The Toronto Blue Jays are trading top infield prospect Arjun Nimmala, along with outfielder Eddie Micheletti and right-handed pitcher Angel Rivero, to acquire starting pitcher Jose Soriano from the Los Angeles Angels, per ESPN's Jeff Passan. Nimmala is the clear top return in this package for the Angels. Per MLB.com, the shortstop currently sits as the No. 46 overall prospect in the sport and was the No. 2-ranked prospect in the Toronto system ahead of the trade. In 2026, the former 20th overall selection has split most of his time between High-A and Double-A. After logging 23 games at High-A, Nimmala was given the green light to join Double-A New Hampshire, where he has posted a sharp .279/.355/.451 line with nine doubles, four home runs and four stolen bases. Dynasty managers should keep a close eye on Nimmala's progression as he should contend for an early call-up to Triple-A in 2027, which could open the door for a second-half MLB debut.

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The San Francisco Giants are trading infielder Luis Arraez to the Philadelphia Phillies, according to The Athletic's Jason Stark. In this deal, the Phillies are also receiving bullpen arm Caleb Killian and sending No. 9-ranked prospect Ramon Marquez and pitching prospect Marty Gair. Arraez was viewed as one of the top remaining hitters on the market and will bolster one of the most potent lineups in the National League. With the Giants this season, the infielder has posted a dominant .324 AVG with a .360 OBP and .440 SLG. He is in the 92nd percentile in xBA but has generated very soft contact, with a first percentile hard-hit rate and barrel rate. However, Arraez possesses elite eye at the dish, holding a low 4.5% K% and 7.9% whiff rate, both of which place him in the top percentile among qualified hitters. While managers should not expect his power totals to increase going forward, he should be put in prime scoring positions, batting in a lineup alongside Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper. He is expected to have an everyday role at the keystone, which would push Bryson Stott to a utility role. Kilian should compete for low-leverage opportunities and is not expected to hold much fantasy value outside of deep 15+ team formats that reward holds.

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According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, the Los Angeles Angels traded starting pitcher Jose Soriano to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for top infield prospect Arjun Nimmala, outfielder Eddie Micheletti, and right-handed pitcher Angel Rivero. Even though the Blue Jays opted to part ways with veteran right-hander Kevin Gausman on Sunday evening, they are keeping the door open to potentially compete as a Wild Card team in 2026 by adding a piece to their rotation. Soriano has enjoyed a strong season in Los Angeles, logging 123 innings to the tune of a 3.29 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP. His 11.2% walk rate has inflated his ratios but has managed to generate a high-end 31.4% whiff rate with a 24.9% K%. In return, the Blue Jays are sending their No. 2-ranked prospect Nimmala, who currently rises at Double-A, alongside Micheletti and Rivero, who both sit outside the top-30 prospects in their system on MLB Pipeline.

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New York Yankees infield prospect George Lombard Jr. has yet to slow down at Triple-A since returning from a finger injury and is on the doorstep of making his MLB debut. Over his last 14 contests since returning to action, the top-ranked prospect in the Yankees system has posted an elite .377/.477/.604 slash line with four doubles, two home runs and two stolen bases. During this noted surge, he has held a 15:10 K:BB. On Sunday, he went 4-for-5 at the dish and launched the sixth home run of his Triple-A stint. Lombard began the 2026 campaign at the Double-A level but quickly earned a call to the top club after posting a .971 OPS through 20 games. Given Anthony Volpe's and Jose Caballero's inconsistencies in the majors, Lombard is well-positioned to earn the call in the coming weeks, making him a prime stash target.

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Guardians' SP Gavin Williams recorded 10 strikeouts in 5.2 innings collecting the win in a 5-0 win over the Diamondbacks on Sunday, Aug. 2.

San Diego Padres right-hander Nick Pivetta (forearm) is scheduled to make a minor-league rehab appearance with Single-A Lake Elsinore on Tuesday, according to the team. It will be Pivetta's first game action since landing on the injured list back on April 14 with a strained right forearm. Because of how long he has been sidelined, the 33-year-old veteran will most likely require at least several rehab starts on the farm before the Padres consider returning him to their big-league starting rotation. Fellow Padres right-hander Joe Musgrove (elbow) will also be appearing on Tuesday at Lake Elsinore, so the Padres could have two very important starting arms back in their rotation very soon for the stretch run. Because of language in Pivetta's contract relating to player options in both 2027 and 2028, the Padres are expected to activate him before Aug. 22. The Canadian hurler went 13-5 with a career-best 2.87 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, and 190:50 K:BB in 31 regular-season starts in 2025 in his first year in SD in a breakout season, but he's made only four starts in 2026 due to his forearm injury. Pivetta won't have much time to make a fantasy impact when he returns, but he's being stashed in 71% of Yahoo leagues.

