Joc Pederson Still Weeks Away From Batting Practice
Joc Pederson (hand) is still two to three weeks away from taking batting practice, reports Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News. Pederson was initially expected to return shortly after the All-Star break, but now it seems he won't even be swinging a bat by then. He has been on the injured list since late May after suffering a broken hand when he was hit by a pitch. The injury and the slugger's delayed return don't have much of an impact for fantasy purposes, as he was batting just .131 with two home runs in 46 games before the injury. The 33-year-old will have to significantly turn his season around to make it back onto fantasy radars.Source: Shawn McFarland
Texas Rangers designated hitter Tyler Mahle to Start Throwing Next Week
Tyler Mahle (shoulder) will start throwing next week, manager Bruce Bochy said Thursday. Mahle hasn't pitched since June 10 because of a strained rotator cuff, which caused the Rangers to transfer him to the 60-day injured list on July 1. As a result, he won't be eligible to rejoin the Rangers until mid-August. Mahle was a key part of the Rangers' rotation before the injury interrupted his season, as he went 6-3 with a stingy 2.34 ERA and 56:27 K:BB in 77 innings. Unfortunately, staying healthy has been a problem for the 30-year-old, who has combined for just 22 starts since 2023.Source: Shawn McFarland - Dallas Morning News
Texas Rangers right-hander Jon Gray to Make Next Rehab Start Sunday
Jon Gray (wrist) will make another rehab start with Triple-A Round Rock on Sunday, manager Bruce Bochy announced. Gray made his first start Wednesday and threw two innings of one-run ball over 32 pitches. He'll build on that total next time out as he continues working back from the fractured wrist that he suffered in spring training. From 2022-24, his first three years with the Rangers, Gray amassed 72 starts in 76 appearances and pitched to a 4.16 ERA with 8.41 K/9 and 2.81 BB/9 across 387 1/3 innings. He'll be an option for the Rangers' rotation in the second half of the season.Source: Shawn McFarland - Dallas Morning News
Texas Rangers right-hander Dylan Crews Nearing Rehab Assignment
Dylan Crews (oblique) is ramping up activities as he works back from a strained right oblique, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports. Crews threw for the first time in seven weeks on Wednesday, and he participated in defensive drills before the Nationals' game against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday. While Crews isn't quite ready to take on-field batting practice, interim manager Miguel Cairo is confident that the 23-year-old will start a rehab assignment in the minors either a bit before or a little after the All-Star break. Crews, who last played May 20, got off to a slow start with the bat before landing on the injured list. He has hit .196/.266/.354 with seven homers, 15 RBI, 24 runs scored, and 11 steals in 173 plate appearances this season.Source: Mark Zuckerman - MASNSports.com
Washington Nationals outfielder Chayce McDermott Exits Triple-A Start with Elbow Discomfort
Chayce McDermott (elbow) left his start with Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday with right-elbow discomfort, according to Jacob Calvin Meyer of the Baltimore Sun. McDermott exited after throwing 5 1/3 innings of one-run, three-hit ball with six strikeouts and one walk. The 26-year-old entered Thursday with an ugly 7.65 ERA, 35 strikeouts, and 32 walks in 37 2/3 Triple-A innings this season. He made two appearances with the Orioles back in May and endured similar struggles, as he surrendered seven earned runs on eight hits (three homers) with eight walks and seven strikeouts over 7 2/3 frames. Nevertheless, McDermott ranks as the Orioles' third-best prospect at MLB Pipeline. The O's should have an update on his status soon.Source: Jacob Calvin Meyer - Baltimore Sun
Baltimore Orioles pitching prospect Alex Bregman, Red Sox Haven't Begun Extension Talks
Alex Bregman (quadriceps) has not begun contract extension talks with the team, Rob Bradford of WEEI reports. Bregman signed a three-year, $120 million contract with the Red Sox last winter, but the deal contains opt-outs after this season and the 2026 campaign. If the Red Sox don't sign Bregman to a new contract by the July 31 trade deadline, and if they expect the Scott Boras client to test free agency again in the offseason, they could deal him over the next three weeks. Bregman has made a case for a richer pact this year by slashing a robust .299/.385/.553 with 11 home runs and 35 RBI in 226 plate appearances. While the three-time All-Star hasn't played since May 23 because of a strained right quadriceps, the Red Sox will activate him this weekend. With his future uncertain, Bregman will be an intriguing player to watch leading up to the deadline.Source: Rob Bradford - WEEI
Boston Red Sox third baseman Brice Matthews Joining Astros
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Brian
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MLB.com
reports.
