Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (knee) said, "The goal is to be able to throw according to regular schedule" after the All-Star break, according to Alden Gonzalez of ESPN. Ohtani will have his left knee drained and will receive a pain-relieving injection on Sunday. "Although I could've started today, it would've still been pushing the envelope a little bit," Ohtani said on Friday. The Dodgers scratched the four-time MVP from his scheduled start on Friday night versus the division-rival Arizona Diamondbacks, but he still took his regular spot in the starting lineup as the designated hitter and went 1-for-4 at the plate with a solo homer in the 9-3 loss. The 32-year-old should avoid a trip to the injured list to begin the second half of the season, but unfortunately, we won't get to see him in next week's All-Star Game in Philadelphia. Ohtani remains a must-start in all fantasy lineups as both a hitter and pitcher whenever he's active. He's hitting .290/.403/.540 with a .943 OPS, 21 homers, 57 RBI, 63 runs, and six steals as a hitter and is 8-2 as a pitcher with a sharp 1.79 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, and 95:26 K:BB in 85 2/3 innings and 14 starts in 2026.

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Los Angeles Dodgers right-handed closer Edwin Diaz (elbow) threw live batting practice for the second time on July 8 and is getting closer to starting a minor-league rehab assignment, according to MLB.com. Diaz was initially placed on the 15-day injured list on April 20 due to loose bodies in his right elbow. He eventually had surgery and was transferred to the 60-day IL on May 10. Barring a setback once Diaz begins his rehab assignment, he's expected to rejoin L.A.'s bullpen in late July. The 32-year-old Puerto Rican veteran and three-time All-Star has only appeared in seven games for the Dodgers in his first year with the team in 2026 due to his elbow injury, and he was uncharacteristically bad before that, allowing seven earned runs on nine hits (one homer) while walking five and striking out 10 in six innings pitched. Diaz also had four saves, and with 257 career saves over nine-plus years in the league, he's expected to resume primary closing duties for manager Dave Roberts when he returns from the IL. If for some reason Diaz is available on your league's waiver wire, scoop him up immediately. He's rostered in 81% of Yahoo leagues right now.

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Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Kirby Yates pitched a scoreless ninth inning on Friday to earn the save against the Minnesota Twins. The 39-year-old surrendered a one-out double to Trevor Larnach before retiring the final two batters of the game. The save was Yates' third of the season, and he has provided a stable presence in an otherwise unsettled Angels bullpen. On the year, he owns a 3.00 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP while posting a 32.6% strikeout rate and an 8.1% walk rate across 21 innings. Fantasy managers are encouraged to add Yates in all formats, as he is currently the Angels' most trusted option at the back end of the bullpen.

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Seattle Mariners top pitching prospect Kade Anderson has continued to showcase elite upside at the Double-A level during his first professional season. Through 14 total starts, the former LSU standout has posted an elite 1.46 ERA, 0.69 WHIP, and a sharp 108:10 K:BB over 72 2/3 innings. Over his last six outings, the left-hander has struck out at least eight hitters in all but one and has even hit the nine-punchouts mark in four of these outings. Overall, in his profile, Anderson has allowed two runs or fewer in 13 of his 14 starts, with his lone five-run outing on May 15 remaining a distinct outlier this season. However, given that Seattle has ample depth on their MLB roster, Anderson remains potentially far from a call-up. Despite this, his upside per start makes him an elite stash target in all 12-team leagues with N/A spots.

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Seattle Mariners top outfield prospect Lazaro Montes was recently bumped up to the top club in the system following his impressive production at Double-A. To open the season, the 21-year-old carried a .234/.369/.550 line with a sharp .919 OPS over 79 contests at Double-A. During this stretch, Montes hit 25 home runs and chipped in five stolen bases. However, what prompted his promotion was the .253/.413/.614 line and 1.064 OPS he held over the final 25 games at Double-A. While the 21-year-old has gotten off to a slower start at Triple-A, going just 2-for-18 over the first four games, managers should continue to closely monitor his production as his power upside is among the highest in the sport. If Montes can find his footing, the No. 26-ranked prospect in the sport could compete for a late-season promotion to Seattle.

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Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Jordan Romano allowed one earned run on one hit and three walks while blowing a save opportunity on Friday against the San Francisco Giants. The 33-year-old had converted two consecutive saves before this stumble. It's also worth noting that Juan Mejia recorded the save by getting the final out in the bottom of the ninth inning. On the season, Romano owns a 7.71 ERA and a 2.14 WHIP between his time with the Los Angeles Angels and the Rockies. While those numbers are ugly, he still appears to have a tenuous grip on the closer's role in Colorado. No lead ever feels particularly safe with the Rockies, but the club has been searching for a reliable late-inning option all season. Ten different pitchers on the staff have recorded at least one save, and none has more than four. Even so, Romano has closing experience and has picked up two saves during his brief four-game stint with Colorado. For now, fantasy managers are encouraged to stick with the 33-year-old, but they should be prepared to replace him at a moment's notice.

