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Jason Foley Activated Off Injured List on Sunday
San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Jason Foley (shoulder) was activated off the 60-day Injured List on Sunday. The right-hander is ready to make his team debut after missing the first few months of the season. Foley has finally recovered from arthroscopic shoulder surgery that he underwent in May of 2025. The expectation is that Foley will begin in a low-leverage role out of the bullpen. If he pitches well, Foley could quickly work his way into save situations. He registered 28 saves with a 3.15 ERA across 60 innings with the Detroit Tigers in 2024. He's someone to keep an eye on as a possible saves target in deep leagues during the second half of the season.
Source: Giants PR
Source: Giants PR
Could Joey Logano Score a Top Finish at Atlanta?
Team Penske's Joey Logano will start on the outside of the front row in second for this week's Quaker State 400 at EchoPark Speedway. It is Logano's fifth front-row start at the site since the track's reconfiguration in 2022. In nine previous races at Atlanta since 2022, Logano has two wins and three top-10 finishes. He also led in each of the last seven races at the site. In 19 races completed this season, Logano has five top-10 finishes and an average finish of 20.3. Since 2023, Logano has led in every single race at a drafting track with two wins in that span. Despite Logano's incredible ability to get to the lead in drafting track races, he has been inconsistent in finishing races at the track type and has almost no upside for Place Differential due to starting in the front. While Logano may have the speed to compete for the win, he is also a huge risk for DFS and is only playable in tournament lineups.
Source: DriverAverages.com
Source: DriverAverages.com
Framber Valdez Placed on Bereavement List
Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Framber Valdez was placed on the bereavement list on Sunday. Valdez will miss Sunday's first half finale against the Philadelphia Phillies. Due to the timing, Valdez might not miss any starts due to the All-Star break beginning on Monday. Andre Granillo, who was claimed off waivers on Saturday, will take his spot on the active roster. Valdez will finish the first half with a 4.10 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, and a 87/36 K/BB ratio across 19 starts. It hasn't been an ideal beginning to his Tigers' career, but Valdez should remain rostered in most fantasy formats.
Source: Tigers PR
Source: Tigers PR
Is Chase Briscoe Worth Rostering for DFS at Atlanta?
Chase Briscoe of Joe Gibbs Racing will start 20th for the Quaker State 400 at EchoPark Speedway this week. This will be the fourth time in Briscoe's Cup career that he will start a race at Atlanta from 20th or worse. In the last nine races at Atlanta, Briscoe has three top-20 finishes, with a runner-up finish at the site earlier in the season. With 19 races completed this year so far, Briscoe has one win, nine top-10 finishes, and an average finish of 15.2. In his last nine Cup races at drafting tracks, Briscoe has one win and three top-5 finishes. Although his track history has been mixed at Atlanta and other tracks, Briscoe does have enough upside starting through the middle of the pack to justify being rostered in all DFS formats.
Source: DriverAverages.com
Source: DriverAverages.com
Blue Jays Promote Pitching Prospect CJ Van Eyk for MLB Debut
Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher CJ Van Eyk has been recalled from Triple-A Buffalo on Sunday. The Jays are looking for reinforcements and believe Van Eyk is ready to make an impact. The 27-year-old owns a 3.79 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, and a 56/23 K/BB ratio across 17 games (13 starts) with Triple-A Buffalo this season. He doesn't have a ton of swing-and-miss stuff, but the Jays are just looking for healthy and refreshed bodies at the moment. In a corresponding move, right-hander Chad Dallas has been optioned to Triple-A Buffalo. Van Eyk has mostly pitched in a starting role, but could operate in a bullpen role in Toronto.
Source: Keegan Matheson
Source: Keegan Matheson
Zac Gallen Officially Placed on Injured List
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zac Gallen (elbow) has been officially placed on the 15-day Injured List on Sunday. Gallen was scratched ahead of his scheduled start on Sunday due to left elbow inflammation. He will officially head to the shelf and will hopefully be back in the mix before the end of July. Mitch Bratt will take the mound on Sunday and could remain in the rotation until Gallen is ready to return. Gallen owns a 6.34 ERA, 1.56 WHIP, and a 61/31 K/BB ratio across 98 innings of work this season. Given his struggles, Gallen is really only worth holding in deep leagues at the moment.
