MLB News

Ezequiel Tovar • SS • Rockies

Ezequiel Tovar's July Slump Has Erased His Mixed-League Appeal

Colorado Rockies shortstop Ezequiel Tovar went hitless again Tuesday, finishing 0-for-4 with two strikeouts from the bottom of the order. He is now 1-for-13 since the All-Star break and 7-for-48 (.146) in July. The season line has fallen to .195 with eight home runs, 33 runs, 32 RBI, and five steals across 328 at-bats. Colorado continues to start Tovar, but he has batted ninth in all four games since the break. Everyday at-bats only go so far when the production looks like this. His 26-homer season in 2024 leaves some rebound hope for deeper formats, though fantasy managers have already waited through nearly four months. Tovar remains rostered in 35% of Yahoo leagues despite falling out of RotoBaller's current top-100 waiver rankings. He can be left alone in standard mixed leagues.

4 hours ago

Jacob Melton • LF • Rays

Jacob Melton Remains a Stash Consideration for Stolen Base Potential

Tampa Bay Rays outfield prospect Jacob Melton is hitting .327 at Triple-A Durham since his return from the injured list back on June 24, with four doubles, three home runs, three steals, and a 7:11 BB:K over 13 games. For the season, the former second-rounder is hitting .272 with a solid .377 on-base percentage thanks to a 14.4 percent walk rate. The slugging percentage is good, too, at .500, but it is the speed that makes him intriguing for fantasy. The Rays' fifth-ranked prospect has swiped 20 bases in just 33 games for the Bulls, utilizing his 90th-percentile sprint speed. The 6-foot-2 slugger debuted with the Astros in 2025, showing off his speed then as well, with seven steals during his limited action. The 25-year-old could get the call to the majors again in the coming weeks, and with his speed, he's one of the top stash options for steals, with the potential to hit for a decent average and a little bit of pop to go along with it.

4 hours ago

Garrett Whitlock • RP • Red Sox

Garrett Whitlock's 12-Appearance Scoreless Run Adds Value Beyond Saves

Boston Red Sox right-handed reliever Garrett Whitlock worked a perfect eighth inning in Monday's 6-5 win over Baltimore, striking out one and earning his fifth victory. It was his 12th straight scoreless appearance. Whitlock has allowed four hits and no walks over 11 1/3 innings during that run, with 10 strikeouts. His season numbers are just as useful: a 2.00 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 39 strikeouts, and two saves across 36 innings. Aroldis Chapman remains Boston's closer and recorded his 22nd save Monday, so Whitlock is not an immediate ninth-inning play. He is still the direct backup and one of the better ratio relievers available. Whitlock is rostered in 24% of Yahoo leagues. That makes him a strong add in deeper formats and leagues that count holds, where the clean innings, strikeouts, and occasional wins already carry value. Any additional saves would be a bonus.

4 hours ago

Hagen Smith • SP • White Sox

Hagen Smith's Command Woes Persist, but 2026 MLB Debut Still Likely

Chicago White Sox pitching prospect Hagen Smith returned to action on Sunday, coming out of the bullpen for one inning of relief for Triple-A Charlotte. While the lefty struck out two batters in the inning, he also allowed a hit and yielded three walks, so there are still some improvements to be made. Chicago's top pitching prospect missed over a month with a left shoulder impingement, but had been struggling to find consistency, and the command has been a problem all year. The southpaw owned a 2.82 ERA and 1.25 WHIP over his first seven starts, but those numbers ballooned to 6.16 and 1.60, respectively, over the last seven, with nearly a 17 percent walk rate in both halves. Even so, the strikeout rate sits in the 93rd percentile, so if he can make some refinements, a debut in the second half is well within reach. As such, the 22-year-old is still probably one of the more promising arms to stash in most fantasy leagues.

