Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras (hand) is back in the starting lineup for the regular-season finale on Sunday against the visiting Chicago Cubs and left-hander Shota Imanaga, serving as the designated hitter and batting third for the BoSox, per MLB.com. It will be Contreras' first game played since being hit by a pitch on his hand last Thursday against the Texas Rangers, and he even expressed uncertainty recently about being ready for the Wild-Card series next week against the division-rival New York Yankees. The 34-year-old Venezuelan has had an excellent first year in Beantown, slashing .276/.387/.518 with a .905 OPS, a career-high 27 home runs, 81 RBI, 68 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 446 at-bats. However, he has played in only four games in September due to injury, and he could struggle at the plate as a result in the postseason if he is active. In 23 games in August, Contreras also struggled offensively, going 18-for-83 (.217) with three homers, 12 RBI, 11 walks, and 26 strikeouts across 98 plate appearances. He is hitless in eight career at-bats against Imanaga.

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New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto (hand) is starting in left field and will bat second for the 2026 season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Washington Nationals and left-hander DJ Herz, according to MLB.com. The Mets pulled Soto from Saturday's game early in D.C. after he was hit on his right hand by a pitch in the ninth inning, but thankfully, X-rays on his hand came back negative. The 27-year-old Dominican enters the final game of the season with only 395 at-bats in 2026 thanks to two separate trips to the injured list with calf injuries. When on the field for the Mets, though, the five-time All-Star continued to produce, slashing .278/.397/.522 with a .919 OPS, 27 home runs, 68 RBI, 63 runs scored, and nine stolen bases across 110 games and 477 plate appearances. Soto enters Sunday's contest with a .266 (25-for-94) average with five home runs and 14 RBI in 23 games played in the final month of the regular season. With better health next year, Soto is hoping that he can help get the Mets back into the postseason.

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Seattle Mariners rookie left-hander Kade Anderson (forearm) had X-rays come back negative after he was hit by a comebacker on his left forearm in his start on Saturday against the division-rival Los Angeles Angels, according to Daniel Kramer of MLB.com. Anderson and the Mariners avoided a significant scare in Anderson's final start of what has been a stellar debut season in the professional ranks. Before leaving after 3 1/3 innings of work at T-Mobile Park, Anderson did not allow a run on four hits while walking just one and striking out four to lower his season ERA to 3.79. The 22-year-old former third overall pick from LSU was as dominant as they come in the minors in 2026 before being called up to join Seattle's big-league starting rotation late in the year. In his seven starts for the M's, Anderson went 2-2 with a 3.79 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, and 32 strikeouts in 35 2/3 innings pitched. He dominated at Double-A Arkansas, posting a 1.06 ERA, 0.64 WHIP, and 135:13 K:BB in 18 starts over 93 1/3 frames. Anderson is one of the best young arms in all of baseball and should have a rotation spot locked up to begin the 2027 campaign.

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The Philadelphia Phillies will activate left-hander Jesus Luzardo (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list on Sunday for the regular-season finale in a must-win game, interim manager Don Mattingly told Matt Gelb of The Athletic. Luzardo will be available out of the bullpen. The Phillies will have all hands on deck as they try to beat the Tampa Bay Rays to punch their ticket to the postseason as the final Wild-Card team in the National League. The 28-year-old Luzardo had been one of the best pitchers in baseball this year before landing on the IL with inflammation in his left shoulder back on Sept. 12. The native of Peru is returning to a 14-5 record, 2.87 ERA (2.78 FIP), a 1.08 WHIP, and a 221:52 K:BB in 178 2/3 innings pitched and 29 starts in his second season with the Phillies. Luzardo's strong 2026 campaign on the mound earned him his first career trip to the All-Star Game. If he is used in Sunday's game against Tampa, it could rule Luzardo out of starting a game in the Wild-Card series next week if the Phillies advance.

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Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Chandler Simpson (foot) said on Saturday afternoon that his right foot was "just a little sore" from Friday's foul ball, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Simpson did not play in the team's win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday and likely will not play in the regular-season finale on Sunday "to take precautions." He is fully confident that he will be good to go for the American League Division Series opener on Oct. 3. The Rays pulled the 25-year-old speedster from Friday's game early after he fouled a ball off his foot in the sixth inning. Simpson will end his 2026 season with a strong .306/.333/.356 slash line with a .689 OPS, zero home runs, 38 RBI, a league-leading 46 stolen bases, and 66 runs scored in 151 games played across 612 plate appearances in only his second season in the majors. Hopefully for the Rays, Simpson's foot injury does not impact his ability to run once the ALDS kicks off late next week.

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The Tampa Bay Rays are saying that right-hander Griffin Jax (back) was removed from his appearance in Saturday's win over the Philadelphia Phillies due to a lower-back contusion, according to the Tampa Bay Times' Marc Topkin. Jax only made it three innings during his start at Citizens Bank Park, but he did not allow a run while giving up only two hits, walking none, and striking out one batter to lower his season ERA to 3.53. The 31-year-old veteran took a 104 mph liner off the bat of shortstop Trea Turner off his back in the third inning, and the Rays were not going to take any chances with Griffin. Manager Kevin Cash and Jax said after the game that he is not expected to miss any time, which means he should be available for the start of the American League Division Series against an undetermined opponent on Oct. 3. Jax finishes his first full season in Tampa with an 8-10 record, 3.53 ERA (3.76 FIP) and 1.17 WHIP with a career-high 116 strikeouts and 35 walks in 112 1/3 innings across 34 outings (23 starts). He began the 2026 season as Tampa's primary ninth-inning arm before making a successful transition to the rotation.

