RADIO
Shohei Ohtani "Unlikely" to Pitch Again This Year
Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (knee, biceps) said it is "disappointing" that he likely will not pitch again this year, but he is focused on hitting the rest of the way, according to Katie Woo of The Athletic. "The thing I was more focused on was to make sure that the pitching wouldn't cause the worst-case scenario, which was for me to not be able to play at all," Ohtani said. "I should have enough experience to address any kinks or injuries with the swing. I'm confident my overall performance should be better moving forward." After a four-game absence as the designated hitter due to recurring left-knee and right-biceps injuries, Ohtani returned in the series opener on Monday against the Cincinnati Reds and went 0-for-3 with a walk and two strikeouts. It seems unlikely that the 32-year-old four-time MVP will land on the injured list in the final month of the regular season, but the Dodgers could choose to rest him more frequently so that he is closer to 100% for the playoffs. Ohtani is hitting .277 (139-for-502) this year with 30 homers, 80 RBI, 89 runs scored, and 11 steals, but it is clear that playing through his knee and biceps injuries has slowed him down offensively of late. He hit .241 (26-for-108) with a .795 OPS in August, and he is 1-for-9 with six strikeouts so far in three games in September.
Source: The Athletic - Katie Woo
Source: The Athletic - Katie Woo
Aaron Judge to be Eased in
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said on the Talkin' Yanks podcast that Yankees fans should expect outfielder Aaron Judge (rib) to be eased back in and subbed out early in some games before playing a full nine innings. The Yankees reinstated Judge from the 60-day injured list on Monday, and he is expected to make his return in Tuesday's series opener in the Bronx against the Colorado Rockies, although he might not play the full game. Despite being out since late May due to a stress fracture in a rib on his right side, the three-time MVP did not go on a minor-league rehab assignment. Fantasy managers should expect some rust at the plate, but Judge is still a must-start whenever he is in the starting lineup for his elite power potential. The 34-year-old eight-time All-Star and five-time Silver Slugger was slashing .248/.375/.533 with a .907 OPS, 17 home runs, 38 RBI, 43 runs scored, and five stolen bases in 214 at-bats at the time of his rib injury in late May. Although Judge may need to knock off some rust and be eased in, he could be a difference-maker during the fantasy playoffs.
Source: Talkin' Yanks
Source: Talkin' Yanks
Shea Langeliers Takes Batting Practice
Athletics catcher Shea Langeliers (knee) took batting practice on the field on Monday and is scheduled to run the bases on Tuesday, according to MLB.com. Langeliers is running out of time, but he is still hopeful of returning before the end of the 2026 regular season at the end of September after tearing the meniscus in his right knee. He was placed on the 10-day injured list on July 26 and underwent a meniscectomy at the end of July. Fantasy managers should not be surprised if Langeliers does not make it back before the end of the season, as the A's are not in the playoff race and have no incentive to rush the All-Star catcher back to close out the year. Before Langeliers tore his meniscus, the 28-year-old was one of the best catchers in fantasy with 23 home runs, 51 RBI, 55 runs scored, two stolen bases, and a .263/.332/.497 slash line across his 376 at-bats. He came shy of back-to-back 30-homer seasons, but Langeliers is one of the best power options at the catcher position and has reached 22 home runs in all four of his full big-league seasons.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Trey Yesavage on Track for Live BP Session on Thursday
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Trey Yesavage (knee) threw a 34-pitch bullpen session on Monday and is on track for a two-inning live batting practice session on Thursday, according to MLB.com. Yesavage is making good progress since landing on the 15-day injured list on Aug. 5 after having surgery on his left meniscus. It is unclear when he will make it back to the Blue Jays, but the team is holding out hope that he can make his return for a start or two before the end of the 2026 regular season. The young right-hander had a successful 23-pitch bullpen session last Friday. Because of the timing of Yesavage's injury, it is unlikely that he will be fully stretched out enough to return to Toronto in a starting role as they seek one of the final wild-card spots in the American League. In his first full year in the majors in 2026, Yesavage has gone 5-5 with a 3.65 ERA (4.08 FIP) and 1.14 WHIP with 91 strikeouts and 46 walks in 93 2/3 frames across 18 starts. He has very little time left to help fantasy managers and should not be considered a must-stash in redraft leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Willson Contreras Could Return From Injured List on Friday
Boston Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy told Marcos Grunfeld of ElEmergente.com that first baseman Willson Contreras (hamstring) will resume running this week and could be reinstated from the 10-day injured list before Friday's series opener against the Kansas City Royals. It is unclear if Contreras will go on a short minor-league rehab assignment before he returns, but if he does, he might not return against the Royals this weekend. The veteran right-handed slugger has made a quick recovery after being placed on the IL last week with a strained left hamstring. The 34-year-old Venezuelan should not be floating around on any waiver wires because of his injury, as the former catcher has been one of Boston's most consistent offensive performers in 2026 in his first year with the team. Contreras will be returning to a .274/.384/.516 slash line with an even .900 OPS, 26 home runs, 79 RBI, 66 runs scored, and three stolen bases across his 434 at-bats. Mickey Gasper has been the team's primary first baseman since Contreras landed on the shelf.
