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Will Smith to Receive Cortisone Injection, Won't Return This Weekend
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that catcher Will Smith (neck) will receive a cortisone injection in his neck and won't be activated from the 10-day injured list this weekend, according to David Vassegh of 570 LA Sports. There is a question as to whether Smith will even travel with the team on their upcoming road trip that begins on Monday, June 22, in Minnesota and ends on Wednesday, July 1, in Sacramento. The Dodgers initially believed Smith wouldn't even need to go on the IL with his neck injury, but it has turned into a much more nagging injury. The 31-year-old still has a chance to make it back before the mid-July All-Star break, but time is running out. The former 32nd overall pick in 2016 out of the University of Louisville is having a down offensive year by his standards, slashing .249/.338/.382 with a .720 OPS, six home runs, 23 RBI, and 23 runs scored across 173 at-bats. The three-time All-Star should remain rostered in an IL spot in all fantasy leagues while he heals up. Dalton Rushing will continue to serve as L.A.'s starting backstop until Smith can return.
Source: 570 LA Sports - David Vassegh
Source: 570 LA Sports - David Vassegh
Shohei Ohtani on Paternity Leave, Out of Friday's Lineup
Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani is on paternity leave on Friday, which is why he's out of the starting lineup for the series opener against the visiting Baltimore Orioles, according to Jack Harris of The California Post. However, the Dodgers aren't placing him on the official paternity list, at least for the time being. It means that Ohtani could theoretically return on either Saturday or Sunday in the series against Baltimore. It is to be determined how long the four-time MVP will be away from the team for the expected birth of his second child. Fantasy managers will want to remove the 31-year-old Japanese sensation from their lineups on Friday, but he could be right back in there on Saturday. He shouldn't be in danger of missing his next scheduled start on the mound, either. After a slow start at the plate in 2026 by his lofty standards, Ohtani has turned things around quickly and is now batting .296/.418/.545 with a .962 OPS, 15 long balls, 42 RBI, 51 runs scored, and six stolen bases in his 257 at-bats in his third year with the Dodgers. The five-time All-Star is a must-start in all fantasy leagues when he's in the lineup. We'll alert fantasy managers when he returns from paternity leave.
Source: The California Post - Jack Harris
Source: The California Post - Jack Harris
Bryan Reynolds Scratched With Groin Discomfort
Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds (groin) was a late scratch from the team's starting lineup for Friday's series opener against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field with left-groin discomfort, according to Manny Randhawa of MLB.com. With Reynolds banged up, Esmerlyn Valdez will make the start in left field for the Pirates and will bat seventh against Rockies left-hander Kyle Freeland. An injury is about the only thing that can slow Reynolds down right now, as he came into Friday's contest red-hot at the plate lately. The 31-year-old former second-round pick by the San Francisco Giants in 2016 out of Vanderbilt University is in the midst of a nine-game hitting streak in which he has gone 15-for-37 (.405) with four home runs, four doubles, eight RBI, and eight runs scored in 41 plate appearances to raise his season slash line to .283/.400/.472 with an .872 OPS. For now, we'll consider Reynolds to be day-to-day. Fantasy managers will want to check back in on him on Saturday to see if he's cleared to rejoin Pittsburgh's starting nine.
