Jul 2, 2026, 1:44 PM ET

Kansas City Royals right-handed reliever Carlos Estevez (shoulder) suffered a setback with his shoulder after throwing a bullpen session on June 27. He received an injection on Wednesday and will be shut down for the rest of the week before being re-evaluated, according to MLB.com. Estevez initially went on the 15-day injured list on April 1 with a left-foot contusion, but he suffered a right rotator-cuff strain while rehabbing and was transferred to the 60-day IL on June 15. The 33-year-old veteran Dominican hurler only made one appearance this year for the Royals before getting injured, and he allowed six earned runs in just one-third of an inning. Estevez had a career- and league-high 42 saves in his first season with the Royals in 2025, but in addition to his injuries this year, his velocity was noticeably down in spring training. He easily has the most closing experience of anyone in KC's bullpen, but it could be a choppy ride for fantasy managers who are stashing him whenever he returns in the second half of 2026. Estevez is rostered in only 39% of Yahoo leagues now.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com

Jul 2, 2026, 1:38 PM ET

LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt is entering his first season in Lane Kiffin's offense after two strong years at Arizona State. The rising junior started 20 games for the Sun Devils, totaling 4,513 passing yards, 749 rushing yards, and 44 touchdowns. He led the program to a Big 12 title and a College Football Playoff appearance as a freshman in 2024. Given those credentials, expectations are sky-high for him in Baton Rouge. Kiffin's quarterbacks have often been prolific, especially since his tenure at Alabama under Nick Saban. If Leavitt can pick up his system quickly, he has the dual-threat skills and talent around him to make a real run at the Heisman Trophy in 2026. The Tigers will likely have to win at least 10 games for him to be considered, but that is in the range of outcomes given LSU's talent profile and coaching upgrades this offseason.--Jackson Sparks - RotoBaller
Source: Sports Reference CFB

Jul 2, 2026, 1:36 PM ET

With Zach Charbonnet tearing his ACL in the Seahawks' divisional round win over the 49ers, Seattle bumped 2024 undrafted running back George Holani into a primary backup role behind Kenneth Walker III for the rest of its Super Bowl-winning playoff run. While Walker would go on to win the Super Bowl MVP and earn a top-of-market deal with the Kansas City Chiefs, Holani saw a combined five carries for 10 yards in the Conference Championship and Super Bowl, and while early offseason rumblings had him in play for a potential starting role in 2026, he's now far more likely to continue serving as little more than an NFL depth piece and special teams contributor. Seattle spent its first-round pick on Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price, and Charbonnet is reportedly progressing well, even seen on the field performing a light workout in the final practice of minicamp. At RotoBaller's RB106, Holani has little chance of carving out any true dynasty relevance, and he should be viewed as a non-factor in 2026 redraft leagues.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 2, 2026, 1:25 PM ET

After three years of sharing a backfield with one of the nation's best players, 2026 first-round pick Jadarian Price could find himself again splitting work for the Seattle Seahawks. The obvious difference is that, while he was the clear second option behind Doak Walker Award winner and third overall pick Jeremiyah Love, the torn ACL sustained by incumbent Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet during the team's Super Bowl run has left the door open for Price to claim lead back responsibilities to begin his rookie season, and perhaps caused too steep a rise in his ADP. While sharing time with eventual Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III in 2025, Charbonnet finished sixth in the league with 12 rushing touchdowns and was one of the NFL's most active backs near the goal line. With reports indicating that he is progressing well in his recovery, he could be back earlier than expected to reclaim the bulk of the team's most high-value touches and harm Price's chances of living up to his lofty expectations. With Charbonnet in the final year of his rookie deal, there is plenty to be excited about in Price's dynasty future, but with the veteran's uncertain status to begin the year creating what could prove to be too wide a gap in their ADPs, Price is at risk of being overdrafted in 2026. One year after Walker finished as the RB22 with Klint Kubiak running the offense, Price heads into his rookie season as RotoBaller's RB24.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 2, 2026, 1:24 PM ET

