AJ Smith-Shawver “possibility” for Thursday’s game

The Reds called up Will Banfield as a third catcher on Tuesday, making it easier to use Stephenson as a DH when he’s not behind the plate. Stephenson gets the nod against Matthew Liberatore today even though he’s hitting just .175 against lefties this season. The right-handed hitter actually has pretty bizarre splits. He’s slugging .458 against righties and just .228 against lefties, but he has a 76/20 K/BB in 273 plate appearances versus righties yet an excellent 15/17 K/BB in 74 plate appearances against lefties. With Stephenson DHing, Eugenio Suárez is playing third base and Ke’Bryan Hayes is on the bench.

Still no real news here. Marte is supposed to be undergoing an MRI on his left knee in Arizona, but he remains on the restricted list for now.

Rutschman DH’d when he didn’t catch Sunday, but this one will be a full day off. The Red Sox have Connor Wong behind the plate and Mickey Gasper DHing.

Larnach was replaced by Luke Keaschall in the leadoff spot Tuesday, but he still hit second then because Byron Buxton was resting. With Buxton back today, Larnach is hitting in the bottom half of the order against a righty for the first time since June 9. Larnach is 5-for-32 with just one walk and one run scored in his last nine games, and he’s definitely a weaker option in mixed leagues while batting lower in the lineup.

Sheets homered Sunday and singled and scored Monday, but he didn’t play Tuesday against a lefty and now he’s sitting in favor of Sung-Mun Song versus Robert Stock. The Padres have Manny Machado DHing today, but they could have used Sheets in left and Luis Regnifo in third. Instead, if’s Rengifo in left and Song at third.

Cortes will get an MLB deal, which makes sense considering the deal will be prorated and there’s not much season left. The southpaw has not pitched since 2025 after undergoing surgery in the middle of October that year. While he has a starting background, there isn’t much time for to build into that role. A muti-inning option out of the bullpen for the remainder of 2026.

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.

Bellinger will play Thursday for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. If that game — and likely at least one more contest — goes well, the 31-year-old could be back for the series finale Sunday against the Blue Jays. Even Bellinger needs a day or two more in the minors, it’s a positive development for the Yankees and fantasy managers.

Robert will get a break for the series finale against San Diego. Brett Baty will play in left field with Robert out, and A.J. Ewing will get the start in center.

Cortes has been out for all of 2026 while recovering from surgery on his left arm. There’s no guarantee that the 31-year-old will be able to pitch in 2026, but he could be a potential multi-inning option for the final month — and potentially the postseason — for Philadelphia.