Marcell Ozuna Getting Sunday Off
Marcell Ozuna is not in the starting lineup on Sunday for his team's game against the St. Louis Cardinals. Sean Murphy will get the start at DH in his place and bat fourth. Ozuna has had somewhat of a strange season so far in 2025. His 16.2% walk rate would be the best full-season mark of his career by a significant margin, but his .396 slugging percentage is 150 points lower than the .546 mark he posted in 2024. In totality, Ozuna is hitting .239 with 13 home runs, 42 RBI, and 37 runs scored in 388 plate appearances. His .483 xSLG suggests he'll provide fantasy managers with a better power output in the post-All-Star break portion of the season.Source: MLB.com
Atlanta Braves designated hitter Carlos Correa Returns to Twins Lineup
Carlos Correa (ankle) is back in the lineup for his team's Sunday game against the Pittsburgh Pirates after being held out on Saturday. His return is excellent news for Minnesota, as it looked like Correa may have suffered a serious injury when Pirates outfielder Tommy Pham collided with his lower leg in a play at second base on Friday night. Injuries have historically been an issue for Correa, but he's managed to largely stay healthy in 2025, logging 318 plate appearances so far. However, his production on the field is below his usual standard. Correa has posted a .261/.302/.385 slash line with seven home runs and 30 RBI.Source: MLB.com
Minnesota Twins shortstop Matt Shaw Out of Starting Lineup for Third Consecutive Day
Matt Shaw is absent from the starting lineup for his team's Sunday afternoon game against the New York Yankees. Shaw has now been on the bench for four out of the Cubs' last five games and three straight, so this could be a more permanent role change for the struggling youngster. Utility man Vidal Brujan is playing third and batting ninth today, while veteran Jon Berti got the start at the hot corner on both Friday and Saturday. The 23-year-old Shaw won the Cubs' third base job out of Spring Training, but he's hit .199 with two home runs, 15 RBI, 28 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases. With the trade deadline nearing and the Cubs reportedly searching for upgrades, Shaw could soon be looking at a demotion to Triple-A.Source: MLB.com
Chicago Cubs third baseman Connor Norby Placed on 10-Day Injured List
Connor Norby (wrist) has been placed on the 10-day injured list with left-wrist inflammation, according to Daniel Alvarez-Montes of El Extrabase. Infielder Graham Pauley was called up from Triple-A Jacksonville as the corresponding move and will start at third base and bat eighth for the Marlins in their Sunday game against the Baltimore Orioles. The 25-year-old Norby missed the start of the season due to an oblique strain, so this is his second trip to the injured list in 2025. In 273 plate appearances, Norby is hitting .241/.289/.364 with six home runs, 26 RBI, 33 runs scored, and seven stolen bases. It remains to be seen how long this latest injury will keep him sidelined.Source: El Extrabase - Daniel Avarez-Montes
Miami Marlins third baseman Blake Sabol Traded to White Sox
Blake Sabol to the Chicago White Sox for cash considerations, per MassLive's Chris Cotillo. The 27-year-old Sabol appeared in eight games this season for Boston, hitting .125 with a 38.9% strikeout rate. He wasn't much better in 167 plate appearances at Triple-A Worcester, slashing .167/.281/.299 with three home runs, 17 RBI, 15 runs scored, and seven stolen bases. Sabol is the rare catcher-eligible player with some speed, but he's not yet proven he can hit at the big league level. It does not appear as though he'll immediately have a spot on Chicago's 40-man roster.Source: Mass Live - Chris Cotillo
The Boston Red Sox have traded catcher/outfielder Tony Blanco Jr. to Begin Rehab Assignment
Tony Blanco Jr. (leg) was sent on a rehab assignment to the Florida Complex League Pirates, according to Anthony Murphy of Baseball America. Blanco Jr. has yet to log any game action this season as he recovers from a leg injury. He's just 20 years old and has not yet made it past the FCL, so Blanco Jr. is still a ways off from the Majors. Power is Blanco Jr.'s calling card, and MLB.com ranks him as the #21 prospect in the Pirates' system. In 109 plate appearances in the Complex League last season, Blanco Jr. slashed .305/.385/.505 with four home runs and 17 RBI.Source: Baseball America - Anthony Murphy
Pittsburgh Pirates first base/outfield prospect Richard Fitts Recalled
Richard Fitts from Triple-A Worcester on Saturday. The team placed righty Hunter Dobbins (knee) on the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move. Dobbins is done for the year after suffering a torn ACL, which opens up the fifth spot in Boston's rotation for Fitts. The 25-year-old has made eight starts this year and gone 1-3 with a 4.28 ERA, a 1.22 WHIP, and 28:10 K:BB in 33 2/3 innings. That's passable back-end production, which is what the Red Sox are looking for in a Dobbins replacement.Source: Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox recalled right-hander Ivan Herrera Getting Outfield Work
Ivan Herrera (hamstring) has begun getting "introductory workouts" in the outfield during his rehab assignment, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. Herrera hasn't played since June 19 because of a strained left hamstring. When he does return, the Cardinals plan to significantly cut his time behind the plate to reduce wear and tear. He'll primarily slot in at designated hitter upon activation, but occasionally lining up in the outfield would provide the team more flexibility to plug in various players at DH. Herrera's production this year has been stellar regardless of position. The 25-year-old has slashed .320/.392/.533 with eight home runs and 36 RBI in 171 plate appearances. Herrera is on track to return to the St. Louis lineup after the All-Star break.Source: Derrick Goold
