The San Diego Padres are set to call up top catching prospect Ethan Salas from Triple-A El Paso when rosters expand on Tuesday, according to Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound 20-year-old backstop is ranked by MLB Pipeline as the Padres' top prospect and the No. 23 overall prospect in all of baseball. At the catching position, he is ranked as the No. 4 prospect, behind Rainiel Rodriguez (Cardinals), Vahn Lackey (Twins), and Alfredo Duno (Reds). Salas, who hits from the left side, has turned heads in 24 games with El Paso in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League, slashing .326/.410/.539 with a .949 OPS, three homers, 24 RBI, 13 runs scored, and three steals. He began the year at Double-A San Antonio and hit .286 (74-for-259) with seven homers, 37 RBI, 14 steals, and 41 runs scored in 72 games for the Missions. There are still mixed reviews as to how high a ceiling Salas has offensively, and it is unclear how much he will play in San Diego, which already has catchers Freddy Fermin and Luis Campusano on the major-league roster. Fantasy managers in redraft leagues should not be expecting fireworks from Salas in September.

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Chicago Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman went off at the plate for his second three-homer performance in the month of August in Monday night's 17-3 drubbing of the division-rival Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley Field. Bregman went 3-for-6 at the plate with three home runs and four RBI to boost his season average to .258 and his OPS to .785. The veteran third baseman also clubbed three home runs back on Aug. 12 in a 12-6 win over the Washington Nationals, when he went 3-for-3 with seven RBI and two walks. The 32-year-old veteran and three-time All-Star wraps up a very strong month of August with an incredible 12 home runs, 30 RBI, and a 1.025 OPS in 28 games played. Bregman got off to a slow start early in his first year on the North Side in Chicago, but he has been much better in the second half, as he entered Monday's series opener against Milwaukee with a .288/.361/.564 slash line, .925 OPS, 11 homers, 12 doubles, 32 RBI, 32 runs scored, and a stolen base in 40 games during August. If Bregman is half as good in September as he was in August, fantasy managers will be stoked.

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Boston Red Sox left-hander Garrett Crochet (shoulder, lat) has begun playing catch off a mound, per Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald. It's largely been a lost season due to injury for Crochet, who has pitched just 30 innings (six starts) in 2026 due to shoulder and lat injuries. However, the 27-year-old continues to progress towards a potential return before the end of the regular season. Crochet was one of the best pitchers in baseball in 2025, recording an 18-5 record with a 2.59 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, and 255 strikeouts across 205 1/3 innings (32 starts). While he may not be stretched out to a full starter's workload down the stretch of 2026, Crochet has experience working out of the bullpen and could be an impactful piece as a reliever for Boston. Fantasy managers in redraft leagues are unlikely to get much value from Crochet in 2026, but his draft stock entering 2027 would likely rise considerably if he's able to return and be effective in October.

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Seattle Mariners right-hander Bryce Miller is set to return to the team's starting rotation following right-hander Emerson Hancock's (groin) placement on the 15-day injured list, per Daniel Kramer of MLB.com. Mariners manager Dan Wilson said on Friday that Miller was temporarily being moved into a bullpen role. However, the injury to Hancock will move Miller back into the rotation before he made a single appearance out of the pen. Across 94 innings on the year, Miller has recorded a 4-8 record with a 4.12 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 92 strikeouts. While the 28-year-old's overall numbers are respectable, he struggled to a 9.00 ERA across 20 innings in August. Still, Miller has posted a solid 24.6% strikeout rate while walking just 6.6% of the batters he's faced this season. His next start is likely to come on Wednesday at Fenway Park against the Boston Red Sox.

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Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona announced on Monday that starting pitcher Chase Burns will be on an innings/pitch count restriction following his next scheduled start on Monday, September 7 against the Los Angeles Dodgers, per Joe Danneman of Fox 19 Cincinnati. After the start against the Dodgers, Burns will start games and then be followed by Reds left-hander Brandon Williamson. Burns has been one of the breakout success stories of the 2026 season, recording a 15-3 record with a 2.79 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 171 strikeouts across 145 1/3 innings (26 starts). The 23-year-old has averaged 97.7 miles per hour on his fastball while posting an excellent 28.9% strikeout rate. However, the Reds have all but been eliminated from postseason contention this season. It appears the team is looking to limit Burns' workload in an effort to keep him healthy long-term. Fantasy managers can still rely on Burns for solid ratios, but he may not provide many strikeouts or any wins in his final few appearances of 2026.

