MLB News

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (knee) said his left knee felt good after throwing a bullpen session last Friday and that he is scheduled to throw another one on Tuesday, according to Jack Harris of The California Post. Ohtani is hopeful that his knee injury is behind him now and that there will not be any more setbacks as he ramps up as a pitcher. The four-time MVP continues to serve as L.A.'s primary designated hitter, but he has not made a start on the mound since July 3 against the division-rival San Diego Padres. While the 32-year-old is trending in the right direction as a starting pitcher, the Dodgers are in no rush to bring him back to their rotation, and fantasy managers should not be surprised if he does not make another start until the calendar flips to September. The five-time All-Star has been great on the mound when he has been available, going 8-2 in his 14 starts (85 2/3 innings) with a 1.79 ERA (2.59 FIP) and 0.95 WHIP with a 95:26 K:BB. The primary goal for the Dodgers is to have Ohtani at full health as a pitcher for the playoffs in October.

Miami Marlins outfielder Kyle Stowers (hamstring) has begun a running progression, per Stephen Strom of Marlins Radio Network. Stowers has not played since August 9 due to a hamstring strain. However, the fact that Stowers has already begun running could be an indication that he will not miss significant time due to the injury. Across 399 plate appearances on the year, the 28-year-old is hitting .242/.327/.462 with 16 home runs, 52 RBI, 44 runs scored, and one stolen base. The lefty-swinging Stowers has struck out in 31.3% of his plate appearances and owns a .530 OPS against same-handed pitching, both of which limit his fantasy value. Still, Stowers has logged an elite 55.0% hard-hit rate, which helps mitigate his swing-and-miss issues and hints at his high-end power upside. Once healthy, Stowers profiles as a useful power bat for fantasy managers.

Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin (finger) is set to "swing a bat/catch a ball" at the end of this week, per Alex Stumpf of DK Pittsburgh Sports. Griffin is working his way back from an injury to his left ring finger that has kept him out since early July. The 20-year-old has had an injury-marred first year in the big leagues, as he also missed time earlier in the year due to a flexor strain. Still, Griffin has been productive when healthy, hitting .276/.332/.404 with five home runs, 25 RBI, 36 runs scored, and 20 stolen bases across 247 plate appearances. While Griffin appears to be making progress towards a return, he could still be a week or two away from beginning a rehab assignment. The Pirates also have little incentive to rush the young phenom back to the big leagues, as they are actively fading from the National League playoff picture. Griffin profiles as a high-upside waiver wire target if he makes it back to the big leagues, but his redraft value for the remainder of 2026 is an open question.

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said catcher Will Smith (neck) could begin a rehab assignment next week, per David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports. Smith has not played since early June due to a neck injury, but he appears to be making steady progress towards a return. Across 201 plate appearances before the injury, the 31-year-old is hitting .248/.338/.382 with six home runs, 23 RBI, and 23 runs scored. While Smith's overall production at the plate was below his career norms, he posted a stellar 13.4% barrel rate while striking out in just 16.9% of his trips to the plate. The Dodgers are also currently without emerging young catcher Dalton Rushing (elbow) due to an elbow injury, so Smith should see as much playing time as he can handle once healthy. Upon his return, Smith profiles as a must-start fantasy catcher.

Boston Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story (abdomen) said he could be active "as early as Friday," per Chris Cotillo of MassLive. Cotillo reports that the team's plan for Story is to have him rehab at Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday and Wednesday before being re-evaluated. Story has been on the injured list since mid-May after undergoing sports hernia surgery, but he appears to be on the doorstep of a return to Boston. The 33-year-old got off to a terrible start to the 2026 season before getting injured, hitting .206 with three home runs and a 32.4% strikeout rate across his first 176 plate appearances of the year. Still, Story hit 25 home runs and stole 31 bases across 654 plate appearances in 2025 and remains a very valuable fantasy player when healthy and going well. Once Story returns, he should be rostered across most fantasy formats.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Edward Cabrera (finger) was placed on the 15-day injured list on Monday due to a blister on his right middle finger, per Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network. Cabrera just made it back from the injured list on Sunday after missing nearly two months due to a hamstring injury. However, he allowed seven earned runs across 3 2/3 innings against the St. Louis Cardinals in his first start back and is now set to miss additional time. Cabrera has had a rough first year in Chicago, recording a 5-5 record with a 5.68 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, and 67 strikeouts across 76 innings (15 starts). While the 28-year-old should make it back from the injured list shortly after he is first eligible, Cabrera needs to put together a stretch of healthy and productive starts before fantasy managers can rely on him.

