Jul 2, 2026, 4:52 PM ET

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.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com

Jul 2, 2026, 4:45 PM ET

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.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Kansas City Royals

Jul 2, 2026, 4:09 PM ET

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.--Keith Hernandez
Source: NFL.com - Nick Shook

Jul 2, 2026, 3:59 PM ET

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.--Keith Hernandez
Source: NFL.com - Nick Shook

Jul 2, 2026, 3:47 PM ET

Before San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall's NFL career even got off the ground, he suffered a gunshot wound during an attempted robbery that caused him to miss the first six weeks of his rookie campaign in 2024. He played in 11 games (four starts), catching 31 of 46 targets for 400 yards and three touchdowns. The 25-year-old former 31st overall pick out of the University of Florida then suffered a hamstring injury and a PCL injury in his knee in 2025 that limited him to just nine starts. Pearsall finished with 36 receptions on 53 targets for 528 yards and no touchdowns in nine regular-season starts. The Niners let Jauan Jennings walk in free agency in the offseason, but they added future Hall of Famer Mike Evans and slot man Christian Kirk, while taking De'Zhaun Stribling in the second round of the NFL draft. San Fran's WR room is deeper, which means that opposing defenses shouldn't be able to key in on him in his third season. NFL.com's Nick Shook believes Pearsall could be set up for a breakout season. He's a risk/reward WR4/flex that is certainly worth a late-round selection in fantasy drafts for his upside when healthy.--Keith Hernandez
Source: NFL.com - Nick Shook

Jul 2, 2026, 3:33 PM ET

Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward started all 17 games in his rookie season in 2025 after the Titans took him first overall out of the University of Miami, and he predictably struggled without much help around him on offense. Ward finished as the QB22 in fantasy football after completing 59.8% of his passes for 3,169 yards, 15 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. The 24-year-old added 159 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 39 carries. Ward showed improvement in the second half of the season and will be in better hands in Year 2 with the tutelage of new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, who oversaw the rise of Josh Allen in Buffalo before leaving to become the New York Giants' head coach. Ward will also have reinforcements in the passing game in the form of free-agent addition Wan'Dale Robinson and fourth overall pick Carnell Tate, who has looked very impressive during offseason workouts. There is plenty of optimism surrounding Ward's development as he heads into his sophomore campaign, and if Daboll can help improve his accuracy and efficiency, he could bloom in 2026. RotoBaller has Ward ranked as the No. 25 QB for the upcoming season, but he has much more upside than most in that tier of signal-callers.--Keith Hernandez
Source: NFL.com - Nick Shook

Jul 2, 2026, 3:23 PM ET

Minnesota Twins outfield prospect Walker Jenkins is healthy again, and the stash window may not stay open in deeper leagues. Minnesota's top prospect returned to Triple-A St. Paul on June 23 after missing seven weeks with a left shoulder AC joint sprain. He is 7-for-20 with two doubles, two triples, and a stolen base in five games since returning, including a 3-for-5 effort on Tuesday that left him a homer shy of the cycle. Jenkins is batting .308 with four homers, 24 runs, 14 RBI, seven steals, and a .912 OPS across 130 at-bats. Yahoo has him at 5% rostered, and managers in 15-team leagues or those with an NA spot should move now. RotoBaller ranks Jenkins 11th among prospects to stash for 2026 redraft value and projects an August arrival. Minnesota has not promised him a promotion or everyday role, so he is not a mandatory add in standard 12-team leagues. His talent, production, and proximity make him one of the better deep-league stashes available.--Bruno Mulé
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 2, 2026, 3:22 PM ET

Quarterback Kyler Murray is in a much better situation with his move this offseason from the Arizona Cardinals to the Minnesota Vikings, where the former No. 1 overall pick is expected to win the QB1 job over former first-rounder J.J. McCarthy, according to Nick Shook of NFL.com. The 28-year-old former first overall pick in 2019 out of the University of Oklahoma played in only five games in 2025 in his seventh and final year in the desert due to a foot injury, and he wasn't impressive before the injury, throwing for 962 yards, six touchdowns, and three interceptions on 161 pass attempts. As long as Murray is healthy, a bounce-back season should be coming under QB guru and head coach Kevin O'Connell with an upgraded pass-catching group that includes receivers Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jauan Jennings, and tight end T.J. Hockenson. The best part for fantasy managers is that Murray is going to come pretty cheap after his injury-plagued season and due to the fact that he hasn't officially been named Minnesota's QB1 just yet. Target him as a low-end QB2 in upcoming drafts with dual-threat upside and bounce-back potential.--Keith Hernandez
Source: NFL.com - Nick Shook

