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    Félix Bautista is “throwing really well” in pens

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    BAL Relief Pitcher #74
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    Orioles president of baseball operations and general manager Mike Elias said that Félix Bautista (shoulder) is “throwing really, really well, and we’re excited with where he’s at.”

    Bautista had surgery to repair a torn labrum last summer and began his throwing program at the beginning of June. He has now thrown a full bullpens for the Orioles and could be set to face live hitters in the coming weeks. That would likely set him up for a rehab assignment shortly after the All-Star break and a potential return for the Orioles in the second half of August. If Ryan Helsley (elbow) remains sidelined by then, it could give Bautista a chance to earn some save opportunities to finish the season.
White Sox select UCLA star Cholowsky No. 1 overall
With the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft, the AL Central-leading White Sox selected UCLA star shortstop Roch Cholowsky, where they added another electric piece to their emerging young core.

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  • BAL Relief Pitcher #74
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    Bautista kicked off a throwing progression earlier this month and will continue building up his arm strength and velocity for the next couple weeks. The flame-throwing former closer is working his way back from last year’s surgery to repair a torn labrum and rotator cuff and should be an option for Baltimore’s closing mix at some point later on in the second half.
  • BAL Relief Pitcher #74
    Bautista is facing a long road back from last year’s shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum and rotator cuff, but he’s on track to make it back to Baltimore’s bullpen at some point in the second half. He’ll likely split the closing duties with Ryan Helsley, in the event that both are healthy, and form one of the best late-inning tandem’s in the game.
  • BAL Relief Pitcher #74
    Bautista, who had surgery to repair a torn labrum and rotator cuff, told reporters his arm feels good and that he’s still hoping to pitch later in the season. Ryan Helsley will be getting the save opportunities for the Orioles in 2026.
  • BAL Pitcher #74
    This move was inevitable, as the 30-year-old hurler is expected to miss most of the 2026 season while recovering from shoulder surgery. It was done now though to free up a spot on the O’s 40-man roster for the addition of Bryan Ramos.
  • BAL Relief Pitcher #56
    The deal is now official. Helsley, who can opt-out and re-enter the market next winter, takes over as Baltimore’s closer with Félix Bautista expected to miss nearly all of next season recovering from shoulder surgery. The flame-throwing 31-year-old stopper holds a sparkling 2.96 ERA and has converted 105 of 132 save opportunities over 319 2/3 innings since 2019. The move provides a significant boost to his immediate fantasy value as he faces zero competition for saves with the Orioles and boasts a lengthy track record of success in the ninth inning. He’s a borderline top-10 closer for fantasy purposes heading into drafts next spring.
  • FA Relief Pitcher #56
    The Athletic’s Katie Woo adds that the deal is for $28 million and includes an opt-out after the 2026 season. Helsley immediately takes over as Baltimore’s closer with Félix Bautista slated to miss most of next season recovering from shoulder surgery. The hard-throwing 31-year-old stopper has compiled a stellar 2.96 ERA and racked up 105 saves across 319 2/3 innings since 2019, and reportedly drew interest from numerous teams as a potential starter this offseason. Instead, he’ll remain in a high-leverage role with the Orioles. The move exponentially increases his short-term fantasy appeal as he faces little competition for saves in Baltimore and could re-enter the market next winter in pursuit of a longer, more lucrative deal. He profiles as a borderline top-10 closer for fantasy purposes heading into drafts next spring.
  • BAL Relief Pitcher #74
    Bautista is not going to be an option for the Orioles until the second half of 2026 at the earliest due to his shoulder issues, but the right-hander is one of the most effective relievers in baseball when he’s been healthy enough to show it.
  • BAL Relief Pitcher #74
    Elias also noted there’s a chance Bautista could miss the entirety of 2026 after undergoing surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff and labrum. Elias noted that the Orioles are expected to target high-leverage options in the bullpen because of how much time Bautista will miss. When healthy he’s among the best relievers in the sport, but there’s no real reason to count on Bautista in 2026 from a fantasy perspective.
  • BAL Relief Pitcher #74
    The procedural move frees up a spot on Baltimore’s 40-man roster. Bautista underwent surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff and labrum earlier this week and will likely miss the entire 2026 season.
  • BAL Relief Pitcher #74
    It was determined last week that Bautista had a “significant” shoulder injury, but this is beyond significant. The right-hander is expected to miss 12 months, which means that it’s likely that the 30-year-old reliever will miss all of 2026 along with the remainder of this year. It’s likely Baltimore will need to address the closer position in the offseason.

Rotoworld

  • TEX Starting Pitcher
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    Rangers selected Stoneman Douglas HS LHP Gio Rojas with the No.16 selection of the 2026 MLB Draft.

    This is not the best prep pitching prospect class, but Rojas is the best of the eligible arms, and he’s not a consolation prize. He’s a 6-foot-4 left-hander who still offers projection in his left arm, but already gets his fastball up to 98 mph, and there’s enough life to the offering it could be a plus-plus offering at the next level. He also shows a slider that flashes 60 grades on the 20-80 scouting scale, but that pitch and an average change still need work. There’s plenty of time for that to improve considering he just turn 19 at the end of June, and he repeats his delivery well enough to project solid command of his arsenal. He’s probably closer to mid-rotation than a frontline starter, but if the secondary pitches do make a jump, he can reach the latter.
    - Christopher Crawford
  • TEX 3rd Baseman #6
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    Josh Jung is at third base and hitting third on Saturday against the Astros.

