July 12, 2025
Houston Astros shortstop
Jeremy Pena (rib) fielded ground balls before the team's game against the Texas Rangers on Saturday, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. It's the latest positive development for Pena as he works back from a small fracture in one of his left ribs. The Astros have gone without Pena since he suffered the injury on June 27, but he could be back right after the All-Star break. Pena had a tremendous first half of the season, slashing .322/.378/.489 with 11 homers, 40 RBI, 48 runs scored, and 15 steals across 350 plate appearances.
Mauricio Dubon and
Zack Short have divided time at shortstop in Pena's absence.
--Connor ByrneSource: Brian McTaggart - MLB.com
July 12, 2025
New York Mets right-hander
Dedniel Nunez (elbow) will undergo Tommy John surgery next week, manager
Carlos Mendoza announced. Nunez went on the 15-day injured list with a sprained elbow on July 3, but he'll now miss the rest of this season and a large portion (perhaps all) of the 2026 campaign. He previously underwent TJ surgery in 2021 while a member of the San Francisco Giants. Nunez debuted in the majors with the Mets last year and made a great first impression, notching a 2.31 ERA with 48:8 K:BB in 35 innings. However, the 29-year-old missed most of August and all of September with a flexor injury. He returned to the majors on May 5 this year and was unable to replicate last season's production. Nunez's 2025 will wrap up with a 4.66 ERA, 11 strikeouts, and six walks over 9 2/3 frames.
--Connor ByrneSource: SNY
July 12, 2025
St. Louis Cardinals outfielder
Lars Nootbaar (side) departed the team's game against the Atlanta Braves on Saturday with left-side discomfort, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. He went 0-for-2 with a strikeout before the Cardinals replaced him in left field with
Jose Fermin in the top of the sixth inning. Nootbaar has been trying to play through intercostal/ribcage soreness for the past couple of weeks, but he has missed multiple games and been pulled on more than one occasion as a result of the injury. With the All-Star break coming up, the first half of his season may be over. The 27-year-old has hit a modest .227/.332/.381 with 12 homers, 37 RBI, 50 runs scored, and four steals in 386 plate appearances.
--Connor ByrneSource: Derrick Goold
July 12, 2025
The Los Angeles Angels made a notable change in their rotation Friday, optioning right-hander
Jack Kochanowicz to Triple-A Salt Lake. The team recalled left-handed reliever
Jake Eder in a corresponding move. The Angels have remarkably used the same five starters all year, but they've seen enough of Kochanowicz for the time being. He toed the rubber Thursday and yielded eight earned runs over 2 2/3 innings in a loss to Texas. That outing capped off a brutal first half of the season for the 6-foot-7 Kochanowicz, who's 3-9 with a 6.03 ERA, 1.63 WHIP, and 65:45 K:BB across 94 frames (19 starts). Kochanowicz easily ranks last among qualified starters in ERA. There's no word on who will take over for the 24-year-old in the Halos' rotation. The Angels won't need a fifth starter again until July 22, which gives them time to find an alternative.
--Connor ByrneSource: Los Angeles Angels
July 12, 2025
Washington Commanders wide receiver
Terry McLaurin is entering the final year of his deal and is a candidate to be a holdout or hold-in at training camp this summer. McLaurin has five straight 1,000-yard seasons under his belt and has at least 900 receiving yards in each of his six years in the NFL, but The Athletic's Mike Jones writes that he's unlikely to land a deal that rivals that of Bengals wideout
Ja'Marr Chase, who got four years and $161 million. However, it's possible that McLaurin tops the four-year, $115 million deal the Bengals gave receiver
Tee Higgins. The 29-year-old had a strong 23.2% target share last year and excelled with impressive rookie quarterback
Jayden Daniels, also scoring a career-high 13 touchdowns. McLaurin will see regression in the TD department, but with Daniels looking like an elite QB, McLaurin is now in WR2 territory in fantasy.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Mike Jones
July 12, 2025
Minnesota Twins right-hander
Pablo Lopez (shoulder) is throwing on flat ground from 75 feet as he works back from a shoulder injury, according to the team. Lopez suffered a Grade 2 strain of the teres major on June 4 and was transferred to the 60-day injured list on June 11. As a result, he won't be eligible to return until the first half of August. The loss of Lopez has been a significant blow to both the Twins and fantasy managers, as the 29-year-old has gone 5-3 with a 2.82 ERA, a 1.07 WHIP, and 61:14 K:BB in 60 2/3 innings this season.
