Jul 3, 2026, 10:10 AM ET

New York Mets former 2024 first-round pick Carson Benge is putting together an excellent rookie campaign for the Mets, slashing .259/.318/.402 with 10 home runs, 34 RBI, 45 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases through 343 plate appearances. On Wednesday against the Blue Jays, he launched his 10th home run of the season and is showcasing excellent power after hitting 15 home runs in the Minors in 2025 (519 plate appearances). His underlying data support his surface-level breakouts and suggest a potential positive regression, as evidenced by his .286 xBA, .346 xwOBA, and .451 xSLG. All of his surface stats are showing worse than that, which should only bode well for Benge in the second half. Fantasy managers should view Benge as a must-start player in five outfielder leagues, as he has been a solid contributor to stolen bases, power, run production, and batting average.--Nicho Roessler
Source: Baseball Savant

Jul 3, 2026, 10:04 AM ET

The Calgary Flames have acquired defenseman Jacob Middleton from the Minnesota Wild. He was brought in along with a 2027 third-round pick, a 2028 fourth-round pick, and a 2029 second-round pick in exchange for forward Blake Coleman and defenseman Olli Maatta. Middleton has just finished the first season of a four-year, $17.4 million contract. After back-to-back 20-point campaigns, he finished with 16 points (two goals, 14 assists) in 75 games. His numbers across the board dropped due to reduced playing time. In Calgary, Middleton will have a chance to re-establish himself as a top-four piece.--Taavi Pailk
Source: NHL.com

Jul 3, 2026, 10:02 AM ET

Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews' TE16 finish in 2025 was his worst result since his 2018 rookie campaign, and after top-four finishes in three of four seasons from 2019 to 2022, he has now finished outside the top 12 in two of the last three years. While it would be easy to write off the ninth-year veteran who will turn 31 before the start of the season, the Ravens and new offensive coordinator Declan Doyle are in need of playmakers in the passing game, and in signing Andrews to a three-year extension while allowing Isaiah Likely to depart in free agency, the team has signaled its belief that Andrews could still be one of them. Andrews' 8.8 yards per reception in 2025 were by far the lowest of his career, having never previously dipped below 12 yards per catch, and with Doyle emphasizing a need for more explosive plays, he should see more of the seam-stretching usage of past seasons. With his red zone prowess never in question, Andrews could see a significant bounce-back in an offense whose second receiver spot alongside two-time Pro Bowler Zay Flowers will likely come down to career underperformers Rashod Bateman or Devontez Walker, or one of the team's 2026 rookies, Ja'Kobi Lane or Elijah Sarratt. At RotoBaller's TE6, expectations remain high for Andrews, and with a current ADP of TE11, he has the potential to plug in as a season-long starter from the closing rounds of 2026 drafts.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 3, 2026, 10:01 AM ET

Kansas City Royals left-handed hitting catcher Carter Jensen has been excellent at the plate of late for the Royals, hitting .310 with two home runs, five RBI, and two runs scored over the past seven days. On the season, he has improved his slash line up to .251/.314/.452 with 13 home runs, 47 RBI, 41 runs scored, 17 doubles, and one stolen base. Carter struggled out of the gates to start the season, but is now nearing 15 home runs leading up to the All-Star break, and has the chance at a 30-home-run pace and 100 RBI if he continues to swing well. The Royals lineup continues to struggle with injuries, but Jensen has been seeing consistent playing time and has become a must-roster and must-start player in two-catcher formats. In one-catcher formats, he is still struggling in some key areas, such as his strikeout rate being way up this year compared to 2025 (26.9 percent compared to 17.4 percent) and his walk rate being down (13 percent to 8.7 percent). All that said, he is still impacting the ball fairly well and has the upside to get hot, as we saw in June, when he hit .290 with five home runs, 20 RBI, and 18 runs scored. If available, fantasy managers should roster him.--Nicho Roessler
Source: Baseball Savant

