June 16, 2025
Chicago Cubs outfielder
Kyle Tucker (finger) was absent from the lineup for Sunday's series finale against the Pittsburgh Pirates, and manager Craig Counsell acknowledged that Tucker's recent sprained right ring finger remains a consideration. "It's there. It's not bad. But this was a chance to try to get him two days without swinging a bat," Counsell said. Since leaving on June 1 with his finger injury as a precaution, the 28-year-old sat out another game, subbed in as a pinch-hitter twice and started as the designated hitter three times. He was walked as a pinch-hitter in the 10th inning in Sunday's game. Chicago will continue to monitor Tucker's finger, but after a scheduled day off on Monday, he should be back in the starting lineup for Tuesday's series opener against the division-rival Milwaukee Brewers. Tucker has excelled in his first year in Chicago and is a must-start when he's active.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Patrick Mooney
June 16, 2025
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced that right-hander
Ben Casparius will work as the team's bulk reliever following right-hander
Shohei Ohtani (elbow), who is making his debut as a pitcher for L.A. in Monday's series opener against the division-rival San Diego Padres. Casparius made his second start of the season last Wednesday against the Padres at Petco and gave up a run over four innings of work while walking two and striking out two. The Dodgers are going to use the 26-year-old in more of a traditional starting role moving forward while they continue to stretch out Ohtani, although he'll be the bulk reliever in this one. The former fifth-round pick in 2021 out of Connecticut has looked great in his second year in the big leagues in 2025, going 4-1 with a 2.86 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 46:9 K:BB in 44 innings over 22 outings (two starts).
--Keith HernandezSource: Jeff Spiegel
June 16, 2025
New York Yankees outfielder/designated hitter
Giancarlo Stanton (elbows) will be in the starting lineup to make his 2025 season debut in Monday's series opener in the Bronx against the visiting Los Angeles Angels and right-hander
Jose Soriano, league sources tell SNY's Andy Martino. Tendinitis in both of Stanton's elbows has kept him out for the entire season until now. The 35-year-old veteran is expected to stick primarily in the DH role for the Yankees the rest of the year, which will make things tricky for manager Aaron Boone to try and keep
Ben Rice's hot bat in the lineup. It's possible we see Rice make some starts at catcher, which would push
Austin Wells to the bench. Stanton is nearing the end of his career and has had trouble staying healthy, but he still has plenty of power to provide fantasy managers that are in search of it.
--Keith HernandezSource: SNY - Andy Martino
June 16, 2025
The Atlanta Braves announced on Monday that they returned infield prospect
Nacho Alvarez Jr. (wrist) from his rehab assignment, reinstated him from the 60-day injured list and optioned him to Triple-A Gwinnett. Alvarez originally suffered a wrist injury back in February and has missed the entire 2025 season to this point. While the 22-year-old may eventually become an option at the big-league level, he will begin his season with the Stripers. The team's No. 3 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, made his major-league debut last year and went just 3-for-30 with a run scored and 10 strikeouts in his first eight games with the Braves. He will play regularly for Gwinnett for now but offers infield depth around the diamond for the Braves. During his rehab assignment, Alvarez hit .364 (4-for-11) with a double, two RBI and three runs scored.
--Keith HernandezSource: Atlanta Braves
June 16, 2025
New York Yankees starting pitcher
Max Fried allowed six hits and two earned runs in Sunday's 2-0 loss to the Boston Red Sox. He walked two and struck out nine, falling to 9-2 through 15 starts. Fried allowed a run in the first inning and was able to keep Boston off the board until the fifth, when
Rafael Devers tattooed his final long ball in a Red Sox uniform over the Green Monster to make it 2-0. Despite yielding two or fewer earned runs this season for the fourteenth time, his offense failed to support him -- a theme from this series, as Boston swept New York and outscored them 8-4. Fried still boasts a superb 1.89 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, and 90:20 K:BB ratio through 95 innings, and will look to keep it rolling against the visiting Baltimore Orioles his next time out.
--Alex CiullaSource: ESPN
June 16, 2025
The Atlanta Braves announced on Monday that they reinstated outfielder
Stuart Fairchild (finger) from the 10-day injured list and designated outfielder
Jose Azocar for assignment in a corresponding move. Fairchild is finally ready to return from a dislocated pinkie finger that has kept him sidelined since late May. The 29-year-old played in three minor-league rehab games and went 5-for-12 at the plate. Now back in the big leagues, he'll strictly be a bench bat for the Braves will seeing occasional playing time in the outfield against left-handed pitching. Fairchild can continue to be ignored in mixed fantasy leagues. He's played in only 21 games for the Braves this year and has gone 6-for-33 (.182) with two RBI, two steals, seven runs and nine strikeouts in 36 plate appearances. Fairchild will mostly be used as a defensive replacement late in games.
