RADIO
Esmerlyn Valdez Leaves Early on Monday After Being Hit in Wrist Area
Pittsburgh Pirates rookie outfielder Esmerlyn Valdez (wrist) left Monday's game early against the Arizona Diamondbacks after he was hit by a pitch in the left wrist area in the fourth inning, according to Alex Stumpf of MLB.com. Before leaving the contest early, Valdez went 0-for-1 at the plate. He was replaced in right field by Tyler Callihan, who moved from first base. Valdez will almost certainly go for X-rays on his hand/wrist to determine if he's dealing with any cracked bones. The 22-year-old Dominican outfielder has burst onto the scene in the Steel City in 2026 in his first year in the big leagues, as he came into Monday's series opener with a .293/.385/.707 slash line, 1.092 OPS, 14 home runs, 36 RBI, and 26 runs scored in 37 games across 143 plate appearances. His strong start to his MLB career has earned him an everyday role and has made him one of the most popular recent waiver-wire pickups in fantasy baseball leagues. For now, we'll consider Valdez day-to-day until we know more about his hand/wrist injury.
Source: MLB.com - Alex Stumpf
Source: MLB.com - Alex Stumpf
Joc Pederson Becoming a Waiver Priority After Two-Homer Game
Texas Rangers outfielder/designated hitter Joc Pederson continued his strong month of July on Monday in the team's 7-3 win over the division-rival Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field, going 2-for-4 as the team's leadoff hitter with two home runs, four RBI, and a strikeout to boost his season average to .254 and his OPS to .856. The 34-year-old left-handed slugger's damage came early, as he hit a leadoff homer against right-hander George Kirby before blasting a three-run homer in the second inning. Pederson now has two multi-homer games in 2026 and 22 in his career. The two-homer performance extended his current hitting streak to 10 games, during which he's gone 14-for-36 (.389) with five home runs, nine RBI, and a stolen base. Pederson is now slashing .254/.343/.513 with 19 home runs after the two-time All-Star hit just nine homers in 96 games played in 2025 in his first year with the Rangers. For his power stroke from the left side, Pederson needs to be considered as a waiver-wire pickup in more mixed leagues. He's currently rostered in only 5% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Reds-Guardians Game Postponed on Monday
The contest between the Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Guardians on Monday in Cincinnati has been postponed due to inclement weather and will be made up as the first game of a split doubleheader on Tuesday, July 28, according to the Reds. Reds right-hander Chase Burns and Guardians right-hander Slade Cecconi will both most likely be pushed back to start Game 1 of Tuesday's twin bill. The 23-year-old Burns has been a must-start in all fantasy baseball leagues in 2026 in his first full year in the majors after going 12-1 with a 2.42 ERA (3.34 FIP) and 1.10 WHIP with 124 strikeouts and 39 walks in 107 2/3 innings pitched across his 19 starts. In his three starts in July, Burns has allowed only five earned runs in 16 innings, but he also has 10 walks and 12 strikeouts, so he hasn't been exactly as sharp as earlier in the season. Still, he should be started everywhere on Tuesday. Cecconi is 4-7 with a 4.60 ERA (4.48 FIP), 1.45 WHIP, and 82:34 K:BB in 103 2/3 frames and 20 starts in his fourth year in the majors. We'd recommend fading him after he allowed 15 runs (11 earned) on 22 hits (three homers) in 13 1/3 innings in his three starts in July.
Source: Cincinnati Reds
Source: Cincinnati Reds
Cody Bellinger Expected to Miss 4-6 Weeks With Hamstring Strain
New York Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger (hamstring) has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 strained left hamstring and is expected to miss four to six weeks, manager Aaron Boone told Brendan Kuty of The Athletic. Bellinger injured his hamstring in Saturday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies and was placed on the 10-day injured list on Sunday. The 31-year-old former MVP and three-time All-Star won't be back anytime soon, but he's stash-worthy in all fantasy leagues until he fully recovers. The Yankees still have outfielders Aaron Judge (ribs) and Giancarlo Stanton (calf) on the IL as well, so rookie outfielder Spencer Jones was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre again on Sunday, and he will see regular playing time against right-handed pitchers in New York's outfield going forward. Bellinger was an All-Star in 2026 for the third time in his career (first with the Yankees) and is currently slashing .259/.350/.420 with a .770 OPS, 11 home runs, 53 RBI, 52 runs scored, and 10 steals across 102 games and 434 plate appearances.
