RADIO
Javier Assad Back on the Waiver Radar While Starting?
Chicago Cubs right-handed pitcher Javier Assad is not a strikeout play, but he is at least back in the rotation conversation after Sunday's useful turn against St. Louis. The 28-year-old held the Cardinals to two hits and two walks over 4 2/3 scoreless innings on July 5, though he only struck out two and did not factor into the decision. Assad now owns a 6-1 record, 4.15 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 33 strikeouts across 56 1/3 innings, with seven starts and seven relief appearances. That last part matters. Assad has helped the Cubs as a swingman, and his 5.27 K/9 and 5.11 FIP make this more of a matchup/volume play than a breakout arm. Still, ratios and wins can matter in deeper leagues. With RotoBaller's latest waiver rankings listing him at 11% rostered, Assad fits 15-team formats or NL-only leagues for managers who need a back-end starter while the role holds.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Carson Whisenhunt Coming Up to Start on Thursday?
The San Francisco Giants are listing TBA for Thursday night's game against the division-rival Colorado Rockies, and the San Francisco Chronicle's Susan Slusser suggests it seems like where left-handed pitching prospect Carson Whisenhunt would slot in. Manager Tony Vitello has not committed to Whisenhunt returning to make his second start in the big leagues this year on Thursday, but he acknowledged that the southpaw is a candidate to start before next week's All-Star break. If Whisenhunt comes up from Triple-A Sacramento, it would push all of Robbie Ray, Tyler Mahle, and Trevor McDonald to the final three games of the first half of the season. In his lone start with the Giants this year on June 17 against the Atlanta Braves, Whisenhunt gave up two runs while walking two and striking out two in five innings. The 25-year-old has posted a 4.42 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, and 82:37 K:BB in 77 1/3 innings in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League this year on the farm. Per MLB Pipeline, he's San Fran's No. 11 prospect, and the 6-foot-3, 225-pounder has one of the best changeups among all pitching prospects. Because he could just be a spot starter for the Giants once again to close out the first half, fantasy managers in redraft leagues won't want to spend too much to acquire him if he returns this week.
Source: San Francisco Chronicle - Susan Slusser
Source: San Francisco Chronicle - Susan Slusser
Cooper Pratt Bringing Cheap Speed to Waiver Wires?
Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Cooper Pratt is still finding his way with the bat, and the reason to care in fantasy is simple: stolen bases. The 21-year-old, MLB Pipeline's No. 63 overall prospect when he came up on June 16, is hitting .217/.342/.283 with no homers, four RBI, nine runs, and six steals through 60 at-bats. He did flash more than speed Tuesday, July 7, going 2-for-4 with a triple, two runs, and a two-run double in the second game of Milwaukee's doubleheader sweep of St. Louis. Before the promotion, Pratt posted a .241/.349/.386 line with six homers and 17 steals in 220 Triple-A at-bats. The power has not really shown up yet, and a 6.4% barrel rate keeps that part of the profile in wait-and-see mode. The walks and speed are more useful right now. At 3% rostered on Yahoo, Pratt fits as a 15-team speed add, not a standard-league priority.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Denzer Guzman a Deep-League Power Target on Waivers?
Los Angeles Angels third baseman/shortstop Denzer Guzman is not exactly forcing his way into shallow-league lineups yet, but there is enough here for fantasy managers in deeper formats to pay attention. The 22-year-old hit his way back to Los Angeles after slashing .336/.403/.571 with 12 homers, 57 RBI, and nine steals over 58 games at Triple-A Salt Lake, and the Angels gave him a real look at third base once he arrived. Through 91 major-league at-bats, Guzman is batting .253/.306/.385 with three homers, 13 RBI, eight runs, and one steal. The profile still needs some patience. His 7.4% barrel rate, 35.3% hard-hit rate, and 86.9 mph average exit velocity do not scream instant breakout, but the minor-league production and regular at-bats give him a path to matter. Rostered in just 4% of Yahoo leagues, Guzman is more of a 15-team corner/middle-infield flier for cheap power than a player managers need to chase in standard formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Matt Chapman Not Feeling Any Better
San Francisco Giants third baseman Matt Chapman (abdomen) is back with the team following paternity leave, but his abdominal strain isn't feeling any better, according to Evan Webeck of The California Post. The Giants placed Chapman on the 10-day injured list on July 1. Since he hasn't made any real progress, it's highly unlikely that he will be ready to return from the IL when he's eligible to be reinstated this Saturday. It remains to be seen if the veteran right-handed slugger will be ready to rejoin the starting lineup to begin the second half of the season on Friday, July 17. In the meantime, Casey Schmitt has been filling in as San Fran's third baseman, which has opened up playing time in the outfield for rookie Victor Bericoto. The 33-year-old Chapman had a down first half of the 2026 season, his third year in the Bay Area, hitting .235/.324/.368 with a career-worst .692 OPS, seven home runs, 42 RBI, and 35 runs scored in 84 games across 352 plate appearances. Chapman's .210 xBA and .286 xwOBA don't paint a rosy picture the rest of the way, either, so fantasy managers should think twice about buying low on him.
