Hello, Razzpeeps!
Welcome to the late season injury apocalypse. As we discussed in the last edition of injuries, we’ve seen some injury spikes that indicate we are exactly where we are in the season. As you dig deeper in this article, just pretend you are entering various circles of Dante’s Hell.
We’ve got enough “no timetable” updates to fill a season’s worth of uncertainty, but I won’t leave you with just bad news. Several players we covered in earlier editions have quietly returned to action.
Let’s go.
Updates From Last Time
Let’s check in on the players from our August 20 edition.
Pitchers:
- Shane McClanahan (SP, TBR) – Back in the rotation (no pun intended) after back tightness resolved
- Nathan Eovaldi (SP, TEX) – Elbow inflammation, started pitching progression but timeline still uncertain
- Max Fried (SP, NYY) – Elbow bone bruise, Fried returned; also a potential Aaron Judge return soon but also maybe not; who knows anymore
- Garrett Whitlock (RP, BOS) – Elbow inflammation resolved, active again
- Abner Uribe (RP, MIL) – Forearm flexor strain cleared; rocked some lederhosen in the minors but back in time to play the Cubs
- Devin Williams (RP, NYM) – Shoulder strain recovered, no timetable for return and playing catch
- Trey Yesavage (SP, TOR) – Knee surgery recovery, was expected to throw off the mound yesterday (there were no updates at the time of publication).
Abner Uribe on a minor league rehab in the best damn uniform I’ve ever seen
— Steve (@iamtherealsteve.bsky.social) 2026-08-29T20:43:56.688Z
Hitters:
- Juan Soto (OF, NYM) – Calf strain resolved, back in lineup
- James Wood (OF, WSN) – Oblique strain complete, back in lineup
- Dansby Swanson (SS, CHC) – Grade 2 oblique strain, if he comes back, it likely wouldn’t be until the postseason or close to it.
- Ketel Marte (2B, ARI) – Personal issues and knee are sort of okay; back in a DH role; Corbin Carroll dealing with back issues but playing through it; so look out for that
- Riley Greene (OF, DET) – Hamstring strain resolved, activated
- Masataka Yoshida (DH/OF, BOS) – “Significant” hamstring strain (source); so he’ll be out a while; maybe the rest of the season
- Maikel Garcia (3B, KC) – Grade 1 hamstring strain, may not be back this season
- CJ Abrams (SS, WSH) – Ankle issues and back tightness cleared, back in action
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (1B, TOR) – Concussion symptoms resolved, back at it
- Hunter Goodman (C, COL) – Shoulder strain cleared, back at it; hit a homer in his first game back
Hopefully, the news has been mostly good for you.
The Triage Report: Hitters
Willson Contreras (1B, BOS) – Strained Hamstring
IL: 10-Day | Eligible: 09/10 | Status: Expected back or shortly after.
What happened: Contreras strained his hamstring in late August. Luckily, it’s not a serious strain, and he could be back around his eligibility time frame or maybe a few days after.
Current outlook: Hamstrings can be unpredictable, and Contreras wants to be healthy before the playoffs. Not great for your roster, but in real life, it makes sense.
Fantasy impact: High. Contreras has been slumpy since the All-Star break. However, he still may be a cornerstone player in your league.
Replacements:
- Jeff McNeil (1B/2B, ATH) – In the last 30 days, McNeil is hitting .323/.347/.484 with 3 HR, 15 RBIs, and 5 SB. He’s 54% rostered in RCL leagues.
Byron Buxton (OF, MIN) – Hip Impingement
IL: 10-Day | Eligible: 09/06 | Status: No timetable
What happened: Buxton’s hip has been an issue through his career, and the issue has gotten bad enough that he will likely undergo hip surgery this offseason.
Twins general manager Jeremy Zoll said last week that hip surgery "is definitely a potential option" for Byron Buxton.Good scoop from @nightengalejr.bsky.social, who got Buxton to confirm he'll need surgery but is waiting to see if he can play again this season: www.startribune.com/minnesota-tw…
— Aaron Gleeman (@aarongleeman.bsky.social) 2026-09-03T13:25:26.889Z
Current outlook: Buxton shared he may try to play through his hip injury if able to return as long as Minnesota has a chance at the playoffs.
Fantasy impact: Moderate to high. Buxton was having a solid season when healthy (.254/.315/.486 this season), but he’s been on the IL three times since the beginning of July.
Replacements:
- Javier Sanoja (2B/3B/OF with SS on Yahoo, MIA) – 41% rostered in RCL. Sanoja hit .355/.440/.565 with 33 H, 3 HR, 16 RBIs, 3 SB, and 6 BB in 99 PA. The down side is in the same last 99 PA, his BABIP is .375. So, Sanoja is great to stream, but keep an eye out for consistency.
