July 3, 2025
Houston Astros catcher
Yainer Diaz won't be in the team's lineup for the final game of their series with the hosting Colorado Rockies. The Dominican Republic native got the starting nod for the previous six contests, but he'll take a seat with Houston squaring off against left-handed pitcher
Kyle Freeland.
Victor Caratini will cover behind home plate in his stead and bat sixth. Diaz has had a tough time getting going this year, but he's underproducing his expected stats by a decent margin. He's a candidate for positive regression, considering not much has changed in his underlying profile. However, it's worth noting that the 26-year-old has struggled mightily against righties (.231) after batting .297 or better against them the past two campaigns.
--Alex CiullaSource: MLB.com
July 3, 2025
New York Mets starting pitcher
Sean Manaea (elbow, oblique) allowed six hits and three runs (two earned) over three innings in Wednesday's outing for Double-A Binghamton. The 33-year-old walked one and struck out three, working up to 60 pitches (39 strikes). Manaea was shut down for a bit upon the findings of a loose body in his elbow, but was able to make his fifth rehab start as he works back from an oblique injury that's sidelined him all season. While there's been no news on the next steps for the veteran, he's expected to make at least one more trip to the mound next week. He's eligible to return from the injured list in ten days, though it's worth mentioning that's New York's last game before the All-Star break. It's been a slow-moving process, but he should rejoin the team's rotation within the next few weeks, barring any setbacks.
--Alex CiullaSource: MLB.com
July 3, 2025
Colorado Rockies first baseman
Michael Toglia won't be in the team's lineup for their home series finale with the Houston Astros. The 26-year-old will get a routine day of rest after suiting up for the previous 15 games.
Orlando Arcia will get the start at first base and bat seventh for Colorado against southpaw
Brandon Walter. Toglia has struggled in 2025 to the tune of a .202/.263/.368 triple slash with ten home runs and three steals. It's a far cry from the 25/10 he sported a season ago, and an extended hot streak would be required for him to challenge those figures. The switch-hitting former first-round pick has seen a decline in the quality of his contact and plate discipline compared to 2024.
--Alex CiullaSource: MLB.com
July 3, 2025
Miami Marlins outfielder
Dane Myers will take a seat for the final game of their home series with the Minnesota Twins. The former sixth-round pick will get the day off with right-handed hurler
David Festa taking the mound. Teammate
Derek Hill will operate in center field, batting ninth, with
Jesus Sanchez handling right-field duties and hitting from the two-hole. It will be Hill's first outing since injuring his wrist in late May. Myers has been solid for the Marlins across 58 appearances this season, batting .297 with a 91st percentile xBA (.293). While the Rice alum hasn't been as effective against righties (.265), he's hitting southpaws very well (.362).
--Alex CiullaSource: MLB.com
July 3, 2025
Colorado Rockies catcher
Hunter Goodman is getting a breather for the team's series finale against the visiting Houston Astros. It appears to be a regular day of rest for the right-handed slugger, with fellow backstop
Austin Nola getting the start behind home plate and batting eighth. Goodman missed a few days with a hamstring issue recently, but looked no worse for wear when he launched two homers on Tuesday. He's produced well in his third campaign with Colorado and is fresh off a red-hot June in which he slashed .342/.373/.734 with six doubles, two triples, 15 runs scored, and 17 RBI. The 25-year-old has already set a career-high with 16 long balls.
--Alex CiullaSource: MLB.com
July 3, 2025
Wednesday's doubleheader against the Milwaukee Brewers was a mixed bag for shortstop
Francisco Lindor and the New York Mets. Lindor went 0-for-4 in Game 1 as the Mets dropped a 7-2 decision. The team turned it around in a 7-3 win in the nightcap, though, and Lindor was a key contributor. For the first time in 191 games, Lindor did not hit leadoff for the Mets. They dropped him to second in the order, and Lindor responded by going 3-for-4 with a solo homer, a double, and three RBI. It ended a week-long skid for the 31-year-old switch-hitter, who was mired in a 2-for-29 slump entering the evening. Just named to his fifth All-Star team, Lindor is now slashing 261/.330/.457 with 17 homers, 46 RBI, 52 runs scored, and 13 steals in 385 plate appearances. He's well on his way to a third straight 20/20 campaign.
--Connor ByrneSource: ESPN
July 3, 2025
Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander
Mitch Keller improved to 3-10 with a superb showing in a 5-0 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday. Keller blanked the Cardinals over seven innings while allowing five hits and posting seven strikeouts against one walk. Despite his unsightly win-loss record, the 29-year-old has performed well this season. Keller has amassed a dozen quality starts while pitching to a 3.64 ERA with 84:26 K:BB and a 1.19 WHIP in 106 1/3 innings. Notably, there have been trade rumors centering on Keller as the July 31 deadline nears. A change of scenery for Keller could be positive news for fantasy managers, as moving from the last-place Pirates to a contender would give him a better chance to pile up wins. For now, he's slated to toe the rubber in a road start against the Kansas City Royals' low-ranked offense on Tuesday.
