Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter/starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani (knee) may be battling discomfort in his left knee for the remainder of 2026, per Katie Woo and Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. Ohtani has not pitched since July 3 due to nagging knee issues. While he's continued to play nearly every day as the Dodgers' designated hitter, he has not attempted to steal a base since May 22. The 32-year-old remains one of the best hitters in baseball even while playing at less than 100%, as he's slashed .289/.394/.537 with 23 home runs, 65 RBI, 68 runs scored, and six stolen bases across 456 plate appearances. However, Ohtani's barrel rate is down to 16.6% after he posted consecutive seasons with at least a 21% barrel rate in 2024 and 2025. It appears that fantasy managers may have to get used to slightly muted production from Ohtani the rest of the way.

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New York Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. (leg) is not in the lineup for his team's matchup against the Chicago Cubs on Friday. Chisholm Jr. was pulled from the Yankees' loss to the Chicago White Sox on Thursday due to what the team described as cramping. To this point, there's been no indication that Chisholm Jr. is dealing with a more significant injury. The 28-year-old is slashing .224/.261/.384 with a 35.8% strikeout rate this season against left-handed pitching, so New York could simply be looking to get him out of the lineup against Cubs southpaw Shota Imanaga. Still, fantasy managers should monitor Chisholm Jr.'s status closely in the coming days. Across 405 plate appearances overall in 2026, Chisholm Jr. is hitting .224/.301/.407 with 16 home runs, 45 RBI, 53 runs scored, and 30 stolen bases. Even in a down year, he remains a high-end power/speed threat for fantasy managers.

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Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Michael Soroka (glute) is scheduled to make a rehab start with Triple-A Reno on Tuesday, per John Gambadoro of 98.7 FM Phoenix. Gambadoro reports that the team's plan for Soroka is for him to throw "around 50-60 pitches." Soroka has been on the 15-day injured list since late June due to a left groin strain. However, it appears he could be on the verge of a return to the big leagues if all goes well on Tuesday. The 28-year-old got off to a strong start to the season before the injury, recording an 8-3 record with a 3.07 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 79 strikeouts across 82 innings (15 starts). Soroka does not profile as an elite source of strikeouts (23.7% strikeout rate), but he limits walks (5.1% walk rate) and power (0.66 HR/9). Once healthy, the veteran right-hander profiles as a steady innings eater for fantasy managers.

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New York Mets rookie outfielder A.J. Ewing can contribute across all fantasy baseball formats and is getting enough playing time to make him relevant in mixed leagues to close out the 2026 campaign. In his first 69 major-league contests across 279 plate appearances in 2026, Ewing is hitting .268/.339/.411 with a .750 OPS, seven home runs, 12 doubles, 27 RBI, 14 stolen bases, and 32 runs scored for the last-place Mets. He is hitting a modest .258 (24-for-93) with a .713 OPS, three home runs, five doubles, eight RBI, 14 runs scored, and six stolen bases in 23 games (102 plate appearances) in July, but he continues to contribute everywhere and has a high long-term ceiling, primarily for his speed and amazing contact skills at the plate. Ewing's work against lefties is also very encouraging, as he's gone 17-for-63 (.270) against them with two of his seven home runs on the year. Fantasy managers searching for outfield depth upgrades could do a lot worse than an emerging young player like Ewing off the waiver wire. Ewing is rostered in only 29% of Yahoo leagues.

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Colorado Rockies rookie first baseman TJ Rumfield just continues to hit, and yet he is still rostered in under half of Yahoo leagues. Rumfield has become the Rockies' everyday starter at first base in 2026 in his first year in the big leagues. He has not looked like a rookie, slashing .293/.376/.467 with an .843 OPS, 13 home runs, 53 RBI, and 46 runs scored in 106 games across 428 plate appearances. Rumfield has been pretty solid away from hitter-friendly Coors Field, too, batting .286 (54-for-189) on the road with five of his 13 home runs in 54 games played. The 26-year-old left-handed slugger has also held his own against southpaws, batting .252 (29-for-115) against them with two of his 13 home runs on the season. After hitting over .300 in both May and June, Rumfield has continued to hit in July, going 23-for-79 (.291) with a .764 OPS, a homer, four doubles, eight RBI, and nine runs scored in 23 games and 91 plate appearances. At 6-foot-5, 225 pounds, Rumfield doesn't pack quite as much punch as you'd think, but his hit tool is extremely strong. If you need an average boost, Rumfield is widely available on the waiver wire.

