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Addison Barger Could Start a Rehab Assignment Next Week
Toronto Blue Jays third baseman/outfielder Addison Barger (elbow) is throwing out to 120 feet and taking batting practice, according to Mitch Bannon of The Athletic. He will progress to hitting off a pitching machine soon, and the hope is that he will start a minor-league rehab assignment by mid-to-late next week. The 26-year-old has already been on the injured list twice this year, first with injuries to both his ankles, and lately with right-elbow inflammation. The former sixth-rounder in 2018 has only appeared in nine games in 2026 and has gone 1-for-22 at the plate with two RBI, five walks, and seven strikeouts in 28 plate appearances. Despite a lost season so far due to injuries, he is still rostered in 21% of Yahoo leagues. If he can avoid a setback with his elbow in the minor leagues, Barger should be back with the big-league roster by the end of June. Barger doesn't have excellent plate discipline, but he can still be an asset in points leagues the rest of the way in an everyday role against right-handed pitching. In his first full year in the majors in 2025, Barger hit .243/.301/.454 with a .756 OPS, 21 homers, 74 RBI, 61 runs, and four stolen bases in 135 regular-season games played.
Source: The Athletic - Mitch Bannon
Source: The Athletic - Mitch Bannon
Shane Bieber Likely to Make Another Rehab Start
Toronto Blue Jays veteran right-hander Shane Bieber (elbow) is likely to make another minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Buffalo before rejoining the Blue Jays' starting rotation, manager John Schneider told Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet. Toronto isn't pushing the 31-year-old to make his 2026 season debut, but he should be ready after one more start in the minors. The former American League Cy Young winner looked good in his last rehab start with Buffalo, throwing six scoreless innings with one walk and five strikeouts on Thursday. In four total rehab starts in the rookie-level Florida Complex League and with Buffalo and Single-A Dunedin, Bieber has posted a 6.00 ERA and 1.75 WHIP with 12 strikeouts and only one walk in 12 innings thrown. Bieber's impending return to the big leagues will probably be bad news for lefty Patrick Corbin. The two-time All-Star returned from Tommy John surgery to make his Blue Jays debut last year, going 4-2 in seven regular-season starts with a 3.57 ERA (4.47 FIP), 1.02 WHIP, and 37:7 K:BB in 40 1/3 innings. Nobody should be expecting him to return to his Cy Young form from back in 2020, but Bieber absolutely has the potential to be a matchup-based streamer in mixed fantasy leagues the rest of the way, and he's currently rostered in less than half of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Sportsnet - Ben Nicnolson-Smith
Source: Sportsnet - Ben Nicnolson-Smith
Trent Grisham Pulled Early With Hamstring Tightness
New York Yankees outfielder Trent Grisham (hamstring) was pulled from Friday's game early against the division-rival Toronto Blue Jays with right-hamstring tightness, according to Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News. Manager Aaron Boone said that Grisham injured his hamstring rounding first in the sixth inning, but there are no tests imminent, and the Yankees will see how he feels on Saturday morning. If needed, outfielder Jasson Dominguez (shoulder) could be in play to come off the 10-day injured list, per Boone. Before leaving, Grisham went 1-for-4 at the plate with two RBI in the eventual 8-5 loss to the Jays at the Rogers Centre. Rookie Spencer Jones shifted from right field to center field, with Max Schuemann entering the game to play right in the Bronx. If Dominguez isn't quite ready to come off the IL, speedster Jose Caballero could see additional starts in the outfield for the Yankees. For now, fantasy managers should consider Grisham day-to-day. The 29-year-old slugged a career-high 34 homers and drove in 74 in 143 regular-season games last year for the Yanks, but he hasn't been as prolific with the power in 66 games so far in 2026, producing just eight homers and 33 RBI.
