RADIO
Colson Montgomery Scratched on Tuesday With Shin Contusion
Updating a previous report, Chicago White Sox infielder Colson Montgomery (shin) has been scratched from Tuesday's starting lineup against the hosting Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field due to a shin contusion that he suffered in Monday's series opener, according to the team. Luisangel Acuna is now starting at the 6 and will bat eighth against Rangers right-hander Kumar Rocker. Montgomery will take another day to heal after fouling a ball off his right shin on Monday. The 24-year-old left-handed slugger should be considered day-to-day for now with a good shot at returning for Wednesday's contest in Texas. The former 22nd overall pick in 2021 is striking out 32.4% of the time, which is why he's hitting only .222 (79-for-356) in his first full major-league season, but his power plays in all fantasy baseball formats. After clubbing 21 round-trippers as a rookie in 71 games, Montgomery has 24 homers and 57 RBI in 398 plate appearances in 2026. Get him back into your starting lineups on Wednesday if he is cleared to return for the Pale Hose.
Source: Chicago White Sox
Source: Chicago White Sox
Colson Montgomery Back on Tuesday After Shin Contusion
Chicago White Sox infielder Colson Montgomery (shin) is starting at shortstop and will hit cleanup for the White Sox in Tuesday's game against the hosting Texas Rangers and right-hander Kumar Rocker at Globe Life Field, per MLB.com. Montgomery will return on Tuesday for the second game of the series after being pulled in Monday's series opener after he fouled a ball off his right shin. After hitting 21 homers in 71 games as a rookie for the Pale Hose in 2025, Montgomery has hit 24 homers and driven in 57 runs in 95 games in 2026, although he's also hitting just .222/.304/.472 in 398 plate appearances. The 24-year-old left-handed hitter should be returned to all starting lineups for his power stroke. In 14 games so far in July, Montgomery has gone 13-for-57 (.228) with three homers, two doubles, eight RBI, and eight runs scored in 60 plate appearances. The former first-rounder is hitting just .207 (51-for-246) against righties this year, but 16 of his 24 long balls have come against them. Montgomery has never faced Rocker in his young MLB career.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Chase Meidroth Offers Runs and Three-Position Flexibility
Chicago White Sox second baseman Chase Meidroth went 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored in Monday's 10-3 win over Texas. He is batting .272 with seven home runs, 57 runs, 32 RBI, and two steals across 356 at-bats. The speed has nearly vanished after 14 steals last season, and seven homers do not turn him into a power pickup. Still, he keeps playing and getting on base. Meidroth started at second base and hit fifth Monday. Eligibility at second, third, and shortstop makes the profile easier to use when injuries or off days leave a hole. Only 27% of Yahoo leagues have him rostered. There is not a loud category here, but the .272 average and regular plate appearances have value. RotoBaller keeps Meidroth in its 12-team range, where he works as a steady middle-infield option rather than a priority claim.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tristan Peters Carries Deep-League Waiver-Wire Appeal
Across 291 plate appearances this season, Chicago White Sox outfielder Tristan Peters is hitting .292/.341/.462 with six home runs, 37 RBI, 38 runs scored, and five stolen bases. The 26-year-old does not profile as a plus source of power for fantasy managers, as he's posted just a 4.7% barrel rate and a 30.5% hard-hit rate. The lefty-swinging Peters' playing time this season has also largely been limited to big-side platoon duties, which puts a ceiling on his production upside. Still, Peters has been a quality source of batting average, and his presence in the stellar White Sox lineup allows him to rack up counting stats at a decent rate despite his lack of an everyday role. In deeper league formats, Peters could be worth targeting on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Colson Montgomery Exits Early on Monday With Shin Injury
Chicago White Sox infielder Colson Montgomery (shin) exited early from his team's game against the Texas Rangers on Monday due to a right-shin contusion, per LaMond Pope of the Chicago Tribune. Pope reports that the young infielder is currently being listed as day-to-day. Montgomery was hitless in four plate appearances before being pulled from the game. Across 398 plate appearances on the year, the 24-year-old is hitting .222/.302/.472 with 24 home runs, 57 RBI, 48 runs scored, and one stolen base. While Montgomery's 32.4% strikeout rate limits his batting average potential, he owns a stellar 13.8% barrel rate and is one of the better sources of power among middle infielders. White Sox utility man Luisangel Acuna replaced Montgomery on Monday and could be in line for increased playing time if Montgomery ends up facing an extended absence.
