RADIO
ONeil Cruz is Cleared for All Baseball Activities
Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Oneil Cruz (hand) has been cleared to resume all baseball activities on Wednesday. Cruz appears to be finally trending in the right direction as he continues to work his way back from a fractured left hand. The organization is hopeful he can start swinging the bat soon and then head out on a minor league rehab assignment. He's eligible to return from the 60-day Injured List on August 7, so hopefully he'll be ready around that time. Jake Mangum has been starting in center field, but will likely head to a bench role once Cruz is ready to play. Fantasy managers will hopefully get Cruz back in the mix within the next two weeks.
Source: Alex Stumpf
Source: Alex Stumpf
Maikel Garcia Gets Pulled off Rehab Assignment
Kansas City Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia (hand) has been pulled off his minor league rehab assignment. Garcia felt renewed pain in his left hand while playing in a rehab game with Double-A Northwest Arkansas on Tuesday. The team has decided to have Garcia head back to Kansas City for further evaluation. Garcia has been out since late June due to a muscle strain in his left hand. Fantasy managers were hopeful to get Garcia back soon, but that seems unlikely now. There should be a better timetable for Garcia once the team is done evaluating him. Fantasy managers should check back for another update in the coming days.
Source: Anne Rogers
Source: Anne Rogers
Bobby Witt Jr. is Ramping up Baseball Activities
Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (back) started to ramp up his baseball activities on Wednesday. The team plans to see how he feels over the next few days before they decide what to do next. Witt has been on the Injured List since July 22 due to lower back tightness. The Royals are hopeful this is a short injury stint and that Witt can return when first eligible on Friday. This season, Witt is slashing .279/.350/.4550 with 13 home runs, 39 RBI, and 30 stolen bases. Tyler Tolbert figures to continue filling in at shortstop until Witt is ready to return.
Source: mlb.com
Source: mlb.com
Rangers Acquire Catcher Logan O'Hoppe From the Angels
The Texas Rangers are acquiring catcher Logan O'Hoppe and reliever Chase Silseth from the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday in exchange for minor-league infielder Angel Arredondo, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN. O'Hoppe, 26, is the primary haul for the Rangers in this deal. They were clearly looking for a catcher at this year's Aug. 3 deadline with both Danny Jansen (forearm) and Kyle Higashioka (forearm) sidelined by injuries. The former 23rd-round pick by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2018 had 39 combined home runs with the Halos in 2024 and 2025, but his offensive production has taken a major step back in 2026, as he heads to Texas with a .209/.271/.295 slash line with only four home runs, 23 RBI, and 20 runs scored in 75 games and 256 plate appearances. The move to the Rangers should be good news for O'Hoppe's short-term fantasy value in deeper two-catcher formats, but it's unclear if he'll continue to see regular playing time once Jansen and Higashioka get healthy. In the immediate future, O'Hoppe should split playing time with veteran Elias Diaz.
Source: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
Source: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
Unclear When Aaron Judge Will be Re-Examined by Doctors
The New York Yankees have not determined when outfielder Aaron Judge (rib) will be re-examined by doctors, manager Aaron Boone told Brendan Kuty of The Athletic. There is no clear timetable for when Judge might return from the 60-day injured list since he has yet to resume baseball activities while he continues to heal from a stress fracture in his right first rib, an injury that has kept him sidelined for nearly two months at this point. It's been extremely frustrating for fantasy managers who have the 34-year-old slugger sidelined. Eventually, Judge will most likely need to go on a minor-league rehab assignment before being activated, so in a best-case scenario, he might not return to the big leagues until late August. The three-time MVP and eight-time All-Star obviously needs to remain stashed everywhere, as he could still be a difference-maker down the stretch. Before his rib injury, Judge hit .248/.375/.533 with a .907 OPS, 17 home runs, 38 RBI, 43 runs, and five steals in 214 at-bats. With Giancarlo Stanton and Cody Bellinger also on the IL right now, the Yankees' outfield depth is being tested, with Jasson Dominguez and Spencer Jones both pressed into regular playing time.