Jul 3, 2026, 9:56 AM ET

Winger Blake Coleman was traded to the Minnesota Wild by the Calgary Flames on Thursday. Defenseman Olli Maatta also moved to Minnesota in exchange for defenseman Jake Middleton, a 2027 third-round pick, a 2028 fourth-round pick, and a 2029 second-round pick. The Flames will retain 50 percent of Coleman's $4.9 million annual salary. Coleman joined Calgary in 2021 after becoming a back-to-back Stanley Cup champion with the Tampa Bay Lightning. He finished the 2025-26 campaign with 35 points (20 goals, 15 assists), 176 SOG, and 152 hits in 69 games. Minnesota has lost several forwards this offseason, and Coleman looks like a great pickup. He'll be in contention for a top-six role and should be fueled by the fact that he's on an expiring contract.--Taavi Pailk
Source: NHL.com

Jul 3, 2026, 9:53 AM ET

Chicago White Sox right-hander Grant Taylor took the loss on Thursday and blew the save against the Cleveland Guardians after he allowed one hit, two earned runs, two walks, and two strikeouts in 1 1/3 innings pitched. Taylor isn't making his case for earning the ninth-inning work for the White Sox, even after Seranthony Domínguez has been struggling himself, blowing back-to-back saves and has a 4.30 ERA and 1.33 WHIP. The White Sox are clearly trying to give Taylor the job, but he continues to stumble in his opportunities, as he now has two saves in five opportunities. On the surface, Taylor has been much more efficient than Dominguez, evidenced by his 3.02 ERA and 1.12 WHIP and 34.8 percent strikeout rate, but the White Sox did sign Dominguez to a two-year, $20 million contract to be their closer, but at the end of the day, the White Sox are leading the AL Central (45-41) as of Friday, and don't have time to prioritize who they paid, rather who is performing. For the time being, this situation will likely remain a committee approach, but if Taylor can capitalize on a handful of his upcoming opportunities, he could easily run away with the job. Taylor is the one to roster out of these two closer options, so fantasy managers struggling to find a second or third closer may want to hold on for a little longer.--Nicho Roessler
Source: MLB.com

Jul 3, 2026, 9:49 AM ET

New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. has taken advantage of opportunities given, but through his first two years in the league, he's rarely appeared to be the Giants' primary plan. As a fifth-round rookie in 2024, he began the year behind free agent acquisition Devin Singletary and didn't see more than five carries in a game until the veteran missed time with a groin injury. Tracy responded with 129 yards on 18 carries in his first career start and held onto the position the rest of the way, finishing as the RB16 over the final 14 weeks of his rookie season. Heading into year two, Tracy kept the starting job for exactly one week before being supplanted by fourth-round rookie Cam Skattebo, who led the room in snaps, carries, and yards from Weeks 2-7. Skattebo's season-ending ankle injury eventually allowed Tracy to reclaim lead responsibilities, and he again finished the year on a fantasy-relevant 12-week stretch as the RB20, though the offense as a whole lacked the spark provided by the rookie out of Arizona State. With Skattebo expected back for the start of the season, Tracy is RotoBaller's RB46, and while Skattebo's hard-running style could ultimately add to Tracy's value as an in-season insurance pickup, he is not a player expected to factor into most 2026 drafts.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 3, 2026, 9:47 AM ET

Chicago Blackhawks forward Connor Bedard suffered an apparent shoulder injury during Thursday's practice. During a three-on-three drill, he lost his balance and crashed into the boards. As he stood up, Bedard clutched his right shoulder and eventually left the ice. Although the offseason has just begun and Bedard has plenty of time to recover before the next campaign, this is still concerning. The 20-year-old star dealt with a right shoulder injury in 2025-26, missing about a month. Now he may be forced to spend part of his offseason nursing an injury to his other shoulder. Before being knocked out of the lineup in December, Bedard was among the NHL's top scorers. He finished his third NHL campaign with a career-high 75 points (30 goals, 45 assists) in 69 games. Bedard became a restricted free agent on July 1.--Taavi Pailk
Source: Sportsnet

