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Max Fried Nearing Return to Mound Work?
New York Yankees starting pitcher Max Fried (elbow) is expected to throw from 120 feet this week and will also undergo another round of imaging to determine if he can start working off the mound, per Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News. Fried is working his way back from a bone bruise in his pitching elbow that led to him being placed on the 15-day injured list in mid-May. Across 61 2/3 innings (10 starts) before the injury, the veteran left-hander had recorded a 4-3 record with a 3.21 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and 50 strikeouts. Fried's 12.9% K-BB rate was his worst since his rookie season in 2017, but opponents had hit just .196 with one home run against him. The 32-year-old appears to be making progress, but he likely remains at least a month or so away from returning to the big leagues. Fantasy managers should be looking for ways to stash Fried, unless he suffers a setback.
Source: New York Daily News - Gary Phillips
Source: New York Daily News - Gary Phillips
Max Scherzer Set to Return to Blue Jays Rotation on Wednesday?
Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Max Scherzer (forearm) said that he will "be able to go Wednesday," per Hazel Mae of MLB Network. The veteran has been on the 15-day injured list since late April, but he threw 73 pitches across a 3 2/3-inning rehab start with Triple-A Buffalo on Friday. Scherzer struggled across 18 2/3 innings (five starts) before getting injured, recording a 1-3 record with a 9.64 ERA, 1.61 WHIP, and 10 strikeouts. The 41-year-old logged a 5.19 ERA across 85 innings with Toronto in 2025, so it's fair to wonder how much he has left in the tank at this point in his career. Still, the Blue Jays' rotation has been ravaged by injury in 2026. Scherzer should have a runway of at least a few starts to prove he can still be effective and could be worth targeting on the waiver wire in deeper fantasy leagues. If he returns on Wednesday, his first start back will come at home against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Source: MLB Network - Hazel Mae
Source: MLB Network - Hazel Mae
Will Smith Out of Dodgers Lineup for Second Straight Game on Sunday
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith (neck) remains out of his team's starting lineup for its Sunday matchup against the Los Angeles Angels. Smith was scratched from the Dodgers' lineup on Saturday due to neck stiffness. The 31-year-old is in the midst of a slight down year at the plate so far, hitting .249/.338/.382 with six home runs, 23 RBI, and 23 runs scored across 201 plate appearances. However, Smith owns a career-best 13.4% barrel rate, and his .275 xBA and .494 xSLG both suggest that he's been a bit unlucky in his results. There's been no indication from the Dodgers that the team expects an extended absence from Smith, but this current neck injury is still worth monitoring for fantasy managers. Dalton Rushing is catching and batting sixth in Smith's place on Sunday and would likely see the majority of the playing time behind the plate for the Dodgers if Smith were to hit the injured list.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Ildemaro Vargas Remains Out of Diamondbacks Lineup on Sunday
Arizona Diamondbacks infielder Ildemaro Vargas (thigh) remains out of the starting lineup for his team's Sunday matchup against the Washington Nationals. The 34-year-old has not made a start since colliding with Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy on Thursday. Vargas has emerged as a key piece early on in 2026 for Arizona, hitting .282/.313/.441 with seven home runs, 37 RBI, 30 runs scored, and one stolen base while logging near-everyday playing time at first base. However, Vargas has cooled off considerably after a red-hot start to the year. The veteran hit just .227 with one home run in May after finishing April with a .378 average and six long balls. In Vargas' absence on Sunday, recently promoted Diamondbacks prospect LuJames Groover will make his third straight start at third base and bat eighth.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Top Pitching Prospect Hagen Smith on Verge of a Call-Up Amid Rotation Changes?
Chicago White Sox pitching prospect Hagen Smith could be on the verge of a promotion to the big leagues in the midst of the team's rotation changes, according to speculation from Noah Phalen of Southside Showdown. Chicago has adjusted its rotation for the upcoming week and has yet to announce starting pitchers beyond Tuesday's matchup against the Atlanta Braves. The fifth overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, Smith has pitched to a 4.19 ERA and 1.35 WHIP with 63 strikeouts across 43 innings (12 starts) at Triple-A so far this season. Command is a major issue for the 22-year-old, as he owns a 16% walk rate in 2026 after posting a 17.6% walk rate across 75 2/3 innings at Double-A in 2025. However, Smith has also recorded an elite 33.7% strikeout rate this season and offers plenty of swing-and-miss upside for fantasy managers. Fantasy managers in need of strikeouts may want to consider targeting Smith on the waiver wire ahead of a possible promotion.
