RADIO
Joe Espada May Not Receive a New Contract After 2026
"One high-ranking Houston Astros official said that (team manager) Joe Espada will not receive a new contract after the season," per Bob Nightengale of USA Today. Following a tough home stand in which Houston went 3-6 against a trio of division opponents, the Astros parted ways with general manager Dana Brown on Monday. While Espada's job is currently safe, it sounds like his days in Houston could be numbered as well. Now in his third season as the Astros manager, Espada has compiled a 240-214 record but has yet to win a postseason game. Entering play on Monday, the Astros sat at 65-66 but were tied for the division lead in the American League West. If Espada can lead his team on a deep postseason run, he may have a chance to salvage his job.
Source: USA Today - Bob Nightengale
Source: USA Today - Bob Nightengale
Joe Ryan Scheduled to Throw Live Bullpen on Wednesday
Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Joe Ryan (glute) will throw a live, one-inning bullpen session on Wednesday, per Dan Hayes of The Athletic. Ryan has been on the injured list since early August due to a glute strain. While the 30-year-old appears to be making progress towards a return to the big leagues, Hayes reports that Twins manager Derek Shelton said Ryan will need to appear in minor league rehab games before he can be activated. Across 125 2/3 innings (23 starts) in 2026, Ryan has recorded a 6-8 record with a 3.65 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and 138 strikeouts. The right-hander's slightly inflated ERA is due to his tendency to allow home runs, but his 21.2% K-BB rate remains elite. Once healthy, Ryan remains a must-start fantasy starting pitcher.
Source: The Athletic - Dan Hayes
Source: The Athletic - Dan Hayes
Nick Pivetta Set to Re-Start Rehab Assignment this Week
San Diego Padres right-hander Nick Pivetta (forearm) is set to make a rehab start with Single-A Lake Elsinore, per Annie Heilbrunn of The San Diego Union-Tribune. Pivetta is currently on the 60-day injured list due to a flexor strain and last pitched for the Padres in mid-April. He previously made a start with Lake Elsinore on August 4, but was pulled early and had his rehab assignment put on pause. Roughly three weeks later, it appears Pivetta is feeling good enough to get back on the mound for live game action. The 33-year-old has had a lost season due to injury in 2026, but he was extremely productive in his first year with the Padres in 2025. Across 181 2/3 innings (31 starts), Pivetta recorded a 13-5 record with a 2.87 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and 190 strikeouts. If he can make his way back to the big leagues, Pivetta could impact fantasy leagues in the final few weeks of the regular season.
Source: The San Diego Union-Tribune - Annie Heilbrunn
Source: The San Diego Union-Tribune - Annie Heilbrunn
Shea Langeliers Begins Hitting and Throwing Progression
Athletics catcher Shea Langeliers (knee) has begun both hitting and throwing progressions, per Martin Gallegos of MLB.com. Langeliers has been on the injured list since late July after undergoing surgery to repair the meniscus in his right knee. However, the 28-year-old appears to be tracking toward returning before the end of the regular season. Across 416 plate appearances before the injury, Langeliers hit .263/.332/.497 with 23 home runs, 51 RBI, 55 runs scored, and two stolen bases. With a 14.9% barrel rate and a 45.6% hard-hit rate, Langeliers profiles as one of the top power-hitting catchers in all of baseball. The A's are completely out of playoff contention, which could lead the team to be relatively cautious with their star backstop. Still, Langeliers is a must-start fantasy catcher as soon as he returns to the big leagues.
Source: MLB.com - Martin Gallegos
Source: MLB.com - Martin Gallegos
Riley Greene Rejoins Tigers, Spotted Doing Conditioning Work on Monday
Detroit Tigers outfielder Riley Greene (hamstring) was on the field at Comerica Park doing conditioning work before his team's game against the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday, per Evan Woodbery of MLive Media Group. Greene last played on August 11 and is currently on the 10-day injured list due to a hamstring strain. He had been rehabbing at the Tigers' team facility in Florida during Detroit's most recent road trip, but it appears he's back with the team and could be getting closer to a return to the field. Across 492 plate appearances in 2026, Greene is hitting .273/.366/.450 with 16 home runs, 54 RBI, 65 runs scored, and three stolen bases. While Greene's overall numbers are down from his banner 2025 campaign, he's still posted excellent barrel (14.6%) and hard-hit (48.3%) rates. Once healthy, he profiles as a must-start fantasy outfielder.
