San Diego Padres catcher prospect Ethan Salas has excelled since being promoted to Triple-A El Paso in late July, now hitting .319 with three home runs and a .948 OPS through 19 games with the Chihuahuas. What's more is that the Padres' top-ranked prospect has walked (10) more times than he has struck out (eight) while being one of only a few 20-year-olds at that level. The left-handed hitter came into professional baseball as a highly-ranked prospect, but after a disappointing 2024 and an injury-marred 2025 in which he logged only 10 games, he had fallen outside the top 100 prospects, per MLB.com. However, the youngster has risen all the way back up to No. 23 overall in 2026 and is now on the doorstep to the majors. While a debut this season is likely a long shot, it isn't out of the question, so fantasy managers should keep tabs on the 20-year-old, as he offers an advanced approach with decent pop at the catcher position. His dynasty arrow is finally pointing up again after some uncertainty over the last couple of years.

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New York Mets pitching prospect Jonah Tong had another solid outing in his latest start, tossing 5 2/3 innings of scoreless ball, yielding three hits and two walks while striking out three. The Mets' fifth-ranked prospect owns a 1.26 ERA and 1.26 WHIP over his last three starts as he attempts to make a case for a return to the majors. Last year, the right-hander led all minor leaguers with 179 strikeouts, and his 29.9 percent K-BB% was the highest among pitchers with at least 100 innings pitched, but he has not seen the same success in 2026, with a lower strikeout rate and a higher walk rate, leading to an underwhelming 13.8 percent K-BB% in 100 IP at Triple-A this season. The 6-foot-1 hurler has also not been very effective in his two stints in the majors between last year and this year, but perhaps this recent three-game stretch is a sign of maturation and development. Still, even though the 23-year-old could find his way back to New York before the end of the season, he doesn't warrant stashing in most fantasy leagues.

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Cincinnati Reds infielder Edwin Arroyo is starting to pick up the pace at Triple-A Louisville, now 13-for-36 (.361) over his last 10 games for the Bats, including three doubles and three home runs. The former second-rounder was also hitting well earlier this year, which earned him a promotion to the big-league club back in early June, now with a .314/.377/.557 slash line with 15 home runs and 13 steals in 70 games with Louisville. The switch-hitter's hot hitting didn't quite translate to the majors, batting .244 (exactly league average) but with just a .286 on-base percentage, .282 slugging percentage (zero home runs), and one stolen base. Even so, there is enough power and speed to make him intriguing for fantasy if he can somehow put it together the next time he's recalled, so fantasy managers in very deep leagues should monitor for any developments, although he is not necessarily a stash target at this time.

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MLB.com's Christina De Nicola writes that there are a number of arms that Miami Marlins manager Clayton McCullough could turn to for saves if closer Pete Fairbanks (hand) ends up missing time with a nerve issue in his hand. Righty Tyler Zuber took over for Fairbanks on Monday against the Boston Red Sox and allowed a run on two hits in one-third of an inning for the loss. In addition to Zuber, Calvin Faucher, Tyler Phillips, Josh Ekness, and Michael Petersen could all be options to work the ninth inning going forward if Fairbanks lands on the injured list. All of the aforementioned relievers have picked up saves in 2026 for the Fish, but none of them have more than two saves on the year. McCullough hasn't tipped his hand as to whether there will be one arm that he leans on more than others in the event that Fairbanks misses extended time, leading us to believe that it will most likely be a frustrating closer-by-committee situation that fantasy managers will have a tough time navigating. Faucher and Petersen might be the best speculative additions in very deep fantasy leagues for managers who are desperate for saves late in the year.

