RADIO
Franklin Arias Being Called Up to Triple-A
The Boston Red Sox are promoting shortstop prospect Franklin Arias to Triple-A Worcester, according to Tommy Cassell. The 20-year-old Venezuelan infielder is getting the call to the top level of the farm system after hitting an impressive .319/.407/.581 with a .987 OPS, 18 home runs, 51 RBI, 49 runs scored, and five stolen bases in 74 games across 327 plate appearances at Double-A Portland this year. Per MLB Pipeline, Arias is Boston's top prospect, and he's also considered the No. 7 overall prospect in all of baseball in 2026. At the shortstop position, Arias is the No. 4 overall prospect. The 5-foot-11, 170-pounder makes contact to all fields and has advanced hand-eye coordination for his age. Arias has a bright future, but fantasy managers in dynasty/keeper leagues already holding him would like to see him add weight/strength and put the ball in the air more often. He also has below-average speed, so he probably won't be a high-end power/speed option at the 6 at the next level. Arias has had a fine season in the minors and is now one stop away from the Show, but that might not come until 2027.
Source: Tommy Cassell
Source: Tommy Cassell
Gavin Williams Strikes Out 11 in Third Straight Start on Thursday
Cleveland Guardians right-hander Gavin Williams stayed dominant in a no-decision in the team's 3-1 loss to the division-rival Minnesota Twins on Thursday at Progressive Field. Williams tossed seven shutout innings with two hits allowed, no walks, and 11 strikeouts to lower his season ERA to 3.78. The 26-year-old has taken a step forward in 2026, and he has now fanned exactly 11 hitters in three straight starts and for the fifth time this year. Williams even had a rare immaculate inning in this one for a cherry on top. In his fourth year in the majors, Williams now has a strong 1.10 WHIP with 156 strikeouts and 37 walks in his 21 starts across 126 1/3 innings pitched. The former 23rd overall pick in the 2021 MLB draft from East Carolina University has morphed into a must-start this year because of his dominance and improved walk rate. Fantasy managers should be keeping him in their lineups for his next scheduled start against the Cincinnati Reds next week. Williams faced the Reds at home on May 17 and picked up a win by allowing two earned runs with no walks and seven strikeouts in six innings.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Ben Joyce a Sneaky Stash for Late-Season Saves
The Los Angeles Angels announced on Thursday that right-handed reliever Ben Joyce (shoulder) is moving his minor-league rehab assignment to Triple-A Salt Lake. Joyce, a third-rounder in 2022 out of the University of Tennessee, has been on the injured list all year due to a right-shoulder injury, but he has appeared in eight minor-league rehab games in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League and at Single-A Rancho Cucamonga, and he appears to be nearing his 2026 debut with the Halos. The 25-year-old can hit triple digits with his fastball and has the stuff to settle in as the team's primary closing option down the stretch, especially when considering the last-place Angels are currently rolling with a closer-by-committee situation involving Ryan Zeferjahn, Sam Bachman, and Kirby Yates. Of course, the Angels aren't the best bullpen to target for fantasy purposes, but fantasy managers who are desperate for saves should have Joyce on their watch radar as he nears the end of his rehab assignment. Joyce is currently rostered in 3% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Angels PR
Source: Angels PR
Pirates Designate Dennis Santana for Assignment
The Pittsburgh Pirates designated right-handed reliever Dennis Santana for assignment on Thursday to make room for right-handed reliever Ron Marinaccio, who was acquired in a minor trade from the San Diego Padres in exchange for international signing bonus pool considerations, according to MLB.com's Alex Stumpf. Santana was an option for saves in the Pirates' bullpen earlier this season, but he has struggled mightily, going 2-5 with a 6.05 ERA (5.48 FIP), a 1.51 WHIP, two saves, 37 strikeouts, and 21 walks in 41 2/3 relief innings in 2026 in his second full season in Pittsburgh. The 30-year-old Dominican hurler has had a really rough month of July, allowing 10 earned runs on 12 hits (four homers) while walking two and striking out seven for two losses and a hold in 7 1/3 innings across eight appearances out of the bullpen. Santana will most likely clear waivers because of his $3.7 million salary, at which point he could refuse an outright assignment and become a free agent.
