Marcus Stroman Activated from Injured List Prior to Sunday's Start
Marcus Stroman (knee) off the 15-day injured list prior to his start on Sunday against the Athletics. Stroman has been sidelined since April due to this injury. Stroman did not find much success during his first three outings of the season. Through 9 1/3 innings of work, the right-hander posted a high 11.57 ERA with a 2.04 WHIP. During this stint, he tallied just seven strikeouts and allowed walks at a high 14.9% rate. Through 10 1/3 innings of rehab work, Stroman showed similar struggles, allowing eight runs, 13 hits, and a 9:5 K:BB. Last season with the Yankees, Stroman held a modest 4.31 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP. Given his struggles through the early part of the campaign, he is best to fade in all formats facing the Athletics.Source: New York Yankees
The New York Yankees have activated right-handed pitcher Alex Faedo Starts Rehab Assignment
Alex Faedo (shoulder) began a rehab assignment in the Florida Complex League on June 27. The 29-year-old has been on the shelf through the entire first half of the campaign due to shoulder soreness. In his first outing with the Rays' affiliate in the FCL, Faedo logged two shutout innings with two hits, no walks, and two strikeouts. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status as he could be in the mix to move to a higher level in the minor leagues in the coming weeks. Last season, the right-hander logged 57 1/3 innings with the Detroit Tigers. He made 37 appearances, with only six coming as a starter. During this stint, he posted a 3.61 ERA with a 1.34 WHIP. When he returns to Tampa Bay, he will likely find a role as a middle relief option in the bullpen.Source: MLB.com
Tampa Bay Rays right-handed pitcher Colin Holderman Set to Begin Rehab Assignment
Colin Holderman (thumb) has been sent on a rehab assignment to Single-A Bradenton, per MLB.com. The right-hander successfully completed a three-inning simulated game on June 25. Holderman struggled this season before getting hurt. He pitched to a 9.00 ERA and 2.07 WHIP with a minuscule 14.9% strike rate across 15 innings (14 games). Holderman holds a career 4.01 ERA and 22.7% strikeout rate in 150 2/3 big league innings, so he should be better upon his return from injury. The Pirates have an established closer in David Bednar, who is amidst a resurgent season. However, should Bednar be moved to a contender at the deadline, Holderman could be a name to monitor as a late-season save pickup.Source: MLB.com
Pittsburgh Pirates reliever Ryan Feltner Throws 66 Pitches in Rehab Outing
Ryan Feltner (back) threw 66 pitches in his latest rehab outing with Triple-A Albuquerque on June 27. In this outing, Feltner allowed seven hits and six runs (five earned) across 3 2/3 innings of work. The 28-year-old has been on the 60-day injured list with back spasms since being shut down in late April. During the opening month of the campaign, Feltner logged 30 1/3 innings to the tune of a 4.75 ERA and a 1.48 WHIP. So far, Feltner has made three rehab appearances (8 1/3 innings) but has struggled, posting a high 6.48 ERA. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status as he is expected to make at least one more rehab outing with Triple-A before being in contention to return to Colorado. When he does return, he will likely slot in at the back of the starting rotation and only carry value in deeper NL-only formats.Source: MLB.com
Colorado Rockies right-handed pitcher Spencer Arrighetti Throws Second Bullpen Session
Spencer Arrighetti (thumb) threw a second bullpen session on Friday at the team's facility in West Palm Beach, Florida. Arrighetti broke the thumb on his pitching hand back in April when he was hit by a batting practice fly ball while playing catch pre-game in Seattle. That stroke of bad luck seems likely to keep him out until after the All-Star break, as he'll likely need a full ramp-up period before he returns. Arrighetti has thrown just 9 2/3 innings (two starts) in 2025 with a 5.59 ERA (3.78 xERA). He posted a stellar 27.1% strikeout rate across 145 innings pitched in 2024, but also walked too many (10.3% walk rate), leading to a 1.41 WHIP. Arrighetti could be an excellent source of strikeouts and wins for fantasy managers in the second half of the season.Source: MLB.com
Houston Astros starter 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