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Gage Wood Features Elite Strikeout Upside
Philadelphia Phillies top prospect Gage Wood pitched four strong innings in his start on Thursday night with two earned runs, four hits, and two walks to go with 10 strikeouts. The strikeout upside is a picture into what makes Wood such a special pitching prospect. The results haven't been overwhelming for Wood at Double-A Reading, but he has featured that strikeout potential. In 16 starts at Reading, the right-hander has pitched 63 2/3 innings and struck out 94 batters, which is at an elite level. But he has an ERA of 4.81 and a WHIP of 1.29 which are good but not great at Double-A. Wood features a 70-grade fastball with a 55-grade curveball and a 50-grade slider. Overall Wood looks like a promising future fantasy starter but now looks more like a dynasty league play than a redraft play as he will probably remain in the minors the rest of this season.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Franklin Arias Still Worth a Stash But Could Debut Next Season
In 30 games with Triple-A Worcester, Boston Red Sox top shortstop prospect Franklin Arias has hit well with four homers, 25 RBI, and a .302 batting average. Arias, however, was not called up as September rosters expand, as the Red Sox feature depth at shortstop with Trevor Story returning from injury and playing ahead of Andruw Monasterio. Arias nonetheless has been impressive in the minors this season, playing at Double-A Portland and Worcester and combining to hit .313 with 23 homers and 77 RBI between both levels. Arias, signed out of Venezuela, is just 20 years old and has a very bright fantasy future. He is graded out with a 60-grade hit tool and 55-grade power. A right-handed hitter, Arias still could be called upon this season, but at age 20 it is more likely he begins next season with the big-league club, and he will be a nice fantasy option at shortstop.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Eugenio Suarez Back From Personal Matter on Friday
Cincinnati Reds third baseman Eugenio Suarez is serving as the designated hitter and is batting fifth for Friday's contest against the division-rival Milwaukee Brewers and left-hander Shane Drohan at Great American Ball Park, per MLB.com. Suarez missed the final two games of the series against the San Diego Padres on Tuesday and Wednesday to take his US naturalization test, but he is back now and ready for the weekend series in Cincy. The Reds placed the 35-year-old Venezuelan on outright waivers recently, but he was not picked up and will finish out the 2026 season with the Reds before becoming a free agent this winter. Suarez still has some pop, but he is striking out 35% of the time in his 13th MLB season. The two-time All-Star is also hitting just .206 (77-for-373) with a .298 on-base percentage, 20 home runs, 59 RBI, and 36 runs scored across 107 games and 426 plate appearances this year. It has been a steep decline for Suarez, who tied a career high with 49 round-trippers in 2025 with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Seattle Mariners.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Xavier Edwards Still Has Some Inflammation in his Thumb
Miami Marlins middle infielder Xavier Edwards (thumb) has done rotational work in the cages and can throw without playing catch, according to manager Clayton McCullough. However, he still has some inflammation in his left thumb when trying to fully squeeze his hand. Edwards departed the Aug. 30 game early after his glove caught the sliding Jorbit Vivas of the Washington Nationals, and he was diagnosed with a sprained thumb and placed on the 10-day injured list the following day. Barring a setback, Edwards is expected to come off the IL in mid-September to try to help the Fish make a push for the final wild-card spot in the National League. It is good news that the 27-year-old speedster should return before the end of the regular season, but he is running out of time to help fantasy managers. In 500 at-bats this year, Edwards has provided a .282/.361/.376 slash line with a .737 OPS, six home runs, 51 RBI, 20 stolen bases, and 59 runs scored. Edwards does not have much pop at all, but he is an excellent source of average and can also run. He is still rostered in 86% of Yahoo leagues while on the shelf.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Blue Jays Hope Shane Bieber Can Return This Year
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Shane Bieber (shoulder) is scheduled to play catch on Friday, according to Mitch Bannon of The Athletic. No return timeline has been given for Bieber yet. The Blue Jays are hoping that he can return this year, but it is unclear if it will be a September thing or a "maybe in the playoffs" thing. Fantasy managers definitely should not be holding out hope that the veteran hurler will be able to help them down the stretch. If Bieber pitches at all again this year, it will most likely be if the Blue Jays make it into the postseason. The 31-year-old former two-time All-Star and Cy Young winner has gone 5-2 in his second year with the team with a 4.37 ERA (5.14 FIP) and 1.42 WHIP with 44 strikeouts and 24 walks in 55 2/3 innings across his 11 starts. Arm issues have hampered Bieber in recent seasons, and he has not reached the 20-start mark since 2023 with the Cleveland Guardians. Bieber was actually better in seven second-half starts for the Blue Jays before being shut down with a shoulder injury, posting a 2.84 ERA with 14 walks and 31 strikeouts in 38 innings pitched. He is rostered in only 38% of Yahoo leagues at the moment.
