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Anthony Volpe Worth Rostering Despite Lack of Power?
New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe has held off Jose Caballero at the 6 in the Bronx, but it's primarily due to injuries to New York's outfield and third baseman Ryan McMahon (illness). Volpe didn't make his 2026 season debut with the Yanks until May 13 while rehabbing from offseason shoulder surgery. The 25-year-old former 30th overall pick in 2019 has hit a middling .246/.343/.336 with a .679 OPS, just one home run, 13 RBI, 18 runs scored, and seven stolen bases in 38 games across 140 plate appearances. Volpe wasn't a whole lot better in 24 games (84 plate appearances) in June, going 18-for-75 (.240) with zero home runs, three doubles, a triple, five RBI, nine runs scored, and three stolen bases. If anything, Volpe carries some weight for fantasy managers in deeper leagues for his speed while he's playing regularly for the Yankees. However, when the team gets healthier in the outfield, Volpe could lose out on playing time at the 6 to Jose Caballero. Volpe was a 20-20 man in his rookie season in 2023, but he has a career .224 average and appears to have lost his power stroke as he works his way back from shoulder surgery.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Nolan Schanuel Gaining Waiver Traction as he Heats Up
Los Angeles Angels first baseman Nolan Schanuel has limited power at the first base position, but he has become attractive off the waiver wire in deeper fantasy leagues with improved production at the plate since he returned from the injured list in early June. In 20 games since rejoining the Halos on June 6, Schanuel has gone 17-for-65 (.262) with two home runs, two doubles, seven RBI, and 11 runs scored across 78 plate appearances. The 24-year-old left-handed slugger came into Thursday's game against the division-rival Seattle Mariners with 14 hits in his last 47 at-bats (.298) with two homers in his last 12 games since June 16. Overall, the former 11th overall pick in 2023 out of Florida Atlantic University has a pretty uninspiring .262/.332/.387 slash line, .719 OPS, six home runs, 31 RBI, and 29 runs scored across his 256 at-bats. Schanuel makes decent contact at the plate, but a .373 xSLG just doesn't really move the needle in terms of power. Fantasy managers can ride his recent hot streak, but if you're looking for game-changing power off the waiver wire, you've come to the wrong place.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
George Lombard Jr. a Must-Stash Prospect Despite Injury?
New York Yankees infielder George Lombard Jr. (fingers) is the team's top prospect, per MLB Pipeline, and he could push for a big-league promotion in 2026. The 21-year-old landed on the seven-day injured list at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre with two sprained fingers on his left hand in the middle of June, but even though he's currently injured, fantasy managers in deeper leagues may want to consider stashing him now. In 20 games with Double-A Somerset before his promotion, Lombard hit .312 (24-for-77) with four home runs, 10 RBI, 18 runs scored, and four stolen bases. In 42 games with the RailRiders after his promotion, he's slashed .231/.381/.385 with a .765 OPS, four home runs, 15 RBI, 30 runs scored, and eight stolen bases across 197 plate appearances. It's unclear exactly how much longer he'll be out at Triple-A, but Lombard's above-average raw power and speed from the right side make him a very intriguing prospect to stash. He's the clear shortstop of the future in the Bronx and has 25-25 potential. Lombard is rostered in only 4% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Ryan Waldschmidt Worth Stashing for Eventual Second-Half Call-Up?
