MLB News

Junior Caminero • 3B • Rays

Junior Caminero Carrying 11-Game Hitting Streak into Saturday

Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero is having another phenomenal season for the Rays and fantasy managers in 2026 in his fourth season in the big leagues after breaking out with 45 home runs, 110 RBI, 93 runs scored, and seven stolen bases in 154 games played in 2025. Caminero is currently slashing .280/.366/.528 with a career-best .895 OPS, 35 home runs, 85 RBI, 82 runs scored, and three stolen bases across 134 games and 584 plate appearances. The 23-year-old Dominican is one of the best young hitters in the game, and he is riding an 11-game hitting streak into Game 2 of the weekend series in Tampa against the San Diego Padres on Saturday. During his current streak, Caminero has gone 15-for-43 (.349) with zero home runs, two doubles, six RBI, and five runs scored in 46 plate appearances. Although he has only hit seven home runs in 40 games since the All-Star break, he is still hitting a strong .282 (44-for-156) with an .821 OPS in 173 plate appearances. Caminero is not slowing down whatsoever and is a fantasy staple at the third base position.

Aug 29

Seiya Suzuki • RF • Cubs

Seiya Suzuki Continues to Produce for Fantasy Managers

Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki may not reach the heights that he showed last season, when he hit a career-high 32 home runs and drove in 103 runs in 151 regular-season games, but his fantasy managers are not really complaining in 2026. After going 3-for-5 at the plate with two doubles, two RBI, two runs scored, and a walk in Friday's 10-8 loss to the division-rival Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field, the Japanese outfielder is now slashing .274/.366/.484 on the year with a career-high .851 OPS, 22 home runs, 77 RBI, 78 runs scored, and three stolen bases across 117 games and 516 plate appearances in his fifth year in the big leagues. The 32-year-old veteran has three multi-hit games in his last five contests for a 1.173 OPS during that span. Suzuki is hitting .285 (41-for-144) with seven home runs in 37 games since the All-Star break and sports a .287/.385/.521 slash line with a .907 OPS, four homers, 10 doubles, 17 RBI, 19 runs scored, and two steals in 24 games in August. If he can keep this up going into September, Suzuki could be the difference for fantasy managers chasing championships.

Aug 29

Walker Jenkins • CF • Twins

Walker Jenkins Can Put Teams Over the Top Down the Stretch

Minnesota Twins top outfield prospect Walker Jenkins made his major-league debut in the team's 7-4 loss on Friday night to the division-rival Chicago White Sox at Target Field and went 1-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout. The Twins are hoping that Jenkins, the No. 15 prospect in all of baseball, can give them the spark they need to sneak into a wild-card spot in the American League with veteran outfielder Byron Buxton (hip) potentially going back on the injured list for a third time this year. The 21-year-old former fifth overall pick in 2023 will play regularly for the Twins down the stretch, even if Buxton can return, and his power/speed upside from the left side of the plate could be a difference-maker for fantasy managers chasing a championship. The 6-foot-3, 210-pounder hit .308/.407/.532 with a .940 OPS, 12 home runs, 28 RBI, 17 stolen bases, and 51 runs scored in his 69 games played at Triple-A St. Paul before getting the call to the Show on Friday. The 21-year-old hit out of the nine-hole in his MLB debut, but he could quickly move up Minnesota's order if he continues to produce like he did on the farm. Jenkins is only rostered right now in 19% of Yahoo leagues, so he is widely available.

Aug 29

Bryce Miller • SP • Mariners

Bryce Miller Temporarily Demoted to Bullpen

According to Daniel Kramer, Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Bryce Miller is temporarily being moved to the bullpen. Mariners manager Dan Wilson confirmed the news on Friday that the struggling right-hander will shift to the pen for now. Over his last eight starts, Miller is 0-6 with a horrendous 7.19 ERA. It doesn't sound like Miller is fully healthy right now, so they might move him to the Injured List if he continues to struggle. The Mariners will go with a traditional five-man rotation with Miller getting the boot. Miller will likely pitch in low-leverage spots, which won't result in much fantasy value.

Aug 28

Riley Greene • LF • Tigers

Riley Greene Could Begin Rehab Assignment This Weekend

Detroit Tigers outfielder Riley Greene (hamstring) is hopeful to begin a minor league rehab assignment as early as this weekend, according to Evan Woodbery of MLive.com. Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said on Friday that Greene is doing really well, and he should be ready for game action this weekend. Greene has been out since August 12 due to a left hamstring strain. The hope is that Greene won't require a lengthy rehab stint. The expectation is that he'll be back in the Tigers lineup by early September. Fantasy managers should check back for another update after the weekend.

Aug 28

Hurston Waldrep • SP • Braves

Hurston Waldrep to Undergo Tommy John Surgery

According to Mark Bowman, Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Hurston Waldrep (elbow) will undergo Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. Waldrep had surgery in February to remove loose bodies from his elbow. He made three appearances for the Braves before heading to Triple-A Gwinnett. Waldrep suffered a setback with his elbow during his first outing back in the minors. It has been determined he'll require Tommy John surgery, which will likely knock him out until 2028. This is tough news for the 24-year-old, but hopefully he'll get healthy and back on the mound soon.

