RADIO
Orioles Call Up Heston Kjerstad With Rosters Expanding
The Baltimore Orioles are calling up outfielder Heston Kjerstad on Tuesday with MLB rosters expanding, a source with direct knowledge told Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Banner. Kjerstad hit .289 with a .799 on-base-plus-slugging percentage at Triple-A Norfolk this year and has hit .301 with an .889 OPS since July. When Kjerstad gets into a game for the O's, it will be his season debut in the big leagues in 2026. The former first-rounder from Arkansas had his development delayed when he was diagnosed with myocarditis in 2024 before suffering a concussion when he was hit in the helmet by a pitch. Kjerstad also missed most of 2025, although the circumstances around that are murky. It is unclear how much Kjerstad will play in his return to Baltimore, but he could be especially valuable against right-handed pitchers. The 27-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder has combined to hit just .218/.284/.365 with a .649 OPS, 10 homers, 36 RBI, 18 walks, and 88 strikeouts in 106 games across 314 plate appearances in Baltimore since making his major-league debut in 2023.
Source: The Baltimore Banner - Andy Kostka
Source: The Baltimore Banner - Andy Kostka
Nationals Promote Yohandy Morales After Strong Showing at Triple-A
The Washington Nationals called up corner-infield prospect Yohandy Morales from Triple-A Rochester with rosters expanding on Tuesday, Sept. 1, sources told Francys Romero. The 24-year-old former second-round pick in 2023 from the University of Miami gets his first call to the big leagues after hitting .286/.363/.519 with an .881 OPS, 25 home runs, 76 RBI, 82 runs scored, and six stolen bases in 104 games across 455 plate appearances for Rochester this year. Morales is not listed among the team's top-30 prospects at MLB Pipeline, but his strong season could not be ignored with rosters expanding for the final month of the season in September. He has experience at first and third base, and the Nats could also use him as a designated hitter, giving him multiple avenues to playing time to close out the season. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues may want to give Morales a look off the waiver wire for power to see if he can continue his strong 2026 season at the major-league level.
Source: Francys Romero
Source: Francys Romero
Padres Calling Up Catching Prospect Ethan Salas After Strong Triple-A Run
The San Diego Padres are set to call up top catching prospect Ethan Salas from Triple-A El Paso when rosters expand on Tuesday, according to Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound 20-year-old backstop is ranked by MLB Pipeline as the Padres' top prospect and the No. 23 overall prospect in all of baseball. At the catching position, he is ranked as the No. 4 prospect, behind Rainiel Rodriguez (Cardinals), Vahn Lackey (Twins), and Alfredo Duno (Reds). Salas, who hits from the left side, has turned heads in 24 games with El Paso in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League, slashing .326/.410/.539 with a .949 OPS, three homers, 24 RBI, 13 runs scored, and three steals. He began the year at Double-A San Antonio and hit .286 (74-for-259) with seven homers, 37 RBI, 14 steals, and 41 runs scored in 72 games for the Missions. There are still mixed reviews as to how high a ceiling Salas has offensively, and it is unclear how much he will play in San Diego, which already has catchers Freddy Fermin and Luis Campusano on the major-league roster. Fantasy managers in redraft leagues should not be expecting fireworks from Salas in September.
