Arizona Diamondbacks News

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Ryan Waldschmidt • CF • Diamondbacks

Ryan Waldschmidt Re-Emerging on Fantasy Radar as he Nears Second MLB Stint

Arizona Diamondbacks prospect Ryan Waldschmidt has 112 major league at-bats this season but is now spending his time in Triple-A Reno. The Diamondbacks' top overall prospect got a look at the big league level but did not hit a home run and drove in eight runs while swiping five bags and hitting .254. Arizona chose to send him back for some seasoning in the minors, and he has six homers and 29 RBI at Reno with six stolen bases while hitting .293. In 184 at-bats at Reno, Waldschmidt has shown promising signs, including amassing an OPS of .910, the best mark of his minor-league career. With an outfield full of depth at the big-league level, including Corbin Carroll, Lourdes Gurriel Jr., and Max Kepler, among others, it would appear that Waldschmidt could spend more time in the minors. However, the right-handed bat could be one fantasy managers keep in mind as they look for stashes for the second half. Should he get another opportunity for the Diamondbacks, Waldschmidt should produce and has the potential to provide five-category upside.

2 days ago

Ryan Waldschmidt • CF • Diamondbacks

Is Ryan Waldschmidt Nearing a Return to Arizona?

Arizona Diamondbacks outfield prospect Ryan Waldschmidt was optioned to Triple-A Reno following his first stint in the majors back in mid-June. However, since returning to Reno, the top-ranked prospect in the system has not only produced at a high level, but has begun to showcase his raw power. Through his first 13 games at Triple-A since returning, the Kentucky product has held a .288/.413/.588 line with a .970 OPS, five doubles, three home runs, and a 13:10 K:BB. During his first taste of the major leagues, Waldschmidt posted a .259/.314/.357 line with nine doubles, no home runs, and five stolen bases (across 33 games). If the 23-year-old can continue to take a step forward, he could emerge as a top stash candidate following the All-Star break due to his raw five-category potential.

4 days ago

Paul Sewald • RP • Diamondbacks

Paul Sewald Still a Must-Roster Closer in 12-Team Leagues?

Arizona Diamondbacks closer Paul Sewald remains the ninth-inning option, even after a rough finish to June. The 36-year-old worked a scoreless ninth in a tie against Milwaukee on Friday, July 3, after surrendering five runs over his previous two appearances. He has 19 saves, a 4.35 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, and 33 strikeouts in 31 innings, with one blown save. That save total matters more than the uneven ratios in most standard formats. A.J. Puk and Justin Martinez remain on the 60-day injured list, and Puk was recently shut down after a shoulder setback. Kevin Ginkel and Juan Morillo provide late-inning alternatives, but MLB still lists Sewald as the closer. RotoBaller's latest weekend rankings place him among 12-team adds, a fair recommendation given the recent damage. Sewald is rostered in 64% of Yahoo leagues, and managers chasing saves should still make the claim while accepting some ERA risk.

5 days ago

Ryan Waldschmidt • CF • Diamondbacks

Ryan Waldschmidt Worth Stashing for Eventual Second-Half Call-Up?

Arizona Diamondbacks outfield prospect Ryan Waldschmidt was touted as one of the best up-and-coming position players to stash in fantasy baseball in the first half of the 2026 season. The team's top overall prospect, per MLB Pipeline, eventually got the call from the Snakes in early May, but his first taste of major-league pitching didn't go as planned. The 23-year-old former first-rounder in 2024 out of the University of Kentucky went 29-for-112 (.259) with zero home runs, eight RBI, 11 runs scored, five stolen bases, eight walks, and 40 strikeouts for an elevated 32.8% strikeout rate. The D-backs sent Waldschmidt down to work on his plate discipline and his approach against offspeed pitches. Since going back down to Triple-A Reno, Waldschmidt has gone 14-for-44 (.318) with three home runs, four doubles, five RBI, 10 runs scored, and zero stolen bases in 11 games played. It's unclear exactly when Arizona might consider recalling Waldschmidt to the majors, but it probably won't come until sometime after the All-Star break. For his power/speed upside alone, the 6-foot, 205-pounder should definitely already be stashed in dynasty/keeper and NL-only leagues. He's currently rostered in just 3% of Yahoo leagues.

