Boston Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy told Marcos Grunfeld of ElEmergente.com that first baseman Willson Contreras (hamstring) will resume running this week and could be reinstated from the 10-day injured list before Friday's series opener against the Kansas City Royals. It is unclear if Contreras will go on a short minor-league rehab assignment before he returns, but if he does, he might not return against the Royals this weekend. The veteran right-handed slugger has made a quick recovery after being placed on the IL last week with a strained left hamstring. The 34-year-old Venezuelan should not be floating around on any waiver wires because of his injury, as the former catcher has been one of Boston's most consistent offensive performers in 2026 in his first year with the team. Contreras will be returning to a .274/.384/.516 slash line with an even .900 OPS, 26 home runs, 79 RBI, 66 runs scored, and three stolen bases across his 434 at-bats. Mickey Gasper has been the team's primary first baseman since Contreras landed on the shelf.

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Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Trey Yesavage (knee) threw a 34-pitch bullpen session on Monday and is on track for a two-inning live batting practice session on Thursday, according to MLB.com. Yesavage is making good progress since landing on the 15-day injured list on Aug. 5 after having surgery on his left meniscus. It is unclear when he will make it back to the Blue Jays, but the team is holding out hope that he can make his return for a start or two before the end of the 2026 regular season. The young right-hander had a successful 23-pitch bullpen session last Friday. Because of the timing of Yesavage's injury, it is unlikely that he will be fully stretched out enough to return to Toronto in a starting role as they seek one of the final wild-card spots in the American League. In his first full year in the majors in 2026, Yesavage has gone 5-5 with a 3.65 ERA (4.08 FIP) and 1.14 WHIP with 91 strikeouts and 46 walks in 93 2/3 frames across 18 starts. He has very little time left to help fantasy managers and should not be considered a must-stash in redraft leagues.

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Baltimore Orioles corner infielder Coby Mayo had the first multi-homer game of his career in Monday's 6-4 win over the visiting Cleveland Guardians at Camden Yards, going 2-for-5 with two home runs, three RBI, and two strikeouts. The 24-year-old right-handed slugger is still hitting only .224 on the season after his two-homer performance on Monday, but he does have a career-high 21 home runs and 58 RBI in 116 games played in his third year in the big leagues. And because he is absolutely dominating left-handed hitters -- Mayo has a 1.136 OPS against southpaws in 133 at-bats -- he will continue to be a lineup regular for the O's against lefties to close out the year. Mayo has been a much better hitter in the second half of the 2026 campaign, as he entered Monday's action with a .274/.328/.532 slash line with an .861 OPS and seven home runs in 41 games since the All-Star break, compared to a .193/.264/.395 line with a .659 OPS in 74 first-half games. He was hot in August, going 22-for-81 (.272) with five home runs, three doubles, two triples, 15 RBI, 15 runs, and a stolen base in 25 games, and so far he has carried that over into September.

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Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Andy Pages (hand) said he has been hitting off a tee the last two days as he starts his swing progression from a broken left hand, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. Pages says he is pain-free. When Pages was placed on the 10-day injured list, the Dodgers gave him an estimated timetable of four to five weeks before a potential return. He is just over two weeks removed from the injury and appears to be making progress, but he obviously still has a way to go and probably will not be an option for the Dodgers' lineup again until the postseason in October. With Pages out, utility man Tommy Edman has seen most of the action in center field, with veteran Miguel Rojas and Alex Freeland splitting time at the keystone. Pages was a first-time All-Star in 2026 in his third year in the big leagues with the Dodgers, slashing .272/.338/.458 with a .797 OPS, 21 home runs, 80 RBI, 12 stolen bases, and 72 runs scored in 128 games across 550 plate appearances. If not for his hand injury, Pages likely would have set career highs in most of the major counting-stat categories.

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Texas Rangers right-hander Cal Quantrill has had a resurgent 2026 season, recording a 7-5 record with a 2.79 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and 73 strikeouts across 96 2/3 innings (29 games). The 31-year-old opened the 2026 season working exclusively as a reliever before moving into a hybrid bulk role through the middle part of the year. However, Quantrill has been lights-out since transitioning into a full-time starting role in mid-August. Across five starts since August 12, Quantrill has posted a 3-1 record with a 1.16 ERA, 0.81 WHIP, and 30 strikeouts across 31 innings. In Quantrill's most recent start against the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday, he recorded seven shutout innings with five strikeouts. Given his recent success, Quantrill profiles as a must-roster starting pitcher for fantasy managers ahead of his appealing matchup in Seattle against the Mariners on Wednesday.