St. Louis Cardinals catcher Jordan Walker Still Without Timetable to Return
Jordan Walker (appendix) remains without a timetable to return to the major leagues, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. Walker, who last played for the Cardinals on June 22, is on the 10-day injured list as a result of an appendectomy. The 23-year-old has returned to action on a rehab assignment in the minors, where he has been working on swing adjustments. Those changes have paid off lately, as Walker has homered twice in a three-game span with Double-A Springfield. Other than a promising rookie campaign in 2023, the former standout prospect hasn't hit much in the majors. Walker was batting an ugly .210/.267/.295 with three home runs and a 33% strikeout rate in 191 plate appearances this year before he went on the IL. The Cardinals have gotten much better production in right field from Alec Burleson, who's slashing .289/.334/.463 with 11 homers and 43 RBI over 312 trips to the plate.Source: Derrick Goold
St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Tanner Houck, Red Sox Have Not Discussed Role
Tanner Houck (elbow) will take on when he returns from the injured list, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports. Houck has been working back from a flexor strain that he suffered in mid-May. Before going on the IL, the 2024 All-Star stumbled to an 0-3 record with an 8.04 ERA in nine starts and 43 2/3 innings. Having lost righty Hunter Dobbins (knee) to a season-ending torn ACL this weekend, the Red Sox are set to plug Richard Fitts into the fifth spot in their rotation. Barring any more injuries to the team's starting staff, it seems likely Houck will pitch out of the bullpen for the first time since 2022 when he comes back. He's expected to return sometime this month.Source: Christopher Smith - MassLive.com
The Boston Red Sox have not discussed which role right-hander Keegan Akin to Face Hitters Monday
Keegan Akin (shoulder) will face hitters Monday before beginning a potential rehab assignment with Triple-A Norfolk, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports. Akin has been on the 15-day injured list with shoulder inflammation since July 1. The Orioles had to shut him down from throwing earlier this week after he received an injection in his shoulder, but he's now progressing toward a return. The 30-year-old has gone 3-0 with a 3.32 ERA, a 1.42 WHIP, 38:16 K:BB, and 12 holds over 38 innings.Source: Roch Kubatko - MASNSports.com
Baltimore Orioles left-handed reliever Daulton Varsho to Start Rehab Assignment Monday
Daulton Varsho (hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment in the Florida Coast League on Monday, according to Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet. Varsho could rejoin the Blue Jays out of the All-Star break if things go smoothly. The 29-year-old hasn't played since he strained his left hamstring on May 31. He also missed almost all of April while recovering from shoulder surgery. When healthy, Varsho has brought plenty of power to the table this year. The two-time 20-home run hitter is batting .207/.240/.543 with eight HRs in 100 plate appearances. Myles Straw has gotten the majority of starts in center field with Varsho unavailable.Source: Arden Zwelling
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Cristian Javier Throws 35 Pitches in Rehab Start
Cristian Javier (elbow) began a rehab assignment in the Florida Complex League on Saturday. In his first start since undergoing Tommy John surgery in June 2024, Javier threw 35 pitches over 1 1/3 innings. He allowed two earned runs on three hits and three walks, striking out one. The 28-year-old's fastball reached 95 mph, and Astros manager Joe Espada said he felt "really good" afterward. The Astros remain optimistic that Javier will contribute in the second half of the season, according to Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle. Javier has a career 3.59 ERA in 501 innings, but it's anyone's guess how he'll fare coming off major surgery.Source: Matt Kawahara
Houston Astros right-hander Gino Groover Collects Two Hits, Scores Once in All-Star Futures Game
Gino Groover capped off a strong first half of the season with a 2-for-2 performance in Saturday's All-Star Futures Game, which the National League won 4-2. Both hits were singles, and the 23-year-old also scored once in the contest. The 2023 second-round draft pick came into the game riding a 20-game streak at Double-A Amarillo in which he reached base at least once via hit or walk, and is riding an 11-game hit streak, during which time he's gone 19-for-46 (.413). For the season, the D-backs' 10th-ranked prospect is slashing .312/.386/.469 with 16 doubles and 10 home runs. Now with 88 games under his belt at Double-A between 2024-25, look for the 6-foot-2 slugger to see some time at Triple-A later this season.Source: MLB.com
Arizona Diamondbacks corner infield prospect Josue Briceno Triples, Scores a Run in All-Star Futures Game
Josue
Briceno
went
1-for-3
with
a
triple
and
a
run
scored
for
the
American
League
team
during
the
All-Star
Futures
Game,
in
which the
National
League
squad
ended
up
winning
4-2.
In
fact,read more...
Detroit Tigers
first
base/catching
prospect