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
Miami Marlins starting pitcher
Eury Perez was nearly untouchable on the mound during Thursday's outing against the Minnesota Twins. Before this outing, Perez had allowed three earned runs or more in three of his last four starts. Finally, Perez showed what he's capable of doing on the mound during Thursday's start. The right-hander tossed six scoreless innings, allowed one hit, one walk, and struck out seven batters in the win. Perez only needed 80 pitches to get through this outing, so he might've been able to go deeper in the game. This outing shows that Perez has some of the best stuff in the game, but the consistency has been the problem. His next outing will be versus the Cincinnati Reds next week. Perez should be a popular waiver wire pickup after this outing.
--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
July 4, 2025
Cincinnati Reds infielder
Noelvi Marte (oblique) has been activated off the injured list ahead of Friday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies. Marte is finally back in the mix after being sidelined since early May due to a left oblique strain. The former top prospect was hitting well at the plate before going down. Hopefully he'll be able to pick up where he left off. Marte is slashing .294/.342/.515 with three home runs and 17 RBI across 19 games this season. He'll bat seventh and cover third base versus left-hander
Jesus Luzardo on Friday. Marte figures to get regular at-bats over at the hot corner with
Jeimer Candelario out of the picture. Marte is worth a look in deep leagues and possibly other formats if he picks up where he left off at the plate. In a corresponding move, infielder/outfielder
Ryan Vilade has been optioned to Triple-A Louisville.
--Andy WebbSource: Cincinnati Reds
July 4, 2025
Washington Nationals catcher
Keibert Ruiz (concussion) has been reinstated from the injured list ahead of Friday's game against the Boston Red Sox. Ruiz has been out since June 24 due to a concussion. He's back in the mix on Friday, Ruiz is batting eighth and starting behind the plate versus right-hander
Lucas Giolito. Ruiz has been struggling at the plate over the last few weeks. He's not an ideal fantasy option right now and is someone that can be avoided in most formats at the moment. In a corresponding move, catcher
Drew Millas has been optioned to Triple-A Rochester.
--Andy WebbSource: Andrew Golden
July 4, 2025
Washington Nationals starting pitcher
Trevor Williams (elbow) has been placed on the 15-day injured list on Friday. Williams is reportedly dealing with a right elbow sprain, so he'll likely be sidelined for a few weeks. It's worth noting that Williams allowed a season-high seven earned runs during Wednesday's outing. Before that, Williams allowed four runs during his start on June 24. Maybe, the Nationals are just giving Williams some time to rest and get back on track. Regardless, fantasy managers shouldn't expect him back until the end of July. In a corresponding move, right-hander relief pitcher
Ryan Loutos has been recalled from Triple-A to take the spot on the active roster.
--Andy WebbSource: Andrew Golden
July 4, 2025
New York Mets starting pitcher
David Peterson was smacked around his last few starts, but looked solid on the mound during Thursday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers. Over his last two starts, Peterson allowed 10 earned runs on 12 hits with six walks, but looked like a different pitcher on Thursday. The southpaw limited the Brewers lineup to one earned run on five hits while striking out four in the win. He'll take a 3.18 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, and 87/37 K/BB ratio across 17 starts into his next outing versus the Baltimore Orioles. Peterson has pitched well enough this season to be trusted as a streaming option for that one.
--Andy WebbSource: mlb.com
July 4, 2025
Washington Nationals starting pitcher
Jake Irvin got off to a rough start, but settled down nicely during Thursday's outing against the Detroit Tigers. Irvin gave up a three-run blast to
Spencer Torkelson in the first inning. After that, Irving looked great as he tossed five hitless innings. He finished this outing with six innings of work, three earned runs on three hits while striking out four batters in the win. He'll take a 4.71 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, and 75/33 K/BB ratio across 18 starts into his next outing against the St. Louis Cardinals. Irving could be an interesting streaming option for that one given the Cardinals struggles on offense lately.
