In The Field
1B Chris Davis returned to the Orioles' lineup on Friday after missing almost a month with an oblique strain. Davis is a viable 1B option in some deeper leagues despite a disappointing first half. 3B Pablo Sandoval's days with the Red Sox may be over after the team designated him for assignment on Friday. Tzu-Wei Lin and Deven Marrero will continue to see time at third for the Red Sox for now but there are rumors that Todd Frazier could be on the move to Boston. If this is the case, look for top prospect Yoan Moncada to finally get the long-anticipated call to join the White Sox and immediately become a startable fantasy piece in most leagues. 3B Lonnie Chisenhall was placed on the DL on Friday after injuring his calf a week ago. Chisenhall is worth stashing away in deeper leagues. Tyler Naquin, Abraham Almonte, and Brandon Guyer will likely share time in right field until Chisenhall returns but aren't recommended fantasy plays without more consistent playing time. 2B Ian Kinsler was unable to return to the lineup once play resumed on Friday due to a bout of the flu but was back in action on Saturday. Kinsler remains a solid option in most leagues. OF Mike Trout was back in action on Monday as he's now fully healed from a torn ligament in his thumb. Trout remains the top fantasy bat going forward. OF Byron Buxton will be out for at least 10 days after landing on the DL with a groin injury. Buxton is only worth stashing away in AL-only leagues. 1B Joe Mauer was activated from the DL on Saturday after recovering from his back injury. Mauer remains a low-end 1B option for deep league owners. C Jason Castro was back in action for the Twins on Friday after missing the final game of the first half with neck spasms. Castro remains a low-end catching option who is really only worth utilizing as a matchup play in large-roster AL-only leagues. 2B Starlin Castro has recovered from his hamstring injury and was activated from the DL on Saturday. Castro returns to being a solid fantasy 2B this week. OF Matt Holliday returned to the Yankees' lineup on Friday after recovering from a viral infection that had sidelined him for over a week. Holliday remains a viable play in deeper leagues. The Yankees will have to wait awhile longer for the return of OF Aaron Hicks who is still a week or so away from resuming baseball activities as he continues to nurse an oblique strain. Keep Hicks stashed away as he won't likely return until mid-August. 1B Greg Bird's return to the Yankees remains in doubt as he may need surgery to repair a bone issue in his foot. It's probably safe to write him off at this point. Garrett Cooper looks like he'll be the latest to get a shot to fill the void at first for the Yankees and may be worth a flier in AL-only leagues with a hot start. 2B Robinson Cano revealed last week that he's continuing to play through lingering discomfort in his quad which was injured in May. As long as the discomfort doesn't increase, Cano will remain a strong 2B option as he's in the midst of another solid offensive season. OF Colby Rasmus is unlikely to return this season after notifying the Rays that he'll be taking a break from baseball. Rasmus has always been a bit of a headcase but this is a real head-scratcher given how well he was actually hitting for the Rays. He can be dropped in those deep leagues where he was rostered. C Wilson Ramos is day-to-day with a minor hamstring injury. Ramos should be fine for the upcoming week and will be a viable catcher play in most leagues.
On The Mound
Eduardo Rodriguez has recovered from his knee injury and will make his first start of the second half on Monday. Rodriguez was in the midst of a breakout season prior to the injury and is worth a look in all formats as a potential two-start pitcher this week. The White Sox dealt starter Jose Quintana to the Cubs last week in exchange for four prospects. Quintana should be dropped in AL-only leagues. Miguel Gonzalez will return from the DL and take over the vacant slot in the White Sox' rotation. He's not a recommended fantasy option. Danny Salazar pitched well in Tuesday's rehab start tossing five innings of scoreless ball as it appears the Indians may have scrapped plans to throw him in the bullpen. Keep an eye on this situation as he'll be worth a flier in most leagues if he gets another chance in the rotation. Daniel Norris could return to the Tigers' rotation with a start on Tuesday as it appears he's recovered from the groin injury that landed him on the DL prior to the All-Star Break. Norris has been inconsistent again this season showing promise at times, but he remains a volatile option for fantasy owners. Dallas Keuchel could be just a few weeks away from returning from his neck injury after throwing a simulated game on Thursday and beginning a rehab assignment tomorrow. Keep Keuchel stashed away as he could be back before the end of the month. Collin McHugh remains on a minor-league rehab assignment but may just need today's rehab start before rejoining the Astros' rotation. McHugh will need to string together a few solid outings in the big leagues before he's worth adding in mixed leagues but he's worth a flier in AL-only leagues. Nate Karns will miss the remainder of the season as he'll undergo thoracic outlet syndrome surgery on Wednesday. Karns should be dropped in any leagues where he was being stashed away. Tyler Skaggs is expected to begin a minor-league rehab assignment in the coming days as he works his way back from an oblique strain. Skaggs could return early next month and could be an interesting name to watch during the second half. Michael Pineda is likely done for the season and potentially next season as well as it appears he may need Tommy John surgery to repair ligament damage in his elbow. Pineda is droppable. Luis Cessa will join the Yankees' rotation and may be worth a look in some AL-only leagues. Jordan Montgomery was back on the mound for the Yankees on Friday after being recalled from Triple-A where he was sent over the break. Montgomery remains a viable play in most leagues this week. A's starter Kendall Graveman will likely make his first rehab start on Wednesday as he works his way back from a shoulder injury. Graveman could have value in some mixed leagues when he returns but fantasy owners can afford to take a wait-and-see approach with him. Andrew Triggs is officially done for the year as he'll need surgery to repair his injured hip. Triggs should be dropped in any leagues where he was still rostered. Jharel Cotton, who has been on the DL with a blister issue, could return to the mound for a start on Tuesday if all goes well in his bullpen session today. Cotton has been pretty volatile this season and with the blister issue potentially lingering, he won't be a recommended start. Aaron Sanchez had a tremendous bounce-back game on Friday which is a welcomed sign for Sanchez owners following his drubbing in his return from the DL the week prior. Sanchez is a solid option in most leagues going forward. Francisco Liriano is questionable for his next start after leaving Saturday's game with neck tightness. Liriano has struggled mightily this season and it's hard to imagine many fantasy owners were looking his direction this week anyway.
In The Bullpen
Aroldis Chapman blew his third save of the season on Friday, surrendering a one-run lead to the Red Sox. Chapman isn't likely to get the boot soon, but he hasn't looked like his dominant self since his return from the DL in July. Dellin Betances is going through a rough patch of his own but should still be owned in case Chapman continues to struggle. Keone Kela could return this week from his shoulder injury and may get a chance to close out games for the Rangers following Matt Bush's demotion in the weeks prior to the All-Star Break. For now Alex Claudio will likely see save chances but Kela is worth a speculative add if you're desperate for saves.
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