Matthews
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the
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28th
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The
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White Sox-Guardians Postponed on Thursday
Jonathan Cannon had been slated to start for the White Sox, while Logan Allen would have toed the rubber for the Guardians. Those two will presumably pitch one of the games on Friday. Chicago's Shane Smith and Cleveland's Gavin Williams are penciled in for the other. If anything changes, we'll keep you posted.Source: Scott Merkin - MLB.com
Thursday's game between the Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Guardians has been postponed due to inclement weather in Chicago. They'll make it up as part of a doubleheader at Rate Field on Friday. Nolan Schanuel Out of Lineup with Calf Tightness
Nolan Schanuel (calf) is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Texas Rangers with tightness in his right calf. Schanuel has been dealing with the issue over the past few days, according to Erica Weston of FanDuel Sports Network West. The 23-year-old is just 9-for-38 in nine games this month, though he's hitting a respectable .267/.356/.394 with eight home runs, 39 RBI, and 43 runs in 382 plate appearances this season. With Schanuel on the bench, the Angels are starting LaMonte Wade Jr. at first base and batting him ninth against Rangers left-hander Patrick Corbin.Source: Erica Weston
Los Angeles Angels first baseman Ryan Yarbrough Resumes Throwing
Ryan Yarbrough (oblique) resumed a throwing program on Wednesday, according to manager Aaron Boone. This is a step in the right direction for Yarbrough who has been sidelined since mid-June due to a right oblique strain. It seems likely that the Yankees are going to wait until after the All-Star break to bring Yarbrough back into the mix. The left-hander figures to require at least one rehab start before returning to the Bronx. It's uncertain if Yarbrough will have a rotation spot once he's back, so he's not someone that needs to be stashed right nowSource: Greg Joyce
New York Yankees pitcher Mark Leiter Jr. Hopeful to Throw This Weekend
Mark Leiter Jr. (leg) is hopeful to resume a throwing program this weekend, according to manager Aaron Boone. Leiter recently landed on the injured list due to a stress fracture in his leg. The Yankees haven't given much of a timetable for Leiter's return yet. The expectation is that he's going to need longer than the minimum 15 days. There should be more updates on his status once he's able to begin throwing again this weekend. Leiter isn't much of a fantasy option right now with his lack of save chances.Source: Greg Joyce
New York Yankees relief pitcher Erick Fedde Scheduled to Start on Saturday
Erick Fedde will remain in the starting rotation for at least one more start. There were discussions that Fedde would be moved out of the rotation after allowing 17 earned runs over his last three starts. Despite that, the Cardinals will give Fedde another shot against the Atlanta Braves on Saturday. The right-hander was supposed to be a trade piece at the deadline, but that ship might've sailed at this point. Given his struggles, Fedde isn't a recommended streaming option for this weekend.Source: Derrick Goold
St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Jacob Wilson Missing Second Straight Game
Jacob Wilson (hand) remains out of the starting lineup ahead of Thursday's game against the Atlanta Braves. Wilson suffered a left hand contusion when he was hit by a pitch during Tuesday's game. Now, Wilson will miss his second straight game on Thursday due to the issue. It doesn't look like the A's plan on placing Wilson on the injured list. For now, fantasy managers should consider Wilson as day-to-day and be hopeful for his return this weekend. In his absence, Max Muncy will cover shortstop and bat sixth versus right-hander Spencer Strider.Source: mlb.com
Athletics shortstop Kyle Manzardo Activated, Playing on Thursday
Kyle Manzardo (personal) has been reinstated from the family medical emergency list on Thursday. Manzardo missed the last three games while tending to a personal matter. He'll slide right back into the lineup as he bats cleanup and plays first base against right-hander Jonathan Cannon on Thursday. He hasn't been great this season with a .217/.289/.429 slash line with 13 home runs and 33 RBI this season with the Guardians. Manzardo is really only worth a look in deep leagues at the moment. In a corresponding move, Jhonkensy Noel has been optioned to Triple-A with Manzardo returning.Source: GuardsInsider
Cleveland Guardians first baseman Tanner Houck Strikes Out Six in Rehab Start
Tanner Houck (elbow) looked good in his minor-league rehab start on Wednesday night for Triple-A Worcester, allowing an earned run on three hits while walking two and striking out six in 4 1/3 innings against Triple-A Rochester. Houck threw 47 of his 76 pitches for strikes in the outing and has now posted a 5.74 ERA and 1.53 WHIP with 15 strikeouts and six walks in 15 2/3 innings over five rehab appearances (four starts). The 29-year-old was a disaster in his nine starts for the BoSox earlier this year before going on the injured list, going 0-3 with an 8.04 ERA (6.11 FIP), 1.69 WHIP and 32:17 K:BB in 43 2/3 innings, so it's unclear if he'll rejoin Boston's starting rotation or serve in a bullpen role when he rejoins the big-league roster. Houck was a first-time All-Star in 2024 with a 3.12 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 154:48 K:BB in 30 starts, but he also led the league with 16 hit-by-pitches.Source: Milb.com
Boston Red Sox right-hander