Luis Garcia Throwing Live Batting Practice
Luis Garcia (elbow) has progressed to throwing live batting practice sessions while working out in Florida. Garcia underwent Tommy John surgery in May of 2023 and has struggled with multiple setbacks in his attempt to return. In March of this year, he was scratched from a scheduled bullpen session after feeling soreness in his pitching elbow. Since he hasn't pitched in a major league game in over two years, Garcia is likely still far away from returning to the mound. He was solid in a small sample size in 2023, pitching to a 4.00 ERA with a 27% strikeout rate in 27 innings pitched. However, the Astros will be cautious with Garcia even if he returns in 2025, and he may not see a fantasy-relevant workload this season.Source: MLB.com
Houston Astros starter Zach Eflin Dealing with Lower-Back Strain
Zach Eflin (back) suffered a lower back strain while warming up in the bullpen before his start on Saturday, per MLB.com's Jake Rill. Eflin attempted to pitch through the injury and got clobbered, allowing five hits and four runs in one inning of work against the Tampa Bay Rays. According to Rill, Eflin will undergo imaging, and the team is unsure whether he'll be placed on the injured list. The veteran right-hander has pitched to a 5.95 ERA and 1.44 WHIP with just 42 strikeouts across 62 innings (12 starts) this season. Much of that damage has come recently, as he's allowed 17 earned runs in his last nine innings pitched (three starts). Eflin may have been trying to work through lower back issues for an extended stretch, which could explain his recent struggles.Source: Jake Rill - MLB.com
Baltimore Orioles starter Yordan Alvarez Eyeing Return Before All-Star Break
Yordan Alvarez (hand) could be nearing a return from the injured list. The slugger has been out since May 2 after sustaining a fracture in his right hand. Alvarez took 25 swings in the batting cage on Saturday and plans to do the same on Sunday, hoping he can return before the All-Star Break on July 14. Before getting hurt, Alvarez had struggled to a .210/.306/.340 slash line with three home runs and 18 RBI in 121 plate appearances. However, his walk rate (13.4%) and strikeout rate (17.4%) were still in line with career norms, and his xBA (.246) and xSLG (.495) point to better days ahead. With his strong career track record, Alvarez remains a must-start in all formats upon his return.Source: MLB
Houston Astros designated hitter/outfielder Konnor Griffin Collects Three Hits, Steals Two More Bases
Konnor Griffin continued to impress on Saturday in his first run through High-A pitching, collecting another three hits in four at-bats, driving in one run and scoring once while swiping two bags for Greensboro. The 2024 first-rounder is 23-for-63 (.365) in 16 games since his promotion to High-A, including five doubles, three home runs, 12 RBI, 17 runs scored, 11 steals, and a 9:12 BB:K. He clearly does not appear to be overmatched, although at just 19 years old, there's no need to rush him to the next level. Still, he appears destined for a taste of Double-A before the season is out, and could see a big jump higher from his current spot at No. 31 on MLB.com's top prospects list the next time the list is refreshed.Source: MiLB.com
Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop/outfield prospect Lazaro Montes Homers in Second Straight Game, Leads Minors with 21
Lazaro Montes went deep again on Saturday, going 1-for-3 with two walks and his 21st home run of the year. It was his third home run in five games since being promoted to Double-A, now 4-for-19 (.211) with all four hits going for extra bases, while also logging a 6:5 BB:K. The 21 home runs are the most in all the minor leagues, and after belting 21 all of last year as a 19-year-old, he'll blow past that number in 2025. The Mariners' second-ranked prospect should continue to add to his resume and is on track for a debut in the majors at some point next season.Source: MiLB.com
Seattle Mariners outfield prospect Cam Caminiti Strikes Out Eight on Saturday at Single-A
Didier Fuentes the latest example, so dynasty managers should be considering stashing the Braves' top prospect away in the event he arrives sooner than expected.Source: MiLB.com
Atlanta Braves pitching prospect Cam Caminiti logged another good performance for Single-A Augusta on Saturday, allowing one earned run on three hits (one home run) with no walks while striking out eight in just four innings of work. He also hit one batter. In four starts for the GreenJackets, the lefty owns a 2.93 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, and has 22 strikeouts in 15 1/3 innings pitched. The Braves' 2024 first-round draft pick missed the first part of this year due to forearm tendinitis, but has looked good so far. The 18-year-old could spend the majority of 2025 at Single-A, but has the stuff to get a look at High-A later this year. Although he's young and likely a few years away from the majors, the organization hasn't been shy about fast-tracking pitchers to the majors, with the recently turned 20-year-old Masataka Yoshida Beginning Rehab Assignment on Tuesday
Masataka Yoshida (shoulder) is scheduled to begin a minor league rehab assignment on Tuesday. This is good news as Yoshida has been sidelined all season due to offseason shoulder surgery. That being said, Yoshida is going to play quite a few rehab games before returning to the big league roster. The hope is that Yoshida will be able to return after the All-Star break. He exclusively served as the designated hitter last season, but could get some reps in the outfield. It's uncertain if he'll get regular playing time in Boston, so Yoshida isn't someone that needs to be rostered right now.Source: Mike Monaco
Boston Red Sox outfielder Hagen Smith Activated Off Injured List, Strikes Out Three in Return
Hagen Smith (elbow) was activated from the 7-day IL on Saturday and made the start for Double-A Birmingham. The lefty was limited, though, facing just six batters in 1 2/3 innings, allowing no runs on one hit and one walk while striking out three. Chicago's third-ranked prospect had been out of action since May 10 after experiencing soreness in his pitching elbow. The fifth overall pick in last year's draft made seven starts at Double-A Birmingham earlier this season before the flare-up with his elbow, posting a 2.10 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, and an elite 39.3 percent strikeout rate. The WHIP was on the high side due to an 18.7 percent walk rate, but assuming he can clean that up, some time at Triple-A later this year is possible. The 21-year-old could be making a fantasy impact as soon as next season, so dynasty and redraft managers alike should keep an eye on how he finishes the rest of the way.Source: MLB Pipeline
Chicago White Sox pitching prospect Jordan Walker Could Return on Wednesday
Jordan Walker (appendicitis) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Memphis on Saturday. Cards' manager Oliver Marmol said that Walker should return to the big league club when first eligible, which is Wednesday. Walker has been sidelined since late June due to an appendicitis. The right-handed slugger continues to struggle to adjust to big league pitching. He's slashing .210/.267/.295 with three home runs and 23 RBI in 55 games this season. The potential is there, but Walker isn't someone that needs to be rostered in most fantasy formats right now.Source: John Denton
St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Triston McKenzie Removed Early on Saturday
Triston McKenzie (illness) was only able to make it through two-thirds of an inning before being removed on Saturday. McKenzie was pulled out of his start at the Arizona Complex League due to illness. The right-hander has only made four appearances with the big league club this season. He allowed seven earned runs on seven hits, and walked seven batters before being optioned to the minors. McKenzie has struggled with a 7.24 ERA in seven appearances at the rookie-level. It's uncertain if McKenzie will get back up to the majors, so there's no reason to roster him in fantasy leagues.Source: Guadians Prospective
Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Emmet Sheehan's Next Start Will be at Triple-A
Emmet Sheehan's next start won't be with the Dodgers, rather, he will get another turn at Triple-A Oklahoma City, according to manager Dave Roberts. Sheehan dazzled in his last start for Oklahoma City, tossing six perfect innings without allowing a hit or a walk while striking out 13 of the 18 batters he faced. The 25-year-old also made one start for Los Angeles earlier this month, in which he also looked good, striking out six batters compared to just one walk in four innings of work. The 6-foot-5 hurler could rejoin the big league club after his next start, although with Tyler Glasnow potentially returning in two weeks, it could leave Sheehan in a relief role unless the team were to go to a six-man rotation. Fantasy managers in need of pitching that also have an available bench or NA spot may want to consider stashing him and see how it shakes out.Source: Bill Plunkett
Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Jonathan Cannon Starting on Sunday
Jonathan Cannon (back) will be activated off the 15-day injured list and start against the San Francisco Giants on Sunday. Cannon has been sidelined since early June due to a lower back strain. He only made one rehab appearance where he threw three scoreless innings. That being said, Cannon probably isn't stretched out yet, so he could be limited on Sunday. He has a 4.66 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, and 51/21 K/BB ratio across 12 games (10 starts) this season. Cannon isn't a recommended streaming option for Sunday's slate.Source: Jack Ankony
Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Jorge Soler Nearing Return
Jorge Soler (back) was able to take batting practice ahead of Saturday's game. According to Jeff Fletcher, Soler could be activated from the injured list soon. Soler landed on the injured list on June 20 due to lower back inflammation. He has been doing defensive drills, running, and now swinging the bat. It sounds like Soler could return when first eligible, which is Monday. LaMonte Wade and Gustavo Campero have been splitting up duties in right field while Soler is out. Soler has been quiet with the bat this season and is really only worth a look in deep leagues.Source: Jeff Fletcher
Los Angeles Angels outfielder Royce Lewis Could Return on Tuesday
Royce Lewis (hamstring) is hopeful to rejoin the big league club on Tuesday. Lewis is currently hitless during two rehab games, but the team feels he's on the verge of returning. He'll likely need to play some third base before being activated. If not Tuesday, Lewis might return a few days after that if he needs a few more at-bats. Before getting injured, Lewis was struggling with a .202/.282/.303 with two homers and nine RBI this season. He has been on and off the injured list throughout his career, so hopefully he'll be able to get in some consistent playing time now.Source: mlb.com
Minnesota Twins infielder Mike Trout Leaves the Yard in Win
Mike Trout went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in his team's 8-2 win against the visiting Washington Nationals. He also drew a walk and struck out. The 33-year-old clobbered his thirteenth long ball of the season off Nationals' reliever Zach Brzykcy to tie the score at two apiece, and kick off what would be a six-run seventh inning. Trout's overall .231/.345/.447 season line doesn't appear noteworthy at first glance, but he's been much better in June (.272/.423/.383) aside from the lack of extra-base hits. Furthermore, he boasts his best average exit velocity (92.5 MPH) and hard-hit rate (54.1%) since 2020. Expect his average to continue rising.Source: ESPN
Los Angeles Angels outfielder