Freddie Freeman homers, plates pair in win

Trout returns to Los Angeles’ lineup at DH and hitting second against the division-rival Rangers on Wednesday night following a three-week absence recovering from a right hamstring strain. The 34-year-old generational talent has delivered 17 homers and seven steals in 74 games this season. The most exciting development here is that Trout will be ready for next week’s Midsummer Classic in his hometown of Philadelphia. It’s his 12th career All-Star selection and first appearance in the actual contest itself since 2019.

Wetherholt takes a seat after playing both games during Tuesday’s doubleheader at Busch Stadium. It’ll be José Fermín at second base with Masyn Winn moving up to the leadoff spot in his place. The 23-year-old rookie sensation is one of the most prominent omissions from next week’s All-Star Game. He’s put together an excellent first half, hitting .263/.358/.405 with 56 runs scored, 13 homers, 36 RBI and nine steals in 391 plate appearances through 86 games.

Keaschall has made a rather seamless transition to the outfield recently and will receive his first opportunity to patrol center field with franchise cornerstone Byron Buxton on the injured list with a hip strain. The 23-year-old former top prospect has struggled to an underwhelming .255/.341/.347 triple-slash line with just four homers and 12 steals in 337 plate appearances over 86 games. The additional defensive versatility will go a long way to ensuring he has a permanent spot in the majors, but he’ll need to start making more consistent hard contact, which ironically was his calling card in the minors, before he’s an impactful fantasy contributor. He’s far too young for fantasy managers to completely give up on his long-term potential.

Mangum draws his second consecutive opportunity in the leadoff spot since rookie phenom Konnor Griffin hit the injured list with a finger injury earlier this week. The 30-year-old is hitting .305 (65-for-213) with one homer and 17 steals in 71 games this season. He brings enough speed to be a meaningful fantasy contributor, particularly in deeper mixed leagues. With Griffin sidelined until early September, a more permanent role atop Pittsburgh’s lineup should result in additional running opportunities and a steady stream of runs scored. He looks like a strong waiver wire target for fantasy managers heading into the second half, even in shallow mixed leagues.

It’s an unusual development to see Harper atop Philadelphia’s lineup with speedster Trea Turner receiving a rare day off. It’s unlikely to be more than a one-game occurrence. The 33-year-old first baseman has put together a strong first-half performance with an .884 OPS and 20 homers through 92 games. He’s headed to the Midsummer Classic, which the Phillies are hosting next week at Citizens Bank Park, for the ninth time in his legendary career.

Marlins skipper Clayton McCullough made it official that Junk will rejoin Miami’s rotation after missing six weeks recovering from shin inflammation. The 30-year-old threw 61 pitches during his final minor league rehab start for Triple-A Jacksonville last weekend. He’s a strong back-end fantasy rotation stabilizer in shallow mixed leagues and gets a tasty matchup right out of the gate against Seattle at pitcher-friendly loanDepot park.

Fairchild didn’t take long to find a new opportunity after being removed from Cleveland’s 40-man roster last week. The 30-year-old reserve outfielder went 3-for-19 at the dish during a 14-game stint with the Guardians last month. He’s merely emergency organizational depth at this juncture of his career.

Jung takes a seat for the third consecutive contest due to an ongoing right knee issue. It’s within the realm of possibility that he’ll require a trip to the injured list, but the Rangers are probably going to ride it out for the remainder of the week with the All-Star break on the horizon. It’ll be Ezequiel Duran filling in at the hot corner for the third straight game.

Gastelum earns his first shot in the big leagues after compiling a serviceable 2.27 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 49/17 K/BB ratio across 43 2/3 innings on the doorstep of the majors this season. The 24-year-old righty will operate in middle relief out of the Cardinals bullpen.