RADIO
Jordan Walker a Hold Despite Home Run Derby Hype?
St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Jordan Walker is headed to the Home Run Derby, but that should not automatically turn him into a sell-high. The 24-year-old became the fifth confirmed participant for Monday's event in Philadelphia, joining Willson Contreras, Jac Caglianone, Junior Caminero, and Ben Rice. The fantasy line already fits the invite, too, with Walker batting .294 with 21 home runs, 70 RBI, 58 runs, 12 steals, and an .889 OPS over 343 at-bats. There is always some risk in buying after a first-half power surge, especially with Walker striking out 95 times. Still, this is not just All-Star Week noise. His 94.2 mph average exit velocity, 51.8% hard-hit rate, and 14.3% barrel rate back up the damage, and the stolen bases add another layer. Unless someone is paying like he is already a finished first-round bat, Walker looks more like a hold than a sell-high.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jaxon Wiggins Could Re-Enter Stash Territory in the Second Half
Chicago Cubs pitching prospect Jaxon Wiggins (elbow) is still on track for a return to the mound at Triple-A Iowa within the next week or so. The Cubs' top-ranked pitching prospect has made four rehab starts, one with the team's Complex League affiliate and three at High-A South Bend, pitching to a 2.89 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and recording nine strikeouts in 9 1/3 innings pitched. The right-hander made two starts for Triple-A Iowa to begin the season before hitting the injured list with elbow inflammation. He's coming off a strong 2025 campaign in which the 6-foot-6 hurler posted a 2.19 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, and a 19.5 percent K-BB% across three levels of the minors. Assuming a return in the near-term, the 24-year-old should have a chance to debut in the majors later in the second half, and could provide much-needed reinforcement to a depleted big league rotation. Wiggins could become stash-worthy once his potential timeline clears up.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Braves Expressing Interest in Trading for Sonny Gray
The Atlanta Braves are one of several rotation-needy teams "expressing interest" in Boston Red Sox right-hander Sonny Gray, people familiar with the situation have told The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon. Despite having nearly a full starting rotation on the injured list, the Braves lead the National League East division. They can cover both the prospect and financial cost -- the St. Louis Cardinals are paying around half of Gray's remaining commitment, and the Red Sox or a new team would owe him just over $6 million after the trade deadline. The 36-year-old has a full no-trade clause, but he lives in Nashville and would most likely approve a trade to Atlanta. Gray is the Braves' best option unless they decide to make a run at Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal. Gray doesn't blow hitters away, but his diverse arsenal keeps hitters off balance, and he owns a nice 2.61 ERA over 16 starts and 89 2/3 innings in his first year in Boston. Of course, this could all be a moot point if the Red Sox decide not to sell this summer. They've won 10 of their last 12 games and are suddenly just three games back in the American League wild-card race.
Source: The Athletic - Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon
Source: The Athletic - Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon
Austin Riley a Buy-Low Name, But Only at the Right Price?
Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley is still the type of name worth checking on in trades, but this is not an automatic buy-low spot. The 29-year-old has been a major letdown with a .209 average, nine home runs, 41 RBI, five steals, and a .623 OPS over 330 at-bats. There is enough track record here to make a rebound possible, and his 10.3% barrel rate and 90.4 mph average exit velocity are not dead numbers. They are just not close to the impact profile fantasy managers are used to seeing from him. That makes the price everything. Riley's .204 xBA, .368 xSLG, 42.4% hard-hit rate, and 29.1% strikeout rate do not scream second-half league-winner, and Atlanta recently had him batting seventh. He is still rostered in 83% of Yahoo leagues, so this is a trade play only. Buy if the discount is real. Otherwise, let someone else chase the name.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Willson Contreras' Suspension Reduced to Five Games
Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras (foot) had his suspension reduced from seven to five games, and he'll begin serving the suspension on Thursday, sources told Jesse Rogers of ESPN. It's a good time for Contreras to start serving his reduced five-game suspension after he fouled a ball off his foot in Wednesday's contest against the Chicago White Sox. He's feeling fine and calls himself day-to-day, so Contreras should be ready to return to Boston's starting lineup for the second game after the All-Star break next Saturday at home against the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays. Brett Harris is making the start at first base and will bat eighth for the BoSox for Thursday's series finale against the White Sox and left-hander Anthony Kay. Contreras is having a career year in 2026 in his first year in Beantown, slashing .285/.379/.542 with a .921 OPS, 20 home runs, 61 RBI, 46 runs scored, and two stolen bases, but fantasy managers are going to be without him to close out the first half of the season and to begin the second half.
Source: ESPN Chicago - Jesse Rogers
Source: ESPN Chicago - Jesse Rogers
Max Scherzer Shows Encouraging Signs in Rehab Start
Toronto Blue Jays veteran right-hander Max Scherzer (back) wasn't perfect in his latest minor-league rehab start on Wednesday with Triple-A Buffalo, but he showed some encouraging signs. Scherzer allowed five runs (four earned) on six hits (one homer) while walking none and striking out five in four innings to take the loss against Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. The 41-year-old future Hall of Famer generated 16 swings and misses on his 72 pitches and averaged 93.4 mph with his four-seam fastball. He is slowly building his arm back after landing on the 15-day injured list for the second time this season with back spasms, but he's likely going to need at least one more rehab start before he's an option once again for Toronto's starting rotation in the second half of the season. The three-time Cy Young winner and eight-time All-Star is well beyond his prime and doesn't have much left in the tank as he continues to deal with injuries. Scherzer has gone 1-4 with a 10.23 ERA, 1.73 WHIP, and 14:11 K:BB in his six starts for the Jays this year. Fantasy managers are better off stashing higher-upside arms.
Source: Milb.com
Source: Milb.com
Ryan Walker Heading Back to Triple-A
San Francisco Giants manager Tony Vitello told KNBR on Thursday that the team is sending right-handed reliever Ryan Walker to Triple-A Sacramento. The 30-year-old veteran and former 31st-round pick by the Giants in 2018 out of Washington State University had a career-high 17 saves in his third year in the majors in 2025, but he has really struggled this year, going 0-1 with a 7.52 ERA (5.47 FIP), 1.82 WHIP, three saves, 19 strikeouts, and 15 walks in 26 1/3 innings out of the bullpen. This will be the second time the Giants have sent him to the farm in 2026. Walker was looking better in seven appearances since returning to the majors on June 12, allowing two earned runs on three hits with four strikeouts, two walks, and a hold, but things have fallen apart for him again recently in his four outings so far in July. He's allowed an earned run in each of his July appearances, with nine earned runs allowed, three walks, and just one strikeout. As things currently stand in San Fran's bullpen, right-hander Caleb Kilian is the reliever to roster for fantasy managers searching for saves. He's rostered in only 15% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: KNBR
Source: KNBR
Carson Whisenhunt Coming Up to Start for Giants on Thursday
San Francisco Giants manager Tony Vitello told KNBR that left-handed pitching prospect Carson Whisenhunt is being called up from Triple-A Sacramento to start on Thursday in the series finale against the division-rival Colorado Rockies at Oracle Park. The 25-year-old former second-rounder in 2022 out of East Carolina University is considered the Giants' No. 11-ranked prospect, per MLB Pipeline. He struggled to a 5.01 ERA and 1.46 WHIP with 16 strikeouts and 12 walks in 23 1/3 innings over five starts in his MLB debut in 2025. In his lone start this year for the Gigantes on June 17 against the first-place Atlanta Braves, he picked up a win, allowing two earned runs on six hits while walking two and striking out two in five innings of work. The 6-foot-3, 225-pounder is most likely just making another spot start for San Fran in the final weekend of the regular season, so fantasy managers in single-year leagues shouldn't be spending a ton on him to pick him up off the waiver wire. In 77 1/3 innings in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League this year at Sacramento, Whisenhunt holds a 4.42 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, and 82:37 K:BB.
Source: KNBR
Source: KNBR
Giancarlo Stanton Resumes Running
New York Yankees outfielder Giancarlo Stanton's calf injury while running the bases was not a setback, according to MLB.com's Bryan Hoch, but a completely new strain to the same calf. Stanton has resumed running after platelet-rich plasma injections, though, according to general manager Brian Cashman. The 36-year-old veteran power hitter has been sidelined since late April with what was initially a right-calf strain. It's good news that he has resumed running, but there remains no firm timetable for when he might return in the second half of the season. The 36-year-old veteran and former MVP still has enough raw power to make him valuable in mixed fantasy leagues, but his inability to stay on the field due to injuries has made him an afterthought in a lot of formats. Right now, he's rostered in just 22% of Yahoo leagues with no return in sight. Before his calf strain, Stanton was hitting .256/.302/.422 with a .724 OPS, only three home runs, 14 RBI, eight runs scored, one stolen base, and a 30.2% strikeout rate in 96 plate appearances.
Source: MLB.com - Bryan Hoch
Source: MLB.com - Bryan Hoch
Carlos Rodon to Play Catch on Thursday
New York Yankees left-hander Carlos Rodon (elbow) will play catch on Thursday for the first time since landing on the 15-day injured list last Friday with inflammation in his left elbow, according to Meredith Marakovits of the YES Network. Rodon will have a shot to return to the Yankees' starting rotation in the second half, but in a best-case scenario, the 33-year-old veteran isn't expected to be back until at least early August. The Yankees aren't going to rush Rodon, who missed the start of the 2026 season after having surgery last October to remove loose bodies and to shave down a bone spur in his left elbow. The three-time All-Star has looked good in his nine starts for the Yankees this year in his fourth season with the team, going 4-2 with a 3.30 ERA (3.46 FIP) and 1.25 WHIP with 52 strikeouts and 26 walks in 46 1/3 innings pitched, making him stash-worthy in most fantasy leagues. However, fantasy managers are going to need to be patient.
Source: Yes Network - Meredith Marakovits
Source: Yes Network - Meredith Marakovits
Aaron Judge to be Re-Imaged During All-Star Break
New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said that outfielder Aaron Judge (ribs) will be re-imaged during the All-Star break next week. Cashman is still anticipating Judge's return at some point this season based on the original diagnosis. When the Yankees placed Judge on the 10-day injured list five weeks ago with a stress fracture in his rib, they said he'd be re-evaluated in four to six weeks. There hasn't been a firm timetable for Judge's return, but we should have a clearer picture after he undergoes more testing next week. The 34-year-old three-time MVP and seven-time All-Star should obviously be stashed in an IL spot in all fantasy leagues as a difference-maker across the board when he's healthy. When Judge returns in the second half, he'll be returning to a .248/.375/.533 slash line with a .907 OPS, 17 home runs, 38 RBI, 43 runs scored, and five stolen bases across his 214 at-bats. The Yankees have been without both Judge and right-handed slugger Giancarlo Stanton (calf) for most of the first half, so getting them both back after the All-Star break will be huge as they attempt to catch the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League East.
Source: The Bergen Record - Pete Caldera
Source: The Bergen Record - Pete Caldera
Twins Call Up No. 9 Prospect Kendry Rojas
The Minnesota Twins recalled left-handed pitching prospect Kendry Rojas from Triple-A St. Paul on Thursday, the team announced. Rojas, the club's No. 9 prospect per MLB Pipeline, will make his return to the big leagues after appearing in six games (two starts) already this year for the Twins. The 23-year-old Cuban southpaw looked good in his six big-league outings, allowing three earned runs on 12 hits with 18 strikeouts, but he did walk 13 batters in 16 1/3 innings pitched. The 6-foot-2, 190-pounder has produced a 4.24 ERA and 1.50 WHIP with 24 strikeouts and nine walks in 23 1/3 innings pitched in nine outings (three starts) in 2026 on the farm with Single-A Fort Myers and St. Paul. Rojas' raw stuff -- a mid-90s fastball and tight slider -- carries high spin rates, but until he can improve his control, he'll be off the fantasy radar in mixed leagues in 2026. He'll also need to become more of a staple in Minnesota's starting rotation, which is not guaranteed in the second half.
Source: Minnesota Twins
Source: Minnesota Twins
George Lombard Jr. to Have a Role in the Majors Down the Stretch?
New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said that infield prospect George Lombard Jr. (finger) "might be a choice at some point" for the Yankees in 2026, according to Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News. Lombard is expected to start playing in rehab games around next week's All-Star break. Manager Aaron Boone thinks the 21-year-old is close to returning, and he has been hitting and fielding. The club's top prospect, per MLB Pipeline, is currently on the seven-day injured list at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. The former 26th overall pick in 2023 has hit a combined .258/.387/.446 with an .833 OPS, eight home runs, 25 RBI, 12 stolen bases, and 48 runs scored in 62 games with Double-A Somerset and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. If the Yankees bring him up in the second half, he's expected to become the primary shortstop in the Bronx, which would warrant attention from fantasy managers in nearly all leagues. The 6-foot-2, 190-pounder has some swing-and-miss concerns, but his long-term power/speed upside makes him one of the most intriguing infield stashes in fantasy.
Source: New York Daily News - Gary Phillips
Source: New York Daily News - Gary Phillips
Zebby Matthews Set to Make his Next Start on Friday
Minnesota Twins right-hander Zebby Matthews (foot) will make his next scheduled start on Friday at home against the visiting Los Angeles Angels, per MLB.com. Matthews suffered a laceration on his right foot in his last start on Saturday against the New York Yankees and was pulled early, but he was able to complete his normal between-starts bullpen session this week and is ready to roll for his final outing of the first half of the 2026 season. The 26-year-old former eighth-round pick in 2022 out of Western Carolina University should be considered a strong streaming option on Friday despite coming off a foot injury last weekend. Since allowing a season-high seven earned runs to the Detroit Tigers on June 11, Matthews has gone 2-1 with a 3.28 ERA (4.90 FIP) with 21 strikeouts and seven walks in four starts against the Texas Rangers, Los Angeles Dodgers, Houston Astros, and Yankees. In 10 starts (61 innings) this year, he has a 4.43 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 51 K's. Matthews will be facing an Angels team on Friday that leads the majors with 879 strikeouts.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Vinnie Pasquantino Could Return on Friday
Kansas City Royals manager Matt Quatraro said that first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino (hand) could return from the 10-day injured list on Friday ahead of the team's weekend series against the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards, according to Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star. Pasquantino has been out since June 14 with a fractured hamate bone in his right hand, but he appears ready to return for the final three games of the first half of the season this weekend. In two minor-league rehab games this week with Triple-A Omaha, the left-handed slugger has gone 2-for-6 with one RBI and three walks. The 28-year-old has been a disappointment so far in 2026, hitting .224/.309/.350 with a .660 OPS, six home runs, 32 RBI, 28 runs scored, and three stolen bases in his 254 at-bats, but don't forget he broke out to the tune of 32 homers and 113 RBI in 160 games played in 2025. The buy-low window on the Pasquatch is still firmly open, and he might be free to pick up off your league's waiver wire going into the All-Star break. He's currently rostered in only 64% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: The Kansas City Star - Jaylon T. Thompson
Source: The Kansas City Star - Jaylon T. Thompson