Source: The California Post - Evan Webeck
Source: The California Post - Evan Webeck
Justin Verlander to Retire Following the Season
Detroit Tigers veteran right-hander Justin Verlander (hamstring, hip) announced on his X account that he will hang up his cleats and retire following the 2026 season. The 43-year-old former MVP, three-time Cy Young winner, and nine-time All-Star will certainly be in the Hall of Fame down the road, but he has struggled with multiple injuries in 2026 and has only made one start in his return to Detroit. And in his lone start this year, Verlander allowed five earned runs while walking two and striking out just one in 3 2/3 innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks. He'll be present in Philadelphia for next week's All-Star festivities as a "Legend Pick," but he won't be active while on the 60-day injured list due to a left-hamstring injury that he suffered on June 17 while throwing a bullpen. He was initially placed on the IL on April 4 with hip inflammation. It's unclear when Verlander will make his way back to the Tigers' big-league roster, but if he does, it might be in a bullpen role. He's the current MLB leader in games started (556), wins (266), and strikeouts (3,554). With his career coming to a close, Verlander is rostered in only 3% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Justin Verlander on X
Source: Justin Verlander on X
Marcus Semien Unlikely to Return in July
The New York Mets haven't issued a timeline on second baseman Marcus Semien (hip), but a return this month "might be difficult," according to Tim Britton and Will Sammon of The Athletic. Semien is on the 10-day injured list with a left-hip flexor strain that has bothered him for much of the 2026 season, but he's optimistic about returning to the lineup and to form in the second half. Before going on the IL in late June, Semien admitted he had intermittent tightness in his hip since at least early May. By late June, "it got to the point where sprinting 100 percent was not possible." The 35-year-old veteran thinks the injury could be related to the broken foot he suffered in 2025 in his last year with the Texas Rangers. It could explain why he has hit just .214 with a .271 on-base percentage and .341 slugging percentage in his first year with New York -- all career worsts. Additionally, he's graded out as below average at the keystone. Semien could bounce back with better health in the second half, but it's clear he's beyond his prime, and he's rostered in just 36% of Yahoo leagues now that he's rehabbing another injury.
Source: The Athletic - Tim Britton and Will Sammon
Source: The Athletic - Tim Britton and Will Sammon
Can Sebastian Walcott Debut at Triple-A in the Second Half?
Texas Rangers top infield prospect Sebastian Walcott has been sidelined for the entire first half of the season due to a knee injury. However, according to team sources, Walcott has been progressing quite well and remains on schedule to return to game action sometime in August. Even though Walcott has yet to step on the diamond this season, the No. 10-ranked prospect in baseball is worth closely monitoring, especially for those in dyasnty/keeper formats. In 2025, the 20-year-old spent his entire campaign at the Double-A level, where he posted a .255/.355/.386 line with a .741 OPS. He swiped 32 bags while going deep 13 times. Managers should pay close attention to his rehab assignment as the Rangers could send him to Triple-A once cleared for action. While an MLB debut will have to wait until 2027, he could quickly re-emerge as an elite dynasty option once he is activated from the injured list.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Theo Gillen Surging Up Prospect Rankings Amid Impressive First Half
Tampa Bay Rays outfield prospect Theo Gillen has seen his productivity surge dramatically over the first half of the season. Entering the All-Star break, the former 18th overall pick from the 2024 MLB Draft is now listed as MLB.com's No. 9-ranked prospect (in all of baseball) and Tampa Bay's No. 1 prospect. Gillen began the 2026 season at the High-A level, where he produced at an elite level, carrying a .342/.449/.589 line with a 1.038 OPS. During this 57-game stretch, Gillen hit 12 home runs and swiped an impressive 28 bags. He has since been moved up to Double-A, where he has posted a .180/.268/.240 line with no home runs. However, given that he is only 20 years old, managers should expect some growing pains. While a 2026 debut is highly unlikely, Gillen could enter the 2027 season as a consensus top-10 prospect if he maintains this pace.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Is Caleb Bonemer a Consensus Top Dynasty Shortstop?
Chicago White Sox infield prospect Caleb Bonemer was recently promoted to Double-A following his promising start to the High-A regular season. Bonemer opened the 2026 season with High-A Winston-Salem, where he posted a .238/.381/.556 line with an impressive 18 home runs and 15 doubles over just 61 games. He also added 10 stolen bases. Given his high-end power production, the White Sox opted to move their top-ranked prospect to Double-A, where he has since gone deep three times (over 18 games) while carrying a .262/.385/.431 line. Dynasty managers should continue to keep a close eye on his status, as he should position himself to spend most of the 2027 season in Triple-A if he can maintain this power production. While he will not debut this season, Bonemer now ranks as MLB.com's No. 16 overall prospect and is solidifying his status as a high-end dynasty shortstop.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Is Zyhir Hope Nearing a Call to Triple-A?
