RADIO
Kade Anderson Poised for Second-Half MLB Debut?
Seattle Mariners top pitching prospect Kade Anderson has been nothing short of dominant in his first taste of professional action. Since joining the Mariners with the third overall pick in last year's MLB Draft, the former LSU standout was sent to Double-A to begin his professional career at the start of the 2026 campaign. With Double-A, the southpaw has looked incredible, logging 61 2/3 innings (12 starts) with a stellar 1.02 ERA and a 0.65 WHIP. During this stretch, Anderson has struck out 90 hitters while walking just eight. However, Seattle currently has a surplus of starting pitchers, which leaves Anderson without a clear path to debut in the near future. With the team opting to use a "piggyback" schedule to keep all six starters engaged, Anderson appears set to debut later in the second half. While his timeline remains undetermined, his upside on a per-start basis remains the highest out of any of the top prospect pitchers. Managers in leagues with N/A spots should still view the former third overall pick as a must-stash option heading into the first week of July.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Seaver King Entering High-End Stash Territory Amid Impressive Showing at Triple-A?
Washington Nationals shortstop prospect Seaver King was recently promoted to Triple-A and is now firmly on the stash radar. King, the team's 6th-ranked prospect (and No. 99 in the sport) according to MLB.com, began the 2026 season with Double-A, where he posted a stellar .336/.427/.562 line over 35 contests. During this short stint, King hit five home runs and swiped five bags while holding a 31:22 K:BB. This prompted a promotion to Triple-A Rochester, where King has continued to look sharp, holding a similar .296/.344/.487 line with five doubles and three home runs. Even though the Washington infield is crowded at the moment, if King maintains this pace, he should join them in the second half. For now, the former 10th overall pick from the 2024 MLB Draft is a worthy stash target in deep 12+ team leagues, but his value should continue to rise over the coming weeks.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Joshua Baez Slugging his Way to Major Leagues, On the Verge of a Call-Up?
St. Louis Cardinals outfield prospect Joshua Baez has been among the top power hitters in the minor leagues over the month of June and has put himself on the doorstep of a promotion. Since June 1, the top outfield prospect in the St. Louis pipeline has launched 10 home runs over just 19 contests while holding a .329/.365/.803 line while chipping in an additional two stolen bases. On the season, the No. 65-ranked prospect in baseball according to MLB.com has posted a .273/.343/.626 line with a strong 949 OPS. Even though the Cardinals recently saw Lars Nootbaar return from his lengthy stint on the IL and Nathan Church return to center field, Baez's elite production has put him in must-stash territory. If he maintains this pace, he should debut shortly after the All-Star break and hold high-end five-category potential as soon as he receives the big leagues.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Josh Jacobs a Potential Boom-or-Bust Pick in 2026 Drafts
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs has been one of fantasy's most consistent contributors when healthy, but allowing for the uncertainty stemming from his pending legal situation, he projects as one of the biggest boom-or-bust picks in 2026 drafts. Jacobs was the RB5 in 2024 and remained a top 12 fantasy back last season despite missing two games and playing through injury over the back half of the year. He has scored 30 total touchdowns in his 32 games with the Packers, and behind an offensive line that should see improvement in the run game, a healthy Jacobs is a near-lock to outperform his current ranking of RotoBaller's RB17. Green Bay has made no corresponding moves at running back since news first broke of his domestic violence allegations, and while charges have yet to be filed against him, the risk of suspension will follow Jacobs into the year, likely keeping him out of the first two rounds of 2026 drafts and threatening to derail his season altogether.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Mets Fire Manager Carlos Mendoza
The New York Mets have decided to fire manager Carlos Mendoza on Friday morning. This comes on the heels of a four-game sweep at home by the Chicago Cubs. After Thursday's loss, the Mets dropped to 34-47 and are 15.0 games behind the first-place Atlanta Braves in the National League East. Mendoza won nearly 90 games during his first year with the Mets, but wasn't able to replicate the same success. The Mets missed the playoffs after some disastrous play down the stretch last season. Mendoza was given the benefit of the doubt, but the team needed to make a move at some point. Andy Green has been appointed as the interim manager. Green spent four years as the San Diego Padres manager from 2016-2019. He probably can't save the Mets' season, but ultimately, the team needed to make a change in the dugout.
Source: Jon Heyman
Source: Jon Heyman
How Long Will Max Klare Stay Buried on Rams Depth Chart?
