Juan Soto was placed on the 10-day IL Saturday with a Grade 2 left calf strain, his second IL stint of a disastrous debut Mets season. MRI confirmed the diagnosis; the team projects 4-6 weeks out, which pushes any return into late August at the earliest — and the Mets are gathering additional medical opinions before committing to a timeline. Soto told reporters he expects to play again in 2026 but gave no target date. The $765M man has now appeared in fewer than 90 games.
Spencer Steer was placed on the 10-day IL with a partial tear of the tendon sheath in his right wrist — a more serious diagnosis than the initial sprain designation. He's in a splint for two weeks, then will be re-evaluated; surgery remains a possibility. The Reds placed him on IL just one week before the August 3 trade deadline. Ivan Johnson was recalled from Triple-A to take his roster spot and will see everyday time.
With five days until the August 3 deadline, Tarik Skubal has become the undisputed centerpiece of the rental market. The Tigers sit at 51-57 and multiple teams are circling: the Dodgers, Brewers, and Rays are the most engaged parties, with the Yankees and Braves also in the mix. Skubal has a 2.83 ERA and 98 strikeouts despite missing time with an elbow issue. He faces the Orioles today — his performance will be on display for every interested team.
Edwin Diaz was activated Wednesday as scheduled, stepping directly back into the Dodgers' closer role after a 10-week absence following elbow surgery to remove loose bodies. Nine strikeouts in five scoreless rehab innings confirmed his stuff returned intact. Manager Dave Roberts confirmed Diaz retakes the closer role immediately with no committee, no limitations. The Dodgers have the best record in the NL and generate save opportunities at a top-five rate.
Who's Hot This Week
Edman returned from a 60-day IL stint (right ankle surgery) and has been electric since: .341/.417/.505 with 2 HR, 5 doubles, 2 triples, 17 RBI, and 2 SB in his first 29 games back. His ankle is clearly healed — his pre-injury speed tool (30 SB/season) may be returning as the second half progresses. He bats in the Dodgers lineup, the best offense in baseball, with multi-position eligibility (2B/3B/OF) giving you maximum roster flexibility. If he's at 44% or below in your league, the window to add him before mainstream managers catch on is closing fast.
Worth Reading
RotoBaller's mid-week add list targets six specific players under 50% owned in Yahoo leagues, with detailed FAAB bid recommendations. Published today with the Steer and Soto news factored in — the replacement pieces are already identified. A useful checklist before your mid-week waiver window closes.
With five days to the August 3 deadline, this piece maps out how each likely trade reshapes fantasy rosters. The Skubal section and the Mead landing-spot context are the most useful pieces for calibrating trades in your own league right now.
Just Baseball's weekly breakdown covers hitting and pitching adds with a focus on the second-half playoff push. Good companion to RotoBaller — different methodology and a slightly different player mix, useful for leagues where the obvious claims have already been made.
Grade 2 left calf strain confirmed by MRI; placed on the 10-day IL July 25. Second IL stint of the season for Soto in his first year on a $765M deal. The Mets project 4-6 weeks out, with a late-August return best case. No surgery expected currently, but additional medical opinions are being gathered. His confidence is high but the organization is being cautious. This is a 'wait-and-see' situation that could become a shutdown if the rehab stalls.
Partial tear of the tendon sheath in the right wrist. Steer fouled a pitch off the end of his bat in Sunday's game and felt immediate pain. MRI revealed a more serious diagnosis than the initial sprain framing; he's in a splint for two weeks and will be re-evaluated for surgery. The Reds' medical staff used 'significant time' to describe the expected absence, and multiple analysts are calling it potentially season-ending. Ivan Johnson was recalled to fill his roster spot.
Jacob Misiorowski is 24 years old and is currently pitching the most dominant season any starter has put together in the pitch-tracking era. His 1.58 ERA, 0.75 WHIP, and 185 strikeouts all lead Major League Baseball. Opponents are hitting .151 against him — the lowest batting average against any starter in recorded pitch-tracking history. In May he posted a 0.23 ERA. In June he set a Brewers franchise record by striking out the first seven batters he faced.
The engine of it all is a four-seamer that averages 100 mph — the first starter in the tracking era to average triple digits — thrown 64% of the time to set up a slider with 38 inches of induced vertical break. The cutter and curveball are genuine third and fourth weapons, not filler, and the rarely-deployed changeup (2% usage) has been untouched when it does appear. FOX Sports' numbers piece digs into how the four-seamer's ride profile creates an optical illusion for hitters, who are swinging below a pitch their eyes tell them is lower than it actually arrives.
The workload question lingers: the Brewers have skipped and limited Misiorowski at points, managing what is clearly a prized asset. He's logged nine double-digit-strikeout games but has been on a pitch-count program. With Milwaukee reportedly involved in the Skubal sweepstakes, there's speculation that Misiorowski's sustained health is precisely why they can afford to add a second frontline starter. If he finishes healthy, the Cy Young race is his to lose.
816 saves distributed to 211 pitchers this season — historic dispersion. Tuesday's Leverage Ledger highlighted the Dodgers' activation of Edwin Diaz and his immediate reclaiming of the closer role as the day's most significant fantasy bullpen move. Baltimore's committee experiment continues with Ryan Helsley on the 60-day IL extension; Tyler Wells has the slight edge but no permanent appointment. The Reds have used seven different relievers for saves this season.
Read the full Ledger →| Closer | Team | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tyler Wells | BAL | 🔴 Committee | Helsley remains on the 60-day IL with no return timetable. Wells, Yennier Cano, and Andrew Kittredge share duties. Wells has the most recent usage and the best peripheral numbers of the group — manager Albernaz hasn't named anyone permanently but Wells is the de facto No. 1. In save-scarce leagues, roster all three if you can; Wells is the primary target. |
| Jordan Romano | COL | 🔴 Committee | Romano has collected 2 of Colorado's last 3 saves and holds a slight edge in a six-man committee. His 7.71 ERA and ugly peripherals are beside the point at Coors — the save opportunity is the entire argument. Deep-league add only (14-team-plus), but the volume of ninth-inning situations at altitude makes him worth a roster spot when saves are thin in your format. |
| Alex Lange | KC | 🟡 Watch | Lange has converted 8 of the Royals' last 9 save opportunities and nominally holds the role. But his K-BB rate (8.8%) ranks 146th of 173 qualified relievers — he's surviving on weak contact, not missing bats. One blown-save stretch is all it takes for Kansas City to hand the ball to a younger arm. Hold now; have a contingency plan ready. |
Official full game highlights from Cubs vs. Cardinals at Busch Stadium (July 28). Chicago's deep lineup is on full display as the Cubs continue operating as buyers heading into the August 3 deadline.
Official full game highlights from Rangers vs. Rays at Tropicana Field (July 28). Chandler Simpson in action for Tampa Bay — the waiver add of the week in his natural habitat.
Red Sox vs. Athletics full game highlights from July 28 — Curtis Mead's early look in a Boston uniform, hitting in front of the Green Monster for the first time since the trade.
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