Washington Nationals outfielder James Wood (oblique) threw out to 120 feet and hit off a tee on Monday, according to Danielle Allentuck of The Washington Post. Wood is not quite on the verge of a return from a strained left oblique, but the 23-year-old All-Star is making notable progress. If he requires a minor-league rehab assignment, Wood probably will not be an option to return to the big-league roster before the calendar flips to September early next week. Still, he should be held in all fantasy baseball leagues for the potential damage he could do in the final month of the regular season. The former second-rounder by the San Diego Padres in 2021 is one of the best young power/speed assets in the league, and he'll eventually be returning to a .265/.393/.535 slash line with a .928 OPS, 30 home runs, 73 RBI, 17 stolen bases, and 100 runs scored. Wood still carries a high 28.6% strikeout rate in his third year in the big leagues, but he makes up for it by hitting the ball as hard as anyone when he does make contact at the plate.

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Seattle Mariners rookie infielder Colt Emerson (wrist) is scheduled to have season-ending wrist surgery on Wednesday, according to Adam Jude of The Seattle Times. There was a lot of excitement around Emerson, one of the team's top overall prospects, making his major-league debut in 2026, but it did not last long. The 21-year-old left-handed-hitting infielder struggled with big-league pitching in his first 69 games and 241 plate appearances, slashing .190/.246/.335 with a .581 OPS, eight home runs, six doubles, a triple, 23 RBI, 24 runs scored, three stolen bases, 15 walks, and 83 strikeouts. It was not what Emerson, his fantasy managers, or the Mariners expected, but the good news is that the young infielder is expected to be ready for the start of spring training early in 2027. Barring a setback with his wrist injury, Emerson is still in line as the club's starting shortstop over the long term, so fantasy managers in dynasty/keeper leagues should be looking to buy low on the shortstop prospect this winter. Brock Rodden is starting at the 6 on Monday for the M's, but veteran J.P. Crawford (wrist) could come off the injured list as early as Tuesday to regain starting shortstop duties.

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Seattle Mariners right-hander Bryan Woo (shoulder) is "100% confident" that he can make his scheduled start on Wednesday at home against the Philadelphia Phillies, according to The Seattle Times' Adam Jude. Woo had his last start on Aug. 16 cut short due to soreness in his right shoulder, and the Mariners skipped his last scheduled start over the weekend against the Chicago Cubs. The 26-year-old threw a successful bullpen session on Sunday, though, and thinks he will be cleared to toe the rubber this Wednesday. Fantasy managers will want to be cautious with his start this week while coming off an injury, although he will be on extra rest. Woo allowed 10 earned runs with four walks and 13 strikeouts in 10 innings in his final two starts of July against the Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Dodgers, but he's rebounded in three starts in August against the Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, and Astros, allowing just two earned runs with three walks and 15 strikeouts in 18 innings pitched. He is 9-8 in 2026 with a 4.10 ERA (3.29 FIP) and 1.08 WHIP with 137 strikeouts and only 29 walks in 138 1/3 innings across his 24 starts on the year in his fourth year in the majors.

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Philadelphia Phillies infielder Bryson Stott (foot) is starting at third base and will bat sixth in Monday's series opener against the hosting Seattle Mariners and right-hander Logan Gilbert, according to MLB.com. X-rays came back negative on Stott's foot on Sunday after he was forced from the game early, and he was diagnosed with a right-foot contusion. He will not have to miss any games because of it, although fantasy managers may want to keep him on their benches as he works through a rough patch offensively. Stott is hitting .294 (20-for-68) with a homer, four doubles, 10 RBI, five stolen bases, and 13 runs scored in 21 games so far in August, but he has gone hitless in his last 13 plate appearances over his last four games. Overall, the left-handed-hitting former first-rounder in 2019 from UNLV is slashing .259/.337/.406 with just nine home runs, 59 RBI, 57 runs scored, and 23 stolen bases across his 433 at-bats in 2026. After the Phillies picked up Luis Arraez at the trade deadline, Stott moved across the diamond as the team's regular third baseman. He is hitting .429 with a 1.071 OPS and an RBI in just seven career at-bats against Gilbert.

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The San Francisco Giants placed shortstop Willy Adames (elbow) on the 10-day injured list on Monday with a sprained left elbow, according to Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle. Adames was injured in Sunday's series finale against the Boston Red Sox while sliding into home plate. He had missed some time last week with a recurring back injury as well, but his elbow injury will cause him to miss at least the next 10 days for the Gigantes. Christian Koss will most likely see most of the playing time at the 6 for the Giants while Adames is out, starting in Monday's series opener at home against the Cincinnati Reds. The 30-year-old Adames still has plenty of pop and has provided 21 home runs in his second season in the Bay Area, but he has also hit just .230 (107-for-465) with a .289 on-base percentage in 121 games across 505 plate appearances. With the Giants well out of playoff contention this year, the team will not be in any rush to bring Adames back for the final month of the regular season if he is not making great progress in his rehab.

