Tigers Send Beau Brieske to the Minors
The Detroit Tigers announced on Thursday that they optioned right-hander Beau Brieske to Triple-A Toledo and selected the contract of left-hander Matt Gage from Toledo in a corresponding move. To makeread more...
Maxwell Hairston Tweaks Hamstring
Source: Around The NFL
Buffalo Bills rookie defensive back Maxwell Hairston (hamstring) missed Thursday's minicamp practice session due to a hamstring injury. General manager Brandon Beane said the Kentucky product "tweaked" his hamstring and is getting treatment. Per Beane, the expectation is that he'll be ready for training camp. Buffalo's No. 30 overall selection in April's draft, Hairston projects to eventually slot into the team's second cornerback spot that was vacated by the departure of ex-Bill Rasul Douglas. The 21-year-old is most likely in no danger of missing training camp, and figures to play a prominent role in the Bills' secondary at some point in his first professional campaign.Luke Raley Starting Rehab Assignment on Thursday
Luke Raley (oblique) is scheduled to start his minor-league rehab assignment on Thursday with Triple-A Tacoma, according to The Seattle Times' Adam Jude. It could be a rather lengthy rehab assignment for Raley, who has been sidelined since late April with a strained right oblique. But once the 30-year-old veteran left-handed slugger returns to Seattle, he could be on the strong side of a platoon in right field against right-handed pitchers. Before his injury, he was hitting just .206/.345/.324 with two home runs, eight RBI, 10 runs scored and two stolen bases in 24 games played. Raley's power/speed combination makes him worth rostering in deep-mixed leagues as a depth piece. In 2023 and 2024 with the Tampa Bay Rays and Mariners, Raley combined for 41 home runs, 107 RBI and 25 stolen bases in 255 games.Source: The Seattle Times - Adam Jude
Seattle Mariners first baseman/outfielder Will Johnson Sitting with Hamstring Tightness
Source: Around The NFL
According to head coach Jonathan Gannon, Arizona Cardinals defensive back Will Johnson (hamstring) has not participated in the team's mandatory minicamp because of a tight hamstring. Gannon also noted that the rookie will be ready for training camp. Arizona got a steal in the Michigan alum, who was regarded as a first-round pick but saw his draft stock fall due to injuries. Johnson is expected to contribute immediately to the Cardinals' defensive backfield, but he is unfortunately already missing valuable practice time in his inaugural campaign. It's excellent news that he's expected back by training camp, insinuating that it isn't a significant issue. He'll look to aid a defensive unit that ranked thirteenth-worst with 342.5 yards allowed per game last season.Drew Waters Sitting Against Yankees
Drew Waters is not in the team's starting lineup in Thursday's series finale against the visiting New York Yankees at Kauffman Stadium. With Waters sitting, Nick Loftin will draw into the lineup in left field and will bat in the seven-hole against Yankees right-hander Will Warren. Waters has really struggled so far in the month of June through nine games, going 5-for-25 with a steal, three runs, two walks and nine strikeouts. Overall, the 26-year-old has hit .269/.307/.359 with a below-average .666 OPS, just one home run, 13 RBI, 20 runs and five stolen bases in 167 at-bats on the year. DFS managers are better off looking elsewhere on Thursday. Loftin has a solid .281 average (9-for-32) in a limited sample size with a homer, three RBI and a stolen base.Source: MLB.com
Kansas City Royals outfielder Diontae Johnson Focused on Returning to Form in 2025
Diontae Johnson is focused on changing the perception surrounding him this season after a tumultuous 2024, he told ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi on Wednesday. Johnson was all over the place last season, leading the Carolina Panthers in receiving through the first seven games before a mid-year trade to Baltimore -- and eventual release after he refused to play in Week 13. The Texans claimed him, and he caught two passes for them in Week 18, but was waived after their wild-card win over the Chargers due to his "visible frustration" after playing just 15 snaps. The 28-year-old will get a chance to prove himself in Cleveland, as the target competition behind fellow WR Jerry Jeudy and tight end David Njoku isn't too daunting. Still, the offense's success will largely depend on who is calling signals for the Browns in 2025, and even that might not be a guarantee on a weekly basis.Source: Kevin Patra
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Noble Meyer Trending in the Right Direction at High-A
Noble Meyer allowed one earned run on four hits and one walk while striking out three over four innings of work on Wednesday for High-A Beloit. The 20-year-old appears to be rounding into form over his last five starts, posting a 3.32 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and a 22.5 percent K-BB% in 19 IP, compared to a 7.13 ERA, 1.75 WHIP, and a 7.9 percent K-BB% in 17 2/3 IP over his first five starts of the year. At this rate, the Marlins' fourth-ranked prospect should get a handful of starts at Double-A by season's end. The 6-foot-5 hurler is young, but with his big frame and first-round pedigree, MLB.com's top prospects list gives the youngster a 2026 ETA. With 145 strikeouts in 121 2/3 career minor league innings (10.73 K/9, 26.9 percent K%), he has good strikeout stuff and is a pitcher worth keeping an eye on in dynasty leagues.Source: MiLB.com
