RADIO
Yordan Alvarez Cementing his Case for AL MVP With Another Two-Homer Game
Houston Astros outfielder Yordan Alvarez continued to rake in Monday night's 8-5 win over the visiting Miami Marlins at Daikin Park by going 3-for-4 at the plate as the designated hitter with two home runs and a strikeout to raise his season average to .324 and his OPS to a stellar 1.083. Alvarez continued to scorch the ball all over the ballpark in the series opener against the Fish, and his two homers now have him tied for the major-league lead in homers with 33 with Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Kyle Schwarber. The 29-year-old Cuban left-handed slugger also leads baseball with a 1.083 OPS and is second with his .324 batting average and 75 RBI. There aren't many pitchers in the league right now who can shut Alvarez down offensively. He came into Monday's tilt with a .353 average (18-for-51) and 1.159 OPS with five home runs, four doubles, 13 RBI, and six runs scored across 13 games and 60 plate appearances in the month of July. If Alvarez can continue his torrid pace for the rest of the second half and stay healthy, he has an excellent shot to be the first Triple Crown winner since Miguel Cabrera did it in 2012.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Jazz Chisholm Jr. has First Multi-Homer Game of the Year on Monday
New York Yankees infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. carried the offense in Monday night's 8-5 victory in the Bronx over the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates, going 2-for-4 at the plate with two home runs, five RBI, and two strikeouts to bolster his season average to .228 and his OPS to .726. It was Chisholm's first multi-homer game of 2026 after he did it four times in 2025. The big game on Monday night against the Bucs boosted Chisholm's season totals to 16 home runs, 43 RBI, and 26 stolen bases in 375 plate appearances in his second full season in the Bronx. The 28-year-old left-handed slugger continues to be a batting-average and on-base-percentage drain thanks to a 29.6% strikeout rate. Chisholm is also displaying less power with a 40.4% ground-ball rate in his 371 plate appearances so far this year. Still, the two-time All-Star should reach the 20-20 mark for the third straight campaign, and fantasy managers cannot complain for a player with second base eligibility. It's just not the high-end production that we expected after he hit 31 homers, drove in 80, and stole 31 bags in 2025. Chisholm has now homered three times in his last two games.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Yainer Diaz Heating Up, Re-Emerging as a Top Waiver-Wire Target
Across 187 plate appearances in 2026, Houston Astros catcher Yainer Diaz is hitting .242/.267/.393 with six home runs, 23 RBI, and 19 runs scored. The 27-year-old got off to a rough start to the season, hitting .238 with two home runs across 106 plate appearances before being placed on the injured list in early May with an oblique injury. However, Diaz has been heating up since returning from the IL in mid-June. Across his last 81 trips to the plate, Diaz is hitting .247 with home runs and nine RBI. Diaz owns just a 32% hard-hit rate this season, but he owns a career 43.4% hard-hit rate across nearly 1,800 MLB plate appearances. He also limits his swing-and-miss, as he's struck out in just 16% of his plate appearances in 2026. Fantasy managers in search of some upside at the catcher position may want to consider targeting Diaz on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tristan Peters Carries Deep-League Waiver-Wire Appeal
Across 291 plate appearances this season, Chicago White Sox outfielder Tristan Peters is hitting .292/.341/.462 with six home runs, 37 RBI, 38 runs scored, and five stolen bases. The 26-year-old does not profile as a plus source of power for fantasy managers, as he's posted just a 4.7% barrel rate and a 30.5% hard-hit rate. The lefty-swinging Peters' playing time this season has also largely been limited to big-side platoon duties, which puts a ceiling on his production upside. Still, Peters has been a quality source of batting average, and his presence in the stellar White Sox lineup allows him to rack up counting stats at a decent rate despite his lack of an everyday role. In deeper league formats, Peters could be worth targeting on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Travis Bazzana Emerging as a High-Upside Waiver-Wire Target
Across 300 plate appearances in 2026, Cleveland Guardians second baseman Travis Bazzana is hitting .246/.337/.419 with nine home runs, 32 RBI, 33 runs scored, and 13 stolen bases. The 23-year-old has shown off impressive plate discipline in his rookie season, logging an 11.3% walk rate while striking out at a manageable 22.7% clip. However, Bazzana's underlying batted-ball metrics are unimpressive, as he's posted a 4.2% barrel rate and a 36.1% hard-hit rate. Still, Bazzana has emerged as a fixture at the top of the Guardians lineup, which should put him in position to continue to rack up counting stats and stolen bases. The young infielder has also demonstrated some power upside of late, hitting home runs in two out of Cleveland's first four games coming out of the All-Star break. All in all, Bazzana profiles as a must-add waiver wire target in any fantasy league where he's not already rostered.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Colson Montgomery Exits Early on Monday With Shin Injury
Chicago White Sox infielder Colson Montgomery (shin) exited early from his team's game against the Texas Rangers on Monday due to a right-shin contusion, per LaMond Pope of the Chicago Tribune. Pope reports that the young infielder is currently being listed as day-to-day. Montgomery was hitless in four plate appearances before being pulled from the game. Across 398 plate appearances on the year, the 24-year-old is hitting .222/.302/.472 with 24 home runs, 57 RBI, 48 runs scored, and one stolen base. While Montgomery's 32.4% strikeout rate limits his batting average potential, he owns a stellar 13.8% barrel rate and is one of the better sources of power among middle infielders. White Sox utility man Luisangel Acuna replaced Montgomery on Monday and could be in line for increased playing time if Montgomery ends up facing an extended absence.
