All-Star break week is here, and that means since last week’s Playing Time Trends column, we’ve only had a few games to identify lineup and roster changes. The takeaways from this week’s lineup changes will be minimal, but I’ll also try to note any players nearing a return from the IL or obvious trade candidates as the deadline approaches.
The Dbacks recalled Ryan Waldschmidt from Triple-A on Friday. He’s started two of three games since being recalled, although the one he missed was due to a hand injury after being hit by a pitch in the previous game. It seems like he’ll get the majority of center field starts moving forward, likely pushing fellow rookie Tommy Troy to a fourth outfielder role.
To open a roster spot for Waldschmidt, Arizona designated Pavin Smith for assignment. Tim Tawa has taken over as the starting first baseman for now. First base has been nothing short of a disaster for the Diamondbacks, so if the team buys at the trade deadline, this seems like the most obvious position to upgrade.
The A’s had two big names land on the IL just before the All-Star break: Nick Kurtz and Zack Gelof. Neither injury seems overly serious, so these two should be back relatively quickly after the break. Joey Meneses and Jonah Heim should split time at first base while Kurtz is sidelined. Gelof was playing more of a utility role, so his starts will likely be shared by a larger group.
Max Muncy was demoted to Triple-A last week. Joshua Kuroda-Grauer will see the bulk of the work at the hot corner moving forward.
Left elbow inflammation sent Mike Yastrzemski to the IL just before the All-Star break. Luckily for Atlanta, Ronald Acuña Jr. recently started a rehab assignment, and he should be ready to return near the start of the second half.
Ha-Seong Kim should be back from his finger injury soon, but his role upon activation is unclear. He’s been miserable at the plate this year (-26 wRC+), and was losing time before getting hurt. Jim Jarvis has been the starting shortstop for about two weeks now and has performed well (115 wRC+). Atlanta may opt to run with the rookie moving forward, but this is also a clear position of need heading into the deadline.
Trevor Story is ramping up his recovery from his sports hernia surgery. If he stays on his initial eight-week timeline, he should be activated within a week or two. If you have the roster space, Story is a great stash before his FAAB price shoots up as his return approaches.
Matt Shaw should be back from the IL very soon. He was initially expected to have a minimum stay on the IL, which would’ve meant he was activated prior to the All-Star break. The extra time off should mean his return is imminent. He’ll likely return to a regular starter’s workload in right field.
Rookie phenom Munetaka Murakami rejoined the White Sox just before the All-Star break, supplanting Jacob Gonzalez as the starting first baseman. Gonzalez was subsequently traded to Pittsburgh.
Ke’Bryan Hayes rejoined the big league squad last Friday. He’ll likely resume his role as the starting third baseman, but there’s probably a decision the Reds need to make soon about whether Hayes’ .143/.200/.222 slash line is worth his elite defense at third base.
A strained calf has Matt McLain headed to the IL. Since Edwin Arroyo had already been seeing most of the starts at second base, this shouldn’t change the playing time situation in Cincinnati too much.
Dane Myers is out on a rehab assignment with a goal to be ready to return to the Reds for the first game out of the break. He should split time in center field with TJ Friedl until Blake Dunn returns.
The Guardians recalled Petey Halpin from Triple-A just before the break. He started two of four games in center field after being recalled. It’s unclear how much playing time he’ll receive, but he’ll factor into the outfield mix for a bit until Angel Martínez returns from the IL within a week or two.
José Ramírez is aiming to return from the IL shortly after the All-Star break. If you’re rostering Gabriel Arias in an AL-only league, start making contingency plans now.
Gleyber Torres is out on a rehab assignment and should be back with the Tigers shortly after the All-Star break. His activation will likely cut Hao-Yu Lee fully out of the playing time picture and will also relegate Zach McKinstry to less than a full-time role.
Vinnie Pasquantino returned to the Royals last Saturday. His return likely won’t have a big impact on overall playing time, but it will mean Jac Caglianone will be back on the outfield grass more often.
Alex Freeland’s playing time has taken a hit. He was on the bench for four straight games just before the All-Star break, with Tommy Edman taking three of those starts at the keystone and Miguel Rojas taking the other.
Enrique Hernández said he intends to return from the injured list during the Dodgers’ first homestand after the All-Star break. That would mean he’d be back on the big league roster beginning July 28. Injuries have limited Hernández to just two games this season, so it’s unclear what role he’ll return to, although it almost assuredly will not be an everyday job.
