RADIO
Spencer Strider Might Not Pitch Again for Braves This Year
When MLB.com's Mark Bowman asked if it's accurate that it feels like right-hander Spencer Strider (elbow) is done for the 2026 season, Atlanta Braves manager Walt Weiss said, "I wouldn't say it's inaccurate. I think there is a chance we see both of them (also Spencer Schwellengach) this year. But sitting here today, it's hard to say." The Braves moved Strider to the 60-day injured list in mid-June after he was initially shut down with inflammation in his right elbow. Dr. Keith Meister recommended that Strider be shut down for a month to rest his elbow, but there hasn't been much of an update since. At the very least, the 27-year-old won't be eligible to return to the Braves' starting rotation until sometime in September if he makes it back at all in 2026. With the uncertainty surrounding the availability of Strider for the rest of the season, it's fair to consider dropping him in single-year leagues, if you haven't already done so. He's currently rostered in just over half of Yahoo leagues after going 4-2 with a 5.31 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, and 46 strikeouts in 39 innings in his first eight starts of the year.
Source: MLB.com - Mark Bowman
Source: MLB.com - Mark Bowman
Sebastian Walcott to Return to Double-A on Friday
Texas Rangers infield prospect Sebastian Walcott (elbow) is expected to serve as the designated hitter and bat leadoff for Double-A Frisco on Friday night against Double-A Tulsa as he returns from the 60-day injured list, according to Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News. The 20-year-old top prospect started a rehab assignment in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League during the All-Star break earlier this week and is now returning to Frisco following an internal-brace surgery on his right elbow. He has been playing catch as well, but it's unclear at this point when exactly he'll be ready to play defense for the Rough Riders. In 124 games across 552 plate appearances last year at Frisco, Walcott hit .255/.355/.386 with a .741 OPS, 13 home runs, 59 RBI, 32 stolen bases, and 71 runs scored at Double-A. The 6-foot-4, 190-pounder is considered the fifth-best shortstop prospect in all of baseball in 2026, and his 40-homer upside at the next level at a premium position makes him a must-stash right now in dynasty/keeper leagues. Walcott's lengthy recovery from elbow surgery means he probably won't debut in the big leagues for the Rangers until next year, though.
Source: The Dallas Morning News - Evan Grant
Source: The Dallas Morning News - Evan Grant
Nathan Eovaldi Dealing With Illness, Could Start on Sunday
Texas Rangers right-hander Nathan Eovaldi (illness) came in feeling under the weather on Friday, but he could still potentially start in Sunday's series finale in Atlanta against the Braves, according to MLB.com's Kennedi Landry. Fantasy managers will want to check back in on Eovaldi's condition going into Sunday's game to see if he's still on track to start in a less-than-ideal matchup to kick off the second half of his season. The 36-year-old veteran has maintained a high floor for fantasy managers because of his ability to miss bats and throw strikes consistently. Eovaldi finished the first half of the 2026 season with Texas with a 9-7 record, 4.04 ERA (4.02 FIP), and 1.12 WHIP with 120 strikeouts and 26 walks in 111 1/3 innings pitched across 18 starts. Going into the All-Star break, Eovaldi allowed three runs or fewer in each of his final five starts, and he had at least nine punchouts in each of his final four starts before the Midsummer Classic. He'll be a bit riskier against Atlanta on the road, though, if he's still not 100% recovered from his illness.
Source: MLB.com - Kennedi Landry
Source: MLB.com - Kennedi Landry
Jacob deGrom Likely to Return to the Rotation Next Week
Texas Rangers right-hander Jacob deGrom (glute) will throw a bullpen session on Saturday and will likely start one of the games at home against the Chicago White Sox in a series that starts on Monday, according to Kennedi Landry of MLB.com. deGrom, who is no stranger to injuries during his career, suffered a mild left-glute injury before the All-Star break, but he will avoid the injured list and return to the starting rotation for the second series of the second half of the season. The 38-year-old veteran continues to have a tough time staying healthy, but when available, the two-time Cy Young winner has stayed relevant in all fantasy leagues and will take a 7-5 record, 3.49 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and 122 strikeouts over 100 2/3 innings and 18 starts into the second half of the 2026 season. The five-time All-Star will definitely be riskier in starting fantasy lineups in his first start back coming off his glute injury, and the matchup against the suddenly potent White Sox isn't an ideal one. Despite his age, deGrom is offering a strong 30.4% strikeout rate and 5.5% walk rate.
Source: MLB.com - Kennedi Landry
Source: MLB.com - Kennedi Landry
Geraldo Perdomo Returns to Friday's Lineup
Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Geraldo Perdomo (hand) is back at the 6 and is hitting second for Friday's series opener against the visiting St. Louis Cardinals and right-hander Michael McGreevy at Chase Field, per MLB.com. Perdomo has been dealing with a recurring left-hand issue recently and had a cortisone injection during the All-Star break, but he's feeling better now and will begin the second half of the season in Arizona's starting lineup. Fantasy managers have to wonder if the 26-year-old switch-hitting Dominican's hand issues have been the reason why he has struggled at the plate in 2026. In 323 at-bats in the first half of 2026, Perdomo had a disappointing .241/.354/.356 slash line with a .710 OPS, only six home runs, 34 RBI, 15 stolen bases, and 46 runs scored in 92 games after a career-high 20 homers, 100 RBI, and 27 steals in 161 contests in a breakout 2025. Fantasy managers are hopeful that Perdomo can pick things up in the second half, but his xBA of .251 and xwOBA of .326 don't point to a massive turnaround coming.
