RADIO
Tigers Prospect Josue Briceno Promoted to Triple-A
The Detroit Tigers promoted catcher/first base prospect Josue Briceno, MLB Pipeline's No. 54 overall prospect, to Triple-A Toledo this week, according to MLB Pipeline. Briceno is getting the call to the highest minor-league level after hitting a combined .280/.373/.591 with a .964 OPS, nine home runs, 22 RBI, and 17 runs scored in only 27 games (110 plate appearances) at the rookie-level Florida Complex League and with Single-A Lakeland and Double-A Erie. The 21-year-old left-handed-hitting Venezuelan has 60-grade power and is considered the Tigers' No. 4 overall prospect behind outfielders Max Clark (already in the big leagues) and Zyhir Hope, and shortstop Bryce Rainer. The 6-foot-4, 200-pounder is pretty athletic despite his size and position, and his strength from the left side of the plate is what makes him stand out as a catcher long-term for fantasy purposes. Briceno could stand to improve his plate discipline, but if he can do that early on next year at Toledo, he could force the Tigers' hand for an MLB promotion in 2027.
Source: MLB Pipeline
Source: MLB Pipeline
Jacob Melton On 7-Day Injured List At Triple-A Durham
Tampa Bay Rays outfield prospect Jacob Melton currently has a right hamstring strain and is on the 7-day IL at Triple-A Durham. The injury comes at an unfortunate time for Melton as he is looking for a shot at a big league chance with the Rays, but it isn't expected to be long term. Melton made his big league debut last season for the Astros before coming over to the Rays in a December trade. The 25-year-old has played at two levels this season in the minors (mostly with Durham) and has hit .306 with six homers and 26 RBI in 134 at bats. The No. 6 prospect for Tampa Bay, Melton could see time in Tampa Bay this season assuming he recovers smoothly from his right hamstring strain. Given he already has big league experience, he is a name to monitor as someone who can produce for the Rays at the end of this season.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Carlos Rodon to Make Another Rehab Start
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone told Talkin' Yanks that left-hander Carlos Rodon (elbow) will make another minor-league rehab start on either Thursday or Friday. In his first rehab start on Saturday with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Rodon allowed three runs with two walks in 2 2/3 innings pitched. He was only able to throw 46 pitches over the weekend, so the Yankees want to get the veteran southpaw a little bit more stretched out before reinstating him from the 15-day injured list to rejoin the big-league starting rotation. Rodon is recovering from left-elbow inflammation after also getting a late start to the 2026 season following surgery last October to have loose bodies removed from his elbow. When available this year, the three-time All-Star has been solid for fantasy managers, going 4-2 with a 3.30 ERA (3.44 FIP) and 1.25 WHIP with 52 strikeouts and 26 walks in 46 1/3 innings across his nine starts. Rodon's career-high 13.4% walk rate isn't pretty, but he still has the swing-and-miss stuff to make a difference down the stretch if he can bounce back from his latest elbow injury. He's rostered in over 80% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Talkin' Yanks
Source: Talkin' Yanks
Rashee Rice Calls Jail Time a "Reality Check"
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice spoke Tuesday about the 30-day jail sentence he served earlier this offseason, calling it a "reality check." According to Nate Taylor, Rice said it is in the past and that he is focused on the future. Rice was ordered to report to jail in May after testing positive for THC, a violation of the probation he received after pleading guilty to two felony charges stemming from the 2024 Dallas crash. The jail term had already been part of his original sentence, but the positive test led to it being served immediately. Rice also had a cleanup procedure on his right knee shortly before entering jail and missed OTAs and mandatory minicamp, though he has since worked his way back into 11-on-11 drills at training camp. He caught 53 passes for 571 yards and five touchdowns in eight games last season. RotoBaller currently has Rice 36th overall and WR16, and his progress in camp is the more important fantasy development going forward.
Source: Nate Taylor
Source: Nate Taylor
Joe Ryan Plays Catch on Flat Ground
Minnesota Twins right-hander Joe Ryan (glute) played catch on flat ground on Monday, according to AaronGleeman.com. Ryan is already throwing after being placed on the 15-day injured list with a left-glute strain last Friday. The 30-year-old veteran could have a chance to return to the Twins' starting rotation when he's eligible to come off the IL on Aug. 21, but that remains to be seen. Ryan struggled to repeat his delivery since the All-Star break, which led to the Twins shutting him down for at least two weeks. His poor results so far in the second half can be attributed to his glute injury. Overall, Ryan, a two-time All-Star, is 6-8 with a 3.65 ERA (3.42 FIP) and 1.14 WHIP with 138 strikeouts and 27 walks in 125 2/3 innings and 23 starts. He's seen a slight drop in his strikeout rate (26.4%), but his command remains stellar with a 5.2% walk rate in his sixth year in the majors. Ryan needs to remain stashed in all fantasy formats with his return potentially right around the corner.
