By this point in the fantasy baseball season, your roster probably looks more like a triage unit than a title contender. Injuries, slumps, platoon splits, and bullpen roulette have taken their toll on all of us, and time is running out to make a serious push. Whether you're desperately trying to climb out of a rut or looking to solidify your championship run with one more impact bat or arm, we’ve got you covered.
Alas, we begin — as we always do — with the bad news. And this week, it was heavy. :: Takes a deep breath::
According to the team, the Baltimore Orioles have placed right-handed reliever Felix Bautista (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list due to right shoulder discomfort. The move was made on July 24. Bautista was scheduled for an MRI on Friday, though the results have not yet been disclosed. His return timeline is currently unknown, and I wouldn't expect him back when first eligible.
On the same day, Boston Red Sox rookie Marcelo Mayer (wrist) was also placed on the 10-day injured list with wrist discomfort. Mayer was scheduled for an MRI as well, and the team is awaiting results to determine the severity. This situation could go either way.
Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Tanner Scott (elbow) has been shut down for a few days with elbow inflammation. He was transferred to the 15-day injured list on Tuesday, but his MRI revealed no structural damage. Expect the Dodgers to proceed cautiously — Scott will be reevaluated in a few days.
Meanwhile, the San Francisco Giants placed right-handed pitcher Landen Roupp (elbow) on the 15-day injured list with elbow inflammation. The move was retroactive to July 23. Fortunately, diagnostic imaging showed no structural issues, and the team believes he’ll be ready to return when eligible.
Lastly, Tampa Bay Rays ace Shane McClanahan (triceps, biceps) was pulled off his minor-league rehab assignment due to biceps tendinitis. He had been working his way back from a triceps nerve issue. McClanahan has yet to pitch in 2025.
For the uninitiated: this column generally assumes point formats and will only feature players with around 50% ownership or less on Yahoo! A player will only appear twice if they continue performing well in consecutive weeks. Happy hunting!
Waiver Adds
Royce Lewis, 3B - Minnesota Twins (54% Owned)
It’s taken Royce Lewis a little while to get going this season — and who could blame him? He got a late start to the year while recovering from a hamstring strain, then landed on the injured list again in mid-June with a recurrence of the same injury. However, he’s been exceptional this month and has been hitting well for longer than you might realize.
The former first-overall pick is batting an absurd .500 (7-for-14) over his last four appearances, tallying three home runs, two doubles, six RBIs, four runs scored, and a stolen base. Since July 1 — when he returned from injury — Lewis has slashed a crisp .298/.339/.526, and he’s been even better since the start of June (.321).
Injuries have been a recurring issue for the 26-year-old, but when he's locked in has the potential to be one of the most productive batsmen in the league. It's unlikely that Lewis is available in your league, but it never hurts to check.
Chandler Simpson, OF - Tampa Bay Rays (39% Owned)
This marks Chandler Simpson’s third appearance in this feature — and likely the last time he’ll be eligible. In the roughly 20 days since his last mention, the first-year pro has hit a strong .321 (17-for-53) with seven stolen bases in 13 games. Perhaps even more impressive, Tampa Bay has started slotting him into the leadoff spot — a role he’s held for seven consecutive contests.
Any rise in the batting order would boost his fantasy value, but Simpson also appears to be improving overall — lowering his strikeout rate and increasing his walk rate over the past week. In July, the 24-year-old is batting .348 and showing balanced splits, hitting .306 against right-handers and .314 against lefties.
Simpson is a no-brainer roster addition in category leagues and offers steady production in points formats as well.
Ryan McMahon, 3B - New York Yankees (35% Owned)
Ryan McMahon likely wouldn’t have made this week’s list if not for the Yankees trading for him. I’ve always liked McMahon — he can heat up with the best of them — even if his current .217/.314/.403 slash line isn’t especially inspiring. He was an All-Star just last season and should receive everyday at-bats thanks to his defensive prowess.
Despite the ugly season-long stats, there are encouraging signs in the former Colorado Rockies’ underlying metrics. For starters, he ranks in the 98th percentile for average exit velocity (94.0 MPH) and the 87th percentile for hard-hit rate (50.4%). While that hasn’t translated into many hits yet, Yankee Stadium’s short right-field porch could help unlock more power. McMahon also owns the highest Pull AIR percentage of his career (18.8%), which could pair well with his new home park.
