MLB News

Javier Assad • SP • Cubs

Javier Assad to Start on Sunday Against Cardinals

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.

4 hours ago

David Bednar • RP • Yankees

David Bednar Returns From Paternity List on Thursday

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.

4 hours ago

Gabriel Hughes • SP • Rockies

Rockies Call Up Gabriel Hughes, Worth a Look in Deep Leagues?

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.

5 hours ago

Grant Holmes • SP • Braves

Grant Holmes to Make Another Start on Friday

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.

5 hours ago

Hurston Waldrep • SP • Braves

Hurston Waldrep to Start on Thursday Against Cardinals

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.

5 hours ago

J.T. Realmuto • C • Phillies

J.T. Realmuto a Positive Regression Candidate?

Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto is showing his age (35) in his 13th year in the big leagues in 2026. The three-time All-Star is currently hitting .201/.286/.319 with a career-worst .604 OPS, five home runs, 25 RBI, 22 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 61 games played across 231 plate appearances. He hit just .176 (13-for-74) with eight walks and 20 strikeouts in 21 games in June, but he also had three of his five home runs, five doubles, 16 RBI, 11 runs scored, and two of his three steals in 85 plate appearances. Realmuto is no longer in his prime and has been showing signs of decline at the plate for the last several seasons, but is he really as bad as his current surface stats suggest? Under the hood, Realmuto's expected batting average of .248 and xwOBA of .316 (wOBA of .274) point to a second-half resurgence. But still, he's ranked in the 38th percentile in hard-hit rate, the 22nd percentile in barrel rate, and the 34th percentile in chase rate. There's very little upside here, which is why Realmuto is now rostered in less than 20% of Yahoo leagues.

5 hours ago

Denzer Guzman • 3B • Angels

Denzer Guzman Worth a Look in Deeper Leagues for Raw Power Potential

Los Angeles Angels infield prospect Denzer Guzman was called up in early June to give the Halos some infield reinforcements, and the 22-year-old Dominican has hit .268/.325/.437 with a .761 OPS, three home runs, 13 RBI, seven runs scored, and a stolen base in 18 games and 77 plate appearances. He appeared in 13 games in his major-league debut in 2025 and went 8-for-42 (.190) with two long balls, three RBI, and four runs scored. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound right-handed hitter has mostly been serving as the Angels' third baseman when he finds his way into the starting lineup, but he also has experience at shortstop and is eligible at both positions in fantasy leagues. Guzman got the call to the Angels this year after hitting .336/.403/.571 with a .974 OPS, 12 homers, 57 RBI, 45 runs, and nine steals in 58 games at Triple-A Salt Lake in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League. His raw power from the right side makes him intriguing in deeper fantasy leagues, but the Angels' No. 7-ranked prospect (per MLB Pipeline) has had issues making consistent contact at the plate. Guzman is worth a look off the waiver wire in deep fantasy leagues for infield depth. He's rostered in only 4% of Yahoo leagues.

6 hours ago

Kirby Yates • RP • Angels

Kirby Yates Still an Option for Fantasy Managers Desperate for Saves

The Los Angeles Angels are near the bottom of the league in the standings and aren't the ideal place to search for saves, but veteran right-handed reliever Kirby Yates remains in the mix for saves in Anaheim and is an option off the waiver wire for desperate fantasy managers. The struggling Angels are currently employing a closer-by-committee that involves Yates, Sam Bachman, and Ryan Zeferjahn. Left-hander Samy Natera Jr. picked up the team's most recent save on Sunday, but Yates had his second save of the year before that on Saturday, June 27. The 39-year-old is a two-time All-Star and is by far the Angels' most experienced reliever when it comes to saves, with an even 100 saves in his 11-plus years in the big leagues. He's gone 0-3 in 2026 with a 3.06 ERA (3.28 FIP), 0.96 WHIP, two saves, 25 strikeouts, and seven walks in 17 2/3 innings. Yates' numbers are pretty solid, but save opportunities in Anaheim have been few and far between. In 10 1/3 innings in June, Yates allowed just four runs (three earned) while walking three and fanning 15 with three losses, a save, and a blown save. He's rostered in 6% of Yahoo leagues, so he's widely available if you're scrounging for saves near the halfway point in 2026.

