September 16, 2025
Chicago Cubs outfielder
Kyle Tucker (calf) began running on Monday, according to MLB.com. However, he admitted that his recovery from a strained left calf is taking longer than anticipated. "It hasn't gone as quickly as I would have hoped," he said. Manager Craig Counsell revealed that there hasn't been "much progress" since Tucker went on the 10-day injured list on Sept. 9 (retroactive to Sept. 6). While the 28-year-old has been able to hit and throw without issue, his return does not look imminent. It's unclear if Tucker will return during the regular season, but with the Cubs all but guaranteed an NL wild-card spot, they don't have to rush him back this month. With Tucker down,
Willi Castro has gotten the lion's share of starts in right field.
--Connor ByrneSource: Patrick Mooney - The Athletic
September 16, 2025
Toronto Blue Jays shortstop
Bo Bichette (knee) went for a second opinion on his sprained left knee, and it has been confirmed that he is dealing with a short-term injury, Jon Morosi of MLB.com reports. Bichette's knee should improve with rest and rehabilitation, meaning he could return in time for the postseason. Toronto has gone without Bichette, one of its best players this season, since Sept. 7. However, with a five-game lead in the AL East, the Blue Jays look like shoo-ins to clinch a playoff berth even without Bichette. The 27-year-old is a key reason for their success, as he has rebounded from a down season in 2024 to slash .311/.357/.483 with 18 homers, 94 RBI, 78 runs scored, and four stolen bases in 628 plate appearances.
Andres Gimenez and
Ernie Clement have filled in at short since Bichette landed on the 10-day injured list.
--Connor ByrneSource: Jon Morosi
September 16, 2025
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher
Zac Gallen has had a disappointing season, but he has looked much better in his last few outings, and has done a good job establishing his value before becoming a free agent this offseason. Gallen allowed just two hits and one run to the Giants on Monday night, striking out six in six innings. He is 12-14 on the season with a 4.73 ERA and 4.51 FIP, but he has been much better over his last handful of outings, going 3-1 with a 2.05 ERA and 3.41 FIP, while striking out 29 batters in 30 2/3 innings. Gallen will be a fascinating free agent to watch, but before he hits the open market, he'll probably make two more starts this season, with his next outing scheduled to be in a tough home mtachup on Sunday afternoon against the Phillies.
--Zach ThompsonSource: ESPN.com
September 16, 2025
Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop
Geraldo Perdomo went 3-for-3 with two walks in his team's 8-1 win over the visiting Giants on Monday night. Perdomo had a double, a triple, a run scored, and two RBI to help carry his team to the victory. Perdomo has been outstanding lately and is putting the finishing touches on a true breakout season. The 25-year-old righty has posted a .290 batting average with 19 home runs, 26 stolen bases, and a .371 wOBA on the season. He's been even hotter since August 1, hitting .325 with eight homers, 11 stolen bases, and a .423 wOBA. Perdomo has established himself as a key part of the top of the order and will be a shortstop to target as a strong fantasy starter after the elite options are off the board next season.
--Zach ThompsonSource: ESPN.com
September 16, 2025
Philadelphia Phillies first baseman
Bryce Harper smashed his 27th homer of the year on Monday night against the Dodgers, and the Phillies clinched the NL East with their 6-5, extra-inning win in Los Angeles. Harper went 1-for-3 with a pair of walks, and his eighth-inning homer gave the Phillies the lead at that point in the game, before the Dodgers rallied to tie the game. Harper is hitting .320 with three homers and a .486 wOBA over his last seven games, and the veteran looks to be ramping up for more postseason heroics as the Phillies look to make a run deep into October. Harper is a strong DFS consideration while he's hitting the ball so well and makes a strong start in all formats over the final week of the season.
--Zach ThompsonSource: ESPN.com
September 16, 2025
Cincinnati Reds first baseman/outfielder
Spencer Steer (neck) was originally part of the team's lineup for Monday's game, but he had to be scratched due to neck spasms. Steer's playing time has been limited over the last couple of weeks since the arrival of top prospect
Sal Stewart, who moved from third base to first base in Monday's lineup adjustment. Steer is hitting only .208 since the All-Star break, but does have six home runs in those 46 games. On the season, he has 17 homers, a .237 batting average, and a .309 wOBA. Steer could be back in the lineup soon as the Reds chase the NL Wild Card, but for now, he's considered day-to-day.
--Zach ThompsonSource: Reds
September 16, 2025
Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher
Brock Stewart (shoulder) is close to returning to action for the Dodgers after being shut down in mid-August due to right shoulder inflammation. The Dodgers acquired Stewart from the Twins at the trade deadline, but he only pitched 3 2/3 innings for the team before his time on the injured list. In his 43 games in total this season, Stewart has a 2.63 ERA and 3.20 FIP, with 44 strikeouts and 37 2/3 innings. The team expects Stewart to pitch on Tuesday and Thursday before being activated for the final week of the regular season. While he has limited fantasy appeal as a middle reliever, Stewart could earn a spot on the postseason roster if he finishes the year strong.
