In The Field
2B Ketel Marte (back) was scratched from the Diamondbacks lineup on Thursday due to back stiffness. He was back in the lineup on Friday. Marte is hitting .258 with 18 HR, 57 R, 60 RBI, and 4 SB in 437 PA. OF Ronald Acuna Jr. (hamstring) is expected to be activated this Sunday. C Sean Murphy (finger) started his rehab assignment with Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday. He has only played four games for the Braves this year. Murphy is expected to be activated next week. OF Jake Mangum was scratched from the second game of the Pirates doubleheader on Wednesday due to right foot soreness. He has been playing regularly due to the injuries to OF Oneil Cruz and 1B Spencer Horwitz. He is hitting .303 with 2 HR, 35 R, 21 RBI, and 19 SB in 275 PA. OF Brenton Doyle (groin/oblique) has been cleared to resume a rehab assignment. He has been out since late May. He was struggling before getting injured (.207 AVG with 1 HR, 21 R, 4 RBI, and 9 SB). OF Spencer Steer (ribs) was held out on Tuesday after getting hit on the ribs Monday night. He returned to the lineup on Wednesday. Steer is hitting .242 with 16 HR, 54 R, 40 RBI, and 3 SB in 378 PA. 2B Matt McLain (calf) started a rehab assignment on Friday with Triple-A Louisville. He has struggled mightily this year (.190 AVG with 8 HR, 32 R, 25 RBI, and 11 SB). C Will Smith has been transferred to the 60-day IL. It is more of a procedural move than a setback because he wasn't expected to return until the middle of August anyway. OF Corbin Carroll sat out Monday due to a hyperextended right elbow, but he was back in the lineup the rest of the week. 1B Spencer Horwitz (hamstring) started a rehab assignment on Tuesday with Single-A Bradenton. Horwitz has made nice strides this year, especially in the power department (.170 ISO and 10 HR in 295 PA). He also had been leading off against RHP, which is a really good spot in a much-improved Pirates offense. Horwitz is more of a deep league play, but he has turned himself into a useful fantasy contributor. 3B Matt Chapman (abdomen) progressed nicely in his rehab and is expected to be activated soon. He is hitting .235 with 7 HR, 35 R, 42 RBI, and 0 SB in 352 PA. The Giants will have to shuffle playing time around in the outfield once he returns. To keep 3B/OF Casey Schmitt's bat (.273 AVG with 20 HR/9 SB) in the lineup, he will play the majority of games in the outfield, which means that OF Drew Gilbert shifts into a reserve role with OF Jung Hoo Lee and OF Heliot Ramos starting alongside Schmitt. OF Sal Frelick (shoulder) got a cortisone shot in his injured shoulder on Wednesday. He is without a timetable for his return. C Endy Rodriguez (glute) started a rehab assignment on Friday with Triple-A Indianapolis. Rodriguez was hitting .260 with 5 HR, 15 R, 16 R, and 2 SB in 122. He provided value across the board, which is unique for a catcher. OF Juan Soto left Friday's game early with calf soreness. This is something that has been bothering him off and on recently. Unfortunately, calf injuries can end up being nagging injuries that stick around longer than expected. This is why the Mets decided to place him on the 10-day IL on Saturday.
