RADIO
Daniel Palencia Starting a Rehab Assignment on Wednesday
Chicago Cubs right-handed reliever Daniel Palencia (elbow) will start a minor-league rehab assignment at Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday, according to Meghan Montemurro of The Chicago Tribune. Palencia has been sidelined since June 16 with a mild right flexor strain, but the 26-year-old is nearing a return to the major-league bullpen for the stretch run. Because of injuries in 2026, Palencia has only thrown 16 2/3 innings and recorded all three of his saves after picking up a career-high 22 saves in 54 regular-season appearances in 2025. The Cubs picked up right-handed reliever Ryan Zeferjahn from the Los Angeles Angels at Monday's trade deadline, but when back and fully healthy, Palencia is expected to take over as the team's primary closer in the ninth inning. Fantasy managers searching for saves should look to stash Palencia now. He's rostered in 59% of Yahoo leagues. Along with his three saves in 16 2/3 frames this year, Palencia has a 2.70 ERA (3.46 FIP), 1.38 WHIP, and 19:6 K:BB.
Source: The Chicago Tribune - Meghan Montemurro
Source: The Chicago Tribune - Meghan Montemurro
Kevin Gausman's Cubs Debut Likely to Come Friday Against KC
Right-hander Kevin Gausman's debut with the Chicago Cubs is expected to come in Friday's series opener in Kansas City against the Royals, according to The Chicago Tribune's Meghan Montemurro. Both Gausman and right-hander Clay Holmes (leg) will make their debuts with the team this weekend after both were acquired by the Cubs at the trade deadline. The 35-year-old Gausman comes to the National League Central with a 5-10 record, 4.38 ERA (3.50 FIP) and 1.29 WHIP with 127 strikeouts and 36 walks in 127 1/3 innings pitched across 23 starts with the Toronto Blue Jays in his 14th season in the majors. He hasn't been as sharp since the beginning of July, going 1-3 with a 5.13 ERA (2.41 FIP), 12 walks, and 27 strikeouts in 26 1/3 innings pitched over five starts, but Chicago is hoping Gausman's solid underlying metrics will help him finish strong down the stretch. The two-time All-Star doesn't have a ton of strikeout upside (23.5% K rate), but he has strong command still and has a hard-hit rate below 40%. Fantasy managers should keep Gausman in their starting lineups this weekend against the Royals.
Source: The Chicago Tribune - Meghan Montemurro
Source: The Chicago Tribune - Meghan Montemurro
Clay Holmes' Next Start Likely to be his Debut With Cubs
The Chicago Tribune's Meghan Montemurro expects newly acquired right-hander Clay Holmes' (leg) next start to be his debut with the Chicago Cubs, not another minor-league rehab outing. Based on the current alignment of Chicago's starting rotation, Holmes will most likely start on Saturday against the Kansas City Royals on the road. The Cubs will be activating the 33-year-old veteran from the 60-day injured list, and Saturday will be his first start since fracturing his fibula against the New York Yankees on May 15. He made three rehab starts in the minors with the New York Mets before they traded him to the Cubs on Monday, so Holmes should be efficiently stretched out. The Cubs are hoping Holmes is a key part of their rotation the rest of the way as they look to get into the postseason, and fantasy managers looking for rotation depth should look his way, as he's only rostered in 37% of Yahoo leagues. The former ninth-rounder in 2011 by the Pittsburgh Pirates went 4-4 in New York earlier this year with a 2.39 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 45 strikeouts in 52 2/3 frames over his nine starts.
