RADIO
Emilio Pagan Needs to be Rostered After Returning From Injury
Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Emilio Pagan was recently activated from the Injured List after missing time due to a hamstring strain. Pagan returned at the end of June after being sidelined since early May. The right-hander had a slow start to the season, but figures to reclaim his role as the primary closer. He currently owns a 6.28 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, and six saves in nine attempts across 16 appearances this season. Those aren't pretty numbers to look at, but Pagan has shown he's capable of holding down the closer role. He registered 32 saves with a 2.88 ERA across 70 appearances last season. The Reds don't have much competition at the backend of the bullpen, so Pagan figures to reclaim the full-time role. Fantasy managers looking for bullpen help should add Pagan if he's available.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
A.J. Ewing Deserves a Look While Swinging Hot Bat
New York Mets infielder/outfielder A.J. Ewing has been nearly impossible to keep off the basepaths recently. Over the last two weeks, Ewing has been slashing .317/.404/.512 with two home runs and eight RBI. So far this season, Ewing has a .352 OBP with four long balls, 19 RBI, and eight steals. He's capable of doing just about everything on the field, which makes him a favorable option for category leagues. He probably hasn't wandered into must-have territory yet, but is someone worth at least looking at in deep leagues.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Samuel Basallo is Gaining Traction Quickly
Baltimore Orioles catcher Samuel Basallo has been experiencing some good times at the plate recently. The fun continued for Basallo during Friday's game against the Cincinnati Reds. The young catcher went 1-3 with a two-run home run and a walk in the win. It was his 13th blast of the year, which ties him with Carter Jensen for fourth among rookies this season. Over the last 15 games, Basallo is hitting .255 with three homers and 10 RBI. It's never easy for fantasy managers to find a consistent hitter at the catcher spot. Basallo has shown impressive power numbers this season and is deserving of a look in more fantasy leagues going forward.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Trevor Rogers Must be Rostered During Hot Stretch
Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Trevor Rogers has found his groove on the mound as of late. Over the last 24.2 innings, Rogers has only allowed three earned runs. He has struggled at times with his command, but continues to be nearly impossible to score on. On Friday, Rogers continued his success with five scoreless innings of work against the Cincinnati Reds. The southpaw struck out four batters and allowed two hits in the win. His overall numbers on the season aren't great, but Rogers has been throwing the ball extremely well lately. Who knows how long it'll last, but fantasy managers should take advantage of it and scoop him up in all fantasy formats.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Griffin Jax is Approaching Must-Add Territory
Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Griffin Jax has been making a smooth transition into the starting rotation. Over his last five outings, Jax owns a 1.73 ERA with 27 strikeouts across 26 innings of work. Jax was tagged for three runs across six innings of work during his most recent outing against the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday. The right-hander has looked sharp as a starting pitcher and figures to remain in that role going forward. His next outing is scheduled in Houston versus the Astros. Fantasy managers seeking pitching help should check the waiver wire to see if Jax is available.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Brenton Doyle Returns to Rehab Assignment After Groin Injury
Colorado Rockies outfielder Brenton Doyle (groin, oblique) missed several days during his minor-league rehab assignment with the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes due to tightness in his left groin, but he was expected to be back in the lineup on Friday night, according to Thomas Harding of MLB.com. The 28-year-old power/speed threat initially was placed on the 10-day injured list by the Rockies in late May with a left-oblique contusion. Now that he's back in action on the farm, Doyle could be reinstated from the IL and rejoin the big-league roster at some point next week before the All-Star break. Doyle broke out in 2024 in his second full season in the majors with 23 home runs, 72 RBI, 30 stolen bases, and a .260/.317/.446 slash line in 149 games, but he has struggled to get anywhere near that level ever since. Through 43 games (122 plate appearances) this year before landing on the IL, Doyle was hitting just .207 (23-for-111) with a homer, four RBI, nine steals, and a 32.8% strikeout rate. With regular playing time no longer guaranteed, Doyle is rostered in only 31% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com - Thomas Harding
Source: MLB.com - Thomas Harding
Will Smith Resumes Hitting, Throwing
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that catcher Will Smith (neck) hit in the batting cage on Thursday and has also resumed throwing, according to Jack Harris of The California Post. Smith, who was placed on the 10-day injured list on June 11 with inflammation in his neck, is making progress, but he's not expected to return before the All-Star break from July 13-16. It's been a frustrating situation for fantasy managers, as the Dodgers initially believed in early June that Smith wasn't going to even land on the IL at all. The 31-year-old veteran three-time All-Star required a cortisone injection as well, but it didn't really seem to do the trick. Before tweaking his neck, Smith had delivered a disappointing .249/.338/.382 slash line with a .720 OPS, six homers, 23 RBI, and 23 runs scored in 52 games across 201 plate appearances. He still deserves to be rostered in most fantasy baseball leagues while he heals as L.A.'s starting catcher when he's healthy. Dalton Rushing remains a short-term option in two-catcher leagues with Smith out of commission.
