RADIO
Manny Machado Back in Lineup Following Foot Injury
San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado is back at the hot corner and is batting cleanup for the Friars in Thursday's series finale against the division-rival Arizona Diamondbacks and right-hander Merrill Kelly, per MLB.com. Machado didn't play in Wednesday night's 10-4 victory over the Snakes as a precaution after fouling a ball off his foot in Tuesday's win, but he'll be right back in there after just one day off. The 34-year-old seven-time All-Star and three-time Silver Slugger winner has 18 home runs in his 15th year in the big leagues, but he's also hitting a career-low .188 (61-for-324) with a career-high 22.7% strikeout rate in 374 plate appearances in 2026. Machado has picked things up a bit of late, though, going 15-for-59 (.254) with six home runs, five doubles, 15 RBI, 11 runs scored, and a stolen base in his last 17 games, dating back to June 20. He has plenty of experience against Kelly, but he's hit just .159 against him with a .458 OPS, one homer, and four RBI in 44 career at-bats.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Wyatt Langford Activated and Starting on Thursday
The Texas Rangers announced on Thursday that they activated outfielder Wyatt Langford (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list and optioned infielder Josh Smith to Triple-A Round Rock in a corresponding move. Langford is serving as the designated hitter and is batting second for Thursday's series finale at home against the division-rival Los Angeles Angels and left-hander Reid Detmers. The 24-year-old former fourth overall pick in the 2023 MLB draft out of the University of Florida will return to the Rangers' lineup without having gone on a minor-league rehab assignment after missing under two weeks with a strained left hamstring. Fantasy managers will want to get the power/speed threat back in their starting lineups right away. Injuries have been the story of Langford's career to this point in his third MLB season. He's been good when healthy in 2026, hitting .278/.324/.500 with an .824 OPS, eight home runs, 20 RBI, 23 runs scored, and six stolen bases across 40 games and 173 plate appearances. Langford has hit .200 with a homer and two RBI in just five career at-bats against Detmers.
Source: Texas Rangers PR
Source: Texas Rangers PR
Matt McLain Out on Thursday With Calf Injury
Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona said that middle infielder Matt McLain (calf) is out of the starting lineup on Thursday against the Philadelphia Phillies because his calf is a little beat up, according to Charlie Goldsmith of FOX 19. Edwin Arroyo is starting at the keystone and will bat eighth versus Phillies left-hander Jesus Luzardo. McLain's injury doesn't sound all that serious, but the Reds could elect to be cautious and give the struggling 26-year-old some extra rest this weekend before next week's All-Star break. The former 17th overall pick out of UCLA in 2021 continues to lose playing time while hitting just .190/.293/.328 with a .622 OPS, eight home runs, 25 RBI, 11 stolen bases, and 32 runs scored in 83 games across 309 plate appearances. McLain should have some positive regression in the second half, but his .226 xBA and .317 xwOBA don't scream buy-low candidate in fantasy circles. His next chance to return to the lineup will come on Friday at home versus the division-rival Chicago Cubs.
Source: FOX 19 - Charlie Goldsmith
Source: FOX 19 - Charlie Goldsmith
Dillon Dingler Out on Thursday, Considered Day-to-Day
Detroit Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler (thumb) is out of the starting lineup for Thursday's contest against the visiting Athletics, but he said his hand feels "10 times better" than it did on Wednesday, according to Tigers reporter Logan Reever. The All-Star catcher will be day-to-day as the team waits for the swelling in his right thumb to go down. Detroit is encouraged about a quick return, possibly on Friday for the series opener against the Philadelphia Phillies. Jake Rogers will do the catching for left-hander Framber Valdez in the series finale against the A's on Thursday and will hit eighth against left-hander Jose Suarez. Dingler departed Wednesday's game early after a foul tip hit his thumb, but thankfully, X-rays came back clean, and he could play again this weekend before next week's All-Star break. The 27-year-old right-handed-hitting backstop is rostered in 89% of Yahoo leagues thanks to a breakout 2026 campaign. Dingler came into Thursday with a .264/.325/.516 slash line, .841 OPS, 19 home runs, 60 RBI, and 48 runs scored across 318 at-bats in his second full season in the majors.