A calf strain landed Owen Caissie on the IL last Thursday, opening the door to playing time in Miami’s right field. In the four games he missed, two starts went to Esteury Ruiz, one went to Javier Sanoja, and another went to Griffin Conine. Caissie’s injury doesn’t sound bad, so what happens in the games he misses will likely have a negligible impact on fantasy leagues.
Luis Lara has emerged as a nearly everyday player for the Brew Crew. Since being recalled on July 7, Lara has started five of eight games across all three outfield positions. Jackson Chourio’s playing time is undoubtedly safe, leaving Lara to compete with Garrett Mitchell and Sal Frelick for playing time. Frelick is the most vulnerable with a 77 wRC+, so if you’re rostering him in an NL-only league, it may be worth picking up Lara as a potential replacement.
The Brewers acquired Braden Shewmake from the Astros last Sunday, and he was immediately plugged into the starting lineup at third base. Shewmake will likely serve in a versatile infield role, splitting time at third base with Joey Ortiz and helping give Cooper Pratt and Brice Turang days off.
The Twins activated Ryan Jeffers from the IL last Friday. With Jeffers returning to full-time catching duties, Victor Caratini’s playing time will wane, so if you were relying on him in a deep AL-only league, you’ll need to look elsewhere for a catcher.
With Byron Buxton sidelined, Luke Keaschall has seen five straight starts in center field. He already has outfield eligibility in fantasy baseball, but in leagues with defined outfield roles, Keaschall will gain center field eligibility soon.
Mark Vientos fractured his right hand and was placed on the injured list on Friday. He’ll be out for a while. In his place, Eric Wagaman should start at first base against right-handed starting pitchers, although incoming IL activations could force him off the roster.
The Mets have two big names out on rehab assignments. Luis Robert Jr. and Marcus Semien were both at Double-A Binghamton rehabbing recently. They should be back in the big league starting lineup very soon.
Anthony Volpe’s playing time has dried up. He’s started just two of the Yankees’ last seven games. I haven’t heard his name in trade rumors, but you have to wonder if the Yankees’ patience for the young shortstop has run out. He’d be a prime change-of-scenery candidate for a rebuilding squad.
The Phillies outfield is ripe for an infusion of talent at the trade deadline, particularly right field. If you’re rostering Gabriel Rincones Jr., I would make contingency plans now. Phillies’ right fielders have combined to produce a 65 wRC+ this season, the second-worst mark in baseball.
The Pirates acquired Jacob Gonzalez from the White Sox last week. He had held his own (.241/.320/.356) in his big league debut in Chicago. He has yet to make a start for his new club, but with his infield versatility, he could push Jared Triolo for playing time at shortstop, with Konnor Griffin not expected back until September.
Freddy Fermin has started a rehab assignment with Triple-A El Paso and should be back with the big league club at the start of the second half.
A left oblique strain sent Victor Bericoto to the injured list, opening the door for Drew Gilbert to get a little run of playing time just before the break. That’ll likely continue for a bit to start the second half, too, but Harrison Bader should be nearing a rehab assignment and eventual return.
Daniel Susac began a rehab assignment recently, so he should be ready for activation perhaps as soon as the start of the second half. He should be reinstated to his starting gig behind the plate.
Julio Rodríguez is eligible for activation from the IL whenever he’s ready to return from his concussion. There was some thought that he would be the Friday before the All-Star break, but the team opted to give him extra rest. He should be back patrolling center field in Seattle very soon, pushing Victor Robles back to a fourth outfielder role.
José Fermín has quietly been receiving a starter’s share of playing time recently. He’s started 10 of the Cardinals’ last 11 games, bouncing between four different positions. His .259/.310/.392 slash line isn’t going to win you a fantasy league, but it makes him worth a look in an NL-only league given his multi-position eligibility.
Fermín’s uptick in playing time is causing a downturn in Blaze Jordan’s opportunities. The young corner infielder has started five of the last 10 games and has posted just a 62 wRC+.
Gavin Lux has been out on a rehab assignment since June 30, so he should be very near making his season debut. The Rays haven’t gotten much production out of their second base spot, so Lux should immediately be inserted there as a starter, at least against right-handed pitchers.
The Rangers activated Wyatt Langford from the IL last Thursday, pushing Alejandro Osuna to the bench. The corresponding move to Langford’s return was utility man Josh Smith’s demotion.
