Jun 27, 2026, 10:58 AM ET

Carolina Hurricanes forward Seth Jarvis underwent shoulder surgery and is expected to miss 4-6 months. This means the newly-crowned Stanley Cup champions will be without one of their most productive forwards for at least the first month of the 2026-27 campaign. This season, Jarvis led his team with 32 goals, adding 34 assists in 66 appearances. His absence could give Jackson Blake a larger role on offense. Balke will carry plenty of momentum into next season after being a point-per-game player during the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.--Taavi Pailk
Source: NHL.com

Jun 27, 2026, 10:52 AM ET

The Houston Texans traded for former Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery in the offseason and signed him to a two-year, $16.5 million extension. KPRC 2 Sports' Aaron Wilson writes that the arrival of Montgomery in Houston "should allow the Texans to build a punishing run game and become a better red-zone and play-action offense." "He's all-day tough," offensive coordinator Nick Caley said of Montgomery. "His body of work will speak for itself. Runs behind his pads, stays grounded. Arm tackles aren't getting it done. He's going to try to run through you every single chance. He can set guys up. He understands how to set blocks and to deliver and help deliver defenders to the blocker." The lack of a consistent ground game was one of the big reasons the Texans offense sputtered in 2025. Gone are Joe Mixon (foot) and veteran Nick Chubb. Monty will provide a bruising complement to the more shifty Woody Marks, who should work in more of a pass-catching role in Year 2. After being the clear lead back to Jahmyr Gibbs last year in Detroit, Montgomery should be Houston's RB1 in 2026, giving him clear RB2 upside again in fantasy football.--Keith Hernandez
Source: KPRC 2 Sports - Aaron Wilson

Jun 27, 2026, 10:50 AM ET

The St. Louis Blues acquired forward Mason McTavish from the Anaheim Ducks on Friday in exchange for the No. 15 and No. 29 picks in the 2026 draft. McTavish, a third-overall pick in 2021, had a couple of promising years in Anaheim, but the team decided to cut ties with him after a disappointing 2025-26 campaign. In 75 appearances, McTavish managed 41 points (17 goals, 24 assists). This was the first season of his six-year, $42 million contract extension signed last September. At 23, McTavish is still young, and a new environment might help him meet the expectations that came with his status as a top-three pick.--Taavi Pailk
Source: NHL.com

Jun 27, 2026, 10:42 AM ET

Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Michael Soroka (glute) will start a Tuesday and Friday bullpen routine soon, according to MLB.com. Soroka was placed on the 15-day injured list on June 20 with left-glute discomfort, and he isn't expected to return to the D-backs' starting rotation until late July or August. The 28-year-old Canadian was having a resurgent 2026 season in his first year in the desert before his glute injury, going 8-3 for the Snakes with a 3.07 ERA (2.93 FIP) and 1.08 WHIP with 79 strikeouts and 17 walks in 82 innings pitched across his 15 starts. The sell-high window is probably closed now that Soroka is on the IL, and it's fair to wonder if he can keep it up in the second half when he returns. The former 28th overall pick by the Atlanta Braves in 2015 has reached the 100-inning mark just once in his MLB career, and that was back in 2019 in his second year in the majors with the Braves. His 3.91 xERA and .309 xwOBA hint at regression in the second half, and his strikeout rate sits in the 57th percentile.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com

Jun 27, 2026, 10:39 AM ET

Winger JJ Peterka will suit up for the Boston Bruins in 2026-27 after the Utah Mammoth traded him for two first-round draft picks. Boston gave up the No. 23 pick in the 2026 draft and a conditional 2028 first-round pick. Utah acquired Peterka from the Buffalo Sabres just 12 months ago, signing him to a five-year, $38.5 million contract extension. Unfortunately, he failed to meet expectations with the Mammoth, finishing the 2025-26 campaign with 47 points (25 goals, 22 assists) in 82 games. Peterka flirted with a 70-point season only a couple of years ago and will be a bounce-back candidate in 2026-27. He joins a team that scored for fun in 2025-26, averaging 3.27 goals per game.--Taavi Pailk
Source: NHL.com