Arizona Diamondbacks outfield prospect Ryan Waldschmidt was touted as one of the best up-and-coming position players to stash in fantasy baseball in the first half of the 2026 season. The team's top overall prospect, per MLB Pipeline, eventually got the call from the Snakes in early May, but his first taste of major-league pitching didn't go as planned. The 23-year-old former first-rounder in 2024 out of the University of Kentucky went 29-for-112 (.259) with zero home runs, eight RBI, 11 runs scored, five stolen bases, eight walks, and 40 strikeouts for an elevated 32.8% strikeout rate. The D-backs sent Waldschmidt down to work on his plate discipline and his approach against offspeed pitches. Since going back down to Triple-A Reno, Waldschmidt has gone 14-for-44 (.318) with three home runs, four doubles, five RBI, 10 runs scored, and zero stolen bases in 11 games played. It's unclear exactly when Arizona might consider recalling Waldschmidt to the majors, but it probably won't come until sometime after the All-Star break. For his power/speed upside alone, the 6-foot, 205-pounder should definitely already be stashed in dynasty/keeper and NL-only leagues. He's currently rostered in just 3% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Baseball Reference
Source: Baseball Reference
Jacob Misiorowski Reaches Double-Digit Strikeouts for Seventh Time
Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Jacob Misiorowski took his fourth loss of the season in Thursday's 7-2 loss to the division-rival Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field, but he also reached double-digit strikeouts for the seventh time in 2026. Misiorowski allowed five runs (just one earned) on five hits (two homers) while walking none and striking out 10 in five innings pitched. The hard-throwing 24-year-old fantasy ace allowed a solo home run to Sal Frelick in the first inning and a three-run shot by Jose Trevino in the fourth frame. Despite the uneven start, the Miz leads baseball with a 1.47 ERA, 0.78 WHIP, and 156 strikeouts in 104 innings pitched over his 17 starts in 2026 in his first full year in the big leagues with the Brewers. He's an absolute must-start every time he toes the rubber for the Brew Crew as the most dominant starting pitcher in the game. Misiorowski has a rematch coming against the division-rival St. Louis Cardinals next week. In his first meeting against the Red Birds, he was electric, allowing only one earned run with a walk and 12 strikeouts in seven innings pitched.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Julio Rodriguez Removed Early on Thursday After Being Hit in the Head
Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez (head) was removed from Thursday's game early against the division-rival Los Angeles Angels to begin the top of the third inning, shortly after taking a throw off the back of his helmet, according to Daniel Kramer of MLB.com. Victor Robles took over for him in center field. Before leaving, J-Rod walked in his only plate appearance. The Mariners will most likely put him through the concussion protocol, so fantasy managers will want to check back later on or early Friday morning for an update. For now, we'll consider the 25-year-old three-time All-Star as day-to-day. Rodriguez came into Thursday's contest with a .259/.321/.424 slash line, .745 OPS, 14 home runs, 40 RBI, 46 runs scored, and 12 stolen bases in his 344 at-bats for Seattle. The five-category fantasy contributor is rostered in 99% of Yahoo leagues for a reason, and he's a must-start in all formats when he's active. Rodriguez is currently riding a seven-game hitting streak in which he's gone 12-for-29 (.414) with three RBI, two stolen bases, and four runs scored. UPDATE: Rodriguez is in the concussion protocol and will be re-evaluated on Friday.
Source: MLB.com - Daniel Kramer
Source: MLB.com - Daniel Kramer
Tari Eason Re-Signs With Rockets on Five-Year Deal
Restricted free agent forward Tari Eason is staying in Houston, agreeing to a five-year, $81.5 million deal to return to the Rockets, Shams Charania of ESPN reports. The pact is fully guaranteed and carries a fifth-year player option, rewarding one of the league's premier per-minute defenders. Eason posted 10.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.2 steals in 25.8 minutes across 60 games, ranking 14th in the NBA in steal percentage while adding a career-high 93 threes at 35.8 percent. When healthy, he's a nine-category gem, elite in steals, blocks, and offensive rebounds, the kind of glue piece who returned sixth-round value on a per-game basis. Two things cap the fantasy ceiling: a left leg surgery history that has limited him to 139 games over three seasons and a usage crunch on a loaded roster now fronted by Kevin Durant and a rising Amen Thompson. Draft him for the defensive counting stats, but bake in the health and minutes risk.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Dustin May Suffers Bruised Ankle on Thursday
St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Dustin May (ankle) left his start on Thursday night early against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning with a bruised right ankle, per Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The Cardinals are calling it a "right-ankle contusion." Before hitting the showers early at Truist Park, May was lit up to the tune of five earned runs on five hits while walking two and striking out one in just two-thirds of an inning to balloon his season ERA to 4.80. It was a tough first outing for May, who was skipped from his last start due to tightness in his back. Dominic Smith hit a line drive off May's right ankle, which caused him to leave. He'll most likely undergo X-rays to see if he has a fracture or break in his ankle, but even if tests come back clean, May could be forced to sit out until after the All-Star break in mid-July. Fantasy managers will want to check back later for the results of his tests. The 28-year-old former third-rounder by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2016 was a popular waiver-wire pickup after a nine-inning, complete-game shutout against the San Diego Padres on June 15, but in his last two outings, he's surrendered 11 earned runs in just 2 2/3 innings. UPDATE: X-rays on May's right ankle came back negative.
Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch - Derrick Goold
Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch - Derrick Goold
Kris Bubic Receives Injection, Shut Down 7-10 Days
Kansas City Royals left-hander Kris Bubic (elbow) received a cortisone injection on Thursday and will be shut down for the next seven to 10 days, according to Anne Rogers of MLB.com. Bubic's timeline for a return from the 60-day injured list is still to be determined, and the Royals will see how he feels when he starts to ramp up. KC initially placed the 28-year-old southpaw on the IL on May 18 with soreness in his left elbow, but then he suffered from left-shoulder soreness after starting a minor-league rehab assignment. The Royals moved him to the 60-day IL on Wednesday. Bubic still has a ways to go before potentially returning to the big-league roster, and in a best-case scenario, he probably won't be back until August, if at all, in the second half. The Royals really need him back, though, after losing fellow left-hander Cole Ragans (elbow) for the rest of the 2026 season due to UCL surgery. Bubic was a first-time All-Star in 2025 and was 3-2 with a 4.11 ERA (3.72 FIP) and 1.23 WHIP with 51 strikeouts and 26 walks in 50 1/3 frames across nine starts.
Source: MLB.com - Anne Rogers
Source: MLB.com - Anne Rogers
Carlos Lagrange Lands on Minor-League Injured List With Shoulder Injury
New York Yankees right-handed pitching prospect Carlos Lagrange (shoulder) has landed on the seven-day injured list at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre with a shoulder injury, according to Chris Kirschner of The Athletic. The Yankees will know more about the extent of Lagrange's shoulder injury once he undergoes an MRI exam. It's a setback for a pitching prospect who was expected to join the Yankees' major-league bullpen soon. The team's No. 4 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, last pitched for the RailRiders on June 28, when he allowed five earned runs on four hits while walking two in two-thirds of an inning. The 23-year-old flamethrower started his transition from starting pitcher to reliever in early June, with the Yankees hoping he'd join the major-league roster at some point in July. Lagrange's fastballs have been clocked at 103 mph, and he first turned heads when he struck out Aaron Judge with a 102.6 mph fastball in spring training. The 6-foot-7, 248-pounder should still make his MLB debut in 2027, but it's a bit more unclear when that might be now. Lagrange is currently rostered in 5% of Yahoo leagues and figures to be a high-leverage reliever in the majors sooner rather than later.
Source: The Athletic - Chris Kirschner
Source: The Athletic - Chris Kirschner
Padres Place Jason Adam on Injured List With Shoulder Strain
The San Diego Padres announced on Thursday that they placed right-handed reliever Jason Adam (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to June 30) with a strained right shoulder and reinstated right-hander German Marquez (forearm) from the 15-day IL in a corresponding move. Adam won't be able to return until after the mid-July All-Star break. It's bad news for the Padres' bullpen, which has carried their weak starting pitching staff all year. The 34-year-old veteran doesn't have a ton of fantasy value because of his lack of save opportunities as a late-inning setup man in San Diego, but he is valuable in leagues that reward points for holds. On the year, Adam is 2-2 with a 2.51 ERA (4.69 FIP), 1.17 WHIP, two saves, 22 strikeouts, and eight walks in 32 1/3 relief innings. He's coming off a rough month of June, though, allowing seven earned runs on 15 hits (four homers) while walking three and striking out 11 in 12 1/3 innings pitched over 14 appearances. In that span, Adam had two losses, one save, and five holds. Lefty Adrian Morejon will have an increased setup role before closer Mason Miller with Adam sidelined for the next two weeks.
Source: San Diego Padres
Source: San Diego Padres
MLB Hits Cade Cavalli With Seven-Game Suspension
Major League Baseball announced on Thursday that it suspended Washington Nationals right-hander Cade Cavalli for seven games for his actions initiating and during the benches-clearing incident in Sunday's series finale against the Boston Red Sox, according to Rob Bradford of WEEI. Cavalli struck out Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras, which sparked tensions between both teams. It's unclear if Cavalli will appeal his suspension, but if he doesn't, he won't be eligible to return until right before the All-Star break on July 11, which means he would miss his next scheduled start this weekend against the Pittsburgh Pirates. In his start against Boston on Sunday, Cavalli had his best game of the year, allowing an unearned run on just one hit while walking none and striking out a season-high 13 batters in seven innings for his fifth win of the 2026 season. It's obviously a bad time for Cavalli to be hit with a suspension coming off his best game of the year. The former 22nd overall pick in 2020 out of the University of Oklahoma has gone 5-4 this year with a 3.69 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, and 102 strikeouts in 90 1/3 innings across a career-high 18 starts in his first full season in the majors.
