Aug 3, 2026, 9:09 PM ET

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers unloaded on the Pat McAfee Show on Monday afternoon, discussing multiple viewpoints, including the Dianna Russini/Mike Vrabel story, in which he did not hold back on major corporations. Rodgers stated, "You have literally an individual that maybe used to work at ESPN that covers our league at the highest level, and there's a major scandal, and it's just like nobody can talk about it." The future Hall-of-Fame quarterback is entering his final season in the NFL with the Pittsburgh Steelers, under former Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy, as he hopes to end his historic career on a high note.--Nathan Harvey
Source: Ari Meirov - My Sports Update

Aug 3, 2026, 7:52 PM ET

The Chicago Cubs acquired right-handed reliever Ryan Zeferjahn from the Los Angeles Angels on Monday in exchange for catcher Moises Ballesteros and minor-league pitcher Mason McGwire, the son of former big-league legend Mark McGwire, according to Francys Romero. Just when Zeferjahn was becoming a deep-league saves option in Anaheim, the 28-year-old was traded to a contender to help bolster the back end of their bullpen with regular closer Daniel Palencia (elbow) still on the injured list. Zeferjahn is 4-3 with a 3.66 ERA (3.77 FIP), 1.20 WHIP, a career-high four saves, 75 strikeouts, and 32 walks in 51 2/3 innings pitched in 2026 in his third year in the majors. With the last-place Angels, he wasn't a very convincing pickup off the waiver wire in deep fantasy leagues with save opportunities coming his way recently, but Zeferjahn should be more enticing to managers desperate for saves now that he has a shot for ninth-inning work on the North Side in Chicago. The Cubs have been using a closer-by-committee of late, consisting of Jacob Webb, Trent Thornton, and Caleb Thielbar.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Francys Romero

Aug 3, 2026, 7:38 PM ET

The Houston Astros acquired center fielder Daulton Varsho from the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan. The Athletic's Mitch Bannon reports that the Astros sent right-hander Spencer Arrighetti (foot) to the Blue Jays in return for Varsho. The 30-year-old Varsho has been a disappointment at the plate this year in Toronto, but he will immediately bolster the Astros' defense in the outfield. In 333 at-bats in 2026 in his seventh year in the majors (fourth with the Blue Jays), Varsho hit a very mediocre .243/.307/.375 with a .682 OPS, seven home runs, 26 RBI, 39 runs scored, and nine stolen bases in 99 games across 365 plate appearances. He will be set to reach free agency at the end of the 2026 season, so he might turn out to be just a rental for Houston's playoff run. The former second-rounder by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2017 from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee really struggled in July, going 17-for-83 (.205) with a .482 OPS, zero homers, three doubles, four RBI, eight runs scored, two steals, four walks, and 10 strikeouts in 24 games. Houston will be hoping that Varsho can be better than that at the plate going forward.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan

Aug 3, 2026, 7:30 PM ET

The Arizona Diamondbacks added outfield depth at Monday's Aug. 3 trade deadline by acquiring outfielder Lars Nootbaar from the St. Louis Cardinals, according to ESPN's Jorge Castillo and Alden Gonzalez. Nootbaar will head to the National League West after hitting just .234/.333/.354 with a .688 OPS, three home runs, 16 RBI, 22 runs scored, and a stolen base in 48 games and 183 plate appearances this year in his sixth season with the Cardinals. The 28-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder got a late start to the year after recovering from offseason surgery on both of his heels. Despite not really standing out offensively this year in St. Louis, Nootbaar should have a regular role in the Snakes' outfield because of injuries to all of Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (thigh), Tommy Troy (shoulder), and Jordan Lawlar (hamstring). Nootbaar has always teased power/speed upside, but he has not panned out in the big leagues thanks to injuries. He's hitting only .133 (4-for-30) with one of his three homers against lefty pitchers, and Nootbaar could lose playing time as Arizona's outfield gets healthy. Nootbaar is rostered in just 2% of Yahoo leagues.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN.com - Jorge Castillo

