July 28, 2025
The Atlanta Braves acquired right-hander
Carlos Carrasco from the New York Yankees on Monday in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations, according to Jack Curry of the YES Network. It's the second straight day that the Braves have acquired a right-handed starting pitcher to help their injury-plagued rotation, as they acquired
Erick Fedde from the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday. The 38-year-old Carrasco will hopefully eat innings for the Braves down the stretch, but his move to a secure starting role should only attract interest from fantasy managers in NL-only leagues. His first start for Atlanta could come this Thursday versus the Cincinnati Reds. The Venezuelan native was recently pitching at Triple-A for the Yanks and had a rough 5.91 ERA, 1.53 WHIP and 25:10 K:BB in eight outings (six starts) in pinstripes this year.
--Keith HernandezSource: YES Network - Jack Curry
July 28, 2025
Los Angeles Dodgers No. 23 prospect Jaron Elkins was named Single-A Player of the Week after recording 10 hits, five doubles, and a home run for the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes. The 20-year-old outfielder is slashing .269/.344/.436 with 51 stolen bases this season. He's trimmed his strikeout rate from 35.1% in rookie ball to 30.4% at Single-A, showing some growth, but his 8.3% walk rate remains an area for improvement. Elkins' game-changing speed and developing pop make him an intriguing fantasy stash. If he can further refine his plate discipline, he has the tools to become a dynamic big-league contributor.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Minor League Baseball
July 28, 2025
Cleveland Guardians closer
Emmanuel Clase has been placed on non-disciplinary paid leave through Aug. 31 as part of MLB's gambling investigation, according to Zack Meisel of MLB.com. Clase's teammate, right-hander
Luis L. Ortiz, is already under the same parameters and hasn't pitched since June 27. This is big news for the fantasy community, as the 27-year-old is one of baseball's top closers despite taking step back statistically in 2025. The Dominican right-hander is 5-3 with a 3.23 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 47 strikeouts in 47 1/3 innings while converting saves in 24 of his 29 chances. Clase was a potential trade chip before this week's July 31 deadline, but that's unlikely to happen now that he's out through August. Manager
Stephen Vogt hasn't said how he plans to treat the closing situation with Clase out at least a month, but fantasy managers should run to add
Cade Smith immediately.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Zack Meisel
July 28, 2025
Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher
Zach Eflin is a prime candidate to get moved at the trade deadline, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. The 31-year-old Eflin will be a free agent at season's end and does not figure to be in the team's long-term plans, with right-handers
Kyle Bradish (elbow) and
Tyler Wells (elbow) both expected to be back in the rotation in 2026. Eflin has had a down year in 2025, logging a 5.78 ERA and 1.37 WHIP with 47 strikeouts in 67 innings (13 starts). However, the veteran was much better in 165 1/3 innings (28 starts) split between the Orioles and Tampa Bay Rays in 2024, going 10-9 with a 3.59 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, and 134 strikeouts. Eflin has also been limited by injuries this season, so it's possible that an extended stretch of improved health could lead to him regaining his prior form down the stretch.
--Will BradySource: The Athletic - Ken Rosenthal
July 28, 2025
Baltimore Orioles outfielder
Ramon Laureano has had a resurgent 2025 season and is a "more attractive" trade target for rival teams than teammate
Cedric Mullins, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. In 275 plate appearances, Laureano is hitting .275/.338/.514 with 14 home runs, 43 RBI, 39 runs scored, and four stolen bases. He's earned every day playing time in recent weeks, split between both left and right field. Baltimore holds a reasonable $6.5 million club option on the 31-year-old Laureano for 2026, so they could feasibly keep him through the deadline. If he does get dealt, Laureano would be at greater risk of falling into a corner outfield platoon. He's been better against right-handed pitching so far this season, but for his career, Laureano has been better against left-handers (.794 OPS) than righties (.745 OPS).
--Will BradySource: The Athletic - Ken Rosenthal
July 28, 2025
The Seattle Mariners "will be as aggressive in the bullpen area in the market as anybody," according to the team's president of baseball operations, Jerry Dipoto. Entering play on Monday with a 56-50 record, Seattle is four games back of the Houston Astros for the American League West lead and tied with the Texas Rangers for the final AL wild-card spot. Mariners closer
Andres Munoz has been one of MLB's best this season with a 1.35 ERA and 23 saves in 40 innings, so Seattle does not need a ninth-inning specialist. However, the depth behind Munoz is not as strong as it has been in recent seasons, and it sounds like Dipoto is planning to add at least one, if not multiple, high-leverage options to the 'pen in the next few days.
--Will BradySource: MLB Network Radio
July 28, 2025
The Texas Rangers are more likely to add than subtract at the deadline and are looking for both high-leverage relief pitching and a right-handed bat, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. Texas has won six straight and nine of its last ten and now sits just four games back of the Houston Astros for the division lead in the American League West. The back end of the Rangers' bullpen has been a question mark all year. The team's leader in saves is
Luke Jackson, who pitched to a 4.11 ERA before being designated for assignment on Wednesday. On the hitting side, Rosenthal notes that Texas ranks last in the American League in OPS against left-handed pitching. Particularly with
Jake Burger (quad) on the injured list, the Rangers could use a right-handed platoon partner for
Joc Pederson at designated hitter.
