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Bailey Ober Allows Four Runs in Five Innings in Rehab Start
Minnesota Twins right-hander Bailey Ober (elbow) made his second minor-league rehab start on Saturday with Triple-A St. Paul and allowed four earned runs on six hits while walking none and striking out five in five innings of work against Triple-A Buffalo. The 30-year-old veteran threw 3 1/3 innings with High-A Cedar Rapids in his first rehab start on June 28 as he works his way back from a right-elbow injury. Ober's elbow felt fine after the outing, and he was able to throw 50 of his 76 pitches with the Saints for strikes. It's unclear what his next step is, but the Twins may reinstate him from the 15-day injured list so that he can start this weekend in an excellent matchup against the Los Angeles Angels. The soft-tossing right-hander doesn't have a very high fantasy ceiling because he doesn't induce many swings and misses, especially with a drop in velocity, but he can still be useful as a fantasy streamer in the right matchups. Before going on the IL, Ober was 6-3 for the Twins this year with a 4.59 ERA (4.97 FIP) and 1.21 WHIP with 46 strikeouts and 18 walks in 66 2/3 innings across his 12 starts. Ober has excellent command of the strike zone, but his strikeout rate in 2026 is down to a career-low 16.4%.
Source: Milb.com
Source: Milb.com
Munetaka Murakami Slated to Begin Rehab Assignment with Triple-A Charlotte
Chicago White Sox first baseman Munetaka Murakami (hamstring) traveled to Charlotte on Monday and will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A on Tuesday, per Scott Merkin on MLB.com. Murakami has been sidelined since late May due to a hamstring injury, but it appears he has a chance to return to the big leagues before the All-Star break. The 26-year-old was having an electric rookie season before getting injured, hitting .240/.378/.560 with 20 home runs, 41 RBI, 43 runs scored, and one stolen base across 246 plate appearances. With a 32.5% strikeout rate, Murakami's batting average upside is limited. However, he posted elite barrel (20.7%) and hard-hit (58.7%) rates. Once he returns, Murakami profiles as a must-start fantasy first baseman with immense power upside.
Source: MLB.com - Scott Merkin
Source: MLB.com - Scott Merkin
Cade Cavalli's Suspension Reduced to Five Games
Washington Nationals right-hander Cade Cavalli's seven-game suspension from Major League Baseball has been reduced to five games, and it will begin on Monday night, according to Spencer Nusbaum. The suspension stems from a benches-clearing incident last week against the Boston Red Sox. The 27-year-old had his most recent start moved up to Sunday against the Pittsburgh Pirates, and he struggled with the heat and saw a dip in velocity, ultimately allowing four runs (three earned) on six hits (one homer) while walking two and striking out three in just 2 1/3 innings in a no-decision. He admitted after the game that he was feeling light-headed on a humid, 92-degree afternoon. It was a major disappointment for fantasy managers who started Cavalli after he allowed just an unearned run with no walks and a season-high 13 strikeouts in seven innings in a win over Boston in his previous outing. His fastball velocity dropped from 97.6 mph in the first inning to 96.1 mph in the second to 94.2 mph in the third inning. It doesn't appear that he's dealing with a physical injury, so he should be ready to make his final start of the first half against the New York Yankees this Sunday. That's a matchup that fantasy managers will probably want to shy away from.
Source: The Athletic - Spencer Nusbaum
Source: The Athletic - Spencer Nusbaum
Jeremy Pena Set to Begin Rehab Assignment on Tuesday
Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena (calf) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Sugar Land on Tuesday, per Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. Pena is currently battling a calf strain, but it appears as though he is close to making his return. It's been an injury-marred 2026 campaign for Pena so far, as he's been limited to just 202 plate appearances. Still, the 28-year-old has been productive when healthy, hitting .295/.356/.443 with six home runs, 21 RBI, 34 runs scored, and eight stolen bases. Once Pena returns to the Astros lineup, he profiles as a must-start fantasy shortstop with five-category upside.
Source: MLB.com - Brian McTaggart
Source: MLB.com - Brian McTaggart
George Springer Reinstated but Not Starting on Monday
The Toronto Blue Jays announced on Monday that they reinstated designated hitter/outfielder George Springer from the family medical emergency list and placed right-hander Braydon Fisher on the bereavement list in a corresponding move. Springer is active for Monday's series opener in San Francisco against the Giants, but he is not in the starting lineup. Sean Keys is serving as the DH and is batting fifth against Giants right-hander Landen Roupp. Fantasy managers should expect Spring to be back in Toronto's starting lineup for Game 2 of the series at Oracle Park on Tuesday. The 36-year-old four-time All-Star has mostly struggled in 2026 after a resurgent season last year that saw him hit .309/.399/.560 with a .959 OPS, 32 home runs, 84 RBI, and 18 stolen bases in 140 regular-season games before helping the Jays reach the World Series. He comes into Monday's game hitting just .221 (54-for-244) in 2026 with eight homers, 21 RBI, and six steals in 63 games. Fantasy managers will be hoping that Springer can pick up where he left off before leaving the team for personal reasons. Springer went 16-for-57 (.281) with two homers, a double, a triple, five RBI, eight runs, and three steals in his last 14 games, dating back to June 14.
