San Diego Padres catcher Ethan Salas has gotten off to a slow start in the big leagues since making his MLB debut on September 2, as he's gone hitless in his first 10 plate appearances. Salas has also split playing time in the early going with fellow Padres catchers Luis Campusano and Freddy Fermin. However, the 20-year-old Salas is widely considered to be one of the top catcher prospects in all of baseball, so it could just be a matter of time before he takes over as the full-time backstop in San Diego. Across 405 plate appearances split between Double-A and Triple-A before his promotion, Salas hit .296/.374/.448 with 10 home runs, 61 RBI, 54 runs scored, and 17 stolen bases. Salas may struggle to get to significant power in his first taste of big-league action, but he's posted an impressive 11.6% walk rate while striking out in just 14.3% of his trips to the plate in the minors. In two-catcher formats, Salas could be worth targeting on the waiver wire just in case he takes over as the everyday catcher for the Padres down the stretch.

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Across 102 plate appearances since making his MLB debut in early August, Cincinnati Reds outfielder Hector Rodriguez is hitting .266/.324/.457 with five home runs, 12 RBI, and 14 runs scored. Swing-and-miss is a red flag in the 22-year-old's profile, as he's struck out in 28.4% of his plate appearances. With middling barrel (7.7%) and hard-hit (33.8%) rates, Rodriguez's underlying batted-ball metrics at the big-league level are not amazing either. However, the young outfielder put up monster power numbers in the minors this season before getting promoted, hitting 27 home runs across 455 plate appearances at Triple-A. He's also taken over as the Reds' everyday right fielder and should get an extended run to prove himself as the season winds to a close. Fantasy managers in search of power upside on the waiver wire may want to target Rodriguez.

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Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani (biceps/knee) is going on the injured list, according to Fabain Aradaya of The Athletic. Ohtani has been dealing with many lingering injuries and has been held out of the lineup for much of the past week. Additionally, Ohtani has not stepped on the mound since July 3 and has only been deployed as a designated hitter. However, this move to the injured list could end his regular season, depending on the severity of his injuries. In a corresponding move, the Dodgers are set to promote top prospect Josue De Paula from Double-A, who could see an everyday role as the designated hitter or an outfielder. Through 134 games, Ohtani has held a .277/.380/.522 line with 30 home runs and 11 stolen bases. Managers should continue to stash Ohtani in case he does return for the final week of the regular season. De Paula is a top waiver wire pickup in all formats, as he posted an elite .303 AVG with a .948 OPS at Tulsa.

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Padres' CF Jackson Merrill had six RBIs going 4-for-5 with two home runs in a 9-2 win over the Nationals on Wednesday, Sep. 9.

Dodgers' SP Yoshinobu Yamamoto recorded 10 strikeouts in 7 innings with the win in a 14-1 win over the Reds on Wednesday, Sep. 9.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are calling up top outfield prospect Josue De Paula, sources told Alden Gonzalez of ESPN. De Paula will be with the team on Friday for the start of a weekend series in Miami against the Marlins. Per MLB Pipeline, De Paula is ranked as the Dodgers' top prospect and the No. 6 overall prospect in baseball in 2026. The 21-year-old from Brooklyn will make his big-league debut down the stretch after hitting a strong .302/.400/.539 with a .939 OPS, 26 home runs, 101 RBI, 31 stolen bases, and 105 runs scored in 123 games and 583 plate appearances this year for Double-A Tulsa. The 6-foot-3, 185-pounder who hits from the left side has the type of power/speed upside that could play immediately down the stretch in September, and De Paula could see regular at-bats if two-way superstar and primary designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (knee, biceps) is placed on the injured list to heal up for the playoffs. He will most likely see time in L.A.'s outfield when he plays, moving Teoscar Hernandez to the DH role if Ohtani continues to miss time with nagging injuries. There is not much time left in the fantasy baseball season, but De Paula is an intriguing name being added to a strong Dodgers offense.

