The Seattle Mariners are acquiring right-handed reliever Yimi Garcia from the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday, according to sources. The main return for the Blue Jays is outfield prospect Jonathan Clase. Garcia was one of the best relievers available at this year's trade deadline. The M's make another significant move after acquiring outfielder Randy Arozarena from the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday night. While Garcia probably won't come in and take over the closer role from Andres Munoz in Seattle, the 33-year-old veteran remains highly valuable in fantasy leagues that count holds in 2024. The Dominican hurler went 3-0 in Toronto this year with a strong 2.70 ERA (2.64 FIP), a 0.80 WHIP, five saves, 42 strikeouts and only eight walks in 30 innings out of the bullpen. Garcia should have even more opportunities for holds for the contending M's.

With closer Jason Foley being used earlier in the game, the Detroit Tigers turned to relief pitcher Shelby Miller to pick up his second save of the season against the Cleveland Guardians on Thursday. Miller allowed a walk but also recorded a strikeout to earn his second save of the season. Foley is still the closer in Detroit, but Miller is likely his insurance should anything happen. On the season, Miller owns a 4.66 ERA with four holds in 36 2/3 innings. Other than the occasional hold or save, Miller doesn't offer much to fantasy managers and can remain on the waiver wire.

Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Corbin Burnes had a solid performance on Thursday, tossing 7 innings of three-run ball against the Miami Marlins. Burnes allowed six hits and one walk while punching out five. The outing would've been even better, but Burnes got into trouble in the eighth and wasn't bailed out by his reliever. Even worse for the 29-year-old was that he was in line for the win until closer Craig Kimbrel blew a 6-3 lead in the ninth. Getting away from the bad news, Burnes now has five quality starts in a row and 17 on the year. Although his strikeouts are down, he has been more efficient while maintaining his solid ratios. It seems to be a good tradeoff for the righty, and one that fantasy managers are probably willing to take.

Colorado Rockies catcher Jacob Stallings rapped three extra-base hits in Wednesday afternoon's win over the visiting Boston Red Sox, recording four RBI in the blowout victory. Before poking an RBI double down the left-field line to drive in his fourth run of the game, Stallings golfed a ball to left field for a three-run home run to break the game open and give the Rockies an 8-1 lead. The 34-year-old veteran backstop is known for his glove behind the dish, but he's putting together his strongest offensive season to date, slashing .272/.366/.456 with five long balls, 12 doubles, 24 RBI, and 20 runs scored through 158 at-bats as Colorado's backup catcher. Fantasy managers in two-catcher leagues could do worse.

Seattle Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford (finger) is expected to be out for four to six weeks after being placed on the 10-day injured list on Tuesday. Crawford fractured his right pinkie finger when he was hit by a pitch in Monday's series opener against the division-rival Los Angeles Angels. The good news is that the 29-year-old won't need surgery, but he can probably be dropped in mixed leagues at this point. Crawford will wear a protective brace on his hand for the next couple of weeks to allow his finger to heal properly. With Crawford sidelined, Dylan Moore has become the M's starter at the 6. In his eighth major-league season (sixth with the Mariners), Crawford has contributed very little offensively, slashing .204/.299/.347 with a career-low .645 OPS, nine home runs, 32 RBI and five stolen bases in 335 trips to the plate over 77 games.

Oakland Athletics right-hander Ross Stripling (elbow) will be activated from the 15-day injured list to start Thursday's series opener on the road in Anaheim against the division-rival Los Angeles Angels, according to manager Mark Kotsay. Not only was Stripling not a viable fantasy option in mixed fantasy leagues earlier this year before his injury, but the 34-year-old veteran is likely to be on a pitch count in his first start back on Thursday after only getting up to 56 pitches during his minor-league rehab assignment, which consisted of three subpar outings. The matchup is one of the best you can ask for, but Stripling was awful in his first 11 starts for the A's, going 1-9 with a 5.82 ERA and 1.59 WHIP with just 35 strikeouts in 55 2/3 innings pitched. There's no upside to speak of from a strikeout perspective with Stripling.

