Sep 20, 2026, 12:54 AM ET

There is a "good chance" that Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (knee, biceps) will be activated from the 10-day injured list for the series against the division-rival San Diego Padres at home next week, manager Dave Roberts told Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. Ohtani is eligible to come off the IL on Wednesday, so he could be back as the team's designated hitter for the second game of the series at Dodger Stadium. The four-time MVP apparently looked good after running the bases and taking simulated at-bats off a Trajekt machine before Saturday's game. There is still a little time for the 32-year-old Japanese native to help the Dodgers and fantasy managers in the final stretch of the 2026 regular season. However, the Dodgers probably are not going to rush him back, so it would not be a surprise to get a game or two off in the final four or five games of the year. Ohtani has hit .277/.380/.522 with a .902 OPS, 30 homers, 80 RBI, 89 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases in 502 at-bats. It has been a strong season, but nagging left-knee and right-biceps injuries since early July caught up with him, and he was placed on the IL after hitting an un-Ohtani-like .241/.322/.472 with a .795 OPS in 27 games in August.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Fabian Ardaya

Sep 19, 2026, 10:05 PM ET

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (knee, biceps) has progressed to taking simulated at-bats off the team's pitching machine on Saturday, Jack Harris of the California Post reports. Ohtani was also able to run the bases as he works his way back from a biceps and knee issue. It's unclear if Ohtani will return when he's first eligible on Wednesday. The Dodgers have already clinched the postseason, so they don't exactly need to rush him back into the lineup. However, the Dodgers would probably like for Ohtani to play in a few regular-season games before the playoffs begin. Fantasy managers should check back for another update in a few days.--Andy Webb
Source: Jack Harris

Sep 17, 2026, 11:12 AM ET

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter/starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani (knee, biceps) is making progress and has a chance to return before the end of the regular season, per Jack Harris of the California Post. Ohtani is currently on the 15-day injured list as he battles lingering knee and biceps issues. The Dodgers have already announced that Ohtani will not pitch again this season, but the 32-year-old is expected to resume his role as the team's everyday designated hitter. Across 596 plate appearances in 2026, Ohtani is hitting .277/.380/.522 with 30 home runs, 80 RBI, 89 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases. His production had begun to trail off before he was placed on the IL, with just one hit in 14 plate appearances in September. Still, Ohtani has the potential to swing fantasy leagues if he can return for the final weekend of the regular season.--Will Brady
Source: California Post - Jack Harris

Sep 14, 2026, 5:15 PM ET

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said on Monday that two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (knee, biceps) will swing a bat and hit off a tee on Tuesday, according to David Vassegh of 570 AM LA Sports. Nagging left-knee and right-biceps injuries finally landed Ohtani on the injured list last Friday, but the fact that he is ready to resume baseball activities is a good sign that he will be able to return towards the tail end of the regular season at the end of September, barring a setback. The Dodgers will be hoping that the four-time MVP can finally put his knee and biceps injuries in the past and help the Blue get into a third straight World Series. The six-time All-Star has hit .277/.380/.522 this year with a .902 OPS, 30 home runs, 80 RBI, 89 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases in his 502 at-bats, but his offensive production had been tailing off before the Dodgers put him on the IL last week. Ohtani hit only .241 (26-for-108) with six homers, three doubles, two triples, 13 RBI, 16 runs, and four stolen bases in 27 games in August, but he had gone just 1-for-9 with three walks and six strikeouts in the first three games of September. Outfield prospect Josue De Paula was called up last week and has been seeing some at-bats at the designated hitter spot for L.A. with Ohtani out.--Keith Hernandez
Source: 570 AM LA Sports - David Vassegh

Sep 12, 2026, 10:24 PM ET

According to Chandler Rome, Houston Astros manager Joe Espada said the team is hopeful that outfielder Yordan Alvarez (ankle) will be back in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays. Alvarez missed his second straight game on Saturday after sustaining an ankle injury during Thursday's contest. It sounds like a minor issue that isn't going to require Alvarez to land on the Injured List. Fantasy managers will need to check back ahead of the first pitch for another update on Alvarez. Yainer Diaz served as the designated hitter during Saturday's loss to the Tampa Bay Rays. The expectation is that Diaz would remain there if Alvarez is unable to play.--Andy Webb
Source: Chandler Rome

