RADIO
Carlos Rodon Set to Make Rehab Start on Saturday
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that starting pitcher Carlos Rodon (elbow) is expected to make a minor league rehab start on Saturday, according to Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News. The veteran left-hander has been on the injured list since late June due to elbow inflammation. He also missed the beginning of the 2026 season after undergoing offseason elbow surgery, so he's thrown just 46 1/3 innings (nine starts) on the year. However, Rodon has been effective when healthy, recording a 4-2 record with a 3.30 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and 52 strikeouts. Rodon's spotty command and questionable health track record are both concerns for fantasy managers. However, he remains an above-average source of strikeouts who has shown he can put together dominant stretches in the big leagues. With his return to the Yankees rotation potentially imminent, Rodon profiles as a priority waiver wire stash in leagues where he is available.
Source: New York Daily News - Gary Phillips
Source: New York Daily News - Gary Phillips
Jose Soriano Scheduled to Make Blue Jays Debut on Friday
Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider said that starting pitcher Jose Soriano will make his debut with the team on Friday against the Philadelphia Phillies, according to Shi Davidi of Sportsnet. Toronto acquired Soriano from the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for three prospects on Monday. The 27-year-old has had a strong 2026 season to this point, recording a 9-6 record with a 3.29 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and 127 strikeouts across 123 innings (22 starts). Soriano struggles with command (11.2% walk rate), but he generates ground balls with his power sinker and is very difficult to take deep (0.88 HR/9). He also brings plus velocity with his fastballs, so Toronto may be able to help unlock a new level of strikeout production from its new right-hander.
Source: Sportsnet - Shi Davidi
Source: Sportsnet - Shi Davidi
Foster Griffin Set to Make Guardians Debut on Thursday
Cleveland Guardians left-hander Foster Griffin will make his first start with the team on Thursday against the New York Mets, per Tim Stebbins of MLB.com. The Guardians acquired Griffin from the Washington Nationals on Monday in exchange for four minor leaguers. After three years of pitching in Japan, Griffin returned to the big leagues this season and was having a breakout year with Washington. Across 129 1/3 innings (22 starts) before the trade, he recorded a 12-3 record with a 3.06 ERA, 1,07 WHIP, and 116 strikeouts. The 31-year-old is averaging just 91.5 miles per hour on his fastball and has logged a middling 22.1% strikeout rate on the year. However, he limits walks (5.7% walk rate) and generates ground balls at a solid clip. In Cleveland, Griffin should remain a quality innings eater who offers solid win potential for fantasy managers.
Source: MLB.com - Tim Stebbins
Source: MLB.com - Tim Stebbins
Brendan Donovan Activated on Tuesday
Seattle Mariners utility man Brendan Donovan (groin) was activated from the injured list on Tuesday, per Daniel Kramer of MLB.com. Donovan started at third base and batted seventh in his first game back against the Detroit Tigers. The 29-year-old has missed most of the 2026 season due to groin injuries. After initial hitting the injured list in mid-April, Donovan returned in early May before promptly going back on the IL in mid-May. Across 101 plate appearances on the year, Donovan is hitting .274/.386/.452 with three home runs, eight RBI, and nine runs scored. The lefty swinger is unlikely to provide much pop or speed, but he's an above-average source of batting average whose ability to get on base should keep him in the lineup and help him rack up counting stats. In deeper leagues Donovan is worth targeting on the waiver wire as quality roster depth.
Source: MLB.com - Daniel Kramer
Source: MLB.com - Daniel Kramer
Matt Chapman May Not Return in 2026?
An MRI confirmed that San Francisco Giants third baseman Matt Chapman (abdomen) is dealing with a core muscle injury, per Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News. Delos Santos reports that Chapman is set to see a specialist next week for a "full evaluation." If Chapman requires core muscle surgery, he could be ruled out for the remainder of the 2026 season. The 33-year-old has not played since late June due to what was first deemed to be an abdominal strain. Given that San Francisco is not in playoff contention and Chapman is under contract through 2030, the team has little incentive to push him back out onto the field. Across 352 plate appearances on the year, Chapman has hit .235/.324/.368 with seven home runs, 42 RBI, and 35 runs scored. Given his uncertain health status, redraft managers are likely safe to move on from Chapman.
Source: The San Jose Mercury News - Justice delos Santos
Source: The San Jose Mercury News - Justice delos Santos
Agustin Ramirez Will See Reps at Both First Base and Catcher
Miami Marlins President of Baseball Operations Peter Bendix said that catcher Agustin Ramirez will play both behind the plate and at first base going forward, according to Kevin Barral of Fish on First. The Marlins recalled Ramirez from Triple-A Jacksonville on Tuesday after trading catcher/first baseman Liam Hicks to the Tampa Bay Rays at the trade deadline. Ramirez was demoted to Triple-A in early May, mostly due to his poor defensive metrics as a catcher. While it appears that Miami could be priming him for a full-time position switch, Ramirez will still see occasional catching duties now that he's back in the big leagues. The 24-year-old hit 21 home runs and 16 stolen bases across 585 plate appearances with Miami in 2025, so he carries a rare combination of power and speed for a catcher. Ramirez's fantasy value is tightly connected to his ability to retain catcher eligibility.