Source: MLive Media Group - Evan Woodbery
Source: MLive Media Group - Evan Woodbery
Chase DeLauter Scratched With Hamstring Tightness
Cleveland Guardians rookie outfielder Chase DeLauter (hamstring) was scratched from Monday's starting lineup against the Los Angeles Angels with tightness in his left hamstring, according to Tim Stebbins of MLB.com. It is the same issue that cropped up during the team's last homestand that caused DeLauter to miss some time. Angel Martinez is starting in right field for Cleveland and is hitting sixth against Angels right-hander George Klassen at Angel Stadium. Fantasy managers need to pull DeLauter from their starting lineups on Monday and hope he can return for Game 2 of the series in Anaheim on Tuesday. We will consider the left-handed slugger to be day-to-day until further notice. DeLauter is rostered in just over 70% of Yahoo leagues in what has been a productive first year in the big leagues. The former first-rounder came into the new week hitting .288/.363/.450 with an .813 OPS, 13 home runs, 59 RBI, 52 runs scored, and nine steals in 413 at-bats. He has been red-hot in 17 August games, going 23-for-66 (.349) with two homers, two doubles, two triples, eight RBI, 14 runs scored, and three stolen bases. UPDATE: The Guardians are hopeful that DeLauter can return to the lineup on Tuesday.
Source: MLB.com - Tim Stebbins
Source: MLB.com - Tim Stebbins
James Wood Throws Out to 120 Feet, Hits Off Tee
Washington Nationals outfielder James Wood (oblique) threw out to 120 feet and hit off a tee on Monday, according to Danielle Allentuck of The Washington Post. Wood is not quite on the verge of a return from a strained left oblique, but the 23-year-old All-Star is making notable progress. If he requires a minor-league rehab assignment, Wood probably will not be an option to return to the big-league roster before the calendar flips to September early next week. Still, he should be held in all fantasy baseball leagues for the potential damage he could do in the final month of the regular season. The former second-rounder by the San Diego Padres in 2021 is one of the best young power/speed assets in the league, and he'll eventually be returning to a .265/.393/.535 slash line with a .928 OPS, 30 home runs, 73 RBI, 17 stolen bases, and 100 runs scored. Wood still carries a high 28.6% strikeout rate in his third year in the big leagues, but he makes up for it by hitting the ball as hard as anyone when he does make contact at the plate.
Source: The Washington Post - Danielle Allentuck
Source: The Washington Post - Danielle Allentuck
Bryan Woo 100 Percent Confident he Can Start on Wednesday
Seattle Mariners right-hander Bryan Woo (shoulder) is "100% confident" that he can make his scheduled start on Wednesday at home against the Philadelphia Phillies, according to The Seattle Times' Adam Jude. Woo had his last start on Aug. 16 cut short due to soreness in his right shoulder, and the Mariners skipped his last scheduled start over the weekend against the Chicago Cubs. The 26-year-old threw a successful bullpen session on Sunday, though, and thinks he will be cleared to toe the rubber this Wednesday. Fantasy managers will want to be cautious with his start this week while coming off an injury, although he will be on extra rest. Woo allowed 10 earned runs with four walks and 13 strikeouts in 10 innings in his final two starts of July against the Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Dodgers, but he's rebounded in three starts in August against the Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, and Astros, allowing just two earned runs with three walks and 15 strikeouts in 18 innings pitched. He is 9-8 in 2026 with a 4.10 ERA (3.29 FIP) and 1.08 WHIP with 137 strikeouts and only 29 walks in 138 1/3 innings across his 24 starts on the year in his fourth year in the majors.
