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Denny Hamlin Extends his Championship Lead With Third-Place Finish
Denny Hamlin was considered one of the top favorites to win the Eero 400 at Chicagoland Speedway, and he left the race with a third-place finish and an increased lead in the regular-season standings. Hamlin started the race from pole position and led most of his 30 total laps in the first stage, but he lost ground after being shuffled back on restarts following a few cautions and ended the stage in eighth, collecting three stage points. The No. 11 Toyota driver had his car improved during the second stage and ran as high as second, but still fell behind William Byron and Chase Briscoe for the stage win. Hamlin ended the stage in third, earning eight more stage points. In the final stage, Hamlin continued to run inside the top five through most of the stage and then ran other drivers down in the closing laps. Hamlin passed Alex Bowman and William Byron to make it to his eventual finishing position of third. After the 19th race of the season was completed, Hamlin now holds a 44-point lead over Tyler Reddick for the regular-season championship.
Source: NASCAR.com
Source: NASCAR.com
William Byron Finishes Fourth as the Top Chevrolet Driver at Chicagoland
Hendrick Motorsports driver William Byron finished as the top Chevrolet driver during Sunday's Eero 400 at Chicagoland Speedway. Byron started the race from 10th, but ended up becoming the most dominant driver of the race, leading 94 laps and sweeping the first two stages. He obtained the maximum number of stage points and continued to lead the race even through the third stage until the last round of green flag pit stops. Byron ended up pitting one lap after Chase Briscoe, which led to Briscoe passing Byron upon the completion of Byron's last stop. The No. 24 Chevrolet driver continued to run behind Briscoe until he was passed by Christopher Bell and Denny Hamlin in the closing laps, leaving him to finish in fourth. It is Byron's first top-5 finish of his Cup career at Chicagoland, and his 94 laps led are the highest in a single race this season. With Chicagoland completed, Byron is now 12th in the regular-season standings with seven races to go before The Chase begins.
Source: NASCAR.com
Source: NASCAR.com
Bubba Wallace Leads Laps and Finishes Sixth at Chicagoland
Bubba Wallace of 23XI Racing finished in the sixth position during Sunday's Eero 400 at Chicagoland Speedway. The No. 23 Toyota driver began the race from eighth position, but ran well throughout the race. He ended up finishing third at the end of the first stage, earning eight stage points. Although he missed out on further stage points in the second stage as he placed 11th at the end of it, Wallace led 35 laps during the stage. Wallace continued to run inside the top 10 through most of the final stage, outside of pit stops and recovered positions, in order to place sixth by the end. This was Wallace's best career finish at Chicagoland as well as his first top-10 finish at the site. After Chicagoland, Wallace is now 13th in the regular-season standings with seven races left before The Chase begins.
Source: NASCAR.com
Source: NASCAR.com
Carlos Rodon Expected to be Out Until Mid-August
New York Yankees left-hander Carlos Rodon (elbow) is expected to be out until mid-August with a left-elbow injury, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Rodon doesn't have any structural damage to his UCL, but he's dealing with significant inflammation in his elbow and will be out for at least four to six weeks. It's bad news for the Yankees and Rodon's fantasy managers, obviously, and it's especially concerning after he missed the start of the 2026 season while recovering from surgery last October to remove loose bodies and to shave down a bone spur in the same elbow. The 33-year-old three-time All-Star had his best year in the Bronx in 2025, going 18-9 with a 3.09 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and 203:73 K:BB in 195 1/3 innings pitched. Rodon has gone 4-2 this year with a 3.30 ERA (3.46 FIP) and 1.25 WHIP with 52 K's and 26 walks in 46 1/3 innings across his nine starts. His strikeout rate sits at 26.8%, which is his highest mark since 2022, his lone season with the San Francisco Giants. Rodon should be held in the majority of fantasy leagues where he's rostered.