Miami Marlins pitching prospect Marcus Stroman Strikes Out Four in First Rehab Start
Marcus Stroman (knee) made his first minor-league rehab start with Double-A Somerset on Wednesday against Double-A Portland and looked good, allowing an earned run on one hit while walking two and striking out four in 3 1/3 innings pitched. It was the first game for Stroman since he landed on the 15-day injured list back on April 11 with inflammation in his left knee. The 34-year-old is being built back up as a starter on his rehab assignment, but that doesn't mean he'll be guaranteed a starting rotation spot when he's back in the Bronx. The two-time All-Star let up 12 earned runs on 12 hits (two homers) while walking seven and striking out seven in 9 1/3 innings over three starts early this season before injuring his knee. Even if Stroman is able to bounce back upon his return and induce more ground balls, there's little fantasy upside remaining in his arm.Source: Milb.com
New York Yankees right-hander Sandy Alcantara's Command Improving?
Sandy Alcantara has looked better his last two starts, but they came against the lowly Colorado Rockies and Pittsburgh Pirates. However, manager Clayton McCullough saw a difference in "the quality of Sandy's throws." A rival official also said, "I walked away saying he is about three or four starts away from being the Sandy of old." The 29-year-old Dominican is sitting on an ERA north of 7.00 with a 1.49 WHIP in his first 13 starts since returning from Tommy John surgery, but if he's able to bounce back, he will be one of the best starters available on the trade market this summer. Like many hurlers coming off TJ surgery, Alcantara's walk rate was bloated. Most of his stuff is back to pre-injury quality, but command has eluded him. He's using his fastball and curve more while adapting his pitch mix depending on the lineups he faces. Fantasy managers shouldn't give up on Alcantara.Source: The Athletic - Ken Rosenthal and Eno Sarris
Miami Marlins right-hander Bo Melton to Dabble at Cornerback
Bo Melton took practice reps with the defensive backs during this week's mandatory minicamp. "Everybody turned and looked at me like, 'What are you doing?'" said Melton on Wednesday. Despite this week marking the first time that the 26-year-old ran with the DBs, it isn't the first discussion he and coach Matt LaFleur have had about it. Reportedly, when Melton joined the team in 2023, LaFleur inquired about his defensive prowess from the short time he spent in Rutgers' defensive backfield early in his collegiate career. The former Scarlet Knight hasn't just been an offensive asset for the Pack during his tenure with the squad, as he's also recorded four tackles on 154 career special-teams snaps. Whether he sticks remains to be seen, but it's a smart move for Green Bay to try to develop him at the position after the departure of his former teammate Jaire Alexander.Source: Grant Gordon
Per NFL.com's Grant Gordon, Green Bay Packers wide receiver Josue De Paula Riding Seven-Game Hit Streak
Josue De Paula went 1-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored on Wednesday, extending his hitting streak to seven games at High-A Great Lakes. The Dodgers' second-ranked prospect is having a strong season, slashing .281/.418/.458 with eight home runs, 23 RBI, 40 runs scored, and 16 stolen bases. The 6-foot-3 slugger continues to impress with his approach as well, logging more walks (47) than strikeouts (46). With Dalton Rushing soon to graduate from the prospect ranks, De Paula is in line to become the team's top-ranked prospect and should push for a promotion to Double-A within the coming weeks.Source: MiLB.com
Los Angeles Dodgers outfield prospect Cardinals Recall Michael Siani From Triple-A
Michael Siani from Triple-A Memphis and optioned right-hander Chris Roycroft to Memphis and designated outfielder Ryan Vilade for assignment in corresponding moves. Siani played in 18 games with the Cardinals earlier this year before being sent down and went 4-for-16 with four runs scored, one walk and six strikeouts. The 25-year-old could see some occasional starts in center field to spell Victor Scott II, but he will most likely be a bench outfielder for the Cards in his return to the big leagues. In 124 games for St. Louis last year, Siani slashed .228/.285/.285 with a weak .570 OPS, two home runs, 20 RBI, 42 runs scored and 20 stolen bases in 334 plate appearances. He's really only an option for depth in NL-only leagues for his speed.Source: St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals announced on Thursday that they recalled outfielder Kodai Senga Leaves Thursday's Start With Leg Injury