4 hours ago

Jett Williams • SS • Brewers

Jett Williams' MLB Debut on Hold With Wrist Injury

Milwaukee Brewers infield/outfield prospect Jett Williams (wrist) remains shelved with a wrist injury that the team considers minor, according to manager Pat Murphy. Though he hasn't been placed on the injured list, the Brewers' fifth-ranked prospect hasn't seen game action since July 7, a game in which he went 0-for-3. Prior to that hitless outing, the former first-rounder had been riding a nine-game hit streak, during which time he went 13-for-34 (.382) with a pair of doubles, a triple, six steals, and a 6:6 BB:K, so the injury came just when he was heating up. The right-handed hitter is hitting just .234 on the year, but a 13.1 percent walk rate has helped him to a solid .341 on-base percentage, while hitting nine home runs and stealing 21 bags in 80 games for the Sounds. If he can return to action soon, a debut in the majors may not be far behind, and his positional versatility could help get him there, with the ability to play 2B, 3B, SS, and center field. Similar versatility is available on Yahoo! (2B, SS, OF), and while decent pop with some speed makes him intriguing for fantasy, the 22-year-old is really only stashworthy in deeper 12-team and NL-only leagues.

4 hours ago

Walbert Ureña • SP • Angels

Walbert Urena's Triple-Digit Heat Is Worth the Walk Risk

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Walbert Urena gave St. Louis one run over six innings Tuesday, July 21, allowing six hits and one walk while striking out five. The velocity was the headline. Urena threw 16 pitches at 100 mph or harder in the first inning and reached 101.5. He is now 6-7 with a 2.78 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, and 83 strikeouts across 87 1/3 innings. The walks still make him uncomfortable to trust every time out. Urena has issued 47 of them, a 4.8 BB/9, and there will be starts when the traffic catches up with him. A 34% roster rate on Yahoo leaves plenty of room to add the 22-year-old, though. RotoBaller has him in its 12-team range, and the combination of velocity, strikeouts, and continued rotation work is worth chasing. Just do not treat him as matchup-proof.

4 hours ago

Reynaldo López • SP • Braves

Reynaldo Lopez Is Now a Matchup Play After Another Rough Start

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Reynaldo Lopez took another hit Tuesday, July 21, allowing five earned runs on nine hits and three walks over 4 1/3 innings in an 8-3 loss to San Diego. He did strike out six, but Jackson Merrill and Manny Machado both took him deep. Lopez now owns a 3.95 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, and 60 strikeouts over 66 innings. St. Louis had already tagged him for four runs over five innings in his previous start, leaving nine earned runs and 14 hits across the last two. Atlanta is still using Lopez in the rotation, though he has not completed more than five innings since moving back into that role June 26. Lopez is on 24% of Yahoo rosters, and RotoBaller has dropped him to its 15-team range. The SP/RP eligibility helps. In standard mixed leagues, he is now a matchup play rather than someone who needs to be held.

4 hours ago

Cade Cavalli • SP • Nationals

Cade Cavalli Is Worth Holding Despite His Coors Field Matchup

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Cade Cavalli is scheduled to face the Rockies at Coors Field on Wednesday, July 22. That is a rough spot, and fantasy managers do not have to force him into their lineups. Cavalli is 6-4 with a 3.78 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, and 119 strikeouts over 104 2/3 innings. The right-hander has been sharper lately, posting a 3.60 ERA and 1.06 WHIP with 43 strikeouts against seven walks across his last seven starts. He also fanned nine without issuing a walk over six innings against the Athletics on Friday. Cavalli is now rostered in 48% of Yahoo leagues, while RotoBaller still places him in its 12-team range. The Coors matchup is dangerous. The season-long strikeout production is worth holding onto beyond one start.