Source: WEEI - Rob Bradford
Source: WEEI - Rob Bradford
Kyle Lowry to Retire as a Raptor on One-Day Contract
Point guard Kyle Lowry is retiring as a Toronto Raptor, signing a ceremonial one-day contract to end his career with the franchise he defined, Michael Grange of Sportsnet reports. Toronto has scheduled a July 7 press conference, fittingly the number Lowry wore, and a jersey retirement is expected later this season, which would make his No. 7 just the second number the Raptors have raised, alongside Vince Carter's No. 15. The six-time All-Star spent nine seasons in Toronto, averaging 17.5 points, 7.1 assists, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.5 steals while leading the 2019 championship run and finishing as the franchise's all-time leader in assists, steals, and three-pointers. He closes a 20-year career, one of just 12 players to reach that mark, and drew more charges than anyone in NBA history. There's no fantasy angle to chase here: Lowry played only 14 games last season as a locker-room mentor in Philadelphia, most notably for Tyrese Maxey. This one is pure legacy, and the timing is poetic, with 2019 Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard being reacquired by Toronto the same week.
Source: Michael Grange
Source: Michael Grange
Raptors Extend Head Coach Darko Rajakovic on Multi-Year Deal
The Toronto Raptors have agreed to a multi-year contract extension with head coach Darko Rajakovic, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reports, rewarding the coach who lifted Toronto to a 46-36 record and its first playoff berth since 2022. For fantasy, the value is in continuity. Rajakovic has developed the players who anchor Toronto's roster, most notably All-Star Scottie Barnes, who has publicly credited him for his growth, along with wing RJ Barrett. Keeping that system intact means predictable roles heading into drafts. The bigger swing is the star Toronto just added: the reacquired Kawhi Leonard, whose touches and shot volume figure to trim the usage behind Barnes's and Barrett's counting stats. Job security for Rajakovic is a plus, but managers should temper their expectations on the young core's ceiling now that Leonard is back in the fold.
Source: Michael Scotto
Source: Michael Scotto
Spurs Add Veteran Coach Billy Donovan to Mitch Johnson's Staff
Billy Donovan is headed to San Antonio as the lead assistant under head coach Mitch Johnson, Shams Charania and Pete Thamel of ESPN report, stepping onto the bench of the reigning Western Conference champions after 11 seasons as an NBA head coach. The fantasy read runs entirely through development. Donovan spent years developing guards, most memorably a young Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in Oklahoma City, and that track record is a quiet plus for San Antonio's young backcourt. Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper are the names to watch, both still ascending alongside anchors Victor Wembanyama and De'Aaron Fox. A hire like this doesn't reshuffle anyone's draft-day value on its own, but an experienced offensive voice steering Castle and Harper raises the long-term ceiling on two of the league's most promising young guards. That development curve is where the fantasy payoff lives.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Daeqwon Plowden Earns Standard Deal With Sacramento
Sacramento Kings guard/forward Daeqwon Plowden agreed to a two-year, $5.1 million deal, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. Plowden earned a standard NBA contract after two-way stops with Golden State, Atlanta, and Sacramento, averaging 10.8 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.3 assists across 26.4 minutes in 32 games with the Kings last season. The 27-year-old had some late-season scoring flashes, including a 20-point, nine-rebound outing, but his fantasy path is narrow with Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Keegan Murray, and De'Andre Hunter ahead of him.