Source: The Athletic - Brendan Kuty
Source: The Athletic - Brendan Kuty
Shea Langeliers to Have Knee Surgery on Tuesday
Athletics catcher Shea Langeliers (knee) was seen by Dr. Banffy in Los Angeles on Monday, and he recommended surgery for Langeliers' torn meniscus in his right knee. He will undergo surgery on Tuesday morning, which is likely to be season-ending. The news of Langeliers' torn meniscus surfaced on Sunday. The A's haven't announced anything officially that the 28-year-old backstop is out for the year, but that's the likely outcome, especially with the A's currently sitting nine games back of the final American League wild-card spot entering a new week. It's a tough blow for the A's and Langeliers' fantasy manager, as he has once again been one of the best-hitting catchers in baseball in 2026. In 93 games and 416 plate appearances before injuring his knee, Langeliers hit .263/.332/.497 with an .829 OPS, 23 home runs, 51 RBI, 55 runs scored, and two stolen bases. With Langeliers likely out for the rest of the year, the lefty-hitting Jonah Heim will now step in and take over as the A's primary catcher down the stretch.
Source: Inside the A's - Jason Burke
Source: Inside the A's - Jason Burke
Juan Soto Says He's "100 Percent" Will Play Again This Year
New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto (calf) said he's "100%" expects to play again this year, according to Chelsea Janes of SNY. Soto added that he thinks he's young enough to recover quickly while taking things day to day after the Mets placed him on the 10-day injured list over the weekend due to a Grade 2 strained left calf. The 27-year-old Dominican and five-time All-Star doesn't have a clear timetable for a return, though, so fantasy managers are going to have to be patient with the left-handed slugger as we head into August this weekend. At the very least, Soto is expected to miss three weeks of action after also spending time on the IL in the first half of the season with a right-calf strain. Until he can return, rookie outfielder A.J. Ewing is expected to be New York's primary left fielder. Soto has missed time this year due to injury, but when healthy, he has been his typical high-end fantasy self, slashing .283/.408/.539 with a .947 OPS, 21 home runs, 52 RBI, 46 runs scored, and seven stolen bases across his 293 at-bats. Keep him stashed in an IL spot in all fantasy leagues, even though it might not be until late August when Soto is back.
Source: SNY - Chelsea Janes
Source: SNY - Chelsea Janes
Colson Montgomery Returning From Shin Injury on Monday
Chicago White Sox infielder Colson Montgomery (shin) is serving as the designated hitter and is batting cleanup for the White Sox in Monday's series opener at home against the visiting New York Yankees and left-hander Max Fried, per MLB.com. Montgomery missed Sunday's series finale against the Houston Astros after fouling a ball off his right shin again on Saturday, but he's back in action after a day off and will have a tough matchup against the lefty Fried, whom he has gone 2-for-3 against in his career. The 24-year-old former 22nd overall pick in 2021 is one of the best young power bats in baseball, although he strikes out 31.9% of the time and is batting just .218 (80-for-367) on the year. Montgomery has actually hit better against lefties in 2026, going 29-for-114 (.254) against them with eight of his 24 home runs on the season, but he has also struggled to a .206 average (14-for-68) with a .614 OPS, three homers, two doubles, 10 RBI, eight runs scored, four walks, and 23 strikeouts in 17 games so far in July. DFS managers should definitely be looking to fade Montgomery for Monday's matchup against Fried.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Seth Hernandez Placed on Injured List With Left-Oblique Issue
Pittsburgh Pirates right-handed pitching prospect Seth Hernandez (oblique) has been placed on the minor-league injured list with a left-oblique issue, according to Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com. The injury occurred during his Friday, July 24 start for High-A Greensboro against Winston-Salem. Hernandez completed three innings, allowing one hit and striking out five, but Pittsburgh has not announced the severity of the injury or how long he will remain sidelined. Hernandez is the Pirates' top prospect and ranks sixth overall on MLB Pipeline's current list. The 20-year-old owns a 2.43 ERA with 118 strikeouts across 74 innings between Single-A Bradenton and High-A Greensboro in his first full professional season. Dynasty managers should continue holding him while awaiting a clearer recovery timetable.
Source: Jonathan Mayo
Source: Jonathan Mayo
Charlie Condon Has Been Consistent All Year at Triple-A
Colorado Rockies first base/outfield prospect Charlie Condon has consistently produced at Triple-A Albuquerque this season, including a nice month of July. In 56 July at-bats, Condon has two homers and six RBI with eight runs scored and a .321 batting average. Altogether, Condon has hit 20 homers and driven in 62 runs this season with 77 runs scored, all while hitting .292. The No. 3 prospect for Colorado, Condon, the right-handed hitting first baseman/outfielder, is a valuable stash as a Rockies call-up could lead to promising numbers. If he plays his home games at Coors Field, he could show off even more statistically. Fantasy managers will want to get ahead of the game and add Condon from the waiver wire if he is not already added. He is a premium prospect who could shine soon in the big leagues.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Corey Seager Could Begin Rehab Assignment After Monday's Live BP
Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager (back) completed a higher-volume live batting-practice session Sunday and finished it with a home run, according to Matthew Postins. Seager plans to take live BP again Monday, giving him consecutive days of work. If his lower back responds well, he said a minor-league rehab assignment will likely be the next step. Seager has been on the 10-day injured list since July 1 with lower back inflammation, his third IL stint of 2026. He is batting .182 with 10 home runs and 25 RBI in 51 games after previously missing 19 games with the same injury and 12 with a concussion. The Rangers have not set a rehab schedule or return date. Fantasy managers should continue holding Seager while awaiting a clearer timetable.