Source: MLB.com - Alex Stumpf
Source: MLB.com - Alex Stumpf
Agustin Ramirez Flashing High-End Speed at Triple-A as Stash Value Grows
Miami Marlins catcher Agustin Ramirez hit 21 homers, drove in 67 runs, and stole 16 bases in 136 games and 585 plate appearances as a rookie in 2025, but he has appeared in just 31 games for the Fish in 2026, hitting .230 (26-for-113) with two homers, 14 RBI, and three steals. The 24-year-old Dominican backstop has been toiling in the minors at Triple-A Jacksonville as he tries to improve his defensive skills, and the Marlins have been content to leave him on the farm with Liam Hicks having a solid season in the big leagues. But with Ramirez's rare power/speed skills for a catcher, fantasy managers may want to consider stashing him for the stretch run. In 50 games and 205 plate appearances at Jacksonville this year, Ramirez is slashing .242/.317/.418 with a .735 OPS, seven home runs, 27 RBI, 15 stolen bases, and 31 runs scored. The Marlins could be considering calling him up amidst their current cold streak as they try to stay relevant in the National League wild-card picture. Despite not having played in the majors since May 3, Ramirez is rostered in 33% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Ketel Marte Scratched With Back Stiffness
Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte (back) was scratched from Thursday's starting lineup against the St. Louis Cardinals with back stiffness, according to Steve Zinsmeister of Arizona Sports. Ildemaro Vargas is starting at the keystone and will bat seventh for the Snakes against Cardinals right-hander Michael McGreevy. For now, we'll consider Marte to be day-to-day until we know more. Fantasy managers will want to remove him from their starting lineups and check back on Friday to see if he's available in D.C. for the series opener against the Washington Nationals. It might be a good time for Marte to take a day off, as he's hitting just .229 (16-for-70) with a .619 OPS, one homer, three doubles, a triple, six RBI, nine runs scored, three steals, five walks, and 15 strikeouts in 17 games in July to drop his season line to .258/.313/.461 with a .773 OPS. The Dominican switch-hitter and three-time All-Star continues to be a strong source of power at the keystone, though, with 18 homers and 59 RBI in 98 games and 432 plate appearances in his 12th year in the majors.
Source: Steve Zinsmeister
Source: Steve Zinsmeister
Kemp Alderman a Speculative Stash Option for Power
Miami Marlins outfield prospect Kemp Alderman blasted his 14th home run of the season on Wednesday in a two-hit effort for Triple-A Jacksonville. The Marlins' eighth-ranked prospect is hitting .326 in 12 July games for the Jumbo Shrimp, which has raised his season-long slash line to .295/.372/.515. The former second-rounder offered stolen base potential last year, recording 22 steals (20 of which came at Double-A), but is up to just six this year, and is still striking out at an elevated rate of 31.2 percent. The 22-year-old could make an MLB debut later this year, but he'll need to flex some more of his highly-rated power tool in order to make the strikeout rate (and corresponding low walk rate) worth it. For now, he looks like a high-risk, high-reward stash consideration for home runs in very deep redraft leagues given his proximity to the majors.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Mariners Open to Moving Emerson Hancock at the Trade Deadline
The Seattle Mariners are telling teams that they are open to moving right-hander Emerson Hancock at this year's trade deadline as they search for a right-handed hitter, people briefed on their discussions told Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic. Contending teams are likely to be reluctant to take on veteran right-hander Luis Castillo and the $22.75 million he's owed next season. The 27-year-old Hancock is more affordable and controllable, as he's earning $793,300 this year and is under control for four more seasons through 2030. Regression is expected for Hancock, but he's in the midst of a breakout campaign this year with a 6-4 record, 3.16 ERA (3.72 FIP) and 1.01 WHIP with a career-high 97 strikeouts and 26 walks in 105 1/3 innings across his 19 starts. Even though other teams likely don't view him as a top-of-the-rotation arm, he's still valuable under long-term control. Hancock could be Seattle's best pitching trade chip this summer, as they are unlikely to discuss Logan Gilbert, George Kirby, or Bryan Woo. Right-hander Bryce Miller is also believed to be untouchable.
Source: The Athletic - Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon
Source: The Athletic - Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon
Andrew Fischer Up to 29 Home Runs in 2026
Milwaukee Brewers third baseman prospect Andrew Fischer mashed his way to Double-A back in mid-June after hitting .298 with a 1.118 OPS and 20 home runs in 54 games. The Brewers' seventh-ranked prospect is hitting just .250 at the next level, but still owns a stout 1.022 OPS with nine home runs in 27 games for Biloxi, with his 29 total home runs coming in at second-most in the minors this year. The left-handed power hitter strikes out a ton, though he didn't see a large spike when he got to Double-A, going from 33.3 percent to 34.8 percent, but it is palatable due to not only the big home run potential, but also the robust walk rate of 18.0 percent this year. A debut in 2026 doesn't seem likely, but fantasy managers in redraft leagues should be familiar with the name for 2027, and managers in dynasty leagues who roster the 22-year-old could have a future MLB power hitter on their squad.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Jac Caglianone Remains Out on Thursday