Source: New York Post - Jon Heyman
Source: New York Post - Jon Heyman
Spencer Horwitz Could Return Shortly After All-Star Break
Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said that first baseman Spencer Horwitz (hamstring) is progressing well in Florida, but he will be sidelined until after the All-Star break next week, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Colin Beazley. However, Horwitz is still expected to come off the 10-day injured list in July, with the hope that it's not too long after the break. The 28-year-old left-handed hitter was placed on the IL on June 25 with a strained left hamstring, but it appears he should be ready to go on a minor-league rehab assignment sooner rather than later. Before landing on the shelf, the former 24th-round pick by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2019 out of Radford University was hitting a strong .280/.386/.455 with an .842 OPS, 10 homers, 33 RBI, 36 runs scored, and a stolen base in his 246 at-bats in his second year in the Steel City. Horwitz needs just three more home runs to set a new career high in the category. He's rostered in 15% of Yahoo leagues while he rehabs.
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Colin Beazley
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Colin Beazley
Oneil Cruz Still Expected to Return in July
Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said that outfielder Oneil Cruz (hand) is progressing well in Florida and is expected to return in July, according to Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Cruz won't make it back from the 10-day injured list before the All-Star break next week, but the Pirates are hoping he'll be back early in the second half later this month. The 27-year-old ditched his cast and resumed baseball activities at the team's complex in Florida last week. Cruz is nearing a minor-league rehab assignment and could be back for fantasy managers near the start of the second half of the season on July 17. The Dominican outfielder and former shortstop is a five-category contributor when healthy, so he should be stashed in all fantasy leagues while he recovers. He will be returning to a .264/.350/.472 slash line, .822 OPS, 14 home runs, 44 RBI, 45 runs scored, and 21 stolen bases when he's reinstated from the IL.
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Colin Beazley
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Colin Beazley
Jonah Heim Drives in Six, Worth a Short-Term Pickup at Catcher?
Athletics catcher Jonah Heim could be playing regularly in the final week before the All-Star break if Shea Langeliers (thumb) lands on the injured list. Serving as the designated hitter in Sunday's series finale against the visiting Miami Marlins, the 31-year-old veteran had a day to remember at the dish, going 2-for-4 with a grand slam, six RBI, and a strikeout in the team's 9-8 loss at Sutter Health Park. The former All-Star is now hitting .241/.300/.490 with a .790 OPS, nine home runs, 29 RBI, and 20 runs scored in 46 total games this year with the A's and Atlanta Braves. Since joining the A's, he's gone 26-for-106 (.245) with eight home runs, 21 RBI, and 16 runs scored in 34 games across 115 plate appearances. Heim's fantasy value in two-catcher leagues has seen a boost with the move to Sacramento, and he'll be worth a look off the waiver wire if Langeliers is forced to miss additional time due to a thumb injury. As an All-Star in 2023 with the Texas Rangers, Heim hit a career-high 18 homers and drove in 95 in 131 regular-season games.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Heriberto Hernandez Records Second Multi-Homer Game Against A's
Miami Marlins outfielder Heriberto Hernandez has come on strong since the start of June and recorded his second multi-homer performance in Sunday's 9-8 win over the Athletics at hitter-friendly Sutter Health Park in Sacramento. Hernandez went 3-for-4 at the plate with two solo home runs, a double, two walks, and a strikeout to boost his season average to .234 and his OPS to .771. The 26-year-old second-year outfielder has been a platoon player in the corner outfield spots for Miami in 2026, but he could start to earn regular playing time if he continues to crush baseballs into the second half of the season. Since June 1, Hernandez has gone 24-for-89 (.270) with nine of his 11 home runs on the year, six doubles, 16 RBI, and 16 runs scored in 26 games and 99 plate appearances. Overall, the Dominican outfielder has slashed .234/.314/.457 with 34 RBI, 22 runs scored, and five stolen bases in 184 at-bats. He has slightly lowered his strikeout rate to 22.7% in his second MLB season, and he could start to attract interest in deeper fantasy leagues for his power. Hernandez is rostered in only 2% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Rafael Devers Extends Hitting Streak With Two Homers on Sunday
San Francisco Giants first baseman Rafael Devers went 2-for-5 at the plate with two solo home runs and two RBI on Sunday in the 7-6 loss to the division-rival Colorado Rockies at Coors Field to extend his current hitting streak to nine games. Both of his homers came off starter Tanner Gordon. Devers is locked in at the dish right now, going 12-for-33 (.364) with six home runs, a double, nine RBI, and seven runs scored during his nine-game hitting streak, which began on June 26. The strong recent run from the 29-year-old left-handed-hitting Dominican infielder has boosted his season slash line to .248/.310/.481 with a .791 OPS, 18 home runs, 47 RBI, and 43 runs scored across his 343 at-bats in his first full season with the Giants. Devers has been mentioned as a possible trade target for contending teams this summer, but his big contract could be a deterrent. The three-time All-Star is no longer a lock to give you a high batting average, but he still has enough power from the left side of the plate to be a must-start in all fantasy leagues, even at pitcher-friendly Oracle Park.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Aaron Ashby Still Worth Rostering After Rough June?
