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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
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Aroldis Chapman Won't Pitch This Weekend
Boston Red Sox left-handed closer Aroldis Chapman (lat) felt some tightness in his lat while working out before Tuesday's game against the Texas Rangers and has not pitched since. Chapman said that he will not pitch this weekend against the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays, but he expects to return during the final homestand of the regular season, which starts on Tuesday, according to Ian Browne of MLB.com. The veteran southpaw downplayed the injury on Friday, saying that the Red Sox are being conservative and that he felt healthy enough to play catch before the series opener against the Rays, but the team told him not to. "I'm not worried at all," Chapman said. "From the first time I felt it to today, I feel very good. I was going to go out and throw, but the team wants to take it slow, and they want me to take my time." Fantasy managers will be without Chapman this weekend, but for championship matchups next week, he will hopefully be ready to return to ninth-inning duties. The 38-year-old has been excellent in 2026 in his second year in Boston, posting a 1.95 ERA with a 1.14 WHIP, 34 saves, and 68 strikeouts in 50 2/3 innings pitched. Right-hander Garrett Whitlock should handle a save situation this weekend if it arises in Tampa.
Source: MLB.com - Ian Browne
Source: MLB.com - Ian Browne
Justin Verlander Throws Live Batting Practice
Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander (hamstring/hip) threw a one-inning, 20-pitch live batting practice session on Friday. The 43-year-old said that he felt great after this successful outing. This was yet another step in the right direction, as it was his first time throwing against live batters. What lies ahead in his progress remains to be seen, as the plan is for him to pitch one final time in his illustrious career on Saturday, September 26, against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Whether or not he is able to throw one inning or more remains questionable, but with him retiring after this season, chances are he will be healthy enough to make that appearance and cap off one of baseball's greatest careers. With 266 wins and 3,554 strikeouts over 21 seasons, the surefire Hall of Famer will be looking to finish his career where it started: in Detroit.
Source: Chris McCosky
Source: Chris McCosky
Trent Grisham Could Return This Season
New York Yankees outfielder Trent Grisham (hamstring) is pretty far into his recovery, two weeks after being placed on the 10-Day Injured List with a Grade 2 hamstring strain. Manager Aaron Boone reiterated that a return for him "could be in play" for the latter part of the season. It was also mentioned that when he does return, the Yankees would need to decide between him and Spencer Jones to play center field. This could complicate things for both players, as there could be some sort of platoon involving the two, diminishing their fantasy value down the stretch. Either way, the Yankees will be looking to solidify their lineup for the playoffs, and Grisham's fantasy value is very limited down the stretch, with or without a return before the playoffs.
Source: Brendan Kuty - The Athletic
Source: Brendan Kuty - The Athletic
Tristan Peters Dealing With Multiple Injuries
Chicago White Sox outfielder Tristan Peters (rib/shoulder) crashed into the wall during Friday's game while trying to catch a fly ball in the outfield. He exited the game with contusions to both his ribs and shoulders, and Braden Montgomery took his place in the outfield. The good news is that he is listed as day-to-day and has no head injury, which was the initial concern at the time of impact. It's unclear if he will miss any time before returning, but with the White Sox in the middle of a divisional race, they may need his help sooner rather than later. The 26-year-old is hitting .272 on the season with 12 home runs and eight stolen bases, and is worth rostering in deep leagues.