Source: Matthew Postins
Source: Matthew Postins
Kaelen Culpepper Back in Lineup For Triple-A St. Paul
Minnesota Twins shortstop prospect Kaelen Culpepper has recovered from hand and glute injuries and returned to the lineup with Triple-A St. Paul over the past three games. He has two hits over his three games back after missing nearly a month with injuries. The No. 2 prospect for the Twins, Culpepper will likely need some time to work his way back to peak form and thus might be a long shot to make it to the big league club this season. He has a 55-grade hit tool and a 50-grade run tool and boasts a well-rounded game. The Twins might wait to see that he is back to full health before giving him his big league debut this season. Unfortunately, the injuries set him back a bit, but he should still be on the talented prospect radar for fantasy managers. However, it's looking more like 2027 could be his debut year.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Blake Snell Could Rejoin Dodgers After Wednesday's Rehab Start
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Blake Snell (elbow) will make his third minor-league rehab start Wednesday, with the left-hander expected to work four innings or approximately 60 pitches. According to Katie Woo of The Athletic, Los Angeles will evaluate Snell afterward and could activate him during an upcoming stretch of nine consecutive games to keep its six-man rotation on schedule. Snell has allowed one run on three hits while striking out seven and walking one across four innings in his first two appearances for Triple-A Oklahoma City. He progressed from 32 pitches in his rehab debut to 49 pitches over 2 2/3 innings Friday. The 33-year-old underwent a May procedure to remove loose bodies from his left elbow and has made only one start for the Dodgers this season. Another rehab outing remains possible, but fantasy managers should continue stashing Snell while awaiting Wednesday's results.
Source: Katie Woo
Source: Katie Woo
Cody Bellinger Set for MRI on Left Hamstring
New York Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger (hamstring) will undergo an MRI on his left hamstring Monday after returning to New York, according to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. Bellinger felt the injury while running out an eighth-inning double in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies. He said the hamstring remained tight Sunday but had not worsened overnight. The Yankees placed Bellinger on the 10-day injured list Sunday with a left hamstring strain and recalled outfielder Spencer Jones from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Bellinger is batting .259/.350/.420 with 21 doubles, 11 home runs, and 53 RBI through 102 games. Jones moves back into New York's active outfield mix, but Bellinger's recovery timeline will depend on the MRI results.
Source: Bryan Hoch
Source: Bryan Hoch
Jacob Melton Producing in Injury-Shortened Season
Tampa Bay Rays prospect Jacob Melton is working his way back from a left ankle sprain and has produced in limited action between the FCL Rays and Triple-A Durham. Melton has had limited at bats (125) but has five homers and 24 RBI with 28 runs scored and 22 steals while hitting .296. The No. 6 prospect in the Rays system, Melton has shown good signs in his age 25 season when healthy. He boasts 60 grades on the scouting scale in power and speed. Melton came over to the Rays in a December trade with the Houston Astros after he was a second round pick by Houston out of Oregon State. He played 32 games with the Astros at the big league level before his time was cut short by an injury. He showed off his speed with seven steals in 70 at bats with Houston and could easily bring the same threat on the bases to Tampa Bay. Melton looks like a sneaky stash as someone who could produce for the Rays as soon as this season.
Source: Minor League Baseball
Source: Minor League Baseball
Riley O'Brien Unavailable Sunday Due to Illness
St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Riley O'Brien (illness) was unavailable for Sunday's 5-3 extra-inning loss to the Cincinnati Reds. George Soriano instead worked the ninth inning of a 2-2 game, allowing one hit and striking out two in a scoreless frame. Matt Svanson entered in the 10th and was charged with three runs, two earned, on two hits while recording one out as Cincinnati pulled ahead for good. O'Brien should be considered day-to-day ahead of Monday's series opener against the Chicago Cubs. He remains St. Louis' primary closer after recording his 26th save Wednesday against the Los Angeles Angels. The Cardinals are also without JoJo Romero, who is on the 15-day injured list following an emergency appendectomy. If O'Brien remains unavailable, Soriano or Ryne Stanek could receive the next save opportunity.
Source: Roundtable
Source: Roundtable
