RADIO
Brody Hopkins Sees Struggles Linger as MLB Debut Appears Increasingly Unlikely
Tampa Bay Rays right-handed pitching prospect Brody Hopkins was expected to be in serious contention to make his MLB debut this summer. However, the No. 4-ranked prospect in the system has struggled to show consistency at Durham, which has prevent hm form eanring the call. Since June 1 (his last 23 2/3 innings), Hopkins has posted a rough 7.23 ERA with a 32:27 K:BB. While he has allowed no runs in three of these outings, he surrendered a hefty 19 runs in the other four. Additionally, Hopkins has struggled to avoid high counts, inflating his walk rate. Through 71 2/3 innings on the season, Hopkins has allowed a high 70 free passes with a 1.65 WHIP. While an injury to the Tampa rotation could open the door, given his inconsistencies, the Rays are unlikely to call his name down the stretch.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Ike Irish Pushing for Late-Season Promotion to Double-A
Baltimore Orioles catching prospect Ike Irish has had a productive debut season at High-A but has begun to take a massive step forward over the last month. Over his most recent 20 contests (since June 16), the Auburn product has posted a stellar .321/.438/.526 line with five doubles, one triple, three home runs and seven stolen bases. More importantly, during this stretch, the young catcher has shown a strong eye at the dish, holding a 14:15 K:BB. In comparison, the 19th overall pick from last summer's draft carried a much lower .240/.349/.464 line with a .813 OPS, 10 home runs and 10 stolen bases over the first 50 games of the campaign. Dynasty managers should continue to monitor his progress as the 22-year-old will continue to emerge as one of the game's top young catchers.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Rockies to Promote Top Third Base Prospect Roldy Brito to High-A
The Colorado Rockies are moving up top third base prospect Roldy Brito to High-A Spokane. Brito is currently viewed as the team's No. 3 overall prospect and the No. 71 prospect in the sport on MLB.com. The 19-year-old made his professional debut in the Colorado system during the 2024 season in the DSL but moved to the Arizona Complex League and Low-A in 2025. During the season, Brito appeared in 84 games and carried a .371/.444/.516 slash line, 20 doubles, four home runs, and 35 stolen bases. This summer, Brito posted a sharp .896 OPS with an impressive eight home runs and 18 stolen bases through 79 games with Low-A. While his MLB debut is likely two seasons away, he's emerging as a worthy stash target in dynasty leagues.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Cam Cannarella Moving Up to Triple-A After Impressive First-Half
The Miami Marlins are promoting outfield prospect Cam Cannarella to Triple-A Jacksonville, according to Fish on First. Cannarella is viewed as the team's No. 7 overall prospect on MLB.com and has turned in an impressive showing with High-A and Low-A over the opening months of the season. Cannarella opened the campaign with High-A, but needed only 19 games to prove he was ready to join the upper levels. With High-A, Cannarella posted a .394/.439/.577 slash line with three doubles and two stolen bases. Since joining Double-A, the Clemson product has carried a .344/.453/.607 line with a stellar 1.060 OPS, nine home runs and eight stolen bases. If he maintains this pace at Jacksonville, a late August MLB debut could be in play for the budding outfielder.
Source: Fish on First
Source: Fish on First
Francisco Alvarez Gets Off to Good Start in Second Half With Two Homers
New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez made his presence felt out of the nine-hole to kick off the second half of the 2026 season on Thursday night at Citizens Bank Park in a 4-1 win over the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies. Alvarez went 2-for-3 at the plate with two solo home runs, a walk, and a strikeout to boost his season average to .259 and his OPS to .773. Since returning from a torn meniscus in his knee, Alvarez has been swinging a hot bat, hitting .280 with seven home runs and 14 RBI in 100 at-bats. His multi-homer performance on Thursday was his first of the season and the seventh of his career. The Venezuelan backstop is now hitting .259/.325/.448 with 11 home runs and 24 RBI in 236 plate appearances for the Mets. Fantasy managers who need power at catcher can find Alvarez widely available off the waiver wire, as he's currently rostered in only 18% of Yahoo leagues. Injuries have been a big part of the 24-year-old's career so far, but don't forget that he hit 25 long balls in only 123 games in his first full season in 2023. He has already matched his homer total in each of the last two seasons.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Zac Gallen Awaiting Second Opinions on his Elbow
Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said that right-hander Zac Gallen (elbow) is waiting on second opinions after landing on the 15-day injured list last week with inflammation in his right elbow, according to Alex D'Agostino of Sports Illustrated. "Gallen, we're continuing to evaluate," Lovullo said. "He is waiting for other opinions from other doctors. So we'll just keep putting that off until we get everything complete." Second opinions typically aren't a great sign for injured players, although it's too early to speculate if Gallen will need something severe like season-ending Tommy John surgery. Still, it's more bad news for the 30-year-old former third-rounder by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2016 out of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill after a rough first half of the season in his eighth year in the big leagues. Gallen is rostered in just over 30% of Yahoo leagues now after going 3-9 in his first 19 starts (98 innings) with a career-worst 6.34 ERA (5.31 FIP) and 1.56 WHIP with 61 strikeouts and 31 walks. It's hard to recommend holding him in mixed fantasy leagues if a lengthy stay on the injured list is coming.