Source: New York Daily News - Gary Phillips
Source: New York Daily News - Gary Phillips
Ezequiel Tovar Dealing With Leg Soreness
Colorado Rockies shortstop Ezequiel Tovar (lower leg) was a late scratch for Friday's game against the Athletics with left-calf/shin/ankle soreness from a foul ball on Sunday at Coors Field, according to Kevin Henry of The Denver Gazette. With Tovar sitting out on Friday night in Las Vegas, Willi Castro made the start at shortstop and hit leadoff for Colorado against A's rookie left-hander Gage Jump. Fantasy managers should consider Tovar day-to-day for now. Check back to see if he's available to start for the Rockies for Game 2 of the series against the A's on Saturday. The 24-year-old Venezuelan shortstop has been extremely disappointing for his fantasy managers yet again in 2026. Tover had a career year in 2024, hitting .269/.295/.469 with 26 home runs, 78 RBI, a league-high 45 doubles, and six stolen bases in 157 games played, but since then, he has produced only 14 home runs in the last two seasons. He entered Friday's action with a lowly .211/.259/.332 slash line, .591 OPS, five homers, 23 RBI, 20 runs, and four steals in 66 games across 251 plate appearances. Tovar is now rostered in fewer than 50% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: The Denver Gazette - Kevin Henry
Source: The Denver Gazette - Kevin Henry
Jack Flaherty Injures his Leg on Friday Against the Guardians
Detroit Tigers right-hander Jack Flaherty (leg) left his start early on Friday against the division-rival Cleveland Guardians due to left-leg discomfort, according to Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic. Flaherty's tough 2026 season continued, as he not only departed early with an injury, but he also took his eighth loss of the year in a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Cleveland at Progressive Field. Before hitting the showers early on Friday night, Flaherty allowed two earned runs on three hits while walking one and striking out one in only three innings. It's unclear right now if his injury is serious enough to warrant a trip to the injured list. The good news for the Tigers is that they have both left-hander Tarik Skubal (elbow) and right-hander Casey Mize (groin) returning to their starting rotation this weekend on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. The 30-year-old Flaherty entered his start on Friday with an elevated 5.31 ERA (4.12 FIP) and 1.58 WHIP with 77 strikeouts and 33 walks in 62 2/3 innings over his 14 starts in his second year in Motown.
Source: The Athletic - Cody Stavenhagen
Source: The Athletic - Cody Stavenhagen
Spencer Strider Leaves Early on Friday With Arm Soreness
The Atlanta Braves announced that right-hander Spencer Strider (arm) left his start early on Friday against the division-rival New York Mets with a trainer due to right-arm soreness. Strider allowed seven earned runs on six hits (three home runs) while walking one and striking out three in just three innings for his second loss of the season in the 7-5 defeat at the hands of the Mets at Citi Field. The 27-year-old's velocity was down, leading to the Braves' training staff coming out to check on Strider before he was pulled from the game. The severity of his injury is unclear right now, but we should have more information on Strider on Saturday morning, so fantasy managers will want to check back them to see if this is something that could land him on the 15-day injured list. Keep in mind that Strider had an internal-brace procedure that limited him to two starts in 2024. He came into Friday's contest with a 4-1 record and 4.00 ERA, but his ugly outing against New York pushed his season ERA up to 5.31. If Strider's latest arm injury is serious, youngster Hurston Waldrep could be next in line to join Atlanta's starting rotation.
Source: Atlanta Braves
Source: Atlanta Braves
Chase Dollander Likely Headed for UCL Surgery
Colorado Rockies pitcher Chase Dollander (elbow) was recently transferred to the 60-day Injured List and might have thrown his last pitch this season. Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer confirmed on Friday that Dollander is likely heading for surgery to repair his UCL. The right-hander has been sidelined since May due to a sprained elbow. The injury isn't getting better for Dollander, so it sounds like the team is opting to have the surgery. It's unclear if it'll be the full Tommy John surgery or the internal brace procedure. If he does have surgery, Dollander likely won't be back on the mound until mid-season in 2027. He posted a 3.89 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, and a 47:18 K:BB ratio across 10 appearances (three starts) with the Rockies this season.
