July 14, 2025
The Pittsburgh Penguins have acquired goaltender Arturs Silovs from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for forward Chase Stillman and a 2027 fourth-round pick. Silovs moves to Pittsburgh following an outstanding AHL campaign. He led the Abbotsford Canucks to their first-ever Calder Cup victory, going 16-7 in the playoffs with a 2.01 goals-against average and a .931 save percentage. Silovs also impressed during the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, but he made only nine starts for Vancouver in 2024-25. The Latvian netminder had a 2-6-1 record last term with the Canucks, allowing 3.65 goals on average with a .861 save percentage. Due to Tristan Jarry's inconsistent form, the Penguins have struggled with goaltending, and Silovs may get an extended look at some point if things don't improve next season.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
July 14, 2025
Winger Nikolai Kovalenko has signed a two-year deal with CSKA Moscow of the KHL. The 25-year-old will return to Russia after only one full NHL season. He featured 57 times for the San Jose Sharks and Colorado Avalanche in 2024-25, scoring seven goals and 20 points. Kovalenko made his NHL debut during the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Avalanche moved him to San Jose in December in a deal that brought the team goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood. The Sharks did not issue a qualifying offer to Kovalenko, making him an unrestricted free agent, and he ultimately signed with the three-time KHL champions.
--Taavi PailkSource: The Hockey News
July 14, 2025
Washington Nationals outfield prospect
Daylen Lile has enjoyed a recent surge at the plate. Over his last 18 games, the No. 9-ranked prospect in the D.C. system on MLB.com has posted a .292/.343/.369 slash line with two doubles, one home run, and three stolen bases. While he has yet to show much power upside in the major leagues, he has shown solid contact skills as he tallied at least one hit in a 14-game stretch earlier in July. During his first 15 games in Washington, Lile held a .152/.200/.326 slash line with just three doubles and a home run. Earlier in the season, the 22-year-old posted an impressive .337/.407/.500 slash line with seven doubles, two long balls, and six swiped bags across his first 26 games with Triple-A. Given his steady progress in the majors, he should continue to have an everyday role after the All-Star break.
--Andy SmithSource: MLB.com
July 14, 2025
Houston Astros infield prospect
Brice Matthews has yet to tally a hit during his first week in the major leagues. The top-ranked prospect in Houston was given the starting nod at the keystone in each of his first two games but went 0-for-7 with five strikeouts. He did not draw a walk. The Astors opted to keep him on the bench on Sunday during their final game of the first half. Fantasy managers should expect Matthews to remain on the team following the All-Star break. However, if he continues to struggle, they will likely send him back to Triple-A to further his development. Earlier this season with Sugar Land, Matthews posted a strong .283/.400/.476 line with 12 doubles, 10 home runs, and 25 stolen bases across 73 contests. Given his five-category upside, he is worth holding in all 12+ team leagues for the time being.
--Andy SmithSource: MiLB.com
July 14, 2025
Athletics first base prospect
Nick Kurtz went 2-for-4 with a double and a home run during their victory on Sunday over the Toronto Blue Jays. Kurtz would go deep in the fifth inning with a two-run show off Toronto relief pitcher
Justin Bruihl. Over his last nine contests, the Wake Forest product has been one of the most productive hitters in the major leagues, boasting a .344/.447/.938 slash line with four doubles and five long balls. Following his slow start in the majors, the former fourth overall pick has posted a remarkable .287/.376/.713 line with seven doubles and 16 home runs across his last 35 games. Earlier this season, Kurtz flashed immense power upside with Triple-A Las Vegas. The 22-year-old should continue to be viewed as a must-start first baseman in all formats.
--Andy SmithSource: MLB.com
July 14, 2025
Minnesota Twins outfield prospect
Emmanuel Rodriguez (side) was removed from Saturday's contest against Triple-A Iowa due to a side injury. He is currently being evaluated by the team, but has not yet provided any further details. Rodriguez was recently sidelined for nearly a month due to a right hip injury and could face another extended absence. Since returning to Triple-A following the hip injury, Rodriguez went 6-for-13 with a double, a home run, and seven RBI across four contests. Overall, the No. 2-ranked prospect in Minnesota has enjoyed a productive campaign with Triple-A St. Paul, holding a .254/.41/.428 line with seven doubles, five home runs, and seven stolen bases. If the 22-year-old can continue to perform with St. Paul, he could be in contention to join the major leagues later in the second half.
