Chicago White Sox outfielder Sam Antonacci is still available in more than half of Yahoo leagues despite batting .285 with seven home runs, 50 runs, 29 RBI, and 13 steals across 270 at-bats. He homered on Friday, July 17, then went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts Saturday. That is not a reason to jump off. Antonacci owns a .376 on-base percentage and has struck out in just 15.3% of his 313 plate appearances. That contact, plus a regular turn atop Chicago's lineup, keeps the runs and steals coming. The power is not big, but it is no longer empty, either. Seven homers work just fine alongside 13 steals and 50 runs. Antonacci also qualifies at second base, third base, and the outfield. At 47% rostered on Yahoo, he should not be sitting on the wire in competitive 10-team leagues.

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Colorado Rockies outfield prospect Zac Veen has continued to showcase high-end production at the Triple-A club and is making a strong case to earn his second stint in the major leagues. Through his last 40 contests at the Triple-A club in the Colorado system, the former ninth overall pick from the 2020 MLB Draft has carried an elite .355/.375/.734 line with a 1.109 OPS. During this noted surge, Veen has gone deep 12 times, tacked on 20 doubles, swiped four bags, and even hit four triples. On the season, Veen has done more than prove he's ready for the majors, posting a .967 OPS with 16 home runs and 16 stolen bases. With the Rockies likely to move many key bats at the deadline, including outfielder Mickey Moniak, Veen should face minimal competition for second-half at-bats.

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Texas Rangers starting pitcher MacKenzie Gore has taken a beating in July, with five more runs allowed over 5 2/3 innings against the Atlanta Braves on Saturday. His ERA for the month is up to 8.24 after four starts, and six balls have already left the yard in 19 2/3 innings. Ugly, no way around it. The strikeouts have not disappeared, though. Gore has 25 of them against four walks during the skid, bringing him to 122 punchouts over 110 2/3 frames this season. His ERA climbed to 4.80, while his xERA sat at 3.88 entering Saturday. That gap does not erase the home-run trouble, and Gore has always carried some volatility. It does leave room for better days. With the swing-and-miss still intact and the walks under control, he belongs in the buy-low conversation rather than on the waiver wire.

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San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Landen Roupp followed eight innings of one-run ball against Toronto with seven scoreless at Seattle on Friday, July 17. He has allowed one earned run across 15 innings, though the two strikeouts against the Mariners keep the run from looking spotless. Still, the case is not built on two box scores. Roupp owns a 3.38 xERA beneath his 3.98 ERA, and hitters have managed just a 28.8% hard-hit rate and 3.9% barrel rate against him. His curveball remains nasty, with a 34.6% whiff rate, .174 xBA, and .219 xSLG. The control can unravel. Arizona chased him after 2 2/3 innings on June 30, when he walked six and allowed six runs. That outing is the risk. The contact profile is the reason to buy into the rise, and Roupp looks like a useful second-half arm rather than a two-start mirage.

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Los Angeles Dodgers outfield prospect Zyhir Hope turned in another stellar effort at the Double-A level on Saturday evening. Facing Frisco, the No. 19 overall prospect in the sport went 3-for-4 with two home runs and two RBI. Hope has spent the entire 2026 campaign with Double-A and has performed at a high level. Through 84 total contests with Tulsa, the budding superstar has carried a .292/.373/.538 slash line with a .910 OPS. He has launched 16 doubles, added 21 round-trippers, and even swiped 15 bags. However, over his last 12 contests, Hope has seen his production soar even further, especially when looking at his power. During this noted stretch, Hope has launched eight long balls with a 1.021 SLG. Given his current pace, a call-up to Triple-A seems very likely down the stretch.

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Minnesota Twins infield prospect Kaelen Culpepper continues to see his stash value fall and potential for a late-season call-up decline due to his stint on the injured list. Culpepper has been on the shelf since the end of June due to a finger injury. This is the second injury the injured has suffered this season, as he also missed time due to a hip injury. However, when on the diamond for St. Paul, Culpepper has been quite productive, which kept him high on stash rankings during the first half. Across 63 games with the top club in Minnesota, Culpepper has held a .272/.376/.492 slash line with 14 home runs and 15 stolen bases. While his MLB debut could be delayed, his five-category potential keeps him on the watch list, as he could still provide fantasy value later in the second half.

