Miami Marlins outfielder/first baseman Griffin Conine's 2026 season got off to a rough start, as he suffered a hamstring injury in early April that required surgery and sidelined him for over two months. However, the 29-year-old has quietly put together a very strong season since returning to the Marlins lineup in late June. Across 217 plate appearances on the year, Conine is slashing .259/.355/.513 with 14 home runs, 31 RBI, 30 runs scored, and two stolen bases. The lefty masher has struck out in 30.3% of his plate appearances and has hit just .190 with zero home runs against left-handed pitching, both of which limit his upside. However, his 15.3% barrel rate and 53.3% hard-hit rate both support his high-end power production. For fantasy managers searching for power on the waiver wire, Conine profiles as an under-the-radar target.

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Across 341 plate appearances since making his MLB debut in mid-May, Athletics outfielder Henry Bolte is hitting .276/.351/.379 with six home runs, 26 RBI, 37 runs scored, and 14 stolen bases. The 23-year-old has established himself as the A's everyday center fielder and has now batted in the leadoff spot in his team's lineup in 10 out of his last 11 games. Bolte's elevated 27.6% strikeout rate is a potential red flag in his profile. However, he's logged a stellar 47.4% hard-hit rate and has logged a 63.3% ground ball rate. His tendency to hit the ball on the ground limits his power upside, but when combined with his speed, it should allow him to continue producing an elite batting average on balls in play. Bolte's BABIP across 488 minor league plate appearances in 2025 was .407, and he's logged a .379 BABIP in the big leagues in 2026. For fantasy managers in need of speed, runs scored, and some batting average, Bolte offers clear waiver wire appeal.

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Across 160 plate appearances in 2026, Boston Red Sox infielder Nick Sogard is hitting .275/.389/.405 with two home runs, 10 RBI, and 20 runs scored. The 28-year-old has spent much of the season in the minors, logging 224 plate appearances between Double-A and Triple-A. However, Sogard appears to have taken over a near-everyday role as Boston's leadoff hitter in recent weeks. Sogard's carrying tool is his ability to get on base, as he's posted a 15.6% walk rate in the big leagues and logged a 19.3% walk rate during his time at Triple-A. While Sogard is unlikely to provide much power production for fantasy managers, he profiles as an asset in both batting average and runs scored, as long as he continues to set the table for Boston's potent lineup. In deeper leagues, Sogard has value on the waiver wire as a versatile depth piece.

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Across 182 plate appearances in 2026, New York Yankees outfielder Spencer Jones is hitting .233/.313/.429 with seven home runs, 22 RBI, 21 runs scored, and eight stolen bases. The 25-year-old remains a potential batting average liability due to his swing-and-miss tendencies, as he's struck out in 35.2% of his trips to the plate. However, Jones' underlying batted-ball metrics are elite, as he's posted a 15.2% barrel rate and a 57.6% hard-hit rate. The lefty slugger is also in the midst of a hot streak at the plate, recording seven hits and two home runs in his last 19 plate appearances. There was some thought that Jones would be sent down when Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger returned from the injured list on Sunday. Instead, Jones has remained on the roster and looks to be on the big side of a platoon in right field for the Yankees with outfielder Heliot Ramos. With his immense power/speed upside, Jones should be a priority waiver wire target for fantasy managers in leagues where he's not already rostered.

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Detroit Tigers pitching prospect River Ryan (hamstring) has yet to progress beyond bullpen sessions as he works his way back from a hamstring injury that has kept him sidelined since mid-June. Tigers manager A.J. Hinch acknowledged the bullpen sessions over a week ago, but there hasn't been any update on his status since then. Hinch mentioned that Ryan's velocity looked "great" and the 28-year-old is recovering well, but he's yet to face live hitters. Once he does, a clearer picture should emerge as to when the right-hander will return, but whether that is this season or next remains a mystery. If the 6-foot-2 hurler can take the next step in the progression soon, there is still time for him to make it back this season, though it may be too late to help fantasy managers hoping to get to the playoffs. The Tigers' top-ranked pitching prospect boasted a 22.2 percent K-BB% at Triple-A in his eight starts before the injury and has the stuff to be successful at the major league level, but at this point, he's a speculative stash (preferably in an NA spot) in hopes he returns this season.

