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.

From RotoBaller

Washington Nationals relief pitcher Clayton Beeter closed out a wild win over the Astros on Monday night, entering the game with a 12-11 lead and getting four outs for his seventh save of the year. After Cole Henry allowed four runs in the eighth inning, Beeter came into the game and retired Jose Altuve to end the inning. He worked a 1-2-3 ninth inning, striking out Yordan Alvarez along the way to his fourth straight scoreless outing. Beeter leads the team with his seven saves and only needed 12 pitches to get his four outs on Monday. While the Nats' bullpen is still a wild place in general, Beeter does seem to be the top closer option for now. If you need saves, he's a great pickup off the waiver wire, although getting to him with a lead has been a challenge for the Nationals lately, which does limit his opportunities.

From RotoBaller

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Luis Lara is ready to join the Brewers for his MLB debut, and he's a great addition in fantasy leagues if you're looking for average and speed. MLB Pipeline ranked Lara as the No. 4 prospect in the Brewers' strong farm system and the No. 67 prospect in all of baseball, and the 21-year-old switch-hitter signed a seven-year extension with the Brew Crew last month, showing how confident the team is in his upside. At Triple-A this season, Lara hit .321 with nine homers and 24 stolen bases in 78 games. It's already the most home runs he has had in any of his seasons as a pro, but his speed has shown elite potential over the last few years, with 45 stolen bases in 2024 and 44 stolen bases last year. Lara will bring an exciting infusion of energy to Milwaukee's lineup and is a great addition in all formats since his speed and contact should play right away, even if his power takes some time to continue to develop.

From RotoBaller

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Kevin Gausman did not have a strong return to San Francisco on Monday night, allowing seven runs (four earned) on five hits and five walks through 5 1/3 innings. Gausman did still have eight strikeouts, but he has lost four straight starts to fall to 4-8 on the year. Over his last seven starts, he is 0-5 with a 6.41 ERA and 5.36 FIP. His strikeout numbers are still solid, so there is some hope he turns it around later in the year. If you're in a deep league and can hold him on your bench, there is still potential upside, but for now, it's time to move on from Gausman in all standard-sized mixed leagues. The waiver wire has much better short-term and long-term options in most formats.

From RotoBaller

Tampa Bay's RP Griffin Jax recorded 10 strikeouts in 5 innings but took the loss in a 5-1 loss to the Yankees on Monday, Jul. 6.

San Francisco's CF Heliot Ramos had five RBIs going 3-for-5 with two home runs in a 10-1 win over the Blue Jays on Monday, Jul. 6.

Kansas City Royals outfielder Tyler Tolbert had a day to remember while starting at shortstop for the Royals in Monday's 15-1 rout of the visiting Philadelphia Phillies at Kauffman Stadium, going a perfect 5-for-5 at the plate with a solo home run, an RBI double, and three runs scored to boost his season batting average to .333 and his OPS to .812. It was the first time that the 28-year-old recorded five hits in a game in his career, and it was also his first home run of the 2026 season. The former 13th-rounder in 2019 out of the University of Alabama at Birmingham is in just his second year in the big leagues with KC this year. Tolbert came into the first game of the week on Monday with a .264/.316/.322 slash line, .638 OPS, only one homer, seven RBI, 30 steals, and 29 runs scored in 92 total games for the Royals since debuting in the Show last year. In a small sample size this year, Tolbert has been strong, hitting .333/.383/.429 with three RBI, nine steals, and 13 runs scored in 48 plate appearances. He's worth a bench spot in AL-only leagues for his speed.

From RotoBaller

Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Griffin Jax strengthened his case as a waiver-wire pickup in his latest outing at home against the division-rival New York Yankees at Tropicana Field. Jax took his sixth loss of the year in a 5-1 defeat and allowed three earned runs, but he gave up just one hit (a three-run homer to utility man Jose Caballero), walked two, and struck out a career-high 10 batters on the night. The 31-year-old retired the first 13 batters he faced, but he ran into trouble in the fifth frame with two walks before giving up a three-run jack to Caballero that opened the game up for the Yanks. Jax threw 51 of his 81 pitches for strikes and generated 16 swings and misses from Yankees hitters. He's now at a 3.60 ERA on the year with a 1.22 WHIP in 65 innings in what has been a successful transition from the bullpen to the starting rotation in Tampa. He's rostered in 61% of Yahoo leagues and is slated to make his final start of the first half this weekend at home against the Seattle Mariners. Since becoming a full-time starter on April 26, Jax has gone 3-3 with a 2.65 ERA (4.09 FIP) with 48 strikeouts and 13 walks in 51 innings pitched.