Jul 3, 2026, 9:46 AM ET

Free-agent forward Javonte Green has agreed to a one-year, $3.95 million deal to return to the Detroit Pistons, Shams Charania of ESPN reports. The 32-year-old is a glue guy: he suited up for all 82 games last season as one of Detroit's most trusted perimeter defenders, chipping in 6.9 points in 17.6 minutes while shooting 38.1 percent from three. That defensive motor and iron-man availability matter to a Pistons team built around Cade Cunningham, but they don't add up to a fantasy box score at this usage. Here's the only angle worth filing away: in deep formats, if an injury pushes him into the starting lineup as it did last season, his steals and blocks can carry a short-term stream. Short of that, he stays on the wire.--Brian Dailisan
Source: Shams Charania

Jul 3, 2026, 9:44 AM ET

Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Roki Sasaki stumbled for the second straight start on Thursday and the third of his last four starts. Against the Padres on Thursday, he went three innings, allowed seven hits, six earned runs, two walks, and three strikeouts in a no-decision. He allowed three home runs and multiple extra-base hits. He was pulled after throwing 88 pitches and only generated 7 whiffs and a 17 percent called strikes and whiffs (CSW). Over his past three starts, he has allowed 19 earned runs, and he has seen his season ERA bloom to 5.40 with a 1.40 WHIP and a 22.8 percent strikeout rate. While his fastball velocity remains elite (97.5 mph), his control and command continue to weigh him down, and every time he takes his turn in the rotation, it's a high-risk, high-reward option. In most formats, Sasaki can be dropped. The only leagues that fantasy managers should hold on to are deep 15-league formats or points leagues.--Nicho Roessler
Source: Baseball Savant

Jul 3, 2026, 9:38 AM ET

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Chimere Dike's 2,427 all-purpose yards in 2025 were the most by any player since Darren Sproles broke the single-season record in 2011, but with only 423 of those yards coming in the passing game, he made little fantasy impact as a rookie, outside of leagues with niche scoring settings. With the Titans overhauling what was one of the weakest receiver rooms in the league a year ago, Dike's impact is again expected to be felt primarily in the return game. Free agent wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson followed new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll from New York to Tennessee after having caught 185 passes in his final two seasons with the Giants, and the Titans spent the fourth overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate, transforming a room that was led by rookie Elic Ayomanor's 515 yards a season ago. Dike is still likely to be mixed in offensively, but more as a luxury than a necessity, allowing him to focus primarily on special teams, where his field-flipping abilities provide the most value to the team. At RotoBaller's WR92, the second-year receiver is likely to go undrafted in any 2026 redraft leagues without a heavy emphasis on return yardage.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 3, 2026, 9:37 AM ET

The Oklahoma City Thunder waived forward Payton Sandfort, according to Andrew Schlecht. Sandfort appeared in four NBA games for Oklahoma City last season, averaging 8.8 points and 2.5 rebounds while shooting 50.0 percent from the field. He spent most of his time with the Oklahoma City Blue, where he averaged 11.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.3 assists. Sandfort has size and shooting touch, but this move carries little fantasy fallout. He was not in line for a steady Thunder role, and his next value will depend on finding another developmental spot.--Brian Dailisan
Source: Andrew Schlecht

Jul 3, 2026, 9:36 AM ET

The Texas Rangers have promoted 25-year-old pitching prospect Ben Peoples to the big-league club after dominating in Triple-A with a 2.39 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 10.75 K/9 in 29 appearances (37 2/3 innings pitched). In a corresponding move, the Rangers have sent down Winston Santos to Triple-A, and left-handed pitcher Jorgan Montgomery was transferred from Frisco Double-A to Round Rock Triple-A. Peoples is a former 22nd-round pick in 2019 and was acquired by the Rangers via trade with the White Sox. Peoples figures to take on a relief role for the Rangers, which doesn't necessarily mean he will be a strong, valuable fantasy asset out of the gate, but he does have four saves this season and could be someone to keep an eye on in deeper formats or leagues that prioritize saves and holds. The Rangers currently have Jacob Latz closing out games, and he has been highly effective with a 1.71 ERA and 18 saves.--Nicho Roessler
Source: Texas Rangers