Source: AaronGleeman.com
Source: AaronGleeman.com
Parks Harber Producing in Sacramento Ahead of Potential Call-Up
San Francisco Giants third base/outfield prospect Parks Harber is producing in a big way since his promotion to Triple-A Sacramento. In 21 games with Sacramento, Harber has five homers and 21 RBI with a .337 batting average in 86 at-bats. Between two levels of the minors this season, Harber is hitting .297 in 343 at-bats with 17 homers and 68 RBI to go with 57 runs scored. He checks in as the No. 13 prospect for San Francisco and can play third base or outfield. The 24-year-old was given a 55-grade for his power and has shown that off this season in the minors. Harber is likely to debut next season, but the Giants could take a shot on his power profile late this season. He is a name to monitor in redraft leagues with the hopes of a big-league shot this year.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Daniel Jones Won't Play During the Preseason
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (Achilles) will not play during the preseason, according to Jonathan Jones. Head coach Shane Steichen announced the decision Tuesday as Jones continues his return from the torn Achilles that ended his 2025 season in Week 14. The good news is that Jones has been a full participant in training camp, so there is nothing here suggesting he has suffered a setback. He started 13 games last season and completed 68% of his passes for 3,101 yards, 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions, adding 164 yards and five more scores on the ground. The Colts also have no quarterback decision to make with Jones, who enters the season as their unquestioned starter. Riley Leonard and Anthony Richardson Sr. are instead competing for the backup job and should get plenty of preseason work. Jones remains RotoBaller's QB24, and sitting out exhibition games should not change much for fantasy managers as long as he continues practicing without limitations.
Source: Jonathan Jones
Source: Jonathan Jones
Zach Ehrhard Turning in Stellar Triple-A Season For Oklahoma City
Los Angeles Dodgers outfield prospect Zach Ehrhard has been having a very consistent season at Triple-A Oklahoma City and is making a case for his future in Los Angeles, although his MLB debut might not come this season. The Dodgers are loaded at the big-league level, and 2027 may be the breakthrough for Ehrhard to receive his opportunity. He's had a great year this year, though, hitting .294 with 15 homers and 75 RBI to go with 89 runs scored and 17 stolen bases. Showing off his five-category potential, Ehrhard is proving that he should be ready for an opportunity next season. The Dodgers' No. 15 prospect should be a fixture in dynasty league formats. Traded over from the Boston Red Sox, Ehrhard looks to have a bright future with the L.A. Dodgers.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Byron Buxton Works Out Before Monday's Game
Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (hip) worked out on the field and took batting practice on Monday before the team's game at Target Field, according to LaVelle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Manager Derek Shelton said it was a "very encouraging workout" for Buxton, who is currently on the 10-day injured list with a right-hip impingement. The 32-year-old veteran had been progressing slowly from his hip injury, but Monday represented some real progress. It's unclear when Buxton might be able to rejoin the major-league roster, but Shelton did note that he is not expected to go on a minor-league rehab assignment before returning, which makes us think he will most likely be back before the end of August, barring a setback. The three-time All-Star is limping to the finish line in 2026, but he's had a fine season to this point, slashing .263/.320/.544 with an .864 OPS, 25 home runs, 45 RBI, 57 runs scored, and seven steals in 82 games played after clubbing a career-high 35 long balls with 83 RBI and 24 steals in 2025. Buxton remains rostered in nearly all Yahoo leagues (95%) while he rehabs from his hip injury.
Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune - LaVelle E. Neal III
Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune - LaVelle E. Neal III
Brody Hopkins Has The Stuff For Big League Debut This Season
Tampa Bay Rays pitching prospect Brody Hopkins has struggled a bit lately for Triple-A Durham and is coming off a start in which he allowed five earned runs and walked five batters in one inning. All in all, Hopkins has a 4-8 record this season with a 5.40 ERA and a 1.75 WHIP with 106 strikeouts in 85 innings pitched. Hopkins is the No. 5 prospect in the Rays' system and has a 60-grade fastball and curveball with a 55-grade slider and cutter. The 24-year-old is looking to debut this season for the Rays and certainly has the stuff to be a solid MLB starter. Those fantasy managers looking to take a chance could go for Hopkins on the waiver wire in advance of his call-up, looking to get ahead of the pack. Based on his most recent results, an MLB debut is not guaranteed this year, but at 24 years old, he is the right age for a chance at a debut.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Jhostynxon Garcia Off To Slow Start in Opportunity With Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates outfield prospect Jhostynxon Garcia was called up to Pittsburgh on July 29 after spending most of the season with the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians. Garcia has played 19 games with Pittsburgh and has 47 at-bats with a .170 batting average and no homers, with two RBI and two runs scored. The right-handed hitting 23-year-old is off to a slow start with his new big league club after debuting briefly with the Red Sox last season. Garcia has already received an extended opportunity with the Pirates. The No. 5 overall prospect for Pittsburgh has yet to show off his skills at the big league level and thus can be left on the waiver wire in most fantasy leagues. He's combined for 10 homers and 35 runs in the minors this season between two levels but has yet to showcase that ability for the big league club.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Ja'Marr Chase to Suit Up for Preseason Opener
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said that both wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins will play against the Detroit Lions on Thursday in the team's preseason opener, according to The Cincinnati Enquirer's Kelsey Conway. Chase and Higgins will most likely work a few offensive series with quarterback Joe Burrow. Even though Burrow missed half of last season due to a turf-toe injury, Chase managed his fifth straight 1,000-yard season, found the end zone eight times, and led the NFL with 185 targets in 16 starts. The 26-year-old five-time Pro Bowler and two-time first-team All-Pro is still the best receiver in the NFL and could approach his career high of 1,708 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns from the 2024 season if Burrow stays healthy again in 2026. There's a reason why Chase is the consensus top overall fantasy wideout. He's had at least 1,046 receiving yards, 81 catches, and seven touchdowns in his five years in the NFL with the Bengals.
Source: The Cincinnati Enquirer - Kelsey Conway
Source: The Cincinnati Enquirer - Kelsey Conway
Joe Burrow to Play in Preseason Opener on Thursday Against Detroit
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said that quarterback Joe Burrow will play against the Detroit Lions in the team's preseason opener on Thursday, per Kelsey Conway of The Cincinnati Enquirer. Burrow will also be out there with his top two receivers in Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, although they will probably only stay in the game for a couple of offensive series, at the most. The 29-year-old Burrow and the Bengals offense got off to a bit of a slow start in training camp, but they have been coming alive of late and figure to be in good shape for the 2026 season as long as Burrow stays healthy. The three-time Pro Bowler played in a career-low eight games last year due to turf toe, throwing for 1,809 yards, 17 touchdowns, and five interceptions a year after leading the NFL in passing yards (4,918), touchdown passes (43), completions (460), and pass attempts (652). He's an obvious bounce-back candidate in 2026 with top-five QB upside in fantasy football, even though most of his production comes solely from his arm.
Source: The Cincinnati Enquirer - Kelsey Conway
Source: The Cincinnati Enquirer - Kelsey Conway
Jett Williams Aggravates Injury In First Game Back From IL at Triple-A Nashville
Milwaukee Brewers shortstop prospect Jett Williams (wrist) was just reinstated from the seven-day injured list at Triple-A Nashville and played in his first game back on Saturday. He reinjured his left wrist and is going to Arizona to be examined by a specialist. Williams aggravated his wrist in his first at-bat back from the injured list on Saturday and now looks like he will miss extended time. Williams is the No. 4 prospect in the Brewers' system and is given a 65-grade run tool with a 50-grade hit tool and 50-grade power. Williams has 21 stolen bases combined this season between two levels of the minors. The 22-year-old unfortunately will most likely not get a chance to MLB debut this season. However, once he returns from injury and comes back healthy next year, he should be ready to debut and contribute to fantasy rosters.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Jaylen Waddle Still Absent on Tuesday
Denver Broncos wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (leg) remains absent from training camp practice on Tuesday, although he is present, according to Zac Stevens of DNVR Sports. Waddle remains day-to-day after dealing with muscle tightness in his leg since last week. His injury is not considered serious, and the Broncos are likely just taking extra precaution for their new addition that they spent first- and third-round picks on to acquire in the offseason. The Broncos have their preseason opener this Friday against the Atlanta Falcons, and Waddle almost certainly will not play in that contest as he continues to recover. The 27-year-old former sixth overall pick from the University of Alabama could be the Broncos' leading target and receiver in 2026 in his first year in the Mile High City, making him a popular WR2 target with upside, especially in leagues that reward points for each catch. Waddle had three 1,000-yard seasons in Miami to begin his career, and he came just short of a fourth with 910 yards and six touchdowns in 16 starts in 2025.
Source: DNVR Sports - Zac Stevens
Source: DNVR Sports - Zac Stevens
