Texas Rangers right-hander Max Scherzer (shoulder) will not make his minor-league rehab start on Friday now for Double-A Frisco, according to the team. No reason was given, other than Scherzer isn't quite ready. It's unclear if Scherzer has suffered a setback as he tries to work his way back from right-shoulder fatigue that has kept him sidelined since the end of July. A various assortment of injuries have limited the 40-year-old three-time Cy Young winner to only eight starts. The Rangers aren't in the playoff picture this year, so at best, Scherzer may only be able to make a few more starts in 2024, assuming he even makes it back at all. Check back to see when he might be able to make his next rehab start, which he's hoping will be his last before he rejoins Texas' rotation. The eight-time All-Star is no longer a dominant fantasy ace and has a 3.89 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 38 K's in 39 1/3 innings in 2024.

The San Diego Padres optioned starting pitcher Matt Waldron to Triple-A El Paso ahead of Thursday's series opener against the visiting New York Mets at Petco Park, recalling right-hander Logan Gillaspie in a corresponding move. Waldron has been a fixture in San Diego's rotation this season, but he's clearly hit a wall deep into his rookie season, allowing 22 runs in his last three starts. It's unclear what the plan is for Waldron from this point on, but fantasy managers can cut the 27-year-old knuckleballer loose while he irons things out in the minor leagues. It's also unclear if the Padres have an eye toward getting Yu Darvish (personal) back into the fold at some point down the stretch, but Bryan Hoeing is now a candidate to start Monday's series opener against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mickey Moniak was removed with left elbow irritation in Thursday's game against the hosting Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Moniak was hit by a pitch in the fourth inning on Thursday against Toronto, with Kevin Pillar replacing him in center field. Fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day ahead of Friday's contest against the Jays. 2024 has been a massive drop-off after a breakout 2023 season for the 26-year-old former No. 1 overall pick, who's slashing .223/.266/.358 with eight home runs, 37 RBI, 37 runs scored, and six stolen bases over 318 at-bats (102 games) this year for Anaheim. If Moniak needs to go on the injured list, the Halos would have no other choice but to play the lefty-mashing Pillar in center every day.

The New York Mets believe there's a chance that starting pitcher Kodai Senga (calf) could pitch in one of the final five games of the regular season against the Atlanta Braves or Milwaukee Brewers. Senga, who is on the 60-day injured list and was all but ruled out for the remainder of the regular season after suffering a high-grade calf strain, is eligible to come off the IL on Sept. 25. The hope until now had been that Senga could possibly make it back for the postseason, should the Mets get there. While having him available to start one of the final five games of the regular season could be enormous for New York's wild-card push, it's not going to make a significant difference for fantasy managers. Last Friday, president of baseball operations David Stearns said that Senga could start a formal throwing program within the next week to 10 days.

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes put on another show in Thursday's series-opening victory over the visiting Cincinnati Reds at PNC Park, throwing six scoreless innings with nine strikeouts. Skenes twirled a gem on Thursday evening against the Reds, scattering two hits and one walk amid rumors the Pirates could eventually elect to shut down the electric 22-year-old National League Rookie of the Year frontrunner down the stretch of what's becoming a lost season. Skenes was held to 87 pitches despite his dominance in this one, so the monitored workload appears to have arrived. On the campaign, Pittsburgh's ace now has seven wins and owns a 2.16 ERA and 0.94 WHIP with 130 punchouts and 25 walks across 104 frames (17 starts). As it stands, Skenes remains tentatively scheduled to toe the rubber next on Tuesday at home against the division-rival Chicago Cubs.