Source: Michael Scotto
Source: Michael Scotto
Pat Spencer Signs Two-Way Deal With the Suns
Free-agent guard Pat Spencer has agreed to a two-way contract with the Phoenix Suns, Shams Charania of ESPN reports, ending a three-year run in Golden State. A former Loyola Maryland lacrosse legend who reinvented himself as an NBA guard, Spencer set career highs last season with 7.2 points, 3.5 assists, and 2.4 rebounds in 18.6 minutes while shooting 40.0 percent from deep. The fantasy catch is the fine print: two-way players are capped at 50 active NBA games and typically live in the G League. Spencer also lands in a crowded backcourt behind Devin Booker and Jalen Green, with Collin Gillespie and the retained Jamaree Bouyea ahead of him for reserve minutes. Expect a G League-heavy season with the Valley Suns, which keeps a good story off fantasy radars.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Tyus Jones Returns to Nuggets on One-Year Deal
Free-agent guard Tyus Jones agreed to a one-year deal to return to the Denver Nuggets, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Jones joined Denver on the buyout market last season after a reduced role elsewhere and finished the year averaging 3.0 points, 1.1 rebounds, and 2.4 assists. The 30-year-old gives the Nuggets a steady reserve ball-handler behind Jamal Murray and another low-mistake passer for second-unit groups that can still run through Nikola Jokić. Jones' assist-to-turnover profile is useful in real basketball, but his fantasy value will likely stay thin unless Denver gives him a larger bench role or Murray misses time.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Kenrich Williams Re-Signs With Thunder for One More Season
Free-agent forward Kenrich Williams is running it back in Oklahoma City, agreeing to a one-year, $5 million deal to return to the Thunder, Chris Haynes reports. Nicknamed "Kenny Hustle," the 31-year-old is a defense-and-glue veteran rather than a box-score source, and his fantasy profile reflects it: he averaged 6.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 15.3 minutes across 56 games, with his role shrinking whenever the Thunder are at full strength. OKC dealt Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe this summer, thinning the wing depth a touch, but Williams still sits well behind a core fronted by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams. There's no standard-league case here. His value is to OKC's locker room and bench, not to your fantasy roster.
Source: Chris Haynes
Source: Chris Haynes
Kyle Anderson Agrees to One-Year, $3.9 Million Deal With Raptors
Free-agent forward Kyle Anderson agreed to a one-year, $3.9 million deal with the Toronto Raptors, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Anderson enters his 13th NBA season and reunites with former San Antonio teammate Kawhi Leonard, giving Toronto another veteran connector in the frontcourt. The 32-year-old averaged 6.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.9 assists last season, so his fantasy appeal remains tied more to assists, steals, and spot starts than scoring. With Leonard and Scottie Barnes already soaking up forward usage, Anderson profiles as a depth piece unless Toronto needs him to cover injuries or second-unit playmaking.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Anfernee Simons Joins 76ers on Two-Year, $12.3 Million Deal
Free-agent guard Anfernee Simons agreed to a two-year, $12.3 million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The deal includes a player option for the second season, with Simons choosing Philadelphia over other suitors after the team revamped its roster. The 27-year-old averaged 14.3 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 2.7 threes while shooting 38.5 percent from deep last season. Simons gives the Sixers another perimeter scorer, but his fantasy ceiling is capped if Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown, VJ Edgecombe, and Joel Embiid are all healthy. He profiles best as a bench scorer and spacing piece rather than a high-usage guard.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Mookie Betts Returns to Thursday's Lineup After Wrist Injury
Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts (wrist) is starting at shortstop and will bat cleanup for the Dodgers in Thursday's series opener at home against the division-rival San Diego Padres and right-hander Randy Vasquez. Betts was scratched from Wednesday's starting lineup as a precaution due to soreness in his wrist in the series finale against the Athletics, but he's back in there a day later as the Dodgers look to extend their big lead in the National League West division. The 33-year-old former MVP and eight-time All-Star is hitless with an RBI in nine career at-bats against Vasquez, but fantasy managers will want to get him back into their starting lineups in traditional leagues. Betts' overall numbers aren't anything to write home about -- .244/.300/.444 slash line, 11 homers, 28 RBI, 31 runs -- but he's carrying a seven-game hitting streak into the series against SD. In his last seven games, he's gone 13-for-32 (.406) with three homers, two doubles, nine RBI, and five runs scored. He's hit .373 (25-for-67) with five homers and 11 RBI in his last 16 games, dating back to June 13.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Willson Contreras Suspended Seven Games
Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras has been suspended for seven games for his actions during and following a benches-clearing incident against the Washington Nationals on Sunday, according to Rob Bradford of WEEI. It's unclear if Contreras will appeal the suspension, but if he doesn't, he won't be eligible to return for the BoSox until just before the All-Star break on July 11. Boston has a scheduled day off on Thursday and are set to begin a weekend series on Friday in Anaheim against the Los Angeles Angels. The 34-year-old former catcher is having a fine first full season in Beantown, hitting .283/.377/.529 with a .906 OPS, 18 home runs, 53 RBI, 42 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 293 at-bats. In his last 10 games, he's gone 10-for-34 (.294) with two homers, three doubles, nine RBI, six runs, and a stolen base in 38 plate appearances. Fantasy managers will need to check back on Friday to see if Contreras is appealing his suspension. If he appeals, he'll be allowed to continue playing until the league makes a decision.