Aug 3, 2026, 7:22 PM ET

The Chicago Cubs acquired right-hander Clay Holmes (leg) and outfielder Tyrone Taylor from the New York Mets on Monday in exchange for infielder Jefferson Rojas, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN. Holmes becomes the third starting pitcher that the Cubbies acquired at this year's trade deadline, joining veteran right-hander Kevin Gausman and lefty Braxton Garrett. The 33-year-old Holmes is still on the 60-day injured list after fracturing his fibula earlier this season, but he could help bolster Chicago's rotation down the stretch, and he could make his Cubs debut sooner rather than later after making his third minor-league rehab start with High-A Brooklyn on Sunday. It will be interesting to see if the Cubs feel that Holmes will be better off working in a relief role (he has plenty of experience doing that), with right-hander Edward Cabrera (hamstring) also nearing his return from the IL. It's hard to gauge Holmes' rest-of-season fantasy outlook because we don't know exactly what his role will be upon joining his new club. Before injuring his leg earlier this year, the two-time All-Star had a 2.39 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 45:18 K:BB in just nine starts, but the underlying metrics pointed to eventual regression. Taylor, who will be a free agent after the season, will be a platoon bat in Chicago against lefties after sporting a .900 OPS against southpaws with the Mets in 2026.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan

Aug 3, 2026, 7:12 PM ET

The New York Yankees acquired outfielder Heliot Ramos from the San Francisco Giants on Monday, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN. It's unclear at this time what the Yankees sent to the Giants in exchange. Ramos will bring a much-needed right-handed bat to the Yankees outfield with all of Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger, and Giancarlo Stanton still sidelined with injuries. The 26-year-old Puerto Rican outfielder doesn't exactly bring a strong glove with him to the Bronx, though, and he has hit just .264/.304/.424 with a .728 OPS, nine home runs, 34 RBI, 36 runs scored, and three stolen bases across his 288 at-bats with the Giants this year. Although only two of his nine home runs in 2026 have come against left-handers, he's killed them otherwise, going 19-for-65 (.292) against them with an .835 OPS in 36 games. Another plus for the Yanks is that Ramos is now under team control through the 2029 season. Ramos might not see as much playing time against right-handed pitchers, but he could be more efficient in more of a platoon role against lefties in the Bronx.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan

Aug 3, 2026, 7:02 PM ET

The Cleveland Guardians acquired left-hander Foster Griffin from the Washington Nationals on Monday, a source told Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. The Athletic's Spencer Nusbaum reports that the Guardians are sending minor-league pitchers Will Dion, Josh Hartle, and Kendeglys Virguez, and outfielder Nick Mitchell to the Nationals. The 31-year-old veteran southpaw will head to the American League Central to bolster Cleveland's starting rotation alongside Gavin Williams, Parker Messick, Joey Cantillo, and Tanner Bibee. Griffin will become a free agent after the 2026 season, so he could end up just being a rental for the rest of this year. The former first-rounder by the Kansas City Royals in 2014 has gone 12-3 this year with a 3.06 ERA (4.09 FIP) and 1.07 WHIP with 116 strikeouts and 30 walks in 22 starts and 129 1/3 innings pitched in his first big-league season since 2022 after spending the last three years playing in Japan. Griffin is currently tied for fourth in baseball with his 12 wins, and he will definitely bolster the Guards' rotation down the stretch. The lefty allowed six earned runs in 5 1/3 innings in a loss to the Atlanta Braves his last time out last Friday, but Griffin had a strong stretch from June 5 through July 19 where he didn't allow more than an earned run in any of his eight starts for the Nats.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com - Mark Feinsand

