Jul 18, 2026, 2:28 PM ET

San Diego Padres closer Mason Miller would jump to the front of the New York Yankees' trade-deadline plans if he becomes available, according to The Daily News. New York has spent weeks looking for a right-handed-hitting catcher, but Miller is a different kind of target. He would help now and give the Yankees a long-term answer in the ninth inning, even if Aaron Judge's absence has them questioning how far this season can go. George Lombard Jr. is reportedly off limits, though the Yankees still have enough prospect depth to put together a serious offer. Miller has been almost untouchable, posting a 0.89 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, 75 strikeouts, and 25 saves in 40 2/3 innings. He is under team control through 2029. A move to New York would put Miller in the ninth inning and push David Bednar into a setup role.--Bruno Mulé
Source: The Daily News

Jul 18, 2026, 2:18 PM ET

Seattle Mariners outfield prospect Lazaro Montes has two homers in his last three games since recently receiving a call-up to Triple-A Tacoma. Montes, 21-years-old, was called up to Tacoma on July 7 and has hit for pop since. Prior to his call-up, Montes was hitting .234 with 25 homers and 66 RBI to go with 67 runs scored at Double-A Arkansas. A Cuba native, Montes needs to raise his batting average, but has shown loads of power in his bat. In seven games so far at Tacoma, he is hitting just .133, so he will need to work on his overall hitting skills. His power numbers, however, make him an attractive option in fantasy circles, and managers in mid-size to deep leagues will want to keep an eye on Montes to beat others to his services on the waiver wire. If he maintains this pace, he should be well-positioned to join the Mariners for the stretch run.--Brian Buckey - RotoBaller
Source: Minor League Baseball

Jul 18, 2026, 2:16 PM ET

Texas Rangers right-handed pitcher Jose Corniell was recalled from Triple-A Round Rock on Saturday, July 18, bringing the organization's No. 4 prospect back to the majors. The results at Round Rock have been rough: a 6.37 ERA, 1.73 WHIP, and 27 strikeouts over 35 1/3 innings, with nine starts among his 10 appearances. His earlier trip to Texas ended with five earned runs allowed in 3 1/3 innings against Miami. The stuff still makes Corniell worth tracking in dynasty leagues. His fastball sat between 95 and 97 mph and touched 99 last season, while MLB Pipeline grades both the pitch and his slider as above average. That is more future interest than present redraft value. Texas has not announced a rotation spot or firm workload, and the current numbers do not make Corniell an add outside deep AL-only or dynasty formats.--Bruno Mulé
Source: Texas Rangers PR

Jul 18, 2026, 2:08 PM ET

Milwaukee Brewers prospect Luke Adams is heating up in July at Triple-A Nashville with a .385 batting average in his 26 at-bats to go with two homers and five RBI. After a rehab assignment in May with the ACL-Brewers, Adams has racked up a combined 15 homers and 37 RBI between A-ball and Nashville to go with a .275 batting average and a 1.059 OPS. Adams is a prime candidate for a call-up to Milwaukee to replace David Hamilton, who is on the 10-day IL. Adams, the right-handed bat, could be ideal in a third-base platoon even when the left-handed hitting Hamilton returns from the IL. Adams is the No. 11 prospect for the Brewers, could get spot at-bats, and make the most of his opportunity to face left-handed pitching at the major league level and become fantasy relevant in deeper leagues when he does, making him a worthy stash target option in deeper formats.--Brian Buckey - RotoBaller
Source: Minor League Baseball

Jul 18, 2026, 1:57 PM ET

Cincinnati Reds second baseman Matt McLain (calf) has rejoined the team after spending the All-Star break at the club's complex in Goodyear, Arizona, receiving treatment. He was seen with the team fielding ground balls and taking batting practice in Colorado ahead of the Reds' weekend series against the Rockies. If all goes well, he could be activated at any time, as his 10-day stint on the Injured List makes him eligible to return this weekend. The 26-year-old has had a disappointing season, hitting just eight home runs and stealing 11 bases while batting an underwhelming .190. He is worth rostering only in the deepest fantasy leagues as a depth piece due to his multi-position eligibility.--Dave Funnell - RotoBaller
Source: MLB.com

