Morning Java - 09/23: Rasmussen Carries No-Hitter Into the Seventh as Rays Clinch AL East, Ohtani Eligible Today, Muñoz Exits With Knee Injury
TL;DRSkim
The five fastest-moving roster calls of the morning, in priority order:
- HOLD - Drew Rasmussen took a no-hitter into the seventh with 11 strikeouts as Tampa Bay clinched the AL East 6-1 over the Yankees.
- HOLD - Shohei Ohtani is eligible to be activated today against San Diego, as a DH only.
- WATCH - Andrés Muñoz was removed from Seattle's game against Colorado with a knee injury. His season may be over.
- WATCH - Ronald Acuña Jr. fouled a ball off his left leg. X-rays negative, day-to-day.
- DROP - Christian Scott (11% owned) is done for the season with left knee inflammation.
Rasmussen's Near No-Hitter Clinches the AL East
HOLD · TB · SP
Drew Rasmussen carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning before allowing his only hit, finishing with 6⅔ innings, one run and 11 strikeouts as Tampa Bay beat New York 6-1 in the nightcap of a day-night doubleheader. The win clinched the Rays' fifth AL East title - their first since 2021 - and home-field advantage throughout the American League playoffs. Tampa Bay is 96-61.
He was at 93 pitches with 10 strikeouts through six, having ended the sixth by getting Cody Bellinger on a flyout. The 11 strikeouts are the second-highest total of his career, behind 13 against Boston earlier this season. Max Fried started for the Yankees and allowed the game's first run on Ryan Vilade's third-inning groundout; Yandy Díaz added a two-run single in the ninth.
Barring a cameo Sunday, Rasmussen finishes the regular season 16-5 with a 2.67 ERA and a 174/32 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 172 innings - likely third or fourth in AL Cy Young balloting.
Action: HOLD and start him if he gets one more turn. With the division clinched, Tampa Bay has every reason to rest him for the Wild Card Round beginning Sept. 29 - check the probables before counting on a final start.
Ohtani Eligible to Return Today
HOLD · LAD · DH
Shohei Ohtani is eligible to be activated today, the second game of the Dodgers' final home series against San Diego. Dave Roberts said there's a "good chance" he's activated Wednesday or Thursday after Ohtani took 30 to 40 swings off the Trajekt machine and ran the bases Saturday.
He returns as a designated hitter only - his pitching season ended weeks ago. If activated today, he'd get four or five games before the regular season ends Sunday.
Action: HOLD and activate the moment he's in a lineup. Temper expectations: over his final 24 games before the IL he hit .198 with 34 strikeouts, so he's not a guaranteed difference-maker in a championship week.
Muñoz Exits With Knee Injury
WATCH · SEA · RP
Andrés Muñoz was removed from Seattle's game against Colorado with a knee injury, raising real questions about whether his season is over.
Action: WATCH closely - he's one of the highest-owned closers in fantasy. If you're relying on Seattle saves in a championship week, find a second source today rather than waiting for the diagnosis.
Acuña Avoids Serious Injury
WATCH · ATL · RF
Ronald Acuña Jr. took a foul ball off his left leg in the third inning. X-rays came back negative and Atlanta is treating him as day-to-day.
Action: WATCH - Check the lineup card. Negative X-rays plus no IL move usually means a day or two, but Atlanta has little reason to push him.
Scott's Season Ends With Knee Inflammation
DROP · NYM · SP
Christian Scott (11% owned) was placed on the 15-day IL with left knee inflammation, and the Mets have confirmed his season is over - a decision influenced by his innings total in his first year back from Tommy John surgery. Zac Thornton (10% owned) and Austin Warren cover the rotation, though New York is considering a bullpen game Friday.
Action: DROP Scott. Thornton is the better final-week target if you need a start, though the Mets are eliminated and will manage innings.
Tidwell Facing Surgery on High-Grade UCL Sprain
DROP · SF · SP
Blade Tidwell (2% owned) left Monday's start in the fourth with what has been diagnosed as a high-grade UCL sprain, and Dr. Akizuki has recommended surgery - ending his 2026 season. Braxton Roxby was recalled in the corresponding move.
Action: DROP everywhere.
Wheeler Sets Franchise Mark, Reaches 2,000 Strikeouts
HOLD · PHI · SP
Zack Wheeler struck out the first seven batters he faced against Milwaukee, a Phillies franchise record that broke Brandon Duckworth's six from 2002. He also reached 2,000 career strikeouts, the 10th active pitcher to get there.
Action: HOLD and start him. Seven consecutive strikeouts to open a game is as dominant a stretch as any pitcher has had this month.
Muncy to IL, Gelof Gets the At-Bats
DROP · OAK · 3B
Max Muncy (2% owned) - the Athletics' Muncy, not the Dodgers' - was placed on the 10-day IL with left knee inflammation. Zack Gelof (26% owned) and Tommy White are next up, with Gelof the likelier everyday option.
Action: DROP Muncy. ADD Gelof in 14-team-plus leagues if you need infield at-bats for the final week.
Pederson Out for the Season With Wrist Fracture
DROP · TEX · DH
Joc Pederson (2% owned) has a left wrist fracture and won't return. He took swings off a tee this week, but there aren't enough days left to clear him for games.
Action: DROP - No path back.
Santillan Done, Likely Facing Surgery
DROP · CIN · RP
Tony Santillan (2% owned) was placed on the 15-day IL with a left hip labral tear. Terry Francona said there's a good chance he has surgery this week and his season is over.
Action: DROP. Cincinnati's late-inning mix is unsettled with six games left - not a saves source worth chasing.
Varsho Out Again With Wrist Injury
WATCH · HOU · OF
Daulton Varsho has missed two consecutive games with a left wrist injury, and Joe Espada said he's unavailable even off the bench.
Separately, Jeremy Peña had negative X-rays after an in-game scare, and Cristian Javier felt his groin while facing his final hitter in the second inning but expects to make his next start.
Action: WATCH - Varsho is a drop in 12-team leagues if he misses a third straight. Peña and Javier are both holds with no IL move.
Pages Back in Center for Los Angeles
HOLD · LAD · CF
Andy Pages (86% owned) returned to the Dodgers lineup, batting eighth and playing center field.
Action: HOLD - He's back and playing every day, which is what matters in a final week. The lineup spot limits the RBI upside.
De La Cruz Dominating September
HOLD · CIN · SS
Elly De La Cruz leads the National League in September batting average at .394 and ranks first in slugging and OPS for the month, while tied for third in home runs.
Action: HOLD and start him everywhere. He's the hottest bat in the league right now and a genuine championship-week difference-maker.
Nuñez Ties Nationals Stolen Base Record
HOLD · WSH · SS
Nasim Nuñez stole his 47th base of the season, tying CJ Abrams' club record with four games to play.
Action: HOLD - If you need steals in a final-week category push, he's the most reliable source available at his ownership level.
Rutschman Collects Three Hits
HOLD · BOS · C
Adley Rutschman had three