RADIO
Bobby Witt Jr. on Track to Return Next Tuesday
Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (back) is expected to go through another full workout on Saturday, and he is on track to return from the 10-day injured list on Tuesday to take on the division-rival Minnesota Twins at home at Kauffman Stadium, according to Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star. Witt has been sidelined since July 22 with back soreness, but he has been recovering nicely and will return to the Royals without going on a minor-league rehab assignment. The 26-year-old three-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger winner should be plugged back into all starting lineups in traditional leagues right away next week. Witt will be returning to a .279/.350/.450 slash line with an .800 OPS, 13 home runs, 39 RBI, 30 stolen bases, and 51 runs scored in his 369 at-bats in 2026. July was by far Witt's worst month of the season, as he hit just .196 (11-for-56) with a homer, two doubles, three RBI, seven runs scored, two steals, four walks, and 13 strikeouts in 14 games played. The former second overall pick in the 2019 MLB draft still has plenty of time to be a difference-maker down the stretch for fantasy managers as a five-category contributor.
Source: The Kansas City Star - Jaylon T. Thompson
Source: The Kansas City Star - Jaylon T. Thompson
Zac Thornton Has Outgrown Streaming Status
New York Mets starting pitcher Zac Thornton has made five MLB starts, and the rookie has already given fantasy managers more than a short-term streaming case. He is 2-1 with a 2.43 ERA and 0.91 WHIP through 29 2/3 innings, completing at least six frames in four straight outings. Since returning from Triple-A on July 12, Thornton has allowed three earned runs over 19 1/3 innings. The strikeout ceiling is modest, with 22 punchouts on the season and a fastball that generally sits 89-92 mph. Thornton has compensated by limiting walks, keeping the ball in the park, and working deep enough to remain eligible for wins. RotoBaller ranks him 40th among its Week 18 waiver options and recommends him for 12-team leagues, while its rankings listed him at just 26% rostered. Thornton has earned a place on mixed-league rosters, even if managers remain selective against tougher lineups.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Angels Promote Pitching Prospect Luke Murphy to the Majors
Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Luke Murphy is being called up to the majors, according to MiLB Central. The 26-year-old earned the promotion after posting a 0.71 ERA across 34 appearances for Double-A Rocket City this season. Opposing hitters batted just .170 against the right-hander, who has handled late-inning work in the minors. The report did not specify Murphy's initial role in the Angels' bullpen or provide a corresponding roster move. His success at Double-A makes him a pitcher to monitor, particularly in AL-only and saves-plus-holds leagues, but fantasy managers should wait to see how Los Angeles uses him before making an addition in standard mixed formats.
Source: Milb Central
Source: Milb Central
Ryan Helsley Resumes Throwing
Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Ryan Helsley (right elbow) has resumed throwing while recovering from inflammation around his UCL. The 32-year-old has been sidelined since feeling discomfort while warming in the bullpen July 1. An MRI showed no ligament damage, but this is his second right-elbow IL stint of the season after he was also out from May 1 through June 16. Baltimore transferred Helsley to the 60-day injured list July 19, leaving him ineligible to return until late August. He has a 4.11 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 21 strikeouts, and eight saves in 15 1/3 innings over 17 appearances. Resuming throwing is a meaningful step, though no timetable has been announced for mound work or a rehab assignment. He remains a stash in leagues with IL space.
Source: Jake Rill
Source: Jake Rill
Adley Rutschman Could Begin Rehab Assignment Next Week
Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman (left wrist) is scheduled to resume hitting Saturday and could begin a minor-league rehab assignment sometime next week. Rutschman has been on the 10-day injured list since July 20, retroactive to July 19, with left wrist inflammation. The issue first surfaced on a swing during Baltimore's July 17 game in Houston, though he remained in the lineup the following day. Rutschman resumed throwing in the outfield July 25, making Saturday's hitting work the next important test for the wrist. The 28-year-old is batting .251 with 19 doubles, eight home runs, 47 RBI, and a .764 OPS in 67 games. Fantasy managers should continue holding him while waiting to see whether he is cleared for rehab games.