Source: Chicago White Sox
Source: Chicago White Sox
Justin Steele Completes Two-Inning Rehab Outing
Chicago Cubs pitcher Justin Steele (elbow) threw a 33-pitch, two-inning rehab outing on Friday for the Triple-A Iowa Cubs. This was his fifth appearance since beginning his rehab assignment and the fourth that has been two innings in length. Arguably his most impressive outing yet, Steele walked the first batter of the game before striking out the side. He would finish with five strikeouts in total while not allowing a hit. While the velocity on his fastball sat at 90.2 miles per hour, it was his slider that impressed the most, generating four whiffs. It's unclear what lies ahead for him, as the Cubs are in the middle of a race for the Wild Card. While they have a comfortable lead on the teams chasing them, they do need to prepare for the postseason, and Steele returning to the Cubs may not be in the cards. What's clear is that he is feeling much better than he has in quite some time, and any return to the Cubs would likely be for a peace-of-mind appearance to allow him to enter the postseason on a healthy note, giving him the opportunity to work on coming back even stronger next spring. Fantasy managers should not expect much from him down the stretch, but those in dynasty leagues should take note and add him while they can.
Source: Jason Kempf
Source: Jason Kempf
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
Logan Webb Lands on Injured List with Finger Injury
San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Logan Webb (finger) was placed on the 15-day injured list on Friday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports. Webb will see his regular season come to an end due to a right middle finger blister. The Giants were reportedly considering shutting down Webb after his latest start. The right-hander has allowed 16 earned runs over his last three starts. He'll now get plenty of time to heal his injury and prepare for the 2027 season. He'll finish the season with a 4.31 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and a 134/41 K/BB ratio in 27 starts.
Source: Alex Pavlovic
Source: Alex Pavlovic
Shane Bieber is Unlikely to Pitch in Regular Season
Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider said on Friday that it would be tough for starting pitcher Shane Bieber (shoulder) to return before the end of the regular season, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports. Bieber is scheduled to throw a side session on Saturday, so the Jays should have a better idea about his status after that. The right-hander has been sidelined since late August due to shoulder inflammation. He probably doesn't have time to build up into a starter again, so if he returns, Bieber would likely pitch in a limited role. Fantasy managers in redraft formats are probably safe to move on at this point.
Source: Hazel Mae
Source: Hazel Mae
Braxton Ashcraft is Not Expected to Return This Season
Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Braxton Ashcraft (arm) is unlikely to return to the mound this season, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports. Ashcraft appears to be making progress as he was able to play catch from 90 feet on Friday. Despite that, Ashcraft is unlikely to make enough progress to get back on the mound before the end of the regular season. Ashcraft has been out since early September due to right arm discomfort. Ashcraft is probably done for the year, but he did post a breakout campaign for the Pirates this season. Across 28 starts, Ashcraft posted a 3.65 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and a 173/35 K/BB ratio across 165.1 innings of work.
Source: Kevin Gorman
Source: Kevin Gorman
Pete Fairbanks to Undergo Surgery
Miami Marlins relief pitcher Pete Fairbanks (hand) will undergo surgery to treat thoracic outlet syndrome, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports. Fairbanks landed on the Injured List on Tuesday with nerve irritation in his right hand. Now, the right-hander will undergo surgery to treat the injury. Fairbanks is done for the season, and he could miss part of the 2027 season as well while he recovers from surgery. Fairbanks posted a 6.31 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, and a 57/22 K/BB ratio with 19 saves in 46 appearances with the Marlins this season. Calvin Faucher and Michael Petersen are the favorites to see save chances down the stretch in Miami.
Source: Christina De Nicola
Source: Christina De Nicola
Ryan Weathers Unlikely to Return During Regular Season
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said on Friday that pitcher Ryan Weathers (forearm) is unlikely to pitch again before the end of the regular season, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports. Weathers is currently working his way back from a forearm flexor strain that has sidelined him since late August. The Yankees were hopeful that Weathers could return in a bullpen role, but that doesn't seem to be in the cards anymore. There is still a chance that Weathers returns in time to help the Yankees during the postseason. He probably won't have enough time to build up to become a starter, but something is better than nothing. Fantasy managers in redraft formats who are still holding Weathers can safely move on.
