San Francisco Giants manager Tony Vitello said that third baseman Matt Chapman (abdomen) will return from the 10-day injured list at some point this weekend during the series against the division-rival San Diego Padres, which starts on Thursday, according to Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports. Despite missing a month with an abdominal strain, the 33-year-old veteran third baseman will return just before the Aug. 3 trade deadline without going on a minor-league rehab assignment. The former first-rounder will return to a mediocre .235/.324/.368 slash line with a .692 OPS, seven home runs, 42 RBI, and 35 runs scored in his 307 at-bats before going on the shelf. Chapman's return to close out July is good timing with the Giants losing infielder/outfielder Casey Schmitt to a likely season-ending torn meniscus in his knee this week. He'll take over starting third base duties at some point this weekend, and it remains to be seen if he'll be involved in a deadline deal as the Giants look to sell for the future.

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San Francisco Giants manager Tony Vitello said that infielder/outfielder Casey Schmitt (knee) will undergo knee surgery, which will "more than likely" end his 2026 season, according to Tristi Rodriguez of NBC Sports. No date has been set for Schmitt's surgery, but it will be "as soon as possible." The 27-year-old will require arthroscopic surgery to fix the torn meniscus in his left knee that he suffered earlier this week. Depending on the specifics of Schmitt's surgery, the utility man could miss anywhere from three to six weeks to four to six months, although the Giants expect it to be in the latter range. A more invasive surgery will put an end to what has been a breakout campaign for the former second-rounder. In his 387 at-bats in his fourth year in the majors, Schmitt has hit .271/.301/.483 with a .784 OPS, a career-high 21 home runs, 55 RBI, 47 runs scored, and nine stolen bases in 98 games played. Infielder Christian Koss made a second straight start at third for the Gigantes on Wednesday against the Milwaukee Brewers, but regular third baseman Matt Chapman (abdomen) appears to be close to returning from a stint on the injured list.

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Chicago Cubs left-hander Shota Imanaga is no longer listed as the team's probable starter for Thursday's series finale against the division-rival St. Louis Cardinals, according to Meghan Montemurro of The Chicago Tribune. Right-hander Javier Assad will now get the nod. Montemurro speculates that nothing is wrong with Imanaga physically, but the Cubs are pushing him back to Friday's series opener at Wrigley Field against the New York Yankees to have him take Jameson Taillon's spot. The 32-year-old Japanese native will get a little extra rest, but he'll also get a downgrade in matchup against the Yanks. In his third MLB season with the Cubbies, Imanaga has gone 7-8 with a 3.72 ERA (4.40 FIP) and 1.09 WHIP with 113 strikeouts and 29 walks in 121 innings pitched across his 21 starts. Imanaga has been pretty lights-out in his last five starts (29 innings), allowing only five earned runs (1.55 ERA) while walking six and striking out 25. The Yankees rank second in baseball in home runs, but they also have the fifth-most strikeouts, making Imanaga a risk-reward fantasy starter this weekend.

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The Kansas City Royals announced on Wednesday that they are placing first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino (wrist) back on the 10-day injured list with soreness in his right wrist and are recalling outfielder John Rave from Triple-A Omaha in a corresponding move. With Pasquantino out of the starting lineup again on Wednesday against the division-rival Minnesota Twins, Salvador Perez will start at first and bat cleanup, with Carter Jensen catching right-hander Randy Dobnak and batting leadoff against Twins right-hander Joe Ryan. This will be the second time on the IL for Pasquantino in 2026 after previously requiring surgery on June 14 to fix a broken hamate bone in the same hand. It's unclear if the 28-year-old lefty slugger will be ready when he's eligible to return on Aug. 8, but our guess is he won't be. Perez and Jac Caglianone will likely split playing time at first in KC with Pasquantino out again, opening up extra playing time for Nick Loftin. Pasquantino has been a massive bust this year, hitting just .232 (68-for-29) with six homers, 33 RBI, 34 runs, and four steals after breaking out for 32 homers and 113 RBI in 160 games in 2025. For the power upside alone, the Pasquatch is worth stashing in the majority of fantasy leagues while he heals.

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Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (hip) is not in the team's starting lineup for Wednesday's contest against the division-rival Kansas City Royals, per MLB.com. Buxton will unsurprisingly sit out after leaving Tuesday's contest early with soreness in his right hip, an injury that recently landed the veteran center fielder on the injured list. It's uncertain if this new injury is serious enough to send Buxton back to the IL, so fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day for now. His next chance to return will be for Thursday's series finale against KC at Target Field. Luke Keaschall is starting in center field and will bat eighth on Wednesday against Royals right-hander Randy Dobnak. The 32-year-old Buxton had managed to stay mostly healthy in 2026 up until recently. The three-time All-Star has hit .263/.320/.544 with an .864 OPS, 25 home runs, 45 RBI, 57 runs, and seven steals in 82 games and 362 plate appearances after a resurgent 2025 campaign that saw him hit a career-high 35 long balls in 126 games. Buxton has played in just nine games in July and has hit .207 (6-for-29), and he might finally be wearing down.

