RADIO
Nathan Eovaldi Throws "Touch-and-Feel" Bullpen Session
Texas Rangers right-hander Nathan Eovaldi (elbow) threw a "touch-and-feel" bullpen session on Thursday at T-Mobile Park, according to MLB.com. Eovaldi is scheduled for a second live batting practice session on Friday in Arizona if everything continues in the right direction as he recovers from right posterior elbow inflammation that landed him on the 15-day injured list on Aug. 10. His expected return to the Rangers' starting rotation is to be determined right now and will likely be decided by how he feels and recovers following another throwing session on Friday. The 36-year-old veteran is running out of time to help fantasy managers in the postseason over the next couple of weeks, and if he does return before the end of the regular season in September, he might only make one or two starts for the Rangers. In his 15th year in the big leagues, the two-time All-Star has a 10-9 record, 4.21 ERA (4.27 FIP), and 1.21 WHIP with 137 strikeouts and 32 walks in 132 2/3 innings pitched across his 22 starts. The Rangers are currently three games back of the Houston Astros for the division lead in the American League West and two games back of the final wild-card spot in the AL.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Ryan O'Hearn Returns From Injured List on Friday
The Pittsburgh Pirates announced on Friday that they activated first baseman/outfielder Ryan O'Hearn (quadriceps) from the 10-day injured list. Although O'Hearn is back for the start of the team's weekend series in Chicago against the division-rival Cubs, he is not in the team's starting lineup on Friday against Cubs left-hander Shota Imanaga. The 33-year-old veteran should be back in the lineup for the first time since late July for Game 2 of the series at Wrigley Field on Saturday. He went 1-for-7 with a double in two minor-league rehab games with Triple-A Indianapolis and will be hoping to pick up where he left off with the Pirates. In his first year in the Steel City in 2026, O'Hearn has slashed .270/.334/.454 with a .788 OPS, a career-high-tying 17 home runs, 69 RBI, 54 runs scored, and a stolen base in 96 games across 398 plate appearances. He has been pretty mediocre against left-handers, though, hitting .223 (25-for-112) against them with only four of his 17 home runs in 124 plate appearances. Against righties, though, he could be a nice asset for fantasy managers in deeper leagues to close out the season.
Source: Pittsburgh Pirates
Source: Pittsburgh Pirates
Anthony Volpe Worth a Waiver-Wire Look After Big Game?
The New York Yankees brought shortstop Anthony Volpe back from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after they placed infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. (thumb) on the 10-day injured list this week. Hitting out of the nine-hole while starting at second base on Thursday in his return, Volpe went 3-for-4 at the plate with a grand slam and five RBI to help the Yankees handle the Rockies easily in the Bronx by a score of 10-3. It was the 25-year-old's first time playing the keystone in the big leagues, and he figures to split time at the position with Jose Caballero until Chisholm can return from his thumb injury. Volpe is hitting .251/.333/.349 with only two home runs, 24 RBI, and eight stolen bases in his 198 plate appearances for the Yankees this year. It was a nice night for him in his return to the Bronx, but with shared playing time likely at second base with Chisholm out, Volpe is unlikely to move the needle enough to be a must-have off the waiver wire during the fantasy playoffs.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Drew Rasmussen Profiles as Impact Starting Pitcher in the Final Weeks
Across 153 1/3 innings (27 starts) in 2026, Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Drew Rasmussen has recorded a 14-5 record with a 2.88 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, and 156 strikeouts. The 31-year-old battled through a brief rough patch in the middle of the season, allowing 13 earned runs across 19 1/3 innings in July. However, Rasmussen has gotten back to dominance since the All-Star break, recording a 2.17 ERA with 58 strikeouts across his last 54 innings pitched. Rasmussen has posted a stellar 26.1% strikeout rate for the season while also logging an elite 4.5% walk rate. With his standout command, the veteran right-hander profiles as one of the most reliable sources of high-end WHIP for fantasy managers. Rasmussen has also proven an ability to go deeper into games this season, going at least six full innings in six of his last eight starts. Ahead of the final few weeks of 2026, Rasmussen should be viewed by fantasy managers as a high-end starting pitcher option.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Louis Varland Continues to Provide High-End Closer Production
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Louis Varland has emerged as one of the best closers in baseball in 2026, pitching to a 1.24 ERA and a 1.01 WHIP with 89 strikeouts and 33 saves across 72 1/3 innings (66 games). Varland is averaging 98.9 miles per hour on his fastball and has struck out 31.3% of the batters he's faced this season. The 28-year-old has allowed only two home runs for the entire year and has also blown only one save chance. Varland has been slightly less dominant of late, pitching to a 2.20 ERA and recording fewer than a strikeout per inning since the start of August. Still, the hard-throwing righty looks like an excellent late-inning reliever and remains an elite closer option for fantasy managers heading into the final few weeks of the regular season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kevin McGonigle a Steady Five-Category Producer for Fantasy Managers