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Detroit Tigers catcher/first base prospect Josue Briceno has yet to find his footing since being promoted to Triple-A Toledo, now 7-for-41 (.171) with zero home runs and a 31.3 percent strikeout rate through his first 12 games for the Mud Hens. The Tigers' fifth-ranked prospect had a delayed start to the 2026 campaign due to wrist surgery he underwent before the season got underway, but hit .297 with eight home runs in 17 games for Double-A Erie before earning the promotion to the minors' highest level. The 2024 Arizona Fall League MVP looks like a long shot to crack the majors in 2026, but with a patient approach (career walk rate of 12.8 percent), along with highly rated hit (50) and power tools (60), there is a good chance he'll have an impact in 2027.

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Detroit Tigers infield prospect Max Anderson is heating up again following a short slump at Triple-A Toledo, now 9-for-23 (.391) over his last six games with a pair of doubles and a 3:3 BB:K. The performance has pushed his season-long slash line to .305/.388/.494with13 home runs through 87 games for the Mud Hens. The Tigers' 11th-ranked prospectshowed well in limited time at Triple-A last season (.267/.327/.422) and was coming off a fantastic showing in the 2025 Arizona Fall League (.447/.609/.809), so this year's success isn't exactly a surprise. A low 11.6 percent strikeout rate (93rd percentile) shows he can put the bat on the ball extremely well, and there's enough power to make him interesting for fantasy; the problem is that he isn't on the 40-man roster and there is currently no place to put him on the major league infield. The former second-rounder deserves a shot in the big leagues -- and may get his opportunity in September -- but without a clear path to regular at-bats, there is little reason to stash the 24-year-old in redraft leagues.

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Pittsburgh Pirates outfield prospect Jhostynxon Garcia (undisclosed) was placed on the 7-day injured list at Triple-A Indianapolis with an undisclosed injury on August 20, so he could return to action this weekend if his stay on the IL is a short one. Even so, it doesn't give the Pirates' 13th-ranked prospect much time to get rolling again in order to get another shot in the majors this season. The right-handed hitter has held his own at Triple-A this season, slashing .270/.337/.419 with seven home runs in 61 games for the Indians, but has done little with his opportunities in the big leagues this year, batting .167 (8-for-48) with zero home runs and a 32.0 percent strikeout rate (2.0 percent walk rate) in 50 plate appearances for the Bucs. Whether he spends the minimum amount of time on the injured list or not, the 23-year-old doesn't offer much intrigue for fantasy at this point and should not be considered a stash option for the fantasy stretch run.

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Guardians' 3B Jose Ramirez had five RBIs going 3-for-6 in a 8-6 win over the Angels on Tuesday, Aug. 25.

Twins' SP Taj Bradley recorded 11 strikeouts in 6.2 innings but took the loss in a 4-2 loss to Las Vegas on Tuesday, Aug. 25.

Across 513 plate appearances this season entering play on Tuesday, Philadelphia Phillies infielder Alec Bohm was hitting .246/.302/.387 with 14 home runs, 76 RBI, 49 runs scored, and two stolen bases. The 30-year-old got off to a rough start to the season, hitting .151 with one home run across 119 plate appearances through the end of April. However, Bohm has rebounded and largely produced at his established levels since the start of May. Bohm has been particularly hot in August, hitting .359 with 17 RBI across 85 trips to the plate this month. With just a 13.6% strikeout rate, Bohm's ability to put the ball in play keeps his batting average floor high and helps him rack up run production while playing an everyday role in the heart of the Phillies lineup. As long as he stays healthy the rest of the way, Bohm has a chance to top 90 RBI for the third time in the last four seasons. Especially amidst his current hot streak, Bohm is a worthy waiver wire target in leagues where he is not already rostered.