Source: The Athletic - Mitch Bannon
Source: The Athletic - Mitch Bannon
Cade Cavalli Set to Start on Saturday Against Dodgers
Washington Nationals right-hander Cade Cavalli (calf) has been cleared to make his next start on Saturday on the road against the Los Angeles Dodgers, according to MLB.com. Cavalli only made it through four innings in his previous start last Saturday against the division-rival Miami Marlins after he was hit by a line drive on his calf. The 28-year-old was able to avoid a major injury, though, and should be fine to pitch again this weekend against the defending World Series champion Dodgers. Cavalli has been a strong fantasy option in his first full major-league season in 2026, going 12-5 with a 3.12 ERA (3.38 FIP) and 1.19 WHIP with 177 strikeouts and 46 walks in 152 2/3 innings across his 29 starts. The former first-round pick in 2020 from the University of Oklahoma allowed more than two earned runs only once in his six starts in August, posting a 1.75 ERA (3.93 FIP) with 10 walks and 47 strikeouts in 36 innings pitched. Cavalli should be good for a full workload in his return to the mound on Saturday, but the matchup is obviously not ideal.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
White Sox Reinstate Kyle Teel From Injured List
The Chicago White Sox announced on Friday that they reinstated catcher Kyle Teel (ankle) from the 10-day injured list and optioned catcher Drew Romo to Triple-A Charlotte in a corresponding move. Fantasy managers will want to check back a bit later on Friday to see if Teel is immediately back in Chicago's starting lineup for Friday's contest at home against the division-rival Minnesota Twins and right-hander Zebby Matthews. In six minor-league rehab games, Teel went 7-for-22 at the plate with a home run and a double. He will be rejoining the big-league squad after landing on the IL early in the second half of the season due to a sprained left ankle. Injuries have limited the 24-year-old former first-rounder by the Boston Red Sox to just 19 games and 63 at-bats in 2026 in his second year in the big leagues with the Pale Hose. In those 19 games, Teel has gone just 12-for-63 (.190) with two home runs, 14 RBI, nine runs scored, six walks, and 27 strikeouts. Despite the poor start in a limited sample size, Teel should play regularly down the stretch and has more offensive upside than the other catcher on Chicago's big-league roster, Jake Rogers.
Source: Chicago White Sox
Source: Chicago White Sox
Corbin Burnes Expected to Make Long-Awaited Return on Tuesday
Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Corbin Burnes (elbow) is expected to make his return to the team's starting rotation on Tuesday in Kansas City against the Royals, according to John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports. It will be Burnes' first appearance back in the big leagues since he had Tommy John surgery on his right elbow last June. The 31-year-old veteran had a setback this June, delaying his 2026 debut until the final month of the regular season. It could be a nice jolt of energy for the D-backs as they seek to claim the final wild-card spot in the National League over the next several weeks, but from a fantasy perspective, managers should not be expecting much from Burnes, who will most likely be on a strict pitch count in his return next week in his first big-league game in over 15 months. The four-time All-Star and former Cy Young winner has been a fantasy ace in the past, but he will only be afforded a few starts to close out the fantasy season. In 11 starts in 2025 before going under the knife, Burnes had a 2.66 ERA (3.94 FIP) and 1.17 WHIP for the Snakes with 63 strikeouts and 26 walks in 64 1/3 innings pitched.