Source: Logan Reever
Source: Logan Reever
Nick Kurtz Returns From Illness on Thursday
Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz (illness) is serving as the designated hitter and is batting second for the A's in Thursday's contest against the hosting Detroit Tigers and left-hander Framber Valdez, according to MLB.com. Kurtz returns to the starting nine a day after he was pulled in the second inning of Wednesday's game because he was feeling sick. Despite slowing down at the plate recently and facing a lefty, fantasy managers in all traditional leagues will want to get Kurtz back into their starting lineups now that he's feeling better. The 23-year-old left-handed slugger and former fourth overall pick out of Wake Forest University in 2024 brings elite power. Kurtz had 36 homers and 86 RBI in 117 games in his rookie campaign in 2025 and is currently slashing .270/.409/.503 with a .912 OPS, 20 homers, 66 RBI, 61 runs, seven stolen bases, and a league-high 76 walks across 408 plate appearances. He has gone hitless in 14 at-bats with seven strikeouts in his last four games, but he's also hitting .667 with a homer and two RBI in six career at-bats against Valdez.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Tre' Harris has a Path to Relevance, but Target Competition Will be Fierce
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Tre' Harris has a better Year 2 setup than his rookie numbers show, but his path to consistent targets will be complicated. Harris caught just 30 passes for 324 yards and one touchdown in 17 games last season, a quiet start for a 2025 second-round pick. The Chargers still have reasons to keep developing him. He is 24, has 6-foot-3 size, and averaged 17.2 yards per catch at Ole Miss before Los Angeles drafted him 55th overall. Mike McDaniel's arrival also gives the Chargers offense a different look around Justin Herbert, which at least keeps the door open for new usage patterns. The issue is that Harris has to earn targets, not just snaps. Ladd McConkey is the clear top receiver, Quentin Johnston is directly ahead of him on the depth chart, and Oronde Gadsden plus David Njoku add tight-end volume to the mix. At WR81 on RotoBaller's board, Harris is a late redraft swing and dynasty hold, not someone to buy as if the breakout already happened.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jalen Nailor Still More Dart Throw Than Dynasty Buy
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jalen Nailor has a better opportunity than he ever had in Minnesota, but that does not automatically make him a dynasty buy. Nailor is already 27 and has never topped 29 catches or 444 receiving yards in a season, which matters for a player whose value is still built more on projection than proven volume. The Raiders did make a real commitment with a three-year deal that includes $23 million guaranteed, and the fit is interesting after he produced 57 catches, 858 yards, and 10 touchdowns over his last two seasons in Minnesota. He also reunites with Kirk Cousins in a wide receiver room where Tre Tucker is the top returning producer but not an untouchable target hog. Still, Brock Bowers should lead the passing game, Jack Bech and Dont'e Thornton Jr. are entering Year 2, and Malik Benson adds more speed. Sitting at WR66 on RotoBaller's board, Nailor is fine as a late redraft or best-ball swing. Dynasty managers should be careful paying like a breakout is already here.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
RJ Harvey Still Has Upside, But Workload Is Messy
Denver Broncos running back RJ Harvey (shoulder) still has enough upside to draft, but managers should not treat him like a clean Year 2 breakout. Harvey scored 12 total touchdowns as a rookie, catching 47 passes for 356 yards while adding 540 rushing yards and seven scores on the ground. Denver has praised his route-running and playmaking with the ball in his hands, and that receiving role still matters in Sean Payton's offense. The problem is the backfield did not get simpler. J.K. Dobbins is back on a two-year deal after looking like Denver's best early-down runner when healthy, and the Broncos used a fourth-round pick on Jonah Coleman, a physical runner with third-down ability. Harvey is also coming off offseason shoulder surgery, so training camp matters. RotoBaller has him ranked RB35 across formats, which fits the risk. He is an upside bench pick in redraft and a dynasty hold, not someone to value like a locked-in lead back.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
J.K. Dobbins Better as Redraft Asset Than as a Dynasty Hold
Denver Broncos running back J.K. Dobbins (foot) is easier to trust as a 2026 redraft pick than as a long-term dynasty hold. Dobbins looked good when available last season, rushing for 772 yards and four touchdowns in 10 games while averaging 5.0 yards per carry. Denver then brought him back on a two-year deal, so there is still a real early-down path in Sean Payton's offense. The problem is how much managers can actually count on. Dobbins is 27, missed the final seven regular-season games with the foot injury, and the Broncos have added real competition around him. RJ Harvey was a second-round pick in 2025, and fourth-round rookie Jonah Coleman has already been framed as part of a possible three-headed run game. RotoBaller has Dobbins priced around RB30-RB31, which is fair for the risk. He can help redraft managers and dynasty contenders, but rebuilders should sell if another manager is buying a full rebound.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Liam Doyle Showing Off Strikeout Potential, Can He Debut in 2026?
