Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that he expects catcher Will Smith (neck) to be out until after the All-Star break in mid-July, according to Bill Shaikin of The Los Angeles Times. Smith has been on the 10-day injured list since June 11 with inflammation in his neck, and a cortisone injection didn't really help matters. It's been frustrating for the Dodgers and for Smith's fantasy managers, as the Dodgers initially were saying that they didn't even think Smith would land on the IL when his neck injury first popped up. L.A. has the luxury of having a huge lead in the National League West division, so they won't rush any of their injured regulars back before they are ready. Hopefully, the 31-year-old veteran backstop will be ready shortly after the All-Star break. In the meantime, Dalton Rushing will continue to serve as the Dodgers' primary catcher. Smith has been a disappointment in the first half of 2026, slashing .249/.338/.382 with a .720 OPS, six homers, 23 RBI, and 23 runs scored in his 173 at-bats, but he should still be stashed in all fantasy formats as the starting catcher for the best team in baseball when he's healthy.

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Athletics outfielder Brent Rooker (knee) is scheduled to have season-ending surgery to address cartilage in his left knee, according to Martin Gallegos of MLB.com. Rooker was having his knee checked by doctors at Stanford University on Tuesday, and apparently they didn't like what they saw after the A's initially put the right-handed slugger on the injured list in early June with what they called a bone bruise in his knee. The 31-year-old will now miss the rest of the 2026 campaign due to a torn cartilage in his knee. It's a crushing blow for Rooker's fantasy managers after he got off to a rough start to the season with a .200/.281/.389 slash line with a .670 OPS, 10 homers, 29 RBI, 20 runs scored, and two stolen bases in his 180 at-bats. In single-year fantasy leagues, managers can now cut ties with Rooker and send him to the waiver wire in search of a replacement. Going forward, the left-handed-hitting Jonah Heim should continue to serve as the A's primary designated hitter against right-handed pitchers.

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San Francisco Giants shortstop Willy Adames (back) remains sidelined for Wednesday's contest against the division-rival Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field, per MLB.com. Christian Koss, who was called up from Triple-A Sacramento, will make the start at the 6 and bat ninth for the Gigantes against Diamondbacks right-hander Zac Gallen. The left side of San Fran's defense is hurting with Adames banged up, and they just placed third baseman Matt Chapman on the 10-day injured list with an abdominal strain. With Schmitt moving over to the hot corner with Chapman sidelined, Koss could see regular playing time to close out the first half of the season if Adames follows Chapman to the IL with his back injury. The 30-year-old Adames has struck out 27.8% of the time, his highest strikeout rate since 2021 with the Tampa Bay Rays and Milwaukee Brewers, and he's only getting on base at a .275 clip. However, when he does make contact, it's usually loud, and he's up to 14 long balls through 81 games in 2026 in his second year in the Bay Area. Adames isn't running this year either (just one steal), so he's mostly a one-dimensional power threat at shortstop.

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San Francisco Giants third baseman Matt Chapman (abdomen) is heading to the 10-day injured list on Wednesday due to an abdominal strain that he suffered while making a play at third base in Tuesday night's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, according to Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News. The Giants called up infielder Christian Koss from Triple-A Sacramento in a corresponding move. With Chapman now likely out through the All-Star break, Casey Schmitt is expected to see most of the playing time at the hot corner in San Fran. He's starting at third and batting second for Wednesday's contest in Arizona versus D-backs right-hander Zac Gallen. The left side of the Giants' infield is currently hurting, with shortstop Willy Adames (back) also missing the last several games due to injury. Chapman heads to the IL with a disappointing .235/.324/.368 slash line with a .692 OPS and seven home runs, but he has added 42 RBI and 35 runs scored in his 307 at-bats.

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The Chicago Cubs and shortstop Dansby Swanson made a statement at Wrigley Field on Wednesday at Wrigley Field in a 23-3 thrashing of the visiting San Diego Padres to finish off their three-game sweep. Swanson had a pretty rough start through the first couple months of the 2026 season, but he has been heating up lately, and that's an understatement. After clubbing two homers and driving in three in Tuesday night's win over SD, Swanson took it to another level in Wednesday's matinee affair, going 3-for-5 with three more home runs, eight RBI, and four runs scored to boost his season average to .210 and his OPS to .731. The 32-year-old veteran has five home runs in his last two games and a staggering 29 RBI in his last 13 games. Swanson wasn't the only one to get into the act against the Friars on Wednesday, as the Cubs combined for a franchise-tying eight long balls. He's definitely on the uptick offensively as the weather begins to warm, but there are still questions as to whether he can sustain it, as he currently has an xBA of .206, an xSLG of .362, and an xwOBA of .295 (wOBA of .304). After his insane two-game run the last two days against the Padres, this could be the perfect time to sell high on Swanson.