Milwaukee Brewers left-handed reliever Aaron Ashby still leads the league with 12 wins in his 42 appearances (one start) over 52 2/3 innings pitched, which has made him rosterable in fantasy despite not having a path to saves in Milwaukee's bullpen. However, the hard-throwing southpaw struggled in his 13 appearances in June, allowing 12 runs (10 earned) on 14 hits (three homers) while walking eight and striking out 17 in 14 innings pitched. He had two wins, a loss, three blown saves, and three holds during that span. Ashby picked up his 12th victory of the year in his first outing in July, but he allowed another earned run in one-third of an inning in his most recent outing on Sunday against the Arizona Diamondbacks for his fifth hold of 2026. The former fourth-rounder in 2018 out of Crowder College has a career-high 30.6% strikeout rate and has obviously been great in the win department for fantasy managers, but his career-high 12.2% walk rate makes him a bit volatile as well. Ashby might pick up a save here or there, but fantasy managers can't necessarily count on the wins continuing to flow. He's rostered in 36% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Christian Scott a Top Pitching Target Despite Homer Allowance
New York Mets right-hander Christian Scott has looked good for the most part in 11 starts (49 innings) for the Mets this year in his first season back from Tommy John surgery. The 27-year-old has gone 2-1 with a 3.49 ERA (4.35 FIP) and 1.35 WHIP with 60 strikeouts and 25 walks in just his second season in the majors. Scott has only allowed more than three earned runs in one of his 11 starts so far this year and has a nice 28% strikeout rate. The problems have been with his control (11.7% walk rate) and his inability to keep the ball in the yard so far (seven homers allowed). In his most recent start against the division-rival Atlanta Braves on Friday, the former fifth-rounder in 2021 out of the University of Florida gave up three earned runs on two home runs while walking four and striking out seven in four innings for his first loss of the season. Scott is still working his way into form after missing the entire 2025 season, so fantasy managers must be patient. But so far, Scott has shown more positive than negative and is worth a look on the waiver wire in deeper leagues for pitching depth. He's currently rostered in just 14% of Yahoo leagues, and he's lined up for a plus matchup this week versus the Kansas City Royals.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Ryan Weathers Proving to be an Erratic Streamer Off the Waiver Wire
New York Yankees left-hander Ryan Weathers recently had a three-start stretch from June 18 to June 29 in which he allowed eight runs (four earned), walked four, and struck out 17 in 14 innings against the Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers (two starts). Given Weathers' strikeout upside -- he's sporting a career-high 26.9% strikeout rate and a decent 7% walk rate -- he was a popular waiver-wire target going into his start in Sunday's series finale in the Bronx against the Minnesota Twins. The 26-year-old southpaw let his fantasy managers down on Sunday, though, allowing four earned runs on six hits while walking two and striking out six in four innings for his seventh loss of the year. Weathers is now 3-7 in 2026 with a 4.29 ERA (4.05 FIP) and 1.24 WHIP with a career-high 104 strikeouts and 27 walks in 92 1/3 innings across his 17 starts. He has now allowed at least four runs in four of his last seven starts, making him hard to trust as a fantasy streamer as he heads into his final start of the first half this week versus the Washington Nationals. Weather is rostered in just over half of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Alejandro Kirk a Priority Waiver-Wire Target for Catching Depth?
Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk has played only 21 games this year due to a broken thumb sustained near the start of the 2026 season. In his 81 plate appearances, he has hit just .189 (14-for-74) with two homers, seven RBI, seven runs scored, six walks, and 12 strikeouts. And since returning from the injured list on June 12, he has gone 11-for-54 (.204) with a home run, a double, five RBI, five runs scored, four walks, and 10 strikeouts. The 27-year-old two-time All-Star is Toronto's primary backstop when he's healthy, which makes him attractive in two-catcher leagues, but fantasy managers shouldn't expect a ton. In his seven-year career, Kirk hasn't exceeded 15 home runs (last year) or 76 RBI (last year) while slashing .265/.341/.395 with a .735 OPS. Because of all the time he missed in the first half of the season, it might be an uphill battle for Kirk to reach double-digit home runs in 2026 for what would be only the third time in his seven-year career. Kirk can be avoided in single-catcher leagues, and he's rostered in only 24% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Chase Meidroth Still an Infield Target Off the Waiver Wire?
Chicago White Sox infielder Chase Meidroth had a strong month of June, putting himself on the map for a waiver-wire pickup in deeper mixed leagues for fantasy managers in search of infield depth. In 25 games last month, Meidroth went 27-for-94 (.287) with a homer, four doubles, nine RBI, and 14 runs scored across 106 plate appearances to boost his season line to .268/.339/.378 with a .717 OPS. So far in five games in July, he's gone 3-for-19 (.158) with a homer, two RBI, a run scored, one walk, and three strikeouts. The former fourth-round pick by the Boston Red Sox in 2022 out of the University of San Diego made his big-league debut last year with the White Sox and hit .253/.329/.320 with a .649 OPS, five homers, 23 RBI, 14 stolen bases, and 54 runs scored in 122 games played. Meidroth is striking out at a higher 23.9% clip (compared to 14.3% last year), and he's also not running as much when he gets on base. He might be worth a look as a short-term waiver-wire option when he's hot, but Meidroth's xBA of .229 and xwOBA of .285 point to plenty of regression coming in the second half.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Daemon Hunt Agrees to One-Year Deal With Wild
Minnesota Wild defenseman Daemon Hunt has signed a one-year, $900,000 contract with the club. The 24-year-old was a restricted free agent after appearing in a career-high 32 games last season. Hunt finished the campaign with six assists, 19 SOG, 43 blocks, and 21 hits. He will fill a depth role on the blue line and is unlikely to see regular action in 2026-27. Quinn Hughes and Brock Faber will be the main men on defense for Minnesota, though Hughes has not yet signed a contract extension with the franchise.
Source: Minnesota Wild PR
Source: Minnesota Wild PR
David Gustafsson Inks One-Year Contract With Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins center David Gustafsson signed a one-year, $850,000 contract with the team on Sunday. He became a restricted free agent on July 1, a few days after the Penguins acquired him from the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for defenseman Jack St. Ivany. Gustafsson will hope to make an NHL comeback with the Penguins. He has played in 149 career NHL games but was limited to AHL action last season. With the Manitoba Moose, Gustafsson recorded 32 points (10 goals, 22 assists) in 48 outings. He added four points (one goal, three assists) in seven games during the Calder Cup Playoffs.
Source: Pittsburgh Penguins
Source: Pittsburgh Penguins
Egor Chinakhov Signs Three-year, $18.75 Million Deal With Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins winger Egor Chinakhov will remain with the team for the 2026-27 campaign after signing a three-year, $18.75 million contract. The Russian forward moved to Pittsburgh midway through the 2025-26 season, notching 36 points (18 goals, 18 assists) in 43 games. He was red-hot at the end of the regular season, with 22 points (eight goals, 14 assists) in 18 games. While Chinakhov's career never truly took off in Columbus, he appears to be a good fit for the Penguins and could be ready for a breakout campaign in 2026-27.
