RADIO
Jose Fermin Emerging as a Potential Deep-League Saves Source
Los Angeles Angels right-hander Jose Fermin has been an emergent young arm in his team's bullpen in 2026. Across 39 innings (36 games), the 24-year-old has recorded a 3.23 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, and 45 strikeouts. Fermin is averaging 96.8 miles per hour on his fastball and has struck out 26.5% of the batters he's faced this year. He also picked up the first save of his big-league career on Friday. With the Angels having traded right-hander Ryan Zeferjahn to the Chicago Cubs at the trade deadline, Fermin could be poised to step into more regular save opportunities in Los Angeles. The Angels have other high-leverage options in right-hander Ben Joyce and left-hander Samy Natera Jr., so fantasy managers should not expect Fermin to exclusively work in the ninth inning. Still, Fermin could be a worthy flier to target on the waiver wire in deeper leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jacob Webb Looks Like the Saves Source to Roster in Chicago
Across 51 2/3 innings (52 games) in 2026, Chicago Cubs right-hander Jacob Webb has recorded a 4-2 record with a 2.44 ERA and 1.18 WHIP with 58 strikeouts and seven saves. With closer Daniel Palencia (elbow) on the injured list, the Cubs have largely taken a committee approach to the ninth inning. Still, Webb has now earned saves in each of his last two appearances, both of which came after Chicago acquired right-hander Ryan Zeferjahn from the Los Angeles Angels at the trade deadline. Even with another high-leverage arm in the mix for the Cubs, Webb may be the team's preferred option. The 32-year-old has posted a stellar 27.1% strikeout rate and has been one of Chicago's more reliable bullpen arms all season long. In deeper leagues, Webb carries waiver wire appeal for fantasy managers in need of stable ratios and some saves upside.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Clayton Beeter Still Carries Deep-League Waiver-Wire Appeal
Across 36 innings (38 games) in 2026, Washington Nationals right-hander Clayton Beeter has recorded a 3.75 ERA and 1.25 WHIP with 37 strikeouts, 12 saves, and five wins. The 27-year-old has issues with both command (15.1% walk rate) and home runs (1.50 HR/9), which is a dangerous combination for a high-leverage reliever. Beeter's strikeout rate has also nosedived this season to 24.3%, down from 31.7% in 2025. Still, Washington has consistently relied on Beeter to work the ninth inning, especially of late. Across his last seven outings, Beeter has recorded four saves. Fantasy managers should be wary of Beeter's blow-up potential and should not expect him to provide high-end closer production. However, he remains a worthy deep-league waiver wire target for managers in need of saves.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Hogan Harris Re-Emerging as the Preferred Ninth-Inning Option for the Athletics
Across 52 innings (55 games) in 2026, Athletics left-hander Hogan Harris has recorded a 3.63 ERA and 1.58 WHIP with 70 strikeouts and 11 saves. Harris' inflated WHIP is a symptom of his command issues, as he's posted a 14.2% walk rate. However, the 29-year-old is also averaging a career-best 95.3 miles per hour on his fastball and has logged a stellar 29.3% strikeout rate. Harris appears to be re-asserting himself as the preferred ninth-inning option for the Athletics, as he's notched saves in each of his last two appearances and has recorded five saves in his last nine outings. Fantasy managers should not expect to get high-end ratio help from Harris, but he looks like a viable source of saves and strikeouts to target on the waiver wire in deeper leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kodai Senga Earns First Save on Monday, Emerging as a Waiver-Wire Target
New York Mets right-hander Kodai Senga earned his first save of 2026 on Monday, pitching a scoreless ninth inning with a walk and two strikeouts in his team's 8-5 win over the Atlanta Braves. After a brutal start to the year in the Mets' rotation, Senga has worked almost exclusively out of the bullpen since late June. Mets closer Devin Williams (shoulder) is currently on the 15-day injured list due to a shoulder strain, and the team traded away multiple high-leverage relief arms at the trade deadline. As a result, Senga appears to be in a position to see regular opportunities in the ninth inning in New York. While the 33-year-old's command and health issues have plagued him in recent years, he still has high-end strikeout stuff that could play up in a short-relief role. Fantasy managers in need of saves upside should target Senga on the waiver wire.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Shane McClanahan to Throw Another Sim Game Soon