Source: The Seattle Times - Adam Jude
Source: The Seattle Times - Adam Jude
Colt Emerson to Have Season-Ending Wrist Surgery on Wednesday
Seattle Mariners rookie infielder Colt Emerson (wrist) is scheduled to have season-ending wrist surgery on Wednesday, according to Adam Jude of The Seattle Times. There was a lot of excitement around Emerson, one of the team's top overall prospects, making his major-league debut in 2026, but it did not last long. The 21-year-old left-handed-hitting infielder struggled with big-league pitching in his first 69 games and 241 plate appearances, slashing .190/.246/.335 with a .581 OPS, eight home runs, six doubles, a triple, 23 RBI, 24 runs scored, three stolen bases, 15 walks, and 83 strikeouts. It was not what Emerson, his fantasy managers, or the Mariners expected, but the good news is that the young infielder is expected to be ready for the start of spring training early in 2027. Barring a setback with his wrist injury, Emerson is still in line as the club's starting shortstop over the long term, so fantasy managers in dynasty/keeper leagues should be looking to buy low on the shortstop prospect this winter. Brock Rodden is starting at the 6 on Monday for the M's, but veteran J.P. Crawford (wrist) could come off the injured list as early as Tuesday to regain starting shortstop duties.
Source: The Seattle Times - Adam Jude
Source: The Seattle Times - Adam Jude
Giants Place Willy Adames on Injured List With Elbow Sprain
The San Francisco Giants placed shortstop Willy Adames (elbow) on the 10-day injured list on Monday with a sprained left elbow, according to Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle. Adames was injured in Sunday's series finale against the Boston Red Sox while sliding into home plate. He had missed some time last week with a recurring back injury as well, but his elbow injury will cause him to miss at least the next 10 days for the Gigantes. Christian Koss will most likely see most of the playing time at the 6 for the Giants while Adames is out, starting in Monday's series opener at home against the Cincinnati Reds. The 30-year-old Adames still has plenty of pop and has provided 21 home runs in his second season in the Bay Area, but he has also hit just .230 (107-for-465) with a .289 on-base percentage in 121 games across 505 plate appearances. With the Giants well out of playoff contention this year, the team will not be in any rush to bring Adames back for the final month of the regular season if he is not making great progress in his rehab.
Source: San Francisco Chronicle - Shayna Rubin
Source: San Francisco Chronicle - Shayna Rubin
Bryson Stott Returns for Series Opener on Monday
Philadelphia Phillies infielder Bryson Stott (foot) is starting at third base and will bat sixth in Monday's series opener against the hosting Seattle Mariners and right-hander Logan Gilbert, according to MLB.com. X-rays came back negative on Stott's foot on Sunday after he was forced from the game early, and he was diagnosed with a right-foot contusion. He will not have to miss any games because of it, although fantasy managers may want to keep him on their benches as he works through a rough patch offensively. Stott is hitting .294 (20-for-68) with a homer, four doubles, 10 RBI, five stolen bases, and 13 runs scored in 21 games so far in August, but he has gone hitless in his last 13 plate appearances over his last four games. Overall, the left-handed-hitting former first-rounder in 2019 from UNLV is slashing .259/.337/.406 with just nine home runs, 59 RBI, 57 runs scored, and 23 stolen bases across his 433 at-bats in 2026. After the Phillies picked up Luis Arraez at the trade deadline, Stott moved across the diamond as the team's regular third baseman. He is hitting .429 with a 1.071 OPS and an RBI in just seven career at-bats against Gilbert.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Alec Bohm Back From Hamstring Injury to Face Mariners