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Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Michael Soroka (shoulder) was activated from the 15-day injured list ahead of his team's game against the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday. The 29-year-old had been sidelined by a shoulder injury since August 22. Soroka has pitched well when healthy this season, entering play on Wednesday with an 8-4 record, 3.40 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 91 strikeouts across 95 1/3 innings (18 starts). However, Soroka was used out of the bullpen on Wednesday and may not work as a traditional starter down the stretch of the season. With Arizona battling tooth and nail for a Wild Card spot in the National League, the team may be looking to build him back up to a full starter's workload at the big-league level. If/when Soroka rejoins the Diamondbacks starting rotation, he profiles as a quality starting pitcher option for fantasy managers down the stretch.

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Kansas City Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia (hamstring) is expected to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Omaha on Thursday, per a team announcement. It's been a bit of a lost year so far for Garcia, who has been limited to just 309 plate appearances in 2026 due to hamstring and hand injuries. However, it appears that the 26-year-old is working towards a return before the end of the regular season. Across 666 plate appearances in 2025, Garcia hit .286 with 16 home runs, 74 RBI, 81 runs scored, and 23 stolen bases. Upon his return from a hamstring injury, Garcia may not be overly aggressive on the basepaths. Still, he profiles as an asset for fantasy managers as a run producer and a source of batting average when he's on the field.

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Boston Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy said that first baseman Willson Contreras (hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Portland on Friday, per Tim Healey of The Boston Globe. Contreras has been on the 10-day injured list since late August, but it appears he is making progress toward a return and could be back with Boston on Sunday or Monday. Contreras was having an excellent season before the injury, hitting .274/.384/.516 with 26 home runs, 79 RBI, 66 runs scored, and three stolen bases across 517 plate appearances. Once he returns to the big leagues, Contreras profiles as a must-start first base option for fantasy managers.

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Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that first baseman Freddie Freeman (knee) is dealing with a right-knee issue, per Fabian Ardaya. The Dodgers deployed Freeman as designated hitter on Tuesday, and the 36-year-old is out of the team's lineup completely on Wednesday. Freeman has put together another strong season in 2026, hitting .297/.375/.473 with 16 home runs, 66 RBI, 72 runs scored, and seven stolen bases across 600 plate appearances. However, Freeman has been slumping of late. He's logged just one hit in his last 20 plate appearances and has just one home run across 192 plate appearances since the All-Star break. With Freeman sidelined on Wednesday, Dodgers utility man Kike Hernandez is starting at first base and batting ninth in the team's matchup against the Cincinnati Reds.

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Boston Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy said catcher Adley Rutschman (elbow) received a cortisone injection in his right elbow on Monday and that the team expects him to be back in the lineup on Friday, per Tim Healy of The Boston Globe. It's not yet clear exactly what Rutschman is dealing with in his elbow, but it appears that the 28-year-old will likely be managing the issue in the immediate future. Across 359 plate appearances split between the Red Sox and the Baltimore Orioles this season, Rutschman is hitting .237/.315/.424 with 12 home runs, 56 RBI, and 39 runs scored. Rutschman has been on a hot streak in recent games despite the elbow injury, logging seven hits and three home runs across his last 24 plate appearances. Without him, Boston has deployed both Connor Wong and Mickey Gasper behind the plate.

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Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that designated hitter/starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani (knee, biceps) "didn't feel great" after a swing on Monday, per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. Per Ardaya, Roberts also said that a stint on the injured list for Ohtani "is on the table." The Dodgers have already announced that Ohtani will likely be shut down from pitching for the rest of the season as he battles nagging knee and biceps injuries. However, it appears that the 32-year-old may need some time off from hitting before the postseason as well. Ohtani has put together another excellent year at the plate, hitting .277/.380/.522 with 30 home runs, 80 RBI, 89 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases across 596 plate appearances. However, he's hit just .246 with a .799 OPS since the All-Star break and has one hit across 14 plate appearances in September. With the Dodgers locked into a postseason berth, the team will likely be cautious with Ohtani throughout the rest of the regular season.