Jul 18, 2026, 1:52 PM ET

Detroit Tigers second base/third base prospect Max Anderson is making a name for himself at Triple-A Toledo this season. Between Low-A Lakeland and Toledo, Anderson has racked up a .308 batting average with 11 homers and 36 RBI to go with 40 runs scored. Anderson, the Tigers' No. 4 overall prospect, spent time on the injured list with an unspecified injury in April, but has returned to nice success in the minor leagues. The former second-round pick out of the University of Nebraska was also recently chosen to represent the Tigers at the 2026 All-Star Futures Game. In fantasy leagues, it would be wise to take a cautious approach with adding Anderson. His numbers are good, but it might take a little bit more convincing before taking a shot on him in shallow leagues. For now, he is best left for deeper leagues ahead of the second half of the season.--Brian Buckey - RotoBaller
Source: Minor League Baseball

Jul 18, 2026, 1:47 PM ET

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Nick Lodolo (finger) recently had the blister on his left index finger drained and has begun throwing a plyo ball. The plan is for him to continue throwing the plyo ball until the tenderness in the affected finger subsides. Until that happens, both Lodolo and the Reds want to keep the 28-year-old's arm as loose as possible so that he doesn't fall too far behind and require additional ramp-up time. The southpaw is unfortunately no stranger to blisters, as this is his second such injury of 2026, making it a recurring issue. As a result, his 4.60 ERA and 1.47 WHIP seem out of place for someone who appeared poised for a breakout just last season. The hope is that he can get this blister issue under control soon enough for his true potential to finally shine through.--Dave Funnell - RotoBaller
Source: MLB.com

Jul 18, 2026, 1:37 PM ET

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Kris Bubic (elbow/shoulder) could begin a new throwing program soon. After missing his rehab start on July 1 due to shoulder soreness, the left-hander received a cortisone injection and is now nearly ready to begin a new throwing program. Already on the Injured List with a previous bout of left elbow soreness, Bubic developed left shoulder discomfort following a bout of arm fatigue and a rehab start in which he allowed six runs on eight hits and one walk while recording just four outs. With two significant injuries to manage, it is unclear what his throwing program will entail, but it will likely be slow-moving and carefully monitored. While this is a positive development, it remains unclear whether he will pitch again this season.--Dave Funnell - RotoBaller
Source: MLB.com

Jul 18, 2026, 1:36 PM ET

Tampa Bay Rays pitching prospect Ty Johnson has had a great season at Triple-A Durham and was recently placed on the Developmental List. Johnson has pitched to a 4-1 record at Durham with a 2.74 ERA and 0.99 WHIP. He has amassed 65 strikeouts in his 49 1/3 innings pitched. Johnson, a former 15th round pick by the Cubs out of Ball State, will spend time working with coaches on mechanics and likely work to perfect the nuances of his pitching skill set. Fantasy managers will have to take pause because the Development List is indefinite, meaning there is no timetable for Johnson to return to the Triple-A rotation. There is no doubt that time on the Development List could do him good, but his numbers were already quite good at the Triple-A level, and the next step could be with the Rays in Tampa Bay. It is best to take a wait-and-see approach, but Johnson could find himself in the big league mix shortly.--Brian Buckey - RotoBaller
Source: Minor League Baseball

Jul 18, 2026, 1:28 PM ET

Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Carlos Estevez (shoulder) has begun a throwing program as he works his way back from a right rotator cuff strain he sustained in April. Over the past few months, the 33-year-old reliever made substantial progress, advancing to the point where he was able to throw multiple bullpen sessions in June. However, he then suffered a setback that required an injection to relieve the pain. He has only now been able to resume a throwing program, and the extent of his current workload remains unknown. While there is no exact timeline for his return, it's safe to say he won't be back on the mound for the Royals anytime soon. That being said, it's still quite possible that he pitches in 2026, although when that happens will depend on how he continues to recover and whether he can avoid another setback.--Dave Funnell - RotoBaller
Source: MLB.com