Kodai Senga (leg) injured his right leg while covering first base in the top of the sixth inning at Citi Field against the division-rival Washington Nationals and was forced to leave the game, according to MLB.com's Anthony DiComo. It didn't look good, and Senga was seen grabbing at his right hamstring before spending a long time down on the ground being surrounded by coaches and trainers. He walked off the field under his own power with a pronounced limp. The good news is that Senga was excellent on the mound before leaving, throwing 5 2/3 scoreless innings with six strikeouts. The bad news is the injury didn't look good, and it's very possible he'll be forced to the 15-day injured list. Fantasy managers will need to check back for the severity of his injury, but this could be a big blow to New York's starting rotation.Source: MLB.com - Anthony DiComo
New York Mets right-hander Zyhir Hope Collects Two Hits, Swipes Two Bags on Wednesday
Zyhir Hope went 2-for-3 with a walk and two stolen bases on Wednesday for High-A Great Lakes. He was also caught stealing once. The Dodgers' third-ranked prospect now has seven steals on the year, however, four of them came in his first six games of the season, so we'll see if the 20-year-old will pick up the pace again. Either way, the left-handed slugger is performing well in his first taste of High-A pitching, slashing .300/.403/.488 with seven home runs, 37 RBI, 33 runs scored, and a strong 13.9 percent walk rate. Look for the team to give him a shot at Double-A later this season, and with strong all-around tools, the former 11th-round draft pick could make it to the big leagues as soon as next year.Source: MiLB.com
Los Angeles Dodgers outfield prospect Jordan Hicks Throws a Bullpen Session
Jordan Hicks (toe) landed on the 15-day injured list on June 3 after injuring his right big toe while making a relief appearance against the Miami Marlins on June 1. MLB.com reports that Hicks threw a bullpen session on Tuesday before the team's game at Coors Field against the division-rival Colorado Rockies. Because he's now in a relief role, the hard-throwing 28-year-old shouldn't require a lengthy rehab process and could return to San Fran's bullpen in mid-June. After being demoted from a starting role, Hicks allowed two earned runs in his first 3 1/3 innings of relief. Overall, he's had a tough season in 2025 with a 1-5 record, 6.47 ERA and 1.54 WHIP with 43 strikeouts and 20 walks in 48 2/3 frames over 13 appearances (nine starts). As long as he stays in relief, his fantasy impact will be minimal.Source: MLB.com
San Francisco Giants right-hander George Lombard Jr. Hits First Home Run at Double-A
George Lombard Jr. smacked his first Double-A home run in Game 2 of Somerset's doubleheader on Wednesday, going 4-for-8 with two RBI, three runs scored, and two stolen bases between both games. He's now got three multi-hit games in his last four contests, and although the 20-year-old is batting just .225 at Double-A through 32 games, his 16.8 percent walk rate has helped him to a .358 OBP. As a result, the former first-rounder has tallied 10 steals for the Patriots and 21 total between High-A and Double-A. The Yankees' top prospect may finish out the season at Double-A, but could be looking at a major league debut sometime later next year if all goes well, so dynasty managers will want to keep an eye on how he progresses over the final months.Source: MiLB.com
New York Yankees shortstop prospect Justin Verlander Could Rejoin the Rotation Soon
Justin Verlander (pectoral) threw a 65-pitch simulated game at Coors Field on Wednesday and could rejoin the big-league starting rotation when the team returns home to face the Cleveland Guardians from June 17-19, according to MLB.com. Verlander has been on the 15-day injured list since May 22 with a strained right pectoral muscle, but he's on the cups of returning to the Gigantes' starting rotation. Before his injury, the future Hall of Famer looked like a pitcher nearing the end of his career, going 0-3 with a 4.33 ERA and 1.40 WHIP with 41 strikeouts and 21 walks in 52 innings over his 10 starts. He currently ranks in just the 25th percentile in strikeout rate, 56th percentile in whiff rate and 12th percentile in barrel rate. His opponent's expected batting average is also in the 19th percentile. Injuries and age have sapped Verlander of his dominance.Source: MLB.com
San Francisco Giants right-hander Samuel Basallo Off to a Strong Start in June
Samuel Basallo went hitless on Tuesday, but still managed to tally three RBI for Triple-A Norfolk on a pair of groundouts and a walk with the bases loaded. In six June games, the Dominican backstop has gone 7-for-23 (.304) with four home runs, nine RBI, and six runs scored. For the season, the Orioles' top-ranked prospect owns just a .244 batting average, but has a strong .360 OBP thanks to a 14.9 percent walk rate, and boasts a .578 slugging percentage thanks to six doubles and 13 home runs, the latter of which is second-most in the International League. The 20-year-old has split time between catcher and first base this season, in addition to DH, giving him multiple paths to playing time at the big league level. Look for the 6-foot-4 slugger to make a debut by the All-Star break, and power-needy managers in deep leagues should consider stashing the youngster ahead of time.Source: MiLB.com
Baltimore Orioles catching prospect Patrick Bailey Hoping to Return When he's Eligible
San Francisco Giants catcher Patrick Bailey (neck) was placed on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday with a neck strain, but he's hoping to return as soon as he's eligible on June 19, according to MLB.com'sread more...