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St. Louis Cardinals left-handed pitching prospect Quinn Mathews turned in another stellar showing at the Triple-A level this past week and has potentially solidified himself as the top pitching prospect to stash ahead of the All-Star break. On July 9, the left-hander logged seven innings (which marked a season high) with just two hits allowed, no runs, and a sharp 7:2 K:BB. Since May 28, the former Stanford standout has been borderline elite at the top club, posting a 1.87 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, and a 53:18 K:BB over 43 1/3 innings of work. Prior to this surge, the 25-year-old posted a much higher 5.55 ERA over the first 35 2/3 innings. Given his current run at Triple-A, Mathews has put himself into the elite tier of stash candidates as his MLB debut could come shortly after the All-Star break.

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Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Kyle Harrison (forearm) has been placed on the 15-day Injured List with left forearm tightness. The move is retroactive to July 9, 2026. The 24-year-old southpaw revealed that he had been dealing with soreness on the outside of his left elbow for the past few weeks, which helps explain his recent decline in performance. While Harrison himself wasn't too concerned about the injury, the team deemed it necessary to move him to the Injured List nonetheless. Over his last two starts, Harrison totaled just 6.2 innings while striking out only five batters, all while experiencing diminished velocity. There is no clear timetable for his return, but it appears likely that he will miss more than the minimum 15 days given the nature of the injury and the fact that he has been dealing with it for several weeks. Left-handed pitcher Robert Gasser was recalled in the corresponding move, just a few days after a strong outing against the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday.

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Milwaukee Brewers infield prospect Luke Adams has enjoyed a recent surge at the Triple-A level and has put himself on the stash radar for those in deeper redraft leagues. On Friday evening, the 22-year-old went 4-for-5 with a home run and a stolen base. This was another strong showing for Adams as he now carries an elite .344/.463/.688 line with three doubles, one triple, two home runs, two stolen bases, and a 7:5 K:BB. Through 40 total games at the Triple-A level this season, the former 12th-round selection out of Hinsdale Central HS has posted a .264/.412/.581 line with a .993 OPS, six doubles, 11 home runs and six stolen bases. While Adams will likely need more time at Triple-A, he has already begun to showcase high-end power upside. If he maintains this pace, he could replace their current third baseman, Joey Ortiz, on the MLB roster early in the second half.

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Pittsburgh Pirates outfield prospect Edward Florentino has enjoyed an impressive power surge at the High-A level and continues to solidify himself as one of the top outfield prospects to roster in dynasty formats. Over his last 16 contests, Florentino has carried a sharp .258/.319/.606 slash line with three doubles, one triple, and six home runs. However, overh is last seven games, Florentino has been even more impressive, hitting five of these home runs with an eye-catching 1.015 OPS. Overall this season, Florentino, the No. 30-ranked prospect in baseball, has posted a .213/.335/.426 line with 12 home runs and four stolen bases. While he needed some growing pains, the 19-year-old has gradually begun to turn the corner. While a late-season Double-A debut remains in play, fantasy managers should continue to view Florentino as an elite budding dynasty asset.

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Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Andrew Kittredge secured his third save of the season on Friday, pitching a scoreless ninth inning against the Kansas City Royals. It was also his second consecutive save this week, after earning another on Thursday against the Chicago Cubs. With other options in the organization faltering, Kittredge has stepped in and slammed the door shut twice this week, offering some much-needed stability at the back end of the Baltimore bullpen. The Orioles have lost Ryan Helsley to an elbow injury, and while he awaits a second opinion, they are looking for someone to step up and claim the team's closer role. With back-to-back scoreless save conversions, they may have found their answer, making Kittredge a must-add in all fantasy formats.

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Cincinnati's SP Hunter Greene recorded 12 strikeouts in 7 innings with the win in a 4-0 win over the Cubs on Friday, Jul. 10.

Arizona Diamondbacks rookie outfielder Ryan Waldschmidt (hand) was forced from Friday night's game against the division-rival Los Angeles Dodgers after getting hit on the fingers while attempting to bunt in the sixth inning, according to Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports. Before being replaced in center field by Jorge Barrosa, Waldschmidt went 0-for-2 at the plate with two strikeouts. The 23-year-old top D-backs prospect will most certainly be sent for X-rays to rule out any fractures in his hand/fingers. For now, we'll consider him day-to-day heading into Game 2 of the series at Dodger Stadium on Saturday. The former first-rounder from the University of Kentucky in 2024 made his MLB debut earlier this year and struggled at the plate before being sent back to Triple-A Reno. The Snakes just recalled him from the minors on Friday, so it's unfortunate he was injured in his first game back, but hopefully he avoids a serious injury. Waldschmidt struggled in his first 112 big-league at-bats, primarily with offspeed pitchers, hitting .259 with no homers, eight RBI, 11 runs, five stolen bases, and a 32.8% strikeout rate in 33 games. His power/speed upside makes him a bench stash in all dynasty/keeper leagues, though.

