San Diego Padres right-hander Nick Pivetta (forearm) is scheduled to make a minor-league rehab appearance with Single-A Lake Elsinore on Tuesday, according to the team. It will be Pivetta's first game action since landing on the injured list back on April 14 with a strained right forearm. Because of how long he has been sidelined, the 33-year-old veteran will most likely require at least several rehab starts on the farm before the Padres consider returning him to their big-league starting rotation. Fellow Padres right-hander Joe Musgrove (elbow) will also be appearing on Tuesday at Lake Elsinore, so the Padres could have two very important starting arms back in their rotation very soon for the stretch run. Because of language in Pivetta's contract relating to player options in both 2027 and 2028, the Padres are expected to activate him before Aug. 22. The Canadian hurler went 13-5 with a career-best 2.87 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, and 190:50 K:BB in 31 regular-season starts in 2025 in his first year in SD in a breakout season, but he's made only four starts in 2026 due to his forearm injury. Pivetta won't have much time to make a fantasy impact when he returns, but he's being stashed in 71% of Yahoo leagues.

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The Atlanta Braves acquired right-hander Tyler Mahle from the San Francisco Giants on Sunday in exchange for pitcher Anthony Molina, sources familiar with the deal told Robert Murray of FanSided. Mahle will move to the National League East after going a disappointing 3-9 with a 5.13 ERA (4.38 FIP) and 1.39 WHIP with 89 strikeouts and 37 walks in 94 2/3 innings across 18 starts in 2026 in his first year with San Francisco. He will bring a veteran presence to Atlanta's starting rotation and will immediately help replace right-hander Reynaldo Lopez (knee), who was placed on the 15-day injured list on Sunday. Mahle has been extremely hit or miss for fantasy managers in deeper leagues this year, and although he struck out a season-high nine batters on Saturday in San Diego against the division-rival Padres, he also allowed five earned runs in 5 2/3 innings for a no-decision. In four starts (22 1/3 frames) in July, Mahle was decent with a 2.82 ERA, six walks, and 16 strikeouts. Fantasy managers in most mixed leagues can continue to ignore him, but his value should increase with the move to the first-place Braves. Mahle is rostered in only 6% of Yahoo leagues.

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New Chicago White Sox right-hander Luis Castillo is set to make his debut with the team on Thursday in Boston against the Red Sox at Fenway Park, according to James Fegan of The Athletic. Castillo will be on extra rest this coming week in his debut with the Pale Hose after going 3-9 with a career-high 5.06 ERA (4.57 FIP) and 1.39 WHIP with 86 strikeouts and 32 walks in 99 2/3 innings across 20 appearances (17 starts) with the Seattle Mariners before being dealt this weekend. The 33-year-old veteran just has not been the same pitcher in 2026 as he ages, and he's allowed 14 earned runs on 29 hits (seven home runs) with six walks and only 13 strikeouts in 23 innings pitched in four starts in the month of July. Despite being on extra rest for his first start with Chicago, Castillo will be a volatile fantasy starter against the hot Red Sox. In his first start against Boston on June 19 with Seattle, Castillo allowed five runs (four earned) on seven hits while walking none and striking out four in four innings for a no-decision in Seattle. The aging Dominican hurler has a career-low 19.4% strikeout rate in 2026 in his 10th year in the majors.

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Cincinnati Reds left-hander Nick Lodolo (finger) is scheduled to throw 60 to 65 pitches in a minor-league rehab game on Wednesday with Triple-A Louisville, according to Charlie Goldsmith of FOX 19. The Reds cleared Lodolo to make a rehab start next week after he threw a successful 50-pitch live batting practice session on Friday. The 28-year-old southpaw has not made a start for the Reds since July 11 due to a recurring blister issue on his left index finger, but he's nearing a return to Cincy's starting rotation and could be back as early as Aug. 11 against the Chicago White Sox. Lodolo has adopted a new grip for his breaking pitches, which will hopefully allow him to avoid any blister-related problems for the rest of the 2026 season. The oft-injured former seventh overall pick from Texas Christian University in 2019 has only made 12 starts this year and has gone 3-2 with a 4.60 ERA (5.09 FIP) and 1.47 WHIP with 50 strikeouts and 27 walks in 62 2/3 innings pitched. Once a promising strikeout arm, Lodolo has a career-low 17.9% strikeout rate in 2026, but he's still rostered in 63% of Yahoo leagues and could be a valuable matchup-based streamer the rest of the way if he's fully healthy.