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Across 117 innings (20 starts) in 2026, Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Zebby Matthews has recorded a 9-9 record with a 4.69 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and 97 strikeouts. While Matthews' season-long numbers may not stand out as particularly impressive, he's been much better in recent appearances. Across his last 47 innings (eight starts), the 26-year-old has posted a 5-2 record with a 3.64 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 39 strikeouts. Matthews' lack of strikeout ability limits his fantasy upside, but he profiles as a potential WHIP asset due to his stellar command (6.8% walk rate). As a matchup-dependent streaming option, Matthews profiles as a quality option for fantasy managers. His next scheduled start will come on Wednesday in Detroit against the Tigers.

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Entering play on Monday, Athletics outfielder Henry Bolte was hitting .274/.352/.386 with eight home runs, 31 RBI, 43 runs scored, and 16 stolen bases across 394 big-league plate appearances in 2026. Since making his MLB debut in mid-May, Bolte has established himself as an everyday piece of the Athletics outfield. Since early August, the 23-year-old has also emerged as the team's everyday leadoff hitter. While Bolte has consistently hit the ball hard (47.5% hard-hit rate), his power upside is limited by his 0.8-degree average launch angle and his 62.6% ground-ball rate. However, between his penchant for hitting it on the ground and his elite speed, Bolte should be able to maintain a solid batting average and on-base percentage. If he can start to put the ball in the air a bit more while maintaining his hard contact, Bolte could break out as a five-category performer. In leagues where he's currently unrostered, Bolte profiles as a high-upside waiver wire target.

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After a brutal beginning to the season while working as a starter, New York Mets right-hander Kodai Senga has salvaged his season since being moved into the bullpen. Since becoming a full-time high-leverage reliever in early August, Senga has allowed just two earned runs while recording 13 strikeouts across 12 1/3 innings (13 games). With Mets closer Devin Williams (shoulder) on the injured list due to a shoulder injury, Senga has also taken over as the team's preferred ninth-inning option and is a perfect six-for-six on save chances for the season. While the 33-year-old struggled with health and command while working as a starter, his high-end stuff makes him a solid bet to continue performing in a bullpen role. In any league where he's not already rostered, Senga should be a waiver wire priority for fantasy managers.

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Across 134 plate appearances since making his MLB debut in late July, Detroit Tigers outfielder Max Clark is hitting .258/.326/.417 with two home runs, 16 RBI, 15 runs scored, and two stolen bases. The 21-year-old has not demonstrated much power at the big-league level just yet, posting just a 1.1% barrel rate and a 38.9% hard-hit rate. However, Clark has established himself as Detroit's everyday center fielder with his high-end defense, which should keep him in the lineup on an everyday basis. The young outfielder showed off some five-category upside in the minor leagues this season before his promotion, hitting .276 with 11 home runs, 42 RBI, 65 runs scored, and 21 stolen bases at Triple-A. Clark posted a 12% walk rate in the minors in 2026 and a 17.6% walk rate in the minors in 2025. If he can get on base a bit more consistently down the stretch this season, Clark's speed could start to show up at the big-league level as well. Fantasy managers looking for upside on the waiver wire should consider adding Clark.

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The New York Yankees announced on Monday that they reinstated outfielder Aaron Judge (rib) from the 60-day injured list and designated right-hander Chase Hampton for assignment in a corresponding move. Judge will be ready for the series opener in the Bronx on Tuesday against the Colorado Rockies, and fantasy managers should expect him to be back in the starting lineup against right-hander Gabriel Hughes. Tuesday's tilt will be Judge's first game back with the Yankees since May 31 after he was placed on the injured list with a stress fracture in a rib on his right side. Judge did not go on a minor-league rehab assignment, but he faced live pitching at Yankee Stadium on Monday and was cleared to return. The 32-year-old eight-time All-Star and five-time Silver Slugger winner should obviously be rostered in all fantasy leagues and will be a must-start immediately upon his return to his .248/.375/.533 slash line with a .907 OPS, 17 home runs, 38 RBI, 43 runs scored, and five stolen bases. Judge has missed most of 2026, but he now has an opportunity to help fantasy managers bring home a championship.

