RADIO
Nick Sogard a Versatile Deep-League Depth Piece to Target
Across 213 plate appearances this season, Boston Red Sox infielder Nick Sogard is hitting .267/.364/.406 with four home runs, 16 RBI, and 26 runs scored. The 29-year-old's power upside is limited, as he's posted just a 4.9% barrel rate and a 29.9% hard-hit rate. However, Sogard has kept his strikeout rate under 20% while also walking in 13.1% of his plate appearances. Sogard also has the ability to line up at every defensive spot in the infield, which helps keep him in the Red Sox lineup on a near-everyday basis. Sogard's lack of power and speed caps his fantasy upside and his utility in shallower leagues. Still, in deeper-league formats, his multi-positional eligibility and balanced plate approach make him a useful depth piece to target on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Mickey Gasper a Priority Waiver-Wire Target Amid Second-Half Surge
Boston Red Sox catcher/first baseman Mickey Gasper has been a revelation in 2026. Across 191 plate appearances this year, the 30-year-old is hitting .270/.384/.491 with eight home runs, 22 RBI, and 23 runs scored. Gasper got off to a relatively slow start to 2026, which led to him spending much of the middle portion of the season at Triple-A. However, since being recalled by the Red Sox in mid-August, he's emerged as an everyday fixture at the top of the team's lineup at either first base or designated hitter. Gasper's plate approach has been elite, as he's walked in 13.1% of his plate appearances while posting just a 14.7% strikeout rate. The switch-hitter has also dominated right-handed pitching, posting a .964 OPS with more walks than strikeouts while batting from the left side of the plate. Gasper's numbers have started to regress a bit of late, as he has just five hits across his first 30 plate appearances in September. Still, he remains a must-add waiver wire target for fantasy managers given his recent success in Boston.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Willson Contreras Takes Batting Practice on Tuesday
Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras (hamstring) is taking on-field batting practice on Tuesday, according to Tim Healey of The Boston Globe. Contreras is eligible to come off the 10-day injured list on Thursday, but it is to be determined whether the Red Sox will send him on a minor-league rehab assignment first. The 34-year-old veteran Venezuelan could return to Boston's starting nine as early as Friday if he skips a rehab assignment after dealing with a strained left hamstring late last month. Contreras will go back to must-start status in all fantasy leagues when he returns, as he is in the midst of a career year in his first season in Beantown. The former catcher will return to a .274/.384/.516 slash line with a .900 OPS, 26 home runs, 79 RBI, 66 runs scored, and three stolen bases across his 434 at-bats in 2026. The four-time All-Star hit only .217 (18-for-83) in the month of August, though, with three homers, three doubles, a triple, 12 RBI, 11 runs scored, 11 walks, and 26 strikeouts. With better health, Contreras could turn it around and finish his 2026 season strong in the fantasy playoffs.
Source: The Boston Globe - Tim Healey
Source: The Boston Globe - Tim Healey
Willson Contreras Could Return From Injured List on Friday
Boston Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy told Marcos Grunfeld of ElEmergente.com that first baseman Willson Contreras (hamstring) will resume running this week and could be reinstated from the 10-day injured list before Friday's series opener against the Kansas City Royals. It is unclear if Contreras will go on a short minor-league rehab assignment before he returns, but if he does, he might not return against the Royals this weekend. The veteran right-handed slugger has made a quick recovery after being placed on the IL last week with a strained left hamstring. The 34-year-old Venezuelan should not be floating around on any waiver wires because of his injury, as the former catcher has been one of Boston's most consistent offensive performers in 2026 in his first year with the team. Contreras will be returning to a .274/.384/.516 slash line with an even .900 OPS, 26 home runs, 79 RBI, 66 runs scored, and three stolen bases across his 434 at-bats. Mickey Gasper has been the team's primary first baseman since Contreras landed on the shelf.
Source: ElEmergente.com - Marcos Grunfeld
Source: ElEmergente.com - Marcos Grunfeld
Red Sox Place Willson Contreras on Injured List With Hamstring Strain
The Boston Red Sox announced on Monday that they placed first baseman Willson Contreras (hamstring) on the 10-day injured list with a strained left hamstring and recalled catcher/first baseman Mickey Gasper from Triple-A Worcester in a corresponding move. Gasper will start at first base and bat second for the BoSox in their series opener on Monday at Fenway Park against the Seattle Mariners and right-hander George Kirby. Contreras was pulled from Sunday's series finale against the New York Yankees with tightness in his hamstring, and he will now miss at least the next 10 days. The 34-year-old Venezuelan reportedly had been playing through the issue for around a month, which helps explain why he went 3-for-27 (.111) with two walks and eight strikeouts in his last seven games. Overall, Contreras has been one of Boston's most consistent offensive producers in 2026 in his first year with the team, though, slashing .274/.384/.516 with a .900 OPS, 26 homers, 79 RBI, 66 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 434 at-bats. Fantasy managers must keep the four-time All-Star stashed in all formats.
