After admitting that he turned down an invitation to the 2026 All-Star Game in Philadelphia next week, Philadelphia Phillies veteran right-hander Zack Wheeler had another dominant outing on Sunday in the team's 5-0 shutout win in Motown over the Detroit Tigers. Wheeler outdueled ace Tarik Skubal, tossing six shutout innings, allowing only two hits, walking two, and striking out 10 batters to lower his season ERA to 2.13 and pick up his 10th win of the 2026 season. After initially being a National League All-Star snub, the 36-year-old declined an invite and said that he wouldn't stand for being disrespected. Wheeler had been pitching well all year, but this seems to have really lit a fire under him, and he's now recorded double-digit strikeouts in his last three starts while fanning 34 hitters in 17 1/3 innings over that span. In addition to his sharp 2.13 ERA, Wheeler has a 0.89 WHIP with 108 strikeouts and only 22 innings over 15 starts and 93 innings in his 12th year in the league. The three-time All-Star has exceeded expectations after coming into the 2026 campaign as more of a question mark following thoracic outlet syndrome that shut him down early in 2025.

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that left-hander Carlos Rodon (elbow) has had a few good days of throwing, according to the New York Daily News' Gary Phillips. Rodon wasn't scheduled to throw on Sunday, but he will throw just about every day during the All-Star break, and it could include a bullpen session. The 33-year-old three-time All-Star isn't going to be ready to rejoin New York's starting rotation just out of the break next weekend and will most likely need several bullpen sessions before embarking on a minor-league rehab assignment later this month. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect Rodon to be a realistic candidate for a return to New York's starting rotation until August, especially when considering he got a late start to the 2026 season after having surgery on the same elbow last October to remove loose bodies and shave down a bone spur. Despite durability concerns, Rodon can still help fantasy managers in all leagues in the second half after going 4-2 with a 3.30 ERA (3.44 FIP) and 1.25 WHIP with 52 strikeouts and 26 walks in 46 1/3 innings across his nine starts for the Yanks.

The St. Louis Cardinals are promoting switch pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje from Double-A Springfield to Triple-A Memphis when minor-league play begins after the All-Star break, according to Rob Rains of the St. Louis Sports Page. Cijntje, the team's No. 4 prospect per MLB Pipeline, will make the jump to the highest level on the farm after going 3-4 with a 5.04 ERA and 1.36 WHIP with 100 strikeouts and 40 walks in 80 1/3 innings pitched across 17 starts. The 23-year-old former 15th overall pick by the Seattle Mariners out of Mississippi State University was acquired by the Cardinals in the Brendan Donovan trade in the offseason. Cijntje obviously has unique talents on the mound for his ability to pitch from both sides, but the native of the Netherlands hasn't really stood out with either arm yet in the minors in 2026. If Cijntje does debut in the big leagues this year with the Red Birds, it likely won't be until later in the season, and it'll likely come in a bullpen role that won't give him a ton of fantasy baseball value. The 5-foot-11, 200-pounder is a natural southpaw, but he has shown better stuff from the right side so far as a pro.

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that left-hander Max Fried's (elbow) live bullpen session on Saturday went well, and his next step is "likely" a minor-league rehab game, which could come as soon as Friday, July 17, according to Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News. In his live session with Double-A Somerset this weekend, Fried went three innings and threw 44 pitches. The 32-year-old three-time All-Star will look to build up his pitch count late next week in his first rehab start since going on the 15-day injured list back on May 16 due to a bone bruise in his left elbow. Because of how long he's been away from the Yankees' rotation, fantasy managers should expect Fried to make at least two rehab starts and potentially return before the end of July. The former seventh overall pick by the San Diego Padres in 2012 must remain stashed in an IL spot in all fantasy leagues. Before getting hurt, Fried was 4-3 in his 10 starts (61 2/3 innings) with a 3.21 ERA (2.71 FIP), 1.00 WHIP, and 50:19 K:BB in his second season in the Bronx. If he can stay healthy in the second half, Fried could help carry fantasy pitching staffs.