MLB News

Walbert Ureña • SP • Angels

Walbert Urena a Rookie Strikeout Arm to Add Now?

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Walbert Urena has worked his way into the 12-team waiver mix with a 3.03 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, and 75 strikeouts through 77 1/3 innings. The 22-year-old held Seattle to one run and one hit over 5 2/3 innings on July 2, bouncing back after Oakland tagged him for seven runs in his previous start. The walks are the part that can still make this frustrating. Urena has issued 41 free passes, and his 12.2% walk rate shows up in the WHIP even with the strong ERA. Still, a 3.26 xERA and 33.2% hard-hit rate support most of what he has done so far. RotoBaller lists Urena at 34% rostered in Yahoo formats and recommends him in 12-team leagues. He is worth adding for managers who need innings and steady strikeout help.

6 hours ago

Charlie Condon • LF • Rockies

Charlie Condon Firmly in "Must-Stash" Territory Ahead of All-Star Break

Colorado Rockies outfield prospect Charlie Condon is mashing at Triple-A Albuquerque this season, and with his prospect pedigree, it could be a matter of time before he forces his way to Coors Field. Condon, who can play first base or the outfield, is hitting .294 this season with Albuquerque, with 20 homers and 60 RBI to go with five stolen bases. The former No. 3 overall pick is on the verge of his first big league look, and fantasy managers should act accordingly. Now is the time to roster Condon as a stash, and despite a deep outfield at the big-league level, with TJ Rumfield manning first base, he looks ready to force his way into a roster spot with Colorado. Condon could prove to be a second-half difference-maker in fantasy leagues, and the race to roster him could be on.

6 hours ago

Curtis Mead • 3B • Nationals

Curtis Mead a Must-Add for Power Help?

Washington Nationals third baseman Curtis Mead is not going to help every roster the same way, but the power is getting harder to ignore. Mead is batting just .232 through 237 at-bats, so there is some batting-average risk here. He has still supplied 14 home runs, 39 RBI, 38 runs, and five steals, which is a useful return for a player available in most leagues. The appeal gets better because Mead qualifies at first base, second base, and third base in RotoBaller's rankings. His 10.9% barrel rate and 41.9% hard-hit rate also suggest the power is not just empty box-score noise. Fantasy managers should not treat him like a safe average play, and the profile can be streaky. Still, Mead is only 18% rostered on Yahoo, and RotoBaller recommends him in 12-team leagues. That makes him a reasonable power add for corner or middle-infield spots.

6 hours ago

Luke Adams • 3B • Brewers

Luke Adams Worth a Look in Deep Leagues Amid Clear Path to MLB At-Bats

Milwaukee Brewers third base prospect Luke Adams is producing in the minor leagues in the midst of an injury-plagued season. Adams is hitting .252 with 13 homers and 32 RBI in 131 at-bats this season, to go with five stolen bases between two levels, including Triple-A Nashville. The Brewers' No. 12 overall prospect, Adams suffered a wrist injury early this season but returned to post strong numbers in Nashville and offer a glimpse of his upside at third base. David Hamilton mans the hot corner at the big league level for the Brewers at the moment, but Adams, a right-handed bat, is providing some evidence that he could be ready for a look at the major leagues and could be a platoon partner for the left-handed-hitting Hamilton. Savvy fantasy managers in deep leagues may want to look into Adams and give him a chance at a roster spot ahead of the All-Star break.

6 hours ago

Willi Castro • 2B • Rockies

Willi Castro a Useful Waiver Add Despite Playing-Time Risk?