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Washington Nationals outfielder James Wood (oblique) will likely "play in at least one more rehab game" and "most likely won't be playing" for the Nationals on Tuesday, per Mark Zuckerman of Nats Journal. Wood has been on the 10-day injured list since early August due to an oblique injury. While Wood seems to be on the doorstep of a return to the big leagues, he's played in just one rehab game so far, and it appears the team wants him to log a few more minor league at-bats before activating him. Across 535 plate appearances before the injury, Wood slashed .265/.393/.535 with 30 home runs, 73 RBI, 100 runs scored, and 17 stolen bases. The 23-year-old's high-end production in 2026 is supported by his elite barrel (20.8%) and hard-hit (57.6%) rates. Upon his return, Wood has the ability to swing fantasy leagues in the season's final month.

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Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Joe Ryan (glute) is scheduled to make a rehab start with Triple-A St. Paul on Tuesday, per Twins beat writer Aaron Gleeman. Ryan has been sidelined since early August due to a glute strain, but it appears he could be nearing a return to the big leagues. Per Gleeman, Twins manager Derek Shelton said that the plan for Ryan is to throw around 45-50 pitches on Tuesday. Before the injury, Ryan recorded a 6-8 record with a 3.65 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and 138 strikeouts across 125 2/3 innings (23 starts). The 30-year-old has consistently allowed high home run rates throughout his career and has surrendered 1.22 HR/9 so far this season. However, Ryan has struck out 26.4% of the batters he's faced while posting just a 5.2% walk rate, good for an elite 21.2% K-BB rate. Once healthy, he profiles as a must-start fantasy pitcher.

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Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Kyle Bradish will make his next start on Tuesday against the Colorado Rockies, per Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun. Bradish had originally been in line to start against Colorado on Monday, but the Orioles recalled left-hander Cade Povich from Triple-A to make the start instead. Per Weyrich, it "remains to be seen" if the Orioles will operate with a six-man rotation going forward. Across 143 innings (26 starts) in 2026, Bradish has recorded a 7-12 record with a 4.03 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, and 133 strikeouts. The 29-year-old has struggled to a 5.40 ERA in August and allowed seven earned runs across 4 1/3 innings of work his last time out against the St. Louis Cardinals. Bradish missed most of the 2024 and 2025 seasons due to elbow issues, so Baltimore could be looking to get him some extra rest as he fights end-of-season fatigue.

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The Milwaukee Brewers announced on Monday that they reinstated right-handed reliever Abner Uribe (forearm) from the 15-day injured list and placed right-hander Bryse Wilson (back) on the 15-day IL in a corresponding move with a strained lower back. The 26-year-old Uribe missed the last three weeks with a forearm strain, but he is back now and should resume his late-inning setup duties in front of closer Trevor Megill the rest of the way in 2026. Uribe only has six saves in his fourth year in the majors, but he has been lights-out once again in a high-leverage bullpen role, going 4-2 with a 2.05 ERA (3.08 FIP) and 1.03 WHIP with 48 strikeouts and 18 walks in 48 1/3 innings pitched over 49 appearances out of the bullpen for Milwaukee. The Dominican hurler comes into Monday's action tied with Tyron Guerrero and Alex Vesia for 18th among MLB relievers with 18 holds, so he clearly has some value in fantasy leagues that reward points for holds. Uribe is currently rostered in just under half of Yahoo leagues.

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New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said on Monday that it is possible that outfielder Aaron Judge (rib) returns for the team's next homestand, but the skipper is not putting a date on it, according to Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News. The Yankees return home for their next homestand next Tuesday, Sept. 8, for a series against the Colorado Rockies in the Bronx. The 34-year-old three-time MVP and eight-time All-Star was recently cleared to begin a hitting progression, but he will likely need to go on a minor-league rehab assignment before he is reinstated, considering he has not played in the majors since May 31 due to a stress fracture in his rib. Judge has league-winning power upside when he is healthy, but he will only have a few weeks to do damage to close out the 2026 regular season. Before his rib injury, he was hitting .248 (53-for-214) with 17 home runs, 38 RBI, 43 runs scored, and five stolen bases in 59 games played. Judge hit 50-plus home runs in the previous two seasons with well over 100 RBI as well, but 2026 has been derailed by his rib injury.

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The Miami Marlins promoted middle-infield prospect Jared Serna from Triple-A Jacksonville on Monday, according to Milb Central. Serna will take the roster spot of infielder Xavier Edwards (thumb), who landed on the 10-day injured list. Javier Sanoja made the start at the keystone for Miami in Monday's series finale against the division-rival Washington Nationals, but Serna could get some run at second base as well until Edwards is ready to return. The 24-year-old Mexican native gets the call to the big leagues after slashing .221/.303/.378 with a .681 OPS, 12 home runs, 48 RBI, 14 stolen bases, and 40 runs scored across 91 games and 336 plate appearances with the Jumbo Shrimp. Serna is not considered a top-30 prospect for the Fish at MLB Pipeline, and although his power/speed numbers have been impressive at Triple-A in 2026, his struggles making contact could really be exposed at the major-league level if he sees enough playing time. Only fantasy managers in deep NL-only leagues should be looking at Serna as a potential waiver-wire pickup for short-term middle-infield depth.

