June 28, 2025
New York Yankees first baseman
Ben Rice is absent from the starting lineup ahead of Saturday's game against the Athletics. Rice will take a seat here after starting in each of the last three games. During that span, Rice went 1-for-10 at the plate, so it looks like he could use a day off. In his absence,
Austin Wells will do the catching, while
Giancarlo Stanton serves as the designated hitter versus left-hander
JP Sears. Rice figures to be back in the mix following this contest.
--Andy WebbSource: mlb.com
June 28, 2025
Detroit Tigers outfielder
Matt Vierling (shoulder) has been activated off the 10-day injured list ahead of Saturday's game against the Minnesota Twins. Vierling is back in the mix after missing most of the season due to right shoulder inflammation. Vierling was a valuable bat last season, so hopefully he can pick up where he left off. He'll cover center field and bat seventh versus right-hander
Bailey Ober on Saturday. In a corresponding move, infielder
Trey Sweeney has been optioned to Triple-A Toledo. Vierling should have at least deep league value, assuming he plays regularly in the outfield.
--Andy WebbSource: mlb.com
June 28, 2025
Los Angeles Dodgers superstar
Shohei Ohtani gave his team a big lift during Friday's game against the Kansas City Royals. Ohtani got the fun started early with a leadoff home run off left-hander
Noah Cameron in the first inning. He would later hit an RBI-triple in the fifth inning. Ohtani now has seven hits over his last five games. He finished this game 2-for-3 with a home run, triple, two RBI, two runs scored, and a walk in the win. This was Ohtani's 29th blast of the season, which puts him on pace to hit nearly 60 long balls this season.
--Andy WebbSource: mlb.com
June 28, 2025
Minnesota Twins starting pitcher
David Festa bounced back nicely on the mound during Friday's outing against the Detroit Tigers. Festa looked like a completely different pitcher as he tossed arguably his best outing of the season. The right-hander threw 5 ⅔ scoreless innings, allowing two hits, and striking out six batters in the win. It has been an ugly start to the season for Festa who holds a 5.40 ERA, 1.42 WHIP across 36.2 innings of work. He'll look to keep the good times rolling against the Miami Marlins next week. Festa has some low-end streaming value for that one.
--Andy WebbSource: mlb.com
June 28, 2025
Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher
Robert Stephenson (biceps) is expected to begin throwing again on Monday. Stephenson continues to work his way back from a right biceps injury that has sidelined him since early June. The right-hander still remains without a timetable, but is likely going to need a rehab assignment before returning to the Angels bullpen. The hope is that Stephenson can be back around the All-Star break. Stephenson doesn't offer enough upside in the bullpen to warrant rostering in fantasy formats right now.
--Andy WebbSource: Jeff Fletcher
June 28, 2025
San Diego Padres starting pitcher
Yu Darvish (elbow) pitched a simulated game this past Wednesday at Single-A Lake Elsinore, and it went well, so the team is "getting closer to putting together a plan" for when the veteran hurler will return to the mound for the Padres. While vague, it appears he's continuing to progress, so one would expect a couple of rehab starts to follow before rejoining San Diego's rotation, which would put him on track to return after the All-Star break in a best-case scenario. The Padres are also without
Michael King, so they could use the rotation help. The 38-year-old has yet to pitch for the team this season, but was effective in his 16 starts in 2024, posting a 3.31 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and a 16.9 percent K-BB%, so fantasy managers in need of pitching help could consider stashing him for when he returns.
--Jarod RuppSource: 97.3 The Fan
June 28, 2025
New York Yankees starting pitcher
Marcus Stroman (knee) will start Sunday's home game against the Athletics, according to manager Aaron Boone. The veteran has been sidelined with knee inflammation, but has recovered and completed three minor league rehab starts, although they came with a 6.97 ERA, 1.74 WHIP, and a 9:5 K:BB in 10 1/3 IP. Before the injury, the 34-year-old righty made three starts for New York, posting an 11.57 ERA, 2.04 WHIP, and a 7:7 K:BB in 9 1/3 IP. Fantasy managers thinking of picking up the former 2x All-Star may want to see him string together a couple of solid outings before doing so, although the Athletics have been shut out in three of their last five games, so perhaps it is a good spot for Stroman to get going.
--Jarod RuppSource: Gary Phillips
June 28, 2025
San Diego Padres starting pitcher
Michael King (shoulder) played catch on Wednesday, a step in the right direction in what will hopefully be the beginning of a ramp-up that will eventually lead to his return to the mound. The 30-year-old has been on the shelf with a nerve issue affecting his throwing shoulder, but tests have determined that his shoulder is structurally sound, so there is hope that he'll be able to return in the second half of the season. The righty had been having a great season for the Padres before the injury, registering a 2.59 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and a 20.9 percent K-BB% in 10 starts (55 2/3 IP).
