RADIO
Pirates Call Up Prospect Rafael Flores Jr., a Worth Waiver-Wire Target?
The Pittsburgh Pirates are calling up catcher/first base prospect Rafael Flores Jr. from Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday to take the roster spot of catcher Endy Rodriguez (glute), who is going on the 10-day injured list with a left-glute strain, manager Don Kelly told Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Flores, 25, made his big-league debut last year and played in only seven games. He also was up with the Pirates' big-league squad earlier this year, but he appeared in just two games. In 22 total plate appearances in the majors, Flores has gone 5-for-18 with a homer, two RBI, two runs, four walks, and seven strikeouts. The former undrafted free agent out of Rio Hondo College will most likely just serve as catching depth behind Henry Davis to close out the first season this week, so fantasy managers in most leagues can ignore him off the waiver wire for now. In 65 games and 276 plate appearances at Indy this year, Flores has hit just .228/.362/.342 with a .704 OPS, four homers, 38 RBI, and 33 runs scored.
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Colin Beazley
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Colin Beazley
Giants Recall Catching Prospect Jesus Rodriguez From Triple-A
The San Francisco Giants announced on Wednesday that they recalled catcher/infielder/outfielder Jesus Rodriguez from Triple-A Sacramento and placed outfielder Jonah Cox (oblique) on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to July 6) with a strained left oblique. Rodriguez, the Giants' No. 16-ranked prospect at MLB Pipeline, gets the call to the big leagues after hitting .274/.353/.405 with a .758 OPS, five home runs, 28 RBI, seven stolen bases, and 29 runs scored in 49 games at Triple-A. The 24-year-old Venezuelan made his major-league debut with the Gigantes earlier this year and went 9-for-39 (.231) with two home runs, seven RBI, three runs scored, and a stolen base in 14 games and 43 plate appearances. Rodriguez is eligible only at catcher in Yahoo leagues, but he'll give San Fran versatility all over the diamond, as he's appeared at catcher, second base, third base, left field, and right field in the minors and majors in 2026. Daniel Susac (back) remains on the injured list, but it remains to be seen if Rodriguez will see enough playing time with the Giants to be worth a waiver-wire look in NL-only leagues.
Source: San Francisco Giants
Source: San Francisco Giants
A's Send Max Muncy Down to Triple-A
The Athletics optioned infielder Max Muncy to Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday to clear a roster spot for the return of first baseman/outfielder Tyler Soderstrom (hip) from the 10-day injured list, according to MLB.com. Muncy will most likely be back in Sacramento with the A's at some point in the second half of the season for infield depth, but for now, he'll head to the farm and work on making more contact with the baseball. In his second big-league season, the 23-year-old former 25th overall pick in 2021 has hit just .227/.303/.396 with a .699 OPS, five home runs, 20 RBI, 24 runs scored, three stolen bases, and a 33.1% strikeout rate in 46 games across 175 plate appearances. Muncy hit only .214 (44-for-206) with nine homers, 23 RBI, 17 runs, and a 30.9% strikeout rate in his first 63 major-league games for the A's in 2025. The right-hander has eligibility at second base, third base, and shortstop and has decent power, making him attractive to fantasy managers in deeper leagues. Right now, Muncy is only rostered in 6% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
A's Reinstate Tyler Soderstrom From the Injured List
The Athletics announced on Wednesday that they reinstated first baseman/outfielder Tyler Soderstrom (hip) from the 10-day injured list and optioned infielder Max Muncy to Triple-A Las Vegas in a corresponding move. Soderstrom should be right back in the A's starting lineup for Wednesday's contest in Detroit against right-hander Troy Melton after missing just one day over the minimum on the 10-day injured list due to a left-hip impingement. The 24-year-old left-handed-hitting slugger will return to being the team's primary left fielder on an everyday basis. Soderstrom is returning to a .242/.343/.460 slash line with an .803 OPS, 13 homers, 41 RBI, 41 runs scored, and a stolen base in his 289 at-bats in 2026. After breaking out in 2025 with 25 homers and 93 RBI in 158 games played, Soderstrom is a burgeoning power asset for fantasy managers in all formats, especially at home at hitter-friendly Sutter Health Park. Get him back into your starting lineups immediately to close out the first half of the regular season this week.
Source: A's Communications
Source: A's Communications
Bryan Woo's Road Struggles Masking Second-Half Value?
Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Bryan Woo has not been automatic away from home, and that may be the only opening fantasy managers get in trade talks. The 26-year-old gave up nine hits, one walk, and four runs, three earned, over five innings Tuesday, July 7, against Miami. His home-road split is hard to ignore, with Woo sitting at 6-0 with a 2.10 ERA in Seattle and 1-6 with a 6.28 ERA on the road. The full profile is still a lot better than the road blowups. Woo has a 4.23 ERA, but the 1.07 WHIP, 102 strikeouts, 20 walks, and 3.06 FIP are not the numbers of a pitcher to panic-sell. Since he is already rostered in roughly 98% of leagues, this is a trade-market play, not a waiver chase. Check in if his manager is annoyed, but do not sell low.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Pitching Prospect Hayden Mullins Gets the Call to Triple-A
The Boston Red Sox have promoted left-handed pitching prospect Hayden Mullins from Double-A Portland to Triple-A Worcester, according to Milb.com. Mullins, the club's No. 14 prospect per MLB Pipeline, earned the promotion to the highest minor-league level by going 3-1 with a 5.85 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, and 73:31 K:BB in 47 2/3 innings pitched across 12 appearances (11 starts) for Portland in the first half. The 25-year-old former 12th-round pick in 2022 out of Auburn University didn't have great numbers at Double-A, but his 34.8% strikeout rate ranked second in the Eastern League. The 6-foot, 194-pounder could eventually make his way into Boston's big-league starting rotation by the end of the 2026 season because of his swing-and-miss fastball. Mullins' low-80s slider is also viewed as a plus secondary pitch, and he adds a sinking changeup and a work-in-progress cutter. A complicated delivery with a lot of moving parts needs to be refined, though, and can get him in trouble with his control. Mullins' ceiling might be as a backend starting pitcher at the next level.
Source: Milb.com
Source: Milb.com
Freddy Peralta a Buy-Low Arm Before the Break?
New York Mets starting pitcher Freddy Peralta has not made life easy on fantasy managers, but the buy-low window is at least worth checking before the All-Star break. The 30-year-old is 5-7 with a 4.68 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, and 98 strikeouts through 100 innings, which is a long way from the SP2 value managers thought they were getting. His latest outing against Atlanta was not a clean win either, though six strikeouts and only one earned run over 4 2/3 innings were a step in the right direction. There is still enough here to avoid panic-selling. Peralta's 4.29 FIP and .301 xwOBA are better than the surface damage, so this is more hold-and-shop than cut bait. Since he was still rostered in 93% of Yahoo leagues in RotoBaller's latest Cut List, Peralta is a cautious buy-low target only if the other manager is fed up.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Javier Assad Back on the Waiver Radar While Starting?
Chicago Cubs right-handed pitcher Javier Assad is not a strikeout play, but he is at least back in the rotation conversation after Sunday's useful turn against St. Louis. The 28-year-old held the Cardinals to two hits and two walks over 4 2/3 scoreless innings on July 5, though he only struck out two and did not factor into the decision. Assad now owns a 6-1 record, 4.15 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 33 strikeouts across 56 1/3 innings, with seven starts and seven relief appearances. That last part matters. Assad has helped the Cubs as a swingman, and his 5.27 K/9 and 5.11 FIP make this more of a matchup/volume play than a breakout arm. Still, ratios and wins can matter in deeper leagues. With RotoBaller's latest waiver rankings listing him at 11% rostered, Assad fits 15-team formats or NL-only leagues for managers who need a back-end starter while the role holds.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Carson Whisenhunt Coming Up to Start on Thursday?
The San Francisco Giants are listing TBA for Thursday night's game against the division-rival Colorado Rockies, and the San Francisco Chronicle's Susan Slusser suggests it seems like where left-handed pitching prospect Carson Whisenhunt would slot in. Manager Tony Vitello has not committed to Whisenhunt returning to make his second start in the big leagues this year on Thursday, but he acknowledged that the southpaw is a candidate to start before next week's All-Star break. If Whisenhunt comes up from Triple-A Sacramento, it would push all of Robbie Ray, Tyler Mahle, and Trevor McDonald to the final three games of the first half of the season. In his lone start with the Giants this year on June 17 against the Atlanta Braves, Whisenhunt gave up two runs while walking two and striking out two in five innings. The 25-year-old has posted a 4.42 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, and 82:37 K:BB in 77 1/3 innings in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League this year on the farm. Per MLB Pipeline, he's San Fran's No. 11 prospect, and the 6-foot-3, 225-pounder has one of the best changeups among all pitching prospects. Because he could just be a spot starter for the Giants once again to close out the first half, fantasy managers in redraft leagues won't want to spend too much to acquire him if he returns this week.
Source: San Francisco Chronicle - Susan Slusser
Source: San Francisco Chronicle - Susan Slusser
Cooper Pratt Bringing Cheap Speed to Waiver Wires?
Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Cooper Pratt is still finding his way with the bat, and the reason to care in fantasy is simple: stolen bases. The 21-year-old, MLB Pipeline's No. 63 overall prospect when he came up on June 16, is hitting .217/.342/.283 with no homers, four RBI, nine runs, and six steals through 60 at-bats. He did flash more than speed Tuesday, July 7, going 2-for-4 with a triple, two runs, and a two-run double in the second game of Milwaukee's doubleheader sweep of St. Louis. Before the promotion, Pratt posted a .241/.349/.386 line with six homers and 17 steals in 220 Triple-A at-bats. The power has not really shown up yet, and a 6.4% barrel rate keeps that part of the profile in wait-and-see mode. The walks and speed are more useful right now. At 3% rostered on Yahoo, Pratt fits as a 15-team speed add, not a standard-league priority.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Denzer Guzman a Deep-League Power Target on Waivers?
