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Jake Bauers Returns From Abdominal Injury Against Twins
Milwaukee Brewers first baseman/outfielder Jake Bauers (abdomen) is starting at first base and batting third in the order for Friday's series opener against the visiting Minnesota Twins and right-hander Zebby Matthews, according to MLB.com. Bauers will return to the starting nine on Friday evening after missing the last three games with abdominal soreness. Fantasy managers in traditional formats will want to get the left-handed slugger back in their starting lineups for the weekend, especially against a right-handed pitcher. The 30-year-old will return to a .270/.375/.503 slash line on the season with an .878 OPS, 20 home runs, 64 RBI, 68 runs scored, and eight stolen bases across his 344 at-bats in what has been a career year in 2026. Bauers has never faced Matthews in his career, but he has hit .277 (72-for-260) with 17 of his 20 long balls on the year against right-handed pitching. He's also carrying a current nine-game hitting streak in which he's gone 13-for-31 (.419) with two homers, a double, a triple, five RBI, 11 runs, and two stolen bases. Bauers is red-hot.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Brett Bateman Gets the Call as Blue Jays Promote Outfield Prospect
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Brett Bateman was called up from Triple-A Buffalo on Friday, according to Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. Toronto acquired the 24-year-old from the Cubs in the Kevin Gausman trade earlier this week. Bateman has hit .311 with a .429 on-base percentage, three home runs, 33 RBI, 61 runs, and 20 stolen bases in 293 Triple-A at-bats this season. Power isn't a big part of his game, but the contact skills, patience, and speed give him a path to fantasy value if Toronto gives him regular at-bats. With Daulton Varsho no longer in the picture, Bateman is worth a look in AL-only and 15-team leagues, with added appeal in OBP formats. Managers in standard 12-team leagues can monitor his playing time before making the move.
Source: Keegan Matheson
Source: Keegan Matheson
Willson Contreras Still Under the Weather on Friday
Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras (illness) is missing a second straight game on Friday in the series opener against the Athletics at Fenway Park due to an illness, per MLB.com. Nick Sogard will make another start at first base for the BoSox while batting leadoff on Friday against A's right-hander Jack Perkins. Contreras was pulled from Wednesday's contest early due to an illness and hasn't played since, but he should be back at some point for the series this weekend against the A's. When the 34-year-old Venezuelan returns, he'll need to be reinserted into all fantasy lineups in traditional formats as one of Boston's best all-around hitters in 2026 in his first year with the team. Contreras is currently batting a steady .288/.395/.540 with a .936 OPS, 23 home runs, 70 RBI, 57 runs scored, and three stolen bases in his 361 at-bats in 2026. Since the beginning of July, Contreras has hit .319 (23-for-72) with a 1.056 OPS, five homers, four doubles, 17 RBI, 16 runs, and a stolen base in 23 games.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Nick Pivetta's Rehab Progression Paused
San Diego Padres starting pitcher Nick Pivetta (right elbow) will have his rehab progression paused for a few days after experiencing tightness during Tuesday's start with Single-A Lake Elsinore. Pivetta threw just 14 pitches before leaving the mound, although he was able to throw another 20-30 pitches in the bullpen afterward. He did not throw his scheduled bullpen Thursday and will not make his next rehab start on time while the Padres determine whether anything needs to change. The 33-year-old has been out since April with a flexor strain after going 1-2 with a 4.50 ERA and 24 strikeouts in 16 innings. Pivetta posted a 2.87 ERA and finished sixth in NL Cy Young voting last season. There is no timetable for his next rehab appearance, so fantasy managers will have to keep waiting.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Hunter Greene To Undergo Right-Elbow Surgery
Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Hunter Greene (right elbow) will undergo surgery after seeking a second opinion, according to Pat Brennan. Reds president of baseball operations Nick Krall said the procedure will involve the area around the ligament, though doctors will not know exactly what needs to be repaired until the operation begins. Greene already underwent surgery in March to remove bone chips and loose bodies from the same elbow before returning July 4. He made only five starts, going 2-2 with a 6.83 ERA, nine walks, and 33 strikeouts in 27 2/3 innings before returning to the injured list Aug. 5. Fantasy managers can move on in redraft leagues. His outlook for 2027 will depend heavily on what surgeons find and the type of procedure ultimately performed.
