Kodo Analytics
Feedback

Fantasy Baseball Articles · Daily Briefings, Buy-Low, and Waiver Wire

Morning Java - 07/12: Valdez's 8-RBI Doubleheader, Yesavage's Meltdown, Lodolo's Blister on the Break's Doorstep

On the final morning before the All-Star break, Pirates rookie Esmerlyn Valdez headlines with a 4-for-8, three-homer, eight-RBI doubleheader (including a go-ahead grand slam) to sweep the Brewers. Nick Lodolo left his start with a blister and looks like a break-timed IL candidate, while Jacob Misiorowski was scratched from his final pre-break turn purely for innings management. Trey Yesavage melted down with seven walks through two innings as the Padres edged Toronto 8-7, and the White Sox opened the MLB Draft by taking UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky No. 1 overall.

Back to Articles
Morning Briefing
·
July 12, 2026

Morning Java - 07/12: Valdez's 8-RBI Doubleheader, Yesavage's Meltdown, Lodolo's Blister on the Break's Doorstep

On the final morning before the All-Star break, Pirates rookie Esmerlyn Valdez headlines with a 4-for-8, three-homer, eight-RBI doubleheader (including a go-ahead grand slam) to sweep the Brewers. Nick Lodolo left his start with a blister and looks like a break-timed IL candidate, while Jacob Misiorowski was scratched from his final pre-break turn purely for innings management. Trey Yesavage melted down with seven walks through two innings as the Padres edged Toronto 8-7, and the White Sox opened the MLB Draft by taking UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky No. 1 overall.

dailybriefingmorning-briefingfantasy baseballwaiver wireclosersinjuriestwo-start pitchersbuy low

Today is the final day before the All-Star break. The five fastest-moving roster calls of the morning, in priority order.

TL;DRSkim

  • WATCH - Nick Lodolo (CIN SP): a blister forced an early exit; a break-timed IL stint looks likely, so confirm his status before today's finale.
  • HOLD - Jacob Misiorowski (MIL SP): scratched from his final pre-break start for innings management, not injury; back for his first or second turn after the break.
  • ADD - Esmerlyn Valdez (PIT OF): the red-hot rookie went 4-for-8 with 3 HR and 8 RBI, including a go-ahead grand slam, to sweep the Brewers' doubleheader; 10 homers in his first 27 games.
  • WATCH - Ryan Helsley (BAL RP): UCL inflammation, rehabbing in-house with no surgery for now; if he lands on the IL, Baltimore's ninth opens up.
  • NOTE - White Sox opened the MLB Draft by taking UCLA SS Roch Cholowsky No. 1 overall, adding a top-of-the-board bat to a fast-building rebuild.

Lodolo Blister Forces Early Exit; Break-Timed IL Likely

WATCH · CIN · SP

Nick Lodolo left his start early with a blister, and the manager's tone pointed toward a probable IL stint. Blisters are common but can linger if not rested aggressively, and with the All-Star break starting after today's games, Cincinnati has an obvious window to backdate a 15-day placement and buy extra recovery time. Watch for official confirmation today.

Action: Flag Lodolo on your IL watch; don't trade for him until placement and a timeline are clear.


Misiorowski Scratched for Innings Management Before the Break

HOLD · MIL · SP

The Brewers scratched Jacob Misiorowski from his final pre-break start as a deliberate rest-and-workload move, not an injury. Milwaukee had been weighing this for days; the goal is recovery and reining in a first-year innings count. He's expected back for his first or second start after the break.

Action: Hold in season-long formats; no trade action needed.


Valdez's Monster Doubleheader Powers a Pirates Sweep

ADD · PIT · OF

Rookie right fielder Esmerlyn Valdez went 4-for-8 with three home runs and eight RBIs as the Pirates swept a doubleheader from the NL Central-leading Brewers, winning 7-6 and 3-2. He homered twice in Game 1, including a go-ahead grand slam in the seventh, then added a two-run shot in the nightcap. Valdez now has 10 homers in his first 27 games and is slashing .330 with elite Statcast batted-ball marks, though the strikeout rate is the one caveat.

Action: Add Valdez in all formats where he's available; the power is real and he's hitting in the middle of the order for Pittsburgh.