Willy Adames (SS, SFG) – Sprained UCL
IL: 10-Day | Eligible: 09/03 | Status: Questionable for 2026 season
What happened: This injury affects Adames’ non-throwing elbow. Nevertheless, you may notice the “Questionable for 2026 season” above.
Current outlook: He needs 3-4 weeks minimum to cover, but with the Giants being out of the playoff picture, it may be the end of the 2026 road.
Fantasy impact: High. Terrible timing even if it’s not his best season.
Replacements:
- Trevor Story (SS, BOS) – 69% rostered. Another case of a BABIP being wildly high, but in his last 16 PA, Story has 7H and 4 RBIs. Is this sustainable? Probably not!
⭐️ #RedSox Trevor Story ties a career high with a double in 4 straight games (5th time), first time since July 29-August 2, 2025.
— RSNStats LIVE! (@live.rsnstats.com) 2026-09-02T21:28:52.554454Z
Luis Rengifo (2B/3B/OF, SDP) – Torn Knee Ligament (ACL)
IL: 60-Day | Eligible: 10/29 | Status: Out for 2026 season
What happened: Well, there goes all of my plans. I think it goes without saying that ACL tears are nearly always season-enders in September.
Current outlook: He’s done for 2026 and likely some of 2027.
Fantasy impact: Immediate drop. They couldn’t let him get too hot, I guess.
Replacements:
Javier Sanoja and Jeff McNeill could work here too. Angel Martinez (CLE) is another option here: .320/.370/.520 and 11 HR in his last 82 PA.
Xavier Edwards (2B/SS, MIA) — Sprained Thumb (Left)
IL: 10-Day | Eligible: 09/10 | Status: Potential mid-September return
What happened: Edwards suffered a left thumb sprain in late August.
Current outlook: This isn’t a serious injury, luckily. So, he should be back close to the eligibility date.
Fantasy impact: High. Edwards is universally rostered. While he may not have the most power, he makes contact regularly.
Replacements:
- Taylor Walls (SS, TBR) — 1% rostered with 97 PA in the last 30 days, slashing .253/.323/.349 and 6 SB. Like Edwards, the power isn’t the best, but the contact is there.
The Triage Report: Pitchers
Emerson Hancock (SP, SEA) – Strained Adductor
IL: 15-Day | Eligible: 09/13 | Status: No timetable
What happened: Groin strains aren’t great because they affect pitching mechanics.
Current outlook: As you’ve seen throughout the season, groin strains can linger. However, Hancock is scheduled to throw tomorrow. So it can’t be that bad? We will find out more of a timeline after that.
Fantasy impact: Moderate. Hancock is a decent starter but not irreplaceable. His absence leaves you with room to explore.
Replacements:
- Zebby Matthews (SP, MIN) – 68% rostered. In his last 31 IP, he’s thrown 7.0 K/9 and 1.7 BB/9. Other options could be Keider Montero or Randy Vasquez.
Derek Shelton was booed when he pulled Zebby Matthews in the ninth inning of the Twins’ 5-1 win. Shelton laughed afterward and understood. “They wanted to see exactly what I wanted to see.” More on Zebby’s dominant game/month, snapping a four-game losing skid: www.startribune.com/minnesota-tw…
— Bobby Nightengale (@nightengalejr.bsky.social) 2026-08-30T21:52:47.096Z
Michael Soroka (SP, ARI) – Shoulder/arm Inflammation
IL: 15-Day | Eligible: 09/07 | Status: No timetable
What happened: Soroka hit the IL last week with this issue.
Current outlook: Soroka was expected to throw 60 pitches in a sim game yesterday (after the time of publication). We will learn more about a timetable after that.
Fantasy impact: Moderate to high. Soroka was having a decent year but is injury-prone, having just returned from a glute strain.
Replacements:
- Hayden Wesneski (SP, HOU) – 79% rostered. In his last 34 IP over the last 30 days, Wesneski has a 7.7 K/9 and 3.2 BB/9. However, he has 21.8% strike out in that same time period. Due for regression, though. So keep an eye out.
Hayden Wesneski against the White Sox: 7 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K, 90 pitches, 58 strikes, 37 swings, 7 whiffs, 78.7 (!) mph average exit velocity. Wesneski has thrown seven innings twice in his seven starts since Tommy John surgery. His ERA is 3.18
— Chandler Rome (@chandlerrome.bsky.social) 2026-09-03T01:51:06.352Z
Ryan Weathers (SP, NYY) – Strained Forearm Flexor
IL: 15-Day | Eligible: 09/07 | Status: No timetable
What happened: Forearm flexor strain is annoyingly vague, and it can be anything from a minor tweak to a serious structural problem.
