The Boston Globe's Tim Healey reports that Boston Red Sox left-hander Garrett Crochet (shoulder) is tracking towards being ready for the wild-card round of the postseason in early October. Although Crochet threw a 16-pitch bullpen session last Friday, he is unlikely to pitch in either the majors or minors before the playoffs begin. The 27-year-old southpaw has been sidelined for over three months due to left-shoulder and lat issues, with his shoulder being the more troublesome injury in 2026. Crochet should begin facing live hitters soon, but the BoSox are not going to rush him back and hope to have him available as a reliever out of the bullpen if they make the postseason. After finishing second in the American League Cy Young voting in 2025 in his first year in Beantown, Crochet only managed to make six starts for fantasy managers in 2026 while recording a 6.30 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, and 37 strikeouts across his 30 innings pitched. It is a disappointing end to an injury-plagued season, with fantasy managers now in the clear to drop Crochet in redraft leagues.

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St. Louis Cardinals rookie infielder JJ Wetherholt (wrist) swung the bat on Monday before the team's game against the San Francisco Giants and is hoping to be activated from the 10-day injured list during the team's upcoming homestand that runs from Friday, Sept. 11, through Sunday, Sept. 20, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. It appears that the anti-inflammatory injection that Wetherholt received recently helped with his right-wrist tendinitis. With St. Louis' homestand kicking off this weekend, it does not look like the Cardinals will require Wetherholt to go on a short minor-league rehab assignment. The 23-year-old former seventh overall pick from West Virginia University has had a strong rookie campaign in 2026 and has been the Cardinals' primary second baseman all year. He will return to a .242/.343/.370 slash line with a .713 OPS, 17 home runs, 48 RBI, 88 runs scored, and 14 stolen bases in his 505 at-bats. It has been a struggle for Wetherholt in the second half, possibly because of the wrist issue he was playing through, as he has hit only .201 (31-for-154) with four homers, four doubles, 12 RBI, 30 runs, five stolen bases, 23 walks, and 31 strikeouts in 40 games since the All-Star break.

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Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (knee, biceps) said it is "disappointing" that he likely will not pitch again this year, but he is focused on hitting the rest of the way, according to Katie Woo of The Athletic. "The thing I was more focused on was to make sure that the pitching wouldn't cause the worst-case scenario, which was for me to not be able to play at all," Ohtani said. "I should have enough experience to address any kinks or injuries with the swing. I'm confident my overall performance should be better moving forward." After a four-game absence as the designated hitter due to recurring left-knee and right-biceps injuries, Ohtani returned in the series opener on Monday against the Cincinnati Reds and went 0-for-3 with a walk and two strikeouts. It seems unlikely that the 32-year-old four-time MVP will land on the injured list in the final month of the regular season, but the Dodgers could choose to rest him more frequently so that he is closer to 100% for the playoffs. Ohtani is hitting .277 (139-for-502) this year with 30 homers, 80 RBI, 89 runs scored, and 11 steals, but it is clear that playing through his knee and biceps injuries has slowed him down offensively of late. He hit .241 (26-for-108) with a .795 OPS in August, and he is 1-for-9 with six strikeouts so far in three games in September.

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Athletics catcher Shea Langeliers (knee) took batting practice on the field on Monday and is scheduled to run the bases on Tuesday, according to MLB.com. Langeliers is running out of time, but he is still hopeful of returning before the end of the 2026 regular season at the end of September after tearing the meniscus in his right knee. He was placed on the 10-day injured list on July 26 and underwent a meniscectomy at the end of July. Fantasy managers should not be surprised if Langeliers does not make it back before the end of the season, as the A's are not in the playoff race and have no incentive to rush the All-Star catcher back to close out the year. Before Langeliers tore his meniscus, the 28-year-old was one of the best catchers in fantasy with 23 home runs, 51 RBI, 55 runs scored, two stolen bases, and a .263/.332/.497 slash line across his 376 at-bats. He came shy of back-to-back 30-homer seasons, but Langeliers is one of the best power options at the catcher position and has reached 22 home runs in all four of his full big-league seasons.

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New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said on the Talkin' Yanks podcast that Yankees fans should expect outfielder Aaron Judge (rib) to be eased back in and subbed out early in some games before playing a full nine innings. The Yankees reinstated Judge from the 60-day injured list on Monday, and he is expected to make his return in Tuesday's series opener in the Bronx against the Colorado Rockies, although he might not play the full game. Despite being out since late May due to a stress fracture in a rib on his right side, the three-time MVP did not go on a minor-league rehab assignment. Fantasy managers should expect some rust at the plate, but Judge is still a must-start whenever he is in the starting lineup for his elite power potential. The 34-year-old eight-time All-Star and five-time Silver Slugger was slashing .248/.375/.533 with a .907 OPS, 17 home runs, 38 RBI, 43 runs scored, and five stolen bases in 214 at-bats at the time of his rib injury in late May. Although Judge may need to knock off some rust and be eased in, he could be a difference-maker during the fantasy playoffs.

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Dodgers' SP Emmet Sheehan recorded 10 strikeouts in 5.2 innings with the win in a 6-3 win over the Reds on Monday, Sep. 7.

Philadelphia Phillies' SP Jesus Luzardo recorded 12 strikeouts in 9 innings getting the win in a 1-0 win over the Braves on Monday, Sep. 7.

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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