Jul 18, 2026, 1:17 PM ET

New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto (calf) is serving as the designated hitter and will bat second on Saturday on the road at Citizens Bank Park against the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies and left-hander Jesus Luzardo, according to MLB.com. Soto was removed from Thursday's game early to kick off the second half of the season due to soreness in his calf, but after a day off on Friday, he's feeling good enough to return to the Mets' lineup as the DH. Even though he's facing a left-hander on Saturday, fantasy managers must get Soto back in their starting lineups in all traditional formats. The 27-year-old Dominican All-Star returns to a .292/.412/.563 slash line with a .976 OPS, 21 home runs, 51 RBI, 44 runs scored, and seven stolen bases in 277 at-bats despite spending time on the injured list early on with a calf injury. Soto has extensive experience against Luzardo in his career and has fared well against him, batting .333 with a 1.041 OPS, a home run, and five RBI in 21 at-bats.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com

Jul 18, 2026, 1:16 PM ET

Kansas City Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia (hand) will be re-evaluated on Sunday to determine whether he can ramp up his hitting progression. Over the All-Star break, the 26-year-old began swinging a bat, which is an encouraging sign in his recovery. With his re-evaluation scheduled for Sunday, the team should have a better sense of where he stands health-wise, which will go a long way toward determining his next steps. If he is cleared to progress, the Royals expect him to increase the number of rounds of batting practice he takes. Garcia was placed on the Injured List on June 23 with a left-hand muscle strain, which could explain his lackluster 2026 season. He has hit just three home runs and stolen five bases while batting .261, making him a disappointment for most fantasy baseball managers this season. The hope is that once he is healthy, he can return to being a five-category contributor.--Dave Funnell - RotoBaller
Source: MLB.com

Jul 18, 2026, 1:07 PM ET

Texas Rangers right-hander Jack Leiter (ankle) threw a bullpen session during this week's All-Star break and continues to throw off flat ground this weekend during the team's series in Atlanta against the Braves, per MLB.com. Leiter's arm is feeling good as he continues to rehab after having arthroscopic surgery on his right ankle. The Rangers placed him on the 15-day injured list on June 21. Barring a setback, the 26-year-old former second overall pick from Vanderbilt University in 2021 will have a chance to return late in the 2026 season. Leiter's timetable for a return should become clearer once he resumes throwing off a mound, but he'll most likely need a minor-league rehab assignment before he rejoins Texas' starting rotation for the stretch run. He has yet to live up to his draft hype in his three big-league seasons so far, and he was 3-7 with a 5.29 ERA (4.76 FIP) and 1.44 WHIP with 83 strikeouts and 35 walks in 80 innings (15 starts) this year before going on the IL. Only fantasy managers in AL-only and keeper leagues should be stashing Leiter right now. He's rostered in just 15% of Yahoo leagues.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com

Jul 18, 2026, 1:00 PM ET

Veteran wide receiver Romeo Doubs signed a four-year, $68 million deal with the New England Patriots in the opening hours of free agency, and while the move has since been overshadowed by the acquisition of three-time Pro Bowler A.J. Brown, he should still find his own path to fantasy relevance in 2026. At 6'2" and 210 pounds, Doubs brings much of the expected physicality that allowed Mack Hollins to lead the position group in snaps per game in 2025, but with a higher pass-catching ceiling, he should be able to more regularly convert that time on the field into fantasy production. And while Brown's pairing with MVP runner-up Drake Maye makes clear sense with Maye having led the league in deep throw accuracy, Doubs is well equipped to step into something closer to the chain-moving Stefon Diggs role from a season ago that saw the 32-year-old top 1,000 yards as a part-time player. At RotoBaller's WR53, Doubs should provide a usable weekly floor while offering an underrated ceiling in what could again be one of the league's highest-scoring offenses.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 18, 2026, 12:58 PM ET

