RADIO
Ranger Suarez Won't Come Off the Injured List on Wednesday
Boston Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy said that left-hander Ranger Suarez (groin, illness) isn't ready to be activated from the 15-day injured list to start Game 2 of the team's doubleheader on Wednesday against the division-rival Baltimore Orioles, according to Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald. However, it's more due to an illness than his groin injury. Suarez is nearing his return from a groin injury that initially landed him on the IL on July 9, and with a scheduled day off for the team coming on Friday, it's possible that he could be ready to return and start in Friday's series opener at Fenway Park against the division-rival Toronto Blue Jays. Rookie left-hander Eduardo Rivera will start Game 2 of Wednesday's doubleheader as the BoSox look for their 16th straight victory. Suarez has been a must-start fantasy pitcher in all leagues in 2026 in his first year in Beantown, as he has gone 4-3 with a 3.15 ERA (2.61 FIP) and 1.16 WHIP with 97 strikeouts (career-high 25.8% strikeout rate) and 26 walks in 91 1/3 innings across his 17 starts to earn his second All-Star nod in the last three years.
Source: Boston Herald - Gabrielle Starr
Source: Boston Herald - Gabrielle Starr
Michael Arroyo Flashing Upside at Triple-A
Seattle Mariners infield/outfield prospect Michael Arroyo earned a promotion to Triple-A back on July 7 and has looked like he belongs there, collecting a hit in eight of the 10 games he's played in, going 17-for-45 (.378) with three doubles, a triple, two home runs, and a pair of stolen bases. He's struck out eight times in 51 plate appearances, which is just a 15.7 percent rate (84th percentile), so the 21-year-old does not appear overmatched in that regard either. The Mariners' fourth-ranked prospect offers a solid hit tool with some power to go along with it and some speed to boot, making him an intriguing fantasy asset in both redraft and dynasty formats. At this rate, a late-season debut in the majors looks possible, so managers in deeper leagues could consider stashing him, but if that doesn't happen, look for a productive 2027 in the majors from the 5-foot-10 Colombian.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Quinn Mathews a Stash-Worthy Pitcher for Second Half
St. Louis Cardinals pitching prospect Quinn Mathews appears to be on the precipice of a major league debut after a strong season at Triple-A Memphis. The southpaw has been rolling as of late, allowing two earned runs or fewer in eight of his last nine starts, but for the most part, he's been pitching well all year. Take away his worst three starts of the year, the Cards' sixth-ranked prospect owns a 1.89 ERA and 0.98 WHIP in the other 15 starts. Not to mention 101 strikeouts in 85 total innings pitched are also very usable for fantasy. Opponents are batting .171 off of him on the year, so if he can translate some of that success to the majors, he could be a productive pitcher for fantasy over the final two months of the season. Look for the 25-year-old to debut in the coming weeks, and managers in deeper 12-team leagues should consider stashing him in an NA spot ahead of time.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Jose Ramirez Reinstated and Starting on Wednesday
The Cleveland Guardians reinstated third baseman Jose Ramirez (hand) from the 10-day injured list on Wednesday and optioned outfield prospect Kahlil Watson to Triple-A Columbus in a corresponding move, according to Tim Stebbins of MLB.com. Ramirez has skipped a minor-league rehab assignment and will start at third base and bat in the two-hole in his return on Wednesday against the division-rival Minnesota Twins and right-hander Bailey Ober. Despite being out for over five weeks with a broken hamate bone in his hand, Ramirez should be returned to all starting lineups immediately against a pitcher whom he knows well in his career. In 28 career at-bats against Ober, J-Ram is hitting .321 with a 1.013 OPS, two home runs, and five RBI. The 33-year-old switch-hitting Dominican has missed valuable time in 2026, and he'll return to a .239/.339/.418 slash line with a .757 OPS, 10 home runs, 33 RBI, 42 runs scored, and 24 stolen bases across 268 at-bats. Ramirez's power might not come back right away, but he should still be useful for his speed and will be a must-start once again in all fantasy formats.
