Which notable MLB players could join contenders on waivers ahead of the crucial roster deadline this weekend?

Major League Baseball is nearing the final month of the regular season, and with it comes another important deadline. In fact, for a player to be eligible for postseason action, they must be part of their organization by 11:59 p.m. ET on Saturday, August 31. The individual doesn’t have to be on the active or 40-player roster — teams can petition the commissioner’s office to replace someone for an injured player — but there are no exceptions for anyone who signs with a team or is claimed off waivers after the August 31 cutoff. That’s it.

The eligibility deadline is the reason you’re seeing players placed on waivers this week — the whole process takes 48 hours, making Thursday the last day a player can be placed on the waiver wire and have their situation already resolved. (That’s why the 2023 Los Angeles Angels bled when they did just that.)

A reminder: not every player placed on waivers is reported, which means this will always be an incomplete picture. Additionally, these players are not being designated for assignment or release. They are allowed to continue playing for their teams as normal until they are claimed; at that point, there is no trade or active return — the claiming team simply receives the player at the cost of what is included in their contract (this includes subsequent years, if the situation requires it).

As the playoffs play out, CBS Sports is keeping track of the most notable names reported to be waived. Additionally, we’ll add a note when those players are selected by other teams.

Let’s do that.

• Tommy Pham, OF, CardinalsThe Cardinals reportedly placed Pham on waivers Thursday, a trade deadline acquisition, according to Katie Wu of The Athletic. Pham struggled during his reunion with the Cardinals but overall had a league-average offensive season. He could serve as a platoon outfielder for a team if needed.
• Taylor Rodgers, LHP, Giants: According to The Athletic, Rodgers was one of three veterans the Giants placed on waivers on Wednesday. He has posted a 2.45 ERA in 51 innings this season. Alas, teams may shy away from picking him up because he is guaranteed an additional $12 million for next season.
• Tyler Matzek, LHP, Giants: Matzek hasn’t pitched at the big league level since May, but he has spent the last few weeks on a rehabilitation assignment. A team that believes he can be a useful situational reliever at the last minute could do worse than claim him.
• Thairo Estrada, INF, GiantsEstrada, a non-tender candidate, is in the midst of a poor season but has a history of being a useful utility infielder. He was expected to receive around $5 million for the full season.
• Travis Jankowski and Robbie Grossman, OF, Rangers: We’re pairing Jankowski and Grossman, the Rangers’ veteran outfielder who was placed on waivers according to ESPN. Jankowski has had a tough year at the plate, but he played well on Wednesday Why it’s good to have him as a defensive replacement late in the gameGrossman, a switch-hitter, has an 88 OPS+ in limited action this season.
• Nicky Lopez, INF, White SoxAccording to ESPN, the historically bad White Sox have placed Lopez on waivers. Lopez can play second base, third base and shortstop, but he doesn’t hit much. His slash line in 345 at-bats this season is .238/.310/.290.