July 30, 2025
The Minnesota Twins acquired right-handed pitching prospect
Mick Abel and catching prospect
Eduardo Tait from the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday in exchange for closer
Jhoan Duran, according to Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY Sports. Abel, the Phillies' No. 6 prospect per MLB Pipeline, made his big-league debut this year in Philly and didn't fare so well, allowing 14 earned runs on 25 hits (seven homers) while walking nine and striking out 21 in 25 innings pitched over six starts. The 23-year-old former 15th overall pick in 2020 has looked much better at Triple-A Lehigh Valley in 2025 over 13 starts (74 innings), recording a 2.31 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 81:32 K:BB. The 6-foot-5, 190-pounder now has a much clearer path to a rotation spot in the big leagues with Minnesota and could resurface in the big leagues for the Twins to close out the 2025 campaign.
UPDATE: Abel will join Triple-A St. Paul.--Keith HernandezSource: USA TODAY Sports - Bob Nightengale
July 30, 2025
The Minnesota Twins acquired catching prospect
Eduardo Tait and right-hander
Mick Abel from the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday in exchange for closer
Jhoan Duran, according to Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY Sports. Tait was considered the Phillies' No. 4 prospect, per MLB Pipeline. He's only 18 years old but was promoted to High-A Jersey Shore this year after hitting .251/.322/.436 with 11 home runs, 51 RBI and 41 runs scored in 75 games for Single-A Clearwater to begin the 2025 campaign. The Panamanian backstop had appeared in only seven contests at Jersey Shore, going 8-for-27 (.296) with three doubles and six RBI. The left-handed hitter stands at 6-foot, 175 pounds finds the barrel consistently and uses all fields as a hitter. Tait is more of a work in progress with the glove, though, and he probably won't be a realitic big-league option in Minnesota for another couple of years.
UPDATE: Tait will head to Single-A Cedar Rapids.--Keith HernandezSource: USA TODAY Sports - Bob Nightengale
July 30, 2025
MLB.com's Anthony DiComo reports that New York Mets catcher
Francisco Alvarez (head) passed concussion protocols after leaving Wednesday's loss to the San Diego Padres at Petco Park after taking a check-swing foul ball off his catcher's mask in the fifth inning. Alvarez finished the inning but was replaced by
Luis Torrens in the sixth inning in the eventual 5-0 loss. DiComo adds that the young backstop will be permitted to fly back to New York with the team, but it remains to be seen if he'll be back in the lineup for Friday's series opener against the San Francisco Giants after a day off on Thursday. The 23-year-old was 0-for-2 with two strikeouts before leaving. Since coming back up from the minor leagues on July 21, Alvarez has swung the bat well, going 6-for-21 with a homer, two RBI and six runs scored. It sounds like Alvarez should be able to avoid going on the seven-day concussion IL.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Anthony DiComo
July 30, 2025
The New York Mets are finalizing a deal on Wednesday to acquire right-handed closer
Ryan Helsley from the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for shortstop/third baseman
Jesus Baez and right-handers Nate Dohm and Frank Elissalt, league sources tell Will Sammon of The Athletic. Helsley, 31, has had his hiccups this year and is sporting a 3.00 ERA (3.51 FIP) and 1.39 WHIP in 36 innings pitched, but he still has 21 saves and 41 strikeouts in 36 innings pitched. The Mets were not done fortifying their bullpen after overpaying for Giants right-handed submariner
Tyler Rogers earlier in the day. Helsley had a league-best 49 saves for the Red Birds as a second-time All-Star in 2023 and will now move to Queens, where his fantasy value is going to take a big hit now that he's going to operate as a late-inning setup man in front of Mets current closer
Edwin Diaz.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Will Sammon
July 30, 2025
Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher
Caleb Ferguson was traded to the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday. This is a nice under-the-radar move for Seattle to add extra depth to their bullpen. Ferguson holds a 3.74 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 34/14 K/BB ratio across 45 appearances with the Pirates this season. He figures to pitch in a setup role for the Mariners down the stretch. The return for Pittsburgh was not announced yet, but it likely won't be a huge return given Ferguson is on a one-year deal, There won't be much fantasy value here with Ferguson unlikely to close out games in Seattle.
--Andy WebbSource: Jeff Passan
July 30, 2025
Minnesota Twins relief pitcher
Jhoan Duran was acquired by the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday. Finally, the two sides get a deal done after all the speculation for the last few weeks. The Phillies have been looking for a high-leverage reliever and now they have one in Duran. In exchange, the Twins received right-hander
Mick Abel and catcher
Eduardo Tait. Both players were top prospects in the Phillies farm system, so a nice grab for Minnesota. The Phillies get a shut down closer in Duran for the rest of this year and two more seasons after 2025. Duran holds a 2.01 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and a 53/18 K/BB ratio with 16 saves in 49 games this season. He figures to see the bulk of the saves in Philly going forward which should increase his fantasy value.
--Andy WebbSource: Jeff Passan
July 30, 2025
Tampa Bay Rays second baseman
Brandon Lowe (foot) was activated off the 10-day injured list on Wednesday. Lowe is back in the mix after missing the minimum of 10 days on the IL due to plantar fasciitis in his left foot. He'll get right back into the swing of things as he bats second while covering second base versus right-hander
Will Warren on Wednesday. Lowe has been hitting the ball well enough to warrant rostering in most standard 12-team formats right now. Fantasy managers should make sure to get Lowe back into their lineups ahead of Wednesday's game. In a corresponding move, infielder
Tristan Gray has been optioned to Triple-A Durham.