Jul 3, 2026, 9:35 AM ET

Washington Capitals winger Alex Ovechkin will return for his 22nd NHL season, Tom Gulitti of NHL.com reports. On July 1, he became an unrestricted free agent after his five-year, $47.5 million contract expired. 11 weeks before his 41st birthday, Ovechkin agreed to a new one-year deal with the Capitals. He will earn $1 million in salary, a $4.75 million games-played bonus (10 games), and a $3.25 million signing bonus. Despite having more than 20 years of wear and tear, Ovechkin played in all 82 games last season. He recorded a fifth consecutive 30-goal campaign and had 64 points (32 goals, 32 assists). With additional help on offense, including Alex Tuch and Jordan Kyrou, Ovechkin should remain productive in 2026-27.--Taavi Pailk
Source: Tom Gulitti

Jul 3, 2026, 9:30 AM ET

Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta has agreed to a four-year, $56 million extension to remain in Boston, Shams Charania of ESPN reports. It caps a remarkable climb for the 26-year-old Portuguese 7-footer, who went from a two-way deal and G League stints in Maine to Boston's starting center. Queta seized that job last season after the Celtics traded Kristaps Porzingis and let Al Horford and Luke Kornet walk, and he delivered career highs of 10.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks while shooting 65.3 percent, third-best in the NBA. For fantasy, he's a quietly valuable category center: the field-goal percentage, boards, and blocks add up even without gaudy scoring. The extension locks in a role that only grows more central as Boston retools around a post-Jaylen Brown roster. The one cap on his ceiling is minutes, with offseason signing Mitchell Robinson now providing real depth behind him.--Brian Dailisan
Source: Shams Charania

Jul 3, 2026, 9:25 AM ET

Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams finished as the fantasy WR5 over the final 10 weeks of the 2025 season, and while many are quick to point to the absence of tight end Sam LaPorta as the driving factor behind his late-season breakout, there's evidence of his leveling up even before LaPorta was placed on injured reserve with a herniated disc. The two games following Detroit's Week 8 bye proved to be LaPorta's final two outings of the season, but they were also arguably his most productive two-game stretch of 2025, totaling 150 yards on 11 catches while reeling in one of his three touchdown grabs on the year. In those two games, the start of his end-of-season run of dominance, Williams caught 10 passes for 185 yards and two scores, finishing as the WR14 and WR3. With LaPorta expected to be healthy again for 2026, the Lions are likely to deploy more of the two-receiver sets from which Williams has proven to be a dynamic weapon. If Williams can find more consistency in his fifth season, an expectation expressed publicly by wide receiver coach Scottie Montgomery in one of his final media sessions of minicamp, the 2022 first-round pick could pick right back up on the 82-catch, 1,400-yard, and nine-touchdown pace with which he ended 2025, and he should have little trouble outproducing his current ADP as WR26.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 3, 2026, 9:13 AM ET

It took Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown until Week 7 of the 2025 season to post a weekly fantasy finish inside the top 20, but from that point forward, he never looked back. Brown finished as the RB19 or better in each of his final 11 games, only twice finishing outside the top 15. The team's mid-season trade for veteran quarterback Joe Flacco helped to steady a faltering offense without three-time Pro Bowler Joe Burrow, and Brown was perhaps the biggest benefactor, finishing as the RB7 from that point forward. With Burrow at full health and Flacco back under contract to back him up, Brown's high floor remains very much intact, while a projected philosophical shift could help to raise his ceiling in 2026. Brown was one of the league's most explosive runners when the team went under center, but with the Bengals ranking 31st in the league in that category, he rarely had the opportunity to take advantage. Reports out of minicamp have suggested that the team could mix in more under-center runs, and even a modest increase, along with the offensive consistency allowed by the presumed health at quarterback, could have Brown flirting with a top-five finish. Heading into the year, he is RotoBaller's RB10, and drafters should again feel comfortable making Brown their RB1 in 2026.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 3, 2026, 9:11 AM ET