    Jung has gone 2-for-7 with three runs scored in a pair of games after missing three contests earlier this week due to right knee soreness. It doesn’t appear to be a concern heading into the All-Star break.
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    Diamondbacks selected Arkansas C Ryder Helfrick with the No. 15 selection of the 2026 MLB Draft.

    Helfrick was a considerable source of power for the Razorbacks, hitting 33 homers in his sophomore junior seasons including 18 in 2026. The 21-year-old swings from the right side, and as you can probably guess from those power numbers, there’s potential for plus pop in his swing; the type you see in hitters who routinely hit 30 homers or thereabouts. The hit tool, however, is more of a question mark. He struck out 55 times in 62 games for Arkansas last season, and while it also came with 55 walks, the patience along with long levers makes him someone who likely won’t hit for a high average; even if he does post a solid on-base percentage. He should be a solid defender behind the plate, and hitters who can pile up the homers while playing backstop always have a place on a roster.
    - Christopher Crawford
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    Marlins selected Gulliver Prep (FL) SS Jacob Lombard with the No. 14 selection of the 2026 MLB Draft.

    Potentially, the steal of the draft. Lombard is the brother of George Lombard Jr. -- and of course the son of former big-leaguer George Lombard -- and with all due respect to those two names, Jacob has a chance to be the best of the family. He’s an outstanding athlete that puts up plus-plus run times, and on top of that upper-echelon speed, he has significant power potential in his right-handed bat. There are likely going to be contact issues because of his long swing and aggressive approach, but the ball jumps off of his bat, so he could be the rare player who strikes out a bunch and hits for a high average. Lombard also should be able to stay at shortstop, but he could probably play anywhere but behind the plate as a professional. There’s a little bit of risk because of the swing-and-miss, but you could argue that his profile comes with the most reward of any bat in the class.
    - Christopher Crawford
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    Cardinals selected Etowah HS (GA) OF Trevor Condon with the No. 13 pick of the 2026 MLB Draft.

    No relation to Charlie. Condon is one of the best prep bats in the class, and he has a swing from the left side that suggest he’s going to hit for a high average thanks to its plane and quickness through the zone. There’s serious questions about the power, and right now, asking for more than 12-15 bombs in a season is asking too much. He’s an elite baserunner, however, so he should compensate with a good amount of steals — assuming he gets on enough to run, of course. Condon is also a terrific defender, and even with the lack of pop, there’s a lot to like here.
    - Christopher Crawford
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    Angels selected Huntington Beach HS (CA) OF Jared Grindlinger with the No. 12 selection of the 2026 MLB Draft.

    Grindlinger reclassified from the 2027 draft to join this year’s class, and immediately became the top two-way prospect eligible. There’s added intrigue in his profile as a player who doesn’t turn 18 until next April, so it’s very unlikely we’ve seen anything close to the best of the 6-foot-3 southpaw as of yet. As a hitter, he shows a swing from the left side that suggests he could have a plus hit tool, and while there’s not much power present, there’s enough bat speed to project average -- perhaps better -- pop in the coming years. He’s more advanced as a pitcher who touches the mid 90s with his heater with plenty of projection left, and he also shows a quality change and above-average slider at times, too. Whether he focuses on one side or does both, Grindlinger is certainly a fantasy prospect that is worth keeping an eye on, even acknowledging that it could be half a decade before he reaches the majors.
    - Christopher Crawford
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    Nationals selected Texas A&M 2B Chris Hacopian with the No. 11 selection of the 2026 MLB Draft.

    Hacopian transferred to Texas A&M after posting an impressive .375/.502/.656 with Maryland in 2025, and while he didn’t match those numbers in 2026 (.319/.405/.578), he certainly did enough to remain one of the top collegiate bats in the class. It’s also worth noting that he dealt with back issues this spring, which can help explain the dip in production. When at his best, Hacopian makes hard contact to all parts of the field, and there’s enough power in his right-handed bat to project 20-plus homer seasons at the highest level. The biggest concern is that he’s a below-average runner, and there’s a chance he’ll need to move from the middle-infield. The bat can play at third or left field, but obviously that puts more pressure on him to reach his offensive upside. There’s reason for optimism, but Hacopian might profile as a better “real-life” prospect than a future fantasy star.
    - Christopher Crawford
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    Mets sent RHP Matt Seelinger outright to Triple-A Syracuse.

    Seelinger will stick around as organizational depth for the Mets after getting crushed for seven runs over two innings by the Royals in his big-league debut earlier this week.
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    Rockies selected Kentucky SS Tyler Bell with the No. 10 selection of the 2026 MLB Draft.

    Bell was a solid performer in 2025 with a .907 OPS, but really saw his stock soar in 2026 for the Wildcats with a .343/.510/.608 slash while hitting nine homers in 41 games. He’s a shortstop that hits from both sides of the plate, and that’s a literal descriptor with a swing that can provide a solid average with the type of power production you see from hitters who hit 15-20 homers on a consistent basis. He doesn’t have elite speed, but there’s enough there for a similar amount of steals, as well. Bell is more of a high-floor player than one with an immense ceiling, but there’s enough upside here for him to be fantasy relevant when he’s ready to go in a year or two.
    - Christopher Crawford
  • COL Relief Pitcher #46
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    Rockies recalled RHP Jeff Criswell from Triple-A Albuquerque.

    Criswell augments Colorado’s bullpen depth heading into their final two first-half contests against the Giants. He’s tossed a pair of scoreless innings for the Rockies this season.