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Adley Rutschman Out With Ongoing Elbow Injury
Boston Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy said on WEEI on Tuesday that catcher Adley Rutschman's (elbow) hyperextended elbow is still an issue and probably will be for the rest of the season, according to Tim Healey of The Boston Globe. Rutschman is out of the starting lineup on Tuesday for the second day in a row against the visiting Seattle Mariners as a result. Connor Wong will do the catching for right-handed rookie Jedixson Paez and will bat ninth against Mariners right-hander Bryan Woo. Rutschman hyperextended his elbow on a swing last week and missed two games. It does not sound like it is an injured list situation for the 28-year-old switch-hitter, but it is not going to help him get back on track offensively to close out what has been a frustrating 2026 campaign for the former first overall pick. Since joining the BoSox from the Orioles at the trade deadline, the three-time All-Star has gone just 9-for-53 (.170) at the plate with a homer, a double, four RBI, five runs scored, six walks, and 15 strikeouts in 15 games played. Overall, he is slashing a disappointing .237/.318/.400 with a .718 OPS, nine homers, 51 RBI, and 35 runs scored in 82 total games.
Source: The Boston Globe - Tim Healey
Source: The Boston Globe - Tim Healey
Khalil Shakir Still Not Practicing
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir remained out of practice Tuesday, according to Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic. Shakir has not practiced since Aug. 18, when he was one of several Bills held out, and head coach Joe Brady later confirmed he was dealing with an injury. Buffalo has not disclosed what is bothering him. Shakir also missed the final two preseason games after catching two passes for 41 yards in the opener against Carolina. He led the Bills with 72 catches and 719 receiving yards in 16 games last season, adding four touchdowns. Buffalo does not open the regular season until Sept. 13 at Houston, so there is still time for Shakir to get back on the field. Still, the continued absence is worth monitoring until he resumes practice.
Source: Joe Buscaglia
Source: Joe Buscaglia
Justin Wrobleski Back From the Injured List
The Los Angeles Dodgers announced on Tuesday that they reinstated left-hander Justin Wrobleski (forearm) from the 15-day injured list. Wrobleski is back with the Dodgers after being placed on the IL on Aug. 16 with inflammation in his left forearm. The 26-year-old southpaw has been a valuable member of L.A.'s starting rotation this year, going 11-5 with a 3.56 ERA (4.24 FIP) and 1.10 WHIP with a career-high 100 strikeouts and 28 walks in 126 1/3 innings pitched across 21 appearances (20 starts) to earn his first All-Star honors. Unfortunately for fantasy managers who have been stashing him, Wrobleski is expected to head to a relief role to close out the regular season, which will strip him of the majority of his appeal. Wrobleski struggled in his last four starts before landing on the shelf, too, allowing 20 runs (19 earned) on 24 hits (11 home runs) while walking seven and striking out 20 in 19 2/3 innings pitched to go 0-3. He is now rostered in under half of Yahoo leagues, with that number likely to continue dropping now that he will be working out of the bullpen.
Source: Los Angeles Dodgers
Source: Los Angeles Dodgers
Cam Coleman Positioned to Excel in Week 1 Matchup
Texas wide receiver Cam Coleman will have a favorable matchup in Week 1, facing Texas State on Saturday. Coleman is a high-end fantasy wideout coming into the season after joining the high-flying Longhorns' offense. Across 56 receptions last season with Auburn, Coleman posted 708 yards and five touchdowns. His outlook with Texas is even stronger, even with talented wideouts like Ryan Wingo and Emmett Mosley V projected to start alongside him. Having Arch Manning at quarterback helps Coleman's cause, and when you factor in running back transfers Hollywood Smothers and Ryleek Brown, the Longhorns' offense has a chance to be elite this coming season. Expect Coleman to be a good weekly fantasy option, starting in his favorable Week 1 test against Texas State. Start him confidently in fantasy leagues for a game the Longhorns should win with ease.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Dodgers Activate Catcher Will Smith From Injured List
The Los Angeles Dodgers announced on Tuesday that they activated catchers Will Smith (neck) and Dalton Rushing (elbow) from the injured list on Tuesday. Catcher Ben Rortvedt was designated for assignment in a corresponding move. Smith is finally back from a neck injury that cost him three months, and he went 4-for-16 at the plate with two doubles and a home run in five minor-league rehab games. The Dodgers will likely ease Smith back into the fold with both Rushing and Hunter Feduccia on the roster and capable of splitting time behind the dish. The return of the 31-year-old Smith, a three-time All-Star, definitely makes an already strong Dodgers lineup stronger. He will be looking to turn things around offensively after hitting just .249 (43-for-173) with six home runs, 23 RBI, and 23 runs scored in his first 173 at-bats before he injured his neck. Smith did not look great at the plate earlier this year, but he has the potential to make an impact down the stretch in single-catcher fantasy leagues. He is currently rostered in 69% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Los Angeles Dodgers
Source: Los Angeles Dodgers
Carnell Tate Working Through Some Stiffness
Tennessee Titans rookie wide receiver Carnell Tate is working through some stiffness, head coach Robert Saleh said Tuesday, according to Turron Davenport of ESPN. Saleh did not specify what is bothering Tate or indicate how much time, if any, he could miss. The fourth overall pick also sat out an Aug. 19 practice after waking up with stiffness, though it is unclear whether this is related to the same issue. Tate was back on the field two days later and finished camp on a high note, catching a team-high seven passes with two touchdowns in an Aug. 27 joint practice against Chicago. There is no indication yet how much the stiffness will affect his preparation for Week 1, making Tate's practice participation the main thing to watch over the next several days.
