MLB News

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Jesus Luzardo (shoulder) was scratched ahead of his scheduled start against the Atlanta Braves on Saturday. An MRI came back negative for any structural damage, and Luzardo is hopeful to get back on the mound next week, according to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com. The southpaw is dealing with some shoulder stiffness after throwing a complete game during Monday's outing. The Phillies will give him rest and hope that Luzardo can return to the mound at some point next week. The expectation is that Luzardo will return at some point during the four-game series against the New York Mets next weekend. Fantasy managers will need to continue checking back for updates throughout the week.

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi (elbow) was activated off the 10-day Injured List on Saturday. Eovaldi is back in the mix after going down on August 10 due to right elbow inflammation. The Rangers will have Eovaldi return to the pitching staff as a reliever. There's a chance that he'll build up towards a starter workload again, but for now, Eovaldi will be used out of the bullpen. The 36-year-old figures to be used in a multi-inning role, which likely won't result in a ton of fantasy value. The right-hander could become a cut candidate, with him unlikely to return to the starting rotation in time to help fantasy managers in the playoffs.

According to Chandler Rome, Houston Astros manager Joe Espada said the team is hopeful that outfielder Yordan Alvarez (ankle) will be back in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays. Alvarez missed his second straight game on Saturday after sustaining an ankle injury during Thursday's contest. It sounds like a minor issue that isn't going to require Alvarez to land on the Injured List. Fantasy managers will need to check back ahead of the first pitch for another update on Alvarez. Yainer Diaz served as the designated hitter during Saturday's loss to the Tampa Bay Rays. The expectation is that Diaz would remain there if Alvarez is unable to play.

Minnesota Twins shortstop Kaelen Culpepper (shoulder) was removed from Saturday's game against the Cleveland Guardians. He was pulled from the contest after getting hit by a pitch in the upper back. The X-rays came back negative, so the team is considering Culpepper day-to-day with a shoulder contusion, according to Aaron Gleeman. Ryan Kreidler took over for Culpepper at shortstop for the rest of Saturday's game. The expectation is that Kreidler will see the bulk of the playing time there until the rookie shortstop is back in the mix. Fantasy managers should check back ahead of Sunday's contest for another update on his status.

According to Ken Rosenthal, the Houston Astros are considering moving third baseman Carlos Correa (ankle) over to second base. Correa has been sidelined since undergoing left ankle surgery in mid-May. The organization is hopeful that Correa will be able to return for the final week of the regular season. He has been playing third base in Houston, but the Astros would like to shift him over to second base. If Correa plays second base, Jose Altuve can serve as the designated hitter. Most fantasy leagues might end before Correa gets back to the field. If not, Correa could be worth stashing in deep leagues for the final stretch of the season.

The Texas Rangers announced on Saturday that they activated third baseman Josh Jung (calf) from the 10-day injured list and optioned catcher Logan O'Hoppe to Triple-A Round Rock in a corresponding move. Jung will return to the Rangers' starting lineup immediately on the road against the Arizona Diamondbacks and right-hander Brandon Pfaadt on Saturday, as he is starting at third base and batting third. The power-hitting right-hander is back in Texas after going 3-for-15 with a home run and two RBI in four minor-league rehab games with Round Rock. The 28-year-old should return to starting third base duties in Texas as the team looks to get into the postseason in the final couple of weeks of the regular season. The former first-rounder from Texas Tech was hitting very well earlier this year, but he has missed most of the second half with his strained calf, so it could be difficult for him to get back in a groove with a short turnaround. Jung is returning to a .294/.361/.441 slash line with an .802 OPS, nine home runs, 35 RBI, 46 runs scored, and a stolen base across his 354 at-bats in 2026. After his long layoff, Jung is only rostered in 20% of Yahoo leagues.

The Athletics announced that they activated catcher Shea Langeliers (knee) from the 10-day injured list and optioned infielder Darell Hernaiz to Triple-A Las Vegas in a corresponding move. Langeliers will serve as the team's designated hitter and bat cleanup in his return on Saturday in Sacramento against the division-rival Seattle Mariners and right-hander Bryan Woo. It is a bit of a surprise that Langeliers is back with the A's before the end of the 2026 season after he had surgery on the meniscus in his right knee in late July. But now that he is back, fantasy managers should check to see if he is available on the waiver wire, as he could still make an impact at the plate for those still playing for a championship late in the season. The 28-year-old right-handed slugger returns to an eight-game hitting streak and a .263/.332/.497 slash line with an .829 OPS, 23 home runs, 51 RBI, 55 runs scored, and two stolen bases in his 376 at-bats this year. The first-time All-Star in 2026 is one of the best power-hitting backstops in baseball, and he is only rostered in 69% of Yahoo leagues. Langeliers has hit just .083 with a .166 OPS in 12 career at-bats against Woo.