Source: Arizona Diamondbacks
Source: Arizona Diamondbacks
Emerson Hancock Removed With Hand Injury
Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Emerson Hancock (hand) was forced to make an early exit from Sunday's outing against the Tampa Bay Rays. Hancock was struck in the hand by a comebacker during the first inning of this contest. He remained in the game afterwards, but was pulled in the second inning. His day will be finished with 1.2 innings of work and two strikeouts. The expectation is that Hancock will undergo further testing to determine the severity of the injury. Luckily, the All-Star break begins on Monday, so Hancock will get a few days off to rest. Fantasy managers should consider Hancock as day-to-day until further notice. UPDATE: X-rays came back negative on Hancock's palm and middle finger, according to The Seattle Times' Ryan Divish.
Source: Shannon Drayer
Source: Shannon Drayer
Zack Wheeler Turns Down All-Star Invitation
Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Zack Wheeler has decided to decline an invitation to the upcoming All-Star Game in Philadelphia. Wheeler was asked if he wanted to be a replacement on the National League roster. He declined, stating that he felt disrespected to be the fifth choice as a replacement. Wheeler has been outstanding when healthy this season, so he's certainly deserving of an All-Star nod. The right-hander owns a 2.28 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, and a 98/20 K/BB ratio across 14 starts this season. Wheeler has bounced back nicely since having thoracic outlet surgery last year. He'll rest up during the All-Star break and look forward to helping the Phillies in the second half of the season.
Source: Lochlahn March
Source: Lochlahn March
Carson Hocevar a Great DFS Option to Consider for Atlanta Lineups
Carson Hocevar of Spire Motorsports will start in the 14th position for this week's race at EchoPark Speedway, the Quaker State 400. This is a new career-best starting position in a Cup Series race at the Atlanta track. In five Cup starts at Atlanta, Hocevar has three top-10 finishes, and he also scored positive Place Differential in all of his appearances at the site. After 19 races so far this season, Hocevar has one win, seven top-10 finishes, and an average finish of 15.0. In his last eight races at drafting tracks, Hocevar has six top-10 finishes, including his win at Talladega earlier in the season. Hocevar has decent upside with his top-15 starting position, and with his excellent track history at drafting tracks, he is a driver fantasy players should target heavily in DFS lineups this week.
Source: DriverAverages.com
Source: DriverAverages.com
Edwin Diaz Tosses Scoreless Inning During Rehab Outing
Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Edwin Diaz (elbow) got into his first game action on Saturday, which was the first time he has pitched since undergoing surgery in April. Diaz tossed a scoreless inning, allowing one hit, while striking out two during his outing with Single-A Ontario on Saturday. This is an encouraging step forward as Diaz works his way back from having loose bodies removed from his right elbow. The expectation is that he'll need a few more rehab outings before he's ready to return to the Dodgers bullpen. Fantasy managers can be hopeful that Diaz is back in the mix by late July.
Source: Bill Plunkett
Source: Bill Plunkett
Brad Keselowski Will Start in the Top 10 at Atlanta
Brad Keselowski of RFK Racing will start in 10th for the Quaker State 400 at EchoPark Speedway. Keselowski is the only driver from RFK to qualify inside the top 10 in this week's race. In nine Cup races since 2022 at Atlanta, Keselowski has three top-10 finishes, including two second-place finishes. Through 19 races so far this season, Keselowski has four top-10 finishes and an average finish of 19.3. In his last six races at drafting tracks in the Cup Series, Keselowski has three top-10 finishes. The No. 6 Ford driver does not carry a lot of upside for this week's race based on his starting position. Keselowski's track history and overall performance at drafting tracks still make him worth consideration for tournament DFS lineups despite his Place Differential risk.