Source: Fish on First - Kevin Barral
Source: Fish on First - Kevin Barral
Jordan Walker Scratched on Tuesday With Knee Inflammation
St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Jordan Walker (knee) has been scratched from Tuesday's starting lineup against the New York Yankees in the Bronx due to right-knee inflammation, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. With Walker sitting out, Nelson Velazquez will start in right field for the Red Birds and will bat cleanup against Yankees left-hander Ryan Weathers. Until we know more about Walker's condition, the 24-year-old right-handed power hitter will be deemed day-to-day. Fantasy managers will be crossing their fingers that it's not a serious injury that will send the former first-rounder to the injured list, as he's been one of the most valuable outfielders in the game in what has been a breakout campaign for him in 2026. Walker entered Tuesday's action with a .285/.343/.491 slash line, .834 OPS, 22 home runs, 81 RBI, 14 stolen bases, and 68 runs scored in 111 games across 475 plate appearances. While Walker has still been valuable all year, he has just seven home runs in June and July compared to 15 long balls in the first two months of the year. Check back on Walker's status on Wednesday.
Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch - Derrick Goold
Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch - Derrick Goold
Jake Bauers Scratched With Abdominal Soreness
The Milwaukee Brewers announced that first baseman/outfielder Jake Bauers (abdomen) has been scratched from Tuesday's starting lineup against the division-rival Pittsburgh Pirates due to abdominal soreness, according to Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. Andrew Vaughn will now start at first base and will bat sixth for the Brew Crew against Pirates right-hander Jared Jones at American Family Field. Hopefully, it's just a day-to-day situation for Bauers, who is currently riding a nine-game hitting streak. He's gone 13-for-31 (.419) with two home runs, a double, a triple, five RBI, 11 runs scored, and two stolen bases during his hitting streak to boost his season slash line up to .270/.375/.503 in what has been a breakout 2026 campaign for Bauers. Fantasy managers will want to check back on Wednesday to see if the left-handed slugger is back in action. Bauers already has a career-high 20 home runs while adding 64 RBI, 68 runs scored, and eight stolen bases in 102 games in 2026 in his third year in Milwaukee. He's up to 79% rostered in Yahoo leagues amidst his strong campaign.
Source: MLB.com - Adam McCalvy
Source: MLB.com - Adam McCalvy
Garrett Crochet Resumes Throwing
Boston Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy said on Tuesday that left-hander Garrett Crochet (shoulder, lat) has resumed throwing, according to Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald. Crochet started throwing on flat ground at 50 to 60 feet, but it's still a notable step towards a potential return in the second half of the season. The 27-year-old southpaw has made only six starts in 2026 in his second year with the team, and he's been sidelined since late April with shoulder and lat injuries. The Red Sox are right in the mix for a playoff spot this year, so the team isn't going to shut Crochet down, especially since he's making progress. It's good news for his fantasy managers, but Crochet still has a ways to go and won't be ready to rejoin the big-league starting rotation until sometime in September, most likely. The two-time All-Star struggled in his six starts before landing on the IL, too, posting a 6.30 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, and 37 strikeouts in 30 innings pitched. Crochet is being stashed in 85% of Yahoo leagues, but he's not going to have much time to contribute if/when he returns in the final month of the regular season.
Source: Boston Herald - Mac Cerullo
Source: Boston Herald - Mac Cerullo
Rockies Agree to Two-Year Extension With Mickey Moniak
The Colorado Rockies announced on Tuesday that they agreed to a two-year contract extension with outfielder Mickey Moniak that covers the 2027-28 seasons. The deal covers his final year of salary arbitration next season and the first year of free agency in 2028. MLB.com's Thomas Harding reports that the deal is worth $16.25 million. There are still some holes in the 28-year-old former first overall pick's game, but he has been at his best since joining Colorado last year, hitting .272/.310/.536 with an .847 OPS, 42 home runs, 117 RBI, 101 runs, and 10 stolen bases with the Rockies since the start of last season in 210 games played. Moniak has hit .277/.318/.565 with a career-best .883 OPS, 18 home runs, 49 RBI, 39 runs scored, and a steal in 75 games and 283 plate appearances in Denver this year, and he needs six more homers to set a new career high. Plate discipline remains an issue for Moniak despite all the power gains, and he's hitting just .216 (11-for-51) with two of his 18 homers against lefties. Still, Moniak has become a much more attractive strong-side platoon outfield bat with pop, especially when playing at hitter-friendly Coors Field.