6 hours ago

Agustín Ramírez • C • Marlins

Agustin Ramirez Still Worth Stashing?

Miami Marlins catcher Agustin Ramirez hit only .231 (124-for-537) in 136 games and 585 plate appearances in his rookie season in the big leagues with the Fish in 2025, but he added an impressive 21 home runs, 67 RBI, and 16 stolen bases. Fantasy managers were justifiably excited about Ramirez's prospects in his sophomore campaign, but he was sent to Triple-A Jacksonville after going 26-for-113 (.230) with two homers, 14 RBI, 13 walks, and 28 strikeouts across 31 games, and he has yet to return to the Show. The 24-year-old Dominican backstop has slashed .250/.327/.453 with seven home runs, 24 RBI, 11 stolen bases, and 26 runs scored in 40 games in 2026 with the Jumbo Shrimp. There is still plenty of power and speed upside with Ramirez, but the Marlins aren't forcing his return to the majors with Liam Hicks and Joe Mack holding down the catching spot just fine right now. The Marlins want Ramirez to improve his work behind the plate before he gets another shot at the big-league level. It seems like a reasonable bet that he'll be back with the Fish at some point in the second half, but fantasy managers may be running out of patience. Ramirez is rostered in 34% of Yahoo leagues currently.

6 hours ago

Cooper Ingle • C • Guardians

Cooper Ingle a Prospect to Add Despite Slow Start?

Cleveland Guardians catching prospect Cooper Ingle, who is ranked as the team's No. 3 prospect by MLB Pipeline, was recalled from Triple-A Columbus last week after he hit .284 (50-for-176) with 12 homers, 41 RBI, and 33 runs scored in 51 games in the minors. The 5-foot-8, 190-pound left-handed-hitting backstop has the power upside and plate discipline to become Cleveland's catcher of the future after he was selected in the fourth round in 2023 out of Clemson University. Fantasy managers in dynasty/keeper leagues should be stashing him, but should managers in redraft leagues be doing the same? The 24-year-old North Carolina native has been slow to adjust to big-league pitching so far in his first four games, going 1-for-11 at the plate with two RBI, a run scored, three walks, and seven strikeouts, and he also had a brain fart in the outfield on Tuesday and forgot how many outs there were. That's not going to help his cause for more playing time with manager Stephen Vogt. Still, Ingle has the kind of offensive upside you don't find often in catchers, making him at least a watch-list candidate in deeper single-year leagues going into the second half of the season if he remains with the Guards. Ingle is rostered in just 2% of Yahoo leagues.

6 hours ago

Michael Conforto • RF • Cubs

Michael Conforto Goes Deep Twice in Rout of Padres

Chicago Cubs outfielder Michael Conforto joined in on the Home Run Derby at Wrigley Field on Wednesday in the team's 23-3 mauling of the San Diego Padres to complete their three-game sweep. In a game in which the Cubs hitters cleared the fences a franchise-record eight times, Conforto went 3-for-4 at the plate with two homers, four RBI, four runs scored, and a walk to boost his season average to .248 and his OPS to .847. It was the 33-year-old veteran's first multi-homer game of the year. In his first year in Chicago in 2026 after a disastrous one-year stint with the Los Angeles Dodgers last season, Conforto has primarily been a left-handed bat off the bench. But with Matt Shaw (hand) currently on the injured list, Conforto's playing time is trending up to close out the first half of the season. In 56 total games across 140 plate appearances, he's slashing .248/.343/.504 with seven home runs, 21 RBI, 19 runs scored, and a stolen base. He's a short-term waiver-wire candidate in deeper leagues for those looking for outfield depth.