Multiple MLB teams are showing interest in acquiring Washington Nationals infielder Luis Garcia Jr. in a trade, according to Will Sammon and Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic. Garcia could present an intriguing opportunity for contending teams, with the possibility that the trade market this summer will lack power-hitting options. However, any talks between the Nats and other teams regarding Garcia are in the preliminary stages, and Washington hasn't seriously engaged on the topic. The Nationals are open to listening to offers on Garcia, but they value him because of his talent and an additional year of club control at a reasonable dollar figure. The 26-year-old is making $6.875 million in 2026 through arbitration and can become a free agent after the 2027 season. The lefty hitter has already reached career highs in homers (20) and is batting .284/.317/.554 with an .871 OPS, 68 RBI, 45 runs, and four steals in 90 games going into Saturday. Garcia still mostly sits against lefties, but his underlying metrics in the last three seasons show that he has an above-average bat. If the Nats pull the trigger on trading Garcia this year, they will most likely be looking to get back young, controllable pitching.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Will Sammon and Spencer Nusbaum

Jul 18, 2026, 12:50 PM ET

The New York Yankees announced on Saturday that they transferred outfielder Aaron Judge (rib) to the 60-day injured list to make room on the roster for right-hander Bradley Hanner, who was signed to a major-league contract and optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. The move doesn't change Judge's timetable to return. At the very least, Judge is going to need another couple of weeks before he's a realistic option to rejoin the major-league roster as he attempts to return from a rib injury that has kept him sidelined since May 31. The 30-year-old three-time MVP and eight-time All-Star went on the IL on June 4, and he probably won't return until at least early August. Obviously, the 6-foot-7, 282-pounder must be stashed in all fantasy leagues until he's ready to return. Before his injury, he was hitting .248/.375/.533 with a .907 OPS, 17 home runs, 38 RBI, 43 runs scored, and five stolen bases in 59 games and 261 plate appearances. At least for another couple of weeks, Jasson Dominguez will continue to see regular playing time in New York's outfield with Giancarlo Stanton (calf) still sidelined as well.--Keith Hernandez
Source: New York Yankees

Jul 18, 2026, 12:49 PM ET

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold has finished in low-end QB1 territory in each of the past two seasons, first as QB9 in a 2024 season with the Vikings that saw him revive his career, then as QB14 in 2025. While the Seahawks have been praised for their remarkable roster continuity, returning 20 of 22 starters from a Super Bowl-winning team, their biggest change heading into 2026 is one likely to have a direct impact on Darnold. Offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak has taken the top job in Las Vegas, and stepping into his place is former 49ers tight ends coach Brian Fleury. With 2026 marking Fleury's first time calling plays, it stands to reason that Darnold will less frequently be presented with the easy answers of Kubiak's under-center, play-action-heavy offense or that of Kevin O'Connell from the previous season. Darnold has proven himself more than capable of running high-level offenses, but when paired with one of the league's truly elite defenses, his fantasy ceiling will ultimately be lowered by the lack of a need to consistently keep pace in high-scoring shootouts. At RotoBaller's QB22, Darnold can provide a steadying presence as the second quarterback in superflex leagues, but in single-quarterback formats, there are higher-upside options still available in his area of drafts.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 18, 2026, 12:37 PM ET

Los Angeles Dodgers right-handed closer Edwin Diaz (elbow) is getting closer to making his return from the 60-day injured list after another sharp rehab appearance on Friday night at Low-A Ontario. Diaz tossed a scoreless inning with no hits allowed, no walks, and two strikeouts. The hard-throwing right-hander has made three appearances in the lower levels of the minors, but he has fanned six of the nine batters he's faced and looks to be ready to move up to the higher levels on the farm. The 32-year-old Puerto Rican veteran might not need many more rehab appearances before the Dodgers are comfortable bringing him back to the back end of the major-league bullpen before the calendar flips to August. Before Diaz needed surgery to remove loose bodies from his right elbow, he struggled to a 10.50 ERA, 2.33 WHIP, four saves, and 10 strikeouts in six innings pitched. Diaz could be eased in when he's back with the Dodgers, but there's no question he'll be L.A.'s closer in the second half. Fantasy managers need to check to see if he's available on the waiver wire. If he is, scoop him up right away.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Milb.com

