July 2, 2025
St. Louis Cardinals catcher
Willson Contreras (hand/wrist) will sit out the final game of his team's three-game set against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday afternoon. This is an expected absence after Contreras was hit by a pitch on Tuesday night. Thankfully for him and the team X-rays on the injury came back clean. The Cardinals have an off day on Thursday before a crucial three-game series at Wrigley Field against the Chicago Cubs, so the hope is surely that Contreras can return at some point this weekend.
Alec Burleson is starting at first base in his place in Wednesday’s contest against Pittsburgh.
--Will BradySource: Katie Woo - The Athletic
July 2, 2025
Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander
Emmet Sheehan may be in line for a big-league start on Sunday, according to Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register. Plunkett previously reported on June 28 that Sheehan's next start would be for Triple-A Oklahoma City, so this would be a change of plans for the team. Sheehan has made one appearance for the Dodgers this year, throwing four innings against the San Diego Padres on June 18 and allowing one run while recording six strikeouts. The 25-year-old has spent most of 2025 in the minors as he works his way back from the Tommy John surgery he underwent in May of 2024. His 4.58 ERA in 17 2/3 (five starts) at Triple-A is middling, but the underlying numbers are far more promising. Sheehan has struck out 42.5% of the batters he's faced and holds a ridiculous 39.7% K-BB%. He could be a very interesting pickup in fantasy should he secure a rotation spot with the Dodgers.
--Will BradySource: Bill Plunkett - Orange County Register
July 2, 2025
Texas Rangers right-hander
Dane Dunning was recalled from Triple-A Round Rock on Tuesday. Dunning has spent most of 2025 in the Minors, pitching to a 4.47 ERA and 1.27 WHIP with 49 strikeouts in 46 1/3 IP (11 starts). He is replacing right-hander
Cole Winn on the Rangers active roster, and figures to take over Winn's role in long relief. In a hybrid starter/reliever role with Texas in 2024, Dunning pitched 95 innings and recorded a 5.31 ERA, 1.44, and 91:40 K:BB. He should not figure in fantasy unless he finds his way into the starting rotation, and even then Dunning would be a streaming option in deep leagues at best.
--Will BradySource: Texas Rangers PR
July 2, 2025
Milwaukee Brewers left-hander
Connor Thomas (elbow) is set to undergo surgery in mid-July to remove a loose body in his pitching elbow. According to MLB.com's Adam McCalvy, the possibility of Tommy John surgery is still on the table for Thomas, so it appears this will be an extended absence for the 27-year-old. Thomas made his major league debut with the Brewers this season, throwing 5 1/3 innings with a 20.25 ERA and 2.63 WHIP. This elbow injury is a tough break for Thomas, as he toiled in the St. Louis Cardinals' farm system from 2019-2024 before finally getting his shot this year in Milwaukee.
--Will BradySource: MLB.com - Adam McCalvy
July 2, 2025
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder
Blake Perkins (shin) is scheduled to play all nine innings for Triple-A Nashville on Tuesday and Wednesday before being ready to come off the injured list, MLB.com's Adam McCalvy reports. The outfielder fractured his shin in late February and has spent the season so far on the injured list. Last season for the Brewers, the speedy outfielder slashed .240/.316/.322 with six home runs, 54 runs scored, 43 RBI, and 23 stolen bases. Perkins is a difference-maker for the Brewers defensively and on the basepaths and could be a good source of steals in category leagues. Otherwise, he does not provide much offensively in the average, slugging, or OPS departments, as his career slash line is .234/.318/.337 across all levels.
--Nicho RoesslerSource: Adam McCalvy
July 2, 2025
Tampa Bay Rays reliever
Manuel Rodriguez (elbow) threw a bullpen session on Tuesday, MLB.com reports. The bullpen session reportedly went well, and this was a good step in Rodriguez's return to the Rays' bullpen. Back on June 10, his elbow was sore after recording three outs on June 9. Imaging showed slight inflammation due to fatigue. Considering the bullpen session on Tuesday went well, it's possible that a rehab assignment could follow soon. However, the Rays have not yet reported on what that might look like. Rodriguez currently owns a rock-solid 2.08 ERA in 30 1/3 innings pitched with a 7.42 K/9, 1.78 BB/9, and a 1.05 WHIP.
--Nicho RoesslerSource: MLB.
July 2, 2025
Texas Rangers right-hander
Tyler Mahle (shoulder) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Tuesday, Texas Rangers PR reports. The veteran right-hander has already been ruled out through the July 31 trade deadline due to the injury, so the move to the 60-day IL won't affect his return timeline much. Mahle will be eligible for reinstatement in mid-August. However, it's unclear if he'll be ready to return at that point, considering he has yet to resume any baseball activities thus far. Mahle has had a long history of injuries over his career, so fantasy managers may want to consider dropping him if they need to make room on their roster. Mahle has been surprisingly good in 2025 with a 6-3 record and a 2.34 ERA in 77 innings pitched.
Kumar Rocker continues to take his spot in the rotation in the meantime.
--Nicho RoesslerSource: TXRangersPR
July 2, 2025
St. Louis Cardinals first baseman
Willson Contreras (hand) underwent X-rays, and the team has diagnosed him with bruising. The X-rays did not show any fracture. He is being called "day-to-day," Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. Contreras got hit in the hand by a
Paul Skenes fastball in the fourth inning of Tuesday's contest and left the game. The good news is that there appears to be no structural damage, and the plan is to rest and allow the bruising to subside before returning to action. The Cardinals wrap up their three-game set with the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday with an off day on Thursday before a weekend series against the division-rival Chicago Cubs.
