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Vladimir Guerrero Jr. a Late Addition to Game 1 Lineup
Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (back) was a late addition to the team's starting lineup for Game 1 of Wednesday's doubleheader against the division-rival Baltimore Orioles, according to MLB.com. Guerrero made the start at first base and is hitting second against Orioles right-hander Chris Bassitt. After being pulled from Sunday's series finale against the Texas Rangers with lower-back tightness, Guerrero was not scheduled to be in Tuesday's lineup before the game was postponed due to inclement weather. He was also not initially in the starting nine for Game 1 of Wednesday's doubleheader at Camden Yards. Guerrero felt good while hitting before the game and convinced the coaching staff to let him play as Toronto's slim hopes of making the playoffs dim with each day. The 27-year-old is now just looking to finish strong after an extremely disappointing 2026 campaign. The six-time All-Star enters play Wednesday with just nine home runs in 529 at-bats while slashing .263/.336/.359.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Connor Norby a Worthy Waiver-Wire Target Amid Late-Season Surge
Current Colorado Rockies infielder Connor Norby got off to a terrible start to the 2026 season while playing for the Miami Marlins, hitting .205 with four home runs across 233 plate appearances. However, the 26-year-old has turned his year around since being traded to Colorado in early August. Across 138 plate appearances with the Rockies, Norby is hitting .300/.384/.458 with three home runs, 17 RBI, 19 runs scored, and four stolen bases. There could be some small sample-size noise impacting Norby's resurgence, as his strikeout rate with Colorado remains elevated at 26.1%. However, Norby has fully taken advantage of the hitter-friendly home environment of Coors Field, hitting .303 in his home games since joining the Rockies. Norby's ability to play first, second, or third base has also helped him secure an everyday role in the Colorado lineup as a utility infielder. In his new environment, Norby profiles as a worthy waiver-wire target for fantasy managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Out for Game 1 of Wednesday's Doubleheader
Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (back) remains out of action for Game 1 of Wednesday's doubleheader at Camden Yards against the division-rival Baltimore Orioles, per MLB.com. Sean Keys will make another start at first base and will bat fifth against Orioles right-hander Chris Bassitt. Guerrero is considered day-to-day right now in the final week of the regular season after departing Sunday's game early against the Texas Rangers due to tightness in his lower back. It is something that the 27-year-old Canadian slugger has already dealt with this year, and it could explain why the six-time All-Star has had a very disappointing 2026 campaign. Guerrero enters play on Wednesday with a .263/.336/.359 slash line, a .695 OPS, only nine home runs, 56 RBI, 71 runs scored, and seven steals across his 529 at-bats. Toronto entered play on Wednesday four games out of the final wild-card spot in the American League and on the brink of elimination. If they lose the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader, Guerrero could be shut down for the rest of the week.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Andy Green Becomes Full-Time Manager, Agrees to Three-Year Contract
In a surprise move, the New York Mets announced on Tuesday that they agreed to a three-year contract with Andy Green to make him their full-time manager. The Mets have elected to remove Green's interim tag, and he will now be with the team through the 2029 season. Since taking over for previous manager Carlos Mendoza at the end of June, the Mets have gone 37-38. "Andy has connected with and pushed our players to perform, despite the disappointment of the season," owners Steve and Alex Cohen said in a statement. "Over the last several months, he has brought discipline, accountability and positivity to the clubhouse, attributes we were seeking in our next manager." Green was previously the Mets' vice president of player development before becoming the interim manager in New York. He managed the San Diego Padres for almost four seasons from 2016 to 2019 and went 274-366.
Source: New York Mets
Source: New York Mets
Willson Contreras Still Out With Hand Injury on Tuesday
Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras (hand) remains sidelined for Tuesday's series opener at Fenway Park against the Cleveland Guardians, per MLB.com. Nick Sogard is playing first base again and will bat out of the two-hole against Guardians left-hander Parker Messick. Contreras suffered a bruised right hand when he was hit by a pitch in last week's game against the Texas Rangers, and this will be his fourth straight absence. His hand injury is not considered serious, but the Red Sox are playing it safe with one of their best hitters this year, with the playoffs quickly approaching next week. The 34-year-old Venezuelan has hit .276/.387/.518 this year with a .905 OPS, a career-high 27 home runs, 81 RBI, 68 runs scored, and three stolen bases across his 446 at-bats in his first year in Beantown. The four-time All-Star has played in just four games in September, though, and that came after hitting just .217 (18-for-83) with a .715 OPS in 23 games in August. Contreras should return at some point this week in hopes that he can get back into an offensive groove heading into the wild-card series next week against the division-rival New York Yankees.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Blue Jays-Orioles Game Postponed on Tuesday
The game on Tuesday night between the Toronto Blue Jays and Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards has been postponed due to ongoing inclement weather, according to the Orioles. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Wednesday, Sept. 23. Tuesday's scheduled starters, right-hander Max Scherzer for the Blue Jays and right-hander Chris Bassitt for the Orioles, will both likely be pushed back to one of Wednesday's contests. Bassitt has gone 8-5 this year with a 4.64 ERA and 1.55 WHIP, but he has pitched better since returning from back surgery in mid-August, posting a 3.76 ERA and 1.43 WHIP with 35 strikeouts and 15 walks in seven starts. Like Bassitt, Scherzer has been better since returning in July from back and thumb injuries, recording a 4.26 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and 40:20 K:BB in 50 2/3 innings. Overall in 2026, the 42-year-old future Hall of Famer has a bloated 6.07 ERA and 1.36 WHIP with only 54 punchouts in 72 2/3 frames across 16 starts.
