July 5, 2025
Houston Astros right-hander
J.P. France (shoulder) has been throwing live batting practice sessions and will continue to do so for the time being. After a mini breakout in 2023, France had difficulty staying healthy last season, ultimately requiring surgery for a capsule tear in his shoulder in July of 2024. Now, just over one year removed from that injury, the 30-year-old is looking to return to the mound and become a starter in the second half of the season. He will have to ramp up to a starter's workload as he continues to build up his arm strength. It is unclear when he will begin his lengthy rehab assignment. France is someone to monitor AL-Only leagues and is expected to return to action after the All-Star break.
--Dave Funnell - RotoBallerSource: Matt Kawahara
July 5, 2025
Houston Astros right-hander
Luis Garcia (elbow) has progressed along with his live batting practice sessions without any setbacks. The right-hander has had an extended absence after undergoing Tommy John Surgery in May of 2023. Now, more than two years later, he finds himself on the cusp of beginning another rehab assignment. He started one last year, but was ultimately shut down due to renewed soreness. As such, the team is more likely to take things slowly here in an added effort to eliminate any setbacks. When healthy, Garcia has proven to be a valuable fantasy asset, posting a career 3.68 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and a 25.3% strikeout rate over his four years as a member of the Astros. His fantasy value for 2025 is limited, but he's worth stashing in AL-Only leagues as Garcia is aiming for a return in early August.
--Dave Funnell - RotoBallerSource: Matt Kawahara
July 5, 2025
The Atlanta Braves have released veteran outfielder
Alex Verdugo, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports. Verdugo cleared waivers after the Braves designated him for assignment on Wednesday. After spending the winter on the open market, Verdugo joined the Braves on a one-year, $1.5 million contract in late March. It didn't work out, as Verdugo slumped to a .239/.296/.289 line in 213 homer-less plate appearances with Atlanta. The 29-year-old previously spent time with the Dodgers, Red Sox, and Yankees. He has batted a respectable .270/.326/.406 with 70 homers in 3,393 trips to the plate in the bigs.
--Connor ByrneSource: David O'Brien - The Athletic
July 5, 2025
Houston Astros starter
Cristian Javier (elbow) has thrown multiple live bullpen sessions as he continues to ramp his arm back up to game form. The right-hander last pitched for the Astros at the end of May 2024 before succumbing to an elbow injury that ultimately led to him needing Tommy John Surgery the following month. Now, thirteen months later, he has worked his way up to this point and is awaiting clearance to begin what should be a lengthy rehab assignment. Javier is worth stashing in the deepest of leagues as a flyer, given that he is returning after such a lengthy absence.
--Dave Funnell - RotoBallerSource: Matt Kawahara
July 5, 2025
Cincinnati Reds right-hander
Hunter Greene (back, groin) will begin a Triple-A rehab assignment on Tuesday, according to Charlie Goldsmith of FOX 19. Greene has been on the 15-day injured list twice this year because of a strained right groin, and the latest issue has kept him out since June 3. The 25-year-old has also dealt with back soreness. When he has been able to pitch, Greene has gone 4-3 with a 2.72 ERA, a whopping 73 strikeouts against 14 walks, and a 0.97 WHIP in 59 2/3 innings. He could make a significant impact in the second half of the season if he stays healthy.
--Connor ByrneSource: Charlie Goldsmith - FOX 19
July 5, 2025
Veteran right-handed reliever
Hector Neris has agreed to a Major League contract with the Houston Astros, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 reports. Neris became available when the Los Angeles Angels released him on Thursday. He has posted a horrific 7.80 ERA with 20 strikeouts, eight walks, and seven holds over a combined 15 innings between the Angels and Braves this season. The well-traveled 36-year-old is now ready for his third stint in Houston, where he pitched from 2022-23 and again in 2024. Neris has served as a solid high-leverage option for a large portion of his career, but those days may be over.
--Connor ByrneSource: Ari Alexander - KPRC 2
July 5, 2025
Houston Astros right-hander
Spencer Arrighetti (thumb) will throw one more bullpen session before advancing to face live batters. This upcoming session will be his third such bullpen since injuring his hand in April during the team's batting practice. Assuming there are no setbacks here, Arrighetti will look to throw to live batters before entering a rehab assignment. This is all positive progress for someone who was looking to build on last season's success. The right-hander is (1-1) on the season with a 5.59 ERA, but his rookie season saw him record an ERA more than one full run lower (4.53), with an impressive 27.1% strikeout rate. He looks poised to be back in Houston's lineup at some point in August and is worth stashing in 12-team leagues.
--Dave Funnell - RotoBallerSource: Matt Kawahara
July 5, 2025
The Toronto Blue Jays have placed reliever
Yimi Garcia (ankle) on the 15-day injured list with a sprained left ankle. The team recalled right-hander
Robinson Pina from Triple-A Buffalo in a corresponding move. This continues an injury-plagued year for Garcia, who just returned from a long stay on the IL this week.. He missed the final week of May and all of June because of a shoulder impingement. Garcia returned on Wednesday to allow two earned runs over one inning in an 11-9 win over the New York Yankees. The 34-year-old righty has logged 21 frames this season and pitched to a 3.86 ERA with 25 strikeouts, 12 walks, six holds, and three saves.