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Cincinnati Reds outfield prospect Hector Rodriguez has enjoyed a power binge at the Triple-A level and is making a strong case to earn the call to the big leagues. Over his last 12 games at Triple-A Louisville, the 22-year-old has gone deep five times and added a double. During this stretch, Rodriguez has carried a .286/.375/.667 with a 1.042 OPS. Rodriguez has spent the entire 2026 campaign at the Triple-A level and has continued to flash elite power potential, going deep 23 times while posting a strong .280/.360/.538 line with a .898 OPS. Given his current pace, it appears Rodriguez seems well-positioned to join the Reds down the stretch. With recent reports suggesting the Reds are looking to sell expiring contracts at the trade deadline, Rodriguez's call to the big leagues should happen sooner rather than later.

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Guardians' SP Gavin Williams recorded 11 strikeouts in 6 innings but took the loss in a 7-1 loss to the Pirates on Saturday, Jul. 18.

Miami Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said that a groundball "got the nail pretty good" on middle infielder Otto Lopez's right ring finger in Saturday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers, according to Christina De Nicola of MLB.com. The skipper didn't have much information on Lopez's finger after the game about whether testing would be needed. The 27-year-old took a groundball to his finger in the second inning, but he remained in for the duration of the contest and finished 1-for-4 at the plate with an RBI and a strikeout in the 8-6 loss on the road in Milwaukee. It sounds like Lopez will undergo testing, and fantasy managers shouldn't expect the first-time All-Star in 2026 to be available for Sunday's series finale at American Family Field. In his fifth year in the majors (third with Miami), Lopez entered Saturday's tilt leading the league in hits (129), doubles (27), and batting average (.336) in 96 games and 414 plate appearances. If his finger injury is serious, both Leo Jimenez and Javier Sanoja would both be candidates to take over playing time at the 6 in Miami for the Fish.

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Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz (thumb) appears to be slowly making progress from his injury. Kurtz is participating in range of motion and strengthening exercises right now. He has not been cleared to do baseball activities yet. Kurtz landed on the Injured List just before the All-Star break. He's currently working his way back from a right thumb capsule sprain. It's unclear if Kurtz is going to require a minor league rehab assignment yet. Fantasy managers should have a clearer timetable for his return once he's able to do baseball activities. In the meantime, Jonah Heim and Tommy White should split up the reps at first base.

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Athletics second baseman Zack Gelof (knee) is expected to begin doing baseball activities once his stitches are removed on Tuesday. Gelof has been out since right before the All-Star break due to a right knee laceration. It sounds like he's extremely close to getting back on the field. There's a decent chance that Gelof doesn't require a minor league rehab assignment, but that'll depend on how he feels once he gets the stitches. out. Gelof has done enough damage with the bat this season to warrant rostering in at least deep leagues. He has blasted 11 home runs while slashing .273/.327/.476 this season.

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Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Framber Valdez has been activated off the bereavement list on Saturday. Valdez missed a little under a week while dealing with personal issues. Luckily, it was right before the All-Star break, so his absence didn't mess up the Tigers' rotation. Valdez is expected to make his next start during the upcoming series versus the Chicago Cubs. The exact date of his start is unknown, so fantasy managers will need to stay tuned for more information. In a corresponding move, right-hander Beau Brieske was optioned to Triple-A on Saturday.

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Houston Astros first baseman Christian Walker (hip) was forced to make an early exit from Saturday's game against the Baltimore Orioles. Walker appeared to have tweaked his right hip after taking a swing in the fourth inning. He was taken out of the game before finishing the at-bat. He finished the game hitless in one plate appearance. The assumption is that Walker will undergo further testing to determine the severity of the injury. Fantasy managers shouldn't be shocked if Walker is out of the lineup on Sunday. Until there is more information, fantasy managers should consider Walker as day-to-day.

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Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena (hamstring) was forced to make an early exit from Saturday's game against the Baltimore Orioles. Pena appears to have tweaked his hamstring while taking a swing in the third inning. He stayed in and finished the at-bat, but was replaced in the fourth inning. Pena finished the game 1-for-2 at the plate with a single. The Astros are calling it a right hamstring cramp, but he'll likely undergo further testing to determine the severity of the issue. Fantasy managers shouldn't be shocked if Nick Allen gets the starting nod at shortstop on Sunday. There should be another update on Pena ahead of Sunday's game.

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Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Emerson Hancock (hand) is scheduled to take the mound to start against the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday. Hancock was removed during his final start before the All-Star break after getting hit on the hand by a comebacker. Thanks to the break, Hancock received some extra time to rest and recover. It appears that Hancock won't require a trip to the Injured List, so the extra time off has helped. This season, Hancock owns a 3.17 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, and a 94/25 K/BB ratio across 18 starts. He has been a nice surprise story for the Mariners and is deserving of being rostered in most fantasy formats.