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Cincinnati Reds middle infielder Matt McLain is making his first career start in center field and will bat eighth in Wednesday's contest on the road against the division-rival Milwaukee Brewers and left-hander Shane Drohan, per MLB.com. The Reds need a right-handed-hitting center fielder, with both Blake Dunn (elbow) and Dane Myers (shoulder) currently on the injured list. The 26-year-old former 17th overall pick in the 2021 MLB draft out of UCLA has lost out on playing time at second base to rookie Edwin Arroyo while coming into Wednesday's game with a .198 average (51-for-257) with eight home runs, 25 RBI, 11 stolen bases, 31 runs scored, and a 25.9% strikeout rate. McLain's strikeout rate is actually a career low, and he also has a career-best 11.8% walk rate, so positive regression should be coming his way in the second half. However, an everyday role in Cincy's lineup the rest of the way isn't guaranteed, which is why he's rostered in only 33% of Yahoo leagues now. He's been ice-cold at the plate in his last 11 games, going 3-for-27 (.111) with a double, two runs scored, a steal, four walks, and 14 strikeouts.

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The Kansas City Royals announced on Wednesday that they transferred left-hander Kris Bubic (elbow, shoulder) to the 60-day injured list after it was announced earlier in the day that he was heading back to KC to be evaluated after being scratched from his scheduled minor-league rehab start. Bubic was initially placed on the 15-day IL on May 15 with soreness in his left elbow before encountering a setback in mid-June due to left-shoulder discomfort. Something else popped up this week, and now Bubic probably won't be an option to rejoin the Royals' starting rotation until August. Given that this is his second setback in his recovery, there's the potential for the 28-year-old southpaw to join fellow lefty Cole Ragans (elbow) in being shut down for the rest of the season. Bubic was a first-time All-Star in 2025 in his sixth year in the league and was 3-2 with a 4.11 ERA (3.72 FIP) and 1.23 WHIP with 51 strikeouts and 26 walks in 50 1/3 innings across his nine starts earlier this year. He's now rostered in under 50% of Yahoo leagues with no timetable for a return in the second half.

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Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena (calf) was doing some light on-field running at Daikin Park on Wednesday with a trainer, according to Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle. The Astros placed Pena on the 10-day injured list on Tuesday with a strained left calf, but it's obviously not a very serious injury, and the team is hoping that he'll be ready to return when he's eligible to come off the IL. Raynel Delgado is starting at shortstop and batting ninth for Houston on Wednesday against the visiting Minnesota Twins and right-hander Taj Bradley, but Nick Allen and potentially Brice Matthews could also see action at the 6 until Pena makes his way back. Pena, 28, is by no means an elite, high-end option at the shortstop position in fantasy, but he is more than serviceable across most categories and is having a fine season despite a handful of injury issues. Through 183 at-bats in 2026, the Dominican infielder is hitting .295/.356/.443 with a .799 OPS, six homers, 21 RBI, 34 runs scored, and eight stolen bases. Keep him stashed in an IL spot in all leagues.

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Baltimore Orioles right-handed closer Ryan Helsley (elbow) was dealing with some right-elbow discomfort, which is why he was not used on Wednesday in the 6-1 win over the visiting Chicago White Sox at Camden Yards, according to Jake Rill of MLB.com. Helsley is being checked out now, and manager Craig Albernaz said more information will come in the next few days. The MASN broadcast of the game showed Helsley in the bullpen holding his right arm after he stopped warming up, and he flexed his hand a few times and was rubbing his right elbow area with his other hand. This should have the O's and fantasy managers very concerned, as the 31-year-old veteran already missed seven weeks earlier this year due to inflammation in his right elbow. Helsley is a prime candidate to go back on the injured list before the All-Star break, with Rico Garcia once again being the top candidate for saves in Baltimore. Check back on Helsley's status on Thursday, but in the meantime, fantasy managers should run to the waiver wire and add Garcia, who is rostered in only 21% of Yahoo leagues.