Updating a previous report, The Arizona Republic's Nick Piecoro was told that Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte (personal) is doing OK physically, but he just "didn't show up to the ballpark tonight" for the series opener on Monday at Fenway Park against the Boston Red Sox. The D-backs placed Marte on the restricted list before the game, and it is unclear how long he will be out of action. In the meantime, Ildemaro Vargas got the start at second base and was hitting leadoff in Boston. We hope everything is all right with the 32-year-old Marte, who is hitting .249/.314/.446 on the year with a .760 OPS, 21 home runs, 67 RBI, 65 runs scored, and four stolen bases in 469 at-bats in his 12th year in the big leagues. When we have more information on this situation, we will pass it along. For now, fantasy managers will need to keep Marte stashed on their bench in all leagues. Vargas should see most of the playing time at second until Marte returns. He got off to a red-hot start in April/March by hitting an absurd .378 with six homers and 20 RBI before cooling off in May and June. He got hot again in July, hitting .344, but with zero homers in 22 games. UPDATE: Francys Romero reports that Marte is dealing with a personal matter. There is no estimated return date, and he's currently considered day-to-day.

The New York Yankees announced on Monday that they placed left-hander Max Fried (elbow) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to Aug. 14) with a left-elbow bone bruise. It is a concerning development for Yankees fans, although the good news is that left-hander Carlos Rodon (elbow) is returning from his IL stint on Tuesday to start against the division-rival Baltimore Orioles. It will be Fried's second stint on the IL this year with a left-elbow injury, and it is unclear if he will have a chance to return later this month when he is eligible. The 32-year-old three-time All-Star won a league-high 19 games in 2025 in his first year in the Bronx while also striking out a career-high 189 batters in 32 starts. He has gone 4-4 in 2026 with a 2.81 ERA (2.56 FIP) and 0.99 WHIP with 79 strikeouts and 27 walks in 86 1/3 innings across his 15 starts. Although Fried might not be back in the Yankees' rotation until September, he deserves to be stashed everywhere.

The Arizona Diamondbacks announced on Monday that they placed second baseman Ketel Marte on the restricted list and recalled infielder Jose Fernandez from Triple-A Reno in a corresponding move. It is unclear why Marte is going on the restricted list or how long he will be away. Ildemaro Vargas is starting at the keystone for the Snakes and is batting leadoff for Monday's series opener at Fenway Park against the Boston Red Sox and left-hander Alec Gamboa, and he will most likely see most of the playing time at second base for however long Marte is out. We should have an update on Marte's status before the end of Monday night, so fantasy managers will want to check back on his situation. The 32-year-old Dominican switch-hitter is a must-start in all traditional fantasy leagues when he is active. He comes into Monday's slate of games hitting .249 (117-for-469) on the year with 21 home runs, 67 RBI, 65 runs scored, and four stolen bases across 118 games and 519 plate appearances. Marte hit only .218 (22-for-101) in July, though, and has gone 9-for-43 (.209) with two home runs, two doubles, five RBI, and seven runs scored in 13 games in August.

The Colorado Rockies have scratched All-Star catcher Hunter Goodman (shoulder) from the starting lineup for Monday's series opener in Denver against the division-rival Los Angeles Dodgers due to inflammation in his left shoulder, according to Rockies reporter Kelsey Wingert-Linch. Goodman will miss a fourth straight game with a shoulder injury after also being scratched from the starting nine on Saturday. Brett Sullivan is now doing the catching for right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano and will bat eighth against Dodgers left-hander Blake Snell. If Goodman suffered a setback with his shoulder, there is a good chance he could be headed for an injured-list stint. Fantasy managers will want to check back on Tuesday to see if his condition has improved. Losing the 26-year-old right-handed slugger for an extended stretch would be a big blow for fantasy managers, as Goodman leads all MLB catchers with a career-high 34 home runs while driving in 69 runs, scoring 69 runs, and stealing five bases in his 414 at-bats in 2026.

Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson (shoulder) has been scratched from Monday's starting lineup against the hosting Kansas City Royals with soreness in his left shoulder, per the team. Alika Williams will take over at the 6 for the A's and at eighth against Royals right-hander Michael Wacha. Wilson missed a game over the weekend due to swelling in his left pinkie finger, and now he is out with a shoulder ailment, continuing what has been a disappointing and injury-plagued 2026 season for the former first-rounder. It is unclear how serious his shoulder injury is or if it will require a stint on the injured list. Fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day for now and check back on Tuesday to see if he is back on the field. Wilson is barely rostered in just over half of Yahoo leagues now and comes into Monday's action hitting .266/.298/.388 with a .685 OPS, only seven home runs, 37 RBI, 37 runs scored, and four stolen bases across his 320 at-bats. In 22 games since the All-Star break, Wilson has hit a weak .207 (18-for-87) with a .587 OPS, two homers, six doubles, nine RBI, nine runs, two stolen bases, one walk, and 10 strikeouts.

Detroit Tigers infield prospect Max Anderson has had a very steady season with the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens and hopes that will give him the shot to make his MLB debut with the Tigers. At age 24, Anderson has shown a high level of consistency in the minors and could be ready to make the jump to the big leagues. In 81 games with the Mud Hens this season, Anderson is hitting .302 with 13 homers and 47 RBI to go with 50 runs. The No. 11 prospect for the Tigers, Anderson has a 50-grade hit tool with 50-grade power. So he profiles as a major league player, but the question is when the Tigers want to give him his debut. Fantasy managers should monitor Anderson's situation because as an infield prospect, he is behind a loaded group of players at the big-league level like Gleyber Torres, Colt Keith, Javier Baez, and others. So it might not be until next year that he makes his debut.

New York Yankees left-hander Carlos Rodon (elbow) will come off the 15-day injured list on Tuesday to start against the division-rival Baltimore Orioles, according to Meredith Marakovits of the Yes Network. Rodon will be making his return to New York's starting rotation for the first time since going on the IL in early July with inflammation in his left elbow. The 33-year-old three-time All-Star will be returning to a 4-2 record, 3.30 ERA (3.43 FIP), 1.25 WHIP, and 52:26 K:BB in 46 1/3 innings pitched across his nine starts in 2026. Rodon got a late start to the season after having surgery last October to remove bone chips from his left elbow, but when he has been healthy, he has been strong for fantasy managers. He is returning to a solid matchup against Baltimore on Tuesday, but he is unlikely to provide much length after throwing only 58 pitches in 4 1/3 shutout innings at Double-A Somerset in his minor-league rehab start last week. Rodon has not allowed more than three earned runs in any of his nine major-league starts this year and has had seven strikeouts in three of his last starts with the Yankees. He is currently rostered in 83% of Yahoo leagues.

Los Angeles Dodgers outfield prospect James Tibbs III has had a monster season at Triple-A Oklahoma City with 24 homers, 89 RBI, and 90 runs scored while hitting .297. Tibbs is hitting .365 in August with three home runs and 14 RBI to continue his strong season. The left-handed hitter is the No. 7 prospect in the Dodgers system and is looking for a late-season promotion. The 23-year-old has a 50-grade hit tool with 55-grade power and has been a menace at the plate all season long at the Triple-A level. He has proven he is ready for a big-league chance, and with the Dodgers all of a sudden struggling, they could turn to the young outfielder for a spark. Fantasy managers will want to monitor how the Dodgers plan on using Tibbs the rest of the season because he has the tools to be successful in the majors even at age 23.

Colorado Rockies catcher Hunter Goodman (shoulder) is back behind the plate to catch right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano and will hit third in Monday's series opener at Coors Field against the division-rival Los Angeles Dodgers and left-hander Blake Snell, per MLB.com. Goodman is back in action to begin the new week after missing the last three games with inflammation in his left shoulder. Fantasy managers will want to get the 26-year-old back into their starting lineups in all traditional formats for his power stroke, especially at Coors Field. The two-time All-Star is having another excellent year at the plate in Colorado, hitting .251/.320/.541 with a career-best .861 OPS, a career-high 34 home runs, 69 RBI, 69 runs scored, and a career-high five steals in 111 games across 460 plate appearances. Goodman has hit only .143 with a .393 OPS in his career against Snell, but only in a small sample size of seven at-bats. He's hit .250 (9-for-36) with three homers and nine RBI in his 10 games so far in the month of August.