7 hours ago

Taj Bradley • SP • Twins

Taj Bradley on a Roll, Strikes Out Season-High 11 Versus Astros

Minnesota Twins right-hander Taj Bradley kept the good times rolling on Wednesday night at Daikin Park against the hosting Houston Astros in the team's 8-3 victory, allowing just one earned run on four hits while walking three and striking out a season-high 11 batters in five innings for his seventh win of the 2026 season. The 25-year-old former fifth-round pick by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2018 is now 7-3 on the year in his first full season with the Twins and has recorded a 3.86 ERA (3.92 FIP) and 1.29 WHIP with 102 strikeouts and 38 walks across his 88 2/3 innings and 16 starts. After giving up at least four earned runs in four straight starts from May 29 to June 14, Bradley has straightened things out in his last three starts against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Colorado Rockies, and Astros, allowing just five earned runs on 10 hits while walking eight and striking out 22 in 17 innings. Bradley is set to face the Cleveland Guardians next week in his final start before the All-Star break, and he should be a nice streaming option against a team that ranks 28th in OPS (.677).

7 hours ago

Zack Wheeler • SP • Phillies

Zack Wheeler Fans 10 in Just 4 2/3 Innings Against Pirates

Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler had an unusual day on Wednesday in the team's 10-6 win over the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates at Citizens Bank Park. Wheeler only lasted 4 2/3 innings on the mound and allowed four earned runs on nine hits (one homer), but he walked only one and struck out a season-high 10 batters in the no-decision. It was the first time that the 36-year-old veteran didn't make it through five innings all year, and he wasn't happy about the early hook after the game when speaking to the media. Still, the three-time All-Star is now 8-1 on the season with a sharp 2.36 ERA (3.30 FIP) and 0.94 WHIP with 84 strikeouts and 20 walks in 80 innings pitched across his 13 starts in his 12th season in the majors. Coming into the 2026 campaign, there was some uncertainty as to whether Wheeler could rebound to ace form following surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome. Through the first half of the year, it's safe to say that he has exceeded expectations. Fantasy managers will want Wheeler in their starting lineups for his final start of the first half next week against the Cincinnati Reds.

7 hours ago

Junior Caminero • 3B • Rays

Junior Caminero Homers in Sixth Straight Game on Wednesday

Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero is on quite the run in the power department lately. In the team's 4-0 shutout win over the hosting Kansas City Royals on Wednesday, Caminero went 1-for-4 at the plate with a two-run home run and three strikeouts to homer for the sixth straight contest. The 22-year-old has tied the franchise record for most consecutive games with a homer. In his last eight games played, Caminero has been absolutely en fuego, going 14-for-31 (.452) with nine home runs, 20 RBI, and 10 runs scored to boost his overall slash line in 2026 to .293/.383/.561. The Dominican third baseman has also added 24 total home runs, 54 RBI, 54 runs scored, and a .943 OPS in his fourth year in the majors and third full season with the Rays. Caminero ranks in the 94th percentile in hard-hit rate, the 85th percentile in barrel rate, the 91st percentile in xwOBA, and the 90th percentile in xSLG, so the underlying metrics support his encore in 2026 after he hit 45 homers and drove in 110 runs in his breakout season in 2025.

7 hours ago

Paul Skenes • SP • Pirates

Paul Skenes Seems to Struggle in Seven-Run Implosion, Is it Time to Panic?

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes continued his recent slide on Wednesday night in Philadelphia, allowing six hits and a season-high seven earned runs in just four innings. Over his last six starts, the 24-year-old ace is 0-6 with a 5.36 ERA, but only a 3.58 FIP. While his metrics aren't quite as bad as his results, they still are not great. His defense has let him down repeatedly this season, and that trend continued on Wednesday, with potential outs turning into hits, runs, and more pitches for Skenes. He's definitely not been his best over the last several starts, but his teammates aren't doing much to help him either. His ceiling is too high to let him go from your fantasy team, and trading him now would definitely be selling low. He'll look to bounce back next Tuesday at home against the Braves, and for now, he's someone to hold on to and count on him to find his way through this rough patch.

