RADIO
Will Smith Not Expected to Return Before All-Star Break
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that he expects catcher Will Smith (neck) to be out until after the All-Star break in mid-July, according to Bill Shaikin of The Los Angeles Times. Smith has been on the 10-day injured list since June 11 with inflammation in his neck, and a cortisone injection didn't really help matters. It's been frustrating for the Dodgers and for Smith's fantasy managers, as the Dodgers initially were saying that they didn't even think Smith would land on the IL when his neck injury first popped up. L.A. has the luxury of having a huge lead in the National League West division, so they won't rush any of their injured regulars back before they are ready. Hopefully, the 31-year-old veteran backstop will be ready shortly after the All-Star break. In the meantime, Dalton Rushing will continue to serve as the Dodgers' primary catcher. Smith has been a disappointment in the first half of 2026, slashing .249/.338/.382 with a .720 OPS, six homers, 23 RBI, and 23 runs scored in his 173 at-bats, but he should still be stashed in all fantasy formats as the starting catcher for the best team in baseball when he's healthy.
Source: The Los Angeles Times - Bill Shaikin
Source: The Los Angeles Times - Bill Shaikin
Brent Rooker to Have Season-Ending Knee Surgery
Athletics outfielder Brent Rooker (knee) is scheduled to have season-ending surgery to address cartilage in his left knee, according to Martin Gallegos of MLB.com. Rooker was having his knee checked by doctors at Stanford University on Tuesday, and apparently they didn't like what they saw after the A's initially put the right-handed slugger on the injured list in early June with what they called a bone bruise in his knee. The 31-year-old will now miss the rest of the 2026 campaign due to a torn cartilage in his knee. It's a crushing blow for Rooker's fantasy managers after he got off to a rough start to the season with a .200/.281/.389 slash line with a .670 OPS, 10 homers, 29 RBI, 20 runs scored, and two stolen bases in his 180 at-bats. In single-year fantasy leagues, managers can now cut ties with Rooker and send him to the waiver wire in search of a replacement. Going forward, the left-handed-hitting Jonah Heim should continue to serve as the A's primary designated hitter against right-handed pitchers.
Source: MLB.com - Martin Gallegos
Source: MLB.com - Martin Gallegos
Willy Adames Still Sitting Due to Back Injury
San Francisco Giants shortstop Willy Adames (back) remains sidelined for Wednesday's contest against the division-rival Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field, per MLB.com. Christian Koss, who was called up from Triple-A Sacramento, will make the start at the 6 and bat ninth for the Gigantes against Diamondbacks right-hander Zac Gallen. The left side of San Fran's defense is hurting with Adames banged up, and they just placed third baseman Matt Chapman on the 10-day injured list with an abdominal strain. With Schmitt moving over to the hot corner with Chapman sidelined, Koss could see regular playing time to close out the first half of the season if Adames follows Chapman to the IL with his back injury. The 30-year-old Adames has struck out 27.8% of the time, his highest strikeout rate since 2021 with the Tampa Bay Rays and Milwaukee Brewers, and he's only getting on base at a .275 clip. However, when he does make contact, it's usually loud, and he's up to 14 long balls through 81 games in 2026 in his second year in the Bay Area. Adames isn't running this year either (just one steal), so he's mostly a one-dimensional power threat at shortstop.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Matt Chapman Heads to Injured List With Abdominal Strain
San Francisco Giants third baseman Matt Chapman (abdomen) is heading to the 10-day injured list on Wednesday due to an abdominal strain that he suffered while making a play at third base in Tuesday night's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, according to Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News. The Giants called up infielder Christian Koss from Triple-A Sacramento in a corresponding move. With Chapman now likely out through the All-Star break, Casey Schmitt is expected to see most of the playing time at the hot corner in San Fran. He's starting at third and batting second for Wednesday's contest in Arizona versus D-backs right-hander Zac Gallen. The left side of the Giants' infield is currently hurting, with shortstop Willy Adames (back) also missing the last several games due to injury. Chapman heads to the IL with a disappointing .235/.324/.368 slash line with a .692 OPS and seven home runs, but he has added 42 RBI and 35 runs scored in his 307 at-bats.
