Lineup shifts across MLB this week signal value plays for fantasy managers. Atlanta leaned hard into Marcell Ozuna at designated hitter, riding nine straight starts and a .981 OPS with five homers in that stretch, while Michael Harris II has surged in the second half to a .398/.413/.732 line with nine homers, moving up to the fifth spot against right-handers in most recent games. Sean Murphy’s playing time has cooled with the DH being less available, and others like Drake Baldwin have seen splits in starts.

Miami’s Troy Johnston has dominated versus righties, starting 11 of 14, with Marsee showing league-winning potential since arriving and a two-hole stint that energized offense. The Mets have shuffled top of the order, with Lindor back leadoff and Nimmo up the order, while Brett Baty and Mauricio work for at-bats. Philadelphia has Bohm back in the cleanup spot, with Castellanos sliding in and Harrison Bader mixing in more against righties as Kepler’s slump persists.

Across the league, DeJong has started nine of 12 and hit third or fourth for Washington, Ian Happ has faced a positional shuffle in Chicago, and Arenado’s playing time is impacted by injuries in St. Louis. These trends create new buying opportunities for under-the-radar bats while signaling potential risk for players with fragile roles.

The St. Louis Cardinals face a depth test as Nolan Arenado, Willson Contreras, and Brendan Donovan are sidelined by injuries, leaving a playoff push stretched thin at 61–62. Offense has struggled, scoring just 15 runs over the last six games, including a home shutout against Colorado. With Contreras hobbling after a pitch hit to the foot, the team is weighing a quick return, potentially Sunday or Saturday as a pinch-hitter, while Contreras has shifted to first base this season to stay in the lineup.

Contreras is hitting .255 with a .787 OPS, 16 homers and 65 RBIs across 114 games, continuing to be a clubhouse voice even as he recovers. The Cardinals’ three injured stars underscore the need for reinforcements and smarter utilization of the depth chart as they remain in the postseason chase. They’ll head into a three-game set with the New York Yankees, hoping Contreras can return soon to stabilize the lineup and lift the offense when it matters most.

The Cardinals are in rebuilding mode after a hot start left them outside the playoffs, with 19 losses in 30 games and core pieces moved to new varieties of contention. Goldschmidt’s exit to the Yankees and Helsley’s trade to the Mets shift veteran leadership elsewhere, pushing St. Louis toward a chemistry-focused path as they chart next steps beyond 2025.

Yadier Molina returns to the dugout this weekend as part of the major-league coaching staff, a move Marmol says will benefit players, staff, and the fanbase. Molina’s presence is framed as a stabilizing force for a roster recalibrating around younger talents and a changing front office.

The Molina chapter underscores a larger arc: a Hall of Fame resume returning to influence a club that broke from its longtime core. Molina’s World Baseball Classic duties for Team Puerto Rico add another layer to his storied leadership arc. With Marmol’s contract year and Bloom potentially stepping in come 2026, the Cardinals face a pivot that could redefine how fantasy managers view the roster’s upside and risk.

From a fantasy lens, the outflow of Goldschmidt and Helsley tightens the Cardinals’ day-to-day offensive and bullpen certainty, while Molina’s return promises clubhouse stability and improved game-calling. Youth will be asked to rise, and a potential organizational shift could unlock new opportunities for breakout campaigns in 2026.

The St. Louis Cardinals have enjoyed favorable draft positions in recent years, securing top 10 picks and selecting shortstop J.J. Wetherholt, a standout from West Virginia. Wetherholt's stellar performance in the minor leagues has led to his recent call-up to Triple-A Memphis, where he has excelled with five home runs and nine RBIs over just 15 games. With Nolan Arenado sidelined due to injury, speculation surrounds Wetherholt potentially stepping up as a capable replacement. As the Cardinals' postseason hopes dwindle in a challenging 2025 season, giving Wetherholt a shot at the majors seems like a strategic move.

The St. Louis Cardinals are set to place star third baseman Nolan Arenado on the 10-day injured list due to a shoulder issue that has plagued him since early July. Despite his defensive prowess, Arenado's offensive performance suffered significantly, leading to a .175 batting average in July. His season batting average currently stands at .235, with 10 home runs and 43 RBIs. This injury marks only the fourth time in his 13-year career that he has been placed on the IL.

In a corresponding roster move, Nolan Gorman is expected to return from the 10-day injured list and take over the starting role at third base. Gorman, who has been on a rehab assignment, is looking to regain his momentum after a strong June. The Cardinals currently trail the San Diego Padres by five and a half games for the final NL Wild Card spot.