Detroit Tigers shortstop/third baseman Kevin McGonigle has had an excellent rookie season in 2026, slashing .273/.373/.420 with 16 home runs, 62 RBI, 90 runs scored, and 12 stolen bases across 635 plate appearances. The 22-year-old has been remarkably consistent for a young player thanks to his elite plate approach, as he's logged nearly as many walks (86) as strikeouts (87) this year. McGonigle profiles as a contact-over-power bat, logging middling barrel (7.0%) and hard-hit (36.4%) rates. However, the young infielder has been hot of late, slugging two home runs in his last 13 plate appearances. Even without a late-season power surge, McGonigle's everyday presence at the top of the Tigers lineup and his balanced production profile make him a high-end infield option for fantasy managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kyle Schwarber Remains an Elite Power Source Amid Current HR Binge
Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber has been one of the best power hitters in all of baseball once again in 2026, hitting .241/.355/.527 with 44 home runs, 92 RBI, 88 runs scored, and three stolen bases across 632 plate appearances. The 33-year-old battled through a moderate power swoon at the end of August, but he's been red-hot to start September. Across his last 27 trips to the plate, Schwarber has logged seven hits, four home runs, nine RBI, and seven runs scored. The 33-year-old's underlying batted-ball metrics are indicative of his massive power, as he's posted a 17% barrel rate and a 49.5% hard-hit rate on the year. Heading into the final few weeks of the regular season, Schwarber remains an elite source of power for fantasy managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Wyatt Langford Remains Mired in Extended Second-Half Slump
Across 409 plate appearances in 2026, Texas Rangers outfielder Wyatt Langford is hitting .241/.330/.435 with 16 home runs, 38 RBI, 57 runs scored, and 13 stolen bases. Especially considering the hype he once generated as a prospect, the 24-year-old's season-long numbers are underwhelming. However, Langford's production has really taken a turn for the worse of late. After hitting .189 across 120 plate appearances in August, Langford has recorded just four hits across his first 39 trips to the plate in September. Langford's underlying batted-ball metrics are down as well, as he's posted just a 5.1% barrel rate in the second half of the season. While Langford remains a useful fantasy piece due to his potential for five-category production, fantasy managers may not want to find themselves relying on him down the stretch.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Corbin Carroll to Return to the Lineup on Friday
Arizona Sports' John Gambadoro said that he has not heard anything concerning about Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll's (back) MRI exam and that he will return to the starting lineup for Friday's series opener against the Texas Rangers. Carroll did not play in the team's last two games against the Kansas City Royals due to discomfort in his lower back, but after his testing did not show anything concerning, he is on track to return for the start of a weekend series against Texas. The 26-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder continues to offer five-category upside for fantasy managers, which makes him a must-start when he is available, but Carroll hit .234 (25-for-107) with an .815 OPS in 29 games in August, and he had gone just 2-for-22 (.136) with no walks and eight strikeouts in six games to start September before his back injury. Fantasy managers playing for a championship are hoping that Carroll can get things turned around quickly this weekend and into next week after dealing with a minor back injury of late. Overall, Carroll is slashing .240/.334/.466 with an even .800 OPS, 19 home runs, a league-high 16 triples, 61 RBI, 21 stolen bases, and 85 runs scored across 141 games and 608 plate appearances in his fifth year in the majors.
Source: Arizona Sports - John Gambadoro
Source: Arizona Sports - John Gambadoro
Chris Sale Continues to be a Fantasy Ace
Despite being 37 years old, Atlanta Braves left-hander Chris Sale has been one of the best pitchers in the National League in 2026 in his 16th season in the league. The former Cy Young winner and 10-time All-Star has managed to stay healthy this season and has been excellent for the Braves and fantasy managers alike, going 14-9 with a 2.10 ERA (2.26 FIP) and 1.01 WHIP with 184 strikeouts and only 29 walks in 150 innings pitched across his 25 starts. Sale picked up his eighth straight quality start his last time out on Sept. 4 against the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies, picking up a win while allowing two earned runs with one walk and seven strikeouts in six innings of work. He has at least six strikeouts in each of his last eight quality starts, and his 18 quality starts this year rank fifth in the National League. Sale also ranks second in the NL in ERA, third in wins and WHIP, and fourth in strikeouts. Sale has a tough matchup his next time out against the first-place Tampa Bay Rays, but the veteran hurler is a must-start in all fantasy leagues, especially in the fantasy playoffs.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Aroldis Chapman Continues to Defy Father Time