Los Angeles Angels third baseman/shortstop Denzer Guzman is not exactly forcing his way into shallow-league lineups yet, but there is enough here for fantasy managers in deeper formats to pay attention. The 22-year-old hit his way back to Los Angeles after slashing .336/.403/.571 with 12 homers, 57 RBI, and nine steals over 58 games at Triple-A Salt Lake, and the Angels gave him a real look at third base once he arrived. Through 91 major-league at-bats, Guzman is batting .253/.306/.385 with three homers, 13 RBI, eight runs, and one steal. The profile still needs some patience. His 7.4% barrel rate, 35.3% hard-hit rate, and 86.9 mph average exit velocity do not scream instant breakout, but the minor-league production and regular at-bats give him a path to matter. Rostered in just 4% of Yahoo leagues, Guzman is more of a 15-team corner/middle-infield flier for cheap power than a player managers need to chase in standard formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Matt Chapman Not Feeling Any Better
San Francisco Giants third baseman Matt Chapman (abdomen) is back with the team following paternity leave, but his abdominal strain isn't feeling any better, according to Evan Webeck of The California Post. The Giants placed Chapman on the 10-day injured list on July 1. Since he hasn't made any real progress, it's highly unlikely that he will be ready to return from the IL when he's eligible to be reinstated this Saturday. It remains to be seen if the veteran right-handed slugger will be ready to rejoin the starting lineup to begin the second half of the season on Friday, July 17. In the meantime, Casey Schmitt has been filling in as San Fran's third baseman, which has opened up playing time in the outfield for rookie Victor Bericoto. The 33-year-old Chapman had a down first half of the 2026 season, his third year in the Bay Area, hitting .235/.324/.368 with a career-worst .692 OPS, seven home runs, 42 RBI, and 35 runs scored in 84 games across 352 plate appearances. Chapman's .210 xBA and .286 xwOBA don't paint a rosy picture the rest of the way, either, so fantasy managers should think twice about buying low on him.
Source: The California Post - Evan Webeck
Source: The California Post - Evan Webeck
Justin Verlander to Retire Following the Season
Detroit Tigers veteran right-hander Justin Verlander (hamstring, hip) announced on his X account that he will hang up his cleats and retire following the 2026 season. The 43-year-old former MVP, three-time Cy Young winner, and nine-time All-Star will certainly be in the Hall of Fame down the road, but he has struggled with multiple injuries in 2026 and has only made one start in his return to Detroit. And in his lone start this year, Verlander allowed five earned runs while walking two and striking out just one in 3 2/3 innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks. He'll be present in Philadelphia for next week's All-Star festivities as a "Legend Pick," but he won't be active while on the 60-day injured list due to a left-hamstring injury that he suffered on June 17 while throwing a bullpen. He was initially placed on the IL on April 4 with hip inflammation. It's unclear when Verlander will make his way back to the Tigers' big-league roster, but if he does, it might be in a bullpen role. He's the current MLB leader in games started (556), wins (266), and strikeouts (3,554). With his career coming to a close, Verlander is rostered in only 3% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Justin Verlander on X
Source: Justin Verlander on X
Marcus Semien Unlikely to Return in July
The New York Mets haven't issued a timeline on second baseman Marcus Semien (hip), but a return this month "might be difficult," according to Tim Britton and Will Sammon of The Athletic. Semien is on the 10-day injured list with a left-hip flexor strain that has bothered him for much of the 2026 season, but he's optimistic about returning to the lineup and to form in the second half. Before going on the IL in late June, Semien admitted he had intermittent tightness in his hip since at least early May. By late June, "it got to the point where sprinting 100 percent was not possible." The 35-year-old veteran thinks the injury could be related to the broken foot he suffered in 2025 in his last year with the Texas Rangers. It could explain why he has hit just .214 with a .271 on-base percentage and .341 slugging percentage in his first year with New York -- all career worsts. Additionally, he's graded out as below average at the keystone. Semien could bounce back with better health in the second half, but it's clear he's beyond his prime, and he's rostered in just 36% of Yahoo leagues now that he's rehabbing another injury.
Source: The Athletic - Tim Britton and Will Sammon
Source: The Athletic - Tim Britton and Will Sammon
Can Sebastian Walcott Debut at Triple-A in the Second Half?
Texas Rangers top infield prospect Sebastian Walcott has been sidelined for the entire first half of the season due to a knee injury. However, according to team sources, Walcott has been progressing quite well and remains on schedule to return to game action sometime in August. Even though Walcott has yet to step on the diamond this season, the No. 10-ranked prospect in baseball is worth closely monitoring, especially for those in dyasnty/keeper formats. In 2025, the 20-year-old spent his entire campaign at the Double-A level, where he posted a .255/.355/.386 line with a .741 OPS. He swiped 32 bags while going deep 13 times. Managers should pay close attention to his rehab assignment as the Rangers could send him to Triple-A once cleared for action. While an MLB debut will have to wait until 2027, he could quickly re-emerge as an elite dynasty option once he is activated from the injured list.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