Source: Arizona Sports - John Gambadoro
Source: Arizona Sports - John Gambadoro
Masyn Winn Could Return as Early as Friday
St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn (thumb) could return from the 10-day injured list as early as Friday's series opener against the Colorado Rockies, and the Cardinals expect him to return during the three-game series at Coors Field this weekend, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. St. Louis wanted Winn to go through another round of workouts and batting in the cage before they cleared him to return to the major-league lineup following a left-thumb fracture. The 24-year-old will be returning to a weak .238/.314/.326 slash line with a .641 OPS, only five home runs, 51 RBI, 10 stolen bases, and 49 runs scored across his 432 at-bats in 2026, so fantasy managers should not expect him to be a difference-maker down the stretch in September. In 20 games in August before his thumb injury, Winn had gone just 14-for-65 (.215) with a .642 OPS, one homer, six doubles, seven RBI, eight runs scored, and two stolen bases across 73 plate appearances. When activated, Winn should return to his regular duties as St. Louis' starting shortstop.
Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch - Derrick Goold
Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch - Derrick Goold
Mason Montgomery Becoming Bucs' Primary Source of Saves
Pittsburgh Pirates left-handed reliever Mason Montgomery's fantasy stock is on the rise, and he is the clear favorite for saves of late after shutting the door yet again in Thursday's 5-2 win over the San Francisco Giants at PNC Park. Montgomery threw a clean ninth inning with one strikeout to pick up his eighth save of the year. Right-hander Luke Weaver worked the eighth frame for his 18th hold of the season. It looked like Weaver might take over the closing duties in the Steel City over lefty Gregory Soto when the Bucs acquired him in a deadline deal with the New York Mets, but it has been Montgomery who has been the preferred ninth-inning choice. The 26-year-old southpaw has converted eight straight save chances while giving up two runs in his last 26 innings pitched to lower his ERA for the year to 2.97. He also has a 1.06 WHIP with 90 strikeouts and 22 walks over his 57 2/3 total innings in 2026. The hard-throwing lefty should see his ownership continue to climb with the fantasy postseason approach. Right now, Montgomery is rostered in just 34% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Adley Rutschman Goes Deep Twice in Return From Injury
After missing the previous three games with an elbow injury, Boston Red Sox catcher Adley Rutschman broke a recent slump and returned with a bang on Thursday to help beat his former team, the Baltimore Orioles, by a score of 6-5 at Camden Yards. Rutschman went 2-for-4 at the plate with two solo home runs and three RBI on the night to raise his season average to .240 and his OPS to .741. It was a much-needed turnaround for a player who has never really been able to hit his stride in 2026 due to injuries. The 28-year-old switch-hitter and former first overall pick in 2019 from Oregon State came into Thursday's series opener against Baltimore with a weak .237/.318/.400 slash line with a .718 OPS, only nine home runs, 51 RBI, and 35 runs scored in 300 at-bats. The three-time All-Star had been even worse in 15 games since being traded to the BoSox, going 9-for-59 (.170) with a homer, six walks, and 15 strikeouts. The Red Sox gave up a lot to secure Rutschman as their catcher of the future, and they are hoping his bat begins to heat up as they push to make the postseason.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Brooks Lee a Waiver-Wire Priority Amid Power Outburst
Minnesota Twins infielder Brooks Lee is suddenly up to a career-high 22 home runs entering play on Thursday after homering again in Wednesday's 7-4 loss to the Athletics. In his last 11 games, the switch-hitting infielder has hit .319 (15-for-47) with a .930 OPS, four home runs, two doubles, 10 RBI, and eight runs scored to boost his overall 2026 slash line to .250/.299/.435 with a .734 OPS, 77 RBI, 62 runs scored, and seven stolen bases in his second full season in the big leagues. The 25-year-old former eighth overall pick from Cal Poly in 2022 has been much better as a lefty against right-handed pitchers, going 91-for-345 (.264) with 19 of his 22 homers, as opposed to a .218 average (34-for-156) with just three long balls as a right-handed hitter against southpaws. With eligibility at second base, third base, and shortstop, Lee is also valuable for his infield versatility in fantasy baseball, and he's available in 40% of Yahoo leagues with the playoffs approaching quickly.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Griffin Conine a Waiver Option Against Righties in Deeper Leagues