Colorado Rockies second baseman Willi Castro still offers enough category help and roster flexibility to stay in the waiver mix, but this is not a clean must-add. Castro is batting .269 with six home runs, 38 runs, 35 RBI, and six steals through 268 at-bats. He has also gone 33-for-116 (.284) with four homers, 16 runs, 17 RBI, and three steals over his last 30 games, even with a colder stretch mixed in. The concern is playing time. Castro has gone just 4-for-27 over his last seven games, and Colorado has started sitting him more often against right-handed pitching. His eligibility at first base, second base, third base, shortstop, and outfield still gives fantasy managers several ways to use him. With his Yahoo roster rate down to 40%, Castro fits as a 12-team bench option for managers who need flexibility, not as a priority pickup.

7 hours ago

Kade Anderson • SP • Mariners

Kade Anderson's Elite Double-A Production Makes him a Priority Stash

Seattle Mariners pitching prospect Kade Anderson suffered his first loss at Double-A Arkansas following his July 3 start. He only allowed two earned runs to pick up his first loss of the season in his 8-1 overall record. His numbers look video game worthy with a 1.36 ERA and 0.69 WHIP with 108 strikeouts in 72 2/3 innings pitched. The No. 3 overall draft pick out of LSU has dominated the minors in his first season of professional baseball. Before a stop in Seattle and a spot in the Mariners rotation, Anderson would likely need some seasoning at Triple-A. So while his numbers call out for a stash for fantasy managers, some patience is required. Managers in mid-size leagues would be smart to use a roster spot now on Anderson and wait to see if it pays off. The prospect pedigree looks elite for Anderson, and it's worth using an early roster spot to acquire his services.

7 hours ago

Dylan Crews • RF • Nationals

Dylan Crews Showing Signs of a Post-Hype Breakout?

Washington Nationals right fielder Dylan Crews still has not fully broken through, but the fantasy case is getting easier to see. He is batting .232 with six home runs, 18 RBI, 23 runs, and five steals through 155 at-bats. That line is still uneven, but Crews has gone 18-for-58 with two homers, 12 runs, four RBI, three steals, and six walks over his last 15 games. This is more upside bet than finished product. Crews is hitting the ball hard, with a 90.9 mph average exit velocity, 44.2% hard-hit rate, and 9.2% barrel rate, and his speed gives him another path to fantasy value. The .232 average and low walk rate are real concerns, so this should not be framed as a safe five-category breakout yet. Crews is rostered in 35% of Yahoo leagues and belongs in 12-team formats.

7 hours ago

Zac Veen • LF • Rockies

Rockies Outfield Prospect Zac Veen on the Verge of a Promotion?

Colorado Rockies outfield prospect Zac Veen continues to impress at the Triple-A level this season, and his latest demonstration is a two-homer game for Albuquerque on July 5. Veen is about as solid as it comes as a minor league hitter for the Rockies. The 24-year-old is hitting .323 with 16 homers and 58 RBI in Albuquerque this season, along with 14 stolen bases. The five-tool product is worth a speculative roster spot on most fantasy rosters, as he could enjoy a great deal of success if promoted to the Rockies and able to play his home games at Coors Field. Veen is the No. 13 prospect on the Rockies' top prospects list, but he is putting up some of the best numbers in the system at the moment. Stashing him now might be the right move for managers to make in preparation for his call-up, as he could provide immense upside once he returns to the majors. Jake McCarthy, Cole Carrigg, and Mickey Moniak are performing well in the outfield now for Colorado, but the prospects of Veen are nonetheless very enticing for the big league club.

7 hours ago

Tatsuya Imai • SP • Astros

Tatsuya Imai Worth a Waiver Claim for Strikeouts?

Houston Astros starting pitcher Tatsuya Imai is a tough player to trust, but the strikeouts keep him on the waiver-wire radar. The 28-year-old is 5-4 with a 6.14 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, and 60 strikeouts through 48 1/3 innings. He struck out 11 over six innings against Cleveland on June 19 and followed with 10 strikeouts over six scoreless innings at Detroit on June 25. Then came the reminder of why he is still available. Imai lasted only 1 1/3 innings against Minnesota on July 1, allowing five runs and walking five. His 27.9% strikeout rate is useful, but a 14.0% walk rate and 46.3% hard-hit rate explain the ugly ratios. Imai is rostered in 40% of Yahoo leagues, and RotoBaller lists him as an add in 12-team formats. He fits teams chasing strikeouts, not managers protecting ERA and WHIP.