Source: Chicago Tribune - LaMond Pope
Source: Chicago Tribune - LaMond Pope
Ranger Suarez Set to Return on Tuesday
Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Ranger Suarez (groin) will return from the 15-day injured list on Tuesday to face the Baltimore Orioles, per Tim Healey of The Boston Globe. The 30-year-old was placed on the IL in early July due to a left groin strain, but the injury appears to have been a minor one. Across 91 1/3 innings (17 starts) this season, Suarez has recorded a 4-3 record with a 3.15 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 97 strikeouts. In his first season in Boston, the veteran left-hander owns a career-best 25.8% strikeout rate. Now that he's back in the Red Sox rotation, Suarez profiles as a must-start fantasy pitcher.
Source: The Boston Globe - Tim Healey
Source: The Boston Globe - Tim Healey
Bobby Witt Jr. Pulled Early With Back Tightness on Monday
Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (back) was forced to leave Monday's game early against the San Francisco Giants with more tightness in his lower back, according to Anne Rogers of MLB.com. Before being replaced at the 6 by Nick Loftin, Witt went 0-for-1 at the plate with a walk and a strikeout. The Royals held Witt out of Sunday's series finale against the San Diego Padres due to back tightness, but he was included in the starting lineup for Monday's series opener against SF. After being pulled early with the same issue, the 26-year-old three-time All-Star could be headed for a stint on the injured list. Fantasy managers will want to check back on Tuesday for an update on his condition. If Witt is forced to miss more time going forward with his back injury, Loftin and Tyler Tolbert would both be candidates to see more playing time at shortstop going forward for KC. Witt is one of the top offensive players, regardless of position, in all of baseball, but he came into Monday's contest hitting just .200 (11-for-55) with a .532 OPS, one homer, two doubles, three RBI, seven runs, two steals, three walks, and 12 K's in 13 games so far in July.
Source: MLB.com - Anne Rogers
Source: MLB.com - Anne Rogers
Angels Exected to Make Jose Soriano, Reid Detmers Available at Trade Deadline
The New York Post's Jon Heyman reports that the Los Angeles Angels are expected to make both right-hander Jose Soriano and left-hander Reid Detmers available at this year's trade deadline in early August. Soriano allowed just one earned run in his first six starts of the season, but he's come down to Earth since, posting a 5.15 ERA, 1.53 WHIP, and 72:40 K:BB in 73 1/3 innings over his last 14 starts. The 27-year-old Dominican is 8-6 overall with a 3.49 ERA (3.97 FIP), 1.29 WHIP, and 115:53 K:BB in 111 innings over 20 starts. Soriano leads the league with 53 walks in his fourth year in the majors in Anaheim. Detmer, meanwhile, has had a solid return to a starting role in 2026 after being demoted to the bullpen last year. The 27-year-old southpaw is 3-6 with a 4.16 ERA (3.21 FIP), 1.12 WHIP, and 130:35 K:BB in 114 2/3 frames across 20 starts. Both hurlers should attract plenty of interest on the trade market as the deadline approaches, and both of them could have a higher fantasy ceiling down the stretch with contenders.
Source: New York Post - Jon Heyman
Source: New York Post - Jon Heyman
Nick Kurtz Could be Available This Weekend
Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz (thumb) is with the team during their current road trip and has started a hitting progression, according to Martin Gallegos of MLB.com. Kurtz also took groundballs on Monday. If he continues to progress, there's a chance that he could come off the 10-day injured list for this weekend's series in Minnesota against the Twins, although manager Mark Kotsay said that might be a bit of an accelerated timeline. The 23-year-old left-handed slugger was still limited to range-of-motion and strengthening exercises over the weekend, but he has progressed in his recovery from a right-thumb capsule sprain and could return for fantasy managers this weekend or early next week, barring a setback. Kurtz has been on the IL since July 11. When active, the former fourth overall pick in 2024 from Wake Forest University is an elite source of power from the left side of the plate, especially in the minor-league band box in Sacramento that the A's currently call home. Through 334 at-bats in his first full big-league season in 2026, Kurtz has hit .266/.405/.497 with a .902 OPS, 20 homers, 66 RBI, 61 runs, and seven stolen bases.