Miami Marlins first baseman/outfielder Griffin Conine is not flashy by any means, but he could help fantasy managers down the stretch in September as a left-handed-hitting outfielder against right-handed pitching in the right matchups in deeper leagues. Going into Thursday's game against the Kansas City Royals, Conine entered play with a career-high 14 home runs and 32 RBI in 72 games (238 plate appearances) while hitting .254/.357/.488 with an .845 OPS. Conine has limited overall fantasy appeal because of his struggles against southpaws -- he is hitting only .178 (8-for-45) in limited exposure against lefties. He was nothing special in August, either, going 18-for-80 (.225) in 26 games, although he did have five home runs and 11 RBI after hitting six homers in 25 games in July. The 29-year-old former second-rounder by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2018 out of Duke also still strikes out a third of the time, although he is sporting a career-high 12.2% walk rate in 2026. At best, Conine is worth a look off the waiver wire in deeper fantasy leagues to close out the season. He is rostered in under 10% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Kyle Stowers Leaves Early With Hamstring Tightness
Miami Marlins outfielder Kyle Stowers (hamstring) left Thursday's game against the Kansas City Royals early with tightness in his left hamstring, according to Christina De Nicola of MLB.com. Before hitting the showers early, Stowers went 1-for-3 at the plate with a double and two strikeouts before he was replaced at first base by Deyvison De Los Santos. Stowers has already been on the injured list this year due to hamstring issues, and he could be headed back to the shelf, depending on what tests show on Friday. The 28-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder was a first-time All-Star in 2025 in his first full season in Miami, slashing .288/.368/.544 with a .912 OPS, a career-high 25 home runs, 73 RBI, 61 runs scored, and five stolen bases across 117 games. Through 103 games this year going into Thursday's action, he has posted a .247/.331/.470 slash line, .801 OPS, 18 homers, 59 RBI, 48 runs scored, and one steal in 433 plate appearances. Stowers played in just 15 games in August due to injury and did not have a home run, but he did go 15-for-51 (.294) in 59 plate appearances. If he is forced back to the IL with another hamstring injury, it could be a wrap on Stowers' 2026 campaign.
Source: MLB.com - Christina De Nicola
Source: MLB.com - Christina De Nicola
Alejandro Kirk a Viable Catching Addition for Final Month of the Season
Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk got the day off on Thursday against the Cleveland Guardians, but it had nothing to do with his offensive performance of late. The 27-year-old missed over a month of action early in the first half of the season due to injury, but he has been back since June and just finished a highly productive month in August, slashing .341/.412/.534 with a .946 OPS, five home runs, two doubles, 20 RBI, nine runs scored, and a stolen base in 25 games played. It was by far Kirk's best month of the 2026 season as he rounds into form for the final month of the regular season as Toronto looks to sneak into a wild-card spot in the American League. The 27-year-old Mexican backstop is now hitting .271 (59-for-218) overall with eight long balls, 32 RBI, 18 runs scored, and a stolen base in only 63 games played this season. Kirk is the Jays' primary catcher and can help fantasy managers in two-catcher formats who are trying to win a championship. He is coming off a 2025 campaign in which he hit .282 with a career-high 15 home runs and 76 RBI in 130 regular-season games. Despite his red-hot month in August, Kirk is still rostered in less than half of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
