July 21, 2025
An MRI exam on Los Angeles Angels right-handed reliever
Robert Stephenson (biceps) on June 6 showed an injury after he was pulled three pitches into his May 30 outing. He threw on June 30 but still felt discomfort and was shut down until throwing again on July 7. Stephenson said he's been throwing up to 90 feet as he recover from a stretched nerve in his right biceps, according to MLB.com. The 32-year-old veteran has a ways to go considering he hasn't pitched since May, but he's at least back to building his arm back up and could be an option to rejoin the Angels' bullpen as a late-inning setup man at some point in August, barring another setback. The former first-rounder didn't pitch at all in the big leagues in 2024 and has only made two appearances for the Halos in his first year with the team this season.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
July 21, 2025
The Houston Astros will start right-hander
Colton Gordon and left-hander
Framber Valdez in the first two games of the team's early-week series against the Arizona Diamondbacks, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Rome notes that Wednesday's starter is still to be determined. Gordon's last appearance came in relief on July 13, but his other 10 outings this season have all come as a starter. In 52 innings, he's 3-2 with a 4.67 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, and 44 strikeouts. Valdez will be making his first start since before the All-Star break. In 121 innings (19 starts) this season, the 31-year-old lefty is 10-4 with a 2.75 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and 125 strikeouts. His 25.5% strikeout rate is his best since 2020,
--Will BradySource: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
July 21, 2025
The New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs, and Detroit Tigers have all "checked in" with the Pittsburgh Pirates around third baseman
Ke'Bryan Hayes, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today. The 28-year-old Hayes is one of MLB's best defenders at the hot corner and is signed through 2029 at a reasonable $7.5 million average annual value. However, Hayes has been one of the worst full-time offensive players in the sport in 2025. In 360 plate appearances, he's slashing .237/.284/.294 with two home runs, 33 RBI, 31 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases. A move out of Pittsburgh can only help Hayes, both in terms of counting stats and the chance for a fresh start with a new organization.
--Will BradySource: USA Today - Bob Nightengale
July 21, 2025
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher
Zack Littell is "in play" as a rental starter at the trade deadline, according to Jon Morosi of MLB Network. While Tampa Bay enters play on Monday just 1.5 games back of the Boston Red Sox and Seattle Mariners for the final American League wild-card spot, Morosi notes that the Rays have shown a willingness to both buy and sell at previous deadlines. The 29-year-old Littell is 8-7 this season with a 3.53 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 83 strikeouts in 122 1/3 innings (20 starts). A move out of Tampa Bay could help him with his biggest issue, which is allowing home runs (1.77 HR/9). However, his 86.2% strand rate is unsustainably high, pointing to likely regression wherever he pitches in the season's final months.
--Will BradySource: MLB Network - Jon Morosi
July 21, 2025
The St. Louis Cardinals are planning to hold on to third baseman
Nolan Arenado through the trade deadline, with "no teams showing strong interest in him," according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today. Arenado previously rejected trades to both the Houston Astros and the Los Angeles Angels, which could be discouraging teams from engaging in trade negotiations with St. Louis. The 34-year-old Arenado is far removed from the player he was at his peak. In 358 plate appearances so far this season, he's slashed .241/.299/.381 with 10 home runs, 42 RBI, and 39 runs scored. His .140 isolated slugging percentage and 4.1% barrel rate both demonstrate his diminished ability to consistently drive the baseball. With two seasons and $37 million remaining for an acquiring team to pay following 2025, there may not be much of a market for Arenado even if he were willing to be moved.
--Will BradySource: USA Today - Bob Nightengale
July 21, 2025
The Washington Nationals are making reliever
Kyle Finnegan, utility man
Amed Rosario, right-hander
Mike Soroka, and first basemen
Nathaniel Lowe and
Josh Bell available at the trade deadline, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today. Washington is 21 games under .500 entering play on Monday, so they will clearly be in sell-mode over the next couple of weeks. However, it appears from Nightengale's report that they are looking to move their veterans and impending free agents rather than pieces of their young core. Finnegan's trade deadline status could be the most relevant of the players listed above from a fantasy perspective. The 33-year-old has logged 19 saves so far in 2025, but he's also recorded an unimpressive 4.25 ERA and 10.7% K-BB%. It's possible, if not likely, that an acquiring team would view Finnegan as bullpen depth rather than a closer.
--Will BradySource: USA Today - Bob Nightengale
July
21,
2025
The
Atlanta
Braves
are
"letting
teams
know"
that
designated
hitter
Marcell
Ozuna,
closer
Raisel
Iglesias,
and
reliever
Pierce
Johnson
are
on
the
trade
block,
according
to
Bob
Nightengale
of
read more...
