MLB News

Lucas Spence • CF • Astros

Astros Call Up Outfield Prospect Lucas Spence on Friday

The Houston Astros announced on Friday that they selected the contract of outfield prospect Lucas Spence from Triple-A Sugar Land and placed outfielder Brice Matthews (knee) on the 10-day injured list with a sprained left knee in a corresponding move. Spence made the start in center field for the Astros and was hitting eighth in his big-league debut against the visiting Baltimore Orioles and right-hander Dean Kremer at Daikin Park. The 23-year-old former undrafted free agent out of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville got the call to the Show after slashing .258/.353/.424 with a .776 OPS, six home runs, 44 RBI, 13 stolen bases, and 36 runs scored in 63 games across 278 plate appearances with the FCL rookie-level Astros, Double-A Corpus Christi, and Sugar Land. The 6-foot, 195-pounder is the team's No. 10 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, and he could help fill Houston's center field void to begin the second half of the season, making him an AL-only consideration off the waiver wire for his on-base skills and speed. There isn't much pop here, though, and he'll almost certainly only play against right-handed pitchers.

4 hours ago

Brendan Donovan • 3B • Mariners

Brendan Donovan Moving his Rehab Assignment to Triple-A

Seattle Mariners infielder/outfielder Brendan Donovan (groin) is moving his minor-league rehab assignment to Triple-A Tacoma on Friday night, according to Shannon Drayer. Donovan is moving to the highest minor-league level after starting a rehab assignment in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League on Wednesday. The 29-year-old German native could require a rather lengthy rehab assignment due to the fact that he's been on the shelf for almost two months with a nagging groin injury. When he's ready to return to Seattle, though, he should play regularly for the M's, most likely as the starting third baseman. Before landing on the 10-day injured list, Donovan was hitting .274/.386/.452 with a career-high .839 OPS, three home runs, eight RBI, nine runs, and a stolen base in just 25 games and 101 plate appearances in a small sample size. With limited power/speed upside, Donovan isn't terribly attractive in fantasy baseball leagues except for his contact abilities, high average, and multi-position eligibility at second base, third base, shortstop, and the outfield. He's currently rostered in just under half of Yahoo leagues. Barring a setback, there's no reason why Donovan shouldn't be back with the big-league squad before August.

4 hours ago

Michael Soroka • SP • Diamondbacks

Michael Soroka Could Return in Early August

Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Michael Soroka (glute) will throw bullpen sessions on Saturday and Tuesday, manager Torey Lovullo told Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic. It could be followed by a simulated game the following Saturday, which would put him in line for a potential return to the starting rotation around the beginning of August. Once he's ready to resume pitching in games, the D-backs plan on having Soroka make at least one minor-league rehab start. The 28-year-old Canadian hurler has been out since June 19 with a glute strain. Before his injury, though, Soroka was in the midst of a career resurgence 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. He's currently rostered in 68% of Yahoo leagues, but fantasy managers in need of rotation help in mixed leagues will want to target him off the waiver wire as his return gets closer. At the very least, Soroka should be a matchup-based streamer down the stretch in fantasy.

4 hours ago

Spencer Schwellenbach • SP • Braves

Spencer Schwellenbach Without a Clear Timetable to Return in 2026

When MLB.com's Mark Bowman asked if it's just a maybe that right-hander Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow) pitches this year, Atlanta Braves manager Walt Weiss said, "I wouldn't say it's inaccurate. I think there is a chance we see both of them (also Spencer Strider) this year. But sitting here today, it's hard to say." Reports surfaced in late June that Schwellenbach could be a candidate to rejoin the Braves' starting rotation in late August or early September, but there haven't been any real updates since then. The 26-year-old is recovering from surgery to remove bone spurs from his right elbow and has yet to pitch at all this year. The fact that we haven't heard of Schwellenbach starting a throwing program could mean that he won't pitch at all for the Braves in 2026. He definitely has a long way to go, which is why he's rostered in only 22% of Yahoo leagues right now. In 38 starts and 234 1/3 innings pitched in his first two years in the big leagues, Schwellenbach has handled himself well, going 15-11 with a 3.23 ERA (3.27 FIP) and 1.01 WHIP with 235 strikeouts and 41 walks for the Braves.

