McLaughlin (6’4/304) spent time at Alabama and Ohio State. He transferred to OSU for the 2024 season and started 34 collegiate games at center, including 10 for the Buckeyes in 2024. He is extremely quick off the ball, and shows a high motor, especially in the run game. As a run blocker, McLaughlin is consistent with his hands and aggressive at the point of attack. As a pulling guard, he’s fluid with his hips and well-balanced. He does play high at times, which causes him to lose leverage, and some of that lower body strength. As a pass blocker, McLaughlin is quick at the line of scrimmage, posting a 74.1 overall PFF grade. He allowed just one sack throughout his career, and played over 1,800 snaps. McLaughlin also missed Ohio State‘s playoff run because of a torn Achilles he suffered in November. McLaughlin shows plenty of potential at the pivot, but the Achilles injury likely cost him a shot to get drafted.

Levine adds that Ian Happ, who has missed three straight games with an oblique injury, is headed to the injured list as the corresponding move. The 21-year-old backstop has put up impressive numbers this season for Triple-A Iowa, batting .368/.420/.522 with four homers and three steals as one of the youngest hitters in the Pacific Coast League. He could make an impact for fantasy managers in deeper mixed leagues, especially if he’s playing regularly at DH, which makes him worthy of a speculative pickup. The biggest development for fantasy purposes here is that emerging star Pete Crow-Armstrong will continue leading off for at least a couple extra games until Happ returns.

Brito will miss the remainder of the season and most likely a significant portion of next season as well. The 27-year-old righty made a career-high 26 relief appearances last year for San Diego.