MLB Player News

Fletcher first appeared on fantasy radars in 2023 with an intriguing debut with the Diamondbacks. He spent the last two years with the White Sox and failed to produce at the MLB level, but did hit .260/.317/.453 with 17 home runs and seven steals in 105 games at Triple-A. Perhaps the 28-year-old can emerge as a fourth outfielder in Pittsburgh.

This will make back-to-back games that Volpe will sit with Jose Caballero playing shortstop. The 25-year-old has gotten on base at a respectable .340 clip, but he’s hit just one homer in 2026 and his .668 OPS on the year leaves much to be desired — and is unfortunately right in line with his career .662 number. Volpe has flashed the potential to be an excellent fantasy contributor, but it’s just too hard to trust him to be in lineups at this stage of his career.

Burrows has been going through it, and he was charged for seven earned runs — 10 in total — in a loss Monay to the Astros that saw his ERA increase to an ugly 5.99 over 94 2/3 innings. He’ll head to Triple-A with Alimber Santa getting the call to replace the 26-year-old. Burrows seems likely to be back soon, but it seems pretty obvious he can’t be trusted in fantasy if/when that takes place.

Santa pitched well before his demotion to Triple-A in the middle of June with a 0.71 ERA and 8/5 K/BB over 12 2/3 innings. He’ll be a helper for the bullpen with Mike Burrows heading to Triple-A to make room.

Griffin picked up the injury making a diving catch in his previous game. The infielder will be in a splint for six weeks, and then he’ll need another 2-4 weeks before he’s eligible to return. The 20-year-old should be back before the season concludes, but this obviously will limit his fantasy impact substantially. Jared Triolo seems likely to play shortstop with Griffin unavailable.

Helsley is one of three pitchers seeking second opinions, with Keegan Aiken (elbow) and Colin Selby (shoulder) also visiting with specialists. Helsley was placed back on the injured list with right elbow discomfort over the weekend, and he won’t be eligible to return until after the All-Star break at the earliest. Just how long he’ll actually miss will be determined by how his meeting goes.

Lopez is getting another shot after struggling mightily prior to his demotion at the end of May. The 28-year-old has shown the ability to miss bats and had relative success in 2025, but fantasy managers should wait and see how Lopez pitches — and what kind of role he’ll pitch in — before even remotely considering the southpaw.

Serven gets the boot with Jacob Wilson back in action for the A’s after missing a week-plus with a thumb injury. Serven’s demotion seems to imply that Shea Langeliers — who also is dealing with a thumb ailment — should be good to go.

Wilson missed just a smidgen over the minimum 10-day stint while recovering from inflammation in his right thumb. The 24-year-old should be in the lineup everyday — with a break or two here and there — as long as he’s healthy enough to play. That’s been an issue in 2026, however, as injuries have limited the talented shortstop to just 50 games.

Zuñiga gets the boot after the Mets picked up Matt Seelinger in a trade with the Twins. The 27-year-old will now hit the waiver wire, and it wouldn’t be a huge surprise if teams showed interest via claim or trade. If neither happens, he’ll likely report back to Syracuse.

Seelinger was just acquired Monday in a trade with the Tigers after forging a 3.89 ERA and 49/19 K/BB over 39 1/3 innings at the Triple-A level. He’ll get a chance to help the bullpen with Guillo Zuñiga designated for assignment to make room.