Jul 18, 2026, 12:37 PM ET

A fifth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Dallas Cowboys running back Jaydon Blue barely saw the field as a rookie, with 16 of his 39 total touches coming in a Week 18 tilt against the Giants, in which the team's starters saw limited action. Leading rusher Javonte Williams signed a three-year extension early in the offseason, locking him in atop the depth chart, but with few other moves made at the position, Blue has the opportunity to compete against a familiar cast of characters for primary backup responsibilities. Serving in that role last season, Malik Davis showed great efficiency on his limited touches, which could put him in pole position ahead of 2026 training camp, while 2025 seventh-round pick Phil Mafah was active in only one game as a rookie. Meanwhile, Blue was reported to have impressed his coaches with the progress he showed during OTAs and minicamp, and if he can carry that momentum into the padded practices of training camp, he could threaten for an important insurance role in what again projects to be a high-scoring offense.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 18, 2026, 12:30 PM ET

Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez (concussion) didn't return from the seven-day concussion injured list on Friday for the first game of the second half of the season against the San Francisco Giants, but he said he's "trending" in the right direction after going through a full pre-game workout on Friday that included agility drills, throwing, and swings off the Trajekt machine, according to Daniel Kramer of MLB.com. Rodriguez could come off the IL as early as Saturday in Seattle. "Super encouraged," general manager Justin Hollander said. "Obviously, you don't want to mess around with head injuries, and they all sort of come in different forms and feel differently for different guys over a period of time. I do think it's been a noticeable trend up for Julio over the course of the week." He's been out since July 2 after taking a throw to the back of his helmet while running the bases. The 25-year-old five-tool outfielder will be a must-start when he returns to the M's lineup, hopefully this weekend. Before getting hurt, J-Rod was batting .259/.323/.424 with a .747 OPS, 14 long balls, 40 RBI, 46 runs, and 12 stolen bases across his 344 at-bats.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com - Daniel Kramer

Jul 18, 2026, 12:25 PM ET

Entering his fourth professional season having never topped the RB35 finish of his rookie campaign, the door still has not fully closed for Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears to find fantasy relevance in 2026. A capable pass-catcher throughout his career, Spears could find fresh opportunities with a new coaching staff inheriting a running back room that is not teeming with insurmountable talent. New offensive coordinator Brian Daboll has some familiarity with Tony Pollard from their time together in the NFC East, but he's long shown a willingness to ride the hot hand, turning his 2025 Giants backfield over to fourth-round rookie Cam Skattebo almost immediately. The Titans selected Penn State's Nicholas Singleton in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, muddying the waters slightly, but if Spears can maintain a primary pass-catching role while working his way into more of an early-down rotation, he could prove to have some usable flex weeks throughout the year. At RotoBaller's RB49, he's unlikely to be selected outside of the deepest of 2026 drafts, but he's a player to keep tabs on early in the season as a potential waiver add.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 18, 2026, 12:23 PM ET

Chicago White Sox corner infielder Miguel Vargas (hand) was forced from the team's game on Friday against the Toronto Blue Jays late after taking a pitch off his hand in the eighth inning, according to Zach Worden of MLB.com. Vargas' removal from the game appeared to be a precaution, and that has been confirmed now that he's officially starting at third base and batting third on Saturday against the hosting Toronto Blue Jays and right-hander Shane Bieber, per MLB.com. He homered in Tuesday's All-Star Game and has been a key piece of the White Sox's stunning revival in 2026. After Friday's game against Toronto, he's now hitting .245/.356/.490 with 21 home runs in 95 games played. Fantasy managers will want to get Vargas back in their starting lineups on Saturday, even though he's only hitting .227 (10-for-44) with two homers, five doubles, seven RBI, nine runs, six walks, and nine strikeouts in 12 games so far in July. Vargas has never faced Bieber in his big-league career.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com - Zach Worden

