Suarez didn't factor into the decision Thursday against the White Sox, allowing four runs (three earned) on three hits and two walks across three innings. He struck out three.

After blanking Chicago for two innings, Suarez ran into trouble in the third, where he gave up a two-run homer to Chase Meidroth before Colson Montgomery tacked on two more runs with a two-out hit. Suarez, who threw 70 pitches Thursday, hasn't made it through five innings in any of his three starts since returning from the IL. Overall, he sports a 3.32 ERA with a 1.17 WHIP and 108:30 K:BB through 20 starts (103 innings) with Boston this season.

Meidroth went 3-for-5 with a pair of home runs and four total RBI in Thursday's 12-11 extra-innings loss to the Red Sox.

Meidroth opened the scoring in the third inning with a two-run shot off Ranger Suarez before putting Chicago ahead 9-7 in the 10th inning with another two-run blast, this time off Aroldis Chapman. Meidroth had gone seven games without a home prior to Thursday, going just 4-for-21 (.190) in that span. Overall, the second baseman is slashing .275/.352/.405 this season with 11 homers, 67 runs scored, 44 RBI and two steals across 465 plate appearances.

Drake (0-1) took the loss against San Diego on Thursday, allowing three runs on six hits and one walk while striking out one batter over 3.2 innings.

Though he walked only one batter, Drake threw just 46 of 82 pitches for strikes. Three of the six hits the rookie southpaw allowed were doubles, and he didn't miss many bats, recording only three whiffs and one strikeout. Drake logged five innings in his first MLB start July 21 against the A's, but since then each of his three outings has lasted four frames or less. Michael Soroka (glute) recently kicked off a rehab assignment, and Drake is currently the most likely Arizona hurler to be the odd man out of the rotation when Soroka is ready to return.

Buehler allowed one run on six hits and one walk while striking out three batters over four innings in a no-decision against Arizona on Thursday.

Buehler put two runners on base in the first inning but escaped without giving up any runs. He dodged trouble again in the third, when he allowed four straight hits but surrendered only one run. All of that traffic resulted in Buehler needing 76 pitches to get through four frames, and he didn't come back out for the fifth inning. It was the second straight outing during which Buehler has completed less than four frames, though he's yielded a tolerable four runs across 8.1 innings during that span. He's managed to hang onto a rotation spot despite a 5.07 ERA through 23 starts on the season, but the looming returns of Nick Pivetta (forearm) and Joe Musgrove (elbow) -- each of whom recently began a minor-league rehab stint -- could spell the end of Buehler's time as a starter.

Wacha tossed 5.2 innings in a no-decision against Minnesota on Thursday, allowing one run on three hits and three walks while striking out one batter.

Wacha pitched well, giving up just one run on a Royce Lewis homer. The veteran hurler looked like he was on his way to a fourth straight quality start, but manager Matt Quatraro elected to pull him with two outs in the sixth inning (at 94 pitches) with Lewis coming up for another turn at the plate. Wacha did make it four straight outings with two or fewer earned runs, and he's lowered his season ERA to 3.44 with the effective stretch. He lines up for a tough next start in what's projected to be a road matchup versus the Dodgers.

Gomez picked up a save against the Royals on Thursday, issuing one walk and striking out two batters over one scoreless inning.

Gomez was summoned in the ninth inning with Minnesota clinging to a one-run lead. He walked the first batter he faced but then picked off pinch runner Tyler Tolbert at first base. With less pressure on him, Gomez then struck out Michael Massey and Isaac Collins to improve to 15-for-15 on save chances this season. Fantasy managers who roster Gomez are likely ecstatic about Gomez beyond deployed for the save opportunity, as Minnesota's trade-deadline acquisition of Jeff Hoffman cast some doubt about whether Gomez would remain in the closer role. Hoffman hade his first appearance for the Twins on Wednesday, working a perfect eighth inning in a 2-1 loss, and he could still be a threat to Gomez's stranglehold on the ninth-inning job.

Dybantsa (rest) will be competing for a starting role during training camp this fall.

After Dybantsa went first overall in the 2026 NBA Draft, there's a good chance the Wizards will want to showcase him in the first unit immediately. That said, Bilal Coulibaly was a full-time starter a year ago, and Washington also has incumbent veteran Khris Middleton on the roster. Regardless, Dybantsa finds himself in a rather favorable situation playing alongside veteran stars Trae Young (quad) and Anthony Davis (finger).

Riley has more competition for playing time with the Wizards in 2026-27.

