June 20, 2025
Per manager Joe Espada, Houston Astros starting pitcher
J.P. France (shoulder) is slated to throw his third live batting practice on Friday. The New Orleans native recently threw a successful session late last week and has had solid progression in his return from right shoulder surgery last July. It will still be some time before France rejoins Houston in some fashion, as he'll need to ramp up a bit over a rehab outing in the minor leagues. Still, it's superb news for him and the team. As a whole, Houston's pitching staff leads the league in strikeouts (734) and is second in cumulative WHIP (1.15). However, their rotation has dealt with a myriad of injuries.
--Alex CiullaSource: Matt Kawahara
June 20, 2025
Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher
Paul Skenes had a decent start in Game 2 of their doubleheader on Friday, tossing six innings of two-run ball in a no-decision against the Detroit Tigers. Skenes struggled with control in this one, walking five and throwing only 61 of 105 pitches for strikes. Still, the 23-year-old phenom was able to put together a quality start and managed nine strikeouts in the process. If this is a "bad" start for Skenes, it's clear that he is among the best pitchers in the league. He now has a 4-6 record, 1.85 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, and 106 strikeouts in 102 IP. His next start is scheduled for next Wednesday in Milwaukee against the Brewers.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
June 20, 2025
Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports that outfielder
Chas McCormick (oblique) will likely face live pitching next week in Florida. The 30-year-old has been shelved since May 31 with a left-oblique strain, but has recently progressed to swinging the bat and will soon take the next step in his recovery. He's sporting an unappealing .256/.347/.302 slash line through 36 appearances with just two extra-base hits (zero home runs). It's worth noting he's been far superior against southpaws (.375) than righties (.229) thus far. However, it's too small a sample size to glean any real insight (3-for-8). McCormick projects to require a short minor-league rehab stint before returning to Houston.
--Alex CiullaSource: Matt Kawahara
June 20, 2025
Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher
Orion Kerkering threw a clean ninth inning to preserve a 2-1 win over the Miami Marlins on Thursday. Kerkering was tasked with finishing off a dominant performance for
Cristopher Sanchez. After an error and a single put runners on the corners, Kerkering was able to escape the jam to pick up his second save. The 24-year-old now has two saves, 11 holds, a 2.37 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, and 28 strikeouts in 30 ⅓ IP. It seems to be a two-headed approach in the Phillies' bullpen right now, with Kerkering and
Matt Strahm each picking up multiple saves in the last few weeks. It will likely remain that way, although Strahm has struggled a bit recently. Both are worth a look in deeper formats where saves are tough to come by.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
June 20, 2025
Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher
Cristopher Sanchez picked up his sixth win of the year in a 2-1 victory over the Miami Marlins on Thursday. Sanchez was extremely efficient in this one, needing just 91 pitches to get through eight one-run innings. He scattered five hits, struck out four, and didn't walk a batter. While he didn't end up with many strikeouts, Sanchez did generate 11 whiffs (10 on his changeup) and had a solid 34% CSW. The lefty improves to 6-2 on the season with a 2.87 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and 92 strikeouts in 87 ⅔ IP. Sanchez has been phenomenal this season and is a clear must-start pitcher. His next outing is scheduled for next Wednesday, when he will face the Houston Astros on the road.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
June 20, 2025
Houston Astros manager Joe Espada reports that starting pitcher
Luis Garcia (elbow) could throw live batting practice next week. The 28-year-old experienced a setback a few months ago when he dealt with soreness and inflammation in his surgically repaired elbow, though it's excellent news that Houston anticipates him throwing BP next week. It's a critical milestone in his recovery from Tommy John surgery. However, he'll still require quite a bit of time on a minor-league rehab assignment to build back up before he rejoins the roster. Garcia plans to do so in late July or early August, which could come to fruition if next week's session goes well. He should boost the Astros' rotation upon his arrival, but his workload will almost certainly be capped.
--Alex CiullaSource: Matt Kawahara
June 20, 2025
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher
Spencer Strider (2-5) was strong on Thursday, allowing just one run over six innings in a 7-1 win over the New York Mets. Strider once again looked like his old self, striking out eight while allowing just five hits and one walk. This makes two solid outings in a row for the fireballer, who averaged 96 mph on his fastball, up 0.7 mph from his season average. He also induced 18 whiffs, including 14 on his slider. It appears to be a return to form for the 26-year-old, who now holds a 3.89 ERA and 1.14 WHIP with 45 strikeouts across 37 IP. The buy-low window on Strider has officially closed, and he is once again a must-start pitcher. His next start should come next Wednesday against these same Mets, but in New York this time.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
June 20, 2025
St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher
Andre Granillo had a day to remember on Thursday, collecting his first career win and first career save across the Cards' doubleheader with the Chicago White Sox. In Game 1, Granillo came into the game with two outs and runners on second and first in a tie ballgame, and was able to get out of the jam. The Cardinals then took the lead, giving Granillo the win. In Game 2, Granillo tossed a scoreless bottom of the 10th with the Cards' up 8-6 to secure his first save. The 25-year-old now has four straight scoreless appearances to start his career. There aren't any fantasy implications here, but it is a cool story nonetheless.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
June 20, 2025
Per Houston Astros manager Joe Espada, outfielders
Yordan Alvarez (hand) and
Zach Dezenzo (hand) are still not hitting. Dezenzo has been out with a capsule strain in his hand since the end of May, and though he's reportedly pain-free, he still hasn't picked up a bat. Alvarez, on the other hand, is still recovering from a fracture he sustained in his hand that has sidelined him since May 3. The team has already noted that the fantasy stalwart won't resume hitting until he's fully healed, so he still has a bit more to go. It seems likely that both athletes will require minor-league rehab assignments before rejoining the roster. However, there's been no news on that front for either player.
