MLB News

Louis Varland • RP • Blue Jays

Louis Varland Could Keep Strong Run Going in Second Half

Toronto Blue Jays right-handed reliever Louis Varland has been one of the biggest surprises in fantasy baseball as a closer through the first half of the season, going 3-3 with a 1.10 ERA (1.43 FIP), 0.98 WHIP, his first 19 career saves, 67 strikeouts, and 13 walks in 49 innings pitched to become a first-time All-Star. The 28-year-old has yet to blow a save so far in 2026, which could lead many to believe that he's due for plenty of regression in the second half in his first full season with the Blue Jays. However, with the third-best xwOBA (.223) among all pitchers in baseball, Varland's underlying metrics back up his strong first-half showing. The former 15th-rounder by the Minnesota Twins in 2019 out of Concordia University has allowed five earned runs on 12 hits (one homer) in 18 innings since the start of June, but he's also struck out 25, walked four, and recorded 11 saves during that span. Varland's expected ERA of 2.04 predicts some regression coming, but not enough to consider him a true sell-high candidate as a closer in fantasy. His hard-hit rate sits in the 64th percentile, and his barrel rate is in the 98th percentile. When you combine that with a strikeout rate in the 99th percentile, you have an elite closer.

4 hours ago

Logan Henderson • SP • Brewers

Logan Henderson a Must-Add Pitcher Off the Waiver Wire

Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Logan Henderson missed some time due to a back injury in the first half of the season, but he returned last Thursday with a promising outing against the division-rival St. Louis Cardinals, allowing three runs with one walk and four strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings to improve to 3-1 on the year. The 24-year-old finished the first half with a strong 3.18 ERA (2.46 FIP) and 0.99 WHIP with 34 strikeouts and only seven walks in 28 1/3 innings across his six starts. So far in his 11 big-league starts since debuting with Milwaukee in 2025, Henderson is 6-1 with a 2.52 ERA (2.72 FIP), 0.99 WHIP, and 67:15 K:BB in 53 2/3 innings. It's not a large sample size, but you can't complain about the results, and he should have a strong hold on a rotation spot for the Brew Crew for the rest of the season. The former fourth-rounder in 2021 out of McLennan Community College is one of the best starting pitching options off the waiver wire entering his first start of the second half on Friday versus the Miami Marlins, and he's rostered in under 60% of Yahoo leagues at the moment.

4 hours ago

Esmerlyn Valdez • RF • Pirates

Esmerlyn Valdez a Breakout Rookie to Target on the Waiver Wire

Pittsburgh Pirates rookie outfielder/first baseman Esmerlyn Valdez has taken the league by storm through his first 28 games and 105 plate appearances, hitting .309/.371/.713 with a 1.084 OPS, 10 home runs, 27 RBI, and 21 runs for the Bucs. It all came to a head for the 22-year-old Dominican last weekend in a doubleheader sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers, when he finished the day 4-for-8 with three home runs and eight RBI. Valdez is looking to keep up his hot month of July when the second half starts on Friday. In 11 games so far in July, he has gone 14-for-46 (.304) with four home runs, two doubles, a triple, 15 RBI, and 11 runs scored. Per MLB Pipeline, Valdez is Pittsburgh's No. 9 prospect. The 6-foot-2, 234-pounder made a concerted effort to improve his conditioning and approach at the plate in the last year, and it's really showing up during his MLB debut in 2026. Valdez's glove is nothing special, but if he keeps hitting like this, the Pirates will continue to run him out there every day. He won't be able to keep up his current pace through the rest of the season, but Valdez is one of the hottest young power bats to target going into the second half in fantasy leagues. The 22-year-old is currently rostered in 60% of Yahoo leagues, so he's still widely available.