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San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado (finger) has a bruise on the inside of his index finger, manager Craig Stammen told Annie Heilbrunn of The San Diego Union-Tribune. Machado's finger gets irritated when he hits a ball off the end of his bat. "He's got a little sleeve that he's going to wear now, and hopefully it's not something that lingers for very long," Stammen said. In the 3-2 extra-innings loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates at Petco Park in the series opener on Monday, Machado went 0-for-3 at the plate with two walks to drop his season average to .215 and his OPS to .711. While the 34-year-old seven-time All-Star and three-time Silver Slugger winner is hitting well below his career norms, he still does have 24 home runs, 72 RBI, and 65 runs scored in 129 games across 551 plate appearances in his 15th year in the league. His finger injury could be impacting his performance at the dish of late, as Machado has gone 18-for-82 (.220) with only one home run, a double, seven RBI, nine runs scored, and a steal in 22 games in August. It sounds like he will be in the lineup for Game 2 of the series against the Bucs on Tuesday evening in San Diego.

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The St. Louis Cardinals are placing shortstop Masyn Winn (thumb) on the 10-day injured list on Tuesday with a thumb injury that he suffered last Tuesday against the Cincinnati Reds, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. In a corresponding move, the team is calling up infielder Nolan Gorman from Triple-A Memphis before the series opener against the Baltimore Orioles, according to a source. With Winn out, JJ Wetherholt will man the 6 in St. Louis. We should have a better idea of how much time the 24-year-old Winn might miss after the results of his MRI exam and CT scan come back, but he will be out until at least the start of September when rosters expand. Winn has been a disappointment in 2026 in his third full year in the majors, slashing a weak .238/.314/.326 with a .641 OPS, only five home runs, 51 RBI, 49 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases across 122 games and 490 plate appearances. As a result, he is rostered in just 32% of Yahoo leagues now.

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It has been a rough 2026 season for Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh, but he had a bright spot in Monday night's 9-2 win over the visiting Philadelphia Phillies, going 3-for-3 at the plate with three home runs, four RBI and a walk. It was the 29-year-old left-handed slugger's first three-homer performance of his career and his first multi-homer showing of the season. Despite the monster game at T-Mobile Park, the Big Dumper is still slashing only .167/.282/.336 with a .618 OPS, 17 home runs, 51 RBI, 31 runs scored, two stolen bases, and a 30.9% strikeout rate in his 408 plate appearances in 2026. The poor season comes after Raleigh was a first-time All-Star and finished second in the American League MVP voting just last year after he finished with a league-high 60 home runs and 125 RBI in 159 regular-season games played. Raleigh can still make a power impact for fantasy managers down the stretch this year, but he almost certainly will finish shy of the 30-homer mark for the first time since his first full year in the league in 2022.

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After opening 2026 in a bullpen role, Texas Rangers right-hander Cal Quantrill was moved back into the team's starting rotation on a mostly full-time basis in late June. The 31-year-old is currently in the midst of a hot streak on the mound, as he's recorded a 3-0 record with a 0.92 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, and 28 strikeouts across his last five starts. Quantrill's numbers for the year overall are impressive as well, as he's pitched a 2.90 ERA and 1.14 WHIP across 83 2/3 innings (27 games). His 17.3% strikeout rate is well below-average, but he's shown an ability to generate more whiffs during his recent run of success as a starter. Quantrill has benefitted from a 76.7% strand rate and a .255 opponent batting average on balls in play, so fantasy managers should expect his numbers to regress to some degree going forward. Still, Quantrill profiles as a quality starting pitcher streamer ahead of his next scheduled start against the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday.

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Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Clay Holmes missed nearly three months this season after suffering a fractured fibula in mid-May. However, the 33-year-old has been highly effective when healthy, recording a 5-6 record with a 2.49 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 50 strikeouts across 68 2/3 innings (12 starts). Holmes has also pitched well since being acquired by Chicago from the New York Mets at the trade deadline, pitching to a 2.81 ERA across his first 16 innings (three starts) with the Cubs. Holmes is a ground-ball specialist who pitches to contact, so fantasy managers should not expect high-end production in the strikeout department. However, the veteran right-hander's pitch efficiency allows him to work deep into games, which gives him a good chance to rack up wins while pitching in Chicago. In leagues where he is not already rostered, Holmes profiles as an obvious waiver wire target.

