Sep 4, 2026, 6:56 PM ET

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (knee, biceps) is sitting out of the starting lineup for the second straight game on Friday for the series opener against the visiting Washington Nationals, according to MLB.com. Outfielder Alex Call will serve as the designated hitter again and will bat seventh against Nationals left-hander Jackson Kent. Ohtani has not pitched since July 3 due to recurring left-knee and right-biceps injuries, and until Thursday, the four-time MVP had been serving as the Dodgers' regular DH. But the Japanese superstar has been dealing with more biceps discomfort in recent days, which has prompted L.A. to give him two straight days off. Manager Dave Roberts thinks it is unlikely that Ohtani will land on the injured list, but he is not ruling it out if the injuries continue to linger. The six-time All-Star is still hitting a strong .279/.381/.525 on the year with a .906 OPS, 30 homers, 80 RBI, 89 runs, and 11 stolen bases, but he has not been himself at the plate in recent weeks as he battles through multiple injuries. For now, Ohtani is considered day-to-day. Check back on his status for Saturday's contest against the Nats.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com

Sep 4, 2026, 2:04 PM ET

Cincinnati Reds third baseman Eugenio Suarez is serving as the designated hitter and is batting fifth for Friday's contest against the division-rival Milwaukee Brewers and left-hander Shane Drohan at Great American Ball Park, per MLB.com. Suarez missed the final two games of the series against the San Diego Padres on Tuesday and Wednesday to take his US naturalization test, but he is back now and ready for the weekend series in Cincy. The Reds placed the 35-year-old Venezuelan on outright waivers recently, but he was not picked up and will finish out the 2026 season with the Reds before becoming a free agent this winter. Suarez still has some pop, but he is striking out 35% of the time in his 13th MLB season. The two-time All-Star is also hitting just .206 (77-for-373) with a .298 on-base percentage, 20 home runs, 59 RBI, and 36 runs scored across 107 games and 426 plate appearances this year. It has been a steep decline for Suarez, who tied a career high with 49 round-trippers in 2025 with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Seattle Mariners.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com

Sep 3, 2026, 7:51 PM ET

Updating a previous report, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts described two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (knee, biceps) as day-to-day, and further discussions will determine whether he is available off the bench in Thursday's series finale against the St. Louis Cardinals or as the designated hitter for Friday's series opener versus the visiting Washington Nationals, according to MLB.com's Sonja Chen. Roberts still views a stint on the injured list as unlikely for Ohtani, "but not impossible." The four-time MVP has not pitched since July 3 due to left-knee and right-biceps injuries, but he has stayed in the lineup as the team's primary DH. The Japanese superstar's health has been declining, though, and he was primarily feeling discomfort in the right biceps and neck areas while striking out four times in Wednesday night's loss to St. Louis, per Roberts. How quickly the 32-year-old returns to the starting lineup as a hitter remains to be seen, but as a pitcher, fantasy managers should not be as hopeful that he will return to the mound in September. Despite playing at less than 100% for a good chunk of the season, Ohtani is still batting .279/.381/.525 overall with a .906 OPS, 30 homers, 80 RBI, 89 runs scored, and 11 steals in 499 at-bats. However, his production has declined over the last month, and he was noticeably wincing after swings on Wednesday evening.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com - Sonja Chen

Sep 3, 2026, 7:23 PM ET

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (knee, biceps) is not in the team's starting lineup for Thursday's game against the visiting St. Louis Cardinals due to ongoing left-knee and right-biceps injuries, per MLB.com. Outfielder Alex Call will serve as the designated hitter and bat eighth against Cardinals left-hander Quinn Mathews. Manager Dave Roberts said it is unlikely that the Dodgers will completely shut Ohtani down and place him on the injured list, but clearly he is not himself at the plate after going hitless in six plate appearances with four strikeouts in Wednesday's loss to St. Louis. In fact, Ohtani hit .241/.322/.472 with a .795 OPS (his lowest of the season) with six homers, three doubles, two triples, 13 RBI, 16 runs, and four steals in 27 games in the month of August, and he has just one hit in 10 plate appearances in two games in September. Ohtani is clearly not himself right now, and he has not made a start as a pitcher since July 3. The Dodgers are holding out hope that the Japanese superstar will pitch again for the team this year, but with only several weeks left in the regular season, he is unlikely to help when it matters most in fantasy. If Ohtani cannot shake his knee and biceps injuries, the Dodgers may be forced to put him on the IL. After all, their primary goal is to have him 100% for the postseason run as the Dodgers look for an unprecedented third straight World Series title.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com

