Merrill Kelly goes five in victory over Athletics

Rave returns to the majors with Vinnie Pasqantino requiring a trip to the injured list with wrist soreness. The 28-year-old outfielder has gotten into nine contests for Kansas City this season. He’s a non-factor for fantasy purposes.

Yesavage struck out four, walked three, and allowed three hits. He lowered his ERA to 3.73 with a strong outing against the highest-scoring lineup in MLB. The 23-year-old set an impossibly high bar with his October performance a season ago, but he’s held his own despite a limited minor-league track record. One concern is that he has four starts with five or more walks this season. Cutting those down is the key to a breakout over the final two months or in 2027. He’ll draw the Astros in Houston next time out.

Varland allowed one hit and one walk in the outing. He’s converted all 23 of the save chances he’s been given this year, and his ERA now sits under 1. Jeff Hoffman began the season as Toronto’s closer, but Varland seized the role early and has run away with it since. The dominant campaign has him trending toward being a high-end closer selection in 2027 fantasy drafts.

Pasquantino is headed for some extra time off to rest and recover after leaving Tuesday’s game against the Twins with right hand soreness. The big cause for concern here is that the 28-year-old suffered a hamate fracture on that exact hand last month. He’ll presumably undergo imaging to rule out any structural issues. There should be some clarity on his status at some point in the coming days. It’ll probably wind up being Salvador Perez taking over at first base in his absence.

Littell struck out two, walked three, and allowed four hits. It was a fine performance against one of the lighter-hitting lineups in MLB, and it helped that Toronto was without Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Littell remains an innings-eater for Washington’s pitching staff this summer, and he isn’t on the fantasy radar in any format. He’ll carry a 4.94 ERA into his next start, scheduled to come on the road against the Phillies.

Okamoto started at first base with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. not healthy enough to play. He’s been the most relevant fantasy option in a lineup that has regressed sharply from last year’s World Series run. Okamoto’s 24 homers are double the next-highest total on the team, while his 68 RBI clear Guerrero by 24. A strikeout rate over 30% and a lack of speed are the blemishes that fantasy managers must live with.

Irvin returns to Washington’s rotation after missing nearly two months recovering from a shoulder strain. The 29-year-old righty will face a tough test on the road in Atlanta and holds a pedestrian 5.23 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 58/22 K/BB ratio across 51 2/3 innings over 11 starts this season.

Pasquantino receives some extra time off to rest and recover following an early exit from Tuesday’s game with right hand soreness. The 28-year-old suffered a hamate fracture on that exact hand last month. It doesn’t sound like a trip to the injured list is on the table, but that could change in the next few days. It’ll be veteran Salvador Perez taking over at first base in his absence.

Santana hits the open market after passing through waivers unclaimed and refusing an outright assignment to Triple-A Indianapolis. It’s a tad surprising there wasn’t a team out there willing to roll the dice given his high-leverage experience, but no team was willing to pick up the remaining portion of his $3.5 million salary. The 30-year-old former stopper was jettisoned from Pittsburgh’s roster last week after struggling to a bloated 6.05 ERA across 41 2/3 innings this season. He should be able to latch on somewhere else as extra bullpen depth.

Roycroft returns to Tampa Bay’s relief equation with Cole Sulser landing on the injured list with a back issue. The 29-year-old has allowed a staggering 17 runs over 18 1/3 innings between the Rays and Cardinals this season.