Houston Astros outfielder Yordan Alvarez (ankle) is out of the team's starting lineup for Saturday's game on the road against the Tampa Bay Rays, according to MLB.com. Catcher Yandy Diaz will serve as the designated hitter and bat cleanup, with Christian Vazquez doing the catching for right-hander Peter Lambert and hitting ninth against Rays left-hander Ian Seymour. The Astros are labeling Alvarez as day-to-day for now after he was also held out of Friday's series opener in Tampa with a right-ankle injury. Houston cannot afford to be without the MVP front-runner in the American League down the stretch, so they could play it safe with the 29-year-old left-handed slugger and keep him out for the entire series on the turf in Tampa this weekend. Fantasy managers should check back on Sunday to see if he is active. Alvarez, a four-time All-Star and former AL Rookie of the Year, has been arguably the best overall hitter in all of baseball in 2026, leading the league in walks (100), batting average (.310), on-base percentage (.427), slugging percentage (.590), OPS (1.017), and total bases (308) in 145 games played in his eighth year in the majors.

Chicago Cubs pitcher Justin Steele (elbow) is set to throw a bullpen in Chicago in front of the team's pitching coaches on Sunday. This will give the team a chance to get a good, hard look at the 31-year-old as he continues to work hard toward returning to the mound for the Cubs in 2026. From there, it has been decided that he will throw at least one more outing for Triple-A Iowa, at which time a decision will likely be made regarding what lies ahead. Over three rehab appearances thus far, Steele has thrown 5.2 innings while allowing four earned runs on 10 hits. The good news is that he has recorded six strikeouts and has not walked any batters, backing the fact that he is still working through some rust. If and when he does return this year, it will be as a reliever, as there is not enough time for him to build himself back up to a starter's workload. As such, his fantasy value is minimal.

The Tampa Bay Rays are calling up right-handed pitching prospect Brody Hopkins to the big leagues from Triple-A Durham on Saturday, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Per MLB Pipeline, Hopkins, 24, is ranked as Tampa's No. 7 overall prospect and their top pitching prospect. The former sixth-round selection by the Seattle Mariners in 2023 from Winthrop University has gone 4-8 this year for the Bulls with a 5.17 ERA, 1.71 WHIP, and 122:92 K:BB in 94 innings across 31 appearances (19 starts). The numbers obviously do not look great on the surface, but Hopkins had been pitching great recently for Durham in a relief role, where he will likely continue in his first taste of the major leagues. Hopkins gets the call to Tampa after throwing six straight shutout innings out of the bullpen at Triple-A, and he will look to stay hot with the Rays. For fantasy purposes, Hopkins should be ignored in single-year formats with the regular season wrapping up at the end of September.

The Pittsburgh Pirates placed Esmerlyn Valdez (hamstring) on the injured list on Saturday with a strained left hamstring. The 22-year-old outfielder injured himself on Friday while trying to beat out a ground ball in the sixth inning. He came up limping and was helped off the field. A day later, he was placed on the injured list, keeping him out of action for at least 10 days. The severity of the injury is not yet known, but given the timing, there is a chance that this ends his season. If he doesn't return in 2026, he will finish with 17 home runs over 72 games played, which should keep him in consideration as a late-round draft pick heading into the 2027 draft. In his absence, Jake Mangum should once again be considered as an injury replacement for the Pirates and receive additional opportunities. He has some fantasy appeal, as he has posted a .283/.340/.369 slash line this season with 23 stolen bases over 122 games played.

Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (knee) is starting at first base and is batting in the two-hole for Saturday's contest on the road against the Miami Marlins and right-hander Tyler Phillips, according to MLB.com. Freeman is back in action after missing the last two games with some minor soreness in his right knee. Although the veteran first baseman's knee injury is not expected to impact him the rest of the season, it is worth watching after he has struggled at the plate in seven games so far in September, going 3-for-22 (.136) with a homer, three RBI, five walks, and nine strikeouts. Fantasy managers will be hoping that Freeman, who turns 37 years old on Saturday, can turn it around in the final few weeks of the season when it matters most. The Dodgers will need the former MVP and 10-time All-Star even more with Shohei Ohtani (knee, biceps) on the injured list. On the year, Freeman has hit a strong .297 (156-for-525) with 16 homers, 66 RBI, 72 runs scored, and seven stolen bases in his 17th major-league season. Get him back into your starting lineup against Phillips, whom Freeman has hit .750 against with three RBI in just four career at-bats.

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Jack Flaherty (forearm) threw a two-inning simulated game on Saturday, embarking on what could be the final hurdle before returning to the mound for the Tigers. The 30-year-old has missed the last six weeks because of right forearm flexor inflammation but has made significant strides as of late. Flaherty himself said that he felt great after this outing and is ready to get back on the mound. Whether or not that happens in the coming days remains to be seen, but the fact of the matter is that he is nearing the end of his time on the sidelines. Fantasy managers should be ready to add him to their rosters where possible, but be cognizant of the fact that he may be working out of the bullpen or on a pitch count.