Source: The California Post - Jack Harris
Source: The California Post - Jack Harris
Mike Trout Improving, Getting "Really Close"
Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout (hamstring) is improving and getting "really close" to returning from the 10-day injured list, manager Kurt Suzuki told Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com. Trout landed on the IL in the middle of June, but he's expected to hit on the field this weekend. Barring a setback, he will have a chance to be reinstated and rejoin the major-league roster next week before the All-Star break from July 13-16. Trout recently said that he's hopeful he'll be ready to take part in the Midsummer Classic, but he's unlikely to stay in the Home Run Derby field. The 34-year-old three-time MVP and 11-time All-Star has struggled to stay healthy on the wrong side of 30, but thankfully, his hamstring injury isn't that serious. Before landing on the shelf, Trout was having a resurgent season for the last-place Angels, hitting .234/.394/.472 with an .866 OPS, 17 home runs, 36 RBI, 54 runs scored, and seven stolen bases across his 265 at-bats. Trout is no longer the elite five-category producer he once was, but the future Hall of Famer is still valuable in all fantasy leagues when he's active.
Source: MLB.com - Rhett Bollinger
Source: MLB.com - Rhett Bollinger
Randy Vasquez Goes on Injured List With Ankle Bruise
San Diego Padres right-hander Randy Vasquez (ankle) was placed on the 15-day injured list on Friday with a bruised right ankle, according to Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune. Right-handed reliever Alek Jacob was recalled from Triple-A El Paso in a corresponding move. Vasquez took a line drive off his right ankle in the first inning of his start on Thursday night against the division-rival Los Angeles Dodgers and was pulled after just three innings. He then fainted on his way to get X-rays and was taken to the hospital as a precaution. Even though X-rays came back negative and he was released from the hospital on Friday, he will miss the next two weeks and won't be a candidate to rejoin San Diego's starting rotation until after the All-Star break in mid-July. The 27-year-old allowed four earned runs in just three innings on Thursday night and has surrendered 24 runs (20 earned) on 37 hits (five homers) while walking nine and striking out 10 in 18 2/3 innings in his last five starts. Fantasy managers in mixed leagues shouldn't be holding Vasquez while he recovers.
Source: The San Diego Union-Tribune - Kevin Acee
Source: The San Diego Union-Tribune - Kevin Acee
Chandler Simpson Scratched With Sore Fingers
Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Chandler Simpson (fingers) has been scratched from Friday's starting lineup against the hosting Houston Astros due to sore right index and middle fingers that he jammed while sliding into second base during Thursday's game, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Manager Kevin Cash said that Simpson is fine, and the move to hold him out on Friday is just a precautionary move. Victor Mesa Jr. is starting in left field and will bat sixth against Astros right-hander Spencer Arrighetti at Daikin Park. The speedy Simpson should be considered day-to-day, and he should be ready to roll as the series continues in Houston on the Fourth of July on Saturday. The 25-year-old former second-rounder in 2022 out of Georgia Institute of Technology is still searching for his first major-league home run 190 games into his career, but his speed (64 stolen bases) and contact abilities make him relevant in fantasy baseball. In 81 games (324 plate appearances) this year, Simpson has hit .278 (83-for-299) with 20 steals, 16 RBI, and 35 runs scored.
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
Julio Rodriguez Heading to Concussion Injured List
Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez (head) is expected to be placed on the seven-day concussion injured list on Friday, according to Daniel Kramer of MLB.com. The Mariners haven't made an official roster move yet, but utility man Miles Mastrobuoni has a locker at T-Mobile Park in Seattle and is likely to be called up from Triple-A Tacoma as the corresponding roster move. Victor Robles (forearm) replaced Rodriguez on Thursday in the game against the division-rival Los Angeles Angels after Rodriguez was hit in the helmet by a throw, but he was forced to leave early as well with a right-forearm injury. If Robles is unavailable to return on Friday, either Mastrobuoni or Weston Wilson will likely enter the starting lineup in Seattle's outfield, with Luke Raley most likely sliding over to center field. It's unclear if Rodriguez will be able to rejoin the M's before the All-Star break in mid-July. The five-category producer should be stashed in all fantasy leagues while he recovers. He's currently hitting .259/.323/.424 with a .747 OPS, 14 homers, 40 RBI, 46 runs, and 12 stolen bases in his 344 at-bats in 2026.