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Fantasy managers in all league formats need to consider picking up Detroit Tigers outfield prospect Max Clark off the waiver wire before he makes his major-league debut this weekend. The club's top overall prospect, per MLB Pipeline, is coming up from Triple-A Toledo after slashing .276/.368/.434 with 11 home runs and 21 bases in 90 games with the Mud Hens. The 21-year-old former third overall pick in the 2023 MLB draft should immediately take over in Detroit as the starting center fielder due to his prospect pedigree and five-category upside. The 5-foot-11, 205-pounder, who hits from the left side, has only average pop, but he has started lofting the ball in the air more often. Clark profiles more as a strong table-setter for the Tigers atop the lineup, and he could form a dangerous one-two punch for years to come with infielder Kevin McGonigle. Most intriguing for fantasy purposes with Clark is his plus-plus speed, so fantasy managers in need of that need to hop on Clark immediately.

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San Francisco Giants left-hander Erik Miller picked up another save in the 4-1 win over the division-rival San Diego Padres at Petco Park on Thursday, and he's becoming an option for fantasy managers in deeper leagues who are desperate for saves. The 28-year-old southpaw allowed a hit and struck out a batter on Thursday night to earn his fourth save of the year and his second in as many outings. He's beginning to gain the trust of manager Tony Vitello and appears to be the current favored option in the ninth inning over right-handers Caleb Kilian and Dylan Smith. Before picking up two saves in his last two appearances, Miller went 24 appearances without a save in the Giants' bullpen. On the year, the former fourth-rounder by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2019 out of Stanford University is 2-0 with a 2.78 ERA (3.26 FIP) and 1.39 WHIP with 45 strikeouts and 22 walks in 32 1/3 innings in his third year in the major leagues. Miller's four saves in 2026 are the first four saves of his career, but more opportunities should be coming before the year is up. He's rostered in only 4% of Yahoo leagues.

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It's becoming harder to recommend holding Pittsburgh Pirates left-handed reliever Gregory Soto after he took a loss on Thursday against the division-rival Cincinnati Reds. Soto entered a tied ballgame at 2-2 in the ninth inning and allowed the winning run on a hit, two walks, and a strikeout in two-thirds of an inning to lose his third game of the year. Despite the loss, the 31-year-old veteran southpaw did come into his appearance on Thursday in Cincinnati with seven straight scoreless outings, which included two saves with seven strikeouts and two walks. Despite being up and down all year, the Dominican reliever has been Pittsburgh's most consistent source of saves. Soto now sits at 5-3 with a 3.77 ERA (3.76 FIP), a 1.08 WHIP, 13 saves, 52 strikeouts, and 20 walks in 45 1/3 innings out of the bullpen. The leash is going to be short with Soto, and if more struggles follow, Mason Montgomery could begin to see more save opportunities in the Steel City. Soto is currently rostered in only 36% of Yahoo leagues.

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New York Yankees left-hander Carlos Rodon (elbow) faced hitters in a "two-up" session of around 30 pitches on Wednesday, July 29, with Double-A Somerset, and "by all accounts, it went well," according to manager Aaron Boone. The skipper said it's still unclear if Rodon's next outing will come in a minor-league rehab game. The 33-year-old southpaw was placed on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to June 30) on July 3 with left-elbow inflammation, but he could return in early August if he avoids setbacks on his rehab assignment. Rodon should be stashed in an IL spot in most fantasy leagues (he's rostered in 82% of Yahoo leagues), especially with his return potentially not far off. He got a late start in 2026 after having surgery last October to remove loose bodies from his elbow, but he's been solid when available for the Yankees this year, going 4-2 with a 3.30 ERA (3.45 FIP) and 1.25 WHIP with 52 strikeouts and 26 walks in 46 1/3 innings over nine starts. The three-time All-Star can help nearly all fantasy teams down the stretch if he's healthy.