--Andy WebbSource: Ryan Bass
July 30, 2025
Philadelphia Phillies outfielder
Max Kepler (triceps) was removed from Wednesday’s lineup due to a strained left triceps. The severity of his injury is not yet known.
Johan Rojas took his spot in the lineup, while
Brandon Marsh shifts to left field. Kepler should be considered day-to-day for now. Kepler, who hits lefties better on the road than at home, has been in a bit of a funk recently, slashing only .152/.216/.242 since the All-Star break with only one home run while platooning in the Phillies outfield.
--Dr. Reuven GuySource: @mattgelb
July 30, 2025
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher
Blake Snell (shoulder) will come off the 60-day injured list and start against the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday. This marks the first time that Snell has taken a big league mound since April 2. Most recently, Snell tossed 4.2 scoreless innings, allowing zero hits, and striking out seven batters this past Saturday with Triple-A Oklahoma City. It appears the southpaw is ready for the big leagues again after a four-month absence. It's worth noting that Dodgers' manager Dave Roberts said the team will move to a six-man rotation going forward. That will mean slightly less fantasy value for these pitchers with there being longer times between each start. Despite that, Snell needs to be rostered and started in all fantasy formats this weekend.
--Andy WebbSource: Fabian Ardaya
July 30, 2025
Chicago White Sox outfielder
Luis Robert Jr. has been one of the hottest names during the upcoming trade deadline. There have been a handful of teams reportedly interested in acquiring Robert ahead of Thursday's deadline. However, the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies are reportedly the frontrunners to acquire Robert. It hasn't been a great year at the plate for Robert, but he does have a .926 OPS in July. The 27-year-old is heating up at the right time. He brings a good combination of speed and power that would be a nice fit for both the Phillies and Mets lineup.
--Andy WebbSource: Francys Romero
July 30, 2025
Los Angeles Angels third baseman
Yoan Moncada (hand) will make his return to the starting lineup ahead of Wednesday's game against the Texas Rangers. Moncada is back in the mix after missing the previous three games. He was hit in the hand by a pitch during Saturday's game and sat out a few games as a result. Moncada will cover third base and bat sixth versus right-hander
Nathan Eovaldi on Wednesday. Fantasy managers should double check their lineups and make sure Moncada is in there.
--Andy WebbSource: mlb.com
July 30, 2025
St. Louis Cardinals reliever
John King (oblique) was placed on the 15-day IL on Wednesday with a left oblique strain. Severity is not yet known. If the oblique strain is a Grade 1, expect King to miss only 2-3 weeks. A Grade 2 oblique strain could mean 6-8 weeks on the IL and possibly season-ending. Further testing (MRI) will show the Cardinals' next course of action. Since the All-Star break, King has only allowed three earned runs over his last seven outings, logging four strikeouts and only one walk. RHP
Gordon Graceffo has been called up to take King's bullpen spot.
--Dr. Reuven GuySource: @cardinals
July 30, 2025
Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher
Tyler Wells (elbow) had his first rehab start for Double-A Chesapeake on Wednesday. The 30-year-old threw two perfect innings with one strikeout. Wells had Tommy John surgery in June 2024 and is trying to work his way into the Orioles' starting rotation. He threw 15 of his 22 pitches for strikes, which is a good sign as control is one of the last aspects of pitching that comes back after Tommy John surgery. Wells has not pitched in an MLB game since April 2024 but was a consistent pitcher back in 2023, pitching to the tune of a 3.64 ERA, 0.99 WHIP over 119 innings, starting 20 games for the Orioles. Wells could return to the majors by late August.
--Dr. Reuven GuySource: @BaysoxOfficial
July 30, 2025
New York Mets manager
Carlos Mendoza said he anticipates outfielder
Juan Soto (foot) to return to the Mets lineup on Friday versus the San Francisco Giants. "I think we dodged a bullet here," Mendoza said, referring to the bruised left foot Soto suffered in Tuesday’s loss to the Pirates. X-rays on his foot came back negative. However, fractures may not be seen until a few days later due to inflammation. Given the rest, the Mets are giving Soto Wednesday, and with the team having an off day Thursday, Soto is able to have 72 hours off his feet. Soto have been somewhat slumping in July hitting only .210 with five home runs, 15 RBI and six stolen bases.
Tyrone Taylor has benefited with more playing time with Soto out.
--Dr. Reuven GuySource: @snytv
July 30, 2025
Chicago White Sox starting pitcher
Martin Perez (forearm), who has been on the injured list since April 19, has been cleared to begin a rehab assignment starting Thursday with Triple-A Charlotte. Perez has been on the 60-day IL with a left flexor strain in his left forearm, and his rehab has finally progressed to game action. Given the length of time Perez has been out, he should require multiple rehab starts, barring any setbacks. He has pitched in four games this year to the tune of a 3.15 ERA and 1.25 WHIP over 20 innings. Perez could return in the next two t to three weeks, putting him on the fantasy radar in deep leagues.
--Dr. Reuven GuySource: @scottmerkin
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