Source: Chris Schmaedeke
Source: Chris Schmaedeke
Casey Mize to Return on Sunday
Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Casey Mize (adductor) will be activated off the 15-day Injured List ahead of Sunday's game. Tigers manager A.J. Hinch confirmed on Friday that Mize will rejoin the team and start versus the Cleveland Guardians on Sunday. Mize is back in action after being sidelined since late May due to right adductor inflammation. Through nine starts, Mize has a 2.27 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, and a 49:12 K:BB ratio across 47.2 innings this season. It's worth noting that Mize only threw 55 pitches during his most recent rehab start. He might not see a full workload during his first start back against Cleveland on Sunday. The right-hander is still worth stashing given his success on the mound early this season.
Source: Evan Woodbery
Source: Evan Woodbery
Seth Lugo is Placed on 7-Day Concussion Injured List
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Seth Lugo (head) was placed on the 7-day concussion Injured List on Friday. This doesn't come as a surprise after Lugo was drilled in the head by a comebacker off the bat of Brandon Nimmo during Wednesday's game. Lugo underwent a CT scan, which came back negative. The right-hander will now need to pass the league's concussion protocol before taking the mound again. In a corresponding move, reliever Eli Morgan has been recalled from Triple-A Omaha. Fantasy managers will need to check back for another update on Lugo. It's possible that Lugo doesn't miss another start, but we'll need to see how he progresses.
Source: Kansas City Royals
Source: Kansas City Royals
Max Fried to Throw Off Mound on Saturday
New York Yankees starting pitcher Max Fried (elbow) is scheduled to throw off the mound on Saturday, according to manager Aaron Boone. The skipper continued by saying recent imaging on Fried's left elbow showed increased healing. The southpaw is ready for the next step in his recovery process. His first throwing session on Saturday will be "touch and feel," considering it's the first time that he has thrown since landing on the Injured List in May. There is still more work to be done, but this is an encouraging sign for the southpaw. There should be another update on his status following Saturday's session. If everything goes well, Fried might be able to go on a rehab assignment before the end of the month.
Source: Gary Phillips
Source: Gary Phillips
Corey Seager is Day-to-Day with Minor Injuries
Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager (ribs, face) was absent from the starting lineup during Friday's loss to the Boston Red Sox. Rangers manager Skip Schumaker said Seager is day-to-day with rib and jaw injuries that he suffered during Thursday's game. Seager appears to have picked up a pair of injuries during a home plate collision with Carter Jensen on Thursday. Ezequiel Duran started at shortstop on Friday and could see more action over there this weekend. This doesn't sound like something that will require a stint on the Injured List. Fantasy managers should check back on Saturday for another update on Seager.
Source: Shawn McFarland
Source: Shawn McFarland
Jacob Wilson Activated, Playing on Friday
Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson (shoulder) was activated off the 10-day Injured List ahead of Friday's game against the Colorado Rockies. Wilson is back in the mix after being sidelined since May 11 due to a dislocated left shoulder. He won't miss a beat as Wilson is at shortstop and batting fifth against the Rockies on Friday. Before landing on the shelf, Wilson was slashing .292/.311/.398 with three home runs and 19 RBI in 39 games. There's enough upside with the bat to warrant rostering Wilson in most fantasy formats right now. His return to the field will mean reduced playing time for Alika Williams. In a corresponding move, outfielder Brent Rookier (knee) was placed on the 10-day Injured List.
Source: Athletics
Source: Athletics
Brent Rooker Lands on 10-Day Injured List
Athletics outfielder Brent Rooker (knee) was placed on the 10-day Injured List, retroactive to June 9. Rooker was out of the lineup on Tuesday and Wednesday due to a knee issue. The team will officially place him on the shelf due to a bone bruise in his left knee. His timetable to return is unclear at the moment. The A's will likely wait the 10 days and see how he progresses before making any further decisions. In a corresponding move, infielder Jacob Wilson (shoulder) was reinstated from the Injured List. Shea Langeliers, Jonah Heim, and Carlos Cortes are all candidates to see time at designated hitter while Rooker is down.