--Andy SmithSource: MLB.com
July 14, 2025
Seattle Mariners infield prospect
Cole Young went 2-for-4 with a home run during their victory over the Detroit Tigers on Sunday afternoon. Young would hit his second MLB long ball in the final frame off Detroit reliever
Tommy Kahnle. During this five-game hitting streak, the former 21st overall pick has begun to find his footing in the big leagues. He has held a .389/.476/.778 slash line with a double and two home runs. Before this surge, the No. 3-ranked prospect in the Seattle system held a modest .230/.271/.270 slash line with four doubles and a 25:4 K:BB. Earlier in the season, Young spent 54 games with Triple-A Tacoma and posted a solid .277/.392/.461 line with 13 doubles, five home runs, and four stolen bases before moving up to Seattle. For now, he is worth a look in deeper formats as a middle infielder with upside.
--Andy SmithSource: MLB.com
July 14, 2025
Kansas City Royals pitching prospect
Noah Cameron was dominant in his most recent outing on Sunday afternoon against the New York Mets. In this outing, Cameron was given a no-decision as he tossed 6 2/3 shutout innings. He allowed seven hits and served up two free passes. He matched a season-high eight strikeouts. Since allowing five runs to the Los Angeles Dodgers on June 27, the southpaw has found his footing, logging 18 1/3 innings (three starts) to the tune of a stellar 0.98 ERA and a 0.98 WHIP. Through 70 total innings in the major leagues, the rookie has held his own, posting a 2.31 ERA with a 1.00 WHIP. During this stretch, he has struck out 58 batters while posting an above-average 8.0% walk rate. Given his strong debut, he will likely remain in the Kansas City rotation during the entire second half.
--Andy SmithSource: MLB.com
July 14, 2025
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher
Yoshinobu Yamamoto bounced back in a big way on Sunday, tossing seven shutout frames against the San Francisco Giants in a 5-2 win. Yamamoto scattered three hits and two walks while punching out seven. Unfortunately for the 26-year-old righty, he was saddled with a no-decision after
Tanner Scott blew a save in the ninth. Still, it was a big step in the right direction for Yamamoto, who was coming off a disastrous outing against the Milwaukee Brewers in which he didn't escape the first inning. Things have been a bit shaky for the Japanese star lately, with solid starts sandwiched between rough ones. Still, his numbers look good for the season, as he is 8-7 with a 2.59 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, and 116 strikeouts in 104 ⅓ IP. His next start is TBD as we head into the all-star break, but Yamamoto will be a must-start in fantasy regardless of who he faces.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
July 14, 2025
Chicago Cubs starting pitcher
Shota Imanaga (6-3) authored a dominant start on Sunday, tossing seven one-run innings against the New York Yankees in a 4-1 win. Imanaga was excellent throughout this one, allowing just two hits and a walk while striking out six. After a solid start to his season, Imanaga missed a month and a half with a hamstring injury. Since his return, he has been fine, but this was by far the best he has looked. Imanaga is now 6-3 with a 2.65 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, and 48 strikeouts in 68 IP. He isn't much of a strikeout artist, but Imanaga does a good job preventing runs and baserunners. He is a must-start pitcher in fantasy, and lines up to start against the Boston Red Sox on Saturday, subject to any changes the Cubs decide to make to their rotation during the All-Star break.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
July 14, 2025
Texas Rangers starting pitcher
Nathan Eovaldi (7-3) pitched into the eighth inning on Sunday, allowing just one run and picking up the win against the Houston Astros. Eovaldi scattered five hits, walked one, and struck out eight over 7 ⅔ IP in what was another convincing performance. The 35-year-old veteran is having a career season, with a lights-out 1.58 ERA and 0.85 WHIP supported by a 94:14 K:BB ratio over 91 IP. Regression is almost certain with numbers like that, but even with that baked in, he should still be considered a must-start fantasy option regardless of matchup. Eovaldi is in line to face the Detroit Tigers next Sunday, but things could change if the Rangers' rotation gets shuffled after the All-Star break.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