Jun 27, 2026, 10:34 AM ET

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that left-hander Blake Snell (elbow) threw his scheduled 15-pitch bullpen session on Friday, and it went well, according to David Vassegh of 570 L.A. Sports. It was Snell's first time throwing off a mound since he had surgery on his left elbow to remove loose bodies on May 19. The Dodgers are slow-playing the 33-year-old southpaw, who has only made one start in 2026 due to injuries, and he's expected to need at least four more bullpens before he's cleared to face live hitters. It's unclear exactly when the two-time Cy Young winner might rejoin the Dodgers' starting rotation, but it might not be until late July or early August. Snell is being stashed in most fantasy leagues despite making just 12 regular-season starts with the Dodgers since the beginning of the 2025 season, primarily because of his career 30% strikeout rate. In his 11 regular-season starts last year, Snell was strong, posting a 2.35 ERA (2.69 FIP) and 1.25 WHIP with 72 strikeouts and 26 walks in 61 1/3 innings pitched. He's currently rostered in 76% of Yahoo leagues.--Keith Hernandez
Source: 570 LA Sports - David Vassegh

Jun 27, 2026, 10:26 AM ET

Winger Pavel Dorofeyev was traded ahead of the 2026 NHL draft on Friday, moving from Vegas to New York. The New York Rangers acquired him from the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for the No. 26 pick in the 2026 draft, a third-round pick (No. 92) in the 2026 draft, and a conditional 2028 first-round pick. Dorofeyev was Vegas' top goal-scorer in 2025-26, but the team lacked the financial resources to keep him around. The 25-year-old is expected to sign a seven-year, $77 million contract extension with the Rangers after scoring 37 goals and 64 points in 82 contests. A move to a different team always comes with a certain level of risk, but Dorofeyev has all the tools to become a star in New York.--Taavi Pailk
Source: NHL.com

Jun 27, 2026, 10:17 AM ET

The Toronto Maple Leafs surprised no one with the No. 1 pick in the 2026 draft, using it to select forward Gavin McKenna. The 18-year-old Whitehorse, Yukon, native became the fifth U.S. college hockey player to be selected first overall. McKenna recorded 51 points (15 goals, 36 assists) in 35 games this season with Penn State, finishing tied as the NCAA's fifth-highest scorer. The Maple Leafs endured a tough 2025-26 season, but adding McKenna could instantly push the club back into playoff contention. He's seen as a future superstar and will have plenty of offensive talent around him in Toronto, including fellow No. 1 picks Auston Matthews and John Tavares.--Taavi Pailk
Source: NHL.com

Jun 27, 2026, 10:00 AM ET

Heading into his fourth professional season, dynasty managers pretty much know what to expect from Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Andrei Iosivas. With the Bengals' most notable addition to the receiver room coming in the form of fourth-round pick Colbie Young, Iosivas is all but locked into the WR3 role he's held for the past two seasons. While five missed games from Tee Higgins allowed Iosivas to find the end zone six times in 2024 (a number that dropped to only two in 2025), the rest of his stat line has remained incredibly consistent. Playing in all 17 games in both seasons, the 2023 sixth-round pick averaged 34.5 catches for 457 yards on a 9.6% target share, hardly straying from that baseline in either season. With Higgins and three-time All-Pro Ja'Marr Chase both on the field, Iosivas has been limited largely to clear-out routes with few opportunities of his own. While his size and versatility have allowed him to step in for either in the event of injury, in more cases than not, targets have been funneled primarily through whichever of the pair remains healthy, with Iosivas' own usage uptick still making him little more than a streaming flex option. Entering the final season of his rookie contract, the 26-year-old could still find greater opportunity on a more manageable depth chart in 2027, but at RotoBaller's dynasty WR141, any upside hype once surrounding Iosivas has all but faded away.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jun 27, 2026, 9:58 AM ET

Across 33 1/3 innings (34 games) in 2026, Pittsburgh Pirates left-hander Gregory Soto has recorded a 4-1 record with a 3.24 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 39 strikeouts, and 11 saves. The 31-year-old has run into some difficulties in June after a dominant start to the season, allowing six earned runs across 5 2/3 innings (seven appearances) this month. Still, Soto has notched four saves in June and looks to be secure in the ninth-inning role in Pittsburgh. Soto's underlying numbers for the year remain impressive, as he's averaging 97.1 miles per hour on his fastball and has struck out 29.3% of the batters he's faced this season. He also does an excellent job of limiting home runs (0.54 HR/9), which should help him avoid blow-up innings. Even with his shaky performance of late, Soto remains a priority waiver wire target for fantasy managers in any league where he's not already rostered.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Jun 27, 2026, 9:49 AM ET