7 hours ago

Nick Gonzales • 3B • Pirates

Nick Gonzales a Must-Add While the Bat Is This Hot?

Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Nick Gonzales is making it harder to explain why he is still available in so many leagues. He is batting .312 with four home runs, 49 runs, 40 RBI, and four steals through 317 at-bats, and the bat has stayed hot into July. Gonzales is 13-for-27 over his last seven games and 22-for-54 with two homers, 11 runs, and seven RBI over his last 15. The appeal is not just one hot week. Gonzales qualifies at second base, third base, and shortstop in RotoBaller's rankings, which makes the production easier to fit into fantasy lineups. The power is still more useful than exciting, with a 2.8% barrel rate, so managers should not add him expecting a home-run surge. But a .300-plus bat with runs, RBI, a few steals, and that much eligibility should be rostered. Gonzales is at 30% on Yahoo and belongs in 12-team leagues.

7 hours ago

Franklin Arias • SS

Top Boston Prospect Franklin Arias Not Quite Worth a Roster Stash

Boston Red Sox shortstop prospect Franklin Arias is impressing at Double-A this season, but he could be a long way away from making an impact in fantasy leagues. Double-A Portland has been good to the 20-year-old, as he has amassed 17 homers and 47 RBI while hitting .332 with five stolen bases. The numbers are mighty impressive for Boston's top overall prospect, but at just 20 years old, he would likely need a lengthy look at Triple-A before he would make his major league debut. Arias ranks as the No. 4 prospect in the minors at shortstop, but the Venezuelan is most likely to make his debut in Boston next year. He continues to impress in the minors but is likely not worth using a roster spot this season. His name is one to definitely file away as he continues to progress, but next year might be his time to shine on fantasy teams.

7 hours ago

Joshua Báez • RF • Cardinals

Do Joshua Baez's Elite Power Numbers Make Him the Top Stash Target?

St. Louis Cardinals outfield prospect Joshua Baez continues to show off his power with another multi-home run game in the bag already in July. Baez gained notoriety when he hit four home runs in a June game for Triple-A Memphis and has yet to slow down. His overall power numbers at Memphis are elite and some of the best power numbers across all levels of the minor leagues. In all, he is hitting .263 with 28 homers and 69 RBI and has added 14 stolen bases. The numbers seem to scream promotion, but the Cardinals are being extremely patient with the 23-year-old. With the likes of Jordan Walker, Nathan Church, and Lars Nootbaar manning the outfield positions, St. Louis is in good hands at the major league level. They can afford to be patient, but there is not much more to see from Baez before believing he is ready for the next level. Fantasy managers in mid-to-deep leagues would be wise to use a roster spot on Baez now and could potentially reap the rewards later.

7 hours ago

Owen Murphy • SP • Braves

Braves Promote Top Pitching Prospect Owen Murphy, a Top Add in All Leagues?

The Atlanta Braves announced on Monday that they selected the contract of right-handed pitching prospect Owen Murphy from Triple-A Gwinnett and placed left-hander Martin Perez (forearm) on the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move with a left-forearm contusion. Murphy, the team's No. 6 prospect per MLB Pipeline, gets his first major-league call-up after going 5-7 with a 4.44 ERA and 1.26 WHIP with 92 strikeouts and 38 walks in 81 innings in 16 starts this year with Double-A Columbus and Gwinnett. The 6-foot-1, 190-pounder is reportedly set to be a long man out of Atlanta's bullpen to close out the first half of the season, so fantasy managers in redraft leagues can hold off on spending money to pick him up off the waiver wire. In addition, pitching prospect JR Ritchie is back in the big leagues and will continue to feature in a relief role. Murphy's control has been impressive after returning from Tommy John surgery, and he has all the ingredients to be a long-term starting asset for the Braves, but that might not happen full-time until 2027.