Kansas City Royals first baseman/outfielder Jac Caglianone (elbow) will sit out for a sixth straight game on Saturday at Fenway Park against the hosting Boston Red Sox, per MLB.com. John Rave will make yet another start in right field for the Royals while batting seventh against Red Sox left-hander Ranger Suarez. Caglianone has been slow to recover from a flexor strain in his left elbow, but the Royals continue to say that he is day-to-day, so the left-handed slugger could have an opportunity to return for the series finale in Boston on Sunday. It is a terrible time for the 23-year-old former first-rounder to miss time with an injury during the fantasy playoffs in most leagues. Caglianone has developed into a must-start asset in fantasy leagues for his power in what has been a strong first full season in the big leagues in 2026. He came into Saturday's action slashing .283/.331/.494 with an .825 OPS, 23 home runs, 70 RBI, 66 runs scored, and six stolen bases across his 474 at-bats. Cags tore the cover off the ball in 24 games in August, hitting .411 (39-for-95) with six home runs, eight doubles, 26 RBI, 17 runs scored, and three steals.

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander (hamstring/hip) took a big step forward in his injury progression on Saturday by facing live batters prior to the team's game against the Colorado Rockies. This marks the first time that the 43-year-old has faced live hitters since he went on the Injured List very early in the season. It is worth noting that the batters who stood in the box did not take any swings, but the fact that they were there marks a significant step in the right direction. Verlander is hoping to cap off his career with one final start on the final weekend of the season. With the Tigers almost out of playoff contention and with potentially nothing to play for, that feels like the perfect sendoff to one of the game's greats. From a fantasy perspective, he is only worth consideration if he does, in fact, return, but there's no guarantee that he makes it back in time to pitch again.

Chicago Cubs pitcher Edward Cabrera (finger) was activated from the Injured List on Saturday and added to the team's bullpen ahead of their game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The 28-year-old pitcher has started in all 15 of his appearances this season but will now be moved to the bullpen after suffering multiple injuries all year long. The right-hander has only been in one game since the All-Star Break because of hamstring and blister issues, and the hope is that with a smaller workload, both his health and productivity will stabilize. He will likely only receive low-leverage opportunities while he works on fixing his command and control, as both his 5.68 ERA and 1.45 WHIP are the highest either stat has been since his rookie season with Miami.

New York Yankees pitcher Ryan Weathers (forearm) is set to throw from a mound at some point next week. The 26-year-old has been on the Injured List with a forearm flexor strain but continues to make progress toward a regular-season return. After completing a series of long-distance throws from the outfield on Saturday, manager Aaron Boone said that the next step for Weathers would be some mound work. Once that is complete with no setbacks, there is still a chance for him to return to the Yankees as a reliever before the playoffs begin. That being said, with so many options already, it is unclear if he will receive high-leverage opportunities at all, given the nature of his injury.

New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge is set to receive a planned day off either on Sunday or Monday, according to manager Aaron Boone. While he is set to be the team's designated hitter on Saturday, Boone noted that the 34-year-old will receive a planned day of rest on either Sunday or Monday. Entering action on Sunday, Judge will have played in three games since his extensive absence due to a stress fracture in his first rib. Upon his return, it was mentioned that he would be eased back into a full-time role, and this planned day of rest is part of the plan. That being said, with the postseason being the main focus for the Yankees, it's unclear how many more games Judge will miss down the stretch. Fantasy baseball managers need to be prepared for shortened weeks as they manage their own teams down the stretch.

Tampa Bay Rays left-hander Shane McClanahan (forearm) played "light" catch on Friday and is expected to return after a short stint on the injured list, according to MLB.com. McClanahan exited his start on Sept. 3 with tightness in his left forearm after the fifth inning and was placed on the 15-day IL a day later. If he does not suffer any setbacks as he continues to ramp up his arm, he could return to Tampa's starting rotation by late September. It is good news for the Rays as they look to get the 29-year-old southpaw back fully healthy for the start of the playoffs in October, but for fantasy purposes, McClanahan is not going to help anyone the rest of the year. The two-time All-Star had a successful comeback from Tommy John surgery in 2026, going 10-7 in his 24 starts (118 innings pitched) while posting a 3.36 ERA (3.50 FIP) and 1.12 WHIP with 106 strikeouts and 39 walks. The Rays will be hoping that he can put his forearm issue behind him and help them to a lengthy run in this year's playoffs next month.

Boston Red Sox left-hander Garrett Crochet (shoulder) threw another productive side session at Fenway Park on Friday, his third side session in the last week, according to Ian Browne of MLB.com. Crochet threw 25 pitches during the session and said he "accomplished what I wanted to." The talented southpaw threw at around 80 to 90% intensity and threw some fastballs in the 92-93 mph range. Before facing live hitters, Crochet will throw at least one more bullpen session early next week at Fenway. He badly wants to rejoin the Red Sox either late in the regular season or early in the playoffs as a one- or two-inning reliever, but he is being cautiously optimistic after all the time he has missed in 2026 due to shoulder and lat issues. "Yeah, my shoulder feels really good," Crochet said. "For me, it's like the rest of my body is getting acclimated to throwing this intensity again. I had four months to work on the shoulder, and it's in a really good spot. It's in a good spot." Having Crochet pitch in any capacity would be big for Boston, but for fantasy purposes, Crochet's season is over.