--Connor ByrneSource: Toronto Blue Jays
July 5, 2025
Yankees right-hander
Clarke Schmidt (elbow) has likely suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow and is expected to require Tommy John surgery, manager Aaron Boone announced. Unfortunately for Schmidt and the Yankees, this isn't a surprising outcome after he exited his start against the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday with forearm tightness. Schmidt is now poised to undergo his second Tommy John procedure since 2017, the year the Yankees drafted him 16th overall. Now 29, Schmidt has developed into a quality starter for the Yankees. He'll finish this season 4-4 with a 3.32 ERA and 73:30 K:BB over 78 2/3 innings. Assuming he does undergo TJ surgery, Schmidt probably won't return to a major league mound until late next season or in 2027.
--Connor ByrneSource: Bryan Hoch - MLB.com
July
5,
2025
New
York
Yankees
first
baseman
Paul
Goldschmidt
and
designated
hitter
Giancarlo
Stanton
are
not
in
the
team's
lineup
against
the
New
York
Mets
on
Saturday.
The
right-handed
duo
will
take
a
read more...
July 5, 2025
Washington Nationals right-handed pitcher
Mason Thompson (elbow) was activated from the 60-day injured list on Saturday. In a corresponding move, the Nationals optioned right-handed pitcher
Zach Brzykcy to Triple-A Rochester and shifted right-handed pitcher
Derek Law to the 60-day injured list. Thompson has been sidelined since undergoing Tommy John surgery during the 2024 campaign. He participated in a rehab assignment, logging eight innings across time in the Florida Complex League, as well as with Double-A and Triple-A. In 2023, Thompson logged 54 innings out of the bullpen and posted a 5.50 ERA with a 1.56 WHIP. However, in 2022, Thompson was quite effective, posting a 2.92 ERA with a 1.14 WHIP. Fantasy managers should expect Thompson to have a low-average role in the bullpen as he begins to increase his workload.
--Andy SmithSource: Washington Nationals
July 5, 2025
St. Louis Cardinals third baseman
Nolan Arenado (shoulder) was scratched from Saturday's lineup due to a right shoulder impingement when they continue a series against the Chicago Cubs. Arenado was held out of action earlier in the week due to a finger injury and now appears to have another injury. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status leading up to Sunday's contest as he could he held out of action for a few games. After a productive stretch in June, Arenado has taken a step back over his last eight games, holding a low .179/.207/.250 slash line with just two doubles and two RBI. Before this skid, he held a much higher .344/.382/.547 line over his last 10. This afternoon, the Cardinals will have
Thomas Saggese cover the hot corner and bat in the five-hole.
--Andy SmithSource: Jeff Jones
July 5, 2025
Toronto Blue Jays second baseman
Andres Gimenez (ankle) is not in the starting nine on Saturday when the Blue Jays continue a series against the Los Angeles Angels. Gimenez suffered an ankle injury during the contest against the Yankees on Wednesday. While he was able to return to the starting nine on Friday, Gimenez was eventually lifted from that game. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status, as he could be in danger of sitting out on Sunday as well. Over his last 11 contests, Gimenez has been one of the most productive hitters in the sport, posting a .342/.390/.447 slash line with one double, one home run, and nine RBI. Through 61 total games this season, Gimenez has held a .218/.300/.322 line. This afternoon,
Davis Schneider will cover the keystone and bat in the nine-hole.
--Andy SmithSource: Toronto Blue Jays
July 5, 2025
Toronto Blue Jays first baseman
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (foot) is back in the starting nine on Saturday when the Blue Jays continue a series against the Los Angeles Angels. Guerrero was held out of action on Friday after suffering a minor foot injury on Thursday. However, the 26-year-old was able to avoid a serious injury and is making a quick return to the starting nine. Over his last 10 games, Guerrero has been in a bit of a skid at the plate, posting a modest .237/.341/.421 slash line with one double, two home runs, and five RBI. Through 86 total games this season, Guerrero has held a .274/.378/.439 slash line with 17 doubles and 12 round-trippers. He sits in the 96th percentile in xwOBA and 100th percentile in xBA, which suggests he should be in store for a massive second half. He is a strong play in DFS this afternoon, facing Los Angeles Angels right-hander
Jack Kochanowicz.
--Andy SmithSource: Toronto Blue Jays
July 5, 2025
The Arizona Diamondbacks have optioned infielder
Tim Tawa to Triple-A Reno. In a corresponding move, the Diamondbacks have activated outfielder
Corbin Carroll (wrist) from the 10-day injured list. Tawa has enjoyed an extended stint in the majors this season. During his first taste of the majors, the rookie infielder has held a modest .200/.262/.355 slash line with six doubles and six home runs. Tawa has generated a low .300 xwOBA, .224 xBA, .394 xSLG, and an 88.8 mph average exit velocity, which are all below the average marks of qualified hitters. Earlier this season, Tawa was hitting for high power at Triple-A, launching three home runs and adding two doubles. Fantasy managers should expect Tawa to return to Arizona later in the second half as an injury replacement.
--Andy SmithSource: Arizona Diamondbacks
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