San Francisco Giants third baseman Matt Chapman (abdomen) is back with the team following paternity leave, but his abdominal strain isn't feeling any better, according to Evan Webeck of The California Post. The Giants placed Chapman on the 10-day injured list on July 1. Since he hasn't made any real progress, it's highly unlikely that he will be ready to return from the IL when he's eligible to be reinstated this Saturday. It remains to be seen if the veteran right-handed slugger will be ready to rejoin the starting lineup to begin the second half of the season on Friday, July 17. In the meantime, Casey Schmitt has been filling in as San Fran's third baseman, which has opened up playing time in the outfield for rookie Victor Bericoto. The 33-year-old Chapman had a down first half of the 2026 season, his third year in the Bay Area, hitting .235/.324/.368 with a career-worst .692 OPS, seven home runs, 42 RBI, and 35 runs scored in 84 games across 352 plate appearances. Chapman's .210 xBA and .286 xwOBA don't paint a rosy picture the rest of the way, either, so fantasy managers should think twice about buying low on him.

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Detroit Tigers veteran right-hander Justin Verlander (hamstring, hip) announced on his X account that he will hang up his cleats and retire following the 2026 season. The 43-year-old former MVP, three-time Cy Young winner, and nine-time All-Star will certainly be in the Hall of Fame down the road, but he has struggled with multiple injuries in 2026 and has only made one start in his return to Detroit. And in his lone start this year, Verlander allowed five earned runs while walking two and striking out just one in 3 2/3 innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks. He'll be present in Philadelphia for next week's All-Star festivities as a "Legend Pick," but he won't be active while on the 60-day injured list due to a left-hamstring injury that he suffered on June 17 while throwing a bullpen. He was initially placed on the IL on April 4 with hip inflammation. It's unclear when Verlander will make his way back to the Tigers' big-league roster, but if he does, it might be in a bullpen role. He's the current MLB leader in games started (556), wins (266), and strikeouts (3,554). With his career coming to a close, Verlander is rostered in only 3% of Yahoo leagues.

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The New York Mets haven't issued a timeline on second baseman Marcus Semien (hip), but a return this month "might be difficult," according to Tim Britton and Will Sammon of The Athletic. Semien is on the 10-day injured list with a left-hip flexor strain that has bothered him for much of the 2026 season, but he's optimistic about returning to the lineup and to form in the second half. Before going on the IL in late June, Semien admitted he had intermittent tightness in his hip since at least early May. By late June, "it got to the point where sprinting 100 percent was not possible." The 35-year-old veteran thinks the injury could be related to the broken foot he suffered in 2025 in his last year with the Texas Rangers. It could explain why he has hit just .214 with a .271 on-base percentage and .341 slugging percentage in his first year with New York -- all career worsts. Additionally, he's graded out as below average at the keystone. Semien could bounce back with better health in the second half, but it's clear he's beyond his prime, and he's rostered in just 36% of Yahoo leagues now that he's rehabbing another injury.

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Tampa Bay Rays outfield prospect Theo Gillen has seen his productivity surge dramatically over the first half of the season. Entering the All-Star break, the former 18th overall pick from the 2024 MLB Draft is now listed as MLB.com's No. 9-ranked prospect (in all of baseball) and Tampa Bay's No. 1 prospect. Gillen began the 2026 season at the High-A level, where he produced at an elite level, carrying a .342/.449/.589 line with a 1.038 OPS. During this 57-game stretch, Gillen hit 12 home runs and swiped an impressive 28 bags. He has since been moved up to Double-A, where he has posted a .180/.268/.240 line with no home runs. However, given that he is only 20 years old, managers should expect some growing pains. While a 2026 debut is highly unlikely, Gillen could enter the 2027 season as a consensus top-10 prospect if he maintains this pace.

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Texas Rangers top infield prospect Sebastian Walcott has been sidelined for the entire first half of the season due to a knee injury. However, according to team sources, Walcott has been progressing quite well and remains on schedule to return to game action sometime in August. Even though Walcott has yet to step on the diamond this season, the No. 10-ranked prospect in baseball is worth closely monitoring, especially for those in dyasnty/keeper formats. In 2025, the 20-year-old spent his entire campaign at the Double-A level, where he posted a .255/.355/.386 line with a .741 OPS. He swiped 32 bags while going deep 13 times. Managers should pay close attention to his rehab assignment as the Rangers could send him to Triple-A once cleared for action. While an MLB debut will have to wait until 2027, he could quickly re-emerge as an elite dynasty option once he is activated from the injured list.