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Philadelphia Phillies corner infielder Alec Bohm (hamstring) is starting at first base and will bat fifth for the Phils in Monday's series opener on the road in Seattle against Mariners right-hander Logan Gilbert, according to MLB.com. Bohm is returning to action to begin the new week after he was rested in Sunday's series finale versus the St. Louis Cardinals due to tightness in his hamstring/groin. Given how hot the right-handed slugger has been at the dish lately, fantasy managers who have Bohm rostered will want to get him back into their starting lineups on Monday. The 30-year-old veteran is currently hitting .378 (28-for-74) with a .947 OPS, a homer, six doubles, one triple, 16 RBI, 13 runs scored, and a stolen base in 20 games across 81 plate appearances in the month of August. The strong last few weeks have boosted the former first-rounder's season slash line to .248/.305/.390 with 14 home runs, 75 RBI, and 49 runs scored in 464 at-bats. In 10 career at-bats against Gilbert, Bohm has picked up three hits and has a .600 OPS.

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Philadelphia Phillies infielder Luis Arraez (hamstring) is back at second base and is hitting cleanup for the Phillies in Monday's series opener against the hosting Seattle Mariners and right-hander Logan Gilbert, per MLB.com. Arraez did not start Sunday's series finale against the St. Louis Cardinals due to hamstring cramping, but he entered the contest late and is now back in the starting nine. The 29-year-old four-time All-Star and three-time batting champion is not a great source of power (he only has six home runs), but he continues to hit for average, entering the week with a .322 average (159-for-494) with 54 RBI, 63 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases in his eighth year in the big leagues. Since being acquired at the trade deadline by the Phillies, Arraez has gone 23-for-74 (.311) with two home runs, 11 RBI, and 11 runs scored in 18 games played for his new club. Despite hitting just .167 with a homer and two RBI in 12 career at-bats against Gilbert, fantasy managers should be looking to get Arraez back into their starting lineups for the new week.

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Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte (knee) is tentatively expected to be activated from the 10-day injured list next Tuesday, when the team opens a series against the visiting Philadelphia Phillies, according to Francys Romero. Marte started rehabbing his injured knee on Monday at the team's spring training complex in Arizona. The team placed Marte on the restricted list last Monday after he did not show up to Fenway Park for the series opener against the Boston Red Sox, but it turned out he was headed back to Arizona to have an MRI exam on his bothersome left knee. It was a bizarre situation for the D-backs' coaching staff last week, but the good news for fantasy managers is that they should have the All-Star second baseman back in the fold early next week, barring a setback. The 32-year-old Dominican switch-hitter will be returning to a .249/.314/.446 slash line with 21 homers, 67 RBI, 65 runs scored, and four steals as a must-start in traditional fantasy leagues when he is active. Marte has struggled so far in the second half, hitting .225 (22-for-98) with a .712 OPS, four homers, four doubles, 13 RBI, 14 runs scored, 12 walks, and 20 strikeouts in 26 games played.

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Miami Marlins right-hander Max Meyer (neck, rib) is still in no-throw status as he rehabs in Jupiter, Florida, according to Christina De Nicola of MLB.com. The Marlins initially placed Meyer on the 15-day injured list to begin the second half of the season in late July with a neck strain, but he then injured his rib and needed a cortisone injection. He continues to rehab in Florida, but at this point in the season, it is fair to wonder if he will have enough time to build up his arm and rejoin Miami's starting rotation for the final month of the regular season in September. It's frustrating for fantasy managers who have been holding the 27-year-old, who has gone 9-1 this year with a 2.68 ERA (3.49 FIP) and 1.13 WHIP with a career-high 121 strikeouts and 41 walks in 111 innings pitched across 20 starts in his fourth season in the big leagues. Meyer was a first-time All-Star after a strong first half, but he has so far been unable to help fantasy managers in the second half. Folks are still holding out hope that he can return in 2026, as he is rostered in 71% of Yahoo leagues at the moment.

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The Miami Marlins announced on Monday that they reinstated outfielder Kyle Stowers (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list and optioned infielder Deyvison De Los Santos to Triple-A Jacksonville in a corresponding move. Stowers is starting at first base on Monday and will hit third in the batting order against Boston Red Sox left-hander Ranger Suarez. The left-handed power hitter returns to Miami after missing around two weeks due to a Grade 1 strained left hamstring. He could be a bit rusty at the plate upon his return after not going on a minor-league rehab assignment, and he is also facing a lefty on Monday. The 28-year-old former second-round pick by the Baltimore Orioles in 2019 from Stanford University will return to a .242/.327/.462 slash line with a .788 OPS, 16 homers, 52 RBI, 44 runs, and one stolen base in his 351 at-bats in 2026. Fantasy managers setting DFS lineups will want to avoid Stowers in his return, as he is hitting only .169 (13-for-77) with one of his 16 home runs and 27 strikeouts in 86 plate appearances versus lefties this year.