Source: Jake Rill
Source: Jake Rill
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Back After One-Game Absence
Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (hamstring) is back in the starting lineup Friday against the St. Louis Cardinals. Guerrero left Tuesday's loss to Washington after feeling tightness in his right hamstring while reaching first base and turning toward second on an infield single. He sat out Wednesday before Toronto's scheduled off-day Thursday. The 27-year-old returns with a .264 batting average, six home runs, 44 RBI, seven stolen bases, and a .700 OPS this season. Fantasy managers can get Guerrero back into their lineups immediately.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Heriberto Hernandez Offers 20-Homer, 10-Steal Upside
Miami Marlins outfielder Heriberto Hernandez is batting .238/.307/.480 with 16 home runs, 43 RBI, 29 runs, and seven stolen bases across 256 at-bats. The power has firm support beneath it. Hernandez owns a 92.2 mph average exit velocity, 51.1% hard-hit rate, and 13.2% barrel rate, while his .506 expected slugging percentage sits comfortably above his actual mark. The batting average will remain volatile because of a 25.2% strikeout rate, but Hernandez has played regularly in Miami's corner outfield and already provides more than home runs alone. Reaching 20 homers and 10 steals is firmly within range with two months remaining. Despite that profile, only 18% of Yahoo leagues have him rostered. RotoBaller ranks Hernandez 36th among its Week 18 waiver options and recommends him for 12-team formats. His combination of legitimate power and useful speed makes him a strong addition at that league depth.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Griffin Jax Is Too Good to Leave on the Waiver Wire
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Griffin Jax has settled into a full-time rotation role and now owns a 3.74 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, and 92 strikeouts across 86 2/3 innings. He struck out 10 Texas Rangers while allowing one earned run on five hits and three walks over 5 2/3 innings Tuesday, although Tampa Bay's quiet offense left him with the loss in a 4-1 game. The occasional blowup remains the concern, most recently when Boston tagged Jax for seven runs on July 17. His strikeout ability, stable workload, and SP/RP eligibility still make that risk worth accepting. RotoBaller's Week 18 rankings had Jax on 53% of Yahoo rosters and placed him 20th overall with an add recommendation for leagues of 10 teams or deeper. He is too valuable to remain available at that league depth.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Christian Scott Has Become a Must-Roster Starter in 12-Team Leagues
New York Mets starting pitcher Christian Scott strengthened his case for a permanent 12-team roster spot Wednesday, allowing one run on five hits and one walk while striking out seven over six innings against the Atlanta Braves. It was his longest start of the season and lowered his ERA to 2.99. Scott now has 85 strikeouts in 69 1/3 innings, giving fantasy managers plenty of value even when he does not work deep into games. The control and workload still deserve attention. Scott has issued 30 walks, and Wednesday was the first time he completed six innings in 15 starts. Still, his 1.24 WHIP is manageable, and the Mets continue to give him regular turns in the rotation. Only 29% of Yahoo leagues have Scott rostered, while RotoBaller ranks him 52nd among its Week 18 waiver options with an add recommendation for 12-team formats. He has pitched his way beyond streamer status at that depth.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kyle Schwarber Returns To Phillies Lineup Friday
Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (illness) is back in the starting lineup Friday against the Baltimore Orioles after missing the past two games with a gastrointestinal issue. Schwarber last appeared Monday against the Miami Marlins, reaching base twice and scoring a run. The 33-year-old returns with a .252 batting average, 33 home runs, 62 RBI, and a .910 OPS this season. The illness only cost him two games, and fantasy managers can put one of Philadelphia's top power hitters back into their lineups.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Freddy Peralta Scratched From Scheduled Start on Friday
New York Mets starting pitcher Freddy Peralta has been scratched from his start against the Miami Marlins on Friday due to "interest in him picking up from contenders," per Joel Sherman of the New York Post. With the Mets currently 16 games under .500 and Peralta set to hit free agency at the end of the season, the veteran right-hander appears to be a near-lock to be moved at the upcoming trade deadline. Peralta has had a down year so far in 2026, recording a 5-9 record with a 4.99 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, and 113 strikeouts across 113 2/3 innings (22 starts). However, the 30-year-old posted three straight 200-plus strikeout seasons from 2023 through 2025. He's reportedly drawn interest from a wide range of contending teams and could be in line for a strong close to the season following a change in scenery.