Source: Toronto Blue Jays
Source: Toronto Blue Jays
Tommy Edman Remains Out on Monday With Ankle/Foot Injury
Los Angeles Dodgers infielder/outfielder Tommy Edman (ankle, foot) will take a seat again for Monday's series opener against the Colorado Rockies, per MLB.com. Edman will miss a second straight game after he was scratched from the lineup for Sunday's series finale against the San Diego Padres with soreness in his right ankle/foot. It's something worth keeping a close eye on, as Edman had surgery on the same ankle/foot in the offseason, which caused him to get a late start in 2026. The good news is that Edman should be fine going forward after just being hit by a pitch in Saturday's win over the Friars. Veteran Miguel Rojas is starting at the keystone and will hit eighth on Monday at home against the visiting Rockies and left-hander Kyle Freeland. In just 16 games played so far this year, Edman has gone 17-for-49 (.347) with a homer, nine RBI, six runs scored, and a stolen base. He typically hasn't been much of a fantasy asset in his career due to limited power/speed upside, but he's played well in a small sample size and offers eligibility at second base, third base, and the outfield.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Dustin May to be Limited to Around 65 Pitches on Monday
St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Dustin May (ankle) has been cleared to make his start on Monday against the division-rival Milwaukee Brewers, but he will be held to around 65 pitches due to his workload over the last few weeks, according to Jeff Jones of the Belleville News. The 28-year-old has had a couple of injury scares of late, most recently being pulled from his most recent start last Thursday against the Atlanta Braves after just two-thirds of an inning, when he was hit by a comebacker in his right ankle. Thankfully, X-rays came back negative, but he'll be on a short leash after having not thrown more than 44 pitches in a start in three weeks. Not only is May's matchup to begin the week a bad one, but a limited pitch count will take him off the streaming radar. May should have a more regular workload this weekend in a rematch against the Braves, but he won't be very intriguing in that matchup either. May has been up and down in 2026 in his first year in St. Louis, going 5-6 with a 4.80 ERA (3.37 FIP) and 1.27 WHIP with 78 strikeouts and 24 walks in 84 1/3 innings over his 16 starts.
Source: Belleville News - Jeff Jones
Source: Belleville News - Jeff Jones
Jazz Chisholm Jr. Back in Yankees Starting Lineup
New York Yankees infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. (toe) was included in the team's starting lineup for Monday's series opener in Tampa against the division-rival Rays, according to MLB.com. Chisholm is starting at second base and is batting sixth versus Rays right-hander Griffin Jax. The Yankees pulled Chisholm from Sunday's loss to the Minnesota Twins early due to discomfort in his right big toe, but X-rays came back negative, and he ended up not missing a start at all. The 28-year-old left-handed slugger has elite power/speed upside for a position player eligible at second base in fantasy, but he's not without his issues. Chisholm has a strikeout rate that sits at 28.9% and a .307 on-base percentage in his 85 games across 336 plate appearances. But he enters Monday's action with 12 home runs, 33 RBI, 26 stolen bases, and 43 runs scored in his second full season with the Yankees. Chisholm has hit .200 (9-for-45) with a homer, a double, two RBI, five stolen bases, four runs, two walks, and 16 strikeouts in his last 14 games since June 20.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Walbert Urena a Rookie Strikeout Arm to Add Now?
Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Walbert Urena has worked his way into the 12-team waiver mix with a 3.03 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, and 75 strikeouts through 77 1/3 innings. The 22-year-old held Seattle to one run and one hit over 5 2/3 innings on July 2, bouncing back after Oakland tagged him for seven runs in his previous start. The walks are the part that can still make this frustrating. Urena has issued 41 free passes, and his 12.2% walk rate shows up in the WHIP even with the strong ERA. Still, a 3.26 xERA and 33.2% hard-hit rate support most of what he has done so far. RotoBaller lists Urena at 34% rostered in Yahoo formats and recommends him in 12-team leagues. He is worth adding for managers who need innings and steady strikeout help.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Charlie Condon Firmly in "Must-Stash" Territory Ahead of All-Star Break
Colorado Rockies outfield prospect Charlie Condon is mashing at Triple-A Albuquerque this season, and with his prospect pedigree, it could be a matter of time before he forces his way to Coors Field. Condon, who can play first base or the outfield, is hitting .294 this season with Albuquerque, with 20 homers and 60 RBI to go with five stolen bases. The former No. 3 overall pick is on the verge of his first big league look, and fantasy managers should act accordingly. Now is the time to roster Condon as a stash, and despite a deep outfield at the big-league level, with TJ Rumfield manning first base, he looks ready to force his way into a roster spot with Colorado. Condon could prove to be a second-half difference-maker in fantasy leagues, and the race to roster him could be on.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Curtis Mead a Must-Add for Power Help?