Minnesota and Golden State have both pitched free agent forward Rui Hachimura, the top name left on the board, Jake Fischer of The Stein Line reports. Hachimura is all but gone from Los Angeles after the Lakers exhausted their cap space on other moves, and the 28-year-old is coming off a scorching close to the season. He averaged 11.5 points and 3.3 rebounds on 51.4 percent shooting across 68 regular-season games, then poured in 17.5 points and 4.0 rebounds while hitting 56.9 percent from three over 10 playoff games. The fantasy read hinges on which suitor wins, and the two fits are not equal. Minnesota, which cleared frontcourt minutes by dealing Julius Randle to Brooklyn and moving Naz Reid in the LaMelo Ball trade, could hand him a starting role as the third scorer behind Anthony Edwards and Ball. Golden State's motion offense would use him as a complementary spacer next to Stephen Curry, a lower-usage role. For fantasy purposes, root for the Minnesota outcome.--Brian Dailisan
Source: Jake Fischer

Jul 3, 2026, 9:05 AM ET

The Detroit Pistons are signing center Ugonna Onyenso to a two-way contract, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. Onyenso was the No. 53 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, with Detroit acquiring his rights after Houston selected him and moved him through New York. The Virginia product averaged 6.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks in 18.6 minutes as a senior, earning ACC All-Defensive honors. Onyenso's rim protection is the clear fantasy hook, but Jalen Duren's presence and Detroit's added frontcourt depth make early NBA minutes unlikely. He is more of a developmental blocks specialist than a redraft target.--Brian Dailisan
Source: Michael Scotto

Jul 3, 2026, 8:58 AM ET

The Minnesota Timberwolves are bringing back forward Enrique Freeman on a two-way contract for a second season, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reports. The 25-year-old Akron product is a defense-first, rebounding big, but his usage tells the story: he appeared in just four games for Minnesota last season while spending the bulk of the year in the G League, where he averaged 16.5 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.4 assists over 39 games with the Iowa Wolves. That gap is the whole picture for fantasy. Freeman sits behind an established frontcourt anchored by Rudy Gobert on a roster built to contend, so there's no rotation runway waiting for him. The only path to relevance is an injury-driven opening up front. Short of that, he's a development piece, not a fantasy consideration.--Brian Dailisan
Source: Michael Scotto

Jul 3, 2026, 8:52 AM ET

New Orleans Pelicans center Yves Missi remains unavailable in trade talks after the New York Knicks made multiple rejected offers, according to Chris Haynes. New York is searching for center help after Mitchell Robinson agreed to a three-year, $47.4 million deal with the Boston Celtics, but New Orleans views Missi as a vital core piece. The 22-year-old averaged 5.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.5 blocks in 19.7 minutes last season. Staying put keeps Missi's path tied to the Pelicans' frontcourt, where his blocks and offensive boards are more useful than his scoring. He still needs steadier minutes to be more than a specialist.--Brian Dailisan
Source: Chris Haynes

Jul 3, 2026, 8:47 AM ET

The Dallas Mavericks are preparing a significant contract offer for Fenerbahce guard/forward Tarik Biberovic, according to Eurohoops' Bugra Uzar. Dallas acquired Biberovic's NBA draft rights in Wednesday's Santi Aldama trade with Memphis. Marc Stein of The Stein Line adds that Dallas has opened talks with the sharpshooter's camp about coming stateside as soon as next season. The 25-year-old is one of Europe's premier shooters, posting a .524/.419/.952 slash with 11.3 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 24.3 minutes across 41 EuroLeague games, and he has hit 45.8 percent from three over 63 career playoff games. The fantasy fit is obvious: Dallas ranked bottom-five in three-point shooting and could use his floor spacing next to Cooper Flagg. Temper the enthusiasm, though. His arrival hinges on a $2 million buyout the Mavs can only partly cover, and even if he signs, a rookie role likely means single-digit minutes. The actionable question isn't his fantasy value yet, it's whether the buyout gets resolved and he makes the jump. Revisit him if and when Dallas closes a deal.--Brian Dailisan
Source: Bugra Uzar