Source: The San Diego Union-Tribune - Kevin Acee
Source: The San Diego Union-Tribune - Kevin Acee
Alex Bregman has Another Three-Homer Game on Monday
Chicago Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman went off at the plate for his second three-homer performance in the month of August in Monday night's 17-3 drubbing of the division-rival Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley Field. Bregman went 3-for-6 at the plate with three home runs and four RBI to boost his season average to .258 and his OPS to .785. The veteran third baseman also clubbed three home runs back on Aug. 12 in a 12-6 win over the Washington Nationals, when he went 3-for-3 with seven RBI and two walks. The 32-year-old veteran and three-time All-Star wraps up a very strong month of August with an incredible 12 home runs, 30 RBI, and a 1.025 OPS in 28 games played. Bregman got off to a slow start early in his first year on the North Side in Chicago, but he has been much better in the second half, as he entered Monday's series opener against Milwaukee with a .288/.361/.564 slash line, .925 OPS, 11 homers, 12 doubles, 32 RBI, 32 runs scored, and a stolen base in 40 games during August. If Bregman is half as good in September as he was in August, fantasy managers will be stoked.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Garrett Crochet Progresses to Playing Catch Off a Mound
Boston Red Sox left-hander Garrett Crochet (shoulder, lat) has begun playing catch off a mound, per Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald. It's largely been a lost season due to injury for Crochet, who has pitched just 30 innings (six starts) in 2026 due to shoulder and lat injuries. However, the 27-year-old continues to progress towards a potential return before the end of the regular season. Crochet was one of the best pitchers in baseball in 2025, recording an 18-5 record with a 2.59 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, and 255 strikeouts across 205 1/3 innings (32 starts). While he may not be stretched out to a full starter's workload down the stretch of 2026, Crochet has experience working out of the bullpen and could be an impactful piece as a reliever for Boston. Fantasy managers in redraft leagues are unlikely to get much value from Crochet in 2026, but his draft stock entering 2027 would likely rise considerably if he's able to return and be effective in October.
Source: Boston Herald - Mac Cerullo
Source: Boston Herald - Mac Cerullo
Bryce Miller Set to Return to Mariners Rotation
Seattle Mariners right-hander Bryce Miller is set to return to the team's starting rotation following right-hander Emerson Hancock's (groin) placement on the 15-day injured list, per Daniel Kramer of MLB.com. Mariners manager Dan Wilson said on Friday that Miller was temporarily being moved into a bullpen role. However, the injury to Hancock will move Miller back into the rotation before he made a single appearance out of the pen. Across 94 innings on the year, Miller has recorded a 4-8 record with a 4.12 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 92 strikeouts. While the 28-year-old's overall numbers are respectable, he struggled to a 9.00 ERA across 20 innings in August. Still, Miller has posted a solid 24.6% strikeout rate while walking just 6.6% of the batters he's faced this season. His next start is likely to come on Wednesday at Fenway Park against the Boston Red Sox.
Source: MLB.com - Daniel Kramer
Source: MLB.com - Daniel Kramer
Chase Burns Will Face Workload Limitations Down the Stretch
Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona announced on Monday that starting pitcher Chase Burns will be on an innings/pitch-count restriction following his next scheduled start on Monday, Sept. 7 against the Los Angeles Dodgers, per Joe Danneman of Fox 19 Cincinnati. After the start against the Dodgers, Burns will start games and then be followed by Reds left-hander Brandon Williamson. Burns has been one of the breakout success stories of the 2026 season, recording a 15-3 record with a 2.79 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 171 strikeouts across 145 1/3 innings (26 starts). The 23-year-old has averaged 97.7 miles per hour on his fastball while posting an excellent 28.9% strikeout rate. However, the Reds have all but been eliminated from postseason contention this season. It appears the team is looking to limit Burns' workload in an effort to keep him healthy long-term. Fantasy managers can still rely on Burns for solid ratios, but he may not provide many strikeouts or any wins in his final few appearances of 2026.
Source: Fox 19 Cincinnati - Joe Danneman
Source: Fox 19 Cincinnati - Joe Danneman
James Wood Unlikely to Return to the Nationals on Tuesday
Washington Nationals outfielder James Wood (oblique) will likely "play in at least one more rehab game" and "most likely won't be playing" for the Nationals on Tuesday, per Mark Zuckerman of Nats Journal. Wood has been on the 10-day injured list since early August due to an oblique injury. While Wood seems to be on the doorstep of a return to the big leagues, he's played in just one rehab game so far, and it appears the team wants him to log a few more minor league at-bats before activating him. Across 535 plate appearances before the injury, Wood slashed .265/.393/.535 with 30 home runs, 73 RBI, 100 runs scored, and 17 stolen bases. The 23-year-old's high-end production in 2026 is supported by his elite barrel (20.8%) and hard-hit (57.6%) rates. Upon his return, Wood has the ability to swing fantasy leagues in the season's final month.