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The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Chad Bishop reports that Atlanta Braves right-hander Reynaldo Lopez (knee) will come off the 15-day injured list to start Wednesday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays. It will be Lopez's first start with Atlanta since July 27. He was placed on the IL on Aug. 2 with inflammation in his left knee. The veteran hurler looked good in his final minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Gwinnett last Thursday, throwing 93 pitches in five shutout innings while striking out six for the Stripers. With Lopez returning, it will push the struggling Bryce Elder to a relief role while he battles knee issues of his own. Lopez, a 32-year-old Dominican hurler, will be returning to a 4-3 record this year with a 3.64 ERA (4.32 FIP) and 1.34 WHIP with 66 strikeouts and 29 walks in 71 2/3 innings pitched across 24 outings (11 starts). He threw 5 2/3 shutout frames for a no-decision in his final start on July 26 against the Baltimore Orioles before landing on the IL, but he surrendered a combined nine earned runs in 9 1/3 innings in his previous two starts before that against the St. Louis Cardinals and San Diego Padres.

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Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo confirmed on Monday that right-hander Corbin Burnes (elbow) will be reinstated from the 60-day injured list to make his season debut on Tuesday against the Kansas City Royals on the road, according to Alex D'Agostino of Sports Illustrated. Burnes will rejoin Arizona's starting rotation with several weeks remaining in the regular season as they continue their push for the final spot in the National League wild-card standings. The four-time All-Star only made 11 starts in his first year with the D-backs in 2025 before being shut down due to right-elbow issues, going 3-2 with a 2.66 ERA (3.94 FIP) and 1.17 WHIP with 63 strikeouts and 26 walks in 64 1/3 innings pitched. Fantasy managers should be tempering expectations for Burnes as he returns from Tommy John surgery, but the Snakes are hoping the former ace can help push them over the top and into the postseason. The 31-year-old threw 53 pitches in his last minor-league rehab start on the farm last week, and although he could be somewhat limited from a pitch-count perspective on Tuesday, the matchup against KC is enticing. Burnes is available in 70% of Yahoo leagues as he nears his return to Arizona.

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Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (knee, biceps) is serving as the designated hitter and will bat leadoff for the Blue in Monday's series opener against the visiting Cincinnati Reds and right-hander Chase Burns, per MLB.com. It will be Ohtani's first game back as a hitter after missing each of the last four games with more left-knee and right-biceps discomfort. The Dodgers have not used the four-time MVP as a pitcher since July 3, and although it is looking unlikely that he will pitch again in September, the Dodgers' brass is still holding out hope he can be used as a two-way player in the postseason. Manager Dave Roberts might give the six-time All-Star more days off between now and the end of the regular season as the primary DH, but his return on Monday is obviously excellent news for fantasy managers who have him rostered as a hitter. The 32-year-old veteran has not looked like himself offensively of late while playing at less than 100%, but he is still a must-start in all fantasy leagues and is hitting .279/.381/.525 overall with 30 homers, 80 RBI, 89 runs, and 11 steals in 499 at-bats. Ohtani is 1-for-3 with two RBI in just three career at-bats against Burns.

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Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Jesus Luzardo was dominant on the mound on Monday in the team's 1-0 shutout victory over the division-rival Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park. Luzardo was at his best, tossing a complete-game shutout with only two hits allowed, one walk, and 12 strikeouts to win his 14th game of the season. It was the 28-year-old's first career shutout and complete game, so it was a special day as he continues to roll late in the 2026 season. In his last seven starts, Luzardo has gone at least 5 2/3 innings with two runs or fewer to lower his season ERA to 2.87 while also sporting a nice 1.08 WHIP and 221:52 K:BB in his 178 2/3 innings pitched on the season in his first year in Philadelphia. Luzardo has now reached the 200-strikeout mark in back-to-back seasons and three of his last four campaigns. He is a first-time All-Star this year and could be a difference-maker down the stretch as fantasy managers seek championships.

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The Milwaukee Brewers plan to have left-hander Kyle Harrison make his next scheduled start this Saturday against the division-rival Cincinnati Reds, but they will be ready with a long reliever behind him, "perhaps with a piggyback in mind," according to Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. The Brewers are hoping that by shortening his starts or mixing him in via relief outings, they can help Harrison get out of his current funk. The 25-year-old southpaw has recorded 15 outs or fewer in each of his last nine starts, a stretch that started on July 27 that includes a multi-week stay on the 15-day injured list due to tightness in his left forearm. Harrison only made it 3 2/3 innings in each of his last two starts against the Reds and division-rival Chicago Cubs, allowing a combined 15 runs (13 earned) on 19 hits (six homers) while walking six and striking out seven in 7 1/3 frames. He will have a chance to redeem himself this weekend against Cincy, but most fantasy managers will not want to take a chance and find out if he can turn it around against the Reds. Harrison is now 10-4 with a 3.66 ERA (4.03 FIP) and 1.27 WHIP with a career-high 134 strikeouts and 33 walks in 110 2/3 frames and 23 starts in 2026 in his first year with the Brew Crew.

