The Atlanta Braves announced on Tuesday that they optioned right-handed pitching prospect Owen Murphy to Triple-A Gwinnett after he made his major-league debut in Monday's extra-inning loss to the division-rival New York Mets. The Braves' No. 6 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, allowed two runs (one earned) on one hit in the 10th inning to take the loss while also walking a hitter and striking out one. Atlanta showed plenty of confidence in the 22-year-old in his first big-league appearance in a high-leverage spot, but he didn't rise to the occasion. Murphy's long-term role is clearly as a starter, but if he resurfaces in the majors again at some point in the second half, he might return to a bullpen role. In his first full season since recovering from Tommy John surgery, Murphy has gone 5-7 with a 4.44 ERA and 1.26 WHIP with 92 strikeouts and 38 walks in 16 starts with Double-A Columbus and Gwinnett. The 6-foot-1, 190-pounder is still an intriguing hold in dynasty/keeper leagues, but fantasy managers in single-year formats can continue to ignore Murphy for now. Murphy is rostered in just 1% of Yahoo leagues.

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Pittsburgh Pirates rookie shortstop Konnor Griffin (finger) is dealing with a torn tendon in his left ring finger, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN. Griffin could play through the injury, but rehab is the likeliest option and would keep him out for at least a month. The Pirates already have outfielder Oneil Cruz (hand) and first baseman Spencer Horwitz (hamstring) on the injured list with the All-Star break looming next week. The 20-year-old rookie phenom recently returned from a forearm injury in late June, and now he could miss another month-plus with his finger ailment. The former ninth overall pick in 2024 has the potential to be a perennial All-Star as one of the best shortstops in the big leagues. In his first MLB season, he has hit .276/.332/.404 with a .736 OPS, five home runs, 25 RBI, 35 runs scored, and 20 stolen bases across his 225 at-bats. Griffin should be stashed everywhere if he returns to the IL, which seems likely, after injuring his finger while making a diving catch in Sunday's game against the Washington Nationals. Nick Gonzales and Jared Triolo are both options to take over at the 6 in Pittsburgh with Griffin hurt again.

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St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Michael McGreevy will be given extra rest and will not start either of the games during Tuesday's doubleheader versus the division-rival Milwaukee Brewers, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Right-hander Matt Svanson will serve as the opener for Game 1 of the twin bill on Tuesday. McGreevy will most likely be pushed back to either Wednesday or Thursday against Milwaukee. The 25-year-old former 18th overall pick in the 2021 MLB draft out of the University of California, Santa Barbara, has gone 3-7 with a 3.12 ERA (4.32 FIP) and 1.11 WHIP with 60 strikeouts and 22 walks in 95 1/3 innings pitched across 17 starts in 2026. McGreevy allowed a season-high five earned runs in five innings against the Kansas City Royals on June 19, but he's allowed only two earned runs with two walks and seven strikeouts in 12 innings in his two most recent starts against the Miami Marlins and Atlanta Braves. In his first start against the Brewers this year on May 26, McGreevy allowed five earned runs with three walks and six K's in just four innings in a loss.

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After spending much of the early portion of the 2026 season in a bulk relief role, Milwaukee Brewers left-hander Shane Drohan was moved to his team's starting rotation in early June. The 27-year-old has pitched well since the role change, recording a 2-1 record with a 3.22 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, and 33 strikeouts across 36 1/3 innings (seven starts). Drohan demonstrated high-end strikeout upside in the minor leagues in 2025, recording a 34.5% strikeout rate across 54 innings while pitching in the Boston Red Sox organization. While fantasy managers should not expect that same level of dominance now that he's a regular part of an MLB rotation, Drohan's swing-and-miss ceiling is likely higher than his current strikeout rate of 22.8%. Drohan carries streamer appeal across all fantasy formats and may even be a priority waiver wire target in deeper leagues.