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Washington Nationals middle infielder CJ Abrams (ankle) is serving as the designated hitter and is batting leadoff for the Nats in their series opener on Monday at home against the Colorado Rockies and right-hander Ryan Feltner, per MLB.com. It will be Abrams' first game since spraining his left ankle last Wednesday against the Texas Rangers. Fantasy managers will want to get him back into their starting lineups in all traditional leagues amid a breakout 2026 campaign. The 25-year-old two-time All-Star is returning to a .279/.354/.530 slash line with an .884 OPS, 29 home runs, 91 RBI, 24 stolen bases, and 77 runs scored across his 470 at-bats in 2026. Although the former first-rounder was not happy when Washington recently asked Abrams to make the move from shortstop to second base, he is putting his ego aside in the best long-term interests of the organization. The left-handed slugger is hitless in just three career at-bats against Feltner, and he has gone just 15-for-70 (.214) with a .619 OPS, a homer, eight RBI, and five steals in 17 games so far in August.

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Detroit Tigers infield prospect Max Anderson continues to hit for Triple-A Toledo this season, where the talented infielder has compiled a .305 average in 87 games with 13 homers and 49 RBI to go with 51 runs scored. Anderson is hitting .310 in August with two homers and 10 RBI as he tries to prove he is ready for a late-season promotion to Detroit. The 24-year-old is the No. 11 prospect for Detroit and has a 50-grade hit tool with 50-grade power. He has produced nicely at Toledo, but the question is how he will adjust to big-league pitching when given the opportunity. He is worth monitoring, and with the Tigers falling out of contention, he could be given a chance for some late-season at-bats at the big-league level. Keep an eye on how the Tigers use Anderson down the stretch.

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Detroit Tigers prospect Josue Briceno has been a lightning rod though the minor league system and at age 21 has run into some trouble with his latest promotion to Triple-A Toledo. In 11 games at Toledo, Briceno is 6-for-36 with no homers and four RBI. The talented catcher is likely not ready for big league at bats this season and can be left on the waiver wire in most fantasy leagues. The Tigers are stocked well at catcher with Dillon Dingler and Eduardo Valencia so Briceno will likely not see the big leagues until at least next season. Briceno has been very good this season between four minor league levels with a .248 batting average and nine homers with 26 RBI in just 129 total at bats. He is the No. 5 prospect for the Tigers with 60-grade power and a 50-grade hit tool. Fantasy managers will likely hear more about him in the future.

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Toronto Blue Jays prospect Sean Keys did little when he debuted in Toronto earlier this season, but has hit nicely between two levels of the minors in 2026. Between Double-A New Hampshire and Triple-A Buffalo, Keys has 27 homers with 75 RBI while hitting a combined .293 with 72 runs scored. Keys got the call for 12 games with the Blue Jays and hit one homer with five RBI with a .167 batting average. Keys was just 6-for-36 in his debut stint and was sent back down to Buffalo. He's coming off a recent two-homer game for Buffalo and has six homers and 20 RBI in the month of August at Triple-A. So he is doing everything he can to prove himself ready for another shot with Toronto. The Blue Jays could use the power of Keys at the major league level, so fantasy managers will want to pay attention for news of another call-up.

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New York Yankees rookie infield prospect George Lombard Jr. has looked like he belongs in the big leagues through his first 59 at-bats and 17 games played. Lombard is slashing .288/.348/.407 with a .755 OPS, two home runs, a double, five RBI, 12 runs scored, and a stolen base in his 66 plate appearances since being called up from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Aug. 4. The team's top overall prospect, per MLB Pipeline, is deserving of more attention off the waiver wire in fantasy baseball leagues for the final month of the regular season in September. The 21-year-old former first-rounder in 2023 hit .284/.411/.498 with a .909 OPS, 12 home runs, 33 RBI, 14 stolen bases, and 65 runs scored in 78 games and 358 plate appearances at three minor-league levels this year before the Yankees brought him up to take over as their everyday shortstop. Lombard's power is still maturing, but it is his advanced plate approach that is more impressive, allowing him to draw plenty of walks and get on base consistently. Fantasy managers looking for infield help should look no further than Lombard, who is still rostered in under half of Yahoo leagues.

