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Luis Arraez Won't be on Wild-Card Series Roster
Philadelphia Phillies infielder Luis Arraez (ankle) will not be on the team's playoff roster for the Wild-Card Series this week against the division-rival Atlanta Braves, according to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com. Otto Kemp will take Arraez's spot on the roster for the three-game series in Atlanta at Truist Park. Arraez has not resumed baseball activities since spraining his left ankle in a game last Thursday. If the Phillies advance to the National League Division Series to face the Los Angeles Dodgers, it is unclear if Arraez would be ready to go. Not having the three-time batting champion available against the Braves is a significant blow to a Phillies lineup that limped to the finish line to barely claim the final Wild-Card spot in the NL. Arraez made his fourth All-Star team in 2026 and also successfully moved back to second base with the San Francisco Giants and Phillies. He finished the regular season with a .310 batting average (185-for-596) with six home runs, 64 RBI, 67 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases across 151 games and 655 plate appearances. Bryson Stott will likely start at second base for the Phillies against Atlanta, with Edmundo Sosa being the top candidate to start at the hot corner.
Source: MLB.com - Todd Zolecki
Source: MLB.com - Todd Zolecki
Andrew Fischer Named Minor-League Player of the Year
Baseball America announced on Monday that Milwaukee Brewers infield prospect Andrew Fischer is their minor-league Player of the Year, according to Jim Bowden. The 22-year-old former 20th overall pick in 2025 from the University of Tennessee crushed the baseball this year at High-A Wisconsin and Double-A Biloxi, hitting .273/.413/.654 with a 1.066 OPS, 48 home runs, 114 RBI, 107 runs scored, and nine stolen bases in 126 games across 560 plate appearances. He led the minor leagues in home runs, slugging percentage, and total bases in what was an incredible year for Fischer, who is ranked at MLB Pipeline as the Brewers' No. 5 overall prospect. The 6-foot, 210-pounder hits from the left side of the plate and is strong, with plenty of lift and raw power. At the major-league level, Fischer could be a 30-homer guy with the ability to play both first and third base, even though he saw most of his playing time in left field as a Volunteer in college. Fischer has an above-average arm, and the Brewers are hoping that he will eventually stick at third base.
Source: Jim Bowden
Source: Jim Bowden
Christian Walker Continues Late-Season Surge with Home Run on Sunday
Houston Astros first baseman Christian Walker helped power his team to the American League West title on Sunday, going 2-for-5 with a solo home run and two additional runs scored in his team's 9-0 win over the Athletics. Across 630 plate appearances in 2026, Walker hit .224/.295/.421 with 28 home runs, 86 RBI, and 70 runs scored. The 35-year-old largely struggled in the second half of the season, hitting .201 across 230 plate appearances after the All-Star break. However, Walker is entering the playoffs on a heater, as he hit .276 with four home runs and seven RBI over Houston's final six games of the regular season. If Walker can continue his recent hot hitting, he could be an impact power bat in the Astros Wild Card Series matchup against the Chicago White Sox.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Willson Contreras Back in Lineup for Sunday's Season Finale
Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras (hand) is back in the starting lineup for the regular-season finale on Sunday against the visiting Chicago Cubs and left-hander Shota Imanaga, serving as the designated hitter and batting third for the BoSox, per MLB.com. It will be Contreras' first game played since being hit by a pitch on his hand last Thursday against the Texas Rangers, and he even expressed uncertainty recently about being ready for the Wild-Card series next week against the division-rival New York Yankees. The 34-year-old Venezuelan has had an excellent first year in Beantown, slashing .276/.387/.518 with a .905 OPS, a career-high 27 home runs, 81 RBI, 68 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 446 at-bats. However, he has played in only four games in September due to injury, and he could struggle at the plate as a result in the postseason if he is active. In 23 games in August, Contreras also struggled offensively, going 18-for-83 (.217) with three homers, 12 RBI, 11 walks, and 26 strikeouts across 98 plate appearances. He is hitless in eight career at-bats against Imanaga.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Andrew Vaughn is Headed to the Injured List
Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Andrew Vaughn (illness) was placed on the 10-day Injured List on Friday, retroactive to Tuesday. Before Friday's game, Vaughn had been sidelined for four straight games due to a lingering illness. The Brewers decided to place him on the shelf now, so Vaughn will be eligible to return before the postseason on October 3. This season, Vaughn slashed .306/.390/.444 with six home runs and 43 RBI across 331 plate appearances. In a corresponding move, outfielder Brandon Lockridge has been recalled to give the Brewers a fresh body for the final few games of the regular season.
