RADIO
Shea Langeliers has Torn Meniscus, Could Miss Rest of the Season
Athletics All-Star catcher Shea Langeliers (knee) could miss the rest of the 2026 season after suffering a torn meniscus in his right knee, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN. The 28-year-old will decide whether he will have surgery to fix his torn meniscus. Regardless of Langeliers' decision on surgery, it will likely end any trade talks around a player who is considered one of the best catchers in baseball. The A's weren't planning to trade him before the Aug. 3 deadline, but multiple teams had hoped the A's stance would soften on Langeliers. If his season is over, Langeliers will finish with a .263/.332/.497 slash line with 23 home runs and 51 RBI in 93 games. Not only does he bring high-end power to the weak catching position in fantasy, but Langeliers is one of the top defensive backstops in the league, catching 11 runners this season on 35 stolen-base attempts. He was on pace to become just the third catcher in big-league history with three straight seasons of at least 29 home runs. Jonah Heim, who will take over catching duties in Sacramento, is now a prime waiver pickup in two-catcher fantasy leagues.
Source: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
Source: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
Lazaro Montes Goes Deep Again as MLB Debut is in Reach
Seattle Mariners outfield prospect Lazaro Montes continues to flash high-end power at the Triple-A level and is making a strong case to earn the call to the big leagues. Since joining the top club in the system (14 games), the young slugger has looked quite comfortable, carrying a .254/.338/.525 line with a .863 OPS. During Saturday's contest, Montes went 2-for-5 with his third Triple-A long ball. This was also his third straight game tallying at least two hits. Earlier in the season, the outfielder spent 79 games at the Double-A level, where he posted a .234/.369/.550 line with a .919 OPS and 25 home runs. Montes is solidifying himself as one of the top power bats in the minor leagues and is in prime position to earn the call as Seattle looks to secure its spot in the postseason.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Triple-A Surge Puts Luke Adams High on Stash Rankings
Milwaukee Brewers infielder Luke Adams has enjoyed a dominant stretch at Triple-A Nashville and is now firmly on the stash radar ahead of Week 18 of the fantasy baseball season. Over his last 20 games, the infielder has posted a stellar .323/.442/.581 line with a 1.022 OPS. During this stretch, the primary third baseman has hit five doubles, gone deep three times, and swiped three bases. On the season (49 games at Triple-A), Adams has held a .270/.413/.560 line with a .973 OPS, eight doubles, 12 home runs, and seven stolen bases. Currently in the majors, the Brewers have seen third baseman Joey Ortiz enjoy a recent surge at the plate himself, but Adams is emerging as the clear next-man-up in this infield. If he maintains this pace, he should earn a late-season taste of the big leagues.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Jaxon Wiggins Sees Stash Value Plummet Amid Triple-A Growing Pains
Chicago Cubs top pitching prospect Jaxon Wiggins recently returned to Triple-A Iowa following a lengthy stint on the injured list but has not had the most productive return to action. Wiggins was cleared to return to Iowa on July 10 but has yet to turn in a successful outing. Over his last three starts (7 2/3 innings of work), Wiggins has allowed a hefty 11 runs while posting a 9:11 K:BB. While this recent skid has put a late-season MLB debut in question, he enjoyed an impressive run in the minor leagues last summer, which keeps the door open. During the 2025 season, Wiggins logged 78 innings across High-A, Double-A, and Triple-A to the tune of a 2.19 ERA and a sharp 1.03 WHIP. While he is not a high-end stash target, he is worth monitoring, as a late-season promotion could still be in play.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Late-Season MLB Debut Looks Unlikely for Seaver King Amid Lengthy IL Stint