8 hours ago

Carlos Rodón • SP • Yankees

Carlos Rodon Expected to be Out Until Mid-August

New York Yankees left-hander Carlos Rodon (elbow) is expected to be out until mid-August with a left-elbow injury, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Rodon doesn't have any structural damage to his UCL, but he's dealing with significant inflammation in his elbow and will be out for at least four to six weeks. It's bad news for the Yankees and Rodon's fantasy managers, obviously, and it's especially concerning after he missed the start of the 2026 season while recovering from surgery last October to remove loose bodies and to shave down a bone spur in the same elbow. The 33-year-old three-time All-Star had his best year in the Bronx in 2025, going 18-9 with a 3.09 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and 203:73 K:BB in 195 1/3 innings pitched. Rodon has gone 4-2 this year with a 3.30 ERA (3.46 FIP) and 1.25 WHIP with 52 K's and 26 walks in 46 1/3 innings across his nine starts. His strikeout rate sits at 26.8%, which is his highest mark since 2022, his lone season with the San Francisco Giants. Rodon should be held in the majority of fantasy leagues where he's rostered.

8 hours ago

Spencer Horwitz • 1B • Pirates

Spencer Horwitz Could Return Shortly After All-Star Break

Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said that first baseman Spencer Horwitz (hamstring) is progressing well in Florida, but he will be sidelined until after the All-Star break next week, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Colin Beazley. However, Horwitz is still expected to come off the 10-day injured list in July, with the hope that it's not too long after the break. The 28-year-old left-handed hitter was placed on the IL on June 25 with a strained left hamstring, but it appears he should be ready to go on a minor-league rehab assignment sooner rather than later. Before landing on the shelf, the former 24th-round pick by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2019 out of Radford University was hitting a strong .280/.386/.455 with an .842 OPS, 10 homers, 33 RBI, 36 runs scored, and a stolen base in his 246 at-bats in his second year in the Steel City. Horwitz needs just three more home runs to set a new career high in the category. He's rostered in 15% of Yahoo leagues while he rehabs.

9 hours ago

Oneil Cruz • CF • Pirates

Oneil Cruz Still Expected to Return in July

Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said that outfielder Oneil Cruz (hand) is progressing well in Florida and is expected to return in July, according to Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Cruz won't make it back from the 10-day injured list before the All-Star break next week, but the Pirates are hoping he'll be back early in the second half later this month. The 27-year-old ditched his cast and resumed baseball activities at the team's complex in Florida last week. Cruz is nearing a minor-league rehab assignment and could be back for fantasy managers near the start of the second half of the season on July 17. The Dominican outfielder and former shortstop is a five-category contributor when healthy, so he should be stashed in all fantasy leagues while he recovers. He will be returning to a .264/.350/.472 slash line, .822 OPS, 14 home runs, 44 RBI, 45 runs scored, and 21 stolen bases when he's reinstated from the IL.

9 hours ago

Jonah Heim • C • Athletics

Jonah Heim Drives in Six, Worth a Short-Term Pickup at Catcher?

Athletics catcher Jonah Heim could be playing regularly in the final week before the All-Star break if Shea Langeliers (thumb) lands on the injured list. Serving as the designated hitter in Sunday's series finale against the visiting Miami Marlins, the 31-year-old veteran had a day to remember at the dish, going 2-for-4 with a grand slam, six RBI, and a strikeout in the team's 9-8 loss at Sutter Health Park. The former All-Star is now hitting .241/.300/.490 with a .790 OPS, nine home runs, 29 RBI, and 20 runs scored in 46 total games this year with the A's and Atlanta Braves. Since joining the A's, he's gone 26-for-106 (.245) with eight home runs, 21 RBI, and 16 runs scored in 34 games across 115 plate appearances. Heim's fantasy value in two-catcher leagues has seen a boost with the move to Sacramento, and he'll be worth a look off the waiver wire if Langeliers is forced to miss additional time due to a thumb injury. As an All-Star in 2023 with the Texas Rangers, Heim hit a career-high 18 homers and drove in 95 in 131 regular-season games.