From RotoBaller

New York Yankees infielder/outfielder Jose Caballero carried the Yankees' offense on Monday night in a 5-1 win on the road against his former team, the Tampa Bay Rays. Caballero went 2-for-3 at the plate with two home runs and four RBI to boost his season average to .249 and his OPS to .711. The speedy 29-year-old native of Panama hit a three-run bomb in the fifth inning off Rays starter Griffin Jax and then clubbed a solo homer in the eighth inning to account for all but one of New York's runs on the night at Tropicana Field. It was his first multi-homer game since August of last year against Tampa. It was nice to see from Caballero, who came into Monday's tilt with a .152/.220/.217 slash line, a homer, four RBI, five stolen bases, five runs scored, four walks, and 16 strikeouts in his last 14 games since June 20. Caballero is mostly attractive in fantasy leagues for his speed and multi-position eligibility in Yahoo leagues at second base, third base, shortstop, and the outfield. He's now up to 10 home runs, 33 RBI, and 20 stolen bases in 277 plate appearances in 2026.

From RotoBaller

Athletics outfielder/first baseman Tyler Soderstrom (hip) remains shut down from any baseball activities, per MLB.com. Soderstrom was placed on the 10-Day injured list in late June due to a left-hip impingement that appears likely to sideline him through at least the All-Star break. Across 335 plate appearances in 2026 before the injury, Soderstrom hit .242/.343/.460 with 13 home runs, 41 RBI, 41 runs scored, and one stolen base. With a 12.8% walk rate and a 17.6% strikeout rate, the 24-year-old has demonstrated a promising plate approach. Soderstrom also brings solid underlying contact metrics, as he owns an 11% barrel rate and a 47.3% hard-hit rate across over 1,300 career MLB plate appearances. With Soderstrom sidelined, Athletics utility man Zack Gelof, outfielder Carlos Cortes, and outfielder Colby Thomas are all candidates to see more time in left field.

From RotoBaller

Toronto Blue Jays veteran right-hander Max Scherzer (back) will make another minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday, according to Mitch Bannon of The Athletic. In his first rehab start for High-A Vancouver last Friday, Scherzer threw 49 pitches and allowed two earned runs on three hits while walking two and striking out three in three innings of work. The future Hall of Famer could need one more rehab game in the minors after Wednesday's start, meaning he will not be an option for the Jays' starting rotation before next week's All-Star break. The 41-year-old three-time Cy Young winner and eight-time All-Star is on the injured list again this year due to back spasms after already missing extensive time with a forearm injury and other ailments. Scherzer continues to struggle to stay healthy, and he's no longer his dominant self when healthy, going 1-4 with a 10.23 ERA and 1.73 WHIP with 14 strikeouts and 11 walks in 22 innings in his six starts so far in 2026 for the Blue Jays. Fantasy managers have plenty of better upside arms to choose from off the waiver wire in deeper leagues.

From RotoBaller

The Kansas City Royals expect first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino (hand) to begin a minor-league rehab assignment on Tuesday with Triple-A Omaha. Pasquantino is on the verge of rejoining the Royals after having surgery in the middle of June to fix a fractured hamate bone in his right hand. Barring a setback during his rehab assignment, the 28-year-old left-handed slugger could rejoin the major-league roster this weekend before the All-Star break next week. But most likely, the Royals will play it safe and bring the Pasquatch back for the start of the second half on Friday, July 17. The former 11th-round selection in 2019 out of Old Dominion University was hitting just .224/.309/.350 with a .660 OPS, six home runs, 32 RBI, 28 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 254 at-bats for KC before his hand injury in his fifth year in the big leagues. It was a disappointing start for Pasquantino, but his 32-homer and 113-RBI campaign in 2025 showed that he has game-changing power when he's right. Pasquantino is only rostered in 63% of Yahoo leagues, so fantasy managers may want to stash him now for his power ability in the second half.

From RotoBaller

Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson (thumb) has been shut down from hitting due to right thumb inflammation and is not expected to return from the 10-day injured list until after the All-Star break, per MLB.com. Wilson emerged as a high-end source of batting average for fantasy managers in 2025, hitting .311/.355/.444 with 13 home runs, 63 RBI, 62 runs scored, and five stolen bases across 523 plate appearances. However, the 24-year-old has seen his numbers drop across the board in 2026 as he's battled shoulder and now thumb injuries. Across 214 plate appearances this season, Wilson is hitting .277/.310/.386 with four home runs, 26 RBI, 23 runs scored, and two stolen bases. With Wilson sidelined, Athletics infielder Alika Williams will likely continue to see the majority of the team's playing time at shortstop.

From RotoBaller

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone provided "no substantive update" on a recovery timeline for outfielder Giancarlo Stanton (calf), per Chris Kirschner of The Athletic. Kirschner reports that Stanton is not running yet but is "doing treadmill work." The veteran slugger has been sidelined by a calf injury since late April. He began ramping up his rehab in early June, but suffered a setback that has delayed his return even further. Stanton displayed elite power when healthy in 2025, hitting .273/.350/.594 with 24 home runs, 66 RBI, and 36 runs scored across 281 plate appearances. The 36-year-old is a one-dimensional player for fantasy managers at this point in his career, but he can provide a significant power boost when he's at his best. Still, he should remain on the waiver wire in most league formats until more is revealed about his return timeline.

