Nationals designate Max Kranick for assignment

Natera is presumably done for the rest of the season. The 26-year-old southpaw emerged as a viable high-leverage option for Los Angeles this season, finishing with a strong 3.13 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 48/13 K/BB ratio across 31 2/3 innings. He also picked up three saves.

It appears to be a precautionary measure with Milwaukee having already wrapped up a playoff berth. It’ll be Luis Lara taking over in center field and hitting eighth in his place. There should be an update on his status following the contest.

It’s a tough break for fantasy managers in the middle of playoff matchups. However, all indications are that Sale, who was originally scheduled to start on Friday, is healthy and not dealing with any physical issues. It’ll be Tyler Mahle, Grant Holmes and Martín Pérez getting the ball against the Astros this weekend. Sale will face the Reds next week, which would put him in line to close out the season against the Marlins.

There’s zero incentive for the Rockies to rush back their primary offensive catalyst with nothing at stake in the final two weeks of the season. The positive news for fantasy managers is that Goodman hasn’t been placed on the injured list. He’ll sit out his second consecutive game due to right thumb soreness. He should be considered day-to-day for now. It’ll be Braxton Fulford getting the nod behind the dish in his place.

Messick struck out eight and didn’t walk anyone in the quality start. He was scoreless until the fifth, when Tommy Pham connected for a three-run homer, but those were the only runs Messick allowed. The left-hander leads rookie pitchers with 4.5 fWAR this season, and his 2.57 ERA ranks sixth among all qualified starters. He lines up for a road start at Fenway Park next time out.

Smith struck out two over 1 1/3 perfect innings, nailing down his 37th save of the year. The right-hander now has a pristine 2.09 ERA in 2026. Since August 1 of last season, his 50 saves lead all relievers, setting him up to once again be one of the earliest-drafted closers in 2027 fantasy leagues.

Kay allowed two hits and walked two before being pulled at 66 pitches. White Sox manager Will Venable has had a shorter hook with his starters recently, and the plan seemed to work until Hagen Smith faltered in his second inning out of the bullpen. Both runs Kay allowed came on a two-RBI single by Jo Adell. The lefty will carry a 4.41 ERA into his next matchup against the Royals on the road.

J-Ram has struggled badly since returning from a fractured hamate bone earlier this summer. Wednesday’s doubles were his first extra-base hits in September. While he has somewhat salvaged his fantasy performance with 33 stolen bases, his .230 batting average and lack of power have taken their toll on teams where he was a first-round selection. Determining to what degree his second-half struggles can be attributed to the injury will go a long way toward setting his 2027 ADP and bounce-back potential.

Adell drove in two with a third-inning single off Anthony Kay that put Cleveland up 2-0. He’s been an integral part of the Guardians’ lineup since being acquired from the Angels at this summer’s trade deadline, hitting second, third or fourth in every game since August 21. His 92 RBI are tied for the 11th-highest total among all hitters.

Pham was only in Wednesday’s lineup because he ran into GM Chris Getz in the elevator and made his case that he was ready to come off the IL. His three-run blast came off Parker Messick in the fifth inning and gave Chicago a 3-2 lead at the time. Before batting cleanup this afternoon, Pham had been 0-for-14 with seven strikeouts in the big leagues this season.