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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
Guardians Promote Franco Aleman After Stellar Showing at Triple-A
The Cleveland Guardians recalled right-handed pitching prospect Franco Aleman from Triple-A Columbus on Friday, a source told Francys Romero. Aleman has been outstanding for Columbus this year, posting a 0.32 ERA with 43 strikeouts over 28 1/3 innings pitched. The 26-year-old Cuban hurler made his big-league debut with Cleveland earlier this year and allowed a solo home run with a walk and a strikeout in 2 2/3 relief innings. The former 10th-round pick in 2021 out of the University of Florida has been as dominant as they come out of the bullpen in the minors this year, although he will most likely be utilized in more of a middle-relief role in his return to the majors, limiting his overall fantasy upside. Aleman is not listed among the Guardians' top-30 prospects, per MLB Pipeline, and he's had a 4.36 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, and 293:77 K:BB in 198 1/3 innings over 151 outings (eight starts) over his five minor-league seasons.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Ryan Jeffers Starting a Rehab Assignment on Friday
Minnesota Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers (hand) is starting a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A St. Paul on Friday, according to Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic. Jeffers will serve as the Saints' designated hitter on Friday, roughly six weeks after having surgery for a fractured hamate bone in his left hand. It's unclear how long Jeffers will be on his rehab assignment, but barring a setback, he should have a shot to rejoin the Twins as their primary catcher before the All-Star break from July 13-16. Fantasy managers seeking an upgrade at catcher will want to consider stashing Jeffers now, too, after he was slashing .295/.408/.541 with seven home runs, 26 RBI, 26 runs scored and a stolen base in 148 plate appearances across 37 games before fracturing his hand. Veteran Victor Caratini has been seeing most of the starts behind the dish for the Twins with Jeffers out, with Alex Jackson serving as the No. 2. Jeffers is currently rostered in only 28% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: The Athletic - Aaron Gleeman
Source: The Athletic - Aaron Gleeman
Lars Nootbaar is Absent Against Southpaw
St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar (rest) is out of the starting lineup ahead of Friday's game against the Chicago Cubs. This appears to be a regular rest day for Nootbaar, with the Cubs sending southpaw David Peterson to the mound. Nootbaar has started in 11 straight games, so he could use a rest day. In his place, Jose Fermin will cover left field and bat seventh on Friday. Due to injuries, Nootbaar has only played in 23 games this season. He's slashing .300/.387/.463 with two home runs and eight RBI in 93 plate appearances. He could be an under-the-radar deep league addition at the moment.
Source: mlb.com
Source: mlb.com
Byron Buxton to Miss Fourth Straight Game
Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (hip) remains out of the starting lineup ahead of Friday's game against the New York Yankees. This marks the fourth straight game that Buxton has missed due to a hip impingement issue. The Twins had an off day on Thursday and were hopeful Buxton could return here, but he'll remain out at least one more game. For now, Buxton should be considered day-to-day, but he could end up on the Injured List if he doesn't improve at all during the weekend. Ryan Kreidler will cover center field and bat seventh against right-hander Gerrit Cole on Friday.
Source: mlb.com
Source: mlb.com
Dustin May is Feeling Better on Friday
St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Dustin May (ankle) was forced to make an early exit from Thursday's outing against the Atlanta Braves. He exited in the first inning due to a right ankle contusion, but the X-rays came back negative. On Friday, manager Oliver Marmol said that May's ankle is feeling better than expected. That is encouraging news for a pitcher who suffered an ankle injury less than 24 hours ago. He was planning to play catch ahead of Friday's game against the Chicago Cubs. Unfortunately, that didn't happen with thunderstorms looming over Wrigley Field. Given the improvement, the Cardinals are likely going to take this situation day-to-day. The right-hander could end up on the Injured List, but the team will probably wait and see how May progresses over the weekend. UPDATE: St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Derrick Goold reports that May will not be placed on the injured list before Friday's game against the division-rival Cubs.
Source: Jeff Jones
Source: Jeff Jones
Trent Grisham is Officially Activated off Injured List
New York Yankees outfielder Trent Grisham (hamstring) was activated off the 10-day Injured List on Friday. As expected, Grisham has been activated ahead of the series opener versus the Minnesota Twins. Grisham has been sidelined since June 12 due to a right hamstring strain. Before going down, Grisham was swinging a hot bat to begin the month of June, but we'll see if that can carry over into July. Overall, this season, Grisham is slashing .232/.341/.406 with eight home runs, 35 RBI, and six steals in 57 games. He does offer some upside as a power bat, but is more worth a look in mixed leagues against right-handed pitching.
Source: New York Yankees
Source: New York Yankees
Can Walker Jenkins Overcome Injuries to be Stash-Worthy?
Minnesota Twins outfield prospect Walker Jenkins has found his way back from a sprained left shoulder AC joint and has rejoined the St. Paul Saints at the Triple-A level. In 114 at-bats with St. Paul this season, Jenkins is hitting .272 with two homers and 11 RBI to go with seven stolen bases. In an injury-limited season, Jenkins has shown off his five-category ability. The former No. 5 overall pick has room to improve the power numbers in his limited at-bats but is more than capable of doing so. He has shown nice speed on the base paths and is hitting for a good average. The question is what he can do at the big-league level, but he has been considered one of the top outfield prospects in the minor leagues over the last few years. He could reward fantasy managers who take a chance and add him prior to his call-up to Minnesota. Jenkins has the talent to help teams win fantasy titles late this season, making him a worthy stash target in deeper five-outfielder leagues with N/A spots.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Ryan McMahon Returns on Friday
New York Yankees third baseman Ryan McMahon (illness) was activated off the 10-day Injured List on Friday. McMahon has been out since June 21 due to a throat and ear infection. He figures to resume his role as a platoon option at third base. So far this season, McMahon is slashing .210/.269/.360 with eight home runs, 23 RBI, and three steals in 69 games. The 31-year-old offers some power upside, but being a platoon player doesn't help his fantasy value. At the moment, fantasy managers shouldn't view McMahon as anything more than a source of power in deep leagues.
Source: New York Yankees
Source: New York Yankees
Carlos Rodon is Placed on 15-Day Injured List
New York Yankees starting pitcher Carlos Rodon (elbow) was placed on the 15-day Injured List on Friday. Rodon heads to the shelf for hopefully a minimal stint due to left elbow inflammation. The Yankees believe this is an injury that can be managed without Rodon needing to undergo surgery. There isn't a clear timetable for Rodon, so the Yankees will just give him time to rest before they make any further decisions. The southpaw owns a 3.30 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and a 52:26 K:BB ratio across nine starts this season. When healthy, Rodon is a stud, but keeping him on the mound has been a problem. It's unclear at the moment who is going to take over his spot in the rotation.
Source: Chris Kirschner
Source: Chris Kirschner