July 14, 2025
St. Louis Cardinals closer
Ryan Helsley finished off a 5-4 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Sunday, picking up his 19th save. Helsley made things interesting in this one, allowing a walk and a single before getting three straight outs, including a strikeout, to escape the jam. The 30-year-old fireballer has been decent this year, converting 19 of 24 save opportunities and pitching to a 3.27 ERA and 1.42 WHIP with 36 strikeouts in 33 IP. There are some worrisome signs, as Helsley has allowed too many baserunners and is striking out fewer batters than in previous seasons. Still, he hasn't been bad enough for the Cardinals to consider taking him out of the closer role, so fantasy owners should roll with him as long as he keeps getting the job done.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
July 14, 2025
Athletics closer
Mason Miller earned his second save in as many days on Sunday, closing out a 6-3 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays. Miller allowed just a single and struck out one in his inning of work. The flamethrower had his stuff today, hitting 104 mph on his fastball. While his numbers are a touch inflated this season, it has still been a good sophomore campaign for Miller. He is 19-for-22 in save opportunities, and carries a 4.04 ERA and 1.07 WHIP with 57 strikeouts in 35 ⅔ IP. A couple of blow-up outings are making those ratios look mediocre, but it is clear that when Miller is on, he is nearly untouchable. He should be regarded as an elite closer for fantasy, albeit on an A's team that won't win a ton of games.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
July 14, 2025
Pittsburgh Pirates closer
David Bednar slammed the door on the Minnesota Twins on Sunday, tossing a clean ninth inning to preserve a 2-1 win. Bednar allowed a leadoff single to
Carlos Correa, but then got three straight outs, including two punchouts, to pick up his 13th save. The 30-year-old righty has been lights out since late May, going 18 straight appearances (17 ⅓ IP) without allowing an earned run and converting all nine of his save chances in that time frame. Bednar is down to a 2.53 ERA and 1.13 WHIP with 45 strikeouts in 32 IP on the season. Even with a shaky start, he has been one of the best closers in the majors.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
July 14, 2025
It looked for most of Sunday's race at Sonoma that Ryan Preece was actually going to upset In-Season Tournament favorite Tyler Reddick to advance to the semifinal against Ty Gibbs, which was very shocking as Preece spent much of Stage 3 inside the top 10, while Reddick was outside of it, even though he is a vastly better road racer and driver in general. Much like his Mexico City run, he showed uncharacteristic mediocrity for much of the race, but a decision to pit for fresh rubber when a caution came out for a loose tire bunched up the field, and Reddick passed Preece on a restart as Preece ran into the back of Noah Gragson and slightly damaged his car. At that point, he blasted through the field to finish sixth, making him the only driver to finish in the top 10 in all three Challenge races, but he's tending to run worse than his finishes, so don't be surprised if Gibbs upsets him at Dover.
--Sean Wrona - RotoBallerSource: Racing Reference
July
14,
2025
In
an
odd
coincidence,
all
three
NASCAR
Cup
Series
drivers
named
Tyler
advanced
to
the
final
four
of
NASCAR's
In-Season
Challenge
tournament
bracket.
While
Tyler
Reddick
is
not
really
a
surprise,
both
Ty
Dillon
and
Ty
Gibbs
definitely
were
as
Dillon
read more...
July
14,
2025
Kyle
Larson
had
a
curiously
mediocre
run
at
Sonoma,
a
track
where
he
had
earned
impressive
wins
twice
before
in
2021
and
2024
as
well
as
four
consecutive
poles
from
2017-2022.
Larson
wasn't
remotely
in
contention,
spending
most
of
the
race
read more...