Jul 3, 2026, 8:37 AM ET

Sacramento Kings rookie forward Alex Karaban rolled his ankle near the end of practice and did not return, according to Brenden Nunes. There is no update yet on the severity or his availability, leaving his summer-league status up in the air. The No. 29 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft averaged 13.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.4 assists at UConn while shooting 37.4 percent from three. Karaban's fantasy appeal is tied to shooting and low-mistake minutes, but any missed development time would make his already narrow rookie-year path harder to trust.--Brian Dailisan
Source: Brenden Nunes

Jul 3, 2026, 8:27 AM ET

The Los Angeles Lakers continue to explore the feasibility of adding free-agent forward Jonathan Kuminga, according to Marc Stein of The Stein Line. Stein also reports that Cleveland and Milwaukee have expressed interest, while a return to Atlanta has not been ruled out. Kuminga became an unrestricted free agent after the Hawks declined his team option, and he averaged 12.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists last season. The Lakers need athletic wing depth and perimeter defense, but their financial constraints make this far from simple. Kuminga's fantasy value would depend heavily on his landing spot, with Los Angeles offering defensive minutes but not necessarily a high-usage role.--Brian Dailisan
Source: Marc Stein

Jul 3, 2026, 12:07 AM ET

New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe has held off Jose Caballero at the 6 in the Bronx, but it's primarily due to injuries to New York's outfield and third baseman Ryan McMahon (illness). Volpe didn't make his 2026 season debut with the Yanks until May 13 while rehabbing from offseason shoulder surgery. The 25-year-old former 30th overall pick in 2019 has hit a middling .246/.343/.336 with a .679 OPS, just one home run, 13 RBI, 18 runs scored, and seven stolen bases in 38 games across 140 plate appearances. Volpe wasn't a whole lot better in 24 games (84 plate appearances) in June, going 18-for-75 (.240) with zero home runs, three doubles, a triple, five RBI, nine runs scored, and three stolen bases. If anything, Volpe carries some weight for fantasy managers in deeper leagues for his speed while he's playing regularly for the Yankees. However, when the team gets healthier in the outfield, Volpe could lose out on playing time at the 6 to Jose Caballero. Volpe was a 20-20 man in his rookie season in 2023, but he has a career .224 average and appears to have lost his power stroke as he works his way back from shoulder surgery.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Baseball Reference

Jul 2, 2026, 11:58 PM ET

Los Angeles Angels first baseman Nolan Schanuel has limited power at the first base position, but he has become attractive off the waiver wire in deeper fantasy leagues with improved production at the plate since he returned from the injured list in early June. In 20 games since rejoining the Halos on June 6, Schanuel has gone 17-for-65 (.262) with two home runs, two doubles, seven RBI, and 11 runs scored across 78 plate appearances. The 24-year-old left-handed slugger came into Thursday's game against the division-rival Seattle Mariners with 14 hits in his last 47 at-bats (.298) with two homers in his last 12 games since June 16. Overall, the former 11th overall pick in 2023 out of Florida Atlantic University has a pretty uninspiring .262/.332/.387 slash line, .719 OPS, six home runs, 31 RBI, and 29 runs scored across his 256 at-bats. Schanuel makes decent contact at the plate, but a .373 xSLG just doesn't really move the needle in terms of power. Fantasy managers can ride his recent hot streak, but if you're looking for game-changing power off the waiver wire, you've come to the wrong place.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Baseball Reference