Kansas City Royals first baseman/outfielder Jac Caglianone (shoulder) remains out of the starting lineup for Thursday's contest on the road in Detroit against the division-rival Tigers, per MLB.com. Nick Loftin is starting in right field and will bat eighth against Tigers right-hander Troy Melton. Caglianone injured his shoulder attempting to make a diving catch in Tuesday's game and is now missing a second straight start. There hasn't been any news to suggest that Cags is dealing with a significant injury, though, so fantasy managers should continue to consider him day-to-day for now. Check back on Friday to see if he's available for the second game of the series on Friday in Motown. Caglianone got off to a slow start in 2026 in his first full season in the big leagues, homering five times in the first two months, but he clubbed nine long balls in June while hitting over .300, and he's currently batting .246 (16-for-65) with a .658 OPS, two homers, seven RBI, and seven runs so far in 16 games in July. He could be a difference-maker in the power department to close out the year for fantasy managers, and he's rostered in under 70% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Chris Sale Strikes Out 11 in 11th Win on Thursday Over Padres
Atlanta Braves left-hander Chris Sale continued his excellent 2026 season in Thursday's 6-5 win over the visiting San Diego Padres in the series finale at Truist Park. Sale allowed three earned runs (all in the second inning) on five hits while walking one and striking out a season-high 11 batters in six innings to earn his 11th win of the year and drop his season ERA to 2.19, which is the second-lowest in the majors. The 37-year-old veteran southpaw, former Cy Young winner, and 10-time All-Star has managed to stay healthy in his 16th year in the big leagues and now has a 1.05 WHIP with 134 strikeouts and 26 walks across 111 innings pitched and 19 starts. Sale will be a no-brainer must-start (as he always is) in his next scheduled outing against the last-place New York Mets. In his first meeting with the Mets on the Fourth of July, he won his ninth game, allowing three earned runs while walking two and striking out only three in five innings of work.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Jonathon Long Making Strong Case for MLB Debut
Chicago Cubs first baseman/outfield prospect Jonathon Long is having a strong season at Triple-A Iowa, but has been particularly hot as of late. The Cubs' sixth-ranked prospect is 17-for-36 (.472) over his last eight games, including a three-hit, four-hit, and even a five-hit performance, during which time he tallied five doubles, two home runs, and a 5:8 BB:K. In all, the former ninth-round draft pick is slashing .283/.364/.451 with 11 home runs and a pair of steals over 90 games. The right-handed hitter is registering average-to-better-than-average chase, walk, swinging-strike, strikeout, hard-hit, and barrel rates, along with 84th percentile average exit velocity (91.0 mph) at Iowa. The stats backed by results give the 22-year-old a solid case for an MLB call-up, which could happen in the coming weeks, so managers in deeper 12+ team leagues should put him on their stash radar.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Ronald Acuna Jr. Expected to Return This Weekend
Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (hamstring) will play in a minor-league rehab game with Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday night, and manager Walt Weiss said there's a possibility that he'll be activated from the 10-day injured list on Friday, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com. But if Acuna doesn't return on Friday, he's expected to return for this weekend's series in Baltimore against the Orioles. Fantasy managers have been chomping at the bit to get the former MVP back in their lineups, as he's been out since early June with a Grade 1 strained left hamstring, the second time in 2026 that he's been on the IL for the same injury. While the 28-year-old Venezuelan outfielder has been a huge disappointment in fantasy this year because of injuries yet again, he still has time left to make a big difference down the stretch. The five-time All-Star and three-time Silver Slugger winner will be returning to a .251/.373/.421 slash line, .793 OPS, seven home runs, 22 RBI, 15 stolen bases, and 31 runs scored across his 195 at-bats.
Source: MLB.com - Mark Bowman
Source: MLB.com - Mark Bowman
Brewers Getting Aggressive, Could Target Tarik Skubal at Trade Deadline
The Milwaukee Brewers, who have the best record in franchise history to this point in the season and the second-biggest division lead in baseball, are prepared to "adopt a more aggressive approach" at this year's trade deadline compared to recent years, sources familiar with the club's thinking have told MLB.com's Adam McCalvy. It means club officials have touched base with the Detroit Tigers about ace left-hander Tarik Skubal and the San Diego Padres about flamethrowing closer Mason Miller. "I've been on the phone a lot," said president of baseball operations Matt Arnold. "We're definitely active." Despite an aggressive approach, the Brewers have been telling teams they won't decimate their farm system to land a high-profile player, especially if he's just a rental. Milwaukee has assigned high value to their top-100 prospects -- shortstops Jesus Made and Luis Pena, and outfielder Josh Adamczewski. The Brewers' primary focus is believed to be reinforcing a pitching staff that owns the second-best ERA (3.44) despite losing starters Brandon Woodruff and Quinn Priester, and high-leverage reliever Angel Zerpa to season-ending injuries.
Source: MLB.com - Adam McCalvy
Source: MLB.com - Adam McCalvy
Cam Schlittler Moved Up to Friday's Series Opener Against Phillies
New York Yankees right-hander Cam Schlittler is being moved up from Sunday to start Friday's series opener against the Philadelphia Phillies, according to Chris Kirschner of The Athletic. Will Warren was originally scheduled to start on Friday against the Phils, but he was used out of the bullpen for two-thirds of an inning on Wednesday in the second game of a doubleheader against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The 25-year-old Schlittler has been a first-time All-Star in 2026 while leading the league in WAR (4.1), ERA (2.20), starts (21), and WHIP (0.96) in 123 innings pitched while striking out 145 batters and walking 25. He only went 4 1/3 innings in his last outing on July 19 against the Los Angeles Dodgers, though, allowing three earned runs while walking none and striking out eight for his sixth loss. It's not the greatest matchup to look for a bounce-back, but Schlittler has been a must-start for fantasy managers this year and has struck out at least six batters while allowing three runs or fewer in each of his last three starts in July.
Source: The Athletic - Chris Kirschner
Source: The Athletic - Chris Kirschner