Philadelphia Phillies corner infielder Alec Bohm (hamstring) is starting at first base and will bat fifth for the Phils in Monday's series opener on the road in Seattle against Mariners right-hander Logan Gilbert, according to MLB.com. Bohm is returning to action to begin the new week after he was rested in Sunday's series finale versus the St. Louis Cardinals due to tightness in his hamstring/groin. Given how hot the right-handed slugger has been at the dish lately, fantasy managers who have Bohm rostered will want to get him back into their starting lineups on Monday. The 30-year-old veteran is currently hitting .378 (28-for-74) with a .947 OPS, a homer, six doubles, one triple, 16 RBI, 13 runs scored, and a stolen base in 20 games across 81 plate appearances in the month of August. The strong last few weeks have boosted the former first-rounder's season slash line to .248/.305/.390 with 14 home runs, 75 RBI, and 49 runs scored in 464 at-bats. In 10 career at-bats against Gilbert, Bohm has picked up three hits and has a .600 OPS.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Luis Arraez Returns to Phillies' Lineup on Monday
Philadelphia Phillies infielder Luis Arraez (hamstring) is back at second base and is hitting cleanup for the Phillies in Monday's series opener against the hosting Seattle Mariners and right-hander Logan Gilbert, per MLB.com. Arraez did not start Sunday's series finale against the St. Louis Cardinals due to hamstring cramping, but he entered the contest late and is now back in the starting nine. The 29-year-old four-time All-Star and three-time batting champion is not a great source of power (he only has six home runs), but he continues to hit for average, entering the week with a .322 average (159-for-494) with 54 RBI, 63 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases in his eighth year in the big leagues. Since being acquired at the trade deadline by the Phillies, Arraez has gone 23-for-74 (.311) with two home runs, 11 RBI, and 11 runs scored in 18 games played for his new club. Despite hitting just .167 with a homer and two RBI in 12 career at-bats against Gilbert, fantasy managers should be looking to get Arraez back into their starting lineups for the new week.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Ketel Marte Expected to be Activated Next Tuesday
Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte (knee) is tentatively expected to be activated from the 10-day injured list next Tuesday, when the team opens a series against the visiting Philadelphia Phillies, according to Francys Romero. Marte started rehabbing his injured knee on Monday at the team's spring training complex in Arizona. The team placed Marte on the restricted list last Monday after he did not show up to Fenway Park for the series opener against the Boston Red Sox, but it turned out he was headed back to Arizona to have an MRI exam on his bothersome left knee. It was a bizarre situation for the D-backs' coaching staff last week, but the good news for fantasy managers is that they should have the All-Star second baseman back in the fold early next week, barring a setback. The 32-year-old Dominican switch-hitter will be returning to a .249/.314/.446 slash line with 21 homers, 67 RBI, 65 runs scored, and four steals as a must-start in traditional fantasy leagues when he is active. Marte has struggled so far in the second half, hitting .225 (22-for-98) with a .712 OPS, four homers, four doubles, 13 RBI, 14 runs scored, 12 walks, and 20 strikeouts in 26 games played.
Source: Francys Romero
Source: Francys Romero
Max Meyer Still in No-Throw Status
Miami Marlins right-hander Max Meyer (neck, rib) is still in no-throw status as he rehabs in Jupiter, Florida, according to Christina De Nicola of MLB.com. The Marlins initially placed Meyer on the 15-day injured list to begin the second half of the season in late July with a neck strain, but he then injured his rib and needed a cortisone injection. He continues to rehab in Florida, but at this point in the season, it is fair to wonder if he will have enough time to build up his arm and rejoin Miami's starting rotation for the final month of the regular season in September. It's frustrating for fantasy managers who have been holding the 27-year-old, who has gone 9-1 this year with a 2.68 ERA (3.49 FIP) and 1.13 WHIP with a career-high 121 strikeouts and 41 walks in 111 innings pitched across 20 starts in his fourth season in the big leagues. Meyer was a first-time All-Star after a strong first half, but he has so far been unable to help fantasy managers in the second half. Folks are still holding out hope that he can return in 2026, as he is rostered in 71% of Yahoo leagues at the moment.
Source: MLB.com - Christina De Nicola
Source: MLB.com - Christina De Nicola