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In just his second start this season after returning from surgery to remove loose bodies in his right elbow earlier this year, Cincinnati Reds right-hander Hunter Greene showed his ace upside in Friday night's 4-0 shutout win over the division-rival Chicago Cubs at Great American Ballpark. Greene held the Cubbies scoreless over seven innings while allowing three hits, walking just one, and striking out 12 for his first win of the 2026 season. The hard-throwing right-hander looked pretty rusty in his season debut on the Fourth of July last Saturday, surrendering eight earned runs on seven hits while walking four and striking out seven in 3 1/3 innings against the Baltimore Orioles. The 26-year-old former second overall pick in 2017 will finish the first half of the year on a strong note, and he showed on Friday why RotoBaller was urging fantasy managers to stash him when he was still working his way back from the injured list. Greene could be a game-changer for pitching staffs in the second half with his high-end strikeout upside if he can stay healthy.

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The Pittsburgh Pirates acquired infielder Jacob Gonzalez and left-handed reliever Brandon Eisert from the Chicago White Sox on Friday for the 34th pick in the 2026 MLB draft on Saturday and left-handed reliever Jaden Woods, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN. Gonzalez, the 15th overall pick by Chicago in 2023 out of the University of Mississippi, was considered the White Sox's No. 22 prospect before the trade. He was brought up to the big leagues for the first time when Munetaka Murakami went on the injured list with a hamstring injury, and he made his debut on the South Side on May 31. In his first 30 games at the major-league level, Gonzalez hit .244 (21-for-86) with two home runs, 17 RBI, and 11 runs scored in 97 plate appearances. The Pirates swooped in to trade for the left-handed hitter after Murakami returned from the IL on Friday. Gonzalez is now worth a look in NL-only fantasy leagues with the potential for regular playing time in Pittsburgh, with both shortstop Konnor Griffin (finger) and first baseman Spencer Horwitz (hamstring) on the shelf.

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Los Angeles Dodgers infielder/outfielder Enrique Hernandez (oblique) is hopeful to get back into the mix for the first homestand following the All-Star break. Hernandez has been sidelined since late May due to a significant left oblique tear. He has been taking batting practice and appears on the verge of returning to the Dodgers' lineup. The team opens the second half on the road, but Hernandez is aiming to return for the first home series beginning on July 28. His return to the roster will be a welcoming sight as the Dodgers have missed their utility player. Hernandez is unlikely to contribute enough to warrant a roster spot in most fantasy formats.

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Chicago White Sox outfielder Tristan Peters accomplished history during Friday's contest against the Athletics. Peters became the seventh player in franchise history to hit for the cycle. He started off the fun with a double in the third inning. Peters singled in the fifth inning, which left the two most difficult tasks still on the board. He was able to hit a triple and a home run in the same inning as the White Sox piled up seven runs in the seventh inning during Friday's 14-1 blowout. Peters became the third player to hit for the cycle, joining Bryce Harper and Pete Crow-Armstrong. He also becomes the first White Sox player to do it since Jose Abreu in 2017.

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Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Michael Soroka (glute) will have his bullpen session pushed back from Sunday to Tuesday or Wednesday. Soroka is still dealing with some soreness, so the D-Backs will play it safe. They'll give him a few extra days to rest, but Soroka won't be ready right after the All-Star break. The right-hander will likely need at least another week or so to ramp up before he's ready to pitch again. Fantasy managers should continue to hold Soroka, with his return hopefully coming by the end of July. There should be another update on his status following his next bullpen session.

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San Francisco Giants third baseman Matt Chapman (abdomen) won't participate in baseball activities over the weekend. The Giants were hopeful that Chapman could get in some action ahead of the All-Star break. That won't happen as they've decided to hold him out this weekend and hope he improves during the break. Chapman has been sidelined since July 1 due to an abdominal strain. It doesn't sound like the veteran infielder is making a ton of progress right now. There's a good chance that Chapman isn't quite ready to play at the beginning of the second half. Fantasy managers should stay tuned for more updates on his status over the next week or so.

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Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Corbin Burnes (elbow) has been cleared to begin a throwing program on Friday. According to Nick Piecoro, Burnes had an MRI that showed signs of healing, so the D-Backs have decided to let Burnes start throwing the ball. The right-hander has been on the Injured List since June of 2025 while recovering from Tommy John surgery. He suffered a side strain while rehabbing, which has delayed him as well. It appears that Burnes is finally ready to ramp up his recovery process. The hope is that Burnes can take the mound for the D-Backs before the end of the season. He still has a long way to go, but this is an encouraging update on Burnes.

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