Aug 17, 2026, 2:41 PM ET

The Milwaukee Brewers announced that shortstop prospect Luis Pena is being promoted to Double-A Biloxi this week. Pena earned the promotion to the Shuckers after hitting .298/.384/.420 with an .804 OPS, two home runs, 23 RBI, 27 stolen bases, and 40 runs scored in 51 games and 219 plate appearances at High-A Wisconsin this year. The Brewers dangled the 19-year-old Dominican infielder as the centerpiece in their offer to the Detroit Tigers for ace left-hander Tarik Skubal, who was eventually dealt to the Los Angeles Dodgers earlier this month. Pena had a scary incident in late April when he collapsed in the dugout due to being overheated, but he's fine now and will be looking to finish off his 2026 campaign strong at Biloxi. The 5-foot-11, 185-pounder swings from the right side of the plate and brings plenty of bat speed and high exit velocities, although he will need to improve his plate discipline and approach against offspeed pitches. Pena also brings plus speed and aggressiveness on the base paths. With top prospect Jesus Made ahead of him in the Brewers' pipeline, Pena will most likely move to second or third base in the long term if he sticks in Milwaukee.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Milwaukee Brewers

Aug 17, 2026, 2:28 PM ET

Fantasy managers in dynasty/keeper leagues who have been stashing Washington Nationals middle-infield prospect Seaver King all year shouldn't necessarily be expecting him to make his major-league debut late this year now that the Nats are moving CJ Abrams to second base, according to Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic. King, who is a top-100 prospect in MLB and Washington's No. 4 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, has had a breakout 2026 campaign at Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Rochester, slashing a combined .316/.398/.529 with a .928 OPS, 14 home runs, 59 RBI, 11 stolen bases, and 66 runs scored across 82 games played and 375 plate appearances. According to people familiar with the team's thinking, the Nationals are "reluctant" to rush King to the majors, and he can still benefit from more at-bats and defensive reps at Rochester. Nationals officials are also interested to see whether Abrams and Nasim Nunez can thrive in their flipped roles up the middle. Nunez offers more defensive upside and stability at the 6, but he's hitting just .228 with a .578 OPS in 408 plate appearances. In theory, Nusbaum writes that the Nationals could keep King at Triple-A for the rest of the season. There are multiple things to consider here for the Nats, but the optics of moving an All-Star (Abrams) off his primary position, and then having a rookie take his spot, "could have awkward consequences," especially if King is eventually moved off shortstop in the coming years.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Spencer Nusbaum

Aug 17, 2026, 2:18 PM ET

The San Francisco Giants are calling up left-handed pitching prospect Matt Wilkinson to the majors on Monday, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN. Wilkinson was acquired in the trade that sent catcher Patrick Bailey to the Cleveland Guardians. The 23-year-old Canadian southpaw was taken by Cleveland in the 10th round in 2023 from Central Arizona College. Wilkinson will receive his first taste in the big leagues with San Fran after going 6-6 with a 3.40 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, and 96:31 K:BB in 90 innings pitched over 20 starts across four minor-league stops this year in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League and at Double-A Richmond, Double-A Akron, and Triple-A Sacramento. MLB Pipeline doesn't currently have Wilkinson ranked among the Giants' top-30 prospects, but he could be getting a shot in the team's big-league starting rotation if veteran right-hander Logan Webb (back, shoulder) is forced to the injured list this week. At Sacramento, Wilkinson went 3-4 with a 5.15 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, and 43:17 K:BB in his 10 starts (43 2/3 frames). Only fantasy managers in NL-only leagues should be considering Wilkinson off the waiver wire if he enters San Francisco's starting rotation.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan

Aug 17, 2026, 11:46 AM ET

Detroit Tigers outfield prospect Max Clark is the team's top overall prospect, per MLB Pipeline, and is also ranked as the No. 13 overall prospect in baseball. Since the Tigers brought Clark up for his major-league debut on July 31, he's gone 15-for-58 (.259) with a home run, two doubles, two triples, eight RBI, and seven runs scored in 15 games played and 63 plate appearances. The 21-year-old former third overall pick in 2023 got the call to the Show after slashing .276/.368/.434 with an .802 OPS, 11 home runs, 42 RBI, 21 stolen bases, and 65 runs scored in 90 games and 418 plate appearances at Triple-A Toledo. Clark is mostly intriguing for fantasy managers in single-year leagues the rest of the 2026 season for his plus-plus speed on the basepaths, but he also has enough pop from the left side to produce average power from his 5-foot-11, 205-pound frame. He's obviously still young, and although he's not going to make an immediate impact from a power standpoint, he can hit for average and steal plenty of bases in the final month and a half of the season. Clark is rostered in just over 30% of Yahoo leagues.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Baseball Reference