Indiana wide receiver Charlie Becker flashed in the second half of his sophomore season and into the College Football Playoff, collecting 27 receptions for 522 yards and three touchdowns over his final seven games. He averaged 20 yards per reception on 34 catches over the full season. With Omar Cooper Jr. and Elijah Surratt off to the NFL, Becker could command more volume in 2026 next to Michigan State transfer Nick Marsh. Becker is a 6'4" big-play threat, and new Indiana quarterback Josh Hoover is a down-field gunslinger. The pairing is potentially perfect for Becker to make a big junior leap and rise on 2027 NFL Draft boards. The Nashville native is one of the top wideouts in the Big Ten to watch this season as the Hoosiers look to defend their 2025-26 College Football Playoff National Championship.--Jackson Sparks - RotoBaller
Source: ESPN

Jul 2, 2026, 1:17 PM ET

Oregon tight end Jamari Johnson, who transferred from Louisville ahead of the 2025 season, tallied 32 receptions for 510 yards and three touchdowns in his first campaign with the Ducks. With first-round NFL Draft choice Kenyon Sadiq off campus, Johnson could be in for a splash season as Dante Moore's clear TE1. Johnson is already viewed as one of the top tight end prospects in the 2027 NFL Draft, so his potential breakout campaign won't come as a surprise. As always at Oregon, there is plenty of talent in the wide receiver room, so if he can earn targets and produce this season in a crowded pass-catching group, he will prove he is the real deal in 2026.--Jackson Sparks - RotoBaller
Source: ESPN

Jul 2, 2026, 1:16 PM ET

Chicago White Sox corner infielder Munetaka Murakami (hamstring) is on the road trip with the team and is considered "day-to-day," but there is no timetable for him to begin a minor-league rehab assignment, according to manager Will Venable. Murakami landed on the 10-day injured list on May 30 with a strained right hamstring, and with no rehab assignment on the horizon, fantasy managers probably shouldn't expect him to return before the mid-July All-Star break. He's making progress, though, with Venable saying last week that Murakami was sprinting around "85 percent" intensity. In his first year in the States, the 26-year-old left-handed slugger has been a major value for fantasy managers, clubbing 20 home runs, driving in 41 runs, and scoring 43 bases in 200 at-bats while slashing .240/.378/.560 with a .938 OPS. Until he's able to return, Jacob Gonzalez should continue to see most of the playing time at first base for the Pale Hose.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com

Jul 2, 2026, 1:13 PM ET

Seattle Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (knee) continues to recover from the ACL tear he suffered in the team's divisional round win over the 49ers, and by all accounts, he is progressing well. Charbonnet was spotted doing light work on a side field during the final practice of minicamp, and a scheduled check-up on the knee in late July could provide the green light for a more extensive workload at the start of training camp. The Seahawks spent their 2026 first-round pick on Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price, but Charbonnet is no stranger to backfield competition. Sharing work with last season's eventual Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III, Charbonnet touched the ball more than 200 times and was given many of the team's most high-value opportunities. His 50 red-zone carries in 2025 were the ninth most in the league, while only four players had more attempts from within the five-yard line, helping him to finish the year with 12 rushing touchdowns. If he can return to anything close to full health, there is no reason to believe he couldn't handle an even larger role in this offense, and with an ADP currently outside the top 45 at the position, Charbonnet is a player to target in the late rounds of 2026 drafts, particularly in leagues with IR spots.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 2, 2026, 1:01 PM ET

Minnesota Twins shortstop prospect Kaelen Culpepper (hand) is likely day-to-day at Triple-A St. Paul while he awaits X-ray results on his left hand, according to Theodore Tollefson. Culpepper, the team's No. 2 prospect per MLB Pipeline, was held out of the Saints' lineup on Wednesday with a left-hand injury after he was hit by a pitch in his first at-bat on Tuesday. The 23-year-old former 21st overall pick in 2024 out of Kansas State University recently missed over two weeks with a strained left hip as well, so he's been banged up quite a bit of late. Despite the recent injuries, Culpepper is one of the top infield prospects to stash in fantasy baseball, as his first MLB call-up could be coming sooner rather than later. In 63 games and 295 plate appearances at St. Paul in 2026, Culpepper is slashing .272/.376/.492 with an .868 OPS, 14 home runs, 43 RBI, 15 stolen bases, and 54 runs scored. The 5-foot-10, 185-pounder makes a lot of contact and has intriguing power/speed upside, but he does tend to chase out of the zone.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Theodore Tollefson