--Alex CiullaSource: Matt Kawahara
June 20, 2025
St. Louis Cardinals third baseman
Nolan Arenado had a big game in the second half of the Cards' doubleheader with the Chicago White Sox on Thursday, going 3-for-5 with a homer and two RBI. Arenado helped get his team out to an early lead by homering in the third, and they would eventually win 6-5, although they did need a 10th inning to do so. The veteran infielder has been a little better at the dish recently, and has finally seen his OPS rise above .700 for the first time since May 28. On the season, Arenado has a .247 AVG, 34 runs, nine homers, 38 RBI, and one steal. Even with the recent upswing, he's been pretty disappointing and is borderline droppable in standard-sized leagues.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
June 20, 2025
Tampa Bay Rays right-handed pitcher
Joe Boyle allowed three runs on five hits and one walk while striking out eight over five innings in Thursday's 8-4 win over Triple-A Omaha. Outside of allowing two home runs to
Joey Wiemer, Boyle was quite good in this outing, generating 18 whiffs on 37 swings and stretching out to 88 pitches. The Rays' help in improving Boyle's control has allowed him to leverage his great stuff for plenty of strikeouts. He ranked second among all Triple-A starters in strikeout rate before this start. The 6-foot-8 right-hander has lowered his walk rate from 17.7 percent to 11.1 percent while also upping his zone rate from 48.3 percent to 51.4 percent. He could be a candidate to join the major-league rotation at any time, and his strikeout upside makes him worth a pickup in deeper leagues if that happens.
--Kyle McCarthySource: MiLB.com
June 20, 2025
Tampa Bay Rays shortstop prospect
Carson Williams went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI with a run scored in Thursday's 8-4 win against Triple-A Omaha. Williams has enjoyed a productive month of June, hitting .275/.373/.569 with four homers and three stolen bases in 60 plate appearances. Positively, he's cut his strikeout rate down into the mid-20 percent range during this time. Overall, the season-long numbers still look disappointing as he's hitting .201/.306/.397 with a strikeout rate north of 35 percent. The 21-year-old is still young for the level and has big power, but will need to continue to develop his contact ability in the minors before being considered for a promotion.
--Kyle McCarthySource: MiLB.com
June 20, 2025
Milwaukee Brewers pitching prospect
Logan Henderson allowed four runs on seven hits and two walks with seven strikeouts over 4 2/3 innings against Triple-A Iowa. Henderson took the loss on Thursday, as he allowed two homers to spoil his day. He was still effective in the whiffs category with his fastball and changeup combination working to great effect. The right-hander ended with 15 whiffs on the night, with his fastball and changeup accounting for 13 of them. The 23-year-old performed admirably when given the opportunity in the majors, pitching to a 1.71 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, and 29 strikeouts in 21 innings. He's mirrored similar dominant levels at Triple-A Nashville with a 2.44 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, and 62 strikeouts in 48 innings. He should be expected to return to the majors at some point soon and would be worthy of a pickup in most formats.
--Kyle McCarthySource: MiLB.com
June 19, 2025
Chicago White Sox pitching prospect
Noah Schultz took the loss against Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday, allowing six runs on eight hits and one walk while striking out five over 5 1/3 innings. The 21-year-old still generated 16 swinging strikes on 43 swings and allowed only two extra-base hits. He did give up a good amount of hard contact, but it wasn't all bad. Schultz held a 3.34 ERA in 56 2/3 innings at Double-A Birmingham but also owned an elevated 14.4 percent walk rate, which led to a 1.59 WHIP. The 6-foot-10 left-hander has serious upside but needs to improve his command as he ages. Schultz is currently ranked as the No. 13 overall prospect on MLB.com and likely won't be a call-up candidate until next season.
--Kyle McCarthySource: MiLB.com
June 19, 2025
Cleveland Guardians outfield prospect
Chase DeLauter went 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBI in Thursday's 8-6 loss against Triple-A Indianapolis. After finishing 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI in the suspended game earlier in the day, DeLauter went deep again and has caught fire in June. The 23-year-old is slashing .333/.439/.521 with two home runs and a 9:4 BB:K. He's complemented this mature approach with strong quality-of-contact metrics, with a 49 percent hard-hit rate and 9.8 percent barrel rate in 73 plate appearances. DeLauter won't steal many bags, but his combination of power and contact is quite appealing and could earn him a promotion to the big leagues this summer.
--Kyle McCarthySource: MiLB.com
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