Aug 17, 2026, 11:33 AM ET

Washington Nationals right-handed reliever Clayton Beeter is the Nationals' primary closer and is widely available on the waiver wire if you need saves down the stretch -- he's rostered in only 17% of Yahoo leagues. The 27-year-old hasn't been perfect by any means, but he has 10 more saves than the next closest reliever in the Nats' bullpen. In his third major-league season and first full year in D.C., Beeter has recorded a 5-3 record, 3.55 ERA (5.13 FIP), a 1.26 WHIP, a career-high 12 saves, and a 39:24 K:BB in 38 innings pitched over his 40 appearances out of the bullpen. Since the All-Star break, he's allowed five runs (four earned) on six hits (two homers) while walking six and striking out eight for two wins, a loss, five saves, one blown save, and a hold. Beeter's 15% walk rate makes him volatile for sure, but fantasy managers in deeper leagues may have no choice, and the good news is that nobody else in Washington's bullpen is really challenging him for saves.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Baseball Reference

Aug 17, 2026, 11:23 AM ET

Baltimore Orioles right-handed reliever Cam Sanders came on to record the final out for the Orioles in their win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday, and he picked up a second consecutive save (his third on the year) in Saturday's victory. Yennier Cano was brought in for the ninth on Friday but gave up three runs before the O's called on Sanders to lock it down. The 29-year-old former 12th-round pick by the Chicago Cubs in 2018 out of LSU began the 2026 season with the Pittsburgh Pirates. His outing on Saturday was only his sixth appearance with Baltimore, and he's sporting a bloated 6.32 ERA (3.97 FIP), 1.66 WHIP, three saves, and a 19:12 K:BB in only 15 2/3 innings pitched in his second year in the majors. Late-inning relievers Ryan Helsley (elbow) and Felix Bautista (shoulder) remain on the injured list, with the Orioles going with a closer committee involving Cano, Andrew Kittredge, and Rico Garcia. Sanders' save chances over the weekend probably won't become a regular occurrence, and fantasy managers should have better save options to target on the waiver wire.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Baseball Reference

Aug 17, 2026, 11:14 AM ET

Chicago White Sox left-handed reliever Bryan Hudson struck out a batter in a perfect ninth inning on Saturday in the win over the division-rival Detroit Tigers for his fifth save of the season and his first since July 22. In his first full season with the White Sox, Hudson has gone 3-4 with a 3.14 ERA (2.87 FIP), 1.28 WHIP, and a 50:17 K:BB in 51 2/3 innings pitched across 54 appearances (six starts). The 29-year-old southpaw is part of a crowded committee situation for saves in Chicago, with Grant Taylor, Sean Newcomb, and Jordan Hicks also involved. Newcomb picked up the save for the Pale Hose on Sunday, and Taylor leads the back end of the bullpen with six saves on the year. So far in six appearances out of the bullpen in August, Hudson has allowed three earned runs on seven hits while walking none and striking out six for one save and two holds. He is probably more attractive in holds leagues, but fantasy managers desperate for saves in deeper formats could also give him a look. Hudson is rostered in just 1% of Yahoo leagues.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Baseball Reference

Aug 17, 2026, 11:07 AM ET

Los Angeles Angels right-handed reliever Ben Joyce didn't make his 2026 debut until Aug. 5 due to a shoulder injury that sidelined him for the entire first half of the season. The hard-throwing righty has thrown five scoreless innings with one hit allowed, one walk, and six strikeouts to get started, and he has recorded saves in each of his last two appearances. The Angels might continue to use a closer-by-committee down the stretch, also involving left-hander Samy Natera Jr. (he had a save last Tuesday) and right-hander Jose Fermin, but Joyce has a great opportunity to lead the team in save chances to close out the 2026 campaign. The 25-year-old former third-round pick in 2022 from the University of Tennessee had four saves in the 2024 season and has gone 4-1 with a 2.83 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, and 50:25 K:BB in 54 innings with the Halos since he made his major-league debut back in 2023. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues who are searching for saves should look Joyce's way off the waiver wire. He's rostered in only 12% of Yahoo leagues.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Baseball Reference

Aug 16, 2026, 11:47 PM ET

The Boston Red Sox are promoting outfield prospect Justin Gonzales to Double-A Portland, an MLB source told Ari Alexander of 7 News. Gonzales gets the call to Portland after hitting .271 with 17 home runs, 58 RBI, 11 stolen bases, and 68 runs scored in 89 games across 350 at-bats at High-A Greenville this year. The 6-foot-5, 210-pounder is ranked as Boston's No. 2 prospect at MLB Pipeline, behind only shortstop prospect Franklin Arias. The 19-year-old Dominican bats from the right side of the plate and has some of the most raw power out of any of the team's position-player prospects. Gonzales generates tons of bat speed, which in turn lights up his exit velocities, and he's not hitting as many ground balls in 2026. He projects for 30-plus home runs at the major-league level and is extremely athletic and agile despite his hulking size. Gonzales has average speed and will most likely settle into a corner-outfield spot or at first base long-term. At just 19 years of age, nobody should be expecting Gonzales to make his big-league debut in Boston next year.--Keith Hernandez
Source: 7 News - Ari Alexander