Washington Nationals third baseman Curtis Mead is not going to help every roster the same way, but the power is getting harder to ignore. Mead is batting just .232 through 237 at-bats, so there is some batting-average risk here. He has still supplied 14 home runs, 39 RBI, 38 runs, and five steals, which is a useful return for a player available in most leagues. The appeal gets better because Mead qualifies at first base, second base, and third base in RotoBaller's rankings. His 10.9% barrel rate and 41.9% hard-hit rate also suggest the power is not just empty box-score noise. Fantasy managers should not treat him like a safe average play, and the profile can be streaky. Still, Mead is only 18% rostered on Yahoo, and RotoBaller recommends him in 12-team leagues. That makes him a reasonable power add for corner or middle-infield spots.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Luke Adams Worth a Look in Deep Leagues Amid Clear Path to MLB At-Bats
Milwaukee Brewers third base prospect Luke Adams is producing in the minor leagues in the midst of an injury-plagued season. Adams is hitting .252 with 13 homers and 32 RBI in 131 at-bats this season, to go with five stolen bases between two levels, including Triple-A Nashville. The Brewers' No. 12 overall prospect, Adams suffered a wrist injury early this season but returned to post strong numbers in Nashville and offer a glimpse of his upside at third base. David Hamilton mans the hot corner at the big league level for the Brewers at the moment, but Adams, a right-handed bat, is providing some evidence that he could be ready for a look at the major leagues and could be a platoon partner for the left-handed-hitting Hamilton. Savvy fantasy managers in deep leagues may want to look into Adams and give him a chance at a roster spot ahead of the All-Star break.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Willi Castro a Useful Waiver Add Despite Playing-Time Risk?
Colorado Rockies second baseman Willi Castro still offers enough category help and roster flexibility to stay in the waiver mix, but this is not a clean must-add. Castro is batting .269 with six home runs, 38 runs, 35 RBI, and six steals through 268 at-bats. He has also gone 33-for-116 (.284) with four homers, 16 runs, 17 RBI, and three steals over his last 30 games, even with a colder stretch mixed in. The concern is playing time. Castro has gone just 4-for-27 over his last seven games, and Colorado has started sitting him more often against right-handed pitching. His eligibility at first base, second base, third base, shortstop, and outfield still gives fantasy managers several ways to use him. With his Yahoo roster rate down to 40%, Castro fits as a 12-team bench option for managers who need flexibility, not as a priority pickup.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kade Anderson's Elite Double-A Production Makes him a Priority Stash
Seattle Mariners pitching prospect Kade Anderson suffered his first loss at Double-A Arkansas following his July 3 start. He only allowed two earned runs to pick up his first loss of the season in his 8-1 overall record. His numbers look video game worthy with a 1.36 ERA and 0.69 WHIP with 108 strikeouts in 72 2/3 innings pitched. The No. 3 overall draft pick out of LSU has dominated the minors in his first season of professional baseball. Before a stop in Seattle and a spot in the Mariners rotation, Anderson would likely need some seasoning at Triple-A. So while his numbers call out for a stash for fantasy managers, some patience is required. Managers in mid-size leagues would be smart to use a roster spot now on Anderson and wait to see if it pays off. The prospect pedigree looks elite for Anderson, and it's worth using an early roster spot to acquire his services.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Dylan Crews Showing Signs of a Post-Hype Breakout?
Washington Nationals right fielder Dylan Crews still has not fully broken through, but the fantasy case is getting easier to see. He is batting .232 with six home runs, 18 RBI, 23 runs, and five steals through 155 at-bats. That line is still uneven, but Crews has gone 18-for-58 with two homers, 12 runs, four RBI, three steals, and six walks over his last 15 games. This is more upside bet than finished product. Crews is hitting the ball hard, with a 90.9 mph average exit velocity, 44.2% hard-hit rate, and 9.2% barrel rate, and his speed gives him another path to fantasy value. The .232 average and low walk rate are real concerns, so this should not be framed as a safe five-category breakout yet. Crews is rostered in 35% of Yahoo leagues and belongs in 12-team formats.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