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The Atlanta Braves acquired right-hander Tyler Mahle from the San Francisco Giants on Sunday in exchange for pitcher Anthony Molina, sources familiar with the deal told Robert Murray of FanSided. Mahle will move to the National League East after going a disappointing 3-9 with a 5.13 ERA (4.38 FIP) and 1.39 WHIP with 89 strikeouts and 37 walks in 94 2/3 innings across 18 starts in 2026 in his first year with San Francisco. He will bring a veteran presence to Atlanta's starting rotation and will immediately help replace right-hander Reynaldo Lopez (knee), who was placed on the 15-day injured list on Sunday. Mahle has been extremely hit or miss for fantasy managers in deeper leagues this year, and although he struck out a season-high nine batters on Saturday in San Diego against the division-rival Padres, he also allowed five earned runs in 5 2/3 innings for a no-decision. In four starts (22 1/3 frames) in July, Mahle was decent with a 2.82 ERA, six walks, and 16 strikeouts. Fantasy managers in most mixed leagues can continue to ignore him, but his value should increase with the move to the first-place Braves. Mahle is rostered in only 6% of Yahoo leagues.

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New Chicago White Sox right-hander Luis Castillo is set to make his debut with the team on Thursday in Boston against the Red Sox at Fenway Park, according to James Fegan of The Athletic. Castillo will be on extra rest this coming week in his debut with the Pale Hose after going 3-9 with a career-high 5.06 ERA (4.57 FIP) and 1.39 WHIP with 86 strikeouts and 32 walks in 99 2/3 innings across 20 appearances (17 starts) with the Seattle Mariners before being dealt this weekend. The 33-year-old veteran just has not been the same pitcher in 2026 as he ages, and he's allowed 14 earned runs on 29 hits (seven home runs) with six walks and only 13 strikeouts in 23 innings pitched in four starts in the month of July. Despite being on extra rest for his first start with Chicago, Castillo will be a volatile fantasy starter against the hot Red Sox. In his first start against Boston on June 19 with Seattle, Castillo allowed five runs (four earned) on seven hits while walking none and striking out four in four innings for a no-decision in Seattle. The aging Dominican hurler has a career-low 19.4% strikeout rate in 2026 in his 10th year in the majors.

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Cincinnati Reds left-hander Nick Lodolo (finger) is scheduled to throw 60 to 65 pitches in a minor-league rehab game on Wednesday with Triple-A Louisville, according to Charlie Goldsmith of FOX 19. The Reds cleared Lodolo to make a rehab start next week after he threw a successful 50-pitch live batting practice session on Friday. The 28-year-old southpaw has not made a start for the Reds since July 11 due to a recurring blister issue on his left index finger, but he's nearing a return to Cincy's starting rotation and could be back as early as Aug. 11 against the Chicago White Sox. Lodolo has adopted a new grip for his breaking pitches, which will hopefully allow him to avoid any blister-related problems for the rest of the 2026 season. The oft-injured former seventh overall pick from Texas Christian University in 2019 has only made 12 starts this year and has gone 3-2 with a 4.60 ERA (5.09 FIP) and 1.47 WHIP with 50 strikeouts and 27 walks in 62 2/3 innings pitched. Once a promising strikeout arm, Lodolo has a career-low 17.9% strikeout rate in 2026, but he's still rostered in 63% of Yahoo leagues and could be a valuable matchup-based streamer the rest of the way if he's fully healthy.

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Brewers' SP Jacob Misiorowski recorded 10 strikeouts in 7 innings but took the loss in a 3-0 loss to the Angels on Sunday, Aug. 2.

Tampa Bay Rays outfield prospect Jacob Melton is reportedly dealing with right hamstring tightness after being removed from a Triple-A Durham Bulls game on Saturday. The No. 6 prospect in the Rays' system has already missed time this season due to left ankle discomfort and could miss additional time while recovering from the new issue. Melton is hitting .306 in the minor leagues this season, posting a .407 OBP and a .952 OPS with six home runs across 41 games at two levels. The injury is not expected to be serious for the 25-year-old, but it creates another interruption during what has been the best season of his young career in the Rays' organization.

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Minnesota Twins outfield prospect Emmanuel Rodriguez was scratched from a High-A Cedar Rapids rehab game on Tuesday due to apparent thumb soreness and is now considered day-to-day. The 23-year-old is the No. 52 prospect in Major League Baseball, according to MLB Pipeline, as he continues working his way through the Twins' farm system. Across 29 games at multiple levels this season, Rodriguez is hitting .253 with a .902 OPS and six home runs in 95 at-bats before the injury. He owns a .911 OPS with a .254 batting average throughout his minor league career and will look to avoid any further setbacks during his recovery.