Source: Bryan Hoch
Source: Bryan Hoch
Jazz Chisholm Jr. to Return During Homestand
According to Bryan Hoch, New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone confirmed on Friday that second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. (thumb) is expected to return during their upcoming homestand. It sounds like Chisholm is doing well in his recovery from a right thumb strain that has sidelined him since early September. Boone didn't give an exact timetable, but more information should be known following the weekend series in Arizona. It sounds like fantasy managers still in the playoff picture might be able to get something out of Chisholm before the end of the season. There should be more information on his status as he continues to ramp up his activities.
Source: Bryan Hoch
Source: Bryan Hoch
Aroldis Chapman "Not Worried At All" About Lat Strain
Boston Red Sox left-handed closer Aroldis Chapman (lat) said he is "not worried at all" about his lat strain that made him unavailable to pitch in Thursday's late-inning comeback win over the Texas Rangers, according to Sean McAdam of MassLive.com. Chapman said he has felt improvement since it first popped up on Tuesday, and he is confident he will pitch again before the end of the 2026 regular season. While the 38-year-old veteran southpaw appears to have dodged a bullet, it is unclear how quickly he might be available to pick up another save for fantasy managers playing for a championship late in the season. If Chapman misses more time, right-hander Garrett Whitlock, who picked up his fourth save of the year in Texas on Thursday, is expected to get the first crack at more save opportunities. Chapman continues to defy Father Time in 2026 and has been great with a 1.95 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 34 saves, and 68 strikeouts in his 50 2/3 innings out of the bullpen in his second year in Boston. Last year, Chapman had a 1.17 ERA and 32 saves.
Source: MassLive.com - Sean McAdam
Source: MassLive.com - Sean McAdam
Joshua Baez Lands on Injured List With Oblique Strain
The St. Louis Cardinals announced on Friday that they placed rookie outfielder Joshua Baez (oblique) on the 10-day injured list with a left-oblique strain and recalled infielder Cesar Prieto from Triple-A Memphis in a corresponding move. Baez will most likely miss the rest of the 2026 season for the Cardinals after injuring his oblique during Wednesday's contest against the San Francisco Giants. The 23-year-old, who is ranked as the team's No. 3 prospect at MLB Pipeline, hit three home runs against the division-rival Chicago Cubs in his major-league debut on Aug. 15 and ended up hitting .230 (23-for-100) with seven home runs, seven doubles, 18 RBI, two stolen bases, 18 runs scored, four walks, and 33 strikeouts in his first 29 games MLB games across 108 plate appearances. The 6-foot-3, 220-pounder will have breakout potential in 2027 for his pure power upside, but fantasy managers might also have to be pretty patient with his high strikeout rate.
Source: St. Louis Cardinals
Source: St. Louis Cardinals
Hunter Goodman Returns From his Thumb Injury on Friday
Colorado Rockies catcher Hunter Goodman (thumb) is doing the catching for right-hander Gabriel Hughes and is hitting cleanup for the team in Friday's series opener at Coors Field against the Seattle Mariners and right-hander Bryan Woo, according to MLB.com. Goodman is back in action to begin the weekend after missing four of the previous five games with a right-thumb injury that has been bothering him recently. It has affected the power-hitting catcher at the plate, as he has gone 6-for-42 (.143) with two home runs, two doubles, a triple, eight RBI, six runs scored, three walks, and 12 strikeouts in 11 games in September. Still, the 26-year-old former fourth-rounder from Memphis should be returned to all starting fantasy lineups as the best power-hitting catcher in the game. Goodman is returning to a .245/.312/.529 slash line, an .841 OPS, 38 home runs, 81 RBI, 80 runs scored, and even five stolen bases in 482 at-bats in 2026. He has never faced Woo in his career.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Colson Montgomery Back in the Lineup Against Tigers