Source: Baltimore Orioles
Source: Baltimore Orioles
Chad Tracy Becomes Full-Time Manager, Lands Three-Year Contract
The Boston Red Sox named Chad Tracy as their full-time manager on Tuesday by signing him to a three-year contract with a club option for the 2030 season, according to Christopher Smith of MassLive.com. The Red Sox also announced that they exercised chief baseball officer Craig Breslow's 2029 and 2030 options. Tracy is the 49th manager in Red Sox history after taking over on April 25 when Breslow fired Alex Cora. Boston was 10-17 at that point. With Tracy as the skipper, Boston has gone 74-55 and clinched a spot in the 2026 playoffs on Sunday. Tracy started 32-46 as the team entered play on June 25, but they turned in a 20-3 stretch that vaulted them into wild-card position. That insane stretch included 15 straight wins from July 3 through July 22, which tied for the longest win streak in club history. The Red Sox are currently in possession of the second American League wild-card spot and are likely to face the division-rival New York Yankees in the AL wild-card round for the second straight season at Yankee Stadium.
Source: MassLive.com - Christopher Smith
Source: MassLive.com - Christopher Smith
Bryce Eldridge Finishes Year on Concussion Injured List
The San Francisco Giants placed rookie first baseman Bryce Eldridge (concussion) on the seven-day concussion injured list on Monday, ending his first full season with just a week left to play, according to Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News. The 21-year-old left-handed slugger had a cup of coffee with San Fran in 2025, playing in only 10 games, but he finishes 2026 with 107 games played at the major-league level. In those 107 games (448 plate appearances), Eldridge showed plenty of power potential at Oracle Park, slashing .269/.364/.461 with an .825 OPS, 17 homers, 57 RBI, 50 runs scored, and one stolen base. It was a disappointing end to the year, though, as he suffered a concussion when he hit his head at the team's hotel. The former first-rounder also hit .333 (38-for-114) with five homers and 22 RBI in 30 games at Triple-A Sacramento in 2026. One of the Giants' top prospects, outfielder Bo Davidson, and infielder Marcelo Mayer will get a chance to impress over the final week of the regular season.
Source: The San Jose Mercury News - Justice delos Santos
Source: The San Jose Mercury News - Justice delos Santos
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Out of Toronto's Lineup on Monday
Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (back) is missing from the team's starting nine for Monday's series opener on the road against the division-rival Baltimore Orioles, per MLB.com. Sean Keys will make the start at first base for Toronto and will bat fifth against Orioles right-hander Shane Baz at Camden Yards. Guerrero is dealing with more lower-back tightness and will sit out to begin the week after he was pulled from Sunday's game early against the Texas Rangers. Vladdy is considered day-to-day for now, but with Toronto's postseason hopes hanging by a thread going into the final week of the regular season, he could be shut down any day now if the Blue Jays are eliminated. Although Guerrero has looked much better in 18 games in September, the 2026 campaign has been a bitter disappointment for the 27-year-old Canadian, as he is currently slashing .263/.336/.359 with a .695 OPS, only nine home runs, 56 RBI, 71 runs scored, and seven stolen bases across his 529 at-bats. He has not hit more than two home runs in any month this season.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Exits Early on Sunday with Lower-Back Tightness
Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (back) was removed early from his team's win over the Texas Rangers on Sunday with lower-back tightness, per Hazel Mae of MLB International. Guerrero Jr. had one hit in two plate appearances before exiting the game. The 27-year-old has had a disappointing season in 2026, hitting .262/.335/.359 with nine home runs, 56 RBI, 71 runs scored, and seven stolen bases. After posting a 12.2% barrel rate and a .506 xSLG in 2025, Guerrero Jr. has logged a 7.0% barrel rate and a .406 xSLG this season. The star first baseman has been a bit better in September, hitting .292 with a .796 OPS across his first 74 plate appearances this month. If Guerrero Jr. is forced to miss time, Blue Jays infielder/outfielder Charles McAdoo could be in line for an increase in playing time.