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Seattle Mariners right-handed pitching prospect Ryan Sloan has spent the entire 2026 season at the Double-A level but has been overshadowed by his teammate Kade Anderson. While Anderson has recently jumped Sloan on the team prospect board (on MLB.com), Sloan possesses nearly as much upside, sitting as MLB.com's No. 8 overall prospect and the team's No. 2 overall prospect. Through the first half of the 2026 season, the 55th overall pick from the 2024 MLB Draft has posted a 4.04 ERA and 1.19 WHIP over his first 62 1/3 innings at Double-A. He has struck out an impressive 77 hitters and walked only 12. During the 2025 season, Sloan made his professional debut and tossed 82 innings with a 3.73 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP over stints in the lower levels. Given Sloan's previous professional experience, the Mariners could turn to him first, rather than Anderson, when they need depth down the stretch. For now, Sloan is worth close monitoring, as a promotion to Triple-A could be imminent.

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There are complications in Boston Red Sox right-hander Sonny Gray's contract that make it unlikely he'll be dealt at this year's trade deadline, according to ESPN's Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan. For one, Gray has a no-trade clause. Secondly, on top of the $10 million he'd be owed in salary for the final two months of the season, his restructured contract after his trade from the St. Louis Cardinals includes a $10 million buyout on a $30 million mutual option for 2027. It makes Gray a pretty pricey deadline pitching acquisition, which makes it unlikely that he's dealt unless Boston is willing to pay down a significant portion and convince Gray to accept a deal. Despite below-average velocity, the 36-year-old veteran continues to find ways to get hitters out with his cutter-shaped fastball as his primary weapon. His deep arsenal has allowed him to have a fantastic first year in Boston in 2026, going 10-1 with a 2.61 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 82 strikeouts in 89 2/3 innings over his 16 starts. If Gray were to be traded, his best fits would be with the Braves, Padres, Cubs, Brewers, or White Sox.

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Milwaukee Brewers infield prospect Andrew Fischer has continued to perform at a high level at Double-A this season and is emerging as a high-end dynasty asset. While Fischer is only viewed as the No. 8-ranked prospect in a deep Brewers system on MLB.com and is outside the overall top-100, his upside should not be understated. Fischer began the 2026 regular season at the High-A level, where he posted a sharp .298/.443/.675 line with a 1.118 OPS. During this 54-game stint, Fischer went deep an eye-catching 20 times while swiping four bags. He has since been bumped up to Double-A Biloxi, where he has held a similar .321/.457/.893 line with eight home runs in just 17 games. The former 20th overall pick in last year's draft is solidifying himself as one of the top power hitters in the upper minors.

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Los Angeles Dodgers outfield prospect Zyhir Hope has enjoyed a strong first half of the season wth Double-A Tulsa and should be in the mix to push for a second-half promotion to Triple-A. Currently, Hope is viewed as the sport's No. 19 overall prospect and the No. 3 overall prospect in a deep Dodgers system that features some of the top outfield prospects in the game, such as Josue De Paula and Mike Sirota. Through 77 games with Double-A this season, the 21-year-old has posted a strong .286/.362/.500 line with a .862 OPS, 15 doubles, 16 home runs, and an impressive 13 stolen bases. Last summer, he spent most of his time with High-A before moving up to Double-A late in the season. Given his current production, dynasty managers should expect Hope to reach Oklahoma City later in the season, which sets him up to compete for an early 2027 MLB debut.

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ESPN's Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan believe there is a 90% chance that the San Francisco Giants will trade infielder Luis Arraez at this year's deadline. Despite being 29 years old and primarily a batting average asset, Arraez "has done more to improve himself in the eyes of teams" than most other big trade candidates around the league. His defense at second base in San Fran has been among the best in the league. The three-time All-Star and three-time batting champion is going to lead baseball in strikeout rate for the fifth straight season. His versatility -- he also has experience at first base -- will only expand his trade market, making it likely he'll join his fifth different team in five years. Arraez's MLB-best contact ability combined with newfound defensive value will have more teams interested in him than they were when he was a free agent in the offseason. The Rays, Nationals, Dodgers, Yankees, Blue Jays, Diamondbacks, Guardians, and Pirates could all be in on him. Arraez is currently slashing .327/.364/.462 with an .826 OPS, four homers, 34 RBI, seven stolen bases, and 45 runs scored in 86 games with the Gigantes.