Source: Milwaukee Brewers
Source: Milwaukee Brewers
Luis Arraez Out on Friday, Report "Not a Great One"
Philadelphia Phillies infielder Luis Arraez (ankle) is out of the team's starting lineup on Friday against the visiting Tampa Bay Rays, and the report on his ankle injury from Thursday night is "not a great one," interim manager Don Mattingly told Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Mattingly did not give a grade on the sprain, and the Phillies have not decided on an injured-list placement, which would take Arraez out until at least Oct. 5, or around Game 3 of the divisional round. X-rays on Arraez's left ankle came back negative on Thursday night, but his sprained ankle is still stiff and sore, which is why he will not play on Friday. Bryson Stott is at second base and batting fifth on Friday, with Edmundo Sosa at third base and hitting ninth against Rays right-hander Freddy Peralta. The Phillies would obviously love to avoid putting the 29-year-old All-Star on the IL, but if he cannot play at all this weekend, they might have no choice. The four-time All-Star and three-time batting champion has hit only .278 (49-for-176) in his 46 games with the Phillies this year after being traded from the San Francisco Giants in early August, but he is still the league's leading hitter at .310 overall. Not having Arraez available next week for the start of the playoffs (if the Phillies qualify) would be a big loss for Philadelphia.
Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer - Scott Lauber
Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer - Scott Lauber
Xavier Isaac Caps Off Minor-League Season With Good Showing at Durham
Tampa Bay Rays first base prospect Xavier Isaac had a good minor league season at age 22 and closed it off well with a good stint at Triple-A Durham. Called up to Durham from Double-A Montgomery on August 25, Isaac played 18 games with the Durham Bulls down the stretch. He finished that stint with three homers and eight RBI in 59 at bats with a .271 batting average and 11 runs scored. Altogether between Montgomery and Durham, Isaac combined to hit .258 with 27 homers and 79 RBI to go with 20 stolen bases and 88 runs scored. Isaac is the No. 18 prospect in the Rays system and looks like he could be ready for a role on the 2027 Rays team. Isaac appears to be a promising talent with 60-grade power, but just a 35-grade hit tool. He could be a good homer and RBI threat but leave something to be desired in the batting average category.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Willson Contreras Out on Friday, Uncertain of Playoff Availability
Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras (hand) is out of the starting lineup yet again for Game 1 of a doubleheader on Friday against the visiting Chicago Cubs at Fenway Park, according to MLB.com. On Thursday night, a week after he was hit on the knuckle between the ring finger and pinkie on his right hand, Contreras expressed concern about his availability for the start of the wild-card series in the American League next week. "I mean, it's really concerning," said Contreras. "But at the same time, I'm putting all my effort -- and everything I can do, I'm doing it. I don't know what else to say. I'm working hard with the trainers; the hand is slowly getting better. But I haven't been able to swing the last two days." If the Red Sox do not have Contreras, their best power hitter this season, it will be a big blow to their chances of making a deep postseason run. Before injuries struck this month, Contreras was having a career year in his first season with the team, slashing .276/.387/.518 with 27 home runs and 81 RBI in 129 games played. Andruw Monasterio is starting at first base for Game 1 on Friday and is hitting eighth against Cubs right-hander Clay Holmes.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Willson Contreras Still Experiencing Pain, Not Expected to Play on Friday
Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras (hand) said he is still experiencing pain when swinging and that he does not expect to return to his team's lineup on Friday, per Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald. Contreras has not played since September 17 after being hit by a pitch on his right hand. X-rays on the hand have come back negative, but the playoff-bound Red Sox have little incentive to force Contreras back out onto the field for their final few games of the regular season. The 34-year-old is a critical piece of the team's lineup, as he's hit .276/.387/.518 with 27 home runs, 81 RBI, 68 runs scored, and three stolen bases. Heading into the final weekend of the regular season, fantasy managers may be forced to leave Contreras on their bench.
Source: Boston Herald - Mac Cerullo
Source: Boston Herald - Mac Cerullo
Luis Arraez Suffers Ankle Sprain on Thursday
Philadelphia Phillies infielder Luis Arraez (ankle) suffered a sprained left ankle in Thursday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers, and the Phillies say that he will be evaluated further, according to Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Arraez tried to avoid being tagged on a ground ball in the sixth inning at Citizens Bank Park and should now be considered day-to-day until we have more details. Before leaving, Arraez went 0-for-3 at the plate. Bryson Stott moved from third base to second, with Edmundo Sosa entering the contest to take over at the hot corner in Philly. If Arraez misses time going into the final weekend of the regular season, Sosa would likely continue to start at third for the Phillies, with Stott sticking at the keystone. The 29-year-old Arraez came into Thursday's action hitting .283/.314/.376 with two homers and 21 RBI in 45 games since the Phils acquired him in a deadline deal with the San Francisco Giants. The four-time All-Star and three-time batting champion would be a big loss for the Phillies if they advance to the postseason and he cannot make it back for the start of the wild-card series next week. Overall, Arraez came into Thursday with a league-high .312 batting average, looking to win his fourth batting title.
Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer - Lochlahn March
Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer - Lochlahn March
Willson Contreras Won't Return in Series Finale
Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras (hand) is missing a sixth straight game in Thursday's series finale against the visiting Cleveland Guardians, per MLB.com. Nick Sogard is making another start at first base and will bat out of the leadoff spot against Guardians right-hander Daniel Espino. Contreras was hit by a pitch on his right hand in last Thursday's game against the Texas Rangers. X-rays came back negative, but Boston has elected to give him some extra rest with the postseason starting next week. We would expect Contreras to return during this weekend's series at home against the Chicago Cubs. The four-time All-Star has hit a career-high 27 home runs while driving in 81 runs in 129 games across 533 plate appearances, but he has only played in four games in September after hitting only .217 (18-for-83) with three homers, 11 walks, and 26 strikeouts in 23 games in August. The Red Sox will need Contreras, who has been one of their most consistent hitters for the majority of the 2026 season, in top form if they want to make a deep playoff run.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Charlie Condon Eyes 2027 Debut After 27-Homer Campaign
Colorado Rockies corner infield/outfield prospect Charlie Condon capped off a strong 2026 season by smacking a home run in his final game of the year. The Rockies' third-ranked prospect finished with 27 long balls in 130 games played, while batting .273 with a stellar .390 on-base percentage thanks to a 13.2 percent walk rate. The former third-overall draft pick continued to strike out at a high rate of 25.1 percent, though that isn't that out of the ordinary for a guy who has as much power as he does. The 6-foot-5 slugger surprisingly never got the call to the majors this year despite a few very hot stretches of production, but that doesn't mean he won't be in the mix for a roster spot in 2027. The 23-year-old has a shot to make the team out of camp next year, and even if he doesn't, expect him to be one of the first high-profile prospect names called up in 2027. The strikeouts could make him a batting-average risk for fantasy, but the pop he possesses will play well at Coors Field, and the right-handed hitter is still a solid dynasty investment.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Josh Bell a Reliable Run Producer to Target on the Waiver Wire
Across 655 plate appearances in 2026, Minnesota Twins first baseman Josh Bell is hitting .255/.317/.416 with 20 home runs, 92 RBI, 76 runs scored, and two stolen bases. The 34-year-old may not have one clear standout skill, but he remains a steady source of power and run production. Bell has kept his strikeout rate manageable at 19.9% while still posting solid barrel (9.5%) and hard-hit (42.0%) rates. The veteran switch-hitter also remains locked into everyday playing time in the heart of the Twins lineup, putting him in a good position to rack up runs and RBI. Heading into the final weekend of the regular season, Bell profiles as a balanced producer for fantasy managers to target on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Coby Mayo Remains a Worthy Power Streamer to Target on the Waiver Wire
Across 444 plate appearances in 2026, Baltimore Orioles third baseman/first baseman Coby Mayo is hitting .225/.293/.463 with 24 home runs, 63 RBI, 63 runs scored, and four stolen bases. Swing-and-miss is the obvious red flag in Mayo's profile, as he's struck out in 30.2% of his plate appearances. However, the 24-year-old brings significant power upside with a 13.7% barrel rate and a 47.6% hard-hit rate. Mayo has hit .265 with 12 home runs since the All-Star break, and he's established himself as an everyday presence in the heart of the Baltimore lineup. For fantasy managers in need of power, Mayo profiles as a priority target on the waiver wire heading into the final weekend of the regular season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Willson Contreras Remains Sidelined With Hand Injury
Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras (hand) remains out of the starting lineup for Wednesday's game at Fenway Park against the visiting Cleveland Guardians, according to The Boston Globe's Tim Healey. Nick Sogard is making another start at first base and will bat second against Guardians left-hander Foster Griffin. Contreras is now out of the starting lineup for a fifth straight game after he was hit on his right hand by a pitch last Thursday against the Texas Rangers. X-rays came back negative, but apparently the right-handed slugger is still too sore to return to action. The Red Sox would love to get Contreras back on the field by this weekend so that he can get some more at-bats heading into the big wild-card series next week against the division-rival New York Yankees. The 34-year-old Venezuelan has been great for the BoSox in 2026 with a .276/.387/.518 slash line and a career-high 27 home runs, but he has barely played in September due to injuries. Contreras also hit just .217/.330/.386 with three home runs, 12 RBI, 11 walks, and 26 strikeouts in 23 games in August. He is currently limping to the finish line.
Source: The Boston Globe - Tim Healey
Source: The Boston Globe - Tim Healey