Source: Pittsburgh Penguins
Source: Pittsburgh Penguins
Jaxon Wiggins Climbing Stash Rankings Amid Productive Rehab Assignment
Chicago Cubs top-ranked pitching prospect Jaxon Wiggins (elbow) has begun climbing the stash rankings as he begins his rehab assignment. The team's No. 1-ranked pitching prospect has been on the injured list at Triple-A since the start of April due to an elbow injury. However, the right-hander has recently begun a rehab assignment and has since moved it up to High-A. Through his first three outings with High-A, Wiggins has logged 7 1/3 innings to the tune of a 2.45 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, and a 7:2 K:BB. While he will likely need to move up to Double-A before returning to Triple-A, he is progressing quite well and could return to Iowa shortly after the All-Star break. Last summer, the 24-year-old turned in a productive season, posting a 2.19 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP over 78 innings split between several levels of the Chicago pipeline. Given Chicago's numerous starting-pitcher injuries, Wiggins has a clear path to make an impact in the majors over the final weeks of the season.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Tennessee, Ohio State Battling for Five-Star RB David Gabriel Georges
Five-star running back prospect David Gabriel Georges is set to announce his collegiate commitment on July 22. Although Ole Miss is in the mix, the race appears to be between Ohio State and Tennessee. Georges is the No. 1 recruit out of Tennessee in the Class of 2027 and plays under two hours away from Knoxville at Baylor School in Chattanooga. Experts are split on where he will end up, but he's viewed as a potential Day 1 contributor for either program. Georges is heading into his senior season after a monster junior campaign in which he rushed for 1,749 yards (10.8 yards per carry) and 27 touchdowns. The 205-pound explosive ball carrier could be the first high school running back recruit with a seven-figure price tag.
Source: Rivals
Source: Rivals
Jhostynxon Garcia Hitting Skid at Triple-A, No Longer Worth Rostering?
Pittsburgh Pirates outfield prospect Jhostynxon Garcia earned a stint in the Steel City earlier in June but was quickly optioned back to the minor leagues. Over a brief 13-game stint with the Pirates, Garcia posted a .200/.243/.299 slash line with just one extra-base hit (a double). Since moving back to Indianapolis, Garcia has seen these struggles continue as he has held a modest .244/.313/.360 line with a .674 OPS. However, before his call-up to the majors, Garcia was flashing immense upside at the Triple-A level, which put him on the stash radar of many fantasy managers. Over his last 18 games ahead of his promotion. Garcia carried a dominant .326/.365/.632 line with three doubles and six home runs. Managers should continue to monitor his power output, but given his lengthy slump, he should not be stashed in any standard 12-team leagues for the time being.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Arturs Silovs Re-Ups With Penguins for One Year
Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Arturs Silovs has signed a new one-year contract with the team. As a restricted free agent, he landed a deal worth $2.8 million. Silovs had his first season with the Penguins in 2025-26, posting a 19-12-8 record across 38 regular-season starts. He gave up 3.07 goals with a .887 save percentage. With Stuart Skinner now in Winnipeg, Silovs could be Pittsburgh's No. 1 next season. He already finished the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs as a starter, impressing with his steady play. Silovs registered a 2-1 record, a 1.52 goals-against average, and a .939 save percentage during the postseason.
Source: Pittsburgh Penguins
Source: Pittsburgh Penguins
Lachlan Olbrich Impresses in Warriors Rout of the Spurs
Free-agent forward/center Lachlan Olbrich is making the most of his Warriors audition, posting 13 points on six of eight shooting with four rebounds and four assists in Golden State's 98-69 California Classic rout of the Spurs. The all-around line is the story. Olbrich is a skilled, high-feel passing big, rare for the position, who capped his Bulls rookie year with a triple-double against Dallas and put up 17.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 5.1 assists in a short G League stint. A front-office change in Chicago pushed him out, and Golden State scooped him up, where he's now competing with lottery pick Yaxel Lendeborg for frontcourt minutes. That playmaking feel is what makes him worth watching more than most audition bigs. But he needs an NBA job first; the fantasy conversation only starts if he wins one in a crowded Warriors frontcourt.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
George Lombard Jr. Continues to Maintain Stash Upside While on the Shelf?