Los Angeles Rams tight end Colby Parkinson led his position group in targets, receptions, yards, and touchdowns in 2025, finishing third on the team across all categories, behind only Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. Veteran Tyler Higbee comes into the year healthy after missing the majority of the 2025 season with the ACL tear suffered in 2024, and the Rams spent second-round capital on Max Klare after selecting Terrance Ferguson in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft. While that level of competition could make Parkinson's 2025 TE15 finish a near impossibility to repeat in most situations, the Rams' extensive use of three tight end personnel at least keeps the seventh-year veteran fantasy relevant in the final season of his current contract. While Ferguson and Klare are likely the future of the position in Los Angeles, Parkinson should still see enough usage to make him a viable dynasty depth piece with occasional streamability in 2026 and a chance to find a new role elsewhere in 2027. At 27 years old, he is easily acquirable as RotoBaller's dynasty TE32.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jun 27, 2026, 9:47 AM ET

Across 297 plate appearances in 2026, San Francisco Giants outfielder Jung Hoo Lee is hitting .327/.360/.471 with five home runs, 30 RBI, 41 runs scored, and five stolen bases. The 27-year-old does an excellent job of limiting swing-and-miss, as he's struck out in just 9.1% of his trips to the plate this season. Lee's .345 batting average on balls in play this season is well above his career mark of .304, so he may be in line for some batting average regression in the second half of the year. Still, Lee's ability to consistently make contact keeps his floor in the category high. Lee has also started to reach a bit more power in June, posting a .560 slugging percentage with 11 RBI across 89 plate appearances this month. Fantasy managers should not expect anything more than modest production in the power and speed departments from Lee, but he can be relied upon as a batting average and runs asset. In leagues where Lee is available on the waiver wire, he is a worthy target for fantasy managers.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Jun 27, 2026, 9:38 AM ET

Kansas City Royals right-hander Alex Lange had a rough outing on Friday, allowing five earned runs while recording just one out in the seventh inning of his team's 22-1 loss to the Chicago White Sox. Lange has emerged as the primary closer in Kansas City, recording six saves in June. Entering play on Friday, the 30-year-old had allowed just two earned runs while notching 13 strikeouts across 10 innings pitched this month. The Royals were trailing 16-1 when Lange entered the game on Friday, which may help explain why he wasn't as locked in as he's been in recent appearances. Several of Kansas City's other high-leverage options, such as Lucas Erceg and John Schreiber, also allowed multiple earned runs on Friday in the blowout loss. Fantasy managers should take note of Lange's miserable showing, but should not necessarily panic given the circumstances.--Will Brady
Source: MLB.com

Jun 27, 2026, 9:37 AM ET

Miami Dolphins running back Ollie Gordon II played in all 17 games as a rookie but accumulated fewer than 200 rushing yards at an unimpressive 2.8 yards per carry average. Unable to take advantage of the early time missed by 2024 fourth-round pick Jaylen Wright, Gordon's fantasy prospects look grim heading into his second season. At 6'2" and 225 pounds, there is still a possibility for Gordon to develop into an effective goal line back after scoring more than 30 rushing touchdowns in his final two seasons at Oklahoma State, but with the Dolphins projected as one of the league's lowest scoring offenses in year one of a clear rebuild under new head coach Jeff Hafley, red zone opportunities could be few and far between. A true focal point of Miami's new-look offense, De'Von Achane has handled more than 285 opportunities in each of the past two seasons, and while that sort of continued usage could be flirting with disaster at only 5'8" and 188 pounds, any extended backfield split of Gordon and Wright is unlikely to produce the types of scoring opportunities necessary for either to make a meaningful fantasy impact. With traits unique to the position, Gordon remains a dynasty hold for managers with the luxury to do so, but in shallower leagues, he can be moved on from in favor of any player with a more obvious upside path.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jun 27, 2026, 9:29 AM ET

Minnesota Timberwolves guard/forward Jaylen Clark will re-sign on a three-year, $10 million contract, according to the Star Tribune's Chris Hine. The 24-year-old defensive specialist has carved out a situational role with his on-ball pressure after recovering from the torn Achilles that wiped out his rookie season. Clark, the 2023 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year at UCLA, averaged 4.0 points, 1.8 rebounds, 0.7 steals, and 13.1 minutes across 68 games last season. The jumper remains the swing skill, as he hit just 33-for-101 from three. Until that shot becomes more reliable, Clark profiles as a defense-first reserve with minimal fantasy appeal outside of very deep formats, especially with Minnesota's backcourt now headlined by Anthony Edwards and newly acquired LaMelo Ball.--Brian Dailisan
Source: Chris Hine