Jul 2, 2026, 11:48 PM ET

New York Yankees infielder George Lombard Jr. (fingers) is the team's top prospect, per MLB Pipeline, and he could push for a big-league promotion in 2026. The 21-year-old landed on the seven-day injured list at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre with two sprained fingers on his left hand in the middle of June, but even though he's currently injured, fantasy managers in deeper leagues may want to consider stashing him now. In 20 games with Double-A Somerset before his promotion, Lombard hit .312 (24-for-77) with four home runs, 10 RBI, 18 runs scored, and four stolen bases. In 42 games with the RailRiders after his promotion, he's slashed .231/.381/.385 with a .765 OPS, four home runs, 15 RBI, 30 runs scored, and eight stolen bases across 197 plate appearances. It's unclear exactly how much longer he'll be out at Triple-A, but Lombard's above-average raw power and speed from the right side make him a very intriguing prospect to stash. He's the clear shortstop of the future in the Bronx and has 25-25 potential. Lombard is rostered in only 4% of Yahoo leagues.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Baseball Reference

Jul 2, 2026, 11:39 PM ET

Arizona Diamondbacks outfield prospect Ryan Waldschmidt was touted as one of the best up-and-coming position players to stash in fantasy baseball in the first half of the 2026 season. The team's top overall prospect, per MLB Pipeline, eventually got the call from the Snakes in early May, but his first taste of major-league pitching didn't go as planned. The 23-year-old former first-rounder in 2024 out of the University of Kentucky went 29-for-112 (.259) with zero home runs, eight RBI, 11 runs scored, five stolen bases, eight walks, and 40 strikeouts for an elevated 32.8% strikeout rate. The D-backs sent Waldschmidt down to work on his plate discipline and his approach against offspeed pitches. Since going back down to Triple-A Reno, Waldschmidt has gone 14-for-44 (.318) with three home runs, four doubles, five RBI, 10 runs scored, and zero stolen bases in 11 games played. It's unclear exactly when Arizona might consider recalling Waldschmidt to the majors, but it probably won't come until sometime after the All-Star break. For his power/speed upside alone, the 6-foot, 205-pounder should definitely already be stashed in dynasty/keeper and NL-only leagues. He's currently rostered in just 3% of Yahoo leagues.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Baseball Reference

Jul 2, 2026, 10:47 PM ET

Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Jacob Misiorowski took his fourth loss of the season in Thursday's 7-2 loss to the division-rival Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field, but he also reached double-digit strikeouts for the seventh time in 2026. Misiorowski allowed five runs (just one earned) on five hits (two homers) while walking none and striking out 10 in five innings pitched. The hard-throwing 24-year-old fantasy ace allowed a solo home run to Sal Frelick in the first inning and a three-run shot by Jose Trevino in the fourth frame. Despite the uneven start, the Miz leads baseball with a 1.47 ERA, 0.78 WHIP, and 156 strikeouts in 104 innings pitched over his 17 starts in 2026 in his first full year in the big leagues with the Brewers. He's an absolute must-start every time he toes the rubber for the Brew Crew as the most dominant starting pitcher in the game. Misiorowski has a rematch coming against the division-rival St. Louis Cardinals next week. In his first meeting against the Red Birds, he was electric, allowing only one earned run with a walk and 12 strikeouts in seven innings pitched.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com

Jul 2, 2026, 10:41 PM ET

Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez (head) was removed from Thursday's game early against the division-rival Los Angeles Angels to begin the top of the third inning, shortly after taking a throw off the back of his helmet, according to Daniel Kramer of MLB.com. Victor Robles took over for him in center field. Before leaving, J-Rod walked in his only plate appearance. The Mariners will most likely put him through the concussion protocol, so fantasy managers will want to check back later on or early Friday morning for an update. For now, we'll consider the 25-year-old three-time All-Star as day-to-day. Rodriguez came into Thursday's contest with a .259/.321/.424 slash line, .745 OPS, 14 home runs, 40 RBI, 46 runs scored, and 12 stolen bases in his 344 at-bats for Seattle. The five-category fantasy contributor is rostered in 99% of Yahoo leagues for a reason, and he's a must-start in all formats when he's active. Rodriguez is currently riding a seven-game hitting streak in which he's gone 12-for-29 (.414) with three RBI, two stolen bases, and four runs scored. UPDATE: Rodriguez is in the concussion protocol and will be re-evaluated on Friday.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com - Daniel Kramer