Los Angeles Rams tight end Max Klare currently sits fifth on the team's unofficial depth chart, but if there's any offense where that should not be viewed as a deterrent, it's Sean McVay's. The Rams had three tight ends on the field for almost a third of their plays in 2025, and by spending one of their only five 2026 draft picks on Klare, that trend looks to continue with Colby Parkinson, Tyler Higbee, Terrance Ferguson, and Davis Allen all still on the roster. While that sort of depth will allow Klare to develop as he adds play strength, only he and Ferguson are under contract beyond 2027. Not only the two most dangerous pass catchers of the group, but they also appear to be the future of the position. Parkinson and Allen's deals run only through this season, while Higbee is 33 and has been significantly slowed by injury in recent years. Klare could see a package of plays as a rookie to utilize his pass-catching abilities in more of a big slot role, but the second-rounder out of Ohio State factors more as a long-term dynasty play and a buy-low stash fit for a taxi squad in 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Dansby Swanson is Back on Fantasy Radar After Recent Surge
Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson was in a brutally cold stretch at the plate for what felt like a couple of months. Swanson has seemingly turned a corner over the last two weeks. Over that span, Swanson is 13-for-42 with four home runs, 18 RBI, and four stolen bases. The veteran shortstop has been one of the best hitters in the league over the last two weeks. Given his track record, Swanson will almost certainly come back down to Earth. Fantasy managers should take advantage of his hot play and scoop him up while he's tearing the cover off the ball.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Ian Seymour Strikes Out Six in Stellar Bulk Outing
Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Ian Seymour was dominant on the mound during Thursday's outing against the Kansas City Royals. He came into the game after Casey Legumina retired the first four batters of the game. Seymour would toss 6.2 hitless innings while striking out seven batters along the way. Since moving to the bullpen, Seymour owns a 2.84 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, and a 19/5 K/BB ratio in 19 innings. The southpaw figures to remain in this role moving forward. His excellent K/BB numbers in his role make him an appealing fantasy option at the moment. Seymour could be someone worth scooping up in deep leagues at the minimum.
Source: mlb.com
Source: mlb.com
Is Romeo Doubs Being Overlooked as a Reliable Dynasty Contributor?
Fresh off a career-high 724 receiving yards in his final season with the Packers, wide receiver Romeo Doubs signed a four-year, $68 million deal with the New England Patriots, where he could become the No. 2 option for 2025 MVP runner-up Drake Maye. While former Eagle A.J. Brown has since become the splashier addition, the three-time Pro Bowler is expected to handle more of the true outside role that was held primarily by Kayshon Boutte in 2025. Meanwhile, Doubs is presumed to inherit Stefon Diggs' inside spot, from which the veteran topped 1,000 yards while playing a part-time role. While he has yet to reach 60 receptions in a season, another career year could be in store for Doubs. Still just 26 years old, he is now tied through 2029 to a high-powered offense with plenty of room to grow. Providing a safe fantasy floor as a reliable chain-mover, a case could be made that he's become an undervalued dynasty asset at RotoBaller's WR62.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Mason Barnett Earns Second Save, Emerging as Committee Option?
Athletics pitcher Mason Barnett was handed the ball with a three-run lead in the ninth inning of Thursday's game against the San Francisco Giants. The A's were trailing this game until scoring four runs in the top half of the ninth inning. They turned to Barnett in the bottom half with an easier assignment given the three-run cushion. He retired all three batters in order, recording a strikeout and earning his second save of the season. Barnett has allowed only two runs while striking out 19 batters across 14.2 big league innings this season. He figures to remain in the mix as a closer, but is more of a deep league option right now.
Source: mlb.com
Source: mlb.com
Makai Lemon Could Make an Immediate Impact
In trading up for wide receiver Makai Lemon in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman took yet another step to prepare the team for life without three-time Pro Bowler A.J. Brown. By that point, the Eagles had already signed Hollywood Brown and traded for Dontayvion Wicks, and with three-time 1,000-yard receiver DeVonta Smith still in the building, Roseman was able to retool the group on the fly. With a versatile group of new pass catchers looking to earn their spots behind Smith, it will undoubtedly be one of the most interesting position groups to watch when the team reconvenes for training camp in late July, and Sports Illustrated's Eagles reporter Ed Kracz believes Lemon will be used primarily out of the slot and will be the team's most impactful rookie. Lemon won the Biletnikoff Award operating primarily from the inside at USC, and if he can carve out an early role, he could pay immediate fantasy dividends as a late-round pick in 2026 drafts, particularly in full-PPR leagues.