Jul 2, 2026, 3:17 PM ET

Baltimore Orioles reliever Rico Garcia is back in the saves conversation, though fantasy managers should not assume he is next in line. Ryan Helsley (elbow) felt discomfort while warming for the ninth inning on Wednesday, and Andrew Kittredge ended up handling the inning instead. That leaves the Orioles bullpen unsettled, with Garcia among several relievers who could get a look for save opportunities. He has pitched well enough to remain involved, posting a (3-1) record, 2.52 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, 39 strikeouts, four saves, and 11 holds over 35 2/3 innings. At 22% rostered on Yahoo, Garcia makes the most sense in 15-team formats and leagues that use the category solds. Kittredge may receive the first opportunity, while Tyler Wells, Yennier Cano, and Grant Wolfram are also in the picture. If Helsley lands on the IL, Garcia is more of a watch-list name than a priority pickup in 12-team leagues until Baltimore shows its hand.--Bruno Mulé
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 2, 2026, 3:05 PM ET

Los Angeles Dodgers outfield prospect James Tibbs III has done plenty to earn a promotion at Triple-A Oklahoma City. The 23-year-old is batting .289/.413/.571 with 21 home runs, 68 RBI, 70 runs, and three stolen bases across 301 at-bats. His power has held up over a full first half, while the strong on-base percentage gives him more fantasy appeal than a one-dimensional slugger. The problem is finding him regular at-bats in Los Angeles. RotoBaller ranks Tibbs 13th among its current redraft prospect stashes and now projects an August arrival so that managers may need patience. His Yahoo roster rate is 5%, making him widely available in leagues. Tibbs is worth stashing in leagues with an NA spot or deep-league formats, especially those using five outfielders. Shallower mixed leagues can wait for a clearer path to promotion.--Bruno Mulé
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 2, 2026, 2:54 PM ET

Miami Marlins catcher Joe Mack has homered in back-to-back games, following a two-run shot on Tuesday, with a pinch-hit inside-the-park homer against the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday. The two-game burst gives him six homers in 133 at-bats. Mack is slashing .256/.313/.429 with 22 RBI and 22 runs, and five of those long balls came during a strong June. Liam Hicks returned from the injured list Wednesday, but Mack is still expected to handle most of the work behind the plate, especially against right-handed pitching, where he is slashing .260/.325/.442 vs. righties in 114 plate appearances. Hicks will also see time at first base and designated hitter, while Brian Navarreto serves as the third catcher. Mack is not listed among RotoBaller's current Week 14 catcher pickups, so he should not be treated as a priority in standard one-catcher leagues. Yahoo currently puts him at a 4% roster rate, making him a sensible add in two-catcher formats.--Bruno Mulé
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 2, 2026, 2:48 PM ET

Colorado Rockies first base/outfield prospect Charlie Condon is forcing his way into the promotion conversation. The 23-year-old ripped two home runs and a triple for Triple-A Albuquerque on Wednesday, giving him five homers over his last three games. Condon is now slashing .293/.418/.612 with 20 home runs, 59 RBI, 71 runs, and five steals across 273 at-bats. He has also walked 49 times, so the recent power binge is not the result of an all-or-nothing approach. Colorado has not announced a call-up, but RotoBaller ranks Condon third among its current redraft prospect stashes and projects a July arrival. Yahoo managers have pushed his roster rate to 7%, leaving him available in most leagues despite the growing buzz. Condon is a priority stash in 15-team formats and should be considered in shallower leagues with an NA spot. The uncertain timeline keeps him from being a universal must-add.--Bruno Mulé
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 2, 2026, 2:41 PM ET

Detroit Tigers outfield prospect Max Clark is holding his own in his first Triple-A season. MLB Pipeline's No. 7 overall prospect is hitting .261 with six home runs, 32 RBI, 50 runs, and 17 stolen bases through 295 at-bats for Toledo. Clark has also kept his strikeout rate below 15%, which matters for a 21-year-old whose speed could make an immediate fantasy difference once Detroit calls him up. The only real question is timing. RotoBaller's latest redraft stash rankings place Clark fifth with an August ETA, and the Tigers do not have an obvious everyday opening waiting for him. Clark has reached 8% rostered on Yahoo, but he remains a must-stash in most formats for now, especially leagues with an NA spot.--Bruno Mulé
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 2, 2026, 1:59 PM ET