Source: MLB International - Hazel Mae
Source: MLB International - Hazel Mae
Willson Contreras Sitting Out Series Finale in Tampa
Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras (hand) remains absent from the team's starting lineup for Sunday's series finale against the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays, per MLB.com. Nick Sogard is making a third straight start at first base for the BoSox and is hitting fifth against Rays right-hander Griffin Jax. Contreras is missing a third straight game after he was hit by a pitch on his right hand in Thursday's win over the Texas Rangers. The good news is that X-rays came back negative for any fractures in his hand, so fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day going into the final week of the 2026 regular season. With a scheduled day off coming on Monday, hopefully Contreras will be back on the field for Tuesday's series opener at Fenway Park against the Cleveland Guardians. The 34-year-old Venezuelan has a career-best 27 home runs and 81 RBI in 2026 in his first year in Boston, but he hit just .217 (18-for-83) with a .715 OPS in 23 games in August, and he has played in only four games so far in September due to various injuries.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Jac Caglianone Returning to Saturday's Lineup
Kansas City Royals first baseman/outfielder Jac Caglianone (hand) is serving as the designated hitter and is batting third in Saturday's contest on the road against the Pittsburgh Pirates and right-hander Bubba Chandler, per MLB.com. Caglianone suffered a minor hand injury before Friday's series opener at PNC Park, but he is back in action on Saturday and should be returned to fantasy lineups against a right-hander, despite his cold streak of late. The 23-year-old former first-rounder has produced a .277/.328/.483 slash line with an .811 OPS, 23 home runs, 70 RBI, 66 runs scored, and six stolen bases in 484 at-bats in 2026 in his first full big-league season with the Royals. Cags was red-hot in August, slashing .411/.429/.684 with a 1.113 OPS, six home runs, eight doubles, 26 RBI, 17 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 24 games, but he has been banged up in September and has gone just 4-for-27 (.148) with zero homers, four RBI, one walk, and 11 strikeouts. He has never faced Chandler in the majors.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Willson Contreras Still Out on Saturday
Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras (hand) remains out of the team's starting lineup for Saturday's contest against the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays for the second straight day, per MLB.com. Nick Sogard will make another start at first base and will bat fifth against Rays right-hander Freddy Peralta. Contreras was diagnosed with a bruised right hand after leaving Thursday's game against the Texas Rangers after he was hit by a pitch. X-rays came back negative, though, so he is considered day-to-day and could make his return in Sunday's series finale in Tampa. Fantasy managers are hoping to get the 34-year-old Venezuelan back in their starting lineups as soon as possible, as the four-time All-Star has hit a career-high 27 home runs while driving in 81 runs in 129 games and 533 plate appearances in his first year with the club. Various injuries have limited Contreras to only four games so far in September, though, and he has gone 4-for-12 with a homer and two RBI.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Bryce Eldridge Expected to Play on Saturday
San Francisco Giants first baseman Bryce Eldridge (head) was scratched from the lineup on Friday after cutting his head at the team's hotel before opening pitch. Manager Tony Vitello said that he expects the 21-year-old slugger to play on Saturday, noting that the injury doesn't appear to have any long-term ramifications. In his place on Friday, Brett Harris took over at first base and would likely do the same on Saturday should any unforeseen complications arise. That being said, it would appear that the promising rookie is set to take the field and try to finish what should be considered a successful debut season. Over 107 games played, Eldridge has hit 17 home runs and collected 57 runs batted in, all while posting a robust .269/.364/.461 slash line. Fantasy baseball managers should insert him back into their lineups once he's healthy and leave him there through the end of the 2026 season.
Source: Justice delos Santos
Source: Justice delos Santos
Jac Caglianone Out With Hand Injury
Kansas City Royals first baseman/outfielder Jac Caglianone (hand) is out of Friday's starting lineup against the Pittsburgh Pirates due to a hand injury that he suffered on Thursday night, manager Matt Quatraro told Royals broadcaster Joel Goldberg. "It was in the dugout after one of the at-bats. It was my decision to not play him today," Quatraro said. Nick Loftin is making the start in right field for the Royals and will bat eighth in the order against Pirates right-hander Paul Skenes. For now, fantasy managers should consider Caglianone to be day-to-day and check back to see if he is available to play as the series continues in the Steel City on Saturday. The 23-year-old former sixth overall pick from Florida has had a great first full season in the big leagues in 2026, hitting .277/.328/.483 with an .811 OPS, 23 home runs, 70 RBI, 66 runs scored, and six stolen bases across 484 at-bats. However, he has been banged up lately and is limping to the finish line. Cags has gone 4-for-27 (.148) with four RBI, a walk, and 11 strikeouts in 10 games so far in September.
Source: Joel Goldberg
Source: Joel Goldberg
