RADIO
Jazz Chisholm Jr. Exits With Apparent Leg Injury on Thursday
New York Yankees infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. (leg) was forced to leave Thursday's loss to the Chicago White Sox early with an apparent leg injury, according to Brendan Kuty of The Athletic. Chisholm was pulled from the game in the 11th inning after coming up lame while running a groundout in the ninth inning, and he was replaced at the keystone by Jose Caballero. The left-handed slugger went 1-for-3 at the plate with two walks and a strikeout before leaving late. The severity and specific nature of the 28-year-old's injury are unknown, but it could be a minor injury due to the fact that he wasn't pulled from the game right away. The two-time All-Star came into Thursday's tilt with a .223/.298/.408 slash line with a .705 OPS, 16 home runs, 45 RBI, a league-high 30 stolen bases, and 53 runs scored in 101 games across 400 plate appearances. Chisholm is of little help for your average and on-base percentage thanks to a 30% strikeout rate, and his power is down in 2026, but fantasy managers cannot complain about his stolen-base contributions for a player who is eligible at second base. Check back on Friday to see if Chisholm is active for Friday's series opener at Wrigley Field against the Chicago Cubs.
Source: The Athletic - Brendan Kuty
Source: The Athletic - Brendan Kuty
Nick Lodolo to Face Live Hitters on Friday
Cincinnati Reds left-hander Nick Lodolo (finger) will test out his new breaking-ball grip when he faces live hitters on Friday, according to C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic. It will be Lodolo's first time facing hitters since going on the 15-day injured list on July 12 with another blister on his finger. The 28-year-old southpaw teased high-end strikeout upside when he entered the league in 2022 as a former first-round pick out of TCU, but he has failed to live up to expectations and hasn't been able to stay healthy enough to make 30 starts in a single season. In just 12 starts (62 2/3 innings) this year, Lodolo has gone 3-2 with a 4.60 ERA (5.10 FIP) and 1.47 WHIP with 50 strikeouts and 27 walks. He's had a career-low 17.9% strikeout rate and career-high 9.7% walk rate, which is not what you want to see. Still, he's rostered in 63% of Yahoo leagues with hopes that he can at least be a viable matchup-based streamer to close out the year. The Reds will likely have Lodolo make at least one minor-league rehab start if his simulated game goes off without a hitch on Friday.
Source: The Athletic - C. Trent Rosecrans
Source: The Athletic - C. Trent Rosecrans
Merrill Kelly's July Turnaround Makes Him a 12-Team Add
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Merrill Kelly has rebuilt his mixed-league value with five strong July starts. The right-hander is 3-1 with a 1.95 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and 24 strikeouts across 27 2/3 innings this month. He capped that stretch Monday by holding the Pittsburgh Pirates to one unearned run on four hits and one walk while striking out six over 5 2/3 innings. Kelly still carries a 4.86 ERA and 1.45 WHIP through 109 1/3 innings, and his 71 strikeouts leave little margin for error when the ratios slip. That makes him more matchup-dependent than the typical must-start arm. Still, Kelly was rostered in only 38% of Yahoo leagues when RotoBaller's Week 18 rankings were published. He ranks 55th overall with an add recommendation for leagues of 12 teams or deeper and has pitched well enough to earn a roster spot at that depth.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
JJ Bleday Belongs on More 12-Team Rosters
Cincinnati Reds outfielder JJ Bleday is batting .231/.339/.470 with 18 home runs, 45 RBI, 40 runs, and six stolen bases through 331 plate appearances. The average is still a weakness, but a .260 expected mark suggests he has deserved better. More importantly, Bleday's 10.8% barrel rate, 42.1% hard-hit rate, and .468 expected slugging percentage support the power that has kept him in the heart of Cincinnati's lineup. Bleday has started regularly in the corner outfield and offers enough walks and occasional speed to contribute beyond home runs. Yahoo managers have left him unclaimed in 74% of leagues, even though he ranks 49th in RotoBaller's Week 18 waiver rankings with an add recommendation for 12-team formats. He is not a batting-average asset, but managers seeking power and run production should not leave him available at that league depth.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jake Burger's Power Is Worth the Batting-Average Risk
Texas Rangers first baseman Jake Burger is batting .236/.297/.426 with 19 home runs, 66 RBI, 45 runs, and two stolen bases across 385 at-bats. The average remains a drag, but the power is legitimate. Burger owns a 90.0 mph average exit velocity, 46.2% hard-hit rate, and 11.1% barrel rate, and he has already surpassed the 16 homers he hit during an injury-plagued 2025 season. Managers still need to accept the volatility. Burger's .231 expected average and 26.6% strikeout rate leave him vulnerable to prolonged cold stretches, and his value is concentrated in home runs and RBI. That tradeoff remains worthwhile when a regular first baseman with this kind of power is available in 78% of Yahoo leagues. Burger ranks 54th in RotoBaller's Week 18 waiver rankings and carries an add recommendation for 12-team formats. He belongs on rosters at that league depth wherever power is the priority.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kevin Gausman Among Blue Jays Veterans Who Could Fit Phillies
Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Kevin Gausman is among several available veterans who could fit the Philadelphia Phillies' trade-deadline needs, according to Jon Morosi of MLB Network. Philadelphia is looking for rotation depth, a late-inning reliever, and another bat. Starting pitcher Shane Bieber, relief pitcher Jeff Hoffman, designated hitter George Springer, and center fielder Daulton Varsho were also mentioned as possible fits. The clubs share a spring-training complex in Florida, giving Toronto's front office familiarity with Philadelphia's prospects. Morosi did not report that talks involving any individual player were advanced. For now, the trade speculation does not change the fantasy value of any of the five Blue Jays.
