Tampa Bay Rays pitching prospect Brody Hopkins has pitched one relief inning in each of his last two outings for Triple-A Durham, potentially previewing a move to the bullpen at Tampa Bay in the big leagues. Hopkins allowed two earned runs in one of those two outings with three walks and a hit allowed. He was perfect in his first inning of relief with two strikeouts. The right-hander is ranked No. 7 in the Rays organization and has a 60-grade fastball and curveball with a 55-grade slider and cutter. All in all for Durham this season, Hopkins is 4-8 with a 5.48 ERA and 1.76 WHIP in his age 24 season. He has 109 strikeouts in 87 innings pitched. He's looking like a bullpen chance could be on the horizon for him this season for the Rays, but that doesn't make him the most appealing fantasy option.

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Miami Marlins pitching prospect Karson Milbrandt had a nice start in his last outing for the Triple-A Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp with three earned runs in five innings pitched to go with seven strikeouts to two walks and five hits allowed. It was the best start for Milbrandt at Triple-A in close to a month, so that was a very good sign for the 22-year-old and the Marlins organization. He might need a few more good starts like that one to prove ready for a big-league debut. Milbrandt is the No. 5 prospect for the Marlins and three 55-grade pitches in his fastball, curveball, and slider. After a lights-out season at Double-A Pensacola, Milbrandt has struggled a bit at Jacksonville with an 0-5 record and 7.65 ERA and 1.94 WHIP. Milbrandt is clearly a future talent but it remains to be seen if he will get a shot this season.

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Cleveland Guardians rookie outfielder Chase DeLauter (hamstring) will miss a fourth straight game in Thursday's series finale against the visiting San Francisco Giants, according to MLB.com. DeLauter has not played since he was pulled from Sunday's series finale against the San Diego Padres with a left-hamstring injury. The injury is not considered serious, though, so he will have a chance to return to action for Friday's series opener on the road in Denver against the Colorado Rockies. Fantasy managers will want to check back then for an update on the rookie outfielder. With Jo Adell (knee) also missing a second straight game for Cleveland, Angel Martinez will make another start in right field and will bat sixth on Thursday against Giants right-hander Landen Roupp. The 24-year-old DeLauter has had a fine first year in the majors in 2026, slashing .285/.358/.442 with a .799 OPS, 13 home runs, 57 RBI, 49 runs scored, and nine stolen bases across his 403 at-bats for the Guards. He has really turned it on in August, going 19-for-56 (.339) with a .904 OPS, two homers, two doubles, six RBI, 11 runs, and three stolen bases in 14 games played.

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New York Mets pitching prospect Jack Wenninger had a nice start in his last outing for Triple-A Syracuse, allowing two earned runs in five innings with two hits allowed and four walks to go with eight strikeouts. It's the latest effort in a nice season for Wenninger at Triple-A Syracuse, where he has gone 4-7 with a 4.79 ERA and 1.43 WHIP. In 18 starts and 21 appearances, Wenninger has 98 strikeouts in 96 1/3 innings pitched. The right-hander is the No. 9 prospect for the Mets. The 24-year-old features a 55-grade fastball with a 60-grade splitter. Wenninger is looking like a solid prospect but might be better off on fantasy rosters for next season. He has major-league stuff with good major-league pitches, so Wenninger is worth monitoring should the Mets decide to call him up.

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Milwaukee Brewers prospect Jett Williams (wrist) is currently on the seven-day injured list at Triple-A Nashville. He has had a good season at Triple-A in limited action this season, but it might be a stretch for him to make an MLB debut. In 305 at-bats with Nashville, Williams has nine homers and 41 RBI with 21 stolen bases while hitting .233. He's dealing with a lingering left wrist injury, though, and it has come at the wrong time of the season for him. Williams checks in at No. 11 on the Brewers' top prospects list with 65-grade speed. Williams looks like he will be able to add stolen bases to his profile when he finally does get the call to Milwaukee for his debut, but he will have to demonstrate full health if he is to get that opportunity before the end of this year.

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Guardians' SP Parker Messick recorded 10 strikeouts in 6.2 innings but took the loss in a 1-0 loss to the Giants on Wednesday, Aug. 19.

Washington's SP Cade Cavalli recorded 11 strikeouts in 6 innings collecting the win in a 6-0 win over Texas on Wednesday, Aug. 19.

Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Tyler Glasnow (back) was dominant in his final minor-league rehab start for Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday, allowing an earned run on just one hit while walking one and striking out nine in 5 1/3 innings pitched against Triple-A Sugar Land. Glasnow carried a shutout into the sixth inning and threw 54 of his 77 pitches for strikes while averaging 95.5 mph on his fastball. He generated 12 whiffs and looks more than ready to rejoin the Dodgers' starting rotation for the stretch run after being sidelined since early May with a lower-back injury. The Dodgers are not going to overwork Glasnow, especially given his lengthy injury history, but he should not face any workload restrictions in his return to the rotation, which should come next week against the first-place Atlanta Braves. Despite missing extensive time due to injury, Glasnow is rostered in over 90% of Yahoo leagues for his strikeout stuff on one of the best teams in baseball. He could be a difference-maker for fantasy rotations in the final month-plus of 2026.

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The Kansas City Royals announced that first baseman/outfielder Jac Caglianone (ankle) exited Wednesday night's game early against the visiting Athletics with soreness in his right ankle. Caglianone went 1-for-1 at the plate with a hit-by-pitch before being pulled from the game in the fifth inning at Kauffman Stadium. The extent of the injury is undisclosed right now, so fantasy managers will want to check back on Caglianone's status for the series finale against the A's on Thursday. John Rave replaced the power-hitting left-hander in right field and could be in line for more playing time there if Cags misses more time with his ankle injury. After a somewhat slow start to his first full major-league season in 2026, Caglianone has picked it up with the lumber and entered Wednesday's contest with a .278/.329/.494 slash line, an .823 OPS, 22 home runs, 60 RBI, 58 runs scored, and six stolen bases in his 118 games played. Since the All-Star break, he has been a must-start in fantasy leagues, hitting .330 (35-for-106) with a .949 OPS, seven long balls, seven doubles, 25 RBI, 14 runs scored, and three steals in 28 games across 110 plate appearances.

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According to the Houston Astros, shortstop Jeremy Pena (hand) left Wednesday's game early against the division-rival Los Angeles Angels due to a "right-hand contusion" after he was hit by a pitch in the first inning. Pena tried to stay in the game but was eventually replaced by pinch-hitter Nick Allen, who also took over for Pena at shortstop. It sounds like the 28-year-old avoided a fracture to his hand, so fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day for now. His next chance to return to the starting lineup will be for Thursday's series finale at Daikin Park against the Halos. Pena came into Wednesday's contest having played in only 78 games in 2026 due to various injuries, but he has hit a strong .284/.339/.471 with an .810 OPS, 14 home runs, 40 RBI, 59 runs scored, and eight stolen bases for the Astros. If Pena misses any more time, Allen will likely be the one to take over at shortstop in Houston. Since the All-Star break, Pena has hit .278 (32-for-115) with an .873 OPS, eight home runs, five doubles, a triple, 18 RBI, and 24 runs scored.

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Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that right-handed closer Edwin Diaz (neck) got a "best-case" prognosis from his doctor's visit on Wednesday, with his MRI exam coming back clean, per Jack Harris of The California Post. There were no other "findings" in his neck. Diaz will be shut down from throwing for "a couple days," according to Roberts, before the team sees how he is feeling from there. The Dodgers placed the struggling closer on the 15-day injured list on Tuesday due to inflammation in his neck, which the team believes may have been caused by a lower arm angle this year. Diaz also missed time in his first season in L.A. after having surgery to clean up loose bodies in his right elbow. Since coming off the IL for his elbow surgery, the 32-year-old Puerto Rican really struggled, posting a 12.91 ERA (6.86 FIP) with two losses, three saves, and three blown saves in nine appearances over 7 2/3 innings. Diaz has been a major bust in his first year with the Dodgers, but he might not require a lengthy IL stay this time around, and he is still rostered in 72% of Yahoo leagues. Until he returns, lefty Tanner Scott should resume primary closing duties for Roberts.

