Cease went 8 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 0 ER, 11 K vs San Francisco (115 pitches) before Heliot Ramos singled to lead off the ninth and break up the bid. His 2026 line now stands at 2.56 ERA and 2.20 FIP — both elite — with 3.7 WAR leading all qualified AL starters. The catalyst is a new changeup with the second-highest velocity differential in baseball: it carries fastball-like movement but arrives 14 mph slower, leaving hitters no good read on it.
Harper broke the news to his 1.7 million Instagram followers before MLB's official channels could, posting 'Derby at home? Sure why not? #HRD' on July 9. He'll compete at Citizens Bank Park on July 13 — his third career Derby appearance (runner-up 2013, winner 2018). His 2026 first baseman line: 20 HR, .509 SLG, his best power output since 2021.
Bailey Ober (MIN) comes off the IL for a 1:40 PM ET start vs Cleveland — his final rehab outing: 5 IP, 5 K, 0 BB, though velocity is still running ~3 mph below 2024 levels. Patrick Sandoval (BOS) makes his 2026 debut after missing all of 2025 with Tommy John complications. Both rotation spots are worth monitoring before they get scooped.
Rodriguez was placed on the 7-day concussion IL July 3 after taking a throw off the back of his helmet on a double-play attempt vs the Angels. He becomes eligible today and the Mariners have signaled he's on track to return this weekend when Seattle hosts Tampa Bay. His .260 xBA and .562 xSLG confirm the talent is real beneath a lukewarm first-half stat line.
Who's Hot This Week
Making his 2026 debut today after missing all of last season with Tommy John complications. Before his injury he was a reliable mid-rotation arm known for excellent command and a plus changeup. If the velocity bounced back in rehab, he's a genuine second-half sleeper. Add him while ownership is in the low teens — the speculative upside is worth the roster spot in 15+ team leagues.
Worth Reading
Pitcher List's daily wire column covers the returning starters (Ober, Sandoval) alongside fresh relief options and streaming arms for the final stretch before the break. A tight read before your FAAB deadline.
CBS Sports breaks down the fallout from Woodruff's second IL stint and ranks the best available replacement SPs heading into the All-Star break, with a heavy focus on streaming arms with favorable Week 16 schedules.
FanGraphs' weekly FAAB recap covers the most-added players from Fantrax and NFBC OC leagues over the weekend — useful for benchmarking competitive market values before you lock in your bids.
Inflamed labrum in his pitching shoulder — his second IL stint of the season (the first was a shoulder cyst). Left early vs Arizona on July 6. No timetable for return has been provided; the Brewers face a difficult rotation outlook heading into the second half.
7-day concussion IL, placed July 3 after taking a throw off the back of his helmet on a double-play attempt vs the Angels on July 2. Eligible to return today; Mariners host Tampa Bay this weekend. Return expected before the All-Star break.
Torn tendon in left ring finger, sustained July 5 on a diving catch vs Washington. 8-10 week return timeline puts him back in early September at the earliest. Jared Triolo is handling most of the shortstop duties in his absence.
Dylan Cease took a no-hitter into the ninth inning against the Giants on July 8 — 115 pitches, 8 innings, 1 hit, 1 walk, 11 strikeouts, game score of 90. Heliot Ramos broke it up with a leadoff single in the ninth, but the outing cemented a case that was already building all season. Through July 8, Cease leads all qualified AL starters with a 3.7 WAR and a 2.20 FIP, a hair ahead of Yankees ace Cam Schlittler.
The key is a new changeup Cease committed to this spring — the second-highest velocity differential of any pitcher in baseball. Unlike most offspeed pitches, it doesn't tumble or fade away from left-handed hitters. It carries fastball-like movement while arriving 14 mph slower, a combination that makes it nearly impossible to pick up out of the hand. Paired with his upper-90s slider, it creates a two-pitch demolition kit that has produced 11+ strikeouts in multiple starts this season.
FanGraphs frames this as a legitimate Cy Young race headed into the second half, and manager John Schneider's decision to send Cease back out for the ninth at 115 pitches signals the organizational confidence in their ace. His preseason projection was a 4.04 ERA in roughly 120 innings. He's running well ahead of that pace, and the FIP says it's fully earned.
Tyler Wells continued converting for Baltimore with Helsley still on the 15-day IL. Jacob Webb and Trent Thornton split Cubs save opportunities with Palencia sidelined. Jordan Romano picked up his second save since being recalled by Colorado. Pete Fairbanks allowed a run for the third straight outing in Miami, with Michael Peterson circling the role.
Read the full Ledger →| Closer | Team | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacob Webb | CHC | 🔴 Committee | Primary closer in the Cubs' post-Palencia committee alongside Trent Thornton. Three saves in four chances since mid-June — Webb gets the home-game edge, Thornton steals road appearances. Add Webb in all formats at 5% owned. Thornton is worth stashing in 14+ team leagues as a secondary source. |
| Jordan Romano | COL | 🟡 Watch | Recalled from Triple-A and immediately handed back-to-back save chances for Colorado. The Rockies bullpen is thin and Romano has closing experience — a speculative add in deep leagues chasing saves. Factor in the Coors context when evaluating his ratios. |
| Pete Fairbanks | MIA | 🟡 Watch | Three straight outings with a run allowed. Michael Peterson (2.25 ERA, 0.81 WHIP, 23 K in last 16 IP) is clearly the next in line. Trade Fairbanks while you still can get value — the role is actively eroding. |
| Aroldis Chapman | BOS | 🟡 Watch | Still closing effectively (2.36 ERA, 18 saves) but the last-place Red Sox are a strong trade deadline candidate per multiple reports. He'll close until dealt, but a new team likely uses him differently. Explore selling now while his value is high. |
Official MLB game highlights from Pittsburgh vs Atlanta on July 9 — Ryan O'Hearn's hot July continues as the Pirates wrap their series with the Braves.
Official MLB highlights from the Cubs at Orioles on July 9 — Jacob Webb handling Chicago's high-leverage innings and Tyler Wells locking down the ninth for Baltimore.
Official MLB highlights from the Royals at Mets on July 9 — Jac Caglianone, who announced his Home Run Derby participation via Instagram this week, showing the power that earned him the invite.
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