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Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said on Wednesday that right-hander Paul Sewald is out of the team's closer role, at least for now, and he will pitch in lower-leverage situations going forward, according to Jack Sommers of Sports Illustrated. Lovullo declined to specifically name left-hander Brandyn Garcia as the new closer, although Garcia picked up the save in Wednesday's 3-0 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Lovullo is expected to play the late-inning matchups for now, depending on the situation. When the skipper was asked about veteran righty Kevin Ginkel as an option for saves, Lovullo mentioned right-hander Jonathan Loaisiga. In addition to Garcia, Loaisiga, and Ginkel, right-hander Juan Morillo could be an option in the ninth inning for the Snakes going forward. Sewald blew two of his last three save chances, and although the veteran has 24 saves in 2026, he also has an ugly 5.26 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and 43:9 K:BB in 37 2/3 innings. It looks like a full-blown closer-by-committee situation in Arizona now, which isn't ideal for fantasy purposes.

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The Arizona Diamondbacks used left-handed reliever Brandyn Garcia for his second save of the season in their 3-0 victory over the hosting Pittsburgh Pirates in favor of veteran right-hander Paul Sewald. Garcia allowed a walk and struck out two in his inning of work to slam the door on the Bucs, and after the game, manager Torey Lovullo announced that Sewald is out as the closer. Unfortunately, Lovullo didn't specifically name Garcia as his go-to guy in the ninth inning going forward. It means that the D-backs will likely play the matchups late in games if they are ahead, and will most likely be operating with a closer-by-committee situation that could involve all of Garcia, Jonathan Loaisiga, Kevin Ginkel, and Juan Morillo. The 26-year-old Garcia entered Wednesday's action with a 2.25 ERA (1.72 FIP), one save, a 0.82 WHIP, and 33:6 K:BB in 28 relief innings in just his second big-league season. Garcia will be an option in the ninth going forward, but probably only if several lefties are due up for the opposing team. We wouldn't advise fantasy managers to chase the D-backs' bullpen situation unless you're absolutely desperate for saves.

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Despite an X-ray finding a fracture in his toe after he fouled a ball off his right big toe on Monday, Milwaukee Brewers first baseman/outfielder Jake Bauers (toe) is starting at first base and will bat third for Wednesday's game on the road in San Francisco against the Giants and right-hander Logan Webb. The 30-year-old left-handed slugger will have to manage some pain in his toe moving forward, but the injury won't send him to the injured list. Bauers has had a career year to this point in 2026 in his third season in Milwaukee, slashing .265/.370/.486 with an .856 OPS, career-high 18 home runs, 60 RBI, 62 runs scored, and eight stolen bases in 97 games across 381 plate appearances in his seventh big-league campaign. He has cooled off some in July, though, going 18-for-75 (.240) with a .762 OPS, three home runs, four doubles, 10 RBI, 13 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 23 games and 89 plate appearances. Fantasy managers are hoping Bauers' toe injury won't affect his production at the plate going forward. Expect the Brewers to use Bauers more at first base and potentially DH, rather than in the outfield.

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Minnesota Twins right-hander Taj Bradley had a dominant showing in a no-decision in a 3-2 win over the division-rival Kansas City Royals on Tuesday night, allowing two earned runs on three hits while walking three and striking out 10 in six innings of work. The 25-year-old former fifth-round pick by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2018 is now 9-4 on the season with a career-best 3.65 ERA (3.91 FIP) and 1.21 WHIP with 139 strikeouts and 49 walks in 120 2/3 innings pitched across his 21 starts in his first full season with the Twins. Bradley allowed five earned runs in five innings in a loss to the Chicago Cubs on July 18 in his first start in the second half of the season, but in his two starts since, he's allowed only three earned runs with six walks and 15 strikeouts in 13 innings against the Royals and Cleveland Guardians. In the midst of his career year, Bradley is now rostered in 80% of Yahoo leagues. It's been nice to see his strikeout rate improve to 27.6%, which is his highest mark since his rookie campaign in Tampa when he threw just 104 2/3 innings.