Washington Nationals infield prospect Seaver King has remained on the shelf at Triple-A Rochester for nearly the entire month due to an oblique strain. While this injury has not completely ruled him out of a 2026 debut, it has made his path to MLB at-bats far more difficult, especially if he still needs additional time to recover. King began the 2026 campaign at the Double-A level, but needed just 35 contests to prove he was ready to join the top club. With Harrisburg, the former 10th overall pick from the 2024 MLB Draft held a .336/.427/.567 slash line with 10 doubles, five home runs and five stolen bases. Over his first 33 contests at the top ranks, King looked just as sharp, carrying a .275/.338/.443 line with five home runs and four stolen bases. While his recent injury has dropped his stash value, he could emerge as a potential late-season option if he were to return to action in the coming weeks.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Connelly Early Traded to Washington
The Boston Red Sox have traded left-handed starting pitcher Connelly Early to the Washington Nationals in exchange for infielder Curtis Mead. Early was able to break camp with the Boston starting rotation but has been on the shelf since late June with an elbow injury. Early made his MLB debut late in the 2025 campaign and flashed high-end upside, logging his first 19 1/3 MLB innings to the tune of a 2.33 ERA and a sharp 1.09 WHIP. In 2026, Early posted a solid 3.44 ERA with a 1.25 WHIP across 92 2/3 innings. He totaled 93 punchouts while walking 8.7% of the hitters he has faced. While Early is still on the 15-day injured list, he recently began throwing, which suggests he should make his Nationals debut later in August. He remains a worthy stash candidate in all standard leagues as he should remain solid fantasy value down the stretch once back on the bump.
Source: Jeff Passan
Source: Jeff Passan
Curtis Mead to Join Red Sox in Major Trade
The Washington Nationals have traded infielder Curtis Mead to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for left-handed pitcher Connelly Early. Mead has enjoyed a strong campaign in D.C. and is now set to play a key role as the Red Sox look to claim a Wild Card down the stretch run. Through 87 games with the Nationals in 2026, Mead has posted a strong .254/.352/.500 slash line with 17 doubles, 17 home runs and six stolen bases. His current production is expected to remain sustainable given his underlying marks. The 25-year-old has generated a .260 xBA with a borderline elite .358 xwOBA and a high .458 xSLG. Mead is expected to occupy the hot corner, which will move Caleb Durbin to the keystone. His power upside should provide him with prime RBI opportunities over the final months of the season as he joins one of the game's hottest lineups.
Source: Jeff Passan
Source: Jeff Passan
Adley Rutschman Begins Throwing the Ball
Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman (wrist) has started to make some progress on his road to return. Rutschman was able to throw on the field ahead of Saturday's game versus the Atlanta Braves. He has not started catching yet, so Rutschman still has some hurdles to jump before rejoining the O's lineup. He's eligible to come off the Injured List on Wednesday. Fantasy managers should check back in the middle of next week for another update on his status.
Source: Matt Weyrich
Source: Matt Weyrich
Carson Whisenhunt Draws the Start on Sunday
San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Carson Whisenhunt will be recalled to take the mound against the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday. The Giants have decided to call upon Whisenhunt to fill the void in the rotation left by Trevor McDonald (elbow), who landed on the Injured List. Whisenhunt has only started two games for the Giants this season, but has pitched well in Triple-A Sacramento. The 25-year-old figures to get an extended look with McDonald out and the Giants likely to move some veteran pitchers at the trade deadline. Whisenhunt draws a favorable start on Sunday and could be worth snagging in deeper mixed leagues.
Source: Shayna Rubin
Source: Shayna Rubin
Ranger Suarez to Start on Sunday
Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Ranger Suarez (groin, illness) will return to the mound for Sunday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays. There was some speculation that Suarez's start would be pushed back while he recovers from an illness. He was deemed healthy, so Suarez is back on the mound for the first time since early July. During the first half, Suarez posted a 3.15 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and a 97/26 K/BB ratio across 91.1 innings of work. He should be rostered and started in just about every fantasy format. The move to start Suarez on Sunday will push Payton Tolle back to Monday's game against the Athletics.