Source: MLB.com - Martin Gallegos
Source: MLB.com - Martin Gallegos
Matt Chapman Could Return on the Next Homestand
San Francisco Giants third baseman Matt Chapman (abdomen) went through his most strenuous day yet while rehabbing an abdominal strain on Monday, according to Evan Webeck of The California Post. Manager Tony Vitello said "it went well" and that Chapman is in "really good spirits." The skipper also said that it's "reasonable to think" that Chapman could return from the 10-day injured list on the team's next homestand, but he wouldn't make any promises. San Francisco will return home this Friday, July 24, and will stay in the Bay Area until Wednesday, July 29. It sounds as though the Giants won't ask the 33-year-old veteran to go on a minor-league rehab assignment before potentially returning this weekend. The former 25th overall pick in 2014 by the Athletics out of Cal State Fullerton has left a lot to be desired from his fantasy managers in 2026, slashing .235/.324/.368 with a career-low .692 OPS, seven home runs, 42 RBI, and 35 runs scored through his first 84 games and 352 plate appearances in his third year with the Gigantes and 10th in the majors.
Source: The California Post - Evan Webeck
Source: The California Post - Evan Webeck
Shohei Ohtani Throws on Flat Ground, Could Throw a Bullpen This Weekend
The Los Angeles Dodgers still don't have a pitching timetable for two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (knee), but manager Dave Roberts said that Ohtani could throw a bullpen session this weekend, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. Ardaya added that Ohtani was throwing on flat ground on Monday. The four-time MVP has been dealing with a nagging left-knee injury and has not made a start as a pitcher since July 3 against the San Diego Padres as a result. The 32-year-old had his knee drained on the Sunday before last week's All-Star break, but the Dodgers scratched him from his scheduled start this Wednesday against the Philadelphia Phillies as a precaution after he felt more soreness in his knee while throwing over the weekend. If Ohtani's throwing session goes well on Monday, he could be cleared to throw off a mound this weekend, which would represent progress as he attempts to rejoin L.A.'s starting rotation in the second half. Still, fantasy managers are going to need to stay patient, and the Dodgers have a big enough lead in the National League West that they won't be forced to rush Ohtani back. At the very least, he will not make another start as a pitcher for another couple of weeks.
Source: The Athletic - Fabian Ardaya
Source: The Athletic - Fabian Ardaya
Edwin Diaz Could Return to Dodgers Bullpen This Weekend
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts didn't rule out right-handed closer Edwin Diaz (elbow) being activated from the 60-day injured list for the upcoming weekend series against the New York Mets, according to David Vassegh of 570 LA Sports. Diaz has been away from the big-league team since having surgery in late April to remove loose bodies from his right elbow. The 32-year-old veteran and three-time All-Star is nearing a return from the IL, though, and has struck out seven and walked one in four shutout innings in his four minor-league rehab appearances. The Dodgers most likely want to see the Puerto Rican hurler pitch on back-to-back days before they have him rejoin their big-league bullpen. Left-hander Tanner Scott has done a commendable job filling in as L.A.'s primary ninth-inning option for Roberts with Diaz out for most of the first half of the season, but he will most likely go back to a late-inning setup role when Diaz returns. Diaz allowed seven earned runs in his first six innings with the Blue before going under the knife, but he deserves to be rostered in all fantasy leagues as the primary closer for the best team in baseball.
Source: 570 LA Sports - David Vassegh
Source: 570 LA Sports - David Vassegh
Corbin Carroll Out on Monday With Hyperextended Elbow
Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll (elbow) is absent from the team's starting lineup for Monday's series opener at Chase Field against the visiting Athletics, according to MLB.com. Jorge Barrosa is starting in right field and will bat out of the nine-hole against A's left-hander Jeffrey Springs. Carroll is considered day-to-day after suffering a hyperextended elbow in Sunday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals, but he'll miss at least one game to begin the new week. Fantasy managers will want to check back on the 25-year-old three-time All-Star's availability for Game 2 of the series in the desert on Tuesday. The former 16th overall pick in 2019 is a must-start in all fantasy leagues when he's healthy. He's currently slashing .250/.344/.480 with an .824 OPS, 14 home runs, 47 RBI, 55 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases across his 356 at-bats this year. Corbin could use a day or two off, though, as he's gone 6-for-51 (.118) with a homer, three doubles, four RBI, seven runs, one stolen base, nine walks, and 18 strikeouts in 14 games (60 plate appearances) so far in July.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Christian Walker Missing Second Straight Game With Hip Tightness
Houston Astros first baseman Christian Walker (hip) is missing his second straight game due to hip tightness in Monday's series opener at Daikin Park versus the visiting Miami Marlins, per MLB.com. LaMonte Wade Jr. will make a second straight start at first base and will bat fifth against Marlins right-hander Janson Junk. Walker initially injured his hip on a swing in Saturday's game against the Baltimore Orioles. The good news is that manager Joe Espada said that the 35-year-old veteran has been doing baseball activities and is feeling better, so he should be considered day-to-day with a chance to return as early as Game 2 of the series against the Fish on Tuesday. Walker is still good for plenty of power -- he's already reached the 20-homer mark for the fifth straight season -- but he's not providing much else for fantasy managers with a .234/.310/.456 slash line in 364 at-bats. He could probably use a couple of days off, too, as he's gone 7-for-40 (.175) with a homer, three doubles, two RBI, five runs scored, three walks, and 15 strikeouts in 12 games so far in July.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
