RADIO
Daniel Palencia Officially Returns on Friday
Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Daniel Palencia (elbow) was activated off the 60-day Injured List ahead of Friday's game against the Seattle Mariners, Taylor McGregor reports. Palenica is officially back in the mix after being sidelined since mid-June due to an elbow issue. When healthy, Palencia has posted a 2.70 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, and a 19/6 K/BB ratio across 16.2 innings of work in 19 appearances. Jacob Webb was pitching well as the closer while Palencia was out, but he'll move out of that role now. Fantasy managers looking for a source of saves should snag Palencia off the waiver wire before it's too late. In a corresponding move, right-hander Javier Assad was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Friday
Source: Taylor McGregor
Source: Taylor McGregor
Marcelo Mayer is Dealing with Bone Bruise in Foot
According to Alex Pavlovic, San Francisco Giants infielder Marcelo Mayer (forearm, foot) has paused his rehab assignment due to a bone bruise in his right foot. The plan is for Mayer to rest through the weekend before being re-evaluated next week. He originally landed on the Injured List in late June with a left forearm stress reaction. Now, he'll need to hold off on his rehab assignment for a few days while he recovers from this foot injury. Mayer was nearing a return to the Giants, so hopefully this won't set him back too far. Fantasy managers should check back for an update on his status after he is re-evaluated.
Source: Alex Pavlovic
Source: Alex Pavlovic
Hunter Dobbins Exits Early with Forearm Tightness
St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Hunter Dobbins (forearm) was forced to make an early exit from Saturday's start against the Philadelphia Phillies. According to Derrick Goold, Dobbins left this game early due to right forearm tightness. Dobbins was pulled after throwing one pitch in the fifth inning. His day finishes with three earned runs on five hits while striking out three batters across four innings of work. The Cardinals haven't said whether or not Dobbins will require a trip to the Injured List. Brycen Mautz could get a shot in the rotation if Dobbins does miss time. Fantasy managers will need to check back over the weekend for another update on his status.
Source: Derrick Goold
Source: Derrick Goold
Kade Anderson is a Must-Add Ahead of Season Debut
Seattle Mariners top pitching prospect Kade Anderson is scheduled to make his season debut against the Chicago Cubs on Saturday. Anderson has earned a late-season call-up after posting fantastic numbers during his lone season in the minor leagues. The Mariners selected Anderson as the third overall pick during the 2025 June Amateur Draft. During his first year in Double-A Arkansas, Anderson posted a 1.06 ERA, 0.64 WHIP, and a 135/13 K/BB ratio across 93.1 innings of work. The 22-year-old is clearly ready to be promoted above Double-A, but the Mariners feel he's ready for the big leagues after 18 starts in the minors. Given his numbers, Anderson is a must-add player ahead of his big league debut versus the Cubbies on Saturday.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Kodai Senga is Picking up Steam After Earning Fourth Save
New York Mets pitcher Kodai Senga is attempting to reinvent himself as a relief pitcher. Senga has been working as a closer lately and has pitched extremely well in that role. During August, Senga has only given up one earned run while recording four saves in six appearances. The expectation is that Senga will continue being the closer until Devin Williams (shoulder) returns, which is likely at some point in September. Fantasy managers seeking help in the relief pitcher department should consider adding Senga while he's still the closer. Williams figures to take over as the closer once he's healthy, but it's unclear when that'll be right now.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Christian Yelich is Taking a Seat on Friday
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich (rest) is out of the starting lineup ahead of Friday's game against the Atlanta Braves. Fantasy managers don't need to worry as this appears to be a routine rest day for Yelich. The Brewers are electing to rest Yelich against tough southpaw Chris Sale. Gary Sanchez will serve as the designated hitter and bat sixth during Friday's game. The Brewers are electing to give Yelich plenty of rest to keep him fresh for the postseason. The expectation is he'll be back on Saturday, but fantasy managers should get him out of their lineups on Friday.