Admittedly, this is one of the more volatile suggestions in this week’s column. Still, the second-round pick appears to be heating up, going 10-for-32 (.313) with four home runs and two doubles since July 11.
Matt Shaw, 2B/3B/SS - Chicago Cubs (29% Owned)
Matt Shaw’s first few months with Chicago were rough, to say the least. The Cubs' 2023 first-rounder (No. 13 overall) stumbled out of the gate, hitting just .172 through March and April. While June and July haven’t been much prettier on the surface, there are signs that Shaw is starting to figure things out — and fantasy managers should take notice.
Over his last six games, the former Maryland standout has recorded a hit in every contest, with three multi-hit efforts during that span. More importantly, his plate discipline has taken a big step forward. Shaw owns an 18.3% strikeout rate on the year, but he’s cut that to just 8.7% across 46 July at-bats — an elite mark that suggests he's seeing the ball extremely well.
His production may still be inconsistent in the short term, but the improved contact skills and recent power flashes are encouraging. If Shaw is available in your league, he’s worth a speculative add — especially in deeper formats or dynasty leagues where upside plays matter. The ceiling here remains legit.
Mickey Moniak, OF - Colorado Rockies (18% Owned)
One thing is clear in 2025: the long-awaited Mickey Moniak breakout has finally arrived. The former No. 1 overall pick hasn't fared well against left-handed pitching this season (.235 AVG), but he's hitting a solid .281 against righties — and that splits-friendly production holds real fantasy value. Even more encouraging, there are signs Moniak is just getting started, making him a viable add in leagues that value power/speed upside and favorable platoon matchups.
Moniak has already set a career-high with 16 home runs—two more than he hit in all of 2024, and in nearly 140 fewer at-bats. Even more impressive, ten of those homers have come since the start of June, during which he’s been scorching hot: 37-for-102 (.363) with 17 extra-base hits, 24 RBI, and 21 runs scored. Adding to his fantasy appeal, Colorado has bumped him up in the lineup, batting him first or second while starting in eight straight games.
The Rockies are unlikely to offer much excitement moving forward and are on pace to set the record for most losses in a season. Still, Moniak could emerge as an early-to-mid-round pick in next season’s fantasy drafts.
Deep League Adds
Taylor Trammell, OF - Houston Astros (1% Owned)
Taylor Trammell is on his third team in two seasons, but it looks like he’s found a home with the Houston Astros. Once ranked as high as MLB’s No. 15 overall prospect in 2019 with the Cincinnati Reds — the team that drafted him — Trammell has struggled since, posting a career .167 average over 318 at-bats. However, he’s been red-hot with Houston, hitting an incredible .444 since the All-Star break, adding a homer, two steals, and an equal number of walks and strikeouts (five each). While his strikeout rate remains high at 30%, some of that Astros magic might be paying off. Despite a small sample size (50 at-bats), the Georgia native boasts the best quality of contact metrics of his career. Though not a full breakout yet, it’s notable that Houston has started slotting him near the top of the lineup, even giving him leadoff duties in his last two starts.
Two-Start Streamers
Cam Schlittler, RHP - New York Yankees (19%/55% Yahoo!/CBS)
Cam Schlittler might not stay in the majors much longer with teammate Luis Gil’s looming return, but he’s an intriguing asset while holding down a spot in New York’s rotation. Schlittler has only made two starts so far, but the limited sample is promising enough to consider him for a two-start week.
The Northeastern product features a five-pitch mix highlighted by a fastball that touches triple digits and generates a 24.4% whiff rate, paired with a slider that batters miss 25% of the time. While he mostly relies on those two pitches, increasing usage of his sinker — which batters miss half the time — could enhance his arsenal.
It’d be helpful if the 24-year-old boosted his strikeout rate, though it’s not out of the question that it could still occur. He posted double-digit K/9 rates at nearly every minor league stop. If he can regain that form, Schlittler could be a formidable fantasy asset, especially given how well he limits hard contact.
The hard-throwing right-hander faces a tough upcoming slate against the Tampa Bay Rays at home and the Miami Marlins on the road. Both teams hit the ball well and maintain low strikeout rates. However, Schlittler allowed just two runs over five innings in his recent win against the Blue Jays and has the velocity to escape jams when needed.
Thanks for reading, and good luck in your matchups this week!