In what was considered a down year by his own lofty standards, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen still finished as the fantasy QB1. His 3,668 yards through the air and 25 passing touchdowns both marked his lowest totals since 2019, but his unmatched rushing upside allowed him to top the final rankings as he has now done in four of the past six seasons, never slipping below QB2 in that time. Allen leads all quarterbacks with 41 rushing touchdowns over the past three seasons, with Jalen Hurts the only other quarterback to top 20 scores over that stretch. With former offensive coordinator Joe Brady taking over as head coach in 2026, the Bills offense can expect a sense of continuity behind an offensive line that returns four of five starters from a year ago, and with the team sending a second-round pick to acquire veteran receiver DJ Moore, Allen now has arguably his most dangerous weapon since he was regularly topping 4,200 passing yards with Stefon Diggs as his primary receiver. Unsurprisingly, Allen is RotoBaller's QB1 for 2026 and should be the expected 1.01 in most superflex drafts.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 2, 2026, 1:50 PM ET

New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry was the TE7 in half-PPR formats in 2025, and with one of the league's most efficient offenses from a season ago potentially taking another step forward, he projects as one of the most mispriced tight ends in 2026 drafts. Frequently going undrafted outside of deep best ball formats, Henry's current ADP is stuck at TE19, which would represent his lowest end-of-season finish since 2022. With the Patriots allowing Austin Hooper to depart in free agency, they signed blocking specialist Julian Hill to a three-year deal and spent a third-round pick on Notre Dame's Eli Raridon. Since then, Hill tore his ACL during organized team activities, and the rookie looked noticeably slender compared to the rest of the position group and could take time to develop the play strength needed to earn an every-down role in what projects to be one of the more physical offenses in the league. Head coach Mike Vrabel specifically pointed to tight end as a position where he'd like to find additional depth, but it's unlikely that anyone added to the roster at this point would pose a serious threat to Henry's role after he paced all New England pass catchers in 2025 with more than 1,000 snaps across the regular season and playoffs. A trusted big-body target for Drake Maye in both the middle of the field and the red zone, Henry should provide a usable weekly floor at a position where that is often enough for fantasy, but he also boasts multi-touchdown upside and is a player who should not be fully dismissed in the late rounds of 2026 drafts.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 2, 2026, 1:48 PM ET

Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer began his Sooners career with a bang, tallying 1,221 passing yards, 190 rushing yards, and 11 total touchdowns through his first four games. However, he suffered a broken thumb on his throwing hand in the fourth game of the season against Auburn, which required surgery. Over his next six games, he averaged just 174.2 passing yards per game and threw just six touchdowns. His thumb injury seemed to impact Oklahoma's offense significantly, but the team also saw a step up in competition during Mateer's cold streak. Despite this, Brent Venables' defense led Oklahoma to the College Football Playoff. Expectations remain high for that unit in 2026, but can a healthy Mateer engineer an offense worthy of competing for a CFP National Championship, or was his start to last season the outlier? Mateer's performance is one of the biggest storylines in this year's SEC and CFP race.--Jackson Sparks - RotoBaller
Source: ESPN

Jul 2, 2026, 1:44 PM ET

Kansas City Royals right-handed reliever Carlos Estevez (shoulder) suffered a setback with his shoulder after throwing a bullpen session on June 27. He received an injection on Wednesday and will be shut down for the rest of the week before being re-evaluated, according to MLB.com. Estevez initially went on the 15-day injured list on April 1 with a left-foot contusion, but he suffered a right rotator-cuff strain while rehabbing and was transferred to the 60-day IL on June 15. The 33-year-old veteran Dominican hurler only made one appearance this year for the Royals before getting injured, and he allowed six earned runs in just one-third of an inning. Estevez had a career- and league-high 42 saves in his first season with the Royals in 2025, but in addition to his injuries this year, his velocity was noticeably down in spring training. He easily has the most closing experience of anyone in KC's bullpen, but it could be a choppy ride for fantasy managers who are stashing him whenever he returns in the second half of 2026. Estevez is rostered in only 39% of Yahoo leagues now.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com

Jul 2, 2026, 1:38 PM ET

LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt is entering his first season in Lane Kiffin's offense after two strong years at Arizona State. The rising junior started 20 games for the Sun Devils, totaling 4,513 passing yards, 749 rushing yards, and 44 touchdowns. He led the program to a Big 12 title and a College Football Playoff appearance as a freshman in 2024. Given those credentials, expectations are sky-high for him in Baton Rouge. Kiffin's quarterbacks have often been prolific, especially since his tenure at Alabama under Nick Saban. If Leavitt can pick up his system quickly, he has the dual-threat skills and talent around him to make a real run at the Heisman Trophy in 2026. The Tigers will likely have to win at least 10 games for him to be considered, but that is in the range of outcomes given LSU's talent profile and coaching upgrades this offseason.--Jackson Sparks - RotoBaller
Source: Sports Reference CFB

Jul 2, 2026, 1:36 PM ET

With Zach Charbonnet tearing his ACL in the Seahawks' divisional round win over the 49ers, Seattle bumped 2024 undrafted running back George Holani into a primary backup role behind Kenneth Walker III for the rest of its Super Bowl-winning playoff run. While Walker would go on to win the Super Bowl MVP and earn a top-of-market deal with the Kansas City Chiefs, Holani saw a combined five carries for 10 yards in the Conference Championship and Super Bowl, and while early offseason rumblings had him in play for a potential starting role in 2026, he's now far more likely to continue serving as little more than an NFL depth piece and special teams contributor. Seattle spent its first-round pick on Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price, and Charbonnet is reportedly progressing well, even seen on the field performing a light workout in the final practice of minicamp. At RotoBaller's RB106, Holani has little chance of carving out any true dynasty relevance, and he should be viewed as a non-factor in 2026 redraft leagues.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 2, 2026, 1:25 PM ET

After three years of sharing a backfield with one of the nation's best players, 2026 first-round pick Jadarian Price could find himself again splitting work for the Seattle Seahawks. The obvious difference is that, while he was the clear second option behind Doak Walker Award winner and third overall pick Jeremiyah Love, the torn ACL sustained by incumbent Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet during the team's Super Bowl run has left the door open for Price to claim lead back responsibilities to begin his rookie season, and perhaps caused too steep a rise in his ADP. While sharing time with eventual Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III in 2025, Charbonnet finished sixth in the league with 12 rushing touchdowns and was one of the NFL's most active backs near the goal line. With reports indicating that he is progressing well in his recovery, he could be back earlier than expected to reclaim the bulk of the team's most high-value touches and harm Price's chances of living up to his lofty expectations. With Charbonnet in the final year of his rookie deal, there is plenty to be excited about in Price's dynasty future, but with the veteran's uncertain status to begin the year creating what could prove to be too wide a gap in their ADPs, Price is at risk of being overdrafted in 2026. One year after Walker finished as the RB22 with Klint Kubiak running the offense, Price heads into his rookie season as RotoBaller's RB24.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 2, 2026, 1:24 PM ET

Indiana wide receiver Charlie Becker flashed in the second half of his sophomore season and into the College Football Playoff, collecting 27 receptions for 522 yards and three touchdowns over his final seven games. He averaged 20 yards per reception on 34 catches over the full season. With Omar Cooper Jr. and Elijah Surratt off to the NFL, Becker could command more volume in 2026 next to Michigan State transfer Nick Marsh. Becker is a 6'4" big-play threat, and new Indiana quarterback Josh Hoover is a down-field gunslinger. The pairing is potentially perfect for Becker to make a big junior leap and rise on 2027 NFL Draft boards. The Nashville native is one of the top wideouts in the Big Ten to watch this season as the Hoosiers look to defend their 2025-26 College Football Playoff National Championship.--Jackson Sparks - RotoBaller
Source: ESPN

Jul 2, 2026, 1:17 PM ET

Oregon tight end Jamari Johnson, who transferred from Louisville ahead of the 2025 season, tallied 32 receptions for 510 yards and three touchdowns in his first campaign with the Ducks. With first-round NFL Draft choice Kenyon Sadiq off campus, Johnson could be in for a splash season as Dante Moore's clear TE1. Johnson is already viewed as one of the top tight end prospects in the 2027 NFL Draft, so his potential breakout campaign won't come as a surprise. As always at Oregon, there is plenty of talent in the wide receiver room, so if he can earn targets and produce this season in a crowded pass-catching group, he will prove he is the real deal in 2026.--Jackson Sparks - RotoBaller
Source: ESPN

