Jazz Chisholm Jr. Still Out on Friday
Jazz Chisholm Jr. (groin) remains out of action for Friday's series opener against the division-rival Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Oswald Peraza will make another start at the hot corner and will hit ninth against Red Sox left-hander Garrett Crochet. The oft-injured Chisholm was pulled early Wednesday's game due to left-groin tightness and sat out of Thursday's series finale against the Kansas City Royals as a result. The 27-year-old is now out for a second straight game, and while he's considered day-to-day for now, it's easily something that could land him on the injured list if he's unable to return soon. Peraza is a big step down offensively from Chisholm and should be avoided for DFS purposes in the nine-hole against a tough starting pitcher on Friday night. Peraza has gone just 17-for-102 (.167) on the year in a bench role with three homers, 11 RBI and 13 runs.Source: MLB.com
New York Yankees third baseman Gunnar Hoglund to Have Hip Surgery, Likely Out for the Season
Gunnar Hoglund (hip) is having surgery on his hip on Friday in Colorado and is likely to miss the rest of the 2025 season, according to Klutch Sports' Nate Heisler. Hoglund is expected to make a full recovery for the 2026 campaign. The 25-year-old made his major-league debut with the A's this year but struggled in his first six starts, going 1-3 with a 6.40 ERA (6.70 FIP), 1.51 WHIP and 23;11 K:BB in 32 1/3 innings pitched. Per MLB Pipeline, Hoglund is ranked as the team's No. 14 prospect. It's unclear when exactly he'll be ready to go in 2026, but he should be in contention for a rotation spot when he's fully healthy. The 6-foot-4, 220-pounder was three years removed from Tommy John surgery this year, making his hip surgery that much more disappointing. Mitch Spence should have a shot to stick in the rotation in Sacramento now.Source: Klutch Sports - Nate Heisler
Athletics rookie right-hander Jacob Wilson Returns on Friday
Jacob Wilson (hamstring) is back at shortstop and is in the two-hole in the batting order for Friday's series opener in Kansas City against the Royals and veteran right-hander Michael Wacha. Wilson dealt with a minor hamstring injury this week that kept him out of the final two games of the series against the Los Angeles Angels, but he's back in there after a scheduled day off on Thursday. Fantasy managers will want to plug the 23-year-old youngster back into their starting lineups in all formats. His .366 batting average ranks second in baseball, behind only Aaron Judge, but an xBA of just .311 shows that he's due for some regression the rest of the way. The former first-rounder has the second-slowest average bat speed (63.5 mph) in the league with a xwOBA in just the 44th percentile. He's also in the 100th percentile in strikeout rate despite residing in the 19th percentile in chase rate.Source: MLB.com
Athletics shortstop Alex Bregman Could Skip a Rehab Assignment
Alex Bregman (quadriceps) said that he might skip a minor-league rehab assignment, which would speed his return from the 10-day injured list for a strained right quadriceps. Bregman said his follow-up tests this week showed good healing and he is running at around 50% intensity. There is still no concrete return timetable for the 31-year-old veteran, but it appears he could be back before the All-Star break in mid-July. In the meantime, rookie Marcelo Mayer and Abraham Toro should continue to split playing time at the hot corner in Boston, with Mayer on the strong side of the platoon against right-handed pitching. Bregman was one of Boston's best hitters at the time of his injury and will return to a .299/.385/.553 slash line with a .938 OPS, 11 home runs, 35 RBI and 32 runs scored over his 197 at-bats.Source: Newsday - Tim Healey
Boston Red Sox third baseman Jarren Duran on the Bench on Friday
Jarren Duran will sit out of Friday's series opener at Fenway Park against the division-rival New York Yankees with a left-hander on the mound. Rob Refsnyder is making the start in left field and will bat leadoff against Yankees southpaw Ryan Yarbrough. Duran takes a seat after starting each of the team's last 54 games. He was a first-time All-Star in a breakout season in 2024 and continues to contribute across all categories for fantasy managers in his fifth year in the big leagues with a .271/.325/.428 slash line with a .753 OPS, five homers, 38 RBI, 14 steals and 38 runs scored in a league-high 326 plate appearances. The 28-year-old also leads the league with seven triples. Refsnyder, known as a lefty killer, will be a DFS sleeper in the leadoff spot without much power. He's hitting .279 (12-for-43) with three of his four long balls in 2025 against southpaws.Source: MLB.com
Boston Red Sox outfielder Taylor Ward Takes a Seat Against Orioles
Taylor Ward is not in the team's starting lineup for Friday's series opener at Camden Yards against the Baltimore Orioles. LaMonte Wade Jr. will pick up the start in left field for the Halos and will hit seventh against Orioles right-hander Charlie Morton. This will be Ward's first day off since April 30. Since the beginning of May, Ward has hit .215 (31-for-144) with 12 home runs, eight doubles, a triple, one steal, 25 runs scored, 13 walks and 50 strikeouts in 38 games. The 31-year-old veteran has displayed plenty of pop this year with 18 long balls, but he doesn't have a multi-hit game since May 22 and isn't making much contact. The Angels recently picked Wade up after he was cut by the Giants after hitting just .167/.275/.271 with 50 games. This will be his first game with the Angels. Wade has hit .111 in nine career at-bats against Morton.Source: MLB.com
Los Angeles Angels outfielder Justin Martinez Out 12-13 Months With UCL Sprain
Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said that right-handed reliever Justin Martinez (elbow) is expected to miss at least 12 or 13 months with a UCL sprain in his right elbow. Martinez is still seeking second opinions,read more...