--Will BradySource: The Athletic - Ken Rosenthal
July 28, 2025
New York Mets infielder
Ronny Mauricio recorded a monster game on Sunday night in his team's 5-3 victory over the San Francisco Giants. The 24-year-old top prospect went 4-4 with a home run, double, and two RBI. Mauricio has been earning more regular playing time of late at third base, which could be indicative of the Mets' post-deadline plans at the position. His .761 OPS is better than the Mets' other options at third base in
Mark Vientos (.640) and
Brett Baty (.710), and both of those players have been floated as potential trade chips as the Mets look to upgrade their pitching staff. Mauricio grades out as a positive defender with multi-positional versatility, and he's recorded five home runs and three stolen bases in 122 plate appearances this season.
--Will BradySource: MLB.com
July 28, 2025
Houston Astros right-hander
J.P. France (shoulder) made a rehab appearance on Sunday with Double-A Corpus Christi, throwing two innings and allowing five hits and three earned runs while walking one and striking out three. France has yet to pitch in the big leagues this season as he works his way back from shoulder surgery. Sunday's start was just his second rehab appearance, so he will likely require at least a couple more outings before he gets activated from the 60-day injured list. The 30-year-old France had a solid season for Houston back in 2023, throwing 136 1/3 innings (23 starts) with a 3.83 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, and 101 strikeouts. The Astros are searching for reliable starting pitching at the back end of their rotation, so there's an opportunity for France to make an impact once he's fully healthy and ready to go.
--Will BradySource: The Ice Box Insider - Michael Schwab
July 28, 2025
The Los Angeles Dodgers said they'll "manage"
Hyeseong Kim's shoulder injury, and expect him back in the lineup Monday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports. Kim has been dealing with this shoulder injury for about a week, but was lifted for a pinch hitter on Saturday and sat on Sunday. It appears that this injury is something Kim and the Dodgers plan to continue viewing as day-to-day, and he will continue to play through it. On the season, Kim is slashing .311/.345/.415 with two home runs, 15 RBI, 12 stolen bases, and 17 runs scored. Although he is hitting for a solid average after 135 MLB at-bats, his inconsistent playing time makes it difficult to start him in most formats. In addition, most of his advanced metrics display signs of regression, as evident by his .250 xBA and .278 xwOBA. He remains a dynasty stash at this point, unless injuries to the Dodger lineup force him to play more consistently in 2025.
--Nicho RoesslerSource: Fabian Ardaya
July
28,
2025
Dan
Hayes,
a
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for
The
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reports
that
Chandler
Rome,
the
beat
writer
for
the
Houston
Astros,
has
confirmed
the
Astros
are
one
of
many
teams
expressing
interest
in
Minnesota
Twins
utility
player
Williread more...
July 28, 2025
Texas Rangers third base prospect
Cody Freeman enjoyed a monster game at the plate on Sunday. Facing Triple-A Tacoma, Freeman went 3-for-5 with three long balls and four RBI. Freeman was recently given his first taste of the major league. During a brief seven-game stint, the 24-year-old posted a low .143/.143/.286 slash line with one double. However, with Triple-A Round Rock, Freeman has been quite productive and could be in the mix to earn a call back to the majors in the near future. Through 81 games at the top level of the Texas system this season, Freeman has posted a .317/.367/.519 slash line with 20 doubles, 15 home runs, and eight stolen bases. For the time being, fantasy managers should leave him on the waiver wire. However, if he were to earn a promotion, he could be worth a look in deeper formats.
--Andy SmithSource: MiLB.com
July 28, 2025
Baltimore Orioles second base prospect
Aron Estrada is being promoted to Double-A Chesapeake, according to Chase Ford of MiLB Central. Estrada has spent the entire first half of the campaign with High-A Aberdeen and has been quite productive. Through 81 games, the switch-hitting second baseman has posted a .284/.369/.429 slash line with 13 doubles, five home runs, 30 stolen bases, and a .798 OPS. Last season, Estrada earned a brief taste of High-A action but posted a much lower .247/.337/.341 line with just one long ball across 26 contests. Estrada is currently considered to be the No. 16-ranked prospect in the system on MLB.com. Given his impressive start to the season, Estrada could be in the mix to join Triple-A Norfolk quite early in the 2026 season if he continues to perform at Double-A.
--Andy SmithSource: Chase Ford
July 28, 2025
Boston Red Sox second base/outfield prospect
Kristian Campbell enjoyed another productive outing at Triple-A Worcester and is making a strong case to return to the big league. On Sunday, Campbell went 3-for-5 with a home run. This performance extended his current hitting streak to eight games. During this stretch, Campbell has posted an elite .419/.486/.645 slash line with a double, two home runs, and a stolen base. In addition, since returning to the minor leagues, Campbell has also begun to see time at first base, which should present another path for him to return to Boston in the near future. During his first 67 games in the majors, Campbell flashed upside at times, but held an overall .664 OPS. He should be viewed as a solid stash option in all standard formats.
--Andy SmithSource: MiLB.com
July 28, 2025
The Athletics are promoting infield prospect Joshua Kuroda-Grauer to Double-A Midland, according to Chase Ford of MiLB Central. Kuroda-Grauer is currently ranked as the No. 8 prospect in the system on MLB.com. He joined the organization in the third round of last year's MLB Draft out of Rutgers. Through 80 games with High-A Lansing this season, Kuroda-Grauer has been very productive, holding a .293/.353/.362 slash line with 21 doubles, 26 home runs, and 26 stolen bases. During the 2024 campaign, Kuroda-Grauer appeared in just 28 games following the draft, primarily in the lower levels of the system, and posted a .324/.421/.343 line with five stolen bases. Kuroda-Grauer has been rather impressive since making his professional debut. If he continues to swing a hot bat at Double-A, he should be in the mix to join Triple-A early in the 2026 season.
--Andy SmithSource: MiLB.com
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