Riley will suit up for a new-look Washington squad this year, one that doesn't closely resemble the 2025-26 late-season bunch nearly at all. All of Trae Young (quad), Anthony Davis (finger), AJ Dybantsa, Kyshawn George and Alex Sarr (foot) weren't part of the team's lineup to close last season but are set to make up the starting five for 2026-27, likely leaving Riley to contend with Khris Middleton and Bilal Coulibaly for minutes in the second unit.

Johnson (rest) is likely to revert to a bench role to open 2026-27 after finishing last season as a starter.

The Wizards are set to send out a new starting lineup this year, now headlined by veteran stars Trae Young (quad) and Anthony Davis (finger) as well as rookie No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa, and they're also set to get Kyshawn George and Alex Sarr (foot) back in the fold. Washington does have a rather thin backcourt behind Young and George, however, so both Johnson and Bub Carrington should remain involved to a significant extent off the bench in 2026-27.

Vukcevic (knee) is unlikely to have a significant role to begin the 2026-27 season.

The Wizards didn't have Anthony Davis (finger) or Alex Sarr (foot) available late last year, allowing Vukcevic to make a career-high 12 starts. This time around, however, Washington boasts a revamped frontcourt that is not only set to feature Davis and Sarr, but it also includes Deandre Ayton as a new face down low. As a result, Vukcevic is likely to be hard-pressed to squeeze into the Opening Night rotation.

Peterson (rest) is set to compete for a starting role during training camp in the fall.

The rookie No. 2 overall pick has Ace Bailey to overcome for the top spot at shooting guard with the Jazz. Whether he starts or comes off the bench right off the bat, Peterson is certainly primed for a significant role for Utah in 2026-27. Over five Summer League appearances, the 19-year-old stood out with averages of 23.0 points, 5.2 assists, 3.2 rebounds, 1.2 blocks and 1.0 steals per game.

Bailey's (back) role is undetermined heading into the 2026-27 campaign.

The addition of No. 2 overall pick Darryn Peterson may leave Bailey without a spot in Utah's starting lineup to begin the new year. The Jazz are also getting Keyonte George and Lauri Markkanen back in the lineup after the two stars sat out the final stretch of a losing season in 2025-26. Bailey began to blossom late last year, averaging 18.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.1 blocks per game in 23 regular-season appearances (all starts) after the All-Star break, so he should have a chance to battle with Peterson for an Opening Night starting position.

Grebenkin signed a two-year, $2.2 million contract with the Flyers on Thursday.

Grebenkin recovered from an upper-body injury over the summer, which had kept him out for 23 games (regular season and playoffs) to end 2025-26. He established himself as a regular when healthy, earning 14 points with 32 shots on net, 46 PIM and 86 hits over 55 regular-season outings last year. Grebenkin will be in the mix for bottom-six minutes again in 2026-27.

Fasching signed a one-year contract with SHL Skelleftea on Thursday.

Fasching recorded seven goals and 18 points in 65 regular-season outings with AHL Cleveland in 2025-26. The 31-year-old has accumulated 17 goals and 40 points across 175 career regular-season NHL appearances, but his shift to Europe might be a sign that he's played in his final NHL game.

Koivunen agreed to terms on an eight-year, $32 million contract with Pittsburgh on Thursday.

Considering Koivunen has logged just 47 career games in the NHL, the term on his new deal is somewhat surprising. The 23-year-old winger should be in the mix for an Opening Night roster spot heading into the 2026-27 campaign, but he could still end up in the minors at some point, making him a somewhat risky fantasy option.

Miftakhov signed a two-year contract with the KHL's Shanghai Dragons on Wednesday.

Miftakhov had a 3.25 GAA and an .888 save percentage in 28 regular-season outings with AHL Chicago in 2025-26. Although the 26-year-old hasn't played for Shanghai before, he has spent parts of five seasons in the KHL. Most recently, he posted a 2.18 GAA and a .927 save percentage in 30 regular-season appearances with KHL Kazan.

Hunt will hang up his skates and call it a career; he announced Tuesday.

Hunt spent last season with Sport Vaasa overseas, logging 25 points in 53 games for the Swedish club. Over his career, the 37-year-old forward saw action in 288 regular-season games for the Wild, Oilers, Golden Knights, Canucks, Avalanche, Blues and Predators. In those outings, Hunt racked up 26 goals and 60 assists.

Szuber signed a one-year, two-way contract with Montreal on Monday.

Szuber produced 11 goals, 27 points and 67 PIM across 65 regular-season appearances for AHL Tucson in 2025-26. The 23-year-old Szuber will probably begin the 2026-27 campaign with AHL Laval after the Canadiens acquired him from Utah on June 29 in exchange for Joshua Roy.