Source: Boston Red Sox
Source: Boston Red Sox
Willson Contreras Experiencing Hamstring Tightness
Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras (hamstring), who exited during the seventh inning of Sunday's loss against the New York Yankees, was dealing with hamstring tightness, interim manager Chad Tracy told Christopher Smith of MassLive.com. "The hamstring was a little tight," Tracy said. "Just felt like at that point of the game, I don't want to push it. So we got him out of there." It's worth noting that the Red Sox were trailing 6-0 at the time of Contreras' exit, and it's unclear whether he would have been able to keep playing if the score were closer. We wouldn't be surprised to see him get the day off Monday against the Seattle Mariners, and we also can't rule out an IL stint if the injury persists or worsens in the next day. Nick Sogard would be the most likely candidate to play first base in Contreras' absence, but the team could also recall Mickey Gasper from Triple-A.
Source: Christopher Smith
Source: Christopher Smith
Willson Contreras Remains in Red Sox's Lineup on Wednesday
Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras (hamstring) has been battling a hamstring issue of late, but he's starting at first base and is batting cleanup for Boston against the division-rival Toronto Blue Jays and right-hander Jose Soriano at the Rogers Centre on Wednesday, per MLB.com. The 34-year-old four-time All-Star has been one of the team's best offensive producers in 2026 in what has been a career year, as he's currently slashing .280/.389/.523 with a .912 OPS, 23 home runs, 70 RBI, 58 runs scored, and three stolen bases across 375 at-bats. However, the Venezuelan former catcher has struggled at the plate recently, and it might have something to do with his hamstring. After going 0-for-4 on Tuesday night, Contreras has gone just 4-for-24 (.167) with no extra-base hits in seven games so far in the month of August. He will look to start to turn things around on Wednesday against a pitcher that he has never faced.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Willson Contreras Playing Through Sore Hamstring
Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras (hamstring) hasn't looked right lately and was seen grabbing at his hamstring after flying out in his first plate appearance on Tuesday against the division-rival Toronto Blue Jays, although he stayed in the game, according to Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com. Contreras has been one of the team's most consistent hitters all season long, but he has just one home run in an 18-game stretch, dating back to July 20, after going 0-for-4 with a strikeout on Tuesday night. Fantasy managers will want to check in on Contreras to see if he's active for Wednesday's contest in Toronto against right-hander Jose Soriano. The 34-year-old Venezuelan veteran and former catcher has a .280/.389/.523 slash line and a career-best .912 OPS with 23 home runs, 70 RBI, 58 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 109 games and 447 plate appearances in his first year in Beantown. Since July 25, Contreras has gone 7-for-40 (.175) with a homer, four RBI, six runs scored, 10 walks, and 17 strikeouts in 14 games. It's possible that his offensive production has suffered of late while playing at less than 100%.
Source: MassLive.com - Chris Cotillo
Source: MassLive.com - Chris Cotillo
Willson Contreras Back in the Lineup Saturday
Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras (illness) is back in the lineup and batting fourth on Saturday after missing the last two games. The 34-year-old left Wednesday's game early with dizziness and a high temperature, but now, three days later, he is back in the starting lineup and batting fourth for the surging Red Sox. The 11-year veteran is having a career-best season, already hitting 23 home runs, which is one shy of his career-best total of 24 in 2019. He is looking to continue his personal-best hot streak while helping the team keep its winning streak alive and is a must-start in all formats when healthy.