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With the Boston Red Sox recently losing infielder Curtis Mead (wrist) to a fractured wrist shortly after acquiring him from the Washington Nationals last weekend, they are looking for additional infield help at the trade deadline, and The Athletic reports that Miami Marlins shortstop Otto Lopez and middle infielder Xavier Edwards are of interest to Boston. Like Mead, Edwards was acquired by the Tampa Bay Rays as a minor leaguer, and current Red Sox assistant general manager Taylor Smith worked for the Rays as the director of predictive modeling. Boston's preference appears to be a shortstop. While Edwards started 108 games for the Fish in 2024 and 205 at the 6, he lacks a strong arm, which is why the Marlins moved him to second base this year in favor of Lopez. In addition to Mead, shortstop options Trevor Story and Marcelo Mayer are also on the injured list in Boston right now, so they are desperately seeking middle-infield options as they push for a postseason berth down the stretch. The switch-hitting Edwards has above-average speed and makes elite contact at the plate. The 26-year-old is currently slashing a strong .292/.373/.401 with a .775 OPS, six homers, 39 RBI, 51 runs scored, and 18 stolen bases in 2026.

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The Detroit Tigers are scratching right-hander Casey Mize from his start on Friday against the Athletics, according to Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic. Mize is not injured, and no trade is in place, but the Tigers are being cautious with the Aug. 3 trade deadline looming. Detroit will go with a bullpen game on Friday. For the time being, Mize is scheduled to make his next start after the deadline on Tuesday against the Seattle Mariners. The Tigers are viewed as sellers going into Monday's deadline, with lefty ace Tarik Skubal being the real prize from Detroit for contenders, but Mize could also be dealt during the best year of his MLB career. Going into Friday's action, the 29-year-old has gone 4-6 with a career-best 2.70 ERA (2.58 FIP) and 0.99 WHIP with 85 strikeouts and 19 walks in 86 2/3 innings across 16 starts in his sixth year in the majors. Mize hasn't been without injuries, but when healthy, he has posted a career-best 24.9% strikeout rate with an excellent 5.6% walk rate.

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The Minnesota Twins acquired left-handed reliever A.J. Minter from the New York Mets on Thursday night in exchange for prospects Bruin Agbayani and Billy Amick, league sources told Will Sammon of The Athletic. Minter will help bolster Minnesota's bullpen. The veteran southpaw didn't make his season debut with the Mets until late May after recovering from Tommy John surgery, but he's been solid for New York since his return, posting a 2.35 ERA and 1.00 WHIP with 20 strikeouts and only two walks in 23 innings pitched on the season. Minter most likely will continue to be a non-factor for saves in his new home, though, making him unattractive in most fantasy baseball leagues. Agbayani is already ranked as the Mets' No. 22 prospect, per MLB Pipeline. The 19-year-old middle-infield prospect is a hit-over-power type from the left side of the plate. He has above-average speed on the bases as well, but in the long-term, he's not expected to stick at shortstop. In only 10 games at Single-A Fort Myers this year, Agbayani has hit .268/.412/.342 with three doubles, six RBI, 12 runs, and two steals.

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St. Louis Cardinals outfield prospect Joshua Baez launched his 32nd home run of the Triple-A regular season on Thursday evening. Facing Jacksonville, the outfielder went 2-for-4 with a home run and four RBI. Baez has enjoyed a recent power surge at Memphis, hitting four long balls over his last 11 contests. On the season, the No. 48-ranked prospect on MLB Pipeline's recent update has carried a .251/.323/.577 slash line with a dominant .900 OPS. He has swiped an impressive 16 bags and added another 19 doubles with three triples. With the Cardinals now expected to entertain offers on some veteran pieces, including outfielder Lars Nootbaar, Baez's MLB debut could come shortly after the deadline. His five-category appeal makes him a top stash target across all formats.

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Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (knee) will be back in the leadoff spot for the Dodgers for Friday's series opener against the visiting Boston Red Sox and left-hander Ranger Suarez, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. The Dodgers held Ohtani out of Thursday's win over the Seattle Mariners as a precaution due to more soreness in his nagging left knee, which has kept him from starting as a pitcher since July 3. The two-way superstar and four-time MVP is expected to continue serving as the team's DH, although there's no timetable for his return to the mound. The 32-year-old Japanese sensation is a must-start in all fantasy lineups when he's active as a hitter and pitcher, and he'll be back in action as the DH on Friday. Although Ohtani hasn't attempted a stolen base in July, he's still hitting a decent .265 (22-for-83) with an .844 OPS, five home runs, six doubles, 15 RBI, and eight runs scored in 21 games and 92 plate appearances during the month.

