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Tarik Skubal, Tigers Avoid Arbitration
According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Detroit Tigers and starting pitcher Tarik Skubal settled on a one-year contract with $10.15 million to avoid arbitration. Skubal was one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball last season en route to winning the American League Cy Young Award. Across 192 innings, which was a career-high, the southpaw posted a 2.39 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP with an 18-4 record. He generated a stellar 2.72 xERA and .208 xBA. He generated strikeouts at an elite 30.3% rate and whiffs at a 31.9% rate. He also limited hard contact at a solid 33.9% hard-hit rate. Fantasy managers should view Skubal as one of the top pitchers in baseball heading into the 2025 campaign. Given his elite strikeout ability and ability to limit hard contact, he is worthy of being viewed as the SP1 in all formats.
Source: Jon Heyman
Source: Jon Heyman
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Aroldis Chapman Unavailable Due to Lat Issue
Boston Red Sox left-handed closer Aroldis Chapman (lat) was unavailable to pitch in Thursday night's game in Texas against the Rangers due to a lat issue, interim manager Chad Tracy told The Boston Globe's Tim Healey. Chapman had been dealing with it for a couple of days, and the Red Sox will be "conservative" with it, according to Tracy. With Chapman unavailable on Thursday night, right-hander Garrett Whitlock came in to pick up the save, throwing a clean inning with one walk to lower his season ERA to 1.78. The Red Sox will need Chapman down the stretch as they hunt for a playoff spot in the American League, but it sounds like the veteran closer might not be available going into Friday's series opener against the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays. The nine-time All-Star and two-time closer of the year has been excellent for the BoSox as their primary closer in 2026, posting a 1.95 ERA (2.60 FIP), a 1.14 WHIP, 34 saves, 68 strikeouts, and 23 walks in his 50 2/3 innings pitched in his 17th year in the big leagues. Fantasy managers desperate for some saves at this juncture should look to pick up Whitlock off the waiver wire.
Source: The Boston Globe - Tim Healey
Source: The Boston Globe - Tim Healey
Willson Contreras Day-to-Day With Bruised Hand
Updating a previous report, Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras (hand) was diagnosed with a bruised right hand after being hit by a pitch in the eighth inning in Thursday night's comeback win over the Texas Rangers, interim manager Chad Tracy told Tim Healey of The Boston Globe. Contreras is considered day-to-day after X-rays on his hand came back negative, so there could be a chance that he will be available for the start of a new series on Friday against the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays. If the four-time All-Star does miss any time this weekend, expect Nick Sogard to take over at first base for Boston. Contreras came into Thursday's game with a strong .275/.386/.519 slash line on the year with a .906 OPS, a career-high 27 home runs, 81 RBI, 68 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 128 games across 529 plate appearances. Fantasy managers are hoping that he can finish strong after slumping to a .217 average (18-for-83) in 23 games in August. The 34-year-old veteran has been a must-start in all traditional fantasy leagues in 2026 in his first year with the BoSox.
Source: The Boston Globe - Tim Healey
Source: The Boston Globe - Tim Healey
Willson Contreras Leaves After Being Hit By a Pitch
Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras (hand) was removed from Thursday's game early against the Texas Rangers in the eighth inning after he was hit on the hand by a pitch, according to Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald. Before leaving, Contreras went 1-for-3 at the plate with a strikeout in the eventual 4-3 win at Globe Life Field. Fantasy managers will want to be on the lookout for Contreras' X-ray results, which will determine how much time he might have to miss. Hopefully, X-rays come back negative, and he will be able to return to the starting lineup for Friday's series opener in Tampa against the division-rival Rays. The 34-year-old Venezuelan and four-time All-Star has had an excellent first year in Boston in 2026, going into Thursday's game with a .275/.386/.519 slash line with a .906 OPS, a career-high 27 home runs, 81 RBI, 68 runs scored, and three stolen bases in his 128 games and 529 plate appearances. Nick Sogard slid over to first base from second base on Thursday after Contreras left, and he could be the favorite for playing time at first if Contreras misses any time late in the season.