Source: Chris Cotillo
Source: Chris Cotillo
Willson Contreras Still Under the Weather on Friday
Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras (illness) is missing a second straight game on Friday in the series opener against the Athletics at Fenway Park due to an illness, per MLB.com. Nick Sogard will make another start at first base for the BoSox while batting leadoff on Friday against A's right-hander Jack Perkins. Contreras was pulled from Wednesday's contest early due to an illness and hasn't played since, but he should be back at some point for the series this weekend against the A's. When the 34-year-old Venezuelan returns, he'll need to be reinserted into all fantasy lineups in traditional formats as one of Boston's best all-around hitters in 2026 in his first year with the team. Contreras is currently batting a steady .288/.395/.540 with a .936 OPS, 23 home runs, 70 RBI, 57 runs scored, and three stolen bases in his 361 at-bats in 2026. Since the beginning of July, Contreras has hit .319 (23-for-72) with a 1.056 OPS, five homers, four doubles, 17 RBI, 16 runs, and a stolen base in 23 games.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Willson Contreras Still Out Sick on Thursday
Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras (illness) remains out sick for Thursday's series finale at Fenway Park against the visiting Chicago White Sox, per MLB.com. Nick Sogard will make the start at first base for the BoSox and will hit leadoff against White Sox right-hander Luis Castillo. Contreras was feeling under the weather on Wednesday and left the contest early, and now he'll take a seat the following day as he tries to rest up. Fantasy managers will want to check back on Friday to see if the right-handed slugger is feeling good enough to return for the series opener at home against the visiting Athletics. The 34-year-old Venezuelan veteran has been a must-start in all fantasy formats in 2026 in his best season as a pro in his first year in Boston. The four-time All-Star and 11-year veteran is currently slashing .288/.395/.540 with a .936 OPS, 23 home runs, 70 RBI, 57 runs scored, and three stolen bases across 105 games and 430 plate appearances. Contreras had one of his best months in July, hitting .323 (20-for-62) with a 1.117 OPS, five homers, four doubles, 14 RBI, 14 runs, and a stolen base in 20 games played.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Triston Casas Undergoes Successful Wrist Surgery
Boston Red Sox first baseman Triston Casas (wrist) underwent successful surgery on his left wrist on Thursday, according to Tommy Cassell of the Worcester Telegram and Gazette. This most recent wrist issue is the latest in a string of injury setbacks for Casas. He ruptured the patellar tendon in his left knee in May 2025, resulting in season-ending surgery. Casas also suffered an intercostal strain while working his way back from the knee injury earlier this year and is now set to be sidelined for a significant stretch while he recovers from wrist surgery. All in all, the 26-year-old has logged just 355 MLB plate appearances since the start of the 2024 season. He was productive in a 63-game sample size in 2024, hitting .241 with 13 home runs and a 13.3% barrel rate. Still, his extensive injury history makes his future fantasy value difficult to project.
Source: Worcester Telegram & Gazette - Tommy Cassell
Source: Worcester Telegram & Gazette - Tommy Cassell
Willson Contreras Exits Early on Wednesday Due to Illness
Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras (illness) was removed early from his team's game against the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday due to an illness, per Chris Cotillo of MassLive. Contreras was one-for-one with an RBI and a walk before exiting the game. The 34-year-old has put together an excellent season so far in 2026, hitting .288/.395/.540 with 23 home runs, 70 RBI, 57 runs scored, and three stolen bases across 430 plate appearances. In his 11th MLB season, he's posted his best barrel rate (14.5%). It's not totally clear what the illness that Contreras is battling is, but it seems unlikely that he is looking at significant missed time. Red Sox infielder Anthony Seigler replaced Contreras on Wednesday, and both he and utility man Nick Sogard are candidates to see more playing time if Contreras needs to miss a day or two.
Source: MassLive - Chris Cotillo
Source: MassLive - Chris Cotillo
Willson Contreras Returns for Sunday Night in L.A.
Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras (head) is starting at first base and will bat cleanup for the BoSox in Sunday night's series finale on the road against the Los Angeles Dodgers and right-hander Emmet Sheehan, according to MLB.com. Contreras was hit in the head by a pitch in Friday's series opener against the Dodgers, and Boston held him out of Saturday's lineup as a result. However, he avoided a concussion and is returning to action on Sunday. Fantasy managers will want to get the 34-year-old veteran Venezuelan slugger back in their starting lineups in all leagues as he looks to stay hot in August. The four-time All-Star is having a heck of a season in 2026 in his first year in Beantown, hitting .288/.396/.547 with a .943 OPS, 23 home runs, 67 RBI, 55 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 102 games played across 419 plate appearances. Contreras was red-hot in July, going 20-for-62 (.323) at the plate with five home runs, four doubles, 14 RBI, 14 runs scored, and a stolen base in 20 games played and 82 plate appearances.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Willson Contreras Pulled After Getting Hit in the Head by a Pitch
Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras (head) was pulled from Friday's series opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers after he was hit in the head by a pitch in the top of the third inning, according to Tim Healey of The Boston Globe. Contreras stayed in to run the bases and was then pulled going into the bottom of the third inning. Before leaving, the right-handed slugger went 0-for-1 at the plate with a strikeout. Contreras will most assuredly go for concussion testing, and he could be forced to the seven-day injured list. Nick Sogard shifted from second base to first base after Contreras left, with rookie Anthony Seigler entering the game to play the keystone for Boston. With Curtis Mead (wrist) on the injured list, Sogard would most likely take over most of the playing time at first base if Contreras is forced to miss additional time with his head injury. Losing the Venezuelan first baseman would be a tough blow for the surging BoSox, as Contreras is having the best year of his career in Beantown in 2026. The four-time All-Star came into Friday's game in L.A. with a .289/.396/.549 slash line with a .944 OPS, 23 home runs, 67 RBI, 55 runs scored, and three steals in 101 games. He needs just two more home runs to set a new career high in that category.
Source: The Boston Globe - Tim Healey
Source: The Boston Globe - Tim Healey
