MLB News

Nico Hoerner • 2B • Cubs

Nico Hoerner Re-Emerging as a High-End Middle Infielder

Across 596 plate appearances entering play on Wednesday, Chicago Cubs infielder Nico Hoerner was hitting .263/.319/.361 with eight home runs, 62 RBI, 56 runs scored, and 22 stolen bases. With his minuscule 1.4% barrel rate and 28.2% hard-hit rate, Hoerner's power upside for fantasy managers is extremely limited. However, the 29-year-old's production has been trending upward in the second half. Across 176 plate appearances since the All-Star break, Hoerner has slashed .331/.352/.440 with four home runs, 24 RBI, 19 runs scored, and eight stolen bases. Hoerner's high-end defense at both second base and shortstop keeps him in the Cubs lineup every day, and his elite 8.7% strikeout rate should keep his batting average floor high even if his recent power surge cools off. With his sub-standard first half now behind him, Hoerner profiles as an extremely useful source of batting average, run production, and speed for fantasy managers down the stretch.

5 hours ago

Sonny Gray • SP • Red Sox

Is Sonny Gray's Second-Half Slide a Cause for Concern?

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Sonny Gray has had an excellent season overall in 2026, recording a 16-4 record with a 2.82 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and 128 strikeouts across 143 2/3 innings (25 starts). However, the 36-year-old's numbers have fallen off slightly in the second half of the season. Across 48 innings since the All-Star break, Gray has pitched to a 3.38 ERA and 1.33 WHIP while posting a middling 21.1% strikeout rate. Gray has allowed four earned runs or more in three out of his last seven starts after allowing four earned runs just once in his first 18 outings of the year. The veteran right-hander is no longer a high-end source of strikeouts for fantasy managers, and his elite ERA is largely due to his 83.7% strand rate, which is well above his career mark of 73.5%. With his overall numbers still excellent, fantasy managers may have a chance to sell high on Gray ahead of the stretch run.

5 hours ago

Sal Stewart • 1B • Reds

Sal Stewart Riding Second-Half Surge into Final Month of 2026

Across 607 plate appearances in 2026, Cincinnati Reds infielder Sal Stewart is hitting .266/.336/.485 with 31 home runs, 105 RBI, 80 runs scored, and 12 stolen bases. The 22-year-old has been one of the most consistent run producers in baseball this season, as he currently leads MLB in RBI. Stewart went through a moderate dry spell in the middle of the season, but he just finished up a scorching hot August. Across 126 plate appearances last month, the young slugger hit .304 with eight home runs and 21 RBI. In 189 plate appearances since the All-Star break, Stewart has posted an .859 OPS with 12 long balls and 40 RBI. As September gets underway, Stewart looks like a premium option at either corner infield spot for fantasy managers.

5 hours ago

Rafael Devers • 1B • Giants

Rafael Devers Homers Again on Wednesday, Continues Recent Hot Streak

San Francisco Giants first baseman Rafael Devers continued his recent tear on Wednesday, going 2-for-3 with a solo home run, two walks, and an additional run scored in his team's 5-4 extra-inning win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Across 598 plate appearances on the year, Devers is hitting .254/.336/.501 with 32 home runs, 83 RBI, and 82 runs scored. The 29-year-old is on an absolute heater of late, as he's now extended his current hitting streak to 10 straight games. In that 10-game span, Devers has hit six home runs and logged 13 RBI. Across 186 plate appearances since the All-Star break, the lefty slugger has lowered his strikeout rate to 21.5% while also hitting 13 home runs. If Devers continues his hot streak through September, he has the potential to swing fantasy leagues down the stretch.

5 hours ago

Trevor Rogers • SP • Orioles

Trevor Rogers Bounces Back with Strong Start on Wednesday

Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Trevor Rogers put together a strong start on Wednesday at Coors Field against the Colorado Rockies, allowing two earned runs while racking up 11 strikeouts across 6 2/3 innings pitched. It was a nice bounce-back performance for Rogers, who had allowed six earned runs to the St. Louis Cardinals his last time out. Across 144 1/3 innings (26 starts) in 2026, the 28-year-old has recorded a 9-9 record with a 4.30 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, and 132 strikeouts. While Rogers' overall line doesn't leap off the page, he got off to a terrible start to the year that is weighing down his season-long numbers. Across 16 starts since the beginning of June, Rogers has recorded seven wins and allowed more than three earned runs just twice. With the rough outing against St. Louis behind him, Rogers' value is back on the rise heading into his final few starts of 2026.

