July 9, 2025
Tampa Bay Rays second baseman
Brandon Lowe (side) remains out of the starting lineup for Wednesday's contest against the hosting Detroit Tigers.
Taylor Walls is starting at second base and will bat eighth against Tigers right-hander
Reese Olson. Lowe injured his left side in the win over the Minnesota Twins on Sunday and will miss his third straight game in the series versus Detroit. The 31-year-old veteran has downplayed the seriousness of his injury, but it remains to be seen if he'll be able to make it back for the final series of the first half of the season, which begins on Thursday at Fenway Park against the division-rival Boston Red Sox. Lowe will be looking to start a new hitting streak whenever he returns after snapping a 20-game streak on Sunday. Lowe hit .367 (29-for-78) with six home runs, three doubles, 14 RBI, a steal and 18 runs scored during his impressive streak.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
July 9, 2025
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that outfielder
Teoscar Hernandez (foot) is "not there yet," but he's expected to return for Friday's series opener against the division-rival San Francisco Giants. Hernandez fouled a ball off his left foot in Saturday's loss to the Houston Astros and hasn't played since, but he's expected to avoid a trip to the injured list to close out the first half of the season. Fantasy managers should check back on Friday to make sure the 32-year-old veteran is back in the fold. The Dodgers started
Esteury Ruiz,
James Outman and
Andy Pages from left field to right field, respectively, in Wednesday's series finale against the Milwaukee Brewers. Although Hernandez has gone 3-for-24 with an RBI and five strikeouts in his last seven games since June 27, he's still a must-start in single-year fantasy leagues when he's in the lineup.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Sonja Chen
July 9, 2025
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said on Wednesday that left-hander
Blake Snell (shoulder) will make a minor-league rehab start for Single-A Rancho Cucamonga on Thursday. It's a big step for the two-time Cy Young winner, as this will be Snell's first time pitching in a game since he landed on the injured list back in early April with left-shoulder inflammation. The 32-year-old southpaw is slated to throw around two innings in his rehab start on Thursday, and he'll need subsequent rehab starts on the farm before the Dodgers consider activating him, potentially in late July or early August. Snell can rack up the walks with the best of them -- he had eight free passes in nine innings in his first two starts before getting hurt -- but he also still has plenty of strikeout upside. Fantasy managers should still be stashing him in an IL spot.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Sonja Chen
July 9, 2025
New York Mets first base/outfield prospect
Ryan Clifford clubbed a pair of home runs in a 2-for-6 day at the plate for Double-A Binghamton. The first was a three-run blast in the opening frame of the contest, and the other was a grand slam in the eighth inning. The 21-year-old has four home runs in his last five games and 17 on the year, now the owner of a .246/.363/.496 slash line with a .387 wOBA and 152 wRC+ through 79 games. The former 11th-round draft pick has an elevated 26.6 percent strikeout rate, but it is somewhat offset by a strong 15.3 percent walk rate, and so long as he continues to hit for power, there's a chance he could see some time at Triple-A later this year.
--Jarod RuppSource: MiLB.com
July 9, 2025
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that right-handed reliever
Blake Treinen (forearm) is set to begin a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday. Treinen is recovering from a sprained right forearm that has kept him sidelined since the middle of April. The 36-year-old veteran will likely need at least several outings in the minors because of his long layoff, which means it's probably unlikely that he'll come off the injured list to rejoin L.A.'s bullpen before the end of the first half of the season this Sunday. Treinen should have a key late-inning setup role for the Dodgers in the second half, though, and he does have 82 career saves in his 11 big-league seasons. Before his forearm injury, he had a 3.38 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, two saves, 10 strikeouts and three walks in eight relief innings.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Sonja Chen
July 9, 2025
New York Mets outfield prospect
Carson Benge went 3-for-4 with a double, a walk, three RBI, and two runs scored on Tuesday for Double-A Binghamton. The Mets' third-ranked prospect was promoted to Double-A a couple of weeks ago and has gone 11-for-37 (.297) with three extra-base hits (one home run), two steals, and an impressive 9:6 BB:K through 11 games for the Rumble Ponies. Overall, he's compiled a .302/.420/.473 slash line with five home runs, 17 steals, and nearly as many walks (50) as strikeouts (56) in 71 games. With a strong showing over the remainder of the season, the 2024 first-rounder should see time at Triple-A next year and could be knocking on the door to the majors later in 2026.