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Detroit Tigers pitching prospect River Ryan is currently rehabbing with the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens and hasn't pitched in a game since coming over to the Tigers from the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Tarik Skubal trade at the deadline. Ryan hasn't pitched in a game since June 17 with Triple-A Oklahoma City. This season, Ryan is 3-1 with a 4.46 ERA and 1.29 WHIP in eight starts with Oklahoma City. He has 43 strikeouts in 36 1/3 innings pitched. The Tigers could look to Ryan to pitch in Detroit when he does come back healthy from his strained hamstring. Ryan is the No. 4 prospect in the Tigers system and boasts a 65-grade fastball with a 60-grade slider. At age 28, Ryan has pitched in the majors previously with the Dodgers in 2024, but hasn't returned since. Fantasy managers who monitor his health could take a chance on him returning for a Tigers debut this season.

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Washington Nationals rookie first baseman/outfielder Abimelec Ortiz can be a nice under-the-radar source of power for fantasy managers in deeper leagues for the rest of the 2026 season. The 24-year-old left-handed-hitting Puerto Rican made his major-league debut on July 12 but was sent back to the minors immediately. He resurfaced in the majors on Aug. 3, although he has gone only 12-for-60 (.200) at the plate in 19 games and 63 plate appearances, he has added five home runs and nine RBI for the Nats. Per MLB Pipeline, Ortiz is ranked as the club's No. 19 prospect. The 5-foot-10, 230-pounder hit .244/.348/.497 with an .845 OPS, 18 home runs, 74 RBI, and 55 runs scored in 85 games across 365 plate appearances at Triple-A Rochester before getting the call again in early August. Ortz packs a punch with plus raw power from the left side, and he consistently knows how to access his pull power. Plate discipline is not his strong suit, but with 25-30-homer power over a full season, fantasy managers in deeper leagues seeking pop may want to give Ortiz a look. He is rostered in 14% of Yahoo leagues.

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St. Louis Cardinals outfield prospect Joshua Baez hit three home runs in his major-league debut against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on Aug. 15, but since then, he has gone 2-for-32 (.063) at the plate with a homer, four RBI, two runs scored, two steals, three walks, and 14 strikeouts. The 23-year-old right-handed slugger is hitting .139 (5-for-36) in his first 10 MLB games, with four of his five hits clearing the fences. The Cardinals' No. 3 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, has struggled to make contact so far at the major-league level, but his power/speed upside continues to make him roster-worthy in most fantasy baseball leagues, and he's only rostered in just over half of Yahoo leagues right now. Before getting called up earlier this month, Baez was slashing .256/.328/.573 with a .901 OPS, 34 home runs, 90 RBI, 21 stolen bases, and 79 runs scored in 103 games and 461 plate appearances at Triple-A Memphis. The former second-rounder in 2021 is not going to help much with average and on-base percentage to finish out his first year in the majors, but his power and speed can still be useful.

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Los Angeles Angels right-handed rookie reliever Ryan Watson could be emerging as an option for saves for the Angels after picking up his first save with the team in Saturday's win over the division-rival Texas Rangers. The Angels turned to Watson on Saturday after Ben Joyce blew a save on Friday night, and the 28-year-old struck out a batter in a perfect ninth inning to pick up the save, only the second in his first year in the big leagues. Watson began the year with the Boston Red Sox, where he posted a 4.53 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, one save, 43 strikeouts, and 19 walks in 55 2/3 innings out of the bullpen. He has yet to allow a run in 5 1/3 innings pitched with eight strikeouts and one walk in his six relief appearances for the Halos. Watson could become more interesting in the deepest of fantasy leagues if Joyce struggles some more, but for now, fantasy managers in standard-sized leagues can ignore the rookie reliever on one of the worst teams in baseball. He is not currently rostered in any Yahoo leagues.

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Seattle Mariners right-hander Bryce Miller became the first pitcher since George Van Haltren of the 1890 Brooklyn Wonders to lose consecutive starts by at least 17 runs, according to ESPN Insights. In the Mariners' 19-2 loss to the Chicago Cubs on Sunday, Miller allowed six earned runs on two hits (two homers) while walking seven and striking out five in 4 1/3 innings for his eighth loss of the year. In his previous outing, a 22-0 shutout loss to the Milwaukee Brewers, he gave up six runs (five earned) on seven hits (one homer) while walking two and striking out three in 4 2/3 innings. The Seattle Times' Adam Jude reports that Miller admitted after Sunday's loss that he has dealt with a minor right-lat injury since his July 24 start against the division-rival Texas Rangers. He allowed five earned runs to Texas on that day and has a 7.92 ERA with 15 walks and 21 strikeouts in 30 2/3 innings in his last six starts for Seattle. Fantasy managers should be avoiding Miller in his next scheduled outing this Sunday against the Toronto Blue Jays, and he could be relegated to the bullpen once Bryan Woo returns from his shoulder injury.

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