Brandon Woodruff Transferred to 60-Day Injured List
Jacob Misiorowski on the 40-man roster, the Milwaukee Brewers transferred right-hander Brandon Woodruff (elbow, shoulder) to the 60-day injured list on Thursday. Right-hander Easton McGee was also optioned to Triple-A Nashville. The move doesn't alter Woodruff's timetable to return to the big-league rotation for the first time since 2023. The 32-year-old veteran had right-shoulder surgery in the fall of 2023 and didn't pitch at all last year. He was nearing a return this year before dealing with an ankle injury, and then he recently had a setback when he was drilled in his right elbow by a comebacker. Woodruff will need a couple more minor-league rehab starts but should rejoin Milwaukee's starting rotation before the All-Star break, barring a third setback. Before his shoulder injury, Woodruff was a fantasy ace.Source: Milwaukee Brewers
To make room for right-handed pitching prospect Aaron Civale Requests Trade
Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Aaron Civale, who has been bumped to the bullpen from the starting rotation in favor of pitching prospect Jacob Misiorowski, has asked the organization for a trade, accordingread more...
Rafael Devers has Been Playing Through Groin Strain
Rafael Devers (groin) revealed to the media on Wednesday that he has been dealing with a groin strain lately. "I'm feeling better now… It's better running." Manager Alex Cora said he didn't know about the issue until Sunday, when Devers didn't run out a ground ball all the way. Devers could get a day of rest soon, especially since he's only hit .216 (8-for-37) with two homers, five RBI, 10 runs scored and 10 strikeouts in 10 games played so far in June. The 28-year-old Dominican has responded well to a full-time role as Boston's DH this year and is currently slashing .276/.405/506 with a .911 OPS, 14 home runs, 57 RBI and 46 runs scored in 261 at-bats. His .274 xBA is in the 73rd percentile, while his xwOBA is in the 95th percentile, suggesting that Devers' high-end production should continue into the second half of the season.Source: Tyler Milliken
Boston Red Sox designated hitter Tyler O'Neill Dealing With More Shoulder Soreness
Tyler O'Neill (shoulder) is getting a few days of rest on his minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Norfolk as he works through left-shoulder soreness. Thursday will be O'Neill's second straight day off with the Tides. In the 29-year-old's three rehab games, he's gone 4-for-10 at the plate. He began his rehab assignment as a designated hitter but has played in right field his last two starts. O'Neill landed on the 10-day injured list a month ago with a left-shoulder impingement, and it's not a good sign that he's still having issues with it. The oft-injured outfielder should have a regular role in Baltimore's outfield when he recovers, but he was hitting just .188 (15-for-80) with two home runs, 10 RBI and 27 strikeouts in 93 trips to the plate over 24 games at the time of his injury.Source: MASN Sports - Roch Kubatko
MASN's Roch Kubatko reports that Baltimore Orioles outfielder Keegan Akin to Open on Thursday, Dean Kremer Set for Bulk Relief
Dean Kremer, who was originally scheduled to start on Thursday against the Detroit Tigers, will not start, according to the team. Instead, the O's will go with left-hander Keegan Akin as an opener. While Kremer won't start this one at Camden Yards, he's expected to serve as the bulk reliever. In both of Akin's opening assignments this year, he's gone a total of 2 2/3 innings, so he won't be a realistic streaming option for fantasy managers, especially against the first-place Tigers. Overall, he's posted a solid 2.89 ERA (3.87 FIP) and 1.29 WHIP with 31 strikeouts and 14 walks in 28 innings pitched. Kremer has an ERA just south of 5.00 on the season and allowed five earned runs on four hits while walking four and striking out three in 5 2/3 innings in a loss the first time he faced Detroit back on April 27.Source: The Baltimore Sun - Matt Weyrich
Baltimore Orioles right-hander Austin Gomber Looks Good in Rehab Start
Austin Gomber (shoulder) looked good in his minor-league rehab start on Tuesday for Triple-A Albuquerque, allowing an unearned run on just one hit while walking three and striking out five in four innings of work in a no-decision against Triple-A Oklahoma City. The 31-year-old southpaw allowed one run in four innings in his first rehab start on June 4 with Double-A Hartford, and if he comes out of Tuesday's start feeling good, it's possible he could rejoin the Rockies' rotation this Sunday against the Atlanta Braves. Gomber threw 69 pitches in his latest rehab start this week. Whenever he returns to Colorado, he'll be making his 2025 debut. There's not a whole lot to look at here from a fantasy perspective, as Gomber doesn't have much strikeout upside and is more of a fly-ball pitcher, which can be disastrous at hitter-friendly Coors Field.Source: Milb.com
