RADIO
Pete Fairbanks Returns From Injured List on Wednesday
The Miami Marlins announced on Wednesday that they reinstated right-handed closer Pete Fairbanks (hand) from the 15-day injured list and optioned right-hander Bradley Blalock to Triple-A Jacksonville in a corresponding move. Fairbanks only missed the required 15 days on the IL for his second trip to the IL this year due to medial nerve irritation in his right pitching hand. He will return to Miami's bullpen without going on a minor-league rehab assignment, so the Fish could ease him back into the fold in lower-leverage situations upon his return. The 32-year-old veteran has been Miami's primary ninth-inning option this year when healthy, but he has been a headache for fantasy managers, as he has gone 4-5 with a 6.02 ERA and 1.31 WHIP in addition to his 18 saves in his 40 1/3 innings pitched. Fairbanks may not see many closing opportunities the rest of the way, if any at all, even though he appears to have recovered from his hand injury. Fairbanks is only rostered in 60% of Yahoo leagues with the fantasy playoffs underway in most leagues.
Source: Miami Marlins
Source: Miami Marlins
Corbin Carroll Out With Back Injury, to Undergo Testing
Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll (back) will not start in Wednesday's game in Kansas City against the Royals and is scheduled to have tests done on his lower back on Thursday when the team returns home, according to Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic. Carroll has not started for the D-backs since Sunday, but he came off the bench in Monday's extra-inning win over KC. The 26-year-old will have two more days to rest -- the Snakes have a scheduled day off on Thursday -- before potentially returning for Friday's series opener against the Texas Rangers on Friday if his test results look fine on Thursday. For now, fantasy managers should consider the All-Star outfielder to be day-to-day. Arizona can ill-afford to lose Carroll for any stretch of time as they battle the San Diego Padres for the final wild-card spot in the National League down the stretch. The former first-rounder is a must-start in fantasy for his five-category upside, but he has struggled in the second half, slashing .215/.310/.442 with a .752 OPS, six home runs, 11 doubles, six triples, 16 RBI, 11 stolen bases, 31 runs scored, 22 walks, and 44 strikeouts in 48 games since the All-Star break. In six games in September, he has gone 3-for-22 (.136) with no walks and eight punchouts.
Source: The Arizona Republic - Nick Piecoro
Source: The Arizona Republic - Nick Piecoro
George Springer Dealing With Left-Shoulder Issue
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder George Springer (shoulder) was held out of the starting lineup again on Wednesday against the hosting Athletics due to a left-shoulder issue that also cost him two games in August, among other things, according to Theo DeRosa of MLB.com. "I think it's just kind of that point in the season. He's available today if we need him," manager John Schneider said. Catcher Alejandro Kirk got the start as the designated hitter on Wednesday and was hitting cleanup, with Brandon Valenzuela doing the catching for right-hander Braydon Fisher and batting eighth against A's left-hander Brady Basso. It is the second straight day that Springer has been held out, but it sounds like a day-to-day situation, so the veteran could be back as early as Friday's series opener against the division-rival Baltimore Orioles after a scheduled day off on Thursday to travel back to Toronto. Despite being a little banged up since last month, Springer hit .321 (27-for-84) with an .858 OPS, two homers, six doubles, a triple, 11 RBI, 13 runs scored, and four steals in 27 games in August. However, he has gone just 3-for-23 (.130) with a walk and five strikeouts so far in six games in September.
Source: MLB.com - Theo DeRosa
Source: MLB.com - Theo DeRosa
Jacob Lombard Shows Off Tools in Professional Debut
Miami Marlins infield prospect Jacob Lombard capped off his professional debut with a home run and a stolen base in his last game at Single-A. It was an uneven showing through the first 22 games for the Marlins' fourth-ranked prospect, collecting six multi-hit efforts, including four home runs and 11 stolen bases, but he hit just .220 with a 39.4 percent strikeout rate. Even so, the future is still bright for the former first-rounder, who should show improvements in his first full season of professional baseball next year. There is 55-grade pop in his bat per MLB.com, along with 65-grade speed, so there is plenty to like about the 6-foot-3 slugger in terms of fantasy potential. The hit tool is the wild card here, but with his pedigree (brother of George Lombard Jr., who is already in the majors at age 21), assume he'll make the proper adjustments, and the power/speed upside is worth the batting average risk, leaving the 18-year-old as a worthy top-five pick in first-year player drafts.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Jason Schiavone Moving Up to Triple-A Sugar Land
Houston Astros catcher/first base prospect Jason Schiavone has been promoted to Triple-A for the remainder of the 2026 season. The Astros' sixth-ranked prospect started the year at High-A, powering his way to Double-A after just 35 games (17 home runs, 1.218 OPS). The JMU product saw his batting average dip to just .233 at the higher level, but he continued to display his trademark power (14 home runs) and ability to draw walks (14.5 percent) during his 79-game tenure there. A 33.0 percent strikeout rate is concerning, though, so it is worth keeping an eye on at Triple-A. The 6-foot-1 backstop moves well for a catcher, having swiped 29 bags this season in 114 total games, and could make quick work of Triple-A next year if he can continue to produce home runs and keep the strikeouts to a palatable level. With a rare power/speed combination for a catcher, there is some fantasy intrigue here, though he's not yet a must-stash in dynasty leagues.
