RADIO
Blake Snell to Begin Rehab Assignment Next Week
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Blake Snell (elbow) is expected to begin a minor league rehab assignment next week, according to Sonja Chen. Snell was able to complete a live bullpen session without any issues on Saturday. It was the first time that Snell had faced live batters since undergoing a left elbow procedure in May. The expectation is that Snell is going to require a handful of rehab starts before he's cleared to return to the Dodgers rotation. His timetable will be determined by how he progresses, but hopefully Snell can contribute again in early August. Fantasy managers who are looking for pitching help should check the waiver wire and stash Snell if he's available.
Source: Sonja Chen
Source: Sonja Chen
Ronel Blanco to Make Another Rehab Start
Houston Astros starting pitcher Ronel Blanco (elbow) is scheduled to make another rehab start at Triple-A Sugar Land on Sunday. Blanco was being considered as an option to return for Sunday's series finale against the Texas Rangers. Instead, the Astros will give Blanco at least one more rehab start. His most recent outing was cut short due to the weather, so the Astros want Blanco to build up his pitch count some more before he returns to the team. The right-hander has been working his way back from season-ending right elbow surgery from last year. He should be able to contribute to the Astros rotation during the second half of the season. Blanco could be a possible deep league option in the second half.
Source: Matt Kawahara
Source: Matt Kawahara
Nick Lodolo Removed with Finger Blister
Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Nick Lodolo (finger) was forced to make an early exit from Saturday's outing against the Chicago Cubs. Lodolo was pulled out of the game in the sixth inning due to a blister on his left finger. He finished this outing allowing two runs on five hits while striking out four batters across five innings of work. Lodolo has dealt with blister issues over the last few seasons, so hopefully this won't result in a trip to the Injured List. He'll get a chance to rest and recover from the All-Star break. Fantasy managers will have a better idea of his status in the coming days. Chase Petty is a candidate to take his spot in the rotation if Lodolo does land on the shelf.
Source: Charlie Goldsmith
Source: Charlie Goldsmith
Jacob Misiorowski Won't Pitch on Sunday
Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Jacob Misiorowski won't take the ball for Sunday's series finale against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Misiorowski is reportedly dealing with some fatigue following his last start against the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday. The plan is for Misiorowski to rest during the All-Star break and be ready to go for the first or second series out of the break. Misiorowski will still travel for the All-Star Game in Philadelphia, but he's not expected to take the mound at all. Fantasy managers shouldn't be worried, as this is likely just the Brewers being cautious with their superstar starter. Robert Gasser will take the ball for Sunday's series finale.
Source: Sophia Minnaert
Source: Sophia Minnaert
Zac Gallen Likely Headed to Injured List
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zac Gallen (elbow) was scratched ahead of his scheduled start against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Gallen was supposed to take the ball on Sunday for the final game ahead of the All-Star break. Instead, Gallen is likely headed to the Injured List due to left elbow inflammation. The severity of the injury is unknown at the moment, so fantasy managers will need to stay tuned for more updates. Gallen could use some time to rest and regroup after posting a 6.34 ERA across 19 starts this season. Mitch Bratt is expected to take the ball during Sunday's series finale.
Source: Nick Piecoro
Source: Nick Piecoro
Red Sox Select Shortstop Jake Schaffner With No. 20 Pick on Saturday
The Boston Red Sox selected shortstop prospect Jake Schaffner out of North Carolina with the 20th overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft. Entering Saturday's draft, MLB Pipeline ranked the infielder as the No. 75 prospect in this year's class. Schaffner began his college baseball career at North Dakota State before transferring to North Carolina in 2026. While at North Dakota, Schaffner hit 17 home runs in back-to-back seasons while holding a .352 AVG. This past season, Schaffner continued to perform at a high level, holding a .356/.467/.552 slash line with 19 doubles, eight triples and six home runs. While his power production dipped, he swiped a season-best 26 bags. While he was only given a 40-grade power score (on MLB Pipeline's pre-draft scouting report), Schaffner sits with a strong 55-grade hit tool and above-average speed on the basepaths (60-grade). Dynasty managers should monitor his production in the minor leagues, but he is shaping up to be a plus asset for stolen bases, with the potential to chip in double-digit home runs once he reaches the big leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Guardians Select Liam Peterson Out of Florida with 19th Overall Pick
The Cleveland Guardians are selecting right-handed pitcher Liam Peterson out of Florida with the 19th overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft. Peterson has spent all three of his college seasons with the Gators and has continued to increase his workload. After posting a 6.43 ERA as a first-year, Peterson has since improved in his final two seasons. In 2025, the right-hander tossed 69 1/3 innings with a 96:32 K:BB. This past season, Peterson logged a season-high 84 1/3 innings and struck out an eye-catching 111 batters while posting a career-low 3.8 BB/9. While he possesses a sharp 60-grade fastball, his calling card could be his slider, which was given an elite 65-grade during the pre-draft process according to MLB Pipeline. The other pitch to watch in his profile is his budding curveball, which some scouts have credited as his top secondary pitch. Given his extensive college experience, Peterson may not have to wait long to make his MLB debut.
Source: MLB Pipeline
Source: MLB Pipeline
Justin Lebron Joins Reds With 18th Pick in MLB Draft
The Cincinnati Reds strengthened their infield pipeline by selecting shortstop Justin Lebron with the 18th pick in Saturday's draft. Lebron was a highly regarded prospect on MLB Pipeline, ranked No. 9 overall in this year's class ahead of the draft. Lebron has spent all three of his college seasons at Alabama and has been quite productive in each. While he was more of a contact hitter as a freshman (.338 AVG), he has since begun to tap into his power. In 2026, Lebron hit 16 home runs, posted a .920 OPS, and swiped an elite 42 bags. The year prior, he would hit a season-best 18 long balls. On his scouting report, Lebron was given an elite 70-grade in speed and a high-end 60-grade in power, with his lowest mark coming with a 45-grade in hitting. While he has shown a tendency to chase pitches, his budding power and elite speed make him a prime selection at the top of most first-year player drafts.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Logan Hughes Selected at 17th Overall by Astros
The Houston Astros selected outfielder Logan Hughes out of Texas Tech with the 17th overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft on Saturday afternoon. Entering the draft, MLB Pipeline ranked the outfielder as the overall No. 42 prospect in this year's class. However, on the college diamond, Hughes has shown high-end upside worthy of a pick in the back half of the opening round. Hughes began his collegiate career at Stetson before transferring to Texas Tech in 2025. While in the Big 12, Hughes has showcased high-end power, hitting at least 18 home runs in each season. In 2025, the 21-year-old posted a season-high .375 AVG with a sharp 1.245 OPS. According to his MLB.com scouting report, Hughes is credited with making good swing decisions and has the ability to make contact against all pitch types. While he has the upside to be a 20-HR hitter in the majors, his lack of speed and lower fielding projections could limit his upside.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Rangers Select Top Left-Handed Pitcher Gio Rojas With 16th Overall Pick
The Texas Rangers selected left-handed pitcher Gio Rojas with the 16th overall selection in the 2026 MLB Draft. Rojas entered the pre-draft process as MLB Pipeline's No. 8 overall prospect and the top left-handed pitcher in the class. The 19-year-old left-hander is a graduate of Stoneman Douglas High School (Florida) and has already shown his raw talent on the big stage, leading the way by tossing 11 shutout frames for Team USA in the WBSC U-18 World Cup. His fastball has reached 98 MPH and has been given a 60-grade rating by MLB.com. Rojas mixes in a well-regarded slider (60 grade) that plays off this dominant fastball quite well. The young southpaw has the potential to become a frontline starter, but dynasty managers will need to be patient as he will likely need several seasons of development in the lower levels of the Texas system.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Diamondbacks Select Catcher Ryder Helfrick With 15th Overall Pick
