In The Field
OF Luis Robert experienced tightness in his right calf during the Home Run Derby on Monday. He was held out of the All-Star game as a precaution. He is day-to-day for now but we should know more when lineups come out for Friday's game. SS Trevor Story has been progressing in his rehab and has been able to throw 160-170 feet. The most recent reports had Story saying that he is close to a rehab assignment. He is expected back in August at some point. OF Yordan Alvarez (oblique) is going to start a rehab assignment following the All-Start break. It appears as if he will return early next week but continue to keep an eye on the situation because obliques are tricky injuries for hitters. While the Astors got good news on Alvarez, they were not so lucky on 2B Jose Altuve. He will not be activated when first eligible (July 14) as expected. His oblique hasn't healed as fast as they expected and the Astros don't want to rush him back only for a setback to occur. 2B Mauricio Dubon figures to continue to see regular playing time while he is out. 2B Jorge Polanco (hamstring) is expected to start a rehab assignment soon. The Twins have been quiet in terms of updates about Polanco so don't plan on him being back until he officially starts a rehab assignment. Polanco has looked good when on the field this year (.250 AVG, 5 HR< 11 R, 16 RBI, 1 SB, and 14% Barrels) but has been limited by injuries. The Twins have been platooning at second with 2B Edouard Julien on the strong side against righties and SS Kyle Farmer taking the starts against left-handers. This makes it hard to count on either for fantasy because they really need regular at-bats to have any value. OF Andrew Benintendi is dealing with a wrist issue that kept him out of the White Sox last game before the break. Benintendi has been good for the White Sox from a real-life perspective but he has been killing fantasy teams in the power department (1 HR and 23 RBI in 85 GP). OF Edward Olivares was placed on the 10-day IL on Sunday with a mild left oblique strain. Olivares had been playing sporadically but had been producing from a fantasy perspective (.242 AVG with 6 HR/8 SB in 67 GP). The Royals called up OF Samad Taylor in a corresponding move. OF Taylor Ward was out of the Angels lineup before the break due to groin discomfort. The hope is that he comes back healthy out of the break because the Angels are already down OF Mike Trout (hamate) and OF Joe Adell is dealing with an oblique injury. 3B Brandon Drury has been dealing with inflammation in his shoulder and is expected back after the All-Star break. Zach Neto (oblique) is trending towards being activated out of the break. Neto has shown that he can contribute across the board in fantasy (.259 AVG with 6 HR, 24 R, 22 RBI, and 5 SB in 55 GP). OF Jake Bauers was placed on the 10-day IL on Friday before the break with left rotator cuff inflammation. OF Riley Greene returned to the Tigers lineup last weekend. Green has started off strong in his second season. He is hitting .305 with 6 HR, 31 R, 19 RBI, and 6 SB in 54 GP. The concern is that the underlying data doesn't support what he is doing. He is striking out too much (28% K) and has been propped up by a .420 BABIP. His power numbers also look inflated because he hits the ball hard (11% Barrels and 47% Hardhit) but hits far too many ground balls (51% GB). Greene is still young and has great potential but it may take a year or two to put the whole package together. OF Esteury Ruiz (shoulder) was placed on the 10-day IL last Friday. He was injured diving back into first base on a pickoff. Ruiz was leading the league in stolen bases (43 SB) prior to the injury. Ramon Laureano (hand) has been cleared to swing a bat. His next step in recovery from a fractured hand is to take BP and then face live pitching. The Athletics called up two of their top prospects coming out of the break. 2B Zack Gelof was hitting .304 with 12 HR, 60 R, 44 RBI, and 20 SB in 69 GP at Triple-A. He is going to struggle to hit for average at the major league level (28% K at Triple-A) but provides a power/speed combo at a scarce position in deeper mixed leagues. C Tyler Soderstrom was hitting .254 with 20 HR, 45 R, 59 RBI, and 1 SB in 69 GP at Triple-A. He hits the ball hard (46% Hardhit and 113.5 mph maxEV) but is also likely to struggle to hit for average at the major league level. The good news for him is that as long as he hits for power he is fantasy viable at the catcher position. It will be interesting to see how playing time shakes out because it appears that C Shea Langeliers is going to lose playing time as well as either 2B Tony Kemp or 3B Jace Peterson.
