base in Minnesota in his first 30 MLB games, and he will close out the year as the Twins' primary shortstop.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Carlos Lagrange Expected to Return on Tuesday
New York Yankees right-handed pitching prospect Carlos Lagrange (shoulder) is expected to see action on Tuesday with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre as he returns from a stay on the seven-day injured list, according to Francys Romero. It will be Lagrange's first official appearance since June 28. Lagrange, the team's No. 4 overall prospect at MLB Pipeline, will return to a 1-4 record, 4.55 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, and 83:33 K:BB in 63 1/3 innings across 18 appearances (11 starts) for the Rail Riders in 2026. He is coming off a sprained right shoulder that shut him down in early July. If not for his shoulder injury, Lagrange might have been a candidate to join New York's starting rotation late in the year, but because of all the time he missed this summer, the Yankees have already stated that he is unlikely to join them for the remainder of the year, even in the postseason. The 6-foot-7, 248-pounder has a fastball that can hit triple digits and three secondary pitches that also miss bats, so he will certainly be in the mix for an early-season MLB debut in 2027.
Source: Francys Romero
Source: Francys Romero
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