Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (back) was forced to leave Monday's game early against the San Francisco Giants with more tightness in his lower back, according to Anne Rogers of MLB.com. Before being replaced at the 6 by Nick Loftin, Witt went 0-for-1 at the plate with a walk and a strikeout. The Royals held Witt out of Sunday's series finale against the San Diego Padres due to back tightness, but he was included in the starting lineup for Monday's series opener against SF. After being pulled early with the same issue, the 26-year-old three-time All-Star could be headed for a stint on the injured list. Fantasy managers will want to check back on Tuesday for an update on his condition. If Witt is forced to miss more time going forward with his back injury, Loftin and Tyler Tolbert would both be candidates to see more playing time at shortstop going forward for KC. Witt is one of the top offensive players, regardless of position, in all of baseball, but he came into Monday's contest hitting just .200 (11-for-55) with a .532 OPS, one homer, two doubles, three RBI, seven runs, two steals, three walks, and 12 K's in 13 games so far in July.

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The New York Post's Jon Heyman reports that the Los Angeles Angels are expected to make both right-hander Jose Soriano and left-hander Reid Detmers available at this year's trade deadline in early August. Soriano allowed just one earned run in his first six starts of the season, but he's come down to Earth since, posting a 5.15 ERA, 1.53 WHIP, and 72:40 K:BB in 73 1/3 innings over his last 14 starts. The 27-year-old Dominican is 8-6 overall with a 3.49 ERA (3.97 FIP), 1.29 WHIP, and 115:53 K:BB in 111 innings over 20 starts. Soriano leads the league with 53 walks in his fourth year in the majors in Anaheim. Detmer, meanwhile, has had a solid return to a starting role in 2026 after being demoted to the bullpen last year. The 27-year-old southpaw is 3-6 with a 4.16 ERA (3.21 FIP), 1.12 WHIP, and 130:35 K:BB in 114 2/3 frames across 20 starts. Both hurlers should attract plenty of interest on the trade market as the deadline approaches, and both of them could have a higher fantasy ceiling down the stretch with contenders.

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Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz (thumb) is with the team during their current road trip and has started a hitting progression, according to Martin Gallegos of MLB.com. Kurtz also took groundballs on Monday. If he continues to progress, there's a chance that he could come off the 10-day injured list for this weekend's series in Minnesota against the Twins, although manager Mark Kotsay said that might be a bit of an accelerated timeline. The 23-year-old left-handed slugger was still limited to range-of-motion and strengthening exercises over the weekend, but he has progressed in his recovery from a right-thumb capsule sprain and could return for fantasy managers this weekend or early next week, barring a setback. Kurtz has been on the IL since July 11. When active, the former fourth overall pick in 2024 from Wake Forest University is an elite source of power from the left side of the plate, especially in the minor-league band box in Sacramento that the A's currently call home. Through 334 at-bats in his first full big-league season in 2026, Kurtz has hit .266/.405/.497 with a .902 OPS, 20 homers, 66 RBI, 61 runs, and seven stolen bases.

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San Francisco Giants third baseman Matt Chapman (abdomen) went through his most strenuous day yet while rehabbing an abdominal strain on Monday, according to Evan Webeck of The California Post. Manager Tony Vitello said "it went well" and that Chapman is in "really good spirits." The skipper also said that it's "reasonable to think" that Chapman could return from the 10-day injured list on the team's next homestand, but he wouldn't make any promises. San Francisco will return home this Friday, July 24, and will stay in the Bay Area until Wednesday, July 29. It sounds as though the Giants won't ask the 33-year-old veteran to go on a minor-league rehab assignment before potentially returning this weekend. The former 25th overall pick in 2014 by the Athletics out of Cal State Fullerton has left a lot to be desired from his fantasy managers in 2026, slashing .235/.324/.368 with a career-low .692 OPS, seven home runs, 42 RBI, and 35 runs scored through his first 84 games and 352 plate appearances in his third year with the Gigantes and 10th in the majors.

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The Los Angeles Dodgers still don't have a pitching timetable for two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (knee), but manager Dave Roberts said that Ohtani could throw a bullpen session this weekend, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. Ardaya added that Ohtani was throwing on flat ground on Monday. The four-time MVP has been dealing with a nagging left-knee injury and has not made a start as a pitcher since July 3 against the San Diego Padres as a result. The 32-year-old had his knee drained on the Sunday before last week's All-Star break, but the Dodgers scratched him from his scheduled start this Wednesday against the Philadelphia Phillies as a precaution after he felt more soreness in his knee while throwing over the weekend. If Ohtani's throwing session goes well on Monday, he could be cleared to throw off a mound this weekend, which would represent progress as he attempts to rejoin L.A.'s starting rotation in the second half. Still, fantasy managers are going to need to stay patient, and the Dodgers have a big enough lead in the National League West that they won't be forced to rush Ohtani back. At the very least, he will not make another start as a pitcher for another couple of weeks.