9 hours ago

Heriberto Hernández • LF • Marlins

Heriberto Hernandez Records Second Multi-Homer Game Against A's

Miami Marlins outfielder Heriberto Hernandez has come on strong since the start of June and recorded his second multi-homer performance in Sunday's 9-8 win over the Athletics at hitter-friendly Sutter Health Park in Sacramento. Hernandez went 3-for-4 at the plate with two solo home runs, a double, two walks, and a strikeout to boost his season average to .234 and his OPS to .771. The 26-year-old second-year outfielder has been a platoon player in the corner outfield spots for Miami in 2026, but he could start to earn regular playing time if he continues to crush baseballs into the second half of the season. Since June 1, Hernandez has gone 24-for-89 (.270) with nine of his 11 home runs on the year, six doubles, 16 RBI, and 16 runs scored in 26 games and 99 plate appearances. Overall, the Dominican outfielder has slashed .234/.314/.457 with 34 RBI, 22 runs scored, and five stolen bases in 184 at-bats. He has slightly lowered his strikeout rate to 22.7% in his second MLB season, and he could start to attract interest in deeper fantasy leagues for his power. Hernandez is rostered in only 2% of Yahoo leagues.

9 hours ago

Rafael Devers • 1B • Giants

Rafael Devers Extends Hitting Streak With Two Homers on Sunday

San Francisco Giants first baseman Rafael Devers went 2-for-5 at the plate with two solo home runs and two RBI on Sunday in the 7-6 loss to the division-rival Colorado Rockies at Coors Field to extend his current hitting streak to nine games. Both of his homers came off starter Tanner Gordon. Devers is locked in at the dish right now, going 12-for-33 (.364) with six home runs, a double, nine RBI, and seven runs scored during his nine-game hitting streak, which began on June 26. The strong recent run from the 29-year-old left-handed-hitting Dominican infielder has boosted his season slash line to .248/.310/.481 with a .791 OPS, 18 home runs, 47 RBI, and 43 runs scored across his 343 at-bats in his first full season with the Giants. Devers has been mentioned as a possible trade target for contending teams this summer, but his big contract could be a deterrent. The three-time All-Star is no longer a lock to give you a high batting average, but he still has enough power from the left side of the plate to be a must-start in all fantasy leagues, even at pitcher-friendly Oracle Park.

9 hours ago

Aaron Ashby • RP • Brewers

Aaron Ashby Still Worth Rostering After Rough June?

Milwaukee Brewers left-handed reliever Aaron Ashby still leads the league with 12 wins in his 42 appearances (one start) over 52 2/3 innings pitched, which has made him rosterable in fantasy despite not having a path to saves in Milwaukee's bullpen. However, the hard-throwing southpaw struggled in his 13 appearances in June, allowing 12 runs (10 earned) on 14 hits (three homers) while walking eight and striking out 17 in 14 innings pitched. He had two wins, a loss, three blown saves, and three holds during that span. Ashby picked up his 12th victory of the year in his first outing in July, but he allowed another earned run in one-third of an inning in his most recent outing on Sunday against the Arizona Diamondbacks for his fifth hold of 2026. The former fourth-rounder in 2018 out of Crowder College has a career-high 30.6% strikeout rate and has obviously been great in the win department for fantasy managers, but his career-high 12.2% walk rate makes him a bit volatile as well. Ashby might pick up a save here or there, but fantasy managers can't necessarily count on the wins continuing to flow. He's rostered in 36% of Yahoo leagues.

9 hours ago

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