Cincinnati Reds left-hander Nick Lodolo (finger) will test out his new breaking-ball grip when he faces live hitters on Friday, according to C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic. It will be Lodolo's first time facing hitters since going on the 15-day injured list on July 12 with another blister on his finger. The 28-year-old southpaw teased high-end strikeout upside when he entered the league in 2022 as a former first-round pick out of TCU, but he has failed to live up to expectations and hasn't been able to stay healthy enough to make 30 starts in a single season. In just 12 starts (62 2/3 innings) this year, Lodolo has gone 3-2 with a 4.60 ERA (5.10 FIP) and 1.47 WHIP with 50 strikeouts and 27 walks. He's had a career-low 17.9% strikeout rate and career-high 9.7% walk rate, which is not what you want to see. Still, he's rostered in 63% of Yahoo leagues with hopes that he can at least be a viable matchup-based streamer to close out the year. The Reds will likely have Lodolo make at least one minor-league rehab start if his simulated game goes off without a hitch on Friday.

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Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Merrill Kelly has rebuilt his mixed-league value with five strong July starts. The right-hander is 3-1 with a 1.95 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and 24 strikeouts across 27 2/3 innings this month. He capped that stretch Monday by holding the Pittsburgh Pirates to one unearned run on four hits and one walk while striking out six over 5 2/3 innings. Kelly still carries a 4.86 ERA and 1.45 WHIP through 109 1/3 innings, and his 71 strikeouts leave little margin for error when the ratios slip. That makes him more matchup-dependent than the typical must-start arm. Still, Kelly was rostered in only 38% of Yahoo leagues when RotoBaller's Week 18 rankings were published. He ranks 55th overall with an add recommendation for leagues of 12 teams or deeper and has pitched well enough to earn a roster spot at that depth.

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Cincinnati Reds outfielder JJ Bleday is batting .231/.339/.470 with 18 home runs, 45 RBI, 40 runs, and six stolen bases through 331 plate appearances. The average is still a weakness, but a .260 expected mark suggests he has deserved better. More importantly, Bleday's 10.8% barrel rate, 42.1% hard-hit rate, and .468 expected slugging percentage support the power that has kept him in the heart of Cincinnati's lineup. Bleday has started regularly in the corner outfield and offers enough walks and occasional speed to contribute beyond home runs. Yahoo managers have left him unclaimed in 74% of leagues, even though he ranks 49th in RotoBaller's Week 18 waiver rankings with an add recommendation for 12-team formats. He is not a batting-average asset, but managers seeking power and run production should not leave him available at that league depth.

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Texas Rangers first baseman Jake Burger is batting .236/.297/.426 with 19 home runs, 66 RBI, 45 runs, and two stolen bases across 385 at-bats. The average remains a drag, but the power is legitimate. Burger owns a 90.0 mph average exit velocity, 46.2% hard-hit rate, and 11.1% barrel rate, and he has already surpassed the 16 homers he hit during an injury-plagued 2025 season. Managers still need to accept the volatility. Burger's .231 expected average and 26.6% strikeout rate leave him vulnerable to prolonged cold stretches, and his value is concentrated in home runs and RBI. That tradeoff remains worthwhile when a regular first baseman with this kind of power is available in 78% of Yahoo leagues. Burger ranks 54th in RotoBaller's Week 18 waiver rankings and carries an add recommendation for 12-team formats. He belongs on rosters at that league depth wherever power is the priority.

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Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Kevin Gausman is among several available veterans who could fit the Philadelphia Phillies' trade-deadline needs, according to Jon Morosi of MLB Network. Philadelphia is looking for rotation depth, a late-inning reliever, and another bat. Starting pitcher Shane Bieber, relief pitcher Jeff Hoffman, designated hitter George Springer, and center fielder Daulton Varsho were also mentioned as possible fits. The clubs share a spring-training complex in Florida, giving Toronto's front office familiarity with Philadelphia's prospects. Morosi did not report that talks involving any individual player were advanced. For now, the trade speculation does not change the fantasy value of any of the five Blue Jays.