Jul 18, 2026, 12:14 PM ET

Minnesota Twins corner infielder Royce Lewis (hamstring) is out of Saturday's starting lineup against the Chicago Cubs with soreness in his left hamstring, according to Dan Hayes of The Athletic. Manager Derek Shelton said Lewis reported to the field on Saturday feeling better, but the Twins will be cautious and hold the oft-injured slugger out. Josh Bell will start at first base and bat third, while catcher Ryan Jeffers will serve as the designated hitter and bat second against Cubs left-hander Matthew Boyd. We'll consider Lewis day-to-day for now, but given his lengthy injury history, this could easily turn into an injured-list situation before long. The 27-year-old former first overall pick in 2017 got off to a rough start to 2026 before being sent to the minors to work on his approach at the plate. Since returning on June 6, Lewis has been better, slashing .258/.319/.484 with an .804 OPS, seven home runs, eight doubles, 16 RBI, 19 runs, three steals, 12 walks, and 33 K's in 33 games played to raise his season line to .216/.292/.392 with a .685 OPS. Strikeouts and swing-and-miss are always going to be part of the package with Lewis, but the streaky hitter can definitely still be a power asset for fantasy managers lacking in the department. Check back on Sunday to see if Lewis is ready for the series finale.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Dan Hayes

Jul 18, 2026, 12:13 PM ET

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams finished as the fantasy QB5 in 2025 while leaving a lot of meat on the bone. His 58.1% completion rate ranked 32nd out of 33 qualifying quarterbacks, finishing ahead of only J.J. McCarthy, but much of his accuracy struggles can be explained by the same propensity for hunting big plays that is responsible for his heightened ceiling. Twice in 2025, Williams finished a week as the overall QB1, and he landed in the top 10 in more than half his starts, but a more balanced approach in his second season with Ben Johnson should lead to more consistency and a spot among the most reliable fantasy contributors at the position. Even in saying goodbye to DJ Moore, the team's leading wide receiver in each of the past three seasons, Chicago still boasts one of the most dynamic trios of pass catchers in the league in receivers Luther Burden III and Rome Odunze and tight end Colston Loveland. With all the pieces around him to take yet another step forward, Williams is RotoBaller's QB7, but he is one of a handful of players who could ultimately threaten to finish 2026 as the overall QB1.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 18, 2026, 12:04 PM ET

The Pittsburgh Pirates are selecting the contract of right-handed pitching prospect Khristian Curtis from Triple-A Indianapolis for Game 1 of their doubleheader on Saturday against the Cleveland Guardians, according to MLB.com's Alex Stumpf. Curtis is the team's No. 21 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, but he might only be with the Bucs for one day as extra pitching depth for their two games versus Cleveland. The 24-year-old former 12th-rounder in 2023 out of Arizona State University will be making his MLB debut if he gets into a game on Saturday. He started the year at Double-A Altoona before being promoted to Indy despite going 0-7 with a 4.73 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, and 67:25 K:BB in 53 1/3 innings over his 12 starts. In six appearances (four starts) at Triple-A, Curtis has gone 2-1 with a 5.57 ERA, 1.67 WHIP, and 30:15 K:BB in 21 frames. If Curtis debuts on Saturday, it will be in a relief role, and he could be sent back to Indy on Sunday, so fantasy managers in AL-only leagues can avoid him for now.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com - Alex Stumpf

Jul 18, 2026, 11:58 AM ET

The Pittsburgh Pirates moved outfielder Oniel Cruz (hand) to the 60-day injured list on Saturday, according to Alex Stumpf of MLB.com. There hasn't been a setback in Cruz's rehab from a fractured hand he suffered in June, and he will be eligible to return to the major-league roster on Aug. 8. As long as he doesn't suffer any setbacks with his hand as he begins to ramp up his baseball activities in the coming weeks, Cruz stands a good chance of returning right on Aug. 8. The 27-year-old Dominican must remain stashed in all fantasy formats as a five-category producer when healthy. Before getting hurt, Cruz was slashing .264/.350/.472 with an .822 OPS, 14 home runs, 44 RBI, 45 runs scored, and 21 stolen bases in his 250 at-bats. Cruz led the league in stolen bases with 38 in 2025, and he's had at least 21 steals in each of the last three seasons while also contributing at least 20 homers in the last two campaigns. When Cruz is activated from the 60-day IL in early April, he'll return to being Pittsburgh's everyday center fielder.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com - Alex Stumpf