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Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani and manager Dave Roberts said Ohtani's right biceps continues to linger as an issue, in addition to his left-knee injury that has kept him from starting on the mound since July 3, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. His biceps issue is a factor as to why he has not thrown another bullpen session since last week. Ohtani continues to serve as the Dodgers' designated hitter on offense, but it's unclear when he'll be cleared to make another start as a pitcher. The Dodgers are in no rush to bring him back to their starting rotation thanks to their big lead in the National League West, so fantasy managers need to prepare for the possibility that the four-time MVP doesn't pitch again until sometime in September. Remember, L.A.'s primary goal is to have Ohtani clicking on all cylinders as a two-way player for another playoff run in October. The 32-year-old Japanese All-Star went 3-for-4 at the plate with a homer, double, and three RBI in the team's loss to the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday, snapping a nine-game homerless streak. Ohtani is still a must-start as a DH despite not being 100% physically.

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Across 333 plate appearances so far this season, Cleveland Guardians second baseman Travis Bazzana has hit .241/.339/.399 with nine home runs, 33 RBI, 35 runs scored, and 15 stolen bases. The 23-year-old has not gotten too much power in his first taste of big-league action this year, as he's logged a 4.1% barrel rate and a 35.0% hard-hit rate. However, Bazzana has shown an impressive plate approach for a young player, logging a 12% walk rate while posting a manageable 21.6% strikeout rate. Bazzana's ability to get on base keeps his place at the top of the Guardians' everyday lineup stable, and he's on pace to rack up 20-plus stolen bases. Bazzana may not offer tremendous upside for fantasy managers, but he's proven himself to be a balanced contributor who should be a priority waiver wire target in deeper league formats.

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Houston Astros catcher Yainer Diaz got off to a rough start to the 2026 season, hitting .238 with just two home runs across his first 106 plate appearances and then suffering an oblique strain in early May that caused him to miss over a month. However, the 27-year-old has shown more power since his return, clubbing four home runs across his last 93 trips to the plate. Diaz was a productive player for fantasy managers in 2025, when he hit .256 with 20 home runs and 70 RBI. He's maintained an above-average strikeout rate (16.1%) so far this year and has been victimized by a subpar .248 batting average on balls in play, which is well below his career mark of .298. Diaz could continue to reach more power in the final months of the regular season, making him a catcher for fantasy managers to monitor on the waiver wire.

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Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (hamstring) is not expected to be in the team's lineup on Wednesday after he was removed early from Toronto's loss to the Washington Nationals on Tuesday with right hamstring tightness, per Ian Quillen of MLB.com. It's not yet clear whether Guerrero Jr. will require a trip to the injured list, but resting him on Wednesday will give the 27-year-old two full days off before Toronto's next series against the St. Louis Cardinals begins on Friday. It's been a nightmare season so far for Guerrero Jr., who is hitting .265/.345/.357 with six home runs, 44 RBI, 55 runs scored, and seven stolen bases across 435 plate appearances. His barrel rate is down from 12.2% in 2025 to 6.7% this season, and his hard-hit rate has dropped from 50.7% to 43.8%. With Guerrero Jr. out of the starting lineup on Wednesday, Blue Jays regular third baseman Kazuma Okamoto has moved across the diamond to cover first base, with utility infielder Ernie Clement getting the start at third.

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Across 422 plate appearances in 2026, Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Nick Gonzales is hitting .315/.370/.411 with six home runs, 47 RBI, 59 runs scored, and four stolen bases. The 27-year-old has emerged as Pittsburgh's everyday third baseman in recent weeks amidst a surge at the plate in July. Across 99 plate appearances this month, Gonzales is hitting .385 with three home runs, 12 RBI, and 15 runs scored. Gonzales' power upside is minimal, as he's posted just a 3.2% barrel rate and 36.4% hard-hit rate. However, Gonzales profiles as a steady source of batting average for fantasy managers who should continue to rack up counting stats in an everyday role in the solid Pittsburgh lineup. He also brings multi-positional eligibility in most fantasy leagues, which makes him useful roster depth. Where available, Gonzales profiles as a priority waiver wire target.

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Pittsburgh Pirates pitching prospect Hunter Barco is on his way back to the big leagues, per Jason Mackey of MLB.com. Barco made Pittsburgh's Opening Day roster in a bulk relief role, but he struggled to a 7.71 ERA and 1.97 WHIP across 11 2/3 innings (five games) and has been in the minors since late April. The young left-hander has worked as both a starter and a reliever this year at Triple-A, recording a 3-6 record with a 4.87 ERA, 1.58 WHIP, and 49 strikeouts across 44 1/3 innings (13 games). Barco seems likely to fill a spot in the Pirates' bullpen, which has been an area of weakness for Pittsburgh this season. While command has been an issue for the 25-year-old, he's shown the ability to generate swing-and-miss in the minor leagues. In a true one-inning role, Barco's stuff could play up. Deep league managers hunting for saves upside may want to consider stashing Barco off the waiver wire.