--Zach ThompsonSource: Bill Plunkett
September 16, 2025
Tampa Bay Rays first baseman
Jonathan Aranda (wrist) is lined up to face live pitching at the team's spring training facility in Port Charlotte, and how he feels after the session will determine if he returns for the last week of the regular season, according to Rays manager Kevin Cash. The 27-year-old was in the midst of a breakout season before landing on the 10-day injured list with a fractured wrist. Aranda hit .316 with 12 homers and a .377 wOBA in his 103 games, but he may get a chance to add to those stats in the final week of the season. He was hitting well enough before the injury that he is worth a look if he's on waivers if he does get activated for the end of the season.
--Zach ThompsonSource: Marc Topkin
September 16, 2025
Baltimore Orioles catcher
Adley Rutschman (oblique) is expected to begin a rehab assignment on Tuesday, per MLB.com's Ryan Herrera. Rutschman was placed on the 10-day injured list retroactive to August 18 with a right oblique strain. Interim manager Tony Mansolino said that Rutschman will need about a week before he will be ready to rejoin the O's. It has been a disappointing season for the 27-year-old, who also missed time with a left oblique strain. In a season with so many fantasy options at catcher, Rutschman has struggled, with a .227/.310/.373 slash line, nine home runs, and 29 RBI in 348 plate appearances.
--Connelly DoanSource: Ryan Herrera - MLB.com
September 16, 2025
The Baltimore Orioles are expected to activate second/third baseman
Jordan Westburg (ankle) from the 10-day injured list ahead of Tuesday's game against the White Sox, per MLB.com's Ryan Herrera. Westburg was placed on the IL retroactive to August 19 with a right ankle sprain. He played three rehab games with Triple-A Norfolk and was with the O's on Monday. Interim manager Tony Mansolino said he plans to have the 26-year-old serve as the designated hitter Tuesday, and then have him play third base the next two games. Westburg came into the season as an intriguing fantasy option, and he has delivered when on the field, slashing .276/.326/.473 with 15 home runs, 34 RBI, and one stolen base in 304 plate appearances.
--Connelly DoanSource: Ryan Herrera - MLB.com
September 16, 2025
Baltimore Orioles right-handed pitcher
Albert Suarez (elbow) was placed on the 15-day injured list on Monday with right elbow discomfort, ending his season. Interim manager Tony Mansolino said the injury occurred during Suarez's start against the Blue Jays on Sunday. Suarez was scheduled for an MRI on Monday and will talk with team doctors on Tuesday. The 35-year-old, who had an emergent 2024 season, only managed to pitch 11 2/3 innings this season due to a Grade 2 right subscapularis strain. Fantasy managers should wait for more news to inform his potential 2026 fantasy outlook.
--Connelly DoanSource: Ryan Herrera - MLB.com
September 16, 2025
Toronto Blue Jays starting pitching prospect
Trey Yesavage made an excellent first impression in Monday's 2-1 win over the Rays. Making his big-league debut, Yesavage pitched five innings, allowing one run on three hits and two walks with nine strikeouts. His over-the-top delivery and splitter helped him set the franchise record for most strikeouts in an MLB debut. Yesavage is the team's top prospect and is the No. 25 overall prospect, per MLB Pipeline. He put together strong numbers this season across four minor-league levels, compiling a 3.12 ERA, a 0.97 WHIP, and a ridiculous 41.1% strikeout rate in 98 IP. It remains to be seen how the Blue Jays will deploy Yesavage the rest of the way, but his next turn in the rotation would likely be a decent matchup at the Royals. Yesavage would be worth starting after his electric debut.
--Connelly DoanSource: Keegan Matheson - MLB.com
September 16, 2025
Houston Astros manager Joe Espada said on Monday that outfielder
Yordan Alvarez (ankle) will get an MRI on his left ankle on Tuesday. Alvarez sprained his ankle in the first inning of Monday's 6-3 win over the Rangers while running across home plate. This is poor timing for the Astros and fantasy managers, as both are in the middle of a potential playoff run. The 28-year-old has already missed 100 games from the beginning of May through the end of August with a hand injury, and he was batting a strong .369 since returning to the team. Fantasy managers should wait for more news, but they would be left with very little time if Alvarez were to be sidelined. Overall, he is slashing .273/.367/.430 with six home runs and 27 RBI in 199 plate appearances.
--Connelly DoanSource: Julia Morales - X.com
September 16, 2025
St. Louis Cardinals first baseman
Willson Contreras (biceps) exited Monday's 11-6 loss to the Reds early with right-biceps tightness, per St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Derrick Goold. Contreras went 2-for-3 with a single, a double, an RBI, and a stolen base before being pinch-hit for by
Nolan Gorman in the seventh inning. The 33-year-old was checked by team doctors for soreness/discomfort before the game and drew the start at first base. Fantasy managers should keep an eye out for more news before Tuesday's game. Contreras is having another productive offensive season, slashing .257/.344/.447 with 20 home runs, 80 RBI, and five stolen bases in 563 plate appearances.
--Connelly DoanSource: Derrick Goold - X.com
September 15, 2025
Texas Rangers shortstop
Corey Seager (abdomen) did some light jogging on the field on Monday, reports Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com. He has been out since August 27 after being diagnosed with appendicitis and undergoing an appendectomy. Bruce Bochy stated that the 31-year-old was still pretty sore, but that soreness figures to be the only thing holding him back from a return to the lineup. Don't expect an activation within the next few days, but Seager should be able to see the field at some point to close out the season. He's had a successful campaign when he is healthy, batting .271 with a .373 on-base percentage and 21 home runs in 102 games.
--Jeremy HeistSource: Jeff Wilson
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