Source: Sports Illustrated - Alex D'Agostino
Source: Sports Illustrated - Alex D'Agostino
Michael Soroka Not Expected to Return Right After All-Star Break
Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Michael Soroka (glute) threw a bullpen session on Tuesday, but he's not expected to return immediately following this week's All-Star break, according to Sports Illustrated's Alex D'Agostino. Soroka has been on the 15-day injured list since June 19. He's making progress, but he will likely require a minor-league rehab assignment before rejoining Arizona's starting rotation. With Zac Gallen (elbow) also on the IL to start the second half of the season, right-hander Jose Cabrera could be called up to make another couple of spot starts for the Snakes. The 28-year-old Soroka was having a career resurgence in the first half of 2026 before getting hurt in his first year in the desert, going 8-3 with a 3.07 ERA (2.93 FIP) and 1.08 WHIP with 79 strikeouts and 17 walks in 82 innings pitched across his 15 starts for Arizona. Soroka should become a popular streamer once again in fantasy when he's healthy, but that might not be until early August.
Source: Sports Illustrated - Alex D'Agostino
Source: Sports Illustrated - Alex D'Agostino
Geraldo Perdomo Receives Cortisone Shot, D-Backs Not Worried
Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said that shortstop Geraldo Perdomo (hand) received a cortisone shot to address a nagging hand injury that arose during the team's series in San Diego against the division-rival Padres, but the skipper didn't sound worried, according to Alex D'Agostino of Sports Illustrated. "He battles hand issues throughout the course of the year, ever since we've had him," Lovullo said. "I was told it's not going to hinder him whatsoever." Perdomo posted an image of his left hand bandaged up, but it doesn't appear to be a situation that will land him on the injured list to start the second half of the season. Fantasy managers will want to make sure to check Arizona's lineup for Friday's series opener versus the St. Louis Cardinals. The 26-year-old Dominican shortstop has had a down year in 2026 after hitting .290 with a career-high 20 home runs, 100 RBI, and 27 steals in 161 games. Perdomo has a .241/.354/.356 slash line with a .710 OPS, only six homers, 34 RBI, 15 steals, and 46 runs in 92 games going into the second half of 2026.