Source: Jon Morosi
Source: Jon Morosi
Shane McClanahan Exits With Apparent Back Issue
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Shane McClanahan (back) left Thursday's start against the Texas Rangers after three innings with an apparent lower-back issue, according to Ryan Bass. McClanahan reached toward his lower back and tried to stretch before walking off with head athletic trainer Joe Benge. The left-hander did not allow a hit, but he was charged with one run after issuing two walks and hitting a batter. He struck out three and threw 49 pitches, 29 for strikes. Tampa Bay has not announced a diagnosis or said whether McClanahan will need testing. Fantasy managers should consider his next start uncertain until the Rays provide more information.
Source: Ryan Bass
Source: Ryan Bass
Jonathan Loaisiga Enters the Deep-League Saves Mix
Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Jonathan Loaisiga has a path to save chances after manager Torey Lovullo removed Paul Sewald from the closer role. Arizona will play matchups rather than name one replacement, and Brandyn Garcia handled the ninth inning Wednesday before Lovullo confirmed the committee. Juan Morillo and Kevin Ginkel also remain part of a crowded late-inning picture. Loaisiga owns a 2.57 ERA and 1.05 WHIP with 31 strikeouts and one save through 42 innings, but he has allowed three earned runs over his last two appearances. The strong ratios give him some value while the role develops, though the modest strikeout total keeps him dependent on saves and holds. Loaisiga is not included in RotoBaller's July 30 waiver rankings, so he remains a speculative addition rather than a priority pickup. He is worth considering in 15-team and NL-only leagues, while managers in 12-team formats should monitor Arizona's next few save chances.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
River Ryan Could be Worth a Late-Season Stash
Los Angeles Dodgers pitching prospect River Ryan (hamstring) is sidelined by a hamstring injury and is missing time on the injured list at Triple-A Oklahoma City. He was placed on the injured list at the end of June and hasn't pitched since. The 27-year-old right-hander boasts a 65-grade fastball, a 60-grade slider, and a 55-grade cutter and curveball. The stuff is there for the minor league veteran. Should he be able to work past his current injury, he might find his way back in Los Angeles after making his brief MLB debut in 2024. In 36 1/3 innings with Oklahoma City, Ryan has compiled a 3-1 record this season with a 4.46 ERA and 1.29 WHIP with 43 strikeouts against just eight walks. That kind of control is a good sign moving forward, and he should be in L.A. this summer if he can demonstrate full health. It could be a good move to stash him now.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
James Tibbs III Has Cooled Off Over Past Two Months
Los Angeles Dodgers outfield prospect James Tibbs III has slowed down recently after a hot start to the season. Tibbs III has been at Triple-A Oklahoma City the whole year and has hit .209 in June and .254 in July after starting the season by hitting .326 in May. He has still shown nice power throughout the season with 21 homers and 73 RBI with 77 runs scored. Altogether, he is still hitting .283 so his batting average hasn't come down all that much even with the rough past two months. Tibbs III is the No. 9 prospect in the Dodgers' system and has a 50-grade hit tool with 50-grade power. The left-handed hitter is now 23 years old. Originally a first-round pick by the San Francisco Giants out of Florida State, Tibbs III has already spent time in the Red Sox organization before coming over to the Dodgers. Tibbs III's recent slide could mean that he doesn't debut until next season, so fantasy managers will want to keep an eye on his progress.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Quinn Mathews Deals Gem in Latest Triple-A Start
St. Louis Cardinals pitching prospect Quinn Mathews is coming off a superb start at Triple-A Memphis in which he hurled seven shutout innings with three hits and an unearned run with 10 strikeouts against three walks. Mathews picked up a win for his efforts, moving his overall record this season to 5-3. The left-hander has spent the entire season at Memphis, compiling a 3.13 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP with 111 strikeouts in 92 innings pitched. In four July starts, Mathews has racked up a 1.04 ERA and 0.77 WHIP as he has raised the level of his game as the summer months have heated up. The No. 7 prospect on the Cardinals' list, Mathews boasts a 60-grade changeup and a 55-grade slider. After four years at Stanford, the 25-year-old is nearing big league ready and it would be wise to add him now before a potential late-season promotion.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Luke Adams Making Case For Promotion to Milwaukee