Garrett Hampson entered the game at first base in Contreras' absence.
--Nicho RoesslerSource: Derrick Goold
July 2, 2025
Tampa Bay Rays left-hander
Shane McClanahan (triceps) threw a full-intensity bullpen session Tuesday, MLB.com reports. He is expected to throw at least one more time before either increasing his workload in the bullpen or progressing to facing live hitters in some capacity. The Rays reported that the session went well, but no further details were offered. At this time, it appears that the Rays and McClanahan are still targeting a mid-to-late August return date, but this will be dependent on his progress. Fantasy managers will want to keep tabs on what his next steps are. However, at this point, his potential return date is right around the end of the regular season in fantasy baseball, so at best, he will only provide your team with two to five starts, and that's if your team makes it to championship weekend.
--Nicho RoesslerSource: MLB.com
July 2, 2025
Pittsburgh Pirates first base prospect
Nick Yorke went 2-for-4 with a triple and a home run during their contest against Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday evening. In this contest, Yorke scored one run and brought in four. Over his last 14 games, Yorke has been one of the most productive hitters at Triple-A, boasting a .310/.385/.500 slash line with two triples, two home runs, and 14 RBI. Through 65 total games with Indianapolis this season, the No. 6-ranked prospect in the system has held a .279/.348/.397 line. Last summer, Yorke received a brief taste of the majors and tallied eight hits across 11 games. If Yorke continues to produce at this level at Triple-A, he should be in contention to return to Pittsburgh in the second half of the season.
--Andy SmithSource: MiLB.com
July 2, 2025
Tampa Bay Rays right-handed pitching prospect
Trevor Harrison extended his shutout streak during his latest start on Tuesday evening against Low-A Myrtle Beach. In this outing, Harrison tossed seven shutout frames with just five hits and two walks. He struck out five. In his previous outing, Harrison logged six shutout frames with no hits, one walk, and eight strikeouts. However, prior to this recent stretch, Harrison allowed six runs (five earned) and 11 hits over his last 9 2/3 innings. Through 67 1/3 total innings at Low-A this season, the No. 11-ranked prospect in the system has held his own, posting a 2.81 ERA with a 1.28 WHIP. During this stretch, Harrison has struck out 60 batters while allowing 34 walks. The 19-year-old could be in the mix to earn a taste of High-A later this summer.
--Andy SmithSource: MiLB.com
July 2, 2025
Chicago Cubs first base prospect
Jonathon Long went 2-for-5 with a home run during their contest against Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday evening. This was Long's 10th long ball of the campaign. Over his previous 11 contests, Long has posted a strong .325/.413/.425 slash line with a double and a home run. The 23-year-old made his Triple-A debut at the start of the campaign and has looked the part, posting a .313/.391/.473 slash line. He has tallied 11 doubles and shown a strong eye at the plate, holding a 56:35 K:BB. Last summer, Long spent time between High-A and Double-A, posting a cumulative .283/.391/.461 slash line with 21 doubles and 17 home runs. If Long can continue to produce at Iowa, he should be in the mix to join the major league roster during the stretch run.
--Andy SmithSource: MiLB.com
July 2, 2025
Miami Marlins catching prospect
Joe Mack continued to swing a hot bat during their contest against Triple-A Charlotte on Tuesday evening. In this contest, Mack went 4-for-4 at the dish with two long balls, three runs, and four RBI. This impressive performance also extended his current hitting streak to seven games. During this surge at the plate, the backstop has hit five home runs. However, before this impressive streak, Mack posted a modest .125/.196/.125 line through his previous 13 games at Triple-Jacksonville. Overall, throughout his first 51 games at the top level of the minor leagues, the No. 8-ranked prospect in the system has posted a .262/.324/.419 slash line with seven home runs. If Mack can continue this impressive power surge, he could reach the majors in the second half.
--Andy SmithSource: MiLB.com
July 2, 2025
Kansas City Royals catching prospect
Carter Jensen went 2-for-4 with two home runs and four RBI during their contest against Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday evening. Jensen was recently promoted to Triple-A Omaha. Throughout his first five games at the level, Jensen went 1-for-22 at the plate with a home run. However, on Tuesday, he was able to not only post his first multi-hit game at the level, but also his first multi-home run at the level. The No. 3-ranked prospect in the Kansas City system opened the campaign with Double-A and looked quite comfortable during this stint. Through 68 games, the backstop posted a strong .292/.360/.420 line with nine doubles and six long balls. If Jensen can continue to turn the corner at Triple-A, he could reach the majors later in the regular season.
--Andy SmithSource: MiLB.com
July 2, 2025
The Baltimore Orioles are promoting right-handed pitching prospect
Keagan Gillies to Triple-A Norfolk. Gillies was recently selected to participate in the All-Star Futures Game and will now be just one stop away from the major leagues. Gillies has been one of the most dominant relievers at Double-A through the first half of the campaign. Through 31 1/3 innings, Gillies has posted a stellar 1.15 ERA with a 0.57 WHIP. During this stretch, he has tallied eight saves and held a 34:3 K:BB. This is an excellent sign as Gillies struggled at Double-A last season, posting a higher 4.94 ERA with a 1.42 WHIP. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status as he may be in the mix to join Baltimore in the second half. When he does get the call, he could eventually find a role as a high-leverage relief option.
--Andy SmithSource: Roch Kubatko
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