--Keith HernandezSource: Atlanta Braves
June 16, 2025
Atlanta Braves left-hander
Chris Sale will make his next start this Wednesday in New York against the division-rival New York Mets, according to The Athletic's David O'Brien. It opens up Sale to be able to start again against the Mets next week. Sale was originally scheduled to make his second start of last week in Sunday's series finale in an excellent matchup against the Colorado Rockies, but instead he's been pushed to Wednesday. The 36-year-old reigning National League Cy Young will get a much tougher matchup against the Mets in his next two starts, but Sale remains a must-start in fantasy leagues after racking up a season-high 11 strikeouts in seven innings last Monday against the Milwaukee Brewers. Sale hasn't allowed more than two earned runs in an outing since April 13 against the Tampa Bay Rays and now holds a 2.79 ERA with 107 K's and 25 walks in 80 2/3 innings in 2025.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - David O'Brien
June 16, 2025
Baltimore Orioles third baseman
Jordan Westburg went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in Sunday's 11-2 win against the visiting Los Angeles Angels. He also singled, drew a walk, and scored thrice. Westburg reached base on three instances for the second time in four games and hit his third long ball since returning from the injured list just under a week ago. It was the seventh time he's gone yard this season. The 26-year-old has picked up where he left off before landing on the IL, batting .312 (15-for-48) with three doubles, one triple, four homers, 10 RBI, and eight runs scored over his last 12 appearances. Furthermore, it's worth mentioning he was moved up to the leadoff spot for Sunday's matchup.
--Alex CiullaSource: ESPN
June 16, 2025
ESPN's Mike Reiss writes that the New England Patriots concluded their mandatory minicamp last week with rookie offensive tackle Will Campbell, who was the fourth overall pick in April's NFL draft, working as the top left tackle. "I definitely would say I've gotten more comfortable as the days have gone on, with the playbook and the scheme. It's only going to keep getting better," Campbell said, adding that he plans a brief break to get away before the official start of training camp on July 23. The 21-year-old was a three-year starter at LSU and figures to start right away at left tackle in 2025 to protect the blind side of second-year quarterback
Drake Maye. With short arms, Campbell is going to have to overcome that against elite pass-rushers with his technique and athleticism.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN Boston - Mike Reiss
June 16, 2025
The Colorado Rockies announced that they have designated first baseman
Keston Hiura for assignment at Triple-A Albuquerque and recalled first baseman
Michael Toglia to the big-league roster. A few weeks ago, Toglia was optioned to the Isotopes after compiling an abysmal .194/.266/.349 slash line through 54 games. With Hiura failing to perform much better (.222/.333/.278) through his first eight appearances, and Toglia batting a fine .273 (12-for-44) in Triple-A, Colorado reversed the transaction. The former No. 23 overall pick should step back into an everyday role at first base for the Rockies with the hopes that his brief demotion breaks him out of an early-season slump.
--Alex CiullaSource: Colorado Rockies
June 16, 2025
Washington Commanders right guard Sam Cosmi (knee) was on the field last week working with athletic trainers, performing agility work and doing light 40-yard jogs after suffering a torn ACL in the Divisional playoff victory over the Detroit Lions. There's no timetable for Cosmi's return, but Washington is optimistic about his recovery. "He's hitting all the benchmarks but when does he get there? I don't know...we're not going to miss one step with him," head coach Dan Quinn said. Nick Allegretti, who started at left guard last year, is currently being tasked with filling in for Cosmi on the right side of the offensive line. Brandon Coleman is now filling in at left guard. Cosmi, the team's former second-round pick (51st overall) in 2021 out of Texas started all 17 regular-season games each of the last two years, but he probably won't be able to play until midseason in 2025.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - John Keim
June 16, 2025
After losing his last three fights, former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman got back in the win column by defeating Joaquin Buckley via unanimous decision in the main event of UFC Atlanta on Saturday. Usman soundly defeated Buckley by mixing up his striking with his wrestling and controlling Buckley on the ground. In 25 minutes of action, Usman landed four takedowns and 41 significant strikes. This was an extremely important win for former champion Usman, who hadn't won since outpointing Colby Covington in November 2021. With the win, Usman improved to 21-4 as a pro and is now 16-3 in the UFC.