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Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell said the goal for injured right-hander Edward Cabrera (hamstring) is for him to throw off a mound in bullpen sessions before the All-Star break in mid-July, according to Casey Drottar of MLB.com. Cabrera was placed on the 15-day injured list with a moderate strained left hamstring last week. If the 28-year-old resumes throwing bullpen sessions in early July, he'll have a pretty good shot to rejoin Chicago's starting rotation following the break. However, it's unclear if the Cubs will want to send him on a minor-league rehab start before he's reinstated. In his first year on the North Side of Chicago, the Dominican hurler has been extremely volatile for fantasy managers, going 5-4 with a 5.10 ERA (5.07 FIP) and 1.39 WHIP with 65 strikeouts and 29 walks in 72 1/3 innings pitched across his 14 starts. Injuries have also been an issue. In his four starts in June, Cabrera really struggled, posting an 8.35 ERA (6.87 FIP) with six homers allowed, 18 strikeouts, and nine walks in 18 1/3 frames. Fantasy managers won't be in a rush to get him back into their starting lineups in the second half.

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Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Brandon Young has reached five innings in seven straight starts, and none of those outings included more than three earned runs. He also gave fantasy managers a little more swing-and-miss than usual on Friday, striking out a season-high eight while allowing two runs over five frames against Washington. Young is now (6-2) with a 3.11 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, and 57 strikeouts in 72 1/3 innings. His next turn is scheduled for Saturday against the Cincinnati Reds. Young is not going to carry a fantasy staff in strikeouts, but the steady workload and clean ratios have made him useful. He has worked his way onto 40% of Yahoo rosters and can be used as a streamer against the Reds this week. In most leagues, Young is more of a matchup play than a must-add for fantasy managers looking for innings and solid ratios.

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Chicago Cubs right-hander Javier Assad came out of the bullpen and took a step backward in Tuesday's 9-7 win over the San Diego Padres, allowing four runs on five hits and two walks over 2 2/3 innings. All four runs came on eighth-inning homers by Gavin Sheets and Fernando Tatis Jr. The rough appearance raised Assad's season ERA to 4.53, though he still carries a solid 1.12 WHIP through 51 2/3 innings. One bad night should not completely wipe away his recent work. From June 7 through June 24, Assad posted a 1.96 ERA and 0.78 WHIP across 23 innings while making three starts and one long-relief appearance. His role is now the bigger question after coming out of the bullpen in Tuesday's game. Despite the rough performance, Assad has been solid enough this season to be added in 15-team formats. Managers in standard 12-team leagues can wait until Chicago gives him another start and keeps him in the starting rotation.

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Athletics infielder Max Muncy has not exactly torn the cover off the ball since returning from a fractured left hand, but he has supplied some useful pop. Over 18 games since June 8, Muncy is 13-for-57 with three home runs and 13 RBI. He now has five homers, 20 RBI, 22 runs, and three steals across 149 at-bats this season. That is not enough to make him a shallow-league priority, especially with a 32.9% strikeout rate and recent work from the seventh spot. Still, Muncy is hitting the ball much harder than he did last season, posting a 48.5% hard-hit rate and 11.3% barrel rate. Yahoo lists him at 7% rostered, and his eligibility at second base, third base, and shortstop makes him easier to fit into a lineup. He is a reasonable add in 15-team formats and someone to monitor for fantasy managers searching for infield help in 12-team leagues.

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Los Angeles Dodgers infielder/outfielder Tommy Edman delivered his best game since returning from right ankle surgery, going 4-for-5 with a three-run homer, four RBI, and two runs in Tuesday's 9-3 win over the Athletics. It was his first homer of the season, and he is now hitting .395/.452/.579 with eight RBI in 38 at-bats since making his season debut on June 17. The sample is small, but he has struck out only seven times. Edman has started nine games since his debut, mostly batting sixth or seventh. His eligibility at second base, third base, and outfield adds to the appeal, though he has yet to attempt a steal after ankle surgery. Still, only 18% of Yahoo leagues have Edman rostered. He is worth adding in leagues with 12 or more teams, as long as his playing time remains steady.

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New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez is finally starting to heat up. He has gone deep four times over his last 15 games while batting .278 with seven RBI and six runs. That stretch includes a 415-foot blast against the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday, giving him nine homers across 180 at-bats this season. Alvarez also posted an .821 OPS in June after returning from right meniscus surgery earlier in the month. The strikeouts are still part of the package, but few widely available catchers can match his power. Alvarez owns a 17.8% barrel rate and has even received time at designated hitter as the Mets look for ways to keep his bat in the lineup. He is rostered in just 20% of Yahoo leagues and should be picked up in two-catcher formats. Managers in deeper one-catcher leagues should also give him a look while the power is rolling.