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To this point in 2026, Miami Marlins left-hander Braxton Garrett has thrown just 4 1/3 innings (two starts) at the big-league level. However, the 28-year-old has dominated Triple-A hitters, recording a 3-2 record with a 1.55 ERA, 0.81 WHIP, and 69 strikeouts across 64 innings (12 starts). Garrett has been particularly unhittable of late, as he's logged 27 strikeouts without allowing an earned run across his last 24 innings (four starts). After missing the entire 2025 season following internal brace surgery in his elbow, Garrett may now be rounding back into form. He was an effective pitcher for the Marlins back in 2023, recording a 3.66 ERA and 1.15 WHIP with 156 strikeouts and nine wins across 159 2/3 innings. Given how well he's pitched in the minors, it may only be a matter of time before Garrett is back in Miami.

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Colorado Rockies shortstop Ezequiel Tovar has had a rough season overall in 2026, hitting .209/.252/.345 with eight home runs, 32 RBI, 31 runs scored, and five stolen bases across 321 plate appearances. However, the 24-year-old has begun to heat up a bit in July, hitting .250 with a .888 OPS and two home runs across 19 plate appearances so far this month. Tovar has proven an ability to hit for power at earlier points in his career, slugging 26 home runs across 695 plate appearances in 2024. He also has the benefit of playing his home games in the hitter-friendly environment of Coors Field, which should help his current batting average on balls in play of .257 regress closer to his career mark of .320 over the second half of the season. At worst, Tovar's excellent defense at shortstop should keep him in the Rockies' everyday lineup and allow him to rack up counting stats at a decent rate. Particularly in deeper leagues, he could be a second-half breakout candidate to target on the waiver wire.

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Across 29 innings (30 games) so far in 2026, Boston Red Sox right-hander Garrett Whitlock has recorded a 4-1 record with a 2.48 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 34 strikeouts, and one save. To this point, Boston has largely utilized Whitlock in a setup role in front of veteran closer Aroldis Chapman. However, Chapman has allowed six earned runs over his last seven appearances (six innings), which could open the door for Whitlock to see more save opportunities. Boston could also look to move Chapman at the upcoming trade deadline. Even if Whitlock remains limited to his current role, he could carry some value in deeper fantasy leagues. The 30-year-old owns a sterling 24.6% K-BB rate, and his frequent high-leverage usage puts him in position to rack up more wins than the typical reliever. Fantasy managers looking for relief upside on the waiver wire may want to prioritize Whitlock.

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New York Yankees first baseman Paul Goldschmidt has emerged as a key piece of his team's lineup in 2026, hitting .266/.325/.505 with 14 home runs, 41 RBI, 31 runs scored, and one stolen base across 243 plate appearances. The 38-year-old has cooled off in recent weeks after a red-hot June, as he's currently hitless in his last 27 plate appearances. Still, Goldschmidt owns a strong 11.7% barrel rate and should continue to see regular playing time in New York with both Giancarlo Stanton (calf) and Aaron Judge (ribs) currently sidelined by injury. Goldschmidt has also mashed left-handed pitching to a 1.162 OPS so far this season, so he has a clear use case for fantasy managers. Even amidst his current slump, Goldschmidt is a worthwhile waiver wire target.

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Arizona Diamondbacks prospect Ryan Waldschmidt has 112 major league at-bats this season but is now spending his time in Triple-A Reno. The Diamondbacks' top overall prospect got a look at the big league level but did not hit a home run and drove in eight runs while swiping five bags and hitting .254. Arizona chose to send him back for some seasoning in the minors, and he has six homers and 29 RBI at Reno with six stolen bases while hitting .293. In 184 at-bats at Reno, Waldschmidt has shown promising signs, including amassing an OPS of .910, the best mark of his minor-league career. With an outfield full of depth at the big-league level, includingCorbin Carroll,Lourdes Gurriel Jr., andMax Kepler, among others, it would appear that Waldschmidt could spendmore time in the minors. However, the right-handed bat could be one fantasy managers keep in mind as they look for stashes for the second half. Should he get another opportunity for the Diamondbacks, Waldschmidt should produce and has the potential to provide five-category upside.

