Shohei Ohtani (DH/SP-LAD) will be placed on the 15-day IL as he recovers from nagging knee and biceps issues. It's currently unclear whether the team expects the 32 year-old back before the regular season wraps up as he'll be eligible to return on September 24. Plagued by various health issues since the All-Star break, Ohtani has posted a pedestrian - by his standards - .277 average to go with 30 HR, 80 RBI, 89 R, and 11 SB across 596 PA. Despite the reduced production, his 80.5% in-zone contact rate is up from last year's 76.5% and matches 2024's figure. Quality of contact, while still good, is down noticeably, as his 51% hard-hit rate, 15.5% barrel rate, and average EV of 93 mph are down from last year's 58.5%, 23.5%, and 95 mph figures, respectively. Ohtani hasn't pitched since July 3, but was effective when on the mound, logging a 1.79 ERA, 10 K/9, 2.7 BB/9, and 3.23 xFIP across 85.2 IP, his highest total since joining the Dodgers. His advanced metrics - which include a 13.5% swinging-strike rate, 4% barrel rate, 34% hard-hit rate, and 52% groundball rate - are strong, but one wonders how much longer he'll keep taking the mound considering his advancing age and mounting injury concerns.
Josue De Paula (OF-LAD) will reportedly get the call to the majors in advance of Friday's series opener with the Marlins. The 21 year-old will therefore jump from Double-A to the majors after posting a strong .302 average to go with 26 HR, 101 RBI, 105 R, and 31 SB across 583 PA with Tulsa. In doing so, he commanded the dish really well with a 15% strikeout rate against a 13.5% walk rate, registering a lofty 85.5% overall contact rate and paltry 6.5% swinging-strike rate. Despite his speed grading as below average, De Paula has swiped bunches of bases throughout his minor-league career (including 32 last season and 27 in 2024). His hit tool also grades as below average, and he did hit .250 in 2025 and .268 in 2024. But there is no questioning his immense power, which has been on full display this season. Having just turned 21 earlier this summer, De Paula has been on the younger side for his level at each minor-league stop, which makes his work to date all the more impressive. Immediately add him wherever he's still on the waiver wire and look for him to be a hot name in 2027 fantasy drafts, and for good reason.
Austin Riley (3B-ATL) went 1-3 with an RBI and run scored in a 3-1 win over the Rays on Thursday afternoon. The 29 year-old has underwhelmed - to say the least - in 2026 as he now owns a .223 average to go with 16 HR, 67 RBI, 58 R, and 9 SB across 573 PA. Riley's 32% strikeout rate is his highest since he logged a 36.5% clip as a rookie back in 2019, as his 14.5% swinging-strike rate, 70.5% overall contact rate, and 32.5% chase rate are all among the worst of his career. Meanwhile, his quality of contact - while still good - has slipped as Statcast shows a 45% hard-hit rate, 12% barrel rate, and average EV of 91.5 mph, which are all down from last year's 50%, 15%, and 92.5 mph, respectively. After a couple of injury-shortened campaigns in 2024-2025, fantasy owners can fairly wonder if 2021-2023 was Riley's peak as he'll turn 30 soon after the 2027 campaign begins. There's still some fantasy potential here given his track record, but the stock is definitely down with no clear indicators of an impending rebound.
Nick Martinez (SP-TB) blanked the Braves over 6.1 IP on Thursday afternoon, yielding 2 hits and walking none while striking out 3 on 68 pitches (53 strikes). The 36 year-old righty continues to outperform his peripherals as he now boasts a 2.92 ERA, 5.3 K/9, 1.3 BB/9, and 4.48 xFIP across 166.1 IP this season. He's benefited from a .260 BABIP, 82.5% strand rate, and 8.5% HR/FB, although one can credit him for limiting the loud contact to a 33% hard-hit rate, 7% barrel rate, and average exit velocity of 87 mph. He just misses so few bats (8% swinging-strike rate) and yields so much contact in general (83.5%) and in the zone (91%) that the fantasy upside is limited. He's an auto-start against the banged-up Athletics next Thursday, but is only really interested in a harder-throwing Kyle Hendricks for 2027?
Zack Wheeler (SP-PHI) largely held the Astros lineup in check on Thursday afternoon, allowing just 1 ER on 5 H and 2 BB while racking up 9 K over 7 IP. The 36 year-old RHP kept the ball in the yard as he threw 71 of his 110 pitches for strikes in the contest. Even though his average fastball velo has slipped a full tick from last season to 95 mph this season, Wheeler has been every bit an ace in 2026 as he now boasts a 3.14 ERA, 10.8 K/9, 2.8 BB/9, and 3.10 xFIP across 143.1 IP. While one might see his peripherals slipping compared to 2025, that year was an outlier when one considers his career, as 2026's 13.5% swinging-strike rate, 82.5% in-zone contact rate, and 72% overall contact rate all remain better than his career averages (11.5%, 83%, and 76%, respectively). Meanwhile, Wheeler has logged a career-high 35.5% chase rate, perhaps in part because he's throwing his splitter a career-high 15.5% of the time (previous high was 9% last season). Meanwhile, his Statcast profile remains healthy with a 35% hard-hit rate (32.5% career), average exit velo of 87 mph (86.5 mph), and 6% barrel rate (6%). He's an auto-start at the Nationals next Wednesday and a top-10 SP for 2027 fantasy drafts.
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