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Texas Rangers right-hander Jacob deGrom (triceps) will make the start on Thursday against the Washington Nationals, according to Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News. The Rangers pulled deGrom from his last start early last Thursday against the division-rival Los Angeles Angels after just two innings due to fatigue in his right triceps, but he has responded well since then and will toe the rubber against the Nats on Thursday. The 38-year-old veteran hurler still has enough strikeout upside to be relevant in nearly all fantasy baseball leagues, but a potential short leash on Thursday will limit his DFS upside against Washington as he returns from another injury. In his 23 starts for Texas this year over 120 2/3 innings pitched, the two-time Cy Young winner has gone 8-8 with a 3.95 ERA (3.25 FIP) and a 1.17 WHIP with 147 strikeouts and 31 walks. Fantasy managers need to keep in mind that he has not gone beyond five innings since his final start in June.

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Seattle Mariners outfielder Taylor Ward (quadriceps) is back in the team's starting lineup for Wednesday's game on the road against the Milwaukee Brewers, serving as the designated hitter and batting eighth against right-hander Dustin May, per MLB.com. Ward is returning to action after missing each of the last five games due to a quad injury. Dominic Canzone is starting in right field and will bat third for the M's. Fantasy managers who have Ward rostered might want to think about keeping him benched until he can show some signs of life at the plate. The 32-year-old right-handed slugger has not been able to find his power stroke this year and has only seven long balls after clubbing a career-high 36 homers and driving in 103 in a career year with the Los Angeles Angels in 2025. Since joining Seattle at the trade deadline, Ward has gone 5-for-32 (.156) at the plate with zero homers, zero walks, and six strikeouts in eight games. He has one hit in just three career at-bats against May.

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Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (concussion) is going through a full workout today that consists of running, fielding groundballs, and taking on-field batting practice, and the team is still targeting Saturday for his activation from the seven-day concussion injured list, according to Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet. Guerrero could play in a minor-league rehab game on Thursday or Friday with Single-A Dunedin if he clears his concussion testing. Fantasy managers can only hope that the 27-year-old six-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger winner can reset offensively after his short stint on the concussion IL to finish strong in 2026. Through his first 430 at-bats this year, Vladdy has been one of the biggest busts in fantasy, slashing .263/.337/.356 with a career-worst .693 OPS, only seven home runs, 46 RBI, 61 runs scored, and seven stolen bases in 115 games and 486 plate appearances. Despite how bad he has been, especially in the power department, Guerrero should remain rostered in all fantasy leagues. He is rostered in 96% of Yahoo leagues.

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Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson (shoulder) will sit out another game on Wednesday on the road against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium, according to MLB.com. Donovan Walton will get the nod at the 6 for the A's and will hit eighth against Royals veteran right-hander Seth Lugo. Wilson will start on the bench for a third straight game due to soreness in his left shoulder. The 24-year-old Wilson's fantasy stock continues to slide in what has been a disappointing and injury-plagued 2026 season. The former first-rounder from Grand Canyon University is currently slashing .266/.298/.388 with a .685 OPS, seven home runs, 37 RBI, 37 runs scored, and four stolen bases across 80 games and 337 plate appearances in his second full season in the majors. Dating back to last year, Wilson has homered just 20 times with nine stolen bases, leaving little upside in fantasy at the premier shortstop position. In 10 games so far in August, Wilson has gone 7-for-37 (.189) with zero homers, four RBI, no walks, and six strikeouts. He is now rostered in just under 50% of Yahoo leagues.

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San Francisco Giants shortstop Willy Adames (back) is starting at shortstop and batting third in Wednesday's contest on the road against the Cleveland Guardians and left-hander Parker Messick, per MLB.com. Adames will return for the first time in exactly a week due to recurring back spasms. Christian Koss, who was filling in at the 6 with Adames out, will slide over to third base on Wednesday. The 30-year-old Adames still has pop at the shortstop position -- he has hit 19 home runs in 116 games -- but he's hitting only .224 (100-for-446) with a .285 on-base percentage and career-worst .697 OPS in 485 plate appearances. Adames hit just over .200 in 24 games in July with four homers, 13 RBI, 10 walks, and 28 strikeouts, and he has gone 8-for-38 (.211) with a homer, three RBI, seven walks, and 10 K's in 11 games so far in August. He is returning on Wednesday in Cleveland against a pitcher he has never faced. Against lefties in 2026, Adames is hitting a soft .186 (21-for-113) with only three of his 19 home runs.