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Across 287 plate appearances so far this season, Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho is hitting .246/.314/.404 with seven home runs, 23 RBI, 32 runs scored, and seven stolen bases. Varsho has dealt with nagging injury issues in recent seasons, so health risk is a part of his profile. However, the 30-year-old has largely stayed on the field in 2026, outside of a short stint on the injured list due to a wrist ailment. Varsho has sacrificed power for increased contact ability this year, as his barrel rate has dropped from 15.9% to 6.5% and his strikeout rate has fallen from 28.4% to 20.9%. While that tradeoff is not ideal for fantasy managers, Varsho carries latent power upside. If he can find the right balance of contact and power in the second half of the season, he could provide five-category production for fantasy managers.

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Miami Marlins pitching prospect Karson Milbrandt has pitched well in the minors this season between Double-A Pensacola and Triple-A Jacksonville. His numbers were dominant at Pensacola, with a 4-1 record, a 1.34 ERA, and a 1.00 WHIP. His strikeout rate was also excellent at Double-A, with 70 strikeouts over 47 innings. His numbers have come back to earth a bit at Triple-A after his promotion, with a 4.15 ERA and 1.66 WHIP at Jacksonville. The dip in numbers is a bit concerning but is to be expected to some extent after just five Triple-A starts. Milbrandt, the No. 4 overall prospect for the Marlins, might have a path to the majors with Marlins starting pitcher Janson Junk currently on the 15-day IL. Should Milbrandt get a look to fill Junk's spot in the near future, he could prove to be a worthwhile pickup for fantasy managers in most leagues.

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Cincinnati Reds outfield prospect Hector Rodriguez is mashing at Triple-A Louisville this season, and fantasy managers should start to take notice. The 22-year-old outfielder has 19 homers and 53 RBI while hitting .285. Rodriguez, the No. 5 prospect for the Reds, has a shot to make the big league club with current Reds outfielders Dane Myers and Blake Dunn on the 10-day IL. Now would seem to be prime time for Rodriguez to make an impact on the big-league club. He has demonstrated the power numbers at Triple-A while hitting for a good average and appears ready for the majors. Fantasy managers should take notice and add the power-hitting left-handed bat prior to his call-up. He could be a difference-maker in fantasy leagues down the stretch run, making him a worthy stash target in 12+ team, five-outfielder formats.

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New York Mets first base/outfield prospect Ryan Clifford has shown power numbers at Triple-A Syracuse but has not yet proven to be a consistent bat at the Triple-A level. He has 14 homers and 41 RBI but is hitting just .193 with a .660 OPS. He has added seven steals, showing he can run a little bit, but his OPS is the lowest of his career in the minors, which is a cause for concern. Clifford is the No. 2 prospect in the Mets system so the hype is there and the left handed hitter has shown the ability to play first base and outfield. Before getting a shot in New York at the big-league level, he will likely need to show more consistent hitting at Triple-A. But the bottom line is the Mets have a hole at first base and could look to Clifford to fill that hole in what is becoming a bit of a lost season. So Clifford is worth a look in mixed leagues but is not someone to rush to the waiver wire to add just yet.

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Cleveland Guardians first base/outfield prospect Ralphy Velazquez is adjusting nicely to two minor league levels this season, combining to hit .296 between Double-A Akron and Triple-A Columbus with 10 homers and 42 RBI. Velazquez, a former first round pick, is the top prospect in the Guardians system and could be looking at a promotion before the end of this year, but Cleveland could also be patient and wait until 2027 to promote their biggest minor league prize. With Kyle Manzardo and Rhys Hoskins, the Guardians have adequate coverage of first base this season and could play it safe and wait to get a look at the 21-year-old Velazquez until next season. While Velazquez has shown a solid bat, he still has some development to do and fantasy managers in leagues of all sizes may want to wait a bit to add his services to their roster.

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Los Angeles Dodgers right-handed prospect pitcher River Ryan finds himself on the minor-league injured list with Triple-A Oklahoma City after suffering a right hamstring strain. Ryan also missed time with the injury in April so his injury history is becoming a bit of a concern. The numbers are pretty good for Ryan in Oklahoma City this year, with a 3-1 record, a 4.46 ERA, and 43 strikeouts in 36 1/3 innings pitched. The strikeout rate is a good sign for Ryan and the 27-year-old is working hard to be ready for his major league debut. The injuries have been troubling, though, as he also missed all of 2025 after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Ryan's three starts in June before landing on the injured list were subpar, with a 1-1 record and 8.16 ERA, including his latest start in which he gave up eight earned runs. Ryan, the No. 6 prospect in the Dodgers system, will likely need to show more consistency on the mound and with his health before he is considered for a call up. For now, he is off the stash radar in all standard leagues.