Sep 10, 2026, 10:22 PM ET

Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber has been one of the best power hitters in all of baseball once again in 2026, hitting .241/.355/.527 with 44 home runs, 92 RBI, 88 runs scored, and three stolen bases across 632 plate appearances. The 33-year-old battled through a moderate power swoon at the end of August, but he's been red-hot to start September. Across his last 27 trips to the plate, Schwarber has logged seven hits, four home runs, nine RBI, and seven runs scored. The 33-year-old's underlying batted-ball metrics are indicative of his massive power, as he's posted a 17% barrel rate and a 49.5% hard-hit rate on the year. Heading into the final few weeks of the regular season, Schwarber remains an elite source of power for fantasy managers.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Sep 10, 2026, 7:09 AM ET

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani (biceps/knee) is going on the injured list, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. Ohtani has been dealing with many lingering injuries and has been held out of the lineup for much of the past week. Additionally, Ohtani has not stepped on the mound since July 3 and has only been deployed as a designated hitter. However, this move to the injured list could end his regular season, depending on the severity of his injuries. In a corresponding move, the Dodgers are set to promote top prospect Josue De Paula from Double-A, who could see an everyday role as the designated hitter or an outfielder. Through 134 games, Ohtani has held a .277/.380/.522 line with 30 home runs and 11 stolen bases. Managers should continue to stash Ohtani in case he does return for the final week of the regular season. De Paula is a top waiver wire pickup in all formats, as he posted an elite .303 AVG with a .948 OPS at Tulsa.--Andy Smith
Source: Fabian Ardaya

Sep 9, 2026, 10:12 PM ET

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that designated hitter/starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani (knee, biceps) "didn't feel great" after a swing on Monday, per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. Per Ardaya, Roberts also said that a stint on the injured list for Ohtani "is on the table." The Dodgers have already announced that Ohtani will likely be shut down from pitching for the rest of the season as he battles nagging knee and biceps injuries. However, it appears that the 32-year-old may need some time off from hitting before the postseason as well. Ohtani has put together another excellent year at the plate, hitting .277/.380/.522 with 30 home runs, 80 RBI, 89 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases across 596 plate appearances. However, he's hit just .246 with a .799 OPS since the All-Star break and has one hit across 14 plate appearances in September. With the Dodgers locked into a postseason berth, the team will likely be cautious with Ohtani throughout the rest of the regular season.--Will Brady
Source: The Athletic - Fabian Ardaya

Sep 9, 2026, 11:11 AM ET

Across 615 plate appearances in 2026, Tampa Bay Rays designated hitter Yandy Diaz is hitting .305/.372/.467 with 21 home runs, 77 RBI, 83 runs scored, and three stolen bases. Even at 35 years old, Diaz remains one of the most reliable hitters in baseball. He consistently hits the ball hard (48.1% hard-hit rate) while also avoiding swing-and-miss (14.1% strikeout rate), which makes him a high-end batting average asset for fantasy managers. Diaz is also the everyday leadoff hitter in Tampa Bay, which gives him a chance to top 90 runs and RBI in 2026. The veteran slugger is off to a scorching hot start to September, hitting .400 with two home runs and five extra-base hits across his first 33 plate appearances this month. As long as he stays healthy the rest of the way, Diaz should continue to provide excellent four-category production for fantasy managers.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Sep 8, 2026, 11:07 AM ET

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (knee, biceps) said it is "disappointing" that he likely will not pitch again this year, but he is focused on hitting the rest of the way, according to Katie Woo of The Athletic. "The thing I was more focused on was to make sure that the pitching wouldn't cause the worst-case scenario, which was for me to not be able to play at all," Ohtani said. "I should have enough experience to address any kinks or injuries with the swing. I'm confident my overall performance should be better moving forward." After a four-game absence as the designated hitter due to recurring left-knee and right-biceps injuries, Ohtani returned in the series opener on Monday against the Cincinnati Reds and went 0-for-3 with a walk and two strikeouts. It seems unlikely that the 32-year-old four-time MVP will land on the injured list in the final month of the regular season, but the Dodgers could choose to rest him more frequently so that he is closer to 100% for the playoffs. Ohtani is hitting .277 (139-for-502) this year with 30 homers, 80 RBI, 89 runs scored, and 11 steals, but it is clear that playing through his knee and biceps injuries has slowed him down offensively of late. He hit .241 (26-for-108) with a .795 OPS in August, and he is 1-for-9 with six strikeouts so far in three games in September.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Katie Woo

