Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Reynaldo Lopez took another hit Tuesday, July 21, allowing five earned runs on nine hits and three walks over 4 1/3 innings in an 8-3 loss to San Diego. He did strike out six, but Jackson Merrill and Manny Machado both took him deep. Lopez now owns a 3.95 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, and 60 strikeouts over 66 innings. St. Louis had already tagged him for four runs over five innings in his previous start, leaving nine earned runs and 14 hits across the last two. Atlanta is still using Lopez in the rotation, though he has not completed more than five innings since moving back into that role June 26. Lopez is on 24% of Yahoo rosters, and RotoBaller has dropped him to its 15-team range. The SP/RP eligibility helps. In standard mixed leagues, he is now a matchup play rather than someone who needs to be held.

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Cade Cavalli is scheduled to face the Rockies at Coors Field on Wednesday, July 22. That is a rough spot, and fantasy managers do not have to force him into their lineups. Cavalli is 6-4 with a 3.78 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, and 119 strikeouts over 104 2/3 innings. The right-hander has been sharper lately, posting a 3.60 ERA and 1.06 WHIP with 43 strikeouts against seven walks across his last seven starts. He also fanned nine without issuing a walk over six innings against the Athletics on Friday. Cavalli is now rostered in 48% of Yahoo leagues, while RotoBaller still places him in its 12-team range. The Coors matchup is dangerous. The season-long strikeout production is worth holding onto beyond one start.

Los Angeles Dodgers outfield prospect James Tibbs III continues to produce while biding his time at Triple-A Oklahoma City in wait of an MLB call-up. The Dodgers' ninth-ranked prospect is 9-for-22 (.409) over his last seven games, including a pair of doubles and a 3:2 BB:K. The former first-round draft pick has put together a solid overall campaign, slashing .289/.408/.549 with 21 home runs and a 16.3 percent walk rate, with the second-most RBI (72) and runs scored (75) in the Pacific Coast League. He's gone an uncharacteristic 15 games without a home run, but with average exit velocity, barrel, and hard-hit rates all in the 90th percentile or better, his 22nd round-tripper of the year shouldn't be far off. On any other team, the left-handed hitter likely would have debuted by now, but with a healthy big league outfield and a glut of talented outfield options in the minors who are already on the 40-man roster, Tibbs' debut will have to wait. Still, the 23-year-old is one of the better stash options out there with the bat and the surrounding cast to be productive whenever he gets the call.

Kansas City Royals outfielder Lane Thomas is no longer just a platoon bat. Since Kyle Isbel (foot) landed on the injured list June 10, Thomas has hit .262/.331/.524 with seven home runs and 12 doubles across 126 plate appearances. He is playing against righties and lefties now, usually in a prominent lineup spot. The full-season line sits at .240 with nine homers, 34 RBI, 29 runs, and five steals over 250 at-bats. Only 11% of Yahoo leagues have Thomas rostered. That is still low for an everyday outfielder offering some power, a little speed, and enough on-base ability to keep the counting stats moving. Isbel began a rehab assignment Tuesday, so the outfield will get crowded again. Thomas has done too much with the opportunity to simply fall back into a strict platoon. He is a worthwhile mixed-league pickup while the role and production are both working.