July 5, 2025
San Diego Padres starting pitcher
Yu Darvish (elbow) is not expected to be activated this weekend. The Padres do not have a starter named for Sunday's matchup with the Rangers, but manager Mike Shildt stated that Darvish likely would not be the one to fill the void. The veteran hurler has been dealing with elbow inflammation, however, he's been working his way back, now having thrown three simulated games with his last one going four innings and 64 pitches. Although Shildt expressed that Darvish would not be Sunday's option, he also did not make it clear what the next step would be for the Japanese righty, however, it's looking like he could be activated sometime in the coming weeks, perhaps even without completing an official minor-league rehab assignment. Whatever the case, fantasy managers in need of pitching help could stash Darvish where available, as he can still be a viable back-end rotation piece in 12-team leagues and deeper.
--Jarod RuppSource: AJ Cassavell
July 5, 2025
San Francisco Giants third baseman
Matt Chapman (hand) is expected to return to the lineup on Saturday according to manager Bob Melvin. The veteran has been out since early June with a sprained right hand, but completed only a one-game rehab assignment with the Giants in need of offensive and defensive infield help. The 32-year-old went 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored in his rehab game with Triple-A Sacramento on Friday, and was slashing .243/.360/.452 with 12 home runs, 30 RBI, 35 runs scored, and seven steals in 65 games for San Francisco before the injury. Fantasy managers will likely slide him right back into their lineups, but DFS users might want to avoid. Chapman is just 2-for-19 (.105) against Saturday's opposing pitcher,
Luis Severino.
--Jarod RuppSource: Susan Slusser
July 5, 2025
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher
Blake Snell (shoulder) is set to face live hitters again on Saturday and is expected to throw two innings. As long as the lefty doesn't suffer any setbacks, he could be in line to begin a rehab assignment afterward. While any progress is welcomed, that still means he probably won't return until August, assuming he'll need a few rehab starts to fully prepare. The 2x Cy Young winner will then hopefully provide fantasy managers a handful of starts that resemble his former Cy Young form after posting a couple of uninspiring performances earlier this year in which the southpaw allowed 10 hits and eight walks in just nine innings pitched, while striking out only four batters.
--Jarod RuppSource: Sonja Chen
July 5, 2025
Cleveland Guardians outfield prospect
Chase DeLauter has continued to look quite comfortable during his first extended stint at Triple-A. On Friday, DeLauter reached base in his 30th consecutive game at Triple-A. In this contest, the No. 52-ranked prospect in the sport went 1-for-4 with a single. Through his 30 games at Triple-A Columbus, DeLauter has posted a .288/.394/.477 slash line with seven doubles, one triple, four home runs, and an impressive 20:20 K:BB. DeLauter has dealt with numerous injuries throughout his minor league career, but appears to be quickly approaching his MLB debut. Fantasy managers should continue to closely monitor his production, as he could receive a call to Cleveland very soon. He is worth stashing in all 12+ team and five-outfielder formats.
--Andy SmithSource: MiLB.com
July 5, 2025
Minnesota Twins outfield prospect
Walker Jenkins was busy during their contest against Double-A Tulsa on Friday afternoon. In this contest, Jenkins reached safely five times. He tallied two hits, including a home run, and drew three walks. He scored two runs and brought in four. Over his last 10 games, Jenkins has posted a strong .324/.488/.568 slash line with three doubles, two home runs, three stolen bases, and 10 RBI. The top-ranked prospect in the Minnesota system has battled injuries throughout his minor league career, but has been very productive when on the field. Through 16 total games with Double-A this summer, the No. 6-ranked prospect in the sport has held a .271/.419/.424 line with a 15:14 K:BB. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status as he could earn a taste of Triple-A later in the second half.
--Andy SmithSource: MiLB.com
July 5, 2025
New York Mets right-handed pitching prospect Jonah Tong posted another dominant outing on Friday evening. Facing Double-A Hartford, Tong tossed 5 1/3 innings of two-run ball with four hits, two walks, and 10 strikeouts. This was Tong's fifth start this season, tallying double-digit punchouts in a single outing. Since May 1, Tong has been one of the most impressive pitchers in the minor leagues, posting a near-perfect 1.32 ERA with a 0.82 WHIP over 61 2/3 innings of work. During this stretch, Tong has struck out 95 batters and allowed just 24 free passes. Tong is currently considered the No. 4-ranked prospect in Queens and the No. 99 overall prospect in baseball. Given his impressive promotion at Double-A, Tong should be in the mix to join Triple-A very shortly. If he can carry this momentum into Triple-A, he could keep the door open for a late-season MLB debut.
--Andy SmithSource: MiLB.com
July 5, 2025
Chicago White Sox catching prospect
Edgar Quero went 1-for-4 with a long ball during their victory over the Colorado Rockies on Friday evening. Quero hit a solo shot in the sixth inning off Colorado starting pitcher
Antonio Senzatela. Quero has begun to take the back seat to fellow catching prospect
Kyle Teel behind the dish. Over his last 11 games, Quero has posted a modest .219/.306/.344 slash line with one double and a home run. During that stretch, Quero has posted a 25.0% K rate but drawn walks at a strong 11.0% rate. Through 56 total games in the majors, the 22-year-old has held a .273/.347/.331 slash line. Fantasy managers should continue to expect Teel and Quero to split time behind the dish and occasionally see time as the designated hitter. As a result, Quero is only worth targeting in deeper two-catcher leagues and AL-only formats.
