Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes (back), who has regressed bit time in 2024 and is hitting .233 (85-for-365) with four home runs, 25 RBI and 11 stolen bases, has been playing through debilitating back issues that he described as basically a herniated disc. "My whole issue is the disc has lost its jelly stuff," Hayes said. "When we look at the MRIs, [the discs are] just kind of compressing. I don't know that it's rubbing, but it's definitely a little collapsed to where there's pressure, inflammation builds up, and muscles want to try to protect." Among the 140 qualified position players as of Sunday, Hayes' .573 OPS was dead-last. He has one hit in his last 24 at-bats and has only 13 extra-base hits in 396 plate appearances this year. His average against fastballs has dropped from .302 last year to .211 this year. An offseason trade is unlikely because of the fact that his value is at an all-time low and he's not currently healthy.

With the Pittsburgh Pirates' chances of making the postseason now below one percent, the Pittsburgh Pirates could consider shortening rookie sensation Paul Skenes' starts down the stretch. This is Skenes' first professional season and he's thrown 125 1/3 innings between the majors and minors in 2024, nearly as many as he did a year ago between LSU and his brief stint in the Pirates' system. Pittsburgh could cite the long-term health of Skenes as a reason to do so, but it would also prevent him from finishing first or second in the National League Rookie of the Year voting, an outcome that would deprive him of gaining a full year of service time and keep him in Pittsburgh for at least one extra season. However, according to sources briefed on their thinking, the Pirates currently have no such plans and don't have a set innings limit for him. Skenes remains a must-start in all fantasy lineups, but this is a disclaimer that his upside the rest of the year could be limited if he's not working as deep into games.

The Tampa Bay Rays are promoting first base prospect Tre' Morgan to Double-A Montgomery. Morgan is the Rays No. 11 prospect per MLB Pipeline and Montgomery will now be the third team that he will suit up for this season after opening the season with High-A Charleston before a promotion to High-A Bowling Green. Morgan, 22, isn't the prototypical first baseman as he lacks power, but he makes good contact and gets on base plenty. Between Charleston and Bowling Green, Morgan hit a combined .354 with 21 doubles, eight homers, 55 RBI and 18 stolen bases with a .950 OPS in 297 at-bats. Although he lacks power, Morgan's ability to get on the bases should continue to allow him to ascend through the Rays system. Due to his lack of power, he is only a watch-list candidate in dynasty leagues for now.

After strong performances for High-A Greenville and Double-A Portland this season, the Boston Red Sox will promote infield prospect Kristian Campbell to Triple-A Worcester. Campbell, the clubs No. 5 prospect per MLB Pipeline earns the promotion after hitting a combined .339 with 30 doubles, 16 home runs, 60 RBI and 20 stolen bases in 96 games between Greenville and Portland in just is second professional season. The 22-year-old has shown plenty of versatility on defense and makes very good contact with some power at the plate. Both should help him in land in Boston in the next year or so, making him worth keeping an eye on in dynasty leagues.

Detroit Tigers pitching prospect Jackson Jobe earned a no-decision for Double-A Erie on Sunday. Jobe, the club's No. 2 prospect per MLB Pipeline fired 5 1/3 innings and allowed three hits, two runs and four walks with seven strikeouts. It was the third time in his last four outings that Jobe has allowed three or more walks, but that has been uncharacteristic for the most past as he sits with a comfortable 1.10 WHIP on the season. Jobe has spent much of the season with Erie, but also made three starts for High-A West Michigan. Between both levels, Jobe has combined for a 2.12 ERA with 73 strikeouts in 68 innings over 16 starts. The 22-year-old remains one of the best pitchers in the minors and should have a very good chance of making his debut in 2025. He should already be rostered in dynasty leagues and managers in redraft leagues should keep an eye on him entering the 2025 season.