Aug 3, 2026, 6:51 PM ET

St. Louis Cardinals top outfield prospect Joshua Baez could now find himself on the fast track to the big leagues for the remainder of the 2026 season after the team traded outfielder Lars Nootbaar to the Arizona Diamondbacks at the Aug. 3 deadline on Monday. Baez is considered St. Louis' No. 3 prospect and the No. 44 overall prospect in baseball, per MLB Pipeline. The 23-year-old former second-rounder in 2021 has hit .251/.324/.577 with a .901 OPS, 32 home runs, 83 RBI, 17 stolen bases, and 73 runs scored in 95 games and 426 plate appearances at Triple-A Memphis this year. Baez can play center field and right field, which will give the Cardinals more options when they decide to bring him up, but with Nootbaar now out of the picture in center, it would not be a surprise if Baez is called up from the farm sooner rather than later. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound right-handed hitter's raw power and speed upside make him worth stashing in even single-year formats if you have room on your bench. Baez is an obvious candidate for 30 homers and 20 steals at the big-league level.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN.com - Jorge Castillo

Aug 3, 2026, 6:34 PM ET

The Milwaukee Brewers made a move at Monday's Aug. 3 trade deadline to acquire right-hander Dustin May and left-handed reliever JoJo Romero (abdomen) from the division-rival St. Louis Cardinals, a source told The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon. May, 28, was in his first year in St. Louis in 2026 and went 5-7 with a 4.38 ERA (3.14 FIP) and 1.28 WHIP with 106 strikeouts and 35 walks in 109 innings pitched across 21 starts for the Red Birds. The former third-rounder by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2016 will give the first-place Brewers more rotation depth and also has experience working in a relief role, which would be invaluable for the Brew Crew as they look to get over the hump. May is expected to slot into Milwaukee's starting rotation after allowing just an earned run with three walks and 11 strikeouts in 11 innings in his last two starts against the Cincinnati Reds and Chicago Cubs. The move to Milwaukee should be considered a boost for his rest-of-season fantasy outlook. Romero has been out since mid-July after having an appendectomy, but he should be ready to make his Brewers debut in mid-August after posting a 3.53 ERA with 43 strikeouts and 16 walks in his 43 relief innings for St. Louis. He's currently tied for sixth in baseball with 20 saves, making him attractive in leagues that count that statistic.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon

Aug 3, 2026, 5:11 PM ET

Ben Griffin is normally solid off the driver's tee. The American golfer could not get out of his own way in Detroit, though, missing tee shots left and right. Griffin lost 1.27 shots and then missed the cut in Detroit as a result. Griffin showed he can drive the golf ball well enough and make putts at the Travelers Championship and John Deere Classic. The problem is his -17% driver accuracy. Griffin has done that twice before in 2026, and that was only a couple of months ago. Sticking approaches greater than 200 yards has been a sore spot (ranked 156th), but his 3.72 birdie average is only 102nd, which may be even worse. The key for Griffin will be keeping the ball in the fairway to set up easier putts.--Chris Wassel - RotoBaller
Source: PGATour.com

Aug 3, 2026, 5:03 PM ET

Sahith Theegala nearly finished inside the top 10 at the US Open (T11). The American golfer has largely struggled to put rounds together since then. Playing overseas at two higher birdie-friendly courses probably did not help. Since March, Theegala has been mostly average. Three of his four top-10 results came before the spring started. He was more accurate with his driver the past two tournaments, but his around-the-green game caused him to miss birdie chances. Greensboro is about getting opportunities and making the most of them. Theegala may be one to fade early as he tries to shake off a potentially poor start.--Chris Wassel - RotoBaller
Source: PGATour.com

Aug 3, 2026, 4:50 PM ET

Maverick McNealy has one career win in 2024 at the RSM Classic. The American golfer has not finished better than 10th in any event this 2026 season. McNealy has gained an average of 0.82 strokes in the past two events when it comes to putting. Overall, he ranks 17th with 0.456 strokes gained putting. Ironically, McNealy had issues making putts in 2024 where he finished 45th and 13 strokes off the pace. Getting the ball on the green would help too as McNealy is 91st at 66.34%. McNealy delivered a 64 during the final round of the 3M Open but has been down more than up scoring wise in June and July. He might be one to avoid from a DFS perspective at Greensboro. --Chris Wassel - RotoBaller
Source: PGATour.com