Brandon Marsh Returns to the Lineup on Friday
Brandon Marsh (elbow) is starting in center field and is batting ninth for the Phillies in Friday's contest against the visiting Toronto Blue Jays and right-hander Kevin Gausman. Marsh hyperextended his left elbow in Tuesday's contest and missed Wednesday's game. The 27-year-old outfielder is feeling better after an off day on Thursday and will look to keep things going in the month of June. He has gone 7-for-17 with a double and a stolen base in nine games this month and is now hitting .241 (28-for-116) after a rough start to the beginning of the 2025 season. DFS managers should probably be looking to stay away from Marsh despite his strong June, though, while hitting out of the nine-hole. He has only faced Gausman twice in his career and doesn't have a hit.Source: MLB.com
Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Will Johnson Returns to Practice
Source: ESPN.com - Josh Weinfuss
Arizona Cardinals rookie second-round cornerback Will Johnson (hamstring) returned to the final mandatory minicamp practice on Thursday after sitting out the previous ay with a tight hamstring, according to ESPN's Josh Weinfuss. Head coach Jonathan Gannon said on Tuesday that the team would be "smart" with Johnson and a number of other injured players this spring. In his return to practice on Thursday, Johnson looked to be moving effortlessly while backpedaling, cutting and running. The 22-year-old defensive back missed the last six games in college for Michigan in 2024 with a foot injury and also dealt with a knee injury, but he should be fully ready for training camp this summer. The former Wolverine has injury concerns, but if he can stay healthy, he should be a starter right away in his first year in the NFL in 2025.Harold Fannin Jr. Could Have Big Role in Rookie Season
Cleveland Browns rookie third-round tight end Harold Fannin Jr. had a busy day earlier this week at mandatory minicamp and could have a big role in his first season in the NFL with the Brownsread more...
Marcelo Mayer Continues to Sit Against Lefties
Marcelo Mayer will take a seat again for Friday's series opener against the division-rival New York Yankees at Fenway Park with a left-hander on the mound. Mayer has been filling in at third base for the injured Alex Bregman (quadriceps) on the injured list, but he hasn't been starting against southpaws. Abraham Toro will start at third and hit seventh on Friday against Yankees left-hander Ryan Yarbrough. Mayer, a 22-year-old former fourth overall pick in 2021, is the team's No. 2 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, behind only Roman Anthony. He had his first multi-homer game earlier this week and has gone 11-for-44 (.250) with three homers, three doubles, four RBI and nine runs scored in his first 15 MLB games. Mayer is the future at shortstop for Boston. Toro has hit .333 with an RBI in six career at-bats against Yarbrough.Source: MLB.com
Boston Red Sox rookie infielder Matt Chapman Could Miss the Rest of June
Matt Chapman's hand injury will keep him out for at least the rest of June. Chapman is visiting with a hand specialist on Friday, at which point we should have a better idea of a timetable for his return from the 10-day injured list. The 32-year-old veteran Gold Glover is dealing with sprained ligaments in his hand and might not be able to return until the second half of the season with the All-Star break coming up in the middle of July. Until he's able to return, Casey Schmitt will handle third base after making three straight starts at the hot corner since Chapman hit the IL. Fantasy managers can only stay patient and keep Chapman stashed in an IL spot for the time being. Before his injury, he had 12 homers, 30 RBI and seven steals while hitting .243 (56-for-230).Source: ESPN - Buster Olney
ESPN's Buster Olney reports that there is concern that San Francisco Giants third baseman Jonathan Cannon Expected to Start Rehab Assignment Soon
Jonathan Cannon (back) is expected to go on a minor-league rehab assignment soon. It's good news that Cannon is getting close to returning to game action, but with Aaron Civale now in Chicago's starting rotation after being acquired in a trade from the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday, there's one less rotation spot available in the Windy City. The 24-year-old former third-rounder in 2022 out of Georgia went 2-7 with a 4.66 ERA (4.90 FIP) and 1.39 WHIP with 51 strikeouts and 21 walks in 63 2/3 innings over 12 outings (10 starts) this year before his back injury landed him on the 15-day injured list on June 13. Barring a setback once he begins his rehab assignment, Cannon could be back in the big leagues with the Pale Hose before the end of June.Source: Chicago Sun-Times - Kyle Williams