On The Mound
Blake Snell (elbow) went 1.1 IP, 0 ER, 1 BB, and 4 K last Saturday. He went 2.2 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, and 3 K (49 pitches) on Friday. Clay Holmes (fibula) was scheduled for 3 IP at Triple-A Syracuse on Thursday. He ended up going 2.1 IP (51 pitches) and gave up 2 ER on 3 H, 2 BB, and 2 K. He is going to need at least one more rehab start before being activated. He had a 2.39 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 21% K, 8% BB, and 4.00 SIERA. Zac Gallen (elbow) got a second opinion from Dr. Neal ElAttrache about his elbow and next steps earlier this week. He has been out since July 12 with elbow inflammation. He has been even worse than last year (6.34 ERA and 1.56 WHIP), which makes it easy to cut Gallen from your roster if he is still hanging on. Nick Lodolo (blister) threw a bullpen session on Wednesday. He is experimenting with a new slider grip with the hopes of avoiding blister issues. His recurring blister issues have been due to his slider grip, a pitch that is very important for his success, so it is important that he finds one that will work for him. Lodolo hasn't been able to match his success from a year ago (4.60 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, 18% K, and 10% BB). Trevor McDonald was placed on the 15-day IL with a right elbow strain. It is looking like it will be an extended stay on the IL due to it being a moderate UCL sprain. Kyle Harrison (elbow) is scheduled to throw live BP on Saturday. He is also expected to start a rehab assignment on July 31. It will be nice to get him back on a major league mound because the Brewers have worked their magic and turned Harrison into an above-average major league starter (3.01 ERA and 1.08 WHIP with 30% K and 6% BB). Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow) has been cleared to throw bullpen sessions. It is easy to forget how good Schwellenbach looked in 2025 before getting injured (3.09 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 25% K, and 4% BB in 110.2 IP). Nick Pivetta (forearm) and Joe Musgrove (elbow) were scheduled to throw multiple live BP sessions before starting rehab assignments, but both are progressing well. Musgrove was able to complete a 23-pitch live BP session on Friday. The last time we saw Musgrove on a major league mound was September of 2024. Max Meyer was placed on the 15-day IL on Monday with a neck strain. He will be shut down from throwing for two weeks. Meyer has pitched well this year (2.68 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 26% K, and 9% BB). Tyler Glasnow (back) threw a live BP session on Friday. This was the first time facing batters since going on the IL in May with lower back spasms. Zac Thornton has made an impressive first impression, recording a 1.93 ERA and 0.86 WHIP over 23.1 IP. While the 20% strikeout rate is only average, he's limited walks, kept the ball in the park (0.39 HR/9), and owns a respectable 4.41 SIERA. The sample is still small, but Thornton has pitched well enough to warrant a speculative add in deeper leagues. He also has a two-start week coming up (ATL and MIA). A.J. Smith-Shawver (elbow) is going to make one more rehab start before being activated. The Braves currently don't have an opening in their rotation and the trade deadline is approaching, so his role when activated is unknown at this point. Michael Soroka (glute) was scheduled for a simulated game on Saturday. He was supposed to throw 35 pitches and if all goes well, he is going to make a rehab start next. Soroka has pitched well this year for the Diamondbacks (3.07 ERA and 1.09 WHIP through 82 IP).
In The Bullpen
Edwin Diaz (elbow) is expected to return early next week, according to manager Dave Roberts. This puts an end to Tanner Scott's run as the Dodgers' closer. He has been excellent this year (1 W, 16 SV, 2.34 ERA, 0.76 WHIP, 35% K, and 3% BB). Paul Sewald blew a save on Tuesday but bounced back on Friday with a save. He has a 4.58 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, 29% K, 6% BB, and 3.44 SIERA to go along with 24 SV. Raisel Iglesias continues to chug along with two more saves this week (21 SV). Each year there is doubt about him coming into the year, and he has averaged 28+ for the past six seasons. Emilio Pagan had a big week for fantasy owners with 3 SV (10). The underlying stats may not be great (5.31 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 23% K, and 10% BB), but he is getting save chances. Jordan Romano has struggled badly this season, posting a 6.14 ERA and 1.84 WHIP through 14.2 IP. The encouraging sign is that the stuff hasn't completely disappeared, as he's still striking out 30% of opposing hitters, but a 15% walk rate and .400 BABIP have made every outing an adventure. Owning a pitcher in Coors Field is always dangerous, but he is their closer, so he needs to be rostered. He has a 1.59 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 32% K, and 16% BB with the Rockies. Romano now has 4 SV for the Angels and 4 SV for the Rockies.