5 hours ago

Spencer Strider • SP • Braves

Spencer Strider Might Not Pitch Again for Braves This Year

When MLB.com's Mark Bowman asked if it's accurate that it feels like right-hander Spencer Strider (elbow) is done for the 2026 season, Atlanta Braves manager Walt Weiss said, "I wouldn't say it's inaccurate. I think there is a chance we see both of them (also Spencer Schwellengach) this year. But sitting here today, it's hard to say." The Braves moved Strider to the 60-day injured list in mid-June after he was initially shut down with inflammation in his right elbow. Dr. Keith Meister recommended that Strider be shut down for a month to rest his elbow, but there hasn't been much of an update since. At the very least, the 27-year-old won't be eligible to return to the Braves' starting rotation until sometime in September if he makes it back at all in 2026. With the uncertainty surrounding the availability of Strider for the rest of the season, it's fair to consider dropping him in single-year leagues, if you haven't already done so. He's currently rostered in just over half of Yahoo leagues after going 4-2 with a 5.31 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, and 46 strikeouts in 39 innings in his first eight starts of the year.

5 hours ago

Sebastian Walcott • SS • Rangers

Sebastian Walcott to Return to Double-A on Friday

Texas Rangers infield prospect Sebastian Walcott (elbow) is expected to serve as the designated hitter and bat leadoff for Double-A Frisco on Friday night against Double-A Tulsa as he returns from the 60-day injured list, according to Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News. The 20-year-old top prospect started a rehab assignment in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League during the All-Star break earlier this week and is now returning to Frisco following an internal-brace surgery on his right elbow. He has been playing catch as well, but it's unclear at this point when exactly he'll be ready to play defense for the Rough Riders. In 124 games across 552 plate appearances last year at Frisco, Walcott hit .255/.355/.386 with a .741 OPS, 13 home runs, 59 RBI, 32 stolen bases, and 71 runs scored at Double-A. The 6-foot-4, 190-pounder is considered the fifth-best shortstop prospect in all of baseball in 2026, and his 40-homer upside at the next level at a premium position makes him a must-stash right now in dynasty/keeper leagues. Walcott's lengthy recovery from elbow surgery means he probably won't debut in the big leagues for the Rangers until next year, though.

5 hours ago

Nathan Eovaldi • SP • Rangers

Nathan Eovaldi Dealing With Illness, Could Start on Sunday

Texas Rangers right-hander Nathan Eovaldi (illness) came in feeling under the weather on Friday, but he could still potentially start in Sunday's series finale in Atlanta against the Braves, according to MLB.com's Kennedi Landry. Fantasy managers will want to check back in on Eovaldi's condition going into Sunday's game to see if he's still on track to start in a less-than-ideal matchup to kick off the second half of his season. The 36-year-old veteran has maintained a high floor for fantasy managers because of his ability to miss bats and throw strikes consistently. Eovaldi finished the first half of the 2026 season with Texas with a 9-7 record, 4.04 ERA (4.02 FIP), and 1.12 WHIP with 120 strikeouts and 26 walks in 111 1/3 innings pitched across 18 starts. Going into the All-Star break, Eovaldi allowed three runs or fewer in each of his final five starts, and he had at least nine punchouts in each of his final four starts before the Midsummer Classic. He'll be a bit riskier against Atlanta on the road, though, if he's still not 100% recovered from his illness.

5 hours ago

Jacob deGrom • SP • Rangers

Jacob deGrom Likely to Return to the Rotation Next Week

Texas Rangers right-hander Jacob deGrom (glute) will throw a bullpen session on Saturday and will likely start one of the games at home against the Chicago White Sox in a series that starts on Monday, according to Kennedi Landry of MLB.com. deGrom, who is no stranger to injuries during his career, suffered a mild left-glute injury before the All-Star break, but he will avoid the injured list and return to the starting rotation for the second series of the second half of the season. The 38-year-old veteran continues to have a tough time staying healthy, but when available, the two-time Cy Young winner has stayed relevant in all fantasy leagues and will take a 7-5 record, 3.49 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and 122 strikeouts over 100 2/3 innings and 18 starts into the second half of the 2026 season. The five-time All-Star will definitely be riskier in starting fantasy lineups in his first start back coming off his glute injury, and the matchup against the suddenly potent White Sox isn't an ideal one. Despite his age, deGrom is offering a strong 30.4% strikeout rate and 5.5% walk rate.

