RADIO
Gage Jump Bounced Back His Last Time Out, Worth a Roster Spot for the Second-Half?
Athletics left-hander Gage Jump finished the first half of the 2026 season 3-4 with a 3.51 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, and 48 strikeouts in 48 2/3 innings pitched (nine starts). This is Jump's first taste of MLB, and overall he has been fairly solid, especially given that he pitches half his games at Sutter Health Park, one of MLB's friendliest ballparks. That being said, Jump has pitched to a 6.20 ERA at home and a 0.75 ERA on the road, so it's been night and day for him, so something fantasy managers will want to continue to monitor moving forward as they make weekly start/sit decisions. When we peek under the hood, most of Jump's ERA estimators support his strong start to his career, with a 3.96 xERA and 3.31 FIP. When you combine that with his solid control and strikeout upside (48:15 K:BB ratio), Jump has proven to be useful in all formats. Some may argue there is even more to be had, as his strikeout rate in the Minors was 33.1 percent in Triple-A this year, and 28.4 percent in Double-A in 2025. Jump should continue to be rostered in all formats for the second half, but should be considered a strong start when he's on the road, and a consideration to sit when at home.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Giants Turn to Erik Miller in Late Innings on Sunday, Worth Stashing for Second Half Saves?
San Francisco Giants left-hander Erik Miller worked 1 1/3 innings on Sunday, struck out two, allowed one hit, walked none, and allowed no runs against the Rockies, picking up his second win of the season. Miller also has an impressive 10 holds for the year, along with two saves in three opportunities and a 3.29 ERA, with 38 punchouts in 27 1/3 innings (32 appearances). His WHIP remains incredibly high for a reliever (1.50), and his control at times falters tremendously (16.5 percent walk rate), but his stuff and velocity are good enough to keep his high WHIP afloat. He generates a ton of strikeouts and whiffs (31.4 percent and 34.4 percent, respectively), and allows a .190 xBA. Caleb Kilian appears to be the preferred choice to close out games for the Giants, as he has eight saves in 11 opportunities; however, he has blown two saves in the past six outings and has a 4.74 ERA and 1.39 WHIP. It's a long shot that Miller becomes the preferred closer, as he is also utilized as a left-handed specialist; however, if Kilian continues to falter, it could keep the door open for Miller. If you are in saves-and-holds leagues, Miller will continue to provide solid value in deeper formats.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jacob Webb Earns Another Save for Cubs, Entering Must-Roster Status?
Chicago Cubs right-hander Jacob Webb notched his fifth save of the season on Sunday, working 2/3 of an inning and recording both outs without any traffic. Webb has not allowed a run since June 20, his last blown save, and since then has recorded two wins, three saves, and two holds. On the season as a whole, he now has a solid 3.05 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, and a 48:16 K:BB ratio with five saves (nine opportunities), seven holds, and three wins in 42 appearances. He has clearly taken over as the preferred option in the Cubs bullpen for saves, and provides tremendous short-term value while Daniel Palencia (elbow) is on the injured list and is expected back in late July. The Cubs are also a top option to shop for a reliever on the market as the trade deadline approaches, so Webb's value may be short-lived; however, based on the 2026 closer market, he has entered must-roster status in deeper formats.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Zack Wheeler Continues to Pitch With a Chip on his Shoulder, Fans 10 on Sunday
After admitting that he turned down an invitation to the 2026 All-Star Game in Philadelphia next week, Philadelphia Phillies veteran right-hander Zack Wheeler had another dominant outing on Sunday in the team's 5-0 shutout win in Motown over the Detroit Tigers. Wheeler outdueled ace Tarik Skubal, tossing six shutout innings, allowing only two hits, walking two, and striking out 10 batters to lower his season ERA to 2.13 and pick up his 10th win of the 2026 season. After initially being a National League All-Star snub, the 36-year-old declined an invite and said that he wouldn't stand for being disrespected. Wheeler had been pitching well all year, but this seems to have really lit a fire under him, and he's now recorded double-digit strikeouts in his last three starts while fanning 34 hitters in 17 1/3 innings over that span. In addition to his sharp 2.13 ERA, Wheeler has a 0.89 WHIP with 108 strikeouts and only 22 innings over 15 starts and 93 innings in his 12th year in the league. The three-time All-Star has exceeded expectations after coming into the 2026 campaign as more of a question mark following thoracic outlet syndrome that shut him down early in 2025.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Carlos Rodon Could Get Back on a Mound Next Week
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that left-hander Carlos Rodon (elbow) has had a few good days of throwing, according to the New York Daily News' Gary Phillips. Rodon wasn't scheduled to throw on Sunday, but he will throw just about every day during the All-Star break, and it could include a bullpen session. The 33-year-old three-time All-Star isn't going to be ready to rejoin New York's starting rotation just out of the break next weekend and will most likely need several bullpen sessions before embarking on a minor-league rehab assignment later this month. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect Rodon to be a realistic candidate for a return to New York's starting rotation until August, especially when considering he got a late start to the 2026 season after having surgery on the same elbow last October to remove loose bodies and shave down a bone spur. Despite durability concerns, Rodon can still help fantasy managers in all leagues in the second half after going 4-2 with a 3.30 ERA (3.44 FIP) and 1.25 WHIP with 52 strikeouts and 26 walks in 46 1/3 innings across his nine starts for the Yanks.