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Tampa Bay Rays outfield prospect Jacob Melton is reportedly dealing with right hamstring tightness after being removed from a Triple-A Durham Bulls game on Saturday. The No. 6 prospect in the Rays' system has already missed time this season due to left ankle discomfort and could miss additional time while recovering from the new issue. Melton is hitting .306 in the minor leagues this season, posting a .407 OBP and a .952 OPS with six home runs across 41 games at two levels. The injury is not expected to be serious for the 25-year-old, but it creates another interruption during what has been the best season of his young career in the Rays' organization.

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Minnesota Twins outfield prospect Emmanuel Rodriguez was scratched from a High-A Cedar Rapids rehab game on Tuesday due to apparent thumb soreness and is now considered day-to-day. The 23-year-old is the No. 52 prospect in Major League Baseball, according to MLB Pipeline, as he continues working his way through the Twins' farm system. Across 29 games at multiple levels this season, Rodriguez is hitting .253 with a .902 OPS and six home runs in 95 at-bats before the injury. He owns a .911 OPS with a .254 batting average throughout his minor league career and will look to avoid any further setbacks during his recovery.

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Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani (knee) is reportedly expected to resume playing catch during the club's upcoming series against the Chicago Cubs after being sidelined from pitching with left knee inflammation and right biceps discomfort. The four-time MVP is still without a timetable for his return to the mound, but this marks another positive step in his recovery. Ohtani made 14 starts before the injury, posting a 1.79 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, and 85 strikeouts across 85 2/3 innings. He has continued to produce at an elite level at the plate, slashing .292/.397/.544 with a .941 OPS. The Dodgers are not expected to rush the 32-year-old after acquiring Tarik Skubal to strengthen their rotation ahead of the deadline.

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Texas Rangers infielder Sebastian Walcott, the No. 10 prospect in Major League Baseball, has been sidelined at Double-A Frisco after being hit in the head by a wild pickoff attempt on Sunday. A timetable for his return has not yet been announced. Walcott is hitting .308 with a .934 OPS in 13 games for Double-A Frisco this season. He also owns a 1.019 OPS over 15 games in total this season as he continues to progress through the Rangers' farm system. Walcott's offensive profile is highlighted by elite exit velocity and bat speed, positioning him to produce elite slugging numbers at the major league level.

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Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Kevin Gausman is reportedly the next starting pitcher set to be moved ahead of Monday's trade deadline. He is being acquired by the Chicago Cubs in a deal that is being finalized after spending four and a half seasons with Toronto. Gausman has taken a slight step back this season following a strong 2025 campaign, posting a 4.38 ERA and 1.29 WHIP across 23 starts. Even so, the 35-year-old still provides an experienced presence in the middle of a playoff rotation and owns a career 3.85 ERA behind one of baseball's best splitters. Gausman is also coming off a strong outing against the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday, allowing one run over 5 2/3 innings, as the Cubs continue to strengthen their rotation for the stretch run.

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Newly acquired Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Tarik Skubal is reportedly set to make his Dodgers debut on Tuesday in the club's upcoming series against the Chicago Cubs. After spending the first six and a half seasons of his career with the Detroit Tigers, Skubal was traded to Los Angeles on Saturday in the biggest starting pitching move at the trade deadline. The two-time All-Star has started 16 games this season for Detroit, posting a 2.79 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, and 116 strikeouts across 96 2/3 innings. Skubal has put together an elite stretch over the past few seasons and is expected to anchor the Dodgers' rotation as the club looks to make another deep postseason run.