Jul 2, 2026, 12:50 PM ET

Chicago Cubs right-hander Javier Assad will rejoin the team's starting rotation on Sunday in the series finale against the division-rival St. Louis Cardinals, according to Jared Wyllys of CHGO Sports. Assad has been a valuable swing man for Chicago's banged-up starting rotation this year, going 6-1 with a 4.53 ERA (5.24 FIP) and 1.12 WHIP with 31 strikeouts and 13 walks in 51 2/3 innings pitched across 13 appearances (six starts). The 28-year-old Mexican native has been slightly better in a starting role with a 4.18 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and 20:7 K:BB in 32 1/3 frames. Assad was hit around a bit in his last outing on June 30 against the San Diego Padres, allowing four earned runs on five hits while walking two and striking out just one in 2 2/3 innings out of the 'pen. And in his last three outings, he has given up nine earned runs on 15 hits (six homers) while walking four and fanning seven in 13 1/3 innings. Assad could continue to make starts for the Cubbies going into the second half, but once the rotation gets healthier, he's likely ticketed for more of a long-relief role in Chicago.--Keith Hernandez
Source: CHGO Sports - Jared Wyllys

Jul 2, 2026, 12:43 PM ET

The New York Yankees announced on Thursday that they reinstated right-handed closer David Bednar from the paternity list. Bednar will return to the back end of New York's bullpen after he missed the entire three-game series against the Detroit Tigers to begin the week as he welcomed his child into the world. The Yankees have a scheduled day off on Thursday, but Bednar will be available if a save situation arises in Friday's series opener against the visiting Minnesota Twins. The 31-year-old veteran is in his first full season with the Yankees in 2026 and has gone 2-3 with a 3.09 ERA (2.68 FIP), 1.23 WHIP, 16 saves, 40 strikeouts, and 12 walks in 35 innings out of the bullpen. Bednar is currently tied with Aroldis Chapman and Raisel Iglesias for ninth among relievers in MLB in saves this season. He didn't allow a single run in nine appearances in June, with his last earned run coming in a save against the division-rival Toronto Blue Jays on May 18. Bednar needs to be returned to all starting fantasy lineups with the holiday weekend approaching.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Yankees PR Department

Jul 2, 2026, 12:25 PM ET

The Colorado Rockies are calling up right-handed pitching prospect Gabriel Hughes from Triple-A Albuquerque on Wednesday in a surprising move, according to Thomas Harding of MLB.com. The Rockies' top pick in 2022 and their No. 16 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, has allowed zero runs and only four hits while walking five and striking out 16 in 15 2/3 innings in three starts since rejoining the Isotopes' starting rotation following a left-oblique injury. The 24-year-old is 2-1 overall with a 5.31 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, and 48:11 K:BB in 40 2/3 innings over nine outings (seven starts) at Triple-A this year. The 6-foot-4, 238-pounder out of Gonzaga University had Tommy John surgery in 2023 and also dealt with a shoulder injury last year, but his stuff is starting to come back now that he's healthy again. Hughes doesn't overpower hitters, but his ground-ball tendencies and solid offspeed stuff could play well at hitter-friendly Coors Field. At least initially, Hughes is expected to pitch out of the bullpen, so fantasy managers in single-year leagues can likely hold off for now.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com - Thomas Harding

Jul 2, 2026, 12:15 PM ET

Atlanta Braves right-hander Grant Holmes will return to the starting rotation for Friday's series opener to take on the division-rival New York Mets, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com. The Braves skipped Holmes' last turn through the starting rotation, and he tossed four scoreless innings with no walks and four strikeouts out of the bullpen on June 27 against the San Francisco Giants in his most recent outing. The 30-year-old will make another start against the last-place Mets in an enticing matchup this weekend, but after that, it seems the Braves prefer to move him to the bullpen on a more permanent basis for the second half of the season now that right-hander Hurston Waldrep is back in the picture. Holmes will be a pretty intriguing fantasy streamer against the Mets on Friday, but length could be an issue. He's gone 4-4 this year with a 3.96 ERA (5.19 FIP) and 1.36 WHIP with 69 strikeouts and 37 walks in 77 1/3 innings pitched across 16 appearances (15 starts). Holmes has a career-low 20.7% strikeout rate in 2026 in his third year in the league and a career-high 11.1% walk rate.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com - Mark Bowman

