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Byron Buxton Could Undergo Offseason Hip Surgery
Minnesota Twins general manager Jeremy Zoll said on Friday that outfielder Byron Buxton (hip) is "still truly day-to-day" and will attempt to avoid the injured list for now, according to Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic. Zoll also said that Buxton eventually undergoing offseason hip surgery "is definitely a potential option as we sort through everything." Buxton is not in the starting lineup for the series opener on Friday against the division-rival Chicago White Sox after aggravating his hip injury on Tuesday against the Athletics. The 32-year-old veteran had 25 home runs, 45 RBI, 57 runs scored, and seven stolen bases while slashing .271/.328/.575 with a .904 OPS in 75 games in the first half, but he has been on the injured list twice with his hip injury and has gone just 11-for-64 (.172) with zero homers, one RBI, seven walks, and 17 strikeouts in 18 games since the All-Star break. Minnesota is currently four games back of the final American League wild-card spot with four teams between them, so if they fall behind any further in the playoff race, Buxton is a prime candidate to be shut down early as he limps to the finish line of the 2026 season.
Source: The Athletic - Aaron Gleeman
Source: The Athletic - Aaron Gleeman
MLB Suspends Dominican Prospect Over Elaborate Age-Fraud Plot
Cleveland Guardians switch-hitting infield prospect David Severino has been suspended by the league after Major League Baseball uncovered an elaborate age-fraud plot that included a fictitious death and a gravesite tombstone, sources familiar with the investigation told Alden Gonzalez of ESPN. Severino's handler tried to make him appear nearly two years younger than he actually is, including faking a birth certificate to create a new identity, falsifying medical and school records, filing a fraudulent death certificate, and creating a gravesite scene. At the time the Guardians agreed in December to a $2.8 million pre-deal with Severino, they thought he was 13 or 14 years old and that the deal would be finalized in 2029, by which point he would be 17 and eligible to sign. Severino's real name is Daury David Severino Damaso, and he is 16 years old. His suspension will force him to wait an extra year to enter the international amateur market and become eligible to sign with a team. The Guardians are not facing MLB discipline.
Source: ESPN.com - Alden Gonzalez
Source: ESPN.com - Alden Gonzalez
Max Fried to Return for Saturday's Doubleheader
New York Yankees left-hander Max Fried (elbow) is set to come off the 15-day injured list to start one of the doubleheader games against the division-rival Boston Red Sox, manager Aaron Boone told Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News. Fried will end up missing the minimum 15 days on the injured list after suffering a setback of an elbow bone bruise that kept him out for much longer earlier this season. The veteran southpaw will rejoin New York's starting rotation after throwing a four-inning live batting practice session on Monday, so he could be operating with a workload restriction on Saturday in his first game back. In his first meeting with the Red Sox back on April 22, Fried picked up his third win of the year, tossing eight shutout innings with two walks and a season-high nine strikeouts. That kind of line might be expecting a lot in his second meeting with Boston, but the 32-year-old has been solid again in 2026 when healthy, going 4-4 with a 2.81 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 79 strikeouts, and 27 walks in 86 1/3 innings across 15 starts. The three-time All-Star won a league-high 19 games last year in his first season in the Bronx and had a nice 2.86 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 189:51 K:BB in 32 regular-season starts.
Source: New York Daily News - Gary Phillips
Source: New York Daily News - Gary Phillips
Jake Bauers Returns Against Rangers
Milwaukee Brewers first baseman/outfielder Jake Bauers (shin) is starting at first base and batting third in Friday's series opener against the visiting Texas Rangers and left-hander Cody Bradford, per MLB.com. Bauers is returning to the starting lineup this weekend after missing the last three games due to shin splints. It will be a lefty-lefty matchup for Bauers, which is not ideal, but he has also hit .280 (30-for-107) with six of his 23 home runs on the year against left-handed pitchers in 2026. It has been a career year for the left-handed slugger, as he has posted a .272/.382/.501 slash line with an .884 OPS, 23 long balls, 75 RBI, 76 runs scored, and nine stolen bases across 119 games and 476 plate appearances. Bauers is a lineup regular for the first-place Brewers and should be returned to starting lineups in fantasy leagues despite facing a lefty on the mound on Friday. Bauers has never faced Bradford in his career. In 20 games in August, Bauers has gone 19-for-67 (.284) with four homers, three doubles, 12 RBI, 11 runs, and a stolen base.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Byron Buxton Absent From Twins' Lineup on Friday
Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (hip) is not in the team's starting lineup for Friday's series opener at home against the division-rival Chicago White Sox, according to MLB.com. Top outfield prospect Walker Jenkins has been recalled from Triple-A St. Paul and will make his major-league debut for the Twins at Target Field, starting in center field and batting ninth against White Sox veteran right-hander Luis Castillo. Buxton was pulled from the last contest with more pain in his right hip, an injury that has already sent him to the injured list twice in the second half. For now, we will consider the veteran outfielder as day-to-day, but if he cannot rejoin the starting lineup this weekend against the White Sox, another trip to the IL could be in store. The 32-year-old three-time All-Star had a fantastic first half in 2026 with 25 homers, 45 RBI, seven steals, and a .271/.328/.575 slash line, but he has played in only 18 games in the second half due to hip issues and has hit .172 (11-for-64) with zero homers, one RBI, seven walks, and 17 strikeouts. If Buxton lands on the IL a third time with his recurring hip problem, it might be the last we see of him this season.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Jeremy Pena Active After Injury Scare on Thursday Night
Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena (hand) is starting at the 6 and batting leadoff for Friday's series opener on the road against the New York Mets and right-hander Christian Scott at Citi Field, per MLB.com. Pena was hit on the left hand by a pitch in the series finale on Thursday against the New York Yankees, but he stayed in the game and even hit a home run. After X-rays came back negative, he is back in the starting nine to kick off a series in Queens against the Mets. Fantasy managers will want to keep the 28-year-old Dominican infielder in their starting lineups. He has played in only 84 games (363 plate appearances) in 2026 due to various injuries, but Pena is slashing a strong .282/.336/.477 with an .814 OPS, 16 home runs, 44 RBI, 65 runs scored, and eight stolen bases. Although Pena has two homers in his last three games, he's batting .184 (16-for-87) with four homers, four doubles, a triple, 10 RBI, 14 runs, four walks, and 31 strikeouts in 21 games in August. He has never faced Scott in his MLB career.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Juan Soto on the Verge of Returning From Injured List
New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto (calf) does not anticipate needing to go on a minor-league rehab assignment before returning from the 10-day injured list, according to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. Soto said he is just about ready to rejoin the major-league roster, but he will know more after Friday. DiComo thinks that Soto's return from the IL "could happen in a matter of days." The left-handed slugger will not be back for Friday's series opener at home against the Houston Astros, but he could rejoin the starting lineup at some point this weekend. That is great news for managers with the fantasy playoffs coming soon. The 27-year-old Dominican All-Star has been on the IL two separate times in 2026 due to calf injuries in both legs, but he still has time to be a difference-maker in the final month of the regular season. Soto will be returning to a .283/.408/.539 slash line with a .947 OPS, 21 home runs, 52 RBI, 46 runs scored, and seven steals in 293 at-bats and will immediately be a must-start in all traditional fantasy leagues.
Source: MLB.com - Anthony DiComo
Source: MLB.com - Anthony DiComo
Adley Rutschman Returns for Series Opener Against Yankees
Boston Red Sox catcher Adley Rutschman (elbow) will get his first taste of the division rivalry against the New York Yankees in Friday's series opener as he returns from a hyperextended elbow earlier this week. Rutschman will do the catching for left-hander Patrick Sandoval and will hit fifth against Yankees right-hander Cam Schlittler. Fantasy managers should not be itching to get the 28-year-old backstop back into their starting lineups on Friday, especially going up against Schlittler, who has been one of the best pitchers in baseball in 2026. It has been a frustrating season for Rutschman, who has been banged up and has hit just .236 (68-for-288) with nine home runs, 51 RBI, and 33 runs scored in 79 games and 331 plate appearances. Since coming to Beantown in a trade with the Baltimore Orioles on Aug. 3, Rutschman has gone just 6-for-41 (.146) at the plate with a homer, a double, four RBI, three runs scored, six walks, and 12 strikeouts. He has faced Schlittler only three times in his big-league career and has one hit against him.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Bo Bichette Back for Series Opener Against Astros
New York Mets infielder Bo Bichette (foot) is starting at third base and will hit third for the Mets in the series opener on Friday against the visiting Houston Astros and right-hander Hunter Brown at Citi Field, according to MLB.com. Bichette did not play in Thursday's series finale against the Milwaukee Brewers after injuring his foot on Wednesday, but he is back for the weekend series against Houston and should be returned to fantasy lineups this weekend. Overall, it has been a disappointing first year in Queens for the 28-year-old, who signed a one-year, $42 million contract with the Mets in January that included player options for 2027 and 2028. The two-time All-Star got off to an icy start and is currently slashing .264/.312/.393 with a .704 OPS, 14 home runs, 66 RBI, 64 runs scored, and one stolen base in 132 games and 568 plate appearances. Bichette has been much better in the second half, though, and he comes into Friday's game hitting .306 (26-for-85) with an .895 OPS, four home runs, five doubles, a triple, 13 RBI, and 11 runs scored in 22 games in August. He has hit .125 with a .347 OPS in eight career at-bats versus Brown.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Lazaro Montes Continues to Hit With Power In Minor Leagues