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The New York Yankees are acquiring infielder Luis Garcia Jr. from the Washington Nationals on Sunday, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN. Per Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic, the Nationals will receive right-handers Ben Grable, Yovanny Cruz, Jack Cebert, and Jake Bird. The 26-year-old left-handed hitter leads the National League with a .560 slugging percentage and is hitting .283/.313/.560 with 23 home runs on the year. He's also under club control through the end of the 2027 season. Garcia is a bit of an odd fit for the Yanks, who were believed to be seeking a right-handed bat at the trade deadline this year. Not only does he hit from the left side, but he's been playing first base, where New York is already set with Ben Rice and Paul Goldschmidt. However, the Yankees still have Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger, and Giancarlo Stanton on the injured list, and they've scored the fifth-fewest runs since Judge got hurt. Garcia will most likely split time at DH (until the Yankees get healthier) and second base, but he could continue to be shielded against left-handed pitchers (he has only 57 plate appearances against them in 2026).

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Tampa Bay Rays outfield prospect Aidan Smith, along with two other prospects, is heading to the New York Mets in exchange for right-hander Freddy Peralta. The Rays bulk up their starting rotation, but it costs them three prospects. Smith is the most notable, as he ranked as the Rays' 15th-best prospect in their system. The Mets also acquired right-hander Gary Gill Hill and second baseman Emilien Pitre in exchange for Peralta. According to MLB Pipeline, Hill and Pitre ranked as the 26th and 27th-best prospects in the Rays system. Between the three, Smith holds the most upside, but he still needs time in the minor leagues. None of these players is likely to contribute right away, but it's not a terrible return on Peralta, who is a free agent after the season.

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Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson (knee) is being held out of the starting lineup during Sunday's game against the Detroit Tigers. A's manager Mark Kotsay said Wilson is out due to patellar tendonitis in his right knee. He added that this injury is manageable and he believes Wilson will be back in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Cincinnati Reds. Wilson has been struggling at the plate lately, so maybe this injury has played a part in that. Fantasy managers shouldn't be worried about a lengthy absence, as this sounds like a day-to-day issue. Alika Williams will cover shortstop and bat seventh versus right-hander Keider Montero on Sunday. Fantasy managers should check back on Tuesday for another update.

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Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith (neck) was able to throw ahead of Saturday's game against the Boston Red Sox. That is an encouraging sign in what is still a long road to recovery for Smith. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said on Saturday that Smith will need at least 3-4 weeks to ramp back up, which includes a rehab assignment. He has been out since the middle of June due to neck inflammation. Given this current timetable, Smith should be able to get back in the mix by late August or early September. Fantasy managers with an IL spot available should continue to hold Smith. Dalton Rushing figures to continue doing a majority of the catching, with Eliezer Alfonzo getting mixed in as well.

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Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Kyle Harrison (forearm) is expected to return from the 15-day Injured List during their upcoming series against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The series begins on Monday and goes through Thursday, but the Brewers haven't said which day Harrison is going to pitch. His lone rehab start was with High-A Wisconsin on Thursday, so a return on Wednesday seems likely. Harrison was struggling a bit before the injury, but has mostly been solid this season. The southpaw deserves to be rostered in most fantasy formats down the stretch of the season.

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San Francisco Giants infielder Luis Arraez (leg) is back in the starting nine for Sunday's series finale against the division-rival San Diego Padres at Petco Park, starting at second base and batting leadoff against left-hander Kyle Hart, per MLB.com. Arraez was pulled from Friday's contest against his former team due to cramps in his leg, and he was also scratched from Saturday's loss as a precaution. Despite facing a southpaw to begin Sunday's game, the 29-year-old left-handed hitter and three-time batting champion should be returned to starting lineups in all traditional formats. Arraez could be on his way to a fourth batting title in 2026 in his first year in San Fran, as he's currently hitting a league-best .328 (136-for-415) with four home runs, 43 RBI, 10 steals, and 52 runs scored in 104 games and 459 plate appearances. While Arraez provides almost no power upside for fantasy managers, he's an excellent source of batting average, and his fantasy value could improve if he's dealt to a contender before Monday's Aug. 3 trade deadline.