Tampa Bay Rays left-hander Shane McClanahan (back) threw two "ups" in a simulated game last Thursday, Aug. 6, and is scheduled for another sim game of three "ups" in the coming days, according to president of baseball operations Erik Neander. McClanahan has been on the 15-day injured list since July 31 with mid-back tightness. Barring a setback, he could return to Tampa's starting rotation in mid-August, per MLB.com. If McClanahan looks good in his next sim game this week, the Rays may allow him to return to the big-league roster without going on a minor-league rehab assignment, although that would make him much more of a risk in fantasy in his first start back with the team. The 29-year-old southpaw and former first-rounder from the University of South Florida missed all of the 2024 and 2025 seasons due to multiple Tommy John procedures. In his return this year, he has gone 9-6 with a solid 3.09 ERA (3.35 FIP) and 1.12 WHIP with 91 strikeouts and 35 walks in 99 innings across 20 starts. McClanahan's strikeout rate is at a career-low 22.2%, but all things considered, it has been an encouraging return in his fourth MLB campaign.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Will Smith Could Take On-Field Batting Practice This Week
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said on Monday that catcher Will Smith (neck) could take on-field batting practice sometime this week, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. It is a "big week" ahead of Smith ramping up his rehab. A nagging neck injury has kept the Dodgers' starting catcher out since June 11, but the 31-year-old veteran appears to be making some progress towards a return. Smith is still a ways from his return to the major-league roster, though, and the Dodgers have no real reason to rush him back. He will need a minor-league rehab assignment before returning, and he probably won't be a realistic option to return to the Dodgers' starting lineup until sometime in September for the last month of the regular season. Smith, a former first-rounder in 2016 from the University of Louisville, has played in only 52 games in 2026 in his eighth year in the league, slashing .249/.338/.382 with six homers and 23 RBI after being named an All-Star in each of his previous three seasons. He's stashed in 68% of Yahoo leagues, but he may only have a few weeks to produce for fantasy managers before the year is up.
Source: The Athletic - Fabian Ardaya
Source: The Athletic - Fabian Ardaya
Geraldo Perdomo Exits Early on Monday With Knee Soreness
The Arizona Diamondbacks announced that shortstop Geraldo Perdomo (knee) exited Monday night's game early against the division-rival Colorado Rockies with soreness in his left knee. Before leaving, Perdomo went 0-for-2 at the plate as the leadoff man with a walk and a run scored. He was replaced at the 6 in Arizona by Ildemaro Vargas to start the fifth inning at Chase Field. The 26-year-old Dominican infielder's knee injury looks to be a day-to-day issue, but fantasy managers will want to check back on Tuesday to see if he's active for the second game of the series in the desert against Colorado. Perdomo hasn't been able to keep things going in 2026 after he posted a career-high 20 home runs with 100 RBI and 27 stolen bases in 161 regular-season games in 2025 in his fifth year in the big leagues. Going into Monday's contest in Arizona, Perdomo was slashing .245/.359/.376 with a .735 OPS, only nine home runs, 42 RBI, 17 stolen bases, and 56 runs scored in his 115 games and 498 plate appearances. The D-backs can ill-afford to lose Perdomo as they compete for a National League wild-card spot down the stretch, even though he has been mostly underwhelming in 2026.
Source: Arizona Diamondbacks
Source: Arizona Diamondbacks
Vinnie Pasquantino Beginning Rehab Assignment on Tuesday
Kansas City Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino (hand) is scheduled to begin a minor-league rehab assignment on Tuesday with Triple-A Omaha. Pasquantino is working his way back from wrist soreness that has kept him sidelined since July 29. If everything goes well, Pasquantino should only require a few minor league games before being ready to return to Kansas City. This season, Pasquantino is slashing .232/.318/.345 with six home runs, 33 RBI, and four steals in 79 games. It has been a down year for the left-handed slugger, but he could be worth snagging for fantasy managers looking for help in the power department.
Source: Kansas City Royals
Source: Kansas City Royals
Zack Gelof is Returning on Monday
Athletics infielder Zack Gelof (knee) was activated off the 10-day Injured List ahead of Monday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays. Gelof is ready to play after being sidelined since July 10 due to a right knee laceration. He'll cover third base and bat ninth versus right-hander Freddy Peralta on Monday. Gelof figures to be the everyday third baseman down the stretch of the season. This season, Gelof is slashing .273/.327/.476 with 11 home runs, 29 RBI, and eight steals in 67 games. He could be an interesting deep league option given his power and speed upside.