Source: The San Jose Mercury News - Justice delos Santos
Source: The San Jose Mercury News - Justice delos Santos
Dansby Swanson Goes Nuclear on Wednesday as Cubs Sweep Padres
The Chicago Cubs and shortstop Dansby Swanson made a statement at Wrigley Field on Wednesday at Wrigley Field in a 23-3 thrashing of the visiting San Diego Padres to finish off their three-game sweep. Swanson had a pretty rough start through the first couple months of the 2026 season, but he has been heating up lately, and that's an understatement. After clubbing two homers and driving in three in Tuesday night's win over SD, Swanson took it to another level in Wednesday's matinee affair, going 3-for-5 with three more home runs, eight RBI, and four runs scored to boost his season average to .210 and his OPS to .731. The 32-year-old veteran has five home runs in his last two games and a staggering 29 RBI in his last 13 games. Swanson wasn't the only one to get into the act against the Friars on Wednesday, as the Cubs combined for a franchise-tying eight long balls. He's definitely on the uptick offensively as the weather begins to warm, but there are still questions as to whether he can sustain it, as he currently has an xBA of .206, an xSLG of .362, and an xwOBA of .295 (wOBA of .304). After his insane two-game run the last two days against the Padres, this could be the perfect time to sell high on Swanson.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Matt McLain Making First Career Start in Center Field
Cincinnati Reds middle infielder Matt McLain is making his first career start in center field and will bat eighth in Wednesday's contest on the road against the division-rival Milwaukee Brewers and left-hander Shane Drohan, per MLB.com. The Reds need a right-handed-hitting center fielder, with both Blake Dunn (elbow) and Dane Myers (shoulder) currently on the injured list. The 26-year-old former 17th overall pick in the 2021 MLB draft out of UCLA has lost out on playing time at second base to rookie Edwin Arroyo while coming into Wednesday's game with a .198 average (51-for-257) with eight home runs, 25 RBI, 11 stolen bases, 31 runs scored, and a 25.9% strikeout rate. McLain's strikeout rate is actually a career low, and he also has a career-best 11.8% walk rate, so positive regression should be coming his way in the second half. However, an everyday role in Cincy's lineup the rest of the way isn't guaranteed, which is why he's rostered in only 33% of Yahoo leagues now. He's been ice-cold at the plate in his last 11 games, going 3-for-27 (.111) with a double, two runs scored, a steal, four walks, and 14 strikeouts.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
David Stearns to Live Out his Contract in New York
Amidst a highly disappointing 2026 season in which the New York Mets have already fired manager Carlos Mendoza, owner Steve Cohen said that president of baseball operations David Stearns will live out the remainder of his five-year contract, according to Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Stearns is currently in the middle of his third season, and the Mets are 208-202 in his tenure and headed toward a second straight season without a playoff berth. "We're two and a half years into a contract. Everyone forgets -- does he get any credit for '24? Does that not count? We almost made it to the World Series. And that was just two years ago. It's a mixed record. I'm not gonna say it's going great, but it's too early to really make evaluations. And I feel really strongly that if we're going to burn and churn, that's a terrible place to be. Every time you burn and churn, guess what, the next time, nobody wants to come. Is someone going to put their career in your hands if you're going to be short-term oriented?" Cohen said. The Mets' big offseason acquisitions -- Bo Bichette, Freddy Peralta, Devin Williams, Jorge Polanco, and Luis Robert Jr. -- have all either underperformed or been injured.
