MLB News

According to David Vassegh, Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (knee) threw live batting practice ahead of Saturday's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. This is the first time that Ohtani has thrown on the mound since being shut down from pitching last month. It was a 30-pitch outing, but it is certainly a step in the right direction. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said afterward that Ohtani will likely need another session before being cleared to pitch in games. His exact timetable is unclear at the moment, so fantasy managers will need to check back for more updates on his status.

New York Yankees starting pitcher Ryan Weathers (forearm) was forced to make an early exit from Saturday's start against the Toronto Blue Jays. Weathers was only able to get through 3.1 innings before leaving due to left forearm discomfort, Meredith Marakovits reports. It was a rough outing for Weathers, who allowed eight hits and two earned runs before exiting with a trainer early in the fourth inning. The expectation is that the 26-year-old will require additional imaging to determine the severity of the injury. His next scheduled start is against the Boston Red Sox on Friday. Fantasy managers will need to check back after the imaging is done to see if Weathers will be able to make that start.

Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Brandon Woodruff (shoulder) did not decide to have surgery and could actually return to the mound this season. According to Curt Hogg, Woodruff is scheduled to begin a throwing program on Wednesday. This is huge news after Woodruff said in July that he planned to undergo season-ending capsule repair surgery. Luckily, follow-up imaging revealed better results, and Woodruff's shoulder is actually healing. He'll begin a five-week throwing program next week, so fantasy managers shouldn't expect to get anything out of Woodruff for the rest of the season. Although this is great news for the Brewers, who could potentially have Woodruff available for the postseason.

Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin (finger) has been sidelined since early July, but could be making his return to the big league roster soon. Griffin landed on the Injured List on July 7 due to a torn left ring finger. The good news is that Griffin is beginning to ramp up his baseball activities in Florida. According to Pirates manager Don Kelly, Griffin was taking swings earlier this week, and it reportedly went well. The Pirates haven't given an official timetable for his return, but believe he'll be able to return in early September. The rookie shortstop could be worth stashing depending on when he'll actually get back on the field for the Pirates.

According to Joel Sherman, New York Yankees outfielder Giancarlo Stanton (calf) suffered a setback when he strained his other calf while running the bases over the weekend. Stanton has been out since late April due to a strained right calf. Now, he suffered a left calf injury after falling during a recent baserunning session. The Yankees haven't ruled out Stanton for the rest of the season, but it's difficult to imagine him making an impact over the final five weeks of the season. Fantasy managers shouldn't count on Stanton bringing much of anything to the table for the rest of the season.

New York Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger (hamstring) is set to return from the 10-day Injured List on Sunday, according to Chris Kirschner. Bellinger is finally ready to return and will be back in the lineup ahead of Sunday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays. The left-handed slugger missed a month of action due to a left hamstring strain. The banged-up Yankees' offense could certainly use Bellinger's help right now. This season, Bellinger is slashing .259/.350/.420 with 11 home runs, 53 RBI, and 10 stolen bases across 102 games. He should immediately reclaim the starting gig in left field and should be rostered in all fantasy formats.

Miami Marlins infield/outfield prospect Jonathon Long has four RBI and 14 runs scored in 13 games since joining Triple-A Jacksonville. Long was acquired by the Marlins from the Chicago Cubs at the trade deadline. In 99 games this season with Triple-A Iowa, Long hit .283 with 12 homers and 62 RBI to go with 67 runs scored. The 24-year-old infield/outfield prospect is the No. 19 prospect in the Marlins' system and has a 50-grade hit tool with 50-grade power. Long has the versatility to play either corner infield position along with the outfield, giving him a better shot at making his debut this season. With first baseman Kyle Stowers on the IL, that also gives Long a better shot at an MLB debut. The Marlins do have good outfield depth, along with Javier Sanoja manning third base, so Long will need to break through a bit for a big-league opportunity this season.

Seattle Mariners outfield prospect Lazaro Montes continues to show off his power stroke this season in the minors. Montes has eight homers and 18 RBI in August with Triple-A Tacoma and is up to 36 homers and 92 RBI between Double-A Arkansas and Tacoma this season. The left-handed hitter is the No. 5 prospect in the Mariners' system and has 65-grade power. Montes, signed out of Cuba, would offer nice power potential for fantasy teams if given a shot at promotion to Seattle. Fantasy managers can take a chance on Montes this season, but there is a good shot that he will not make his big-league debut until next season. At 21 years old, Montes could use a bit more minor league seasoning, but looks like a player who will make a big-time impact in the major leagues when he debuts.

Cleveland Guardians first base prospect Ralphy Velazquez has hit three homers in his last four games at Triple-A Columbus in what has been a scorching-hot month of August for the left-handed hitter. Velazquez has 11 homers and 20 RBI this month with a .356 batting average and 17 runs scored. The 21-year-old has split time this season between Double-A Akron and Columbus and combined to hit .288 with 24 homers and 74 RBI. Velazquez is the No. 2 prospect for Cleveland and has 60-grade power with a 50-grade hit tool. If Velazquez keeps hitting at this pace this month, he should get a chance for a promotion to Cleveland. The Guardians could use the power upside that Velazquez brings, and he would be a welcome addition to many fantasy teams late this season.

Miami Marlins outfield prospect Cam Cannarella is hitting .250 this month at Triple-A Jacksonville with no homers and one RBI in what has been an August that has lacked power for the left-handed hitter. The 22-year-old has shown little power in his 25 games with Jacksonville, hitting .264 with one homer and four RBI. In High-A and Double-A combined prior to his promotion to Jacksonville, Cannarella combined to hit 12 homers with 51 RBI. The outfielder is the No. 6 prospect in the Marlins' system and has a 55-grade hit tool with 60-grade speed. Cannarella is likely a year or so away from a promotion to Miami, so he can best be left on waivers in redraft leagues and is more of a dynasty league target. Miami has a deep outfield at the big league level, so Cannarella is not likely to break through this season to make a fantasy impact.

Cleveland Guardians catcher/outfield prospect Cooper Ingle is looking for another chance at the big leagues after a promotion earlier this season. At Triple-A Columbus, Ingle has had a decently productive month of August with two homers, nine RBI, and a .236 batting average in 55 at-bats. Ingle had 21 at-bats in Cleveland when he was called up and produced just two hits with two RBI. In 82 games in Columbus this year, Ingle is hitting .305 with 18 homers and 61 RBI. The No. 5 prospect in the Guardians' system, Ingle has a 55-grade hit tool. Ingle has spent time at catcher and outfield as Cleveland has tried him out in left field to mixed results defensively. It looks unlikely that the Guardians will give Ingle another shot at the majors, and he can be left on most waiver wires in redraft leagues.

Seattle Mariners middle-infield prospect Michael Arroyo has adjusted nicely since his call-up to Triple-A Tacoma. In 36 games with the Rainiers, Arroyo has hit .275 with seven homers and 30 RBI with 29 runs scored. The infield prospect comes in at No. 3 on the Mariners' updated prospect list and has a 55-grade hit tool with 55-grade power and 50-grade speed. Signed out of Colombia, Arroyo has fared well in his minor-league career and has one more step to go in his progression to complete the journey to the MLB. At age 21, Arroyo is worth taking a chance on in fantasy leagues, as the right-handed hitter could see a call-up to Seattle before the end of this season. He likely needs a bit more time in Triple-A to adjust, but the Mariners could reward the youngster with a promotion soon.

San Francisco Giants outfield prospect Bo Davidson has homers in two straight games in the middle of a powerful month of August at Triple-A Sacramento. In 68 August at bats, Davidson has six homers and 22 RBI while hitting .382. In 31 games since his promotion to Triple-A, the 24-year-old is hitting .315 with six homers and 26 RBI. Davidson, the No. 8 prospect for the Giants, is a nice five-tool player with the 55-grade power and speed combination. He had 14 stolen bases at Double-A Richmond prior to his promotion to Sacramento. At 24 years old Davidson is the right age for a chance at the major leagues and his power-speed combo makes him an appealing fantasy addition. But it might not be until next season that fantasy managers are able to see his debut.

Seattle Mariners right-hander Bryan Woo (shoulder) has been pushed back from this weekend's series against the Chicago Cubs due to discomfort in his right shoulder, according to Daniel Kramer of MLB.com. It is to be determined when he will make his next start, although manager Dan Wilson sounded optimistic that Woo will avoid a trip to the injured list. With Woo sidelined for now, the Mariners are calling up top left-handed pitching prospect Kade Anderson for his major-league debut on Saturday. Right-hander Bryce Miller will get the nod in the series finale on Sunday. Woo was pulled from his last start early last Sunday against the division-rival Houston Astros with something bothering his right shoulder, and the Mariners are going to play it safe and hold him out this weekend. Check back to see if the M's clear him to pitch in their upcoming series against the Philadelphia Phillies, which starts on Monday at T-Mobile Park. Woo finished off July by allowing 10 earned runs with 13 strikeouts and four walks in 10 innings in two starts against the Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Dodgers, but in his three starts so far in August, he's given up only two earned runs with three walks and 15 strikeouts in 18 innings versus the Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, and Astros. UPDATE: Woo is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Sunday.