Source: The Chicago Tribune - Meghan Montemurro
Source: The Chicago Tribune - Meghan Montemurro
Maikel Garcia Shut Down for Five Days After Receiving Injection
Kansas City Royals infielder/outfielder Maikel Garcia (hand) felt more discomfort in his left hand during his first minor-league rehab game with Double-A Northwest Arkansas on July 28. He visited with a hand specialist on Tuesday and received a cortisone injection. The Royals will shut Garcia down for around five days and then will ramp up his baseball activities again, according to MLB.com. He's been on the 10-day injured list since June 23 with a muscle strain in his left hand. The 26-year-old should be able to return to the Royals before the end of the season, but he might not be reinstated from the IL until later this month. The Venezuelan right-handed hitter has not lived up to expectations in his fifth MLB season due to injuries, and he's currently hitting .261/.320/.373 with a .693 OPS, only three home runs, 30 RBI, 32 runs, and five stolen bases in 69 games and 294 plate appearances after being named a first-time All-Star in 2025. Garcia will return to regular duties at third base when he's cleared, and he remains rostered in 78% of Yahoo leagues despite his lengthy absence.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Rangers Put MacKenzie Gore on the Paternity List
The Texas Rangers announced on Wednesday that they placed left-hander MacKenzie Gore on the paternity list and activated left-hander Cody Bradford (elbow) from the 60-day injured list in a corresponding move. Bradford will make the start on Wednesday against the San Francisco Giants at Globe Life Field. The 27-year-old Gore had an excellent outing on Tuesday in the 5-4 win over the Giants, throwing six scoreless innings. He's not scheduled to throw again until Sunday, so Gore shouldn't have to miss a start while on the paternity list for the next one to three days. The former first-rounder by the San Diego Padres in 2017 has been up and down in 2026 in his first year with the Rangers, going 6-9 with a 4.55 ERA (3.77 FIP) and 1.24 WHIP with 140 strikeouts and 47 walks in 128 2/3 innings across his 24 starts. Gore was a first-time All-Star last year with the Washington Nationals, and his 3.83 expected ERA points to some positive regression late in the season. He has a nice upcoming matchup this Sunday in the series finale against the Baltimore Orioles.
Source: Texas Rangers PR
Source: Texas Rangers PR
Blue Jays Place Trey Yesavage on Injured List With Knee Inflammation
The Toronto Blue Jays announced on Wednesday that they placed right-hander Trey Yesavage (knee) on the 15-day injured list with inflammation in his left knee and recalled right-handed pitchers Lazaro Estrada and Chase Lee from Triple-A Buffalo in corresponding moves. Yesavage will miss at least the next two weeks after being pulled from his start early on Tuesday against the Houston Astros when he felt a pinch in his left knee. The 23-year-old former first-rounder from East Carolina University doesn't appear to be dealing with any structural damage, so it's realistic to think he could be ready to roll once he's eligible to return to Toronto's starting rotation in 15 days. In 18 starts (93 2/3 innings) in 2026 in his first full MLB campaign, Yesavage has gone 5-5 with a 3.65 ERA (4.08 FIP) and 1.14 WHIP with 91 strikeouts and 46 walks. Fantasy managers should be stashing Yesavage in all fantasy formats for his strikeout upside. Yesavage's elevated 11.8% walk rate in his first two MLB seasons has kept him from reaching his ceiling.
Source: Toronto Blue Jays
Source: Toronto Blue Jays
Luke Raley Expected to Miss the Rest of the Season
Seattle Mariners general manager Justin Hollander said that first baseman/outfielder Luke Raley (forearm) is not expected to play again this year after going on the 10-day injured list with a strained left forearm, according to Adam Jude of The Seattle Times. Raley landed on the IL over the weekend, but he had been battling through his forearm injury for weeks. The Mariners are not ruling out surgery for the 31-year-old left-handed hitter. Raley will finish his sixth year in the big leagues (third with Seattle) in 2026 with a .225/.284/.439 slash line, a .723 OPS, 15 home runs, 39 RBI, 28 runs scored, and a stolen base in 95 games across 287 plate appearances. It's a notable loss of power for the M's lineup, but Seattle is hoping their trade-deadline acquisition of Taylor Ward will help make up for the loss of Raley. Raley will be a free agent this winter after signing a one-year, $2.05 million deal with the Mariners back in January, and it's unclear if the organization has any interest in bringing him back.
