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Bryan Hudson Earns Save for White Sox, Remains Deep-League Target in Committee
Chicago White Sox left-hander Bryan Hudson picked up his fourth save of the season on Wednesday, throwing a scoreless ninth inning with two strikeouts in his team's 4-2 win over the Texas Rangers. It was Hudson's first save since June 10, as the White Sox continue to operate a closer committee between Hudson, Sean Newcomb, and Grant Taylor. Still, Hudson has been a very effective reliever in 2026, recording a 3-2 record with a 2.08 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and 42 strikeouts across 43 1/3 innings (44 games). The 29-year-old owns a middling 23.2% strikeout rate, but he's allowed just one home run on the year. In deeper leagues, Hudson could be worth targeting on the waiver wire as a source of solid ratios who also provides the occasional save.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Eric Brown Jr. Promoted to Triple-A Nashville Sounds
Milwaukee Brewers prospect Eric Brown Jr. received his promotion from Double-A Biloxi to Triple-A Nashville. In 54 games and 178 at bats with Biloxi this season, Brown Jr. hit five homers and drove in 27 runs with 26 runs scored, all while hitting .212. Brown Jr., a former first round pick out of Coastal Carolina, will receive his first taste of Triple-A in his age 25 season. Drafted back in 2002, Brown Jr. does not appear on the Brewers' current top prospects list, so he will need to make the most of his Triple-A opportunity to prove that he is big league ready and able to contribute to a loaded Brewers organization. Brown Jr. is listed as a shortstop, a position in which the Brewers are loaded with the likes of top prospect Jesus Made as well as Cooper Pratt and Jett Williams. The promotion to Triple-A is a good sign for Brown Jr. in his development but he still has a lot of work to do to prove he is big-league ready and ready to produce for fantasy.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Corey Seager Could Take Live Batting Practice This Weekend
Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager (back) has continued his hitting progression with machine work in the batting cage and has also continued to take ground balls and run the bases. He could potentially start taking live batting practice on Saturday or Sunday, according to MLB.com. Seager was placed on the 10-day injured list on July 1 with back discomfort, and his expected return is to be determined. Ezequiel Duran should continue to fill in at the 6 for as long as Seager remains out. It's been an injury-plagued and extremely disappointing 2026 campaign for Seager, a five-time All-Star and two-time World Series MVP. The 32-year-old veteran has played in only 51 games this year and is hitting .182/.292/.374 with a career-worst .667 OPS, 10 home runs, 25 RBI, 28 runs scored, and a stolen base in his 219 plate appearances. Fantasy managers definitely should not expect Seager to return until August at this point, and when he does, he could be rested often to prevent another injury down the stretch as Texas looks to get into the postseason.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Arjun Nimmala Producing in Injury Interrupted Season
Toronto Blue Jays shortstop prospect Arjun Nimmala has dealt with a right-hamstring strain this season, but he has been able to produce in limited at-bats across four levels of the minors. Back with the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats, Nimmala has racked up three homers and five RBI in just seven games. The 20-year-old shortstop has been hot since rejoining New Hampshire and has found some of his 60-grade power. The Blue Jays' No. 2 overall prospect still has some development to do in the minors before he becomes fantasy relevant, but if he continues to produce at Double-A, he could be looking at a Triple-A promotion before the end of the year. More of a dynasty league play at this point, it is worth tracking Nimmala's development because he has major potential to be an eventual producer at the big league level and thus a fantasy contributor.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Mike Sirota Producing Consistently in the Minors
Los Angeles Dodgers outfield prospect Mike Sirota has split time between High-A and Double-A this season and hasn't stopped hitting all year. Between the two levels, Sirota is hitting .324 with 14 homers and 54 RBI to go with 77 runs scored and 11 stolen bases. Sirota, the No. 2 prospect in the Dodgers system, is graded out with a 55 hit tool, 55 power, and a 60 run tool, and was acquired in the trade that sent Gavin Lux to the Reds. He was a third-round pick originally by the Reds. The right-handed hitting outfielder didn't miss a beat since joining Double-A Tulsa, as his numbers are very similar to the High-A Great Lakes Loons. He has seven homers at each level, and his batting average is basically the same, dropping from .325 to .324. The consistency as he advances through the minors is a very good sign for his overall ability and shows he should be able to produce once he gets to Triple-A and then the majors. His high prospect grade and overall ability should make him a good fantasy name, but that time in the big leagues might not come until 2027.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Bailey Ober Could be Second-Half Breakout Candidate
Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Bailey Ober has turned the page since making his return to the mound in July. Over his last two starts, Ober has allowed eight hits, three earned runs, and struck out 12 batters across 10.1 innings of work. He's scheduled to take the mound against the Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday. The right-hander doesn't offer overpowering velocity, which means his strikeout numbers will probably remain low. He has looked better lately, but he remains a deep league play at the moment. Fantasy managers should wait to see how he does against the Guardians before jumping to the waiver wire.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Leo De Vries is Scratched with Finger Injury
Athletics shortstop Leo De Vries (finger) was scratched ahead of Wednesday's game with Double-A Midland. The immediate speculation was that De Vries is headed to the MLB. That is not happening yet. De Vries is being pulled from the lineup due to a finger injury. The assumption is that this is a day-to-day issue for De Vries. The 19-year-old top prospect was the key piece that came back in the deal that sent Mason Miller to the San Diego Padres. The A's are unlikely to promote De Vries this season, so he's not worth rostering in redraft formats until next season.
Source: Martin Gallegos
Source: Martin Gallegos
Kirby Yates is Primed for Second-Half Success
Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Kirby Yates is quietly putting together a strong season in 2026. Through 25 appearances, Yates owns a 3.74 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, and a 28/8 K/BB ratio. His fantasy value has been limited because he has had only three saves on the season. The 39-year-old is likely to be on the move at the trade deadline. The Angels aren't contending and figure to flip Yates, who is a free agent after the season. A move elsewhere could provide Yates with increased save chances. Fantasy managers should keep an eye on what happens to Yates over the next few weeks.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
JJ Bleday Emerges as Interesting Power Option
Cincinnati Reds outfielder JJ Bleday hasn't exactly been tearing the cover off the ball lately, but that doesn't mean he's not offering fantasy value. Over the last two weeks, Bleday has only recorded nine hits, but three of those were home runs. The 28-year-old has already surpassed last year's season total of 14 homers, and we just started the second half of the season. Through 72 games, Bleday has 16 home runs with 43 RBI and 41 walks. He's not going to hit for average, but fantasy managers looking for power or help with walks should consider adding Bleday. There is a very good chance that he sets a new career high in home runs this season.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Victor Caratini Exits Early With Knee Contusion
Minnesota Twins catcher Victor Caratini (knee) was forced to make an early exit from Wednesday's game against the Cleveland Guardians. Caratini was forced to exit during his at-bat in the fifth inning after fouling a ball off his knee. The X-rays came back negative, so fantasy managers should consider Caratini as day-to-day with a knee contusion. He finished this game 0-for-2 at the plate, and fantasy managers shouldn't be shocked if he gets a day or two off. The switch-hitting catcher is only worth rostering in deep leagues at the moment.
Source: Dan Hayes
Source: Dan Hayes
Gerrit Cole Punches Out 11 Pirates in Game 1 of Doubleheader
New York Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole received a no-decision in the team's 5-3 loss to the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday in Game 1 of their doubleheader, but he also had his third straight quality start for his fantasy managers. Cole allowed three earned runs on four hits (one homer) while walking none and striking out a season-high 11 batters in seven innings of work to lower his ERA on the year to 3.92. The 35-year-old former Cy Young winner was dominant with his fastball on the day and now sits with a 3-5 record, 3.92 ERA and 66:12 K:BB in his 62 innings and 11 starts after getting a late start to the year as he recovered from Tommy John surgery. While Cole obviously hasn't been perfect in 2026, he has yet to give up more than three earned runs in any of his 11 outings, and he's now struck out at least six batters in all four of his starts in July. He came into Wednesday's outing with just a 23.9% strikeout rate, but his career-low 5.2% walk rate has to be extremely encouraging that he can perform like a fantasy ace for the rest of the 2026 season.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Shohei Ohtani Throws 31-Pitch Bullpen Session
Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (knee) threw a 31-pitch bullpen session and used all of his pitches on Wednesday, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletics. Ohtani last started as a pitcher on July 3 against the San Diego Padres due to a balky left knee that he had drained just before last week's All-Star break. The Dodgers don't have a timeline for when the four-time MVP will be able to pitch in a game again, and it will probably be at least a few weeks. The good news is that the 32-year-old six-time All-Star continues to serve as the Dodgers' designated hitter. With that said, he has hit just .237 (14-for-59) with four home runs, two doubles, 10 RBI, six runs scored, five walks, and 16 strikeouts in 15 games in July. Fantasy managers are going to need to remain patient, as it definitely won't be until some point in August when Ohtani makes another pitching start. Remember, the Dodgers, with their big lead in the National League West, don't have any incentive to push Ohtani back. Their main priority is to have him healthy as a pitcher for the postseason.