Seattle Mariners outfield prospect Lazaro Montes is still hitting with power in the minor leagues, with nine homers and 19 RBI in August with Triple-A Tacoma. This season, between Double-A Arkansas and Triple-A Tacoma, Montes has combined to hit .248 with 37 homers and 93 RBI with 96 runs scored. The power-hitting skills are elite for Montes, the No. 5 overall prospect for the Mariners. He is blessed with 65-grade power but just a 45-grade hit tool. So he will need to improve his overall batting skills before he is able to earn a promotion to the big leagues. But the Mariners could use the power that he provides, making him a tempting call-up at the end of this season. Fantasy managers will want to monitor closely how the Mariners use Montes as this season winds down.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Chase DeLauter Returns From Hamstring Injury on Friday
Cleveland Guardians rookie outfielder Chase DeLauter (hamstring) is serving as the designated hitter and is batting second in his return to the starting lineup for Friday's series opener at home against the division-rival Kansas City Royals and veteran right-hander Michael Wacha, per MLB.com. DeLauter is returning to Cleveland's starting nine after missing the last three games with a tight hamstring, although he did enter the last game against the Los Angeles Angels for a clutch single in the ninth inning. Fantasy managers will want to get the 24-year-old former first-rounder back into their starting lineups to begin the weekend against a right-handed pitcher. In his first year in the big leagues, DeLauter has looked like he belongs, slashing .289/.363/.451 with an .814 OPS, 13 home runs, 59 RBI, 52 runs scored, and nine stolen bases for the Guards. He has especially looked great at the plate in August, going 24-for-68 (.353) with a .972 OPS, two homers, two doubles, two triples, eight RBI, 14 runs, and three stolen bases in 19 games. DeLauter is hitless in just two career at-bats against Wacha.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Franklin Arias the New No. 1 Hitting Prospect To Stash
Boston Red Sox infield prospect Franklin Arias has had a nice month of August at Triple-A Worcester, with two homers, 18 RBI and a .319 batting average. The 20-year-old superstar has combined in 2026 in Double-A and Triple-A to hit .313 with 23 homers and 76 RBI with 64 runs scored. Arias is the No. 1 prospect in the Red Sox system, and at age 20, he has the potential to be a league-winner in fantasy leagues should he get the call-up to Boston. He has a 60-grade hit tool with 55-grade power and has shown that off in the minor leagues this season. As a fantasy infielder, he has the potential to be a difference-maker with his elite hitting skills even at the young age of 20. Look for a call-up and look to take advantage in redraft leagues if fantasy managers can add Arias to their team.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Bo Davidson Primed For Late-Season Breakout
San Francisco Giants outfield prospect Bo Davidson has produced in a big way during the month of August at Triple-A Sacramento, hitting .341 with six homers, 23 RBI, and 30 runs scored. Davidson is the No. 8 prospect in the Giants' system with a 50-grade hit tool, 55-grade power, and 55-grade speed. Davidson has combined for 19 stolen bases between two levels of the minors this season, proving that he could be a stolen base threat at the major-league level. Davidson is doing his best to force his way into a call-up to the Giants this season. The 24-year-old is doing everything in his power to prove he is ready. If the Giants feel he is ready, he would be a big boost to fantasy managers down the stretch of the season. Keep an eye on Davidson's progress the rest of the way.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Michael Arroyo Could Be Next Mariners Hitter to be Called Up
Seattle Mariners new top middle-infield prospect Michael Arroyo is an accomplished infielder who could make a difference as a late-season call-up to the Mariners. The 21-year-old has hit well since his promotion to Triple-A Tacoma. In 41 games with Tacoma, Arroyo has eight homers and 35 RBI while hitting .271 with 31 runs scored. At Double-A Arkansas this season, Arroyo hit 10 homers and drove in 40 runs while hitting .287. The right-handed hitter is the No. 3 prospect in the Mariners system behind pitchers Kade Anderson and Ryan Sloan. Arroyo was signed out of Colombia and has a 55-grade hit tool and 55-grade power with 50-grade speed. Arroyo could be a nice addition to fantasy teams down the stretch and could provide five-category contributions to fantasy rosters.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Seaver King Worth Stashing Ahead of Fantasy Playoffs
Washington Nationals infield prospect Seaver King is putting together an excellent month of August at Triple-A Rochester with a .356 batting average, eight homers and 16 RBI. King's red-hot hitting month could force the hand of the Nationals and he could be a priority pickup in fantasy leagues down the stretch this season. King is the No. 4 prospect in the Nationals system and the 23-year-old has a 50-grade hit tool with a 70-grade run tool. King brings a stolen base threat to the table and has combined for 14 stolen bases among the two minor league levels he has played at this season. He can bring that threat to the major leagues and give fantasy managers that extra category help with stolen bases being a possibility at the big leagues. King could be a difference maker late in the fantasy season.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