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ESPN's Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan list the chances of Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal being traded at this year's deadline at 85%. Many were wondering if Skubal's trade value would tank after he had surgery to remove bone chips from his left elbow, but he returned swiftly and is already hitting 99.9 mph with his fastball, so those concerns have been answered. Considering the hole the Tigers have dug for themselves -- they are 6.5 games back in the American League Central division and five games back of the final AL wild-card spot -- "they are far more likely than not to move Skubal." The two-time AL Cy Young winner (in back-to-back years) is the "dream deadline candidate" as an ace who has the potential to carry a team in the playoffs. But whoever lands Skubal will "pay an enormous price." Despite his elbow setback, the 29-year-old southpaw is still the same elite pitcher who relies on a mid-to-high-90s fastball with one of the best changeups in the league. ESPN lists Skubal's best fits as the Dodgers, Yankees, Braves, Brewers, Blue Jays, and Rays. Through 12 starts and 70 2/3 innings this year, Skubal is 5-4 with a 3.06 ERA (3.13 FIP) and 0.95 WHIP with 84 K's and 10 walks.

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Cleveland Guardians catcher/outfielder Cooper Ingle has gotten off to a slow start since making his MLB debut on June 26, logging just two hits in his first 24 big league plate appearances. However, Ingle is one of the highest-rated prospects in the Guardians system and was having an excellent year at Triple-A before his promotion, hitting .284/.416/.551 with 12 home runs, 41 RBI, 33 runs scored, and one stolen base across 221 plate appearances. Cleveland has deployed Ingle exclusively in either left field or at designated hitter since calling him up, which gives him more playing time upside than a typical fantasy catcher. The 24-year-old also demonstrated elite plate skills during his time in the minors, posting more walks (86) than strikeouts (85) across 510 plate appearances in 2025. Despite his early struggles, Ingle remains a priority waiver wire candidate for fantasy managers in search of power upside.

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Since being promoted to the big leagues in early June, Boston Red Sox infielder Anthony Seigler is hitting .298/.375/.456 with one home run, three RBI, 10 runs scored, and two stolen bases. The 27-year-old has emerged as Boston's near-everyday second baseman and leadoff hitter in recent games. Seigler may not carry much power upside for fantasy managers, as he owns a 2.2% barrel rate across 137 career MLB plate appearances. Still, he logged a 16.4% walk rate across 159 Triple-A plate appearances before his promotion this season and a 16.9% walk rate across 307 Triple-A plate appearances in 2025. Seigler also stole 23 bases across 72 minor league games last season, so he carries some speed upside to go along with his stable batting average and on-base production. In deeper league formats, Seigler could be a worthy waiver wire target for fantasy managers.

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Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Logan Henderson (back) will be reinstated from the 15-day injured list and start in Thursday's series finale against the division-rival St. Louis Cardinals, according to Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. Henderson will be making his first start for the Brew Crew since landing on the 15-day injured list in late May with a back strain. He made two minor-league rehab appearances and threw 6 2/3 innings while giving up two earned runs, striking out 11, and walking two. Henderson should be considered a priority waiver-wire pickup for fantasy managers in all leagues who are searching for some rotation upgrades. He's currently rostered in just 46% of Yahoo leagues, so he's widely available. The 24-year-old former fourth-rounder in 2021 out of McLennan Community College will be a shaky option for starting lineups on Thursday, though, just because he might not be stretched out enough for a full workload in his first game back. Henderson threw only 68 pitches in his final rehab start. Since debuting with Milwaukee in 2025, he's been solid, going 5-1 with a 2.23 ERA (2.73 FIP) and 1.01 WHIP with 63 K's and 14 walks in 48 1/3 innings across 10 starts.

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Across 175 plate appearances so far this season, Athletics infielder Max Muncy is hitting .227/.303/.396 with five home runs, 20 RBI, 24 runs scored, and three stolen bases. The 23-year-old opened the year as the near-everyday third baseman for the Athletics, but he suffered a fractured hand in late April that sidelined him until early June. Since his return, Muncy has been limited to more of a part-time role and is currently behind infield prospect Joshua Kuroder-Grauer on the A's depth chart at third base. Still, Muncy owns an 11.1% barrel rate and a 48.5% hard-hit rate this season. If Kuroder-Grauer runs into some early-career struggles, Muncy could work his way back into a regular role for the Athletics. In deeper league formats, fantasy managers may want to consider targeting Muncy on the waiver wire for his power upside.