Source: The Seattle Times - Adam Jude
Source: The Seattle Times - Adam Jude
Dalton Rushing has UCL Tear, Unlikely to Catch Again This Year
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing (elbow) was diagnosed with a "slight" tear in the UCL of his right elbow, and manager Dave Roberts said on Wednesday morning that he'd guess there is a "very small" chance that Rushing catches again this year, according to Jack Harris of The California Post. However, the Dodgers are hoping he can remain a left-handed-hitting option down the stretch. The 25-year-old backstop was scratched from the starting lineup on Sunday against the Boston Red Sox and landed on the 10-day injured list on Monday. With Shohei Ohtani locked in as the Dodgers' regular designated hitter, it's unlikely that Rushing will make any starts as a hitter down the stretch or in the postseason, so he's an easy drop candidate in single-year fantasy leagues. The former second-rounder in 2022 from the University of Louisville has hit .253/.335/.475 this year with 12 homers, 36 RBI, and 37 runs scored across 217 at-bats. With Will Smith (neck) still out as well, the Dodgers are currently using Ben Rortvedt and the recently acquired Hunter Feduccia behind the plate.
Source: The California Post - Jack Harris
Source: The California Post - Jack Harris
Juan Soto, Francisco Lindor Have Meeting to Work Through Differences
Former New York Mets right-hander Freddy Peralta called a meeting earlier this year for franchise cornerstones Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor to "clear the air," according to Jorge Castillo of ESPN. Since then, according to sources, Soto and Lindor's relationship has been "noticeably warmer, with the players interacting more often." Both players have denied that a rift between them has ever existed, but their relationship has been a hot topic ever since Soto signed a record-breaking 15-year, $765 million contract after the 2024 season. The discussion didn't stop after Soto's locker, which had been next to Lindor's, was moved across the clubhouse. The Mets dealt with injuries to key players early in the 2026 season and were never really able to recover, but Soto and Lindor's relationship behind the scenes has left tension in the building, which hasn't helped team chemistry in Queens. Although their relationship reportedly has improved, it's another dynamic to watch as the Mets look to put another frustrating season in the rearview mirror in 2027.
Source: ESPN.com - Jorge Castillo
Source: ESPN.com - Jorge Castillo
Pirates Release Veteran Marcell Ozuna
The Pittsburgh Pirates released veteran outfielder/designated hitter Marcell Ozuna on Wednesday, a source told Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The Pirates cut Ozuna after signing him to a one-year, $12 million deal in the offseason. The 35-year-old Dominican veteran started the year as the team's full-time DH, but he quickly became a part-time player in Pittsburgh due to his ongoing struggles at the plate. Ozuna has hit just .203/.286/.327 with a .612 OPS, eight home runs, 29 RBI, 22 runs scored, and a career-high 28.6% strikeout rate in 280 plate appearances across 70 games in his 14th year in the big leagues. The right-handed slugger had gone 8-for-37 (.216) with a homer, a double, three RBI, four runs scored, six walks, and nine strikeouts in 12 games in the month of July. Ozuna will look to latch on with another team for the stretch run, but he's unlikely to suddenly re-emerge on the fantasy radar. The three-time All-Star hit a career-high 40 home runs just several years ago in 2023 with the Atlanta Braves, but he's seen a sharp decline in his offensive skills the last two seasons.
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Colin Beazley
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - Colin Beazley
Roman Anthony Taking Batting Practice in the Cage
Boston Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony (wrist), who has been out for three months with a partially torn tendon in his right wrist, has moved to taking batting practice in the batting cage, according to Ian Browne of MLB.com. The left-handed hitter started doing tee work last week and has progressed as he tries to make a return before the end of the 2026 regular season. The next steps for Anthony will be on-field batting practice and hitting off the Trajekt machine, which simulates big-league pitchers. If Anthony can get through those steps without a setback, he should be cleared to start a minor-league rehab assignment. "As long as he's feeling good, we can keep moving him along," said interim manager Chad Tracy. It's good progress for the 22-year-old, but he still has some boxes to check, with a potential return to the major-league roster probably not realistic until late August or early September. Fantasy managers must remain patient, but when healthy, Anthony has the skills to be an asset in all fantasy leagues due to his power/speed upside. Anthony is currently rostered in 73% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com - Ian Browne
Source: MLB.com - Ian Browne
