New York Yankees catcher Austin Wells is behind the plate and batting cleanup on Saturday against the St. Louis Cardinals and right-hander Kyle Gibson at Yankee Stadium, a day after hitting two home runs and driving in four runs in a 6-3 win. The 25-year-old mustachioed catcher has earned primary duties behind the plate this year for the Bombers and has been extremely hot at the plate lately. The former 28th overall pick in 2020 out of the University of Arizona is batting .319 (23-for-72) in the month of August with four home runs, four doubles, 15 RBI and four runs scored in 21 total games to bring his season slash line up to .256/.348/.444 with a .792 OPS in his second year in the big leagues. Wells is now up to 12 home runs and 42 RBI on the year in 93 games played. He has never faced Gibson yet in his career.

Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw (toe) is dealing with a bone spur in his left big toe that he's been dealing with, according to manager Dave Roberts, and the skipper is expecting a possible injured-list move. "I'd be shocked if we don't make an IL move or two," Roberts said. Kershaw was removed from his start on Friday against the division-rival Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field after one-plus inning due to the toe injury and will now miss at least the next couple of weeks. If the Dodgers decide to take it slow with the 36-year-old three-time Cy Young winner, we may not see him again until the postseason. The future Hall of Famer got a late start to his 2024 season due to a left-shoulder injury and has only made seven starts this year, sporting a career-low 18.1% strikeout rate with a 4.50 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in 30 innings.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez threw seven innings of a no-hit baseball in Friday's 3-2 victory over the Royals, allowing three walks and a hit batsman while striking out seven, but did not factor into the decision. The lefty was at 98 pitches so he would have gone well over his season-high pitch count had Joe Espada allowed him to stay in the game for the final two innings. Valdez has been great in August, even coming within one out away from a no-hitter earlier this month, posting a 1.59 ERA, 0.65 WHIP, and a 24.0% K-BB% over five starts. The 30-year-old has been good overall as well, logging a 13-6 record with a 3.11 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and a 16.6% K-BB%. His next start will come next weekend at home against the Diamondbacks.

San Diego Padres designated hitter Manny Machado had a three-hit day at the plate in Friday's 13-5 rout over the Rays, including a three-run blast in the second inning that gave him four RBI on the day. The 32-year-old also scored twice in the game. It was Machado's fifth multi-hit game in his last eight, going 13-for-34 (.382) over that stretch with three doubles and three home runs. It has been another productive year for the 6x All-Star, putting up a .274-23-83-67-8 line with a .336 wOBA and 120 wRC+. He'll look to finish strong, although history suggests that might be a tall task as the final month of the season has been his worst throughout his career, with a career average of .258 and a 106 wRC+ in the final month.

Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase picked up his AL-leading 40th save of the season in Friday's 10-8 victory over the Pirates, although he allowed one run in the process when he gave up a solo shot to Andrew McCutchen to lead off the ninth. The 26-year-old settled in and recorded three straight outs after that, including one strikeout. Clase is just one save behind Ryan Helsley (41) of the Cardinals for the MLB lead, but with the save became the Guardians' all-time save leader, surpassing Cody Allen for the top spot with 150. Also, despite allowing a run, the Dominican righty still owns a sterling 0.71 ERA on the season, along with a 0.68 WHIP and an 8:55 BB:K, ranking as the top closer in fantasy.