Chicago White Sox general manager Chris Getz said that right-hander Brant Hurter Opening, Keider Montero Serving as Bulk Reliever on Friday
Brant Hurter is scheduled to serve as the opener for Friday's contest against the Cincinnati Reds, with right-hander Keider Montero will serve as the bulk reliever, according to the Detroit News' Chris McCosky. It's Hurter's second opening assignment this week after giving up a run in 2 2/3 innings against the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday. It's possible the 26-year-old southpaw will go several innings in this one, but he's still not a viable fantasy streamer. Hurter has a strong 1.75 ERA and 0.94 WHIP with 34 strikeouts in 36 innings over 19 appearances (two starts) in 2025. Montero has served in a bulk-relief role in three of his last five outings for Detroit, but he hasn't been good in that role, posting an ERA over 7.00. Fantasy managers should be able to find better streaming options on Friday's slate.Source: Detroit News - Chris McCosky
Detroit Tigers left-hander Ryan Ritter Sitting Out on Friday
Ryan Ritter is not in the team's starting lineup for Friday's series opener against the hosting Atlanta Braves at Truist Park. Veteran Orlando Arcia will start at the 6 and hit seventh against Braves right-hander Bryce Elder. This will be Ritter's first day off since being called up from the minors on June 6 to replace the injured Ezequiel Tovar (oblique) as Colorado's starting shortstop. The 24-year-old has gone 6-for-24 (.250) with two triples, four RBI and a run scored in his first six major-league games. Arcia lost his starting job with the Braves earlier this year before being cut and latching on with the Rockies. In nine games in Colorado, he's gone 6-for-30 with a home run, four RBI and a run scored. The veteran shortstop was an All-Star for Atlanta in 2023 but has fallen off considerably since then and should be avoided as a DFS sleeper.Source: MLB.com
Colorado Rockies rookie shortstop Rays Acquire Forrest Whitley From Astros
Forrest Whitley from the Houston Astros on Friday, a source tells MLB.com's Brian McTaggart. The move comes after the Astros designated Whitley, the 17th overall pick in 2016, for assignment last week. Once a top prospect in Houston's system, the 27-year-old has never been able to live up to his potential due to injury setback after injury setback. He missed the first two months this year with two different knee injuries and then allowed 10 earned runs with six walks and eight strikeouts in 7 1/3 relief innings upon his return to the big-league level after debuting in 2024. The Rays have a history of getting something out of lost causes like Whitley, but it remains to be see if he'll be able to turn his career around in Tampa. In six relief outings at Triple-A Sugar Land this year, Whitley had a 4.76 ERA and 1.41 WHIP in 5 2/3 innings.Source: MLB.com - Brian McTaggart
The Tampa Bay Rays acquire right-hander Quentin Johnston Still Running With Starters
Quentin Johnston worked with the first-team offense alongside second-year wideout Ladd McConkey and Jalen Reagor for the bulk of the work during mandatory minicamp this week. Rookie Tre Harris got limited reps with quarterback Justin Herbert. Johnston, the 21st overall pick in 2023 out of TCU, struggled with drops and was a disappointing in his rookie season, but he bounced back with a 55-711-8 line in 15 regular-season games (11 starts) in 2024. The problem is that his role could be in jeopardy in 2025 with the addition of Harris and big-play threat Mike Williams. With the added competition and Johnston still lacking for efficiency in a run-first offense, both his fantasy ceiling and floor will be low. RotoBaller has the 23-year-old ranked as the WR59.Source: The Athletic - Daniel Popper
The Athletic's Daniel Popper writes that Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Rashawn Slater Takes Part in Minicamp
Justin Herbert's blind-side protector.Source: The Athletic - Daniel Popper
