MJ Melendez takes seat against right-hander

Valdez has been on a tear since returning to the majors back on June 11, hitting .411 (19-for-46) with four homers and 11 RBI across 15 games. The most encouraging aspect of his recent performance is that he’s struck out just a shade over 25 percent of the time during that span. The 22-year-old projects as a streaky power hitter given his strikeout issues in the upper minors. However, he’s in a groove right now and should continue batting in the heart of Pittsburgh’s lineup. Those factors alone make him a worthy of a speculative roster spot in all fantasy formats.

It’ll be lefty Carson Palmquist taking the ball as Washington’s opener before turning things over to Littell for an extended relief outing. The 30-year-old veteran has routinely pitched behind an opener this season and boasts a pedestrian 5.29 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 49/25 K/BB ratio across 80 innings of work. He’s not a recommended fantasy option, especially with temperatures hovering in the triple-digits at Nationals Park during this Fourth of July mid-day affair.

Trout went through his normal pregame routine prior to Friday’s showdown against the visiting Red Sox at Angel Stadium and appears on track to return next week without requiring a rehab assignment. The 34-year-old generational talent has been recovering from a hamstring strain that put him on the shelf back on June 18. It also looks increasingly likely that the New Jersey native will be ready for the upcoming Midsummer Classic in Philadelphia in mid-July. If so, it would mark his 12th career All-Star selection and first appearance since 2019.

Venable didn’t offer an exact timeline for Murakami to kick off a rehab assignment, adding that he’ll need to run the bases before he’s officially cleared. The original expectation was that he would miss 4-6 weeks after being diagnosed with a Grade 2 hamstring strain back in late May. The fact that he’s progressed to on-field hitting means he’s getting close to game action again. There should be a definitive update on his status in the coming days. Fantasy managers should anticipate Murakami making it back to Chicago sometime around this month’s All-Star break.

Rays manager Kevin Cash told reporters the move was merely precautionary after Simpson jammed his fingers sliding into second base earlier this week. He’s day-to-day heading into the final two games of a series against the Astros this weekend.

Doyle missed a couple rehab games earlier this week due to left groin tightness. He appears to be feeling better since he was back at DH on Friday night. The 28-year-old center fielder has been out with an oblique contusion since late May. He should be ready to return to Colorado’s lineup at some point later next week.

Anderson has put up video game-like numbers in his professional debut this season, compiling a sparkling 1.36 ERA and 108/10 K/BB ratio across 72 2/3 innings over 14 starts. All of the damage against him on Friday came on a pair of solo homers. The 21-year-old southpaw is at the forefront of any best pitching prospect in baseball debates and will headline the American League’s roster at the All-Star Futures Game in a couple weeks. He’s a strong candidate to skip Triple-A entirely and join Seattle’s pitching mix later this summer, either as a traditional starter or a multi-inning relief weapon.

Hopkins entered the year as one of the top pitching prospects in the sport, thanks to an impressive power arsenal that features a triple-digit fastball along with an above-average curveball and changeup. The 24-year-old has endured a rough couple months on the doorstep of the majors, but turned in arguably his best performance of the year on Friday night, scattering one hit and three walks over five frames. He has the strikeout potential to be an impactful fantasy contributor once he reaches the big leagues, which could happen at some point in the second half.

Lalane has been the hottest pitching prospect in baseball since late June and it’s not remotely close. The 6-foot-7 southpaw has recorded back-to-back double-digit strikeout outings, spinning 14 consecutive scoreless innings with a pristine 23/0 K/BB ratio during that stretch. He’s back sitting in the mid-to-upper 90s with his fastball after missing most of the past two years due to injury. Now healthy, he has a chance to move quickly through New York’s system, making him a must-roster prospect in dynasty formats.

Hope followed up a four-hit effort on Thursday with a six-RBI performance while homering for the second straight contest. The 21-year-old is a less intriguing all-around prospect than Josue De Paula because of some approach and hit tool concerns, but he still offers enough power and speed upside that he’s going to make a real fantasy impact down the road. He’s up to 15 round-trippers and 13 thefts through 74 games at the Double-A level this season and remains on track to reach the big leagues at some point next year.