Source: Boston Herald - Mac Cerullo
Source: Boston Herald - Mac Cerullo
Jeff McNeil Re-Emerging as a Viable Waiver-Wire Target
Across 487 plate appearances in 2026, Athletics second baseman/outfielder Jeff McNeil is hitting .268/.315/.371 with eight home runs, 54 RBI, 49 runs scored, and eight stolen bases. The 34-year-old does not profile as a power source, as he's logged a tiny 1.8% barrel rate this year. However, McNeil has struck out in just 11.3% of his plate appearances. The veteran lefty has been a high-end source of batting average in the second half of the season, hitting .333 across 190 plate appearances since the All-Star break. He's also moved into a prominent spot in the banged-up A's lineup, batting second in each of his last 11 games played. Heading into the final stretch of the regular season, McNeil profiles as an under-the-radar source of batting average and run production for fantasy managers to target on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Dominic Canzone Remains a Reliable Source of Power and Run Production
Across 492 plate appearances in 2026, Seattle Mariners outfielder Dominic Canzone is hitting .257/.327/.481 with 22 home runs, 69 RBI, 55 runs scored, and two stolen bases. The lefty slugger opened the year as a big-side platoon bat, but he's held his own against left-handed pitching this season with an .833 OPS. As a result, Canzone has worked his way into everyday playing time in the heart of the Mariners lineup. The 29-year-old's underlying contact metrics support his production, as he's posted a 12.1% barrel rate and a 44.8% hard-hit rate. He's also limited his swing-and-miss, logging a manageable 21.5% strikeout rate. In leagues where he's not already rostered, Canzone profiles as a steady source of power and run production for fantasy managers to target on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Bryce Eldridge Has Emerged as a Must-Roster Power Bat
Across 448 plate appearances in 2026, San Francisco Giants first baseman Bryce Eldridge hit .269/.364/.461 with 17 home runs, 57 RBI, 50 runs scored, and one stolen base. The 21-year-old owns an elevated 26.6% strikeout rate. However, he's also posted a solid 11.5% barrel rate and an excellent 52.2% hard-hit rate. Across 170 plate appearances since the start of August, Eldridge is hitting .301. Playing his home games in San Francisco's pitcher-friendly Oracle Park is not the best fit for the lefty-swinging Eldridge's power upside, but the young slugger may have enough talent to overcome the imperfect situation. Heading into the final stretch of the regular season, Eldridge profiles as a must-roster first baseman who should provide power and run production for fantasy managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kodai Senga Remains a Priority Closer Target on the Waiver Wire
New York Mets right-hander Kodai Senga suffered through a rough start to the 2026 season while working as a starting pitcher. However, since being shifted into a high-leverage bullpen role in early August, Senga has turned his season around. Across his last 15 1/3 innings pitched, Senga has allowed just four earned runs while recording 20 strikeouts. With Mets closer Devin Williams (shoulder) sidelined by a shoulder injury, Senga has also established himself as the preferred ninth-inning option in New York. The 33-year-old has seven saves on the year, all of which have come since August 10. The veteran right-hander's average fastball velocity has climbed back up to 96.3 miles per hour, and he's posted a 26.7% strikeout rate. In any league where Senga remains available, he profiles as a priority waiver wire target for fantasy managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Spencer Jones Carries High-End Power/Speed Upside on the Waiver Wire
Across 261 plate appearances in 2026, New York Yankees outfielder Spencer Jones is hitting .252/.323/.440 with 10 home runs, 37 RBI, 32 runs scored, and nine stolen bases. Swing-and-miss is the obvious red flag in Jones' profile, as he's struck out in 36% of his plate appearances. However, the 25-year-old has also posted a 14.8% barrel rate and a 53.5% hard-hit rate. With Yankees outfielder Trent Grisham (hamstring) on the injured list, Jones has established himself as the everyday center fielder in New York. As long as he continues to see regular playing time, Jones profiles as a potential high-end source of both power and speed and should be added off the waiver wire in any league where he is not already rostered.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Henry Bolte a Must-Roster Outfielder Amid September Power Surge