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Across 104 plate appearances since being promoted to the big leagues in mid-July, Baltimore Orioles infielder Christian Encarnacion-Strand has hit .229/.272/.458 with six home runs, 22 RBI, eight runs scored, and one stolen base. Once considered a top prospect in the Cincinnati Reds farm system, Encarnacion-Strand has some clear flaws at the plate. He rarely walks (4.8% walk rate) while also striking out too much (26.9% strikeout rate). The 26-year-old is also only seeing partial playing time at third base in Baltimore, as the team also occasionally deploys infielder Coby Mayo at the hot corner. However, Encarnacion-Strand has posted an excellent 17.1% barrel rate this season, demonstrating his high-end power upside. His work in the big leagues is a continuation of his strong performance in the minors, as he hit 19 home runs across 297 plate appearances at Triple-A this season before being called up. For deeper league managers in need of power, Encarnacion-Strand profiles as a worthy waiver wire target.

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Across 56 2/3 innings (60 games) this season, Athletics left-hander Hogan Harris has recorded a 3.65 ERA, 1.52 WHIP, 75 strikeouts, and 13 saves. The 29-year-old's elevated WHIP is largely due to his 13.5% walk rate. However, Harris mitigates the damage of his free passes to some extent with his stellar 29.0% strikeout rate. Most importantly for fantasy managers, Harris appears to have established himself as the A's preferred ninth-inning option at this point in the season. Four of his 13 saves have come in August, and he's pitched in the ninth inning in six out of his last seven appearances. While fantasy managers should be prepared to absorb some ratio damage, Harris profiles as a quality source of both strikeouts and saves to target on the waiver wire in deeper league formats.

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Across 28 1/3 innings (30 games) in 2026, San Francisco Giants right-hander Dylan Smith has recorded a 2.86 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 36 strikeouts, and three saves. Smith has begun to see some save opportunities since the trade deadline, recording two saves in his last seven appearances. The 26-year-old's 11.5% walk rate is slightly elevated, but he's struck out 29.5% of the batters he's faced in 2026. Smith has also done a nice job of limiting hard contact, allowing just 0.64 HR/9. San Francisco also has a pair of veteran relievers in Sam Hentges and Jason Foley who could be capable of working in the ninth inning, so fantasy managers may not want to expect Smith to see every save opportunity for the Giants. However, Smith profiles as the highest upside option of the group and has a chance to emerge as the closer in San Francisco over the final month of the regular season.

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Across 73 plate appearances since being promoted from Triple-A earlier this year, Pittsburgh Pirates catcher/first baseman Rafael Flores Jr. is hitting .266/.356/.594 with six home runs, 14 RBI, and 10 runs scored. The 25-year-old has struggled with swing-and-miss, striking out in 30.1% of his plate appearances. However, his underlying batted-ball metrics suggest elite power upside, as he's logged a 19.0% barrel rate and a 45.2% hard-hit rate. Flores Jr. has also demonstrated an ability to get on base that provides him with a high floor at the plate. He's posted a 12.3% walk rate in the big leagues and recorded a 16.7% walk rate across 276 plate appearances at Triple-A before getting promoted. Flores Jr. is not known as a plus defender behind the plate, which held down his prospect stock during his time in the minors. Still, Pittsburgh has been willing to try him out at first base, which gives him a higher playing time ceiling than most catchers. In leagues where he's not already rostered, Flores Jr. has clear waiver wire appeal.

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Nationals' CF Daylen Lile had five RBIs going 3-for-5 with a home run in a 13-3 win over the Rockies on Monday, Aug. 24.

Miami Marlins right-hander Pete Fairbanks (hand) was removed from his appearance on Monday night against the Boston Red Sox due to nerve irritation, per Stephen Strom of the Marlins Radio Network. Fairbanks entered the game in the ninth inning with the score tied 2-2, but he walked the lone batter he faced and was promptly removed from the game. It's been a season to forget for the 32-year-old, who has recorded a 6.02 ERA and 1.31 WHIP across 40 1/3 innings (44 games). Fairbanks has had stretches of usefulness for fantasy managers, as he's still recorded 18 saves and posted a stellar 32.4% strikeout rate. However, he's been prone to blow-up outings and could now be headed for his second stint on the injured list in 2026. If Fairbanks misses time, Marlins right-hander Calvin Faucher could see the majority of Miami's save chances.