Source: Sports Illustrated - Jack Sommers
Source: Sports Illustrated - Jack Sommers
Julio Rodriguez Remains on Injured List to Begin the Second Half
Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez (concussion) remains on the seven-day concussion injured list for the start of the second half of the season in the team's series finale on Friday against the San Francisco Giants, according to MLB.com. Victor Robles is making the start in center field and will bat eighth for the M's against Giants right-hander Landen Roupp. Rodriguez has been on the shelf with a concussion since July 3, but he could be reinstated by Seattle during the team's homestand to begin the second half. The 25-year-old Dominican center fielder should remain stashed in an IL spot in all fantasy baseball leagues while he recovers from his head injury. When healthy, J-Rod, a three-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger winner, can contribute in all five categories. He finished the first half of 2026 with a .259/.323/.424 slash line, .747 OPS, 14 home runs, 40 RBI, 46 runs scored, and 12 stolen bases across his 344 at-bats. Rodriguez is a rare offensive talent who already has two 30-30 campaigns in his first four years in the majors.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Will Smith Shut Down Again With More Neck Issues
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith's neck continued to bother him as he tried to ramp up his baseball activities recently, so the Dodgers decided to shut him down again this week, manager Dave Roberts told The California Post's Jack Harris. The Dodgers remain hopeful that Smith can start to ramp up again after this and still expect him to return in 2026. It has quickly turned into a lost season for Smith, who initially was expected to avoid a trip to the injured list because of his neck injury. The 31-year-old veteran and three-time All-Star has been sidelined since June 5, and in a best-case scenario, he probably won't be back with the Dodgers until sometime in mid-August. Remember, the Dodgers have a big lead in the National League West going into the second half of the season this weekend and aren't in a hurry to rush any of their injured stars back. Smith's ongoing neck issues have created a prolonged audition period for backup Dalton Rushing. When healthy, Smith was underwhelming offensively in his 173 at-bats, hitting .249/.338/.382 with six homers, 23 RBI, and 23 runs scored in 52 games.
Source: The California Post - Jack Harris
Source: The California Post - Jack Harris
Dodgers Expect Shohei Ohtani to Pitch on Wednesday Against Philadelphia
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that the team expects two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (knee) to make his next start on the mound in Philadelphia on Wednesday against the Phillies, according to Jack Harris of The California Post. The Dodgers kept Ohtani from making his final start on the mound before the All-Star break due to ongoing irritation in his left knee. The four-time MVP had his knee drained just before the All-Star break, and he's not missing any time as a hitter, so fantasy managers shouldn't be too worried going into the second half. It's not an ideal matchup for fantasy purposes for Ohtani in his first start back on the mound, but the six-time All-Star has been a must-start in all leagues when he toes the rubber for the Dodgers. The Japanese sensation has been excellent on the mound in his first 14 starts in 2026, going 8-2 with a 1.79 ERA (2.61 FIP) and 0.95 WHIP with a 95:26 K:BB in 85 2/3 frames.
Source: The California Post - Jack Harris
Source: The California Post - Jack Harris
Brandon Woodruff's "Outlook Isn't Good"
Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy said the plan is for right-handed veteran Brandon Woodruff (shoulder) to address the media on Sunday regarding his right-shoulder injury, but the skipper said "the outlook isn't good," according to Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "I'm going to let Woody get specific with you and let him be the one to announce what he wants to announce," Murphy said. The 33-year-old veteran has made only nine starts this year due to recurring shoulder problems, and he landed on the injured list in early July with an injury to his right anterior shoulder capsule. It's looking more and more likely that Woodruff could be heading toward another season-ending shoulder surgery, so fantasy managers who have been stashing him might need to be ready to cut him entirely in single-year formats. Despite shoulder issues and a drastic dip in velocity before being shut down again recently, Woodruff had pitched well with a 2.98 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, and 47 strikeouts in 45 1/3 frames across nine starts. Even if surgery isn't needed, the earliest Woodruff can return from the 60-day IL is in September.
Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Todd Rosiak
Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Todd Rosiak
Samuel Basallo a Priority Catcher Addition for the Second Half?