Source: New York Post - Joel Sherman
Source: New York Post - Joel Sherman
Shane McClanahan Headed to the Injured List Due to Back Issue
Tampa Bay Rays president of baseball operations Erik Neander said that starting pitcher Shane McClanahan (back) will be placed on the 15-day injured list, per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Topkin also reports that Neander characterized McClanahan's injury as "pretty minor" and that the team is hopeful he will only miss two starts. After missing the entire 2024 and 2025 seasons due to elbow and triceps injuries, McClanahan has managed to stay relatively healthy in 2026. Across 99 1/3 innings (20 starts) on the year, the 29-year-old has recorded a 9-6 record with a 3.09 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and 91 strikeouts. McClanahan may not carry the same high-end upside he did before his extended battle with arm troubles, but he remains a quality source of ratios for fantasy managers when healthy.
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
Source: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
Mets Setting High Asking Price for Freddy Peralta
The New York Mets are asking teams for a "top-100 prospect and more" in return for starting pitcher Freddy Peralta, according to Will Sammon and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. With the Mets currently 16 games under .500 and Peralta set to hit free agency at the end of the season, the veteran right-hander is one of the safer bets to be moved at the upcoming trade deadline. Peralta's value around the league may be at a relative low point, as he's recorded a 5-9 record with a 4.99 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, and 113 strikeouts across 113 2/3 innings (22 starts) on the year. Still, the 30-year-old recorded a 2.70 ERA with a 28.2% strikeout rate across 176 2/3 innings in 2025. He may be one of the few available arms at the deadline who carries true high-end upside for contenders.
Source: The Athletic - Will Sammon, Ken Rosenthal
Source: The Athletic - Will Sammon, Ken Rosenthal
Shohei Ohtani's Knee May Not Get Back to 100 Percent in 2026
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter/starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani (knee) may be battling discomfort in his left knee for the remainder of 2026, per Katie Woo and Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. Ohtani has not pitched since July 3 due to nagging knee issues. While he's continued to play nearly every day as the Dodgers' designated hitter, he has not attempted to steal a base since May 22. The 32-year-old remains one of the best hitters in baseball even while playing at less than 100%, as he's slashed .289/.394/.537 with 23 home runs, 65 RBI, 68 runs scored, and six stolen bases across 456 plate appearances. However, Ohtani's barrel rate is down to 16.6% after he posted consecutive seasons with at least a 21% barrel rate in 2024 and 2025. It appears that fantasy managers may have to get used to slightly muted production from Ohtani the rest of the way.
Source: The Athletic - Katie Woo & Fabian Ardaya
Source: The Athletic - Katie Woo & Fabian Ardaya
Michael Soroka Set to Make Rehab Start on Tuesday
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Michael Soroka (glute) is scheduled to make a rehab start with Triple-A Reno on Tuesday, per John Gambadoro of 98.7 FM Phoenix. Gambadoro reports that the team's plan for Soroka is for him to throw "around 50-60 pitches." Soroka has been on the 15-day injured list since late June due to a left groin strain. However, it appears he could be on the verge of a return to the big leagues if all goes well on Tuesday. The 28-year-old got off to a strong start to the season before the injury, recording an 8-3 record with a 3.07 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 79 strikeouts across 82 innings (15 starts). Soroka does not profile as an elite source of strikeouts (23.7% strikeout rate), but he limits walks (5.1% walk rate) and power (0.66 HR/9). Once healthy, the veteran right-hander profiles as a steady innings eater for fantasy managers.
Source: 98.7 FM Phoenix - John Gambadoro
Source: 98.7 FM Phoenix - John Gambadoro
