Louis Varland converts two-inning save vs. Cubs

Montgomery allowed five hits and struck out three while not walking a single batter. He threw 26 of his 40 pitches for strikes and had a 32 percent whiff rate and 33 percent CSW. He sat 90.7 mph on his sinker, which is down a little over one mph from where we saw him in 2024 and down almost two mph from his great season in 2023. His breaking pitches are also all down in velocity, so this could simply be a veteran who is not letting it loose as he works his way back from a long absence. We should see something closer to full strength for Montgomery in his next few starts as he gets closer to a shot in the Rangers’ rotation. There’s a chance that he’s back by August.

This had long been speculated, but MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy confirmed it on Wednesday afternoon. Henderson was up to 68 pitches in his last rehab outing, so we would expect him to be at about 80 pitches in his return. Given that he hasn’t pitched in an MLB game since May 22nd and will not be fully stretched out, it’s hard to trust Henderson in most fantasy formats this week. However, he absolutely needs to be rostered if he is out there in any league type right now.

Sonny Gray has a no trade clause and has been really good for a Boston team that is only four games out of the Wild Card in the American League, so he shouldn’t be viewed as a slam dunk trade candidate. In addition to that, as Passan notes, his contract is a potential probably because, in addition to his $10 million salary over the final two months of th eseason, his restructed contract includes a $10 million buyout on a $30 million mutual option for 2027. That leaves “Boston somewhat hamstrung unless it’s willing to pay down a significant portion and convince Gray to accept a deal.”

Arraez is a free agent at the end of the season and on a Giants team that is highly unlikely to make the playoffs, so it makes sense that he will be on his fifth team in five years come August. As Passan notes, “Arraez has done more to improve himself in the eyes of teams than perhaps anyone” else on the market given how well he has played second base this season. Pair that with his batting average and his ability to get on base, and teams could be lining up to trade for Arraez at the deadline.

It makes sense given that the Tigers are five games out of the AL Wild Card and Skubal is in the final year of his contract. The team will obviously give themselves a chance to claw back into the race, but if they are unable to, it’s logical to trade Skubal at the deadline rather than lose him for nothing in free agency. Passan notes that “whoever lands Skubal will pay an enormous price,” so he will certainly be the key name to watch over the next month.

Atlanta just continues to shuffle their bullpen. Thomas allowed four runs on five hits in 3 2/3 innings on Tuesday, so the team will send him down to bring up another fresh arm.

Mederos was up with Atlanta earlier in the season and threw two scoreless innings of relief. The 25-year-old has a 5.40 ERA in 43 1/3 inning at Triple-A in a hybrid role.

Jeffers had surgery to remove his fracture hamate bone in the middle of May. He has now played four games at Triple-A and gone 6-for-13 with two home runs, two RBI, and a 1/1 K/BB ratio. It’s unclear if the Twins will rush him back before the All-Star break, but he needs to be stashed in any league where you are hoping to get him back into your starting lineup.

Lux had been dealing with shuolder and hip injuries that sidelined him for essentially all of May and June. He returned to action at Triple-A on June 30th and played two games before sitting out for five days due to discomfort in both shoulders. Lux returned to action on Tuesday and had exit velocities of 100.6 mph, 99.2 mph, and 97.3 mph. However, he was limited to DH duties, and until he can play the field for an entire game, multiple days a week, he won’t be near a return to the Rays lineup.

McDougal has now made three appearances out of the bullpen at Triple-A since returning from right forearm tightness, pitching one inning in each of them. In his first six outings of the year, McDougal had been operating as a starter, but the 23-year-old, who was put on the injured list back on April 29th, seems to be operating as a reliever for the remainder of the 2026 season. It remains to be seen if that is simply to keep his arm healthy or to expedite his path to the big leagues, but we would expect McDougal to go back to starting games in the 2027 season.