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San Francisco Giants outfielder Heliot Ramos is heating up with the weather. In the team's 10-1 blowout win over the visiting Toronto Blue Jays at Oracle Park on Monday night, he went 3-for-5 out of the leadoff spot with two home runs, a triple, five RBI, three runs scored, and a strikeout to boost his season average to .274 and his OPS to .806. It was Ramos' first career game with multiple home runs and his first game with five RBI. The 26-year-old is now hitting .313 (10-for-32) with four home runs, a double, two triples, eight RBI, and eight runs scored in eight games since coming off the injured list on June 28. Overall, the Puerto Rican native is batting .274/.314/.492 with eight home runs, 28 RBI, and 27 runs scored across his 197 at-bats in 2026 in his fifth year in the big leagues with the Gigantes. Under the hood, Ramos appears set for a strong second half after an injury-plagued first half, as he currently sits with an xBA of .287 and an xwOBA of .357 (wOBA of .344). Ramos is in the 93rd percentile in hard-hit rate, the 96th percentile in barrel rate, and the 91st percentile in xSLG.

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Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson has been on a home run binge of late, and that continued on Monday night in the team's 7-6, 10-inning loss to the division-rival New York Mets at Truist Park. Olson went 2-for-5 at the plate with two home runs, three RBI, a walk, and a strikeout. The 32-year-old left-handed slugger's first long ball came in the third inning against right-handed starter Freddy Peralta, and his second blast came off closer Devin Williams in the ninth inning to force extra innings. Olson wraps up a strong series against the Mets after homering twice in Friday's series opener. The former first-rounder continues to be one of the most consistent, high-end sources of power in fantasy baseball. After Monday night's strong performance, Olson is slashing .273/.344/.546 with an .890 OPS, 24 home runs, 57 RBI, 61 runs, and two stolen bases in his 348 at-bats. So far in six games in July, he's gone 6-for-25 (.240) with four homers, a double, five RBI, and seven runs scored across 28 plate appearances.

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Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Jake Bennett has been one of the few bright spots in his team's season this year, and he can be a nice boost for your fantasy team if you need help from the waiver wire. The Red Sox acquired the towering 25-year-old lefty from the Nationals in exchange for Luis Perales this offseason, and Bennett got off to a fast start by posting a 1.60 ERA in his nine starts in Triple-A. He made a couple of starts for the Red Sox in May but has solidified his spot in the rotation with an excellent run over his last four starts. He has allowed two runs or fewer in each of his last four outings, posting a 1.78 ERA and 2.68 FIP with 23 strikeouts in 25 1/3 innings. He dominated the Yankees and Angels to win his last two starts, and he'll be back on the bump this Wednesday against the White Sox for one more start before the All-Star break. While he doesn't have the high strikeout ceiling of some of the flashier prospects, Bennett has been effective enough to be a strong streaming option in all formats and potentially a long-term solution, especially if the Red Sox move starting pitchers at the deadline, opening more opportunities for him down the stretch.

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New York Yankees outfielder Jasson Dominguez is back in a regular role for the Yankees in the middle of the lineup. He has picked up 14 hits in his last 17 games, with six of them going for extra bases. Over that stretch, he has two homers, four doubles, and a .278 wOBA. He also added five stolen bases in that span, showing some sneaky speed upside. Dominguez is only hitting .209 on the season and has 17 strikeouts in his last 17 games. In AL-only or very deep leagues, his speed and power potential make him a fringe option for rosters right now, with the upside for more power as he finds his way in the MLB. The 23-year-old has elite power potential as a prospect, but he has yet to prove he's ready to deliver that regularly at this point in his career. His regular role in a very productive batting order, though, should help him post good counting stats, especially once Aaron Judge returns to the lineup.

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