MLB

It’s strange to see DeLauter taking a seat against a right-handed starter, especially since he’s hitting .344 (11-for-32) with four RBI and two steals in eight games since the All-Star break. With Angel Martínez back in right field, it’ll be rookie Travis Bazzana at DH with Gabriel Arias handling second base on Saturday evening.

Walls remains stapled to Tampa Bay’s bench for the third straight contest after hyperextending a couple fingers on his left hand earlier this week. It’ll be Ben Williamson taking another turn at shortstop in his absence.

Wagaman will be tasked with helping replace superstar Juan Soto’s offensive contributions. The well-traveled 28-year-old has hit .162 (6-for-37) with two homers in 21 games for the Mets this season.

The Mets can’t seem to catch a break. Soto winds up requiring a trip to the injured list with a left calf issue for the second time this season after suffering the injury during Friday’s showdown against the Dodgers. No word yet on the MRI results, which will determine the severity and how much time he’ll miss. However, fantasy managers should anticipate a multi-week absence. The 27-year-old generational talent has put together another borderline elite fantasy campaign, slashing .283/.408/.539 with 46 runs scored, 21 homers, 52 RBI and seven steals in 359 plate appearances through 84 games. His absence kicks the door wide open for rookie A.J. Ewing to play everyday in left field. There should be a clear return timetable at some point soon.

Dion returns to Cleveland’s bullpen equation with veteran Shawn Armstrong hitting the shelf with a calf strain. The 26-year-old rookie lefty made three appearances for the Guardians earlier this year. He’ll operate in low-leverage spots.

Armstrong is going to miss at least a couple weeks after suffering the injury while backing up home plate during Friday’s game against the Rays. The 35-year-old has posted a serviceable 4.91 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 33/19 K/BB ratio across 33 innings this season. There should be a definitive return timetable at some point in the coming days.

Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy confirmed that Suarez is finally ready to take the ball after his return from the injured list was delayed by an illness earlier this week. The 30-year-old All-Star southpaw will return to a red-hot Boston squad after missing exactly three weeks with a groin strain. He got off to a bit of a slow start in his Red Sox debut, but finished the first half with a sparkling 3.15 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 97/26 K/BB ratio across 91 1/3 innings. It’ll be rookie Peyton Tolle drawing the starting assignment for Monday’s series opener against the Athletics out in West Sacramento.

Strzelecki latches on with St. Louis after opting out of his minor league pact with the Brewers earlier this week. The 31-year-old reliever hasn’t pitched in the big leagues since the 2024 campaign, but holds a respectable 3.44 ERA across 83 2/3 mostly low-leverage innings dating back to 2022.

Kurtz returns to the Athletics’ lineup for Saturday’s contest against the Twins following a two-week absence recovering from a thumb sprain that he suffered prior to the All-Star break. The 23-year-old on-base machine should provide a massive lift for the struggling Athletics, and fantasy managers as well, after making a lightning-quick recovery. He was off to an excellent start at the plate prior to the injury, slashing .266/.405/.497 with 61 runs scored, 20 homers, 66 RBI and seven steals in 412 plate appearances across 92 games.

Muncy was only up with the Athletics for a handful of games after rookie Joshua Kuroda-Grauer suffered an unfortunate groin injury that required surgery earlier this week. The 23-year-old retreats to the minors with slugger Nick Kurtz coming back from the injured list.