Robert Jr. (back) back from the injured list

Basallo’s return comes at a fortuitous time for fantasy managers with Baltimore kicking off a three-game series at high-octane Coors Field. He’s back in the lineup after missing Sunday’s game with a hand contusion. The 22-year-old backstop’s presence at DH pushes Christian Encarnacion-Strand to the bench with Blaze Alexander getting the nod at third base. Things are only going to get more crowded with Luis Robert Jr. coming over from the Mets off waivers in the next few days.

This is a bit of a surprise. Robert is hitting well in August, slashing .267/.321/.520 with six home runs, 10 runs scored, and 11 RBI; however, the Orioles have been getting solid production from Dylan Beavers, Colton Cowser, and Leody Taveras in the outfield. Their DH spot has also been filled by Coby Mayo since Christian Encarnacion-Strand has emerged as the regular third baseman. Somebody who is playing well is going to be bumped from the starting lineup now, and you have to wonder if this is a sign that the Orioles plan to pick up Robert’s $20 million team option for 2027.

It’s not unusual to see clubs place expensive veterans on waivers at this time of year to see if anyone else would be willing to take on the remainder of their contract. The 29-year-old slugger has three million remaining on his contract for this season, plus a $20 million club option for the 2027 campaign with a $2 million buyout, so the claiming team would be taking on $5 million in salary if planning on declining the option.

Mets interim manager Andy Green said Polanco would be “in a baseball progression” at the beginning of the spring. Polanco, who was signed to a two-year, $40 million deal last winter, will probably get another chance at first base next year once healthy, but the Mets will likely want to keep Jared Young around as protection.

That will officially rule him out for the season. The 33-year-old finished the season with a wretched .148/.201/.230 line in 145 plate appearances while dealing with Achilles and ankle injuries. He’s under contract for next year in New York, where he will again not be Pete Alonso.

While Ewing’s bat has been ice cold lately – .507 OPS over his last 30 games – he’s finally turned the corner as a base stealer. Two more here give him 13 since July 1st and he’s only been caught one time over that span.

Robert’s home run was his 10th of the year. He hit a solo shot off Chad Patrick in the sixth inning. Robert is 13-for-41 (.317) with six home runs and 11 RBI over his last 14 games. He’s hitting .232 with a .737 OPS and 23 RBI this season.

Benge’s home run was his 16th of the season. He hit a solo shot off White Sox reliever Tyler Schweitzer in the fifth inning. Benge’s home run gives him five home runs in his last 16 games and he’s 22-for-63 (.349) with 12 RBI in that span. He’s hitting .276 with a .761 OPS and 53 RBI this year.

Benge didn’t have the chance to throw out anyone on the bases today, so he had to find some other way to help the Mets win. The homer was his 15th of the year. Four of them have come while he’s hit .311 in 16 games this month.

Polanco was placed on the injured list before Wednesday’s game against the Padres with ankle bursitis. The 33-year-old has had a disastrous first season with the Mets that has seen him deal with injuries and ineffectiveness when available. If he does undergo the operation, it will all but assuredly mean he’s played his last game in 2026. That may be true, either way.