Colorado Rockies left-hander Carson Palmquist Heads Back to Minors
Carson Palmquist to Triple-A Albuquerque and recalled right-hander Anthony Molina from Albuquerque in a corresponding move. It's back to the farm for more seasoning for the 24-year-old southpaw after he struggled in his first five big-league starts, going 0-4 with a 7.77 ERA and 1.82 WHIP with 16 strikeouts and 13 walks in 22 innings pitched. It's quite possible that fellow lefty Austin Gomber (shoulder) will come off the 60-day injured list to replace Palmquist in Colorado's starting rotation. Per MLB Pipeline, Palmquist is considered the team's No. 7 prospect. He doesn't have overpowering stuff on the mound but has plenty of deception in his delivery and with his lower arm slot. Obviously, he's going to need to throw more strikes in the big leagues to have success.Source: Rockies Club Information
The Colorado Rockies announced on Thursday that they optioned left-handed pitching prospect Hunter Goodman Resting Vs. Giants
Hunter Goodman is out of the lineup on Thursday for his team's final outing of a three-game set with the San Francisco Giants. Fellow backstop Braxton Fulford is behind the plate and batting ninth in his absence. Goodman hasn't had an actual day off in well over a month, so it's just a routine day of rest for him. He's been on fire across his last eight games, notching five multi-hit performances. Over that span, the Memphis alum is a scorching 15-for-35 (.428) with five doubles, two triples, four home runs, eight RBI, and eight runs scored. The recent hot-hitting has raised his triple slash to a strong .289/.333/.512.Source: MLB
Colorado Rockies catcher Shedeur Sanders Positioning Himself to Make the Roster
Shedeur Sanders has positioned himself to make the roster this fall and eventually make the team's decision-makers think about where he might belong on the depth chart. Sanders has been good enough in spring practices to make Browns coaches think he's worthy of more chances in training camp this summer. That doesn't mean the 23-year-old is firmly in the mix to win the starting job for the regular season -- veteran Joe Flacco is still considered the favorite -- but he's shown accuracy and decisiveness this spring. Sanders still has a lot of developing to do, but so far, he has been impressive as he looks to prove to Cleveland that he belongs in the picture long term after his well-documented draft-day slide in late April. For fantasy purposes, he's merely a dynasty/keeper stash and hold in 2025.Source: The Athletic - Zac Jackson
The Athletic's Zac Jackson writes that Cleveland Browns rookie fifth-round quarterback Jacob Young Hitting the Bench Vs. Mets
Jacob Young won't be in Thursday's lineup for his team's final game of their series against the New York Mets. Teammate Robert Hassell III is operating center field in his stead and batting ninth. The Florida native will take a seat with right-handed pitcher Kodai Senga taking the mound for New York. With a .209 (19-for-91) average thus far against righties, Young has been relegated to the short side of the platoon. Since returning from the injured list last week, he's started all three games when a left-handed hurler ran out to the mound. The 25-year-old is slashing a dreary .237/.313/.288 through 118 at-bats on the season.Source: MLB
Washington Nationals outfielder Tetairoa McMillan Sitting Again on Thursday
Tetairoa McMillan (leg) is sitting out of practice for a second straight day on Thursday on the final day of mandatory minicamp, according to ESPN's David Newton. McMillan was involved in a collision with a teammate in practice on Tuesday, and his le took a shot. It's purely precautionary, and the 22-year-old should be just fine for training camp at the end of July. The 6-foot-4, 219-pounder should be an immediate starter in three-wide sets in Carolina alongside Adam Thielen and either Xavier Legette or Jalen Coker. He's not extremely fast, but his size should make him an immediate downfield threat for young quarterback Bryce Young. If Young can continue to build on what he showed in the second half of last year, McMillan could have a fine rookie season in 2025. Draft him as a WR3/flex this fall.Source: ESPN.com - David Newton
Carolina Panthers rookie first-round wide receiver