July 30, 2025
Red Sox ace
Garrett Crochet will have his next start pushed back to Monday or Tuesday, with manager Alex Cora citing workload management. The 26-year-old lefty has been dominant in 2025, going 12-4 with a 2.23 ERA and an MLB-best 175 strikeouts. After logging 141 1/3 innings this season, just shy of last year's career-high 146, Boston is taking a cautious approach with their $170 million investment. With a playoff berth within reach, the Red Sox are prioritizing Crochet's health for the stretch run. Fantasy managers should expect extra days between starts down the stretch, though Crochet remains a must-start whenever he's on the mound.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Tim Healey
July 30, 2025
Minnesota Twins outfielder
Walker Jenkins went 3-for-5 with a double and a long ball during their contest against Double-A Amarillo on Tuesday evening. This was a nice breakout game for the top-ranked prospect in Minnesota as he went just 1-for-15 over his last five contests. However, prior to this brief skid, Jenkins held an elite .338/.457/.508 slash line with three doubles, one triple, two home runs, and three stolen bases over his last 17 games with Double-A. Through 32 games with Double-A Wichita this summer, Jenkins has posted an impressive .277/.397/.429 line. Despite his injury history, when healthy, Jenkins is one of the most productive bats in the minor leagues. He is worth closely monitoring as he should be given the call to Triple-A in the coming weeks.
--Andy SmithSource: MiLB.com
July
30,
2025
Chicago
Cubs
outfielder
Ian
Happ
(shin)
will
not
need
a
stint
on
the
injured
list,
according
to
Jesse
Rogers
of
ESPN.
The
Cubs
are
recalling
catching
prospect
Moises
Ballesteros
and
have
read more...
July 30, 2025
Houston Astros outfielder/designated hitter
Yordan Alvarez (hand) is targeting a return to the lineup when first eligible on Aug. 15. Limited to just 29 games this season due to a right-hand fracture suffered in May, Alvarez has been a major missing piece in Houston's lineup. With
Isaac Paredes potentially out for the year, Alvarez's return would provide a much-needed middle-of-the-order boost. His presence would also offer protection for slumping bats like
Yainer Diaz and
Christian Walker. If healthy, Alvarez could be a difference-maker for the Astros' playoff push and a major fantasy asset in the season's final weeks.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Michael Schwab
July 30, 2025
Los Angeles Dodgers outfield prospect
Josue De Paula (undisclosed) was placed on the 7-day injured list at High-A Great Lakes. De Paula recently took home the MVP from the Futures Game during All-Star weekend. Throughout the regular season, De Paula has emerged as one of the top bats in the Dodger system. Through 82 games with High-A, the No. 1-ranked prospect in the system on MLB.com has posted an impressive .262/.409/.416 slash line with an .825 OPS, 12 doubles, 10 home runs, and 28 stolen bases. This is a great sign as he posted a much lower .254 AVG with a .778 OPS during his first stint at High-A last summer. When he returns from the IL, he could contend for a late-season taste of Double-A. De Paula is a fast-rising prospect in dynasty formats and could push for a late-season 2026 MLB debut.
--Andy SmithSource: MiLB.com
July 30, 2025
Houston Astros third baseman
Isaac Paredes (hamstring) may miss the remainder of the 2025 season due to a potential surgery. The injury deals a major blow to Houston's lineup as they gear up for a playoff run. With the trade deadline approaching, the Astros are exploring replacements, including
Nolan Arenado,
Eugenio Suarez, and a possible reunion with
Carlos Correa. Correa, a former franchise cornerstone, is seen as the most likely target. Fantasy managers in redraft formats can move on from Paredes and monitor who fills the void in Houston's lineup for potential waiver pickups.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Bob Nightengale
July 30, 2025
Atlanta Braves right-handed pitching prospect
Hurston Waldrep tossed seven shutout innings en route to picking up the victory over Triple-A Durham on Tuesday evening. In this outing, the right-hander allowed just five hits and one walk. He struck out eight. Since the start of the month, the 23-year-old has put together a strong stretch of outings and could be nearing a return to the major leagues. Since July 1, Waldrep has posted an impressive 0.78 ERA with a 1.09 WHIP. During these 23 innings of work, the right-hander struck out 23 hitters and allowed just 10 walks. However, during June, he held a much higher 6.23 ERA and a 1.52 WHIP. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status as he could be in the mix to earn his second taste of the majors with Atlanta falling out of the playoff picture.
--Andy SmithSource: MiLB.com
July 30, 2025
Chicago White Sox right-hander
Adrian Houser was scratched from his scheduled start on Wednesday, fueling speculation that a trade is in the works ahead of Thursday's deadline. The 31-year-old has quietly put together a career year for the struggling South Siders, posting a 6-2 record with a stellar 2.10 ERA.
Houser has been more effective across the board in 2025, lowering his batting average against to .248 (down 24 points from last year), while increasing his strikeout rate to 17.1% and trimming his walk rate to 8%. His improved command and contact suppression make him an appealing mid-rotation option for contenders.
