RADIO
Will Smith Could Take On-Field Batting Practice This Week
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said on Monday that catcher Will Smith (neck) could take on-field batting practice sometime this week, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. It is a "big week" ahead of Smith ramping up his rehab. A nagging neck injury has kept the Dodgers' starting catcher out since June 11, but the 31-year-old veteran appears to be making some progress towards a return. Smith is still a ways from his return to the major-league roster, though, and the Dodgers have no real reason to rush him back. He will need a minor-league rehab assignment before returning, and he probably won't be a realistic option to return to the Dodgers' starting lineup until sometime in September for the last month of the regular season. Smith, a former first-rounder in 2016 from the University of Louisville, has played in only 52 games in 2026 in his eighth year in the league, slashing .249/.338/.382 with six homers and 23 RBI after being named an All-Star in each of his previous three seasons. He's stashed in 68% of Yahoo leagues, but he may only have a few weeks to produce for fantasy managers before the year is up.
Source: The Athletic - Fabian Ardaya
Source: The Athletic - Fabian Ardaya
Geraldo Perdomo Exits Early on Monday With Knee Soreness
The Arizona Diamondbacks announced that shortstop Geraldo Perdomo (knee) exited Monday night's game early against the division-rival Colorado Rockies with soreness in his left knee. Before leaving, Perdomo went 0-for-2 at the plate as the leadoff man with a walk and a run scored. He was replaced at the 6 in Arizona by Ildemaro Vargas to start the fifth inning at Chase Field. The 26-year-old Dominican infielder's knee injury looks to be a day-to-day issue, but fantasy managers will want to check back on Tuesday to see if he's active for the second game of the series in the desert against Colorado. Perdomo hasn't been able to keep things going in 2026 after he posted a career-high 20 home runs with 100 RBI and 27 stolen bases in 161 regular-season games in 2025 in his fifth year in the big leagues. Going into Monday's contest in Arizona, Perdomo was slashing .245/.359/.376 with a .735 OPS, only nine home runs, 42 RBI, 17 stolen bases, and 56 runs scored in his 115 games and 498 plate appearances. The D-backs can ill-afford to lose Perdomo as they compete for a National League wild-card spot down the stretch, even though he has been mostly underwhelming in 2026.
Source: Arizona Diamondbacks
Source: Arizona Diamondbacks
Vinnie Pasquantino Beginning Rehab Assignment on Tuesday
Kansas City Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino (hand) is scheduled to begin a minor-league rehab assignment on Tuesday with Triple-A Omaha. Pasquantino is working his way back from wrist soreness that has kept him sidelined since July 29. If everything goes well, Pasquantino should only require a few minor league games before being ready to return to Kansas City. This season, Pasquantino is slashing .232/.318/.345 with six home runs, 33 RBI, and four steals in 79 games. It has been a down year for the left-handed slugger, but he could be worth snagging for fantasy managers looking for help in the power department.
Source: Kansas City Royals
Source: Kansas City Royals
Zack Gelof is Returning on Monday
Athletics infielder Zack Gelof (knee) was activated off the 10-day Injured List ahead of Monday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays. Gelof is ready to play after being sidelined since July 10 due to a right knee laceration. He'll cover third base and bat ninth versus right-hander Freddy Peralta on Monday. Gelof figures to be the everyday third baseman down the stretch of the season. This season, Gelof is slashing .273/.327/.476 with 11 home runs, 29 RBI, and eight steals in 67 games. He could be an interesting deep league option given his power and speed upside.
Source: Athletics
Source: Athletics
Adley Rutschman Expected to be Activated on Tuesday
Boston Red Sox catcher Adley Rutschman (wrist) is expected to be activated from the 10-day injured list ahead of Tuesday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays, according to Chris Cotillo. It looks like Rutschman is nearing his highly-anticipated team debut after being acquired in a blockbuster move at the trade deadline. The 28-year-old figures to get the bulk of the playing time behind the plate, which means reduced roles for Connor Wong and Jake Rogers. Rutschman has been out since July 20 due to wrist inflammation, but is finally nearing his return. Fantasy managers looking for help at the catcher spot should check the waiver wire to see if Rutschman is available.