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Across 62 plate appearances since making his MLB debut on June 18, Cleveland Guardians outfielder Kahlil Watson is hitting .233/.258/.333 with one home run, nine RBI, three runs scored, and six stolen bases. With Guardians outfielder Angel Martinez (foot) currently on the injured list due to a fractured foot, Watson has emerged as a near-everyday player for Cleveland. The 23-year-old's underlying plate skills are concerning, as he's logged just a 3.2% walk rate while striking out in 35.5% of his plate appearances. However, Watson owns a strong 10.5% barrel rate, and he posted a 49.7% hard-hit rate across 254 plate appearances at Triple-A this season before being promoted. Watson also stole 15 bases in the minors, so he carries some power/speed upside for fantasy managers. In deeper league formats, Watson could be worth taking a flier on as a waiver wire pickup.

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New York Yankees pitching prospect Elmer Rodriguez struck out six in his latest start at Triple-A, though he also yielded eight hits (one home run) and a pair of walks across 6 1/3 innings pitched. The Yankees' third-ranked prospect is biding his time at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre until he is needed again in the big leagues. The team has already called him up twice this season, and the results were not great. The right-hander made four starts and pitched to a 4.76 ERA (6.11 xFIP), 1.76 WHIP, and walked more batters (11) than he struck out (10) in 17 innings of work. The 6-foot-4 hurler is slated to pitch for the RailRiders again on Thursday, though the Yankees also do not currently have a starter announced for their Thursday matchup against Tampa Bay, so perhaps Rodriguez could be an option. Nevertheless, fantasy managers desperate for pitching help should monitor the situation as the 22-year-old could be in line for another call-up shortly, even if it doesn't come Thursday, though there is little reason to stash him in most leagues.

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Minnesota Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers (wrist) will continue his minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Salt Lake on the Saints' road trip to Triple-A Iowa, according to Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic. Manager Derek Shelton said that Jeffers is likely "going to be with them for at least the next three or four days" as he ramps up his catching workload. The Twins most likely want to see Jeffers catch in back-to-back games before reinstating him from the 10-day injured list. At this point, with the All-Star break coming on July 13-16, it seems unlikely that Jeffers will rejoin the Twins before the end of the first half of the season this Sunday. He's gone 6-for-13 with two home runs in his four rehab games, so he's already looking good with the bat. Jeffers is recovering from surgery in late May to repair a broken hamate bone in his left hand, but this is a reminder to check whether he's available on your waiver wire if you need catching help. He was hitting .295 (36-for-122) with seven homers, 26 RBI, and 26 runs before his injury as the Twins' starting catcher. Jeffers is rostered in only 28% of Yahoo leagues.

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St. Louis Cardinals pitching prospect Quinn Mathews has been pitching well all season for Triple-A Memphis, but has really been making the case for a major league debut since late May. Over his last seven starts, the Cards' sixth-ranked prospect has pitched to a 2.23 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, and a 21.4 percent K-BB% with 46 strikeouts in 36 1/3 innings pitched. The southpaw's opponent batting average is just .178 on the year, but he has been prone to allowing home runs this season, with a gaudy 24.0 percent HR/FB%, and together with a 15.2 percent walk rate, it has likely factored into why he hasn't already made his debut in the majors. But with zero walks allowed in his last start, perhaps he's finally ready for the jump. The 25-year-old could be up by August, and with his strikeout potential, he could be a worthwhile stash option in deeper 12+ team leagues for managers looking for pitching help.

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Toronto Blue Jays infielder Sean Keys has struggled to find consistent production in limited opportunities during his first MLB season, but his underlying power metrics suggest significant upside. The 24-year-old is slashing .207/.207/.345 with a .552 OPS across eight games while carrying a 37.9 K%. Despite the early struggles, Keys has displayed elite contact quality with a 93.1 mph average exit velocity and a 61.1 Hard-Hit% that both rank among the best in the league. His ability to consistently drive the ball with authority gives him a strong foundation for future success. If Keys can improve his contact rate against major league pitching, he could develop into a valuable power option. Fantasy managers should view him as a buy-low stash with long-term upside.

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