5 hours ago

Christian Scott • SP • Mets

Christian Scott Can't be Ignored After Strong Start to Second Half

New York Mets right-hander Christian Scott was already on RotoBaller's waiver watch list going into the All-Star break, and he should now be a priority pickup after picking up his third win of the season on Thursday night in the victory over the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies. Scott threw 5 2/3 shutout innings with three hits allowed, no walks, and seven strikeouts to lower his season ERA to 2.87. The 27-year-old still has not gone six innings in any of his 13 starts for the Mets this year, but fantasy managers need to remember this is his first full season back from Tommy John surgery. The former fifth-rounder in 2021 out of the University of Florida has looked great so far in his second big-league season otherwise, though, and even though his walk rate is a tad high at 10.3%, it's been nice to see his strikeout rate jump to 28.5%, up from 19.8% in his rookie season in 2024. Fantasy managers may want to avoid Scott in his next scheduled outing against the first-place Milwaukee Brewers, but if he impresses in that matchup, he'll be the hottest pitcher on the waiver wire. Scott is currently rostered in only 22% of Yahoo leagues.

5 hours ago

Junior Caminero • 3B • Rays

Junior Caminero Back in Lineup for Game 1 of Doubleheader

Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero (hand) is starting at third base and is batting third for Game 1 of a doubleheader on Friday against the division-rival Boston Red Sox and rookie left-hander Jake Bennett at Fenway Park, according to MLB.com. Caminero was involved in a scary scene during Tuesday's All-Star Game when he was hit by a pitch from St. Louis Cardinals closer Riley O'Brien on his left hand, but thankfully, X-rays came back negative, and he's ready to go for the start of the second half of the season. Fantasy managers will want to get Caminero back into their starting lineups for the weekend, although there's a good chance he'll be rested for Game 2 of the doubleheader. The 23-year-old is currently tied for fourth in the big leagues with 28 home runs through the first half, and he's slashing .279/.372/.555 with a .927 OPS, 59 RBI, 61 runs scored, and two stolen bases across 355 at-bats. The Dominican third baseman has only five career at-bats against Bennett, but he's hitting .400 with a .900 OPS in the small sample size.

5 hours ago

Edwin Díaz • RP • Dodgers

Edwin Diaz to Make Another Rehab Outing on Friday

Los Angeles Dodgers right-handed closer Edwin Diaz (elbow) is scheduled to make another minor-league rehab appearance with the Single-A Ontario Tower Buzzers on Friday, July 17, according to the team. Diaz will move to a higher minor-league affiliate after appearing in two rehab games in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League earlier this week. The 32-year-old veteran has been sidelined since late April after having surgery to remove loose bodies in his right elbow, but he's nearing a return and should be back in the Dodgers' bullpen before the end of July. Most likely, the Dodgers will want to see Diaz appear on back-to-back days before they officially reinstate him from the 60-day injured list. His fastball was sitting around 96-98 mph in the ACL, which is a good sign he's close to being back to 100%. Diaz might be eased in initially, but he should return to being L.A.'s primary ninth-inning option despite his ugly 10.50 ERA and 2.33 WHIP from his first six innings before elbow surgery. Diaz is rostered in 83% of Yahoo leagues, so he should be scooped up immediately if he's available.

5 hours ago

Ronald Acuña Jr. • RF • Braves

Ronald Acuna Jr. Moving his Rehab to Triple-A

The Atlanta Braves announced on Friday that they are moving outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr.'s (hamstring) minor-league rehab assignment to Triple-A Gwinnett. Acuna started a rehab assignment in the rookie-level Florida Complex League during the All-Star break this week and went 1-for-7 with a grand slam in three games played while serving as the designated hitter. The former MVP will now move to the highest minor-league level and will presumably work back into the outfield before the Braves reinstate him from the 10-day injured list, potentially early next week. The 28-year-old Venezuelan still has elite five-category potential for fantasy managers when he's healthy, but he's been sidelined two separate times in 2026 with hamstring issues. It has led to a disappointing .251/.373/.421 line with seven home runs, 22 RBI, 15 stolen bases, and 31 runs scored in his 195 at-bats. Acuna's buy-low window remains open, and he could be a difference-maker in the second half if he can stay off the IL for a third time this year. But fantasy managers holding Acuna through his injuries this year are probably still going to want a lot in return in any trade.