Jul 2, 2026, 12:08 PM ET

Atlanta Braves right-hander Hurston Waldrep will make his first start for the Braves this year in Thursday's series finale against the St. Louis Cardinals at Truist Park, according to MLB.com. Waldrep had surgery to remove bone spurs from his right elbow in February and didn't make his 2026 debut in the majors until last weekend out of the bullpen in Atlanta. The 24-year-old former 24th overall pick in 2023 out of the University of Florida will now temporarily take the rotation spot of the struggling Bryce Elder, but there's a good chance Waldrep will become a rotation staple for the Braves in the second half. In his lone appearance over the weekend in relief, Waldrep threw two scoreless innings with four walks and three strikeouts. He went 6-1 with a 2.88 ERA (3.21 FIP) and 1.19 WHIP with 55 strikeouts and 22 walks in 56 1/3 innings across his 10 appearances (nine starts) in 2025, making him an intriguing upside pickup off the waiver wire in all fantasy baseball leagues. For DFS purposes, Waldrep won't be ideal on Thursday, though, and will likely be on a pitch count as he continues to get stretched out. The Georgia native is rostered in only 9% of Yahoo leagues.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com

Jul 2, 2026, 12:00 PM ET

Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto is showing his age (35) in his 13th year in the big leagues in 2026. The three-time All-Star is currently hitting .201/.286/.319 with a career-worst .604 OPS, five home runs, 25 RBI, 22 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 61 games played across 231 plate appearances. He hit just .176 (13-for-74) with eight walks and 20 strikeouts in 21 games in June, but he also had three of his five home runs, five doubles, 16 RBI, 11 runs scored, and two of his three steals in 85 plate appearances. Realmuto is no longer in his prime and has been showing signs of decline at the plate for the last several seasons, but is he really as bad as his current surface stats suggest? Under the hood, Realmuto's expected batting average of .248 and xwOBA of .316 (wOBA of .274) point to a second-half resurgence. But still, he's ranked in the 38th percentile in hard-hit rate, the 22nd percentile in barrel rate, and the 34th percentile in chase rate. There's very little upside here, which is why Realmuto is now rostered in less than 20% of Yahoo leagues.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com

Jul 2, 2026, 11:38 AM ET

Los Angeles Angels infield prospect Denzer Guzman was called up in early June to give the Halos some infield reinforcements, and the 22-year-old Dominican has hit .268/.325/.437 with a .761 OPS, three home runs, 13 RBI, seven runs scored, and a stolen base in 18 games and 77 plate appearances. He appeared in 13 games in his major-league debut in 2025 and went 8-for-42 (.190) with two long balls, three RBI, and four runs scored. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound right-handed hitter has mostly been serving as the Angels' third baseman when he finds his way into the starting lineup, but he also has experience at shortstop and is eligible at both positions in fantasy leagues. Guzman got the call to the Angels this year after hitting .336/.403/.571 with a .974 OPS, 12 homers, 57 RBI, 45 runs, and nine steals in 58 games at Triple-A Salt Lake in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League. His raw power from the right side makes him intriguing in deeper fantasy leagues, but the Angels' No. 7-ranked prospect (per MLB Pipeline) has had issues making consistent contact at the plate. Guzman is worth a look off the waiver wire in deep fantasy leagues for infield depth. He's rostered in only 4% of Yahoo leagues.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Baseball Reference

Jul 2, 2026, 11:27 AM ET

The Los Angeles Angels are near the bottom of the league in the standings and aren't the ideal place to search for saves, but veteran right-handed reliever Kirby Yates remains in the mix for saves in Anaheim and is an option off the waiver wire for desperate fantasy managers. The struggling Angels are currently employing a closer-by-committee that involves Yates, Sam Bachman, and Ryan Zeferjahn. Left-hander Samy Natera Jr. picked up the team's most recent save on Sunday, but Yates had his second save of the year before that on Saturday, June 27. The 39-year-old is a two-time All-Star and is by far the Angels' most experienced reliever when it comes to saves, with an even 100 saves in his 11-plus years in the big leagues. He's gone 0-3 in 2026 with a 3.06 ERA (3.28 FIP), 0.96 WHIP, two saves, 25 strikeouts, and seven walks in 17 2/3 innings. Yates' numbers are pretty solid, but save opportunities in Anaheim have been few and far between. In 10 1/3 innings in June, Yates allowed just four runs (three earned) while walking three and fanning 15 with three losses, a save, and a blown save. He's rostered in 6% of Yahoo leagues, so he's widely available if you're scrounging for saves near the halfway point in 2026.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Baseball Reference