5 hours ago

Geraldo Perdomo • SS • Diamondbacks

Geraldo Perdomo Returns to Friday's Lineup

Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Geraldo Perdomo (hand) is back at the 6 and is hitting second for Friday's series opener against the visiting St. Louis Cardinals and right-hander Michael McGreevy at Chase Field, per MLB.com. Perdomo has been dealing with a recurring left-hand issue recently and had a cortisone injection during the All-Star break, but he's feeling better now and will begin the second half of the season in Arizona's starting lineup. Fantasy managers have to wonder if the 26-year-old switch-hitting Dominican's hand issues have been the reason why he has struggled at the plate in 2026. In 323 at-bats in the first half of 2026, Perdomo had a disappointing .241/.354/.356 slash line with a .710 OPS, only six home runs, 34 RBI, 15 stolen bases, and 46 runs scored in 92 games after a career-high 20 homers, 100 RBI, and 27 steals in 161 contests in a breakout 2025. Fantasy managers are hopeful that Perdomo can pick things up in the second half, but his xBA of .251 and xwOBA of .326 don't point to a massive turnaround coming.

7 hours ago

Julio Rodríguez • CF • Mariners

Julio Rodriguez Remains on Injured List to Begin the Second Half

Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez (concussion) remains on the seven-day concussion injured list for the start of the second half of the season in the team's series finale on Friday against the San Francisco Giants, according to MLB.com. Victor Robles is making the start in center field and will bat eighth for the M's against Giants right-hander Landen Roupp. Rodriguez has been on the shelf with a concussion since July 3, but he could be reinstated by Seattle during the team's homestand to begin the second half. The 25-year-old Dominican center fielder should remain stashed in an IL spot in all fantasy baseball leagues while he recovers from his head injury. When healthy, J-Rod, a three-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger winner, can contribute in all five categories. He finished the first half of 2026 with a .259/.323/.424 slash line, .747 OPS, 14 home runs, 40 RBI, 46 runs scored, and 12 stolen bases across his 344 at-bats. Rodriguez is a rare offensive talent who already has two 30-30 campaigns in his first four years in the majors.

7 hours ago

Will Smith • C • Dodgers

Will Smith Shut Down Again With More Neck Issues

Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith's neck continued to bother him as he tried to ramp up his baseball activities recently, so the Dodgers decided to shut him down again this week, manager Dave Roberts told The California Post's Jack Harris. The Dodgers remain hopeful that Smith can start to ramp up again after this and still expect him to return in 2026. It has quickly turned into a lost season for Smith, who initially was expected to avoid a trip to the injured list because of his neck injury. The 31-year-old veteran and three-time All-Star has been sidelined since June 5, and in a best-case scenario, he probably won't be back with the Dodgers until sometime in mid-August. Remember, the Dodgers have a big lead in the National League West going into the second half of the season this weekend and aren't in a hurry to rush any of their injured stars back. Smith's ongoing neck issues have created a prolonged audition period for backup Dalton Rushing. When healthy, Smith was underwhelming offensively in his 173 at-bats, hitting .249/.338/.382 with six homers, 23 RBI, and 23 runs scored in 52 games.

7 hours ago

Shohei Ohtani • DH • Dodgers

Dodgers Expect Shohei Ohtani to Pitch on Wednesday Against Philadelphia

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that the team expects two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (knee) to make his next start on the mound in Philadelphia on Wednesday against the Phillies, according to Jack Harris of The California Post. The Dodgers kept Ohtani from making his final start on the mound before the All-Star break due to ongoing irritation in his left knee. The four-time MVP had his knee drained just before the All-Star break, and he's not missing any time as a hitter, so fantasy managers shouldn't be too worried going into the second half. It's not an ideal matchup for fantasy purposes for Ohtani in his first start back on the mound, but the six-time All-Star has been a must-start in all leagues when he toes the rubber for the Dodgers. The Japanese sensation has been excellent on the mound in his first 14 starts in 2026, going 8-2 with a 1.79 ERA (2.61 FIP) and 0.95 WHIP with a 95:26 K:BB in 85 2/3 frames.