Source: New York Post - Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman
Source: New York Post - Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman
Royals Transfer Kris Bubic to 60-Day Injured List After Setback
The Kansas City Royals announced on Wednesday that they transferred left-hander Kris Bubic (elbow, shoulder) to the 60-day injured list after it was announced earlier in the day that he was heading back to KC to be evaluated after being scratched from his scheduled minor-league rehab start. Bubic was initially placed on the 15-day IL on May 15 with soreness in his left elbow before encountering a setback in mid-June due to left-shoulder discomfort. Something else popped up this week, and now Bubic probably won't be an option to rejoin the Royals' starting rotation until August. Given that this is his second setback in his recovery, there's the potential for the 28-year-old southpaw to join fellow lefty Cole Ragans (elbow) in being shut down for the rest of the season. Bubic was a first-time All-Star in 2025 in his sixth year in the league and was 3-2 with a 4.11 ERA (3.72 FIP) and 1.23 WHIP with 51 strikeouts and 26 walks in 50 1/3 innings across his nine starts earlier this year. He's now rostered in under 50% of Yahoo leagues with no timetable for a return in the second half.
Source: Kansas City Royals
Source: Kansas City Royals
Jeremy Pena Doing Light Running on Wednesday
Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena (calf) was doing some light on-field running at Daikin Park on Wednesday with a trainer, according to Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle. The Astros placed Pena on the 10-day injured list on Tuesday with a strained left calf, but it's obviously not a very serious injury, and the team is hoping that he'll be ready to return when he's eligible to come off the IL. Raynel Delgado is starting at shortstop and batting ninth for Houston on Wednesday against the visiting Minnesota Twins and right-hander Taj Bradley, but Nick Allen and potentially Brice Matthews could also see action at the 6 until Pena makes his way back. Pena, 28, is by no means an elite, high-end option at the shortstop position in fantasy, but he is more than serviceable across most categories and is having a fine season despite a handful of injury issues. Through 183 at-bats in 2026, the Dominican infielder is hitting .295/.356/.443 with a .799 OPS, six homers, 21 RBI, 34 runs scored, and eight stolen bases. Keep him stashed in an IL spot in all leagues.
Source: Houston Chronicle - Matt Kawahara
Source: Houston Chronicle - Matt Kawahara
Cubs Hope Edward Cabrera Can Throw Bullpens Before All-Star Break
Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell said the goal for injured right-hander Edward Cabrera (hamstring) is for him to throw off a mound in bullpen sessions before the All-Star break in mid-July, according to Casey Drottar of MLB.com. Cabrera was placed on the 15-day injured list with a moderate strained left hamstring last week. If the 28-year-old resumes throwing bullpen sessions in early July, he'll have a pretty good shot to rejoin Chicago's starting rotation following the break. However, it's unclear if the Cubs will want to send him on a minor-league rehab start before he's reinstated. In his first year on the North Side of Chicago, the Dominican hurler has been extremely volatile for fantasy managers, going 5-4 with a 5.10 ERA (5.07 FIP) and 1.39 WHIP with 65 strikeouts and 29 walks in 72 1/3 innings pitched across his 14 starts. Injuries have also been an issue. In his four starts in June, Cabrera really struggled, posting an 8.35 ERA (6.87 FIP) with six homers allowed, 18 strikeouts, and nine walks in 18 1/3 frames. Fantasy managers won't be in a rush to get him back into their starting lineups in the second half.
Source: MLB.com - Casey Drottar
Source: MLB.com - Casey Drottar
Ryan Helsley Dealing With Elbow Discomfort
Baltimore Orioles right-handed closer Ryan Helsley (elbow) was dealing with some right-elbow discomfort, which is why he was not used on Wednesday in the 6-1 win over the visiting Chicago White Sox at Camden Yards, according to Jake Rill of MLB.com. Helsley is being checked out now, and manager Craig Albernaz said more information will come in the next few days. The MASN broadcast of the game showed Helsley in the bullpen holding his right arm after he stopped warming up, and he flexed his hand a few times and was rubbing his right elbow area with his other hand. This should have the O's and fantasy managers very concerned, as the 31-year-old veteran already missed seven weeks earlier this year due to inflammation in his right elbow. Helsley is a prime candidate to go back on the injured list before the All-Star break, with Rico Garcia once again being the top candidate for saves in Baltimore. Check back on Helsley's status on Thursday, but in the meantime, fantasy managers should run to the waiver wire and add Garcia, who is rostered in only 21% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com - Jake Rill
Source: MLB.com - Jake Rill
Javier Assad Struggles in Relief, Still Worth Adding in Deep Leagues?
