RADIO
Salvador Perez Out With Sore Elbow on Thursday
Kansas City Royals catcher/first baseman Salvador Perez (elbow) is out of Thursday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays due to a sore left elbow, according to Anne Rogers of MLB.com. Carter Jensen is doing the catching for right-hander Stephen Kolek and will bat leadoff for the Royals, with outfielder Starling Marte serving as the designated hitter and batting fifth against Rays right-hander Ian Seymour. The Royals called up catcher Luke Maile from Triple-A Omaha on Thursday, which could suggest that Perez's injury is enough to sideline him into the weekend and potentially land him on the injured list heading into the All-Star break. The aging Venezuelan backstop could probably use some time off, though, as he's hitting just .201/.241/.327 on the year with a career-worst .568 OPS, 10 homers, 30 RBI, 29 runs, and a 20.3% strikeout rate in his 340 plate appearances. In 23 games in June, Perez really struggled, going 18-for-96 (.188) with a homer, four doubles, five RBI, eight runs scored, one walk, and 21 strikeouts.
Source: MLB.com - Anne Rogers
Source: MLB.com - Anne Rogers
Luke Raley Returning on Thursday Against Angels
Seattle Mariners first baseman/outfielder Luke Raley (forearm) is starting in right field and will bat seventh in his return to the starting lineup on Thursday against the division-rival Los Angeles Angels and right-hander Walbert Urena, according to MLB.com. Raley will return for the M's after sitting out the last three games due to soreness in his left forearm. Due to injuries and poor play recently, the 31-year-old veteran left-handed slugger is only rostered in 12% of Yahoo leagues with the first half of the 2026 season winding down. All 14 of Raley's home runs this year have come against right-handed pitching, but he's coming off a month of June that saw him hit a putrid .125 (7-for-56) with one homer, two doubles, four RBI, three runs scored, four walks, and 20 strikeouts in 19 games across 61 plate appearances. Nobody should be in a rush to throw him back into their starting lineups, especially not in DFS. Raley has never faced Urena in his career.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Brandon Nimmo Missing Fourth Straight Game With Shoulder Injury
Texas Rangers outfielder Brandon Nimmo (shoulder) will miss a fourth straight game due to a sprained ACL joint in his left shoulder on Thursday against the Detroit Tigers, per MLB.com. Antonio Osuna will make another start in left field for the Rangers and will hit eighth against Tigers left-hander Framber Valdez. Osuna has seen everyday playing time of late with both Nimmo and Wyatt Langford (hamstring) banged up. The Rangers have expressed optimism that Nimmo can avoid a trip to the injured list, unlike Langford, but if he cannot return during the Fourth of July weekend, he could be sidelined for the rest of the first half of the season. The 33-year-old former first-rounder in 2011 has been a bit of a disappointment in 2026 in his first year with the Rangers, slashing .262/.333/.420 with a .753 OPS, eight homers, 29 RBI, 35 runs, and three steals in 317 at-bats. Nimmo closed out June on a roll, though, going 12-for-40 (.300) with a homer, four doubles, a triple, four RBI, seven runs, and a steal in his last 10 games. Check back on Friday to see if Nimmo is ready to return.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Stephen Kolek Reinstated and Starting on Thursday
The Kansas City Royals announced that they reinstated right-hander Stephen Kolek from the family medical emergency list and optioned right-hander Jose Cuas to Triple-A Omaha in a corresponding move. Kolek will return to start against the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday, and he'll be pitching on 10 days of rest after originally being placed on the paternity list. The 29-year-old will be sufficiently rested, but it also means he could be on a strict pitch count. The former 11th-round pick by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2018 out of Texas A&M University is 4-2 with a 4.15 ERA (4.55 FIP) and 1.19 WHIP with 34 strikeouts and 11 walks in 52 innings across nine starts in his first full season with the Royals. Kolek has been a decent deep-league streamer based on matchups, but we wouldn't suggest him here against the first-place Rays after skipping two turns in the Royals' rotation. In his last outing, Kolek allowed a season-high nine earned runs on nine hits (three homers) while walking one and striking out none in 1 2/3 innings in a loss to the St. Louis Cardinals.
Source: Kansas City Royals
Source: Kansas City Royals
Walker Jenkins a Priority Stash in Deeper Fantasy Leagues?
Minnesota Twins outfield prospect Walker Jenkins is healthy again, and the stash window may not stay open in deeper leagues. Minnesota's top prospect returned to Triple-A St. Paul on June 23 after missing seven weeks with a left shoulder AC joint sprain. He is 7-for-20 with two doubles, two triples, and a stolen base in five games since returning, including a 3-for-5 effort on Tuesday that left him a homer shy of the cycle. Jenkins is batting .308 with four homers, 24 runs, 14 RBI, seven steals, and a .912 OPS across 130 at-bats. Yahoo has him at 5% rostered, and managers in 15-team leagues or those with an NA spot should move now. RotoBaller ranks Jenkins 11th among prospects to stash for 2026 redraft value and projects an August arrival. Minnesota has not promised him a promotion or everyday role, so he is not a mandatory add in standard 12-team leagues. His talent, production, and proximity make him one of the better deep-league stashes available.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Rico Garcia Back on the Waiver-Wire Radar in Baltimore?