5 hours ago

James Tibbs III • RF • Dodgers

James Tibbs III Continues to Make Case for MLB Debut

Los Angeles Dodgers outfield prospect James Tibbs III continues to produce while biding his time at Triple-A Oklahoma City in wait of an MLB call-up. The Dodgers' ninth-ranked prospect is 9-for-22 (.409) over his last seven games, including a pair of doubles and a 3:2 BB:K. The former first-round draft pick has put together a solid overall campaign, slashing .289/.408/.549 with 21 home runs and a 16.3 percent walk rate, with the second-most RBI (72) and runs scored (75) in the Pacific Coast League. He's gone an uncharacteristic 15 games without a home run, but with average exit velocity, barrel, and hard-hit rates all in the 90th percentile or better, his 22nd round-tripper of the year shouldn't be far off. On any other team, the left-handed hitter likely would have debuted by now, but with a healthy big league outfield and a glut of talented outfield options in the minors who are already on the 40-man roster, Tibbs' debut will have to wait. Still, the 23-year-old is one of the better stash options out there with the bat and the surrounding cast to be productive whenever he gets the call.

5 hours ago

Lane Thomas • CF • Royals

Lane Thomas Has Turned Everyday At-Bats Into Mixed-League Value

Kansas City Royals outfielder Lane Thomas is no longer just a platoon bat. Since Kyle Isbel (foot) landed on the injured list June 10, Thomas has hit .262/.331/.524 with seven home runs and 12 doubles across 126 plate appearances. He is playing against righties and lefties now, usually in a prominent lineup spot. The full-season line sits at .240 with nine homers, 34 RBI, 29 runs, and five steals over 250 at-bats. Only 11% of Yahoo leagues have Thomas rostered. That is still low for an everyday outfielder offering some power, a little speed, and enough on-base ability to keep the counting stats moving. Isbel began a rehab assignment Tuesday, so the outfield will get crowded again. Thomas has done too much with the opportunity to simply fall back into a strict platoon. He is a worthwhile mixed-league pickup while the role and production are both working.

5 hours ago

Julio Rodríguez • CF • Mariners

Julio Rodriguez Returns to Mariners Lineup on Wednesday

Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez (leg) is serving as the designated hitter and will bat second for the team's game on Wednesday at home against the visiting Cincinnati Reds and right-hander Brady Singer, per MLB.com. Rodriguez was hit in the leg by a throw while running to first base on Monday night in the series opener against the Reds and was held out on Tuesday as a precaution, although he eventually entered the game and homered last night. The 25-year-old Dominican outfielder should be returned to starting fantasy lineups in all leagues now that he's recovered from his minor leg injury. The three-time All-Star and former American League Rookie of the Year in 2022 is currently hitting .258/.321/.426 with a .746 OPS, 15 home runs, 43 RBI, 48 runs scored, and 12 stolen bases in 91 games across 393 plate appearances in 2026. A third 30-30 season might not be in the cards for J-Rod this year due to injuries, but he is still a no-brainer must-start in all leagues when he's active. Rodriguez has struggled so far in July, going 3-for-13 with a homer, three RBI, two runs, two walks, and four strikeouts in just five games played after missing some time while on the concussion injured list.

5 hours ago

Jacob Webb • RP • Cubs

Jacob Webb Remains the Closer to Roster in Chicago

Across 43 1/3 innings (44 games) in 2026, Chicago Cubs right-hander Jacob Webb has recorded a 3-2 record with a 2.91 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 50 strikeouts, and five saves. The 32-year-old has begun to emerge as Chicago's preferred ninth-inning option in July, logging three saves across seven outings so far this month. Cubs closer Daniel Palencia (elbow) is expected to return from his current elbow injury in mid-August, so Webb's fantasy value as a source of saves could be relatively short-lived. Still, he's performed well in the role so far, and his 27% strikeout rate backs up his strong results. For fantasy managers in need of a short-term saves solution, Webb profiles as a priority waiver wire target.