Jun 27, 2026, 9:27 AM ET

Colorado Rockies right-hander Antonio Senzatela logged his fourth blown save of 2026 on Friday, allowing three hits and an earned run in the ninth inning of his team's 9-8 loss to the Minnesota Twins. Senzatela's overall numbers for the season remain strong, as he's pitched to an 8-0 record with a 2.28 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 36 strikeouts, and three saves across 43 1/3 innings (24 games). However, the 31-year-old has hit a rough patch in June, posting a 5.23 ERA and a 1.74 WHIP across 10 1/3 innings this month. While Senzatela has notched four wins in June, he has not recorded a save since mid-May. The Rockies seem to prefer to deploy Senzatela in a fireman role rather than as a typical closer, which should continue to put him in a position to rack up wins but may bar him from future save opportunities. Senzatela also profiles as a prime trade candidate later this summer, and he's unlikely to close games for a contending team.--Will Brady
Source: MLB.com

Jun 27, 2026, 9:25 AM ET

Baltimore Ravens running back Adam Randall stands out from previous receivers turned running backs in that he's 6'2" and 235 pounds. While neither his background as a pass-catcher nor his impressive size consistently showed up in his one full season as a running back at Clemson, he has obvious tools with which to work and an opportunity to learn behind one of the best to ever do it. With five-time Pro Bowler Derrick Henry still projected to hold a bell cow role in first-time coordinator Declan Doyle's offense, little is expected of Randall in his first year, but with Henry turning 33 by season's end, opportunity could be on the horizon if the fifth-round rookie can continue to develop. With his unique skill set allowing him to potentially fill in for either Henry or dedicated pass-catcher Justice Hill should injuries necessitate, there is still a path for Randall to contribute in year one, but still quite new to the position, the 21-year-old rookie profiles more as a dynasty stash with potential long-term upside.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jun 27, 2026, 9:17 AM ET

Baltimore Orioles closer Ryan Helsley picked up his eighth save of the season on Friday, throwing a scoreless ninth inning with a strikeout in his team's 3-1 victory over the Washington Nationals. The hard-throwing right-hander stumbled in his first two outings after returning from the elbow inflammation that sidelined him for nearly two months, allowing four earned runs across 1 2/3 innings. However, Helsley appears to have righted the ship with back-to-back scoreless outings. The 31-year-old has had some trouble with control this season, issuing a 14.3% walk rate. Still, his stuff looks as electric as ever, as he's averaged 98.8 miles per hour on his fastball and has struck out 31.7% of the batters he's faced this season. Helsley looks to be secure in the closer role in Baltimore, which gives him must-start value in most fantasy formats.--Will Brady
Source: MLB.com

Jun 27, 2026, 9:16 AM ET

According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein intends to sign a new three-year, $75 million contract that keeps him with the franchise through 2028-29. The deal brings his total guaranteed earnings with Oklahoma City to five years and $134 million. Hartenstein remained a key frontcourt piece last season, averaging 9.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 0.8 blocks, and 1.0 steals in 24.2 minutes across 47 games. His scoring ceiling is modest, but the rebounding, efficiency, passing, and defensive stats keep him useful whenever his minutes land in the mid-20s. The new deal confirms that Oklahoma City still views him as a central part of its frontcourt mix.--Brian Dailisan
Source: Shams Charania

Jun 27, 2026, 9:13 AM ET

Tennessee Titans running back Nicholas Singleton was a fifth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and while Day 3 running backs have rarely found fantasy success, there is enough working in his favor to make him a worthwhile pick in the later rounds of rookie drafts. Singleton catches the ball well and has a rare blend of size and athleticism. While that skill set did not always translate into breakaway runs or broken tackles, his college production was still impressive, despite sharing the backfield with Penn State's all-time leading rusher, Commanders' sixth-round pick Kaytron Allen. In Tennessee, Singleton's new running mates will be a 29-year-old Tony Pollard and fourth-year back Tyjae Spears, who has missed nine games over the past two seasons and watched his production drop year after year. Having broken a bone in his foot during the Senior Bowl, it's possible that a healthy Singleton could have gone earlier in the draft, but with him falling as far as he did, to a team with no other back besides Kalel Mullings under contract beyond this season, the potential exists for him to become one of the more valuable rookies to emerge from an underwhelming draft class.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jun 27, 2026, 9:10 AM ET

