Key Injury Updates Shape the Waiver Wire Landscape
The latest waiver wire guide for National League‑only fantasy baseball leagues highlights a handful of players whose recent performances and injury statuses could reshape roster decisions as the trade deadline looms.
Cubs right‑hander Edward Cabrera is slated to rejoin the rotation in mid‑August after a left hamstring strain sidelined him for several weeks; he enters the next phase with a 5‑4 record and a 5.10 ERA across 14 starts this season.
Mets veteran Clay Holmes, meanwhile, is nursing a fractured fibula and holds a $12‑million player option for 2027, a contract detail that has turned him into a frequent trade‑target rumor among contending clubs.
The Dodgers’ acquisition of Tarik Skubal in a three‑player swap underscores the left‑hander’s rising fantasy value, especially as he prepares to slot into a rotation that includes veteran ace Clayton Kershaw.
In the bullpen, Pirates reliever Camilo Doval, recently arrived from the Yankees, is being evaluated as a potential closing option, while fellow reliever Mason Montgomery continues to post strong strikeout numbers that keep him on the radar for save‑chasing managers.
Braves catcher Sean Murphy is expected to be cleared from his fractured finger in the coming weeks, a development that will restore him as the primary backup behind Drake Baldwin and add depth to Atlanta’s late‑inning options.
At first base, Nationals prospect Andres Chaparro has surged with six homers in his first ten games since the All‑Star break, batting .360 and flashing the power that could translate into regular starts. Across the league, Padres backstop Ethan Salas has reclaimed prospect status after posting a .285/.361/.415 line in 72 Double‑A appearances.
Other arms such as Jake Irvin, Andrew Painter, and Jonathan Santucci are also on the radar, each offering a blend of upside and reliability that could make them valuable adds for teams seeking depth in the latter half of the season.
With the trade deadline arriving on Monday, teams may still move players like Robert Stock, Tomoyuki Sugano, Jeremiah Estrada, Daniel Palencia, Rafael Flores, Nate Furman, and others, creating a fluid market that rewards those who monitor injury updates and role changes closely.