St. Louis Cardinals pitching prospect Liam Doyle has lived up to the promise of being a strikeout pitcher so far in his first full season of professional baseball, fanning 29.6 percent of batters faced thus far, totaling 75 strikeouts through 56 innings pitched in 2026. However, the left-hander's walk rate is elevated at 13.0 percent while batters are hitting .260 off of him, resulting in a gaudy 1.61 WHIP. Although he's been able to limit damage over his last two starts, yielding just two earned runs in 8 2/3 innings pitched, the former fifth-overall draft pick's ERA stands at 5.46 through 14 starts. Still, if he can continue to improve while maintaining his strikeout rate, the University of Tennessee product could see time at Triple-A in the second half and could offer some help as a starter or out of the bullpen down the stretch for the Cardinals. Even so, for now, the 22-year-old does not warrant stashing, but fantasy managers should put him on their radar for later in the season.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
LeQuint Allen Jr. a Dynasty Buy-Low Candidate Entering 2026?
A seventh-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Jacksonville Jaguars running back LeQuint Allen Jr. recorded 148 scrimmage yards on 33 touches across 17 games as a rookie. Even in a backfield that also featured running backs Travis Etienne Jr. and Bhayshul Tuten, Allen Jr. carved out a semi-regular role as a passing-downs back. Entering 2026, Jacksonville's backfield no longer features Etienne Jr., who departed the team in free agency. Allen Jr. may still be blocked from fantasy-relevant playing time, as Tuten is expected to assume the Jaguars RB1 role and Jacksonville also brought in former Washington Commanders back Chris Rodriguez Jr. (foot). Still, Allen Jr. may have a chance to expand his role in the Jaguars offense, especially as a receiver out of the backfield. In his final collegiate season at Syracuse in 2024, Allen Jr. recorded 64 catches for 521 yards and four touchdowns across 13 games. In deeper dynasty leagues, Allen Jr. could be a worthy buy-low/stash candidate.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Has Abimelec Ortiz Fallen Off the Stash Radar?
Washington Nationals first baseman prospect Abimelec Ortiz is just 2-for-21 (.095) in July, but both of his hits have been home runs, giving him 16 on the season at Triple-A Rochester. The Nats' 25th-ranked prospect was batting .277 through June 4, but has seen his average drop all the way to .239 since then. While his strikeout rate for the season stands at 19.7 percent, concerningly, that number has spiked to 40.6 percent over his last eight games. While a 10.4 percent walk rate in 2026 has helped maintain a decent on-base percentage, any chance for an MLB debut in the short term has likely been eliminated, but should he catch fire again like he did in late May to early June, a promotion to the big leagues could happen later in the second half. However, although there is some pop in his bat, he is a literal zero in the stolen base department and could be a batting average liability in the majors, so he'll likely only be relevant in very deep or NL-only leagues whenever he debuts.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Michael Wacha Limited By Strikeout Ceiling?