--Connor ByrneSource: ESPN
July 3, 2025
Chicago White Sox reliever
Jared Shuster (hand) began a minor league rehab assignment with Triple-A Charlotte on Wednesday. Shuster threw a scoreless inning in his first appearance. The 26-year-old southpaw hasn't pitched in the majors since June 4 because of a blister on his left hand. The injury continued an atrocious start to the season for Shuster, who has logged an 8.04 ERA with 12 strikeouts, five walks, and a 2.04 WHIP over 15 2/3 innings. He pitched to a much more respectable 4.30 ERA in a career-high 73 1/3 frames a year ago.
--Connor ByrneSource: FutureSox
July
3,
2025
Tampa
Bay
Rays
right-hander
Edwin
Uceta
survived
an
Athletics
rally
to
log
his
first
save
of
the
year
in
a
6-5
win
on
Wednesday.
With
closer
Pete
Fairbanks
getting
the
day
read more...
July 3, 2025
Cleveland Guardians left-hander
Joey Cantillo will start their game against the Chicago Cubs on Thursday, according to Zack Meisel of The Athletic. Righty
Luis L. Ortiz had been scheduled to take the mound, but Major League Baseball has placed him on paid leave for an unknown reason. The start against the Cubs' high-powered offense figures to be a short one for Cantillo, who has only totaled 28 1/3 innings in 21 appearances this season. The 25-year-old has registered a 3.81 ERA with 36:14 K:BB and a 1.38 WHIP.
--Connor ByrneSource: Zack Meisel - The Athletic
July 3, 2025
Cleveland Guardians right-hander
Luis L. Ortiz is under investigation by Major League Baseball and has been placed on paid leave, Jeff Passan of ESPN reports. The league did not provide a reason for the decision. Ortiz had been scheduled to start Cleveland's game on Thursday against the Chicago Cubs, so fantasy managers will need to adjust accordingly. The 26-year-old has made 16 starts this season and gone 4-9 with a 4.36 ERA, 96 strikeouts against 42 walks, and a 1.38 WHIP in 88 2/3 innings.
--Connor ByrneSource: Jeff Passan
July 3, 2025
Cleveland Guardians reliever
Cade Smith (back) threw a pregame bullpen session on Wednesday and has shown improvement in his recovery from back spasms. The right-hander is day-to-day and shouldn't require a minor league rehab assignment. Although he's not on the 10-day injured list, it has been almost two weeks since Smith made an appearance on June 22. The 26-year-old earned his 15th hold of the season in that game. He owns a stingy 2.36 ERA with 53:13 K:BB and a 1.17 WHIP across 34 1/3 innings.
--Connor ByrneSource: Cleveland Guardians
July 3, 2025
Cleveland Guardians right-hander
Shane Bieber (elbow) threw a July 1 bullpen session that went "really well," according to manager
Stephen Vogt. The Guardians are determining next steps for the former AL Cy Young winner. Bieber suffered a setback a few weeks ago in his recovery from April 2024 Tommy John surgery, but he has gotten back on track since then. The Guardians are optimistic that he'll return in the second half of July. Bieber totaled just 12 innings last season after posting a 3.80 ERA with 7.52 K/9 and 2.39 BB/9 over 128 frames in 2023. Having undergone major surgery since then, fantasy managers should temper expectations when the former ace comes back this year.
--Connor ByrneSource: Cleveland Guardians
July 3, 2025
Minnesota Twins shortstop
Carlos Correa is not in the lineup for their game against the Miami Marlins on Thursday.
Brooks Lee will start at short and bat fourth against Marlins starter
Eury Perez. This looks like a rest day for Correa, who went 2-for-4 with an RBI in a 2-1 win over the Marlins on Wednesday night. After playing just 86 games in 2024, Correa has already appeared in 75 contests this year. Correa's production hasn't been up to his typical standards, though. He's hitting .259/.299/.387 with seven homers, 29 RBI, 32 runs scored, and a career-low 5.5% walk rate in 291 plate appearances.
--Connor ByrneSource: Minnesota Twins
July 3, 2025
Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher
Keegan Akin (shoulder) was placed on the injured list on Wednesday with left shoulder inflammation. The 30-year-old lefty has appeared in 39 games for the Orioles this season, spanning 38 innings with a 3.32 ERA, 4.30 FIP, 1.42 WHIP, and 23.3% strikeout rate. Akin's WHIP is up this season, and his strikeout rate is down after a strong 2024. He has worked as an opener for a few games this season but will now be sidelined through at least the All-Star break. Right-handed reliever
Yennier Cano was recalled from Norfolk to take Akin's place in the bullpen.
--Zach ThompsonSource: Baltimore Orioles
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