Aug 3, 2026, 4:37 PM ET

Johnny Keefer has been putting better lately. The American golfer has gained strokes in each of his last four tournaments putting-wise. Keefer has not been able to find consistency in other metrics, though. Unfortunately, his putts per round are still above 30 at 30.08 (158th). Too many times, Keefer puts himself in a bad position with extra putts. At the Genesis Scottish Open, Keefer played well with several excellent approach shots. It was by far his best week of 2026, where he gained 3.15 strokes overall (T3). Keefer is only 25, so his play can be uneven. It might be worth fading Keefer at the Wyndham Championship.--Chris Wassel - RotoBaller
Source: PGATour.com

Aug 3, 2026, 4:27 PM ET

Doug Ghim is driving the golf ball quite well (19th in strokes gained overall). The American golfer is normally quite accurate (32nd at 63.65%). The problem has been putting (29.04 putts per round and 38.89% one-putt percentage). Despite those issues, Ghim ranks sixth in scoring average at 69.15. The dilemma is do we see Ghim's putter from the John Deere Classic or does Ghim revert back to the Spring which largely saw negative putting metrics? Ghim has been volatile and from a DFS and betting point of view, it may be worth just watching how he fares at Greensboro. --Chris Wassel - RotoBaller
Source: PGATour.com

Aug 3, 2026, 4:13 PM ET

Austin Eckroat was not bad in Detroit last week at the Rocket Classic. The American golfer did end up just inside the Top 40 (T-38). Greensboro is a modest 7.127 yard Par-70. Driving has not been as much of an issue for Eckroat the past three tournaments. The first two rounds have been kinder to Eckroat particularly in putts per round (27.67 and 28.22). After that, there lies a noticeable drop. Eckroat gained 1.02 strokes last week at the Rocket Classic (0.95 overall). One of his better career results was a T-6 at the 2024 event in Greensboro. Avoiding more than one average round could be vital and that has been problematic for Eckroat lately. --Chris Wassel - RotoBaller
Source: PGATour.com

Aug 3, 2026, 4:02 PM ET

Pierceson Coody missed his second straight cut at the Rocket Classic. The American golfer could not string putts together again. This has occurred in three of his previous four events overall (70-72 last week). Around the green was worse for Coody where he lost 1.07 strokes overall in Detroit. Driver accuracy has been another major red flag where Coody was 14% worse than average last week. Oddly enough, Coody has thrived at majors (see the US Open and the Open Championship). Again, the Wyndham Championship is more birdie oriented. Last year's winner was -22. From a DFS perspective, it is probably safer to fade Coody this week. --Chris Wassel - RotoBaller
Source: PGATour.com

Aug 3, 2026, 3:56 PM ET

Chicago Bears safety Coby Bryant (knee) is expected to miss eight to 10 weeks after suffering a hyperextended knee, bone bruise, and small fracture during Monday's practice, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Surgery is not expected to be necessary. Bryant joined Chicago in March after starting 15 games for Seattle last season and recording 62 tackles, four interceptions, seven passes defended, and one forced fumble. He was brought in to play a significant role in a revamped safety group that also includes first-round rookie Dillon Thieneman. Cam Lewis stepped in with the first-team defense after Bryant left practice and should receive more opportunities while he is sidelined. The recovery timetable puts Bryant's availability for the beginning of the regular season in serious doubt. Avoiding surgery is encouraging, but Chicago will likely be without one of its top offseason additions for the remainder of training camp.--Bruno Mulé
Source: Adam Schefter

