Kiké Hernández was activated off the injured list by the Los Angeles Dodgers, providing a key veteran bat while the roster inches toward full health in a tight NL West race. He rehabbed at Triple-A Oklahoma City, hitting .357 in five games and is set to start the next two, though exact defensive placement remains fluid.

The Dodgers remain without Max Muncy, Tommy Edman, Hyeseong Kim and several relievers, but Blake Snell returns from paternity leave to start against Arizona. Toronto DFA’d Buddy Kennedy, who LA then claimed, adding depth as the club navigates a pivotal stretch with Cincinnati looming.

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.