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Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Shane McClanahan (back) left Thursday's start against the Texas Rangers after three innings with an apparent lower-back issue, according to Ryan Bass. McClanahan reached toward his lower back and tried to stretch before walking off with head athletic trainer Joe Benge. The left-hander did not allow a hit, but he was charged with one run after issuing two walks and hitting a batter. He struck out three and threw 49 pitches, 29 for strikes. Tampa Bay has not announced a diagnosis or said whether McClanahan will need testing. Fantasy managers should consider his next start uncertain until the Rays provide more information.

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Los Angeles Dodgers pitching prospect River Ryan is sidelined by a hamstring injury and is missing time on the injured list at Triple-A Oklahoma City. He was placed on the injured list at the end of June and hasn't pitched since. The 27-year-old right-hander boasts a 65-grade fastball a 60-grade slider and a 55-grade cutter and curveball. The stuff is there for the minor league veteran. Should he be able to work past his current injury, he might find his way back in Los Angeles after making his brief MLB debut in 2024. In 36 1/3 innings with Oklahoma City, Ryan has compiled a 3-1 record this season with a 4.46 ERA and 1.29 WHIP with 43 strikeouts against just eight walks. That kind of control is a good sign moving forward and he should be in L.A. this summer if he can demonstrate full health. It could be a good move to stash him now.

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Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Jonathan Loaisiga has a path to save chances after manager Torey Lovullo removed Paul Sewald from the closer role. Arizona will play matchups rather than name one replacement, and Brandyn Garcia handled the ninth inning Wednesday before Lovullo confirmed the committee. Juan Morillo and Kevin Ginkel also remain part of a crowded late-inning picture. Loaisiga owns a 2.57 ERA and 1.05 WHIP with 31 strikeouts and one save through 42 innings, but he has allowed three earned runs over his last two appearances. The strong ratios give him some value while the role develops, though the modest strikeout total keeps him dependent on saves and holds. Loaisiga is not included in RotoBaller's July 30 waiver rankings, so he remains a speculative addition rather than a priority pickup. He is worth considering in 15-team and NL-only leagues, while managers in 12-team formats should monitor Arizona's next few save chances.

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St. Louis Cardinals pitching prospect Quinn Mathews is coming off a superb start at Triple-A Memphis in which he hurled seven shutout innings with three hits and an unearned run with 10 strikeouts against three walks. Mathews picked up a win for his efforts, moving his overall record this season to 5-3. The left-hander has spent the entire season at Memphis, compiling a 3.13 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP with 111 strikeouts in 92 innings pitched. In four July starts, Mathews has racked up a 1.04 ERA and 0.77 WHIP as he has raised the level of his game as the summer months have heated up. The No. 7 prospect on the Cardinals' list, Mathews boasts a 60-grade changeup and a 55-grade slider. After four years at Stanford, the 25-year-old is nearing big league ready and it would be wise to add him now before a potential late-season promotion.

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Milwaukee Brewers third base prospect Luke Adams has put together a nice month of July with a .305 batting average in 59 at bats with two homers and six RBI with 14 runs scored. The 22-year-old right-handed hitter missed some time with an injury this season but has returned in early June. In 182 total at bats this year between the ACL Brewers and Triple-A Nashville, Adams has 15 homers and 38 RBI with 40 runs scored while hitting .269. Adams is the No. 16 ranked prospect in the Brewers' system with a 50-grade hit tool and 50-grade power. A former 12th round pick in the draft, Adams doesn't have the prospect pedigree of some others, but he is nonetheless putting up some nice numbers at Triple-A. He could be looked at by the Brewers for a spot on the big league roster especially at third base where Milwaukee is a bit thin.