Hogan Harris Losing Fantasy Value After Blown Save on Tuesday
Athletics left-handed reliever Hogan Harris is quickly losing fantasy baseball value after blowing his fifth save of the year in the team's 5-4 loss to the hosting Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday. Harris was wild at Great American Ball Park, allowing two earned runs on three walks and one strikeout in just two-thirds of an inning, and not only did he blow the save, but he took the loss, his first of 2026. The 29-year-old walked the first two hitters he faced and also threw two wild pitches. The southpaw recorded three saves for the A's in July, but he's now allowed multiple runs in two of his last three outings and could be on the way out in the A's closer picture if he continues to struggle. On the season, Harris is 3-1 with a 3.62 ERA (4.20 FIP), 1.53 WHIP, a career-high nine saves, 67 strikeouts, and 32 walks in 49 2/3 innings pitched out of the bullpen. The best thing going for Harris is that the A's don't have many better options for save situations, with Elvis Alvarado and Luis Medina being their primary setup men. Harris is currently rostered in 11% of Yahoo leagues for those desperate for saves in deep formats.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Trey Yesavage Pulled With Knee Discomfort on Tuesday
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Trey Yesavage (knee) left his start early on Tuesday against the Houston Astros with discomfort in his left knee, according to Blue Jays reporter Hazel Mae. Manager John Schneider said Yesavage will go for an MRI exam on Wednesday after feeling a pinch in his knee. Yesavage only made it through two innings on Tuesday, not allowing a run while walking one and striking out none. We won't know whether the 23-year-old will have to go on the injured list until the results of his MRI come back. The former 20th overall pick in the 2024 MLB draft out of East Carolina University quickly rose through the minor leagues last year to make his big-league debut at the tail end of the regular season before showing his strikeout upside in Toronto's postseason run to the World Series. In his first full major-league season in 2026, Yesavage has gone 5-5 with a 3.65 ERA (4.08 FIP) and 1.14 WHIP with 91 strikeouts and 46 walks in 93 2/3 innings across 18 starts. He hasn't allowed more than three earned runs in his four starts since the All-Star break, but fantasy managers would love to see his 11.9% walk rate come down.
Source: Hazel Mae
Source: Hazel Mae
Nick Pivetta Feels Elbow Tightness in Rehab Outing
San Diego Padres right-hander Nick Pivetta (elbow) felt tightness in his right elbow during his minor-league rehab outing with Single-A Lake Elsinore on Tuesday when he came off the mound, but then he threw a 30-pitch bullpen session and felt perfectly fine, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports. The Padres will know more on Wednesday. It did not look good when Pivetta walked off the field in the middle of an at-bat in the fourth inning, but the 33-year-old veteran might have escaped a major setback and could still have a chance to rejoin the Padres' starting rotation before the end of the 2026 regular season. SD bolstered their rotation at the trade deadline by adding lefty Robbie Ray and right-hander Casey Mize, but they are also expecting the return of Pivetta, who was the club's ace in 2025, when he went 13-5 with a 2.87 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, and 190:50 K:BB in 31 starts. It's unclear exactly how big of a setback Pivetta is dealing with, but he's currently being stashed in 70% of Yahoo leagues in hopes that he can make a difference down the stretch and return to his pre-injury form. Pivetta had a 4.50 ERA and 1.12 WHIP in just four starts earlier this year before being shut down.
Source: USA Today Sports - Bob Nightengale
Source: USA Today Sports - Bob Nightengale
Kade Anderson a Prime Stash Option with Path to MLB Opportunities
Seattle Mariners pitching prospect Kade Anderson has thus far lived up to his draft-day billing as one of the top arms in the class after getting drafted third overall in 2025. The former first-rounder has perhaps even exceeded those lefty expectations with a downright dominant first season in professional ball at Double-A Arkansas. The southpaw has yielded zero runs in 11 of his 16 starts, and two runs or fewer in all but one start, resulting in a masterful 1.20 ERA (1.90 FIP), 0.66 WHIP, and a 36.4 percent K-BB%, all of which are the best in the minors out of all pitchers with at least 60 innings pitched. With the Mariners dealing Luis Castillo at the deadline, there is one less rotation option to compete with, and the team's general manager, Justin Hollander, even stated that Anderson is "definitely in the mix" for a rotation spot, so an MLB debut could be coming later this season. Despite not having pitched at Triple-A at all yet, the Mariners' top-ranked prospect should be considered one of the top pitchers to stash for fantasy in hopes he can help fantasy managers down the stretch.
Source: Shannon Drayer
Source: Shannon Drayer
