July 4, 2025
According to ESPN.com's Jesse Rogers, the Chicago Cubs are recalling starting pitcher
Jordan Wicks from Triple-A Iowa. The move comes in response to teammate
Jameson Taillon (calf) landing on the injured list with a calf strain. The 25-year-old was up with the big-league squad for a quick stint in April, but allowed five runs over two innings of work and was promptly returned to the minors. Wicks has racked up a 4.06 ERA and 1.40 WHIP in Triple-A through 11 starts, but he's pitched much better of late -- posting a 1.64 ERA over his last 11 innings of work (three appearances). He'll presumably occupy Taillon's slot in the rotation and should be given a few chances to stick with the veteran set to miss longer than a month with a calf ailment.
--Alex CiullaSource: Jesse Rogers
July 4, 2025
ESPN.com's Jesse Rogers reports that the Chicago Cubs have placed starting pitcher
Jameson Taillon (calf) on the 15-day injured list with a right calf strain. Left-handed pitcher
Jordan Wicks was recalled from Triple-A Iowa in a corresponding move. Unfortunately, the injury occurred during training, and Cubs' general manager Craig Counsell noted he'll be out "longer than a month." Taillon pitched well for a stretch from late May to early June, but faltered in his previous three starts, yielding 15 earned runs and failing to complete five frames in any of them. Overall, the 33-year-old has compiled a 4.44 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 7-6 record through 95 1/3 innings (17 starts) in 2025. We won't likely see him again until mid-to-late August.
--Alex CiullaSource: Jesse Rogers
July 4, 2025
St. Louis Cardinals third baseman
Nolan Arenado (finger) and first baseman
Willson Contreras (hand, wrist) are back in the team's lineup for the start of a three-game set with the hosting Chicago Cubs. Arenado sprained his finger over the weekend and had to miss the Cards' previous two games, but he'll rejoin the squad ahead of a critical series with Chicago and bat sixth. Contreras, on the other hand, was plunked by a pitch in Tuesday's outing against the Pirates and missed just one contest with a contusion. He'll operate from the four-hole and across the diamond from Arenado at first base.
Christian Encarnacion-Strand will take a seat with the two returning.
--Alex CiullaSource: MLB.com
July 4, 2025
Cincinnati Reds first baseman
Spencer Steer (hand) is back in his team's lineup for Friday's series opener against the hosting Philadelphia Phillies. Steer was hit in the hand by a pitch on Wednesday during a suspended game with the Red Sox, and the swelling forced him from their night outing. Fortunately, he was only required to miss one contest, as he'll slot back in at first base, batting fifth against Boston. The Oregon product turned it around in June to slash a crisp .302/.320/.521 with half of his ten homers, and has brought his overall average to a respectable .252 -- a nice bounce back from the .225 he posted a season ago.
--Alex CiullaSource: MLB.com
July 4, 2025
Boston Red Sox outfield prospect
Miguel Bleis went 2-for-4 with a home run and a stolen base during their contest against High-A Asheville on Thursday. This was his third-straight contest swiping at least one bag. Over his last 13 contests, the No. 12-ranked prospect in the system has posted a .240/.333/.380 slash line with four doubles, one home run, five stolen bases, and a strong 11:7 K:BB. Through 60 total games with High-A this season, Bleis has posted a .241/.339/.446 slash line with 11 doubles, 11 home runs, and 18 stolen bases. Last season, Bleis held a much lower .190/.265/.319 slash line with just seven long balls during his first taste of High-A ball. Given his steady production at High-A this season, Bleis could earn a look at Double-A later in the second half.
--Andy SmithSource: MiLB.com
July 4, 2025
Philadelphia Phillies right-handed pitching prospect
Seth Johnson was recalled to the major leagues earlier on Friday. In a corresponding move, the Phillies optioned right-handed pitcher
Mick Abel to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Johnson has logged just 6 1/3 total innings in the major leagues throughout his career. In 2024, Johnson allowed nine runs across 2 1/3 innings of work. Earlier this season, the right-hander made his second stint in the majors and allowed one run across four innings. Through 42 2/3 innings of work this season at Triple-A, the right-hander has posted a 4.43 ERA with a 1.59 WHIP. Johnson has been deployed primarily out of the bullpen. He has struck out 53 batters and allowed 26 walks. In 2024, Johnson held a 2.74 ERA across 23 innings of work. In Philadelphia, fantasy managers should expect Johnson to likely have a long relief role in the bullpen. Given his previous production in the majors, he is not expected to carry much fantasy value.
--Andy SmithSource: Matt Gelb
July 4, 2025
Cleveland Guardians shortstop prospect
Angel Genao extended his hitting streak to eight games on Thursday during their contest against Double-A Erie. In this game, Genao went 2-for-4 with a double and a walk. During his eight-game hitting streak, Genao has posted a remarkable .500/.588/.667 slash line with three doubles, one triple, and two stolen bases. During this impressive surge, Genao has tallied at least two hits in one game. Through 22 total games with Double-A this season, the No. 55-ranked prospect in baseball has posted an impressive .318/.379/.447 line with six doubles, three stolen bases, and a 15:9 K:BB. Given his elite production at Double-A this season, Genao could be in the mix to earn a taste of Triple-A later in the summer.