Source: DriverAverages.com
Source: DriverAverages.com
Rangers Promote Prospect Emiliano Teodo, a Worthy Waiver Target?
Texas Rangers pitcher Emiliano Teodo has been recalled from Triple-A Round Rock on Sunday. The 25-year-old will make his first trip to the big leagues after posting solid numbers out of the bullpen for Round Rock. He registered a 3.76 ERA, 1.54 WHIP, and a 52:35 K/BB ratio across 402. innings in Triple-A this season. The expectation is that he'll begin as a low-leverage middle reliever for the Rangers. Teodo does have the potential to move into a high-leverage or possibly a closer role in the future. He could be worth adding in fantasy formats where holds matter. Otherwise, fantasy managers should keep an eye on him as a potential saves target down the road.
Source: Rangers PR
Source: Rangers PR
Is Chris Buescher A Sneaky DFS Option for Atlanta Lineups?
Chris Buescher of RFK Racing qualified in the 13th position for this week's Cup Series race at EchoPark Speedway, the Quaker State 400. This is the same exact starting position that Buescher had in last year's Cup race at Atlanta in the Summer. In nine Cup races at the site since 2022, Buescher had five top-15 finishes, including 15th earlier in the season. With 19 races completed so far this year, Buescher has nine top-10 finishes with an average finish of 13.4. In the last six races at drafting tracks in the Cup series, Buescher has had five top-15 finishes, including a runner-up finish at Talladega earlier in the season. Buescher's overall track history and recent results at drafting tracks make him a sneaky DFS option with top-10 potential. Fantasy players could utilize the No. 17 Ford driver in all formats this week.
Source: DriverAverages.com
Source: DriverAverages.com
Antonio Williams Worth a Late Redraft Look in Washington
Washington Commanders wide receiver Antonio Williams will have every chance to work his way onto the field as a rookie. Terry McLaurin is the only sure thing in this group. After him, Washington is sorting through Treylon Burks, Luke McCaffrey, Jaylin Lane, Dyami Brown, and Van Jefferson, and the team has already floated the possibility of using a committee at the No. 2 spot. Williams went 71st overall after catching 55 passes for 604 yards and four touchdowns in 10 games at Clemson last season. That was a step back from his 75-catch, 904-yard, 11-score run in 2024, though he also missed two games after leaving the opener early. The Commanders drafted him for the route running and versatility. He spent most of 2025 in the slot but has shown he can play outside, too, which gives David Blough a few ways to use him. Williams is WR73 in RotoBaller's PPR rankings. He is not ready for a weekly lineup, but he is worth a late bench pick while Washington sorts out everything behind McLaurin.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Bubba Wallace has Solid Upside for Atlanta DFS Lineups
23XI Racing's Bubba Wallace will start in the 22nd position after qualifying for this week's Quaker State 400 at EchoPark Speedway. Wallace obtained the highest starting position of the three drivers from 23XI in this week's race. In nine prior races at Atlanta since 2022, Wallace has had five top-20 finishes, including three top-10 finishes. After 19 races completed this season, Wallace has nine top-10 finishes with an average finish of 16.4. In his last 15 races at drafting tracks, Wallace has nine top-10 finishes, including the last race at Atlanta earlier in the year, when he placed eighth and led 46 laps. With his starting position in the back half of the field, Wallace has solid upside and is a great choice for DFS in all formats this week.