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Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll (elbow) is absent from the team's starting lineup for Monday's series opener at Chase Field against the visiting Athletics, according to MLB.com. Jorge Barrosa is starting in right field and will bat out of the nine-hole against A's left-hander Jeffrey Springs. Carroll is considered day-to-day after suffering a hyperextended elbow in Sunday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals, but he'll miss at least one game to begin the new week. Fantasy managers will want to check back on the 25-year-old three-time All-Star's availability for Game 2 of the series in the desert on Tuesday. The former 16th overall pick in 2019 is a must-start in all fantasy leagues when he's healthy. He's currently slashing .250/.344/.480 with an .824 OPS, 14 home runs, 47 RBI, 55 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases across his 356 at-bats this year. Corbin could use a day or two off, though, as he's gone 6-for-51 (.118) with a homer, three doubles, four RBI, seven runs, one stolen base, nine walks, and 18 strikeouts in 14 games (60 plate appearances) so far in July.

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Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts didn't rule out right-handed closer Edwin Diaz (elbow) being activated from the 60-day injured list for the upcoming weekend series against the New York Mets, according to David Vassegh of 570 LA Sports. Diaz has been away from the big-league team since having surgery in late April to remove loose bodies from his right elbow. The 32-year-old veteran and three-time All-Star is nearing a return from the IL, though, and has struck out seven and walked one in four shutout innings in his four minor-league rehab appearances. The Dodgers most likely want to see the Puerto Rican hurler pitch on back-to-back days before they have him rejoin their big-league bullpen. Left-hander Tanner Scott has done a commendable job filling in as L.A.'s primary ninth-inning option for Roberts with Diaz out for most of the first half of the season, but he will most likely go back to a late-inning setup role when Diaz returns. Diaz allowed seven earned runs in his first six innings with the Blue before going under the knife, but he deserves to be rostered in all fantasy leagues as the primary closer for the best team in baseball.

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Houston Astros first baseman Christian Walker (hip) is missing his second straight game due to hip tightness in Monday's series opener at Daikin Park versus the visiting Miami Marlins, per MLB.com. LaMonte Wade Jr. will make a second straight start at first base and will bat fifth against Marlins right-hander Janson Junk. Walker initially injured his hip on a swing in Saturday's game against the Baltimore Orioles. The good news is that manager Joe Espada said that the 35-year-old veteran has been doing baseball activities and is feeling better, so he should be considered day-to-day with a chance to return as early as Game 2 of the series against the Fish on Tuesday. Walker is still good for plenty of power -- he's already reached the 20-homer mark for the fifth straight season -- but he's not providing much else for fantasy managers with a .234/.310/.456 slash line in 364 at-bats. He could probably use a couple of days off, too, as he's gone 7-for-40 (.175) with a homer, three doubles, two RBI, five runs scored, three walks, and 15 strikeouts in 12 games so far in July.

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Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena (hamstring) is starting at the 6 and batting in his usual leadoff spot for Monday's series opener at home against the visiting Miami Marlins and right-hander Janson Junk, according to MLB.com. Pena was pulled as a precaution in Saturday's game against the Baltimore Orioles due to cramps in his right hamstring, and he was given the day off in Sunday's series finale. Now that the 28-year-old is back in action to begin the new week, fantasy managers should return him to their starting lineups in traditional formats. Pena has gone 5-for-17 (.294) with an RBI and three runs scored in five games since returning from the injured list, and the Dominican shortstop is slashing .295/.359/.430 with a .789 OPS, six home runs, 22 RBI, 37 runs scored, and eight stolen bases across an even 200 at-bats in 2026. Since the start of June, he's hitting .315 (34-for-108) with an .835 OPS, three homers, five doubles, 14 RBI, 22 runs scored, and five stolen bases in 30 games and 123 plate appearances. Pena has never faced Junk.

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The Miami Marlins announced on Monday that they placed right-hander Max Meyer (neck) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to July 19) with a neck strain and recalled right-hander Zach Brzykcy from Triple-A Jacksonville in a corresponding move. Meyer was given extra rest going into last week's All-Star Game after he initially reported some neck pain during his last start on July 7 against the Seattle Mariners. In his first outing of the second half of the season on Saturday against the Milwaukee Brewers, he lasted only three innings and allowed two earned runs with three walks and five strikeouts in a no-decision. It's unclear yet if Meyer will be ready to return to Miami's starting rotation when he's eligible to return on Aug. 4, but regardless, he deserves to be stashed in all fantasy formats in what has been a breakout 2026. The 27-year-old former third overall pick in 2020 out of the University of Minnesota is 9-1 on the season with a 2.68 ERA (3.51 FIP) and 1.13 WHIP with a career-high 121 strikeouts and 41 walks in 111 innings across 20 starts. Left-hander Braxton Garrett could come up from Triple-A to take Meyer's rotation spot.