--Alen KurbasicSource: UFC
June 16, 2025
The Athletic's Stephen Holder writes that Indianapolis Colts wide receiver
Adonai Mitchell had one of the most impressive performances at last week's mandatory minicamp. The 22-year-old second-round pick (52nd overall) in 2024 had an uneven and frustrating rookie campaign and finished with 23 catches on 55 targets for 312 yards and no touchdowns in 17 games (seven starts). Mitchell also looked good in training camp last summer, so now it's a matter of him taking his practice reps into the regular season. "I think last offseason, same thing. Did some really good things. He's had a hell of an offseason so far through OTAs. [I] expect that to continue through training camp. But getting to those game situations, [it's] just continuing to get those game reps and really taking that next step," head coach Shane Steichen said. Mitchell has the talent to take the next step, but target volume could be an issue again.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Stephen Holder
June 16, 2025
In Saturday's UFC Atlanta main event, Joaquin Buckley suffered a unanimous decision loss to former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman after being outclassed for most of the fight. Buckley did manage to land a few good shots on Usman, but he was taken down time and time again and controlled on the ground. Ultimately, the judges scored the fight 49-46, 49-46, and 48-47 in favor of Usman. In 25 minutes of action, Buckley landed 44 significant strikes. This is Buckley's first loss since moving down to welterweight.
--Alen KurbasicSource: UFC
June 16, 2025
Per the team, the Boston Red Sox have optioned newly acquired pitcher
Kyle Harrison to Triple-A Worcester. Boston stunned the baseball world over the weekend when it flipped
Rafael Devers for a package of players. Harrison was initially scheduled to toe the rubber on Sunday for San Francisco in their series finale with the Los Angeles Dodgers. However, he'll now presumably work out of Worcester's rotation. The 23-year-old operated from the bullpen and as a starter this season for the Giants, compiling a 1-1 record with a 4.56 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, and 25:9 K:BB ratio in eight appearances (four starts, 23 2/3 innings). He will likely get a chance to stick with the big-league squad at some point this season, though when that is remains unclear.
--Alex CiullaSource: Boston Red Sox
June 16, 2025
Miranda Maverick suffered a unanimous decision loss to former two-time women's strawweight champion Rose Namajunas in the co-main event of UFC Atlanta on Saturday. It was a back-and-forth fight throughout all three rounds, but in the third round, Namajunas dropped Maverick and jumped into top position, leaving no doubts in the judges' minds about who won the fight. In 15 minutes of action, Maverick landed 25 significant strikes.
--Alen KurbasicSource: UFC
June 16, 2025
Miami Dolphins linebacker Bradley Chubb (knee) said he is fully healed from the knee injuries that forced him to miss all of last season. He has been a disruptive force from the moment he return to the field for voluntary organized team activities, and that continued into mandatory minicamp, according to ESPN's Marcel Louis-Jacques. If he can stay healthy in 2025 alongside pass-rushers Chop Robinson and Jaelan Phillips, Chubb could have a nice bounce-back season. Chubb tore his ACL, meniscus and patellar tendon in Week 17 of the 2023 season, but it's promising to see that he's already looking back to his pre-injury form. The 28-year-old former fifth overall pick by the Denver Broncos in 2018 out of North Carolina State had a career-high 73 tackles (45 solo), 11 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, 22 QB hits and a league-high six forced fumbles in 16 starts before his injury in 2023.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Marcel Louis-Jacques
June 16, 2025
Miami Dolphins tight end
Jonnu Smith's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said that contract talks were "still fluid." "Nothing has been resolved yet. It's still an ongoing situation." After a career year in 2024 in which Smith set franchise records for the tight end position, he's angling for an extension heading into the final year of his deal in 2025 and was a no-show at mandatory minicamp as a result. Miami would like to retain the 29-year-old, but if the two sides can't get something done before the start of the regular season this fall, it's possible that he'll be traded. Smith finished last year with 88 receptions for 884 yards and eight touchdowns, ironically with Miami's offense taking a step back overall. If he remains in South Beach this year, Smith should remain a big part of the offense, but fantasy managers should probably expect a step back as a midrange TE1.