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Pittsburgh Pirates outfield prospect Jhostynxon Garcia is being promoted from Triple-A Indianapolis to the big leagues on Wednesday, per Jason Mackey of MLB.com. Garcia struggled in a small sample size of 37 plate appearances upon making his Pirates debut in late May, hitting .200 with one extra-base hit and a 27% strikeout rate. However, the 23-year-old has been productive this season in the minor leagues, slashing .279/.346/.459 with 10 home runs, 35 RBI, 43 runs scored, and five stolen bases across 263 plate appearances. Bryan Reynolds and Esmerlyn Valdez are likely locked into everyday playing time in the corner outfield spots in Pittsburgh, but Garcia could steal playing time in center field from Jake Mangum or at designated hitter from Marcell Ozuna. In deeper leagues, Garcia may be worth targeting on the waiver wire.

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Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Kyle Schwarber (illness) is out of the starting lineup for the second straight day due to gastrointestinal issues on Wednesday versus the division-rival Miami Marlins, per MLB.com. Shortstop Trea Turner will serve as the designated hitter and bat leadoff, with Edmundo Sosa playing shortstop and hitting out of the nine-hole against Marlins right-hander Ryan Gusto. Schwarber is dealing with a similar illness that kept him out for a series earlier this year, so hopefully he'll be back for Friday's series opener in Baltimore against the Orioles after the Phillies' scheduled day off on Thursday. The 33-year-old four-time All-Star leads the league in home runs (33) and strikeouts (157). He's an elite source of power from the left side, even though he has an elevated 34.4% strikeout rate in 457 plate appearances this year. Since taking part in the Home Run Derby during the All-Star break earlier this month, Schwarbs has gone just 8-for-35 (.229) with a homer, three doubles, three RBI, six runs, six walks, and 13 strikeouts.

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San Diego Padres second baseman/outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. went 0-for-13 in the team's three-game sweep of the Miami Marlins over the weekend, but he quickly put that out of his memory in the team's 8-7 win over the division-rival Colorado Rockies at Petco Park on Tuesday night. Tatis went a perfect 5-for-5 at the plate with five singles, two walks, and a run scored to boost his season average to .285 and his OPS to .753. After a very slow start to the year and a lengthy homer drought, Tatis is now hitting a strong .285/.353/.400 with eight home runs, 49 RBI, 25 stolen bases, and 54 runs scored in 106 games across 469 plate appearances in his seventh year in the big leagues. The three-time All-Star now has four multi-hit efforts in his last 11 games and is batting .290 (27-for-93) with an .840 OPS, three home runs, five doubles, a triple, 16 RBI, six steals, and 17 runs scored in 23 games in July. After hitting just one homer through May, Tatis has seven home runs since the start of June. He remains a must-start in all fantasy formats the rest of the way.

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Seattle Mariners outfielder Dominic Canzone kept up his hot hitting of late by going 2-for-4 with two home runs and three RBI in the team's 7-6 win over the hosting Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday night. Canzone is now hitting .263/.333/.530 on the season with an .863 OPS, 18 home runs, 49 RBI, 37 runs scored, and a stolen base in his 266 at-bats. The 28-year-old left-handed hitter has already set career highs across the board in most offensive categories, and he's homered three times with seven RBI and three runs scored in his last three games. In 18 games and 78 plate appearances in the month of July, Canzone has gone 17-for-72 (.236) with a .767 OPS, five homers, two doubles, 15 RBI, and seven runs scored. In a strong side of a platoon in Seattle's outfield against righties, Canzone has mixed-league appeal for his power the rest of the way in 2026. He's also hitting .286 (10-for-35) in a limited sample size with four home runs against southpaws. Canzone is rostered in only 15% of Yahoo leagues at the moment.

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Colorado Rockies outfielder Zac Veen continues to showcase high-end five-category upside at the Triple-A level and remains on the verge of returning to the major leagues. Veen is coming off another productive outing at Albuquerque, where he went 4-for-5 with a triple and a home run. This long ball snapped a relatively lengthy 12-game home run drought for the young outfielder. On the season, Veen has posted a .313/.389/.580 slash line with 27 doubles, 17 home runs, 15 stolen bases and a sharp .969 OPS. Veen received a brief taste of the majors back in 2025 but did not find much success, posting a low .118/.189/.235 line with one home run and a stolen base. However, many of the team's top outfielders, such as Mickey Moniak and Jake McCarthy, are on the trade block, so Veen may face minimal competition to earn second-half at-bats in the big leagues.

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