Source: Chris Cotillo
Source: Chris Cotillo
Nathan Eovaldi Placed on 15-Day Injured List With Elbow Inflammation
Texas Rangers starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi (elbow) was placed on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to August 9, on Monday, according to the team. Eovaldi will head to the shelf due to right posterior elbow inflammation. The good news is that it's not UCL-related, which is an encouraging sign. The assumption is that Eovaldi will undergo more testing in the coming days. Fantasy managers should stay tuned for a better timetable on his status. This season, Eovaldi owns a 4.21 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, and a 137/32 K/BB ratio across 132.2 innings of work this season. Cal Quantrill will get the start in Eovaldi's place against the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday
Source: Texas Rangers PR
Source: Texas Rangers PR
Bryce Harper Playing Through Knee Soreness
Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Bryce Harper (knee) remains in the starting lineup for Monday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals. Harper continues to play despite dealing with knee soreness that has worsened since moving to the outfield, according to Charlotte Varnes. Harper fouled a ball off his knee before the All-Star break, and it hasn't stopped bothering him. He'll be at the designated hitter spot for the second time in three games on Monday. The Phillies will move things around and have Derek Hill in right field while Kyle Schwarber gets the start at first base. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor this situation closely. For now, Harper is playing, but he might need a stint on the Injured List.
Source: Charlotte Varnes
Source: Charlotte Varnes
Kazuma Okamoto Scratched With Knee Contusion
Toronto Blue Jays corner infielder Kazuma Okamoto (knee) was scratched from Monday's starting lineup against the division-rival Boston Red Sox due to a left-knee contusion, according to the team. After being called up from Triple-A Buffalo, Charles McAdoo will start at third base for Toronto and bat seventh against Red Sox veteran right-hander Sonny Gray. It doesn't sound like Okamoto's knee injury is all that serious, so hopefully he can avoid going on the injured list. Fantasy managers will want to check back on Tuesday to see if he's active for Game 2 of the series in Toronto. Overall, it's been a very strong first year in the big leagues for Okamoto, who comes into Monday's series opener hitting .225/.299/.429 with a .728 OPS, 24 home runs, 70 RBI, 61 runs, and a stolen base across his 116 games and 475 plate appearances. The 30-year-old Japanese right-handed slugger has a strikeout rate over 30%, though, and has been swinging and missing more in the second half of the season. Still, he leads Toronto in homers, RBI, and runs scored, and remains a must-start in most fantasy baseball leagues when he's in the lineup.
Source: Toronto Blue Jays
Source: Toronto Blue Jays
Karson Milbrandt Has Been Hit Hard in August at Triple-A
Miami Marlins pitching prospect Karson Milbrandt has given up 11 combined earned runs in his last two August starts for Triple-A Jacksonville to bring his record to 0-5 in his last six starts. The right-handed pitcher is clearly talented but has found the going tough at Jacksonville. In Double-A Pensacola prior to his promotion, Milbrandt was 4-1 with a 1.34 ERA and 1.00 WHIP, but he's yet to find a win at Jacksonville. Despite his struggles, Milbrandt is ranked as the No. 4 overall prospect for the Marlins and has four 55-graded pitches in his fastball, curveball, slider, and cutter. Milbrandt might need to work through his struggles that he is experiencing in his first taste of Triple-A. He is still a highly ranked prospect and could debut for Miami at some point next season.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
James Tibbs III Looking To Break Through For MLB Opportunity
In eight August games, Los Angeles Dodgers first base/outfield prospect James Tibbs III has eight RBI while going 12-for-31 (.387) at the plate at Triple-A Oklahoma City. The 23-year-old has produced in a big way for Oklahoma City this season with 22 homers and 83 RBI to go with a .295 batting average and 88 runs scored. The left-handed hitter can play first base or in the outfield but has had a tough time making it up to the Dodgers for a big-league debut. The Dodgers are obviously loaded at the MLB level, but could turn to Tibbs III for a spark as he has done nothing but produce all year long. He's the No. 7 prospect in the Dodgers system and has a 50-grade hit tool with 50-grade power. He makes for a decent stash in mid to deep leagues with the shot he breaks through and gets an MLB debut this year.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Kemp Alderman Slowing Down A Bit At Triple-A
