In The Field
3B Jedd Gyorko is expected to come off the D.L. on Saturday after recovering from a left groin strain. Gyorko is likely to find himself in bench role or some sort of semi-regular playing time which is a big drop to his fantasy value. C Yadier Molina left Wednesday nights game with what is being described as a minor hamstring injury and is considered day-to-day. OF Jason Heyward has not resumed baseball activities as he tries to return from a hamstring injury. He has had a solid bounce back year from an offensive perspective with a .275/.342/.399 triple slash in addition to playing excellent defense. OF Jarrod Dyson is going to be out for the remainder of the season after having surgery on his right abductor. 3B David Wright is going to go through a simulated game at Citi Field in front of Mets officials as they try to determine his next steps. Wright wants to make it back to the majors before the end of the season but Mets officials don't believe that this is going to happen. C Matt Wieters hasn't started in seven games for the Nationals. He was dealing with a hip/groin injury but has appeared as a pinch hitter three times which makes it seem like the Nationals are taking a look at their other options in Spencer Kieboom and Pedro Severino. 3B Maikel Franco had an MRI done on his right wrist and it showed no structural damage. He has started to hit off a tee and should be back fairly soon if his wrist responds well to swinging the bat. Franco has put together a solid year after a disappointing 2017 season. C Elias Diaz (hamstring) hasn't started a game since August 31st. OF Gregory Polanco is going to miss the remainder of the season with a deep bone bruise in his knee and a shoulder injury after a very awkward slide. Polanco made strides this year in terms of his approach at the plate with a career high 11.4% walk rate which also helped produce a career high .245 ISO.
On The Mound
The Brewers have not provided a report on Jimmy Nelson (shoulder) since the middle of August so it is safe to assume that he will not return in 2018 which will make him a very interesting player during draft season next year after missing the entire 2019 season. Michael Wacha (oblique) had a rehab start on Friday and how he responds afterwards will determine the next steps for his recovery. Adam Wainwright (elbow) will be starting Monday against the Pirates which is a feel good story for Cardinals fans but for fantasy owners he is past his prime and doesn't offer much value outside of deep NL-only leagues. Drew Smyly (shoulder) threw a simulated game on Tuesday. He is going to be in the Cubs bullpen once he is activated but he reportedly feels great and it will be nice to get some eyes on his velocity and stuff prior to draft season next year. Walker Buehler (foot) had precautionary x-rays done and he is expected to make his next start. Ross Stripling (lower back) has made it back to the big league club but he is going to continue to pitch out of the bullpen for the remainder of this season. Jeremy Hellickson (wrist) threw a 50-pitch simulated game on Sept. 7 and is scheduled for a bullpen on Sunday. There is talk that he may join the bullpen for the rest of the season when he does come back which would kill his already somewhat low fantasy value. Chad Kuhl (forearm) is throwing bullpens and Pirates management/ownership want to see Kuhl in live action before the end of the season to how his elbow responds to the stress of game action.
In The Bullpen
Arodys Vizcaino (shoulder inflammation) has been sent on a rehab assignment at Class A. The Braves will continue to use A.J. Minter in the 9th until Vizcaino comes back and shows that he is healthy. The Cubs are unsure if Brandon Morrow (bicep) is going to make it back this year. He is playing catch but hasn't been able to progress towards mound work. This leaves Pedro Strop as the Cubs closer for the rest of the year. Kenley Jansen (heart condition) did not make the trip to Colorado after his doctor recommended for him to not do so. He will be ready and available for the Dodgers next matchup. Anthony Swarzak (shoulder inflammation) was activated on Saturday. It will be interesting to see if Robert Gsellman remains that Mets primary closer or if Swarzak gets an opportunity or two. The bottom line is that the Mets are struggling to win games so there probably aren't going to be many saves chances the rest of the way. Amir Garrett (foot) is scheduled to throw to hitters on Saturday and if everything goes well he will be activated afterwards. Bud Norris is no longer the Cardinals primary closer. They are going to a committee. This means that Jordan Hicks is likely to continue to see save chances and Carlos Martinez has a chance to see work late in games as well. The Phillies closer role is still fluid with Tommy Hunter and Pat Neshek getting save opportunities with Seranthony Dominguez pitching in the eighth. Brad Boxberger is struggling mightily but manager Terry Lovullo did give him a vote of confidence but we could still see Brad Ziegler or Yoshihisa Hirano get an opportunity if Boxberger continues to struggle.
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