7 hours ago

Luke Adams • 3B • Brewers

Luke Adams Gets Back on Track With Multi-Hit Performance

Milwaukee Brewers corner infield prospect Luke Adams went 2-for-4 with a run scored on Tuesday, getting back to pre-All-Star-break form. The Brewers' 11th-ranked prospect was 9-for-20 (.450) in the six-game lead-up to the break, but came out of the break just 1-for-11 (.091) before Tuesday night's multi-hit effort. The former 12th-rounder missed over a month earlier this season due to injury, but has been productive when on the field, recording a .952 OPS, .416 wOBA, and 147 wRC+ in the 45 games he's played for Nashville. With 12 home runs on the season and plenty of power metrics ranking in the 84th percentile or better, there's ample fantasy intrigue in his bat, which makes for a potential stash candidate in deeper 14-team and NL-only leagues, but there is no current opening on the MLB roster at the moment, and the 6-foot-4 slugger would have to be added to the 40-man roster ahead of an MLB debut.

7 hours ago

Zac Thornton • SP • Mets

Zac Thornton Emerging as a Starting Pitcher Streamer to Target on the Waiver Wire

New York Mets starting pitcher Zac Thornton picked up his first win of the season on Tuesday night, throwing six scoreless innings with two strikeouts in his team's 4-0 win over the Milwaukee Brewers. Thornton has spent most of the 2026 season at Triple-A, where he's recorded a 4.02 ERA across 62 2/3 innings. However, the 24-year-old was recalled by New York on July 12 and has been extremely effective across his last two starts, throwing 13 scoreless innings while allowing just five hits and three walks. Thornton averages just 92 miles per hour on his fastball and has posted a 19.5% strikeout rate in the big leagues this season, so fantasy managers should not expect high-end strikeout upside. Still, the young left-hander has allowed just a 6.9% walk rate, and opposing batters are hitting .173 against him. In the midst of his current hot streak, Thornton profiles as a starting pitcher streamer to target on the waiver wire.

7 hours ago

Garrett Crochet • SP • Red Sox

No Timetable for Garrett Crochet to Resume Throwing

Boston Red Sox left-hander Garrett Crochet (shoulder, lat) said on Tuesday that he and the training staff still don't have a timetable for when he will restart his throwing program, according to Christopher Smith of MassLive.com. Crochet was initially placed on the injured list on April 29 with inflammation in his left shoulder, but he felt lat tightness two days later while throwing a one-inning simulated game, and he hasn't thrown a baseball since. "Making a lot of progress in the strength department right now," Crochet said. When asked if there was a chance he might not pitch again this season, the ace said, "It's tough to say." He's now on the 60-day IL after originally hoping his IL stint would last the minimum 15 days. Crochet started throwing weighted plyo balls in mid-June but stopped near the start of July. His shoulder injury is the biggest issue, as he called his lat injury "super minor." In shallow-mixed fantasy leagues, we wouldn't blame any managers for cutting the 27-year-old southpaw, as at this point, it's looking more likely that he won't return until September, if at all. Currently, he's still rostered in 94% of Yahoo leagues.

7 hours ago

AJ Smith-Shawver • SP • Braves

AJ Smith-Shawver a Priority Waiver-Wire Stash Ahead of Impending Return

Atlanta Braves right-hander AJ Smith-Shawver (elbow) has yet to pitch in the big leagues in 2026 as he works his way back from Tommy John surgery, which he underwent in June 2025. However, the 23-year-old began a minor league rehab assignment in late June and has now made four appearances in the minors, with his two most recent starts coming at Triple-A. Smith-Shawver has pitched well in his rehab outings, recording a 1.98 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP with 16 strikeouts across 13 2/3 innings. Before getting injured last season, the hard-throwing right-hander recorded a 3-2 record with a 3.86 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, and 42 strikeouts across 44 1/3 innings (nine starts). With Braves left-hander Martin Perez (forearm) landing on the injured list in early July due to a forearm contusion, Smith-Shawver should immediately have a role in the Atlanta rotation once he's ready to return to the big leagues. Particularly in deeper leagues, fantasy managers should look to stash Smith-Shawver off the waiver wire ahead of his impending return.

