July 9, 2025
Washington Nationals right-hander
Travis Sykora (tricep) will be shut down for two to three weeks as he recovers from lower right triceps soreness. The 21-year-old exited Saturday's start after just one inning, sparking concern among fantasy managers. Sykora has avoided a significant injury and is expected to return by the end of July. The timing of the setback will force Sykora to miss the 2025 MLB Futures Game, but his overall trajectory remains intact. Baseball America's preseason No. 59 prospect, Sykora, has rapidly climbed four minor league levels before the All-Star break. Over 12 starts, he's racked up 79 strikeouts across 45 1/3 innings. Signed by the Nationals in 2023, Sykora boasts four plus-pitches, including a high-octane fastball that touches 96 mph and a deceptive mid-80s splitter. Dynasty managers should remain confident, as the future looks bright for the hard-throwing righty.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Mark Zuckerman
July 9, 2025
New York Mets left-hander
Sean Manaea (elbow/oblique) took a significant step toward rejoining the big-league club, throwing 73 pitches in his seventh and final rehab outing for Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday. He allowed three runs on four hits and one walk while striking out five across 3 2/3 innings. The veteran southpaw is expected to work behind
Clay Holmes in a bulk role Sunday against the Kansas City Royals. The 33-year-old has yet to appear in a major league game this season while recovering from a right oblique strain, and more recently, a loose body in his left elbow. He was a reliable presence in the rotation in 2024, posting a (12-6) record, 3.47 ERA, and 24.9% strikeout rate across 32 starts. Manaea presents streaming appeal in mixed leagues. Keep an eye on his pitch count and matchups in his first few appearances.
--Shaun AlbinSource: SNY Mets
July 9, 2025
Boston Red Sox third baseman
Alex Bregman (quadriceps) is reportedly drawing interest from several teams as the trade deadline approaches, despite ongoing contract talks with the club. Just weeks after the controversial
Rafael Devers deal, the possibility of Boston parting ways with another franchise cornerstone is gaining traction. According to Jim Bowden of The Athletic, negotiations for an extension could prove difficult, given that Scott Boras represents Bregman. The Mariners, Tigers, and Brewers have emerged as potential landing spots for the two-time All-Star. Bregman has been stellar in 2025, slashing .299/.385/.553 with 11 home runs and 35 RBI. He has been sidelined since May with a quad injury but is expected to be reinstated from the injured list before the All-Star break. All three rumored suitors play in pitcher-friendly parks, which could impact his fantasy ceiling in the second half. Bregman fantasy managers should monitor closely; now may be the ideal time to sell at a high price.
--Shaun AlbinSource: The Athletic
July 9, 2025
Minnesota Twins right-hander
Joe Ryan is generating significant trade buzz with just weeks remaining before the MLB trade deadline. According to Jon Morosi of the MLB Network, the Boston Red Sox are among the teams showing strong interest in the 29-year-old starter. Morosi also adds that the Twins need to be out of the AL postseason picture and "overwhelmed by an offer." Ryan has been outstanding in 2025, posting an (8-4) record with a 2.76 ERA, 116 strikeouts, and just 21 walks over 104 1/3 innings. He has shown year-over-year improvement, and with arbitration looming in 2026, the Twins may look to capitalize on his value now, as he's set to become a free agent in 2027. A potential move to a contender would only boost Ryan's fantasy appeal. A better offense behind him could lead to more wins and greater value during the fantasy playoff stretch.
--Shaun AlbinSource: MLB Network
July 9, 2025
New York Yankees right-handed reliever
Mark Leiter Jr. (leg) hit the 15-day injured list on Tuesday with a left fibular head stress fracture in his leg. The team recalled righty
Clayton Beeter from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to take Leiter's roster spot. Leiter suffered the injury covering first base in a game against the Cincinnati Reds on June 24, but he tried to pitch through it over the past couple of weeks. That proved unwise, as Leiter went on to yield four earned runs over 2 1/3 innings in four appearances before going on the IL. Thanks in part to his recent struggles, the 34-year-old owns a subpar 4.46 ERA with a 1.57 WHIP and 46:12 K:BB across 34 1/3 innings. Leiter has managed to rack up 11 holds despite his mediocre numbers. There's no word on how much time he'll miss.
--Connor ByrneSource: New York Yankees
July 9, 2025
Detroit Tigers right-handed reliever
Alex Lange (lat) has been returned from his rehab assignment after reporting mild lat tightness, the team announced. "We can't mess with this, because soreness can turn into injury quickly," said manager A.J. Hinch, who noted the Tigers are taking a "patient approach" with Lange. The 29-year-old underwent surgery on his right lat in August 2024 and still hasn't made it back to the majors over a year later. This latest setback will further delay his return to the bigs. In 2023, his most recent full season, Lange logged a 3.68 ERA with 10.77 K/9, 6.14 BB/9, and 26 saves over 66 innings.
Will Vest has since taken over as Detroit's closer.
--Connor ByrneSource: Detroit Tigers
July 9, 2025
Milwaukee Brewers left-hander
Robert Gasser (elbow) will start a rehab assignment in the Arizona Complex League next week. It's a significant step for Gasser, who's on the comeback trail from June 2024 Tommy John surgery. He impressed in his first five major league starts before going under the knife, as he registered a 2.57 ERA with a 1.04 WHIP across 28 innings. Gasser fanned just 16 hitters during that span, but he helped make up for it by issuing only one walk. Barring any setbacks, the Brewers expect the 26-year-old to return sometime in August.