Los Angeles Chargers left tackle Rashawn Slater skipped the two organized team activity sessions open to the media on May 27 and June 3 as he remains in contract negotiations with the team, but he was at practice this week for mandatory minicamp. He's currently slated to play in 2025 on the fifth-year option of his rookie deal, which would pay him $19.04 million. The 26-year-old's presence this week at minicamp is a positive sign that the two sides continue to work toward a long-term extension. Slater made the Pro Bowl for the second time in his career in 2024 after the Bolts made him the 13th overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft out of Northwestern. He figures to once again be a staple on the left side of the offensive line in 2025 as quarterback Salvador Perez Hitting Well in June
Salvador Perez went 1-for-4 with a single and a strikeout in Thursday's 1-0 loss to the visiting New York Yankees. Starting pitchers Seth Lugo and Will Warren locked down both lineups in Thursday's series finale, with the first run of the matchup pushed across in the eighth inning and ten hits combined between both squads. Despite the average line, it's the fourth straight outing with a hit for the veteran. Perez had a rough April and May (.222, .202) but has started off June on the right foot, going 13-for-43 (.302) with two of his six home runs. An overall .233/.269/.366 triple slash isn't very desirable. However, things look much different under the hood, as he boasts considerably more appealing xBA (.279) and xSLG (.495) figures.Source: ESPN
Kansas City Royals backstop Jack Bech Mostly Working With Second-Team Offense
Las Vegas Raiders rookie second-round wide receiver Jack Bech has flashed during offseason workouts, but ESPN's Ryan McFadden points out that the majority of his reps have come with the second-team offense. "Dont'e and Jack didread more...
Dont'e Thornton Jr. Makes Strides This Offseason
Dont'e Thornton Jr. made strides during the offseason, according to ESPN's Ryan McFadden. Thornton caught a touchdown during the red-zone period during the first day of mandatory minicamp this week and also made an impressive catch in the middle of the field on Thursday. The 22-year-old spent a good amount of time working with the first-team offense, with the Raiders occasionally lining him and Tre Tucker up on the outside and Jakobi Meyers in the slot. The 6-foot-5 wideout has a unique blend of size and speed and ran a 4.3-second 40-yard dash at the combine. The Raiders are expecting the Tennessee product to give them juice in the vertical passing attack. Thornton will likely be competing for playing time with Tucker as more of a boom/bust deep threat in fantasy.Source: ESPN.com - Ryan McFadden
Las Vegas Raiders rookie fourth-round wide receiver Gage Jump Tosses Five Innings of One-Run Ball
Gage Jump enjoyed another strong outing on Thursday against Double-A Frisco. In this outing, the southpaw tossed five innings of one-run ball. He struck out three and allowed two hits. He did not walk any batters. Jump made his professional debut earlier this season with High-A. At this level, Jump needed just 31 innings to prove he was ready to move up to Double-A. At High-A, the LSU product held a 2.32 ERA with a 0.84 WHIP. Through his first 34 1/3 innings at Double-A, the left-hander has struck out 38 batters while posting an impressive 1.05 ERA and a 0.87 WHIP. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his progress as he will likely climb prospect boards this season. If he continues this production, he could earn a late-season taste of Triple-A.Source: MiLB.com
Athletics left-handed pitching prospect Joaquin Buckley Set For Main Event
Source: UFC
Joaquin Buckley looks to extend his win streak when he takes on former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman in the main event of UFC Atlanta on Saturday. Since moving to welterweight, Buckley has been on a tear, winning six in a row. Out of those six wins, four have ended in a knockout/TKO. He was last seen in action in December at UFC Tampa, where he defeated Colby Covington via TKO as a result of a doctor stoppage due to a cut above Covington's eye in the third round. DraftKings sees Buckley as the favorite with a salary of $9,000.Ashton Jeanty to be Part of Committee Backfield?
The Las Vegas Raiders took running back Ashton Jeanty with the sixth overall pick in April's NFL draft, but head coach Pete Carroll hints that the first-year back could be part of a committee backfield inread more...