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Michael Wacha is still useful, but he looks more like a ratio helper than a pitcher to chase for the stretch run. The 35-year-old is 5-6 with a 3.48 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and 96 strikeouts over 119 innings. That line plays in plenty of leagues, and he kept the New York Mets mostly in check on Thursday, allowing two earned runs over 4 1/3 innings with five strikeouts. The issue is that there is not much extra fantasy ceiling here. Wacha's 20.6% strikeout rate and 3.97 FIP are fine, but not enough to make him a real difference-maker if the ratios slide. He also allowed three homers in his previous start against the Philadelphia Phillies, so there is some damage risk. With a 67% Yahoo roster rate, Wacha is fine to hold, but worth shopping if another manager pays for the ERA.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Yohandy Morales Belts Two More Home Runs, a Top Stash for Power?
Washington Nationals corner infield prospect Yohandy Morales blasted a pair of home runs on Wednesday in a continuation of his breakout 2026 campaign. The Nats' 28th-ranked prospect spent 95 games at Triple-A last year, slashing .249/.330/.401 with 11 home runs and a 30.3 percent strikeout rate, but in 79 games in 2026, he's slashing .304/.373/.551 with 20 home runs, and the strikeout rate is a more tolerable 25.4 percent. The 6-foot-3 slugger ranks 90th percentile or better at Triple-A in average exit velocity (92.7 mph), max exit velocity (113.1), barrel rate (13.3 percent), and hard-hit rate (55.5 percent), and with the likelihood of a call-up in the coming weeks, fantasy managers in deeper 12-team leagues searching for power production should consider stashing the 24-year-old in an NA spot ahead of his eventual debut.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Chris Bell Carries Clear Appeal for Dynasty Rebuilds Entering 2026
Miami Dolphins rookie wide receiver Chris Bell (knee) may not be ready for the start of the 2026 season as he works his way back from a torn ACL that he suffered in late November. However, the 22-year-old carries clear long-term upside. Before the injury, Bell recorded 72 catches for 917 yards and six touchdowns across 11 games for the University of Louisville. Entering 2026, Miami features a trio of underwhelming veteran options atop its wide receiver depth chart in Jalen Tolbert, Tutu Atwell, and Malik Washington. Alongside fellow rookies Caleb Douglas and Kevin Coleman Jr., Bell could have a chance to establish himself as a prominent piece of the Dolphins' passing game once healthy. For dynasty managers who are currently rebuilding, Bell is a logical target in rookie drafts.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Emerson Hancock's Ratios Creating a Sell-High Window?
Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Emerson Hancock has been a useful ratio stabilizer, and that is exactly why fantasy managers should at least see what his trade market looks like. The 27-year-old is 6-4 with a 3.23 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and 92 strikeouts over 97 2/3 innings. He also just shut down the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday, throwing seven scoreless innings with two hits allowed and five strikeouts in a 4-0 win. That kind of surface line plays in any format, but it is not spotless underneath. Hancock has allowed a .322 xwOBA, 43.6% hard-hit rate, 90.0 mph average exit velocity, and 9.5% barrel rate, so there is still damage risk if the command backs up. He is not someone to dump for a weak offer. If another manager is buying the ERA and WHIP as a full breakout, though, selling makes sense.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
MarShawn Lloyd May Be Undervalued at His Current Redraft ADP
A third-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Green Bay Packers running back MarShawn Lloyd has failed to establish himself through the first two seasons of his career. Thanks to myriad injury issues, Lloyd has appeared in just one NFL game and collected just six carries so far as a pro. Still, the 25-year-old enters 2026 with a clear opportunity to carve out a role in the Packers' backfield. Green Bay lost former RB2 Emanuel Wilson in free agency, and RB1 Josh Jacobs is currently battling some off-field issues that could lead to a league-mandated suspension at some point during the upcoming season. Even if Jacobs avoids discipline from the league, he's entering his age-28 season and has already racked up over 2,100 touches in his NFL career. If Lloyd can beat out similarly unproven Packers backs Chris Brooks and Pierre Strong Jr. for the team's RB2 role, he could be one of the better handcuff running back options in fantasy football. At his current redraft ADP of RB62, Lloyd may be undervalued heading into 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jesus Made Cools Off, Chances of MLB Debut in 2026 Fading?