Sep 7, 2026, 7:09 PM ET

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (knee, biceps) is serving as the designated hitter and will bat leadoff for the Blue in Monday's series opener against the visiting Cincinnati Reds and right-hander Chase Burns, per MLB.com. It will be Ohtani's first game back as a hitter after missing each of the last four games with more left-knee and right-biceps discomfort. The Dodgers have not used the four-time MVP as a pitcher since July 3, and although it is looking unlikely that he will pitch again in September, the Dodgers' brass is still holding out hope he can be used as a two-way player in the postseason. Manager Dave Roberts might give the six-time All-Star more days off between now and the end of the regular season as the primary DH, but his return on Monday is obviously excellent news for fantasy managers who have him rostered as a hitter. The 32-year-old veteran has not looked like himself offensively of late while playing at less than 100%, but he is still a must-start in all fantasy leagues and is hitting .279/.381/.525 overall with 30 homers, 80 RBI, 89 runs, and 11 steals in 499 at-bats. Ohtani is 1-for-3 with two RBI in just three career at-bats against Burns.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com

Sep 6, 2026, 4:56 PM ET

San Francisco Giants first baseman Bryce Eldridge has been quite productive at the plate recently. He currently owns a 15-game on-base streak, and during that streak, he has posted a .345/.456/.491 slash line with one home run, 12 RBI, 12 walks, and 16 strikeouts. The power has tailed off a bit, but he's getting more hits, accruing more total bases, and posting a much better K/BB ratio. These latest results have put him back on the fantasy baseball radar as a very intriguing waiver wire target. His streak has also helped his season-long numbers, as he now owns a .810 OPS and 127 wRC+ across 97 games. Eldridge, who has split time at first base and designated hitter, is available to be added in 84% of leagues. He ranks as the #24 first baseman in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball rankings.--Andersen Pickard
Source: RotoBaller

Sep 5, 2026, 7:07 PM ET

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (knee, biceps) is officially out for a third straight game on Saturday against the visiting Washington Nationals, according to MLB.com. Catcher Dalton Rushing is serving as the designated hitter and will bat seventh against Nationals right-hander Cade Cavalli. Ohtani has not pitched since July 3 due to recurring left-knee and right-biceps injuries, and now he has been out for the last three games as the team's full-time DH, a first in his three seasons in L.A. The Dodgers and manager Dave Roberts have been hopeful that the 32-year-old four-time MVP will avoid a trip to the injured list, and the skipper revealed that Ohtani will hit in the cage on Saturday. How the six-time All-Star responds "will be telling" regarding a potential IL stint. Fantasy managers should not be holding out hope that Ohtani will pitch again during the month of September, and depending on how he feels after taking swings on Saturday, he could be shut down as a hitter, too, so that he is closer to full health for the start of the playoffs in October. The Japanese superstar has not been himself at the plate lately as he continues to play through multiple injuries, but his overall line still looks quite good in 2026 at .279/.381/.525 with a .906 OPS, 30 home runs, 80 RBI, 89 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com

Sep 5, 2026, 10:51 AM ET

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he does not expect two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (knee, biceps) to play on Saturday against the visiting Washington Nationals, according to Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register. It would be the first time since Ohtani signed with the Dodgers that he has missed three straight games. "I'll talk to him tonight and then see how he comes in tomorrow," Roberts said. The 32-year-old four-time MVP has not pitched since July 3 due to nagging left-knee and right-biceps injuries, and his biceps injury has been bothering him more as a hitter, so he is expected to take a third straight game off in Game 2 of the series against the Nats. For now, the Dodgers are calling the six-time All-Star day-to-day, but Robert has not ruled out putting Ohtani on the injured list if his injuries continue to linger. Ohtani still has a strong .279/.381/.525 slash line on the season with 30 home runs, 80 RBI, 89 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases in 499 at-bats, but he has been in noticeable discomfort lately and hit an un-Ohtani-like .241/.322/.472 with a .795 OPS in 27 games in August. The primary goal right now for the Dodgers is to get him fully healthy for another postseason run in October.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Orange County Register - Bill Plunkett