Source: The Athletic - Brendan Kuty
Source: The Athletic - Brendan Kuty
Dodgers Expect Tyler Glasnow to Start a Rehab Assignment Soon
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he assumes that right-hander Tyler Glasnow (back) will start a minor-league rehab assignment after throwing a live batting practice session on Wednesday, according to Jack Harris of The California Post. Fantasy managers have been itching to get Glasnow back, but they'll have to wait a bit longer, as he's expected to need at least a couple of rehab starts before rejoining L.A.'s starting rotation, potentially around mid-August. The hard-throwing right-hander is currently on the 60-day injured list and has been out since early June due to lower-back spasms. Although the 32-year-old is running out of time to help fantasy rosters, he should remain stashed in an IL spot in all leagues until he's ready to return. Before his back injury, Glasnow had gone 3-0 with a sharp 2.72 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, and 49 strikeouts in 39 2/3 innings pitched across his seven starts. Barring a setback, he should be back with the Dodgers before four-time MVP and two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (biceps, knee) rejoins the rotation.
Source: The California Post - Jack Harris
Source: The California Post - Jack Harris
Shohei Ohtani Expected to Pitch Again This Year, Biceps Issue Downplayed
Los Angeles Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman expects two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (biceps, knee) to pitch again in 2026, according to Katie Woo of The Athletic. The Dodgers' concern is Ohtani overcompensating while his balky left knee heals, which is why the organization isn't rushing the four-time MVP back while the team has a big lead in the National League West. Friedman also downplayed Ohtani's biceps soreness. "If it weren't for the knee, he would be pitching right now," Friedman said. The 32-year-old Japanese superstar continues to serve as the team's regular designated hitter, but he has not made a start on the mound since July 3. The good news is that the six-time All-Star has been throwing plyo balls and is expected to play catch with a real baseball soon. Unfortunately for fantasy managers who have Ohtani the pitcher rostered, he might not rejoin the Dodgers' starting rotation until late August or early September. Ohtani has been excellent in his 14 starts (85 2/3 frames), going 8-2 with a 1.79 ERA (2.62 FIP), 0.95 WHIP, and 95:26 K:BB.
Source: The Athletic - Katie Woo
Source: The Athletic - Katie Woo
Twins Place Byron Buxton on Injured List With Hip Impingement
The Minnesota Twins announced on Wednesday that they placed outfielder Byron Buxton (hip) on the 10-day injured list due to a right-hip impingement and recalled infielder Tristay Gray from Triple-A St. Paul in a corresponding move. Buxton will head back to the IL for the second time in the last three weeks due to a hip injury that has been bugging him since the end of June. The 32-year-old veteran had stayed healthy up until then, but there's now concern, given his lengthy injury history, that he may not be able to help fantasy managers much the rest of the way. Luke Keaschall made the start in center field for the Twins on Wednesday, but Alan Roden could also see playing time in place of Buxton for however long he's sidelined this time around. Buxton hit a career-high 35 home runs, drove in 83 runs, and stole 24 bases in a resurgent 2025 campaign, and he's been a strong source of power again in fantasy until recently, slashing .263/.320/.544 with an .864 OPS, 25 home runs, 45 RBI, 57 runs scored, and seven steals in 82 games across 362 plate appearances. Buxton should be stashed in an IL spot in all fantasy leagues with hopes he can return to his pre-injury form to close out 2026.
Source: Minnesota Twins
Source: Minnesota Twins
Matt Chapman Expected to Return This Weekend
San Francisco Giants manager Tony Vitello said that third baseman Matt Chapman (abdomen) will return from the 10-day injured list at some point this weekend during the series against the division-rival San Diego Padres, which starts on Thursday, according to Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports. Despite missing a month with an abdominal strain, the 33-year-old veteran third baseman will return just before the Aug. 3 trade deadline without going on a minor-league rehab assignment. The former first-rounder will return to a mediocre .235/.324/.368 slash line with a .692 OPS, seven home runs, 42 RBI, and 35 runs scored in his 307 at-bats before going on the shelf. Chapman's return to close out July is good timing with the Giants losing infielder/outfielder Casey Schmitt to a likely season-ending torn meniscus in his knee this week. He'll take over starting third base duties at some point this weekend, and it remains to be seen if he'll be involved in a deadline deal as the Giants look to sell for the future.
Source: NBC Sports Bay Area - Alex Pavlovic
Source: NBC Sports Bay Area - Alex Pavlovic
Casey Schmitt "More Than Likely" Done for the Season
San Francisco Giants manager Tony Vitello said that infielder/outfielder Casey Schmitt (knee) will undergo knee surgery, which will "more than likely" end his 2026 season, according to Tristi Rodriguez of NBC Sports. No date has been set for Schmitt's surgery, but it will be "as soon as possible." The 27-year-old will require arthroscopic surgery to fix the torn meniscus in his left knee that he suffered earlier this week. Depending on the specifics of Schmitt's surgery, the utility man could miss anywhere from three to six weeks to four to six months, although the Giants expect it to be in the latter range. A more invasive surgery will put an end to what has been a breakout campaign for the former second-rounder. In his 387 at-bats in his fourth year in the majors, Schmitt has hit .271/.301/.483 with a .784 OPS, a career-high 21 home runs, 55 RBI, 47 runs scored, and nine stolen bases in 98 games played. Infielder Christian Koss made a second straight start at third for the Gigantes on Wednesday against the Milwaukee Brewers, but regular third baseman Matt Chapman (abdomen) appears to be close to returning from a stint on the injured list.
Source: NBC Sports - Tristi Rodriguez
Source: NBC Sports - Tristi Rodriguez
Shota Imanaga No Longer Starting for Cubs on Thursday
Chicago Cubs left-hander Shota Imanaga is no longer listed as the team's probable starter for Thursday's series finale against the division-rival St. Louis Cardinals, according to Meghan Montemurro of The Chicago Tribune. Right-hander Javier Assad will now get the nod. Montemurro speculates that nothing is wrong with Imanaga physically, but the Cubs are pushing him back to Friday's series opener at Wrigley Field against the New York Yankees to have him take Jameson Taillon's spot. The 32-year-old Japanese native will get a little extra rest, but he'll also get a downgrade in matchup against the Yanks. In his third MLB season with the Cubbies, Imanaga has gone 7-8 with a 3.72 ERA (4.40 FIP) and 1.09 WHIP with 113 strikeouts and 29 walks in 121 innings pitched across his 21 starts. Imanaga has been pretty lights-out in his last five starts (29 innings), allowing only five earned runs (1.55 ERA) while walking six and striking out 25. The Yankees rank second in baseball in home runs, but they also have the fifth-most strikeouts, making Imanaga a risk-reward fantasy starter this weekend.
Source: The Chicago Tribune - Meghan Montemurro
Source: The Chicago Tribune - Meghan Montemurro
Byron Buxton Remains Out With Hip Injury on Wednesday
Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (hip) is not in the team's starting lineup for Wednesday's contest against the division-rival Kansas City Royals, per MLB.com. Buxton will unsurprisingly sit out after leaving Tuesday's contest early with soreness in his right hip, an injury that recently landed the veteran center fielder on the injured list. It's uncertain if this new injury is serious enough to send Buxton back to the IL, so fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day for now. His next chance to return will be for Thursday's series finale against KC at Target Field. Luke Keaschall is starting in center field and will bat eighth on Wednesday against Royals right-hander Randy Dobnak. The 32-year-old Buxton had managed to stay mostly healthy in 2026 up until recently. The three-time All-Star has hit .263/.320/.544 with an .864 OPS, 25 home runs, 45 RBI, 57 runs, and seven steals in 82 games and 362 plate appearances after a resurgent 2025 campaign that saw him hit a career-high 35 long balls in 126 games. Buxton has played in just nine games in July and has hit .207 (6-for-29), and he might finally be wearing down.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Vinnie Pasquantino Heading Back to Injured List With Wrist Soreness
The Kansas City Royals announced on Wednesday that they are placing first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino (wrist) back on the 10-day injured list with soreness in his right wrist and are recalling outfielder John Rave from Triple-A Omaha in a corresponding move. With Pasquantino out of the starting lineup again on Wednesday against the division-rival Minnesota Twins, Salvador Perez will start at first and bat cleanup, with Carter Jensen catching right-hander Randy Dobnak and batting leadoff against Twins right-hander Joe Ryan. This will be the second time on the IL for Pasquantino in 2026 after previously requiring surgery on June 14 to fix a broken hamate bone in the same hand. It's unclear if the 28-year-old lefty slugger will be ready when he's eligible to return on Aug. 8, but our guess is he won't be. Perez and Jac Caglianone will likely split playing time at first in KC with Pasquantino out again, opening up extra playing time for Nick Loftin. Pasquantino has been a massive bust this year, hitting just .232 (68-for-29) with six homers, 33 RBI, 34 runs, and four steals after breaking out for 32 homers and 113 RBI in 160 games in 2025. For the power upside alone, the Pasquatch is worth stashing in the majority of fantasy leagues while he heals.
Source: Kansas City Royals
Source: Kansas City Royals
Brandyn Garcia Picks Up Second Save, a Deep-League Saves Target in Arizona
The Arizona Diamondbacks used left-handed reliever Brandyn Garcia for his second save of the season in their 3-0 victory over the hosting Pittsburgh Pirates in favor of veteran right-hander Paul Sewald. Garcia allowed a walk and struck out two in his inning of work to slam the door on the Bucs, and after the game, manager Torey Lovullo announced that Sewald is out as the closer. Unfortunately, Lovullo didn't specifically name Garcia as his go-to guy in the ninth inning going forward. It means that the D-backs will likely play the matchups late in games if they are ahead, and will most likely be operating with a closer-by-committee situation that could involve all of Garcia, Jonathan Loaisiga, Kevin Ginkel, and Juan Morillo. The 26-year-old Garcia entered Wednesday's action with a 2.25 ERA (1.72 FIP), one save, a 0.82 WHIP, and 33:6 K:BB in 28 relief innings in just his second big-league season. Garcia will be an option in the ninth going forward, but probably only if several lefties are due up for the opposing team. We wouldn't advise fantasy managers to chase the D-backs' bullpen situation unless you're absolutely desperate for saves.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Paul Sewald Out of the Closer's Role in Arizona
Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said on Wednesday that right-hander Paul Sewald is out of the team's closer role, at least for now, and he will pitch in lower-leverage situations going forward, according to Jack Sommers of Sports Illustrated. Lovullo declined to specifically name left-hander Brandyn Garcia as the new closer, although Garcia picked up the save in Wednesday's 3-0 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Lovullo is expected to play the late-inning matchups for now, depending on the situation. When the skipper was asked about veteran righty Kevin Ginkel as an option for saves, Lovullo mentioned right-hander Jonathan Loaisiga. In addition to Garcia, Loaisiga, and Ginkel, right-hander Juan Morillo could be an option in the ninth inning for the Snakes going forward. Sewald blew two of his last three save chances, and although the veteran has 24 saves in 2026, he also has an ugly 5.26 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and 43:9 K:BB in 37 2/3 innings. It looks like a full-blown closer-by-committee situation in Arizona now, which isn't ideal for fantasy purposes.
Source: Sports Illustrated - Jack Sommers
Source: Sports Illustrated - Jack Sommers