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Milwaukee Brewers first baseman/outfielder Jake Bauers (shin) remains out of Wednesday's starting lineup against the division-rival Chicago Cubs at American Family Field while he manages shin splints, per MLB.com. Andrew Vaughn is starting at first base for the Brew Crew and will bat cleanup against Cubs veteran right-hander Kevin Gausman. It will be the third straight game that Bauers has been held out of as he continues to deal with shin splints. But with another day off coming on Thursday for travel, fantasy managers could get the left-handed slugger back for Friday's series opener versus the division-rival Cincinnati Reds. Check back then. The 30-year-old veteran has had a breakout year in 2026 with Milwaukee, slashing .268/.395/.490 with an .884 OPS, 24 home runs, 78 RBI, 82 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases across his 429 at-bats. Bauers hit .295 in 24 games in August, but he has struggled so far in September, going 2-for-17 with a homer, two RBI, 12 walks, and seven strikeouts in eight games. The Brewers' priority will be to have Bauers at 100% for the start of the playoffs in October.

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Kansas City Royals first baseman/outfielder Jac Caglianone (elbow) remains sidelined for Wednesday's contest against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks at Kauffman Stadium, according to MLB.com. John Rave will make the start in right field and will bat seventh for the Royals against Diamondbacks right-hander Zac Gallen, who is making his return from the injured list. Caglianone is dealing with a flexor strain in his left elbow and will miss a fourth straight start for the Royals. If he is not ready to return to the starting nine for Friday's series opener against the Boston Red Sox after another day off on Friday, the Royals may consider moving him to the injured list. That would be really bad timing for fantasy managers who are in the playoffs right now, as the 23-year-old left-handed slugger has turned into a must-start power bat in KC in his first full MLB season in 2026. Caglianone is currently hitting .283/.331/.494 on the season with an .825 OPS, 23 home runs, 70 RBI, 66 runs scored, and six stolen bases across his 474 at-bats.

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The Arizona Diamondbacks announced that they reinstated right-hander Zac Gallen (elbow) from the 60-day injured list, and he will make his return to the starting rotation for Wednesday's matchup on the road against the hosting Kansas City Royals. The 31-year-old veteran will rejoin the big-league roster as the D-backs continue their push for the final wild-card spot in the National League over the final few weeks of the regular season. Gallen has been sidelined for the last two months due to inflammation in his right elbow, and although the matchup is a tasty one in KC in his return, fantasy managers will not be running to the waiver wire to pick him up to start him on Wednesday. Before going on the IL, Gallen was struggling in 2026 for the Snakes, going 3-9 with a career-worst 6.34 ERA (5.31 FIP) and 1.56 WHIP with 61 strikeouts and 31 walks in 98 innings across 19 starts in his eighth year in the majors. Despite his return to the big-league roster, Gallen is currently rostered in only 27% of Yahoo leagues.

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Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson (foot) is not in the team's starting lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cleveland Guardians, according to MLB.com. Jackson Holliday is making the start at shortstop for the O's and is hitting fifth against Guardians left-hander Foster Griffin. Henderson will take a seat on Wednesday after fouling a ball off his foot in Tuesday's game against Cleveland. With Baltimore having a day off for travel on Thursday, fantasy managers should expect Henderson to return to the starting nine in Toronto for Friday's series opener against the Blue Jays. Henderson has 22 home runs on the season, but otherwise he has been a disappointment again for fantasy managers after his breakout 2024 campaign in which he hit 37 home runs, drove in 92 runs, and stole 21 bases in 159 games played. He enters play on Wednesday with a .219/.303/.395 slash line with a career-worst .698 OPS, 22 homers, 57 RBI, 10 steals, and 83 runs scored across 145 games and 647 plate appearances. Henderson has really struggled since the second half, hitting .208/.322/.376 with five homers, nine doubles, three triples, 14 RBI, 28 runs, three steals, 27 walks, and 41 strikeouts in 49 games.