7 hours ago

Jim Jarvis • SS • Braves

Braves to Recall Infield Prospect Jim Jarvis to Major Leagues

Atlanta Braves shortstop Jim Jarvis is returning to the MLB roster for a second stint this season. He played two games for the team in May but has spent most of the year in Triple-A with the Gwinnett Stripers. In his 76 minor-league games, he hit .313 with six homers and a .392 wOBA. He also racked up 32 stolen bases, the most he has had in any minor league season by a wide margin. He will give the Braves solid infield depth with potential speed production if he gets regular playing time. He hasn't shown a ton of power potential, but typically makes good contact and runs the bases very well. If you're searching for stolen bases and some batting average help in the middle infield, Jarvis can be a solid deep league option.

7 hours ago

Rowdy Tellez • 1B

Rowdy Tellez Designated for Assignment

Atlanta Braves first baseman Rowdy Tellez was designated for assignment on Thursday morning, and the team promoted Jim Jarvis to add more infield depth and versatility. Tellez agreed to a minor-league deal with Atlanta just before the regular season and joined the MLB squad in early June. He played seven games, mostly serving as a pinch-hitter, and he went 2-for-10 with a home run. The 31-year-old lefty hit 17 homers last season while splitting time between the Mariners and the Rangers. His batting average and defense aren't very exciting, but he does offer enough left-handed power potential off the bench to get attention from another team or to stick in the Braves' system. For fantasy purposes, he isn't a factor unless he gets a full-time starting role somewhere, which seems unlikely.

8 hours ago

Keider Montero • SP • Tigers

Keider Montero Continues Dominant Run, Emerging as Worthy Pitcher to Pick Up?

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher/relief pitcher Keider Montero pitched two shutout innings out of the bullpen to earn a win on Wednesday against the Yankees. It was his first appearance since moving to the bullpen after the return of Jack Flaherty last Sunday. The win helped Montero improve to 5-5 with a 3.31 ERA and 3.80 FIP in his 17 games, 15 of which were starts. He has a 1.52 ERA with 15 strikeouts in 23 2/3 innings in his last five games and has been very effective at limiting damage. Montero doesn't have a spot in the rotation right now, but he's worth a look in deep leagues since he has worked so well in multiple roles recently. He will be a top pickup option in most standard formats if he moves back to the rotation at some point later in the season.

8 hours ago

Brennan Bernardino • RP • Rockies

Brennan Bernardino Earns First Save for Rockies, Worth Adding in Deeper Leagues

Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Brennan Bernardino closed out the Marlins on Wednesday to earn his first save of the year, and he could get more opportunities in the closer committee going forward. Bernardino got one strikeout and retired the Marlins to preserve his team's 6-3 victory. Antonio Senzatela and Jimmy Herget are also in the mix, but Bernardino is the only lefty in the bullpen, meaning he usually gets the highest leverage spots against lefties. Neither Herget nor Senzatela pitched Tuesday, so it's notable that Bernardino got the call over them to lock down the save on Wednesday. He only has this one save for the season, so he's not a sure thing. However, he is worth watching in all formats and picking up in deep leagues where you're desperate for saves.

8 hours ago

Christian Walker • 1B • Astros

Christian Walker Departs Early With Back Stiffness

Houston Astros first baseman Christian Walker (back) was forced from Wednesday night's contest against the Minnesota Twins early at Daikin Park with stiffness in his lower back, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. Before he left the game, Walker was 0-for-2 at the plate with two strikeouts. For now, fantasy managers should consider Walker day-to-day. Hopefully, he'll be ready to return to action following an off day on Thursday when the Astros begin a series on Friday against the Tampa Bay Rays. Isaac Paredes moved from third base to first on Wednesday to replace Walker, with Brice Matthews entering the game to play the hot corner. Walker remains a strong source of power in his second year in Houston, as he entered Wednesday's contest with 19 long balls on the year in 359 plate appearances. He's coming off a slow month of June, though, when he went 22-for-103 (.214) with only three homers, six doubles, a triple, 13 RBI, nine runs, nine walks, and 31 strikeouts in 26 games. Paredes is the best bet to play first for the Astros if Walker misses more time with his back injury.

17 hours ago

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