July 14, 2025
As usual for the Legacy Motor Club drivers on road courses, neither John Hunter Nemechek nor Erik Jones ran very well at Sonoma on Sunday. But also as usual, Nemechek had more road-course speed than Jones, who was at times battling the slowest cars like Katherine Legge's. That allowed Nemechek to beat Jones to advance to the semifinal of the In-Season Challenge bracket, where he will face Ty Dillon at Dover. Since Nemechek is 22nd in points and Dillon is 31st, he is more likely to advance, but the fact that both drivers were so low in points is really a reflection of how the tournament has a terrible format that rewards mediocrity rather than performance, especially by starting the tournament on a drafting track. Even if Nemechek wins the bracket, it won't be that significant of an accomplishment.
--Sean Wrona - RotoBallerSource: Racing Reference
July 14, 2025
Improbably, Ty Dillon advanced to the semifinal of NASCAR's In-Season Challenge after bumping his opponent Alex Bowman out of the way despite Bowman outrunning Dillon for nearly the entire race. Although his 17th-place finishing position was the best of his career at Sonoma, he still didn't actually run very well as his average running position was 24th, and his average running position at Chicago of 25th was even worse. Really, all this proves is how single-race finishing results have little to do with how drivers are actually running. Despite the fact that he was actually a top ten points scorer at Sonoma because he scored points in both stages, he still only ranks 31st in the championship nearly 100 points behind his teammate A.J. Allmendinger, and it's unlikely he will beat John Hunter Nemechek to make the final of the tournament.
--Sean Wrona - RotoBallerSource: Racing Reference
July 13, 2025
Seattle Mariners outfielder
Julio Rodriguez went yard for the third consecutive game on Sunday in an 8-4 win over the Detroit Tigers. Rodriguez blasted a solo home run off right-hander
Jack Flaherty in the third inning, but that was hardly his lone contribution. He also chipped in an RBI double, drew two walks, stole a base, and scored three times in a 2-for-3 afternoon as the Mariners completed a three-game road sweep. Rodriguez terrorized the Tigers all weekend, finishing the series 6-for-12 with three HRs, six RBI, eight runs, two steals, and four walks. An All-Star for the third time this season, Rodriguez enters the break hitting .252/.313/.417 with 14 homers, 50 RBI, 63 runs, and 17 steals in 431 plate appearances. The 24-year-old is poised to begin his career with four 20/20 seasons in a row.
--Connor ByrneSource: ESPN
July
13,
2025
Detroit
Tigers
outfielder
Riley
Greene
went
deep
for
the
second
game
in
a
row
in
an
8-4
loss
to
the
Seattle
Mariners
on
Sunday.
Greene
connected
on
a
solo
home
run
off
left-hander
read more...
July
13,
2025
Los
Angeles
Dodgers
closer
Tanner
Scott
recorded
his
major
league-worst
seventh
blown
save
in
a
5-2
win
over
the
San
Francisco
Giants
on
Sunday.
Leading
2-0,
the
Dodgers
called
on
Scott
to
put
away
the
Giants
read more...
July 13, 2025
Boston Red Sox infielder/outfielder
Ceddanne Rafaela continued his July power surge in a 4-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday. Rafaela finished 1-for-3 with a two-run shot off Rays starter
Ryan Pepiot, giving him five dingers in 11 games this month. The 24-year-old has gone 16-for-41 (.390) with six doubles, 15 RBI, and 10 runs in July, and his hot hitting goes back several weeks. Rafaela owned an uninspiring .647 OPS entering June, but that number has skyrocketed by 150 points in the past month and a half. He'll head into the second part of the season slashing .271/.314/.483 with 14 homers, 48 RBI, 55 runs, 13 steals, and an above-average 19.4% strikeout rate in 341 plate appearances. He's already just one HR away from tying the career-high 15 he hit last year in 152 games. With Rafaela ranking in the top 20% of hitters in xSLG and barrel rate, his spike in power looks legitimate.
--Connor ByrneSource: ESPN
July
13,
2025
The
Milwaukee
Brewers
have
reinstated
outfielder
Blake
Perkins
(shin/groin)
from
the
60-day
injured
list
and
optioned
him
to
Triple-A
Nashville,
per
a
team
announcement.
The
Brewers
made
room
for
him
on
their
40-man
roster
by
designating
read more...
