Aug 29, 2026, 2:32 PM ET

Cleveland Guardians catcher prospect Cooper Ingle is struggling a bit in August at Triple-A Columbus, hitting just .239 with two homers and 10 RBI. The left-handed hitter had a stint with Cleveland earlier in the season but struggled hitting just 2-for-21 with two RBI in the big leagues. He's had a relatively tough month back at Columbus and is unlikely to be called up to Cleveland again this season with the Guardians already having the tandem of Austin Hedges and Patrick Bailey healthy at the catcher position. Ingle is the No. 5 prospect in the Cleveland organization and has a 55-grade hit tool. The Guardians have tried him a bit in the outfield but he is unlikely to stick there. Ingle looks to be more of a dynasty league play and makes for a risky addition in redraft leagues.--Brian Buckey - RotoBaller
Source: Minor League Baseball

Aug 28, 2026, 3:54 PM ET

Boston Red Sox catcher Adley Rutschman (elbow) will get his first taste of the division rivalry against the New York Yankees in Friday's series opener as he returns from a hyperextended elbow earlier this week. Rutschman will do the catching for left-hander Patrick Sandoval and will hit fifth against Yankees right-hander Cam Schlittler. Fantasy managers should not be itching to get the 28-year-old backstop back into their starting lineups on Friday, especially going up against Schlittler, who has been one of the best pitchers in baseball in 2026. It has been a frustrating season for Rutschman, who has been banged up and has hit just .236 (68-for-288) with nine home runs, 51 RBI, and 33 runs scored in 79 games and 331 plate appearances. Since coming to Beantown in a trade with the Baltimore Orioles on Aug. 3, Rutschman has gone just 6-for-41 (.146) at the plate with a homer, a double, four RBI, three runs scored, six walks, and 12 strikeouts. He has faced Schlittler only three times in his big-league career and has one hit against him.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com

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 27, 2026, 2:39 PM ET

St. Louis Cardinals catcher prospect Rainiel Rodriguez took some time settling in at Double-A Springfield after his promotion in early May, hitting just .182 with two extra-base hits over his first 21 games there. However, since then, the Cardinals' top-ranked prospect has caught fire, hitting .368 with 20 doubles and 18 home runs in just 53 games, good for a 1.134 OPS during that time. That type of production is impressive on its own merit, but the right-handed hitter is doing all of this as one of the youngest players in Double-A at age 19. The youngster is in position to begin 2027 at Triple-A and has a shot to debut next year despite his age, though it is crowded at catcher in St. Louis with Ivan Herrera, Pedro Pages, and fellow catching prospect Leo Bernal, so it will be interesting to see how it shakes out. Rodriguez (and Bernal, for that matter) has played some first base this year, and with his power potential, designated hitter is always an option as well, which gives him multiple paths to the majors. The 5-foot-10 Dominican should be on redraft managers' radar in 2027, and his dynasty arrow is pointing way up.--Jarod Rupp
Source: MiLB.com

Aug 27, 2026, 2:12 PM ET

New York Yankees catcher/first baseman Ben Rice has had an incredible third season in the big leagues (second full season) in 2026, slashing .251/.350/.529 with an .878 OPS, a career-high 35 home runs, 83 RBI, 83 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 127 games played across 546 plate appearances. The 27-year-old left-handed slugger went 1-for-2 at the plate with his 35th homer of the year, three runs scored, and three RBI in Wednesday's 9-3 win over the Houston Astros in the Bronx, and he now has three home runs in his last nine games. Only Astros outfielder/designated hitter Yordan Alvarez has more home runs than Rice in the American League. Although Rice has heated up of late, overall in August he has struggled, going 12-for-77 (.156) with a .633 OPS, four home runs, a double, 10 RBI, 13 runs scored, a stolen base, 15 walks, and 25 strikeouts. Since the All-Star break, he is slashing only .179/.295/.351 with a .646 OPS, six home runs, five doubles, 15 RBI, 19 runs scored, one steal, 20 walks, and 45 strikeouts in 36 games and 156 plate appearances. Fantasy managers who have reaped the benefits of Rice's 2026 breakout should not be selling now.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com