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Cleveland Guardians infield prospect Angel Genao has hits in five of his last six games at Triple-A Columbus. Genao is red-hot in Columbus, hitting .382 in 76 July at bats, including two homers and 12 RBI to go with 14 runs scored. Genao is the No. 2 prospect in the Guardians' system and the switch-hitter has made a name for himself in his age 22 season in the minors. Genao has been so impressive that he is making a late-season promotion seem more and more likely and thus it might be a good idea to stash Genao on your roster. At the big league level, Cleveland has Travis Bazzana (second base) and Brayan Rocchio (shortstop) up the middle defensively. But Genao could force his way to Cleveland with his performance. At age 22 and already at Triple-A, Genao is on track to potentially make his MLB debut later this season. His 60-grade hit tool and 55-grade run tool could be on display in Cleveland later this summer.

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Washington Nationals shortstop prospect Seaver King is currently sidelined with a left-oblique strain, making a late-season big-league debut improbable. King is the No. 4 overall prospect in the Washington system and has a 50-grade hit tool with a 70-grade run tool. So he has the potential to be a big-time contributor in stolen bases in the major leagues. In his age-23 season, King has recorded nine stolen bases combined between Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Rochester. King's current injury is problematic because at age 23 he is primed to make his major league debut, but he will first have to demonstrate full health in the minors. At the big league level, Washington has CJ Abrams at shortstop and Nasim Nunez up the middle at second base. So it's looking like next year might be the year for King to make his MLB debut. Fantasy managers will want to be patient until then.

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The San Francisco Giants "could offload" outfielder Heliot Ramos at the trade deadline, per Jeff Passan of ESPN. Passan reports that "some teams" view Ramos as a "solid flier." Ramos missed time earlier this year with a quad strain, but he's hit .267/.304/.436 with nine home runs, 34 RBI, 35 runs scored, and two stolen bases across 289 plate appearances when healthy. The 26-year-old carries intriguing underlying power metrics, as he's posted a 14.1% barrel rate and a 49.5% hard-hit rate. He's also had his best month of the year in July, hitting .276 with four home runs and 13 RBI across 102 plate appearances. Ramos' fantasy value would likely be improved by a move out of San Francisco's pitcher-friendly Oracle Park.

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New York Mets right-hander Clay Holmes (leg) has not pitched since mid-May due to a fractured fibula. However, the 33-year-old has now made two minor league rehab starts and appears to be on the doorstep of a return to the big leagues. Holmes got off to an excellent start to the 2026 season before the injury, recording a 4-4 record with a 2.39 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 45 strikeouts across 52 2/3 innings (nine starts). The 33-year-old does not profile as a high-end source of strikeouts for fantasy managers, as he's posted just a 20.9% strikeout rate this year. Still, he's logged an elite 56% ground ball rate, which has helped him limit damage from the long ball (0.51 HR/9). Holmes could also get moved to a contender at the upcoming trade deadline, which may help him rack up wins. In leagues where he's not already rostered, Holmes should be viewed as a priority stash candidate off the waiver wire.

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New York Mets right-hander Luke Weaver has been one of the better relief pitchers in baseball so far this season, recording a 1.88 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, 44 strikeouts, 15 holds, and one save across 43 innings (41 games). The Mets have deployed Weaver in a setup role in front of veteran closer Devin Williams for the majority of 2026. However, Williams has struggled to a 4.29 ERA and 1.60 WHIP across 35 2/3 innings on the year. Additionally, with the Mets out of contention, both Weaver and Williams could be candidates to be moved at the upcoming trade deadline. Rival teams could view Weaver as a viable closer, as he logged 12 saves across two seasons with the New York Yankees in 2024 and 2025. Whether he stays with the Mets or gets traded, Weaver could have a path to saves in the final few months of the season and profiles as a worthy waiver wire stash candidate.

