Dodgers claim Buddy Kennedy off waivers to add a reliable multi‑positional bat to their 40‑man roster after Max Muncy landed on the injured list with an oblique issue. Kennedy, 26, has bounced among five teams in roughly a year and has appeared in 60 MLB games since 2022, slashing .193/.288/.300 with 2 homers and 19 RBI over 140 at‑bats. His ability to play 1B/2B/3B gives Los Angeles a flexible depth option as they navigate injuries and roster needs. After Blue Jays signed him to minor league deals in July, Kennedy now lands with the Dodgers, presenting a potential benched‑depth path to occasional at‑bats and a more defined role if injuries persist.

Kennedy’s journey through Detroit, Toronto, and beyond, combined with his defensive versatility, makes him a sleeper in deeper fantasy formats. While the .193/.288/.300 line is unimpressive, Kennedy’s path to regular playing time could hinge on lineup construction and opportunistic ABs off the bench. With Muncy sidelined, Kennedy could be called upon for spot starts at first, second, or third base, especially in doubleheaders or NL Park scenarios, where his contact skills and defensive value could translate into timely RBI opportunities.

Max Muncy’s oblique strain lands him on the injured list just before a pivotal series with the San Diego Padres, forcing Los Angeles to reshuffle a lineup that leaned on his power and RBI pace. The team insists the Grade 1 injury isn’t season-ending, but it will sideline him for several weeks, elevating the importance of depth pieces in a tight divisional race.

In 89 games this season, Muncy hit .258 with 17 homers and 64 RBIs, underscoring how critical his bat is to the Dodgers’ attack. The latest setback comes after a season-long reminder that his absence previously coincided with a major drop in offense. To help weather the shuffle, Los Angeles claimed Buddy Kennedy off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays, bolstering infield depth as they navigate the Muncy vacancy.

Kennedy’s arrival adds a versatile option for infield coverage as the Dodgers aim to maintain offensive momentum. The Blue Jays, meanwhile, part with a young infielder who could provide the Dodgers a flexible fallback in the short term. The Padres loom as a true stress test for the lineup shuffle, making this a high-stakes moment for fantasy managers tracking Dodgers contributors and the depth options around them.

For fantasy rosters, the immediate implication is a potential dip in 3B production and run-scoring upside while Kennedy and others adjust to new roles. If Muncy returns within the anticipated weeks but not promptly, the Dodgers’ middle-of-the-order stability could hinge on timely contributions from Kennedy and the infield depth, shaping short-term projections and matchup-driven decisions.

Andrés Giménez returns from a five‑week layoff to anchor Toronto’s infield as the Blue Jays open a three‑game set with the Chicago Cubs. Giménez, a three‑time Gold Glove winner, brings steady defense back to second base and a bat that has shown pop—five home runs and 23 RBIs while hitting .218 through his latest action. In the interim, Buddy Kennedy was designated for assignment after a two‑game stint, clearing a roster spot for Giménez’s return and restoring infield versatility for Toronto. Kennedy managed one hit in two games and previously appeared for Philadelphia earlier this season. The roster shuffle emphasizes Toronto’s balance of defense and upside as they face Chicago and chase continuous improvements from their middle infield.

Giménez’s return could uplift run production and defensive efficiency, important for fantasy managers watching depth and lineup stability. Kennedy’s DFA adds a footnote on bench depth, potentially prompting a look at call‑ups or other in‑season shifts if the Jays need a fresh righty bat or a defensive specialist. With the Cubs in town, Toronto will lean on Giménez’s glove and contact to set the table, while assessing whether his bat heat will follow the defensive reload. For fantasy rosters, Giménez back in action reopens possible middle‑infield value, while Kennedy’s exit tightens the Jays’ bench dynamics going forward.

Toronto’s offense stayed on a heater during a road trip that featured a record-setting barrage against Colorado. The Blue Jays, leading the AL at 69-50 and four games up on Boston, rolled 63 hits and 45 runs in three Colorado games, then dropped two of three to the Dodgers but still sit atop the league in hits, batting average and on-base percentage. The Cubs come to town for a three-game set at Rogers Centre before a weekend with Texas, a stretch that will test depth and lineup versatility.

On the mound, depth is the watchword. Bieber’s looming return could push Toronto toward a six-man rotation alongside Gausman, Berrios, Bassitt and a resurgent Scherzer and an improving Lauer. Toronto’s offense remains the engine, and with Springer and Gimenez nearing returns, the lineup depth could fuel a late-season surge, making strategic calls for call-ups and roster cuts critical for fantasy managers.

The Philadelphia Phillies have placed right-hander Aaron Nola on the 60-day injured list due to a ribcage injury, compounding his earlier ankle issues. Nola has struggled with performance this season, recording a 1-7 record and a 6.16 ERA over nine starts. The injury occurred during a pregame workout, and an MRI revealed a stress reaction in his ribcage, sidelining him further. This move comes as the Phillies also called up infielder Buddy Kennedy, who has been impressive in Triple-A, batting .283 with eight home runs this season.

In a corresponding roster move, infielder Weston Wilson was optioned to Triple-A after a lackluster performance in the majors, where he hit just .194 with one home run in 22 games. Kennedy, noted for his solid performance in the minor leagues, offers the Phillies some hope as they navigate Nola's absence and seek to regain momentum in a competitive NL East.