Source: Sports Illustrated - Alex D'Agostino
Source: Sports Illustrated - Alex D'Agostino
Foster Griffin is an Interesting Sell-High Candidate
Washington Nationals starting pitcher Foster Griffin has been one of the biggest surprises this season. Griffin returned to the big leagues this season after spending the last three years in Japan. He has been excellent and earned himself the first All-Star selection of his career in 2026. Through 19 starts, Griffin registered a 2.77 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and a 109/26 K/BB ratio across 110.1 innings this season. The 30-year-old is showing no signs of slowing down, but fantasy managers shouldn't put too much faith in him. Dynasty managers especially should consider selling high on Griffin. Given his age and the level of success he's experiencing, it's likely only going to regress from here. He doesn't have much of a professional track record and has already thrown well over 100 innings this season. Griffin could still be a valuable fantasy asset, but him posting ace-type numbers in the long-term seems unlikely.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Trevor Megill Primed for Second-Half Breakout
Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Trevor Megill didn't have an ideal beginning to the season. Megill was mainly used as a setup reliever early in the season, but he appears to have reclaimed the closer role in Milwaukee. Through 37 appearances, Megill owns a 3.00 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, and a 46/10 K/BB ratio with 14 saves. The right-hander earned a save in four of his last five appearances heading into the All-Star break. It seems that Megill has taken over as the full-time closer in Milwaukee, which is great for his fantasy value. Fantasy managers should expect Abner Uribe to be mixed in, but not as much as he was earlier in the season. Fantasy managers seeking saves should snag Megill where he's available.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Brandon Lowe Remains a Strong Source of Power
Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Brandon Lowe didn't get an All-Star nod, despite being well deserving of one. The 32-year-old is coming off a strong first half with the Pirates. Through 90 games, Lowe is slashing .246/.316/.487 with 21 home runs and 64 RBI. He smacked 31 long balls last season and has a good chance of surpassing that this season. Outside of the power, Lowe isn't offering a ton of upside to fantasy managers. The veteran slugger doesn't hit for average, walk much or steal bases at a high rate. Fantasy managers looking for help in the power department should hang onto Lowe, but he could be an interesting sell-high candidate.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Michael McGreevy Gets the Nod on Friday
St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Michael McGreevy will take the ball for the second half opener versus the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday. The right-hander is well deserving of the No. 1 starter role after posting a strong first half of the season. Through 18 starts, McGreevy posted a 3.01 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and a 66/23 K/BB ratio across 101.2 innings of work. The plan is for Dustin May to get the ball on Saturday, while Andre Pallante gets the series finale on Sunday. McGreevy didn't earn an All-Star nod, but could be a valuable fantasy asset in mixed leagues down the stretch of the season.
Source: John Denton
Source: John Denton
Juan Soto Removed Early with Calf Soreness
New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto (calf) was forced to make an early exit from Thursday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies. Soto was removed in the eighth inning due to left calf soreness. Before leaving, Soto singled and drew three walks in his four plate appearances on Thursday. Tyrone Taylor took over as a defensive replacement and could see more time out there if Soto lands on the Injured List. Interim manager Andy Green downplayed the severity of Soto's injury after the game. The Mets are off on Friday, so fantasy managers will need to check back on Saturday to see if the superstar slugger is back in the mix.
Source: Anthony DiComo
Source: Anthony DiComo
Joe Ryan Won't Pitch This Weekend for Twins
Minnesota Twins right-hander Joe Ryan won't be part of the team's starting rotation for the first series in the second half of the season this weekend against the Chicago Cubs, according to Dan Hayes of The Athletic. It probably means that Ryan will make his first start of the second half in Monday's series opener against the division-rival Cleveland Guardians. Ryan tossed a scoreless inning on Tuesday for the American League in their 4-0 shutout of the National League in the Midsummer Classic, so the Twins will give a little extra rest going into the second half. The 30-year-old veteran and two-time All-Star faced Cleveland on the road back on May 9 and pitched well, allowing just one earned run while walking three and striking out five in six innings for a no-decision and quality start. Ryan is having a fantastic year in 2026 in his sixth year with the Twins, going 6-5 with a career-low 2.85 ERA (2.77 FIP) and 1.05 WHIP with 128 strikeouts and 25 walks in 110 1/3 innings across his league-high 20 starts. Fantasy managers will want to keep him in their starting lineups next week against the Guardians.
Source: The Athletic - Dan Hayes
Source: The Athletic - Dan Hayes
Orioles Place Blaze Alexander on Injured List With Fractured Hand
The Baltimore Orioles announced on Thursday that they placed infielder/outfielder Blaze Alexander (hand) on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to July 13) with a fractured left hand and recalled infielder Christian Encarnacion-Strand from Triple-A Norfolk in a corresponding move. Alexander fractured his hand when he was hit by a pitch in the final game of the first half of the season on Sunday against the Kansas City Royals. It's unclear what Alexander's timetable for a return will be, but fantasy managers in deeper leagues should expect him to be out for around a month or more. It's literally a tough break for the 27-year-old utility man, as the former 11th-rounder by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2018 was having a career year for the O's before the injury, slashing .312/.368/.439 with an .807 OPS, four home runs, 29 RBI, 31 runs scored, and nine stolen bases in his 221 at-bats in 2026. In mixed fantasy leagues, fantasy managers who have Alexander rostered can probably go in another direction to kick off the second half of the season.
Source: Baltimore Orioles
Source: Baltimore Orioles