5 hours ago

Jonah Tong • SP • Mets

Mets Leaning Towards Bringing Jonah Tong Up Next Week

The New York Mets are leaning towards giving right-handed pitching prospect Jonah Tong a start in Miami next week against the division-rival Marlins, according to Mike Puma of The New York Post. It would be only Tong's fourth outing (and first start) for the Mets in 2026 after he had a 7.71 ERA, 1.77 WHIP, and 22:9 K:BB in 18 2/3 innings in his first five big-league starts in 2025. The 23-year-old Canadian hurler appeared in three games in relief for the Mets earlier this season and was serviceable, allowing six runs (four earned) on eight hits (one homer) while walking seven and striking out seven. Tong has posted a 4.46 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, and 133:66 K:BB in 117 innings at Triple-A Syracuse, but he has looked better on the mound of late, with a 2.39 ERA last month and 12 2/3 scoreless innings in his last two starts on the farm. If he handles himself well in his return to the big leagues next week against the Fish, the team's No. 5-ranked prospect per MLB Pipeline could see more starts down the stretch as the Mets play out the string in 2026.

6 hours ago

Ceddanne Rafaela • CF • Red Sox

Ceddanne Rafaela Leaves Early Wednesday With Quad Tightness

Boston Red Sox second baseman/outfielder Ceddanne Rafaela (quadriceps) left Wednesday's 8-3 loss to the Seattle Mariners early with tightness in his quadriceps muscle, interim manager Chad Tracy told Tim Healey of The Boston Globe. Rafaela attempted to stay in the game, but in a blowout, the Red Sox decided to play it safe. Before leaving, Rafaela went 1-for-3 at the plate. He was replaced in center field by Eli White. It does not sound like Rafaela's injury is all that serious, so fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day for now and check back on Thursday to see if he is available for the series opener against the division-rival Baltimore Orioles. The 25-year-old is having a fine season in 2026, which is his first as an All-Star, as he came into Wednesday's contest slashing .282/.317/.444 with a career-high .761 OPS, 16 home runs, a league-leading 32 doubles, 70 RBI, 17 stolen bases, and 67 runs scored across 134 games and 566 plate appearances. Rafaela still has a shot at his first 20-20 campaign in the big leagues, which is why he is rostered in over 90% of Yahoo leagues as a multi-category contributor.

6 hours ago

Michael Soroka • SP • Diamondbacks

Michael Soroka to Pitch in Sim Game on Friday

Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Michael Soroka (shoulder) will pitch in a simulated game on Friday at the team's spring training complex in Arizona, according to Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic. Soroka is scheduled to go four innings and/or 60 pitches in the outing, and he could be an option to return from the 15-day injured list next week during the team's series in Kansas City against the Royals. The 29-year-old Canadian could end up spending the minimum of 15 days on the IL after landing on the shelf last week with inflammation in his right shoulder. The D-backs are right in the thick of the hunt for the final wild-card spot in the National League, so getting Soroka back as a starter down the stretch could be huge. He has had a resurgent 2026 season in the desert for the Snakes, going 8-4 with a 3.40 ERA (2.95 FIP) and 1.16 WHIP with 91 strikeouts and 24 walks in 95 1/3 frames across his 18 starts in his seventh year in the majors. Soroka has only made three starts since the All-Star break due to injuries, though, and he has posted a 5.40 ERA with seven walks and 12 K's in 13 1/3 innings over those three starts. He could be a sneaky streaming option in the last few weeks of 2026.