From a fantasy perspective, Houser is worth a speculative pickup in deeper redraft leagues. If dealt to a winning club with better run support and bullpen help, his value could rise significantly in the second half.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Jon Heyman
July 30, 2025
The New York Yankees have traded right-handed pitching prospect Gage Ziehl to the Chicago White Sox. In return, the Yankees acquired outfielder
Austin Slater. Before the trade, Ziehl was considered the No. 16-ranked prospect in the Yankee system on MLB.com. Ziehl made his professional debut at the start of the campaign as he joined the Yankees in the fourth round of the 2024 MLB Draft out of Miami. He began the season with Low-A and logged 74 1/3 innings to the tune of a 4.00 ERA before moving up to High-A. With High-A, Ziehl needed to appear in just one game before getting the call to join Double-A. In his first four innings at Double-A, Ziehl allowed four runs but struck out four. Fantasy managers should expect the 22-year-old to remain at Double-A through the back half of the season.
--Andy SmithSource: Mark Feinsand
July 30, 2025
The New York Yankees bolstered their outfield depth on Wednesday, acquiring veteran
Austin Slater from the Chicago White Sox ahead of the trade deadline. Slater, 32, brings value as a platoon bat, especially against left-handed pitching, where he's slashing .261/.338/.522 this season. With
Aaron Judge currently sidelined, Slater could step in immediately to provide coverage in the outfield. He's shown surprising pop this year, hitting five home runs in just 51 games while posting a career-best 91.6 mph average exit velocity.
From a fantasy perspective, Slater should be on the radar in deeper redraft leagues, particularly those with daily lineup changes or five outfield spots. If he sees regular playing time against lefties in a potent Yankees lineup, he could offer sneaky value as a short-term power contributor.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Jeff Passan
July 30, 2025
Minnesota Twins shortstop
Carlos Correa (illness) is not in the starting lineup for Wednesday's series finale against the visiting Boston Red Sox after he was pulled early from Tuesday's tilt with lightheadedness.
Brooks Lee will take over at shortstop and will hit second versus Red Sox right-hander
Brayan Bello. With a scheduled day off on Thursday, the Twins are hoping that the 30-year-old Correa will be feeling much better and be ready to return to the lineup for Friday's series opener on the road against the division-rival Cleveland Guardians. Correa should be considered day-to-day for now, and he could be on the move this week at the trade deadline with the Houston Astros considering a reunion. Lee, who has hit .256 with 10 home runs and 43 RBI in his first full season in the big leagues, would be the beneficiary if Correa is traded by Thursday.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
July 30, 2025
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder
George Springer (head) remains out of Wednesday's series finale at Camden Yards against the division-rival Baltimore Orioles and right-hander
Dean Kremer. Meanwhile, outfielder
Joey Loperfido (thumb) is starting in right field and will bat leadoff on Wednesday after jamming his left thumb on a play at the plate in the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader. The 26-year-old sat out Game 2 as a precaution but is now back in the lineup and will be a DFS sleeper out of the leadoff spot. Springer was hit by a pitch on his ear flap in Monday's series opener in Baltimore and will miss his third straight game. The 35-year-old veteran is hoping to avoid a stint on the injured list and has been feeling better, so perhaps he'll be cleared to play for Friday's series opener against the Kansas City Royals after a scheduled off day on Thursday.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
July 30, 2025
Boston Red Sox third baseman
Alex Bregman will sit out Wednesday against the Minnesota Twins. Bregman was in Boston's original lineup, but
Abraham Toro will instead handle third base and hit second versus right-hander
Zebby Matthews. With the Red Sox off Thursday, Bregman will now get back-to-back days to rest. The Red Sox have taken it easy with the 31-year-old since he returned July 11 from a month-plus stay on the IL with a quad injury. Bregman has gone 14-for-48 with three home runs and nine RBI in his first 13 games back to continue another productive season. He's slashing an outstanding .298/.371/.551 with 14 homers, 44 RBI, and 39 runs scored over 275 plate appearances.
--Connor ByrneSource: MLB.com
July 30, 2025
New York Yankees reliever
Fernando Cruz (oblique) is scheduled to throw off a mound either Thursday or Friday as he works back from a strained left oblique. It'll be the right-hander's first time doing so since he went on the 15-day injured list a month ago. Cruz hasn't pitched since June 27, which has deprived the Yankees of one of their only reliable setup men. The 35-year-old has posted a 3.00 ERA with a 1.00 WHIP, 54 strikeouts, 14 walks, and nine holds in 33 innings. With Cruz possibly out until September, the Yankees are scouring the market for bullpen help in advance of Thursday's trade deadline.
--Connor ByrneSource: Bryan Hoch - MLB.com
July 30, 2025
Baltimore Orioles left-hander
Cade Povich (hip) didn't fare too well in a rehab outing with Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday. Making his fourth start since going on the 15-day injured list with hip inflammation on June 16, Povich struck out three and yielded five runs (four earned) on seven hits over 4 2/3 frames. The good news is that Povich threw 86 pitches (54 strikes), which suggests he's close to a return to the majors. He could rejoin Baltimore's rotation soon with
Charlie Morton,
Zach Eflin, and
Tomoyuki Sugano all potentially on the way out before Thursday's trade deadline. Povich, 25, has made 12 starts in 13 appearances for the Orioles this season and logged a 5.15 ERA with a 1.50 WHIP and 68:23 K:BB across 64 2/3 innings.
--Connor ByrneSource: MiLB.com
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