7 hours ago

Sammy Stafura • SS • Pirates

Sammy Stafura Stays Red-Hot With Multi-Hit, Multi-Steal Performance

Pittsburgh Pirates infield prospect Sammy Stafura logged yet another multi-hit performance on Tuesday, his 10th multi-hit effort in his last 15 games at High-A, while adding a pair of steals. After an uneven start to the season, which included two stints on the injured list, Stafura is now making up for it. Since June 25, a period of 17 games, the Pirates' 10th-ranked prospect has gone on an otherworldly run of production, hitting .413 with 12 home runs, 36 RBI, 26 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases, good for a .565 wOBA and 227 wRC+ over that period. He's doing so despite an elevated 26.8 percent strikeout rate over that span, although it is an improvement over the 33.3 percent rate he produced at High-A prior to this recent run of success. As a career .251 hitter in the lower levels of the minors, the 21-year-old may have fallen off the dynasty radar, but this type of production shouldn't be ignored, and the former second-rounder may finally be living up to his draft-day potential.

7 hours ago

Edwin Díaz • RP • Dodgers

Edwin Diaz More Likely to Return Next Week

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said it's "possible" that right-handed closer Edwin Diaz (elbow) returns from the 60-day injured list this weekend, but the skipper also downplayed Diaz flying to the East Coast for just one series, according to David Vassegh of 570 LA Sports. It sounds like Diaz won't make his return against his old team, the New York Mets, this weekend, but rather early next week back in L.A. for a series against one of his other former teams, the Seattle Mariners. The hard-throwing right-handed reliever has been out since late April after having surgery to remove loose bodies from his right elbow. While the Dodgers could ease him back into save situations late in games upon his return, they are fully expected to make him their primary closer sooner rather than later, so he should be scooped up off the waiver wire immediately if he's still available in any fantasy leagues. In his four minor-league rehab outings, Diaz has thrown four scoreless innings with seven strikeouts and just one walk. Left-hander Tanner Scott's fantasy stock is about to take a pretty big hit when Diaz returns.

7 hours ago

Paul Sewald • RP • Diamondbacks

Paul Sewald Allows Two Runs in Blown Save as Rough Patch Lingers

Arizona Diamondbacks closer Paul Sewald had a rough outing on Tuesday night against the Athletics, allowing two earned runs on two hits for his second blown save of the season. The 36-year-old ranks sixth in baseball with 23 saves, but he's hit a rough patch of late. Across his last eight innings pitched (nine games), Sewald has allowed four home runs and 10 earned runs. The long ball has been a major issue for the veteran right-hander, as he's allowed 2.23 HR/9. Sewald has the advantage of experience on his side, as he's collected 109 saves across 421 career MLB games. He also owns a 28.8% strikeout rate with just a 6.2% walk rate, good for a stellar 22.6% K-BB rate. However, Arizona may be forced to go in a different direction in the ninth inning if Sewald keeps allowing home runs at his current pace.

8 hours ago

Jonny Farmelo • OF • Mariners

Jonny Farmelo Earns the Call to Double-A

Seattle Mariners outfield prospect Jonny Farmelo earned a promotion to Double-A Arkansas and logged his first game there on Tuesday, collecting a hit and drawing a walk while also stealing a base in the contest. The promotion comes after a solid first half at High-A Everett, where the Mariners' fifth-ranked prospect hit .267 with a .387 on-base percentage thanks to a 15.5 percent walk rate, along with 13 home runs and 26 stolen bases in 83 games. The former first-round draft pick was limited to 75 games total over the last two seasons because of injuries, but now fully healthy, his full tool set has been on display in 2026. The left-handed slugger has a solid hit tool, along with plus power and speed that make him a strong dynasty asset in fantasy so long as he can stay on the field. The 21-year-old could be knocking on the door to the majors sometime next year.

8 hours ago

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