RADIO
JoJo Romero is Placed on 15-Day Injured List
St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher JoJo Romero (appendicitis) was placed on the 15-day Injured List, retroactive to July 14. This is a tough blow to the Cardinals' bullpen to begin the second half of the season. Romero has been one of the best relievers on this roster. The southpaw has allowed one earned run over his last 10 innings of work. It's unclear how much time he'll need on the IL, but Romero will at least be sidelined until the end of July. In a corresponding move, reliever Scott Blewett has been recalled from Triple-A Memphis on Friday. Romero is worth holding in fantasy formats where holds matter. He figures to get back on the mound at the end of July or early August.
Source: John Denton
Source: John Denton
Wilyer Abreu Goes Deep Twice in Second Game of Doubleheader
Boston Red Sox outfielder Wilyer Abreu closed out the team's doubleheader sweep of the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park on Friday with a big performance in Game 2, going 2-for-4 at the plate with two home runs and three RBI in the 5-3 victory to boost his season average to .263 and his OPS to .777. Abreu went 1-for-4 with a walk in the 10-0 shutout win in Game 1 of the twin bill. It was the 27-year-old left-handed-hitting Venezuelan outfielder's first multi-homer game of the 2026 season, and his first since July of last year versus the Chicago Cubs. It was nice to see from him to start the second half of the year after he went 8-for-39 (.205) with a homer, four doubles, four RBI, seven runs scored, six walks, and 13 strikeouts in his first 10 games in the month of July. Abreu now sits on 13 homers, 46 RBI, and six stolen bases with a .777 OPS in 409 plate appearances on the 2026 campaign. He'll look to stay hot at the plate to begin the second half in Game 3 of the series on Saturday in Beantown.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Angel Martinez is Beginning Rehab Assignment on Friday
Cleveland Guardians infielder/outfielder Angel Martinez (foot) is beginning a rehab assignment with Triple-A Columbus on Friday, according to Tim Stebbins. The plan is to ease Martinez into game action, so he'll get in five innings on Friday. Martinez hasn't played in a game since breaking his foot on June 13. This season, Martinez is slashing .239/.276/.442 with 11 home runs and 33 RBI across 66 games. The 24-year-old was playing an everyday role in the outfield before landing on the Injured List in mid-June. He could be someone worth stashing in deep leagues as he ramps up his return.
Source: Tim Stebbins
Source: Tim Stebbins
Daniel Palencia Could be Looking at a Mid-August Return
Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell said on Friday that right-handed reliever Daniel Palencia's (elbow) timeline for a return from the 15-day injured list is unclear, but he speculated that it could come in the middle of August, according to ESPN's Jesse Rogers. It's not exactly what fantasy managers who have been stashing Palencia want to hear. He's currently rostered in 60% of Yahoo leagues while he rehabs a right-elbow injury. The 26-year-old Venezuelan hurler presumably will return as the Cubs' primary closer when he's healthy, but he might not have much of a runway to close out the year and return much fantasy value. Before his elbow injury landed him on the IL, Palencia was 2-1 with a 2.70 ERA (3.46 FIP), 1.38 WHIP, three saves, 19 strikeouts, and just six walks across his 16 2/3 frames. The Cubs' late-inning saves picture has turned into a committee situation going into the second half of the season involving Jacob Webb, Trent Thornton, and Caleb Thielbar.
Source: ESPN Chicago - Jesse Rogers
Source: ESPN Chicago - Jesse Rogers
Max Scherzer has Rehab Stint Paused
Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Max Scherzer (back, thumb) was recently pulled off his rehab assignment. The veteran right-hander recently received three cortisone injections in his injured thumb during the All-Star break. Scherzer was rehabbing the back injury that landed him on the Injured List last month. He re-injured his hand during his most recent rehab start on Wednesday. Scherzer is aiming to throw the ball this weekend. If that goes well, Scherzer should resume his rehab assignment shortly. It doesn't sound like Scherzer is nearing a return to the Jays' rotation anytime soon. The 41-year-old got smacked around to the tune of a 10.23 ERA when he was healthy this season. Fantasy managers in all formats are better off looking for a replacement at this point.
Source: Arden Zwelling
Source: Arden Zwelling
Edward Cabrera Could Return in Second Week of August
Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell said on Friday that right-hander Edward Cabrera (hamstring) could return from the 15-day injured list in the second week of August, according to Jesse Rogers of ESPN. The Cubs placed Cabrera on the IL on June 24 with a strained left hamstring, but he resumed a throwing program a week before the All-Star break. It remains to be seen if Chicago will require him to go on a minor-league rehab assignment before rejoining the big-league starting rotation, but if he does, it might just be one start on the farm. The 28-year-old Dominican has been tough to trust in starting fantasy lineups in his first year on the North Side of Chicago, as he's gone 5-4 with a 5.10 ERA (5.06 FIP) and 1.39 WHIP with 65 strikeouts and 29 walks in 72 1/3 innings covering his 14 starts. Not only has Cabrera not been able to stay healthy, but he's also sporting a career-low 21% strikeout rate in his sixth year in the big leagues. Fantasy managers in mixed leagues aren't going to be in any hurry to add him back off the waiver wire when he's back in August. He's currently rostered in 42% of Yahoo leagues while he's on the IL.