Source: MLB.com - Manny Randhawa
Source: MLB.com - Manny Randhawa
Julio Rodriguez Returns From Hamstring Injury on Friday
Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez (hamstring) is starting in center field and is batting third for the M's in Friday's series opener against the visiting Boston Red Sox and left-hander Ranger Suarez, according to MLB.com. Rodriguez was pulled from Wednesday's game early against the Baltimore Orioles after tweaking his hamstring, and he sat out of the series finale at T-Mobile Park on Wednesday, but now that he's back in there, fantasy managers will want to return him to their starting lineups for the weekend series in Seattle against the BoSox. The 25-year-old three-time All-Star and former American League Rookie of the Year comes into Friday's series opener with a .249/.310/.429 slash line, .739 OPS, 13 long balls, 35 RBI, 40 runs scored, and nine stolen bases across his 301 at-bats in 2026. J-Rod has struggled so far in June, going 11-for-58 (.190) with just one homer, two doubles, five RBI, four steals, eight runs, seven walks, and 13 K's in 66 plate appearances. However, he's hitting .833 with a 2.000 OPS in six career at-bats against Suarez.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Adley Rutschman Out With Head Injury on Friday Against Dodgers
Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman (head) is not in the team's starting lineup for Friday's series opener in Los Angeles against the Dodgers, per MLB.com. Samuel Basallo is doing the catching for right-hander Trey Gibson and will bat cleanup for the O's against Dodgers right-hander Roki Sasaki. Rutschman took a ball off the side of his head while running out a ground ball in the ninth inning of Thursday's contest against the Seattle Mariners and was forced to leave the game. It's unclear if he has cleared the concussion protocol, but in the meantime, he'll miss at least one game. Fantasy managers will want to check back on Saturday to see if Rutschman is feeling good enough to return to the diamond for Game 2 of the series at Dodger Stadium. The 28-year-old switch-hitter and two-time All-Star enters Friday's game hitting .254/.329/.458 with a .787 OPS, eight home runs, 40 RBI, and 26 runs scored in his 54 games and 228 plate appearances. Rutschman played in only 90 games in 2025 due to injuries, but so far in 2026, he's in the midst of a bounce-back campaign at the plate in Baltimore.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Brandon Woodruff to Rejoin Brewers Rotation During Reds Series
Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Brandon Woodruff (shoulder) will come off the 15-day injured list to rejoin the team's starting rotation during the series against the division-rival Cincinnati Reds that runs from Monday, June 22, through Wednesday, June 24, manager Pat Murphy told Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. Woodruff made his final minor-league rehab start on Tuesday and gave up three runs while striking out six in 5 1/3 innings of work. The 33-year-old veteran and two-time All-Star hasn't made a start with Milwaukee since May 1 due to right-shoulder troubles, so he'll be a pretty risky option for starting fantasy lineups in his first game back next week in a hitter-friendly environment at Great American Ballpark. Before his drastic drop in velocity earlier this season, Woodruff had a 3.60 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, and 25:7 K:BB in 30 innings pitched. Woodruff might have to reinvent himself on the mound if his velocity never fully recovers, and he had a 20.7% strikeout rate (the second-lowest of his career) before his injury. He's currently rostered in 87% of Yahoo leagues and should still have streaming appeal in the right matchups now that he's set to rejoin the Brewers' rotation.
Source: MLB.com - Adam McCalvy
Source: MLB.com - Adam McCalvy
Bobby Witt Jr. Diagnosed With Grade 1 MCL Sprain
Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr.'s (knee) MRI exam on Friday showed a Grade 1 MCL sprain in his right knee, according to Royals sideline reporter Tricia Whitaker. Witt is sitting out on Friday versus the St. Louis Cardinals after being pulled from Thursday's game early against the Cardinals with a knee issue. The Royals have a scheduled day off on Saturday, but they are hoping that the All-Star infielder will be ready to return for the series finale at Kauffman Stadium on Sunday. Manager Matt Quatraro said that Witt's MRI results are a "best-case scenario," and the team is optimistic he'll be back for the series finale in KC on Sunday. Fantasy managers can breathe easy knowing that the 26-year-old two-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger winner shouldn't need a trip to the injured list. Going into Friday's action, the former second overall pick in 2019 continues to contribute across the board for his fantasy managers, hitting .294/.368/.465 with an .833 OPS, 10 home runs, 32 RBI, a league-best 28 stolen bases, and 40 runs scored in 76 games played across 337 plate appearances in his fifth year in the league.