Aug 16, 2026, 11:37 PM ET

The Chicago Cubs are promoting outfield prospect Ethan Conrad to High-A South Bend, according to Chase Ford of Milb Central. Conrad, the 17th overall pick last year from Wake Forest University, earned the promotion late in the season after hitting .246/.325/.436 with a .762 OPS, four home runs, 21 RBI, and 14 runs scored in 29 games and 123 plate appearances at Single-A Myrtle Beach. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound left-handed hitter is ranked as the Cubs' No. 3 prospect at MLB Pipeline, behind only outfielder/first baseman Josiah Hartshorn and catcher/first baseman Owen Ayers. Conrad has a solid gap-to-gap approach at the plate and makes a lot of hard contact, but like many young hitting prospects, he can get over-aggressive. The 22-year-old has a solid power/speed profile right now in the low levels of the minor leagues, with a chance to develop more with added strength. Conrad has plenty of developing to do and probably won't be a realistic candidate to make his major-league debut until 2028.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Milb Central - Chase Ford

Aug 16, 2026, 11:05 PM ET

Seattle Mariners right-hander Bryan Woo (shoulder) was pulled from Sunday's game against the division-rival Houston Astros after only 75 pitches because he was dealing with a little bit of soreness in his right shoulder, with manager Dan Wilson calling the early exit precautionary, per Shannon Drayer. Woo stayed in the contest long enough to earn his ninth win of the year, allowing two earned runs on three hits (two homers) while walking one and striking out five in six innings of work for a quality start as well. Because the Mariners don't seem too concerned about Woo's shoulder, fantasy managers should expect him to make his next start next weekend at home against the Chicago Cubs. After his quality start on Sunday evening on the road at Daikin Park in the 3-2 victory, Woo is now 9-8 in 2026 with a 4.10 ERA and 137 strikeouts in 138 1/3 innings pitched across his 24 starts. The former sixth-rounder in 2021 from Cal Poly gave up 10 earned runs in 10 innings in his final two starts in July, but he has now allowed just two earned runs in 18 innings over his last three starts against the Astros, Detroit Tigers, and New York Yankees.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Shannon Drayer

Aug 16, 2026, 10:56 PM ET

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Derrick Goold reports that St. Louis Cardinals left-handed pitching prospect Quinn Mathews will be called up from Triple-A Memphis to start Game 1 of the team's doubleheader on Monday against the division-rival Cincinnati Reds. Right-hander Andre Pallante will get the nod for Game 2 for the Cards. Mathews, the team's No. 8 prospect per MLB Pipeline, was called up on Aug. 1 to make his major-league debut and allowed two earned runs with three walks and three strikeouts in five innings in a loss to the Toronto Blue Jays on the road. The 25-year-old southpaw and former fourth-rounder from Stanford University has gone 5-4 this year with a 3.27 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, and 120:61 K:BB in 99 innings and 21 starts for Memphis. Mathews will face a Reds squad that ranks 24th in the league in team OPS, but the young lefty could be sent right back down to Memphis following his second major-league start. In the long-term at the MLB level, Mathews projects as more of a back-end starter in St. Louis than an ace.--Keith Hernandez
Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch - Derrick Goold

Aug 16, 2026, 10:36 PM ET

Kansas City Royals manager Matt Quatraro said that infielder/outfielder Maikel Garcia (hand) didn't play in a minor-league rehab game on Sunday, but if he's feeling good, there's a chance he could come off the 10-day injured list to rejoin the big-league club on Monday before their series opener at home against the Athletics. Garcia has gone 3-for-16 at the plate on his rehab assignment after joining Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday, and the 26-year-old could be on the verge of rejoining the Royals for the first time since being put on the 10-day injured list with a muscle strain in his left hand back on June 23. When he's activated, Garcia should take over as the team's starting third baseman, which will push Nick Loftin back to a utility role off the bench. Garcia has just three home runs, 30 RBI, and five stolen bases in 2026 in his fourth full season in the majors, but he did have 16 homers, 74 RBI, and 23 steals in 160 games as a first-time All-Star in 2025, and he had 83 stolen bases from 2023-25. With eligibility in Yahoo leagues at second base, third base, shortstop, and the outfield, Garcia should at least be a versatile speed threat for fantasy managers the rest of the way. He's currently rostered in 76% of Yahoo leagues.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Sporting Tribune - Jack Janes

Aug 16, 2026, 10:28 PM ET

Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy indicated on Sunday that second baseman Brice Turang (knee) is lined up to return to the starting lineup for Tuesday's series opener against the visiting Seattle Mariners, according to Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The Brewers have a scheduled day off on Monday, but fantasy managers should be prepared to get Turang back into their starting lineups for the new week after he missed the entire four-game series in Los Angeles against the Dodgers due to discomfort in his left knee. The 26-year-old needs four home runs and four stolen bases the rest of the 2026 season for his first career 20-20 campaign in his fourth year in the big leagues. He came into Sunday's action with a solid .268/.360/.450 slash line, a career-best .810 OPS, 16 home runs, 76 RBI, 16 stolen bases, and 74 runs scored in his 115 games and 523 plate appearances. Turang needs three home runs and six RBI to set new career highs in those categories, respectively. He'd be facing Mariners struggling right-hander Bryce Miller if he returns on Tuesday, as expected.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Curt Hogg