Jul 2, 2026, 11:18 AM ET

Miami Marlins catcher Agustin Ramirez hit only .231 (124-for-537) in 136 games and 585 plate appearances in his rookie season in the big leagues with the Fish in 2025, but he added an impressive 21 home runs, 67 RBI, and 16 stolen bases. Fantasy managers were justifiably excited about Ramirez's prospects in his sophomore campaign, but he was sent to Triple-A Jacksonville after going 26-for-113 (.230) with two homers, 14 RBI, 13 walks, and 28 strikeouts across 31 games, and he has yet to return to the Show. The 24-year-old Dominican backstop has slashed .250/.327/.453 with seven home runs, 24 RBI, 11 stolen bases, and 26 runs scored in 40 games in 2026 with the Jumbo Shrimp. There is still plenty of power and speed upside with Ramirez, but the Marlins aren't forcing his return to the majors with Liam Hicks and Joe Mack holding down the catching spot just fine right now. The Marlins want Ramirez to improve his work behind the plate before he gets another shot at the big-league level. It seems like a reasonable bet that he'll be back with the Fish at some point in the second half, but fantasy managers may be running out of patience. Ramirez is rostered in 34% of Yahoo leagues currently.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Baseball Reference

Jul 2, 2026, 11:11 AM ET

Cleveland Guardians catching prospect Cooper Ingle, who is ranked as the team's No. 3 prospect by MLB Pipeline, was recalled from Triple-A Columbus last week after he hit .284 (50-for-176) with 12 homers, 41 RBI, and 33 runs scored in 51 games in the minors. The 5-foot-8, 190-pound left-handed-hitting backstop has the power upside and plate discipline to become Cleveland's catcher of the future after he was selected in the fourth round in 2023 out of Clemson University. Fantasy managers in dynasty/keeper leagues should be stashing him, but should managers in redraft leagues be doing the same? The 24-year-old North Carolina native has been slow to adjust to big-league pitching so far in his first four games, going 1-for-11 at the plate with two RBI, a run scored, three walks, and seven strikeouts, and he also had a brain fart in the outfield on Tuesday and forgot how many outs there were. That's not going to help his cause for more playing time with manager Stephen Vogt. Still, Ingle has the kind of offensive upside you don't find often in catchers, making him at least a watch-list candidate in deeper single-year leagues going into the second half of the season if he remains with the Guards. Ingle is rostered in just 2% of Yahoo leagues.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Baseball Reference

Jul 2, 2026, 10:30 AM ET

Chicago Cubs outfielder Michael Conforto joined in on the Home Run Derby at Wrigley Field on Wednesday in the team's 23-3 mauling of the San Diego Padres to complete their three-game sweep. In a game in which the Cubs hitters cleared the fences a franchise-record eight times, Conforto went 3-for-4 at the plate with two homers, four RBI, four runs scored, and a walk to boost his season average to .248 and his OPS to .847. It was the 33-year-old veteran's first multi-homer game of the year. In his first year in Chicago in 2026 after a disastrous one-year stint with the Los Angeles Dodgers last season, Conforto has primarily been a left-handed bat off the bench. But with Matt Shaw (hand) currently on the injured list, Conforto's playing time is trending up to close out the first half of the season. In 56 total games across 140 plate appearances, he's slashing .248/.343/.504 with seven home runs, 21 RBI, 19 runs scored, and a stolen base. He's a short-term waiver-wire candidate in deeper leagues for those looking for outfield depth.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com

Jul 2, 2026, 10:29 AM ET

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Meleek Thomas signed a four-year, $9.3 million deal, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. The No. 34 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft gets the first three years fully guaranteed for $6.4 million, a strong commitment for an early second-rounder. Thomas averaged 15.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.5 steals at Arkansas while shooting 41.6 percent from three. His off-ball shooting gives him a clean developmental path, but Cleveland's veteran backcourt led by Donovan Mitchell and James Harden makes early fantasy value unlikely unless the rotation opens up.--Brian Dailisan
Source: Michael Scotto

Jul 2, 2026, 10:24 AM ET

Minnesota Twins right-hander Taj Bradley kept the good times rolling on Wednesday night at Daikin Park against the hosting Houston Astros in the team's 8-3 victory, allowing just one earned run on four hits while walking three and striking out a season-high 11 batters in five innings for his seventh win of the 2026 season. The 25-year-old former fifth-round pick by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2018 is now 7-3 on the year in his first full season with the Twins and has recorded a 3.86 ERA (3.92 FIP) and 1.29 WHIP with 102 strikeouts and 38 walks across his 88 2/3 innings and 16 starts. After giving up at least four earned runs in four straight starts from May 29 to June 14, Bradley has straightened things out in his last three starts against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Colorado Rockies, and Astros, allowing just five earned runs on 10 hits while walking eight and striking out 22 in 17 innings. Bradley is set to face the Cleveland Guardians next week in his final start before the All-Star break, and he should be a nice streaming option against a team that ranks 28th in OPS (.677).--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com

Jul 2, 2026, 10:23 AM ET

Oklahoma City Thunder center Thomas Sorber (knee) underwent a successful minor arthroscopic procedure and is expected to return to full basketball activities in about four weeks, according to Brandon Rahbar. The 20-year-old rookie was selected No. 15 overall in the 2025 NBA Draft after averaging 14.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 2.0 blocks at Georgetown. Sorber has an intriguing long-term fantasy profile because of his rebounding and shot-blocking, but Oklahoma City's crowded frontcourt with Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein, Jaylin Williams, and Aday Mara leaves him without a clear path to early-season minutes.--Brian Dailisan
Source: Brandon Rahbar

Jul 2, 2026, 10:17 AM ET

The Dallas Mavericks have emerged as a suitor for free-agent guard Anfernee Simons, according to Marc Stein of The Stein Line. Jake Fischer previously reported that Golden State and Miami have continued to pursue Simons, who finished last season with Chicago. Simons averaged 14.3 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 2.7 threes in 24.9 minutes across 55 games while shooting 44.0 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from deep. Dallas would give him a cleaner scoring-and-spacing role around Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving, but his fantasy ceiling would hinge on whether he gets starter-level minutes or settles in as a bench gunner.--Brian Dailisan
Source: Marc Stein

Jul 2, 2026, 10:14 AM ET

Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler had an unusual day on Wednesday in the team's 10-6 win over the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates at Citizens Bank Park. Wheeler only lasted 4 2/3 innings on the mound and allowed four earned runs on nine hits (one homer), but he walked only one and struck out a season-high 10 batters in the no-decision. It was the first time that the 36-year-old veteran didn't make it through five innings all year, and he wasn't happy about the early hook after the game when speaking to the media. Still, the three-time All-Star is now 8-1 on the season with a sharp 2.36 ERA (3.30 FIP) and 0.94 WHIP with 84 strikeouts and 20 walks in 80 innings pitched across his 13 starts in his 12th season in the majors. Coming into the 2026 campaign, there was some uncertainty as to whether Wheeler could rebound to ace form following surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome. Through the first half of the year, it's safe to say that he has exceeded expectations. Fantasy managers will want Wheeler in their starting lineups for his final start of the first half next week against the Cincinnati Reds.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com

Jul 2, 2026, 10:09 AM ET

The Dallas Mavericks are expected to hire former Pelicans coach Willie Green as the top assistant on Dusty May's first NBA staff, Marc Stein of The Stein Line reports, with Green picking Dallas over a return to Steve Kerr's Warriors bench. The fantasy relevance is all about development. May arrives straight from Michigan with no NBA reps, so pairing him with Green, who spent four seasons running a young Pelicans roster, matters for how quickly Dallas sorts out roles. The centerpiece is reigning Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg, who poured in 21.0 points as a rookie and should shoulder a heavy on-ball workload in year two. May has also said he intends to lean on veteran Kyrie Irving as a steadying presence, which could cap Flagg's assist ceiling if Irving handles primary playmaking. Flagg's usage and how these voices split the backcourt touches are the threads to track as the staff fills out.--Brian Dailisan
Source: Marc Stein