Source: Turron Davenport
Source: Turron Davenport
Charlie Becker Set Up for Success in Week 1
Indiana wide receiver Charlie Becker gets his season rolling on Saturday against North Texas. The Mean Green allowed 166.2 passing yards per game a season ago, but had sweeping changes to the roster since then. North Texas wasn't playing teams the caliber of Indiana either, so Becker and the Hoosiers' offense should fare much better on Saturday. A bigger question mark for Becker as a fantasy asset is how the new-look offense will fare. Transfer Josh Hoover is the new quarterback, and wide receiver transfer Nick Marsh is among the pass catchers looking to replace a ton of lost production from last year's title team. Becker is the top returning receiver; he caught 34 passes for 679 yards and four touchdowns last season. Expect Indiana to figure things out offensively and roll over North Texas in Week 1. Becker should be started in most fantasy leagues as a result, and for good reason in a game that should be lopsided.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Orioles Calling Up Pitching Prospect Luis De Leon on Tuesday
The Baltimore Orioles are calling up left-handed pitching prospect Luis De Leon with rosters expanding on Tuesday, a source told Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Banner. It will be De Leon's major-league debut once he appears in a game. The 23-year-old southpaw has big stuff and was converted from a starting role to a relief role recently. The Dominican hurler, who is considered the O's No. 7 overall prospect at MLB Pipeline, has gone 6-6 this year with a 4.73 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, and 121:53 K:BB in 99 innings across 26 appearances (22 starts) at Double-A Chesapeake and Triple-A Norfolk. In seven outings (three starts) at Norfolk, De Leon has allowed 14 runs (13 earned) with 11 walks and 21 strikeouts in 18 innings pitched, so although he has big stuff on the mound, he has not been dominant by any means. The 6-foot-3, 168-pounder induces plenty of ground balls thanks to a plus sinker. In addition to his sinker, De Leon features a four-seam fastball, slider, changeup, and splitter. His deep arsenal makes him tough to square up, but if his command does not improve, he will struggle mightily in his first taste of the big leagues in September.
Source: The Baltimore Banner - Andy Kostka
Source: The Baltimore Banner - Andy Kostka
Ralphy Velazquez Nearing MLB Debut?
Cleveland Guardians first base/outfield prospect Ralphy Velazquez capped off a scorching August by getting on base three times on Sunday, going 1-for-3 with a single and two walks. The Guardians' second-ranked prospect hit .356 in August with an otherworldly 1.299 OPS and 15 home runs in 23 games. The effort pushed his slash line at Triple-A to .281/.364/.551 with 21 home runs in 75 games for the Clippers while striking out at a better-than-average rate of 20.8 percent. The former first-round draft pick looks ready to put his power on display in the majors, and could give Cleveland a much-needed offensive boost (4.07 runs/per game, third-worst). The left-handed hitter could get his chance now that the calendar has turned to September and rosters expand. With the kind of power in his bat, the 21-year-old is one of the top stashes for home runs and could provide a decent average along with ample RBI as well down the stretch.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Luther Burden III Will Practice Tuesday
Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III (groin) will practice Tuesday, head coach Ben Johnson said, according to Mason Williams. Burden injured his groin during an Aug. 8 practice and missed the rest of the preseason. He returned to the field Aug. 26 but was limited to individual drills before heading inside when the Bears moved into 7-on-7 work. Tuesday's practice should give Chicago another look at where he stands as Week 1 approaches. Burden caught 47 passes for 652 yards and two touchdowns in 15 games as a rookie and is listed with the first-team offense on the Bears' current depth chart. Getting him back into team work would be another encouraging step, but his actual participation level Tuesday will matter more than the announcement itself.