July 13, 2025
Boston Red Sox closer
Aroldis Chapman put an exclamation point on a great first half of the season in a 4-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday. Chapman struck out the side in a perfect ninth inning to slam the door on Tampa Bay and record his 17th save of 2025. Now an eight-time All-Star, the 37-year-old has put up elite numbers across the board. Chapman owns a 1.18 ERA with a 0.76 WHIP and 55 strikeouts against 10 walks in 38 innings. The lights-out lefty has just one blown save, which came back on May 27.
--Connor ByrneSource: ESPN
July 13, 2025
New York Mets left-hander
Sean Manaea (0-1) made his season debut and took the loss in a 3-2 decision against the Kansas City Royals on Sunday. The Mets activated Manaea on Sunday after he sat out the first three-plus months of the season with oblique and elbow injuries. Despite the outcome, Manaea pitched well in his return. The 33-year-old came on in relief in the sixth and wound up throwing 3 1/3 innings of one-run ball with seven strikeouts on 65 pitches (44 strikes). While Manaea didn't hand out any free passes, he did scatter five hits, including
Nick Loftin's walk-off single in the ninth. Looking ahead to the second half of the season, Manaea will be a welcome addition to the Mets' rotation. In 2024, his first year as a Met, he went 12-6 with a 3.47 ERA, a 1.08 WHIP, and 184:63 K:BB across a career-high 181 2/3 frames.
--Connor ByrneSource: ESPN
July 13, 2025
Kansas City Royals relief pitcher
Carlos Estevez blew a two-run lead in the ninth inning for his fifth blown save of the season on Sunday, but ended up picking up his fourth win thanks to a walk-off single by
Nick Loftin in the bottom of the inning. He allowed a double and a triple to start the frame, before eventually letting in the tying run on a sacrifice fly. This was the 32-year-old's second blown save in a row, as he came into Friday's game in a bases-loaded jam in the eighth and gave up a bases-clearing double. Still, he'll carry a 2.36 ERA into the All-Star break and doesn't look to be in danger of losing his job.
--Jeremy HeistSource: MLB.com
July 13, 2025
The Cleveland Guardians have selected outfielder Jace LaViolette out of Texas A&M with the 27th overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft. LaViolette has as much raw power as any hitter in the class, and he adds a ton of thump to a Cleveland organizaton that has a need for some pop. He has the potential to be a force in the middle of the lineup as he set a school record with 68 homers during his time in College Station. While there are some swing and miss concerns with a 25 percent strikeout rate in his final season, he owns a career .285 batting average and 1.083 OPS across 876 college plate appearances. He moves very well for his burly 6'6" 230 230-pound frame, and projects as an average defender in a corner outfield spot. LaViolette joins a Cleveland minor league system headlined by 2024 number one overall pick
Travis Bazzana and fellow outfielder
Chase DeLauter.
--Kyle McCarthySource: MLB.com
July 13, 2025
Miami Marlins starting pitcher
Eury Perez was dominant on Sunday in an 11-1 win against the Orioles, striking out six over seven scoreless frames. He allowed three hits and didn't walk a single batter. The youngster had a rocky first four starts in his return to the mound for the first time since 2023, but has seemingly figured things out over his past three outings. During that span, the 22-year-old has allowed one earned run on six hits and one walk while striking out 21 over 18 innings. This is the potential many saw in him as he rose through the minor leagues as one of the most highly-regarded prospects in baseball. He'll carry a 3.18 ERA into the All-Star break, and he could very well be a must-start pitcher for fantasy the rest of the way.
--Jeremy HeistSource: MLB.com
July 13, 2025
Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher
Cristopher Sanchez allowed one run on six hits and three walks with six strikeouts in 7 ⅓ innings in a 2-1 victory against the Padres. This was his eighth win of the season, bringing his record to 8-2. The 28-year-old has been one of the most reliable pitchers in baseball, as this was his eighth straight quality start. The lefty heads into the break with a 2.50 ERA and 1.14 WHIP with 122 strikeouts through 115 innings pitched. He's been regarded as one of the biggest All-Star snubs, and the Phillies recently activated his bonus All-Star clause in his contract to reward him, despite not officially making the team.
--Jeremy HeistSource: MLB.com
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