6 days ago

Paul Sewald • RP • Diamondbacks

Paul Sewald Holds On for Save No. 19, Still a Viable Option?

Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Paul Sewald made it an adventure, but he navigated through some trouble on Monday to still close out his team's 5-4 win over the Giants. He earned his 19th save of the season, but allowed two runs on three hits. Heliot Ramos led off the ninth with a home run, and Bryce Eldrige singled and later scored on a single by pinch-hitter Drew Cavanaugh. Sewald got the final two outs with Eldridge stranded on first base as the potential tying run. The 36-year-old veteran has hit a bit of a rough patch, allowing six runs on eight hits in his last 3 2/3 innings across four appearances. If he continues to scuffle, Jonathan Loaisiga and Brandyn Garcia are candidates to step in and pick up some saves. Sewald did get the job done and still seems to be the top option for now, but his struggles definitely make this an important closer situation to monitor.

Jun 30

Corbin Burnes • SP • Diamondbacks

Corbin Burnes Set for Re-Imaging in Early July

Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said that starting pitcher Corbin Burnes (elbow, shoulder) will undergo a new round of imaging in either the first or second week of July, per Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports. Burnes has not pitched since undergoing Tommy John surgery in early June 2025. While working his way back from the elbow injury earlier this month, he suffered a teres major strain in his shoulder that will likely delay his return to the big league mound until September. Across 64 1/3 innings (11 starts) for Arizona in 2025, Burnes recorded a 3-2 record with a 2.66 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and 63 strikeouts. When healthy, the 31-year-old remains a high-upside starting pitcher option for fantasy managers. However, it's difficult to justify stashing him in the majority of league formats given his highly uncertain health profile.

Jun 29

Michael Soroka • SP • Diamondbacks

Michael Soroka to Start Throwing Bullpens Soon

Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Michael Soroka (glute) will start a Tuesday and Friday bullpen routine soon, according to MLB.com. Soroka was placed on the 15-day injured list on June 20 with left-glute discomfort, and he isn't expected to return to the D-backs' starting rotation until late July or August. The 28-year-old Canadian was having a resurgent 2026 season in his first year in the desert before his glute injury, going 8-3 for the Snakes with a 3.07 ERA (2.93 FIP) and 1.08 WHIP with 79 strikeouts and 17 walks in 82 innings pitched across his 15 starts. The sell-high window is probably closed now that Soroka is on the IL, and it's fair to wonder if he can keep it up in the second half when he returns. The former 28th overall pick by the Atlanta Braves in 2015 has reached the 100-inning mark just once in his MLB career, and that was back in 2019 in his second year in the majors with the Braves. His 3.91 xERA and .309 xwOBA hint at regression in the second half, and his strikeout rate sits in the 57th percentile.

Jun 27

Paul Sewald • RP • Diamondbacks

Paul Sewald Remains a Priority Saves Target on the Waiver Wire

Across 29 innings (32 games) in 2026, Arizona Diamondbacks closer Paul Sewald has recorded a 2-4 record with a 4.03 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, 33 strikeouts, and 18 saves. With an average fastball velocity of 91.3 miles per hour, Sewald no longer profiles as a prototypical high-end closer. However, he's struck out 29.2% of the batters he's faced so far this season while posting just a 7.1% walk rate. Sewald's ERA has been inflated by a few blowup outings and his 63.2% strand rate, which is well below his career mark fo 71%. The 36-year-old looks to be firmly entrenched in the ninth-inning role in Arizona and should be considered a priority target on the waiver wire for fantasy managers in need of saves.

Jun 26

Ryan Waldschmidt • CF • Diamondbacks

Is Ryan Waldschmidt Worth Another Chance on Fantasy Rosters?