Source: ElEmergente.com - Marcos Grunfeld
Source: ElEmergente.com - Marcos Grunfeld
Coby Mayo Worth a Waiver-Wire Look After Two-Homer Game
Baltimore Orioles corner infielder Coby Mayo had the first multi-homer game of his career in Monday's 6-4 win over the visiting Cleveland Guardians at Camden Yards, going 2-for-5 with two home runs, three RBI, and two strikeouts. The 24-year-old right-handed slugger is still hitting only .224 on the season after his two-homer performance on Monday, but he does have a career-high 21 home runs and 58 RBI in 116 games played in his third year in the big leagues. And because he is absolutely dominating left-handed hitters -- Mayo has a 1.136 OPS against southpaws in 133 at-bats -- he will continue to be a lineup regular for the O's against lefties to close out the year. Mayo has been a much better hitter in the second half of the 2026 campaign, as he entered Monday's action with a .274/.328/.532 slash line with an .861 OPS and seven home runs in 41 games since the All-Star break, compared to a .193/.264/.395 line with a .659 OPS in 74 first-half games. He was hot in August, going 22-for-81 (.272) with five home runs, three doubles, two triples, 15 RBI, 15 runs, and a stolen base in 25 games, and so far he has carried that over into September.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Grant Taylor a Worthy Waiver-Wire Target
Chicago White Sox right-hander Grant Taylor has been one of the breakout success stories of the 2026 season, recording a 7-2 record with a 2.16 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, and 97 strikeouts across 75 innings (55 games). The 24-year-old is averaging 98.1 miles per hour on his fastball and has paired an excellent 32.4% strikeout rate with a manageable 8.7% walk rate. Given Taylor's utility to the White Sox as a high-leverage fireman who can work more than one inning, the team has not deployed him as a traditional closer. Still, he's racked up eight saves this season and remains a threat to take over the full-time closer role in Chicago at any point. Even if Taylor's usage remains the same down the stretch, he provides value to fantasy managers as a high-end source of ratios and a better source of strikeouts and wins than most relievers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Cal Quantrill a Priority Starting Pitcher Streamer Amidst Recent Hot Streak
Texas Rangers right-hander Cal Quantrill has had a resurgent 2026 season, recording a 7-5 record with a 2.79 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and 73 strikeouts across 96 2/3 innings (29 games). The 31-year-old opened the 2026 season working exclusively as a reliever before moving into a hybrid bulk role through the middle part of the year. However, Quantrill has been lights-out since transitioning into a full-time starting role in mid-August. Across five starts since August 12, Quantrill has posted a 3-1 record with a 1.16 ERA, 0.81 WHIP, and 30 strikeouts across 31 innings. In Quantrill's most recent start against the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday, he recorded seven shutout innings with five strikeouts. Given his recent success, Quantrill profiles as a must-roster starting pitcher for fantasy managers ahead of his appealing matchup in Seattle against the Mariners on Wednesday.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Andy Pages Starts Swing Progression, Hitting Off a Tee
Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Andy Pages (hand) said he has been hitting off a tee the last two days as he starts his swing progression from a broken left hand, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. Pages says he is pain-free. When Pages was placed on the 10-day injured list, the Dodgers gave him an estimated timetable of four to five weeks before a potential return. He is just over two weeks removed from the injury and appears to be making progress, but he obviously still has a way to go and probably will not be an option for the Dodgers' lineup again until the postseason in October. With Pages out, utility man Tommy Edman has seen most of the action in center field, with veteran Miguel Rojas and Alex Freeland splitting time at the keystone. Pages was a first-time All-Star in 2026 in his third year in the big leagues with the Dodgers, slashing .272/.338/.458 with a .797 OPS, 21 home runs, 80 RBI, 12 stolen bases, and 72 runs scored in 128 games across 550 plate appearances. If not for his hand injury, Pages likely would have set career highs in most of the major counting-stat categories.
