As the 2026 fantasy baseball season enters its final weeks, it’s important to savor every moment and remain engaged until league championships are decided.
Ketel Marte has returned to regular play following his August 31 injury list exit, missing just one game since. Corbin Carroll had an MRI on his back but is expected back in the lineup by Friday. Jordan Lawlar has been starting consistently against left-handers and selectively against right-handers since mid-August.
Athletics
Henry Bolte has excelled batting leadoff since August 18, solidifying his hold on center field even with Denzel Clarke’s return. His skill set makes him a valuable fantasy asset, and while his leadoff spot for 2027 isn’t guaranteed, it pairs perfectly with the home ballpark’s advantages.
Drake Baldwin has been in the lineup almost daily since coming off the injured list on June 16, mostly batting first or second—impressive for a catcher eligible player. Shortstop duties continue to be split between Ha-Seong Kim and Mauricio Dubón this September.
Coby Mayo is scorching hot against lefties lately, and while fans hope to see him everyday next season, platooning has been common for this team in recent years. Samuel Basallo’s disappointing age-21 season was hampered by lingering injuries, making a healthy offseason a hopeful sign for his future.
Roman Anthony has led off every game since his August 30 IL return, mainly serving as DH as Jarren Duran takes priority in left field. Trevor Story reclaimed his shortstop position fully after missing only one game since his return the same day as Anthony, despite Franklin Arias awaiting opportunity.
Ian Happ is platooned with Tyrone Taylor against lefties, a detail often overlooked unless you roster him. With Dansby Swanson’s impending return, Pedro Ramírez’s playing time will disappear.
Munetaka Murakami was moved from second to third in the batting order but has struggled, striking out over half his at-bats in September. Kyle Teel has started four out of six games behind the plate since returning from the IL, while Colson Montgomery will keep his dual eligibility at shortstop and third base in 2027.
Héctor Rodriguez once started against just one of seven lefties but has been a daily starter since August 25. The offseason strategies for this front office will be intriguing, especially with Eugenio Suárez poised for free agency if the team declines its option.
Travis Bazzana is regaining form but has sat the last four games against left-handed pitchers. Angel Genao has been the regular second baseman, also covering third base when José Ramírez is DH. Jo Adell has consistently hit third or fourth since August 15, while Nathaniel Lowe continues in his platoon role.
Zac Veen has not started against any left-handed pitchers since his August 11 recall and doesn’t start all games versus righties. Cole Carrigg has appeared in 15 games (eight starts) at shortstop, offering fantasy eligibility. Adael Amador has started seven of eight games since his call-up.
Dillon Dingler rarely received days off between May and June but has since sat five times amid a disappointing second half. Max Clark has started nearly every game since his late July debut. Spencer Torkelson’s diminishing role against righties late in the season raises concerns about his career trajectory.
Carlos Correa may not return until the last six team games but remains on the path back, likely recreating previous playing time issues. Yordan Alvarez has already set a new career high in plate appearances with over two weeks still left, a sign of his emerging durability after limited 2025.
Carter Jensen’s recent hot streak alleviates some critique of his leadoff role, which initially seemed an odd fit given his on-base percentage. Salvador Perez has not caught since August 12, prompting questions about his future workload behind the plate.
Christian Moore has started each game since August 22, and Josh Lowe maintains a platoon role. This lineup clearly needs more depth heading into the offseason.
Shohei Ohtani is headed to the IL, with Josue De Paula expected to fill in at DH. Tommy Edman has stepped into leadoff during Ohtani’s absence, while Teoscar Hernández continues a hot hitting stretch, making him a must-roster player.
Javier Sanoja has been a regular starter since August 22, offering valuable positional flexibility. Heriberto Hernández is closing the season with strong performances, and Jakob Marsee has heated up as well. Kyle Stowers leads off against righties, with Hernández taking that role versus lefties.
Christian Yelich starts regularly against right-handed pitchers but has seen reduced playing time versus lefties and will be a utility-only player in 2027. David Hamilton and Joey Ortiz split third base duties, with Ortiz taking occasional starts at shortstop from Cooper Pratt. Luis Lara has not played often enough to make a fantasy impact.
Luke Keaschall has hit leadoff in every game since August 17. Walker Jenkins bats ninth and has started in center field in nearly all games since his debut, including draws against lefties. Royce Lewis remains stagnant at 14 games (nine starts) at second base but boasts a perfect stolen base record this season and an excellent career mark.
Carson Benge anchors the middle of the order; A.J. Ewing has warmed up. This team features a blend of promising young players, aging veterans like Marcus Semien, and platoon-heavy lineups.
Aaron Judge is back and gradually regaining form, having started two of three games played. Ben Rice has seen minimal field time since early August. Heliot Ramos serves as a situational platoon player, while Anthony Volpe covered second base recently due to Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s injury.
Kyle Schwarber has logged six starts at first base, important in leagues requiring a five-start minimum for eligibility next year, though likely falling short of 10 by season’s end. Aidan Miller won’t make the majors this year but is rehabbing and worth monitoring for next season, especially with Alec Bohm becoming a free agent.
Konnor Griffin hit sixth in his first game back last Friday but has started mostly as a leadoff hitter since. Oneil Cruz sat against two of his first three left-handed matchups after returning from the IL but has started regularly in the last five games. Rafael Flores Jr. is taking most catching duties late in the season, also starting some games at first base.
Jackson Merrill has been outstanding in the second half, starting nearly every game since May 23. Ethan Salas has only started three of eight since his early September debut but is a high-upside player to watch in the offseason.
Drew Gilbert isn’t an everyday starter but leads off against righties when he plays. Bryce Eldridge struggled early but has regained form and has batted no lower than cleanup since the All-Star break. Christian Koss has been the regular shortstop since Willy Adames went on the IL.
Cal Raleigh shifted from the lower order earlier in the season to cleanup in September after heating up. Lazaro Montes starts against righties, platooning with Taylor Ward, whose fantasy value has diminished since the trade deadline.
Leo Bernal has started every game since debuting in early September, catching in six of nine games, while Ivan Herrera primarily serves as DH. This catching situation is worth monitoring with top prospect Rainiel Rodriguez on the way. Thomas Saggese has been an everyday player amid injuries to JJ Wetherholt and Masyn Winn, but Winn’s return may impact Saggese’s playing time, an important note for fantasy managers following his hot hitting.
Elsewhere, there is little change—key players regularly start with platoons filling the rest of the lineup. Chandler Simpson has rarely sat this second half, and Yandy Díaz has yet to play the field this season.
Ezequiel Duran ranks tied for sixth in MLB position-player fWAR and has started every position except catcher. Corey Seager returned from the IL on July 31 and has missed only two games since.
Brett Bateman has been their main leadoff hitter for a month. Time is running out for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to hit a home run at home this season.
CJ Abrams has played six games (five starts) at second base, making the race tight for leagues with a 10-start minimum next year. James Wood, back from injury, immediately resumed the leadoff role, moving Abrams back to cleanup.
Fan Take: Staying informed on player health and lineup changes during these closing weeks matters because it shapes the fantasy playoffs and informs offseason projections. For baseball fans, understanding how young stars emerge and veterans adapt offers insight into the evolving dynamics that will define the sport’s future.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