Source: Nats Journal - Mark Zuckerman
Source: Nats Journal - Mark Zuckerman
Joe Ryan Set to Throw 45-50 Pitches in Rehab Start on Tuesday
Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Joe Ryan (glute) is scheduled to make a rehab start with Triple-A St. Paul on Tuesday, per Twins beat writer Aaron Gleeman. Ryan has been sidelined since early August due to a glute strain, but it appears he could be nearing a return to the big leagues. Per Gleeman, Twins manager Derek Shelton said that the plan for Ryan is to throw around 45-50 pitches on Tuesday. Before the injury, Ryan recorded a 6-8 record with a 3.65 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and 138 strikeouts across 125 2/3 innings (23 starts). The 30-year-old has consistently allowed high home run rates throughout his career and has surrendered 1.22 HR/9 so far this season. However, Ryan has struck out 26.4% of the batters he's faced while posting just a 5.2% walk rate, good for an elite 21.2% K-BB rate. Once healthy, he profiles as a must-start fantasy pitcher.
Source: Aaron Gleeman
Source: Aaron Gleeman
Kyle Bradish Pushed Back to Tuesday, Orioles Could Run Six-Man Rotation
Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Kyle Bradish will make his next start on Tuesday against the Colorado Rockies, per Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun. Bradish had originally been in line to start against Colorado on Monday, but the Orioles recalled left-hander Cade Povich from Triple-A to make the start instead. Per Weyrich, it "remains to be seen" if the Orioles will operate with a six-man rotation going forward. Across 143 innings (26 starts) in 2026, Bradish has recorded a 7-12 record with a 4.03 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, and 133 strikeouts. The 29-year-old has struggled to a 5.40 ERA in August and allowed seven earned runs across 4 1/3 innings of work his last time out against the St. Louis Cardinals. Bradish missed most of the 2024 and 2025 seasons due to elbow issues, so Baltimore could be looking to get him some extra rest as he fights end-of-season fatigue.
Source: The Baltimore Sun - Matt Weyrich
Source: The Baltimore Sun - Matt Weyrich
Abner Uribe Reinstated From Injured List on Monday
The Milwaukee Brewers announced on Monday that they reinstated right-handed reliever Abner Uribe (forearm) from the 15-day injured list and placed right-hander Bryse Wilson (back) on the 15-day IL in a corresponding move with a strained lower back. The 26-year-old Uribe missed the last three weeks with a forearm strain, but he is back now and should resume his late-inning setup duties in front of closer Trevor Megill the rest of the way in 2026. Uribe only has six saves in his fourth year in the majors, but he has been lights-out once again in a high-leverage bullpen role, going 4-2 with a 2.05 ERA (3.08 FIP) and 1.03 WHIP with 48 strikeouts and 18 walks in 48 1/3 innings pitched over 49 appearances out of the bullpen for Milwaukee. The Dominican hurler comes into Monday's action tied with Tyron Guerrero and Alex Vesia for 18th among MLB relievers with 18 holds, so he clearly has some value in fantasy leagues that reward points for holds. Uribe is currently rostered in just under half of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Milwaukee Brewers
Source: Milwaukee Brewers
Aaron Judge Could Return for Next Homestand
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said on Monday that it is possible that outfielder Aaron Judge (rib) returns for the team's next homestand, but the skipper is not putting a date on it, according to Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News. The Yankees return home for their next homestand next Tuesday, Sept. 8, for a series against the Colorado Rockies in the Bronx. The 34-year-old three-time MVP and eight-time All-Star was recently cleared to begin a hitting progression, but he will likely need to go on a minor-league rehab assignment before he is reinstated, considering he has not played in the majors since May 31 due to a stress fracture in his rib. Judge has league-winning power upside when he is healthy, but he will only have a few weeks to do damage to close out the 2026 regular season. Before his rib injury, he was hitting .248 (53-for-214) with 17 home runs, 38 RBI, 43 runs scored, and five stolen bases in 59 games played. Judge hit 50-plus home runs in the previous two seasons with well over 100 RBI as well, but 2026 has been derailed by his rib injury.