Arizona Diamondbacks outfield prospect Ryan Waldschmidt got a chance to prove what he can do in the major leagues this season. He recorded eight RBI and stole five bases, but did not hit a homer in 112 major league at-bats this season and was recently sent down to Triple-A Reno. Waldschmidt has shown a consistent bat at Reno with a .302 batting average, six home runs, and 27 RBI in 159 at-bats at the Triple-A level this season. Since returning to Triple-A this month, Waldschmidt has been even more impressive, going 11-for-31 with three long balls. The No. 31 overall pick in 2024, Waldschmidt has a solid prospect profile and has shown he could be a stolen-base threat at the major league level. If he can bring some of that consistent hitting to the Diamondbacks, he could be a solid pickup for fantasy managers in the second half. For now, Waldschmidt is worth monitoring in deep leagues for that reason, as he possesses the skill set to be a fantasy contributor during his second MLB stint.

Jun 26

Ryne Nelson • SP • Diamondbacks

Ryne Nelson Moved to 60-Day Injured List

The Arizona Diamondbacks announced on Thursday that they transferred right-hander Ryne Nelson (elbow) to the 60-day injured list with a strained right elbow. The D-backs initially placed Nelson on the 15-day IL last Friday with a flexor strain in his right elbow, and now he won't be eligible to return to Arizona's starting rotation until mid-August. The 28-year-old former second-rounder in 2019 out of the University of Oregon has gone 3-5 in 2026 in his fifth year in the big leagues with a 4.97 ERA (5.39 FIP) and 1.24 WHIP with 62 strikeouts and 22 walks in 83 1/3 innings pitched across his 15 starts. Nelson's numbers haven't been all that impressive, and he had more than three strikeouts just once in his last six starts for the Snakes. Nelson certainly isn't a must-hold in mixed fantasy leagues while he recovers from his injury, and he won't have much time left in 2026 to make an impact late in the second half if he even makes it back to the D-backs' rotation. Nelson is rostered in 37% of Yahoo leagues right now.

Jun 25

Corbin Carroll • RF • Diamondbacks

Corbin Carroll Remains Elite Outfielder Despite Drop in Stolen Base Production

Across 329 plate appearances in 2026, Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll is hitting .279/.365/.537 with 13 home runs, 42 RBI, 48 runs scored, and nine stolen bases. The 25-year-old's relative lack of aggression on the basepaths is a bit surprising considering he stole 32 bases in 143 games last season. However, Carroll's production looks elite, as he's logged strong underlying contact metrics with a 12.3% barrel rate and a 47.9% hard-hit rate. As long as Carroll stays healthy, his 10.9% walk rate and his presence at the top of a strong Diamondbacks lineup should allow him to clear 100 runs scored for the fourth consecutive campaign. Even with his speed decline, Carroll should be valued as an elite fantasy outfielder.

Jun 25

Ryan Waldschmidt • CF • Diamondbacks

Is Ryan Waldschmidt Making the Case for a Return to the Majors?

Arizona Diamondbacks outfield prospect Ryan Waldschmidt's four-game hit streak since being sent back to Triple-A came to an end on Sunday, but that hasn't stopped him from getting on base. The D-backs' top-ranked prospect went 0-for-4 over his last two games, but still reached base five times thanks to his ability to draw walks. Since rejoining Triple-A Reno, the University of Kentucky product has gone 6-for-22 (.273) with a double, two home runs, and a 6:7 BB:K over six games. The team stated that they wanted him to work on breaking pitches while back at Reno, so there's no telling when that development will be complete, but fantasy managers should figure the right-handed hitter will get another shot within the next month. During his 33-game stint in the majors, the 23-year-old was unable to record a home run after slugging 18 of them last year, but managed to hit .259 (major league average is .243), and he stole five bags using his 90th percentile sprint speed. If he can make progress with his development, there's reason to believe Waldschmidt could still be a multi-category producer at the big league level, and as such, he should be considered a worthy stash in deeper 12+ team leagues.