Source: Chicago Tribune - LaMond Pope
Source: Chicago Tribune - LaMond Pope
Grant Taylor Earns Fifth Save, Nearing Complete Control of White Sox Closer Job
Chicago White Sox closer Grant Taylor earned his fifth save of the season on Sunday in Chicago's 3-0 win over the Toronto Blue Jays. The save did not come without any drama, as Taylor allowed two hits but escaped the inning. Taylor has now earned a save in three out of his last four appearances dating back to July 4, and Seranthony Domínguez, on the other hand, has not earned a save since June 14. Taylor has been the significantly more effective pitcher this season, with a 2.74 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 33.2 percent strike rate. He has been missing bats at an elite rate, with a 34.8 percent chase rate and a 30.3 percent WHIP rate. Under the hood, Taylor's surface data is fully supported, evidenced by his .183 xBA and 2.39 xERA. Taylor is a must-roster player, and given his recent success and the state of closers in MLB right now, he is now working up his ranks to become a must-start closer.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Hagen Smith's Record Not Reflective of his Upside
Don't let Chicago White Sox pitching prospect Hagen Smith's 0-5 record fool you; he has the pitching tools to be a successful player for fantasy managers. Smith has pitched to an 0-5 mark at Triple-A Charlotte this season with a 4.67 ERA and 1.40 WHIP. His 77 strikeouts in 52 innings pitched give a good look into his upside, and his fastball and slider are both graded out at 60. The left-hander out of Arkansas is the No. 3 overall prospect for the White Sox, and while he has only been used in starting situations in the minors, he could be looked at as a high-leverage bullpen arm in the big leagues. Control has been a struggle for Smith a bit in the minors, but his high-quality pitches make him a fantasy target, especially in dynasty leagues. Shallow league owners will also want to plant a flag on Smith as a waiver wire option because of the upside if he is called up by Chicago this season.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Sam Antonacci Is Too Useful to Leave on the Waiver Wire
Chicago White Sox outfielder Sam Antonacci is still available in more than half of Yahoo leagues despite batting .285 with seven home runs, 50 runs, 29 RBI, and 13 steals across 270 at-bats. He homered on Friday, July 17, then went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts Saturday. That is not a reason to jump off. Antonacci owns a .376 on-base percentage and has struck out in just 15.3% of his 313 plate appearances. That contact, plus a regular turn atop Chicago's lineup, keeps the runs and steals coming. The power is not big, but it is no longer empty, either. Seven homers work just fine alongside 13 steals and 50 runs. Antonacci also qualifies at second base, third base, and the outfield. At 47% rostered on Yahoo, he should not be sitting on the wire in competitive 10-team leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Miguel Vargas Back in Lineup After Injury Scare
Chicago White Sox corner infielder Miguel Vargas (hand) was forced from the team's game on Friday against the Toronto Blue Jays late after taking a pitch off his hand in the eighth inning, according to Zach Worden of MLB.com. Vargas' removal from the game appeared to be a precaution, and that has been confirmed now that he's officially starting at third base and batting third on Saturday against the hosting Toronto Blue Jays and right-hander Shane Bieber, per MLB.com. He homered in Tuesday's All-Star Game and has been a key piece of the White Sox's stunning revival in 2026. After Friday's game against Toronto, he's now hitting .245/.356/.490 with 21 home runs in 95 games played. Fantasy managers will want to get Vargas back in their starting lineups on Saturday, even though he's only hitting .227 (10-for-44) with two homers, five doubles, seven RBI, nine runs, six walks, and nine strikeouts in 12 games so far in July. Vargas has never faced Bieber in his big-league career.
Source: MLB.com - Zach Worden
Source: MLB.com - Zach Worden
Should You Sell High on Davis Martin?
Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Davis Martin had a very strong first half of the season, already setting a personal best with nine wins in his 18 starts while posting a 3.41 ERA through 100 1/3 innings. His K% is up from last year, and he has been especially effective at home with a 1.80 ERA and 1.04 WHIP. However, despite his overall success, Martin has some concerning underlying metrics. He has a 4.31 xERA as a result of a 43.8% hard-hit rate against him, which ranks only in the 12th percentile of qualified pitchers. He's also in the bottom 20 percent of pitchers in terms of xBA and average exit velocity allowed. He gave up five runs in his last start against the Red Sox and has allowed at least four runs in four of his last nine starts. He could be due for some regression in the second half, so if you can flip him to a team that needs pitching for an option with better metrics, Martin's value may be near its peak.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tristan Peters Worth Waiver Attention After Hitting for the Cycle?