Jul 2, 2026, 1:16 PM ET

Chicago White Sox corner infielder Munetaka Murakami (hamstring) is on the road trip with the team and is considered "day-to-day," but there is no timetable for him to begin a minor-league rehab assignment, according to manager Will Venable. Murakami landed on the 10-day injured list on May 30 with a strained right hamstring, and with no rehab assignment on the horizon, fantasy managers probably shouldn't expect him to return before the mid-July All-Star break. He's making progress, though, with Venable saying last week that Murakami was sprinting around "85 percent" intensity. In his first year in the States, the 26-year-old left-handed slugger has been a major value for fantasy managers, clubbing 20 home runs, driving in 41 runs, and scoring 43 bases in 200 at-bats while slashing .240/.378/.560 with a .938 OPS. Until he's able to return, Jacob Gonzalez should continue to see most of the playing time at first base for the Pale Hose.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com

Jul 2, 2026, 1:13 PM ET

Seattle Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (knee) continues to recover from the ACL tear he suffered in the team's divisional round win over the 49ers, and by all accounts, he is progressing well. Charbonnet was spotted doing light work on a side field during the final practice of minicamp, and a scheduled check-up on the knee in late July could provide the green light for a more extensive workload at the start of training camp. The Seahawks spent their 2026 first-round pick on Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price, but Charbonnet is no stranger to backfield competition. Sharing work with last season's eventual Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III, Charbonnet touched the ball more than 200 times and was given many of the team's most high-value opportunities. His 50 red-zone carries in 2025 were the ninth most in the league, while only four players had more attempts from within the five-yard line, helping him to finish the year with 12 rushing touchdowns. If he can return to anything close to full health, there is no reason to believe he couldn't handle an even larger role in this offense, and with an ADP currently outside the top 45 at the position, Charbonnet is a player to target in the late rounds of 2026 drafts, particularly in leagues with IR spots.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 2, 2026, 1:01 PM ET

Minnesota Twins shortstop prospect Kaelen Culpepper (hand) is likely day-to-day at Triple-A St. Paul while he awaits X-ray results on his left hand, according to Theodore Tollefson. Culpepper, the team's No. 2 prospect per MLB Pipeline, was held out of the Saints' lineup on Wednesday with a left-hand injury after he was hit by a pitch in his first at-bat on Tuesday. The 23-year-old former 21st overall pick in 2024 out of Kansas State University recently missed over two weeks with a strained left hip as well, so he's been banged up quite a bit of late. Despite the recent injuries, Culpepper is one of the top infield prospects to stash in fantasy baseball, as his first MLB call-up could be coming sooner rather than later. In 63 games and 295 plate appearances at St. Paul in 2026, Culpepper is slashing .272/.376/.492 with an .868 OPS, 14 home runs, 43 RBI, 15 stolen bases, and 54 runs scored. The 5-foot-10, 185-pounder makes a lot of contact and has intriguing power/speed upside, but he does tend to chase out of the zone.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Theodore Tollefson

Jul 2, 2026, 12:50 PM ET

Chicago Cubs right-hander Javier Assad will rejoin the team's starting rotation on Sunday in the series finale against the division-rival St. Louis Cardinals, according to Jared Wyllys of CHGO Sports. Assad has been a valuable swing man for Chicago's banged-up starting rotation this year, going 6-1 with a 4.53 ERA (5.24 FIP) and 1.12 WHIP with 31 strikeouts and 13 walks in 51 2/3 innings pitched across 13 appearances (six starts). The 28-year-old Mexican native has been slightly better in a starting role with a 4.18 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and 20:7 K:BB in 32 1/3 frames. Assad was hit around a bit in his last outing on June 30 against the San Diego Padres, allowing four earned runs on five hits while walking two and striking out just one in 2 2/3 innings out of the 'pen. And in his last three outings, he has given up nine earned runs on 15 hits (six homers) while walking four and fanning seven in 13 1/3 innings. Assad could continue to make starts for the Cubbies going into the second half, but once the rotation gets healthier, he's likely ticketed for more of a long-relief role in Chicago.--Keith Hernandez
Source: CHGO Sports - Jared Wyllys