Milwaukee Brewers infield prospect Jesus Made had been red-hot at Double-A Biloxi coming into July, but he has cooled considerably, going 2-for-24 (.083) in six games this month. The good news is that despite not tallying a bunch of base hits in July, he's still putting the bat on the ball, recording just three strikeouts in 27 plate appearances (11.1 percent). Even with the slowdown, the MLB's top-ranked prospect is slashing .274/.345/.431 with eight home runs and 24 steals in 74 games with the Shuckers, and his 14.6 percent strikeout rate puts him in the 92nd percentile at Double-A. The 19-year-old is doing all of this as one of only a handful of players under the age of 20 at that level of the minors. If he can get hot again, there's a chance he could see some time at Triple-A later this year, and at that point the switch-hitter will be knocking on the door to the majors. Given his age, a 2026 debut may be a stretch, but with his talent, fantasy managers should keep the 6-foot-1 Dominican on their radar, and at the very least, be prepared to see him in the big leagues at some point in 2027.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Will Warren's Volatility Turning him into a Matchup-Based Streamer?
New York Yankees starting pitcher Will Warren has become tougher to trust right before the All-Star break. The 27-year-old is 7-4 with a 4.15 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, and 94 strikeouts over 93 1/3 innings, which is still usable in plenty of fantasy leagues. The problem is that the blowups are starting to stack up. Warren was hit hard by the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday, allowing six earned runs, seven hits, and three home runs over four innings. There are still enough strikeouts to keep him on rosters, and his 3.98 FIP is better than the ERA. But this is not a profile to chase as a second-half difference-maker. Warren's .319 xwOBA allowed, 39.9% hard-hit rate, and 90.2 mph average exit velocity allowed point more toward volatility than a true breakout. At 64% rostered on Yahoo, he is better treated as a matchup play than a must-start arm.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jhostynxon Garcia Heating Up at Triple-A, Back on Stash Radar?
Pittsburgh Pirates outfield prospect Jhostynxon Garcia's bat got going over the past week, going 8-for-18 (.444) with a pair of doubles, three stolen bases, and a 5:3 BB:K in his last six games. The Pirates' fourth-ranked prospect had scuffled to a .184 average (9-for-49) over the previous 13 games, and for the season at Triple-A Indianapolis, he's slashing .244/.324/.378 with five home runs and four steals. The Venezuelan made quick work of Double and Triple-A last year on the way to a brief debut with the Red Sox, and spent two weeks with the Pirates earlier this year, but hasn't been able to do much with his opportunities in the big leagues. Perhaps this recent run of production can provide enough momentum to carry him back to the majors soon, but with poor chase, whiff, strikeout, and average exit velocities at Indy this year, there isn't much for fantasy managers to get excited about. There's no need to consider stashing the 23-year-old in most fantasy leagues except perhaps in NL-only formats.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Malik Nabers Could Miss the First 4-5 Games of 2026?
In a recent podcast episode of the John Keim Report, ESPN's Jordan Raanan speculates that New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (knee) may not return to the field until Week 5 or 6 of the 2026 season. Nabers suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 4 of the 2025 season and has had a delayed rehab process since then that included an additional procedure to clean up scar tissue. While Raanan is speculating rather than reporting that Nabers may not be ready to start the year, it certainly seems as though the star wideout may be tracking towards a delayed opening to the upcoming season. Nabers put together an electric rookie season in 2024, recording 109 receptions for 1,204 yards and 10 touchdowns on 170 targets across 15 games. Once healthy, he profiles as the clear number one option in the Giants' passing game and carries top-12 wide receiver upside for fantasy managers. However, the 22-year-old's current knee troubles remain a major concern for his overall outlook entering 2026.
Source: ESPN - Jordan Raanan
Source: ESPN - Jordan Raanan
Alex Bregman Losing Trade Appeal Before Break?