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Washington Nationals middle infielder CJ Abrams (back) has been scratched from the starting lineup on Monday against the division-rival Miami Marlins due to back tightness, according to Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic. Nasim Nunez is starting at shortstop and is batting eighth, while Jorbit Vivas will make the start at second and hit sixth versus Marlins right-hander Ryan Gusto. The Baltimore Banner's Kyle W. reports that manager Blake Butera said on Monday that Abrams is going to be closer to a 50/50 split between shortstop and second base for the rest of the season. Butera said that Abrams has played a "lights-out shortstop" over the past couple of weeks. Fantasy managers should consider the 25-year-old to be day-to-day for now and check back on his status before Game 2 of the series against Miami on Tuesday. The former first-rounder and two-time All-Star has been one of the most valuable shortstops in fantasy in 2026, and he will soon be gaining second base eligibility. Abrams came into Monday's series opener with a .267/.343/.506 slash line, an .849 OPS, a career-high 29 home runs, 92 RBI, 26 stolen bases, and 81 runs scored across 131 games. His first 30-30 campaign is well within reach as long as his back injury is not serious.

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Baltimore Orioles first baseman Pete Alonso (head) is starting at first base and is batting second for Monday's series opener on the road at Coors Field against the Colorado Rockies and right-hander Tanner Gordon, per MLB.com. Alonso had an injury scare in Sunday's series finale against the Athletics when he was hit on the bill of his helmet by a pitch and forced to leave early. The right-handed slugger was just fine, though, and he is right back in action to begin the new week in the thin air in Denver. Fantasy managers will want to make sure to keep the 31-year-old five-time All-Star in their starting lineups in a hitter-friendly environment. In his first season with the O's, Alonso is slashing .270/.360/.503 with an .863 OPS, 32 home runs, 91 RBI, 84 runs scored, and five stolen bases in 515 at-bats. He continues to be an elite source of power and run production and is looking to finish August on a high note after hitting .343 (35-for-102) with nine homers, three doubles, 22 RBI, and 16 runs scored in the first 27 games during the month.

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Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz (quadriceps) is serving as the designated hitter and is batting second for the Reds in Monday's series opener against the visiting San Diego Padres and right-hander Michael King at Great American Ball Park, according to MLB.com. Matt McLain will start at shortstop and bat seventh. Fantasy managers had a scare in Sunday's series finale at Wrigley Field against the division-rival Chicago Cubs when De La Cruz was pulled early with tightness in his left quad, but he will be back a day later as the DH. Even if the 24-year-old Dominican switch-hitter is not as aggressive on the base paths on Monday, he needs to be in all starting fantasy lineups in traditional leagues. The two-time All-Star is a five-category contributor and is currently slashing .271/.350/.479 with an .828 OPS, 21 homers, 60 RBI, 24 stolen bases, and 81 runs scored across 468 at-bats this year. De La Cruz will be looking to finish off August on a strong note. He has gone hitless in just five career at-bats against King.

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The Miami Marlins announced on Monday that they have placed infielder Xavier Edwards (thumb) on the 10-day injured list with a sprained left thumb and recalled infield prospect Jared Serna from Triple-A Jacksonville in a corresponding move. Edwards will go on the IL for the first time this season after injuring his thumb on a tag attempt in Sunday's game against the division-rival Washington Nationals. Until he can return, the Fish could use a combination of Serna, Javier Sanoja, and Leo Jimenez at the keystone in Miami. In the series finale against the Nats on Monday, Sanoja will start at second and bat cleanup against left-hander Will Dion. The 27-year-old Edwards, a switch-hitter, needs to remain stashed in most fantasy baseball leagues for his speed on the basepaths and his high average (.282). Edwards currently has a .282/.361/.376 slash line, .737 OPS, six home runs, 51 RBI, 59 runs scored, and 20 stolen bases across his 500 at-bats in 2026. Edwards continues to be a zero in the power department, and he has not homered since May.