Source: Athletics
Source: Athletics
Parker Washington Set to be Core Piece of Jaguars Passing Game
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington broke out in 2025 in his third year in the league with 58 receptions on 95 targets for 847 yards and five touchdowns in 16 regular-season games (seven starts). He played a backup role in the offense during the first two months of the year before being thrust into a starting role after rookie Travis Hunter's (knee) season-ending injury. According to Sports Illustrated's John Shipley, "all signs from three-day mandatory minicamp are that the Jaguars are set to trust him even more in 2026." The 24-year-old former sixth-rounder in 2023 out of Penn State combined for 48 catches, 522 yards, and five TDs in his first two years in the NFL. Even though Hunter will continue to be used on offense, and Jakobi Meyers and Brian Thomas Jr. are still involved, it is clear that Washington is "set to be a core piece" in the passing game. According to Next Gen Stats, Washington had a team-high 23.7% of the Jaguars' third-down targets last year and averaged 3.1 yards per route run on third down, the most among WRs with at least 75 routes run on third down. With a full season as a starter in 2026, Washington should be able to improve on his numbers from a year ago and potentially have a shot to be a 1,000-yard receiver.
Source: Sports Illustrated - John Shipley
Source: Sports Illustrated - John Shipley
Caleb Kilian Officially Named Giants Closer
San Francisco Giants manager Tony Vitello has officially named right-handed reliever Caleb Kilian as the team's closer, according to Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News. Right-hander Ryan Walker, who was recalled from the minors on Friday, will be in a "fireman" role. The 29-year-old Kilian and Keaton Winn have been involved in a closer-by-committee situation, but Vitello has made it clear that Kilian will be his preferred choice in the ninth inning now that Walker is back in the fold. In his first year in the Bay Area, Kilian has recorded a 3.34 ERA (4.75 FIP), 1.18 WHIP, his first four career saves, 32 strikeouts, and 15 walks in 29 2/3 innings out of the bullpen. Since blowing the save on May 29 against the Colorado Rockies, Kilian has tightened things up, throwing 4 2/3 scoreless innings with three hits allowed, three walks, five strikeouts, one win, and one save for the Gigantes. Fantasy managers desperate for saves should consider picking Kilian up, but just know that his leash will probably be very short. Kilian is rostered in fewer than 10% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: The San Jose Mercury News - Justice delos Santos
Source: The San Jose Mercury News - Justice delos Santos
No Structural Damage for Shohei Ohtani
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (knee) is feeling "fine-ish," according to Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register. Ohtani had imaging on his injured knee on Friday, which showed no structural damage. Roberts said that he expects Ohtani back as the designated hitter this weekend in the series against the Chicago White Sox and to make his next pitching start as scheduled on Wednesday against the Tampa Bay Rays. The Dodgers pulled the 31-year-old four-time MVP as a precaution with left-knee inflammation in Thursday's win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Roberts thought that Ohtani would be active for Friday's series opener in Chicago, but the team decided to give him an extra day of rest. All indications are that Ohtani will be fine, so hopefully, fantasy managers can plug him back into their starting lineups on Saturday. The Japanese superstar remains a must-start in fantasy as both a hitter and a pitcher. Ohtani is slashing .305/.421/.543 with a .964 OPS, 13 homers, 40 RBI, 48 runs, and six stolen bases. As a pitcher, he's in the mix in the National League Cy Young picture with a 6-2 record, 1.06 ERA (2.67 FIP), 0.84 WHIP, and 73:21 K:BB in 11 starts (67 2/3 innings).