Los Angeles Dodgers outfield prospect Zyhir Hope has enjoyed a strong first half of the season wth Double-A Tulsa and should be in the mix to push for a second-half promotion to Triple-A. Currently, Hope is viewed as the sport's No. 19 overall prospect and the No. 3 overall prospect in a deep Dodgers system that features some of the top outfield prospects in the game, such as Josue De Paula and Mike Sirota. Through 77 games with Double-A this season, the 21-year-old has posted a strong .286/.362/.500 line with a .862 OPS, 15 doubles, 16 home runs, and an impressive 13 stolen bases. Last summer, he spent most of his time with High-A before moving up to Double-A late in the season. Given his current production, dynasty managers should expect Hope to reach Oklahoma City later in the season, which sets him up to compete for an early 2027 MLB debut.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Andrew Fischer Not Slowing Down at Double-A, Emerging as Elite Dynasty Asset
Milwaukee Brewers infield prospect Andrew Fischer has continued to perform at a high level at Double-A this season and is emerging as a high-end dynasty asset. While Fischer is only viewed as the No. 8-ranked prospect in a deep Brewers system on MLB.com and is outside the overall top-100, his upside should not be understated. Fischer began the 2026 regular season at the High-A level, where he posted a sharp .298/.443/.675 line with a 1.118 OPS. During this 54-game stint, Fischer went deep an eye-catching 20 times while swiping four bags. He has since been bumped up to Double-A Biloxi, where he has held a similar .321/.457/.893 line with eight home runs in just 17 games. The former 20th overall pick in last year's draft is solidifying himself as one of the top power hitters in the upper minors.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Sonny Gray Unlikely to be Dealt at Trade Deadline
There are complications in Boston Red Sox right-hander Sonny Gray's contract that make it unlikely he'll be dealt at this year's trade deadline, according to ESPN's Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan. For one, Gray has a no-trade clause. Secondly, on top of the $10 million he'd be owed in salary for the final two months of the season, his restructured contract after his trade from the St. Louis Cardinals includes a $10 million buyout on a $30 million mutual option for 2027. It makes Gray a pretty pricey deadline pitching acquisition, which makes it unlikely that he's dealt unless Boston is willing to pay down a significant portion and convince Gray to accept a deal. Despite below-average velocity, the 36-year-old veteran continues to find ways to get hitters out with his cutter-shaped fastball as his primary weapon. His deep arsenal has allowed him to have a fantastic first year in Boston in 2026, going 10-1 with a 2.61 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 82 strikeouts in 89 2/3 innings over his 16 starts. If Gray were to be traded, his best fits would be with the Braves, Padres, Cubs, Brewers, or White Sox.
Source: ESPN.com - Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan
Source: ESPN.com - Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan
Is Ryan Sloan the Next Mariners Pitcher to Debut?
Seattle Mariners right-handed pitching prospect Ryan Sloan has spent the entire 2026 season at the Double-A level but has been overshadowed by his teammate Kade Anderson. While Anderson has recently jumped Sloan on the team prospect board (on MLB.com), Sloan possesses nearly as much upside, sitting as MLB.com's No. 8 overall prospect and the team's No. 2 overall prospect. Through the first half of the 2026 season, the 55th overall pick from the 2024 MLB Draft has posted a 4.04 ERA and 1.19 WHIP over his first 62 1/3 innings at Double-A. He has struck out an impressive 77 hitters and walked only 12. During the 2025 season, Sloan made his professional debut and tossed 82 innings with a 3.73 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP over stints in the lower levels. Given Sloan's previous professional experience, the Mariners could turn to him first, rather than Anderson, when they need depth down the stretch. For now, Sloan is worth close monitoring, as a promotion to Triple-A could be imminent.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Luis Arraez as Good as Gone at This Year's Trade Deadline?
ESPN's Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan believe there is a 90% chance that the San Francisco Giants will trade infielder Luis Arraez at this year's deadline. Despite being 29 years old and primarily a batting average asset, Arraez "has done more to improve himself in the eyes of teams" than most other big trade candidates around the league. His defense at second base in San Fran has been among the best in the league. The three-time All-Star and three-time batting champion is going to lead baseball in strikeout rate for the fifth straight season. His versatility -- he also has experience at first base -- will only expand his trade market, making it likely he'll join his fifth different team in five years. Arraez's MLB-best contact ability combined with newfound defensive value will have more teams interested in him than they were when he was a free agent in the offseason. The Rays, Nationals, Dodgers, Yankees, Blue Jays, Diamondbacks, Guardians, and Pirates could all be in on him. Arraez is currently slashing .327/.364/.462 with an .826 OPS, four homers, 34 RBI, seven stolen bases, and 45 runs scored in 86 games with the Gigantes.
Source: ESPN.com - Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan
Source: ESPN.com - Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan
