July 12, 2025
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander
Bowden Francis (shoulder) will throw a bullpen session on Saturday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet reports. Francis is working back from a right-shoulder impingement that has sidelined him since June 15. Between the injury and his performance, this has been a rough season for Francis. The 29-year-old has made 14 starts for the Blue Jays and gone 2-8 with a 6.05 ERA, a 1.53 WHIP, and 54:27 K:BB over 64 innings. Francis is without a clear timetable for a return, and barring injuries, it seems unlikely Toronto will reinsert him into its rotation when he comes back.
--Connor ByrneSource: Ben Nicholson-Smith - Sportsnet
July 12, 2025
Tampa Bay Rays right-handed reliever
Manuel Rodriguez (forearm) has suffered a setback in his rehab from a forearm strain. Rodriguez had to leave his appearance with Triple-A Durham on Friday against the third batter he faced after he experienced diminished velocity. The 28-year-old's fastball normally clocks in around 97 mph, but it was down to 91.6 mph on Friday. That's an alarming development for a pitcher who has already been out for a month. Rodriguez logged an excellent 2.08 ERA with 25 strikeouts, six walks, and 11 holds over 30 1/3 innings before going on the 15-day injured list on June 10.
--Connor ByrneSource: Tampa Bay Rays
July 12, 2025
Toronto Blue Jays second baseman
Andres Gimenez (ankle) is undergoing treatment on his ailing left ankle and remains "week-to-week," according to manager John Schneider. Gimenez has been on the 10-day injured list since July 5 with a sprain. The glove-first 26-year-old hit .218/.300/.322 with five homers, 23 RBI, 26 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases in 238 plate appearances before suffering the injury. The surging Jays have turned to a combination of
Ernie Clement and
Leo Jimenez at the keystone in Gimenez's absence.
--Connor ByrneSource: Toronto Blue Jays
July 12, 2025
Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher
Alek Manoah (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment on Monday with Toronto's Florida Complex League affiliate. The 27-year-old is working his way back from Tommy John surgery and is expected to throw just a couple of innings in his first start. Look for the 6-foot-6 hurler to make five to six rehab starts before potentially rejoining the Blue Jays later in August. Manoah had a rough 2023 but was pitching well in 2024 before the injury, posting a 3.70 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, and a 17.5 percent K-BB% (9.62 K/9). The team will need him to post similar or better results when he returns, as Toronto sits atop the American League East.
--Jarod RuppSource: Arden Zwelling
July 12, 2025
St. Louis Cardinals third baseman
Nolan Arenado (finger) exited Friday's 6-5 loss to Atlanta with a sprained right index finger. The eight-time All-Star missed a few games recently due to soreness in that same finger, so hopefully this does not become something that lands him on the injured list. Arenado is slashing .246/.305/.388 on the year, and although his strikeout rate is at a career low (9.8 percent), his barrel rate, hard-hit rate, and average exit velocity are also hovering near career lows, so it might not get much better for the remainder of the season. Perhaps an IL stint or even just the All-Star break will get his finger right, though.
--Jarod RuppSource: Derrick Goold
July 12, 2025
Texas Rangers first baseman
Jake Burger (quadriceps) said he plans to play on Saturday after being removed late in the Rangers' 7-3 victory over the Astros on Friday with left-quad discomfort. The 29-year-old has been productive at the plate recently, going 9-for-27 (.333) with a double, a home run, six RBI, and six runs scored in his last seven games. For the season, the right-handed slugger is slashing .229/.260/.402 with 11 home runs and an 81 wRC+. It has been a disappointing season after hitting at least 29 home runs in each of the previous two campaigns with no less than a 107 wRC+, however, his contact, barrel, and hard-hit rates are all higher than they were last season, so perhaps this recent stretch is a sign he's turning things around.
--Jarod RuppSource: Evan Grant
July 12, 2025
Tampa Bay Rays pitcher
Joe Boyle came on in bulk relief of
Drew Rasmussen in Friday's 5-4 loss to the Red Sox, allowing two earned runs on three hits and two walks while striking out only one batter, but did not factor into the decision. Boyle came on in the third inning in relief of Rasmussen, which was expected after manager Kevin Cash stated that the team would execute this way for a few turns through the rotation in an attempt to limit Rasmussen's innings. Boyle had made two other appearances this season before Friday's, and had not allowed a run in either while striking out seven in both contests. The 25-year-old righty now owns a 1.29 ERA (4.03 xFIP) with a 0.71 WHIP, and a 15:5 K:BB through 14 IP. His next chance to pitch won't come until sometime after the All-Star break.
--Jarod RuppSource: ESPN
July 12, 2025
Houston Astros shortstop
Jeremy Pena (rib) has begun to ramp up his work in the weight room while also participating in light baseball-related activities. The 27-year-old has been out with a small rib fracture, not having played in a game since June 27. At this point, it looks like a post-All-Star break return is a given, and hopefully, the 6-foot-1 slugger can get back to the way he was hitting before he went down with the injury. Since May 24, a period of 31 games, the right-handed hitter was batting .368 with 15 extra-base hits and nine steals. For the season, he's slashing .322/.378/.489 with 11 home runs and 15 steals, good for a .377 wOBA and 144 wRC+.
--Jarod RuppSource: Brian McTaggart
July 12, 2025
Houston Astros outfielder/designated hitter
Yordan Alvarez (hand) is still not swinging a bat. The 28-year-old recently underwent imaging of his hand, which showed that the small fracture had healed. Now, any pain he's experiencing is due to inflammation, not the fracture. The 3x All-Star also has received injections in his hand, but he hasn't been able to progress to swinging a bat. A return after the All-Star break was looking like the best-case scenario, however, it seems a late July return is becoming the most optimistic view at this point.
--Jarod RuppSource: Brian McTaggart
July 12, 2025
Athletics catching prospect
Willie MacIver went 3-for-5 with two home runs and four RBI during their contest against Triple-A El Paso on Friday evening. Since the start of the month, MacIver has tallied at least one hit in all but one contest. He has posted a strong .320/.357/.680 slash line with three long balls and nine RBI across six games. Earlier in the season, MacIver made his MLB debut. Through 17 games with the Athletics, the 28-year-old posted a .245/.288/.449 line. He was eventually sent back to Triple-A Las Vegas once
Shea Langeliers returned from the injured list. Overall, the backstop has been very productive with Triple-A and should be in the mix to return to the majors in the coming weeks. In 41 total games, he has held a .377/.451/.570 line with a 1.021 OPS.
--Andy SmithSource: MiLB.com
July 12, 2025
Kansas City Royals catching prospect
Blake Mitchell went 3-for-4 with two doubles and a home run during their contest against High-A Fort Wayne on Friday evening. This was Mitchell's first career home run at the High-A level. The No. 33-ranked prospect in baseball was sidelined throughout most of the first half with a wrist injury. He participated in an 11-game rehab assignment in the Arizona Complex League before returning to High-A. Through his first three games at High-A this season, Mitchell has gone 3-for-12 with two doubles, a home run, and two RBI. Last season, the catcher spent the majority of his time with Low-A before earning a brief five-game taste of High-A. Given the time he missed this season, fantasy managers should expect Mitchell to spend a majority of the second half with High-A.
--Andy SmithSource: MiLB.com
July 12, 2025
New York Mets infield prospect
Jett Williams broke out of his slump in a big way on Friday evening. During their contest against Double-A Altoona, the top-ranked prospect in Queens went 3-for-5 with two home runs and three RBI. Before this game, Williams held a .171/.327/.244 line over his last 12 games. During this 12-game skid, Williams did not hit a home run and posted just two multi-hit outings. After missing time with injuries last season, Williams has been very productive during the 2025 season. Through 76 games with Double-A Binghamton, the former 14th overall pick has held a .283/.393/.493 line with 23 doubles, eight home runs, and 25 stolen bases. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his progression, as he should be in the mix to join Triple-A in the second half.
--Andy SmithSource: MiLB.com
July 12, 2025
New York Yankees outfield prospect
Spencer Jones went 3-for-5 with a home run during their contest against Triple-A Buffalo. This performance extended his current hitting streak to six games. During this stretch, Jones has gone deep three times, added a double, and swiped five bags. Since earning the call to the top level of the minor leagues, Jones has been one of his most productive hitters in the minors. Through 12 contests, Jones has posted a .408/.475/.837 line with three doubles, six home runs, six stolen bases, and a 17:8 K:BB. Earlier in the season, Jones showed high power upside with Double-A Somerset, hitting 16 home runs across 49 contests. Given his incredible start to his Triple-A tenure, Jones could be in the mix to join the Yankees shortly after the All-Star break.
--Andy SmithSource: MiLB.com
July 12, 2025
Baltimore Orioles catching prospect
Samuel Basallo went 1-for-4 with a home run during their contest against Triple-A Jacksonville on Friday evening. This was his 18th home run of the season. The top-ranked catching prospect in the sport has looked very comfortable during his first extended look at Triple-A. Through 60 games at Triple-A this season, the 20-year-old has posted a remarkable .265/.385/.585 slash line with 10 doubles, 18 home runs, and a 53:38 K:BB. This is an excellent sign for the budding star as he posted a modest .222/.267/.370 through his first 22 games with Triple-A Norfolk during the 2024 campaign. Fantasy managers should continue to closely monitor Basallo as he is on the verge of making his MLB debut. He should be viewed as a top stash candidate heading into the All-Star break.
--Andy SmithSource: MiLB.com
July 12, 2025
Detroit Tigers catching prospect
Thayron Liranzo went 2-for-5 with a home run during their contest against Double-A Harrisburg on Friday evening. This performance extended his current hitting streak to an impressive seven games. During this stretch, the No. 88-ranked prospect in baseball on MLB.com has posted a .379/.438/.586 slash line with two home runs and a 5:3 K:BB. After spending the entire 2024 campaign at the High-A level, the backstop was given the green light ot open the 2025 season with Double-A. Through 57 games with Double-A, Liranzo has held a .236/.359/.418 slash line with 10 home runs. Last season at High-A, Liranzo held a similar .244/.378/.408 line. Fantasy managers should expect the 22-year-old to remain at Double-A during most of the second half.
--Andy SmithSource: MiLB.com
RADIO