Source: New York Daily News - Gary Phillips
Source: New York Daily News - Gary Phillips
Max Fried Could Make a Rehab Start on Friday
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that left-hander Max Fried's (elbow) live bullpen session on Saturday went well, and his next step is "likely" a minor-league rehab game, which could come as soon as Friday, July 17, according to Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News. In his live session with Double-A Somerset this weekend, Fried went three innings and threw 44 pitches. The 32-year-old three-time All-Star will look to build up his pitch count late next week in his first rehab start since going on the 15-day injured list back on May 16 due to a bone bruise in his left elbow. Because of how long he's been away from the Yankees' rotation, fantasy managers should expect Fried to make at least two rehab starts and potentially return before the end of July. The former seventh overall pick by the San Diego Padres in 2012 must remain stashed in an IL spot in all fantasy leagues. Before getting hurt, Fried was 4-3 in his 10 starts (61 2/3 innings) with a 3.21 ERA (2.71 FIP), 1.00 WHIP, and 50:19 K:BB in his second season in the Bronx. If he can stay healthy in the second half, Fried could help carry fantasy pitching staffs.
Source: New York Daily News - Gary Phillips
Source: New York Daily News - Gary Phillips
Jurrangelo Cijntje Heading to Triple-A After All-Star Break
The St. Louis Cardinals are promoting switch pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje from Double-A Springfield to Triple-A Memphis when minor-league play begins after the All-Star break, according to Rob Rains of the St. Louis Sports Page. Cijntje, the team's No. 4 prospect per MLB Pipeline, will make the jump to the highest level on the farm after going 3-4 with a 5.04 ERA and 1.36 WHIP with 100 strikeouts and 40 walks in 80 1/3 innings pitched across 17 starts. The 23-year-old former 15th overall pick by the Seattle Mariners out of Mississippi State University was acquired by the Cardinals in the Brendan Donovan trade in the offseason. Cijntje obviously has unique talents on the mound for his ability to pitch from both sides, but the native of the Netherlands hasn't really stood out with either arm yet in the minors in 2026. If Cijntje does debut in the big leagues this year with the Red Birds, it likely won't be until later in the season, and it'll likely come in a bullpen role that won't give him a ton of fantasy baseball value. The 5-foot-11, 200-pounder is a natural southpaw, but he has shown better stuff from the right side so far as a pro.
Source: St. Louis Sports Page - Rob Rains
Source: St. Louis Sports Page - Rob Rains
Emerson Hancock has X-Rays Come Back Negative
Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Emerson Hancock (finger) was forced to make an early exit from Sunday's outing against the Tampa Bay Rays. Hancock was struck in the hand by a comebacker during the first inning of this game. He attempted to stay in the game, but Hancock was taken out in the second inning. He finished this outing with 1.2 innings of work and two strikeouts. Luckily, the X-rays came back negative, so it appears Hancock has avoided any significant injuries. The All-Star break begins on Monday, so Hancock will get a few days to rest before game action returns. The hope is that he'll be able to avoid a trip to the Injured List, and the Mariners can just slot him towards the back of the rotation to give him as much time as possible to recover.
