June 29, 2025
Baltimore Orioles starter
Zach Eflin (back) suffered a lower back strain while warming up in the bullpen before his start on Saturday, per MLB.com's Jake Rill. Eflin attempted to pitch through the injury and got clobbered, allowing five hits and four runs in one inning of work against the Tampa Bay Rays. According to Rill, Eflin will undergo imaging, and the team is unsure whether he'll be placed on the injured list. The veteran right-hander has pitched to a 5.95 ERA and 1.44 WHIP with just 42 strikeouts across 62 innings (12 starts) this season. Much of that damage has come recently, as he's allowed 17 earned runs in his last nine innings pitched (three starts). Eflin may have been trying to work through lower back issues for an extended stretch, which could explain his recent struggles.
--Will BradySource: Jake Rill - MLB.com
June 29, 2025
Houston Astros designated hitter/outfielder
Yordan Alvarez (hand) could be nearing a return from the injured list. The slugger has been out since May 2 after sustaining a fracture in his right hand. Alvarez took 25 swings in the batting cage on Saturday and plans to do the same on Sunday, hoping he can return before the All-Star Break on July 14. Before getting hurt, Alvarez had struggled to a .210/.306/.340 slash line with three home runs and 18 RBI in 121 plate appearances. However, his walk rate (13.4%) and strikeout rate (17.4%) were still in line with career norms, and his xBA (.246) and xSLG (.495) point to better days ahead. With his strong career track record, Alvarez remains a must-start in all formats upon his return.
--Will BradySource: MLB
June 29, 2025
Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop/outfield prospect
Konnor Griffin continued to impress on Saturday in his first run through High-A pitching, collecting another three hits in four at-bats, driving in one run and scoring once while swiping two bags for Greensboro. The 2024 first-rounder is 23-for-63 (.365) in 16 games since his promotion to High-A, including five doubles, three home runs, 12 RBI, 17 runs scored, 11 steals, and a 9:12 BB:K. He clearly does not appear to be overmatched, although at just 19 years old, there's no need to rush him to the next level. Still, he appears destined for a taste of Double-A before the season is out, and could see a big jump higher from his current spot at No. 31 on MLB.com's top prospects list the next time the list is refreshed.
--Jarod RuppSource: MiLB.com
June 29, 2025
Seattle Mariners outfield prospect
Lazaro Montes went deep again on Saturday, going 1-for-3 with two walks and his 21st home run of the year. It was his third home run in five games since being promoted to Double-A, now 4-for-19 (.211) with all four hits going for extra bases, while also logging a 6:5 BB:K. The 21 home runs are the most in all the minor leagues, and after belting 21 all of last year as a 19-year-old, he'll blow past that number in 2025. The Mariners' second-ranked prospect should continue to add to his resume and is on track for a debut in the majors at some point next season.
--Jarod RuppSource: MiLB.com
June 29, 2025
Atlanta Braves pitching prospect Cam Caminiti logged another good performance for Single-A Augusta on Saturday, allowing one earned run on three hits (one home run) with no walks while striking out eight in just four innings of work. He also hit one batter. In four starts for the GreenJackets, the lefty owns a 2.93 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, and has 22 strikeouts in 15 1/3 innings pitched. The Braves' 2024 first-round draft pick missed the first part of this year due to forearm tendinitis, but has looked good so far. The 18-year-old could spend the majority of 2025 at Single-A, but has the stuff to get a look at High-A later this year. Although he's young and likely a few years away from the majors, the organization hasn't been shy about fast-tracking pitchers to the majors, with the recently turned 20-year-old
Didier Fuentes the latest example, so dynasty managers should be considering stashing the Braves' top prospect away in the event he arrives sooner than expected.
--Jarod RuppSource: MiLB.com
June 29, 2025
Boston Red Sox outfielder
Masataka Yoshida (shoulder) is scheduled to begin a minor league rehab assignment on Tuesday. This is good news as Yoshida has been sidelined all season due to offseason shoulder surgery. That being said, Yoshida is going to play quite a few rehab games before returning to the big league roster. The hope is that Yoshida will be able to return after the All-Star break. He exclusively served as the designated hitter last season, but could get some reps in the outfield. It's uncertain if he'll get regular playing time in Boston, so Yoshida isn't someone that needs to be rostered right now.
--Andy WebbSource: Mike Monaco
June 29, 2025
Chicago White Sox pitching prospect
Hagen Smith (elbow) was activated from the 7-day IL on Saturday and made the start for Double-A Birmingham. The lefty was limited, though, facing just six batters in 1 2/3 innings, allowing no runs on one hit and one walk while striking out three. Chicago's third-ranked prospect had been out of action since May 10 after experiencing soreness in his pitching elbow. The fifth overall pick in last year's draft made seven starts at Double-A Birmingham earlier this season before the flare-up with his elbow, posting a 2.10 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, and an elite 39.3 percent strikeout rate. The WHIP was on the high side due to an 18.7 percent walk rate, but assuming he can clean that up, some time at Triple-A later this year is possible. The 21-year-old could be making a fantasy impact as soon as next season, so dynasty and redraft managers alike should keep an eye on how he finishes the rest of the way.