Source: The Orange County Register - Bill Plunkett
Source: The Orange County Register - Bill Plunkett
Jake McCarthy Remains Absent With Illness on Friday
Colorado Rockies outfielder Jake McCarthy (illness) is still under the weather and is sitting out of the lineup for Friday's series opener in Las Vegas against the hosting Athletics, according to MLB.com. Troy Johnston is getting another start in right field and will hit fifth for the Rockies against rookie left-hander Gage Jump. McCarthy remains day-to-day with an illness and is missing his third straight game. Hopefully, he'll be feeling good enough to return to the starting nine for Game 2 of the series in Vegas on Saturday against the A's. The 28-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder has played well this year in his first season with the Rockies, slashing .282/.326/.448 with a .775 OPS, four home runs, 27 RBI, 22 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases in his 174 at-bats. McCarthy doesn't have much pop (even at Coors Field), but his speed on the base paths makes him useful as outfield depth in deeper leagues, especially while both Mickey Moniak (ankle) and Brenton Doyle (oblique) are on the injured list. He has gone 9-for-32 (.281) with a homer, three doubles, three RBI, four runs, and a steal in seven games so far in June.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Willy Adames Returns From Lower-Body Injury
San Francisco Giants shortstop Willy Adames (lower body) is starting at shortstop and will bat sixth on Friday against the Chicago Cubs and right-hander Javier Assad, according to MLB.com. Adames ended up missing just one game with a lower-body injury, but he is back in action for the series opener against Chicago after a scheduled day off on Thursday. The 30-year-old Dominican has been streaky this year and is batting only .234 (63-for-269) in 67 games with 11 home runs, 29 RBI, 34 runs scored, and one stolen base. Adames is still useful for his power at the shortstop position, and he has three home runs in nine games in June, but he's also hitting just .176 (6-for-34) during the month with a double, six RBI, six runs scored, five walks, and 12 strikeouts in 39 plate appearances. He has faced Assad just six times in his MLB career and is batting .167 against him with a .542 OPS, no home runs, and no RBI.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Mavericks Not Interested in Trading Kyrie Irving
Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (knee) is reportedly not available right now. According to Marc Stein, the Detroit Pistons and Minnesota Timberwolves have reached out about the availability of Irving. As of this moment, the Mavs are content with keeping the 34-year-old veteran heading into next season. Irving sat out all this past season while recovering from a torn left ACL. The veteran guard is expected to be fully healthy at the beginning of next season. Irving is owed $39.5 million for the upcoming season and has a player option for $42.4 million for the 2027 campaign. The Mavs are hopeful that Irving can be a key contributor, but his fantasy value could take a hit coming off major knee surgery.
Source: Marc Stein
Source: Marc Stein
LeBron James Could Leave the Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James might not be back with the organization next season. Tim Bontemps of ESPN believes there's a legitimate chance that James is not back with the team next season. The Lakers are focused on building around Luka Doncic, which likely includes bringing back guard Austin Reaves. The Lakers will likely need to pay a hefty price in free agency to bring back Reaves this summer. With that being said, James might be forced to take a pay cut to stay with the Lakers or potentially head elsewhere. According to his agent, James has around 10-12 teams that would be interested in signing him. The 41-year-old can still be a reliable contributor, but his overall ceiling is going to take a hit due to age regression. His fantasy value will be dependent on where he ends up signing this offseason.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Nets Expected to Offer Austin Reaves a Max Contract
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves could be headed elsewhere soon. According to Dan Woike, the Brooklyn Nets are prepared to offer Reaves a max contract this summer. The Lakers have viewed re-signing Reaves as a priority, but it's likely going to cost them a hefty amount of money. The Nets are reportedly willing to offer Reaves around $178.5 million over four years. The Lakers could offer Reaves a fifth year, but it's unclear if they want to match that kind of money. The status of LeBron James is also something that the Lakers need to pay attention to. Adding a player such as Reaves to the mix could help speed up the Nets' rebuilding process. The Nets have a handful of young guards, but none stand out as true cornerstone pieces right now. A move to the Nets would likely benefit Reaves as the primary focal point of an offense.