--Andy SmithSource: MiLB.com
July 4, 2025
Los Angeles Angels outfield prospect
Nelson Rada went 2-for-5 with a double and a stolen base during their contest against Double-A Knoxville on Thursday evening. This was Rada's first multi-hit game since June 24. This was also his first stolen base since June 21. After spending the entire 2024 campaign at the Double-A level, the Angels opted to have their No. 6-ranked prospect remain with Double-A Rocket City through the first half of the campaign. Through 75 games this season, Rada has been quite effective, posting a .281/.383/.335 line with 11 doubles, one home run, and 29 stolen bases. Last summer, he held a much lower .234/.331/.269 line through 123 games with Double-A. Given his production this season, Rada should be in the mix to join Triple-A in the second half.
--Andy SmithSource: MiLB.com
July 4, 2025
Boston Red Sox shortstop prospect
Mikey Romero extended his hitting streak to six games on Thursday evening. During their contest against Double-A New Hampshire, Romero went 3-for-5 with an RBI and a strikeout. During his six-game hitting streak, the No. 11-ranked prospect in the Boston system has posted an elite .429/.448/.500 line. During this stretch, Romero has hit two doubles, swiped one bag, and only struck out six times. The former 24th overall pick from the 2022 MLB Draft has spent the entire first half of the season with Double-A. Through 47 total games, Romero has held his own, posting a .283/.350/.489 line with 13 doubles and seven round-trippers. Romero could be in the mix to earn the call to Triple-A later in the second half.
--Andy SmithSource: MiLB.com
July 4, 2025
Seattle Mariners shortstop prospect
Axel Sanchez went 2-for-4 with a home run during their contest against Double-A Frisco on Thursday evening. Sanchez has begun to heat up in the batter's box over the past week. Over his last six games, the shortstop has posted a solid .333/.400/.524 slash line with one double, one home run, and seven RBI. Before this recent surge, Sanchez posted a modest .143/172/.286 slash line with just extra-base hits over his last nine games. The 22-year-old opened the season with High-A but quickly earned the call to Double-A. Through his first 26 games with Double-A Arkansas, Sanchez has held a .250/.341/.461 slash line. Fantasy managers should expect Sanchez to spend the remainder of the second half with Arkansas.
--Andy SmithSource: MiLB.com
July 4, 2025
New York Yankees starting pitcher
Clarke Schmidt (forearm) was placed on the 15-day injured list on Friday. Schmidt was removed early during his start against the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday due to forearm tightness. The right-hander is scheduled to have an MRI on Friday, but the team won't wait until they get the results before placing Schmidt on the IL. The severity of the injury is unknown right now, but Schmidt is eligible to return shortly after the All-Star break. Fantasy managers will need to check back after the MRI to get a better timetable on his return. In a corresponding move, left-hander
Jayvien Sandridge and right-hander
Scott Effross have been recalled from Triple-A.
--Andy WebbSource: New York Yankees
July 4, 2025
Kansas City Royals relief pitcher
Carlos Estevez was called upon earlier than normal during Thursday's game against the Seattle Mariners. Estevez was asked to get the final out of the eighth inning, which he did without a problem. However,
Dominic Canzone hit a leadoff home run to start the ninth inning off Estevez. The right-hander put two runners in scoring position before retiring
Julio Rodriguez and
Cal Raleigh to end the game. Estevez holds a 2.19 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and 32/14 K/BB ratio with 24 saves this season. He's deserving of an All-Star appearance and is someone that should be rostered in all fantasy formats.
--Andy WebbSource: mlb.com
July 4, 2025
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher
Seth Lugo was excellent on the mound during Thursday's outing against the Seattle Mariners. Lugo gave up a solo home run to
Jorge Polanco, but was outstanding on the mound outside of that. He tossed 6.1 innings, allowing one earned run on six hits while striking out seven batters in the win. Lugo has now allowed one earned run or less in five straight outings. The right-hander will take a 2.65 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 83/30 K/BB ratio into his next start against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Lugo has been excellent lately and needs to be rostered and started in all fantasy formats right now.
--Andy WebbSource: mlb.com
July 4, 2025
Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher
Mick Abel was optioned to Triple-A on Friday. The Phillies have decided to move Abel back to the minors after he allowed five earned runs during his latest start on Wednesday. The rookie right-hander could use some more work in the minors after allowing nine earned runs over his last two starts. The Phillies have added right-handed relief pitcher
Seth Johnson to the active roster. That being said, the Phillies might decide to go with a bullpen-game in the vacant rotation spot next week. Abel isn't someone that needs to be rostered right now given his struggles at the big league level.
--Andy WebbSource: Matt Gelb
July 4, 2025
Chicago Cubs starting pitcher
Cade Horton had an impressive bounce back performance against the Cleveland Guardians on Thursday. Prior to this start, Horton allowed eight runs (seven earned) in his start on June 27 against the Houston Astros. The right-hander looked like a completely different pitcher on Thursday. Horton tossed seven scoreless innings, allowing five hits, two walks, and striking out five in the no-decision. The rookie right-hander will take a 4.15 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, and 38/16 K/BB ratio into his next start against the Minnesota Twins. Horton is looking like a low-end streaming option for that one against a struggling Twins lineup.
--Andy WebbSource: mlb.com
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