Boston Red Sox veteran left-handed closer Aroldis Chapman has not pitched like a 38-year-old in 2026. The nine-time All-Star and two-time World Series winner has been fantastic in the ninth inning for the BoSox in his second year with the team and his 17th in the big leagues, going 3-4 with a 2.03 ERA (2.52 FIP), a 1.13 WHIP, 33 saves, and a 65:20 K:BB in 48 2/3 innings pitched out of the bullpen. The Cuban southpaw has been even better in the second half of the season, with a 1.80 ERA, only eight walks, 29 strikeouts, and 14 saves in 20 innings pitched. He has converted 17 straight save chances since his last blown save on June 28 against the division-rival New York Yankees. Since the beginning of August, Chapman has a 3.00 ERA (3.35 FIP) with only three walks, 16 strikeouts, one win, and seven saves in 12 innings pitched. Chapman has only blown two of his 35 save chances this year for the Red Sox, and he has been a big reason why they are in the mix for a wild-card spot in the American League down the stretch in the 2026 season.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Jacob deGrom Strikes Out 12 But Gets No-Decision on Thursday
Texas Rangers right-hander Jacob deGrom was dominant on the mound on Thursday in the 4-3 loss on the road against the division-rival Seattle Mariners. deGrom looked like his old Cy Young self by tossing six shutout innings with just one hit allowed, no walks, and 12 strikeouts. Unfortunately, the Rangers' bullpen was unable to hold a 3-0 lead after deGrom left, and he was not able to pick up a win for his fantasy managers. deGrom was nearly unhittable in this one and generated 20 swings and misses on his 92 total pitches on the day. After the strong performance, deGrom will carry a 3.80 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and a 186:38 K:BB in 149 1/3 innings pitched into his next scheduled outing next Wednesday against the Boston Red Sox. In his first meeting with Boston on June 13 of this year, deGrom had a no-decision but had a quality start, allowing two earned runs in six innings with zero walks and five strikeouts in the team's 6-3 loss.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Braxton Ashcraft Lands on Injured List With Arm Discomfort
The Pittsburgh Pirates announced on Thursday that they placed right-hander Braxton Ashcraft (arm) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to Sept. 7) with discomfort in his right arm and recalled right-hander Antwone Kelly from Triple-A Indianapolis in a corresponding move. If Ashcraft returns after his 15 days are up on the IL, he will have just enough time to make one more start in 2026, but the Pirates surely will not be rushing him back. Most likely, we have seen Ashcraft make his last start of the season last Saturday against the Los Angeles Angels, when he allowed three earned runs. The 26-year-old former second-rounder in 2018 was a first-time All-Star in 2025 in his second year in the big leagues, and he has gone 14-6 with a 3.65 ERA (3.50 FIP), 1.09 WHIP, and 173:35 K:BB in 165 1/3 innings pitched across 28 starts. It has been a nice breakout season for Ashcraft, but he is now unlikely to help anyone in the fantasy postseason.
Source: Pittsburgh Pirates
Source: Pittsburgh Pirates
Bo Bichette Could be a Coin Flip to Opt Out of his Contract
New York Mets infielder Bo Bichette is the trickiest decision in the free-agent class in terms of deciding to opt out of the final two years of his deal, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan. The Mets owe Bichette $84 million over the next two years, but if Bichette opts out, he will receive a $5 million buyout and hit the free-agent market again as he heads into his age-29 season in 2027. Passan thinks that Bichette will ultimately opt out and hope that the mediocrity of the rest of the free-agent class will help him stand out, but "it's genuinely a coin flip." The 28-year-old former second-round pick in 2016 by the Toronto Blue Jays got off to an ice-cold start in Queens at the plate, but he has turned it around and is currently sporting a .265/.317/.399 slash line with a .716 OPS, 16 home runs, 73 RBI, 71 runs scored, and two stolen bases in 144 games across 622 plate appearances. Bichette has been much better since the All-Star break, hitting .286 (54-for-189) with a .794 OPS, and he also went 29-for-100 (.290) with four homers, seven doubles, a triple, 13 RBI, and 12 runs scored in 26 games in August.
Source: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
Source: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
Tarik Skubal Could Receive Massive 10-Year Deal in Free Agency
Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Tarik Skubal, who will turn 30 years old in November, could get double the $245 million deal that former right-hander Stephen Strasburg received on a seven-year deal in free agency from the Washington Nationals if there is no salary cap after the 2026 season, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN. Skubal shook off an early-season elbow injury and has a 7-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio with a 2.93 ERA since returning. He has not missed a beat and has been elite, which means that some team will pay an exorbitant amount for potentially a 10-year contract to secure the services of Skubal. However, barely a handful of teams are interested in paying $50 million a year for 33 starts, so Skubal will continue to be at the heart of the salary-cap debate with a potential lockout coming in 2027. The two-time Cy Young winner has a high-90s fastball and pairs it with a changeup that is among the best pitches in the league. In seven starts since being acquired by the Dodgers from the Detroit Tigers at the trade deadline in early August, Skubal has gone 2-2 with a 2.93 ERA (2.54 FIP) and 1.12 WHIP with 48 strikeouts and 10 walks in 43 innings.
Source: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
Source: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