Players to add this week:
RP Jordan Romano (COL)-Jordan Romano has struggled badly this season, posting a 6.14 ERA and 1.84 WHIP through 14.2 IP. The encouraging sign is that the stuff hasn't completely disappeared, as he's still striking out 30% of opposing hitters, but a 15% walk rate and .400 BABIP have made every outing an adventure. Owning a pitcher in Coors Field is always dangerous, but he is their closer, so he needs to be rostered. He has a 1.59 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 32% K, and 16% BB with the Rockies. Romano now has 4 SV for the Angels and 4 SV for the Rockies.
2B Tommy Edman (LAD)-Tommy Edman has been excellent since joining the Dodgers, hitting .341 with 2 HR, 16 R, 17 RBI, and 2 SB through 105 PA. He has been able to contribute across the board. Edman has carried that momentum into the past two weeks, batting .323 with a .542 HardHit rate and continuing to provide a high batting floor thanks to his contact skills and versatility.
SP Michael McGreevy (STL)-Michael McGreevy has been a steady source of innings, compiling a 3.07 ERA and 1.13 WHIP across 114.1 IP. He succeeds with command rather than overpowering stuff, owning just a 16% strikeout rate, which explains his 4.52 SIERA. McGreevy can help stabilize ratios, but the limited strikeout upside makes him a better fit for deeper leagues than standard mixed formats. He has a 2.32 ERA and 1.06 WHIP over the past month.
C Francisco Alvarez (NYM)-Francisco Alvarez is starting to resemble the impact fantasy catcher many expected, hitting .258 with 12 HR in just 251 PA. His 16% Barrel rate continues to support above-average power, and over the last two weeks, he's gone .368 with 3 HR and 4 RBI while increasing his walk rate to 17%. The strikeouts remain elevated, but Alvarez is beginning to heat up offensively.
3B Nick Gonzales (PIT)-Nick Gonzales continues to be a steady contributor, batting .312 with 58 runs and 47 RBI while keeping his strikeout rate at just 18%. He doesn't offer much over-the-fence power, but he consistently puts the ball in play and piles up counting stats. He's been more aggressive lately, hitting .326 over his last 10 games, making him a solid batting-average stabilizer in deeper leagues.
C Joe Mack (MIA)-Joe Mack's overall line (.243, 10 HR, 27 R, 30 RBI, and 0 SB in 194 PA) doesn't jump off the page, but there's reason for optimism. During his last two weeks, he's launched 3 HR in just 28 PA, and the quality of contact has ticked up with an 11% Barrel rate and 56% HardHit rate. The swing-and-miss is still part of the profile (25% K), but the power (9% Barrels and 40% Hardhit) is becoming increasingly fantasy relevant.
1B Tim Tawa (ARI)-Tim Tawa has quietly provided useful production, posting 4 HR, 20 RBI, and 2 SB through 130 PA. His last two weeks have been his best stretch yet, batting .316 with 2 HR and 8 RBI while showing improved quality of contact with a 10% Barrel rate. He's becoming an interesting deep-league option as the bat continues to trend upward and he gets more playing time.
SP Zac Thornton (NYM)-Zac Thornton has made an impressive first impression, recording a 1.93 ERA and 0.86 WHIP over 23.1 IP. While the 20% strikeout rate is only average, he's limited walks, kept the ball in the park (0.39 HR/9), and owns a respectable 4.41 SIERA. The sample is still small, but Thornton has pitched well enough to warrant a speculative add in deeper leagues. He also has a two-start week coming up (ATL and MIA).
OF Esmerlyn Valdez (PIT)-Esmerlyn Valdez has been one of the more intriguing power bats to emerge this season, slashing .282/.370 with 13 HR and 34 RBI through 135 PA. The raw power is undeniable, backed by an elite 28% Barrel rate, 55% HardHit rate, and 113 mph max EV, though the 38% strikeout rate will likely keep the batting average volatile. Over the last two weeks, he's remained productive with 6 HR and 16 RBI, continuing to crush the baseball with a 29% Barrel rate and 71% HardHit rate, giving him legitimate difference-making upside if he keeps making enough contact.
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