Source: ESPN Chicago - Jesse Rogers
Source: ESPN Chicago - Jesse Rogers
MLB Shuts Down Mets A.I. Pitching Program
Former New York Mets reliever Adam Ottavino recently talked about the team using an artificial intelligence pitching program on his YouTube channel. The organization would use an AI program to pick the pitches. The MLB got wind of the Mets doing this and cracked down on teams doing this league-wide. It doesn't sound like the Mets were the only team doing this, but they were the main team that got caught. It's unclear if the Mets were punished or fined for doing this. Ottavino played with the Mets from 2022-2024. He is now retired after a brief stint with the New York Yankees last season.
Source: Adam Ottavino
Source: Adam Ottavino
Matt Chapman Cleared to Swing, Won't Return on Road Trip
San Francisco Giants third baseman Matt Chapman (abdomen) was cleared to resume swinging on Friday, but he won't return from the 10-day injured list during the team's current road trip, according to Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports. Chapman could return at the start of the next homestand, though, which runs from Friday, July 24, though Wedneday, July 29. It hasn't helped the 33-year-old veteran's trade value that he's been sidelined since early July, but he's taking the first step towards a return. It's unclear if Chapman will require a minor-league assignment before returning to the Giants' lineup later this month. Like most of the Giants hitters, Chapman has left a lot to be desired through the first half of the 2026 season, slashing .235/.324/.368 with a career-low .692 OPS, only seven home runs, 42 RBI, and 35 runs scored across 84 games and 352 plate appearances. He's in danger of failing to reach the 20-homer mark for the third straight season, but perhaps a change of scenery would do him some good. Chapman is only rostered in 63% of Yahoo leagues after his abdominal strain.
Source: NBC Sports Bay Area - Alex Pavlovic
Source: NBC Sports Bay Area - Alex Pavlovic
Addison Barger Still Not Doing Baseball Activities
Toronto Blue Jays third baseman/outfielder Addison Barger (back, elbow) is still hoping to return this season, but he's currently still not doing any baseball activities, according to Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet. Per manager John Schneider, August is a best-case scenario for Barger's return from the 10-day injured list. It's been a lost season for the 26-year-old left-handed hitter, as he's appeared in only nine games for Toronto due to ankle, back, and elbow injuries. At this point, it's extremely hard to recommend holding the former sixth-rounder in 2018 in even deep-mixed fantasy leagues. Barger has gone 1-for-22 at the plate with two RBI, five walks, and five strikeouts in his nine games earlier this season after slashing .243/.301/.454 with a .756 OPS, 21 home runs, 74 RBI, 61 runs scored, and four stolen bases in 135 regular-season games in 2025 in his first full year in the big leagues. He's only rostered in 18% of Yahoo leagues at the moment and doesn't have a clear timetable for a return in the second half of the season.
Source: Sportsnet - Ben Nicholson-Smith
Source: Sportsnet - Ben Nicholson-Smith
Astros Call Up Outfield Prospect Lucas Spence on Friday
The Houston Astros announced on Friday that they selected the contract of outfield prospect Lucas Spence from Triple-A Sugar Land and placed outfielder Brice Matthews (knee) on the 10-day injured list with a sprained left knee in a corresponding move. Spence made the start in center field for the Astros and was hitting eighth in his big-league debut against the visiting Baltimore Orioles and right-hander Dean Kremer at Daikin Park. The 23-year-old former undrafted free agent out of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville got the call to the Show after slashing .258/.353/.424 with a .776 OPS, six home runs, 44 RBI, 13 stolen bases, and 36 runs scored in 63 games across 278 plate appearances with the FCL rookie-level Astros, Double-A Corpus Christi, and Sugar Land. The 6-foot, 195-pounder is the team's No. 10 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, and he could help fill Houston's center field void to begin the second half of the season, making him an AL-only consideration off the waiver wire for his on-base skills and speed. There isn't much pop here, though, and he'll almost certainly only play against right-handed pitchers.
Source: Houston Astros
Source: Houston Astros
Brendan Donovan Moving his Rehab Assignment to Triple-A
Seattle Mariners infielder/outfielder Brendan Donovan (groin) is moving his minor-league rehab assignment to Triple-A Tacoma on Friday night, according to Shannon Drayer. Donovan is moving to the highest minor-league level after starting a rehab assignment in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League on Wednesday. The 29-year-old German native could require a rather lengthy rehab assignment due to the fact that he's been on the shelf for almost two months with a nagging groin injury. When he's ready to return to Seattle, though, he should play regularly for the M's, most likely as the starting third baseman. Before landing on the 10-day injured list, Donovan was hitting .274/.386/.452 with a career-high .839 OPS, three home runs, eight RBI, nine runs, and a stolen base in just 25 games and 101 plate appearances in a small sample size. With limited power/speed upside, Donovan isn't terribly attractive in fantasy baseball leagues except for his contact abilities, high average, and multi-position eligibility at second base, third base, shortstop, and the outfield. He's currently rostered in just under half of Yahoo leagues. Barring a setback, there's no reason why Donovan shouldn't be back with the big-league squad before August.