Padres Edge Blue Jays 8-7 as Yesavage Melts Down

HOLD · TOR/SD · SP

Trey Yesavage authored a franchise-worst outing, walking seven batters through the first two innings and lasting just 1â…“ before being pulled; he and Walker Buehler combined for 11 walks before the second inning ended. San Diego took advantage to win 8-7 on Saturday, with Ty France's go-ahead solo homer in the sixth the decisive blow, Sung-Mun Song and Manny Machado each driving in two, and Mason Miller locking down his 24th save. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. did homer for Toronto, a three-run shot (his sixth), but it wasn't enough. Yesavage's control lapse traced to a posture issue in his delivery that the Blue Jays flagged as correctable.

Action: Bench Yesavage until the mechanical reset shows up in a clean start. Hold France and Miller; both roles are intact. Guerrero remains a hold with a modest recent power uptick.


Freeland Fans Nine but Coors Bites Back

BUY LOW · COL · SP

Kyle Freeland (2% owned) struck out nine over six innings but gave up four earned in a mixed line that reflects the Coors environment as much as anything. The strikeout total is the encouraging signal in an otherwise volatile profile.

Action: Stash only in 15-plus-team leagues chasing post-break depth or in DFS tournaments targeting low-rostered arms.


Cameron's Length and Whiffs Flash Upside

BUY LOW · KC · SP

Noah Cameron (26% owned) went seven innings with nine strikeouts but allowed five runs for Kansas City, showing bat-missing ability despite the damage. The length plus the strikeout rate make him a growth candidate if he holds a rotation spot out of the break.

Action: Add in 12-plus-team leagues; stream his next start in a favorable matchup.


Orioles Say Helsley Has UCL Inflammation; Akin to See Specialist

WATCH · BAL · RP

Ryan Helsley has inflammation around his UCL and will rehab in-house with no surgery announced, taking it slow. Separately, Keegan Akin is scheduled to see Dr. Keith Meister for a UCL evaluation. Both are Baltimore bullpen arms facing possible IL time, though Helsley's in-house plan suggests lower severity than Akin's specialist referral.

Action: Monitor both; if either lands on the IL, the next arm up becomes save-eligible in a suddenly unsettled Orioles ninth.


Orioles Reinstate Hiraldo, Option Him to Triple-A

STASH · BAL · RP

Baltimore reinstated RHP Yaramil Hiraldo from the 60-day IL and optioned him to Triple-A Norfolk, a positive step for his mid-term availability. Track his rehab progress for a possible call-up window after the break.

Action: Stash in deep leagues only; watch for an active-roster move later this month.


Dingler Back at DH; Hand Contusion Improving

HOLD · DET · C

Dillon Dingler returned to the lineup at DH after a couple of games out with a hand contusion, and A.J. Hinch indicated there's a chance he catches again as soon as tomorrow, signaling a mild injury.

Action: Hold if rostered; monitor for his catching eligibility to return.


Hill's Revenge Tour Continues

BUY LOW · PHI · OF

Former Tiger Derek Hill keeps producing for Philadelphia, adding a two-out RBI, two stolen bases, and a diving catch in a recent win against his old club. The speed and defense are translating into steady everyday playing time.

Action: Add where available; he's a multi-tool contributor logging consistent at-bats.


White Sox Open the Draft with Cholowsky at No. 1

NOTE · CWS · prospect

The White Sox kicked off the MLB Draft by taking UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky, the consensus top prospect in the class, first overall on Saturday. It's the third No. 1 pick in franchise history and another cornerstone piece for a rebuild that also netted extra bonus-pool money in Friday's Gonzalez/Eisert trade with Pittsburgh. Day 2 (Rounds 5-20) runs today.

Action: Dynasty-only for now; no immediate redraft impact for a just-drafted amateur.


Astros Line Up Javier Out of the Break

HOLD · HOU · SP

Cristian Javier is lined up to start for Houston coming out of the All-Star break, per beat reports, routine rotation scheduling with no injury context.

Action: Stream in a favorable matchup once his post-break date is set; otherwise hold as a back-end starter.


Rangers Draftee Bumila Needs Elbow Surgery

STASH · TEX · SP (prospect)

Texas draftee Brody Bumila, a 6-foot-9 left-hander who touched 100 mph this spring, told reporters he needs elbow surgery, scheduled for next week with Dr. Keith Meister - his second such procedure. He'll miss significant developmental time.

Action: Dynasty-only stash; monitor the post-surgery rehab timeline, likely months out.


Cardinals Load Up on Day 1 of the Draft

STASH · STL · prospects

St. Louis had the most Day 1 selections of any club (seven), leaning into signability and youth as it continues to build for the future. No immediate fantasy impact.

Action: Monitor the Cardinals' system; league-dependent stash priority.

Found this useful? Share it.
Share on X · tag @kodoAnalytics