Texas Rangers enter their final 11 regular-season games with five regulars sidelined and a tight return window. Bochy is balancing urgency with a practical rehab timeline as Mahle, Semien, Seager, Coulombe and Haggerty chase time on the field. Mahle’s four scoreless rehab innings keep him in rotation talk, Semien and Seager progress toward returns, Coulombe nears activation, and Haggerty’s ankle issue lingers. A critical series with Houston intensifies the fantasy stakes as roster depth and late-season pivots shape the playoff push.

Padres face a pivotal 2026 free-agent decision with Luis Arraez, a high-average leadoff threat acquired from Miami, entering the market. Arraez’s value hinges on batting average and on-base skills, but his power is limited and playoff performance will weigh heavily on any deal. San Diego must balance market price, years, and the window to win as they weigh re-signing Arraez against other roster moves, including Dylan Cease and Ryan O’Hearn.

The question isn’t just cost but fit: can Arraez anchor the lineup while preserving flexibility for a pitching staff that aims to contend with the Dodgers and others? A favorable AAV/term could keep the top of the order sharp; a steep price or long commitment could push the Padres toward a broader upgrade in the lineup and rotation.

Tarik Skubal escaped a scare with left-side tightness, and imaging showed no structural damage. The Tigers expect him to take the mound again Thursday against Cleveland, preserving Detroit's postseason pursuit with 12 games left. Skubal's season has featured Cy Young-type dominance, and his return would fortify Detroit's rotation and boost fantasy rosters counting on heavy innings from a true ace.

With a 2.26 ERA and 224 strikeouts in 29 starts, the 28-year-old has been a cornerstone for Detroit. His health is pivotal for October plans and for fantasy managers prioritizing volume and wins down the stretch.

Otto Lopez has surged to a .340 over his last 14 games, giving the Marlins another versatile, multi-category contributor as they head toward the fantasy playoffs, especially with a Coors Field trip on tap. Harrison Bader has heated up since joining the Phillies, batting .352/.410/.544 with expanding power at the top of the order. Verlander continues a late-season bump for the Giants, while Tanner Bibee delivered back-to-back quality starts, including a complete game, boosting late-season trust.

Ketel Marte and Eugenio Suárez have cooled in September, threatening middle-infield and corner-depth depth, while Aaron Nola and George Kirby battle inconsistency and tougher matchups. Managers must weigh rest-of-season risk against upside in a tight fantasy race, with several hot names and a few uncertain arms shaping last-week decisions.