Source: Mason Williams
Source: Mason Williams
Franklin Arias a Late-Season Stash Option With Upside
Boston Red Sox infield prospect Franklin Arias continues to hold his own at Triple-A Worcester, collecting at least one hit in 10 of the last 11 games he's started, going 13-for-45 (.288) over that stretch, including four doubles and a home run while striking out at just a 13.5 percent rate. After hitting .318 with 19 home runs at Double-A, Boston's top prospect is now slashing .290/.350/.467 with four home runs in 28 games at Triple-A, with a low 17.8 percent strikeout rate (76th percentile). The 5-foot-11 Venezuelan has moved all the way up to the No. 3 prospect in all of baseball per MLB.com, and is knocking on the door to the majors with a shot at debuting this season. The right-handed hitter is not on the 40-man roster, which doesn't help his chances, and the return of Trevor Story and Isiah Kiner-Falefa in the last couple of days has made the infield even more crowded, but whether it is this season or next, redraft managers should be familiar with the name. Proactive managers could consider Arias a speculative stash in hopes of a 2026 debut, with plenty of skills to be fantasy-relevant if called up.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Dylan Wade Lined Up for Big Week 1 Outing
UCF tight end Dylan Wade gets his season started on Thursday against Bethune-Cookman, which sets him up well as a fantasy asset. The Knights are heavy favorites, and Wade should factor in plenty during the starting offense's time on the field. The talent level on the field will be heavily in the Knights' favor, so a big offensive showing could be coming. In his first season with UCF, Wade caught 43 passes for 523 yards and five touchdowns. He could be in store for even better numbers this coming season, but will need to prove it with new players all over the UCF offense. Transfer quarterback Alonza Barnett III is among the new faces, so Wade's fantasy upside will be determined by how he connects with his new QB. The matchup on Saturday is one to trust Wade in, and that makes him a solid fantasy starting option for Week 1.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Puka Nacua Remains Under NFL Review Ahead of Week 1
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua remains under NFL review as Week 1 approaches, and another off-field story surfaced Tuesday. According to the New York Post, Nacua's former girlfriend Hallie Aiono discussed experiencing betrayal, abuse and neglect during a past relationship while explaining why she is seeking professional help. She did not describe a specific incident or explicitly accuse Nacua of committing abuse in the video. Separately, Nacua is facing a civil lawsuit from Madison Atiabi, who alleges he bit her shoulder during a New Year's Eve gathering. Nacua's attorney has disputed allegations in the suit and characterized the biting as consensual horseplay. The NFL has not announced a suspension, and Nacua was not placed on the Commissioner's Exempt List over the weekend, though his situation remains under league review. He caught 129 passes for 1,715 yards and 10 touchdowns in 16 games last season. Until the league makes a decision, his availability for the Rams' Sept. 10 opener against San Francisco remains something fantasy managers need to watch.
Source: New York Post
Source: New York Post
Angels Being Sold to Rams Owner Stan Kroenke
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.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Raleek Brown Destined for Big Things in Week 1
Texas running back Raleek Brown makes his team debut against Texas State on Saturday, so he's set up well in that favorable matchup. Brown transferred in from Arizona State, where he rushed for 1,141 yards and four touchdowns across 186 carries last season; he also had 239 receiving yards and two scores across 34 receptions. Texas also has transfer Hollywood Smothers in the backfield, and it could lead to a split backfield this coming season. The Longhorns are a high-powered offense, so both backs could shine as fantasy assets, and especially so in matchups like Texas has for Week 1. Looking back to last year, Texas State allowed 164.8 rushing yards per game, and Texas should achieve that with ease this Saturday. Despite being in a split backfield, fantasy owners can confidently start Brown in Week 1, and likely in most matchups going forward.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