Chicago White Sox outfielder Tristan Peters became the third player in baseball in the first half of the 2026 season to hit for the cycle last Friday against the Athletics. The 26-year-old Canadian finished went into this week's All-Star break with an impressive .301/.354/.478 slash line with an .832 OPS, six home runs, 36 RBI, 37 runs scored, and five stolen bases in 91 games across 275 plate appearances as an All-Star in his first full year in the majors with the White Sox. Peters debuted in the big leagues last year but played in only four games with the Tampa Bay Rays. The former seventh-round pick by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2021 out of Southern Illinois University Carbondale got off to a scorching start in July, going 13-for-32 (.406) with two homers, three doubles, a triple, six RBI, and six runs scored in 11 games to begin the month. Fantasy managers who have Peters rostered in deeper leagues will be hoping he can stay hot after the All-Star break, but his .260 expected batting average and .308 xwOBA predict serious regression coming for the Canadian outfielder. Despite his strong first half and beginning of July, Peters is rostered in less than 10% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Noah Schultz Remains a High-Upside Breakout Candidate to Target
Chicago White Sox left-hander Noah Schultz has bounced back and forth between Triple-A and the big leagues so far this season. The 22-year-old has largely struggled at the MLB level in 2026, recording a 3-6 record with a 5.60 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, and 47 strikeouts across 53 innings (11 starts). However, Schultz pitched well in his final start before the All-Star break, throwing five innings of one-run ball with zero walks and four strikeouts against the Athletics. The young lefty has been utterly dominant in his time at Triple-A this year, recording a 38.6% strikeout rate across 23 innings. Command and consistency remain question marks in Schultz's profile, but his upside for fantasy managers is tantalizing. Particularly in deeper leagues, Schultz's second-half breakout potential could make him a worthy waiver wire target.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kyle Teel Remains a High-Upside Waiver-Wire Target Despite Slow Start to 2026
Chicago White Sox catcher Kyle Teel had the start of his 2026 season delayed by hamstring and knee injuries that kept him out until late June. The 24-year-old has gotten off to a bit of a slow start since returning, hitting .204/.295/.333 with two home runs, 13 RBI, nine runs scored, and a 36.1% strikeout rate across 61 plate appearances. However, Teel owns a 12.4% barrel rate and a 50% hard-hit rate, indications that his batted ball luck will start to turn over a larger sample size of at-bats. While the elevated strikeout rate is somewhat concerning, Teel struck out in a far more manageable 25.9% of his 297 plate appearances after making his MLB debut in 2025. Once he gets his timing down at the plate, Teel could emerge as one of the better-hitting catchers in baseball. Despite his early struggles this season, Teel remains a second-half breakout candidate worth prioritizing on the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Munetaka Murakami Would Like to Stay With White Sox Long-Term
Chicago White Sox All-Star first baseman Munetaka Murakami said he's not thinking or talking specifics about contract extensions right now, but he affirmed that he would like to stay with the White Sox long-term, according to James Fegan of Baseball America. Murakami signed a two-year, $34 million deal to come to the States and play for the White Sox, and he was named a first-time All-Star in 2026 despite spending time on the injured list with a hamstring injury. The 26-year-old left-handed slugger took the league by storm early on and finished the first half of the season by hitting .232/.371/.540 with a .911 OPS, 20 home runs, 42 RBI, 45 runs scored, and a stolen base across his first 211 at-bats in Chicago. If Murakami continues to slug in the second half, the Pale Hale might want to start extension talks with the Japanese native sooner rather than later. Murakami most likely won't be a batting average asset with an elevated 33.6% strikeout rate, but the power is real, and he's also walking at a 17.8% clip, making himself serviceable in on-base-percentage leagues.
Source: Baseball America - James Fegan
Source: Baseball America - James Fegan
Rookie Braden Montgomery Worth Rostering Going into Second Half?
Chicago White Sox rookie outfielder Braden Montgomery got his MLB career started with a bang, clubbing a walk-off home run to beat the Atlanta Braves on June 9. The 23-year-old switch-hitting outfielder finished the first half strong, too, going 2-for-4 with a home run and a career-best four RBI in Sunday's win over the Athletics, but in between, he left a lot to be desired, and the former first-rounder out of Texas A&M has hit just .231/.302/.394 with a .696 OPS, three home runs, eight doubles, 12 RBI, 15 runs scored, 10 walks, and 24 strikeouts in 29 games and 116 plate appearances. The 6-foot-2, 220-pounder has a bright future because of his ability to generate elite bat speed that gives him plus-plus raw power at the plate. Montgomery should absolutely be rostered in all dynasty/keeper leagues, but until he improves his plate discipline and quality of contact at the big-league level, he'll be a fringe asset in mixed leagues. He's currently rostered in only 10% of Yahoo leagues and was hitting .216 (8-for-37) with a homer, two doubles, four RBI, four runs, two walks, and six strikeouts in his first 10 games in July.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