Aug 28

Spencer Strider • SP • Braves

Spencer Strider Unlikely to Return This Season

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider (elbow) is unlikely to get back on the mound this season, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports. Strider has been sidelined since the middle of June due to right elbow inflammation. He has resumed throwing, but it doesn't sound like he has made enough progress to make it back to the mound this season. It's worth noting that the Braves haven't officially ruled out Strider yet, but it seems unlikely that he'll pitch again in 2026. If his season is done, Strider will finish the year with a 5.31 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, and a 46/20 K/BB ratio across eight starts. Fantasy managers in redraft formats are probably safe to move on.

Aug 28

Spencer Schwellenbach • SP • Braves

Spencer Schwellenbach to Have Season-Ending Elbow Surgery

According to Mark Bowman, Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow) will undergo season-ending surgery to repair a fracture in his right elbow. Schwellenbach hasn't pitched all season after he underwent a procedure to remove bone spurs earlier this spring. It sounds like the issue didn't go away, so he'll need elbow surgery to fully repair the problem. Schwellenbach hasn't pitched in 14 months, and his status for the beginning of the 2027 season is now in doubt. Schwellenbach can safely be dropped in all redraft formats now. Hopefully, the Braves will be able to get something out of Schwellenbach next season.

Aug 28

Jacob Wilson • SS • Athletics

Jacob Wilson to Undergo Season-Ending Shoulder Surgery

Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson (shoulder) is scheduled to undergo season-ending left-shoulder surgery on Sept. 16, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports. Wilson was placed on the Injured List last Friday due to shoulder soreness. It was revealed that the soreness was related to a shoulder separation he suffered earlier in the season. Wilson has elected to undergo surgery and get healthy for the 2027 season. It's a lost season for the A's anyway, so they might as well get Wilson back to full health. Across 80 games, Wilson slashed .266/.298/.388 with seven home runs, 37 RBI, and four steals. Alika Williams will likely see a majority of the playing time at shortstop down the stretch of the regular season.

Aug 28

Shohei Ohtani • DH • Dodgers

Shohei Ohtani's Return Still TBD After Latest Bullpen Session

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (knee) threw a short bullpen session on Friday, according to The Associated Press. "I think it was like 20 pitches," manager Dave Roberts said. "I really don't know what to make of it. I didn't put eyes on it." It is unclear right now, but if the Dodgers liked what they saw, Ohtani could return to the starting rotation on Sunday for the series finale in Detroit against the Tigers. The four-time MVP has not pitched since July 3 against the division-rival San Diego Padres due to a left-knee injury. The injury has not prevented Ohtani from serving as the Dodgers' primary designated hitter, but they have been extra cautious with him as a pitcher in the second half of the season as they try to get him to 100% for the postseason. Before his knee issues cropped up, Ohtani was in the National League Cy Young conversation, going 8-2 with a 1.79 WHIP and 95 strikeouts in 85 2/3 innings pitched. Even if Ohtani is not cleared to return as a pitcher this weekend, he needs to be stashed for high-end strikeout upside in the final month of the regular season as the fantasy playoffs quickly approach.

Aug 28

James Wood • RF • Nationals

James Wood Takes Batting Practice, Return May be Imminent

Washington Nationals outfielder James Wood (oblique) took a full round of batting practice on the field on Friday for the first time since landing on the 10-day injured list with a strained left oblique 3 1/2 weeks ago, according to Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com. It appears that his return to the active roster "may not be that far off." Manager Blake Butera said that Wood may not need to go on a minor-league rehab assignment before he is activated, suggesting that the All-Star slugger could be back in the team's lineup within the week. "We'll probably just have him get right back with us," Butera said. Wood has been ramping up his baseball activities this week and appears to be on the verge of a return, barring a setback this weekend. Getting the 23-year-old former second-rounder back in fantasy lineups for the final month of the regular season in September could be the difference-maker, as he already has 30 homers, 73 RBI, an even 100 runs scored, 17 stolen bases, and a .265/.393/.535 slash line in 437 at-bats this year. Wood will be a must-start immediately in all leagues upon his return to the Nats' roster.

Aug 28

Byron Buxton • CF • Twins

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.

Aug 28

Max Fried • SP • Yankees

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.

Aug 28

Jake Bauers • 1B • Brewers

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.

Aug 28

Byron Buxton • CF • Twins

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.

Aug 28

Jeremy Peña • SS • Astros

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.

Aug 28

Juan Soto • LF • Mets

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.

Aug 28

Adley Rutschman • C • Red Sox

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.

Aug 28

Bo Bichette • 3B • Mets

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.

Aug 28

Lazaro Montes • RF • Mariners

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.

Aug 28

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