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Miami Marlins middle infielder Otto Lopez (finger) is missing a second straight start for Monday's series opener against the hosting Houston Astros at Daikin Park, per MLB.com. Javier Sanoja will make another start at the 6 and will bat ninth for Miami against Astros right-hander Ronel Blanco, who is making his first start off the injured list. Lopez took a groundball off his right ring finger in Saturday's game against the Brewers. The 27-year-old stayed in for the rest of the game but was held out in Sunday's series finale, and now he'll miss a second straight contest. Fantasy managers should continue to consider Lopez day-to-day and check back on Tuesday to see if he's ready to return for Game 2 of the series in Houston. The Dominican middle infielder has turned into a must-start player in 2026 in his third year in Miami, as he's currently hitting a league-high .335 (130-for-388) with a league-leading 27 doubles, nine homers, 46 RBI, 18 stolen bases, and 61 runs scored across his 97 games and 419 plate appearances.

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The Baltimore Orioles are placing catcher Adley Rutschman (wrist) on the 10-day injured list on Monday with inflammation in his left wrist, according to Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun. It will be the third time in 2026 that the All-Star catcher will go on the IL. In a corresponding move, the O's selected the contract of catcher Chadwick Tromp from Triple-A Norfolk. Sam Huff is doing the catching for right-hander Shane Baz on Monday and will hit ninth in the series opener against the hosting Boston Red Sox and left-hander Payton Tolle. It's bad timing for Rutschman's injury after Samuel Basallo (shoulder) was forced from Sunday's win over the Houston Astros with discomfort in his right shoulder. If Basallo also requires a stint on the IL, Huff and Tromp would split catching duties in Baltimore. The 28-year-old switch-hitting Rutschman has not been able to get going amid his injuries in 2026, hitting .251/.331/.433 with a .764 OPS, eight home runs, 47 RBI, and 30 runs scored across his 247 at-bats in his fifth year in the majors.

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San Diego Padres right-hander Nick Pivetta (forearm) threw a successful up-and-down bullpen session last Friday, manager Craig Stammen told Sammy Levitt of 97.3 The Fan in San Diego. Pivetta threw around 15 to 20 pitches, took a break, and then threw another 15 to 20 pitches. The 33-year-old veteran had a career year in 2025 in his first season in SD, going 13-5 with a career-low 2.87 ERA (3.49 FIP) and 0.98 WHIP with a career-high 190 strikeouts and 50 walks in 181 2/3 innings across 31 regular-season starts. He made only four starts for the Friars in 2026 before being shut down on April 14 with a right-forearm flexor strain. Pivetta has been throwing off a mound for a few weeks and appears to be getting close to facing hitters, but he still has a ways to go and won't be eligible to return to the Padres' starting rotation until late August. If he cannot return by Aug. 22, the Padres could void the final two years and $32 million left on his deal. Pivetta is definitely motivated to return before late August, and he absolutely can help fantasy managers in all league formats. In his 16 innings this year before his injury, he had a 4.50 ERA (1.23 FIP), 1.12 WHIP, and 24:6 K:BB.

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Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (back) is starting at the 6 and will hit second in Monday's series opener against the visiting San Francisco Giants and right-hander Trevor McDonald, according to MLB.com. The Royals held Witt out of Sunday's series finale against the San Diego Padres as a precaution due to back tightness that he's experienced of late, but he will end up missing just one game. The 26-year-old former second overall pick in 2019 has not been himself so far in July, but he's still a must-start in traditional fantasy leagues now that he's back in action to start a new week. Overall, the three-time All-Star is hitting .280/.350/.451 with an .801 OPS, 13 home runs, 39 RBI, 30 stolen bases, and 51 runs scored across his 368 at-bats, but he's hitting just .200 (11-for-55) with a .532 OPS, one homer, two doubles, three RBI, seven runs scored, two steals, three walks, and 12 strikeouts in 13 games so far in July. Witt has never faced McDonald in his MLB career.

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The New York Mets announced on Monday that they reinstated outfielder Luis Robert Jr. (back) from the 60-day injured list and optioned infielder Eric Wagaman to Triple-A Syracuse in a corresponding move. It's unclear yet whether Robert will be back in New York's starting lineup for Monday's series opener on the road against the Milwaukee Brewers and right-hander Jacob Misiorowski, but if he is, fantasy managers in traditional leagues and DFS should fade Robert. Now that he's back, the 28-year-old Cuban will likely split his time between designated hitter and center field. He'll be returning for the first time since late April. Before his injury, Robert struggled with a .224 average (19-for-85) with two homers, eight RBI, 10 runs scored, and two stolen bases across his 24 games and 98 plate appearances. Robert has mostly teased power/speed upside in his MLB career, but he did hit 38 homers, drive in 80, and steal 20 bags in 2023 with the Chicago White Sox. For the power/speed possibility alone if he can stay healthy in the second half, Robert is worth a look off the waiver wire in fantasy leagues. He's currently rostered in under half of Yahoo leagues.