Source: Ian Browne
Source: Ian Browne
Shohei Ohtani Postpones Bullpen Session Due to More Knee Discomfort
Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (knee) won't throw his scheduled bullpen session on Saturday. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that Ohtani has "kicked the can" on his bullpen session because his knee wasn't feeling 100 percent healthy. The Dodgers remain confident that Ohtani will pitch again this season. Given where they sit in the standings, the Dodgers have little incentive to push Ohtani back to the mound. The 31-year-old will continue to serve as the designated hitter, but it's unclear when he'll get back on the mound. Fantasy managers shouldn't be confident that they'll get much of anything from Ohtani as a pitcher down the stretch of the season.
Source: David Vassegh
Source: David Vassegh
Edwin Diaz to be Activated on Wednesday
Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Edwin Diaz (elbow) is expected to be activated from the Injured List on Wednesday, according to David Vassegh. He'll make one final rehab appearance with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday. Diaz is finally ready to return after being sidelined since April 20 due to right elbow surgery. The expectation is that Diaz will take over the closer role once he's back in the Dodgers' bullpen. Tanner Scott should have a few more days in the closer role before Diaz returns. The 32-year-old should be rostered in basically all fantasy formats.
Source: David Vassegh
Source: David Vassegh
George Lombard Jr. Viewed as "Big-League Ready"
New York Yankees shortstop prospect George Lombard Jr. is putting together an impressive season in the minor leagues. There have been rumblings that Lombard could head to the big leagues this season. Across three different leagues, Lombard is slashing .281/.408/.500 with 11 home runs, 29 RBI, and 12 steals in 70 games. The 21-year-old has played so well that he has put himself in the conversation for a promotion, according to Bryan Hoch. Lombard has played fewer than 50 games at Triple-A, so the Yankees might opt to continue having him get reps there. However, the former first-round pick could force the Yankees' hand if he continues to hit this well.
Source: Bryan Hoch
Source: Bryan Hoch
Joe Ryan Scratched on Sunday With Arm Fatigue
Minnesota Twins right-hander Joe Ryan (arm) was scratched from his scheduled start on Sunday on extra rest against the Athletics due to right-arm fatigue, according to Twins reporter Audra Martin. Manager Derek Shelton said the Twins expect Ryan to pitch at some point against the division-rival Kansas City Royals next week in a series that starts on Tuesday, July 28. Minnesota elected to give the 30-year-old two-time All-Star some extra rest after his last start, in which he allowed eight runs on 10 hits (a career-high six home runs) with three strikeouts in only four innings against the Cleveland Guardians on Monday, but Ryan still isn't ready this weekend. Ryan is still having a fine 2026 season with a 6-6 record, 3.38 ERA (3.42 FIP) and 1.10 WHIP with 131 strikeouts and 25 walks in 114 1/3 innings across 21 starts, but he'll be more of a risk in starting fantasy lineups when/if he takes the hill against KC next week. He's struggled in his two starts against the Royals this year, too, posting a 5.40 ERA with two walks and eight K's in 10 innings pitched.
Source: Audra Martin
Source: Audra Martin
Mets Place Juan Soto on Injured List With Calf Strain
The New York Mets announced on Saturday that they placed outfielder Juan Soto (calf) on the 10-day injured list with a strained left calf and recalled infielder Eric Wagaman from Triple-A Syracuse in a corresponding move. Soto, who already spent time on the IL in the first half of the season with a right-calf strain, has been bothered by his left calf since the first game after the All-Star break, and he was pulled from Friday's series opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers with more discomfort in his left calf. An MRI exam showed a Grade 2 strain, and interim manager Andy Green said that Soto will miss more than the two weeks that he missed in April with his right-calf strain. It's a major bummer for fantasy managers, as the five-time All-Star has hit 21 homers and 52 RBI in only 84 games this season. Soto must be stashed in an IL spot in all fantasy leagues while he heals. With Soto sidelined, the switch-hitting Jorge Polanco figures to be the Mets' primary designated hitter.
Source: New York Mets
Source: New York Mets