--Jarod RuppSource: MLB Pipeline
June 29, 2025
St. Louis Cardinals outfielder
Jordan Walker (appendicitis) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Memphis on Saturday. Cards' manager Oliver Marmol said that Walker should return to the big league club when first eligible, which is Wednesday. Walker has been sidelined since late June due to an appendicitis. The right-handed slugger continues to struggle to adjust to big league pitching. He's slashing .210/.267/.295 with three home runs and 23 RBI in 55 games this season. The potential is there, but Walker isn't someone that needs to be rostered in most fantasy formats right now.
--Andy WebbSource: John Denton
June 29, 2025
Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher
Triston McKenzie (illness) was only able to make it through two-thirds of an inning before being removed on Saturday. McKenzie was pulled out of his start at the Arizona Complex League due to illness. The right-hander has only made four appearances with the big league club this season. He allowed seven earned runs on seven hits, and walked seven batters before being optioned to the minors. McKenzie has struggled with a 7.24 ERA in seven appearances at the rookie-level. It's uncertain if McKenzie will get back up to the majors, so there's no reason to roster him in fantasy leagues.
--Andy WebbSource: Guadians Prospective
June 29, 2025
Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander
Emmet Sheehan's next start won't be with the Dodgers, rather, he will get another turn at Triple-A Oklahoma City, according to manager Dave Roberts. Sheehan dazzled in his last start for Oklahoma City, tossing six perfect innings without allowing a hit or a walk while striking out 13 of the 18 batters he faced. The 25-year-old also made one start for Los Angeles earlier this month, in which he also looked good, striking out six batters compared to just one walk in four innings of work. The 6-foot-5 hurler could rejoin the big league club after his next start, although with
Tyler Glasnow potentially returning in two weeks, it could leave Sheehan in a relief role unless the team were to go to a six-man rotation. Fantasy managers in need of pitching that also have an available bench or NA spot may want to consider stashing him and see how it shakes out.
--Jarod RuppSource: Bill Plunkett
June 29, 2025
Chicago White Sox starting pitcher
Jonathan Cannon (back) will be activated off the 15-day injured list and start against the San Francisco Giants on Sunday. Cannon has been sidelined since early June due to a lower back strain. He only made one rehab appearance where he threw three scoreless innings. That being said, Cannon probably isn't stretched out yet, so he could be limited on Sunday. He has a 4.66 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, and 51/21 K/BB ratio across 12 games (10 starts) this season. Cannon isn't a recommended streaming option for Sunday's slate.
--Andy WebbSource: Jack Ankony
June 29, 2025
Los Angeles Angels outfielder
Jorge Soler (back) was able to take batting practice ahead of Saturday's game. According to Jeff Fletcher, Soler could be activated from the injured list soon. Soler landed on the injured list on June 20 due to lower back inflammation. He has been doing defensive drills, running, and now swinging the bat. It sounds like Soler could return when first eligible, which is Monday. LaMonte Wade and
Gustavo Campero have been splitting up duties in right field while Soler is out. Soler has been quiet with the bat this season and is really only worth a look in deep leagues.
--Andy WebbSource: Jeff Fletcher
June 29, 2025
Minnesota Twins infielder
Royce Lewis (hamstring) is hopeful to rejoin the big league club on Tuesday. Lewis is currently hitless during two rehab games, but the team feels he's on the verge of returning. He'll likely need to play some third base before being activated. If not Tuesday, Lewis might return a few days after that if he needs a few more at-bats. Before getting injured, Lewis was struggling with a .202/.282/.303 with two homers and nine RBI this season. He has been on and off the injured list throughout his career, so hopefully he'll be able to get in some consistent playing time now.
--Andy WebbSource: mlb.com
June 29, 2025
Los Angeles Angels outfielder
Mike Trout went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in his team's 8-2 win against the visiting Washington Nationals. He also drew a walk and struck out. The 33-year-old clobbered his thirteenth long ball of the season off Nationals' reliever
Zach Brzykcy to tie the score at two apiece, and kick off what would be a six-run seventh inning. Trout's overall .231/.345/.447 season line doesn't appear noteworthy at first glance, but he's been much better in June (.272/.423/.383) aside from the lack of extra-base hits. Furthermore, he boasts his best average exit velocity (92.5 MPH) and hard-hit rate (54.1%) since 2020. Expect his average to continue rising.
--Alex CiullaSource: ESPN
June 29, 2025
Tampa Bay Rays first baseman
Jonathan Aranda went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Saturday's 11-3 road win against the Baltimore Orioles. He also walked and struck out. Tampa Bay jumped on Orioles' starter
Zach Eflin early, scoring four runs in the top of the first, which Aranda supplied half of. His tenth homer of the season left the bat at a scorching 111.1 MPH and landed outside the stadium a whopping 467 feet away. The 27-year-old is enjoying a breakout season at the dish, with a 99th percentile .316 xBA and various other quality of contact metrics and expected stats in the top 10% of hitters. Aranda sports a blistering .330/.411/.504 triple slash through 78 appearances.
--Alex CiullaSource: ESPN
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