The Milwaukee Brewers are going with a bullpen game in Wednesday's series finale at Wrigley Field against the division-rival Chicago Cubs and will use left-hander Rob Zastryzny as the opener. Right-hander Bryse Wilson and left-hander Jacob Junis will both be available as bulk relievers. Zastryzny shouldn't be expected to go more than an inning in Chicago on Wednesday, so fantasy manager will want to avoid him as a streamer, even in a good matchup. The 32-year-old veteran Canadian southpaw has appeared in only eight games for the Brew Crew this year, and this will be his third time opening a game. He has yet to allow an earned run in 6 2/3 innings in 2024 with one walk and five strikeouts.

New York Mets relief pitcher Jake Diekman recorded his fourth save of the season in Tuesday's victory versus the New York Yankees. With closer Edwin Diaz getting the night off, the Mets turned to Diekman with a one-run lead. Despite allowing a walk, Diekman was able to record the three outs necessary to net himself the save and the Mets their 52nd victory. Managers shouldn't read too much into Diekman getting the save with Diaz getting the night off and outside of deeper leagues that count holds, he can safely remain on the waiver wire.

St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley converted his 33rd save of the season in Tuesday's 2-1 win over the Pirates. Helsley came in to pitch the bottom of the ninth inning up by one and locked things down by striking out the side. The 30-year-old has been one of baseball's and fantasy's top closers this season, converting all but two save opportunities with a 2.25 ERA, a 10.84 K/9 rate, and a 3.68 BB/9 rate. He currently has the most saves in baseball and should continue to provide top fantasy value in the second half, especially if the Cardinals continue to play well.

Seattle Mariners first baseman Ty France cleared waivers on Tuesday and has been outrighted off the team's 40-man roster after being designated for assignment, according to a source. The Mariners have moved on from France as they seek more offense at the position at the big-league level, opting for first base prospect Tyler Locklear for the time being. The 30-year-old veteran right-handed hitter was a first-time All-Star in Seattle in 2022 but has fallen off at the plate since and was hitting just .223 (67-for-300) with eight home runs, 14 doubles and 31 RBI in 340 plate appearances over 88 games this year. For now, he'll report to Triple-A Tacoma with an outside chance of returning to the major-league roster later in the second half. But fantasy managers that still had France on their rosters can let go now.

Seattle Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford (hand) has been placed on the 10-day injured list prior to Tuesday's game. The bad news continues to pile up for Seattle as outfielder Julio Rodriguez (ankle) joined Crawford on the injured list. The Mariners made a few moves with them losing two of their starting players. They've called up infielders Tyler Locklear and Leo Rivas to help give them some depth at shortstop. The assumption is that Dylan Moore will see a majority of the playing time, but Locklear and Rivas should get a few looks as well. There isn't a viable fantasy pickup here in the absence of Crawford.

Minnesota Twins right-hander Brock Stewart (shoulder), who has an 0.68 ERA and 17 strikeouts in 13 1/3 innings this year, could come off the injured list for the current series against the visiting Philadelphia Phillies. Stewart was back in the team's clubhouse on Monday after striking out the side in a minor-league rehab outing against Triple-A Toledo on Sunday, his fourth rehab appearance. He hasn't pitched for the Twins since May 1 due to a right-shoulder strain but has struck out eight in four innings for Triple-A St. Paul and hasn't walked a batter in his last three appearances. Stewart's addition would only strengthen a bullpen that is among the best in baseball that already includes Jhoan Duran, Griffin Jax and Jorge Alcala.

Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Merrill Kelly (shoulder) is scheduled to throw another bullpen session on Tuesday, July 23. Kelly felt something grab in his right shoulder while playing catch in the outfield at Oracle Park on April 20 and landed on the injured list back on April 23. He threw a bullpen session on July 9 and a simulated two-inning bullpen and 32 pitches on July 12. If the 35-year-old veteran avoids a setback on Tuesday, he should be cleared to start facing live hitters before eventually going on a lengthy minor-league rehab assignment. While Kelly is running out of time in the second half of the season to help the D-backs rotation, he deserves to be stashed in all fantasy formats as a high-end starter when healthy. He allowed just six earned runs while striking out 21 and walking six in 24 2/3 innings over four starts early this season before straining his right shoulder.

Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Daniel Hudson recorded his seventh save in Monday's 3-2 win over the San Francisco Giants. Hudson struck out two and walked one in his 19-pitch outing, his fourth straight appearance with a save. He is now (6-1) with a 1.52 ERA, a 0.80 WHIP over his 41 1/3 innings, and 13 holds. Hudson continues as the Dodgers' stopper over Evan Phillips, who has blown his past two save opportunities while watching his ERA climb to 2.73. Fantasy managers should not hesitate to add Hudson if he is still available on waiver wires.

Seattle Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford (pinkie) suffered a hairline fracture in his pinkie finger on Monday after being hit by a pitch in the first inning against the visiting Los Angeles Angels. Crawford stayed in to run the bases and scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the first frame, but he was replaced by Dylan Moore in the top of the second inning and is now likely headed for a stint on the injured list. Moore will most likely become the team's everyday shortstop while Crawford heals up. Crawford has been a pretty big disappointment for the M's and fantasy managers in 2024 after setting career-highs in homers (19) and RBI (65) a year ago. He's currently slashing .204/.296/.347 with nine long balls, 32 RBI and five steals in 77 games this season.

Oakland Athletics right-hander Ross Stripling (elbow), who is working his way back from a strained right pitching elbow, was set to throw a bullpen session on either Monday or Tuesday after a five-inning minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Las Vegas last Friday. Stripling got up to 52 pitches in his latest rehab start for the Aviators and may only need one more rehab start before being reinstated from the injured list. Although the 34-year-old veteran wasn't very good prior to his injury, he should return to a starting role for the lowly A's. In his first 11 starts in Oakland in the first half of the season, Stripling went just 1-9 with a 5.82 ERA (4.00 FIP) and 1.59 WHIP with just 35 strikeouts and 12 walks in 55 2/3 innings pitched. Fantasy managers in mixed leagues should continue to ignore Stripling when he's back with the A's.

San Francisco Giants catcher Tom Murphy (knee) has resumed baseball activity and is beginning to ramp up his baserunning. Murphy felt a pop in his knee after trying to block a wild pitch in the team's loss to the Philadelphia Phillies on May 4 and was put on the 10-day injured list the following day. An MRI exam showed a Grade 1-2 left-knee sprain. Murphy was moved to the 60-day injured list on May 15. He was signed to a two-year, $8.25 million deal in December of 2023 for catching depth in San Francisco. The 33-year-old veteran hit just .118 with a home run in his first 13 games with the Giants before getting injured and will return to a backup role behind Patrick Bailey whenever he comes off the IL. Curt Casali has been serving as the team's No. 2 backstop since Murphy went down.

New York Yankees right-hander Nick Burdi (hip) is going to have another live batting practice session before he possibly starts a minor-league rehab assignment. Burdi is dealing with inflammation in his right hip and recently suffered a setback but he's throwing again and is getting close to going on a rehab assignment. Assuming everything goes well when he resumes throwing in games, the 31-year-old veteran should be able to return to New York's bullpen in early August. He's been out of action since late May. In his first year in the Bronx before getting hurt in the first half of the 2024 campaign, Burdi was pitching very well and had a career-best 1.86 ERA (5.43 FIP) and 1.45 WHIP with 12 strikeouts and nine walks in 9 2/3 innings out of the bullpen.

Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Carlos Estevez was called upon to protect a three-run lead versus the Oakland Athletics on Sunday. The right-hander walked the leadoff hitter but retired the next three batters to record his 18th save of the season. The 31-year-old is having a nice year in what has been a down year for the Halos. There is a good chance that Estevez does get moved at the upcoming trade deadline. That being said, his fantasy value as a closer could be ending. It's unknown whether or not his new team would want him as their primary ninth-inning option. That being said, fantasy managers should hold Estevez until further notice.

Baltimore Orioles third baseman Ramon Urias (neck) was held out of the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Texas Rangers. It sounds like the plan was for Urias to start but he was scratched due to neck soreness. This shouldn't be the type of issue that holds Urias out of the lineup for too long. O's manager Brandon Hyde said the original plan was to give Gunnar Henderson the day off. However, Hyde needed Henderson to play on Sunday with Urias being unavailable. Fantasy managers will have to check back ahead of their next game to see if Urias is able to return.