Source: WEEI - Rob Bradford
Source: WEEI - Rob Bradford
Cole Ragans Undergoes UCL Repair, Likely Out Until Midseason in 2027
Kansas City Royals left-hander Cole Ragans (elbow) underwent a UCL repair on his left elbow on Wednesday, according to MLB.com's Anne Rogers. It's what the Royals feared but ultimately expected, and now Ragans is looking at being out until midseason next year. Ragans will now officially miss the remainder of the 2026 campaign, so fantasy managers who have been holding him in single-year leagues can finally cut him. The 28-year-old southpaw broke out in 2024 by going 11-9 with a 3.14 ERA (2.99 FIP) and 1.14 WHIP with 223 strikeouts and 67 walks in 186 1/3 innings across a career-high 32 starts, but he has battled injuries since and will finish his 2026 campaign with only eight starts. In those eight starts, Ragans went 1-4 with a 4.84 ERA (6.19 FIP) and 1.41 WHIP, but he fanned 45 and walked 23 in 35 1/3 innings pitched. He'll obviously be off the fantasy radar in redraft leagues going into the 2027 season since he will miss the entire first half.
Source: MLB.com - Anne Rogers
Source: MLB.com - Anne Rogers
Salvador Perez Out With Sore Elbow on Thursday
Kansas City Royals catcher/first baseman Salvador Perez (elbow) is out of Thursday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays due to a sore left elbow, according to Anne Rogers of MLB.com. Carter Jensen is doing the catching for right-hander Stephen Kolek and will bat leadoff for the Royals, with outfielder Starling Marte serving as the designated hitter and batting fifth against Rays right-hander Ian Seymour. The Royals called up catcher Luke Maile from Triple-A Omaha on Thursday, which could suggest that Perez's injury is enough to sideline him into the weekend and potentially land him on the injured list heading into the All-Star break. The aging Venezuelan backstop could probably use some time off, though, as he's hitting just .201/.241/.327 on the year with a career-worst .568 OPS, 10 homers, 30 RBI, 29 runs, and a 20.3% strikeout rate in his 340 plate appearances. In 23 games in June, Perez really struggled, going 18-for-96 (.188) with a homer, four doubles, five RBI, eight runs scored, one walk, and 21 strikeouts.
