September 16, 2025
Chicago Cubs right-handed reliever
Daniel Palencia (shoulder) threw off a mound on Monday for the first time since going on the 15-day injured list on Sept. 8 with a right-shoulder strain. Palencia resumed playing catch on Sept. 12 and has continued his rehab with positive results. While there's no timetable on the 25-year-old's return, it seems he has a good chance to return before the end of the month if he can avoid setbacks as he continues to ramp up. Palencia will be a big part of Chicago's bullpen for the postseason, as he has converted 22 of his 25 save opportunities this year and has a 3.00 ERA in 52 games pitched. With Palencia sidelined, both
Brad Keller and
Andrew Kittredge have picked up saves, but Kittredge is manager Craig Counsell's preferred option in the ninth inning, having saved three games in the last week.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Associated Press
September 16, 2025
Chicago Cubs catcher
Miguel Amaya (ankle) is not back to 100 percent, but MLB.com reports he will start at designated hitter for Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday. Manager Craig Counsell is hopeful that Amaya will be able to catch in rehab games later in the week. The 26-year-old backstop landed on the 10-day injured list on Aug. 14 with a left-ankle sprain, but barring a setback on his rehab assignment, he should be able to rejoin the Cubs before the end of September. Amaya suffered an ankle injury in his first game back from the IL since late May due to a strained left oblique, so it's been an injury-plagued year for him, to say the least. When he returns, he'll give the Cubbies another option behind starter
Carson Kelly at catcher for the end of the regular season and in the playoffs. Amaya has played in only 28 games this year and has gone 27-for-96 (.281) with four homers and 25 RBI.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
September 16, 2025
Houston Astros right-hander
Lance McCullers Jr. (hand) went on the 15-day injured list last Friday with right-hand soreness, and he might not be able to return before the end of the regular season. "There's a chance that this is the last that we've seen of him," general manager Dana Brown said. "Is it possible he could get back for the last couple of games? There's probably an outside chance, but highly unlikely." The Athletic's Chandler Rome writes there are "few permutations" that exist where McCullers is a logical fit for potential playoff rosters, too. The 31-year-old just hasn't been able to stay healthy and had a 6.88 ERA and 1.85 WHIP in his 52 1/3 innings for the Astros this season. His usage before his injury came as basically a last resort out of the bullpen. McCullers will need a completely healthy offseason -- something he hasn't had since 2021 -- to have any hope of bouncing back next year.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
September 16, 2025
Detroit Tigers ace
Tarik Skubal (side) exited a loss to the Miami Marlins last Friday with pain in his left side. After imaging came back clean over the weekend, Skubal has gotten through the past few days without any problems and remains "penciled in" to start on Thursday against the Cleveland Guardians, manager A.J. Hinch told MLB Network Radio. In the latest positive step, Skubal threw a "normal bullpen" session on Monday, Hinch said. Barring any unforeseen issues, he should be ready to take on the Guardians, whom he has thrived against this year. Skubal has thrown 16 scoreless, five-hit innings with 23 strikeouts and no walks versus Cleveland in two starts. Overall, the reigning AL Cy Young winner has gone 13-5 with a 2.26 ERA, a .86 WHIP, and 224:28 K:BB in 183 1/3 frames.
--Connor ByrneSource: MLB Network Radio
September 16, 2025
Baltimore Orioles right-hander
Dean Kremer (forearm) will start against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday. Kremer exited his most recent outing on Sept. 5 with forearm soreness, leading the Orioles to skip his next turn through the rotation. The 29-year-old will return after missing one start to take on a Chicago offense that ranks 26th in the majors in runs and 28th in OPS. Kremer faced the White Sox on May 31 and fired six innings of one-run ball with 7:2 K:BB to pick up a win. He has gone 9-10 with a 4.43 ERA, a 1.26 WHIP, and 132:41 K:BB in 158 1/3 innings this season.
--Connor ByrneSource: MLB.com
September 16, 2025
San Francisco Giants left-hander
Carson Whisenhunt (back) is scheduled to begin a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Sacramento and throw two innings on Tuesday. The rookie has been on the 15-day injured list with a back strain since Aug. 28, and he could rejoin a shorthanded Giants rotation when he returns. The Giants are also without
Landen Roupp (knee), who suffered a season-ending knee injury in late August, leaving them scrambling to fill in their rotation as they vie for an NL wild-card spot. They'll start reliever
Tristan Beck in a crucial game against the division-rival Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday. Whisenhunt, 24, has gone 2-1 with a 5.01 ERA, a 1.46 WHIP, and 16:12 K:BB over five starts and 23 1/3 innings since he received his first promotion to the majors in late July.
--Connor ByrneSource: MLB.com
September 16, 2025
San Francisco Giants right-handed reliever
Tristan Beck will start on Tuesday against the Arizona Diamondbacks, according to Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle. It'll be the first start of the season for Beck, who has made 26 appearances in relief this year and amassed 48 innings of 4.88 ERA ball with a 1.10 WHIP, 36 strikeouts, and 14 walks. The 29-year-old has thrown multiple innings in four straight appearances, maxing out at 63 pitches, so he should be able to give the Giants a little bit of length in what will be a bullpen game for the NL wild-card contenders.
--Connor ByrneSource: Shayna Rubin - The San Francisco Chronicle
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
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