Source: Tricia Whitaker
Source: Tricia Whitaker
Xavier Edwards Out on Friday With Thumb Soreness
Miami Marlins middle infielder Xavier Edwards (thumb) is out of the starting lineup on Friday against the San Francisco Giants because he has been dealing with soreness in his thumb, according to Kevin Barral of Fish on First. Edwards is day-to-day and is expected to return to the lineup for Game 2 of the series against the Giants on Saturday. With Edwards out at LoanDepot Park on Friday, Javier Sanoja will start at the keystone for the Fish and bat ninth against Giants right-hander Landen Roupp. This will be the second straight game that Edwards has started on the bench after also sitting out on Wednesday. The 26-year-old switch-hitter and former first-rounder in 2018 by the San Diego Padres is hitting a strong .291/.375/.425 with an .801 OPS, six homers, 26 RBI, 11 stolen bases, and 43 runs scored in 275 at-bats this year, but his thumb injury could help explain why he's gone just 10-for-52 (.192) with six RBI, two runs, three steals, eight walks, and 13 K's in 15 games so far in June. Despite the recent cold spell and injury, fantasy managers should be looking to get Edwards back in their starting lineups if he returns on Saturday.
Source: Fish on First - Kevin Barral
Source: Fish on First - Kevin Barral
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Tweaks his Back, Leaves Game on Friday
Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (back) left Friday's game early at Wrigley Field against the Chicago Cubs after appearing to tweak his back in the sixth inning, according to Sportsnet. Before departing early, Guerrero went 0-for-3 at the plate to lower his season average to .276 with a .731 OPS. He was replaced at first base by Charles McAdoo. We don't have an update on the severity of Vladdy's back/side injury just yet, but knowing that a back injury recently caused him to miss some time, this is absolutely an injury that could land the All-Star slugger on the injured list. The 27-year-old Canadian entered Friday's game in Chicago with a strong .279 batting average (72-for-258) and .367 on-base percentage in 71 games in 2026, but he's only homered four times in 303 plate appearances. His underlying metrics don't exactly give fantasy managers a ton of confidence that more power is coming, as he ranks in the 53rd percentile in expected slugging, the 23rd percentile in xISO, and the 64th percentile in hard-hit rate. Stay tuned for an update on his back injury.
Source: Sportsnet
Source: Sportsnet
Maikel Garcia Still Out on Friday, Injured-List Stint Coming?
Kansas City Royals infielder/outfielder Maikel Garcia (hand) is out of the team's starting lineup again on Friday against the visiting St. Louis Cardinals, per MLB.com. Garcia's injury (just soreness) to his right hand doesn't seem serious, but this is the third straight game that he will be missing after he left early on Tuesday against the Washington Nationals. For now, he's being considered day-to-day with something that he has battled over the last month. If he cannot return to action at some point this weekend (the Royals have an off day on Sunday), it wouldn't be a surprise to see him land on the injured list next week. Nick Loftin is starting at third base again on Friday and is batting sixth versus Cardinals right-hander Michael McGreevy. The 26-year-old Garcia is primarily valuable in all fantasy leagues for his speed and multi-position eligibility (second base, third base, shortstop, and the outfield). He enters Friday's action with a .266/.326/.378 slash line, .705 OPS, only three home runs, 30 RBI, 32 runs scored, and five stolen bases in his 259 at-bats.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Knee Injury Keeps Bobby Witt Jr. Out on Friday
Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (knee) will sit out of Friday's contest against the visiting St. Louis Cardinals after injuring his knee on Thursday, according to MLB.com. Tyler Tolbert will make the start at shortstop for the Royals and will bat ninth against Cardinals right-hander Michael McGreevy. The Royals have a scheduled day off on Saturday, so Sunday will be the next time that Witt will have a chance to return. Fantasy managers will want to check back then to see if the star shortstop is available to return. The 26-year-old two-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger winner continues to contribute across all categories for fantasy managers in 2026, slashing .294/.368/.465 with an .833 OPS, 10 home runs, 32 RBI, a league-high 28 stolen bases, and 40 runs scored in a league-high 76 games played and 337 plate appearances. Whenever Witt returns to KC's lineup, he'll be a must-start in fantasy. Taylor should be ignored in all DFS formats against McGreevy.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Michael Harris II Remains Out With Back Injury on Friday
Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II (back) continues to sit for Friday's series opener at Truist Park against the visiting Milwaukee Brewers, per MLB.com. Mauricio Dubon will make another start in center field and will bat fifth against Brewers flamethrower Jacob Misiorowski. It will be the second straight missed game for Harris, who was pulled from Tuesday's game with tightness in his lower back. Harris remains day-to-day, but if he cannot return to the lineup this weekend against Milwaukee, the Braves might be forced to place him on the injured list. The 25-year-old former third-rounder in 2019 has been a must-start for fantasy managers in all formats in 2026 in his fifth year in the league, as he enters Friday's action with a .306/.340/.514 slash line, .854 OPS, 14 home runs, 41 RBI, 35 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 259 plate appearances and 68 games played. Fantasy managers setting DFS lineups will want to stay away from Dubon on Friday against one of the most dominant starting pitchers in the game.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Jazz Chisholm Jr. Returns to Friday's Lineup After Injury Scare
New York Yankees infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. (groin) is back at second base and is batting fifth for Friday's series opener in the Bronx against the Cincinnati Reds and right-hander Rhett Lowder, according to MLB.com. Chisholm fouled a ball off his groin in Thursday's series finale against the Chicago White Sox and was removed from the game early, but he thankfully avoided a serious injury and is back in action a day later. Despite his recent slump, fantasy managers in traditional leagues should return the left-handed slugger to their starting lineups in a favorable matchup. He's hitting just .178 (8-for-45) with four home runs, a triple, 10 RBI, six stolen bases, 12 runs scored, 10 walks, and 18 strikeouts in 14 games in June to drop his season slash line to .228/.316/.404 with a .720 OPS. The 28-year-old doesn't get on base at a high clip or help in batting average, but his power/speed upside at second and third base is hard to replace in fantasy. He's one of only a few players in baseball this year with double-digit home runs and 20 stolen bases in the first half.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Diamondbacks Promote Yilber Diaz, a Worthy Pickup in Standard Leagues?
The Arizona Diamondbacks are calling up right-handed pitching prospect Yilber Diaz from Triple-A Reno on Friday to replace right-hander Ryne Nelson (forearm) on the active MLB roster after he was diagnosed with a partially torn flexor tendon in his forearm, according to Arizona Sports' John Gambadoro. Diaz, the team's No. 22 prospect per MLB Pipeline, will return to the big leagues after posting a 4.31 ERA (4.57 FIP), 1.47 WHIP, and 20:15 K:BB in 31 1/3 innings over eight appearances (four starts) in his first two years in the league in 2024 and 2025. The 25-year-old Venezuelan returns to Arizona after going 3-3 with a 4.50 ERA, 1.66 WHIP, four saves, and a 43:21 K:BB in 32 innings in 26 relief appearances at Reno in 2026. Since he has made a full-time move to a relief role this year, fantasy managers should steer clear of Diaz for now. It's unclear exactly who will take Nelson's rotation spot in the desert, but it will most likely be Brandon Pfaadt.
Source: Arizona Sports - John Gambadoro
Source: Arizona Sports - John Gambadoro
Ryne Nelson Going on the Shelf With Partially Torn Flexor Tendon
Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Ryne Nelson (forearm) will head to the injured list with a partially torn flexor tendon in his right forearm, according to John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports. Nelson is now facing an extended absence, although there is no specific timetable for when he might rejoin Arizona's starting rotation in the second half of 2026. The 28-year-old has been up and down for fantasy managers this year, going 3-5 with a 4.97 ERA (5.39 FIP) and 1.24 WHIP with 62 strikeouts and 22 walks in 83 1/3 frames over his 15 innings pitched, but he was trending up after his most recent start on Monday against the Los Angeles Angels, when he allowed just two earned runs on nine hits (one homer) while walking none and striking out five in seven innings for his third win of the year. With Nelson potentially missing a month or more, right-hander Brandon Pfaadt will likely be the team's top option to replace him in the starting rotation going forward.
Source: Arizona Sports - John Gambadoro
Source: Arizona Sports - John Gambadoro