Chicago White Sox infielder Colson Montgomery (wrist) is starting at shortstop and batting eighth in Friday's contest against the division-rival Detroit Tigers and left-hander Andrew Sears, per MLB.com. It is good news to see Montgomery back in Chicago's starting lineup after he was pulled from Wednesday's game against the division-rival Cleveland Guardians following being hit by a pitch on his left wrist. Thankfully, the 24-year-old avoided any fractures in his wrist and has returned following a scheduled day off on Thursday. Fantasy managers will want to get Montgomery back in their lineups this weekend for the stretch run, despite the fact that he has not hit a home run in his last 10 games. The former 22nd overall pick in 2021 is hitting only .203 (109-for-536) in his first full big-league season in 2026, but he has done damage with 31 home runs and 84 RBI across his 144 games played and 604 plate appearances for the ChiSox. However, he hit an even .200 (20-for-100) in 26 games in August and has gone just 5-for-49 (.102) with two homers, seven RBI, six walks, and 26 strikeouts in 15 games so far in September.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
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
Aaron Judge Going on the Injured List With Calf Strain
New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge (calf) is going on the 10-day injured list on Saturday with a strained right calf, according to Chris Kirschner of The Athletic. It will be the second time that Judge has gone on the IL this year, with the first time coming from a stress fracture in his rib that cost him most of the season. The three-time MVP injured his calf during Wednesday's contest against the Minnesota Twins. The right-handed slugger will now rest up until the playoffs begin in October, but there is no guarantee that he will be ready to roll by then either. In Judge's absence for the rest of September, Heliot Ramos should see most of the playing time in right field in the Bronx. Former top prospect Jasson Dominguez should also be called up from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to give the Yanks more outfield depth. Judge will finish his 11th year in the majors with a .241/.360/.511 slash line, an 871 OPS, 18 home runs, 41 RBI, 45 runs scored, and five stolen bases in just 66 games played and 285 plate appearances.
Source: The Athletic - Chris Kirschner
Source: The Athletic - Chris Kirschner
Dansby Swanson Activated And Starting on Friday
Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson (oblique) has been activated from the 10-day injured list, with third baseman BJ Murray Jr. being optioned to Triple-A Iowa in a corresponding move, according to Meghan Montemurro of The Chicago Tribune. Swanson is starting at shortstop and batting ninth in Friday's series opener on the road against the division-rival Cincinnati Reds and right-hander Chase Burns, per MLB.com. He will make his first start since being sidelined in mid-August with a Grade 2 left-oblique strain. Swanson will return as Chicago's primary shortstop, pushing Nico Hoerner back to second-base duties. Without going on a rehab assignment, fantasy managers should not be surprised if Swanson struggles at the plate upon his return. The 32-year-old veteran is returning to a .216/.300/.404 slash line with a .704 OPS, 18 home runs, 66 RBI, 78 runs scored, and 17 stolen bases in his 403 at-bats this season. Hitting in the nine-hole against Burns will definitely not endear him to any DFS managers on Friday.
Source: The Chicago Tribune - Meghan Montemurro
Source: The Chicago Tribune - Meghan Montemurro
Cade Cavalli Agrees to Four-Year Extension With Nationals
The Washington Nationals announced on Friday that they agreed to a four-year contract extension with right-hander Cade Cavalli through the 2030 season that includes a club option for the 2031 season. The deal is worth $47 million guaranteed and $70 million if the options are picked up, according to Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic. The 28-year-old secures his future in D.C. after a breakout 2026 campaign. The former 22nd overall pick from the University of Oklahoma in 2020 has gone 12-5 this year with a 3.12 ERA (3.33 FIP), 1.17 WHIP, and 194:48 K:BB in 164 2/3 innings pitched across his 31 starts in his first full season in the big leagues. Cavalli only made one start in his debut season in 2022 with the Nats, did not pitch at all in 2023 due to Tommy John surgery, and made only 10 starts in Washington last year. He has posted a career-high 28.2% strikeout rate and maintained the command that he showed in a small sample size in 2025 by walking 7.0% of the batters he has faced. With a longer leash in 2027, Cavalli could be even better if he stays healthy.
Source: Washington Nationals
Source: Washington Nationals
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