5 hours ago

Max Fried • SP • Yankees

Max Fried to Make a Rehab Start at Triple-A on Friday

New York Yankees left-hander Max Fried (elbow) will make a minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Friday, the RailRiders announced. Fried will be making his first start in a game since being shut down in mid-May with a bone bruise in his left elbow. Because of his lengthy absence, the 32-year-old veteran southpaw is likely to need a couple more rehab starts in the minors before rejoining New York's starting rotation near the end of July or in early August. Fantasy managers in all leagues must continue stashing the former first-rounder until then, as he could be a difference-maker as an ace for the remainder of the season if he can avoid any further injuries. Fried went 4-3 with a 3.21 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, and 50 strikeouts in 61 2/3 innings in his first 10 starts in 2026 before landing on the injured list. He was an All-Star for the third time in his career in 2025 in his first year in the Bronx, winning a league-high 19 games while posting a 2.86 ERA (3.07 FIP) and 1.10 WHIP with a career-high 189 strikeouts and 51 walks in 32 regular-season starts.

5 hours ago

Jacob Misiorowski • SP • Brewers

Jacob Misiorowski Likely to Start During Mets Series

Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Jacob Misiorowski is likely to return to the team's starting rotation during the series against the New York Mets from July 20-22, according to Jon Morosi of the MLB Network. Misiorowski came down with some right-arm fatigue after his start against the division-rival St. Louis Cardinals on July 7, prompting the Brewers to skip the hard-throwing right-hander's final turn of the first half of the season last Sunday. The Miz also won't pitch during this weekend's series against the Miami Marlins, but it looks like he'll rejoin the rotation next week in a great matchup against New York. However, with Misiorowski already coming up on a career high in innings pitched, fantasy managers should expect the Brew Crew to find more creative ways to limit his innings as the second half goes on. Even though the 24-year-old two-time All-Star leads the league with a 1.62 ERA, 2.09 FIP, 0.76 WHIP, and 167 strikeouts, fantasy managers in redraft leagues may want to consider selling high for that reason. Misiorowski is an absolute must-start every time he toes the rubber as long as he's healthy.

5 hours ago

Michael Arroyo • SS • Mariners

Michael Arroyo Off to Hot Start at Triple-A, In Position for Late-Season MLB Debut

Seattle Mariners infield prospect Michael Arroyo was recently promoted to the Triple-A club and has not slowed down since moving up to the top ranks. Thorugh is first six contests with Tacoma, the team's No. 4 prospect has held a .346/.406/.731 line with a dominant 1.137 OPS. During this stretch, Arroyo has launched two long balls and swiped two bags. He spent the majority of the first half with Double-A Arkansas, where he carried a .287/.364/.456 line with 12 doubles, 10 home runs, and 13 stolen bases. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues should continue to pay close attention to his production as he has put himself firmly on the stash radar. He may only need a brief seasoning at this level before being given the green light to join the Mariners for the final stretch.

5 hours ago

Ethan Salas • C • Padres

Ethan Salas Reclaiming Dynasty Value in Bounce-Back Season

San Diego Padres catching prospect Ethan Salas saw his value take a hit during the 2025 season when he appeared in only 10 games due to injury. However, Salas had spent the entire 2026 season at Double-A and had rebounded quite nicely. Across 63 contests with San Antonio this season, the backstop has posted a strong .284/.353/.422 slash line with a .775 OPS. During this campaign, the catcher has gone deep seven times and has even chipped in 14 stolen bases. In his last full season (2024), Salas posted a .206/.288/.311 line with only four home runs and a mere 10 stolen bases. Seeing him not only rebound from his injury but produce career-best marks against tougher pitching is an excellent sign. The team's top-ranked prospect could earn a late-season call to Triple-A if he maintains this trajectory.