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Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (hamstring) played right field during a minor-league rehab game for the first time on Sunday at Triple-A Gwinnett, but manager Walt Weiss said there's no guarantee he'll come off the 10-day injured list before the team's homestand concludes this Thursday, according to MLB.com's Mark Bowman. "He's still got some days ahead of him," Weiss said. "We just want to make sure he doesn't have to try to figure it out or struggle up here. We've seen that with guys, right? It's tough to have patience because these guys move the needle. A guy like Acua is an aircraft carrier. He moves the needle for our team. But we have to use good judgment there." The 2023 National League MVP went 0-for-2 with a sacrifice fly and a walk on Sunday and went 1-for-7 with a home run in three games in the rookie-level Florida Complex League last week. He's gone 1-for-5 in two games so far with Gwinnett. The Braves continue to show caution with Acuna, who has strained his left hamstring twice in 2026. Weiss primarily plans to use Acuna in right field when he returns, although there could be days when he's used at DH. The 28-year-old Venezuelan has hit .251 (49-for-195) with seven homers, 22 RBI, 31 runs, and 15 steals so far this year. It's been a major disappointment for fantasy managers, but Acuna still can be a difference-maker once he returns as a five-category contributor.

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Milwaukee Brewers left-handed starting pitcher Shane Drohan settled down after a three-run second inning on Saturday, July 18, and ended up striking out a career-high nine over six frames against Miami. He earned his fifth win and now carries a 3.20 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and 76 strikeouts in 76 innings. That is a lot more than streamer-only production. Drohan has started seven straight games, and Milwaukee has every reason to keep him there after Brandon Woodruff's season-ending shoulder surgery. The underlying numbers are holding up, too, with a 3.31 expected ERA, 24.0% strikeout rate, and 6.6% walk rate. A 37% roster rate on Yahoo still leaves him available in plenty of leagues. RotoBaller has Drohan in the 12-team range, and the ratios, strikeouts, and steadier rotation path make him worth holding rather than cycling back onto the wire.

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Washington Nationals third baseman Curtis Mead reached base three times Sunday, July 19, going 1-for-3 with two walks, an RBI, a run, and his sixth steal in a 5-2 win over the Athletics. He is batting .256 with 17 home runs, 48 RBI, 47 runs, and six steals across 270 at-bats. July has been even better: 19-for-46 (.413) with three homers, nine RBI, 11 runs, and two steals. Yahoo still lists Mead at 47% rostered. That is hard to square with a regular third baseman who also qualifies at first and second, especially one producing this kind of power without selling out for it. Mead has an 11.4% barrel rate, 42.5% hard-hit rate, and .471 expected slugging percentage. RotoBaller has moved him into the 10-team range. He is not a speculative add anymore. He is one of the better hitters still available.

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Miami Marlins outfielder Heriberto Hernandez added two more hits against Milwaukee on Sunday, leaving him at .237 with 13 home runs, 36 RBI, 25 runs, and six steals across 215 at-bats. July has been much louder. Hernandez is 14-for-46 (.304) with five homers, seven RBI, and seven runs this month. The power is not coming out of nowhere. His average exit velocity sits at 92.3 mph, with a 50.6% hard-hit rate, 12.0% barrel rate, and .502 expected slugging percentage. The batting average may bounce around, and a 24.1% strikeout rate leaves room for cold stretches. That is easier to accept when the ball is being hit this hard. Only 7% of Yahoo leagues have Hernandez rostered, while RotoBaller places him in the 12-team range. He has moved beyond deep-league-only territory.

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Detroit Tigers outfield prospect Max Clark has had a nice season at Triple-A Toledo and has turned in a solid month of July. In 45 at bats this month for Toledo, Clark has recorded two homers and three RBI with nine runs scored while hitting .289 overall. Altogether, the talented 21-year-old left-handed hitter has racked up eight homers and 35 RBI with 58 runs scored and 20 stolen bases at Toledo this season while hitting .265. The Tigers top overall prospect, Clark, a first-round pick out of Franklin High School in Indiana, is a five-tool threat who could contribute immediately to fantasy teams if given a shot at the big leagues. The Tigers could look to the upside of Clark in the second half, especially if they decide to be sellers at the trade deadline. Clark has the potential to reward fantasy managers who take a chance on rostering him.

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