On The Mound
Hyun Jin Ryu (elbow) went four scoreless in his latest rehab start (4 IP, 3 H, 0 BB, and 4 K). The expectation is that he will be back toward the end of July or early August. Corey Kluber (shoulder) threw a 30-pitch bullpen session on Sunday at Fenway Park. He was scheduled for a two-inning bullpen on Thursday. Jose Urquidy (shoulder) was able to complete a simulated game at Minute Maid Park on Sunday. The next step is to begin a rehab assignment as he makes his way back from inflammation in his throwing shoulder. He is going to need multiple rehab starts before he is activated. Nestor Cortes (shoulder) threw a 20-pitch simulated game on Sunday and felt great afterward. He is scheduled for another throwing session on Thursday. He isn't eligible to return from the 60-day IL until early August so the Yankees are going to build up his workload through simulated games and rehab appearances so that he can hit the ground running when activated. Drew Rasmussen (elbow) is going to be out until the middle of next year after having surgery to place an internal brace in his elbow to avoid Tommy John surgery. Tyler Glasnow left his most recent start early with cramping in his legs and non-pitching hand. He is not expected to miss any additional time and is going to make his regularly scheduled start coming out of the break. Glasnow hasn't quite his stride (4.10 ERA and 1.22 WHIP) since coming back from injury but is still missing bats (36% K) and his advanced ERA estimators (2.98 SIERA) suggest betters times are ahead. Triston McKenzie (elbow) was transferred to the 60-day IL last Thursday which means that he can't return until at least mid-August but the prevailing thought is that he will be out longer than that. Cal Quantrill (shoulder) was placed on the 15-day IL with shoulder inflammation on July 6. The Guardians would be wise to move on from Quantrill (6.45 ERA in 13 GS) this year in favor of younger guys (Logan Allen). Zack Greinke (shoulder) was placed on the 15-day IL last Wednesday with right shoulder tendonitis. Michael Kopech (shoulder) is going to be activated off the 15-day IL and start on Friday for the White Sox. Reese Olson is going to start on Sunday for the Tigers. Before the All-Star break, he was piggybacking Tarik Skubal. Shane McClanahan (back) is expected to be activated and start on Sunday for the Rays.
In The Bullpen
The Yankees bullpen is one to watch heading into the trade deadline. They are without an established closer and have the resources to go get one. Clay Holmes is the primary option right now. He has a 2.23 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 22% K:BB but his inconsistencies due to his control leave a lot to be desired for a contender. The Royals continue to roll with Scott Barlow as their closer but they could easily move him at the deadline which makes Carlos Hernandez an intriguing spec play. The Rangers made a move for relief help in Aroldis Chapman but Will Smith has the trust of his manager and has pitched well (3.06 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, and 22% K:BB).
Players to add this week:
SP Tarik Skubal (DET)- Tarik Skubal has made two starts since coming back from injury. He has looked explosive armed with a 96+ mph fastball in addition to his slider and changeup. The increase in velocity is a welcome sight and gives hope that he can miss bats like he did in the minors where he was 30%+ strikeouts with good walk rates. Skubal is already coming off a strong 2022 season (3.52 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 26% K, and 7% BB) but a small increase in strikeouts will take him into elite territory. Now is the time to move on Skubal if you have not already.
OF Colton Cowser (BAL)-Colton Cowser was called up by the Orioles. He is hitting .188 with 0 HR, 6 R, 2 RBI, and 0 SB in 5 GP. The average isn't great but he has a .214 BABIP in a small sample. He has hit the ball hard (50% Hardhit) but hasn't found much success. He has shown a good approach at the plate (10% K and 20% O-swing). In Triple-A he hit .330 with 10 HR, 54 R, 40 RBI, and 7 SB.
OF Jarren Duran (BOS)-Jaren Duran isn't playing every day so this is taking a shot on someone who should get regular playing time heading down the stretch. He is hitting .320 with 5 HR, 32 R, 33 RBI, and 17 SB. He has good plate skills (27% K and 6% BB) to go along with the improved quality of contact (7% Barrels and 46% Hardhit). Duran has 10 HR/30 SB upside with a respectable batting average if given a full-time role.
OF Corey Julks (HOU)- Corey Julks is playing pretty much every day for the Astros. He is hitting .282 with 6 HR, 34 R, 29 RBI, and 15 SB in 255 PA. He has good plate skills (24% K and 6% BB) and has shown that he has an intriguing power/speed combo. Last year in Triple-A, he hit .270 with 31 HR, 100 R, 89 RBI, and 22 SB in 130 GP. The power hasn't quite translated but has gotten better as he has played more regularly. Julks has a .300 AVG with a .815 OPS since June 1st.
2B Zack Gelof and C Tyler Soderstrom (OAK)- The Athletics called up two of their top prospects coming out of the break. Zack Gelof was hitting .304 with 12 HR, 60 R, 44 RBI, and 20 SB in 69 GP at Triple-A. He is going to struggle to hit for average at the major league level (28% K at Triple-A) but provides a power/speed combo at a scarce position in deeper mixed leagues. Tyler Soderstrom was hitting .254 with 20 HR, 45 R, 59 RBI, and 1 SB in 69 GP at Triple-A. He hits the ball hard (46% Hardhit and 113.5 mph maxEV) but is also likely to struggle to hit for average at the major league level. The good news for him is that as long as he hits for power he is fantasy viable at the catcher position.
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