Source: The Athletic - Fabian Ardaya
Source: The Athletic - Fabian Ardaya
Colson Montgomery Returns From Shin Injury on Wednesday
Chicago White Sox infielder Colson Montgomery (shin) is starting at shortstop and is batting cleanup for the White Sox in Wednesday's contest at Globe Life Field against the Texas Rangers and left-hander Tyler Alexander, per MLB.com. Montgomery fouled a ball off his right shin in Monday's series opener in Texas, which is why he was scratched from the starting nine before Tuesday's loss. The 24-year-old left-handed slugger is now back in action and should be returned to most fantasy lineups for his power. The former 22nd overall pick in 2021 has a 32.4% strikeout rate and is hitting just .222 (79-for-356) with a .304 on-base percentage, but fantasy managers can't argue with his 45 home runs in his first 166 big-league games since debuting with the Pale Hose in 2025. Montgomery has hit 24 homers, driven in 57, and scored 48 runs across 95 games and 398 plate appearances this year in his first full season in the majors. In 14 games so far in July, he's gone 13-for-57 (.228) with a .688 OPS, three homers, two doubles, eight RBI, eight runs, three walks, and 21 strikeouts.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Ranger Suarez Won't Come Off the Injured List on Wednesday
Boston Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy said that left-hander Ranger Suarez (groin, illness) isn't ready to be activated from the 15-day injured list to start Game 2 of the team's doubleheader on Wednesday against the division-rival Baltimore Orioles, according to Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald. However, it's more due to an illness than his groin injury. Suarez is nearing his return from a groin injury that initially landed him on the IL on July 9, and with a scheduled day off for the team coming on Friday, it's possible that he could be ready to return and start in Friday's series opener at Fenway Park against the division-rival Toronto Blue Jays. Rookie left-hander Eduardo Rivera will start Game 2 of Wednesday's doubleheader as the BoSox look for their 16th straight victory. Suarez has been a must-start fantasy pitcher in all leagues in 2026 in his first year in Beantown, as he has gone 4-3 with a 3.15 ERA (2.61 FIP) and 1.16 WHIP with 97 strikeouts (career-high 25.8% strikeout rate) and 26 walks in 91 1/3 innings across his 17 starts to earn his second All-Star nod in the last three years.
Source: Boston Herald - Gabrielle Starr
Source: Boston Herald - Gabrielle Starr
Michael Arroyo Flashing Upside at Triple-A
Seattle Mariners infield/outfield prospect Michael Arroyo earned a promotion to Triple-A back on July 7 and has looked like he belongs there, collecting a hit in eight of the 10 games he's played in, going 17-for-45 (.378) with three doubles, a triple, two home runs, and a pair of stolen bases. He's struck out eight times in 51 plate appearances, which is just a 15.7 percent rate (84th percentile), so the 21-year-old does not appear overmatched in that regard either. The Mariners' fourth-ranked prospect offers a solid hit tool with some power to go along with it and some speed to boot, making him an intriguing fantasy asset in both redraft and dynasty formats. At this rate, a late-season debut in the majors looks possible, so managers in deeper leagues could consider stashing him, but if that doesn't happen, look for a productive 2027 in the majors from the 5-foot-10 Colombian.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