The Arizona Diamondbacks are selecting catcher Ryder Helfrick with the 15th overall pick in the MLB Draft out of Arkansas. Entering the draft, MLB Pipeline viewed Helfrick as the No. 11 overall prospect in the class. The 21-year-old backstop has spent all three of his college seasons at Arkansas. After a quiet debut season in which he appeared in just 31 games, Helfrick became a key part of their starting nine over the past two seasons, playing in at least 60 games in each season. He turned in his best showing in 2025, when he carried a 1.036 OPS with a .305/.420/.616 line. However, in 2026, Helfrick tapped into his raw power, launching a season-high 18 round-trippers for the Razorbacks. While his bat, especially from a power perspective, is worth close monitoring, Helfrick is more known for his elite defense and was given an elite 65-grade arm and 60-grade fielding ahead of the draft. While his batting average may be a weakness, his high-end power and elite defense should provide him with a clear path to the majors.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Marlins Select Shortstop Jacob Lombard at Pick No. 14 in MLB Draft
The Miami Marlins are selecting shortstop Jacob Lombard with the 14th overall selection during Saturday's MLB Draft. Despite being selected near the middle of the opening round, Lombard entered the pre-draft process as a highly regarded shortstop. Per MLB Pipeline's rankings, Lombard sits at No. 5, behind the four players selected with the top four picks. Lombard is an 18-year-old out of Gulliver Prep and will now join his brother, George Lombard Jr., as one of the top-ranked shortstop prospects in the sport. Lombard is credited with having high-end power at his position. MLB.com gave him a 60-grade in power and credits him for having the "acumen to be a plus hitter in the future." Additionally, he is viewed as a plus runner, which further boosts his long-term fantasy value. Dynasty managers should keep a close eye on his progression, as he has the skill set to emerge not only as the top prospect in the Marlins system but also as one of the top shortstops in the minor leagues, given his favorable fantasy profile.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Cardinals Select Outfielder Trevor Condon With 13th Pick
The St. Louis Cardinals selected outfielder Trevor Condon with the 13th overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft. Condon is a high school graduate who committed to Tennessee ahead of the MLB Draft. The 18-year-old possesses elite raw speed and fielding and has already begun to draw comparisons to Chicago's star center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong, according to MLB.com. The left-handed bat is credited with above-average swing decisions and the ability to make contact on all fields. While he is only credited with 45-grade power, his above-average bat speed could help him reach higher production on the diamond. However, the main calling card of his fantasy profile will be his 70-grade speed. Fantasy managers should keep a close eye on Condon as he progresses through St. Louis' lower levels, as any added power could make him an intriguing dynasty stash.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Angels Take Two-Way Player Jared Grindlinger With 12th Overall Selection
The Los Angeles Angels are selecting left-handed pitcher/outfielder Jared Grindlinger with the 12th overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft. While listed as a two-way player in MLB.com's pre-draft pipeline rankings, the 17-year-old was announced as an outfielder when selected, suggesting the team may view his long-term role on the offensive side of the game. Grindlinger, who is a University of Tennessee commit, began his baseball career as a catcher but has since shifted to a two-way role. Per his MLB.com scouting report, Grindlinger's fastball has hit 95 MPH, and he possesses a 60-grade changeup. On the hitting side, Grindlinger does not project to be a high-power hitter (40 grade), but given his young age, his raw power could continue to climb as he progresses through the lower levels. Dynasty managers should continue to keep a close eye on the young prospect, as the Angels may provide him with various roles at the lower levels.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Nationals Select Chris Hacopian With 11th Overall Pick
The Washington Nationals are selecting second baseman Chris Hacopian out of Texas A&M with the 11th overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft. Hacopian was ranked as MLB.com's No. 14 overall prospect in this year's class ahead of the draft. Hacopian began his college career at Maryland (for two seasons) before joining Texas A&M ahead of the 2026 season. With Maryland, Hacopian turned in his best season (in 2025), posting a sharp .375/.505/.652 slash line with 14 home runs and a stolen base. During his lone season in Texas, Hacopian took a slight step back, carrying a .319/.405/.578 line with 11 long balls and three stolen bases. According to MLB.com, the infielder is credited with having one of the best bats among college hitters. The lone concern in his profile is his fielding (45 grade), as MLB.com suggests he could be shifted to the corner outfield later in his career. Given his elite hit tool and solid power upside (50-grade), Hacopian is a worthy pick in early-round first-year player drafts.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