Source: DriverAverages.com
Source: DriverAverages.com
Dontayvion Wicks Best Viewed as a Deep-League Redraft Stash
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks is coming off a quiet year, but his move to Philadelphia gives him another chance to matter in fantasy. He finished 2025 with 30 catches for 332 yards and two touchdowns, both of which came in a six-catch, 94-yard game against Detroit. The Eagles still saw enough to trade a 2026 fifth-round pick and a 2027 sixth-rounder for him, then extended him through 2027. There is room for someone to emerge after A.J. Brown was dealt to New England, and Wicks already has some familiarity with new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion from Green Bay. The opportunity is real. So is the competition. DeVonta Smith sits at the top of the depth chart, while rookie Makai Lemon, Hollywood Brown, and Elijah Moore will all be in the mix. Wicks enters camp with a chance to win a starting job, but nothing beyond Smith looks settled yet. Ranked WR84 by RotoBaller, he makes more sense as a deep-league stash than a standard-league sleeper until the rotation starts to take shape.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Isaac TeSlaa Emerging as a Late-Round Redraft Sleeper
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa did not see much of the ball as a rookie, but he made his limited chances count. Six of his 16 catches went for touchdowns, and Detroit started leaning on him more late in the year. TeSlaa caught 12 passes for 174 yards and four scores from Weeks 13 through 18 after opening the season as the fourth receiver. He now enters camp behind Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, with Dan Campbell saying the coaching staff grew more comfortable with him as 2025 went along. The 6-foot-4, 214-pound wideout also drew praise for his work this spring. Targets will be the issue. St. Brown, Williams, Sam LaPorta, and Jahmyr Gibbs are all going to be featured, and TeSlaa will not keep scoring on nearly a quarter of his opportunities. Detroit does expect his role to grow in Drew Petzing's offense, though. With TeSlaa sitting at WR70 in RotoBaller's rankings and carrying an ADP of 255, he is a cheap swing on size, red-zone work, and a possible second-year jump.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jordyn Tyson Worth the Cost for Dynasty Rebuilders?
New Orleans Saints rookie wide receiver Jordyn Tyson is not a buy-low candidate, but that should not scare rebuilding dynasty managers away. New Orleans used the eighth overall pick on him after a huge finish at Arizona State, where he posted 136 catches for 1,812 yards and 18 touchdowns over his final 21 games. He is only 21, and that combination of age, production, and draft capital gives him one of the stronger long-term profiles in the rookie class. Immediate volume could be another story. Chris Olave is coming off a 100-catch season, Juwan Johnson topped 880 receiving yards, and Tyson will have to work his way into the front of the target order. There is also some medical risk after a hamstring injury cost him three games in 2025 and kept him on a limited rehab plan during minicamp. The Saints expected him back for training camp, but that still needs to happen. Tyson is already WR16 in RotoBaller's dynasty rankings, so the discount is gone. Rebuilders are paying for the ceiling now, though top-eight draft capital and a clear route to a major role make the price defensible.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ladd McConkey Has Strong Bounce-Back Appeal in Redraft Leagues
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey did not come close to matching his rookie breakout last season, but the path back to a bigger year is still there. He finished 2025 with 66 catches for 789 yards and six touchdowns after going 82-1,149-7 as a rookie. Even with the drop, McConkey led the Chargers in receiving yards while sharing work with Keenan Allen, Quentin Johnston, Oronde Gadsden II, and Tre' Harris. Allen remains unsigned, and that matters after he paced the team with 81 receptions. Johnston and Gadsden are not going away, but McConkey should have a better shot to sit at the front of the target line if Allen does not return. Mike McDaniel's arrival only adds to the appeal. McConkey has already piled up 799 yards after the catch through two seasons, and his quickness should play well in an offense built around motion and easy touches. His hamstring strain needs to be checked once camp begins, though he is expected to be ready. At WR20 in RotoBaller's rankings, McConkey is priced like a WR2 with room to climb.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Brock Bowers "Fully Healthy" Ahead of Training Camp
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (knee) is "fully healthy" ahead of training camp at the end of July, according to Ryan McFadden of ESPN. Bowers' athletic and pass-catching prowess left veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins "in a state of shock" during the offseason program. The 23-year-old led all TEs in receiving yards (1,194) and set the Raiders record for most catches in a single season (112) as a rookie in 2024, but he finished with just 84 catches, 630 yards, and seven touchdowns in Year 2 due to a knee injury. Now that he's back to full health, the former 13th overall pick from the University of Georgia could finish as the TE1 overall in fantasy again in new head coach Klint Kubiak's offense in 2026. Kubiak has shown the ability to scheme the ball to his best pass-catchers, and Bowers is the Raiders' best pass-catcher. Despite playing through a PCL injury and a bone bruise in his left knee in 2025, Bowers had a 74.4% catch rate, averaged 10.6 yards per catch, and was named to his second Pro Bowl. Heading into Year 3, Bowers is ranked as RotoBaller's top fantasy TE for a reason, and he's not going to come at a discount in fantasy drafts despite his injury-plagued 2025 campaign.