--Connor ByrneSource: Milwaukee Brewers
July 9, 2025
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder
Blake Perkins (groin, shin) will start a new rehab assignment on Friday, Jack Stern of Brewer Fanatic reports. Perkins had been working back from a fractured right shin with Triple-A Nashville, but he landed on the seven-day injured list in the minors with a strained left groin last week. The injuries have prevented Perkins from factoring in at all in the big leagues this season. Known primarily for his standout defensive skills, the 28-year-old batted .240/.316/.332 with six home runs and 23 stolen bases over 434 plate appearances in 2024. When healthy, he'll come back to a Milwaukee outfield that has received quality production from
Jackson Chourio,
Sal Frelick, and
Isaac Collins.
--Connor ByrneSource: Jack Stern - Brewer Fanatic
July 9, 2025
Milwaukee Brewers left-hander
Nestor Cortes (elbow) will make his next scheduled rehab start at the High-A level on Thursday. The goal is for Cortes to throw 65 pitches in the outing, according to Jack Stern of Brewer Fanatic. Cortes hasn't pitched in the majors since April 3 because of a strained left elbow. He made just two starts before the injury, one of which was a dud and the other a six-inning shutout. In total, Cortes has given up eight earned runs over eight frames in his first season as a Brewer. The 30-year-old should be back soon after the All-Star break, though it's unclear if he'll rejoin Milwaukee's rotation or pitch out of the bullpen.
--Connor ByrneSource: Jack Stern - Brewer Fanatic
July 9, 2025
Minnesota Twins right-hander
Zebby Matthews (shoulder) threw live batting practice before the team's 8-1 win over the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday. Matthews hadn't faced hitters since going on the 15-day injured list on June 5 with shoulder strain. The 25-year-old made four starts and posted a bloated 5.21 ERA with a 1.47 WHIP across 19 innings before landing on the shelf. To his credit, Matthews did strike out an impressive 25 hitters while walking eight in that span. Matthews figures to need a rehab assignment before rejoining the Twins' rotation, but he could return later this month.
--Connor ByrneSource: Dan Hayes - The Athletic
July 9, 2025
Veteran left-hander
Dallas Keuchel has agreed to a minor-league contract with the Kansas City Royals, Jeff Passan of ESPN reports. The deal guarantees Keuchel a prorated $2 million salary if he returns to the majors. The 37-year-old impressed the Royals during a workout last week, touching 92 mph on the radar gun. He'll now try to work his way back with Kansas City's Triple-A affiliate in Omaha. Keuchel, a two-time All-Star and a former AL Cy Young winner, has experienced a significant decline in recent years. In 2024, he made four starts as a member of the Milwaukee Brewers and pitched to a 5.40 ERA with 11 strikeouts and eight walks over 16 2/3 innings.
--Connor ByrneSource: Jeff Passan
July 9, 2025
Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander
Merrill Kelly (calf) exited his start against the San Diego Padres on Tuesday with calf discomfort, according to Arizona Sports. However, Kelly and manager Torey Lovullo said after the team's 1-0 loss that they don't think it's a serious issue. Kelly fell to 7-5 on Tuesday, but he was outstanding over seven innings and 77 pitches of one-run, four-hit ball. The 36-year-old has recorded a strong 3.41 ERA this season with 107 strikeouts and 29 walks in 111 innings. Kelly's 1.05 WHIP ranks 12th among starters.
--Connor ByrneSource: Arizona Sports
July 9, 2025
St. Louis Cardinals third baseman
Nolan Arenado (shoulder) plans to return to the lineup on Wednesday against the Washington Nationals, Daniel Guerrero of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. Arenado hasn't played since he suffered an impingement in his right shoulder last Friday. The 34-year-old explained that hitting caused the injury. "Throwing feels great," he told Guerrero. "I played long toss two days ago on Sunday night, and it felt amazing. Just hitting, kind of going across the body doesn't feel great." Arenado has slashed a modest .244/.304/.391 with 10 home runs and 41 RBI in 336 plate appearances this year.
--Connor ByrneSource: Daniel Guerrero - St. Louis Post-Dispatch
July 9, 2025
According to MassLive.com's Chris Cotillo, Boston Red Sox third baseman
Alex Bregman (quadriceps) won't return on Wednesday, but "any time after that is in play." Manager Alex Cora notes that a return on Thursday is a strong possibility. "He feels good. Let's see how he reacts tomorrow to everything he did today. Then, we'll make a decision on him, probably tomorrow." Bregman has seemingly responded well to heavy activity over the last few days and is poised to rejoin the team before they break for the Midsummer Classic. He'll be a welcome sight to the BoSox and fantasy managers, as the 31-year-old hasn't appeared in a game since May 23 while battling a strained right quadriceps.
--Alex CiullaSource: Chris Cotillo
July 9, 2025
The Athletic's Dan Hayes reports that Minnesota Twins reliever
Jhoan Duran (illness) was unavailable for Tuesday's home win against the Chicago Cubs due to illness. Hayes also notes that he was sent home early to prevent infecting his teammates. It's possible that the 27-year-old won't be available for another day or two while he recovers, but it doesn't sound like anything serious. Duran has been superb in 2025, compiling a 1.56 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and 45:16 K:BB ratio with 13 saves in 41 appearances (40 1/3 innings). Fellow bullpen arms
Griffin Jax and/or Louie Varland figure to handle late-inning duties while he's sidelined.
--Alex CiullaSource: Dan Hayes
RADIO