Source: Southside Showdown - Noah Phalen
Source: Southside Showdown - Noah Phalen
JJ Wetherholt Returns From Groin Injury on Sunday
St. Louis Cardinals rookie infielder JJ Wetherholt (groin) is starting at second base and is batting leadoff for the Red Birds in Sunday's series finale at Busch Stadium against the division-rival Cincinnati Reds and right-hander Rhett Loweder, according to MLB.com. Wetherholt is back on the diamond after missing the last three games due to a groin injury. The 23-year-old former seventh overall pick from West Virginia University is the Cardinals' starting second baseman in his first year in the major leagues, and he has held his own through 225 at-bats to this point with a .249/.357/.400 slash line, .757 OPS, nine home runs, 25 RBI, seven stolen bases, and 40 runs scored in 58 games and 266 plate appearances. Wetherholt has been even better in his last 13 ballgames, going 16-for-53 (.302) at the plate with a homer, two doubles, three RBI, two stolen bases, and seven runs scored for St. Louis. Get the young infielder back into your starting lineups in traditional leagues against a young pitcher coming off a three-week stay on the injured list.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Jac Caglianone Out of Series Finale With Shoulder Injury
Kansas City Royals first baseman/outfielder Jac Caglianone (shoulder) is not in the team's starting lineup on Sunday for the series finale against the division-rival Minnesota Twins at Target Field, per MLB.com. Tyler Tolbert is making the start in right field for KC and is batting out of the nine-hole versus Twins rookie hurler Connor Prielipp. The Royals pulled Caglianone from Saturday's contest early due to soreness in his right shoulder. Right now, fantasy managers should consider the 23-year-old left-handed power hitter as day-to-day. The Royals have a scheduled day off on Monday, so Cags could be ready to rejoin the starting lineup for Tuesday's series opener versus the Texas Rangers. In his first full major-league season after the Royals took him sixth overall in 2024 out of the University of Florida, Caglianone has hit a modest .250/.326/.403 with a .729 OPS, six home runs, 15 RBI, 21 runs, and two steals in 60 games played. He isn't getting too much exposure against lefties and has gone 11-for-52 (.212) against southpaws with two of his six home runs.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Salvador Perez Out With Thumb Injury
Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez (thumb) is sitting out of Sunday's game against the division-rival Minnesota Twins for the second straight day as he deals with a right-thumb injury that he suffered on a wild pitch that hit him on Friday, according to Anne Rogers of MLB.com. Perez is dealing with some swelling in his thumb, but the Royals are hopeful that he'll be feeling back to normal by Tuesday's contest against the Texas Rangers, according to manager Matt Quatraro. Carter Jensen is doing the catching on Sunday for left-hander Noah Cameron and will bat eighth against Twins rookie Connor Prielipp. Perez, 36, is starting to slow down offensively in his 15th year in the big leagues. The nine-time All-Star and five-time Silver Slugger winner enters Sunday's action batting just .204 (48-for-235) with nine home runs, 26 RBI, and 22 runs scored, and durability will likely continue to be an issue as he nears the end of his amazing MLB career.
Source: MLB.com - Anne Rogers
Source: MLB.com - Anne Rogers
Byron Buxton Still Out With Shoulder Injury
Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (shoulder) will start on the bench for Sunday's series finale at Target Field against the division-rival Kansas City Royals, according to MLB.com. Ryan Kreidler will make another start in center field for the Twins and will bat seventh against Royals left-hander Noah Cameron. Buxton smashed into the outfield wall in Friday's game against the Royals and was pulled early, and he will now miss a second straight start as a result. However, the 32-year-old veteran's injury isn't considered all that serious, so he could be back on the field for Tuesday's series opener against the division-rival Detroit Tigers after a scheduled off day on Monday. The two-time All-Star has just five stolen bases and isn't expected to run much at this point in his career, but he has been a strong asset in the power department yet again in 2026 with 18 home runs and 28 RBI in 55 games across 248 plate appearances. Check back on Tuesday to see if Buxton is back in the starting nine. He's been a must-start in traditional leagues in his 12th season in the majors.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Chandler Simpson Missing in Action Again Versus Miami
Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Chandler Simpson (thumb) is not in the team's starting lineup for Sunday's series finale in Miami against the Marlins, per MLB.com. Cedric Mullins is making another start in center field for the Rays and is batting fifth against Marlins right-hander Sergio Alcantara. Simpson injured his left thumb in Friday's series opener in Miami and will sit out for a second straight game. Fantasy managers should consider the speedster to be day-to-day and check back on his status to see if he's available to play in Monday's series opener against the division-rival Boston Red Sox. The 25-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder still has not homered since debuting in the big leagues last year, but his elite speed makes up for it for fantasy managers. Simpson had 44 thefts a year ago and is up to 14 steals through 60 games and 250 plate appearances in 2026 while also batting .276 (64-for-232) with four doubles, a league-leading four triples, 12 RBI, and 30 runs scored for the Rays.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