Source: Dan Woike
Source: Dan Woike
Luke Kornet Tagged as Questionable for Game 5
San Antonio Spurs center Luke Kornet (illness) is listed as questionable ahead of Saturday's Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the New York Knicks. Kornet only played four minutes during Wednesday's loss. It's unclear if that was the plan or if Kornet was limited in that contest because of this illness. If he remains out on Saturday, Carter Bryant would likely be in line for extra playing time. Victor Wembanyama figures to play over 40 minutes in what is an elimination game for the Spurs. Kornet probably wouldn't see much action on the court even if he's cleared to play. The Spurs will lean heavily on Wembanyama as they attempt to battle back from a 3-1 deficit.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Mitchell Robinson is Available for Game 5 on Saturday
New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (finger) has been cleared to play ahead of Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday. Robinson returned to the injury report ahead of this contest, but he will be available to play. The big man suffered a broken pinky finger during the Eastern Conference Finals. He has looked fine during this series, but is only logging in minutes in the teens right now. He snagged five rebounds across 13 minutes during the epic Game 4 comeback. Robinson will continue being the primary backup center as the Knicks look to close out this series.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Mets Expect Francisco Lindor to Play in Games "This Month"
President of baseball operations David Stearns said on Friday that he expects shortstop Francisco Lindor (calf) to play in games for the New York Mets "this month," according to Chelsea Janes of SNY. Lindor played two simulated innings on Friday and faced a minor-league pitcher. Manager Carlos Mendoza said that Lindor will repeat that multiple times next week, which could lessen the need for a minor-league rehab assignment. However, it probably won't eliminate the need for a rehab assignment entirely. The 32-year-old five-time All-Star has been out since straining his left calf on April 22, but he could be ready to rejoin the big-league roster in time for the Mets' next homestand, which begins on June 22. Lindor's return will allow New York to shift Bo Bichette back to third base, which will make regular playing time harder to come by for Brett Baty. Lindor got off to a rough start at the plate in his 93 at-bats before injuring his calf, hitting .226 with two homers, five RBI, 14 runs, and two stolen bases, but he belongs on fantasy rosters in all leagues with his expected return to come before the calendar flips to July.
Source: SNY - Chelsea Janes
Source: SNY - Chelsea Janes
Tigers Activate Kenley Jansen From the Injured List on Friday
The Detroit Tigers activated right-handed reliever Kenley Jansen (pelvis) from the 15-day injured list on Friday, the team announced. Jansen spent the minimum time on the IL with pelvic inflammation that sidelined him in late May. The veteran reliever only made one minor-league rehab appearance with Triple-A Toledo on Wednesday and gave up three runs on two hits in two-thirds of an inning. The 38-year-old four-time All-Star has a longer leash than most closers because he has 483 saves in his 17-year MLB career. Jansen should return to primary save duties in Detroit now that he's healthy, but things could change quickly in Detroit if he continues to struggle late in games. He has already blown four saves and currently sports a 1-3 record, 4.80 ERA (5.84 FIP), and 1.20 WHIP with seven saves, 19 strikeouts, and nine walks in his 15 innings this year. Jansen is rostered in 68% of Yahoo leagues, so he could be available to be scooped up if you are searching for saves. If Jansen continues to stumble, both Will Vest and Kyle Finnegan are next up for save opportunities.
Source: Tigers PR
Source: Tigers PR
Cardinals Send Nolan Gorman to Triple-A
The St. Louis Cardinals optioned infielder Nolan Gorman to Triple-A Memphis on Friday, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The Cardinals are changing things up in the infield. Gorman could probably use a reset offensively after slashing just .194/.279/.318 with a .598 OPS, seven home runs, 26 RBI, and 19 runs scored through 62 games and 229 plate appearances so far in 2026 in his fifth year in the big leagues. In addition to hardly producing at all for the Red Birds, Gorman is striking out at a 32.3% clip and has just three hits in his last 50 at-bats with 27 strikeouts and five walks over a span of 17 games. Gorman will head down to the farm to work on his approach at the plate, but it might already be too late for him to reclaim a starting role in St. Louis for the rest of the season. In Yahoo leagues, Gorman is rostered in just 3% of formats.
Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch - Derrick Goold
Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch - Derrick Goold
Shohei Ohtani Held Out of Friday's Lineup
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (knee) is not in the starting lineup for Friday's series opener against the hosting Chicago White Sox, according to MLB.com. Santiago Espinal is serving as the DH and will bat eighth against White Sox left-hander Anthony Kay. The Dodgers pulled Ohtani from Thursday's win over the Pittsburgh Pirates as a precaution due to inflammation in his left knee, but manager Dave Roberts said he was confident that the two-way superstar would be back in the lineup on the South Side of Chicago. Ohtani is considered day-to-day, and his injury isn't serious, so the four-time MVP could be right back in the starting nine for Game 2 of the series in Chicago on Saturday. After a slow start offensively, the 31-year-old left-handed slugger has been more productive with the weather warming up, and he's hitting .305/.421/.543 overall with a .964 OPS, 13 home runs, 40 RBI, 48 runs scored, and six stolen bases in his 243 at-bats in 2026. Check back on Saturday to see if Ohtani is back in action for the Dodgers.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Phillies Promote Gabriel Rincones Jr., Poised for a Large Role?
The Philadelphia Phillies are calling up outfield prospect Gabriel Rincones Jr. to the majors on Friday, according to Milb Central. Rincones gets the nod to the majors with Adolis Garcia (lat) going on the 60-day injured list due to a torn lat muscle. The 25-year-old former third-rounder in 2022 out of Florida Atlantic University was hitting just .215/.344/.291 with a .635 OPS, one homer, nine RBI, 14 runs scored, four stolen bases, 16 walks, and 21 strikeouts in 22 games at Single-A Clearwater, High-A Jersey Shore, and Triple-A Lehigh Valley before his call-up. He got a late start to the 2026 season due to a knee injury. Rincones hit .240/.370/.430 with 18 long balls and 21 stolen bases at Lehigh Valley last year, and he's considered the Phillies' No. 6 prospect, per MLB Pipeline. With Garcia out at least two months with a torn lat, Rincones absolutely could see plenty of playing time in Philly's outfield going forward. He is making the start in right field on Friday and is batting seventh in his MLB debut in Milwaukee against the Brewers in a tough matchup against flamethrower Jacob Misiorowski. The 6-foot-3, 225-pounder has enough raw power from the left side of the plate to attract interest from those in deep-mixed leagues.
Source: Milb Central
Source: Milb Central
Jordan Lawlar Activated From Injured List, a Must-Add Ahead of Return?
The Arizona Diamondbacks announced on Friday that they reinstated infielder/outfielder Jordan Lawlar (wrist) from the 60-day injured list and designated catcher Aramis Garcia for assignment in a corresponding move. Lawlar is starting in center field and will bat seventh in his return in Friday's series opener in Cincinnati against the Reds and left-hander Nick Lodolo. The 23-year-old former top prospect has been out since fracturing his wrist back in early April. Before getting hurt, the former sixth overall pick in 2021 went 6-for-18 at the plate with a homer, two RBI, three runs scored, and a stolen base for the Snakes. Lawlar has yet to break through at the MLB level in Arizona since debuting in 2023, slashing .191/.266/.287 with a .533 OPS, one homer, seven RBI, 14 runs scored, and four stolen bases in 48 games and 128 plate appearances. He could very well be a post-hype breakout prospect the rest of 2026 if he can stay healthy, and he's rostered in under 10% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: Arizona Diamondbacks
Source: Arizona Diamondbacks
Blaze Jordan Earns Call to Majors, a Priority Add in All Leagues?
The St. Louis Cardinals are promoting infield prospect Blaze Jordan to the MLB roster ahead of Friday's contest against the Minnesota Twins. Jordan is currently ranked as the team's No. 25-ranked prospect on MLB.com, but he has been among the top hitters at the Triple-A level this season. Through 57 contests at Triple-A, the first/third baseman has posted an impressive .313/.373/.548 line with a stellar .921 OPS. During this stretch, Jordan has hit 19 doubles and launched 11 long balls while swiping two bags. This is worth noting as Jordan stumbled during his first stint with Memphis last summer, posting a low .198/.242/.366 line over a 41-game stint. Given that Nolan Gorman has struggled at the plate this season and was sent to Triple-A in a corresponding move, Jordan has a clear path to carve out an everyday role at the hot corner. For now, he is worth picking up all 12+ team leagues ahead of his MLB debut.
Source: MiLB Central
Source: MiLB Central