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The Boston Red Sox announced on Monday that they placed first baseman Willson Contreras (hamstring) on the 10-day injured list with a strained left hamstring and recalled catcher/first baseman Mickey Gasper from Triple-A Worcester in a corresponding move. Gasper will start at first base and bat second for the BoSox in their series opener on Monday at Fenway Park against the Seattle Mariners and right-hander George Kirby. Contreras was pulled from Sunday's series finale against the New York Yankees with tightness in his hamstring, and he will now miss at least the next 10 days. The 34-year-old Venezuelan reportedly had been playing through the issue for around a month, which helps explain why he went 3-for-27 (.111) with two walks and eight strikeouts in his last seven games. Overall, Contreras has been one of Boston's most consistent offensive producers in 2026 in his first year with the team, though, slashing .274/.384/.516 with a .900 OPS, 26 homers, 79 RBI, 66 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 434 at-bats. Fantasy managers must keep the four-time All-Star stashed in all formats.

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The New York Mets are calling up outfield prospect Nick Morabito from Triple-A Syracuse on Monday, per MLB Pipeline. Morabito, who is considered the team's No. 13 prospect at MLB Pipeline, is getting another call to the big- league roster after hitting .254/.355/.388 with a .743 OPS, 13 home runs, 47 RBI, 42 stolen bases, and 73 runs scored across 114 games and 507 plate appearances in the International League. The 23-year-old right-handed hitter and former second-rounder in 2022 appeared in five games for the Mets earlier this year and went hitless in 12 plate appearances with no walks and nine strikeouts. It remains to be seen how long Morabito will stick around in Queens this time, but with Luis Robert Jr. now in Baltimore, he could be an option for outfield starts when the Mets face a left-handed pitcher. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues who are still looking for speed could look to add Morabito, but they should not expect much in the way of power. Morabito is not rostered yet in any Yahoo leagues.

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Pittsburgh Pirates rookie shortstop Konnor Griffin (finger) will start his next minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday, Sept. 1, according to Dominic Campbell of Sports Illustrated. Griffin is eligible to come off the 60-day injured list on Sept. 4, but it is unclear if the Pirates will be ready to bring him back by then. The young shortstop is ready to move to Indy after playing with Double-A Altoona over the weekend. He is attempting to return from a torn sagittal band on his left ring finger that has kept him sidelined since July 6. The 20-year-old former ninth overall pick in 2024 has the chance to be a perennial All-Star at the 6 for years to come, and he hit .276/.332/.404 with a .736 OPS, five home runs, 25 RBI, 20 stolen bases, and 35 runs scored in his first 59 major-league games across 247 plate appearances before injuring his finger. When Griffin returns, he will play regularly at shortstop to close out the 2026 campaign. Fantasy managers looking for power/speed upside at the 6 need to stash Griffin ASAP. He is currently rostered in 68% of Yahoo leagues.

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The Baltimore Orioles are claiming outfielder Luis Robert Jr. off waivers from the New York Mets on Monday, multiple people familiar with the situation told Chelsea Janes of SNY. The Mets gave up quickly on Robert after bringing him in to be their center fielder last offseason. He has played in only 58 games in 2026 due to a lumbar spine disc herniation in his back, and he has unsurprisingly struggled to a .223/.303/.399 slash line with a .702 OPS, 10 home runs, 23 RBI, 24 runs scored, and two stolen bases in 218 plate appearances. The Orioles will pay the remaining $5 million in salary that Robert is owed this year, and they will have a $20 million team option for 2027 that comes with a $2 million buyout. The buyout is more likely for the 29-year-old Cuban slugger unless he turns things around drastically in the final month of the regular season in Baltimore. Robert had 38 home runs, 80 RBI, and 20 stolen bases in 2023 with the Chicago White Sox, but that is the only season since debuting in 2020 in which he has capitalized on his power/speed potential. He is currently rostered in 43% of Yahoo leagues.

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The Boston Red Sox are pushing right-hander Sonny Gray's next start to Saturday in Baltimore against the division-rival Orioles to give him nine days of rest, according to Tim Healey of The Boston Globe. It takes away a potential two-start week for his fantasy managers. Gray is not dealing with anything physically, but the BoSox want to give their ace a little extra breather with the final month of the regular season coming. The 36-year-old veteran has been excellent in 2026 in his first year in Beantown, going 16-4 with a 2.82 ERA (3.54 FIP) and 1.18 WHIP with 128 strikeouts and 37 walks in 143 2/3 innings pitched across 25 starts. His 16 wins lead the league. Gray stumbled to end the month of July, allowing nine earned runs in his last two starts of the month against the Toronto Blue Jays and Athletics, but he turned it around in August, going 3-2 with a 2.40 ERA (3.28 FIP) with seven walks and 30 strikeouts in 30 innings over five starts. Saturday will be Gray's first outing against the O's, a team that is middle of the pack in OPS but with the fourth-most strikeouts in the league. Gray should be in all starting fantasy lineups this weekend.

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