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Across 281 plate appearances in 2026, Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jackson Holliday is hitting .236/.325/.360 with six home runs, 27 RBI, 36 runs scored, and seven stolen bases. The 22-year-old got off to a rough start to the year, as he suffered a fractured hamate bone that delayed his season debut until May 19. Holliday's underlying batted-ball metrics are uninspiring. He's logged just a 6.7% barrel rate and a 34.8% hard-hit rate on the year, both of which currently represent career lows. However, Holliday has boosted his walk rate to a career-best 12.4%, which gives him a stable floor at the plate and has allowed him to move into the leadoff spot in the Baltimore lineup in recent games. Holliday is unlikely to be a standout performer in any one category for fantasy managers, but his balanced profile at the plate gives him deep-league value as a quality middle infield option.

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San Francisco Giants left-hander Carson Whisenhunt (elbow) has suffered a torn UCL in his left elbow and has been recommended for surgery, per Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area. It's not yet clear whether Whisenhunt will undergo Tommy John surgery or an internal brace procedure. Either way, he is now likely facing an extended absence and could miss the entire 2027 season as well as the remainder of 2026. Across 34 2/3 innings (eight starts) before getting hurt, Whisenhunt recorded a 3-4 record with a 6.49 ERA, 1.79 WHIP, and 26 strikeouts. Despite his rough numbers in the big leagues this season, the 25-year-old is considered to be one of the top young arms in the Giants' system and could have been in line for a spot in the team's starting rotation in 2027. With Whisenhunt now sidelined, Giants' pitching prospect Matt Wilkinson could be a candidate to be recalled from Triple-A to rejoin the team's rotation.

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Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Sal Frelick (shoulder) was activated from the 10-day injured list on Tuesday, per Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. Frelick has been sidelined since mid-July due to a shoulder injury. The 26-year-old was having a rough season before getting hurt, slashing .236/.301/.330 with four home runs, 34 RBI, 33 runs scored, and six stolen bases. Frelick does an excellent job of limiting swing-and-miss, as he's struck out in just 9.9% of his plate appearances this season. His low batting average is a symptom of his unlucky .250 batting average on balls in play, which is significantly below his career mark of .296. However, Frelick has also posted just a 2.0% barrel rate and a 27.1% hard-hit rate on the year. Now that he's healthy, the lefty-swinging Frelick will likely form the big side of a platoon with outfielder Luis Lara in right field for the Brewers.

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The Seattle Mariners reinstated infielder J.P. Crawford (wrist) from the 10-day injured list on Tuesday, optioning infielder Leo Rivas to Triple-A Tacoma as the corresponding move. Crawford had been sidelined since late July due to left wrist inflammation. Across 364 plate appearances on the year, the 31-year-old is hitting .212/.330/.345 with 10 home runs, 30 RBI, 38 runs scored, and one stolen base. Crawford's 6.4% barrel rate and 35.3% hard-hit rate are both subpar, but his stellar 13.7% walk rate provides him with a relatively stable floor at the plate. With Mariners infielders Brendan Donovan (concussion) and Colt Emerson (wrist) both on the injured list, Crawford should also be in line for everyday playing time on the left side of the infield. He's starting at third base and batting eighth on Tuesday night against the Philadelphia Phillies.

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Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith (neck) made a rehab appearance with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday. Smith caught five innings and went one-for-three at the plate with a home run and two RBI. The veteran backstop has been sidelined since early June due to a neck injury, but he appears to be on the verge of returning to the big leagues. Across 201 plate appearances before the injury, Smith slashed .248/.338/.382 with six home runs, 23 RBI, and 23 runs scored. He struck out in just 16.9% of his plate appearances while posting a stellar 13.4% barrel rate. Given how long Smith has been out, he will likely need multiple rehab games before being activated by the Dodgers. Still, once healthy, Smith profiles as a must-start fantasy catcher.