July
21,
2025
The
Arizona
Diamondbacks
have
placed
third
baseman
Eugenio
Suarez,
first
baseman
Josh
Naylor,
reliever
Shelby
Miller,
outfielder
Randal
Grichuk,
and
starting
pitchers
read more...
July
21,
2025
The
Minnesota
Twins
will
listen
to
offers,
but
are
expected
to
keep
starter
Joe
Ryan,
Bob
Nightengale
of
USA
Today
reports.
Ryan
has
been
exceptional
for
the
Twins
in
2025,
being
the
anchor
for
their
read more...
July
21,
2025
The
St.
Louis
Cardinals
remain
undecided
whether
they
will
trade
closer
Ryan
Helsley
at
the
deadline.
Still,
since
they
don't
plan
to
tender
him
a
qualifying
offer,
they
realize
they
may
have
no
choice
but
to
read more...
July 21, 2025
Detroit Tigers infielder/outfielder
Javier Baez (shoulder) exited Sunday's 2-1 win over the Texas Rangers in the sixth inning with left-shoulder soreness, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports. After the game, he said that "he didn't want to keep playing through the soreness," and regarding an IL stint, he said, "I don't think so." It's positive news for Baez's fantasy managers and the Tigers, as it appears he has been playing through some shoulder soreness for a handful of weeks now.
Trey Sweeney entered the game for Baez after the injury and would likely continue to do so should Baez miss any time. The former first-round pick by the Chicago Cubs is slashing .274/.308/.438 with 10 home runs, 42 runs scored, 39 RBI, and three stolen bases in 289 plate appearances. More impressively, Baez has lowered his strikeout rate to 22.5 percent, which is significantly below his career average of 27.3 percent.
--Nicho RoesslerSource: Evan Petzold
July 21, 2025
Los Angeles Angels shortstop prospect
Denzer Guzman went 3-for-4 with a double and a home run during the first game of a doubleheader against Double-A Columbus on Sunday afternoon. In the second half of the two-game slate, Guzman went 0-for-2 with a run and a walk. Over his last nine games, Guzman has been very productive in the batter's box, posting a .364/.450/.697 slash line with five doubles, two home runs, and a 6:5 K:BB. Through 83 total games with Double-A Rocket City this season, the No. 9-ranked prospect in Los Angeles according to MLB.com has held a .238/.333/.427 slash line with 22 doubles, 11 home runs, and seven stolen bases. Given his surge at the plate, Guzman could be in the mix to debut at Triple-A in the second half.
--Andy SmithSource: MiLB.com
July 21, 2025
Seattle Mariners infield prospect
Colt Emerson went 2-for-3 with a home run and a stolen base during their contest against High-A Hillsboro on Sunday afternoon. In this contest, Emerson also drew a walk and tallied three RBI. This outing snapped a brief five-game skid for the former 22nd overall pick as he held a modest .630 OPS over this stretch. However, before the slump, Emerson carried a strong .370/.426/.648 slash line with three long balls over his last 14 games. Through 78 total games with High-A Everett this season, the 20-year-old has carried a .268/.373/.433 slash line with 12 doubles, nine home runs, and six stolen bases. Given his steady progression this season, Emerson could make his Double-A debut in the coming weeks.
--Andy SmithSource: MiLB.com
July 21, 2025
Cincinnati Reds shortstop prospect
Edwin Arroyo has enjoyed a dominant July at Double-A Chattanooga. Since July 4 (last 12 games), the infielder has posted an impressive .333/.393/.510 slash line with six doubles and a home run. During this stretch, Arroyo has scored eight runs, tallied five RBI, and swiped five bags. Last summer, Arroyo was unable to play after suffering a torn labrum. Through 74 total games with Double-A this season, Arroyo has looked quite comfortable following the injury, posting a strong .277/.337/.358 line with 15 doubles, two home runs, and seven stolen bases. Seeing Arroyo begin to swipe more bases in July is a very positive sign. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his progression but should expect him to remain with Double-A during the second half.
--Andy SmithSource: MiLB.com
July 21, 2025
Detroit Tigers outfield prospect
Max Clark extended his hitting streak to three games at Double-A on Sunday afternoon. After going just 2-for-11 with a home run during his first three doubles with Double-A Erie, Clark has now tallied at least one hit in each of his last three. During this three-game stretch, Clark has gone deep once, tallied two RBI, and scored five runs. He has also swiped a bag. Clark is considered the No. 2-ranked prospect in Detroit, behind only infielder
Kevin McGonigle and the No. 11-ranked overall prospect on MLB.com. The former third overall pick opened the 2025 season with High-A West Michigan and posted a solid .285/.430/.427 line with an .857 OPS. Clark remains a top priority star in all dynasty leagues, as he is expected to make his MLB debut next season.
--Andy SmithSource: MiLB.com
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