Aug 3, 2026, 3:51 PM ET

Blades Brown is having a nice time as a teenage golfer on the PGA Tour. The American golfer has finished inside the top 15 in four straight events, including most recently at Corales Puntacana. While Brown has not competed in too many top-tiered tournaments, he has thrived in what has been put in front of him. Brown has gained 1.219 strokes overall in 24 measured rounds. Brown has been driving the ball about seven to 10 yards better than the field average while being above-average in terms of driver accuracy. This could be a good tournament to take Brown from a betting standpoint (top 40 or even top 20). Brown finds a way to stay close enough to contention.--Chris Wassel - RotoBaller
Source: PGATour.com

Aug 3, 2026, 3:45 PM ET

The Chicago Cubs are acquiring left-hander Braxton Garrett from the Miami Marlins on Monday, sources tell Jeff Passan of ESPN.com. It is unclear what the Cubs are sending to the Marlins in return. The Cubs have made another move to bolster their pitching staff for the stretch run after acquiring right-hander Kevin Gausman from the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday evening. The 28-year-old Garrett was called up from the minors earlier this year by the Marlins, but he allowed seven earned runs with eight walks and five strikeouts in just 4 1/3 innings over his two starts before being demoted back to Triple-A Jacksonville. Garrett will most likely begin his tenure with the Cubs at Triple-A Iowa before potentially becoming an option for their starting rotation if he shows them enough in the minors. Remember, Garrett is in his first year removed from an internal-brace surgery on his left elbow. In 16 outings (15 starts) with the Jumbo Shrimp on the farm this year, he went 4-4 with a 2.90 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, and 83:29 K:BB in 77 2/3 frames, giving hope to Cubs fans that he can eventually reach his ceiling in Chicago as a former first-round selection (seventh overall) in 2016.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan

Aug 3, 2026, 3:41 PM ET

New York Jets tight end Kenyon Sadiq (hernia) was given a scheduled rest day as the team continues to manage his workload following offseason surgery, according to Antwan V. Staley. Sadiq had practiced for three straight days before the Jets held him out, and the move was described as part of his maintenance program rather than a setback. The first-round rookie underwent the procedure after participating in rookie minicamp, then missed OTAs and mandatory minicamp while recovering. He returned for the start of training camp and has been able to practice, which makes the planned day off less concerning. New York selected Sadiq 16th overall after he caught 51 passes for 560 yards and eight touchdowns at Oregon last season. He remains an intriguing piece in a tight end group that also includes Mason Taylor and Jeremy Ruckert. His next practice status is still worth checking, but there is no current indication of a new injury.--Bruno Mulé
Source: Antwan V. Staley

Aug 3, 2026, 3:31 PM ET

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow carries more injury risk than most players in his tier, but that should not scare off a Superflex contender. He missed nine games after undergoing surgery for a Grade 3 turf toe injury in 2025, then came back in Week 13 and threw for 1,620 yards and 15 touchdowns over the final six games. There were a few rough moments, including a scoreless loss to Baltimore, but the arm talent was still obvious. Burrow had led the NFL with 4,918 yards and 43 touchdown passes the year before, and Cincinnati has kept the offense around him intact. Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins are back, Chase Brown caught 69 passes last season, and all five starting offensive linemen return. Burrow does not offer the rushing floor of Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, or Jayden Daniels, so another injury would be especially costly at his price. That is the tradeoff. RotoBaller ranks him QB6 in dynasty, and he still belongs in that tier. Contenders searching for a quarterback who can win weeks through passing volume should be willing to pay, provided the deal does not leave the rest of the roster too thin.--Bruno Mulé
Source: RotoBaller