--Jarod RuppSource: MiLB.com
July 9, 2025
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that two-way superstar
Shohei Ohtani's next start on the mound will come on Saturday in San Francisco against the division-rival Giants. However, Ohtani will serve as the "opener" again, with right-hander
Emmet Sheehan serving as the bulk reliever. Ohtani is slowly building up his pitch counts since making his debut as a pitcher this year on June 16, but he's only thrown a total of six innings in four "starts" for L.A. The 31-year-old Japanese sensation went an inning each in his first two appearances before ramping up to two innings apiece in his last two outings versus the Royals and Astros. Ohtani has been solid so far on the mound, only allowing one earned run while walking one and striking out six in six innings, but until he's more stretched out, he won't be a great lineup option for fantasy managers as a pitcher.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Sonja Chen
July 9, 2025
Washington Nationals corner infield prospect Yohandry Morales laced a double and two home runs in a 3-for-4 day at the plate at Triple-A Rochester. The Nats' 12th-ranked prospect has struggled during his time at Triple-A, slashing just .225/.302/.380 with a 29.6 percent strikeout rate in 36 games. The 2023 second-rounder slashed .315/.366/.520 in 33 games at Double-A earlier this season, which earned him a promotion, although the strikeout rate was slightly higher than average even at Double-A (23.2 percent). This two-homer game and a two-hit effort in the game before could mean he's acclimating, and if he gets on a roll, there's a chance he could make a late-season debut with the big league club. The 6-foot-3 slugger is not stash-worthy for fantasy, however.
--Jarod RuppSource: MiLB.com
July 9, 2025
Chicago Cubs infield prospect
Jefferson Rojas went 2-for-5 with two RBI on Tuesday, belting his eighth home run of the season for High-A South Bend. The hits extended his hit streak to seven games, and he's now recorded multiple hits in three of the last four. The Cubs' third-ranked prospect (MLB No. 64) is now the author of a .284/.393/.480 slash line with 14 steals and a 13.8 percent walk rate compared to just a 15.6 percent strikeout rate. This recent hot stretch could be what gets him to Double-A sooner rather than later, and he's got solid all-around tools that could make him an impactful fantasy asset once he gets to the majors, perhaps as soon as next season. Hence, the Dominican is a prospect to keep an eye on.
--Jarod RuppSource: MiLB.com
July 9, 2025
Kansas City Royals catching prospect
Carter Jensen stayed hot on Tuesday, going 2-for-2 with a single, a home run, three walks, three RBI, and a run scored for Triple-A Omaha. It's the fourth multi-hit effort in his last six games after a 1-for-22 start for the Storm Chasers, and nine of his 10 hits at the highest level have gone for extra bases (three 2B, six HR). The Royals' third-ranked prospect had been raking at Double-A before his promotion, and now owns a .285/.357/.462 slash line with 12 home runs through 79 games between Double and Triple-A. The Royals are currently carrying three catchers on their roster, so it may take an injury or a trade for Jensen to make it to the majors, but whatever the catalyst, the 22-year-old is on pace for a debut this year.
--Jarod RuppSource: MiLB.com
July 9, 2025
Chicago White Sox utilityman
Brooks Baldwin (back) has been placed on the 10-day injured list as the team enters the All-Star break. Baldwin was scratched from Tuesday's lineup ahead of a loss to the Blue Jays and had appeared in every game since his July 1 call-up. Baldwin provides defensive versatility, but his offensive output has been limited, posting a 28.4% strikeout rate and just a 2.4% home run rate. The White Sox have recalled first baseman
Tim Elko. Elko struggled during an earlier 18-game stint with the club, but launched 16 home runs at Triple-A Charlotte this season, bringing much-needed power to a lineup lacking punch.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Chicago White Sox
July 9, 2025
Chicago White Sox left-hander
Cam Booser (shoulder) has been cleared to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Charlotte after being sidelined since June 19 with a left shoulder strain. The southpaw is expected to require only a brief rehab stint before rejoining the White Sox bullpen. Booser has posted a 5.11 ERA with 27 strikeouts and seven holds across 24 2/3 innings this season. Booser's high ERA and the White Sox overall struggles (32 games under .500) limit his fantasy value. He could offer minimal value as a speculative add in deeper AL-only or save and holds leagues. Booser remains off the radar in standard leagues unless he earns a consistent high-leverage role with improved team results.
--Shaun AlbinSource: mlb.com
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
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