8 hours ago

Brandon Woodruff • SP • Brewers

Brandon Woodruff's "Outlook Isn't Good"

Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy said the plan is for right-handed veteran Brandon Woodruff (shoulder) to address the media on Sunday regarding his right-shoulder injury, but the skipper said "the outlook isn't good," according to Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "I'm going to let Woody get specific with you and let him be the one to announce what he wants to announce," Murphy said. The 33-year-old veteran has made only nine starts this year due to recurring shoulder problems, and he landed on the injured list in early July with an injury to his right anterior shoulder capsule. It's looking more and more likely that Woodruff could be heading toward another season-ending shoulder surgery, so fantasy managers who have been stashing him might need to be ready to cut him entirely in single-year formats. Despite shoulder issues and a drastic dip in velocity before being shut down again recently, Woodruff had pitched well with a 2.98 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, and 47 strikeouts in 45 1/3 frames across nine starts. Even if surgery isn't needed, the earliest Woodruff can return from the 60-day IL is in September.

8 hours ago

Samuel Basallo • C • Orioles

Samuel Basallo a Priority Catcher Addition for the Second Half?

Baltimore Orioles catcher Samuel Basallo reached the break at .248/.309/.464 with 16 home runs, 46 RBI, and 34 runs in 301 plate appearances. He was only 10-for-48 over his final 15 games, but four of those hits left the yard and he drove in 11. Basallo remains available in half of Yahoo leagues. Baltimore has found room for his bat alongside Adley Rutschman, using Basallo at catcher, first base, and designated hitter. The power checks out: a 91.5 mph average exit velocity, 46.2% hard-hit rate, 13.1% barrel rate, and .482 expected slugging percentage. He does chase too much, at 40.2%, so the average may come and go. That is a manageable trade-off at catcher. RotoBaller ranks Basallo 22nd overall for the weekend, second among catcher pickups, and recommends him in 10-team leagues. He is a priority add for managers still searching for second-half power at the position.

8 hours ago

Jake Bauers • 1B • Brewers

Jake Bauers' Breakout Is Built to Last

Milwaukee Brewers first baseman/outfielder Jake Bauers carried a .268/.373/.508 line, 18 home runs, 56 runs, 59 RBI, and six steals into the break. He had never hit more than 12 homers in a major-league season. This is not hanging on luck alone. Bauers owns a 92.5 mph average exit velocity, 53.1% hard-hit rate, and 14.1% barrel rate, all career highs. Some of it may come back. His .258 expected average and .481 expected slugging percentage sit below the real marks, and Milwaukee still shares first base between Bauers and Andrew Vaughn. Bauers has made himself harder to bench, though. He owns an .809 OPS against left-handers and has also started in both corner-outfield spots. Add a 13.6% walk rate, and the profile still plays even if the average slips. The breakout is real enough to trust for the second half.

8 hours ago

Jake Cronenworth • 2B • Padres

Jake Cronenworth Is a Deep-League Buy After Concussion Return

San Diego Padres second baseman Jake Cronenworth went into the break at .196/.286/.280 with three home runs, 17 runs, 12 RBI, and three steals in 45 games. Awful on its face. He also spent nearly two months on the concussion injured list after a 97 mph fastball hit him in the chin April 18. Cronenworth later described vision problems that made it difficult to track pitches, and he went 4-for-31 before San Diego finally shut him down. The return has been encouraging, not conclusive. Cronenworth hit .333/.349/.500 with two homers, eight RBI, and two steals in 43 July plate appearances before the break. His season-long contact quality still points to a limited ceiling, including an 87.6 mph average exit velocity, 32.4% hard-hit rate, and .345 expected slugging percentage. San Diego expects him to start against right-handers, with lefties potentially trimming the role. That is enough for a deeper-league buy, not a standard-league priority.