Source: Ed Kracz
Source: Ed Kracz
Caleb Kilian Allows Four Runs in Loss, Could he Lose the Closer Role?
San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Caleb Kilian was unable to shut the door versus the Athletics on Thursday. He entered the game with a one-run lead in the ninth inning. Kilian gave up a leadoff single, but retired the next two batters. After that, Kilian allowed the next four batters to reach base, which resulted in a four-run outburst for the A's. Kilian would take the loss and suffer his second blown save of the season. This season, Kilian owns a 3.97 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, and a 40:17 K:BB ratio with five saves across 34 innings. It was a bad outing, but the Giants don't have many other reliable arms out of the bullpen. They'll likely stick with Kilian and hope this was just a fluke outing.
Source: mlb.com
Source: mlb.com
Can Drake Maye Take Another Step in 2026?
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye was one first-place vote away from winning the 2025 NFL MVP award in his first full season as a starter, and one area that his supporters pointed to was the level of pass catchers he was throwing to in comparison to the award's winner, Matthew Stafford. Heading into 2026, the Patriots have rebuilt their wide receiver corps, adding Romeo Doubs through free agency and sending a first and fifth-round pick to Philadelphia for three-time Pro Bowler A.J. Brown. Maye finished as the fantasy QB2 in 2025, accounting for 4,844 yards and 35 touchdowns through the air and on the ground, and as he continues to take agency over Josh McDaniels' offense, his game has the potential to reach even higher levels. He was one of the most proficient passers against man coverage last season, while Brown has been the league's most disruptive receiver against man since 2022, and with Brown and Doubs expected to hold the top two spots on the depth chart, the rest of New England's receivers like Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams, DeMario Douglas, and, for now, Kayshon Boutte can slot into their more natural positions. With improvements made to both the receiver room and offensive line, and still possessing the ability to keep plays alive well-beyond structure, Maye is RotoBaller's QB4 for 2026, though a QB1 finish is very much in his range of possibilities.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jericho Sims Secures $2.8 Million Option With Milwaukee
Center Jericho Sims is choosing the sure thing over free agency. The Bucks center plans to exercise his $2.8 million player option for 2026-27, HoopsHype's Michael Scotto reports. It lands him in a Milwaukee frontcourt that looks nothing like last year's after the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade. Sims made the most of his first full season as a Buck, averaging 5.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 19.7 minutes across 67 games with 19 starts. He is a rim-runner who shot a career-best 78.4 percent from the field and even logged a triple-double in April. With the rotation wide open and starter Myles Turner drawing trade interest, the backup center minutes are there for Sims to seize. He has to earn them, but the door is more open than it has been in years.
Source: Michael Scotto
Source: Michael Scotto
Mouhamed Gueye Locked in on Fourth-Year Hawks Option
HoopsHype's Michael Scotto reports the Atlanta Hawks have exercised their fourth-year, $2.41 million team option on center/power forward Mouhamed Gueye. He's a defense-first big who can guard all five positions, a versatility Atlanta prizes more than his box score. Gueye set a career high with 77 games last season, averaging 4.4 points and 3.6 rebounds in 15.3 minutes while filling in as a makeshift backup center in the playoffs. He flashed more with real minutes, posting 10.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks while hitting 50.0 percent from three across eight starts. The fantasy catch is opportunity. Atlanta drafted Zuby Ejiofor and Henri Veesaar, with Onyeka Okongwu and Asa Newell also in the frontcourt mix. His value to the Hawks is real, but fantasy relevance likely depends on injuries opening the door.
Source: Michael Scotto
Source: Michael Scotto
Pelicans Exercise Third-Year Option on Karlo Matkovic
Center/power forward Karlo Matkovic will be back in New Orleans next season. The Pelicans exercised their $2.30 million third-year team option on Matkovic, HoopsHype's Michael Scotto reports. The floor-spacing big fills a real need for a New Orleans frontcourt short on shooting. He averaged 5.7 points and 3.7 rebounds in just 14.7 minutes across 62 games while connecting on 60.4 percent from the field and 42.2 percent from three-point range. There's little standalone fantasy value at that workload, but he produced more when the rotation thinned, posting 9.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in 22.3 minutes over his final 32 outings. Stuck behind Derik Queen and Yves Missi, Matkovic's value hinges on minutes. Should New Orleans decline Kevon Looney's separate option, he could carve out a larger role.