--Connor ByrneSource: Minnesota Twins
July 12, 2025
San Diego Padres right-handed pitcher
Joe Musgrove (elbow) tossed his first bullpen since undergoing Tommy John surgery last October. He threw a handful of pitches at about 75% intensity and measured his fastball at around 80 mph. Both Musgrove and the training staff are happy with the results as he continues to work his way back from Tommy John surgery. Barring any setbacks, the 32-year-old is expected to advance to full bullpen sessions in August. Before getting injured, he owned a 3.88 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and 103 strikeouts over 99 2/3 innings in 2024. Musgrove isn't likely to pitch for the Padres this season, but his offseason progress is something to monitor heading into 2026.
--Dave Funnell - RotoBallerSource: Kevin Acee
July 12, 2025
The Athletic's Joe Rexrode believes that giving Tennessee Titans cornerback Roger McCreary a contract extension this summer seems like a smart decision as the former second-rounder in 2022 enters his fourth NFL season. McCreary is by no means an elite defensive back, but he's been versatile and durable for the Titans, missing just four games in his first three years in the league. Tennessee also has plenty of question marks on defense and in their defensive backfield, so it would seem to be a wise move to get the 25-year-old locked in long term. The Auburn alum actually took a step back in 2024, posting a career-low 50 tackles (43 solo), one sack, 12 tackles for loss and only one pass breakup in 15 games (seven starts) in his third season. McCreary spent most of his time in the slot last year and struggled, so the Titans may want to move him back outside, especially if they sign him to an extension.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Joe Rexrode
July 12, 2025
Minnesota Twins right-hander
Zebby Matthews (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A St. Paul on Sunday. Matthews has been down since June 5 with a strained right shoulder. The 25-year-old made four starts before going on the 15-day injured list and registered an unappealing 5.21 ERA and 1.47 BB/9 in 19 innings, though he did amass 25 strikeouts against eight walks. Matthews could factor back into Minnesota's rotation later this month if he gets through his rehab unscathed.
--Connor ByrneSource: Minnesota Twins
July 12, 2025
New York Yankees ace
Max Fried (finger) exited his start against the Chicago Cubs on Saturday with what appeared to be a blister on his left thumb, Jack Curry of YES Network reports. The Yankees replaced him with right-hander
Ian Hamilton. Fried didn't resemble his All-Star self Saturday, as he labored through three innings and allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits and three walks. The 31-year-old left-hander struck out two during a 73-pitch outing in which he totaled just 39 strikes. Notably, Fried has landed on the injured list multiple times in his career because of blisters. The Yankees should have more on his status after the game.
UPDATE: The Yankees announced that Fried has a blister on his left index finger. --Connor ByrneSource: Jack Curry - YES Network
July 12, 2025
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver
Mike Evans is entering the final year of his two-year, $41 million deal in 2025, and The Athletic's Dan Pompei writes that the team could have a difficult time retaining the future Hall of Famer beyond this season, especially at a similar price to what they just re-signed
Chris Godwin at. Despite being close to turning 32 years old, Evans hasn't shown signs of slowing down, posting 1,000 yards receiving in 2024 for the 11th straight season while also scoring 11 touchdowns. Tampa certainly doesn't want to lose one of the greatest players in franchise history who is also highly respected in the locker room, but it remains to be seen how this will play out following the 2025 season after they took wideout
Emeka Egbuka in the first round this year. For fantasy purposes, Evans is a high-end WR2.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Dan Pompei
July 12, 2025
Given Seattle Seahawks left tackle Charles Cross' age (24), position and status as the team's best offensive lineman, The Athletic's Michael-Shawn Dugar thinks that signing him to a contract extension before training camp this summer seems like an obvious decision. Cross is one of six extension-eligible players from the team's 2022 draft class, joining outside linebacker Boye Mafe, running back
Kenneth Walker III, right tackle Abe Lucas, cornerback Riq Woolen and safety Coby Bryant. Shawn-Dugar adds that Cross should have a salary floor of at least $21 million per year on any new deal he gets. Seattle picked up the 24-year-old's fifth-year option back in April, but it doesn't mean it will prevent them from getting a long-term deal done before the start of the 2025 season. Cross is the unquestioned starting left tackle and will protect new quarterback
Sam Darnold's blind side.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Michael-Shawn Dugar
July 12, 2025
The Cincinnati Reds have reinstated outfielder
Jake Fraley (shoulder) from the 10-day injured list. The team optioned infielder
Christian Encarnacion-Strand to Triple-A Louisville in a corresponding move. Fraley hasn't played since June 23 because of a partial tear in his right labrum. He recently underwent a cortisone shot to alleviate the pain, and he'll try to play through it and delay surgery until the offseason. The 30-year-old has hit .224/.331/.376 with five home runs, 17 RBI, 24 runs, and four steals in 145 plate appearances. Fraley is not in Cincinnati's lineup on Saturday against the Colorado Rockies. Instead, the Reds are starting
Will Benson in right field, Fraley's usual position, and batting him seventh versus right-hander
Bradley Blalock.
--Connor ByrneSource: Cincinnati Reds
July 12, 2025
TennesseeTitans.com's Jim Wyatt highlights rookie wide receiver
Xavier Restrepo as a player to watch heading into training camp this summer. Restrepo was added as an undrafted free agent after he was a teammate of quarterback
Cam Ward at the University of Miami. The 23-year-old is a fierce competitor who looked comfortable in spring practices. Wyatt writes that Restrepo's 11 catches led all receivers during the five open practices to the media this offseason. If he continues to play that well during camp, the Titans may find it hard to cut him from the active roster going into the regular season. Restrepo had 1,000 yards receiving in his final two seasons with the Hurricanes. He's merely one to watch because of his chemistry with Ward, but he's not an exceptional athlete and is going to face an uphill battle for a roster spot.
--Keith HernandezSource: TennesseeTitans.com - Jim Wyatt
July 12, 2025
Baltimore Orioles first baseman
Ryan Mountcastle (hamstring) has started ramping up his physical activities as he prepares for a return to the team's lineup. He was spotted doing resistance running as well as swinging a bat during pre-game warmups. While Mountcastle still has a ways to go, he continues to improve daily. Originally given a timeline of 8 to 12 weeks for a return, he is almost five weeks removed from that diagnosis. The 28-year-old will likely need a lengthy rehab assignment before being cleared to rejoin Baltimore's lineup. Mountcastle is worth stashing in deep leagues and in 12-team leagues on teams that are looking for corner infield or first base help.
--Dave Funnell - RotoBallerSource: Cordell Woodland - 105.7 FM The Fan, Baltimore
July 12, 2025
The Kansas City Royals announced that right-hander
Michael Lorenzen (illness) will not make his scheduled start against the New York Mets on Saturday because of an illness. Left-handed reliever
Angel Zerpa will take his place. Lorenzen posted arguably his best start of the season in his previous outing last Sunday. He fired a seven-inning, two-hit shutout with seven strikeouts in a win over the Arizona Diamondbacks. Overall, Lorenzen has gone 5-8 with an unspectacular 4.61 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, and 85:29 K:BB in 99 2/3 innings. Zerpa hasn't recorded more than nine outs in any of his 40 appearances this year, meaning he won't be in for long on Saturday. The 25-year-old has a 3.89 ERA with a 1.32 WHIP and 37:13 K:BB across 39 1/3 frames.
--Connor ByrneSource: Kansas City Royals
July 12, 2025
Minnesota Twins right-hander
Bailey Ober (hip) threw a successful bullpen session on Wednesday. This happened days after he had anti-inflammatory medicine to help ease the pain from the impingement in his left hip. He will continue to do this while attempting to get his mechanics back in order. Entering the season, it was believed that the right-hander would take a big step forward in his production. Instead, he has struggled from the get-go, posting a 5.28 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, and 74 strikeouts over 92 innings. However, there is some belief that his regression is related to this ongoing hip injury. Ober is worth stashing in leagues with IL spots, with the hope that a healthier version of him can return for the second half.
--Dave Funnell - RotoBallerSource: MLB
July 12, 2025
TennesseeTitans.com's Jim Wyatt writes that Tennessee Titans wide receiver
Calvin Ridley appears to be re-energized in his second season with the team with the addition of rookie first-round quarterback
Cam Ward. Ridley has taken the first overall pick under his wing this offseason, and they have both formed a strong bond both on the field and off. For Tennessee's offense to take a step forward in 2025, the Titans will need the chemistry between Ward and Ridley to pay off after Ridley went for 64 catches, 1,017 yards and four touchdowns in his first year with the team in 2024. The 30-year-old is the clear WR1 and should continue to have a high target share, but his fantasy value will be directly impacted by how quickly Ward can adapt to the speed in the NFL. Ridley is ranked at RotoBaller a the No. 32 fantasy wideout.
--Keith HernandezSource: TennesseeTitans.com - Jim Wyatt
July
12,
2025
There
was
some
speculation
this
offseason
that
the
Baltimore
Ravens
might
be
moving
on
from
tight
end
Mark
Andrews
after
his
disappointing
outing
in
the
playoff
loss
to
the
Buffalo
Bills
in
the
divisional
round.
However,
read more...
July 12, 2025
Boston Red Sox left-handed pitcher
Patrick Sandoval (elbow) continues to show progress daily, as he attempts to return to the mound and pitch for the Red Sox in 2025. He has already thrown multiple bullpens a week and has incorporated curveballs in those sessions. Despite his confidence, the 28-year-old noted that he still has many more bullpens to throw, and that he needs to start mixing in breaking balls as well. Once that happens with pain-free consistency, it's fair to assume that Sandoval will be able to face live batters before undergoing an extensive rehab assignment. The Red Sox signed him to a two-year, $18.25 million contract to utilize him more in 2026. If he can return and contribute this season, it would go a long way in establishing peace of mind as he enters a vital year next season. His status is worth monitoring in all dynasty formats.
--Dave Funnell - RotoBallerSource: Sean McAdam - MassLive
July 12, 2025
Defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh officially announced his retirement from professional football on Saturday on his social-media account. Suh spent 13 years in the NFL with five different teams -- the Detroit Lions, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Miami Dolphins, Los Angeles Rams and Philadelphia Eagles. The veteran defensive lineman last played in 2022 with the Eagles, recording just one sack in eight games played. Suh was originally the second overall pick in the 2010 NFL draft out of Nebraska by the Lions, and he spent the first five years of his career in Motown before heading to Miami. The 38-year-old was a five-time Pro Bowler, three-time All-Pro and won one Super Bowl ring. In his prime, Suh was one of the most disruptive interior defensive linemen, and he finishes his career with 600 tackles (392 solo) and 71.5 sacks in 199 career regular-season games.
--Keith HernandezSource: Ndamukong Suh
July 12, 2025
Miami Dolphins wide receiver
Jaylen Waddle appears to be plenty motivated in 2025 after the offense took a step back in 2024, with Waddle falling short of a fourth straight 1,000-yard season. Waddle finished with 744 yards and two touchdowns on 58 catches, all career-lows. "After watching the film, definitely a lot of hand eye (coordination) -- I feel like I'm trying to move without the ball too much," he said. "And just the simple things, just timing, getting smoother in and out of my routes. Pretty much that," Waddle said. The 26-year-old has also been improving his chemistry with quarterback
Tua Tagovailoa. A bounce-back campaign in 2025 is certainly possible for the speedy Waddle, but unfortunately his fantasy value is tied to the injury-prone Tagovailoa and an offense that was a shell of its former self last year. RotoBaller has Waddle ranked as the WR28.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Marcel Louis-Jacques
July 12, 2025
The Los Angeles Chargers rookies are reporting to training camp on Saturday, but the Bolts and second-round wide receiver
Tre Harris still haven't agreed to a deal, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. There is still time for the two sides to get something done before official practices begin, but Harris is facing the possibility of missing some key development time heading into his first NFL season. The 23-year-old looked impressive during OTAs and minicamp earlier this offseason while building chemistry with quarterback
Justin Herbert. The Chargers are hoping that Harris can be Herbert's go-to deep threat in 2025 to open up more space for WR1
Ladd McConkey underneath. Harris will be fighting for targets with
Mike Williams and
Quentin Johnston. Despite being in a run-first offense, Harris is in a good situation for immediate playing time in 2025.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
July 12, 2025
The Cincinnati Reds announced that they have optioned infielder
Christian Encarnacion-Strand to Triple-A Louisville to make room on the active roster for outfielder
Jake Fraley (shoulder), who is returning from the 10-day injured list on Saturday. The Reds haven't really been able to keep Encarnacion-Strand's struggling bat in their lineup regularly, so he'll head down to the farm just before the All-Star break to work on his approach. The 25-year-old right-handed slugger just has not been what the Reds were hoping for as a potential replacement for
Joey Votto at first base, and he gets demoted after slashing .208/.234/.377 with a .610 OPS and only six home runs in his 130 at-bats this year. CES also dealt with a back injury earlier this season that slowed his production. He should be back in Cincy at some point in the second half, but he won't be guaranteed regular playing time.
--Keith HernandezSource: Cincinnati Reds
July 12, 2025
The Boston Red Sox announced on Saturday that they placed rookie right-hander
Hunter Dobbins (knee) on the 15-day injured list with a torn right ACL and recalled right-hander
Richard Fitts from Triple-A Worcester in a corresponding move. Dobbins suffered the serious knee injury during his start on Friday against the Tampa Bay Rays. The 25-year-old will now be unavailable for the rest of the year and will finish his first MLB season in Boston with a 4-1 record, 4.13 ERA (3.82 FIP) and 1.28 WHIP with 45 strikeouts and 17 walks in 61 innings pitched over his 13 appearances (11 starts). With
Tanner Houck,
Kutter Crawford and
Patrick Sandoval all still unavailable, it's possible Fitts will take over Dobbins' rotation spot for the BoSox heading into the second half of the season later this month. Dobbins can obviously be dropped now in single-year fantasy formats.
--Keith HernandezSource: Boston Red Sox
July 12, 2025
Boston Red Sox infielder/outfielder
Ceddanne Rafaela was the hero in Friday night's 5-4 win over the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park, blasting a walk-off, two-run home run in the ninth inning to send the home fans away happy. Rafaela, who is starting at second base on Saturday, will now be rewarded with a move to the two-hole in the batting order against Rays right-hander
Shane Baz. The 24-year-old has always been a marvel in the outfield with his glove, but he's starting to make improvements as a hitter in 2025 and is now slashing .271/.314/.477 with a .792 OPS, 13 home runs, 46 RBI, 54 runs and 12 stolen bases in 310 at-bats. He's hit .452 (14-for-31) with 13 RBI and nine runs in his last eight games and has batted .331 (47-for-142) with 11 homers, 27 RBI and five steals in 39 games since May 27. This resurgence appears to be for real.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
July 12, 2025
Chicago Cubs outfielder
Ian Happ has been dropped to seventh in the batting order for the second game of the series in the Bronx on Saturday against the hosting New York Yankees and left-hander
Max Fried. Second baseman
Nico Hoerner will bat leadoff for the Cubbies. Happ didn't even start against lefty
Carlos Rodon in Friday's 11-0 blowout loss, and now he'll hit near the bottom of the lineup after going 2-for-32 (.063) with a double, run scored, two RBI, eight walks and eight strikeouts in nine games so far in July. The 30-year-old left-handed hitter has hit .556 with a 1.889 OPS, two home runs and two RBI in nine career at-bats versus Fried, but he's also batting .223 (23-for-103) with only two of his 12 home runs and a 30:16 K:BB against left-handed pitchers this season. The way Happ has been swinging it, he's one to fade against Fried.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
July 12, 2025
New York Yankees outfielder
Cody Bellinger took it to his former team, the Chicago Cubs, in Friday night's 11-0 blowout win in the Bronx by clubbing three home runs and driving in six runs. Bellinger could have had a fourth round-tripper in the series opener if not for right fielder
Kyle Tucker robbing him at the wall. In any event, manager Aaron Boone has rewarded Bellinger with a move up the batting order for Game 2 of the series at Yankee Stadium, even against Cubs lefty
Matthew Boyd. Bellinger is hitless in just two career at-bats against Boyd, but he's in the midst of a 16-game hitting streak that has seen him go 28-for-69 (.406) with six home runs, five doubles, 16 RBI, 16 runs scored and two stolen bases over 71 trips to the plate. He's also hit a strong .386 (34-for-88) with six of his 16 home runs in 2025 against southpaws.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
July 12, 2025
St. Louis Cardinals third baseman
Nolan Arenado (finger) is not in the lineup for his team's game on Saturday afternoon against the Atlanta Braves. Arenado exited the Cardinals' loss to Atlanta on Friday night with a sprained right index finger so this news comes as no surprise. The veteran has been battling discomfort in the finger for several weeks but has yet to hit the injured list. For the season, Arenado has slashed .246/.305/.388 with 10 home runs and 42 RBI. His strikeout rate is a career-best 9.8%, but his 4.3% barrel rate is underwhelming, as is his .378 xSLG. He's a borderline fantasy option at this point in his career who needs everyday playing time to volume his way to production.
--Will BradySource: MLB.com
July 12, 2025
Washington Wizards center
Alexandre Sarr had 15 points in the Summer League loss to the Phoenix Suns. He added four boards, three blocks, and one steal. Sarr had issues taking care of the ball on Friday night, committing four turnovers. However, the 20-year-old made up for it with his contributions on the defensive end. He also shot the ball well, going 5-for-10 from the field and 1-for-3 from deep while draining all four of his attempts from the free throw line. Sarr, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, had a good inaugural campaign, averaging 13.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks, good enough for an NBA All-Rookie First Team selection. He's expected to build on those numbers in 2025. While Sarr may not be an All-Star this season, that could happen at some point during his career, which is something dynasty managers should keep in mind.
--Dennis ClausenSource: ESPN
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