Current outlook: It’s possible Weathers will return before the end of the season, as there was no structural damage found through his MRI.
Fantasy impact: Moderate. Weathers is helpful as a rotational depth piece.
Replacements:
- Martin Perez (SP, ATL) – 38% rostered in RCL leagues. In his last 23.7 IP, he’s had 16 K, 9.8 K/9, 2.68 ERA, 3.49 FIP.
Martín Pérez allows only 1 hit in a masterful performance against the Nationals 🤩
Pete Fairbanks (RP, MIA) – Arm Median Nerve Irritation
IL: 15-Day | Eligible: 09/09 | Status: No timetable
What happened: Median nerve irritation is something Fairbanks also dealt with last season. He’s shared he has numbness in his fingers, hand, and arm (source).
Current outlook: Fairbanks received injections and rested a few days, but he is throwing off the mound again. Still, his timetable is absent.
Fantasy impact: High if you need saves.
Replacements:
- Gregory Soto (RP, PIT) – Soto is only 47% rostered. He serves a set-up role. So you may get holds, but he also closes sometimes and has 14 SV this season. This season he’s thrown 59.7 IP, 69 K, 10.4 K/9, 3.6 BB/9, 3.17 ERA, and 3.27 FIP.
Secondary Impact & Monitoring
Here is a rundown of some bench players:
Huascar Brazobán (RP, CHW) – Strained Lat | IL: 15-Day | Eligible: 09/09 | Update: Rehab assignment. Low-usage reliever but perhaps you have him in the deep leagues.
Fernando Cruz (RP, NYY) – Partial UCL Tear | IL: 15-Day | Eligible: 09/09 | Update: No timetable.
Peyton Gray (RP, TEX) – Elbow Inflammation | IL: 15-Day | Eligible: 09/09 | Update: No timetable. Another elbow!
Roki Sasaki (SP, LAD) – Blister (Right Middle Finger) | IL: 10-Day | Eligible: 09/01 | Update: Expected to return soon but in a bullpen role at some point.
It seems to be a matter of when, not if, Roki Sasaki moves to the bullpen.dodgerblue.com/dodgers-weig…
— DodgerBlue.com (@dodgerblue1958.bsky.social) 2026-09-01T00:15:03.985Z
Jeremiah Estrada (RP, SDP) – Shoulder Impingement | IL: 15-Day | Eligible: 09/09 | Update: No timetable.
Gustavo Campero (OF, LAA) – Strained Hamstring | IL: 10-Day | Eligible: 09/03 | Update: No timetable.
Everson Pereira (OF, STL) – Hand Contusion (Left) | IL: 10-Day | Eligible: 09/01 | Update: No timetable. Hand injuries linger.
William Kempner (RP, MIA) – Elbow Surgery | IL: 60-Day | Eligible: 11/03 | Update: Out for season. Another TJ candidate.
Sam Hentges (RP, SFG) – Strained Forearm | IL: 15-Day | Eligible: 09/09 | Update: No timetable. Forearm strain in relievers is common late season.
Bryse Wilson (RP, MIL) – Strained Lower Back | IL: 10-Day | Eligible: 09/02 | Update: No timetable. Back strains can linger.
Endy Rodríguez (C/1B, PIT) – Hip Surgery | IL: 60-Day | Eligible: 11/03 | Update: Out for season. Hip surgery is serious.
Beyond the 300ish top players, there’s a critical mass of elbow inflammation (Peyton Gray, Fernando Cruz), shoulder issues (Jeremiah Estrada), and soft tissue problems (Huascar Brazobán’s lat, Bryse Wilson’s back). Some of these are accumulated workload issues surfacing in shoulders and elbows.
Luckily, most of these players are relief arms or depth pieces rather than cornerstone pieces.
The Takeaway
It is almost the endgame for the fantasy baseball season, and the injury landscape reflects that for us. Workload is catching up with pitchers in particular, with soft tissues injuries on the hitter side.
Keep an eye on the “no timetable” updates, as some may not be available until post-season or even next season. And possibly the next next season.
I’m Keelin, and I am sorry to aggregate all this bad news. You can find me on Bluesky at keelin12ft.bsky.social.
This column focuses on injury situations that meaningfully affect fantasy baseball decisions. It is not a complete injury ledger or a prediction of exact timelines. Teams are often vague, information changes quickly, and this is best viewed as a snapshot of where things stand.