J.P. Crawford Still Sitting With Hand Injury on Sunday
Seattle Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford (hand) remains on the bench for Sunday's series finale in Motown versus the Detroit Tigers, according to MLB.com. Young infielder Colt Emerson will make another start at the 6 for the M's and will bat eighth against Tigers right-hander Jack Flaherty. Crawford is missing a second straight game after he was hit by a pitch on his hand during the series opener against Detroit on Friday. X-rays came back negative on the 31-year-old's hand, but he's obviously still not ready to swing a bat against live pitching. Crawford has 10 home runs in his 193 at-bats, but that's where the good news ends for him in 2026. He's currently slashing just .228/.356/.409 with a .766 OPS, 23 RBI, 31 runs, and a stolen base in his 10th year in the league. Crawford is only rostered in 15% of Yahoo leagues and could begin to lose more playing time to the young infielders in Seattle the rest of the way. Emerson is the much more attractive long-term piece for fantasy managers.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Samuel Basallo Back Against Jays After Injury Scare
Baltimore Orioles catcher Samuel Basallo (abdomen) is doing the catching for right-hander Shane Baz and will bat fifth for Sunday's series finale in Toronto against the Blue Jays and right-hander Kevin Gausman, according to MLB.com. Basallo was pulled from Saturday's game at the Rogers Centre early with abdominal discomfort, but tests came back negative, and the 21-year-old backstop is back in action a day later. Adley Rutschman is serving as Baltimore's designated hitter for this contest. Basallo should be returned to starting lineups in traditional formats now that he's been cleared to play. In just his second season in the big leagues in 2026, the Dominican catcher is hitting .272/.337/.491 with an .828 OPS, nine home runs, nine doubles, a triple, 26 RBI, and 25 runs scored over 193 plate appearances and 53 games played. He has done most of his damage against righties, going 36-for-129 (.279) against them with eight of his nine home runs on the year.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Daulton Varsho Still Out With Wrist Injury
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho (wrist) remains out of the starting lineup for Sunday's series finale against the division-rival Baltimore Orioles due to a wrist injury, per MLB.com. Myles Straw will make another start in center field and will bat ninth for Toronto against O's right-hander Shane Baz. Varsho injured his left wrist in Friday's contest at the Rogers Centre and will miss a second straight game with the injury. It remains to be seen if the 29-year-old's injury is serious enough to send him to the injured list. His next chance to return to the field will be for Monday's series opener at home against the visiting Philadelphia Phillies. Varsho provides great defense in center field for the Jays, but he's mostly been a disappointment at the plate so far in 2026, slashing .256/.331/.408 with a .738 OPS, five home runs, 17 RBI, 26 runs scored, and four stolen bases in 62 games across 236 plate appearances. He has also gone just 7-for-41 (.171) with two doubles, a triple, four runs, seven walks, and nine strikeouts in his last 14 games since May 22.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Brandon Lowe on the Bench Due to Knee Injury
Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Brandon Lowe (knee) is not in the starting lineup for the team's series finale on Sunday in Atlanta against the Braves, according to MLB.com. Nick Gonzales will start at the keystone and is hitting second against right-hander Bryce Elder. Lowe is out after fouling a ball off his right knee in the ninth inning of Saturday's game at Truist Park. Thankfully, a CT scan after the game ruled out a fractured kneecap, which is something he suffered to the same knee back in September of 2023. Even with an off day coming on Monday for Pittsburgh, fantasy managers shouldn't assume that Lowe will be back in the starting nine for Tuesday's game back in the Steel City against the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers. The 31-year-old left-handed-hitting second baseman is hitting just .249 (57-for-229) in his first year in Pittsburgh, but he has contributed plenty of counting stats for fantasy managers, producing 15 home runs, 41 RBI, and 40 runs scored across his 59 games and 261 plate appearances in his first year with the Bucs.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Michael Harris II Still Out on Sunday With Back Injury
Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II (back) remains out of the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, according to MLB.com. Mauricio Dubon will start in center field again and will bat in the two-hole for the series finale against Pirates left-handed opener Mason Montgomery at Truist Park. Harris is missing a second straight game after he was pulled from Friday's contest early due to back tightness. The 25-year-old's injury isn't considered serious, though, according to manager Walt Weiss, so he could be back in the team's starting lineup for the series opener against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday after a scheduled day off on Monday. Harris has been a must-start when he's active for fantasy managers this year, as he's currently slashing .303/.338/.516 with an .853 OPS, 13 home runs, 37 RBI, 30 runs scored, and three stolen bases across his 61 games played in 2026. Dubon is mostly known for his glove work all over the diamond, but the 31-year-old veteran has been clutch in his first year in Atlanta and could be a sneaky DFS sleeper for Sunday's slate in the two-hole.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