12 hours ago

Garrett Crochet • SP • Red Sox

Garrett Crochet Likely to Throw a Bullpen This Weekend

Boston Red Sox left-hander Garrett Crochet (shoulder, lat) will likely throw a bullpen session this weekend, interim manager Chad Tracy told Marcos Grunfeld of ElEmergente.com. Crochet is ready to take the next step in his throwing program after playing catch off the mound at Fenway Park on Tuesday. With the Red Sox still in the hunt for a playoff spot in September, they have not shut down Crochet, who has been sidelined since late May with shoulder and lat issues. Once the 27-year-old southpaw returns -- he will likely need a short minor-league rehab assignment first -- he is expected to be used in a relief role, which will pretty much kill what little remaining fantasy value he has left. Crochet finished second in the American League Cy Young voting in 2025 in his first year in Beantown after going 18-5 with a 2.59 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, and 255:46 K:BB in 32 starts, but he has managed to start only six games in his second year with the BoSox. In those six games, he posted a 6.30 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, and 37:11 K:BB in 30 innings. Crochet is still rostered in 77% of Yahoo leagues.

12 hours ago

Griffin Jax • SP • Rays

Griffin Jax Activated Ahead of Wednesday's Start

The Tampa Bay Rays announced that they activated right-hander Griffin Jax (elbow) from the 15-day injured list and optioned right-hander Alex Cook to Triple-A Durham in a corresponding move. Jax is set to start Wednesday night's game against the New York Mets. The 31-year-old veteran ended up making just one minor-league rehab start and will rejoin Tampa's starting rotation for the first time since going on the IL in early August with discomfort in his right elbow. He started the year as the favorite for saves at the back end of Tampa's bullpen, but he was quickly moved to a starting role. In 29 total appearances (18 starts) this year, the former third-rounder by the Minnesota Twins in 2016 from Air Force Academy has gone 6-9 with a 3.63 ERA (3.94 FIP) and 1.21 WHIP with a career-high 100 strikeouts and 30 walks in 91 2/3 innings pitched in his first year with the Rays. Despite the layoff, Jax will be an intriguing fantasy streamer against the Mets in his return to action. In four of his last five starts before going on the IL, Jax allowed exactly one earned run, and he combined for 18 strikeouts and only three walks in his last two appearances.

12 hours ago

Adley Rutschman • C • Red Sox

Adley Rutschman Sitting Out Another Day With Elbow Injury

Boston Red Sox catcher Adley Rutschman (elbow) will miss another game on Wednesday against the visiting Seattle Mariners, per MLB.com. Connor Wong will do the catching for left-hander Patrick Sandoval and will hit out of the nine spot in the batting order against Mariners right-hander Bryce Miller. It will be the third straight missed game for Rutschman, who has played in just three of the team's last nine games due to a hyperextended right elbow that he suffered on a swing early last week. It has been that kind of year for the former first overall pick from Oregon State. Rutschman only has 300 at-bats in his fifth year in the league and is slashing .237/.318/.400 with a .718 OPS, nine home runs, 51 RBI, and 35 runs scored in 82 games with the Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles. He has not been able to get on track offensively amidst his injuries in 2026, and he has gone just 9-for-53 (.170) with a homer, a double, four RBI, five runs scored, six walks, and 15 strikeouts in 15 games since joining the BoSox in a blockbuster trade in early August. Fantasy managers should check back on Thursday to see if Rutschman is ready to rejoin the lineup for the series opener at Camden Yards against his former team, the Orioles.

12 hours ago

JJ Wetherholt • 2B • Cardinals

JJ Wetherholt Receives Cortisone Injection in his Wrist

St. Louis Cardinals rookie infielder JJ Wetherholt (wrist) received a cortisone injection on Tuesday for his right-wrist tendinitis, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. After some rest, Wetherholt will attempt to resume baseball activities as he tries to make it back for the conclusion of what has been a very strong first year in the big leagues in 2026. Right now, it is unclear if he has a realistic chance of being ready to return to the major-league roster when he is eligible to come off the 10-day injured list on Sept. 9. In his first full season with the Cardinals, the former seventh overall pick from West Virginia in 2024 has hit .242/.343/.370 with a .713 OPS, 17 home runs, 48 RBI, 14 stolen bases, and 88 runs scored across 130 games and 586 plate appearances. The left-handed-hitting infielder has struggled in the second half, though, perhaps while battling his wrist injury, and has slashed just .201/.313/.305 with a .618 OPS, four home runs, 12 RBI, four doubles, 30 runs scored, five steals, 23 walks, and 31 strikeouts in 40 games played. Despite being on the IL and struggling in the second half, Wetherholt is rostered in 89% of Yahoo leagues.