5 hours ago

James Triantos • 2B • Cubs

James Triantos Entering Stash Territory Amid Torrid Triple-A Stretch

Chicago Cubs second base prospect James Triantos has enjoyed an impressive stretch at the Triple-A level and has put himself on the stash radar for those in deeper formats. Since June 1, Triantos has posted a dominant .358/.403/.515 line with a sharp .918 OPS. During this noted stretch, Triantos has hit 12 doubles, three home runs, five stolen bases, and a 17:9 K:BB. On the season, the No. 8-ranked prospect in the Chicago system has carried a dominant .311/.349/.448 line with 22 doubles, seven home runs, and 18 stolen bases. However, what kept him in Iowa is Chicago's depth in the middle infield. Even though Nico Hoerner and Dansby Swanson have not had the most productive seasons, they remain the clear top options on the depth chart. However, if one were to miss time with an injury, Triantos would enter must-stash territory given his five-category upside.

6 hours ago

Brody Hopkins • RP • Rays

Brody Hopkins Sees Struggles Linger as MLB Debut Appears Increasingly Unlikely

Tampa Bay Rays right-handed pitching prospect Brody Hopkins was expected to be in serious contention to make his MLB debut this summer. However, the No. 4-ranked prospect in the system has struggled to show consistency at Durham, which has prevent hm form eanring the call. Since June 1 (his last 23 2/3 innings), Hopkins has posted a rough 7.23 ERA with a 32:27 K:BB. While he has allowed no runs in three of these outings, he surrendered a hefty 19 runs in the other four. Additionally, Hopkins has struggled to avoid high counts, inflating his walk rate. Through 71 2/3 innings on the season, Hopkins has allowed a high 70 free passes with a 1.65 WHIP. While an injury to the Tampa rotation could open the door, given his inconsistencies, the Rays are unlikely to call his name down the stretch.

6 hours ago

Ike Irish • C • Orioles

Ike Irish Pushing for Late-Season Promotion to Double-A

Baltimore Orioles catching prospect Ike Irish has had a productive debut season at High-A but has begun to take a massive step forward over the last month. Over his most recent 20 contests (since June 16), the Auburn product has posted a stellar .321/.438/.526 line with five doubles, one triple, three home runs and seven stolen bases. More importantly, during this stretch, the young catcher has shown a strong eye at the dish, holding a 14:15 K:BB. In comparison, the 19th overall pick from last summer's draft carried a much lower .240/.349/.464 line with a .813 OPS, 10 home runs and 10 stolen bases over the first 50 games of the campaign. Dynasty managers should continue to monitor his progress as the 22-year-old will continue to emerge as one of the game's top young catchers.

6 hours ago

Roldy Brito • 3B • Rockies

Rockies to Promote Top Third Base Prospect Roldy Brito to High-A

The Colorado Rockies are moving up top third base prospect Roldy Brito to High-A Spokane. Brito is currently viewed as the team's No. 3 overall prospect and the No. 71 prospect in the sport on MLB.com. The 19-year-old made his professional debut in the Colorado system during the 2024 season in the DSL but moved to the Arizona Complex League and Low-A in 2025. During the season, Brito appeared in 84 games and carried a .371/.444/.516 slash line, 20 doubles, four home runs, and 35 stolen bases. This summer, Brito posted a sharp .896 OPS with an impressive eight home runs and 18 stolen bases through 79 games with Low-A. While his MLB debut is likely two seasons away, he's emerging as a worthy stash target in dynasty leagues.

6 hours ago

Cam Cannarella • CF • Marlins

Cam Cannarella Moving Up to Triple-A After Impressive First-Half

The Miami Marlins are promoting outfield prospect Cam Cannarella to Triple-A Jacksonville, according to Fish on First. Cannarella is viewed as the team's No. 7 overall prospect on MLB.com and has turned in an impressive showing with High-A and Low-A over the opening months of the season. Cannarella opened the campaign with High-A, but needed only 19 games to prove he was ready to join the upper levels. With High-A, Cannarella posted a .394/.439/.577 slash line with three doubles and two stolen bases. Since joining Double-A, the Clemson product has carried a .344/.453/.607 line with a stellar 1.060 OPS, nine home runs and eight stolen bases. If he maintains this pace at Jacksonville, a late August MLB debut could be in play for the budding outfielder.