Jul 18, 2026, 10:58 AM ET

Washington Nationals first baseman Andres Chaparro and the rest of the team were seeing the ball well on Friday night in their 23-4 trouncing of the Athletics at hitter-friendly Sutter Health Park. Chaparro went 4-for-5 at the plate as the three-hole hitter with two home runs, eight RBI, four runs scored, and a walk. The 27-year-old Venezuelan first baseman has only played in 32 games (71 plate appearances) in his third year in the big leagues with the Nats, and he's now hitting .220/.352/.424 with a .776 OPS, three home runs, 15 RBI, 13 runs scored, 11 walks, and 18 strikeouts. In an even smaller sample size since the start of July, Chaparro has gone 6-for-14 (.429) with all three of his home runs, 10 RBI, and five runs scored in seven games played. While Chaparro will likely continue to be a part-time player, it's hard to ignore his recent hot streak, potentially making him a short-term waiver-wire pickup in deeper fantasy leagues. Right now, he's not rostered in any Yahoo leagues.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com

Jul 18, 2026, 10:46 AM ET

Houston Astros right-hander Peter Lambert continues to draw more eyeballs in fantasy baseball with another strong performance in his first outing following the All-Star break in Friday night's 3-2 loss to the visiting Baltimore Orioles at Daikin Park. Lambert gave up just one earned run on three hits while walking three and striking out a career-high 10 in six innings of work for a no-decision. The 29-year-old is now 8-5 on the season with a 3.03 ERA (4.08 FIP) and 1.11 WHIP with 91 strikeouts and 36 walks in 92 innings over his 16 starts in his first year with the Astros. The former second-rounder by the Colorado Rockies in 2015 now has three quality starts in a row in July against the Orioles, Tampa Bay Rays, and Texas Rangers, allowing just two earned runs over that span with five walks, 23 strikeouts, and two wins. Lambert has a career-high 24% strikeout rate in 2026 in his fifth year in the big leagues and is deserving of some attention as at least a spot starter in deeper mixed fantasy leagues. He's currently rostered in only 54% of Yahoo leagues.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com

Jul 18, 2026, 10:00 AM ET

As a rookie in 2025, New York Jets tight end Mason Taylor led the team in both targets and receptions, but he was unable to build upon some promising early-season momentum or truly take advantage of the opportunity presented by Garrett Wilson's absence. Taylor saw a combined 22 targets in a three-game stretch from Weeks 3 through 5 that made him a popular waiver wire pickup, but even in serving as the de facto number one receiving option for large swaths of the season, he topped five targets in a game only two more times and eventually landed on injured reserve with a neck injury. The Jets have since spent a first-round pick on Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq, whose athleticism and physicality stand out in stark contrast to Taylor, who finished his rookie season without a single forced missed tackle. Incapable of consistently producing for fantasy as the top tight end on the team with Wilson sidelined for much of the year, nothing about Taylor's year-two situation suggests a sudden turnaround is on the way, and he is going largely undrafted in 2026 redraft leagues.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 18, 2026, 9:50 AM ET

The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Alabama wide receiver Germie Bernard in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft, and after a number of scant seasons, a team that once had a reputation for never missing at the position again looks to have one of its strongest receiver rooms in years. With the offense running primarily through the running backs and tight ends in Arthur Smith's final season as offensive coordinator, DK Metcalf's 59 catches for 850 yards and six touchdowns all led the position group by a wide margin. With new head coach Mike McCarthy assuming play-calling duties in his reunion with quarterback Aaron Rodgers, there is an expectation for more three-receiver sets and a higher passing volume. And while a 42-year-old Rodgers may no longer have the arm talent that allowed him to reach one of the highest peaks in the history of the league, Bernard's combination of size and speed, along with his dependability and inside-to-outside versatility, make him a perfect fit in an offense looking to push the ball downfield as much as Rodgers' right shoulder will allow. While a bit of an overlapping skill set with Michael Pittman Jr. could limit his ceiling, particularly early in the year, Bernard is practically free in drafts, and at RotoBaller's WR68, he's a player worth taking a late-round swing on in hopes that the Steelers offense could surprise in 2026.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller