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Juan Soto Returns From Back Injury on Thursday
New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto (back) is serving as the designated hitter and is batting third for the Mets in Thursday's series finale at Citi Field against the visiting Chicago Cubs and left-hander Matthew Boyd, according to MLB.com. MJ Melendez will make another start in left field and will hit eighth. Soto was pulled from Tuesday's loss to the Cubs with left side back tightness, and he both ends of Wednesday's doubleheader versus Chicago. The 27-year-old superstar is back in action on Thursday, though, and even though he's facing a left-hander, he should be returned to starting lineups in all traditional fantasy leagues. The four-time All-Star and six-time Silver Slugger winner was on the injured list earlier this season with a calf injury, but when healthy, he continues to impress, slashing .299/.395/.570 with a .965 OPS, 17 long balls, 38 RBI, 36 runs scored, and six stolen bases in his 221 at-bats. Soto has faced Boyd eight times in his career and has a solo home run off him while batting .125 with a .722 OPS. He's hitting .278 (22-for-79) against southpaws in 2026 with four of his 17 home runs.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Ryne Nelson Moved to 60-Day Injured List
The Arizona Diamondbacks announced on Thursday that they transferred right-hander Ryne Nelson (elbow) to the 60-day injured list with a strained right elbow. The D-backs initially placed Nelson on the 15-day IL last Friday with a flexor strain in his right elbow, and now he won't be eligible to return to Arizona's starting rotation until mid-August. The 28-year-old former second-rounder in 2019 out of the University of Oregon has gone 3-5 in 2026 in his fifth year in the big leagues with a 4.97 ERA (5.39 FIP) and 1.24 WHIP with 62 strikeouts and 22 walks in 83 1/3 innings pitched across his 15 starts. Nelson's numbers haven't been all that impressive, and he had more than three strikeouts just once in his last six starts for the Snakes. Nelson certainly isn't a must-hold in mixed fantasy leagues while he recovers from his injury, and he won't have much time left in 2026 to make an impact late in the second half if he even makes it back to the D-backs' rotation. Nelson is rostered in 37% of Yahoo leagues right now.
Source: Arizona Diamondbacks
Source: Arizona Diamondbacks
Max Scherzer to Receive Cortisone Shot in his Back
Toronto Blue Jays veteran right-hander Max Scherzer (back) is heading to Dallas on Friday to receive a cortisone shot in his back to "help alleviate some left-side stuff," manager John Schneider told Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet. Scherzer threw a bullpen session on Thursday and will return to Toronto over the weekend to figure out his next steps. The 41-year-old future Hall of Famer went back on the 15-day injured list last week due to back spasms after recently returning from forearm tendinitis and other issues. The three-time Cy Young winner and eight-time All-Star has only made six starts (22 innings) for Toronto this year as he continues to deal with injuries near the end of his career, and he's gone 1-4 with a nightmarish 10.23 ERA (8.78 FIP) and 1.73 WHIP with 14 strikeouts and 11 walks. Scherzer will continue to battle to make it back to the Jays' starting rotation, but fantasy managers should be going after better upside arms. He's rostered in just 4% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Sportsnet.ca - Arden Zwelling
Source: Sportsnet.ca - Arden Zwelling
Jared Jones Listed as Scheduled Starter for Saturday
Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Jared Jones (elbow) is listed as the team's scheduled starter for Saturday's game versus the division-rival Cincinnati Reds, according to Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Jones took a line drive off his right elbow in his last outing on Sunday against the Colorado Rockies and was pulled early, but thankfully, tests on his elbow came back negative, and he appears set to return to the starting rotation this weekend against Cincy. The 24-year-old was a popular stash candidate as he neared his 2026 debut after missing all of last year due to right-elbow surgery, but so far in his five starts for the Bucs, he has underwhelmed, going 1-1 with a 5.75 ERA (4.77 FIP) and 1.52 WHIP with 21 strikeouts and eight walks in 20 1/3 innings pitched. He also has had a limited workload, not exceeding 77 pitches yet. Jones won't be a popular streamer this weekend, but the matchup isn't terrible, with the Reds coming in with the 24th OPS (.699) in baseball.
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Colin Beazley
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Colin Beazley
Bryce Miller Continues Excellent Season, Strikes Out 11 in a Loss
Seattle Mariners right-hander Bryce Miller allowed two home runs and picked up his second loss of the year in Thursday's 5-1 defeat at the hands of the hosting Pittsburgh Pirates, but he still pitched extremely well. Miller allowed three earned runs on five hits while walking none and striking out a season-high 11 batters in 5 2/3 innings. The 27-year-old got off to a late start to the 2026 season while recovering from an injury, but he has been very strong in his first eight starts and now sports an ERA under 2.00. Miller has had at least seven strikeouts in each of his last four starts, and he hasn't allowed more than three earned runs in any of his 2026 starts yet. In addition to his nice 1.97 ERA, Miller will carry a 0.72 WHIP and 54:5 K:BB in 45 2/3 frames into an amazing matchup against the division-rival Los Angeles Angels his next time out. Based on how well Miller has looked in 2026, fantasy managers should consider him a must-start for his next outing against the Halos. Miller is now rostered in 80% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Ben Brown Appears Headed for a Lengthy Absence
Chicago Cubs right-hander Ben Brown (neck) has been diagnosed with a stress reaction in his neck, manager Craig Counsell told 104.3 The Score. "It's a very similar injury to 2024," Counsell said. Brown will be limited in his activity for the next month before the Cubs decide where to go from there. Back in 2024, Brown suffered a neck injury in early June and never pitched again that year, so this is obviously a very concerning diagnosis for the reliever-turned-starter. Injuries to their starting rotation have been a problem all year long, and Chicago's starting depth is very thin once again with Brown and Edward Cabrera (hamstring) landing on the injured list. In 20 appearances (eight starts) in 2026, the 26-year-old Brown has been excellent, going 4-2 with a 1.85 ERA (2.50 FIP), 0.94 WHIP, one save, 65 strikeouts, and 19 walks in 68 innings pitched. Fantasy managers planning on stashing Brown while he recovers need to prepare for a very lengthy absence.
Source: 104.3 The Score
Source: 104.3 The Score
Kyle Schwarber Returns From Back Injury on Thursday
Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Kyle Schwarber (back) is serving as the team's designated hitter and is batting in the two-hole for Thursday's contest in D.C. against the division-rival Washington Nationals and right-hander Cade Cavalli, according to MLB.com. Lower-back tightness kept Schwarber out of the Phillies' starting lineup for the last two games, but the All-Star slugger is now back and should be returned to all starting lineups in traditional fantasy leagues. The 33-year-old three-time All-Star and Silver Slugger winner currently leads all of baseball with 29 home runs while slashing .252/.367/.594 with a .961 OPS, 52 RBI, 51 runs scored, and a stolen base in 76 games across 338 plate appearances. Schwarbs has clubbed four home runs in his last four games (three homers last Saturday) and is hitting .306 (22-for-72) with seven long balls, 13 RBI, and 15 runs scored in 20 games so far in June. He still has plenty of swing and miss to his game, but it's all worth it for the elite raw power that he provides from the left side of the plate. Schwarber has hit .167 with one RBI and a .777 OPS in six career at-bats versus Cavalli.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Bryan Abreu Reinstated From Restricted List on Thursday
The Houston Astros reinstated right-handed reliever Bryan Abreu from the restricted list on Thursday and optioned pitcher Colton Gordon to Triple-A Sugar Land in a corresponding move, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Abreu missed the team's series in Toronto this week against the Blue Jays due to a personal matter, but he will return to the back end of the bullpen on Thursday as the Astros start a new series in Motown against the Detroit Tigers. The 29-year-old Dominican hurler opened the 2026 season as the team's primary option at closer with left-hander Josh Hader on the injured list, but he squandered that opportunity and was quickly demoted after struggling early on. Abreu is currently 2-3 on the season with a 6.39 ERA (6.77 FIP), 1.82 WHIP, five saves, 33 strikeouts, and 24 walks in his 25 1/3 relief innings. Since allowing three earned runs to the Pittsburgh Pirates on June 2, Abreu has allowed just two runs (one earned) while walking one and striking out eight in six innings for two saves. With Hader back healthy, though, Abreu's fantasy stock has fallen once again. He's currently rostered in just 19% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Ernie Clement Draws Back into Blue Jays Lineup on Thursday
Toronto Blue Jays infielder Ernie Clement (hip) is starting at shortstop and is batting second for Toronto in Thursday's contest against the visiting Texas Rangers and left-hander MacKenzie Gore, according to MLB.com. Clement missed the last two games for the Jays with soreness in his left hip, and he also missed a few games last weekend with the same issue. He's feeling better now, though, and will return to the field for Thursday's series opener against Texas. Fantasy managers may want to continue to sit Clement, who has hit a cold spell at the plate recently, going 2-for-19 (.105) with a run scored, one walk, and four strikeouts in his last six games. The 30-year-old utility infielder has slashed .292/.313/.437 this year with a .750 OPS, seven home runs, 28 RBI, 35 runs scored, and two stolen bases in his 295 at-bats. Clement lacks power and speed, but his high contact rate and multi-position eligibility make him an asset in fantasy for depth. In seven career at-bats against Gore, Clement has one RBI, a .143 average, and a .365 OPS.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Corey Seager Activated From Seven-Day Concussion Injured List
The Texas Rangers announced on Thursday that they activated shortstop Corey Seager (concussion) from the seven-day concussion injured list and placed infielder/outfielder Cody Freeman (back) on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to June 22) with a herniated disc in his back in a corresponding move. Seager should be right back in Texas' starting lineup for their contest in Toronto on Thursday against the Blue Jays and right-hander Kevin Gausman. The veteran left-handed-hitting shortstop will return to the big-league roster after missing two weeks with a mild concussion that he suffered in a collision at home plate in early June. Fantasy managers haven't been too happy with Seager in 2026 between his injuries and poor play. He is returning to a rough .186/.284/.373 slash line with nine home runs in his 47 games played in his 12th year in the majors. The five-time All-Star and two-time World Series MVP has time to bounce back in the second half of 2026, though, as long as he can stay healthy, which is something he has struggled with in his career.
Source: Texas Rangers PR
Source: Texas Rangers PR
Caleb Durbin Returns to BoSox Lineup Against Yankees
Boston Red Sox infielder Caleb Durbin (finger) will return for Thursday's series opener against the division-rival New York Yankees at Fenway Park, starting at third base and batting sixth against Yankees right-hander Cam Schlittler, per MLB.com. Durbin rejoins Boston's starting lineup a day after being pulled from Wednesday's contest early against the Colorado Rockies due to a partial dislocation of his left pinkie finger. The 26-year-old former 14th-round selection by the Atlanta Braves in 2021 out of Washington University in St. Louis has struggled to a .218/.273/.362 slash line, .636 OPS, five home runs, 30 RBI, 25 runs scored, and seven stolen bases in his 229 at-bats in his first year in Beantown. However, he's become a popular waiver-wire pickup recently since going 20-for-65 (.308) with four home runs, five doubles, eight RBI, 10 runs scored, and three stolen bases in his 19 games in June. Durbin could be battling some pain with his finger in his return on Thursday, and he's gone hitless in five career at-bats against Schlittler.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Hector Rodriguez Stays Hot, a Must-Stash for Power?
Cincinnati Reds outfield prospect Hector Rodriguez continued to show off the power at Triple-A Louisville on Wednesday, smacking his eighth home run in his last 15 games for the Bats. In those 15 games, the left-handed slugger is hitting .351 (20-for-57), and for the season, he owns a .289/.366/.540 slash line with 18 home runs and six steals. The surge has likely put the Dominican on the verge of making his major league debut, though there is no clear path to playing time at the moment. There is some chase in his profile, ranking in the 14th percentile at 35.8 percent, which could be exploited at the major league level, but a 113 mph max exit velocity in 2026 shows the kind of power in his bat. Already being on the 40-man roster will make it easier for the team to bring the 22-year-old up when they're ready, but that may not be until after the All-Star break. Nevertheless, fantasy managers in deep 12+ team leagues scouring the wire for home runs and RBI may want to consider stashing him away in an NA spot until then.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Corbin Carroll Remains Elite Outfielder Despite Drop in Stolen Base Production
Across 329 plate appearances in 2026, Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll is hitting .279/.365/.537 with 13 home runs, 42 RBI, 48 runs scored, and nine stolen bases. The 25-year-old's relative lack of aggression on the basepaths is a bit surprising considering he stole 32 bases in 143 games last season. However, Carroll's production looks elite, as he's logged strong underlying contact metrics with a 12.3% barrel rate and a 47.9% hard-hit rate. As long as Carroll stays healthy, his 10.9% walk rate and his presence at the top of a strong Diamondbacks lineup should allow him to clear 100 runs scored for the fourth consecutive campaign. Even with his speed decline, Carroll should be valued as an elite fantasy outfielder.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Karson Milbrandt a Top Arm to Stash for Strikeout Potential
Miami Marlins pitching prospect Karson Milbrandt continued to avoid trouble in his latest outing at Triple-A Jacksonville, allowing just one run but working around three hits and a whopping five walks in only four innings pitched. The right-hander was able to get out of jams the way he usually does, by striking out seven of the 20 batters faced in the contest. Through three starts at Triple-A, the Marlins' fourth-ranked prospect has pitched to a 1.20 ERA (3.76 FIP) and 1.27 WHIP, but just a 6.8 percent K-BB% due to a high walk rate. In 12 games on the season between Double-A and Triple-A, the former third-rounder has recorded a strong 35.1 percent strikeout rate, but the command could be what is keeping him from making his major league debut. Two of Miami's rotation arms right now are Ryan Gusto (6.00 ERA, 1.61 WHIP) and recently converted reliever Tyler Phillips (4.94 ERA as a starter), and although they'll get Janson Junk back in July, they could use some more help. Milbrandt is not on the 40-man roster, which could also delay his debut, but look for him to get the call after the All-Star break, and he could be a worthwhile stash in deep leagues for his strikeout upside.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Is Kevin McGonigle's Lack of Power Creating a Buy-Low Opportunity?
Across 340 plate appearances as a rookie this season, Detroit Tigers shortstop/third baseman Kevin McGonigle has hit .283/.388/.428 with six home runs, 28 RBI, 47 runs scored, and nine stolen bases. The 21-year-old has demonstrated an elite approach at the plate, as he's walked in 14.1% of his plate appearances while logging just a 12.9% strikeout rate. Still, fantasy managers expecting more five-category production from the former top prospect may be disappointed with his power output, as he's hit just six home runs and posted uninspiring barrel (8.1%) and hard-hit (36.6%) rates. However, McGonigle has begun to reach a new level in June, slugging .479 with three home runs this month after slugging just .297 in May. McGonigle may not have 25-homer upside, but he could continue to boost his power output over the summer months as the weather heats up in Detroit. In redraft leagues where managers may view McGonigle as a negative in the power category, there may be a buy-low opportunity on the talented infielder.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