Source: Athletics
Source: Athletics
Adley Rutschman Expected to be Activated on Tuesday
Boston Red Sox catcher Adley Rutschman (wrist) is expected to be activated from the 10-day injured list ahead of Tuesday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays, according to Chris Cotillo. It looks like Rutschman is nearing his highly-anticipated team debut after being acquired in a blockbuster move at the trade deadline. The 28-year-old figures to get the bulk of the playing time behind the plate, which means reduced roles for Connor Wong and Jake Rogers. Rutschman has been out since July 20 due to wrist inflammation, but is finally nearing his return. Fantasy managers looking for help at the catcher spot should check the waiver wire to see if Rutschman is available.
Source: Chris Cotillo
Source: Chris Cotillo
Nathan Eovaldi Placed on 15-Day Injured List With Elbow Inflammation
Texas Rangers starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi (elbow) was placed on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to August 9, on Monday, according to the team. Eovaldi will head to the shelf due to right posterior elbow inflammation. The good news is that it's not UCL-related, which is an encouraging sign. The assumption is that Eovaldi will undergo more testing in the coming days. Fantasy managers should stay tuned for a better timetable on his status. This season, Eovaldi owns a 4.21 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, and a 137/32 K/BB ratio across 132.2 innings of work this season. Cal Quantrill will get the start in Eovaldi's place against the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday
Source: Texas Rangers PR
Source: Texas Rangers PR
Bryce Harper Playing Through Knee Soreness
Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Bryce Harper (knee) remains in the starting lineup for Monday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals. Harper continues to play despite dealing with knee soreness that has worsened since moving to the outfield, according to Charlotte Varnes. Harper fouled a ball off his knee before the All-Star break, and it hasn't stopped bothering him. He'll be at the designated hitter spot for the second time in three games on Monday. The Phillies will move things around and have Derek Hill in right field while Kyle Schwarber gets the start at first base. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor this situation closely. For now, Harper is playing, but he might need a stint on the Injured List.
Source: Charlotte Varnes
Source: Charlotte Varnes
Kazuma Okamoto Scratched With Knee Contusion
Toronto Blue Jays corner infielder Kazuma Okamoto (knee) was scratched from Monday's starting lineup against the division-rival Boston Red Sox due to a left-knee contusion, according to the team. After being called up from Triple-A Buffalo, Charles McAdoo will start at third base for Toronto and bat seventh against Red Sox veteran right-hander Sonny Gray. It doesn't sound like Okamoto's knee injury is all that serious, so hopefully he can avoid going on the injured list. Fantasy managers will want to check back on Tuesday to see if he's active for Game 2 of the series in Toronto. Overall, it's been a very strong first year in the big leagues for Okamoto, who comes into Monday's series opener hitting .225/.299/.429 with a .728 OPS, 24 home runs, 70 RBI, 61 runs, and a stolen base across his 116 games and 475 plate appearances. The 30-year-old Japanese right-handed slugger has a strikeout rate over 30%, though, and has been swinging and missing more in the second half of the season. Still, he leads Toronto in homers, RBI, and runs scored, and remains a must-start in most fantasy baseball leagues when he's in the lineup.
Source: Toronto Blue Jays
Source: Toronto Blue Jays
Karson Milbrandt Has Been Hit Hard in August at Triple-A
Miami Marlins pitching prospect Karson Milbrandt has given up 11 combined earned runs in his last two August starts for Triple-A Jacksonville to bring his record to 0-5 in his last six starts. The right-handed pitcher is clearly talented but has found the going tough at Jacksonville. In Double-A Pensacola prior to his promotion, Milbrandt was 4-1 with a 1.34 ERA and 1.00 WHIP, but he's yet to find a win at Jacksonville. Despite his struggles, Milbrandt is ranked as the No. 4 overall prospect for the Marlins and has four 55-graded pitches in his fastball, curveball, slider, and cutter. Milbrandt might need to work through his struggles that he is experiencing in his first taste of Triple-A. He is still a highly ranked prospect and could debut for Miami at some point next season.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