Source: Michael Scotto
Source: Michael Scotto
Raptors Secure Jamal Shead on $2.30 Million Team Option
The Toronto Raptors have exercised their $2.30 million team option on point guard Jamal Shead for 2026-27, HoopsHype's Michael Scotto reports. It was a straightforward call on a backup point guard who appeared in all 82 games last season. Shead averaged 6.6 points, 5.4 assists, and 1.7 rebounds in 22.8 minutes, with an impact that ran deeper than the scoring line. He led the NBA in assists off the bench and finished second in offensive fouls drawn. With Immanuel Quickley entrenched as the starter, Shead's standalone fantasy value stays low, but it spikes whenever Quickley misses time. That played out in the postseason, when Shead made four starts and logged 32.0 minutes a night in Quickley's absence. The cheap option also keeps a defensive-minded mentor in place for rookie Jaden Bradley.
Source: Michael Scotto
Source: Michael Scotto
Kevin Porter Jr. Exercises $5.39 Million Option to Stay with Bucks
Point guard Kevin Porter Jr. is exercising his $5.39 million player option to remain with the Milwaukee Bucks for 2026-27, HoopsHype's Michael Scotto reports. The combo guard stays put as Milwaukee reshapes its roster following the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade. Porter was productive before the injury ended his season, averaging 17.4 points, 7.4 assists, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.2 steals over 38 games. He shot a career-best 46.5 percent from the field but just 32.2 percent from three-point range. Antetokounmpo's departure opens up shot creation, but the backcourt got crowded in a hurry. Newly acquired Tyler Herro projects to handle the ball, and Ryan Rollins played well as a fill-in starter, averaging 22.5 points and 5.8 assists when Porter was sidelined. His assists and steals keep Porter valuable, though his usage may not climb as much as the headline change implies.
Source: Michael Scotto
Source: Michael Scotto
Mark Williams Agrees to a Three-Year Deal With the Suns
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Phoenix Suns center Mark Williams intends to sign a fully guaranteed three-year, $38 million contract to return to Phoenix. The 24-year-old is coming off the healthiest season of his career, averaging 11.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.9 blocks, and 0.9 steals in 23.6 minutes while shooting 64.4 percent from the field. He still carries availability risk after missing the first-round series with a left foot stress reaction, but the deal gives him the inside track to remain Phoenix's starting center. Khaman Maluach and Oso Ighodaro are worth monitoring behind him, although Williams should remain the preferred fantasy option if he holds the top role.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Coby White Returning to Hornets on Three-Year Deal
Charlotte Hornets guard Coby White intends to sign a three-year, $74 million deal to return to the team, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. White is expected to step into a larger role after Charlotte agreed to trade LaMelo Ball and Josh Green to Minnesota for Naz Reid and draft capital. The 26-year-old averaged 17.4 points, 4.0 assists, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.3 threes while shooting 44.6 percent from the field last season. His assists should climb as the new starting guard, while Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel also project for bigger creation roles in Charlotte's reworked offense.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Is Andy Pages' Rough Production in June a Cause for Concern?
Across 343 plate appearances in 2026, Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Andy Pages is hitting .266/.318/.474 with 15 home runs, 58 RBI, 46 runs scored, and eight stolen bases. Even in a Dodgers lineup that has stars at nearly every position, Pages has been one of the team's most important contributors. However, the 25-year-old has hit a rough spell in June, hitting .198 with just two home runs across 101 plate appearances this month. Pages was hitting .294 with 13 home runs through the end of May, which may have been production above his true talent level. Still, fantasy managers should stay patient with Pages through his current cold streak. The young slugger's 8.5% barrel rate is nearly identical to the 8.4% barrel rate he posted while hitting 27 home runs in 2025, and his hard-hit rate has actually jumped from 37.2% to 46%. As long as Pages remains healthy, he profiles as a five-category contributor. In leagues where his value may be dropping, managers should look to buy low.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kazuma Okamoto a Prime Sell-High Candidate?