Aug 27, 2026, 12:24 PM ET

After suffering a shoulder injury in mid-July, Baltimore Orioles catcher Samuel Basallo was sidelined for a month. However, the 22-year-old was reinstated from the injured list on August 19, and he immediately jumped back into an everyday role in the heart of the Baltimore lineup. Across 336 plate appearances in 2026, Basallo is hitting .236/.301/.439 with 17 home runs, 48 RBI, and 36 runs scored. While Basallo's 27.4% strikeout rate is a red flag in his profile, his high-end power upside for the catcher position is underscored by his 13.0% barrel rate and 45.1% hard-hit rate. The Orioles' trade of catcher Adley Rutschman to the Boston Red Sox at the trade deadline has also cleared the way for Basallo to be the team's primary backstop. Baltimore also remains willing to play Basallo at first base or designated hitter, which should allow him to stay in the lineup even when he needs a day off behind the plate. In leagues where he's available, Basallo should be viewed as a priority waiver wire target.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Aug 26, 2026, 10:34 PM ET

Across 226 plate appearances in 2026, Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk is hitting .274/.354/.411 with seven home runs, 29 RBI, and 16 runs scored. The first half of Kirk's season was derailed after he suffered a fractured thumb in early April, which caused him to miss over two months. However, the 27-year-old has gotten back on track in the second half. Across 123 plate appearances since the All-Star break, Kirk is hitting .346 with five home runs and has more walks (17) than strikeouts (12). With just an 11.1% strikeout rate on the year, Kirk is one of the better sources of batting average amongst catchers for fantasy managers. He also occupies a prime position in the Blue Jays batting order and can be a run producer when healthy. In any league where he is not already rostered, Kirk should be considered a waiver wire target.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Aug 26, 2026, 8:47 PM ET

Pittsburgh Pirates catcher/first baseman Endy Rodriguez (hip) had season-ending surgery to fix the labrum in his left hip on Wednesday, the team announced. Rodriguez is expected to resume baseball activities within seven to nine months, which will likely delay his start to next season. The 26-year-old switch-hitting Dominican backstop will finish his third year in the majors with a .267/.373/.467 slash line, an .840 OPS, a career-high seven home runs, 20 RBI, 20 runs scored, and six stolen bases in 45 games across 159 plate appearances. In three total seasons with the Pirates, Rodriguez has only played in 120 games while hitting .231 (86-for-373) with 10 homers, 35 RBI, 52 runs, and six steals. His 2024 season ended prematurely, too, after having right-elbow surgery last June. Until Rodriguez can stay healthy and prove himself over a full season, he will be tough to get behind, even in two-catcher fantasy leagues. The Pirates will roll with Henry Davis and Rafael Flores Jr. behind the plate the rest of the way in 2026.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Jason Mackey

Aug 26, 2026, 4:05 PM ET

Boston Red Sox catcher Adley Rutschman (elbow) will sit out for a second straight game on Wednesday versus the Miami Marlins, per MLB.com. Connor Wong will do the catching for right-hander Sonny Gray and will hit ninth for the BoSox against Marlins right-hander Ryan Gusto. Rutschman's elbow injury is not considered serious after he hyperextended his arm on a swing in the series opener in Miami on Monday. Boston has a scheduled day off on Thursday, so Rutschman could be back in the starting nine for Friday's big series opener against the division-rival New York Yankees. The 28-year-old switch-hitting backstop, who was the first overall pick by the Baltimore Orioles in 2019 out of Oregon State, has been unable to get into a groove in 2026 and has been set back by injuries along the way. He enters Wednesday's action with a .236/.320/.406 slash line with only nine home runs, 51 RBI, and 33 runs scored in 79 games and 331 plate appearances. Since joining the Red Sox at the trade deadline on Aug. 3, Rutschman has gone 6-for-41 (.146) with a homer, a double, four RBI, three runs scored, six walks, and 12 strikeouts. Boston is banking on the three-time All-Star eventually turning things around at the plate.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com