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White Sox's CF Braden Montgomery had a slash line of .471/.471/.529 going 8-for-17 in five games this week. Montgomery is owned only in 5.4% of mixed leagues.

Arizona's 3B Nolan Arenado scored 34.5 fantasy points going 9-for-20 with three home runs and eight RBIs in five games this week. Arenado is owned only in 28.6% of mixed leagues.

Minnesota's 2B Luke Keaschall scored 34.0 fantasy points going 8-for-19 with a home run and six RBIs in five games this week. Keaschall is owned in 68.8% of mixed leagues.

Cubs' SP David Peterson had an ERA of 1.06 and a WHIP of 0.88 in 17 innings over his last three games. Peterson is owned only in 34.0% of mixed leagues.

Angels' OF Wade Meckler had a slash line of .476/.522/.619 going 10-for-21 in five games this week. Meckler is owned only in 1.0% of mixed leagues.

Athletics' 2B Zack Gelof scored 35.0 fantasy points going 7-for-17 with three home runs and five RBIs in five games this week. Gelof is owned in 71.9% of mixed leagues.

Nationals' SS Nasim Nunez had three stolen bases and a .143 average in five games this week. Nunez is owned only in 18.0% of mixed leagues.

Washington Nationals' OF Dylan Crews had three stolen bases and a .235 average in five games this week. Crews is owned only in 12.9% of mixed leagues.

Astros' CF Lucas Spence scored 25.5 fantasy points going 5-for-16 with four home runs and seven RBIs in four games this week. Spence is owned only in 0% of mixed leagues.

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Chandler Simpson (foot) is not in the team's starting lineup for Saturday's game in Philadelphia against the Phillies, per MLB.com. Victor Mesa Jr. is starting in left field for the Rays and is batting fifth against Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola. The Rays are being cautious with the speedster, giving him a day off in Game 2 of the series at Citizens Bank Park after Simpson fouled a ball off his right foot during the win on Friday night. The Rays already have a first-round bye locked up in the American League, so Simpson will have plenty of time to heal before the start of the AL Division Series. If the 25-year-old does not play in the regular-season finale on Sunday, he will finish his second big-league season in 2026 with a very nice .306/.333/.356 slash line, .689 OPS, zero home runs, 38 RBI, and 66 runs scored across 151 games and 612 plate appearances. Simpson has no power to speak of, but he leads the league with 46 stolen bases after swiping 44 bags as a rookie in 2025. His speed in the outfield and on the basepaths is a game-changer for the first-place Rays.

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New York Mets superstar outfielder Juan Soto (hand) left Saturday's game against the division-rival Washington Nationals early after being hit on the right hand by a 91.7 mph sinker, according to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. Soto was in some clear discomfort, but X-rays on his hand came back negative. Before leaving the game, Soto went 2-for-4 at the plate with a strikeout. He was replaced in left field by Nick Morabito. It sounds like Soto avoided a serious injury, but with just one more game in the 2026 regular season, the Mets might hold the left-handed slugger out to close out another disappointing season for the Mets. The 27-year-old five-time All-Star and six-time Silver Slugger winner missed extended time this year with two separate calf injuries, but he still came into Saturday's contest with a solid .276/.395/.522 slash line, .917 OPS, 27 home runs, 68 RBI, 63 runs scored, and nine stolen bases across his 391 at-bats. With better health in 2027, Soto could quickly get back to elite five-category production for his fantasy managers.

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Miami Marlins outfielder Kyle Stowers (abdomen) is out of the lineup on Saturday due to an abdominal injury. The 28-year-old has been battling through injuries all season long, and this latest ailment comes on the heels of his absence from Friday's lineup. It's unclear how serious the issue is at this time, but with only two games remaining in the season, it's quite possible that he has already played his last game of 2026. Fantasy baseball managers would be wise to stay updated with Sunday's lineup to see if he can return for one final game this year. Despite missing time earlier in the season, Stowers has still managed to hit 21 home runs, albeit with a discouraging .239 batting average. Should he be able to return healthy to start next season, he could be a sleeper pick in some drafts due to his power upside and dual eligibility, as he also qualifies at first base.

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Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Jack Flaherty (forearm) is set to be activated from the 60-Day Injured List on Sunday and start for the Tigers in their season finale. The 30-year-old last pitched on July 20 and has been out of action recovering and rehabbing ever since. He has made just two rehab appearances, striking out five batters over 3.2 scoreless innings across various minor league levels. He also tossed a two-inning simulated game last week, giving the Tigers enough confidence to put him on the mound for the final day of the regular season. Should he pitch effectively without any setbacks, this would be a good "peace-of-mind" way to finish the year and head into a normal offseason. The 30-year-old is set to become a free agent this offseason, and a solid performance here would go a long way toward helping him secure his next big contract, wherever that may be.

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Miami Marlins second baseman Xavier Edwards (thumb) will miss his sixth consecutive game on Saturday as he continues to deal with a thumb injury. The 27-year-old re-aggravated his left thumb in a game last week, just a few days after returning from a left thumb sprain. It's unclear if he will return at all this season, and with just one game remaining on the schedule, he very well may have played his last game. That said, until the team places him on the Injured List, there is still a chance that he returns for Sunday's season finale. In his place on Saturday, Jared Serna will get the start at second base and bat ninth in the Miami lineup.

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