Aug 3, 2026, 3:27 PM ET

The Pittsburgh Pirates are acquiring right-handed reliever Luke Weaver from the New York Mets on Monday, a source told Jorge Castillo of ESPN. Weaver was one of the few bright spots for the Mets in 2026, going 2-1 with a stingy 1.84 ERA (0.82 WHIP), one save, 45 strikeouts and 11 walks in 44 innings pitched out of the bullpen. Left-hander Gregory Soto has been Pittsburgh's primary source of saves so far in 2026, but he's been pretty volatile, so it seems likely that Weaver is going to get a huge fantasy boost and jump into save opportunities in his new digs. The 32-year-old Weaver will remain under contract with Pittsburgh through the 2027 season and will be paid $12.5 million. He's currently only rostered in 17% of Yahoo leagues, but with the trade to the Pirates, Weaver's fantasy stock should improve drastically in the coming days. Weaver is in his 11th season in the majors, with all 13 of his career saves coming in the last three years.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN.com - Jorge Castillo

Aug 3, 2026, 3:26 PM ET

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott will sit out the preseason after head coach Brian Schottenheimer said the team does not plan to play its starters, according to Nick Harris. Prescott has not appeared in an exhibition game since 2019, so this continues Dallas' recent approach with its franchise quarterback. He sat out all three preseason contests last year before starting every regular-season game and completing 404 of 600 passes for 4,552 yards, 30 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. The decision should leave Joe Milton III and Sam Howell with the preseason quarterback work as they compete for the backup job. Prescott does not need exhibition snaps to secure his role, and Dallas can use the games to evaluate the rest of the depth chart. His absence does not change his fantasy outlook, and he remains locked in as the Cowboys' starter for Week 1.--Bruno Mulé
Source: Nick Harris

Aug 3, 2026, 3:16 PM ET

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers could see action during the preseason, according to The Athletic. No decision has been announced, but it would mark a change from last year, when Rodgers sat out all three exhibition games before throwing four touchdown passes in Pittsburgh's Week 1 win over the New York Jets. The 42-year-old went on to complete 65.7% of his passes for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns, and seven interceptions across 16 starts as the Steelers won the AFC North. Rodgers returned on a one-year contract and is working with new head coach Mike McCarthy, who coached him for 13 seasons in Green Bay. Pittsburgh also has Mason Rudolph, Will Howard, and third-round rookie Drew Allar in its quarterback room, giving the team several passers who need preseason reps. The Steelers open their exhibition schedule against Green Bay on August 13. Rodgers' availability should become clearer as that game approaches.--Bruno Mulé
Source: The Athletic

Aug 3, 2026, 3:07 PM ET

The Los Angeles Dodgers are adding another left-handed starting pitcher at the trade deadline by acquiring left-hander Kris Bubic (elbow, shoulder) from the Kansas City Royals in exchange for right-hander Carlos Duran on Monday, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN. It pales in comparison to L.A.'s blockbuster deal to land two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal from the Detroit Tigers on Saturday night, but the addition of the 28-year-old Bubic will give their rotation even more depth for the stretch run if he can bounce back from elbow and shoulder injuries that have kept him sidelined since all the way back on May 18. Even if Bubic makes it back at the tail end of the second half of the season, he probably won't have a spot in the Dodgers' suddenly crowded starting rotation once lefty Blake Snell (elbow) and right-hander Tyler Glasnow (back) return. Bubic, a former first-rounder, was a first-time All-Star in 2025 with a career-best 2.55 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and 116:39 K:BB in 20 starts. He wasn't fully healthy, though, and he's made only nine starts in 2026 while dealing with more arm injuries, which has tanked his fantasy value. Currently, Bubic is only rostered in 34% of Yahoo leagues.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan

Aug 3, 2026, 3:06 PM ET

Miami Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley believes running back Ollie Gordon II has the tools to stay on the field for all three downs, according to Cameron White. It is a notable vote of confidence in the second-year back, but it should not be viewed as a change at the top of the depth chart. De'Von Achane remains Miami's lead runner, while Gordon and Jaylen Wright are competing for work behind him. Gordon appeared in all 17 games as a rookie but finished with 199 yards and three touchdowns on 70 carries, averaging only 2.8 yards per attempt. He added seven catches for 32 yards and another score. At 6-foot-2 and 225 pounds, Gordon gives the Dolphins a bigger option between the tackles, though he will need to show more efficiency to earn a steady role. Hafley's comments are encouraging, but Gordon still needs a strong camp to separate from Wright and establish dependable fantasy value.--Bruno Mulé
Source: Cameron White