Source: Ryan Divish
Source: Ryan Divish
Cristopher Sanchez Named National League Starting Pitcher for All-Star Game
Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Cristopher Sanchez has been named the starting pitcher for the National League during the upcoming All-Star Game. It's only fitting that Sanchez gets the nod in his home ballpark in Philadelphia. The fact it's in Philly likely helped his case to start, but Sanchez is deserving of the honor. The southpaw owns a 2.62 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and a 144/25 K/BB ratio across 20 starts this season. This will be the second All-Star selection of his career. Sanchez also made the team during the 2024 season as a member of the Phillies. Toronto Blue Jays stud Dylan Cease will be on the opposing side during Tuesday's All-Star contest.
Source: Matt Gelb
Source: Matt Gelb
Dylan Cease Named American League Starter for All-Star Game
Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Dylan Cease will get the nod as the American League starting pitcher during the upcoming All-Star Game in Philadelphia. This is a well-deserved honor for Cease, who has been outstanding during his first season with the Blue Jays. The right-hander owns a 2.56 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, and a 148/44 K/BB ratio across 17 starts this season. This will be the first All-Star game of his eight-year career. The Blue Jays currently sit in the cellar of the AL East as we head into the All-Star break. That is no fault of Cease, who has been electric to begin his Blue Jays career.
Source: Keegan Matheson
Source: Keegan Matheson
Blaze Alexander Diagnosed with Hand Fracture
Baltimore Orioles infielder Blaze Alexander (hand) suffered a non-displaced hand fracture after being hit by a pitch during Sunday's game against the Kansas City Royals. Alexander was 2-for-2 at the plate with a walk and two runs scored before getting nailed by a pitch in the bottom of the seventh inning. He was immediately removed for a pinch runner and will now almost certainly be placed on the Injured List. This is a tough break for Alexander, who was hitting extremely well since the beginning of June. The All-Star break begins on Monday, which means the Orioles have a few days to officially place Alexander on the shelf. It's unclear who is going to replace him, but fantasy managers should expect to be without Alexander for a few weeks.
Source: Matt Weyrich
Source: Matt Weyrich
Tommy Troy to Undergo an MRI
Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Tommy Troy (shoulder) will undergo an MRI on Monday. Troy was held out of Sunday's lineup after suffering a shoulder contusion during Saturday's contest. The team will do imaging to determine the severity of the right shoulder injury. The All-Star break is beginning on Monday, so the D-Backs will have a few days to decide what they want to do with Troy. If he does miss additional time, Ryan Waldschmidt figures to see additional playing time in center field. Waldschmidt could be worth adding in deep leagues if Troy does end up on the Injured List.
Source: Nick Piecoro
Source: Nick Piecoro
Jake Fraley Gets Pulled Off Rehab Assignment
Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Jake Fraley (groin) was pulled off his rehab assignment on Sunday. Fraley was five games into his rehab assignment before feeling something in the area of his hernia surgery. He'll head back to the doctor for further examination before the Rays decide what to do next with him. He seemed to be nearing the point of finally returning, but will now need to ramp up again. Once healthy, Fraley could offer some deep league value. At this point, it's unclear when Fraley will finally play, so fantasy managers should move on in all formats.
Source: Marc Topkin
Source: Marc Topkin
Brice Matthews Removed with Knee Injury
Houston Astros outfielder Brice Matthews (knee) was forced to make an early exit from Sunday's game against the Texas Rangers. Matthews injured his knee when he collided with the wall during the first inning of this contest. Matthews finished out the inning, but was pulled out of the game before taking his first at-bat. Taylor Trammell pinch hit for Matthews and took over in center field for the rest of the contest. The Astros will likely do more testing on Matthews before deciding if he needs to be placed on the Injured List. The All-Star break begins on Monday, so the Astros won't need to make any decisions right away.
Source: Matt Kawahara
Source: Matt Kawahara
Jason Foley Activated Off Injured List on Sunday
San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Jason Foley (shoulder) was activated off the 60-day Injured List on Sunday. The right-hander is ready to make his team debut after missing the first few months of the season. Foley has finally recovered from arthroscopic shoulder surgery that he underwent in May of 2025. The expectation is that Foley will begin in a low-leverage role out of the bullpen. If he pitches well, Foley could quickly work his way into save situations. He registered 28 saves with a 3.15 ERA across 60 innings with the Detroit Tigers in 2024. He's someone to keep an eye on as a possible saves target in deep leagues during the second half of the season.
Source: Giants PR
Source: Giants PR