Aug 26, 2026, 12:13 PM ET

Cleveland Guardians catcher prospect Cooper Ingle has slowed down his hitting in the month of August at Triple-A Columbus and is therefore not a high-priority stash candidate. Ingle has hit two homers in 61 August at bats with nine RBI and a .230 batting average. The catcher and outfielder already received a shot at playing in Cleveland this season. In 21 major-league at-bats, Ingle had two hits and two RBI and struck out 12 times. In all with Columbus this season, Ingle is hitting .303 with 18 homers and 61 RBI. The Guardians are currently using a catching tandem of Austin Hedges and Patrick Bailey at the big league level so it will be difficult for Ingle to make it back to the majors. Ingle can be left on the waiver wire in redraft leagues.--Brian Buckey - RotoBaller
Source: Minor League Baseball

Aug 26, 2026, 10:10 AM ET

Detroit Tigers catcher/first base prospect Josue Briceno has yet to find his footing since being promoted to Triple-A Toledo, now 7-for-41 (.171) with zero home runs and a 31.3 percent strikeout rate through his first 12 games for the Mud Hens. The Tigers' fifth-ranked prospect had a delayed start to the 2026 campaign due to wrist surgery he underwent before the season got underway, but hit .297 with eight home runs in 17 games for Double-A Erie before earning the promotion to the minors' highest level. The 2024 Arizona Fall League MVP looks like a long shot to crack the majors in 2026, but with a patient approach (career walk rate of 12.8 percent), along with highly rated hit (50) and power tools (60), there is a good chance he'll have an impact in 2027.--Jarod Rupp
Source: MLB.com

Aug 25, 2026, 10:07 PM ET

Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith (neck) made a rehab appearance with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday. Smith caught five innings and went one-for-three at the plate with a home run and two RBI. The veteran backstop has been sidelined since early June due to a neck injury, but he appears to be on the verge of returning to the big leagues. Across 201 plate appearances before the injury, Smith slashed .248/.338/.382 with six home runs, 23 RBI, and 23 runs scored. He struck out in just 16.9% of his plate appearances while posting a stellar 13.4% barrel rate. Given how long Smith has been out, he will likely need multiple rehab games before being activated by the Dodgers. Still, once healthy, Smith profiles as a must-start fantasy catcher.--Will Brady
Source: milb.com

Aug 25, 2026, 6:08 PM ET

Boston Red Sox catcher Adley Rutschman (elbow) is out of the starting lineup for Tuesday's contest against the Miami Marlins after taking an aggressive swing in the series opener on Monday and feeling something in his right elbow, according to Christopher Smith of MassLive.com. Interim manager Chad Tracy said the team is playing it safe with Rutschman on Tuesday and that there is "no concern." "Adley's got a little irritation. Took a really aggressive swing. He kind of hyperextended his elbow. Nothing to be alarmed about. Just felt like I don't want to make that worse. Nothing I'm concerned about more just a little soreness. Like I don't want to irritate that more. So I made the decision like, 'Let's keep him out.'" Connor Wong will do the catching for left-hander Payton Tolle and will bat ninth on Tuesday against Marlins right-hander Tyler Phillips. The 28-year-old Rutschman has had an injury-plagued and disappointing 2026 campaign, and he has gone just 6-for-41 (.146) at the plate with a homer, a double, four RBI, three runs, six walks, and 12 strikeouts in 12 games since the Red Sox acquired him from the Baltimore Orioles at the trade deadline in early August. Overall, the three-time All-Star has slashed .236/.320/.406 with a .726 OPS, nine home runs, 51 RBI, and 33 runs scored in 79 total games and 331 plate appearances. Rutschman is day-to-day and could return as early as Wednesday.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MassLive.com - Christopher Smith