Source: Rockies Club Information
Source: Rockies Club Information
Jacob Wilson Returns From Knee Injury on Tuesday
Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson (knee) is starting at shortstop and will bat second for the A's on Tuesday against the hosting Cincinnati Reds and right-hander Brady Singer, according to MLB.com. The A's held Wilson out of Sunday's series finale against the Detroit Tigers due to patellar tendinitis in his knee, but after Monday's off day, he's back in the starting nine. The 24-year-old will return to a .274/.307/.396 slash line with a .703 OPS, seven home runs, 34 RBI, 33 runs scored, and four stolen bases in his 71 games across 304 plate appearances in 2026 in his second full year in the majors. The former first-rounder from Grand Canyon University has elite bat-to-ball skills, but he lacks any real power or speed upside, which makes him less interesting in fantasy baseball. Wilson is rostered in only 55% of Yahoo leagues. He's battled injuries this year as well and played in just 20 combined games in May and June. In 20 games in July, Wilson bounced back by hitting .272 (22-for-81) with three homers, two doubles, a triple, seven RBI, nine runs scored, and two stolen bases in 85 plate appearances. Wilson is hitless in just two career at-bats against Singer.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Jose Ramirez Out With Hand Soreness on Tuesday
Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez (hand) is out of the starting lineup on Tuesday against the visiting New York Mets due to soreness in his surgically-repaired left hand, according to Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer. Gabriel Arias is making the start at the hot corner and will bat seventh for Cleveland against Mets left-hander Sean Manaea. It's concerning that it's the same hand that Ramirez had surgery on to fix a fractured hamate bone, as this is an injury that could very well send the All-Star third baseman back to the injured list. The 33-year-old seven-time All-Star has only played in 82 games (360 plate appearances) and is hitting an un-J-Ram-like .233/.331/.388 with a .720 OPS, 10 home runs, 35 RBI, 27 stolen bases, and 48 runs scored after reaching the 30-homer mark in three of the last five seasons for the Guards. Ramirez has had a tough time bouncing back from his original hand injury, as he's posted a .478 OPS since the All-Star break. This setback should have his fantasy managers worried that he won't bounce back to his pre-injury form again until maybe next year.
Source: The Cleveland Plain Dealer - Paul Hoynes
Source: The Cleveland Plain Dealer - Paul Hoynes
Nationals Place James Wood on Injured List With Oblique Strain
The Washington Nationals placed outfielder James Wood (oblique) on the 10-day injured list on Tuesday with a mild oblique strain, according to Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic. Manager Blake Butera said the team hopes that Wood will have a close-to-minimum stay on the IL. The club is recalling outfielder Andrew Pinckney from the minors to replace Wood on the active MLB roster. It's not what Wood's fantasy managers want to hear, but the good news is that he'll have a shot to return when he's first eligible on Aug. 14. The 23-year-old left-handed slugger has been an All-Star in two of his three MLB seasons, and he currently leads the league in walks (90) and runs scored (100) while slashing .265/.393/.535 with a .928 OPS, 30 home runs, 73 RBI, and 17 stolen bases across 114 games and 535 plate appearances. Wood needs to be stashed in an IL spot in all fantasy leagues as one of the best five-category producers in the game in just his third season in the majors. He needs just two more home runs to set a new career high in that category after hitting 31 dingers in 2025.
Source: The Athletic - Spencer Nusbaum
Source: The Athletic - Spencer Nusbaum
James Tibbs III Still Producing, but Hopes for 2026 Debut Fading
Los Angeles Dodgers outfield prospect James Tibbs III is still putting up good numbers at Triple-A Oklahoma City, going 7-for-20 (.350) over his last five games, with two doubles, a triple, one steal, and a 3:3 BB:K. The Dodgers' ninth-ranked prospect's slash line now stands at .288/.409/.539, with the strong on-base percentage anchored by a 16.4 percent walk rate. Though the left-handed hitter has 21 home runs and continues to hit for extra bases, he's now gone 24 games without a home run. Still, the strong hitting and keen eye are things that should help get him to the majors this season, although it may be just for a late-season cup of coffee unless one of the regulars were to go down with injury before then. There is fantasy appeal here with the power and the potent lineup he'd be hitting if he got the call, but the 23-year-old isn't on the 40-man roster, and with plenty of other outfield competition for at-bats in the minors, there isn't much need to stash the former first-rounder outside of very deep leagues with multiple NA spots.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
A's Place Nick Kurtz on Injured List With Thumb Strain
The Athletics announced on Tuesday that they placed first baseman Nick Kurtz (thumb) on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to Aug. 1) with a right-thumb sprain and recalled infielder Max Muncy from Triple-A Las Vegas in a corresponding move. The A's decided to put Kurtz on the IL after he visited with a hand specialist on Monday following a few absences over the weekend. The elite left-handed power hitter was diagnosed with a chronic volar plate tear of his MCP joint in his thumb. Kurtz will receive a platelet-rich plasma injection on Tuesday, and there is no timetable for his return. In the two games that Kurtz missed over the weekend against the Detroit Tigers, Jeff McNeil and Jonah Heim filled in for the A's at first base. While on the IL, Kurtz, 23, must be stashed in all fantasy baseball leagues for his power upside in a hitter-friendly home park. The former fourth overall pick from Wake Forest University has hit 21 home runs with 69 RBI in 352 at-bats in 2026 after clubbing 36 homers and driving in 86 in 117 games played as a rookie in 2025.
Source: A's Communications
Source: A's Communications