Jun 24

Mitch Bratt • SP • Diamondbacks

Diamondbacks Set to Promote No. 14 Prospect Mitch Bratt to Make MLB Debut

Arizona Diamondbacks left-handed pitching prospect Mitch Bratt has joined the club's taxi squad and is expected to be activated to make his major-league debut against the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday. The 22-year-old is ranked as the No. 14 prospect in Arizona's system by MLB Pipeline. Bratt has gone 1-1 with a 2.84 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, and 42 strikeouts across 44 1/3 innings and 11 starts for Triple-A Reno. His strong command has been the foundation of his success, although his arsenal is built more around location and pitch mixing than overpowering velocity. The left-hander recently returned from an injured-list stint caused by shoulder inflammation and allowed two runs over four innings while working on a limited pitch count. He may therefore have a restricted workload during his debut. Bratt is expected to fill the rotation opening created by Michael Soroka's glute injury, but Arizona has not guaranteed him an extended stay. He is worth a speculative addition in deeper leagues, while standard-league managers should monitor his workload and initial performance before using a roster spot.

Jun 23

Ryan Waldschmidt • CF • Diamondbacks

Ryan Waldschmidt Sharp in Return to Triple-A, Is he Back on the Stash Radar?

Arizona Diamondbacks outfield prospect Ryan Waldschmidt was recently demoted to Triple-A Reno after his first look at the major leagues. Even though his redraft value took a major hit, Waldschmidt has looked quite comfortable in his return to Triple-A and could push for an early call-up back to Arizona. Since returning to Reno, Waldschmidt has appeared in five games and gone deep twice while going 6-for-20. Over his first 33 games at the MLB level, the former top-ranked prospect carried a modest .229/.314/.357 line with nine doubles, one triple, and no home runs. Following this demotion, a report by Alex Weiner of AZ Sports suggested that the team wants their young outfielder to work on his production against breaking balls at Triple-A. If Waldschmidt can maintain this pace and show steady progression, he should return to the Diamondbacks in the near future, making him a viable stash target in all 12-team leagues with N/A spots, given his five-category skill set.

Jun 22

Jose Cabrera • SP • Diamondbacks

Jose Cabrera Making MLB Debut, a Viable Streaming Option in Deeper Leagues?

According to Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports, Arizona Diamondbacks right-handed pitching prospect Jose Cabrera will make his major-league debut against the Minnesota Twins on Sunday. The 24-year-old has produced a 3-2 record, 3.69 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, and 64 strikeouts over 61 innings across 12 starts between Double-A Amarillo and Triple-A Reno. Cabrera will take the rotation turn vacated by Ryne Nelson (elbow), while Michael Soroka's glute injury has further thinned Arizona's pitching depth. The matchup carries considerable risk after Minnesota scored 16 runs in Saturday's win over Arizona, and Cabrera is not guaranteed to remain in the rotation beyond his debut. However, his strong minor-league ratios and more than one strikeout per inning make him intriguing for managers willing to accept some volatility. Yahoo managers have yet to roster Cabrera, leaving him at 0% rostered and as a high-risk streamer in NL-only and deeper redraft leagues.

Jun 21

Michael Soroka • SP • Diamondbacks

Michael Soroka Placed on 15-Day Injured List With Glute Injury

Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Michael Soroka (glute) was placed on the 15-day Injured List on Saturday. Soroka suffered a strained left glute while warming up in the second inning of Friday's contest. This is a tough break for the D-Backs, who don't have a ton of reliable pitching options at the moment. Soroka will be out for at least the next two weeks, but could require a rehab assignment as well. In a corresponding move, reliever Philip Abner was recalled from Triple-A Reno. The D-Backs haven't announced who is going to take over the vacant spot in the starting rotation.