Across 432 plate appearances in 2026, Athletics outfielder Henry Bolte is hitting .275/.358/.402 with 11 home runs, 34 RBI, 52 runs scored, and 21 stolen bases. Since making his MLB debut in mid-May, the 23-year-old has emerged as an everyday staple in his team's outfield. Bolte's 28.5% strikeout rate is elevated, but he consistently hits the ball hard (47.5% hard-hit rate). Bolte also hits the ball on the ground a ton, which, when combined with his elite speed, allows him to run a high batting average on balls in play. Bolte is also in the midst of a power surge of late, as he's hit five home runs across 64 plate appearances in September. Heading into the final stretch of the regular season, Bolte profiles as a must-roster fantasy outfielder with five-category upside.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Devin Williams Throws Live Batting Practice
New York Mets right-handed reliever Devin Williams (shoulder) threw a live batting practice session on Thursday, according to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. The Mets will wait until Friday to determine if Williams is ready to be activated from the 15-day injured list. It sounds like the Mets will script Williams' appearances once he returns to the major-league roster, so he will not necessarily be closing games down the stretch of the Mets' disappointing 2026 campaign. Former right-handed starter Kodai Senga has settled down into the team's closer job with Williams on the IL late in the season, so it is possible that Williams will not see a single save chance to close out the year. The 31-year-old former National League Rookie of the Year and two-time All-Star has struggled in his first year in Queens, posting a 4.66 ERA (3.10 FIP), 1.65 WHIP, 16 saves, 51 strikeouts, and 21 walks in 38 2/3 innings out of the Mets' bullpen. Fantasy managers fighting for a championship going into next week should not have any plans to use Williams in their lineup.
Source: MLB.com - Anthony DiComo
Source: MLB.com - Anthony DiComo
Luis Castillo Moving to the Bullpen
Chicago White Sox veteran right-hander Luis Castillo has been moved to the bullpen, manager Will Venable told Jesse Rogers of ESPN. Castillo, who was acquired by the White Sox from the Seattle Mariners at this year's trade deadline, has really struggled since joining the team, going 1-2 with a 7.76 ERA (6.30 FIP) and 1.79 WHIP with 25 strikeouts and 11 walks in 29 innings pitched across his seven appearances (six starts). The 33-year-old Dominican hurler has allowed 17 earned runs on 26 hits (five home runs) while walking seven and striking out nine in his last 13 1/3 innings pitched for Chicago since Aug. 22. Castillo just has not been good and will now finish out the 2026 campaign as a reliever for the Pale Hose as they look to close out the American League Central division. Overall this year, Castillo has gone 4-11 with a career-worst 5.67 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, and 111:43 K:BB in 128 2/3 innings pitched in 27 outings (23 starts) with the M's and White Sox.
Source: ESPN Chicago - Jesse Rogers
Source: ESPN Chicago - Jesse Rogers
Cal Quantrill Says He's Good to Make his Next Start
Texas Rangers right-hander Cal Quantrill (back) said his back is fine and that he will make his next start, according to Jeff Wilson of All City DLLS. It sounds like Quantrill will make his next start on Saturday against the Toronto Blue Jays. The 31-year-old veteran dealt with back tightness in his most recent outing on Sunday against the Arizona Diamondbacks, but he picked up his ninth win of the year and held the Snakes to two earned runs while walking none and striking out four in six innings for a quality start. Quantrill has been very solid for the Rangers in 2026, going 9-5 with a 2.90 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and 81 strikeouts in 108 2/3 innings pitched across his 14 starts and 31 total appearances. He has allowed more than three runs in just one of his 12 appearances since the All-Star break, and he has a 1.80 ERA with seven walks and 42 strikeouts in 50 innings pitched since the start of August. The Rangers are going to need Quantrill to come through this weekend as they chase a playoff spot in the American League. Quantrill threw four shutout innings with a walk and five strikeouts against Toronto back on June 27 for a no-decision.