Source: MLB.com - Anne Rogers
Source: MLB.com - Anne Rogers
Luke Raley Returning on Thursday Against Angels
Seattle Mariners first baseman/outfielder Luke Raley (forearm) is starting in right field and will bat seventh in his return to the starting lineup on Thursday against the division-rival Los Angeles Angels and right-hander Walbert Urena, according to MLB.com. Raley will return for the M's after sitting out the last three games due to soreness in his left forearm. Due to injuries and poor play recently, the 31-year-old veteran left-handed slugger is only rostered in 12% of Yahoo leagues with the first half of the 2026 season winding down. All 14 of Raley's home runs this year have come against right-handed pitching, but he's coming off a month of June that saw him hit a putrid .125 (7-for-56) with one homer, two doubles, four RBI, three runs scored, four walks, and 20 strikeouts in 19 games across 61 plate appearances. Nobody should be in a rush to throw him back into their starting lineups, especially not in DFS. Raley has never faced Urena in his career.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Brandon Nimmo Missing Fourth Straight Game With Shoulder Injury
Texas Rangers outfielder Brandon Nimmo (shoulder) will miss a fourth straight game due to a sprained ACL joint in his left shoulder on Thursday against the Detroit Tigers, per MLB.com. Antonio Osuna will make another start in left field for the Rangers and will hit eighth against Tigers left-hander Framber Valdez. Osuna has seen everyday playing time of late with both Nimmo and Wyatt Langford (hamstring) banged up. The Rangers have expressed optimism that Nimmo can avoid a trip to the injured list, unlike Langford, but if he cannot return during the Fourth of July weekend, he could be sidelined for the rest of the first half of the season. The 33-year-old former first-rounder in 2011 has been a bit of a disappointment in 2026 in his first year with the Rangers, slashing .262/.333/.420 with a .753 OPS, eight homers, 29 RBI, 35 runs, and three steals in 317 at-bats. Nimmo closed out June on a roll, though, going 12-for-40 (.300) with a homer, four doubles, a triple, four RBI, seven runs, and a steal in his last 10 games. Check back on Friday to see if Nimmo is ready to return.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Stephen Kolek Reinstated and Starting on Thursday
The Kansas City Royals announced that they reinstated right-hander Stephen Kolek from the family medical emergency list and optioned right-hander Jose Cuas to Triple-A Omaha in a corresponding move. Kolek will return to start against the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday, and he'll be pitching on 10 days of rest after originally being placed on the paternity list. The 29-year-old will be sufficiently rested, but it also means he could be on a strict pitch count. The former 11th-round pick by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2018 out of Texas A&M University is 4-2 with a 4.15 ERA (4.55 FIP) and 1.19 WHIP with 34 strikeouts and 11 walks in 52 innings across nine starts in his first full season with the Royals. Kolek has been a decent deep-league streamer based on matchups, but we wouldn't suggest him here against the first-place Rays after skipping two turns in the Royals' rotation. In his last outing, Kolek allowed a season-high nine earned runs on nine hits (three homers) while walking one and striking out none in 1 2/3 innings in a loss to the St. Louis Cardinals.
Source: Kansas City Royals
Source: Kansas City Royals
Treylon Burks Ready to Start Fulfilling First-Round Potential?
Wide receiver Treylon Burks never could live up to his first-round potential when the Tennessee Titans took him 18th overall in 2022 out of the University of Arkansas, as he caught 53 of 92 targets for 699 yards and only one touchdown in 27 games (17 starts) in his first three years in the league. The Titans eventually released the 26-year-old, and the Washington Commanders took a flier on him as they searched for WR depth behind Terry McLaurin. Burks had only 10 catches for 130 yards and one touchdown on 22 targets in eight games (three starts) in his first year in D.C. in 2025, but there were flashes of why he was considered a first-round target. Deebo Samuel Sr. won't be back in free agency, and the Commanders are still searching for depth behind McLaurin. Might Burks be that guy? NFL.com's Nick Shook suggests that a full offseason of stability could serve Burks well as he heads into Year 2 in Washington. If the Commanders don't add a big name at WR before the start of the 2026 season, Burks might be the best bet to emerge as the WR2 behind McLaurin.
Source: NFL.com - Nick Shook
Source: NFL.com - Nick Shook
Adonai Mitchell to Remain a Big Part of Jets Offense in 2026?
Wide receiver Adonai Mitchell didn't pan out for the Indianapolis Colts after they took him in the second round (52nd overall) in 2024 out of the University of Texas, but he took advantage of the opportunity in a bad New York Jets offense last year after being traded. The 23-year-old had just 23 catches on 55 targets for 312 yards and no touchdowns in 17 games (seven starts) in his rookie campaign before catching nine passes for 152 yards and zero scores in eight games in Indy to begin the 2025 season. But after going to the Big Apple, he caught 24 of 58 targets for 301 yards and the first two TDs of his career. Mitchell still isn't in an ideal situation QB-wise with the Jets, but Geno Smith's veteran leadership could give him some stability, according to NFL.com's Nick Shook. Mitchell could be the Jets' No. 3 wideout behind Garrett Wilson and first-round rookie Omar Cooper Jr., but reports this offseason suggest that he has developed some nice chemistry with Smith. His talent still makes him interesting in deeper fantasy leagues, but Mitchell is going to need to become more efficient with his chances to stand out in 12-team formats in his first full season in New York.
Source: NFL.com - Nick Shook
Source: NFL.com - Nick Shook
