July 20, 2025
Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander
Roki Sasaki (shoulder) resumed his throwing program Friday, tossing from 60 to 90 feet as he works back from a right shoulder impingement that has sidelined him since May. The 22-year-old phenom has reportedly touched 90 mph in recent bullpen sessions, a positive sign for fantasy managers stashing him. Sasaki is expected to join a Dodgers rotation that has been hampered by injuries and inconsistent performances. Despite losing eight of their last 10 games, Los Angeles still leads the NL West by 3.5 games. Sasaki could provide a significant late-season boost for fantasy rotations as the playoffs approach.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Dodgers Nation
July 20, 2025
Chicago Cubs relief pitcher
Ryan Brasier is set to serve as the opener ahead of Monday's game against the Kansas City Royals. It looks like the Cubs will go with a bullpen game here with
Ben Brown likely throwing the bulk of the innings. This isn't something new for Brasier as he started four games for the Dodgers in 2024. He has posted an impressive 1.04 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, with 14 strikeouts in 18 appearances this season. There won't be much fantasy value here with Brasier likely only throwing one inning before Brown takes over.
--Andy WebbSource: Taylor McGregor
July 20, 2025
According to Jon Heyman, the Philadelphia Phillies have signed relief pitcher
David Robertson to a one-year deal. Honestly, it's shocking that it took this long for Robertson to get a deal. The right-hander threw for scouts on Saturday and secured a deal the next day. Last season, Robertson posted a 3.00 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and a 99/27 K/BB ratio across 72 innings of work. The 40-year-old hasn't let age impact his performance on the mound yet. He posted a 2.70 ERA across 22 games with the Phillies in 2022. He figures to serve as a high-leverage option for the Phillies down the stretch of the season. Robertson is unlikely to have fantasy value unless he ends up as the closer in Philly.
--Andy WebbSource: Jon Heyman
July 20, 2025
New York Mets catcher
Francisco Alvarez is expected to be recalled from Triple-A Syracuse on Monday. Alvarez was sent down to the minors in late June after struggling during the first few months of the season. He slashed .236/.319/.333 with three home runs and 11 RBI in 35 games before being demoted. Alvarez has been crushing it in the minors with 11 homers and 25 RBI in 28 games. He has earned himself another chance behind the plate in New York. He figures to split up time behind the plate with
Luis Torrens. Fantasy managers should keep an eye on Alvarez in case he carries over his hot bat back into the majors.
--Andy WebbSource: Mike Puma
July 20, 2025
St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher
Michael McGreevy will be recalled and take the ball versus the Colorado Rockies on Monday. Normally,
Matthew Liberatore would start this game, but the Cardinals have decided to skip his turn in the rotation. The southpaw has already thrown 100.1 innings this season, so the Cardinals will skip him and attempt to limit his innings in the second half. McGreevy has a 4.22 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, and a 16/3 K/BB ratio across 21.1 big league innings this season. He has been a decent option, but isn't a recommended streaming choice in Coors Field. The assumption is that this is a spot start for McGreevy, so he probably won't stick around on the big league roster for too long.
--Andy WebbSource: Dan Guerrero
July 20, 2025
St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher
Matthew Liberatore won't make his next scheduled start against the Colorado Rockies on Monday. The Cardinals have decided to give Liberatore some extra rest coming out of the All-Star break. The southpaw has already thrown 100.1 innings which is more than he threw in each of the last two seasons as a swingman. That being said,
Michael McGreevy is set to take the ball versus the Rockies on Monday. After that,
Erick Fedde will take the ball for Tuesday's contest. It doesn't sound like Liberatore will take the mound again until Saturday versus the San Diego Padres. Liberatore has pitched well enough to be rostered in deep leagues, but this strategy is certainly going to impact his fantasy value.
--Andy WebbSource: Daniel Guerrero
July 20, 2025
Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman
Freddie Freeman (wrist) was forced to make an early exit from Sunday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers. Freeman was hit by a pitch in the wrist in the sixth inning. He immediately headed to the dugout and went to the tunnel. Before exiting, Freeman went 0-for-2 and was obviously hit by a pitch in his final at-bat. The Dodgers are calling the injury a left wrist contusion. Although, it wouldn't be shocking if Freeman underwent further testing. For now, fantasy managers should consider Freeman as day-to-day.
Miguel Rojas has shifted over to first base with
Hyeseong Kim taking over at second base.
--Andy WebbSource: Fabian Ardaya
July 20, 2025
The Athletics have made it clear to the rest of the league that they have no intention of dealing closer
Mason Miller before the July 31 trade deadline, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports. It's no surprise that teams have contacted the Athletics about Miller, as the electrifying 26-year-old is among the most valuable relievers in the game when you combine his performance and contract. He's making $765,000 this year and is scheduled to remain under team control through 2029. Instead of trading Miller for a haul, the A's appear content to keep the flamethrowing right-hander. Miller had a rough May in which he yielded 10 earned runs in 8 2/3 innings, but he has otherwise been highly effective. He has converted 19 of 22 saves and is riding a streak of eight straight scoreless appearances. Miller owns a 4.04 ERA with a 1.07 WHIP and 57 strikeouts against 17 walks over 35 2/3 innings.
--Connor ByrneSource: Bob Nightengale
July
20,
2025
The
Blue
Jays
have
their
starting
pitchers
in
place
for
a
pivotal
upcoming
series
against
the
division-rival
New
York
Yankees.
Right-handers
Kevin
Gausman
(Monday),
Max
Scherzer
(Tuesday),
and
read more...
July 20, 2025
The Houston Astros announced that they have transferred second baseman
Brendan Rodgers (oblique, head) from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day IL. The team selected the contract of first baseman
Jon Singleton from Triple-A Sugar Land in a corresponding move. Rodgers landed on the IL on June 18 with a strained left oblique, and he suffered new injuries - a concussion and a nasal fracture - during his first Triple-A rehab game on Friday. Consequently, the Astros removed Rodgers from his rehab assignment as they wait for him to heal. Today's shift to the 60-day IL means Rodgers won't be eligible to return until Aug. 17, though he could be out longer than that. Between the injuries and his offensive woes, this has been a season to forget for Rodgers. The 28-year-old hit a meek .191/.266/.278 with two home runs in 128 plate appearances before he went on the IL.
--Connor ByrneSource: Houston Astros
July 20, 2025
Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman
Max Muncy (knee) could rejoin the team in "a couple weeks," manager Dave Roberts said Sunday. Muncy suffered what initially looked like a catastrophic injury to his left knee July 2, but it turned out to be a significant bruise. The 34-year-old was still expected to miss at least six weeks, though it appears he'll be back quicker than that. After a slow start to the season, Muncy had been crushing the ball in the weeks leading up to his placement on the 10-day injured list. Overall, the two-time All-Star has slashed .250/.375/.457 with 13 home runs, 55 RBI, 39 runs scored, and four stolen bases in 315 plate appearances.
Tommy Edman has recently gotten most of the work at the hot corner with Muncy out.
--Connor ByrneSource: Fabian Ardaya - The Athletic
July 20, 2025
Los Angeles Angels first baseman
Nolan Schanuel (wrist) exited their game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday with a left-wrist contusion, the team announced. Schanuel suffered the injury on a hit by pitch in the first inning, and the Angels quickly replaced him with
LaMonte Wade Jr. The 24-year-old Schanuel emerged as a mainstay in the Angels' lineup last season and has put together respectable numbers in 2025 despite below-average power. He's hitting .274/.364/.396 with eight homers, 40 RBI, 47 runs scored, and an impressive 47:44 K:BB in 407 plate appearances. Schanuel has never been on the injured list, but if he has to miss more time, Wade would likely fill his spot.
--Connor ByrneSource: Los Angeles Angels
July 20, 2025
Houston Astros infielder
Zack Short (ribs) was a late scratch for Sunday's game against the Seattle Mariners. Short is sitting out with rib soreness resulting from a hit by pitch on Saturday. The Astros are starting
Mauricio Dubon at shortstop in place of Short and plugging in
Shay Whitcomb at third base. If Short has to miss more time, it would continue a brutal run of injuries for the Astros. Their lineup is down shortstop
Jeremy Pena, DH/outfielder
Yordan Alvarez, third baseman
Isaac Paredes, and outfielder
Jake Meyers, among others. The 30-year-old Short has served as good depth over a small sample size, having gone 6-for-23 with a homer, five RBI, and five runs scored since the Astros called him up on July 2.
--Connor ByrneSource: Brian McTaggart - MLB.com
July 20, 2025
Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher
Kyle Bradish (elbow) has been cleared to make his first rehab start with High-A Aberdeen on Thursday. Bradish threw a two-inning live batting practice session on Saturday. Clearly, that went well enough that the O's have cleared Bradish to begin his rehab assignment. Bradish is working his way back from Tommy John surgery from last year. He's going to need multiple rehab starts to build up his pitch count and stamina. The timetable for Bradish's return is unclear at the moment, but he figures to be back around August. Fantasy managers looking for pitching help might want to stash Bradish on their IL. The right-hander was a stud before the elbow injury, so hopefully he can return to that same form again in 2025.
--Andy WebbSource: Jake Rill
July 20, 2025
Washington Nationals starting pitcher
MacKenzie Gore could be on the move ahead of this year's trade deadline. According to Jon Heyman, several teams have called the Nats to see the availability of Gore. New Nats general manager Mike DeBartolo said he prefers to keep the core group together, but is always willing to listen. Gore still has two years of control left, so it seems unlikely that anyone could pry him away unless they overpay. Currently, Gore holds a 3.02 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and a 138/35 K/BB ratio across 19 starts with the Nats this season. He's only 26 years old and earned his first All-Star selection this season. It would certainly need to be a good package for the Nats to let go of Gore right now.
--Andy WebbSource: Jon Heyman
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