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New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. (thumb) will require a stint on the injured list after suffering a sprained right thumb in Tuesday's game, according to Pete Caldera of The Bergen Record. Chisholm will not do any baseball activities for seven to 10 days. With the starting second baseman going on the shelf, shortstop Anthony Volpe is an option to be called up from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre for more middle-infield depth at the big-league level. The speedy Jose Caballero is starting at the keystone on Wednesday against the Colorado Rockies. It is bad timing for Chisholm to go down with an injury, but the good news is the Yankees just got All-Star slugger Aaron Judge back for the first time since a stress fracture in his rib in late May. Given the timing of Chisholm's injury, he may not be back for the Yankees in the regular season to close out September, and fantasy managers definitely should not expect him to help in playoff matchups. The 28-year-old leads the league with 40 stolen bases in 461 at-bats in 2026 while also slashing .232/.312/.403 with 19 home runs, 55 RBI, and 68 runs scored.

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New York Yankees infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. (thumb) is not in the team's starting lineup for Wednesday's contest against the visiting Colorado Rockies, per MLB.com. Chisholm will sit out after being pulled from Tuesday's series opener in the Bronx early due to a right-thumb injury that he suffered on a slide into second base. Jose Caballero will make the start at the keystone on Wednesday and will hit out of the nine-hole against Rockies right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano. As of now, fantasy managers should consider Chisholm to be day-to-day and check back on him on Thursday to see if he is available to return for the series finale against Colorado. The 28-year-old left-handed slugger and two-time All-Star is one of the best power/speed options in fantasy at the second base position, but he also has third base eligibility in Yahoo leagues. The seven-year veteran enters play on Wednesday with a .232/.312/.403 slash line, .715 OPS, 19 home runs, 55 RBI, a league-high 40 stolen bases, and 68 runs scored across his 134 games and 520 plate appearances. Chisholm's power has been down after hitting a career-high 31 homers in 2025 in his first year in the Bronx, but he has made up for it by tying his career high with 40 thefts.

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Cleveland Guardians rookie outfielder Chase DeLauter (wrist) is starting in right field and will bat second on Wednesday against the hosting Baltimore Orioles and right-hander Shane Baz, according to MLB.com. DeLauter is returning to the diamond on Wednesday after missing each of the last four games due to a sprained right wrist that he suffered late last week. Surprisingly, the rookie left-handed-hitting outfielder avoided a stint on the injured list and will be back in action at Camden Yards on Wednesday. Fantasy managers are hoping that the 24-year-old is not slowed down at the plate at all by his recent wrist injury. The former first-rounder has been one of the most consistent rookie hitters this year, slashing .294/.365/.458 with an .823 OPS, 13 home runs, 60 RBI, 10 stolen bases, and 56 runs scored across 445 total at-bats. DeLauter is coming off an excellent month of August, too, in which he hit .363 (29-for-80) with a .977 OPS, two home runs, four doubles, two triples, nine RBI, 17 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 22 games. Get him back into your starting lineup against Baz and the O's on Wednesday.

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St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn (thumb), who was activated from the 10-day injured list on Tuesday, was scratched from Wednesday's game against the San Francisco Giants with more soreness in his left thumb, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Thomas Saggese made the start at the 6 for St. Louis and was hitting seventh against Giants right-hander Blade Tidwell. It appears that Winn is not fully recovered from the fractured left thumb that caused him to miss over two weeks recently. If the Cardinals place him back on the IL, Winn will almost certainly miss the rest of the 2026 season. The 24-year-old has been a disappointment for fantasy managers in 2026 in his fourth year in the big leagues, as he is currently hitting .236/.312/.323 with a .635 OPS, only five home runs, 51 RBI, 10 stolen bases, and 49 runs scored across 123 games and 494 plate appearances. The former second-rounder has been really poor in the second half, hitting just .218 (26-for-119) with a homer, 15 walks, and 35 strikeouts in 36 games and 137 plate appearances.

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