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The Milwaukee Brewers "love the idea" of adding San Diego Padres closer Mason Miller to their already potent bullpen, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN. Miller has been the best closer in baseball so far this season, recording a 0.79 ERA and 0.79 WHIP with 85 strikeouts and 28 saves across 45 2/3 innings (44 games). The 27-year-old is averaging 101.3 miles per hour on his fastball and has struck out a ridiculous 49.4% of the batters he's faced in 2026. Milwaukee has gotten solid work in the ninth inning from right-hander Trevor Megill, who has recorded a 2.97 ERA and 17 saves across 39 1/3 innings. However, adding Miller would clearly heighten what is already one of the team's strengths. Fantasy managers should be aware that if Miller is moved to Milwaukee or elsewhere, he could push an incumbent closer like Megill out of the ninth inning.

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ESPN's Jeff Passan speculates that the Chicago Cubs "line up very nicely" as trade partners with the New York Mets, and that Chicago could target Mets starting pitcher Freddy Peralta. Peralta, who will be a free agent following 2026, has had a rough season in New York. Across 113 2/3 innings (22 starts), the 30-year-old has recorded a 5-9 record with a 4.99 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, and 113 strikeouts. Peralta's strikeout rate has dipped to a career-worst 22.1%, and he's allowed 1.35 HR/9 despite making his home starts in the spacious Citi Field. However, the veteran right-hander has a long track record of big-league success. Across 33 starts for the Milwaukee Brewers in 2025, Peralta recorded 17 wins, 204 strikeouts, and a 2.76 ERA. Peralta appears to be a near-lock to be moved at the deadline, which could be the fresh start he needs to finish the year strong.

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The Boston Red Sox are pursuing additional infielders at the upcoming trade deadline following infielder Curtis Mead's (wrist) wrist injury that could potentially cause him to miss the remainder of the season, per Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic. Boston made a big swing to acquire Mead last week, but the 25-year-old broke his left wrist after being hit by a pitch in just his second at-bat with the Red Sox. In addition to Mead, Boston infielders Trevor Story (hernia), Marcelo Mayer (forearm), and Isiah Kiner-Falefa (forearm) are also on the injured list. The Red Sox appear to be most in the market for middle infield help, as the team has been deploying utility man Andruw Monasterio at shortstop and rotating the unproven trio of Anthony Seigler, Romy Gonzalez, and Nick Sogard at second base. McCaffrey highlights San Francisco Giants second baseman Luis Arraez, Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto, and Miami Marlins shortstop Otto Lopez among the players who could be targets for the Red Sox at the deadline.

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The Colorado Rockies are setting a high asking price for catcher Hunter Goodman, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. Rosenthal reports that Colorado is asking for "multi-player packages led by teams' No. 1 prospects" in exchange for Goodman. Goodman is under team control through 2029, so the Rockies are under no immediate pressure to move him. The 26-year-old has been arguably the best offensive catcher in baseball so far this season, hitting .254/.326/.545 with 31 home runs, 60 RBI, 64 runs scored, and five stolen bases across 417 plate appearances. His elevated 33.3% strikeout rate is a concern, but he's posted an elite 16.9% barrel rate. From a fantasy perspective, Goodman's batting average may suffer if he is traded and no longer gets a chance to play his home games at Coors Field. Still, the righty slugger has actually been a better hitter away from Colorado so far this season, hitting .273 with 18 home runs on the road compared to just .233 with 13 home runs at home. Regardless of where he ends up post-deadline, Goodman profiles as a top-tier fantasy catcher.

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Cincinnati Reds right-hander Hunter Greene is drawing "significant interest" from rival teams, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. Rosenthal reports that Cincinnati isn't "particularly motivated" to move Greene, but that trading him might be the team's "best chance to make an impact" at the upcoming trade deadline. 2026 has been a bit of a lost year for Greene so far, as he did not make his season debut until early July after undergoing elbow surgery in March. The 26-year-old has struggled across 21 2/3 innings (four starts) since his return, recording a 2-2 record with a 7.06 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 29 strikeouts. Still, Greene carries high-end fantasy SP1 upside when healthy, as he posted a 2.76 ERA and a 25.2% K-BB rate across 107 2/3 innings (19 starts) in 2025. A trade to a contender may ultimately help Greene's fantasy value, as it would get him out of Cincinnati's hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park.

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