Cincinnati Reds left-hander Caleb Ferguson picked up his first save of the season on Friday, allowing a hit and recording a strikeout while pitching a scoreless ninth inning in his team's 6-4 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Ferguson did not make his season debut until late May due to an oblique issue. He's pitched well since returning, recording a 1.32 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, and 13 strikeouts across 13 2/3 innings (13 games). The 32-year-old has notched seven career saves across eight seasons in the big leagues and profiles more as a lefty specialist than a closer. However, the Reds are scrambling to fill their ninth-inning role with Emilio Pagan (hamstring), Graham Ashcraft (elbow), and Tony Santillan (oblique) all currently on the injured list. Pagan is nearing a rehab assignment and could return to the Reds around the All-Star break. Still, until then, Ferguson could be worth adding in deeper leagues as a potential source of saves.--Will Brady
Source: MLB.com

Jun 27, 2026, 9:10 AM ET

New Orleans Pelicans center Kevon Looney is expected to reach unrestricted free agency, with the team poised to decline his $8 million option for next season, NBA insider Chris Haynes reports. The three-time NBA champion spent his first 10 seasons in Golden State before signing a two-year deal with New Orleans last summer, but he never carved out a role. He appeared in just 21 games, eight as a starter, averaging 2.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 14.7 minutes. A departure would do little to reshuffle the rotation. The Pelicans already funneled the center minutes to rookie Derik Queen and Yves Missi, with Zion Williamson anchoring the four. Looney's fantasy value hinges on landing a real role elsewhere, which looks like a stretch for a non-scoring depth big.--Brian Dailisan
Source: Chris Haynes

Jun 27, 2026, 9:01 AM ET

According to NBA insider Chris Haynes, Milwaukee Bucks guard/forward Gary Trent Jr. is expected to decline his $3.9 million player option for the 2026-27 season to enter unrestricted free agency. The 27-year-old had a quiet campaign last year, averaging 8.1 points, 1.0 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 21.2 minutes per game, but he remained a capable floor spacer by shooting 36.0 percent from beyond the arc. With Milwaukee reshaping its roster following the blockbuster trade of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Trent's departure helps clear a crowded backcourt. Newly acquired guard Tyler Herro will command heavy usage, but Trent's exit could open the door for younger pieces like Ryan Rollins to earn consistent rotation minutes. Fantasy managers can ignore Trent in standard formats until his new role is clarified.--Brian Dailisan
Source: Chris Haynes

Jun 27, 2026, 8:47 AM ET

Point guard Jose Alvarado is trading a one-year option for long-term security with the NBA champion Knicks. He is declining his $4.5 million player option to sign a new three-year deal worth more than $14 million, ESPN's Shams Charania reports. Acquired from New Orleans at the deadline, the New York native endeared himself in his hometown with relentless ball pressure off Jalen Brunson's bench. In 28 regular-season games with the Knicks, he averaged 6.6 points, 3.8 assists, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.0 steals in 16.9 minutes. The fantasy value is modest behind a Finals MVP, but Alvarado's steals give him a niche, and he is first in line if Brunson ever sits. His role thinned in the playoffs, yet his Game 4 spark during a record Finals comeback showed why New York brought him back.--Brian Dailisan
Source: Shams Charania

Jun 27, 2026, 8:40 AM ET

According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Oklahoma City Thunder are trading guard Isaiah Joe to the Detroit Pistons for two future second-round picks. Detroit adds one of the league's better volume shooters, as Joe averaged a career-high 11.1 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.7 steals, and 2.5 threes in 21.2 minutes while shooting 42.3 percent from deep last season. Joe should help space the floor for Cade Cunningham, although his fantasy value still leans heavily on points, threes, and efficiency rather than well-rounded production.--Brian Dailisan
Source: Shams Charania

Jun 27, 2026, 8:27 AM ET

Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II (foot) is still working back from December foot surgery and hasn't resumed running, The Athletic's Christian Clark reports. Speaking after a Mavericks youth camp, Lively said he is walking and lifting but in no rush. "I'm taking even more time than I need," he told Clark. Lively has shed the walking boot but isn't cleared to run or jump, with training camp roughly three months away. He is Dallas' projected starting center and a foundational piece of the rebuild alongside cornerstone Cooper Flagg, so his Week 1 availability is the question that matters. When healthy, he has averaged 8.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks as a lob threat and rim protector. The No. 9 pick, Morez Johnson Jr., offers frontcourt insurance if his ramp-up runs long.--Brian Dailisan
Source: Christian Clark