8 hours ago

Robert Suarez • RP • Braves

Robert Suarez Plays Catch on the Field on Friday

Atlanta Braves right-handed reliever Robert Suarez (elbow) played toss at Truist Park on Friday before the series opener against the visiting Texas Rangers, according to Harrison Smajovits of Sports Illustrated. Suarez's return isn't imminent, but he's slowly working his way back after landing on the 15-day injured list almost a month ago with inflammation in his right elbow. The next step for Suarez will be getting back on a mound and facing live hitters before going on a minor-league rehab assignment. He almost certainly won't be ready to rejoin the back end of Atlanta's bullpen until at least early August. The 35-year-old veteran Venezuelan hurler only has four saves in his first year in Atlanta in 2026 after racking up 76 saves the previous two seasons with the San Diego Padres, but he has still been plenty useful in fantasy as a setup man with a 4-0 record, 0.56 ERA (2.44 FIP), 0.84 WHIP, and 26:6 K:BB in 32 innings in Atlanta. Suarez is now rostered in under half of Yahoo leagues, but he can definitely help your pitching ratios in deeper fantasy leagues when he's ready to return.

8 hours ago

José Ramírez • 3B • Guardians

Jose Ramirez Could Skip Rehab Assignment

Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez (left hand) is progressing well and may be activated without a minor-league rehab assignment. Ramirez had surgery June 16 to remove the hook of a fractured left hamate bone, and the club originally expected him to miss about six weeks. There is still no firm return date, but even discussing a direct jump back to Cleveland is a good sign. Ramirez was batting .239/.339/.418 with 10 homers, 42 runs, 33 RBI, and 24 steals through 72 games before the injury. Fantasy managers should keep him locked into an IL spot. Gabriel Arias was activated when Ramirez went down and has covered most of the work at third base, but that playing time will dry up once the Guardians star is cleared.

8 hours ago

Corey Seager • SS • Rangers

Corey Seager Doing Straight-Line Running on Friday

Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager (back) is doing some straight-line jogging/running on the field at Truist Park on Friday before the team's series opener against the Atlanta Braves, according to Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News. Between injuries and poor performance at the plate, it has been an extremely disappointing year for the 32-year-old veteran shortstop. Seager has played in just four games since June 11 due to a concussion, and more recently, inflammation in his lower back that put him back on the injured list. There's no current timetable for his return, and given his health issues in 2026, fantasy managers who have been stashing him shouldn't expect Seager to be back with the Rangers until August. The five-time All-Star and three-time Silver Slugger winner has struggled to a .182/.292/.374 slash line with a .667 OPS, 10 home runs, 25 RBI, 28 runs scored, and one steal in his 187 at-bats this year when healthy. Seager can bounce back if he can finally get fully healthy, but at this point, fantasy managers have to be wondering if that will happen in the second half. He's currently rostered in 81% of Yahoo leagues.

9 hours ago

Kyle Harrison • SP • Brewers

Kyle Harrison Planning to Throw a Bullpen on Saturday

Milwaukee Brewers left-hander Kyle Harrison (elbow) had an MRI exam over the All-Star break "because it gives me the confidence to just hit it in the second half, full speed ahead," according to MLB.com's Adam McCalvy. Harrison will get a reading from the doctor shortly and is planning to throw his first bullpen session on Saturday afternoon. It sounds like Harrison should be cleared of any structural damage in his left elbow after he was put on the 15-day injured list last weekend due to left-elbow tightness. The 24-year-old southpaw doesn't have a firm timetable to rejoin Milwaukee's starting rotation at this time, but barring a setback as he begins to ramp back up, he could be back in early August. Harrison is rostered in 83% of Yahoo leagues while he rehabs after a strong first half in his first year with the Brew Crew, going 8-2 with a 3.01 ERA (3.10 FIP) and 1.08 WHIP with 101 strikeouts and only 20 walks in 83 2/3 innings across his 17 starts. Given the state of the Brewers' banged-up starting rotation, Harrison will be inserted back into a starting role when he's cleared to return.

9 hours ago

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