New York Yankees top-ranked prospect George Lombard Jr. (finger) has been on the 7-day injured list (Triple-A) for nearly a month but has maintained his value for those in deeper leagues. Prior to hitting the injured list, the team's top infield prospect was taking a massive step forward at the top club in the system. Over his last 15 games (May 31 - June 16), Lombard carried an elite .321/.431/.642 line with eight doubles, three home runs, and two stolen bases. Prior to this elite stretch, the former 26th overall pick from the 2023 MLB Draft carried a much lower .184/.356/.252 line with just one round-tripper. Lombard opened the 2026 season in Double-A but quickly moved up to Triple-A. He remains a must-watch prospect as he may not need much longer at Triple-A following his return to earn a spot in the Bronx. His five-category upside makes him a worthy target in 12+ team leagues ahead of the All-Star break.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Heliot Ramos Worth a Roster Spot Moving Forward?
San Francisco Giants outfielder Heliot Ramos returned from the 10-day injured list on June 28 and was immediately inserted back into the Giants lineup, and he has delivered over the past two series, having a hit in six out of his seven games played. On the season, he is slashing .266/.307/.448 with six home runs, 24 runs scored, and 23 RBI through 205 plate appearances. The underlying data fully supports his surface-line stats, as evidenced by his .279 xBA, .476 xSLG, and .341 xwOBA. Additionally, Ramos impacts the ball extremely well, as he owns an impressive 92.1 average exit velocity (89th percentile), 15.2 percent barrel rate (92nd percentile), and 50.4 percent hard-hit rate (90th percentile). Part of the reason for the lack of surface line power and run production is that, although he's impacting the ball well, he is not maximizing that power, with only an 11.3 percent pull-air rate, but the Giants offense has been better of late, and should lead to more success for Ramos in the second half. In most five outfield formats, Ramos should be rostered, especially in category formats, as he does carry a fairly high strikeout rate (25.4 percent) and a low walk rate (5.9 percent).
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Jack Wenninger Worth a Stash Following Season-Best Effort?
New York Mets right-handed pitching prospect Jack Wenninger is coming off the best outing of the season and is putting himself back on the stash radar for those in deeper leagues. On July 4, the right-hander tossed seven one-hit innings against Triple-A Worcester while allowing no runs and three walks. He struck out five hitters. Prior to this dominant effort, Wenninger endured a rough stretch at Syracuse, posting a 6.49 ERA with a 1.73 WHIP over his last 34 2/3 innings. However, before this skid, Wenninger looked just as comfortable as he did at the start of July, logging 33 1/3 innings to the tune of a 1.08 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP. With the Mets falling out of the postseason race and trending towards selling at the deadline, their No. 4-ranked prospect should earn an extended look at the majors. Those in deeper 15-team leagues should consider monitoring Wenninger to see if he can maintain this recent production.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Michael Arroyo to Join Triple-A Tacoma, Emerging as Viable Stash Candidate?
Seattle Mariners infield prospect Michael Arroyo was promoted to Triple-A Tacoma earlier on Sunday evening, according to Daniel Kramer of MLB.com. Arroyo is currently viewed as the team's No. 5-ranked prospect and the overall No. 45 prospect on MLB.com. The infielder has spent the first half of the season in Double-A and is being rewarded with an early promotion. Across 65 games with Double-A Arkansas, Arroyo has posted a strong .287/.364/.456 line with 12 doubles, 10 home runs, and 13 stolen bases. Last summer, Arroyo split his time between High-A and Double-A, where he carried an overall .262/.401/.433 line with 17 home runs and 12 stolen bases. While an MLB debut may not occur until late in the season, his five-category profile makes him a worthy stash candidate in deeper 15-team leagues with N/A spots as he is now on the doorstep of the majors.