Source: New York Daily News - Gary Phillips
Source: New York Daily News - Gary Phillips
Cubs Promote Infield Prospect BJ Murray on Monday
The Chicago Cubs promoted corner-infield prospect BJ Murray from Triple-A Iowa on Monday, per Milb Central. Murray, the Cubs' 19th-ranked prospect per MLB Pipeline, will get his first taste of the Show after hitting .294/.395/.500 with an .895 OPS, 16 home runs, 68 RBI, 74 runs scored, and nine stolen bases in 118 games across 516 plate appearances at Iowa this year. The 26-year-old switch-hitter stands at 5-foot-11 and 205 pounds and was selected by Chicago in the 15th round in 2021 out of Florida Atlantic University. Murray is old for a prospect, but with his age comes an impressive combination of power upside and plate discipline from both sides of the plate. He has the potential to hit 20 homers at the next level over a full season, but he will most likely serve in a bench role down the stretch for the Cubbies with rosters expanding on Tuesday. In addition to his emerging power, Murray also has speed to boot and could eventually become a 20-20 player down the road in the majors if he can earn a starting spot at either third base or first base on the North Side.
Source: Milb Central
Source: Milb Central
Marlins Promote Infield Prospect Jared Serna
The Miami Marlins promoted middle-infield prospect Jared Serna from Triple-A Jacksonville on Monday, according to Milb Central. Serna will take the roster spot of infielder Xavier Edwards (thumb), who landed on the 10-day injured list. Javier Sanoja made the start at the keystone for Miami in Monday's series finale against the division-rival Washington Nationals, but Serna could get some run at second base as well until Edwards is ready to return. The 24-year-old Mexican native gets the call to the big leagues after slashing .221/.303/.378 with a .681 OPS, 12 home runs, 48 RBI, 14 stolen bases, and 40 runs scored across 91 games and 336 plate appearances with the Jumbo Shrimp. Serna is not considered a top-30 prospect for the Fish at MLB Pipeline, and although his power/speed numbers have been impressive at Triple-A in 2026, his struggles making contact could really be exposed at the major-league level if he sees enough playing time. Only fantasy managers in deep NL-only leagues should be looking at Serna as a potential waiver-wire pickup for short-term middle-infield depth.
Source: Milb Central
Source: Milb Central
CJ Abrams Scratched on Monday With Back Tightness
Washington Nationals middle infielder CJ Abrams (back) has been scratched from the starting lineup on Monday against the division-rival Miami Marlins due to back tightness, according to Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic. Nasim Nunez is starting at shortstop and is batting eighth, while Jorbit Vivas will make the start at second and hit sixth versus Marlins right-hander Ryan Gusto. The Baltimore Banner's Kyle W. reports that manager Blake Butera said on Monday that Abrams is going to be closer to a 50/50 split between shortstop and second base for the rest of the season. Butera said that Abrams has played a "lights-out shortstop" over the past couple of weeks. Fantasy managers should consider the 25-year-old to be day-to-day for now and check back on his status before Game 2 of the series against Miami on Tuesday. The former first-rounder and two-time All-Star has been one of the most valuable shortstops in fantasy in 2026, and he will soon be gaining second base eligibility. Abrams came into Monday's series opener with a .267/.343/.506 slash line, an .849 OPS, a career-high 29 home runs, 92 RBI, 26 stolen bases, and 81 runs scored across 131 games. His first 30-30 campaign is well within reach as long as his back injury is not serious.
Source: The Athletic - Spencer Nusbaum
Source: The Athletic - Spencer Nusbaum