Jun 20

Jordan Lawlar • LF • Diamondbacks

Jordan Lawlar Heads Back to Injured List With Hamstring Strain

Arizona Diamondbacks infielder/outfielder Jordan Lawlar (hamstring) was placed on the 10-day injured list on Saturday. Ouch, Lawler can't catch a break as he'll head back to the shelf this weekend. Lawler missed two months after suffering a fractured wrist in his sixth game of the season. He returned about a week ago and is already heading back to the IL with a hamstring strain that he suffered during Friday's game. In a corresponding move, infielder Tim Taza has been recalled from Triple-A Reno. He figures to serve as depth with Jorge Barrosa seeing the bulk of the playing time in center field without Lawler around. Lawler is expected to miss around 4-to-6 weeks of action, so fantasy managers in redraft formats might want to move on.

Jun 20

Jordan Lawlar • LF • Diamondbacks

Jordan Lawlar to Have MRI for Hamstring Strain

Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman/outfielder Jordan Lawlar (hamstring) suffered a strained right hamstring in Friday's series opener against the visiting Minnesota Twins and will undergo an MRI exam on Saturday, according to MLB.com's Steve Gilbert. Before leaving the team's eventual 9-5 win at Chase Field, Lawlar went 2-for-4 at the plate with a strikeout. We won't know the severity of the 23-year-old's hamstring injury until the imaging comes back on his MRI, but it's a disappointing development after Lawlar just recently returned from a stint on the injured list due to a wrist injury. At the very least, he probably will not be ready to play in Game 2 of the series against the Twins on Saturday. Rookie Tommy Troy entered the game in place of Lawlar on Friday night and could be thrust into a regular role for the D-backs if Lawlar goes back on the IL. Lawlar, a former sixth overall pick in 2021, has hit just .207/.289/.296 with one homer, nine RBI, seven steals, and a 30.9% strikeout rate in 54 games since debuting in the majors in 2023. He's played in just 12 games for Arizona this year and has gone 12-for-38 (.316) with a homer, four RBI, four steals, three walks, and 10 K's. Lawlar is rostered in only 12% of Yahoo leagues.

Jun 20

Michael Soroka • SP • Diamondbacks

Michael Soroka Dealing With Left-Glute Discomfort

The Arizona Diamondbacks have changed right-hander Michael Soroka's (glute) injury to left-glute discomfort, according to Steve Gilbert of MLB.com. He will undergo an MRI exam on Saturday after he was pulled from Friday's start against the Minnesota Twins early with what the team initially described as discomfort in his left hip. Soroka only made it through one inning on Friday night at Chase Field, but he didn't allow a run while giving up two hits, walking none, and striking out none. The 28-year-old felt the injury while warming up between innings and wasn't allowed to stay in for the second frame. For now, we'll consider him day-to-day until we hear more, but Soroka is firmly in danger of missing his next turn through Arizona's starting rotation. It's been a resurgent season for the Canadian, as he's gone 8-3 for the Snakes with a 3.07 ERA (2.93 FIP) and 1.08 WHIP with 79 strikeouts and only 17 walks in 82 innings over his 15 starts. Soroka went from a fantasy afterthought to being rostered in 80% of Yahoo leagues.

Jun 20

Jordan Lawlar • LF • Diamondbacks

Jordan Lawlar Pulled With Undisclosed Injury on Friday Night

Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman/outfielder Jordan Lawlar (undisclosed) was pulled from Friday night's game against the Minnesota Twins early at Chase Field with an undisclosed injury after beating out a bunt single in the eighth inning, according to Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports. Before being removed prematurely, Lawlar went 2-for-4 at the plate with a strikeout. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues will want to check back on Saturday morning for a better idea of what the 23-year-old is dealing with, but don't expect him to be back in the starting lineup for Game 2 of the series against the Twins. The former sixth overall pick in 2021 has a history of injuries and just recently returned from the injured list. In just his third year in the big leagues after coming up as one of the top prospects in the game, Lawlar entered play on Friday with a .294 average (10-for-34) with a homer, four RBI, four steals, and six runs scored in just 11 games played for the Snakes. Lawlar is currently rostered in only 13% of Yahoo leagues, and another trip to the IL would be a major disappointment for a player who so far has been a first-round bust.

Jun 20

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