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Cleveland Guardians catching prospect Cooper Ingle was optioned back to Triple-A Columbus earlier in July after his brief MLB debut. While this demotion greatly impacted his short-term fantasy value, since returning to the top club in the minor leagues, the backstop has looked very productive, suggesting he should see another stint in the coming weeks. Over his last 15 games since returning to Triple-A, Ingle has posted a dominant .413/.472/.714 line with an eye-catching 1.187 OPS. During this noted stretch, Ingle has launched four home runs and tacked on seven doubles. Three of these home runs have come over his last four games. In the majors, Ingle appeared in just seven contests and held a low .095 average. Given Cleveland's lack of production behind the plate this season, Ingle may not have to wait long for another look.

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Miami Marlins outfield prospect Cam Cannarella turned in another stellar showing at Triple-A Jacksonville on Thursday and is now emerging as a worthy stash target across all standard leagues. Facing Triple-A Memphis, the outfielder swiped a bag and went 2-for-3 at the dish. Since moving up to Jacksonville (10 games), the Clemson product has been nothing short of dominant, posting a .308/.413/.487 slash line with a .900 OPS, four doubles, one home run and five stolen bases. The outfielder began the 2026 season at the High-A level but has quickly progressed through the Miami system. Across 52 games between High-A and Double-A, Cannarella held a .365/.443/.599 line with a 1.042 OPS. His five-category upside makes him a priority stash option in all 12-team leagues ahead of Week 19.

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St. Louis Cardinals starting pitching prospect Quinn Mathews is a priority target on the waiver wire ahead of his MLB debut on Saturday. Mathews is currently viewed as the team's No. 6 prospect on MLB.com and is outside the current top-100 rankings on MLB Pipeline. However, the southpaw has enjoyed a dominant stretch at Triple-A, which prompted the promotion. Over his last 56 1/3 innings at the top club (since May 28), the southpaw has been near-perfect, posting a 1.60 ERA, 083 WHIP, with a 67:22 K:BB. Before this noted stretch, Mathews struggled against the top hitters of the minor leagues, carrying a hefty 5.55 ERA with a 1.63 WHIP across 35 2/3 innings of work. While it is still unknown if he will remain with the major-league club for the long-term, his recent Triple-A production makes him a worthy target in all standard leagues ahead of his debut.

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White Sox's SP Sean Burke recorded 10 strikeouts in 6 innings in a 2-1 win over the Yankees on Thursday, Jul. 30.

Washington Nationals outfielder Daylen Lile has been hot lately, and it continued in Thursday's 5-4 loss to the division-rival Atlanta Braves at Truist Park. Lile went 2-for-4 at the plate with two solo home runs to extend his modest six-game hitting streak. He also raised his batting average on the year to .248 and his OPS to .717. Believe it or not, it was Lile's third multi-homer game of the 2026 campaign, but he's hitting a modest .248/.299/.418 with 13 home runs, 54 RBI, 10 stolen bases, and 56 runs scored in his 452 plate appearances in 108 games in his second year in the majors. As a rookie in 2025, Lile had a .299/.347/.498 slash line with an .845 OPS, nine home runs, 41 RBI, 51 runs, and eight stolen bases in 91 games and 351 plate appearances. Lile is still very young and has an intriguing power/speed profile, especially since he doesn't strike out a lot. And the Nationals seem committed to the former second-rounder. Lile is definitely worth a roster spot as a depth outfielder, and he's gaining waiver-wire interest during his current hot streak. He's rostered in 59% of Yahoo leagues.

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Minnesota Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers is one of the most talked-about players at his position heading into the trade deadline. Jeffers is on a one-year deal and is expected to be moved at the upcoming trade deadline. This season, Jeffers is slashing .294/.397/.531 with nine home runs and 35 RBI across 47 games. He has been crushing left-handed pitching and could be a real game-changer for a contending team down the stretch of the season. The assumption is that a trade would likely only increase his fantasy value. In theory, Jeffers would land in a better lineup and get more opportunities to play. Fantasy managers who are seeking help at the catching position should consider snagging Jeffers ahead of the deadline.

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