Miami Marlins first base/outfield prospect Kemp Alderman is having a rough August so far for Triple-A Jacksonville. In seven games this month, Alderman is hitting just .125 with one homer and five RBI. Altogether, he is 3-for-24 at the plate as he's cooled down a bit from a good, solid season at age 23 at Jacksonville. In 282 at-bats for Jacksonville, Alderman has 15 homers and 48 RBI while hitting .277. With the ability to play first base or the outfield, the right-handed hitter could potentially see time with the Marlins. The Marlins have a lot of depth at first base and the outfield but could look to Alderman for a potential spark despite his recent downturn. Alderman is graded out with 60-grade power and is the No. 7 prospect in the Marlins system. It could be worth taking a look at him just in case he is given a big-league opportunity late this season
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Jaxon Wiggins Struggling to Find Consistent Results Amid Injury Setback
Chicago Cubs pitching prospect Jaxon Wiggins is looking for results at Triple-A Iowa and was saddled with a tough loss on Tuesday with five earned runs and six walks in 2 2/3 innings. Wiggins has had a tough time all season dealing with right elbow inflammation, and it has caused some inconsistency issues for the right-hander. At 24 years of age, Wiggins is knocking on the door for a major league debut, but this year might be tricky for him as he has dealt with the injury and hasn't seen the dynamic results he is used to seeing. He is getting back in the mix though at Triple-A and is gaining valuable Innings. It might be best, however, to leave him off the stash radar as he works his way back and gains more confidence with his right throwing arm. Right now, he is best left on waiver wires in redraft leagues with an eye toward dynasty leagues.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Lazaro Montes Having Red-Hot Month Of August at Triple-A
Seattle Mariners outfield prospect Lazaro Montes is tearing it up at Triple-A Tacoma this month with four homers and nine RBI in seven games in August with a .367 average. Montes has hit with power all season between Double-A Arkansas and Tacoma with 32 homers and 83 RBI combined between both levels of the minors. At age 21, he is proving his 65-grade power is justified and might be worth a look in the outfield for Seattle before the season is over. The left-handed hitter hit 25 homers at Arkansas before adding seven at Tacoma in 26 games. He has proven he can hit at every level and is worth a look on waiver wires as a stash candidate. The Mariners could use his power bat at the big-league level, and it isn't out of the question that they give him his MLB debut.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Ty Johnson Has Path To MLB Innings
Tampa Bay Rays pitching prospect Ty Johnson is working out of the bullpen at Triple-A Durham since July 25, but there is a path to major-league innings with Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Griffin Jax now injured. Johnson, himself, was dealing with a lower back strain to begin this season, but it's looking like a high-leverage or multi-inning role could be available for him at the MLB level. Johnson has three one-inning appearances out of the bullpen in August for Durham and has not allowed an earned run. He has five strikeouts in those three innings proving that he could be a high upside reliever with the ability to strike out more than a batter an inning. Johnson hasn't started a game since July 4. He's 4-1 at Durham in 14 games (10 starts) with a 3.08 ERA and 1.04 WHIP and 70 strikeouts in 52 2/3 innings. It's looking like he can be added as a potential bullpen arm with high strikeout upside.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Konnor Griffin Participating in Baseball Activities
Pittsburgh Pirates rookie shortstop Konnor Griffin (finger) suffered a torn left ring-finger sagittal band on a diving play on July 5 and was expected to be in a splint for six weeks. Griffin has been participating in baseball activities, playing catch and swinging with his top hand, according to MLB.com. He has also been standing in against the Trajekt machine. Griffin was originally placed on the 10-day injured list on July 7 and was moved to the 60-day IL on July 11. He still has a ways to go before potentially returning to the major-league roster, but barring a setback, the shortstop phenom will have a chance to be back in early September. The 20-year-old former ninth overall pick in 2024 is still rostered in over 60% of Yahoo leagues, even though he might only help fantasy managers for the last couple of weeks of the 2026 season. Before suffering a finger injury, Griffin was batting .276/.332/.404 with a .736 OPS, five homers, 25 RBI, 20 steals, and 35 runs scored across his first 225 at-bats. He's going to be a high-end, five-category contributor for a long time to come as long as he stays healthy.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