Source: ESPN.com - Ryan McFadden
Source: ESPN.com - Ryan McFadden
Colts Looking to Dial Back Jonathan Taylor's Workload?
Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen said that the team finally confronted the wear and tear on their most explosive player, running back Jonathan Taylor, after he had a league-high 323 rushing attempts in 2025, according to Stephen Holder of ESPN. Taylor came out of last year mostly healthy, but their usage of their star RB is something they admit they need to navigate going into the 2026 season. "Obviously, he's a hell of a player," Steichen said. "It's hard to take him off the field when he's running so good." The 27-year-old former second-rounder from the University of Wisconsin in 2020 has rushed for 1,431 and 1,585 yards, respectively, in the last two seasons, and only he and Derrick Henry of the Baltimore Ravens have had three or more seasons of 300 or more carries since 2020. Taylor has been durable despite his heavy usage, but the Colts are wondering aloud if it's sustainable. In a perfect world, Indy "would like to dial back" Taylor's touches. "We definitely need to find ways to take some of that workload off him," running backs coach DeAndre Smith said. Even with a potential reduced workload, JT should find enough volume to keep him in the RB1 conversation in fantasy as long as he stays healthy.
Source: ESPN.com - Stephen Holder
Source: ESPN.com - Stephen Holder
Cam Schlittler Won't Pitch in All-Star Game
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that right-hander Cam Schlittler will not pitch in Tuesday's All-Star Game, according to Brendan Kuty of The Athletic. Schlittler isn't injured, but he doesn't want to push himself on what would be his between-starts throwing day. The 25-year-old has more than backed up his strong showing in his rookie campaign in 2025 with his first All-Star nod in 2026. Schlittler ends the first half of his first full season in the big leagues with a 9-5 record while leading the league in ERA (2.05), WHIP (0.94), and WAR (4.2) in 118 2/3 innings covering a league-high 20 starts. The former seventh-rounder in 2022 out of Northeastern University has quickly developed into a fantasy ace and is currently rostered in 98% of Yahoo leagues. His fantasy managers have to be happy about his decision to skip the All-Star Game as he looks for an equally dominant second half. It could be tough sledding to start the second half, though, with an upcoming matchup scheduled against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Source: The Athletic - Brendan Kuty
Source: The Athletic - Brendan Kuty
Bo Bichette Sitting Out Final Game of the First Half
New York Mets infielder Bo Bichette (ankle, leg) will miss a third straight game in Sunday's series finale against the Boston Red Sox, per MLB.com. Brett Baty will make the start at the hot corner and will bat eighth against Red Sox left-hander Payton Tolle. Bichette will get some extra rest going into next week's All-Star break while dealing with ankle and leg soreness. With four more days to rest coming up next week, Bichette should be ready to roll for the start of the second half on Friday, July 17, for the series opener against the division-rival Phillies in Philadelphia. The 28-year-old got off to a brutal start to his Mets tenure in 2026, but he eventually rebounded and will finish off the first half with a .256/.301/.377 slash line, .678 OPS, 10 home runs, 51 RBI, 48 runs scored, and a stolen base across 379 at-bats. Bichette has been hot in July, too, going 10-for-33 (.303) with a double, five RBI, and four runs scored in nine games played. Fantasy managers are hoping that Bichette can pick up where he left off following the All-Star break.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Ryan Helsley Not Dealing With Structural Damage in his Elow
Baltimore Orioles right-handed closer Ryan Helsley (elbow) has inflammation around his UCL, but the ligament isn't torn, manager Craig Albernaz told Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun. Helsley will rehab the injury with hopes of returning this year. The Orioles placed the 31-year-old veteran on the 15-day injured list on July 3 due to right-elbow discomfort. It's great news that Helsley should return this season, but it's unclear when that might be. We should know more on Helsley's potential return once he resumes a throwing program. In the meantime, it'll likely continue to be a closer-by-committee situation in Baltimore that includes Tyler Wells, Rico Garcia, and Andrew Kittredge appearing in the ninth inning to close out games for the O's. Of the three, Garcia is the most rostered (23% of Yahoo leagues), although he hasn't recorded a save since June 2. Helsley is currently rostered in 63% of Yahoo leagues while he recovers from his second elbow injury of 2026. The two-time All-Star has only thrown 15 1/3 innings in 2026 in his first year with the team, going 0-4 with a 4.11 ERA (4.66 FIP), 1.43 WHIP, eight saves, and a 21:9 K:BB in his 17 relief appearances.
