Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Edward Cabrera (finger) will resume his throwing program on Saturday, according to Bruce Levine. Cabrera has been sidelined since the middle of August due to a finger blister. When healthy, Cabrera has struggled this season with a 5.68 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, and a 67/32 K/BB ratio across 15 starts with the Cubs. Given his durability issues and lack of success as a starter, the Cubs plan to bring Cabrera back as a reliever for the rest of the season. He shouldn't need a long rehab assignment if he's coming back as a relief pitcher. His fantasy value will be limited unless he's going to pitch in a high-leverage role, which is unlikely.

Chicago Cubs infielder/outfielder Matt Shaw (hand) was activated off the 10-day Injured List ahead of Friday's game against the Cincinnati Reds. Shaw has been out of action since late June due to a sprained left hand. He was hitting the ball well during his rehab assignment and appears ready to make an impact in Chicago again. It's unclear how Shaw is going to fit into the puzzle down the stretch of the season. Pedro Ramirez is playing very well, so it'll be tough for Shaw to cut into his playing time. Through 56 games, Shaw is slashing .246/.322/.415 with four home runs, 20 RBI, and four steals. Given he probably won't have a full-time role, Shaw is only worth considering in deep leagues. In a corresponding move, outfielder Kevin Alcantara was optioned to Triple-A Iowa.

Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez has been posting unbelievable numbers at the plate this season. Through 132 games, Alvarez is slashing .319/.434/.609 with a league-leading 36 home runs and 91 RBI. His overall power numbers have declined lately, with only one long ball over the last month. Fantasy managers are hopeful that his power comes back soon, with the fantasy playoffs quickly approaching. Despite a lack of homers in August, Alvarez is still the MVP favorite in the American League and remains a great source of production in basically every other category right now.

St. Louis Cardinals outfield prospect Joshua Baez turned heads with a record-setting major-league debut on Aug. 15 against the division-rival Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field, going 3-for-4 at the plate with three home runs and five RBI. But since that day, he has gone 4-for-41 (.098) with a homer, a double, four RBI, three runs scored, two stolen bases, three walks, and 20 strikeouts in 12 games for the Red Birds. St. Louis' No. 3 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, should still be on the waiver-wire radar in fantasy baseball leagues, though, for his power/speed upside to close out the 2026 season. The 23-year-old former second-rounder hit .256/.328/.573 with a .901 OPS, 34 home runs, 90 RBI, 21 stolen bases, and 79 runs scored in his 103 games at Triple-A Memphis this year before his call-up. Baez can struggle to make contact at times, but his power/speed upside should not be ignored for fantasy managers looking for power production in the outfield to close things out. It has been far from perfect early on, but Baez is still the Cardinals' right fielder of the future.