--Andy SmithSource: MLB.com
July 5, 2025
Pittsburgh Pirates right-handed pitching prospect Khristian Curtis led High-A Greensboro's combined perfect game on Friday evening. During their contest against Aberdeen, Curtis received the starting nod and was dominant, tossing six perfect innings. He struck out an impressive 10 batters. He would then give the ball to relievers Jake Shirk and Michael Walsh, who completed the final three innings of work. Since allowing a season-high five runs on April 30, Curtis has been very productive at High-A. Over his last 43 2/3 innings, the No. 24-ranked prospect in the system has posted a strong 2.89 ERA with a 1.15 WHIP. During this stretch, he has struck out 48 batters and allowed only 17 free passes. Given his elite production at High-A, he could earn a brief taste of Double-A in the second half.
--Andy SmithSource: MiLB.com
July 5, 2025
Pittsburgh Pirates right-handed pitching prospect
Bubba Chandler tossed six shutout frames en route to earning the victory over Triple-A Louisville on Friday evening. In this outing, the top pitching prospect in the game struck out six batters and allowed five hits. He walked just two batters. This was a much-needed bounce-back outing for Chandler, who has posted a high 8.83 ERA with a 2.29 WHIP across his last 12 2/3 innings (five starts). However, before that rough skid, Chandler appeared to be on the fast track to the major leagues, holding a stellar 2.03 ERA with a 1.07 WHIP through his first 48 2/3 innings of work this season. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor Chandler's status at Triple-A, as he should be in the mix to join Pittsburgh in the coming weeks.
--Andy SmithSource: MiLB.com
July 5, 2025
Minnesota Twins outfielder
Harrison Bader hit two solo home runs, including a walk-off blast, in his team's 4-3 victory on Friday over the Tampa Bay Rays. The big game was a welcome change for Bader, as he's coming off a rough month of June that saw him hit just .194 in 79 plate appearances. The veteran's season-long numbers are still solid, as he's hitting .251 with nine home runs, seven stolen bases, 29 RBI and 24 runs scored. It looks like Bader has made a slight change to his approach in 2025. His strikeout rate (24.7%) is his highest since 2020, but so are his walk (8.2%) and barrel rate (10.2%). In deeper leagues, Bader still offers some upside with his combination of both decent power and decent speed.
--Will BradySource: MLB.com
July 5, 2025
Seattle Mariners starter
Bryan Woo earned his eighth victory of the season on Friday night, throwing six scoreless innings and striking out eight while allowing three hits and two walks in his team's 6-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates. The young right-hander has been excellent this season, pitching to a 2.77 ERA and 0.96 WHIP with 104 strikeouts in 107 1/3 innings pitched (17 starts). Woo entered the night with a solid 24% strikeout rate, but it's his elite walk suppression (4.3% walk rate) that makes him truly special. So far, Woo has managed to keep the nagging arm issues that limited him to 22 starts in 2024 at bay. Provided he stays healthy, he's a high-end starting pitcher option in all fantasy formats.
--Will BradySource: MLB.com
July 5, 2025
Chicago Cubs outfielder
Pete Crow-Armstrong hit two of his team's franchise-record eight home runs in their 11-3 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday. Crow-Armstrong went four-for-four with two additional runs scored and two RBI. Crow-Armstrong continues to amaze in 2025, as he's hitting .274 this season with 23 home runs, 66 RBI, 64 runs scored, and 26 stolen bases. His elevated 16.8% HR/FB rate points to some likely power regression in the second half of the season, but he deserves credit for jumping his barrel rate from 7.4% in 2024 to 12.8% so far this year. Even if his home run pace slows over the next couple of months, Crow-Armstrong's elite speed and guaranteed playing time in a great Cubs lineup due to his defensive value make him a must-start outfielder in all formats.
--Will BradySource: MLB.com
July 5, 2025
Boston Red Sox starter
Lucas Giolito earned his fifth win of the season on Friday, throwing 7 2/3 of one-run ball in his team's 11-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds. Giolito struck out seven while walking three and allowing four hits. The veteran right-hander has now won four out of his last five starts dating back to June 10. In that stretch, Giolito has thrown 32 2/3 innings, allowing just three total earned runs and striking out 31. His season-long ERA now sits at a respectable 3.66, but his 1.29 WHIP and modest 13.4% K-BB% are less impressive, and still feeling the effects of his slow start. If Giolito is rounding into form and is now fully recovered from the Tommy John surgery that cost him all of 2024, he could be an impact fantasy arm down the stretch.
--Will BradySource: MLB.com
July 5, 2025
Chicago Cubs first baseman
Michael Busch led the charge for his team on Friday, hitting three of his team's franchise-record eight home runs in their 11-3 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. Busch went four-for-four in total with five RBI. For the season, he's now hitting .288 with 17 home runs, 55 RBI, 41 runs scored, and four stolen bases. Improving upon his breakout 2024 season, Busch has reduced his strikeout rate from 28.6% to 22.4% while also boosting his barrel rate from 11.2% to 13.6%. He's still mostly a large-side platoon bat, as he's logged just 47 plate appearances against left-handed pitching this season, hitting .119 with zero home runs. However, Busch has proven himself to be extremely productive in his role and a useful fantasy option at first base.
--Will BradySource: MLB.com
July 5, 2025
Seattle Mariners catcher
Cal Raleigh's scintillating first half of the season continued in a 6-0 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday. Raleigh led the Mariners' offensive charge with two home runs, giving him a league-leading 35, and drove in three during a 2-for-4 afternoon. The All-Star slugger has already set a new career high in homers, surpassing last season's 34, while slashing .271/.379/.648 with 74 RBI, 62 runs, and nine steals in 380 plate appearances. Raleigh remains on track to become the first catcher in major league history to reach the 50-HR mark in a season.
--Connor ByrneSource: ESPN
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