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Luke Keaschall Making First Career Start in Center Field
Minnesota Twins second baseman/outfielder Luke Keaschall is making his first start in center field and will bat seventh on Wednesday against the division-rival Cleveland Guardians and right-hander Slade Cecconi, according to MLB.com. Keaschall is already eligible in the outfield, in addition to second base, in Yahoo leagues, so it's not a ground-breaking development, but the 23-year-old could see regular starts in center field for the Twins for however long Byron Buxton (hip) stays on the injured list. Keaschall has struggled offensively in his first full season in the big leagues, as he enters Wednesday's action with a .255/.341/.347 slash line, .688 OPS, four home runs, 26 RBI, 12 stolen bases, and 46 runs scored in 86 games across his 337 plate appearances. He's gone 9-for-39 (.231) with two homers, a double, two RBI, eight runs, and a steal in his last 14 games, but he's gotten going so far in July and carries a modest five-game hitting streak into Wednesday's tilt at Target Field. In three career at-bats against Cecconi, Keaschall has one hit.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Mike Trout Back From the Injured List
The Los Angeles Angels announced on Wednesday that they reinstated outfielder Mike Trout (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list before their game against the division-rival Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field and designated infielder Donovan Walton for assignment in a corresponding move. Trout is serving as the Angels' designated hitter and will bat second in Wednesday's game against Rangers left-hander MacKenzie Gore. The 34-year-old three-time MVP and 11-time All-Star makes his return to the Halos' lineup without going on a minor-league rehab assignment after missing almost three weeks with a strained right hamstring. Although the former 25th overall pick in the 2009 MLB draft has had a resurgent 2026 season, nobody is expecting him to return to an MVP level the rest of the way, and injuries will probably continue to be an issue. But fantasy managers will want to get him back into their lineups after he has hit .234/.394/.472 with an .866 OPS, 17 homers, 36 RBI, 54 runs, and seven steals in his 265 at-bats this year. Trout is hitting .200 with an RBI in just five career at-bats against Gore.
Source: Angels PR
Source: Angels PR
Bailey Ober Expected to be Activated and Start on Thursday
The Athletic's Dan Hayes reports that it sounds as if right-hander Bailey Ober (elbow) will be activated from the 15-day injured list to start on Thursday against the division-rival Cleveland Guardians. It will be Ober's first start for the Twins since going on the IL in late May with a right flexor strain in his elbow. In his two minor-league rehab starts on the farm, Ober gave up seven runs with six strikeouts and no walks in 8 1/3 total innings. He got up to 76 pitches in his final rehab outing, so he shouldn't be faced with a pitch-count limit in his return to Minnesota's starting rotation this week. The 30-year-old veteran lacks considerable fantasy upside because of his decreased velocity and career 23.2% strikeout rate. In his 66 2/3 innings pitched with the Twins in 2026, Ober has a career-low 16.4% strikeout rate while going 6-3 with a 4.59 ERA (4.98 FIP), 1.21 WHIP, and 46:18 K:BB in 12 starts. In five starts in May, Ober went 3-2 with a rough 5.97 ERA (6.08 FIP), 17 strikeouts, and five walks in 28 2/3 innings. Nobody should be in a rush to scoop him up off the waiver wire or start him on Thursday against Cleveland.
Source: The Athletic - Dan Hayes
Source: The Athletic - Dan Hayes
Brendan Donovan Could Start Rehab Assignment Any Day Now
Seattle Mariners infielder/outfielder Brendan Donovan (groin) worked out on Tuesday in Arizona and will go through another workout on Wednesday, according to Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times. The hope is that he will start playing in minor-league rehab games in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League after that. The 29-year-old utility man is making progress, but he's not going to be ready to rejoin Seattle's major-league roster before the end of the first half of the season this Sunday. Depending on how Donovan's rehab assignment goes, though, he could be ready for the start of the second half on Friday, July 17. The former seventh-rounder of the St. Louis Cardinals in 2018 out of the University of South Alabama was expected to be a key contributor for the M's in 2026, but he's managed to play in just 25 games due to injuries, going 23-for-84 (.274) with three homers, eight RBI, nine runs, and a stolen base. Donovan is more attractive in real baseball than fantasy because of his low power/speed ceiling, but he hits for average and is eligible at second base, third base, shortstop, and outfield in Yahoo leagues. He's currently rostered in just under half of Yahoo leagues.
Source: The Seattle Times - Ryan Divish
Source: The Seattle Times - Ryan Divish
Willson Contreras to Take Part in Home Run Derby
Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras will take part in the Home Run Derby on Monday, July 13, during next week's All-Star break, becoming the first Red Sox player to participate in the event in 15 years, since Adrian Gonzalez and David Ortiz participated in the event in 2011 in Phoenix. In his first year in Boston, the three-time All-Star is in the midst of a career season, slashing .287/.381/.545 with a career-best .926 OPS, 20 home runs, 16 doubles, 61 RBI, 46 runs scored, and two stolen bases in 87 games played and 362 plate appearances. Contreras' 20 home runs in the first half match his home run total from a year ago in 2025 in 135 games played in his final season with the St. Louis Cardinals. He's easily on pace to shatter his career high in the category of 24, which was set in 2019 with the Chicago Cubs in his fourth year in the league. The former catcher won't be one of the favorites in this year's Home Run Derby as a first-time participant.
Source: MassLive.com
Source: MassLive.com
Josh Jung Still Absent on Wednesday
Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung (knee) remains absent for Wednesday's contest against the division-rival Los Angeles Angels at Globe Life Field, per MLB.com. Ezequiel Duran will make another start at third base and will bat fifth against Angels rookie right-hander Walbert Urena. Jung will sit out for a third straight game due to discomfort in his knee after he fouled a ball off his leg during the loss on Saturday to the Detroit Tigers. He's considered day-to-day for now, and fantasy managers will want to check back to see if he's available for the series finale on Thursday. The 28-year-old right-handed slugger has already had his fair share of injuries in the big leagues since debuting with Texas in 2022, but he has managed to stay healthy in 2026 and is having an excellent year at the plate. Through 83 games in his fifth year in the big leagues, Jung is slashing .297/.362/.449 with an .811 OPS, nine home runs, 34 RBI, 41 runs scored, and a steal in 359 plate appearances. Jung doesn't have as much power as the high-end fantasy third basemen, but he should be rostered in more than his current 43% number in Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
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