Chicago Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman still has the lineup spot to keep fantasy managers interested, but the bat is not giving much back. The 32-year-old is hitting .240 with seven home runs, 35 RBI, 42 runs, two steals, and a .683 OPS over 354 at-bats. The bigger problem is that the slump has not been brief. Over his last 30 games, Bregman is batting .206 with two homers and a .318 slugging percentage. Batting second for a good Cubs lineup keeps him from being a total drain, especially in OBP formats, but this is a tough profile to buy into right now. His 87.8 mph average exit velocity, 37.5% hard-hit rate, and 4.4% barrel rate do not point to much power coming. With Bregman still rostered in 89% of Yahoo leagues, shopping the name value makes sense if another manager still sees him as a steady corner-infield bat.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Does T.J. Hockenson Have Bounce-Back Potential in 2026?
Across 15 games in 2025, Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson recorded 51 catches for 438 yards and three touchdowns on 66 targets. Like all the other pass-catchers for Minnesota, Hockenson's production was limited by the Vikings' bottom-tier quarterback play in 2025. Veteran signal-caller Kyler Murray brings more stability to Minnesota's passing game in 2026, although the team's overall offensive ecosystem is not guaranteed to be significantly improved. Hockenson is also showing signs of athletic decline as he enters his age-29 season, as he averaged a career-low 8.6 yards per reception in 2025. Additionally, the Vikings signed wide receiver Jauan Jennings in free agency, adding a quality target-earner and red-zone weapon to an offense that already features the star wide receiver duo of Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. Even at his current ADP of TE22 in redraft leagues, Hockenson may be a player for fantasy managers to avoid in 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Munetaka Murakami Could Return on Friday
Chicago White Sox corner infielder Munetaka Murakami (hamstring), who has been on the 10-day injured list since suffering a Grade 2 strained right hamstring on May 29, could return to the White Sox's starting lineup as soon as Friday for the series opener against the Athletics, according to Scott Merkin of MLB.com. Murakami got three at-bats and played five innings at first base for Triple-A Charlotte on Wednesday night and received positive reports. The 26-year-old Japanese native took the league by storm earlier this year in his first taste of major-league pitching, hitting .240 (48-for-200) with 20 home runs, 41 RBI, 43 runs scored, and a stolen base in 57 games and 246 plate appearances. "He means a lot for this lineup. He's a great hitter. Not just for the lineup but the clubhouse in general. He's a great leader. He's a guy who everyone here looks to. It means a lot to everyone here," third baseman Miguel Vargas said. In his two rehab games with the Knights, Murakami has gone 2-for-7 with a double and a walk. His impending return could cause rookie first baseman Jacob Gonzalez to be shipped back to Charlotte.
Source: MLB.com - Scott Merkin
Source: MLB.com - Scott Merkin
Jordan Walker a Hold With Home Run Derby Hype?
St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Jordan Walker is headed to the Home Run Derby, but that should not automatically turn him into a sell-high candidate. The 24-year-old became the fifth confirmed participant for Monday's event in Philadelphia, joining Willson Contreras, Jac Caglianone, Junior Caminero, and Ben Rice. The fantasy line already fits the invite, too, with Walker batting .294 with 21 home runs, 70 RBI, 58 runs, 12 steals, and an .889 OPS over 343 at-bats. There is always some risk in buying after a first-half power surge, especially with Walker striking out 95 times. Still, this is not just All-Star Week noise. His 94.2 mph average exit velocity, 51.8% hard-hit rate, and 14.3% barrel rate back up the damage, and the stolen bases add another layer. Unless someone is paying like he is already a finished first-round bat, Walker looks more like a hold than a sell-high.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jaxon Wiggins Could Re-Enter Stash Territory in the Second Half
Chicago Cubs pitching prospect Jaxon Wiggins (elbow) is still on track for a return to the mound at Triple-A Iowa within the next week or so. The Cubs' top-ranked pitching prospect has made four rehab starts, one with the team's Complex League affiliate and three at High-A South Bend, pitching to a 2.89 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and recording nine strikeouts in 9 1/3 innings pitched. The right-hander made two starts for Triple-A Iowa to begin the season before hitting the injured list with elbow inflammation. He's coming off a strong 2025 campaign in which the 6-foot-6 hurler posted a 2.19 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, and a 19.5 percent K-BB% across three levels of the minors. Assuming a return in the near-term, the 24-year-old should have a chance to debut in the majors later in the second half, and could provide much-needed reinforcement to a depleted big league rotation. Wiggins could become stash-worthy once his potential timeline clears up.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Braves Expressing Interest in Trading for Sonny Gray