Across 324 plate appearances in 2026, Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Kazuma Okamoto has hit .241/.324/.469 with 18 home runs, 51 RBI, and 42 runs scored. Okamoto was hitting just .214 through the end of May, but he's surged to a .306/.378/.569 slash line in June. The 30-year-old's power metrics for the season overall are excellent, as he's logged a 14.8% barrel rate and a 50% hard-hit rate. While Okamoto's power looks legit, his batting average improvement this month may be a bit of a mirage. Okamoto owns an elevated 31.5% strikeout rate for the season, and his xBA remains an uninspiring .222. Between swing-and-miss concerns and his lack of speed, Okamoto may ultimately profile as a power-only contributor for fantasy managers. With his value surging during his hot month, Okamoto could be a sell-high candidate for the right price.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Should Fantasy Managers Explore Selling High on Cody Bellinger?
New York Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger has been a consistent force in the middle of his team's lineup in 2026, hitting .267/.365/.458 with 11 home runs, 49 RBI, 46 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases across 340 plate appearances. The 30-year-old's plate approach has been elite, as he's recorded more walks (47) than strikeouts (46). While Bellinger may not provide high-end value in any one fantasy category, he has shown the ability to produce at an above-average rate across the board. However, fantasy managers may still have reason to explore selling high on Bellinger. The veteran outfielder's underlying contact metrics remain underwhelming, as he's logged a 7.8% barrel rate and 36.7% hard-hit rate. Perhaps more importantly, Bellinger has a spotty health track record that should not be ignored. Across five seasons entering 2026, Bellinger had reached 600 plate appearances just once. With his value potentially at its peak, Bellinger could generate a significant haul for fantasy managers in a trade.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Do Fantasy Managers Have a Buy-Low Window on Cade Smith Amidst His Rough June?
Cleveland Guardians closer Cade Smith has been one of the best closers in baseball so far in 2026, recording a 3.22 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 55 strikeouts, and 24 saves across 36 1/3 innings (34 games). However, the 27-year-old has run into some issues in June, pitching to a 5.19 ERA across 8 2/3 innings. Command has been an issue for Smith, whose walk rate has leaped to 13.2% this month. Still, Smith's underlying metrics for the season as a whole remain elite. The hard-throwing right-hander owns a 36.9% strikeout rate and a 30.2% K-BB rate. He's also been victimized by an unusually high opponent batting average on balls in play of .370, which suggests that Smith has experienced some poor luck. In any league where Smith's value may have dipped due to his rough June, fantasy managers should look to buy low.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
James Wood Has Arrived as an Elite Fantasy Outfielder
Washington Nationals outfielder James Wood has emerged as a fantasy superstar in 2026, hitting .260/.385/.511 with 20 home runs, 49 RBI, 70 runs scored, and 13 stolen bases across 382 plate appearances. Swing-and-miss is an issue for Wood (30% strikeout rate). However, Wood's underlying contact metrics are elite, as he's logged a 23.6% barrel rate and a 60.8% hard-hit rate. The 23-year-old's ability to consistently make hard contact should allow him to maintain a solid floor for his batting average, even with his elevated strikeout rate. As long as he stays healthy, Wood is a near lock to provide elite power and run production numbers and above-average speed for fantasy managers the rest of the way in 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Guardians to Promote Top Prospect Cooper Ingle, a Top Add in All Leagues?
According to the team, the Cleveland Guardians are promoting top-ranked catching prospect Cooper Ingle to the major leagues. Ingle is considered the No. 70 overall prospect on MLB.com and the No. 3 overall prospect in the team's system. Ingle is a primary catcher but has recently begun to see time in the outfield, which has opened the door for him to join the major-league roster. With Triple-A Columbus, Ingle has carried a strong .284/.416/.551 line with a stellar .967 OPS. Over this 51-game stretch, Ingle has launched 12 home runs while holding an impressive 50:41 K:BB. With the Guardians, Ingle could quickly carve out a role behind the dish and potentially in the outfield, with Angel Martinez and Chase DeLauter both on the injured list. Given his impressive play at Triple-A this season, Ingle is a worthy pickup in all 12+ team leagues ahead of his MLB debut on Friday night as he should see close to every day at-bats.