From RotoBaller

New York Mets right-hander Clay Holmes (leg) could start a minor-league rehab assignment in the second half of this month, according to Tim Britton of The Athletic. Holmes is making progress behind the scenes after fracturing his fibula on May 15 when he was hit by a 111 mph comebacker. The 33-year-old former ninth-round pick by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2011 was 4-4 at the time of his injury with a career-best 2.39 ERA (3.22 FIP) and 1.10 WHIP with 45 strikeouts and 18 walks in 52 2/3 innings across his nine starts. Barring a setback once he starts his rehab assignment, Holmes could be ready to return to the big leagues in early August, and he could be a popular trade candidate with the deadline approaching in early August, with a $12 million player option for 2027. Holmes is rostered in 24% of Yahoo leagues while his leg heals. Fantasy managers holding him would be wise not to expect some regression in the second half of 2026.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Blake Snell (elbow) will face live hitters on Saturday for the first time since undergoing elbow surgery in mid-May, per David Vassegh of 570 L.A. Sports. Shoulder and elbow troubles have limited Snell to just one start so far in 2026, but the veteran left-hander appears to be slowly making progress towards a return. The oft-injured Snell has reached 130 innings pitched just twice in 11 big-league seasons. Still, he was a productive pitcher for the Dodgers when healthy in 2025, recording a 5-4 record with a 2.35 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, and 72 strikeouts across 61 1/3 innings. Snell posted a 34.7% strikeout rate as recently as the 2024 season and remains a high-upside strikeout source when he's at his best. In leagues where he may be available, fantasy managers should look to stash him off the waiver wire.

From RotoBaller

Boston Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story (abdomen) is participating in all baseball activities, but not quite at full speed, according to MLB.com. The general timetable for his recovery from sports-hernia surgery (on May 21) is eight to 12 weeks, but Story thinks he'll be closer to eight. The Red Sox put Story on the 15-day injured list on May 16 after having surgery, and he was transferred to the 60-day IL on June 4. Even if he continues to progress in his recovery from hernia surgery, the 33-year-old veteran and two-time All-Star won't return before the All-Star break from July 13-16, and he might not be reinstated until August, depending on when he's cleared to begin a minor-league rehab assignment. Before his injury, Story was struggling with a .206/.244/.303 slash line with only three home runs, 19 RBI, 16 runs scored, and four steals in 165 at-bats. He turned back the clock in 2025 with 25 homers, 96 RBI, and 31 steals in 157 regular-season games, but Story's lengthy injury history has caught up with him again in his 11th year in the big leagues. Story is currently rostered in 38% of Yahoo leagues.

From RotoBaller

Minnesota Twins right-hander Bailey Ober (elbow) made his second minor-league rehab start on Saturday with Triple-A St. Paul and allowed four earned runs on six hits while walking none and striking out five in five innings of work against Triple-A Buffalo. The 30-year-old veteran threw 3 1/3 innings with High-A Cedar Rapids in his first rehab start on June 28 as he works his way back from a right-elbow injury. Ober's elbow felt fine after the outing, and he was able to throw 50 of his 76 pitches with the Saints for strikes. It's unclear what his next step is, but the Twins may reinstate him from the 15-day injured list so that he can start this weekend in an excellent matchup against the Los Angeles Angels. The soft-tossing right-hander doesn't have a very high fantasy ceiling because he doesn't induce many swings and misses, especially with a drop in velocity, but he can still be useful as a fantasy streamer in the right matchups. Before going on the IL, Ober was 6-3 for the Twins this year with a 4.59 ERA (4.97 FIP) and 1.21 WHIP with 46 strikeouts and 18 walks in 66 2/3 innings across his 12 starts. Ober has excellent command of the strike zone, but his strikeout rate in 2026 is down to a career-low 16.4%.

From RotoBaller

Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena (calf) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Sugar Land on Tuesday, per Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. Pena is currently battling a calf strain, but it appears as though he is close to making his return. It's been an injury-marred 2026 campaign for Pena so far, as he's been limited to just 202 plate appearances. Still, the 28-year-old has been productive when healthy, hitting .295/.356/.443 with six home runs, 21 RBI, 34 runs scored, and eight stolen bases. Once Pena returns to the Astros lineup, he profiles as a must-start fantasy shortstop with five-category upside.

From RotoBaller

Washington Nationals right-hander Cade Cavalli's seven-game suspension from Major League Baseball has been reduced to five games, and it will begin on Monday night, according to Spencer Nusbaum. The suspension stems from a benches-clearing incident last week against the Boston Red Sox. The 27-year-old had his most recent start moved up to Sunday against the Pittsburgh Pirates, and he struggled with the heat and saw a dip in velocity, ultimately allowing four runs (three earned) on six hits (one homer) while walking two and striking out three in just 2 1/3 innings in a no-decision. He admitted after the game that he was feeling light-headed on a humid, 92-degree afternoon. It was a major disappointment for fantasy managers who started Cavalli after he allowed just an unearned run with no walks and a season-high 13 strikeouts in seven innings in a win over Boston in his previous outing. His fastball velocity dropped from 97.6 mph in the first inning to 96.1 mph in the second to 94.2 mph in the third inning. It doesn't appear that he's dealing with a physical injury, so he should be ready to make his final start of the first half against the New York Yankees this Sunday. That's a matchup that fantasy managers will probably want to shy away from.

From RotoBaller