Washington Nationals infield prospect Seaver King is red-hot at Triple-A Rochester with five homers in his last six games and eight homers and 15 RBI during the month of August while hitting .394. In 51 games since his promotion to Rochester, King is hitting .320 with 13 homers and 41 RBI to go with nine stolen bases. The talented middle infielder hit .336 at Double-A Harrisburg prior to his promotion, but has battled injuries this season. King is the No. 4 prospect for the Nationals out of Wake Forest and boasts 70-grade speed. Likely to be a big-time five-category producer at the major league level, King could get a look this season, but the Nationals have been hesitant to give him a promotion. With CJ Abrams and Nasim Nunez manning shortstop and second base respectively it is unlikely for King to get the call this year, but if he keeps up the power stroke he could force his way to a promotion.

Washington Nationals middle infielder CJ Abrams (ankle) is missing a third straight game on Saturday against the division-rival Miami Marlins due to a left-ankle injury that he suffered in the ninth inning of Wednesday's game against the Texas Rangers, per MLB.com. Abrams is considered day-to-day for now, but if he is unable to return for the weekend series against Miami, the Nats could be forced to send him to the 10-day injured list next week. Nasim Nunez is starting at shortstop and batting ninth, while Jose Tena will man the keystone and hit sixth on Saturday against Marlins right-hander Eury Perez. Abrams, who recently was asked to move from shortstop to second base, is having a breakout 2026 campaign offensively, hitting .279/.354/.530 with an .884 OPS, 29 home runs, 91 RBI, 24 stolen bases, and 77 runs scored across 124 games and 534 plate appearances. He has already set career highs in home runs and RBI in his fifth year in the big leagues. Fantasy managers would really love to get good news that he will be ready to return for Sunday's series finale in Miami.

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (concussion) made his return from the seven-day concussion injured list on Saturday and was starting at first base and batting out of the two-hole for the start of Saturday's contest in the Bronx against the division-rival New York Yankees and left-hander Ryan Weathers, per MLB.com. Guerrero has been cleared after going 1-for-1 with two walks in a single minor-league rehab game with Single-A on Thursday. Fantasy managers are hoping that the 27-year-old Canadian slugger can turn his season around in the final month-plus after an especially disappointing 2026 that has seen him hit just .263/.337/.356 with a .693 OPS, seven home runs, 46 RBI, 61 runs scored, and seven stolen bases across his 430 at-bats. Vladdy's drop in power has been the most concerning and head-scratching of all. Going into Saturday's game against the Yanks, Guerrero has hit .244 (11-for-45) with a homer, a double, two RBI, and six runs scored in 11 games so far in August.

Minnesota Twins top outfield prospect Walker Jenkins is producing nicely this month at Triple-A St. Paul with five homers and eight RBI while hitting .379. Jenkins missed a large portion of the beginning of the season with a Grade 2 AC joint sprain in his left shoulder. That injury set him back in his timeline for advancing to the major leagues, and he still is looking to prove full health to his organization. Jenkins was a first-round pick in 2023 and has advanced nicely in the minor leagues. At age 21, he is primed for a shot at the big leagues with a 60-grade hit tool, 60-grade power, and 55-grade speed. The left-handed hitter has hit well in limited action at St. Paul this season with nine homers and 23 RBI in 65 games at the Triple-A level with a .294 batting average. Jenkins is looking for an opening to play in Minnesota, and he will be a big asset for fantasy managers if given the chance.

Colorado Rockies first base/outfield prospect Charlie Condon has cooled off significantly at Triple-A Albuquerque over the past month. In August, the 23-year-old is hitting just .190 with two homers and nine RBI. Condon was passed up for promotion as teammate Zac Veen joined the Rockies, and Condon has struggled since then. It's a major downturn this month for Condon, who has 22 homers and 74 RBI this season at Albuquerque in 105 games while hitting .270. Condon is the No. 3 prospect for the Rockies and has a 55-grade hit tool with 55-grade power. The Georgia product could still please fantasy managers if given a call-up to the Rockies and Coors Field. If he joins Veen in Colorado, Condon could still be very productive despite his recent struggles.

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that he expects outfielder Andy Pages (hand) to miss four to five weeks with a fractured left hand, which means he will not be available until just before the start of the postseason, according to Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register. Pages was hit by a pitch in the early stages of Friday's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates and will now miss extended time. With the right-handed slugger now out for pretty much the rest of the regular season, the Dodgers will most likely use a platoon in center field, with Alek Thomas facing right-handers and Tommy Edman facing lefties. It's a tough blow for fantasy managers, as Pages was hitting a strong .272/.338/.358 with a career-best .797 OPS, 21 home runs, 80 RBI, 12 stolen bases, and 72 runs scored in 128 games for the Dodgers in his third year in the big leagues. Fantasy managers in redraft leagues would not be crazy to drop him at this juncture, as even if he does make it back in late September, Pages might only play in a handful of games, at most. UPDATE: The Dodgers officially placed Pages on the 10-day injured list on Saturday.