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Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Joe Ryan (glute) will throw a live, one-inning bullpen session on Wednesday, per Dan Hayes of The Athletic. Ryan has been on the injured list since early August due to a glute strain. While the 30-year-old appears to be making progress towards a return to the big leagues, Hayes reports that Twins manager Derek Shelton said Ryan will need to appear in minor league rehab games before he can be activated. Across 125 2/3 innings (23 starts) in 2026, Ryan has recorded a 6-8 record with a 3.65 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and 138 strikeouts. The right-hander's slightly inflated ERA is due to his tendency to allow home runs, but his 21.2% K-BB rate remains elite. Once healthy, Ryan remains a must-start fantasy starting pitcher.

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San Diego Padres right-hander Nick Pivetta (forearm) is set to make a rehab start with Single-A Lake Elsinore, per Annie Heilbrunn of The San Diego Union-Tribune. Pivetta is currently on the 60-day injured list due to a flexor strain and last pitched for the Padres in mid-April. He previously made a start with Lake Elsinore on August 4, but was pulled early and had his rehab assignment put on pause. Roughly three weeks later, it appears Pivetta is feeling good enough to get back on the mound for live game action. The 33-year-old has had a lost season due to injury in 2026, but he was extremely productive in his first year with the Padres in 2025. Across 181 2/3 innings (31 starts), Pivetta recorded a 13-5 record with a 2.87 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and 190 strikeouts. If he can make his way back to the big leagues, Pivetta could impact fantasy leagues in the final few weeks of the regular season.

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Detroit Tigers outfielder Riley Greene (hamstring) was on the field at Comerica Park doing conditioning work before his team's game against the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday, per Evan Woodbery of MLive Media Group. Greene last played on August 11 and is currently on the 10-day injured list due to a hamstring strain. He had been rehabbing at the Tigers' team facility in Florida during Detroit's most recent road trip, but it appears he's back with the team and could be getting closer to a return to the field. Across 492 plate appearances in 2026, Greene is hitting .273/.366/.450 with 16 home runs, 54 RBI, 65 runs scored, and three stolen bases. While Greene's overall numbers are down from his banner 2025 campaign, he's still posted excellent barrel (14.6%) and hard-hit (48.3%) rates. Once healthy, he profiles as a must-start fantasy outfielder.

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Athletics catcher Shea Langeliers (knee) has begun both hitting and throwing progressions, per Martin Gallegos of MLB.com. Langeliers has been on the injured list since late July after undergoing surgery to repair the meniscus in his right knee. However, the 28-year-old appears to be tracking toward returning before the end of the regular season. Across 416 plate appearances before the injury, Langeliers hit .263/.332/.497 with 23 home runs, 51 RBI, 55 runs scored, and two stolen bases. With a 14.9% barrel rate and a 45.6% hard-hit rate, Langeliers profiles as one of the top power-hitting catchers in all of baseball. The A's are completely out of playoff contention, which could lead the team to be relatively cautious with their star backstop. Still, Langeliers is a must-start fantasy catcher as soon as he returns to the big leagues.

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Cleveland Guardians rookie outfielder Chase DeLauter (hamstring) was scratched from Monday's starting lineup against the Los Angeles Angels with tightness in his left hamstring, according to Tim Stebbins of MLB.com. It is the same issue that cropped up during the team's last homestand that caused DeLauter to miss some time. Angel Martinez is starting in right field for Cleveland and is hitting sixth against Angels right-hander George Klassen at Angel Stadium. Fantasy managers need to pull DeLauter from their starting lineups on Monday and hope he can return for Game 2 of the series in Anaheim on Tuesday. We will consider the left-handed slugger to be day-to-day until further notice. DeLauter is rostered in just over 70% of Yahoo leagues in what has been a productive first year in the big leagues. The former first-rounder came into the new week hitting .288/.363/.450 with an .813 OPS, 13 home runs, 59 RBI, 52 runs scored, and nine steals in 413 at-bats. He has been red-hot in 17 August games, going 23-for-66 (.349) with two homers, two doubles, two triples, eight RBI, 14 runs scored, and three stolen bases.

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