Baltimore Orioles reliever Rico Garcia is back in the saves conversation, though fantasy managers should not assume he is next in line. Ryan Helsley (elbow) felt discomfort while warming for the ninth inning on Wednesday, and Andrew Kittredge ended up handling the inning instead. That leaves the Orioles bullpen unsettled, with Garcia among several relievers who could get a look for save opportunities. He has pitched well enough to remain involved, posting a (3-1) record, 2.52 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, 39 strikeouts, four saves, and 11 holds over 35 2/3 innings. At 22% rostered on Yahoo, Garcia makes the most sense in 15-team formats and leagues that use the category solds. Kittredge may receive the first opportunity, while Tyler Wells, Yennier Cano, and Grant Wolfram are also in the picture. If Helsley lands on the IL, Garcia is more of a watch-list name than a priority pickup in 12-team leagues until Baltimore shows its hand.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
James Tibbs III Remains a Priority Stash Despite Unclear Path to the Majors
Los Angeles Dodgers outfield prospect James Tibbs III has done plenty to earn a promotion at Triple-A Oklahoma City. The 23-year-old is batting .289/.413/.571 with 21 home runs, 68 RBI, 70 runs, and three stolen bases across 301 at-bats. His power has held up over a full first half, while the strong on-base percentage gives him more fantasy appeal than a one-dimensional slugger. The problem is finding him regular at-bats in Los Angeles. RotoBaller ranks Tibbs 13th among its current redraft prospect stashes and now projects an August arrival so that managers may need patience. His Yahoo roster rate is 5%, making him widely available in leagues. Tibbs is worth stashing in leagues with an NA spot or deep-league formats, especially those using five outfielders. Shallower mixed leagues can wait for a clearer path to promotion.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Joe Mack's Back-to-Back Homers Spark Deep-League Waiver Appeal?
Miami Marlins catcher Joe Mack has homered in back-to-back games, following a two-run shot on Tuesday, with a pinch-hit inside-the-park homer against the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday. The two-game burst gives him six homers in 133 at-bats. Mack is slashing .256/.313/.429 with 22 RBI and 22 runs, and five of those long balls came during a strong June. Liam Hicks returned from the injured list Wednesday, but Mack is still expected to handle most of the work behind the plate, especially against right-handed pitching, where he is slashing .260/.325/.442 vs. righties in 114 plate appearances. Hicks will also see time at first base and designated hitter, while Brian Navarreto serves as the third catcher. Mack is not listed among RotoBaller's current Week 14 catcher pickups, so he should not be treated as a priority in standard one-catcher leagues. Yahoo currently puts him at a 4% roster rate, making him a sensible add in two-catcher formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Charlie Condon's Recent Power Surge Puts him on the Priority Stash List?
Colorado Rockies first base/outfield prospect Charlie Condon is forcing his way into the promotion conversation. The 23-year-old ripped two home runs and a triple for Triple-A Albuquerque on Wednesday, giving him five homers over his last three games. Condon is now slashing .293/.418/.612 with 20 home runs, 59 RBI, 71 runs, and five steals across 273 at-bats. He has also walked 49 times, so the recent power binge is not the result of an all-or-nothing approach. Colorado has not announced a call-up, but RotoBaller ranks Condon third among its current redraft prospect stashes and projects a July arrival. Yahoo managers have pushed his roster rate to 7%, leaving him available in most leagues despite the growing buzz. Condon is a priority stash in 15-team formats and should be considered in shallower leagues with an NA spot. The uncertain timeline keeps him from being a universal must-add.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Max Clark Emerging as a Must-Stash Prospect
Detroit Tigers outfield prospect Max Clark is holding his own in his first Triple-A season. MLB Pipeline's No. 7 overall prospect is hitting .261 with six home runs, 32 RBI, 50 runs, and 17 stolen bases through 295 at-bats for Toledo. Clark has also kept his strikeout rate below 15%, which matters for a 21-year-old whose speed could make an immediate fantasy difference once Detroit calls him up. The only real question is timing. RotoBaller's latest redraft stash rankings place Clark fifth with an August ETA, and the Tigers do not have an obvious everyday opening waiting for him. Clark has reached 8% rostered on Yahoo, but he remains a must-stash in most formats for now, especially leagues with an NA spot.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Carlos Estevez Receives Injection, Shut Down the Rest of the Week
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.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Munetaka Murakami "Day-to-Day," No Timetable for a Rehab Assignment
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.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Kaelen Culpepper Day-to-Day With Hand Injury at Triple-A
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.
Source: Theodore Tollefson
Source: Theodore Tollefson
Javier Assad to Start on Sunday Against Cardinals
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.
Source: CHGO Sports - Jared Wyllys
Source: CHGO Sports - Jared Wyllys
David Bednar Returns From Paternity List on Thursday
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.
Source: Yankees PR Department
Source: Yankees PR Department