Will Warren Dealt No-Decision
Will Warren hurled 5 2/3 shutout frames, but did not factor into his team's 1-0 road win against the Kansas City Royals. The Southeastern Louisiana alum allowed four hits and struck out four while issuing one free pass. Warren and opposing starter Seth Lugo were locked in a scoreless duel, though neither could complete the sixth inning. Just one of the four hits against him went for extra bases (triple). The 25-year-old had yielded 11 runs over his previous two starts (and walked eight), so it was nice to see him bounce back. Despite the ugly few outings bloating his ERA (4.86) and WHIP (1.37), he's striking out 28.6% of the batters he's faced and should be in store for better results, considering a 3.33 xFIP. He'll get the visiting Los Angeles Angels his next time out.Source: ESPN
New York Yankees starting pitcher Kamaru Usman An Underdog At UFC Atlanta
Source: UFC
Former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman is scheduled to take on surging Joaquin Buckley in the main event of UFC Atlanta. Usman, who was unbeaten from 2013 to 2021, lost his title to Leon Edwards in 2022 after suffering a head kick KO in the fifth and final round at UFC 278. The 38-year-old Usman is currently on a three-fight losing streak, having lost to Leon Edwards twice and Khamzat Chimaev. DraftKings sees Usman as the underdog with a salary of $7,200.Christian McCaffrey Takes Part in Mandatory Minicamp
Christian McCaffrey (knee) was one of the few high-profile veterans who took part in 11-on-11 situations during offseason workouts in recent weeks, according to The Athletic's Matt Barrows. McCaffrey wanted to test himself after last year's injury-plagued season in which he dealt with Achilles and knee injuries that limited him to just four games played. "I wanted to put myself in a position where I didn't miss a day of OTAs and I could practice and play football again and be healthy again and not miss a day. And I did that. And now we can kind of kick back up to training again," McCaffrey said. After being the biggest fantasy bust in 2024, CMC has dropped to the RB6 in RotoBaller's 2025 fantasy rankings at the position. He's once again a risk/reward pick, having played fewer than eight games in three of the last five seasons.Source: The Athletic - Matt Barrows
San Francisco 49ers running back J.J. Wetherholt Swinging a Hot Bat
J.J. Wetherholt has posted seven multi-hit games over his last eight contests. During this stretch, the top prospect in the St. Louis system has held a .517/.622/.759 slash line with a double, one triple, a home run, two stolen bases, and a 6:7 K:BB. The Cardinals selected the infielder with the seventh pick in last year's MLB Draft out of West Virginia. Wetherholt made his professional debut after the draft with Low-A Palm Beach and held a .295/.405/.400 line across 29 contests. He began the 2025 campaign with Double-A and has held an overall .319/.439/.475 line with 11 doubles, four home runs, nine stolen bases, and an impressive 27:32 K:BB. Given his steady progression, Wetherholt will likely earn a taste of Triple-A in the second half.Source: MiLB.com
St. Louis Cardinals infield prospect Carson Kelly Sitting on Friday
Carson Kelly is not in his team's lineup for their Friday matchup with the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates. Teammate Reese McGuire will operate behind the plate and bat ninth. Kelly is amid a brutal cold stretch at the dish, notching just four hits in his previous 37 at-bats. Despite the recent slump, he's having a fine season through his first 43 appearances, slashing .250/.365/.486 with four doubles, nine home runs, 27 runs scored, and 24 RBI. He's undoubtedly taken a step forward in 2025, sporting career-highs in average exit velocity (89.8 MPH), hard-hit rate (42.7%), and BB% (15.0%), while dropping his strikeout rate to an excellent 14.4%.Source: MLB
Chicago Cubs catcher Colby Thomas Dominant at Triple-A
Colby Thomas continues to swing a hot bat at Triple-A and is quickly approaching his MLB debut. Over his past 12 contests, Thomas has posted an impressive .375/.397/.714 slash line with four doubles, five home runs, and a stolen base. Through 61 total games with Triple-A Las Vegas, the No. 2-ranked prospect in the system has held a .301/.361/.568 line with 17 doubles, two triples, 16 home runs, and three stolen bases. During his first taste of Triple-A last season, Thomas was also just as productive, holding a .272/.344/.559 line across a 73-game stint. Fantasy managers should consider him a strong stash option going forward. Even though the Athletics do not have a spot in the lineup for him, his elite power upside is worth rostering.Source: MiLB.com
Athletics outfield prospect