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Cleveland Guardians rookie outfielder Chase DeLauter (hamstring) will sit again in Tuesday's game against the hosting Los Angeles Angels due to a hamstring injury, according to MLB.com. Jo Adell will make the start in right field against his former team and will bat cleanup for Cleveland against Angels right-hander Walbert Urena. It will be the second straight game that DeLauter rests due to a tight left hamstring that has been bothering him of late (he missed three games last week as well). The Guardians do not think it is a situation that will require a stint on the injured list, though, so fantasy managers should consider the left-handed hitter to be day-to-day. Check back to see if he is ready to return to the diamond on Wednesday in Anaheim. The 24-year-old former first-rounder from James Madison University has found his way onto rosters in 70% of Yahoo leagues while hitting a cool .288/.363/.450 with an .813 OPS, 13 homers, 59 RBI, 52 runs, and nine stolen bases in his first 413 at-bats in the majors in 2026. DeLauter has hit over .300 with two homers in the second half, and he is also batting .349 (46-for-132) with two of his 13 homers against lefties.

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Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts did not rule out the possibility of two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (knee) pitching on Sunday against the Detroit Tigers, but it will be contingent on how the next several days go, according to Maddie Lee of The Los Angeles Times. Ohtani had a successful 30-pitch live bullpen session last Saturday, and if he gets through another throwing session this week, the four-time MVP could be cleared to make his first start on the mound since July 3 against the San Diego Padres. Ohtani as a pitcher has been a must-start this year when he toes the rubber, but given the long layoff and the fact that the Dodgers will continue to baby his workload, he will not be a great DFS play if he returns as a pitcher this weekend against Detroit. The 32-year-old Japanese sensation was in the National League Cy Young race in the first half of the season before his knee issue flared up, going 8-2 with a 1.79 ERA (2.59 FIP) and 0.95 WHIP with 95 strikeouts and 26 walks in his 14 starts over 85 2/3 innings. Don't be surprised if it's a slow buildup for Ohtani pitch-count-wise over the final month of the regular season in September.

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Milwaukee Brewers first baseman/outfielder Jake Bauers (foot) is dealing with a swollen foot after fouling a ball off himself in Sunday's contest in Williamsport against the Atlanta Braves and is not in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game against the New York Mets, according to Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. The good news is that Bauers said he is fine to play, so the Brewers are just giving him an extra day off against a lefty. Catcher Gary Sanchez is serving as the designated hitter on Tuesday and will bat fifth for the Brew Crew against Mets left-hander Zac Thornton. Fantasy managers should consider Bauers to be day-to-day and check back on his status for Wednesday's contest in Queens. The 30-year-old left-handed-hitting veteran has had a career year in 2026 in his third year in Milwaukee, slashing .273/.382/.503 with an .884 OPS, 23 home runs, 75 RBI, 76 runs scored, and nine stolen bases across 118 games played and 474 plate appearances. Bauers has hit .288 (19-for-66) with four homers in 19 games in August and .286 (30-for-105) with five of his 23 homers in 31 games since the All-Star break.

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Boston Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony (finger), who is on a minor-league rehab assignment at Triple-A Worcester, said he "has no flight booked" to return to the big-league squad, but he feels close to ready and thinks he could return for Friday's series opener against the division-rival New York Yankees, according to Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com. Anthony has been out since early May due to a partially torn tendon in his right ring finger, but he has gone 3-for-11 with a homer in four rehab games with Double-A Portland before moving to Worcester this week. The 22-year-old former top prospect will be an everyday starter for the BoSox when he returns to the major-league roster, but it is unclear if that will happen this weekend or sometime next week. If Anthony is floating around on your league's waiver wire, scoop him up immediately for his power/speed upside, even if it is only for the final month of the 2026 regular season. The former second-rounder in 2022 is rostered in 77% of Yahoo leagues at the moment.

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