Source: All City DLLS - Jeff Wilson
Source: All City DLLS - Jeff Wilson
Colson Montgomery Out With Wrist Injury on Thursday
Chicago White Sox infielder Colson Montgomery (wrist) is not in the team's starting lineup on Thursday against the division-rival Detroit Tigers and left-hander Framber Valdez, according to MLB.com. Miguel Vargas is playing third base and batting third, with Luisangel Acuna playing shortstop and batting eighth. Montgomery will sit this one out after being hit by a pitch on his left wrist on Wednesday, but thankfully, X-rays were negative, so he should be considered day-to-day for now. Fantasy managers will want to check back on Friday to see if the left-handed slugger is back in action for Game 2 of the series against Detroit in Chicago. The 24-year-old former 22nd overall pick in 2021 is hitting just over the Mendoza Line, has an on-base percentage under .300, and has struck out a league-high 211 times in 604 plate appearances, but fantasy managers cannot argue with his power. Montgomery has clubbed 31 home runs and driven in 84 RBI in 144 games after he hit 21 homers and drove in 55 runs in just 71 games as a rookie in 2025.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Tate Southisene Headed to Arizona Fall League
Atlanta Braves infield prospect Tate Southisene had a solid 2026 season that started at Single-A and moved to High-A after 51 games. High-A proved a bit more challenging in terms of batting average (.297 vs. .255), but there was not a significant jump in strikeout rate, and his walk rate remained superb at 15.8 percent. The former first-rounder was promoted to Double-A for a single game to end the season, finishing with a .278/.408/.467 slash line with 12 home runs and 45 steals across all three levels. Though it was just one game, the promotion to Double-A is meaningful, especially considering the right-handed hitter is also being sent to the Arizona Fall League for some additional work. That could be an indication that the Braves see him as part of their future and want to get him prepared for a full season at Double-A, with some time at Triple-A potentially later in the year. There is enough contact and power here to go along with his elite speed that should keep the 19-year-old on the dynasty radar, particularly with a 2028 debut in sight.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Sebastian Walcott Fully Recovered With a 2027 Debut Trajectory
Texas Rangers shortstop prospect Sebastian Walcott hasn't shown any signs of rust after missing the first half of the season as a result of an internal brace procedure on his elbow. The Rangers' top-ranked prospect (MLB No. 9) played 37 games at Double-A Frisco, hitting .322 with a .983 OPS, nine home runs, and 11 stolen bases for the RoughRiders while being the team's full-time designated hitter. That changed on Tuesday when the 6-foot-4 Bahamian manned short for Frisco in Game 1 of their playoff series. The 6-foot-5 slugger went 0-for-2 but drew three walks in the contest and stole a base (he was also caught stealing once). He appears to be fully recovered and is likely ticketed for Triple-A to start next season. Though he is young, the 20-year-old has a real shot to debut for the Rangers in 2027, and with his mouthwatering combination of hit, power, and run tools, he's a fantasy star-in-the-making.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Jackson Flora Promoted to Double-A, Will Start on Thursday
San Francisco Giants pitching prospect Jackson Flora has been promoted to Double-A Richmond and is scheduled to start for the Squirrels in Game 2 of their postseason contest versus Erie. The Giants' top pitching prospect was selected in this year's MLB Draft at No. 4 overall, but has made just two starts at Single-A prior to getting the nod for Thursday's playoff game. It was a small sample, but the right-hander produced three scoreless innings in those two starts, yielding one hit and three walks while striking out six of the 12 batters he faced. Nevertheless, the promotion shows the confidence the organization has in him and puts him on the fast-track to a major league debut, potentially as early as 2027. The 6-foot-5 hurler remains a valuable dynasty asset whose arrow is pointing up.