Aug 3, 2026, 2:57 PM ET

The Boston Red Sox are acquiring three-time All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman (wrist) in a trade with the Baltimore Orioles on Monday, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN. It's unknown what the Red Sox are sending to the division-rival Orioles in return for the former first overall pick. Most likely, the O's will receive some young, controllable pitching from the BoSox. Rutschman is currently on the 10-day injured list, but the 28-year-old switch-hitter is making progress towards a return and will be Boston's primary backstop over both Carlos Narvaez and Connor Wong when he returns. Rutschman has struggled to get going in 2026 in his fifth year in the majors, slashing just .251/.331/.433 with a .764 OPS, eight home runs, 47 RBI, and 30 runs scored in just 67 games and 284 plate appearances. Injuries have gotten in his way for sure, and the Red Sox are banking on the talented catcher bouncing back after he was an All-Star in back-to-back seasons in Baltimore in 2023 and 2024. In Baltimore, it's now clear that Samuel Basallo (shoulder) is the team's catcher of the future.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan

Aug 3, 2026, 2:54 PM ET

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Makai Lemon did not participate in team drills during Monday's practice, according to Delaware Online. The first-round rookie remained in uniform and went through individual work, but the reason for his limitation was not disclosed. Lemon missed the final two weeks of Philadelphia's spring practices with a hamstring injury, though he said on August 1 that he was fully healed. There is no confirmation that Monday's absence from team periods was related to the same issue. The Eagles selected Lemon 20th overall after he caught 79 passes for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns during his final season at USC. Missing team work is notable for a rookie learning a new offense, but Lemon was not completely sidelined. His participation in Philadelphia's next practice should provide a better indication of whether this was simply a precaution or the beginning of another absence.--Bruno Mulé
Source: Delaware Online

Aug 3, 2026, 2:48 PM ET

Kansas City Royals outfield prospect Gavin Cross had a stretch in late July when he hit a home run in six straight games for Triple-A Omaha. Altogether, he finished the month of July with seven homers and 23 RBI while hitting .337. It was a big month for the former first-round pick out of Virginia Tech. The left-handed hitting outfield prospect is the No. 26-ranked prospect in the Royals' system and has 11 homers and 42 RBI this season at Omaha in 337 at-bats. He's added 22 stolen bases and 50 runs scored while hitting .243 overall. The 25-year-old could be looking at a shot to man the outfield for the Royals this season and is worth a look in fantasy leagues. His 50-grade power and 50-grade speed make him an intriguing stash as someone who could produce given an opportunity this season.--Brian Buckey - RotoBaller
Source: Minor League Baseball

Aug 3, 2026, 2:46 PM ET

The Tampa Bay Rays acquired catcher/first baseman Liam Hicks from the Miami Marlins on Monday in exchange for third base prospect Brayden Taylor, High-A shortstop Adrian Santana, and High-A pitcher Jacob Kisting, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post. Hicks will give the Rays an immediate upgrade at the catching position over both Hunter Feduccia and Nick Fortes for the remainder of the year, but he can also spend time at first base and designated hitter if Tampa wants to get creative with their lineup. The 27-year-old Canadian left-handed hitter will continue to be a lineup regular with his new squad after breaking out in 2026 with the Fish to the tune of a .282/.363/.432 slash line, a .795 OPS, 14 home runs, 62 RBI, 54 runs scored, and three stolen bases in his 354 at-bats in just his second year in the big leagues. Hicks stayed hot in July, batting .280 (26-for-93), although he had only one homer and a .692 OPS in 25 games. The move to Tampa should be at least a slight boost for Hicks' run-production opportunities.--Keith Hernandez
Source: New York Post - Joel Sherman