Source: MLB.com - Tim Stebbins
Source: MLB.com - Tim Stebbins
Ezequiel Tovar's July Slump Has Erased His Mixed-League Appeal
Colorado Rockies shortstop Ezequiel Tovar went hitless again Tuesday, finishing 0-for-4 with two strikeouts from the bottom of the order. He is now 1-for-13 since the All-Star break and 7-for-48 (.146) in July. The season line has fallen to .195 with eight home runs, 33 runs, 32 RBI, and five steals across 328 at-bats. Colorado continues to start Tovar, but he has batted ninth in all four games since the break. Everyday at-bats only go so far when the production looks like this. His 26-homer season in 2024 leaves some rebound hope for deeper formats, though fantasy managers have already waited through nearly four months. Tovar remains rostered in 35% of Yahoo leagues despite falling out of RotoBaller's current top-100 waiver rankings. He can be left alone in standard mixed leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jacob Melton Remains a Stash Consideration for Stolen Base Potential
Tampa Bay Rays outfield prospect Jacob Melton is hitting .327 at Triple-A Durham since his return from the injured list back on June 24, with four doubles, three home runs, three steals, and a 7:11 BB:K over 13 games. For the season, the former second-rounder is hitting .272 with a solid .377 on-base percentage thanks to a 14.4 percent walk rate. The slugging percentage is good, too, at .500, but it is the speed that makes him intriguing for fantasy. The Rays' fifth-ranked prospect has swiped 20 bases in just 33 games for the Bulls, utilizing his 90th-percentile sprint speed. The 6-foot-2 slugger debuted with the Astros in 2025, showing off his speed then as well, with seven steals during his limited action. The 25-year-old could get the call to the majors again in the coming weeks, and with his speed, he's one of the top stash options for steals, with the potential to hit for a decent average and a little bit of pop to go along with it.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Garrett Whitlock's 12-Appearance Scoreless Run Adds Value Beyond Saves
Boston Red Sox right-handed reliever Garrett Whitlock worked a perfect eighth inning in Monday's 6-5 win over Baltimore, striking out one and earning his fifth victory. It was his 12th straight scoreless appearance. Whitlock has allowed four hits and no walks over 11 1/3 innings during that run, with 10 strikeouts. His season numbers are just as useful: a 2.00 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 39 strikeouts, and two saves across 36 innings. Aroldis Chapman remains Boston's closer and recorded his 22nd save Monday, so Whitlock is not an immediate ninth-inning play. He is still the direct backup and one of the better ratio relievers available. Whitlock is rostered in 24% of Yahoo leagues. That makes him a strong add in deeper formats and leagues that count holds, where the clean innings, strikeouts, and occasional wins already carry value. Any additional saves would be a bonus.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Hagen Smith's Command Woes Persist, but 2026 MLB Debut Still Likely
Chicago White Sox pitching prospect Hagen Smith returned to action on Sunday, coming out of the bullpen for one inning of relief for Triple-A Charlotte. While the lefty struck out two batters in the inning, he also allowed a hit and yielded three walks, so there are still some improvements to be made. Chicago's top pitching prospect missed over a month with a left shoulder impingement, but had been struggling to find consistency, and the command has been a problem all year. The southpaw owned a 2.82 ERA and 1.25 WHIP over his first seven starts, but those numbers ballooned to 6.16 and 1.60, respectively, over the last seven, with nearly a 17 percent walk rate in both halves. Even so, the strikeout rate sits in the 93rd percentile, so if he can make some refinements, a debut in the second half is well within reach. As such, the 22-year-old is still probably one of the more promising arms to stash in most fantasy leagues.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Jett Williams' MLB Debut on Hold With Wrist Injury
Milwaukee Brewers infield/outfield prospect Jett Williams (wrist) remains shelved with a wrist injury that the team considers minor, according to manager Pat Murphy. Though he hasn't been placed on the injured list, the Brewers' fifth-ranked prospect hasn't seen game action since July 7, a game in which he went 0-for-3. Prior to that hitless outing, the former first-rounder had been riding a nine-game hit streak, during which time he went 13-for-34 (.382) with a pair of doubles, a triple, six steals, and a 6:6 BB:K, so the injury came just when he was heating up. The right-handed hitter is hitting just .234 on the year, but a 13.1 percent walk rate has helped him to a solid .341 on-base percentage, while hitting nine home runs and stealing 21 bags in 80 games for the Sounds. If he can return to action soon, a debut in the majors may not be far behind, and his positional versatility could help get him there, with the ability to play 2B, 3B, SS, and center field. Similar versatility is available on Yahoo! (2B, SS, OF), and while decent pop with some speed makes him intriguing for fantasy, the 22-year-old is really only stashworthy in deeper 12-team and NL-only leagues.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Walbert Urena's Triple-Digit Heat Is Worth the Walk Risk
Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Walbert Urena gave St. Louis one run over six innings Tuesday, July 21, allowing six hits and one walk while striking out five. The velocity was the headline. Urena threw 16 pitches at 100 mph or harder in the first inning and reached 101.5. He is now 6-7 with a 2.78 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, and 83 strikeouts across 87 1/3 innings. The walks still make him uncomfortable to trust every time out. Urena has issued 47 of them, a 4.8 BB/9, and there will be starts when the traffic catches up with him. A 34% roster rate on Yahoo leaves plenty of room to add the 22-year-old, though. RotoBaller has him in its 12-team range, and the combination of velocity, strikeouts, and continued rotation work is worth chasing. Just do not treat him as matchup-proof.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Reynaldo Lopez Is Now a Matchup Play After Another Rough Start
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Reynaldo Lopez took another hit Tuesday, July 21, allowing five earned runs on nine hits and three walks over 4 1/3 innings in an 8-3 loss to San Diego. He did strike out six, but Jackson Merrill and Manny Machado both took him deep. Lopez now owns a 3.95 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, and 60 strikeouts over 66 innings. St. Louis had already tagged him for four runs over five innings in his previous start, leaving nine earned runs and 14 hits across the last two. Atlanta is still using Lopez in the rotation, though he has not completed more than five innings since moving back into that role June 26. Lopez is on 24% of Yahoo rosters, and RotoBaller has dropped him to its 15-team range. The SP/RP eligibility helps. In standard mixed leagues, he is now a matchup play rather than someone who needs to be held.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Cade Cavalli Is Worth Holding Despite His Coors Field Matchup
Washington Nationals starting pitcher Cade Cavalli is scheduled to face the Rockies at Coors Field on Wednesday, July 22. That is a rough spot, and fantasy managers do not have to force him into their lineups. Cavalli is 6-4 with a 3.78 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, and 119 strikeouts over 104 2/3 innings. The right-hander has been sharper lately, posting a 3.60 ERA and 1.06 WHIP with 43 strikeouts against seven walks across his last seven starts. He also fanned nine without issuing a walk over six innings against the Athletics on Friday. Cavalli is now rostered in 48% of Yahoo leagues, while RotoBaller still places him in its 12-team range. The Coors matchup is dangerous. The season-long strikeout production is worth holding onto beyond one start.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
James Tibbs III Continues to Make Case for MLB Debut
Los Angeles Dodgers outfield prospect James Tibbs III continues to produce while biding his time at Triple-A Oklahoma City in wait of an MLB call-up. The Dodgers' ninth-ranked prospect is 9-for-22 (.409) over his last seven games, including a pair of doubles and a 3:2 BB:K. The former first-round draft pick has put together a solid overall campaign, slashing .289/.408/.549 with 21 home runs and a 16.3 percent walk rate, with the second-most RBI (72) and runs scored (75) in the Pacific Coast League. He's gone an uncharacteristic 15 games without a home run, but with average exit velocity, barrel, and hard-hit rates all in the 90th percentile or better, his 22nd round-tripper of the year shouldn't be far off. On any other team, the left-handed hitter likely would have debuted by now, but with a healthy big league outfield and a glut of talented outfield options in the minors who are already on the 40-man roster, Tibbs' debut will have to wait. Still, the 23-year-old is one of the better stash options out there with the bat and the surrounding cast to be productive whenever he gets the call.
Source: MiLB.com
Source: MiLB.com
Lane Thomas Has Turned Everyday At-Bats Into Mixed-League Value
Kansas City Royals outfielder Lane Thomas is no longer just a platoon bat. Since Kyle Isbel (foot) landed on the injured list June 10, Thomas has hit .262/.331/.524 with seven home runs and 12 doubles across 126 plate appearances. He is playing against righties and lefties now, usually in a prominent lineup spot. The full-season line sits at .240 with nine homers, 34 RBI, 29 runs, and five steals over 250 at-bats. Only 11% of Yahoo leagues have Thomas rostered. That is still low for an everyday outfielder offering some power, a little speed, and enough on-base ability to keep the counting stats moving. Isbel began a rehab assignment Tuesday, so the outfield will get crowded again. Thomas has done too much with the opportunity to simply fall back into a strict platoon. He is a worthwhile mixed-league pickup while the role and production are both working.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Julio Rodriguez Returns to Mariners Lineup on Wednesday
Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez (leg) is serving as the designated hitter and will bat second for the team's game on Wednesday at home against the visiting Cincinnati Reds and right-hander Brady Singer, per MLB.com. Rodriguez was hit in the leg by a throw while running to first base on Monday night in the series opener against the Reds and was held out on Tuesday as a precaution, although he eventually entered the game and homered last night. The 25-year-old Dominican outfielder should be returned to starting fantasy lineups in all leagues now that he's recovered from his minor leg injury. The three-time All-Star and former American League Rookie of the Year in 2022 is currently hitting .258/.321/.426 with a .746 OPS, 15 home runs, 43 RBI, 48 runs scored, and 12 stolen bases in 91 games across 393 plate appearances in 2026. A third 30-30 season might not be in the cards for J-Rod this year due to injuries, but he is still a no-brainer must-start in all leagues when he's active. Rodriguez has struggled so far in July, going 3-for-13 with a homer, three RBI, two runs, two walks, and four strikeouts in just five games played after missing some time while on the concussion injured list.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