Source: Sugar Land Space Cowboys
Source: Sugar Land Space Cowboys
Heriberto Hernandez an Intriguing Power/Speed Bat to Target
Across 426 plate appearances in 2026, Miami Marlins outfielder Heriberto Hernandez is hitting .228/.312/.466 with 24 home runs, 63 RBI, 45 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases. With a 27.5% strikeout rate, Hernandez profiles as a batting average drain for fantasy managers. However, the 26-year-old carries high-end power upside with a 13.7% barrel rate and a 47.3% hard-hit rate. Hernandez also offers some intriguing speed potential, as he's 11-for-15 as a base stealer this season and has logged six stolen bases since the All-Star break. In leagues where he remains available on the waiver wire, Hernandez profiles as one of the more appealing power/speed targets for fantasy managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jefferson Rojas Puts Exclamation Point on 2026 Campaign
New York Mets infield prospect Jefferson Rojas ended his 2026 campaign with a bang, going 4-for-5 at the plate with a pair of singles, a double, and a home run. The Mets' top prospect showed well during his time with the team since coming over in the Clay Holmes trade in early August, slashing .286/.342/.619 with nine home runs in 26 games for the Rumble Ponies. Including his time with the Cubs organization, the 5-foot-11 Dominican hit .273 with 24 home runs and 19 steals in 117 games, while striking out at just a 16.2 percent clip (8.8 percent walk rate). MLB's No. 76 overall prospect should see time at Triple-A in 2027 and will be knocking on the door to the majors. The Mets were willing to give several young prospects a chance in 2026, and could do so again next year; with Rojas' ability to play third base, second base, or shortstop, there are multiple pathways to the majors. With a solid all-around skill set and the potential to be an early contributor next year, the 21-year-old maintains solid value in dynasty formats.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Nick Sogard a Versatile Deep-League Depth Piece to Target
Across 213 plate appearances this season, Boston Red Sox infielder Nick Sogard is hitting .267/.364/.406 with four home runs, 16 RBI, and 26 runs scored. The 29-year-old's power upside is limited, as he's posted just a 4.9% barrel rate and a 29.9% hard-hit rate. However, Sogard has kept his strikeout rate under 20% while also walking in 13.1% of his plate appearances. Sogard also has the ability to line up at every defensive spot in the infield, which helps keep him in the Red Sox lineup on a near-everyday basis. Sogard's lack of power and speed caps his fantasy upside and his utility in shallower leagues. Still, in deeper-league formats, his multi-positional eligibility and balanced plate approach make him a useful depth piece to target on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Mickey Gasper a Priority Waiver-Wire Target Amid Second-Half Surge
Boston Red Sox catcher/first baseman Mickey Gasper has been a revelation in 2026. Across 191 plate appearances this year, the 30-year-old is hitting .270/.384/.491 with eight home runs, 22 RBI, and 23 runs scored. Gasper got off to a relatively slow start to 2026, which led to him spending much of the middle portion of the season at Triple-A. However, since being recalled by the Red Sox in mid-August, he's emerged as an everyday fixture at the top of the team's lineup at either first base or designated hitter. Gasper's plate approach has been elite, as he's walked in 13.1% of his plate appearances while posting just a 14.7% strikeout rate. The switch-hitter has also dominated right-handed pitching, posting a .964 OPS with more walks than strikeouts while batting from the left side of the plate. Gasper's numbers have started to regress a bit of late, as he has just five hits across his first 30 plate appearances in September. Still, he remains a must-add waiver wire target for fantasy managers given his recent success in Boston.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Eric Bitonti Promoted to Double-A Following Strong Season at High-A
Milwaukee Brewers corner infield prospect Eric Bitonti was promoted to Double-A Biloxi on Tuesday following a wrap on the High-A season. The Brewers' 26th-ranked prospect had a strong campaign at High-A this year, slashing .270/.391/.525 with 25 home runs and 24 steals in 111 games for the Timber Rattlers. The 6-foot-5 slugger has big-time power, but with it comes a ton of swing-and-miss, posting a poor 32.9 percent strikeout rate, although it was somewhat offset by a 16.6 percent walk rate. Keep an eye on the strikeout rate at the next level, as it could limit the batting average even more so than it did at High-A, and don't expect the stolen bases to continue with speed like his, but look for the left-handed hitter to continue to produce home runs. The former third-rounder could reach the Show sometime in 2028, and with power like his, he's a name for dynasty managers to consider, as there is "hope that he could be a future 30-homer slugger," per MLB.com's scouting report.