6 hours ago

Francisco Alvarez • C • Mets

Francisco Alvarez Gets Off to Good Start in Second Half With Two Homers

New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez made his presence felt out of the nine-hole to kick off the second half of the 2026 season on Thursday night at Citizens Bank Park in a 4-1 win over the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies. Alvarez went 2-for-3 at the plate with two solo home runs, a walk, and a strikeout to boost his season average to .259 and his OPS to .773. Since returning from a torn meniscus in his knee, Alvarez has been swinging a hot bat, hitting .280 with seven home runs and 14 RBI in 100 at-bats. His multi-homer performance on Thursday was his first of the season and the seventh of his career. The Venezuelan backstop is now hitting .259/.325/.448 with 11 home runs and 24 RBI in 236 plate appearances for the Mets. Fantasy managers who need power at catcher can find Alvarez widely available off the waiver wire, as he's currently rostered in only 18% of Yahoo leagues. Injuries have been a big part of the 24-year-old's career so far, but don't forget that he hit 25 long balls in only 123 games in his first full season in 2023. He has already matched his homer total in each of the last two seasons.

16 hours ago

Zac Gallen • SP • Diamondbacks

Zac Gallen Awaiting Second Opinions on his Elbow

Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said that right-hander Zac Gallen (elbow) is waiting on second opinions after landing on the 15-day injured list last week with inflammation in his right elbow, according to Alex D'Agostino of Sports Illustrated. "Gallen, we're continuing to evaluate," Lovullo said. "He is waiting for other opinions from other doctors. So we'll just keep putting that off until we get everything complete." Second opinions typically aren't a great sign for injured players, although it's too early to speculate if Gallen will need something severe like season-ending Tommy John surgery. Still, it's more bad news for the 30-year-old former third-rounder by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2016 out of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill after a rough first half of the season in his eighth year in the big leagues. Gallen is rostered in just over 30% of Yahoo leagues now after going 3-9 in his first 19 starts (98 innings) with a career-worst 6.34 ERA (5.31 FIP) and 1.56 WHIP with 61 strikeouts and 31 walks. It's hard to recommend holding him in mixed fantasy leagues if a lengthy stay on the injured list is coming.

16 hours ago

Michael Soroka • SP • Diamondbacks

Michael Soroka Not Expected to Return Right After All-Star Break

Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Michael Soroka (glute) threw a bullpen session on Tuesday, but he's not expected to return immediately following this week's All-Star break, according to Sports Illustrated's Alex D'Agostino. Soroka has been on the 15-day injured list since June 19. He's making progress, but he will likely require a minor-league rehab assignment before rejoining Arizona's starting rotation. With Zac Gallen (elbow) also on the IL to start the second half of the season, right-hander Jose Cabrera could be called up to make another couple of spot starts for the Snakes. The 28-year-old Soroka was having a career resurgence in the first half of 2026 before getting hurt in his first year in the desert, going 8-3 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 for Arizona. Soroka should become a popular streamer once again in fantasy when he's healthy, but that might not be until early August.

16 hours ago

Geraldo Perdomo • SS • Diamondbacks

Geraldo Perdomo Receives Cortisone Shot, D-Backs Not Worried

Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said that shortstop Geraldo Perdomo (hand) received a cortisone shot to address a nagging hand injury that arose during the team's series in San Diego against the division-rival Padres, but the skipper didn't sound worried, according to Alex D'Agostino of Sports Illustrated. "He battles hand issues throughout the course of the year, ever since we've had him," Lovullo said. "I was told it's not going to hinder him whatsoever." Perdomo posted an image of his left hand bandaged up, but it doesn't appear to be a situation that will land him on the injured list to start the second half of the season. Fantasy managers will want to make sure to check Arizona's lineup for Friday's series opener versus the St. Louis Cardinals. The 26-year-old Dominican shortstop has had a down year in 2026 after hitting .290 with a career-high 20 home runs, 100 RBI, and 27 steals in 161 games. Perdomo has a .241/.354/.356 slash line with a .710 OPS, only six homers, 34 RBI, 15 steals, and 46 runs in 92 games going into the second half of 2026.

16 hours ago

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