The Atlanta Braves are one of several rotation-needy teams "expressing interest" in Boston Red Sox right-hander Sonny Gray, people familiar with the situation have told The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon. Despite having nearly a full starting rotation on the injured list, the Braves lead the National League East division. They can cover both the prospect and financial cost -- the St. Louis Cardinals are paying around half of Gray's remaining commitment, and the Red Sox or a new team would owe him just over $6 million after the trade deadline. The 36-year-old has a full no-trade clause, but he lives in Nashville and would most likely approve a trade to Atlanta. Gray is the Braves' best option unless they decide to make a run at Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal. Gray doesn't blow hitters away, but his diverse arsenal keeps hitters off balance, and he owns a nice 2.61 ERA over 16 starts and 89 2/3 innings in his first year in Boston. Of course, this could all be a moot point if the Red Sox decide not to sell this summer. They've won 10 of their last 12 games and are suddenly just three games back in the American League wild-card race.
Source: The Athletic - Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon
Source: The Athletic - Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon
Jordan Addison Carries Redraft Sleeper Appeal into 2026
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison had a season to forget in 2025. After missing the first three games of the year due to a suspension, the 24-year-old finished the season with 42 catches for 610 yards and three touchdowns on 79 targets. Addison was a victim of the Vikings' brutal quarterback play in 2025, as the team received below-average production from signal-callers J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz, and Max Brosmer. Minnesota brought in veteran quarterback Kyler Murray over the offseason, who should at least provide the team's passing game with more stability in 2026. The Vikings also signed wide receiver Jauan Jennings in free agency, so Addison has some significant target competition between Jennings and superstar wideout Justin Jefferson. Still, Addison finished the 2024 season as the WR24 by measure of per-game PPR scoring. With his current ADP of WR42 in redraft leagues, Addison carries sleeper value into 2026.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Austin Riley a Buy-Low Name, But Only at the Right Price?
Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley is still the type of name worth checking on in trades, but this is not an automatic buy-low spot. The 29-year-old has been a major letdown with a .209 average, nine home runs, 41 RBI, five steals, and a .623 OPS over 330 at-bats. There is enough track record here to make a rebound possible, and his 10.3% barrel rate and 90.4 mph average exit velocity are not dead numbers. They are just not close to the impact profile fantasy managers are used to seeing from him. That makes the price everything. Riley's .204 xBA, .368 xSLG, 42.4% hard-hit rate, and 29.1% strikeout rate do not scream second-half league-winner, and Atlanta recently had him batting seventh. He is still rostered in 83% of Yahoo leagues, so this is a trade play only. Buy if the discount is real. Otherwise, let someone else chase the name.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Willson Contreras' Suspension Reduced to Five Games
Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras (foot) had his suspension reduced from seven to five games, and he'll begin serving the suspension on Thursday, sources told Jesse Rogers of ESPN. It's a good time for Contreras to start serving his reduced five-game suspension after he fouled a ball off his foot in Wednesday's contest against the Chicago White Sox. He's feeling fine and calls himself day-to-day, so Contreras should be ready to return to Boston's starting lineup for the second game after the All-Star break next Saturday at home against the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays. Brett Harris is making the start at first base and will bat eighth for the BoSox for Thursday's series finale against the White Sox and left-hander Anthony Kay. Contreras is having a career year in 2026 in his first year in Beantown, slashing .285/.379/.542 with a .921 OPS, 20 home runs, 61 RBI, 46 runs scored, and two stolen bases, but fantasy managers are going to be without him to close out the first half of the season and to begin the second half.
Source: ESPN Chicago - Jesse Rogers
Source: ESPN Chicago - Jesse Rogers