--Jarod RuppSource: MLB.com
June 28, 2025
Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman
Josh Naylor (neck) exited Friday's 9-8 loss to the Marlins before the seventh inning due to neck stiffness, according to manager Torey Lovullo. For now, the 2024 All-Star should be considered day-to-day, although he likely will not be in Arizona's lineup on Saturday. The 28-year-old is having a productive first season with the D-backs, hitting .304 with 10 home runs, 53 RBI, 42 runs scored, and 10 steals with a .361 wOBA and 130 wRC+, so hopefully he can get back out there soon.
--Jarod RuppSource: Jose M. Romero
June 28, 2025
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher
Tyler Glasnow (shoulder) completed his second rehab start at Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday, allowing five earned runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out three batters in 2 1/3 innings pitched. Although those numbers don't look good, on the bright side, the righty got his pitch count up to 66 and recorded a 30 percent CSW%. The 31-year-old is expected to make at least one more rehab start, and if all goes well, he could rejoin the Dodgers around the All-Star break. In five starts earlier in the season, the 2024 All-Star posted a 4.50 ERA and 1.28 WHIP, but was able to fan 23 batters in only 18 innings pitched, good for an 11.5 K/9.
--Jarod RuppSource: Blake Harris
June 28, 2025
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher
Blake Snell (shoulder) is getting work done in the form of bullpen sessions, however, he is not close to facing live hitters at this point, according to manager Dave Roberts. The 2x Cy Young winner experienced additional inflammation and was shut down after his last bout of bullpens, so the Dodgers will want to see him make it through these without any problems before moving on to live hitters and eventually a rehab assignment. The 32-year-old made two starts at the beginning of the season, allowing two earned runs in nine innings, but also ten hits and eight walks while striking out four. As it stands, a return in late July appears to be the most optimistic outcome.
--Jarod RuppSource: MLB.com
June 28, 2025
Cleveland Guardians first base prospect
C.J. Kayfus went 1-for-3 with a home run and two walks during their contest against Triple-A Iowa on Friday evening. Kayfus has been one of the most dominant hitters at Triple-A over the past week. Over his last four games, Kayfus has gone deep four times, tallied nine RBI, and held a 4:4 K:BB. The No. 100-ranked prospect in the sport on MLB.com opened the season with Double-A but quickly earned the call to Triple-A. Through 18 games with Double-A, Kayfus posted a .364/.475/.591 slash line. Through his first 48 games with Triple-A Columbus, the former third-round pick has held an impressive .306/.383/.578 slash line with 11 doubles and 10 round-trippers. Given his elite production at Triple-A, Kayfus should be viewed as a viable stash option in all standard formats.
--Andy SmithSource: MiLB.com
June 28, 2025
Philadelphia Phillies right-handed pitching prospect
Andrew Painter tossed 4 2/3 innings of two-run ball in his latest outing with Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Friday evening. Facing Triple-A Buffalo, the top prospect in the Philadelphia system struck out five batters and allowed only one walk. Since allowing six runs on June 4, Painter has begun to turn the corner at Triple-A, tossing 14 1/3 innings to the tune of a 2.51 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, and a 16:7 K:BB. The 22-year-old opened the campaign with Low-A Clearwater but needed only 11 1/3 innings to prove he was ready to join Triple-A. While Painter has missed the previous two seasons recovering from Tommy John, the top prospect appears to be increasing in workload and remains on track to join the majors early in the second half. He remains a strong stash option in all 12-team leagues.
--Andy SmithSource: MiLB.com
June 28, 2025
New York Yankees outfield prospect
Spencer Jones went 1-for-5 with a home run during his Triple-A debut. Jones wasted little at the top level of the minor leagues as he launched his 17th long ball of the season during his first game. Jones is considered the No. 2-ranked prospect in the Yankee system on MLB.com. The former 25th overall pick took significant strides at Double-A this season, which earned him the promotion. Through 49 games with Somerset, Jones held a solid .274/.389/.594 slash line with eight doubles and 16 round-trippers. Last season with Double-A, Jones posted a much lower .259/.336/.452 liner across 122 games. Fantasy managers should continue to closely monitor his production at Triple-A, as he could push for a late-season promotion to the major leagues.
--Andy SmithSource: MiLB.com
June 28, 2025
Seattle Mariners outfield prospect
Lazaro Montes has become the first player in the minor leagues to hit 20 home runs during the 2025 campaign. On Friday evening, Montes went 1-for-4 with a long ball. Since earning the promotion to Double-A earlier in the week, the budding star in Seattle has hit two home runs and added a double. He has drawn four walks and has only struck out four times. Earlier in the season, the 20-year-old spent time with High-A Everett and held a .268/.387/.572 slash line with 12 doubles, 18 home runs, three stolen bases, and an 83:47 K:BB. The No. 36-ranked prospect on MLB.com is worth keeping a close eye on as he appears to be an ascending star in the minor leagues. If he continues to perform at a high level at Double-A, he should remain on track to reach the majors next season.
--Andy SmithSource: MiLB.com
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