Jul 2, 2026, 12:43 PM ET

The New York Yankees announced on Thursday that they reinstated right-handed closer David Bednar from the paternity list. Bednar will return to the back end of New York's bullpen after he missed the entire three-game series against the Detroit Tigers to begin the week as he welcomed his child into the world. The Yankees have a scheduled day off on Thursday, but Bednar will be available if a save situation arises in Friday's series opener against the visiting Minnesota Twins. The 31-year-old veteran is in his first full season with the Yankees in 2026 and has gone 2-3 with a 3.09 ERA (2.68 FIP), 1.23 WHIP, 16 saves, 40 strikeouts, and 12 walks in 35 innings out of the bullpen. Bednar is currently tied with Aroldis Chapman and Raisel Iglesias for ninth among relievers in MLB in saves this season. He didn't allow a single run in nine appearances in June, with his last earned run coming in a save against the division-rival Toronto Blue Jays on May 18. Bednar needs to be returned to all starting fantasy lineups with the holiday weekend approaching.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Yankees PR Department

Jul 2, 2026, 12:25 PM ET

The Colorado Rockies are calling up right-handed pitching prospect Gabriel Hughes from Triple-A Albuquerque on Wednesday in a surprising move, according to Thomas Harding of MLB.com. The Rockies' top pick in 2022 and their No. 16 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, has allowed zero runs and only four hits while walking five and striking out 16 in 15 2/3 innings in three starts since rejoining the Isotopes' starting rotation following a left-oblique injury. The 24-year-old is 2-1 overall with a 5.31 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, and 48:11 K:BB in 40 2/3 innings over nine outings (seven starts) at Triple-A this year. The 6-foot-4, 238-pounder out of Gonzaga University had Tommy John surgery in 2023 and also dealt with a shoulder injury last year, but his stuff is starting to come back now that he's healthy again. Hughes doesn't overpower hitters, but his ground-ball tendencies and solid offspeed stuff could play well at hitter-friendly Coors Field. At least initially, Hughes is expected to pitch out of the bullpen, so fantasy managers in single-year leagues can likely hold off for now.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com - Thomas Harding

Jul 2, 2026, 12:15 PM ET

Atlanta Braves right-hander Grant Holmes will return to the starting rotation for Friday's series opener to take on the division-rival New York Mets, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com. The Braves skipped Holmes' last turn through the starting rotation, and he tossed four scoreless innings with no walks and four strikeouts out of the bullpen on June 27 against the San Francisco Giants in his most recent outing. The 30-year-old will make another start against the last-place Mets in an enticing matchup this weekend, but after that, it seems the Braves prefer to move him to the bullpen on a more permanent basis for the second half of the season now that right-hander Hurston Waldrep is back in the picture. Holmes will be a pretty intriguing fantasy streamer against the Mets on Friday, but length could be an issue. He's gone 4-4 this year with a 3.96 ERA (5.19 FIP) and 1.36 WHIP with 69 strikeouts and 37 walks in 77 1/3 innings pitched across 16 appearances (15 starts). Holmes has a career-low 20.7% strikeout rate in 2026 in his third year in the league and a career-high 11.1% walk rate.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com - Mark Bowman

Jul 2, 2026, 12:08 PM ET

Atlanta Braves right-hander Hurston Waldrep will make his first start for the Braves this year in Thursday's series finale against the St. Louis Cardinals at Truist Park, according to MLB.com. Waldrep had surgery to remove bone spurs from his right elbow in February and didn't make his 2026 debut in the majors until last weekend out of the bullpen in Atlanta. The 24-year-old former 24th overall pick in 2023 out of the University of Florida will now temporarily take the rotation spot of the struggling Bryce Elder, but there's a good chance Waldrep will become a rotation staple for the Braves in the second half. In his lone appearance over the weekend in relief, Waldrep threw two scoreless innings with four walks and three strikeouts. He went 6-1 with a 2.88 ERA (3.21 FIP) and 1.19 WHIP with 55 strikeouts and 22 walks in 56 1/3 innings across his 10 appearances (nine starts) in 2025, making him an intriguing upside pickup off the waiver wire in all fantasy baseball leagues. For DFS purposes, Waldrep won't be ideal on Thursday, though, and will likely be on a pitch count as he continues to get stretched out. The Georgia native is rostered in only 9% of Yahoo leagues.--Keith Hernandez
Source: MLB.com