Baltimore Orioles catcher Samuel Basallo reached the break at .248/.309/.464 with 16 home runs, 46 RBI, and 34 runs in 301 plate appearances. He was only 10-for-48 over his final 15 games, but four of those hits left the yard and he drove in 11. Basallo remains available in half of Yahoo leagues. Baltimore has found room for his bat alongside Adley Rutschman, using Basallo at catcher, first base, and designated hitter. The power checks out: a 91.5 mph average exit velocity, 46.2% hard-hit rate, 13.1% barrel rate, and .482 expected slugging percentage. He does chase too much, at 40.2%, so the average may come and go. That is a manageable trade-off at catcher. RotoBaller ranks Basallo 22nd overall for the weekend, second among catcher pickups, and recommends him in 10-team leagues. He is a priority add for managers still searching for second-half power at the position.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Friday's Game Between Guardians-Pirates Postponed
The Cleveland Guardians announced that their game on Friday against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Progressive Field has been postponed due to poor air quality. The contest will be made up as part of a split doubleheader on Saturday. The scheduled starters for the two teams -- right-hander Gavin Williams for Cleveland and right-hander Jared Jones for Pittsburgh -- will most likely be pushed back to the first game of the twin bill on Saturday. Both hurlers should be kept in starting fantasy lineups in traditional leagues for their first starts of the second half this weekend. Williams comes out of the All-Star break with a 10-4 record, 3.81 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, and 134:37 K:BB in his 113 1/3 innings while sporting a career-high 29.1% strikeout rate and career-low 8.0% walk rate through his first 19 starts in 2026. Jones has only made eight starts after returning from right-elbow surgery. He has high-end fantasy upside, but he's unsurprisingly been up and down through his first 35 innings in 2026, posting a 4.37 ERA (3.67 FIP) and 1.14 WHIP with a 39:11 K:BB for the Bucs.
Source: Cleveland Guardians
Source: Cleveland Guardians
Jake Bauers' Breakout Is Built to Last
Milwaukee Brewers first baseman/outfielder Jake Bauers carried a .268/.373/.508 line, 18 home runs, 56 runs, 59 RBI, and six steals into the break. He had never hit more than 12 homers in a major-league season. This is not hanging on luck alone. Bauers owns a 92.5 mph average exit velocity, 53.1% hard-hit rate, and 14.1% barrel rate, all career highs. Some of it may come back. His .258 expected average and .481 expected slugging percentage sit below the real marks, and Milwaukee still shares first base between Bauers and Andrew Vaughn. Bauers has made himself harder to bench, though. He owns an .809 OPS against left-handers and has also started in both corner-outfield spots. Add a 13.6% walk rate, and the profile still plays even if the average slips. The breakout is real enough to trust for the second half.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jake Cronenworth Is a Deep-League Buy After Concussion Return
San Diego Padres second baseman Jake Cronenworth went into the break at .196/.286/.280 with three home runs, 17 runs, 12 RBI, and three steals in 45 games. Awful on its face. He also spent nearly two months on the concussion injured list after a 97 mph fastball hit him in the chin April 18. Cronenworth later described vision problems that made it difficult to track pitches, and he went 4-for-31 before San Diego finally shut him down. The return has been encouraging, not conclusive. Cronenworth hit .333/.349/.500 with two homers, eight RBI, and two steals in 43 July plate appearances before the break. His season-long contact quality still points to a limited ceiling, including an 87.6 mph average exit velocity, 32.4% hard-hit rate, and .345 expected slugging percentage. San Diego expects him to start against right-handers, with lefties potentially trimming the role. That is enough for a deeper-league buy, not a standard-league priority.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Robert Suarez Plays Catch on the Field on Friday
Atlanta Braves right-handed reliever Robert Suarez (elbow) played toss at Truist Park on Friday before the series opener against the visiting Texas Rangers, according to Harrison Smajovits of Sports Illustrated. Suarez's return isn't imminent, but he's slowly working his way back after landing on the 15-day injured list almost a month ago with inflammation in his right elbow. The next step for Suarez will be getting back on a mound and facing live hitters before going on a minor-league rehab assignment. He almost certainly won't be ready to rejoin the back end of Atlanta's bullpen until at least early August. The 35-year-old veteran Venezuelan hurler only has four saves in his first year in Atlanta in 2026 after racking up 76 saves the previous two seasons with the San Diego Padres, but he has still been plenty useful in fantasy as a setup man with a 4-0 record, 0.56 ERA (2.44 FIP), 0.84 WHIP, and 26:6 K:BB in 32 innings in Atlanta. Suarez is now rostered in under half of Yahoo leagues, but he can definitely help your pitching ratios in deeper fantasy leagues when he's ready to return.
Source: Sports Illustrated - Harrison Smajovits
Source: Sports Illustrated - Harrison Smajovits
Jose Ramirez Could Skip Rehab Assignment
Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez (left hand) is progressing well and may be activated without a minor-league rehab assignment. Ramirez had surgery June 16 to remove the hook of a fractured left hamate bone, and the club originally expected him to miss about six weeks. There is still no firm return date, but even discussing a direct jump back to Cleveland is a good sign. Ramirez was batting .239/.339/.418 with 10 homers, 42 runs, 33 RBI, and 24 steals through 72 games before the injury. Fantasy managers should keep him locked into an IL spot. Gabriel Arias was activated when Ramirez went down and has covered most of the work at third base, but that playing time will dry up once the Guardians star is cleared.
Source: MLB.com - Tim Stebbins
Source: MLB.com - Tim Stebbins