Source: The Baltimore Sun - Matt Weyrich
Source: The Baltimore Sun - Matt Weyrich
Brewers Transfer Brandon Woodruff to 60-Day Injured List
The Milwaukee Brewers announced on Sunday that they transferred veteran right-hander Brandon Woodruff (shoulder) to the 60-day injured list. Woodruff has been dealing with right-shoulder issues for a while now, and the 33-year-old was placed on the 15-day IL last weekend after he was diagnosed with an injury to his right anterior shoulder capsule. It's more bad news for a veteran hurler who already missed the entire 2024 season following right-shoulder surgery late in 2023. Woodruff had a nice 2.98 ERA (3.19 FIP) and 0.84 WHIP in his nine starts for the Brewers this year before landing on the IL, and despite a drop in velocity, he was sporting a 27% strikeout rate and 5.7% walk rate in his 45 1/3 innings pitched. However, he's made just 21 starts for the Brew Crew since the start of last year, and the Brewers might just be hoping to have him healthy for a playoff run this fall. Fantasy managers holding Woodruff shouldn't expect him to return to Milwaukee's starting rotation until September in a best-case scenario.
Source: Milwaukee Brewers
Source: Milwaukee Brewers
Jett Williams Dealing With Minor Wrist Injury
Milwaukee Brewers infield prospect Jett Williams (wrist) is dealing with a minor wrist injury, which has prevented him from being called up to the big leagues just before the All-Star break, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Curt Hogg. The Brewers could use some infield depth to close out the first half after they placed David Hamilton (hamstring) on the injured list on Tuesday. Instead of Williams, the Brew Crew opted to bring up outfield prospect Luis Lara. In 80 games and 358 plate appearances at Triple-A Nashville in 2026, Williams has hit .234/.341/.385 with a .726 OPS, nine home runs, 41 RBI, 21 stolen bases, and 60 runs scored for the Sounds. The 22-year-old got off to a slow start to the year at the plate, but he has picked things up offensively and is pushing hard for his first taste of the big leagues with the Brewers. Williams, who stands at 5-foot-7 and 179 pounds, is the club's No. 5 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, and we should see him in the majors at some point in the second half, although it's unclear if he'll play enough to be a fantasy asset in single-year leagues.
Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Curt Hogg
Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Curt Hogg
Jacob Misiorowski Won't Pitch in First Series Following All-Star Break
Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Jacob Misiorowski (arm) will likely begin throwing again on Tuesday, but he will not pitch in the first series after the All-Star break against the Miami Marlins, according to Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The Brewers chose to skip the Miz's final start of the first half of the season on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Pirates due to right-arm fatigue after his last appearance on Tuesday against the St. Louis Cardinals. Milwaukee isn't going to take any chances with the most dominant starting pitcher in baseball at the halfway point of the season. It's unclear when he'll make his next start, but hopefully, Misiorowski can avoid a trip to the injured list. Through his first 18 starts over 111 innings in 2026, in his first full year in the majors, the 24-year-old flamethrower has gone 10-4 with a league-best 1.62 ERA (league-leading 2.09 FIP), a league-best 0.76 WHIP, a league-high 167 strikeouts, and 27 walks for the Brew Crew. Misiorowski threw a combined 114 1/3 innings between the majors and minors in 2025, so the Brewers could look for more ways to limit his workload in the second half.
Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Curt Hogg
Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Curt Hogg
Mitch Bratt Being Called Up to Start on Sunday, Worth an Add Off Waivers?
The Arizona Diamondbacks are calling up left-handed pitching prospect Mitch Bratt to make the start in Sunday's series finale against the division-rival Los Angeles Dodgers, with right-hander Zac Gallen (elbow) likely heading to the injured list, according to Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic. Sunday's contest in the final game of the first half of the season will be Bratt's second big-league start after he allowed an earned run on two hits with two walks and three strikeouts over three innings in his major-league debut on June 24 at the St. Louis Cardinals. The 23-year-old Canadian southpaw is considered the team's No. 13 prospect at MLB Pipeline, and the former fifth-rounder by the Texas Rangers in 2021 has posted a 2.41 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, and 51:14 K:BB in 52 1/3 innings over his 13 starts this year at Reno. The 6-foot-1, 190-pounder could be a candidate to take Gallen's rotation spot to begin the second half if he handles himself well on Sunday, but we wouldn't recommend Bratt as a streamer against L.A. in just his second start in the majors. Bratt has gone fewer than five innings in five of his last six outings on the farm as well, so we don't expect him to stick around long on Sunday.
Source: The Arizona Republic - Nick Piecoro
Source: The Arizona Republic - Nick Piecoro
Ryan Waldschmidt Returning for Sunday's Series Finale
Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said that outfield prospect Ryan Waldschmidt (hand) will start in center field for Sunday's series finale against the division-rival Los Angeles Dodgers and right-hander Emmet Sheehan, according to Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports. The D-backs' top prospect, per MLB Pipeline, was pulled from the series opener on Friday in his return to the big leagues after he was hit by a pitch on his right hand, but after sitting out Saturday's contest, the 23-year-old will be back in action to close out the first half of the season. The former 31st overall selection from the University of Kentucky in 2024 hit .288/.405/.492 with an .897 OPS, six home runs, 29 RBI, 43 runs, and six steals in 51 games at Triple-A Reno this year, but he struggled at the plate in his first taste of the majors and was sent back to Reno to work on his approach against offspeed pitches. Waldschmidt is still searching for his first big-league homer and has an elevated 33.9% strikeout rate in his first 124 plate appearances with the Snakes, but his power/speed upside makes him one of the better young outfield stashes in deeper fantasy baseball leagues going into the second half in 2026.
Source: Arizona Sports - Alex Weiner
Source: Arizona Sports - Alex Weiner
Reds Place Nick Lodolo on Injured List With Blister
The Cincinnati Reds announced on Sunday that they placed left-hander Nick Lodolo (finger) on the 15-day injured list with a blister on his left index finger and recalled right-hander Chase Petty from Triple-A Louisville in a corresponding move. Lodolo's blister issues are getting frustrating for the Reds and fantasy managers. The talented southpaw opened the 2026 season on the IL with the same blister issue on his left index finger. The 28-year-old former seventh overall pick in 2019 out of Texas Christian University was pulled from his start early on Saturday against the division-rival Chicago Cubs after allowing two earned runs on five hits (one homer) while walking three and striking out four in five innings pitched for a no-decision. The first time around, when he dealt with a blister, Lodolo missed six weeks. He will be eligible to come off the IL on July 27, but fantasy managers probably should prepare for his absence to extend into August. In addition to recurring blister issues, Lodolo has a career-low 17.9% strikeout rate with a 4.60 ERA (5.09 FIP) and 1.47 WHIP with 50 strikeouts and 27 walks in his 12 starts for the Reds in 2026. It's becoming harder to recommend him as a hold in shallow-mixed fantasy leagues.
Source: Cincinnati Reds
Source: Cincinnati Reds