14 hours ago

Brandon Nimmo • RF • Rangers

Brandon Nimmo Heating Up Entering September

Across 564 plate appearances in 2026, Texas Rangers outfielder Brandon Nimmo is hitting .269/.333/.428 with 14 home runs, 58 RBI, 56 runs scored, and seven stolen bases. The 33-year-old's top-line numbers have actually lagged behind his underlying metrics, as he's posted a 10.2% barrel rate and a 50.9% hard-hit rate, leaving him with a .280 xBA and .474 xSLG. Since the All-Star break, Nimmo's numbers have started to improve. Across his last 180 plate appearances, the veteran outfielder is hitting .282/.339/.436 with five home runs and 24 RBI. With the Rangers' overall lineup getting healthier and starting to round into form, Nimmo should be in a better position to be an impact run producer for fantasy managers the rest of the way. Fantasy managers in need of outfield help may want to target Nimmo as we enter the season's final month.

16 hours ago

Shohei Ohtani • DH • Dodgers

Shohei Ohtani Might Not Pitch Again in 2026

The Los Angeles Dodgers do not know when two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (knee, biceps) will make another appearance as a pitcher after having ongoing issues with his knee and biceps, and president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman was non-committal when asked if the Dodgers could reach a point where they would shut Ohtani down entirely as a pitcher, according to Jack Harris of The California Post. Ohtani has not started a game on the mound for L.A. since July 3 due to repeated setbacks. "His value offensively is hugely important," manager Dave Roberts noted. "So if throwing potentially cuts into that, that's not worth the squeeze." The skipper said the four-time MVP is not expected to start a game for at least the next week, and his chances of getting built back up to make full-length starts in the playoffs are slim. Friedman continues to hold out hope that the 32-year-old veteran can pitch in the playoffs, but fantasy managers should not be as hopeful that Ohtani can help them in the fantasy playoffs. The six-time All-Star has been great when on the mound in 2026, going 8-2 with a 1.79 ERA (2.60 FIP) and 0.95 WHIP with 95 strikeouts and 26 walks in 85 2/3 innings across 14 starts.

16 hours ago

Carter Jensen • C • Royals

Carter Jensen Has Been a Batting-Average Drain in the Second Half

Across 516 plate appearances in 2026, Kansas City Royals catcher Carter Jensen is hitting .224/.310/.412 with 19 home runs, 62 RBI, 61 runs scored, and two stolen bases. The 23-year-old has shown off impressive power for a young backstop at times this season, posting a 10.3% barrel rate for the year. However, Jensen's batting average ceiling is limited by his 28.5% strikeout rate. He's also been working through an extended slump at the plate, as he hit just .187 across 102 plate appearances in July and .165 across 106 plate appearances in August. Jensen still hit four home runs and scored 14 runs last month, so he's not completely without value for fantasy managers. Still, managers may want to look to sell high on him ahead of the stretch run of the season, while his overall numbers still look better than his current production.

16 hours ago

Corbin Carroll • RF • Diamondbacks

Corbin Carroll Dealing With Lower-Back Discomfort, In Wednesday's Lineup

Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll (back) is dealing with lower-back discomfort, manager Torey Lovullo told Jack Sommers of Sports Illustrated. Carroll was able to play all nine innings in Tuesday's contest against the Philadelphia Phillies, but he was not 100%. He went 0-for-4 at the plate with three strikeouts in the 7-1 loss. The good news is that the left-handed-hitting outfielder is back in action for Wednesday's game at Chase Field against the Phillies, starting in right field and batting in the two-hole against right-hander Andrew Painter. The 26-year-old former National League Rookie of the Year must not be dealing with serious back trouble if he is right back on the field the following day, although his back issues could be affecting him at the plate recently. In his last nine games, Carroll has gone 3-for-33 (.091) with one homer, three RBI, two stolen bases, two runs scored, four walks, and 12 strikeouts to drop his season slash line to .242/.339/.472 with an .811 OPS in 508 at-bats. Carroll is still a five-category contributor, and fantasy managers are hoping he can turn it around for the final month of the regular season in 2026.