Source: The Athletic - Fabian Ardaya
Source: The Athletic - Fabian Ardaya
Zebby Matthews Emerging as an Appealing Starting Pitcher Streamer
Across 117 innings (20 starts) in 2026, Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Zebby Matthews has recorded a 9-9 record with a 4.69 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and 97 strikeouts. While Matthews' season-long numbers may not stand out as particularly impressive, he's been much better in recent appearances. Across his last 47 innings (eight starts), the 26-year-old has posted a 5-2 record with a 3.64 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 39 strikeouts. Matthews' lack of strikeout ability limits his fantasy upside, but he profiles as a potential WHIP asset due to his stellar command (6.8% walk rate). As a matchup-dependent streaming option, Matthews profiles as a quality option for fantasy managers. His next scheduled start will come on Wednesday in Detroit against the Tigers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Henry Bolte Has Emerged as a Must-Roster Outfielder
Entering play on Monday, Athletics outfielder Henry Bolte was hitting .274/.352/.386 with eight home runs, 31 RBI, 43 runs scored, and 16 stolen bases across 394 big-league plate appearances in 2026. Since making his MLB debut in mid-May, Bolte has established himself as an everyday piece of the Athletics outfield. Since early August, the 23-year-old has also emerged as the team's everyday leadoff hitter. While Bolte has consistently hit the ball hard (47.5% hard-hit rate), his power upside is limited by his 0.8-degree average launch angle and his 62.6% ground-ball rate. However, between his penchant for hitting it on the ground and his elite speed, Bolte should be able to maintain a solid batting average and on-base percentage. If he can start to put the ball in the air a bit more while maintaining his hard contact, Bolte could break out as a five-category performer. In leagues where he's currently unrostered, Bolte profiles as a high-upside waiver wire target.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kodai Senga a Must-Roster Saves Source Across All League Formats
After a brutal beginning to the season while working as a starter, New York Mets right-hander Kodai Senga has salvaged his season since being moved into the bullpen. Since becoming a full-time high-leverage reliever in early August, Senga has allowed just two earned runs while recording 13 strikeouts across 12 1/3 innings (13 games). With Mets closer Devin Williams (shoulder) on the injured list due to a shoulder injury, Senga has also taken over as the team's preferred ninth-inning option and is a perfect six-for-six on save chances for the season. While the 33-year-old struggled with health and command while working as a starter, his high-end stuff makes him a solid bet to continue performing in a bullpen role. In any league where he's not already rostered, Senga should be a waiver wire priority for fantasy managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Max Clark Remains a High-Upside Waiver-Wire Target
Across 134 plate appearances since making his MLB debut in late July, Detroit Tigers outfielder Max Clark is hitting .258/.326/.417 with two home runs, 16 RBI, 15 runs scored, and two stolen bases. The 21-year-old has not demonstrated much power at the big-league level just yet, posting just a 1.1% barrel rate and a 38.9% hard-hit rate. However, Clark has established himself as Detroit's everyday center fielder with his high-end defense, which should keep him in the lineup on an everyday basis. The young outfielder showed off some five-category upside in the minor leagues this season before his promotion, hitting .276 with 11 home runs, 42 RBI, 65 runs scored, and 21 stolen bases at Triple-A. Clark posted a 12% walk rate in the minors in 2026 and a 17.6% walk rate in the minors in 2025. If he can get on base a bit more consistently down the stretch this season, Clark's speed could start to show up at the big-league level as well. Fantasy managers looking for upside on the waiver wire should consider adding Clark.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Reynaldo Lopez to Return to the Rotation on Wednesday
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Chad Bishop reports that Atlanta Braves right-hander Reynaldo Lopez (knee) will come off the 15-day injured list to start Wednesday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays. It will be Lopez's first start with Atlanta since July 27. He was placed on the IL on Aug. 2 with inflammation in his left knee. The veteran hurler looked good in his final minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Gwinnett last Thursday, throwing 93 pitches in five shutout innings while striking out six for the Stripers. With Lopez returning, it will push the struggling Bryce Elder to a relief role while he battles knee issues of his own. Lopez, a 32-year-old Dominican hurler, will be returning to a 4-3 record this year with a 3.64 ERA (4.32 FIP) and 1.34 WHIP with 66 strikeouts and 29 walks in 71 2/3 innings pitched across 24 outings (11 starts). He threw 5 2/3 shutout frames for a no-decision in his final start on July 26 against the Baltimore Orioles before landing on the IL, but he surrendered a combined nine earned runs in 9 1/3 innings in his previous two starts before that against the St. Louis Cardinals and San Diego Padres.
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - Chad Bishop
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution - Chad Bishop
Yankees Reinstate Aaron Judge From the Injured List on Monday
The New York Yankees announced on Monday that they reinstated outfielder Aaron Judge (rib) from the 60-day injured list and designated right-hander Chase Hampton for assignment in a corresponding move. Judge will be ready for the series opener in the Bronx on Tuesday against the Colorado Rockies, and fantasy managers should expect him to be back in the starting lineup against right-hander Gabriel Hughes. Tuesday's tilt will be Judge's first game back with the Yankees since May 31 after he was placed on the injured list with a stress fracture in a rib on his right side. Judge did not go on a minor-league rehab assignment, but he faced live pitching at Yankee Stadium on Monday and was cleared to return. The 32-year-old eight-time All-Star and five-time Silver Slugger winner should obviously be rostered in all fantasy leagues and will be a must-start immediately upon his return to his .248/.375/.533 slash line with a .907 OPS, 17 home runs, 38 RBI, 43 runs scored, and five stolen bases. Judge has missed most of 2026, but he now has an opportunity to help fantasy managers bring home a championship.
Source: Yankees PR Department
Source: Yankees PR Department