Source: Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
Source: Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
Ronald Acuna Jr. Showing Signs of a Late-Season Breakout
Across 400 plate appearances in 2026, Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. is hitting .253/.350/.442 with 16 home runs, 45 RBI, 52 runs scored, and 20 stolen bases. Relative to the lofty bar he's set for himself in his career, Acuna Jr.'s numbers so far this season have been underwhelming. However, the 28-year-old has shown signs of a late-season surge in recent games. Across his first 26 plate appearances of September, Acuna Jr. has hit .417 with three home runs and nine RBI. Acuna Jr.'s underlying metrics have generally been trending in the right direction in the second half of the season, as he's posted a 49.1% hard-hit rate since the All-Star break after logging a 43.4% hard-hit rate in the first half of the year. When Acuna Jr. is fully healthy and has everything going at the plate, his five-category upside remains as high as just about any player in baseball. If he continues his current tear, Acuna Jr. could swing fantasy leagues in September.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Cam Schlittler Continues Dominant Stretch with 10-Strikeout Outing
New York Yankees starting pitcher Cam Schlittler picked up his 13th win of the season on Tuesday night, allowing just three hits and one earned run while striking out 10 across seven innings of work in his team's 5-3 victory over the Colorado Rockies. The 25-year-old has been one of the best pitchers in baseball in 2026, recording a 13-6 record with a 2.01 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, and 220 strikeouts across 178 2/3 innings (30 starts). Schlittler has been especially dominant of late, allowing just five earned runs while recording three wins and 49 strikeouts across his last 39 innings (six starts). He's averaging 98.0 miles per hour on his four-seam fastball and has struck out 31.0% of the batters he's faced while posting just a 6.2% walk rate. As long as he stays healthy, Schlittler looks like a high-end SP1 for fantasy managers down the stretch of the season.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Eli Willits Will Finish Off 2026 at Double-A Harrisburg
Washington Nationals infield prospect Eli Willits was promoted to Double-A Harrisburg on Tuesday after a strong campaign split between Single-A and High-A, per Spencer Nusbaum of the Athletic. The Nats' top-ranked prospect (MLB No. 4) slashed .300/.418/.500 in 47 games at Single-A, then .230/.392/.420 in 64 games at Double-A. Though the batting average took a dip at the higher level, his strikeout rate improved by more than four percent, settling in at 19.0 percent, which was also right around his walk rate of 18.7 percent. The speed was evident regardless of level, with the former first-overall draft pick swiping 60 bags in all this season. With a strong combination of contact, power, and speed, there's a reason why the switch-hitter is so highly regarded, and although the 18-year-old won't debut for a couple of years, he's a prized dynasty asset.
Source: Spencer Nusbaum
Source: Spencer Nusbaum
Yandy Diaz Remains an Elite Batting-Average Asset
Across 615 plate appearances in 2026, Tampa Bay Rays designated hitter Yandy Diaz is hitting .305/.372/.467 with 21 home runs, 77 RBI, 83 runs scored, and three stolen bases. Even at 35 years old, Diaz remains one of the most reliable hitters in baseball. He consistently hits the ball hard (48.1% hard-hit rate) while also avoiding swing-and-miss (14.1% strikeout rate), which makes him a high-end batting average asset for fantasy managers. Diaz is also the everyday leadoff hitter in Tampa Bay, which gives him a chance to top 90 runs and RBI in 2026. The veteran slugger is off to a scorching hot start to September, hitting .400 with two home runs and five extra-base hits across his first 33 plate appearances this month. As long as he stays healthy the rest of the way, Diaz should continue to provide excellent four-category production for fantasy managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Josiah Hartshorn Homers Again, Dynasty Arrow Still Pointing Up
Chicago Cubs first base/outfield prospect Josiah Hartshorn parlayed his regular-season success into postseason success, registering an impressive performance in Game 1 of the High-A playoffs on Tuesday, albeit in a losing effort. The South Bend Cubs lost 8-3 to High-A Quad Cities, but Hartshorn went 3-for-5 with a solo home run in the contest. The Cubs' top-ranked prospect (MLB No. 39) began the season at Single-A and was promoted to High-A after just 39 games, proceeding to excel at the next level. The 2025 sixth-round draft pick hit .297 with 18 home runs and 12 steals in 83 games, while his .965 OPS led the entire Midwest League. The switch-hitter boasts big power, and although his strikeout rate increased with the advancement to High-A, it was still just 21.4 percent, while he continued to display a keen eye, walking at a 14.6 percent rate. Look for the 19-year-old to potentially make a run at Triple-A at some point next season, and debut in 2028. With an arrow pointing up, managers in dynasty leagues, especially those looking for some future power production, should be looking to stash him away if still available.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