Milwaukee Brewers third base prospect Luke Adams (shoulder) is on the seven-day injured list at Triple-A Nashville, but he hopes to get back to full strength soon in seeking a call-up to Milwaukee for a big-league debut. Adams was placed on the IL on August 12 and played in his last game with the Sounds on August 9. So he will hope for a quick recovery and a brief IL stint. Adams has been solid at Nashville this season at age 22, with 16 homers and 42 RBI in 215 at-bats with a .260 average. At 6-foot-4 and 233 pounds, Adams is a big man at the plate and as a third base prospect, offers some size at the hot corner. He is a risky addition to fantasy rosters at the moment just because he is on the IL, but if he recovers well, he could get a look in September, as he is the No. 14 prospect of the Brewers and has a 50-grade hit tool and 50-grade power. Fantasy managers should monitor his progress.

The Arizona Diamondbacks announced on Monday that they reinstated third baseman/outfielder Jordan Lawlar (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list and optioned infielder Tyler Locklear to Triple-A Reno in a corresponding move. It is unclear if he'll be in Arizona's starting lineup for the series opener on Monday against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. The 24-year-old former top prospect has been out nearly two months with a strained left hamstring. He will be returning to a .316/.409/.447 slash line with an .856 OPS, a home run, four RBI, six runs scored, and four stolen bases in a small sample size of 12 games played over 44 plate appearances. Lawlar hit .250 with five home runs and two stolen bases in nine minor-league rehab games for Double-A Amarillo and could be a sneaky deep-league pickup for power and speed the rest of the way if he sees enough playing time in the desert. His best path to playing time will be in center field. Lawlar is rostered in under 10% of Yahoo leagues, so he is widely available after his hamstring injury.

New York Yankees pitching prospect Elmer Rodriguez is coming off of two very good starts in August at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre as he had two earned runs in 11 innings pitched on his way to a 1-0 mark. He had 13 strikeouts over those 11 combined innings and allowed just six hits and six walks. He also had a very productive July at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, proving he might be ready for another shot to pitch for the Yankees. Rodriguez is looking like a good stash in redraft leagues in hopes he gets called back up and can produce in another opportunity with New York. The No. 3 prospect of the Yankees, Rodriguez is ready to improve on his 0-2 mark in four starts with the Yankees this season. He has a 55-grade fastball, curveball, and changeup with a 50-grade slider. He seems to have the stuff to be successful for the Yankees and could be a good late addition to fantasy rosters.

The Kansas City Royals announced on Monday that they reinstated first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino (wrist) from the 10-day injured list, and he is starting at first base and batting fifth in the series opener at Kauffman Stadium against the Athletics and right-hander Mason Barnett. The 28-year-old left-handed slugger has only six home runs and 33 RBI in 79 games so far in 2026 after hitting 32 home runs and driving in 113 runs in 160 games played a year ago. Pasquantino had surgery back on June 14 to fix a broken hamate bone in his right hand, and he had to go back on the IL due to soreness in his right wrist that kept him out for almost three more weeks. The Pasquatch's hand/wrist issues this year have sapped him of his power, but he is worth picking back up to see if he can help in the power department the rest of the way. Although he has disappointed in his fifth year in the majors with the Royals, Pasquantino has only struck out 17.9% of the time and has walked 11% of the time in his 336 plate appearances. He has gone hitless in just three career at-bats against Barnett.

Cleveland Guardians catcher and outfield prospect Cooper Ingle is having a bit of a slow August in his return to Triple-A Columbus. He is hitting just 9-for-41 (.220) and has two homers to go with nine RBI in 11 games this month. Ingle saw some time with the Guardians, getting 21 at bats with the big-league club and failing to produce with only two hits and two RBI. Ingle had a productive July at Columbus to try to make the case for another shot in Cleveland but his momentum has slowed a bit. Ingle is the No. 5 prospect in the Guardians' system and has a 55-grade hit tool with just 45-grade power. The Guardians are playing Patrick Bailey and Austin Hedges at catcher right now so it's not looking like Ingle will get another shot at catcher. Right now it's best to leave Ingle on the waiver wire in redraft leagues.