July 2, 2025
Cincinnati Reds corner infielder
Christian Encarnacion-Strand (foot) is out of the starting lineup ahead of Wednesday's game against the Boston Red Sox. This is basically a doubleheader for the two teams who resumed play of a suspended game earlier in the day. During that game, Encarnacion-Strand fouled a ball off his foot which resulted in him exiting the contest. As a result, the Reds are going to play it safe and hold him out of the second game. It's unclear if Encarnacion-Strand will require additional testing, but for now fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day.
Spencer Steer and
Santiago Espinal will cover the corner infield spot on Wednesday night.
--Andy WebbSource: mlb.com
July 2, 2025
Cincinnati Reds first baseman
Spencer Steer (hand) is in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against the Boston Red Sox. This is basically a doubleheader for the two teams who resumed play of a suspended game earlier in the day. During that game, Steer was hit in the hand by a pitch in the seventh inning. Despite that, Steer is in the lineup for the nightcap. He did experience swelling in his hand, but will play again just hours after getting hit. Steer finished the first game 1-for-2 with a home run and two RBI in the loss. He'll bat fifth and cover first base versus left-hander
Brennan Bernardino for Game 2.
--Andy WebbSource: mlb.com
July 2, 2025
New York Mets relief pitcher
Huascar Brazoban has been named the opener for Wednesday's Game 2 of the doubleheader against the Milwaukee Brewers. Brazoban figures to throw an inning or two before handing the ball off to
Blade Tidwell for the bulk of the innings. This is the third time that the Mets have used Brazoban as an opener this season. He won't be a recommended streaming option, especially considering he was tagged for four earned runs during his most recent outing. Tidwell has been hit around quite a bit as well, so fantasy managers should avoid this situation.
--Andy WebbSource: Manny Gomez
July 2, 2025
The Detroit Tigers recalled outfielder
Justyn-Henry Malloy from Triple-A Toledo on Wednesday and optioned right-hander
Dylan Smith to Toledo after Game 1 of their doubleheader against the Washington Nationals. Malloy will serve as the designated hitter and will bat leadoff in Game 2 of the doubleheader on Wednesday against Nationals left-hander
MacKenzie Gore. The Tigers sent Malloy down to the farm earlier this year after he was hitting .215 with a homer, 16 RBI, 13 runs and 31 strikeouts in 115 plate appearances. The 25-year-old responded by slashing .321/.491/.444 with two home runs, 17 RBI, 18 runs scored and three steals for the Mud Hens in 24 games played. The former sixth-rounder by the Atlanta Braves in 2021 has barely hit over .200 in 116 big-league games the last two years, but he could see some playing time against lefties in Detroit now that he's rejoined the team.
--Keith HernandezSource: Tigers PR
July
2,
2025
Detroit
Tigers
outfielders
Riley
Greene
and
Parker
Meadows
will
both
take
a
seat
for
Game
2
of
their
doubleheader
on
Wednesday
in
D.C.
against
the
hosting
Washington
Nationals.
read more...
July 2, 2025
New York Yankees outfielder
Trent Grisham (hamstring) and catcher
Austin Wells (finger) remain out of the lineup for Wednesday's contest against the division-rival Toronto Blue Jays.
Cody Bellinger is patrolling center field and is batting third, while
Ben Rice will do the catching and hit leadoff versus Blue Jays right-hander
Jose Berrios. Grisham is missing a second straight game with a left-hamstring injury, but he's hopeful to avoid a trip to the injured list before the All-Star break. He's just two homers away from tying his career-high but has slowed down considerably since earlier this season at the plate. Wells is dealing with arterial damage to his left index finger and will miss his fourth straight game. It's entirely possible that both Grisham and Wells will land on the IL if they don't improve soon and get back into the lineup. Both Rice and Bellinger are fine DFS plays on Wednesday against Berrios.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
July 2, 2025
Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider said that shortstop
Bo Bichette (knee) is "feeling better today than he did yesterday," but he remains out of the starting lineup on Wednesday against the division-rival New York Yankees. "He's … going through a little bit more of a regular day and the hope would be that he'd be available today (off the bench) if we need him," Schneider said.
Ernie Clement will start at the 6 and will hit sixth versus Yankees right-hander
Will Warren. Bichette tweaked his right knee stepping on a ball during pre-game batting practice on Monday and will miss his third straight start, but it sounds like the 27-year-old could play in Thursday's series finale against the Bombers. The former second-rounder had an injury-plagued and disappointing 2024 campaign but has bounced back nicely in 2025 and is once again a must-start in fantasy when he's active.
--Keith HernandezSource: Sportsnet.ca - Shi Davidi
July
2,
2025
Philadelphia
Phillies
first
baseman
Bryce
Harper
and
catcher
J.T.
Realmuto
are
both
on
the
bench
for
Game
2
of
the
team's
doubleheader
on
Wednesday
against
the
visiting
San
Diego
Padres.
Rookie
read more...
July
2,
2025
The
Texas
Rangers
activated
infielder
Jake
Burger
(oblique)
from
the
10-day
injured
list
on
Wednesday
and
optioned
third
baseman
Josh
Jung
to
Triple-A
Round
Rock
in
a
corresponding
move.
Burger
will
read more...
July 2, 2025
The Texas Rangers optioned third baseman
Josh Jung to Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday and activated infielder
Jake Burger (oblique) from the 10-day injured list in a corresponding move. Jung, the former eighth overall pick in 2019 out of Texas Tech, has managed to stay healthy in 2025 but has floundered at the plate in 75 games. The 27-year-old right-handed slugger is currently slashing .237/.283/.366 with a career-worst .648 OPS with eight home runs, 35 RBI, 25 runs, four steals and 73 strikeouts in 297 plate appearances. Jung was even worse in June, slashing .158/.208/.221. His numbers under the hood don't bring much optimism, as he's in the 37th percentile in xwOBA, 34th percentile in strikeout rate, 11th percentile in chase rate and 48th percentile in hard-hit rate.
Josh Smith should see most of the playing time at the hot corner in Texas until Jung returns in the second half.
--Keith HernandezSource: Texas Rangers PR
July 2, 2025
Athletics infielder/outfielder
Miguel Andujar (oblique) joined Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday and is expected to start his minor-league rehab assignment on Thursday as the designated hitter. If Andujar avoids any setbacks on his rehab assignment with the Aviators, it's possible he'll be able to return as early as this weekend for a series against the San Francisco Giants in Sacramento. The 30-year-old veteran has been sidelined since June 2 with a Grade 2 right-oblique strain. When he returns to the big leagues, Andujar should see pretty regular playing time between left field and third base, which is bad news for both
Max Muncy and
Luis Urias (hamstring). Before his injury, Andujar was hitting a strong .296 (50-for-169) but with only three home runs, 20 RBI, 19 runs and a steal. Fantasy managers in mixed leagues shouldn't be interested in Andujar.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Martin Gallegos
July
2,
2025
Athletics
infielder
Luis
Urias
(hamstring)
left
Wednesday's
loss
to
the
Tampa
Bay
Rays
early
with
right-hamstring
soreness,
according
to
the
team.
Before
leaving
the
contest
early,
Urias
went
0-for-2
at
the
plate
and
was
replaced
at
read more...
July 2, 2025
Minnesota Twins infield prospect Kaelen Culpepper went 2-for-4 with a walk, an RBI, one run scored, and a stolen base on Tuesday for Double-A Wichita. The 22-year-old is hitting .297 with a pair of home runs in nine games since his promotion from High-A, and for the season is slashing .294/.386/.476 with 11 home runs and 17 steals in 63 games. The performance has earned him a selection to the All-Star Futures Game, and also vaulted him into the Top 100 on MLB.com's top prospects list that was refreshed at the beginning of July. If he continues his trendline, a late-season MLB debut in 2026 would see him join others from the 2024 draft class who've already made it to the big leagues, otherwise, look for K-State product to have a fantasy impact in 2027.
--Jarod RuppSource: MiLB.com
July 2, 2025
The Atlanta Braves announced on Wednesday that they reinstated right-handed reliever
Daysbel Hernandez (forearm) from the 15-day injured list and optioned right-hander
Kevin Herget to Triple-A Gwinnett in a corresponding move. Hernandez tossed a scoreless inning in his lone minor-league rehab appearance and will now return to Atlanta's bullpen after missing a month with inflammation in his right forearm. The 28-year-old Cuban should return to a high-leverage relief role with the Braves in front of closer
Raisel Iglesias, giving him plenty of appeal in fantasy leagues that score holds. Before his injury, Hernandez was a key reliever for the Braves with a 3-1 record and 2.22 ERA with 21 strikeouts, but he's also sporting a 4.07 FIP and 20 walks, so he's due for some serious regression if he cannot improve his command.
--Keith HernandezSource: Atlanta Braves
July 2, 2025
Minnesota Twins outfield prospect
Walker Jenkins extended his current hit streak to seven games with a 1-for-4 day at the plate on Tuesday for Double-A Wichita, swiping two bags in the contest as well. Since returning from the injured list in early June, the Twins' top-ranked prospect (MLB No. 15) has put all of his offensive tools on display, hitting .292 (19-for-65) with three doubles, two home runs, nine steals, and a 15:18 BB:K in 19 games (11 at Double-A). It equates to an .811 OPS, .394 wOBA, and 138 wRC+ for the 20-year-old. The 2023 fifth-overall draft pick should see some time at Triple-A later this year, but unless he really goes on a tear, an MLB debut could have to wait until next season after he got such a late start to the campaign. The 6-foot-3 slugger needs to be stashed away in dynasty leagues with the multi-category fantasy potential he owns.
--Jarod RuppSource: MiLB.com
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