Sep 1, 2026, 3:12 PM ET

The Los Angeles Angels are being sold to Los Angeles Rams owner Stan Kroenke and Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2027, pending MLB approval. Kroenke is collecting professional sports franchises at this point, as he also owns the Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche, Colorado Rapids, Colorado Mammoth, and Arsenal Football Club. It puts an end to a tumultuous ownership tenure for long-time Angels owner Arte Moreno, the first Latino majority owner in MLB, who purchased the Angels from the Walt Disney Company in 2003 on the heels of their first and only World Series championship. Moreno immediately brought in Vladimir Guerrero and Bartolo Colon. The franchise won the American League West five times in a six-year span from 2004 to 2009, but the Angels have made the playoffs once since 2010, spoiling the prime years of Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani. Moreno was often criticized for being too heavy-handed in baseball operations. Things began to change when the Angels brought in long-time St. Louis Cardinals head of baseball operations John Mozeliak to trade controllable players and reshape the front office and coaching staff.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter

Aug 31, 2026, 5:07 PM ET

Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (quadriceps) is serving as the designated hitter and is batting second for the Reds in Monday's series opener against the visiting San Diego Padres and right-hander Michael King at Great American Ball Park, according to MLB.com. Matt McLain will start at shortstop and bat seventh. Fantasy managers had a scare in Sunday's series finale at Wrigley Field against the division-rival Chicago Cubs when De La Cruz was pulled early with tightness in his left quad, but he will be back a day later as the DH. Even if the 24-year-old Dominican switch-hitter is not as aggressive on the base paths on Monday, he needs to be in all starting fantasy lineups in traditional leagues. The two-time All-Star is a five-category contributor and is currently slashing .271/.350/.479 with an .828 OPS, 21 homers, 60 RBI, 24 stolen bases, and 81 runs scored across 468 at-bats this year. De La Cruz will be looking to finish off August on a strong note. He has gone hitless in just five career at-bats against King.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com

Aug 29, 2026, 9:26 PM ET

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (knee, biceps) won't make his scheduled start against the Detroit Tigers on Sunday. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said on Saturday that Ohtani won't pitch on Sunday or Tuesday against the St. Louis Cardinals, Noah Camras of SI.com reports. Ohtani didn't feel good coming off his bullpen session on Friday, so the Dodgers will take the cautious approach. He continues to deal with multiple injuries that have kept him off the mound since early July. There is no timetable for Ohtani's return to the mound, so fantasy managers shouldn't expect him to help them the rest of the way as a pitcher. The expectation is that the Dodgers will give an update on his status in the coming days.--Andy Webb
Source: Noah Camras

Aug 27, 2026, 4:48 PM ET

The Major League Baseball Players Association is not happy with the league's proposal on Thursday to overhaul the offseason calendar and shrink most of free agency to a short window in December, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN. "The league, through their propaganda arm, is promoting their latest set of roster and transaction proposals as player-friendly," MLBPA interim executive director Bruce Meyer said. "MLB expressly conditioned these proposals on the players' agreement to a salary cap system, which would drastically reduce overall player compensation, eliminate fully guaranteed contracts through escrow, and turn back the clock on fundamental player rights. Their latest proposals regarding free agency would eliminate player rights by establishing an artificial free agency window, subject to a salary cap, which would reduce player leverage and create a game of musical chairs pitting player vs. player. The suggestion that the only way to limit roster churn, or incentivize earlier free-agent signings, is with a salary cap is entirely unserious. Players have proposed changes that would address these priorities, but the league is not interested in any changes that don't directly reduce the rights of all players and shift leverage to the owners." We already knew that the potential for a lockout in 2027 was high, and the back and forth between MLB and the Players Association on Thursday over a new free agency system reinforces that notion. Things are about to get really messy in negotiations for a new Collective Bargaining Agreement this winter.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan

Aug 27, 2026, 3:47 PM ET

Major League Baseball proposed drastic changes to its offseason calendar on Thursday, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan, including shortening free agency to a two- to three-week window every offseason. Additionally, a free-agent dead period until the first day of the winter meetings was proposed for early December, during which players and teams can negotiate, but no deals can be signed. Trades would be allowed during this period. Free agency would open the Monday that the winter meetings begin and would close on Dec. 21. From Dec. 21 through the first Monday in February, no free-agent signings or trades would be allowed. Free agents could sign, and trades would be allowed again from the first Monday in February onward. The biggest offseason issue this coming winter will obviously be the back and forth between owners and the Players Association as they try to agree on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement. Regarding potential free agency changes, the new proposals would effectively spur more action at an earlier point in the offseason.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan

Aug 19, 2026, 5:20 PM ET

Seattle Mariners outfielder Taylor Ward (quadriceps) is back in the team's starting lineup for Wednesday's game on the road against the Milwaukee Brewers, serving as the designated hitter and batting eighth against right-hander Dustin May, per MLB.com. Ward is returning to action after missing each of the last five games due to a quad injury. Dominic Canzone is starting in right field and will bat third for the M's. Fantasy managers who have Ward rostered might want to think about keeping him benched until he can show some signs of life at the plate. The 32-year-old right-handed slugger has not been able to find his power stroke this year and has only seven long balls after clubbing a career-high 36 homers and driving in 103 in a career year with the Los Angeles Angels in 2025. Since joining Seattle at the trade deadline, Ward has gone 5-for-32 (.156) at the plate with zero homers, zero walks, and six strikeouts in eight games. He has one hit in just three career at-bats against May.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com

Aug 18, 2026, 10:10 PM ET

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter/starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani (knee) threw a bullpen session on Tuesday and could be ready to progress to throwing a live BP next, per Jack Harris of the California Post. While Ohtani continues to see near-everyday playing time as the Dodgers' designated hitter, he has not pitched since early July due to lingering knee issues. The 32-year-old has been extremely productive on the mound when healthy this season, recording an 8-2 record with a 1.79 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, and 95 strikeouts across 85 2/3 innings (14 starts). He averaged 98.1 miles per hour on his fastball and logged a stellar 27.9% strikeout rate. Given how important he is to their lineup, the Dodgers will surely be cautious with Ohtani. Still, it appears as though the two-way superstar is making steady progress and could soon provide fantasy managers with a boost on the mound.--Will Brady
Source: California Post - Jack Harris

Aug 13, 2026, 11:58 AM ET

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Hunter Greene (elbow) underwent Tommy John surgery on Wednesday and is expected to miss the rest of 2026 and the entire 2027 season, according to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer. Greene missed the start of the 2026 season after undergoing elbow surgery to remove bone chips and loose bodies in March. It was announced last week that the 27-year-old would require a second elbow surgery, which it now appears was indeed the second Tommy John procedure of his career. It's a devastating blow for the Reds, as Greene has shown elite upside when healthy. Across 107 2/3 innings (19 starts) in 2025, Greene recorded a 2.76 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, and 132 strikeouts. Given his extremely uncertain health outlook going forward, Greene's future fantasy value is difficult to project until he gets back onto a mound.--Will Brady
Source: Cincinnati Enquirer - Gordon Wittenmyer

Aug 10, 2026, 3:37 PM ET

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder George Springer (shoulder) is serving as the designated hitter and is batting cleanup for Monday's series opener against the division-rival Boston Red Sox and right-hander Sonny Gray, per MLB.com. Springer was held out of the final two games of the series over the weekend against the Philadelphia Phillies due to a left-shoulder injury, but he's back in the starting nine to begin the new week against a pitcher with whom he is very familiar. The 36-year-old has hit .296 with a .943 OPS, two home runs, and five RBI in 27 career at-bats against Gray. Fantasy managers are hoping that will help Springer get out of a funk at the plate. In his first nine games in August, he's gone 6-for-27 (.222) with a .633 OPS, zero home runs, a double, a triple, two RBI, three runs, one steal, three walks, and five strikeouts in 30 plate appearances. The four-time All-Star turned back the clock in 2025 with 32 homers, 84 RBI, and 18 steals during the regular season, but he has come back to Earth in 2026 with a .234/.317/.396 slash line, 12 homers, 36 RBI, and eight steals in 88 games played.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com

Aug 9, 2026, 10:24 AM ET

Boston Red Sox outfielder Wilyer Abreu (calf) is serving as the designated hitter and is batting third for the Red Sox in Sunday's series finale against the visiting Athletics and right-hander J.T. Ginn at Fenway Park, per MLB.com. Abreu got a much-needed day off in Saturday's loss to the A's after he was dealing with swelling in his calf and shin following Friday night's game. He'll get a day off his feet as the DH in his return to action on Sunday against a pitcher he has yet to face in the big leagues. Fantasy managers will want to get the Venezuelan outfielder back in their starting lineups in traditional leagues with Abreu hitting .409 (9-for-22) with a 1.500 OPS, four home runs, a double, nine RBI, nine runs scored, and a stolen base so far in six games in August. The 27-year-old left-handed hitter is returning to a .256/.331/.462 slash line with a .793 OPS, 20 home runs, 62 RBI, 64 runs, and seven stolen bases across his 433 at-bats in 2026 in his fourth year in the league with the Red Sox.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com