Milwaukee Brewers third base prospect Luke Adams has put together a nice month of July with a .305 batting average in 59 at bats with two homers and six RBI with 14 runs scored. The 22-year-old right-handed hitter missed some time with an injury this season but has returned in early June. In 182 total at bats this year between the ACL Brewers and Triple-A Nashville, Adams has 15 homers and 38 RBI with 40 runs scored while hitting .269. Adams is the No. 16 ranked prospect in the Brewers' system with a 50-grade hit tool and 50-grade power. A former 12th round pick in the draft, Adams doesn't have the prospect pedigree of some others, but he is nonetheless putting up some nice numbers at Triple-A. He could be looked at by the Brewers for a spot on the big league roster especially at third base where Milwaukee is a bit thin.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Angel Genao Could Bring Skills To Cleveland Infield Later This Summer
Cleveland Guardians infield prospect Angel Genao has hits in five of his last six games at Triple-A Columbus. Genao is red-hot in Columbus, hitting .382 in 76 July at bats, including two homers and 12 RBI to go with 14 runs scored. Genao is the No. 2 prospect in the Guardians' system and the switch-hitter has made a name for himself in his age 22 season in the minors. Genao has been so impressive that he is making a late-season promotion seem more and more likely and thus it might be a good idea to stash Genao on your roster. At the big league level, Cleveland has Travis Bazzana (second base) and Brayan Rocchio (shortstop) up the middle defensively. But Genao could force his way to Cleveland with his performance. At age 22 and already at Triple-A, Genao is on track to potentially make his MLB debut later this season. His 60-grade hit tool and 55-grade run tool could be on display in Cleveland later this summer.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Seaver King Sidelined By Oblique Injury, Big-League Debut Unlikely This Year
Washington Nationals shortstop prospect Seaver King is currently sidelined with a left-oblique strain, making a late-season big-league debut improbable. King is the No. 4 overall prospect in the Washington system and has a 50-grade hit tool with a 70-grade run tool. So he has the potential to be a big-time contributor in stolen bases in the major leagues. In his age-23 season, King has recorded nine stolen bases combined between Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Rochester. King's current injury is problematic because at age 23 he is primed to make his major league debut, but he will first have to demonstrate full health in the minors. At the big league level, Washington has CJ Abrams at shortstop and Nasim Nunez up the middle at second base. So it's looking like next year might be the year for King to make his MLB debut. Fantasy managers will want to be patient until then.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Luke Weaver Remains a High-End Waiver-Wire Stash Option
New York Mets right-hander Luke Weaver has been one of the better relief pitchers in baseball so far this season, recording a 1.88 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, 44 strikeouts, 15 holds, and one save across 43 innings (41 games). The Mets have deployed Weaver in a setup role in front of veteran closer Devin Williams for the majority of 2026. However, Williams has struggled to a 4.29 ERA and 1.60 WHIP across 35 2/3 innings on the year. Additionally, with the Mets out of contention, both Weaver and Williams could be candidates to be moved at the upcoming trade deadline. Rival teams could view Weaver as a viable closer, as he logged 12 saves across two seasons with the New York Yankees in 2024 and 2025. Whether he stays with the Mets or gets traded, Weaver could have a path to saves in the final few months of the season and profiles as a worthy waiver wire stash candidate.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