16 hours ago

Trent Grisham • CF • Yankees

Trent Grisham Could Start to Lose Playing Time in New York

Across 481 plate appearances this season, New York Yankees outfielder Trent Grisham is hitting .209/.306/.394 with 18 home runs, 58 RBI, 67 runs scored, and nine stolen bases. The 29-year-old has been a batting average liability throughout the year for fantasy managers, but he frequently leads off for the Yankees and brings a decent power/speed profile. However, Grisham has struggled mightily in the second half of the season, hitting just .166 across 178 plate appearances since the All-Star break. The Yankees' outfield mix could also get more crowded in short order, as star outfielder Aaron Judge (ribs) appears to be making progress towards a mid-September return. With Yankees outfielder Spencer Jones emerging in recent weeks, Grisham could be demoted to fourth outfielder status in New York if/when Judge returns to the field.

16 hours ago

James Wood • RF • Nationals

James Wood Activated And Starting on Wednesday

The Washington Nationals officially activated outfielder James Wood (oblique) from the 10-day injured list on Wednesday, and he is starting in right field and batting leadoff against the visiting Atlanta Braves and right-hander Grant Holmes, according to the team. Wood will make his return to Washington's roster after missing almost a month with a strained left oblique. He is back in the starting nine after going 2-for-6 with a homer in two minor-league rehab games. Although the left-handed slugger has hit just .191 (13-for-68) with a .620 OPS and just two home runs in 17 games since the All-Star break, fantasy managers will want to get him back into their lineups in all traditional leagues now that he is healthy. Wood clobbered 28 home runs, drove in 64, and stole 15 bases in the first half of the campaign and remains one of the best all-around sluggers in the game. In just six career at-bats against Holmes, Wood is hitting .167, but he does have a solo home run against him. Wood has the ability to put fantasy teams over the top in September.

16 hours ago

David Bednar • RP • Yankees

David Bednar Remains a High-End Closer Option in New York

Across 59 1/3 innings (55 games) in 2026, New York Yankees closer David Bednar has pitched to a 2.73 ERA and 1.03 WHIP with 65 strikeouts, 31 saves, and six wins. Bednar got off to a slow start, allowing 12 earned runs over 24 innings through the end of May. However, the 31-year-old has largely been lights out since the start of June. He's allowed just six earned runs over his last 35 1/3 innings pitched and has blown just three saves on the year. Bednar has struck out 27% of the batters he's faced this season while allowing just a 7.5% walk rate. The veteran right-hander is also very difficult to take deep, as he's allowed just 0.46 HR/9. As the clear ninth-inning option for the Yankees, Bednar profiles as a high-end closer option for fantasy managers.

16 hours ago

Bubba Chandler • SP • Pirates

Bubba Chandler's Stock Rising Amidst Second-Half Surge

Across 131 innings (26 games) so far this season, Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Bubba Chandler has recorded a 6-9 record with a 4.26 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, and 117 strikeouts. While the young right-hander's top-line numbers don't necessarily stand out, he's been a much better pitcher in recent outings. Across 36 2/3 innings since the All-Star break, Chandler has pitched to a 2.95 ERA and 1.12 WHIP with 32 strikeouts. The 23-year-old's 20.6% strikeout rate for the year is underwhelming, and he hasn't gotten significantly more whiffs even in his recent hot streak. However, Chandler is averaging 98.4 miles per hour on his fastball and posted a 27.4% strikeout rate across 100 innings at Triple-A in 2025. As a highly regarded young pitching prospect who is starting to get results in the big leagues, Chandler's fantasy value is on the rise.

16 hours ago

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