Source: Cleveland Guardians
Source: Cleveland Guardians
Sam Darnold Looking to Improve Footwork, Limit Turnovers
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold led the Seahawks to a Super Bowl victory in his first year with the team in 2025, but after a mediocre performance in the Super Bowl win over the New England Patriots, the veteran signal-caller knows he has plenty to work on going into his ninth year in the NFL. Darnold didn't turn the ball over in the postseason, but he had 20 regular-season turnovers (14 interceptions and six fumbles lost). "I think the biggest thing is continuing to build off of my weaknesses, understanding what I wasn't great at this past year, which I think for me is continuing to hone in on the deep ball, understand how I can be better that way, quieting my feet in the pocket," Darnold said. The former No. 3 overall pick by the New York Jets in 2018 out of USC threw for 4,048 yards, 25 touchdowns and 14 picks during 17 regular-season starts to finish as the QB13 in fantasy. The 29-year-old has one of the best receivers in the game in Jaxon Smith-Njigba at his disposal, but the Seahawks will be relying on rookie running back Jadarian Price after letting Kenneth Walker III walk in free agency. His QB13 finish in 2025 might be his ceiling when considering the lack of depth on Seattle's offense and the fact that the offense will be run by a first-time play-caller in Brian Fleury.
Source: NFL.com - Eric Edholm
Source: NFL.com - Eric Edholm
Diamondbacks-Cardinals Game Postponed on Thursday
Thursday's contest at Busch Stadium between the Arizona Diamondbacks and St. Louis Cardinals has been postponed due to inclement weather, according to John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports. Veteran right-hander Zac Gallen had been scheduled to toe the rubber for Arizona in this one, and he was scheduled to be opposed by Cardinals right-hander Michael McGreevy. Gallen will now likely be pushed back to take the mound in Friday's series opener in Tampa against the Rays. Coming off his worst start of the year, when he allowed a whopping nine earned runs on 12 hits while walking two in four innings on Saturday against the Minnesota Twins, fantasy managers will want to shy away from Gallen and fade him against the first-place Rays. McGreevy, meanwhile, will likely be moved to Friday's series opener against the Miami Marlins, a much better matchup. The 25-year-old allowed five earned runs in five innings his last time out against the Kansas City Royals, so he will also be looking for a bounce-back outing to kick off the series against Miami.
Source: Arizona Sports - John Gambadoro
Source: Arizona Sports - John Gambadoro
Juan Soto Returns From Back Injury on Thursday
New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto (back) is serving as the designated hitter and is batting third for the Mets in Thursday's series finale at Citi Field against the visiting Chicago Cubs and left-hander Matthew Boyd, according to MLB.com. MJ Melendez will make another start in left field and will hit eighth. Soto was pulled from Tuesday's loss to the Cubs with left side back tightness, and he both ends of Wednesday's doubleheader versus Chicago. The 27-year-old superstar is back in action on Thursday, though, and even though he's facing a left-hander, he should be returned to starting lineups in all traditional fantasy leagues. The four-time All-Star and six-time Silver Slugger winner was on the injured list earlier this season with a calf injury, but when healthy, he continues to impress, slashing .299/.395/.570 with a .965 OPS, 17 long balls, 38 RBI, 36 runs scored, and six stolen bases in his 221 at-bats. Soto has faced Boyd eight times in his career and has a solo home run off him while batting .125 with a .722 OPS. He's hitting .278 (22-for-79) against southpaws in 2026 with four of his 17 home runs.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Ryne Nelson Moved to 60-Day Injured List
The Arizona Diamondbacks announced on Thursday that they transferred right-hander Ryne Nelson (elbow) to the 60-day injured list with a strained right elbow. The D-backs initially placed Nelson on the 15-day IL last Friday with a flexor strain in his right elbow, and now he won't be eligible to return to Arizona's starting rotation until mid-August. The 28-year-old former second-rounder in 2019 out of the University of Oregon has gone 3-5 in 2026 in his fifth year in the big leagues with a 4.97 ERA (5.39 FIP) and 1.24 WHIP with 62 strikeouts and 22 walks in 83 1/3 innings pitched across his 15 starts. Nelson's numbers haven't been all that impressive, and he had more than three strikeouts just once in his last six starts for the Snakes. Nelson certainly isn't a must-hold in mixed fantasy leagues while he recovers from his injury, and he won't have much time left in 2026 to make an impact late in the second half if he even makes it back to the D-backs' rotation. Nelson is rostered in 37% of Yahoo leagues right now.
Source: Arizona Diamondbacks
Source: Arizona Diamondbacks