Source: Pat Brennan
Source: Pat Brennan
Byron Buxton Progressing Slower Than Expected
Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton (right hip) is progressing slower than expected as he works back from another flare-up of his hip impingement, according to the Minnesota Star Tribune. Buxton is eligible to return from the 10-day injured list this weekend in Milwaukee, but he has yet to resume baseball activities after receiving an unspecified injection last week. The 32-year-old has increased his loading, isometric, and weight-training work and hopes to carry that progress onto the field over the next few days. This is Buxton's second IL stint because of the same hip issue. He is batting .263 with 25 home runs, 45 RBI, 57 runs, and seven steals in 82 games. Fantasy managers should keep him stashed, as there is still no firm timetable for his return.
Source: Minnesota Star Tribune
Source: Minnesota Star Tribune
Oneil Cruz Begins Rehab Assignment Friday
Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Oneil Cruz (left hand) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday, according to Alex Stumpf. Cruz has been out since early June with non-displaced fractures of the fourth and fifth metacarpals in his left hand and was transferred to the 60-day injured list July 18. This will be his first game action in roughly two months. The 27-year-old was hitting .264/.350/.472 with 14 home runs, 44 RBI, 45 runs, and 21 stolen bases in 64 games before getting hurt. Pittsburgh has not announced how many rehab games Cruz will need before being activated. Still, getting him back into competitive games is a significant step, and fantasy managers should continue holding him as he works toward a return.
Source: Alex Stumpf
Source: Alex Stumpf
Jordan Walker Back In Cardinals Lineup Friday
St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Jordan Walker (right knee) is back in the starting lineup Friday against the Colorado Rockies. Walker was scratched shortly before Tuesday's game against the New York Yankees because of right knee inflammation and remained out Wednesday before the Cardinals had Thursday off. The 24-year-old was batting .285 with 22 home runs and 81 RBI when the issue surfaced. He had also collected two hits, including a triple, in Monday's series opener at Yankee Stadium. Walker's return after missing only two games is good news for fantasy managers, who can get him back into their lineups Friday.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Remains Out Friday
Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (hamstring) remains out of the starting lineup Friday against the Philadelphia Phillies, marking his third straight absence. Guerrero last played Tuesday against the Houston Astros, going 0-for-3 with a walk before sitting Wednesday and Thursday. Manager John Schneider said earlier this week that Guerrero had been dealing with hamstring tightness but did not expect the issue to require a trip to the injured list. The 27-year-old is batting .259 with six home runs and 44 RBI this season. Kazuma Okamoto will start at first base Friday.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
George Klassen Recalled To Start Friday Against Marlins
Los Angeles Angels right-handed pitcher George Klassen was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday and will start against the Miami Marlins. The 24-year-old gets another shot after a difficult two-start stint in April, when he allowed six earned runs and walked 10 batters in just 4 2/3 innings. Klassen has been much better since returning to Salt Lake, particularly in July. He posted a 2.48 ERA and 0.99 WHIP with 38 strikeouts across 36 1/3 innings and was named the Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Month. The strikeouts led the PCL during that stretch. Klassen's first trip to the majors showed how quickly his control can unravel, but his recent run makes this return worth watching. He is a risky streamer for Friday and more of a deep-league option until he shows he can throw enough strikes against major-league hitters.
