The baseball regular season is nearing a close as about one-third of September has passed. Teams are jockeying for playoff position and are waiting on certain key players to return from injury.

Here are the notable players that are expected to return from injury prior to the regular season ending on playoff-contending teams. Those who are out for the season such as Yu Darvish, Dustin Pedroia, and Jimmy Nelson are not included.

American League

  • Boston Red Sox - Chris Sale, SP

According to NBC Sports, the Red Sox will activate Sale off the DL on Tuesday.

This is the second time he has been put on the 10-day DL due to shoulder issues. The current AL ERA leader (1.97) hopes to be healthy for the postseason after giving up nine runs and four homers in 9.2 innings against the Astros in the playoffs last year.

  • Cleveland Indians - Josh Donaldson, 3B

The 2015 AL MVP, Donaldson was acquired by the Indians in August from the Blue Jays but hasn’t played since May 28. He is finally expected to come off the DL on Tuesday. While he hasn’t put up great numbers in his 34 games in 2018 with Toronto (.234 BA, 5 HRs), this is the same guy who hit 111 homers from 2015-17.

  • Cleveland Indians - Trevor Bauer, SP

On the short list of AL Cy Young candidates, Bauer is currently shelved with a small stress fracture in his fibula.

The team is hopeful he can be back shortly as he hasn’t pitched since August 11. He currently ranks third in the AL with a 2.22 ERA, and despite missing a month, he is fourth in league with 214 strikeouts.

  • Cleveland Indians - Andrew Miller, RP

Miller has had a tough time staying healthy in 2018 as he has only pitched 24 innings.

Currently out with a shoulder ailment (though barring a setback, he will come off the DL Monday), Cleveland believes he will return before the end of the regular season. The 2016 ALCS MVP has struck out 38 hitters in 24.1 innings over the last two postseasons.

  • Houston Astros - Lance McCullers, SP

McCullers has not pitched since August as he is currently on the DL for a muscle strain in his throwing forearm.

He isn’t expected back until the later part of this month. Owning a 3.93 ERA in 22 starts this season, the 24-year-old (turns 25 on October 2) played an important role in last year’s playoffs for the eventual World Series champs giving up six runs in 20.2 innings.

  • New York Yankees - Aaron Judge, OF

There is still no timetable for Judge's return from a fractured right wrist although MLB.com reports he took batting practice on Saturday for the first time since the injury (occurred on July 26). The 2017 AL Rookie of the Year and AL MVP runner-up has hit 78 homers and walked 195 times in 1,125 plate appearances since last year.

  • New York Yankees - Aroldis Chapman, RP

Left knee tendinitis has Chapman currently on the DL, but he is likely to return before the regular season ends.

The hard-throwing closer has a remarkable 84 strikeouts in 47 innings and a 2.11 ERA in 2018.

National League

  • Arizona Diamondbacks - Shelby Miller, SP

Miller is on the 60-day DL with right elbow inflammation. He has been a major disappointment since being acquired by the Diamondbacks in 2016, but the team has hope that getting him right can help revert him back to the pitcher that had a 3.27 ERA in 95 starts from 2013-15.

  • Atlanta Braves - Arodys Vizcaino, RP

Vizcaino was having a solid season as the Braves’ closer until right shoulder inflammation shelved him. He hasn’t pitched since July 11. He owns a 1.65 ERA, and 15 saves on the year.

  • Chicago Cubs - Jason Heyward, OF

Heyward is hoping to return from right hamstring tightness which has him on the DL by the end of the regular season.

The five-time Gold Glove winner still provides elite defense in right field. His .275 batting average and .740 OPS are his best in three seasons with the Cubs.

  • Chicago Cubs - Brandon Morrow, RP

Morrow has excelled as the Cubs’ closer this year posting 22 saves with a 1.47 ERA. Unfortunately for him, he has been out since July 15 with right biceps inflammation but could return by the end of the week. It is unclear whether he would regain his closer role as Pedro Strop has done a better than an admirable job since Morrow has been out.

  • St. Louis Cardinals - Adam Wainwright, SP

Wainwright is expected to come off the DL (right elbow inflammation) on Monday. The three-time All-Star hasn't pitched since May 13. The Cardinals hope the 37-year-old can show some old signs of the pitcher who had a 2.85 ERA and a 105-54 record from 2008-15.