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Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras (head) is starting at first base and will bat cleanup for the BoSox in Sunday night's series finale on the road against the Los Angeles Dodgers and right-hander Emmet Sheehan, according to MLB.com. Contreras was hit in the head by a pitch in Friday's series opener against the Dodgers, and Boston held him out of Saturday's lineup as a result. However, he avoided a concussion and is returning to action on Sunday. Fantasy managers will want to get the 34-year-old veteran Venezuelan slugger back in their starting lineups in all leagues as he looks to stay hot in August. The four-time All-Star is having a heck of a season in 2026 in his first year in Beantown, hitting .288/.396/.547 with a .943 OPS, 23 home runs, 67 RBI, 55 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 102 games played across 419 plate appearances. Contreras was red-hot in July, going 20-for-62 (.323) at the plate with five home runs, four doubles, 14 RBI, 14 runs scored, and a stolen base in 20 games played and 82 plate appearances.

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Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz (thumb) is not in the team's starting lineup for Sunday's series finale against the visiting Detroit Tigers, according to MLB.com. Jeff McNeil will make the start at first base and will hit eighth against Tigers right-hander Keider Montero in Sacramento. Kurtz played on Thursday and Friday after being hit by a pitch on Wednesday, but the 23-year-old left-handed slugger is now out on Sunday for a second straight game and is scheduled to visit with a hand specialist on Monday in Los Angeles. Manager Mark Kotsay said initial X-rays on Kurtz's hand were "kind of unclear," so the A's want more clarity moving forward. The good news is that the A's have a scheduled day off on Monday, but it seems unlikely that Kurtz will be ready to roll on Tuesday for the series opener in Cincinnati against the Reds, even if doctors like what they see in L.A. on Monday. Fantasy managers need to prepare for a potential trip to the injured list. Kurtz is an elite source of power in just his first full MLB season in 2026, but he's been banged up so far in the second half and hit just .114 (5-for-44) with a .454 OPS, two homers, five RBI, three runs scored, four walks, and 23 strikeouts in 14 games in July.

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San Francisco Giants third baseman Matt Chapman (abdomen), who was supposed to be ready by the All-Star break in mid-July and then again this weekend in San Diego against the division-rival Padres, is still not ready, according to Evan Webeck of The California Post. Chapman was scheduled to meet with team doctors on Sunday to reassess his situation. He has been able to swing the bat and play defense, but he's still having trouble running the bases. The 33-year-old veteran has not played since suffering an abdominal strain on June 30 against the Arizona Diamondbacks, and there is no timetable for his return. Because of his injury, Chapman doesn't figure to be traded before Monday's Aug. 3 deadline. Before his injury, the former All-Star was a disappointment for fantasy managers offensively, slashing .235/.324/.368 with a .692 OPS, seven home runs, 42 RBI, and 35 runs scored across his 307 at-bats in his third year in the Bay Area. Chapman should return this season, but his activation from the IL is no longer imminent.

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Across 361 plate appearances entering play on Sunday, Chicago White Sox outfielder/second baseman Sam Antonacci had hit .279/.369/.413 with eight home runs, 32 RBI, 58 runs scored, and 14 stolen bases. The 23-year-old does not profile as a high-end power source, as he's posted just a 6.6% barrel rate and a 36.3% hard-hit rate. The lefty swinger has also logged just a .519 OPS against left-handed pitching this season, which has led the White Sox to deploy him in a big-side platoon role. However, Antonacci has displayed an impressive plate approach for a young player, limiting his strikeout rate to 15.8%. He also offers high-end speed that helps him run a high batting average on balls in play. As a quality source of batting average, stolen bases, and runs scored, Antonacci profiles as a must-add waiver wire target across most league formats.

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