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Athletics reliever Hogan Harris has gone nearly three weeks without a save, and his recent work has not helped his case for more chances. Over his last seven appearances, the left-hander has allowed five earned runs on 10 hits and two walks in six innings. That works out to a 7.50 ERA and 2.00 WHIP. Harris still leads the club with six saves, though, and his 47 strikeouts in 37 2/3 innings are enough to keep him in the late-inning mix. The Athletics have not settled on anyone. Elvis Alvarado remains part of the committee, while Mason Barnett earned the team's most recent save on Saturday. Harris is too risky for shallow leagues, but his 10% Yahoo roster rate leaves him widely available for managers scrambling for saves in 15-team formats. He is a little easier to roster in leagues that reward solds, as Harris has racked up 10 holds and six saves in 41 games this season.

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Milwaukee Brewers infield prospect Jesus Made continues to show off the skillset that has made him MLB's top-ranked prospect. The switch-hitter recorded a three-hit game over the weekend and has two steals in his last four contests, bringing his season-long slash line to .281/.355/.441 with seven home runs and 23 steals while competing as one of the youngest players at Double-A. The 6-foot-1 Dominican is also walking at a 10.2 percent rate with a low 15.1 percent strikeout rate, showing he's not overmatched at that level. A test at Triple-A could happen in the second half, and his elite talent could help him earn a late-season debut in the majors despite his age. With above average hit, power, and run tools, fantasy managers would be wise to keep the 19-year-old on their radar in the event of an eventual call-up.

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Athletics outfielder Brent Rooker (knee) was away from the team on Tuesday while being evaluated at Stanford University for his knee injury, according to Martin Gallegos of MLB.com. "I wouldn't say that his progress has stopped... it hasn't progressed as efficient as we'd like. So he's down there going through another exam," manager Mark Kotsay said. The A's placed the 31-year-old veteran outfielder on the 10-day injured list on June 12 with a bone bruise in his left knee, but he has been slow to recover, making it unlikely that he's back with the big-league squad before the mid-July All-Star break. Until Rooker can progress to facing live pitching, we won't have a better read on a clear timeline for his return. Before his knee injury, the two-time All-Star was hitting .200/.281/.389 with a .670 OPS, 10 home runs, 29 RBI, 20 runs scored, a 32% strikeout rate, and two stolen bases in 48 games across 203 plate appearances. Rooker has reached the 30-homer mark in his previous three seasons, but he's seriously in danger of coming up well short of that mark in 2026, barring a big second-half surge.

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Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (hip) remains absent from the starting lineup for Wednesday's tilt against the hosting Houston Astros at Daikin Park due to a hip injury, according to MLB.com. Ryan Kreidler is making another start in center field for the Twins and will bat seventh versus Astros right-hander Tatsuya Imai. Buxton is officially day-to-day with a right-hip impingement, and his next chance to rejoin the starting nine will come in Friday's series opener in the Bronx against the New York Yankees after the Twins are off on Thursday. The Twins and fantasy managers are definitely keeping their fingers crossed that the 32-year-old two-time All-Star won't need a stint on the injured list at the very end of the first half of the season. Buxton has a long injury history in his 11 years in the majors, but he's stayed healthy in 2026 and has been marvelous with a .268/.325/.573 slash line, .898 OPS, 25 home runs, 43 RBI, 56 runs, and seven steals in 73 games played after clubbing a career-high 35 homers and driving in 83 with 24 steals in 126 games in 2025. Check back on Buxton's status on Friday.

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Kansas City Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino (hand) will continue his rehab in Arizona to start the month of July, but he's hoping to start a minor-league rehab assignment before the mid-July All-Star break, according to MLB.com. Pasquantino suffered a fractured hamate bone in his right hand during an at-bat on June 13 and had surgery the following day. The Royals also placed the Pasquatch on the 10-day injured list on June 14. Barring a setback during his rehab assignment, the left-handed slugger should return to the Royals starting lineup after the All-Star break in mid-July. The 28-year-old former 11th-round selection in 2019 out of Old Dominion University broke out with 32 RBI and 113 RBI in 160 games in 2025 in his fourth year in the big leagues, but before his injury in 2026, he was hitting just .224 (57-for-254) with six homers, 32 RBI, and a career-high 17.5% strikeout rate. Despite Pasquantino's slow start this year, he can provide game-changing power from the left side if he's healthy in the second half, and he's rostered in 64% of Yahoo leagues right now.

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