Jun 27, 2026, 12:05 AM ET

The St. Louis Cardinals are skipping right-hander Dustin May's (back) next start on Saturday against the Miami Marlins after he dealt with some lower-back tightness in Kansas City following his complete game the start prior on June 15 against the San Diego Padres, according to Jeff Jones of the Belleville News. Right-hander Andre Pallante will now take the hill on Saturday, with righty Kyle Leahy going in the series finale on Sunday. May will start the third game of the series next week against the Atlanta Braves. May struggled his last time out against the Royals, lasting just two innings while allowing six earned runs on six hits with one walk and two strikeouts. The 28-year-old's complete-game effort against the Padres appears to have taken a toll on him physically in the short term. Not only will May not start this weekend, but his next start will come against the first-place Braves. The former third-rounder by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2016 has been up and down in 2026 in his first year in St. Louis with a 4.30 ERA (3.32 FIP), 1.19 WHIP, and a still mediocre 22.5% strikeout rate in 83 2/3 innings pitched.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Belleville News - Jeff Jones

Jun 26, 2026, 11:57 PM ET

Chicago White Sox rookie infielder Jacob Gonzalez came into his 20th major-league game on Friday against the division-rival Kansas City Royals hitting a mere .189/.283/.245 with a .529 OPS, one homer, five RBI, five runs scored, five walks, and 16 strikeouts in 60 plate appearances. The 24-year-old former 15th overall pick in the 2023 MLB draft out of the University of Mississippi had a much-needed big game in the 22-1 blowout win over the Royals on Friday, though, going 3-for-5 at the plate with a home run, a double, five RBI, three runs scored, and a walk to boost his average to .228 and his OPS to .674. Gonzalez finished just a triple shy of the cycle and recorded the first three-hit game of his career in a game in which the White Sox's bats could not be stopped. He recently was mired in an 0-for-25 slump before picking up multiple hits in his last two games. Is he breaking out? Potentially, but fantasy managers in single-year mixed leagues are going to want to see more before considering adding him off the waiver wire.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com

Jun 26, 2026, 11:50 PM ET

The Chicago White Sox bats were red-hot on Friday night in the 22-1 rout over the division-rival Kansas City Royals, and corner infielder Miguel Vargas was right in the center of the action. Vargas finished the night 3-for-6 at the plate with a home run, a double, five RBI, two runs scored, and a strikeout to boost his season average to .246 and his OPS to .841. Vargas was just a triple short of the cycle, and it continued a hot stretch for the 26-year-old Cuban. He is now carrying a modest four-game hitting streak in which he has gone 7-for-18 with three extra-base hits and seven RBI. In his second full season with the White Sox, Vargas is now slashing .246/.357/.484 with a career-high 18 long balls, 50 RBI, 54 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases in 343 plate appearances. His breakout season in his fifth year in the big leagues for the surprising ChiSox is the reason why he's now rostered in over 90% of Yahoo leagues. Vargas came into Friday's series opener against KC with a .263 average (20-for-76) with four homers, three doubles, 11 RBI, 10 runs, and a steal in 20 games played.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com

Jun 26, 2026, 11:37 PM ET

Chicago White Sox outfielder Tristan Peters had a big game in Friday night's 22-1 drubbing of the division-rival Kansas City Royals, going 2-for-5 at the plate with a career-high six RBI, three runs scored, and a walk to improve his season batting average to .289 and his OPS to .804. Most of Peters' damage came on a grand slam in the sixth inning. The 26-year-old has definitely been heating up with the weather, as he's hitting .288 with 16 RBI and 10 runs scored in 10 games during the month for the Pale Hose. The left-handed-hitting Canadian lacks a ton of fantasy upside as a platoon outfielder for the ChiSox, but he has hit a strong .289/.351/.453 with four long balls, 30 RBI, 28 runs scored, and four stolen bases in 226 plate appearances in 2026 in his first year in Chicago and second in the major leagues. Coming into Friday's contest, Peters was hitting .310 (54-for-174) with all three of his home runs against right-handed pitchers. He has just two hits in 25 plate appearances against southpaws, though.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com