Source: MLB Pipeline
Source: MLB Pipeline
Jefferson Rojas Homers in First Two Games at Triple-A
New York Mets infield prospect Jefferson Rojas continued his ambush of Triple-A pitching on Wednesday, going 3-for-3 at the plate with a walk, two singles, a home run, two RBI, and two runs scored for Syracuse, a day after he went 2-for-5 with a home run in his first game at Triple-A. The right-handed slugger has been terrific since coming over from the Cubs in early August in the Clay Holmes trade, but has been particularly good as of late, going 12-for-26 (.462) over his last six games, including three doubles and three home runs. For the season, the Mets' top prospect is slashing .278/.343/.510 with 26 home runs and 20 steals. The 21-year-old Dominican is looking like a strong candidate to make his major league debut early next season, and with a nice blend of contact, power, and speed, there's plenty of reason to like him for fantasy, both in dynasty and eventually in 2027 redraft leagues.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Mike Sirota Could Start Next Season at Triple-A
Los Angeles Dodgers outfield prospect Mike Sirota celebrated a phenomenal regular season with a home run in a 2-for-5 day at the plate in Game 1 of Double-A Tulsa's playoff loss on Tuesday. The effort put an exclamation point on a productive campaign in which the Dodgers' second-ranked prospect hit .306 with 17 home runs and 13 steals across two levels. He also recorded a superb .459 on-base percentage thanks to a 19.7 percent walk rate, recording an amazing 72-game streak of getting on base at least once at one point during the year. The former third-rounder appears destined for Triple-A next season and has a shot at making his major league debut, though the outfield in L.A. is crowded and the organization has other outfield prospects vying for debuts next year, including James Tibbs III, Kendall George, and perhaps Eduardo Quintero, among others. Still, with the all-around skill set Sirota put on display this year, he remains a highly regarded dynasty asset who may be the first non-debuted prospect name called to Los Angeles next year.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Jesus Baez Continues Success in Double-A Postseason
St. Louis Cardinals infield prospect Jesus Baez helped carry Double-A Springfield to a win in their first game of the Texas League playoffs on Tuesday, going 3-for-4 with a home run, a walk, three RBI, and two runs scored in the contest. It was a continuation of his phenomenal 2026 season, one in which began at High-A for 54 games and then finished at Double-A for 59 games. The Cards' 15th-ranked prospect posted a .789 OPS at High-A, but somehow improved to a 1.034 OPS while at Springfield against stiffer competition. The right-handed hitter maintained a 16.0 percent strikeout rate between both stops, and blasted 39 home runs in all, second-most in the minor leagues. The 21-year-old could open next season at Triple-A and find himself ranked well within the organization's top 10 by then. The 2026 breakout put him on the dynasty map, and once he's knocking on the door to the majors next year, his prodigious power will put him on the redraft radar.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Ceddanne Rafaela Hitting Off Trajekt Machine
Boston Red Sox second baseman/outfielder Ceddanne Rafaela (quadriceps) is with the Triple-A Worcester Woo Sox on Thursday and will hit off a Trajekt machine as he recovers from a strained right quad that landed him on the 10-day injured list, according to Tommy Cassell of TGS Sports. Rafaela has been sidelined for over two weeks, so the Red Sox may want him to play in a few minor-league rehab games before the minor-league season comes to an end soon. It is unclear exactly when Rafaela might return to the BoSox's major-league lineup as they continue to battle for a wild-card playoff spot down the stretch. Despite the 25-year-old's late-season injury, he is still rostered in 84% of Yahoo leagues in the midst of his first All-Star season. When Rafaela returns, he will be coming back to a nice .282/.317/.443 slash line with a .760 OPS, a career-high-tying 16 home runs, 70 RBI, 17 stolen bases, and 67 runs scored across his 135 games and 569 plate appearances in 2026.
Source: TGS Sports - Tommy Cassell
Source: TGS Sports - Tommy Cassell
More News About Tarik Skubal