Source: mlb.com
Source: mlb.com
Justin Martinez Could be a Stash Option
Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Justin Martinez recently made his season debut after missing a majority of the season while recovering from Tommy John surgery. Martinez threw a scoreless inning against the Boston Red Sox during his season debut on Tuesday. He is pitching in low-leverage situations right now, but could work his way into the closer role in Arizona. Martinez earned 14 saves between the 2024 and 2025 seasons with the D-Backs. This team doesn't have a lockdown closer at the moment after Paul Sewald lost the job. Martinez could quickly slide into the role if he continues to pitch well. He's someone to keep an eye on as a possible stash in September.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Steven Cruz has Interesting Deep-League Appeal
Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Steven Cruz has been working as the closer lately. He has earned four of the team's last five saves and appears to have a strong hold on the closer role right now. Cruz did give up two earned runs during his latest appearance against the Athletics on Wednesday. Outside of that, Cruz has looked good enough on the mound to warrant adding in deep leagues. Overall, Cruz owns a 4.37 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and a 51/18 K/BB ratio across 45 appearances. There's enough value here to warrant scooping up Cruz in deep leagues.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Ben Joyce is Gaining Value After Notching Third Save
Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Ben Joyce might be the closer of the future for this organization. He has been limited to six innings this season, but is quickly making an impact with the Halos. So far this season, Joyce has thrown six scoreless innings, allowing one hit, while striking out eight batters. He notched his third save of the season versus the Houston Astros on Tuesday. Joyce is looking like a decent source of saves for fantasy managers down the stretch of the season. The Angels don't win a ton of games, but Joyce is likely to remain the full-time closer as long as he keeps pitching well.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Reynaldo Lopez to Begin Rehab Assignment on Sunday
Atlanta Braves pitcher Reynaldo Lopez (knee) is scheduled to begin a minor league rehab assignment with Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday, according to Chad Bishop. Lopez has been out since late July due to left knee inflammation. It's unclear at the moment how many rehab appearances he'll need before rejoining the Braves. Barring any setbacks, fantasy managers should expect Lopez to be back in the mix in September. His fantasy value will be dependent on whether he returns as a starting pitcher or reliever. This season, Lopez owns a 3.64 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, and a 66/29 K/BB ratio across 24 games (11 starts) with the Braves. Fantasy managers in deep leagues could stash Lopez as a helpful option down the stretch of the season.
Source: Chad Bishop
Source: Chad Bishop
Maikel Garcia Likely Headed to Injured List
Kansas City Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia (hamstring) is likely headed to the 10-day Injured List, according to Joel Goldberg. Royals manager Matt Quatraro said the team plans to place him on the shelf after Garcia suffered a hamstring strain during Thursday's win over the Athletics. This is a tough break for Garcia, who was playing in just his fourth game since returning from nearly a two-month absence. If he is placed on the IL, fantasy managers shouldn't expect him back until some point in September. Nick Loftin figures to return to being the primary third baseman in Kansas City. Fantasy managers might want to consider moving on from Garcia, who is looking at a multi-week absence.
Source: Joel Goldberg
Source: Joel Goldberg
Ketel Marte is Placed on 10-Day Injured List
According to Nick Piecoro, Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte (knee, personal) was placed on the 10-day Injured List on Thursday. Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen met with Marte on Thursday, and they've decided to place him on the shelf until he's fully healthy. The organization has failed to give much information regarding Marte's absence. He missed all of their most recent series versus the Boston Red Sox. There is no word on when Marte will come back, so fantasy managers remain in the dark. Fantasy managers should try to hold Marte if possible, but it's unclear if he'll even return this season.
Source: Nick Piecoro
Source: Nick Piecoro
Jacob Wilson Likely Done for the Season
According to Martin Gallegos, Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson (shoulder) is expected to be placed on the 10-day Injured List and is unlikely to play again this season. Wilson is missing his fourth straight game on Thursday while he continues to deal with a lingering shoulder injury. Given the A's place in the standings, Wilson is expected to be shut down so he can recover and get ready for next season. There's a chance that Wilson needs offseason surgery, but that shouldn't impact his status for the 2027 season. Alika Williams and Darrel Hernaiz figure to see a majority of the time at shortstop while Wilson is down. Fantasy managers in redraft formats can go ahead and replace Wilson.
Source: Martin Gallegos
Source: Martin Gallegos
CJ Abrams is Day-to-Day with Ankle Injury
Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams (ankle) is being held out of the starting lineup ahead of Thursday's game against the Texas Rangers. This comes after Abrams was forced to exit early during Wednesday's game after suffering a left ankle sprain. According to Mark Zuckerman, Nats' manager Blake Butera said Abrams is day-to-day, but he could require imaging. The team will likely wait and see how Abrams feels on Friday before they decide what to do going forward. The expectation is that Nasim Nunez and Jose Tena will be asked to hold down the fort in the middle of the infield until Abrams can return. Fantasy managers should check back on Friday for another update on his status.
Source: Mark Zuckerman
Source: Mark Zuckerman
Kade Anderson to Make MLB Debut on Saturday
According to Jeff Passan, the Seattle Mariners are expected to call up top pitching prospect Kade Anderson to start Saturday's game against the Chicago Cubs. The Mariners selected Anderson with the third overall pick during the 2025 June Amateur Draft. The 22-year-old has been outstanding during his lone season in the minor leagues. Across 18 starts, Anderson holds a 1.06 ERA, 0.64 WHIP, and a 135/13 K/BB ratio in 93.1 innings of work with Double-A Arkansas. The Mariners have been sliding in the standings recently, so they hope Anderson can give them a much-needed boost. Given his stats in the minors, Anderson is looking like a must-add in all fantasy formats over the final six weeks of the regular season.
Source: Jeff Passan
Source: Jeff Passan