Source: Angels PR
Source: Angels PR
Franklin Arias Off to Productive Start to August at Triple-A
Boston Red Sox top-rated shortstop prospect Franklin Arias is off to a scorching start since his call-up to Triple-A Worcester, hitting three homers with 12 RBI in his first 10 games at the highest level of the minors. He has started August hitting .444 with a homer and six RBI in just four games. The uber-talented 20-year-old is showing that he belongs at Triple-A but might have a bit of ways to go before a call-up to Boston. Between two levels of the minors, Arias is hitting .319 with 22 homers and 64 RBI to go with 56 runs and five steals. The right-handed hitter from Venezuela looks like a future major league star, but he might need a bit more time at Triple-A while Boston is in the thick of a playoff push. Arias, however, is a name to stash away in dynasty leagues as he looks like a future impact performer.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Cam Cannarella Showing Off Elite Speed So Far at Triple-A
Miami Marlins outfield prospect Cam Cannarella has produced since being called up to Triple-A Jacksonville. He has shown off his elite speed at Jacksonville with five stolen bases in 14 games with the Jumbo Shrimp. Cannarella is the No. 6 prospect for the Marlins and has a 60-grade run tool with a 55-grade hit tool. Between three levels of the minor leagues this season, Cannarella has 13 homers and 48 RBI in 244 at bats and has added 51 runs and 15 stolen bases while hitting .344. At age 22, the left-handed hitting Cannarella is showing off his skills in the minors, but might need more time at Triple-A before given an opportunity for a shot at Miami. He is okay to leave on the waiver wire at this point but could be useful in dynasty-league formats.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Joshua Baez A Priority Stash Target With Viable Path To Starting Job
St. Louis Cardinals outfield prospect Joshua Baez has performed all season at Triple-A Memphis, and it is starting to look like there is a realistic opportunity for him to make his MLB debut. Baez has 32 homers and 84 RBI at Memphis this season and has added 75 runs scored and 18 stolen bases with a .252 batting average. Baez is the No. 3 prospect in the Cardinals organization and is graded out at 60 for his power with a 50-grade hit tool and 50-grade run tool. St. Louis has an opening in the outfield, Baez's position, and they will likely add Baez to their outfield among Jordan Walker and Nathan Church. A highly productive power-speed combination, Baez makes an elite stash candidate, and given a chance to debut, he could produce in a big way for fantasy managers.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Charlie Condon Hits Home Run No. 22 on Thursday As MLB Call-Up Approaches
Colorado Rockies first base/outfield prospect Charlie Condon hit a home run on Thursday night for Triple-A Albuquerque as he continues to produce at a high level ahead of a pending promotion to the MLB club. The homer was already Condon's second in August, and he has 22 total this season with 69 RBI while hitting .284. He also has 83 runs scored and six stolen bases. Condon is 23 years old and is the No. 3 prospect in the Rockies' system. The 2024 first-round draft pick is pushing for a chance at an MLB debut, and it's starting to look likely that he will be called up to Colorado, as he has some position flexibility at first base and outfield. He could provide an instant impact bat for the big league team as he has proven himself with a highly productive season at Triple-A. He is a priority name to stash away and add on the waiver wire.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Walker Jenkins Heating Up at Triple-A Ahead of Potential Promotion
Minnesota Twins outfield prospect Walker Jenkins is coming off a two-homer game for Triple-A St. Paul on Thursday and has been red-hot so far in August. In four August games, Jenkins has a .421 batting average with those two homers and two RBI with four runs scored. Jenkins missed a lot of action this season in May with an injury but has been solid in his performance for St. Paul. In 209 at-bats with St. Paul, Jenkins has six homers and 17 RBI with 39 runs scored and 10 stolen bases. Jenkins, now 21 years old, is knocking on the door for a promotion to Minnesota. Shortstop Kaelen Culpepper, the No. 2 prospect for the Twins behind Jenkins, was recently promoted, and Jenkins might not be far behind. There aren't many better stash candidates than Jenkins right now before the end of the season, and he could make a big impact in five categories for fantasy managers given a call-up.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