Source: Daniel Kramer
Source: Daniel Kramer
Can James Cook III Crack the Top Five in 2026?
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook III tied for the league lead with 16 rushing touchdowns in 2024, and while those calling for regression ahead of the 2025 season were technically right, Cook was able to pair his 12 touchdown runs with 1,621 yards on the ground and the first rushing crown of his career. Cook has finished as the RB8 and RB6 in the past two seasons, and with Buffalo's offense remaining largely intact for 2026, there is no reason to expect any significant falloff. The largest change comes at the top, where Joe Brady will take over as head coach, though his previous promotion to offensive coordinator coincided with Cook's breakout, and no team has scored more offensive touchdowns across his two full seasons as playcaller. While the offseason trade for veteran receiver DJ Moore could allow for perennial MVP-contender Josh Allen to again throw for more than 4,000 yards, something he has not done in either of Cook's RB1 seasons, a more balanced offense could also lead to more scoring opportunities on the ground. Despite Allen scoring rushing touchdowns at a historic rate in recent years, Cook has still been one of the league's most active backs from within the five-yard line over the past two seasons, and he is RotoBaller's RB5 for 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Mariners Promote Lazaro Montes to Triple-A, Late-Season MLB Debut in Play?
The Seattle Mariners are promoting top-ranked hitting prospect Lazaro Montes to Triple-A. Montes is viewed as the overall No. 27-ranked prospect in the sport on MLB.com hand has been among the elite class of power hitters in the minor leagues this season. Through 79 games with Tacoma, the 21-year-old has posted a .234/.369/.550 line with a dominant .990 OPS. Over this stretch, Montes has gone deep 25 times, tacked on 11 doubles, and chipped in five stolen bases. However, his recent surge likely prompted his promotion. Over his last 22 games, Montes has showcased his elite raw power, posting a dominant .958 OPS and seven home runs. Managers should pay close attention to his status at Triple-A, as a hot start could open the door for a late-season debut.
Source: Daniel Kramer
Source: Daniel Kramer
Ducks Re-Sign Pavel Mintyukov on Five-Year, $38 Million Contract
Anaheim Ducks defenseman Pavel Mintyukov signed a five-year, $36 million contract on Sunday. He secured a lucrative deal as a restricted free agent just days after Ducks center Leo Carlsson signed an offer sheet with the Philadelphia Flyers. Mintyukov played a career-high 73 games last season, recording 22 points (eight goals, 14 assists), 79 SOG, and 112 blocks. He must offer significantly more going forward to live up to his new contract. Since he won't turn 23 until November, Mintyukov still has plenty of time to develop as a player.
Source: Sportsnet
Source: Sportsnet
Shane Bieber Struggling of Late, Still Worth a Roster Spot?
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Shane Bieber got hammered on Saturday against the Mariners, allowing six hits, seven earned runs, three walks, and only three strikeouts in four innings pitched. Through three starts now since returning from injury, he has a 9.00 ERA, 2.08 WHIP, and a 9:7 K:BB ratio in 13 innings pitched. To put it nicely, nothing has worked for him, and nothing looks great, with his fastball velocity down (92.0 mph), but most importantly, his control has been awful (10.9 percent), which has also led to a ton of hard contact (54.2 percent hard-hit rate). Even when Bieber was at his best, it wasn't his velocity that got him through; it was his control and off-speed that made him good. Bieber has a 3.32 career ERA and 1.12 WHIP; however, he is now 31 years old, and nothing under the hood or on the surface suggests he is anything more than a streamer at this point. His next time out will be on Friday against the San Diego Padres, where he will try to right the ship on the season before the All-Star Break. Fantasy managers who are desperate for pitching in points leagues or 15-team leagues can hold on, but Bieber is unstartable at this time.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