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New York Mets outfielder Luis Robert Jr. (back) is expected to return from the 60-day Injured List ahead of Monday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers. Due to injuries, Robert has been limited to under 25 games this season. He has been playing games at Triple-A Syracuse since late June. He appears to finally be on the verge of returning to the Mets lineup. Mets' interim manager Andy Green said on Saturday that Robert won't be an everyday player once he returns. The Mets want to give youngsters Carson Benge and A.J. Ewing as many opportunities as possible in what has been a lost season for the Mets. Robert should still be in the mix, but will likely only be a deep league option due to a lack of playing time.

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The Baltimore Orioles announced on Saturday that they agreed to a five-year, $90 million contract extension with right-hander Kyle Bradish for the 2027-31 seasons. The deal comes after Bradish has gone 6-9 with a 3.61 ERA (4.00 FIP) and 1.35 WHIP with 106 strikeouts and 50 walks in 107 1/3 innings across his first 19 starts in 2026 in his fifth year with the O's. The former fourth-round pick by the Los Angeles Angels in 2018 out of New Mexico State University has gone 25-24 with a 3.50 ERA (3.62 FIP), 1.21 WHIP, a 25.2% strikeout rate, and an 8.6% walk rate in 86 starts over his five seasons in the majors. Bradish made only 14 starts for Baltimore in 2024 and 2025 combined due to Tommy John surgery, but now that he's past that, he's locked in as one of the team's top-of-the-rotation arms for the foreseeable future. Since back-to-back outings to start June in which he allowed 10 total earned runs in two starts against the Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners, Bradish has allowed only nine runs (eight earned) with three wins, 11 walks, and 33 strikeouts in 34 innings in his last five starts. Bradish's arrow is pointing up for the second half of 2026.

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The Seattle Mariners announced that they reinstated outfielder Julio Rodriguez (concussion) from the seven-day concussion list on Saturday and designated infielder/outfielder Miles Mastrobuoni for assignment in a corresponding move. Rodriguez is serving as the designated hitter and will bat second in his return to the starting lineup against the visiting San Francisco Giants and right-hander Logan Webb. Fantasy managers will want to throw J-Rod back into their starting lineups immediately as a five-category contributor. The 25-year-old three-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger winner will return for the second half of the season with a .259/.323/.424 slash line, .747 OPS, 14 home runs, 40 RBI, 46 runs scored, and 12 steals across his 344 at-bats. Since June 1, he has gone 25-for-101 (.248) with two homers, two doubles, 10 RBI, 14 runs scored, and seven stolen bases in 27 games and 115 plate appearances. Rodriguez has only faced Webb three times in his career and has gone hitless with an RBI.

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Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Brice Turang (foot) has been scratched from Saturday's starting lineup against the visiting Miami Marlins with soreness in his right foot that stems from a foul ball that he hit off his foot in Friday's series opener in Milwaukee, according to Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Braden Shewmake is making the start at the keystone and will hit eighth on Saturday against Marlins right-hander Max Meyer. The fact that Turang was able to stay in Friday's game after fouling a ball off his foot likely means that it's just a minor injury, and he should have a good chance to return for Sunday's series finale at American Family Field. The 26-year-old continues to be a must-start in all fantasy formats when he's active for the Brew Crew, and he comes into Saturday's action hitting .286 (16-for-56) with an .873 OPS, two homers, seven doubles, 12 RBI, seven runs scored, and two steals in 13 games (62 plate appearances) so far in July.

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Cleveland Guardians catcher prospect Cooper Ingle has continued to hit despite being sent down to Triple-A Columbus after a big-league stint with Cleveland. In three games back at Columbus, Ingle has five hits, including a homer and two RBI. This year with Columbus, Ingle has been extremely productive with 13 homers and 43 RBI and a .291 batting average and a .985 OPS. The No. 3 prospect for the Guardians, Ingle has proven himself at the Triple-A level, it seems, but did little offensively in his brief major league cameo. Ingle had just two hits in his 21 at-bats at the big league level. It's a good sign, however, that he picked up right where he left off at Columbus, and he could get another look at Cleveland this season. Thus, he might be worth a speculative add, as many fantasy managers may have dismissed him after his poor stretch with the Guardians.

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