Chicago Cubs right-hander Javier Assad came out of the bullpen and took a step backward in Tuesday's 9-7 win over the San Diego Padres, allowing four runs on five hits and two walks over 2 2/3 innings. All four runs came on eighth-inning homers by Gavin Sheets and Fernando Tatis Jr. The rough appearance raised Assad's season ERA to 4.53, though he still carries a solid 1.12 WHIP through 51 2/3 innings. One bad night should not completely wipe away his recent work. From June 7 through June 24, Assad posted a 1.96 ERA and 0.78 WHIP across 23 innings while making three starts and one long-relief appearance. His role is now the bigger question after coming out of the bullpen in Tuesday's game. Despite the rough performance, Assad has been solid enough this season to be added in 15-team formats. Managers in standard 12-team leagues can wait until Chicago gives him another start and keeps him in the starting rotation.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Brandon Young Pitching Well Recently, Emerging as a Priority Add?
Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Brandon Young has reached five innings in seven straight starts, and none of those outings included more than three earned runs. He also gave fantasy managers a little more swing-and-miss than usual on Friday, striking out a season-high eight while allowing two runs over five frames against Washington. Young is now (6-2) with a 3.11 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, and 57 strikeouts in 72 1/3 innings. His next turn is scheduled for Saturday against the Cincinnati Reds. Young is not going to carry a fantasy staff in strikeouts, but the steady workload and clean ratios have made him useful. He has worked his way onto 40% of Yahoo rosters and can be used as a streamer against the Reds this week. In most leagues, Young is more of a matchup play than a must-add for fantasy managers looking for innings and solid ratios.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tommy Edman Heating Up, Becoming a Priority Add in Most Leagues?
Los Angeles Dodgers infielder/outfielder Tommy Edman delivered his best game since returning from right ankle surgery, going 4-for-5 with a three-run homer, four RBI, and two runs in Tuesday's 9-3 win over the Athletics. It was his first homer of the season, and he is now hitting .395/.452/.579 with eight RBI in 38 at-bats since making his season debut on June 17. The sample is small, but he has struck out only seven times. Edman has started nine games since his debut, mostly batting sixth or seventh. His eligibility at second base, third base, and outfield adds to the appeal, though he has yet to attempt a steal after ankle surgery. Still, only 18% of Yahoo leagues have Edman rostered. He is worth adding in leagues with 12 or more teams, as long as his playing time remains steady.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Seth Hernandez Finding Groove at High-A, Could he Earn Another Promotion?
Pittsburgh Pirates pitching prospect Seth Hernandez has settled in at High-A, allowing just one earned run over his last two starts and posting a 15:4 K:BB over 11 innings pitched. The Pirates' top-ranked prospect earned a promotion to Greensboro after dominating Single-A Bradenton through six starts, and now through eight starts at High-A, the right-hander owns a 2.88 ERA and 1.22 WHIP along with an impressive 36.0 percent strikeout rate. His 15.1 percent walk rate is something to keep an eye on, but after walking just 6.7 percent of batters at Single-A and given his recent success, that number will likely come down as the season progresses. The sixth-overall draft pick from the 2025 Draft isn't likely to debut in the majors this year, but has the makings of a quick mover who could climb the minor league ladder rapidly. Fantasy managers should have the 20-year-old on their radar for next season.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