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Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani (knee) is reportedly expected to resume playing catch during the club's upcoming series against the Chicago Cubs after being sidelined from pitching with left knee inflammation and right biceps discomfort. The four-time MVP is still without a timetable for his return to the mound, but this marks another positive step in his recovery. Ohtani made 14 starts before the injury, posting a 1.79 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, and 85 strikeouts across 85 2/3 innings. He has continued to produce at an elite level at the plate, slashing .292/.397/.544 with a .941 OPS. The Dodgers are not expected to rush the 32-year-old after acquiring Tarik Skubal to strengthen their rotation ahead of the deadline.

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Texas Rangers infielder Sebastian Walcott, the No. 10 prospect in Major League Baseball, has been sidelined at Double-A Frisco after being hit in the head by a wild pickoff attempt on Sunday. A timetable for his return has not yet been announced. Walcott is hitting .308 with a .934 OPS in 13 games for Double-A Frisco this season. He also owns a 1.019 OPS over 15 games in total this season as he continues to progress through the Rangers' farm system. Walcott's offensive profile is highlighted by elite exit velocity and bat speed, positioning him to produce elite slugging numbers at the major league level.

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Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Kevin Gausman is reportedly the next starting pitcher set to be moved ahead of Monday's trade deadline. He is being acquired by the Chicago Cubs in a deal that is being finalized after spending four and a half seasons with Toronto. Gausman has taken a slight step back this season following a strong 2025 campaign, posting a 4.38 ERA and 1.29 WHIP across 23 starts. Even so, the 35-year-old still provides an experienced presence in the middle of a playoff rotation and owns a career 3.85 ERA behind one of baseball's best splitters. Gausman is also coming off a strong outing against the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday, allowing one run over 5 2/3 innings, as the Cubs continue to strengthen their rotation for the stretch run.

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Newly acquired Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Tarik Skubal is reportedly set to make his Dodgers debut on Tuesday in the club's upcoming series against the Chicago Cubs. After spending the first six and a half seasons of his career with the Detroit Tigers, Skubal was traded to Los Angeles on Saturday in the biggest starting pitching move at the trade deadline. The two-time All-Star has started 16 games this season for Detroit, posting a 2.79 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, and 116 strikeouts across 96 2/3 innings. Skubal has put together an elite stretch over the past few seasons and is expected to anchor the Dodgers' rotation as the club looks to make another deep postseason run.

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The New York Yankees are acquiring infielder Luis Garcia Jr. from the Washington Nationals on Sunday, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN. Per Spencer Nusbaum of The Athletic, the Nationals will receive right-handers Ben Grable, Yovanny Cruz, Jack Cebert, and Jake Bird. The 26-year-old left-handed hitter leads the National League with a .560 slugging percentage and is hitting .283/.313/.560 with 23 home runs on the year. He's also under club control through the end of the 2027 season. Garcia is a bit of an odd fit for the Yanks, who were believed to be seeking a right-handed bat at the trade deadline this year. Not only does he hit from the left side, but he's been playing first base, where New York is already set with Ben Rice and Paul Goldschmidt. However, the Yankees still have Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger, and Giancarlo Stanton on the injured list, and they've scored the fifth-fewest runs since Judge got hurt. Garcia will most likely split time at DH (until the Yankees get healthier) and second base, but he could continue to be shielded against left-handed pitchers (he has only 57 plate appearances against them in 2026).

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Tampa Bay Rays outfield prospect Aidan Smith, along with two other prospects, is heading to the New York Mets in exchange for right-hander Freddy Peralta. The Rays bulk up their starting rotation, but it costs them three prospects. Smith is the most notable, as he ranked as the Rays' 15th-best prospect in their system. The Mets also acquired right-hander Gary Gill Hill and second baseman Emilien Pitre in exchange for Peralta. According to MLB Pipeline, Hill and Pitre ranked as the 26th and 27th-best prospects in the Rays system. Between the three, Smith holds the most upside, but he still needs time in the minor leagues. None of these players is likely to contribute right away, but it's not a terrible return on Peralta, who is a free agent after the season.

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Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson (knee) is being held out of the starting lineup during Sunday's game against the Detroit Tigers. A's manager Mark Kotsay said Wilson is out due to patellar tendonitis in his right knee. He added that this injury is manageable and he believes Wilson will be back in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Cincinnati Reds. Wilson has been struggling at the plate lately, so maybe this injury has played a part in that. Fantasy managers shouldn't be worried about a lengthy absence, as this sounds like a day-to-day issue. Alika Williams will cover shortstop and bat seventh versus right-hander Keider Montero on Sunday. Fantasy managers should check back on Tuesday for another update.

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Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith (neck) was able to throw ahead of Saturday's game against the Boston Red Sox. That is an encouraging sign in what is still a long road to recovery for Smith. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said on Saturday that Smith will need at least 3-4 weeks to ramp back up, which includes a rehab assignment. He has been out since the middle of June due to neck inflammation. Given this current timetable, Smith should be able to get back in the mix by late August or early September. Fantasy managers with an IL spot available should continue to hold Smith. Dalton Rushing figures to continue doing a majority of the catching, with Eliezer Alfonzo getting mixed in as well.

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