Source: MLB.com - Daniel Kramer
Source: MLB.com - Daniel Kramer
Willy Adames Recovers From Back Injury, in Action on Friday
San Francisco Giants shortstop Willy Adames (back) is starting at the 6 and is hitting sixth for Friday's series opener in Denver against the division-rival Colorado Rockies and right-hander Ryan Feltner at Coors Field, per MLB.com. Adames will return to kick off the holiday weekend and will be trying to extend his modest hitting streak to five games after sitting out the last three games with lower-back spasms. The 30-year-old Dominican infielder has been a drain in batting average and on-base percentage, but he still has high-end power from the shortstop position with 14 long balls in his 321 at-bats in 2026. Adames really struggled at the plate in June, going 17-for-86 (.198) with six home runs, three doubles, nine RBI, 12 runs scored, seven walks, and 26 strikeouts across 23 games and 93 plate appearances. He'll have to turn things around against Feltner to extend his hitting streak, as he's batting .071 with a .204 OPS in 14 career at-bats against Feltner. With Adames back in action, utility man Casey Schmitt will start at third base and bat second on Friday.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Carlos Rodon has Heavy Inflammation in his Elbow
New York Yankees left-hander Carlos Rodon (elbow) said that he doesn't have any damage to his UCL, but he's dealing with heavy inflammation in his elbow, according to Chris Kirschner of The Athletic. Rodon is hoping that he doesn't need a long recovery process. The Yankees placed the 33-year-old veteran on the 15-day injured list on Friday, which means he won't pitch again before the All-Star break. However, barring a setback once he resumes throwing, Rodon could have a shot to rejoin the team's starting rotation for the start of the second half later this month. In his 12th year in the big leagues (fourth with the Yankees), Rodon has gone 4-2 with a 3.30 ERA (3.46 FIP) and 1.25 WHIP with 52 strikeouts and 26 walks in 46 1/3 innings pitched across nine starts. He got a late start to 2026 after having surgery last October to remove loose bodies in his left elbow. Durability is obviously a concern with the veteran southpaw moving forward, but fantasy managers should keep him stashed in an IL spot for the second half of 2026.
Source: The Athletic - Chris Kirschner
Source: The Athletic - Chris Kirschner
Orioles Place Ryan Helsley on Injured List With Elbow Discomfort
The Baltimore Orioles announced on Friday that they placed right-handed closer Ryan Helsley (elbow) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to June 30) with right-elbow discomfort and recalled right-handed reliever Anthony Nunez from Triple-A Norfolk in a corresponding move. It's a bad sign after Helsley already missed two months with inflammation in his right elbow earlier this year. The 31-year-old two-time All-Star has gone 0-4 in his first year with the O's with an elevated 4.11 ERA (4.68 FIP), 1.43 WHIP, eight saves, 21 strikeouts, and nine walks in 15 1/3 innings pitched. Helsley will now be out through the All-Star break and could struggle to return to Baltimore before the calendar flips to August. Veteran Andrew Kittredge could get some save opportunities given his experience, but the name fantasy managers want to target off the waiver wire is Rico Garcia, who picked up his first four career saves back when Helsley was on the IL the first time.
Source: Baltimore Orioles
Source: Baltimore Orioles
Christian Walker Returns on Friday Following Back Injury
Houston Astros first baseman Christian Walker (back) is starting at first base and batting cleanup for Houston in Friday's contest against the visiting Tampa Bay Rays and right-hander Nick Martinez at Daikin Park, according to MLB.com. Walker will return to the starting nine following an off day on Thursday after he was removed from Wednesday's series finale early against the Minnesota Twins with stiffness in his lower back. Fantasy managers are hoping that the 35-year-old veteran right-handed slugger can get his bat going again with the All-Star break approaching quickly. After a hot start in 2026, Walker went 23-for-103 (.223) with three homers, six doubles, a triple, 13 RBI, nine runs scored, nine walks, and 31 strikeouts in 26 games in June to drop his season slash line down to .239/.310/.469 with a .780 OPS in 361 plate appearances. He has a good matchup to get back on track, as he's hitting .500 with a 1.371 OPS, one homer, and four RBI in 12 career at-bats against Martinez. Get Walker back in your starting fantasy lineups in traditional formats.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