--Andy WebbSource: mlb.com
July 4, 2025
Colorado Rockies starting pitcher
Kyle Freeland bounced back on the mound during Thursday's outing against the Houston Astros. Freeland got off to a rough start by allowing three runs over the first two innings. After that, Freeland settled down and threw four scoreless innings. He finished this outing with three earned runs on six hits with two walks and two strikeouts over six innings of work. He exited the game with the lead, but sadly the bullpen blew it, so Freeland gets a no-decision here. He'll take a 5.49 ERA, 1.58 WHIP, and 61/20 K/BB ratio into this next start against the Boston Red Sox. Freeland won't be a recommended streaming option for that one.
--Andy WebbSource: mlb.com
July 4, 2025
Cleveland Guardians first base prospect
C.J. Kayfus (knee) was removed from Thursday's contest with a knee contusion. However, the team noted that his removal was precautionary and that he is viewed as day-to-day. The budding star suffered this injury while running on the basepaths. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status, as Triple-A Columbus will likely keep him sidelined for a few games. However, it appears he avoided a significant injury. Kayfus opened the season with Double-A but needed just 18 games to prove he was ready to join Triple-A. Through his first 53 games at the top level of the minor leagues, the 23-year-old has posted a remarkable .299/.387/.567 slash line with 11 doubles and 11 home runs. If he can make a quick return to the lineup, he should remain on the verge of a promotion, given his production at Triple-A. He is worth stashing in all 12+ team leagues as he could join Cleveland shortly after the All-Star break.
--Andy SmithSource: Cleveland Guardians
July 4, 2025
Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop prospect
Konnor Griffin launched his fourth home run at the High-A level on Thursday evening. During their contest against High-A Aberdeen, the No. 2-ranked prospects in the system went 1-for-4 at the plate with a long ball and a walk. Over his first 20 games at the High-A level, the ninth overall pick from last year's MLB Draft has performed at an elite level, boasting a .329/.441/.553 slash line with five doubles, four home runs, 11 stolen bases, and an 18:12 K:BB. Griffin opened the campaign with Low-A Bradenton, where he held a .338/.396/.536 line with 10 doubles, nine home runs, and 26 stolen bases across 50 games. Dynasty managers should continue to pay close attention to Griffin as he is quickly rising up prospect boards and making a case to be viewed as one of the top bats in the minor leagues at the start of the 2026 season.
--Andy SmithSource: MiLB.com
July 4, 2025
New York Mets outfield prospect
Drew Gilbert went 3-for-5 with two home runs and three RBI during their contest against Triple-A Worcester on Thursday evening. This was Gilbert's second and third home runs over his last two games. Over his last nine, Gilbert has been one of the most productive hitters at Triple-A, boasting a .343/.395/.800 slash line with one double, five home runs. The former first-round pick made his Triple-A debut last season but struggled during his first look, posting a modest .215/.313/.393 line with just 10 long balls across 56 games with Syracuse. However, through 64 games this season, the No. 10-ranked prospect in the system has performed slightly better, holding a .232/.340/.405 line. If Gilbert can continue to find his swing at Syracuse, he could get the call to Queens in the second half.
--Andy SmithSource: MiLB.com
July 4, 2025
Tampa Bay Rays shortstop prospect
Carson Williams has continued to hit for power at Triple-A. On Thursday evening during their contest against the Norfolk Tides, Williams went 1-for-1 with a home run and three walks. This was his third straight contest going deep. Over his last 11 games, Williams has posted a stellar .359/.490/.846 slash line with two doubles, one triple, five home runs, and three stolen bases. However, before this impressive surge, Williams held a .214/.327/.429 line over his last 12 games. While the top-ranked prospect in Tampa Bay has taken time to adjust to the top level of the minor leagues, he has begun to find his footing and is making a strong case to join Tampa Bay in the second half. If he continues to hit for power at this rate, he could be worth stashing in all 12-plus team leagues.
--Andy SmithSource: MiLB.com
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