Source: Shannon Drayer
Source: Shannon Drayer
Michael Soroka Could Return in Early August
Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Michael Soroka (glute) will throw bullpen sessions on Saturday and Tuesday, manager Torey Lovullo told Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic. It could be followed by a simulated game the following Saturday, which would put him in line for a potential return to the starting rotation around the beginning of August. Once he's ready to resume pitching in games, the D-backs plan on having Soroka make at least one minor-league rehab start. The 28-year-old Canadian hurler has been out since June 19 with a glute strain. Before his injury, though, Soroka was in the midst of a career resurgence in the desert, going 8-3 with a 3.07 ERA (2.93 FIP) and 1.08 WHIP with 79 strikeouts and 17 walks in 82 innings pitched across his 15 starts. He's currently rostered in 68% of Yahoo leagues, but fantasy managers in need of rotation help in mixed leagues will want to target him off the waiver wire as his return gets closer. At the very least, Soroka should be a matchup-based streamer down the stretch in fantasy.
Source: The Arizona Republic - Nick Piecoro
Source: The Arizona Republic - Nick Piecoro
Spencer Schwellenbach Without a Clear Timetable to Return in 2026
When MLB.com's Mark Bowman asked if it's just a maybe that right-hander Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow) pitches this year, Atlanta Braves manager Walt Weiss said, "I wouldn't say it's inaccurate. I think there is a chance we see both of them (also Spencer Strider) this year. But sitting here today, it's hard to say." Reports surfaced in late June that Schwellenbach could be a candidate to rejoin the Braves' starting rotation in late August or early September, but there haven't been any real updates since then. The 26-year-old is recovering from surgery to remove bone spurs from his right elbow and has yet to pitch at all this year. The fact that we haven't heard of Schwellenbach starting a throwing program could mean that he won't pitch at all for the Braves in 2026. He definitely has a long way to go, which is why he's rostered in only 22% of Yahoo leagues right now. In 38 starts and 234 1/3 innings pitched in his first two years in the big leagues, Schwellenbach has handled himself well, going 15-11 with a 3.23 ERA (3.27 FIP) and 1.01 WHIP with 235 strikeouts and 41 walks for the Braves.
Source: MLB.com - Mark Bowman
Source: MLB.com - Mark Bowman
Spencer Strider Might Not Pitch Again for Braves This Year
When MLB.com's Mark Bowman asked if it's accurate that it feels like right-hander Spencer Strider (elbow) is done for the 2026 season, Atlanta Braves manager Walt Weiss said, "I wouldn't say it's inaccurate. I think there is a chance we see both of them (also Spencer Schwellengach) this year. But sitting here today, it's hard to say." The Braves moved Strider to the 60-day injured list in mid-June after he was initially shut down with inflammation in his right elbow. Dr. Keith Meister recommended that Strider be shut down for a month to rest his elbow, but there hasn't been much of an update since. At the very least, the 27-year-old won't be eligible to return to the Braves' starting rotation until sometime in September if he makes it back at all in 2026. With the uncertainty surrounding the availability of Strider for the rest of the season, it's fair to consider dropping him in single-year leagues, if you haven't already done so. He's currently rostered in just over half of Yahoo leagues after going 4-2 with a 5.31 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, and 46 strikeouts in 39 innings in his first eight starts of the year.
Source: MLB.com - Mark Bowman
Source: MLB.com - Mark Bowman
Sebastian Walcott to Return to Double-A on Friday
Texas Rangers infield prospect Sebastian Walcott (elbow) is expected to serve as the designated hitter and bat leadoff for Double-A Frisco on Friday night against Double-A Tulsa as he returns from the 60-day injured list, according to Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News. The 20-year-old top prospect started a rehab assignment in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League during the All-Star break earlier this week and is now returning to Frisco following an internal-brace surgery on his right elbow. He has been playing catch as well, but it's unclear at this point when exactly he'll be ready to play defense for the Rough Riders. In 124 games across 552 plate appearances last year at Frisco, Walcott hit .255/.355/.386 with a .741 OPS, 13 home runs, 59 RBI, 32 stolen bases, and 71 runs scored at Double-A. The 6-foot-4, 190-pounder is considered the fifth-best shortstop prospect in all of baseball in 2026, and his 40-homer upside at the next level at a premium position makes him a must-stash right now in dynasty/keeper leagues. Walcott's lengthy recovery from elbow surgery means he probably won't debut in the big leagues for the Rangers until next year, though.
Source: The Dallas Morning News - Evan Grant
Source: The Dallas Morning News - Evan Grant