Jul 2, 2026, 10:06 AM ET

Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero is on quite the run in the power department lately. In the team's 4-0 shutout win over the hosting Kansas City Royals on Wednesday, Caminero went 1-for-4 at the plate with a two-run home run and three strikeouts to homer for the sixth straight contest. The 22-year-old has tied the franchise record for most consecutive games with a homer. In his last eight games played, Caminero has been absolutely en fuego, going 14-for-31 (.452) with nine home runs, 20 RBI, and 10 runs scored to boost his overall slash line in 2026 to .293/.383/.561. The Dominican third baseman has also added 24 total home runs, 54 RBI, 54 runs scored, and a .943 OPS in his fourth year in the majors and third full season with the Rays. Caminero ranks in the 94th percentile in hard-hit rate, the 85th percentile in barrel rate, the 91st percentile in xwOBA, and the 90th percentile in xSLG, so the underlying metrics support his encore in 2026 after he hit 45 homers and drove in 110 runs in his breakout season in 2025.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com

Jul 2, 2026, 10:00 AM ET

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has played with a different offensive coordinator in each of the past four seasons, and in that time he has not finished below QB8 despite playing only one full 17-game slate. With the team set to trot out its fifth playcaller in as many years, Hurts could see new parts of his game unlocked under first-time coordinator Sean Mannion. The expectation is that the seventh-year quarterback will operate more from under center, opening up the potential for more play-action passing and bootleg runs. While the loss of three-time Pro Bowler A.J. Brown undoubtedly makes the offense worse on paper, there are reportedly some within the building who believe the unit will run smoother without him, and the team did an admirable job of retooling the position on the fly, adding Hollywood Brown and Dontayvion Wicks through free agency and trade before spending a first-round pick on difference-making slot receiver Makai Lemon. After an aggressive 2025 campaign to ban the tush push fell two votes short of passing, the subject was not broached in this year's owners' meeting, and while Hurts' rushing touchdowns fell below double digits last season for the first time since his rookie year, he remains one of the most likely quarterbacks to lead the position in goal-line scores. At RotoBaller's QB6, Hurts still boasts top-five upside at a modest discount.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 2, 2026, 9:55 AM ET

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes continued his recent slide on Wednesday night in Philadelphia, allowing six hits and a season-high seven earned runs in just four innings. Over his last six starts, the 24-year-old ace is 0-6 with a 5.36 ERA, but only a 3.58 FIP. While his metrics aren't quite as bad as his results, they still are not great. His defense has let him down repeatedly this season, and that trend continued on Wednesday, with potential outs turning into hits, runs, and more pitches for Skenes. He's definitely not been his best over the last several starts, but his teammates aren't doing much to help him either. His ceiling is too high to let him go from your fantasy team, and trading him now would definitely be selling low. He'll look to bounce back next Tuesday at home against the Braves, and for now, he's someone to hold on to and count on him to find his way through this rough patch.--Zach Thompson
Source: ESPN

Jul 2, 2026, 9:51 AM ET

While he was reportedly the subject of continued trade discussion throughout much of the offseason, fourth-year wide receiver Kayshon Boutte remains a part of the New England Patriots roster with teams currently in the quiet part of the calendar before training camp. While he has yet to reach 45 receptions or 600 yards in a season, Boutte was the most trusted downfield target of budding superstar Drake Maye in 2025, finishing fourth among qualified receivers with 16.7 yards per reception. With three-time Pro Bowler A.J. Brown set to inherit that role, Boutte's fantasy prospects look bleak should he stick with the Patriots in 2026. There is still a chance he's traded before the start of the season, but in that scenario, he could still require an acclimation period as he learns a new playbook and may struggle to find fantasy relevance after barely cracking the top 50 at the position in one of the league's most efficient offenses in 2025. Still only 24 years old and once viewed as a first-round talent, Boutte is scheduled to reach free agency after this season. While next year's free agent class could feature some potential game-changers looking for new contracts, history suggests that very few will actually reach the open market, which could help Boutte find something close to a top-of-market deal with a team of his choosing. So while 2026 could ultimately prove to be a down year, RotoBaller's dynasty WR76 remains a hold with potentially brighter days still ahead.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller