July 5, 2025
San Diego Padres shortstop
Xander Bogaerts (hamstring) is in the starting lineup ahead of Saturday's game against the Texas Rangers. His status for this game was uncertain coming in after Bogaerts suffered a hamstring injury late during Friday's contest. Clearly, it wasn't a big issue as Bogaerts is back in the lineup without missing any time. He'll cover shortstop and bat fifth versus left-hander
Patrick Corbin on Saturday. Bogaerts hasn't been great with the bat this season, but is heating up over the last week. Fantasy managers should make sure to get him into their lineups.
--Andy WebbSource: mlb.com
July 5, 2025
The New York Yankees have signed free-agent first baseman
Jeimer Candelario to a minor-league contract on Saturday. Candelario was cut by the Cincinnati Reds after slashing .113/.198/.213 across 91 plate appearances to begin the season. He missed time in April with a back injury, but was released by the Reds last Sunday. Candelario has put together fairly decent numbers in the past. It's a low-risk move for the Yankees with the Reds still on the hook for the rest of Candelario's contract. Candelario figures to head to Triple-A until the Yankees need him. The switch-hitter isn't someone that needs to be rostered in fantasy leagues, but he would be a decent bench option for the Yankees down the stretch of the season.
--Andy WebbSource: Talkin' Yanks
July 5, 2025
Baltimore Orioles catcher
Gary Sanchez (knee) was forced to make an early exit from Saturday's game against the Atlanta Braves. It's unclear how Sanchez was injured, but he exited in the fifth inning due to left knee pain. Before exiting Sanchez was 0-for-2 at the plate during Saturday's contest.
Jacob Stallings took over behind the plate and figures to see increased playing time if Sanchez misses time. It really can't get worse for the Orioles who have
Adley Rutschman (oblique),
Maverick Handley (concussion), and
Chadwick Tromp (back) all on the injured list right now. The assumption is Sanchez will undergo further testing to determine the severity of the injury. Stallings figures to gain the most value as the last catcher standing in Baltimore.
--Andy WebbSource: Danielle Allentuck
July 5, 2025
Milwaukee Brewers first baseman
Rhys Hoskins (thumb) was forced to make an early exit from Saturday's game against the Miami Marlins. Hoskins suffered a left thumb injury while getting tagged out in the fourth inning. He was replaced by
Jake Bauers at first base in the fifth inning. Hoskins finished this game 1-for-1 with a triple, one RBI, and a walk. The expectation is that Hoskins will undergo further testing to determine the severity of the injury. For now, fantasy managers should consider Hoskins as day-to-day, but they should check back for another update.
--Andy WebbSource: Milwaukee Brewers
July 5, 2025
Boston Red Sox right-hander
Tanner Houck (forearm) will make another rehab start this week, Tim Healey of the Boston Globe reports. Houck has been out since the middle of May with a right flexor pronator strain, and his road back to the majors has been difficult. The 29-year-old has combined for a 7.15 ERA over 11 1/3 innings in four rehab appearances (three starts) between the Double-A and Triple-A levels. He has also dealt with a dip in velocity. Houck endured similar struggles in the majors this year before going on the IL. After logging a stingy 3.12 ERA in a career-high 178 2/3 frames last year, Houck opened this season with an 8.04 ERA and 32:17 K:BB across 43 2/3 frames.
--Connor ByrneSource: Tim Healey - Boston Globe
July 5, 2025
The Cleveland Guardians have activated right-hander
Paul Sewald (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list and optioned lefty
Doug Nikhazy to Triple-A Columbus. Sewald is back after an IL stint that lasted over two months. He hasn't pitched in the majors since April 28 because of a shoulder strain. The 35-year-old recorded an unappealing 6.17 ERA in 11 2/3 innings before going on the shelf, but he did strike out 15 and walk just three during that span. While Sewald combined for 81 saves with multiple clubs from 2021-24, he's more likely to be a source of holds for a Cleveland team that has an established closer in
Emmanuel Clase.
--Connor ByrneSource: Tim Stebbins - MLB.com
July 5, 2025
San Diego Padres right-hander
Michael King (shoulder) hasn't taken a major league mound since May 18 because of a nerve issue in his throwing shoulder. A month and a half later, King is pain-free, but he's not ready to resume throwing from a mound. "This is as optimistic as we've been, (but) we're still guarding the optimism," manager Mike Shildt told Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune. King has gone 4-2 over 10 starts and tossed 55 2/3 innings of 2.59 ERA ball with 64:17 K:BB and a 1.02 WHIP this season. There's still no timetable for his return, but at least the team is taking an optimistic tone.
--Connor ByrneSource: Jeff Sanders - San Diego Union-Tribune
July 5, 2025
The Boston Red Sox will activate designated hitter/outfielder
Masataka Yoshida (shoulder) during a homestand that runs through all of next week. Yoshida will play two rehab games at the Double-A level this weekend and then get Monday off, Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. The Red Sox could activate him anytime after that. The 31-year-old underwent surgery on his right shoulder last October and has spent the past several months working back from it. Yoshida will mostly spend time at DH when he returns, but he'll also be part of Boston's outfield mix. The Japan native appeared in 108 games last year and hit .280/.349/.415 with 10 homers, 56 RBI, 45 runs scored, and two stolen bases over 421 plate appearances.
--Connor ByrneSource: Chris Cotillo - MassLive.com
July
5,
2025
Pittsburgh
Pirates
right-hander
Mitch
Keller
is
drawing
interest
from
the
New
York
Mets,
according
to
Noah
Hiles
of
the
Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette.
Keller
has
been
popular
in
rumors
leading
up
to
the
July
31
trade
deadline,
which
read more...
July 5, 2025
The New York Yankees plan to promote right-handed pitching prospect
Cam Schlittler from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre during the upcoming week, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports. Schlittler will start at home on either Tuesday or Wednesday against the Seattle Mariners. The Yankees are in dire need of immediate rotation help with
Ryan Yarbrough on the 15-day injured list and
Clarke Schmidt likely to undergo Tommy John surgery. They'll turn to Schlittler, their 10th-ranked prospect at MLB Pipeline. A seventh-round pick in 2022, the 24-year-old has combined for a 2.82 ERA with 11.62 K/9 and 3.05 BB/9 in 76 2/3 innings between the Double-A and Triple-A levels this season. Schlittler will face a tough test in his first start against a Seattle offense that has scored the fifth-most runs on the road in 2025.
--Connor ByrneSource: Joel Sherman - New York Post
July 5, 2025
Atlanta Braves reliever
Joe Jimenez (knee) threw his first bullpen session this past week, since undergoing offseason knee surgery. The right-handed pitcher also claimed that he would do his best to convince the team to let him pitch before the end of this season. Last November, he had cartilage removed from his left knee and was given a recovery timeline of 8-to-12 months before being able to return. Given that this bullpen session took place eight months after his operation, it isn't out of the realm of possibilities that he can return late in September. There are still many hurdles to clear before Jimenez can return and provide the Braves another option out of the bullpen.
--Dave Funnell - RotoBallerSource: Mark Bowman
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
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