MLB Player News

Bryant was limited to just 10 games this past season before omnipresent back issues put him on the shelf for the rest of the year. The 33-year-old former NL MVP has played in just 170 of a possible 648 contests over the last four seasons since signing a seven-year, $182 million contract the Rockies. He was diagnosed with lumbar degenerative disease, a chronic back condition, back in April and underwent an ablation procedure a couple weeks later. He’s still experiencing pain while performing baseball activities, with the exception of swinging a bat, which puts his career in jeopardy. His long-term health is the much greater concern at this advanced juncture of his baseball life. Simply put, it seems highly unlikely that he’ll be an everyday player again. It’s possible the Rockies will make a decision on his future with the club this offseason once they decide on a new head of baseball operations since there are still three years and $78 million left on his albatross contract.

Basabe only got the start because Luis Arraez was scratched due to cramping in his calf. He made the most of it, however, socking a two-run homer off Walker Buehler and tying the game in the eighth with an RBI double off Mason Miller; giving Miller his first blown save of 2026. Basabe is a former intriguing fantasy prospect, but despite this strong effort, there’s no real reason to have fantasy hope in his bat.

With the scored tied at 5-5, Cronenworth poked a single to score Freddy Fermin to give the Padres the victory. It’s just the 14th RBI of the season for Cronenworth, and he’s disappointed throughout 2026 as seen in a .215/.309/.288 slash. He probably doesn’t care about that too much right now.

Miller came in to procure a four-out save, but he gave up an RBI double to Osleivis Basabe to tie the game at 5-5. It wasn’t his run so his ERA isn’t affected, but it is the first time that Miller has blown a save in 2026. He was excellent in the top of the ninth, however, and a walk-off single from Jake Cronenworth gives Miller a victory to help make up for the blown save. The 27-year-old is the subject of many a trade rumor, but wherever Miller pitches, he’s the best reliever in fantasy baseball.

Mahle gave up two runs in the first, two more in the fourth, and another in the sixth without recording an out. The strikeouts are nice. Everything else here isn’t what you’re looking for, and it’s disappointing after his strong six innings of shutout baseball in his previous outing. Assuming he’s still a part of the Giants, he’ll have a chance to rebound against the Tigers on Friday.

Buehler was shaky throughout the outing, and he allowed eight hits and two walks with just one strikeout. The former Dodger ace was awful in July with a 9.82 ERA, and August isn’t off to much better of a start. He’ll get a chance to get going again versus the Diamondbacks on Thursday, but fantasy managers should look elsewhere for a streaming option for that contest.

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports that the Dodgers will send outfield prospect Zyhir Hope and right-handed pitching prospects River Ryan and Brady Smith. It was initially reported that Emmet Sheehan was included, but multiple outlets have confirmed he’s not headed to Detroit. Skubal is inarguably one of the best pitchers in baseball and has won back-to-back Cy Young Awards for the Tigers, and he joins Los Angeles with a 2.79 ERA and 116/14 K/BB in his 16 starts this year. The pending free agent will join the loaded Dodgers’ roster as the new ace, and obviously, fantasy managers have no reason to believe he won’t continue to pitch at an elite level now that he’s in Los Angeles rather than Detroit.

Blanco gave up five hits, walked two and struck out four. The Astros had the lead in the fifth inning, but with Blanco making just his third start since returning from Tommy John surgery, he was pulled with two outs in the fourth inning after reaching 82 pitches. It might be some time before the organization lets Blanco throw enough pitches to work deep into games. He’s lined up to face the Padres on the road next Friday.

The Braves wanted to add an outfielder who could start against lefties, and Thomas fits nicely there, as long as they don’t get overexcited and start using him versus righties, too. Thomas has an .800 OPS against lefties and a .660 OPS against righties this year. For his career, he’s at .850 against lefties and .669 versus righties. The Braves didn’t have to part with any top prospects, so it’s a solid pickup. With Thomas in the mix, the Braves might move on from Eli White. Isaac Collins and Josh Rojas should get more time in Kansas City with Thomas out of the mix.

The Braves might see something here to think Falter will be useful down the stretch, but we’re guessing he’s mostly in the deal for salary purposes, as the Royals get to shed the rest of the $3.6 million he’s making this year. Falter had a 13.97 ERA in two starts and three relief appearances before getting dropped from the Royals’ roster in May. He’s since posted a 3.35 ERA in seven starts and 10 relief appearances for Omaha. He’d been working as a starter of late and had a 3.07 ERA in July, though that came with a 10/11 K/BB in 14 2/3 innings.