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The Baltimore Orioles reinstated catcher Samuel Basallo (shoulder) from the 10-day injured list, and he is starting at first base and batting cleanup for the O's in Wednesday's contest against the division-rival New York Yankees and right-hander Will Warren at Camden Yards, manager Craig Albernaz told Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun. Basallo is back in the big leagues after going 1-for-9 with a double in two minor-league rehab games. Wednesday will be his first game action back with Baltimore since July 19. The 22-year-old Dominican backstop will be returning to a .241/.305/.450 slash line with a .756 OPS, 16 home runs, 46 RBI, and 34 runs scored in his 282 at-bats in just his second year in the majors. The left-handed hitter is one of the better young power options at the catcher position, and he is the club's long-term option behind the plate after they traded Adley Rutschman to the Boston Red Sox earlier this month. If you need help at catcher, Basallo should be scooped up off the waiver wire immediately. He is rostered in only 36% of Yahoo leagues right now. Basallo has four hits and an RBI in 10 career at-bats against Warren.

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Arizona Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen was non-committal on Wednesday on whether second baseman Ketel Marte (knee, personal) will return this year, although he did say he was hopeful he would be back, according to Diamondbacks reporter Jody Jackson. Hazen said he plans to talk to Marte face to face on Thursday. Arizona placed the All-Star second baseman on the restricted list before their series opener on Monday at Fenway Park against the Boston Red Sox when he did not show up to the stadium due to an undisclosed personal matter. It was later discovered that Marte flew back to Arizona to have an MRI exam on his left knee without telling the team. We should have a better idea of whether the 32-year-old will return this season after his MRI results and after the team's brass sits down and talks with him. Losing Marte for the rest of 2026 would be a major blow to Arizona's playoff chances. The switch-hitting Dominican infielder is currently slashing .249/.314/.446 with a .760 OPS, 21 home runs, 67 RBI, 65 runs scored, and four steals in his 469 at-bats. Fantasy managers need to sit tight and hold him for now.

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Cleveland Guardians rookie outfielder Chase DeLauter (hamstring) will sit out again on Wednesday against the visiting San Francisco Giants at Progressive Field, according to MLB.com. With Jo Adell (knee) also out, Angel Martinez will start in right field and bat cleanup for the Guards against Giants rookie left-hander Matt Wilkinson, who is making his major-league debut. DeLauter has not played since leaving Sunday's series finale against the San Diego Padres with tightness in his left hamstring. The good news is that an MRI exam came back negative, so DeLauter could be back as early as Thursday's series finale against San Francisco. The 24-year-old first-rounder from James Madison University deserves to be rostered in most fantasy leagues during his strong rookie campaign. DeLauter enters play on Wednesday hitting .285/.358/.442 with a .799 OPS, 13 home runs, 57 RBI, 49 runs scored, and nine stolen bases in his 403 at-bats. He's been strong in 14 games in August, too, going 19-for-56 (.339) with two homers, two doubles, six RBI, three steals, and 11 runs scored.

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Cleveland Guardians outfielder Jo Adell (knee) will start Wednesday's game at Progressive Field on the bench against the visiting San Francisco Giants, according to MLB.com. With Chase DeLauter (hamstring) also missing a third straight contest, Angel Martinez will start in right field and hit cleanup against Giants rookie left-hander Matt Wilkinson, who is making his MLB debut. Adell had a monster game in Tuesday's win over the Gigantes, going 3-for-4 with a home run and six RBI before he fouled a ball off his left knee and was pulled early. The injury is not considered serious, though, so Adell could return to the starting nine for Thursday's series finale against San Francisco. The 27-year-old is now slashing .237/.290/.405 on the year with a .695 OPS, 19 home runs, 73 RBI, 52 runs scored, and three stolen bases in his 469 at-bats in 2026. Since being acquired from the Los Angeles Angels at the trade deadline earlier this month, Adell has gone 10-for-46 (.217) with three homers, 11 RBI, and six runs scored. The former 10th overall pick in 2017 has never hit for average in the big leagues, but he has plenty of pop and is in a better lineup to boost his counting stats the rest of the way.

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