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The Miami Marlins told Sports Grid's Craig Mish that right-hander Max Meyer (neck, rib) has resumed throwing. However, there is not a lot of time left to make it back into Miami's starting rotation in 2026. Meyer initially went on the 15-day injured list seven weeks ago with a strained neck, and the 27-year-old suffered a setback recently due to discomfort in his rib. If Meyer can make it back before the end of September, he will most likely return to the Marlins' bullpen as a reliever and not as a starter, which pretty much kills what little fantasy appeal Meyer might have had left. It is disappointing for fantasy managers who have been holding him after his excellent 2026 campaign before his neck injury. Meyer was a first-time All-Star this year, going 9-1 with a 2.68 ERA (3.50 FIP) and 1.13 WHIP with a career-high 121 strikeouts and 41 walks in 111 innings pitched across his 20 starts in just his fourth major-league season. Meyer is being rostered in just 60% of Yahoo leagues now and is not a must-stash down the stretch in redraft formats.

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Chicago Cubs outfielder Ian Happ (knee) was held out of the team's starting lineup for Monday's series opener in Milwaukee against the division-rival Brewers due to discomfort in his left knee, according to MLB.com. Happ is considered day-to-day for now with a minor injury, so fantasy managers should check back on Tuesday to see if the 32-year-old veteran is feeling good enough to return to action. With Happ sitting on Monday, Tyrone Taylor made the start in left field for the Cubbies. The switch-hitting Happ has hit .221/.326/.416 with a .743 OPS, 23 home runs, 64 RBI, 81 runs scored, and four stolen bases in 138 games across 577 plate appearances in 2026 in his 10th year in the big leagues with the Cubs. He needs just three more home runs to set a new career high in that category, but he has really struggled from the right side of the plate against southpaws, slashing .152/.226/.280 with a .506 OPS and only four of his 23 home runs in 138 plate appearances. Happ's power has also been down in the second half, with six homers and 22 RBI in 46 games compared to 17 homers and 42 RBI in 92 games in the first half.

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Cleveland Guardians rookie outfielder Chase DeLauter (wrist) missed another game in Monday's series opener against the Baltimore Orioles, but manager Stephen Vogt did say that DeLauter is "feeling a lot better." The 24-year-old left-handed hitter was scheduled to do some hitting before the game. DeLauter suffered a sprained wrist late last week, but he managed to avoid a significant sprain and is considered day-to-day. The Guardians are not expecting him to land on the injured list. Angel Martinez got another start in right field on Monday for Cleveland with DeLauter out. Fantasy managers will want to check back on Tuesday to see if DeLauter is feeling good enough to return to the starting nine. The former 16th overall pick has handled himself quite well in his first year in the big leagues in 2025, slashing .294/.365/.458 with an .823 OPS, 13 homers, 60 RBI, 10 stolen bases, and 56 runs scored across 120 games and 499 plate appearances. Even more impressively, he has hit .336 (47-for-140) with an .861 OPS in 154 plate appearances against left-handed pitchers.

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Detroit Tigers outfield prospect Zyhir Hope is off to an excellent start to his career in the Tigers system after a trade from the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Tarik Skubal deal. Hope has been off to a red-hot start with the Double-A Erie SeaWolves, with five homers and 20 RBI in 25 games in Erie to go with a .263 batting average and 16 runs with six stolen bases. The 20-year-old left-handed hitter is the No. 2 prospect in the Tigers system behind only Max Clark and was the headliner coming back in the Skubal trade. Prior to the trade, Hope had 23 homers and 87 RBI for Double-A Tulsa in the Dodgers' system with 18 stolen bases and a .283 batting average. Hope has elite five-category skills and is graded out with a 50-grade hit tool, 60-grade power, and 55-grade speed. While he might be a year or two away from the big leagues, Hope looks like a future fantasy stud.

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Texas Rangers top shortstop prospect Sebastian Walcott has hit three homers in his last five games with Double-A Frisco and is off to a red-hot start to September in what has largely been an injury-plagued season. The 20-year-old has recovered from a right elbow UCL tear and was activated from the 60-day IL in July. In 136 at-bats between two levels of the minors this season, Walcott is hitting .324 with nine homers and 19 RBI to go with 43 runs scored and nine stolen bases. The right-handed hitter is one of the best prospects in baseball and profiles as an elite shortstop in the future with a 55-grade hit tool, 65-grade power, and 50-grade speed. Look for Walcott to reach the Rangers' big-league club in 2027, with a start out of the gate in the majors not out of the question. This is a future fantasy superstar with five-category statistical skills to boot.

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