--Keith HernandezSource: Miami Herald - C. Isaiah Smalls II
June 16, 2025
Former two-time UFC women's strawweight champion Rose Namajunas picked up a unanimous decision win over Miranda Maverick in the co-main event of UFC Atlanta on Saturday. It was a back-and-forth fight both on the feet and on the ground, but ultimately it was Namajunas who was declared the winner, especially considering that she scored a late knockdown on Maverick. In 15 minutes of action, Namajunas landed two takedowns and 25 significant strikes. With the win, Namajunas improved to 12-6 in the UFC.
--Alen KurbasicSource: UFC
June 16, 2025
Andre Petroski suffered a unanimous decision loss to Edmen Shahbazyan on the main card of UFC Atlanta on Saturday. This was a classic "striker vs. grappler" matchup, and Shahbazyan was better at utilising his striking while Petroski had trouble taking Shahbazyan down. In 15 minutes of action, Petroski landed two takedowns and 34 significant strikes. With the loss, Petroski fell to 13-4 as a pro and is now 8-3 in the UFC.
--Alen KurbasicSource: UFC
June 16, 2025
Edmen Shahbazyan picked up a unanimous decision win over Andre Petroski on the main card of UFC Atlanta on Saturday. The fight wasn't the most exciting, but Shahbazyan did enough with his striking to win a unanimous decision. This is the second time in his career that he's gone the distance. In 15 minutes of action, Shahbazyan landed 53 significant strikes, including one knockdown. With the win, Shahbazyan improved to 15-5 as a pro and is now 8-5 in the UFC.
--Alen KurbasicSource: UFC
June 16, 2025
Raoni Barcelos extended his win streak when he defeated former bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt via unanimous decision on the main card of UFC Atlanta on Saturday. Garbrandt was better in the first round, but Barcelos won the second and the third largely because he was more active. In 15 minutes of action, Barcelos landed a takedown and 37 significant strikes. With the win over Garbrandt, Barcelos extended his win streak to three. Last February, he submitted Christian Quinonez and followed that up with a massive upset decision over Payton Talbott in January.
--Alen KurbasicSource: UFC
June
16,
2025
Chase
Elliott
of
Hendrick
Motorsports
put
together
a
quality
race
on
Sunday's
Viva
Mexico
250
at
Autodromo
Hermanos
Rodriguez
as
he
finished
in
the
third
position.
Elliott
began
the
race
from
12th
and
was
quiet
during
the
first
stage,
making
a
read more...
June
16,
2025
Christopher
Bell
of
Joe
Gibbs
Racing
had
a
strong
performance
during
Sunday's
Viva
Mexico
250
at
Autodromo
Hermanos
Rodriguez
as
he
finished
as
the
runner-up
in
the
event.
Bell
started
the
race
from
the
31st
position
and
quickly
made
up
ground
read more...
June
16,
2025
Joe
Gibbs
Racing
driver
Chase
Briscoe
ended
Sunday's
Viva
Mexico
250
at
Autodromo
Hermanos
Rodriguez
in
the
seventh
position
after
a
wild
topsy-turvy
day.
Briscoe
began
Sunday's
race
from
the
19th
position
and
although
he
made
up
a
few
positions
into
read more...
June 16, 2025
Michael McDowell of Spire Motorsports finished fifth during Sunday's Viva Mexico 250 at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. Beginning the race from the same position, Michael McDowell remained steady throughout most of the race inside the top five or 10. In the first stage, he placed fourth and earned stage points, and despite his switching between wet and dry tires based on track conditions, he ended the second stage in the fifth position and earned more. In the final stage, McDowell got off-sequence with some of the other drivers on pit and fuel strategy, which shuffled him back outside of the top 10. This led to the No. 71 Chevrolet driver spending the rest of the stage moving through the field. McDowell recovered back into the fifth position for his first top-5 finish of the 2025 season in a points-paying race.
--Sean Engel - RotoBallerSource: NASCAR.com
June 16, 2025
Former bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt suffered a unanimous decision loss to Raoni Barcelos on the main card of UFC Atlanta on Saturday. Garbrandt outstruck Barcelos in the first round, but in the latter two rounds, Barcelos won soundly as he was more active. In 15 minutes of action, Garbrandt landed 28 significant strikes. Garbrandt hasn't been able to have consistent success since his run with the bantamweight gold, going 3-6 in his last nine bouts. With the loss, Garbrandt has dropped to 9-7 in the UFC.
--Alen KurbasicSource: UFC
June 16, 2025
Chicago Cubs catcher
Miguel Amaya (oblique) was cleared to begin a throwing program Friday, MLB.com reports. Amaya appears to have started the process of ramping up again after a left oblique strain had kept him from throwing since May 24. The Cubs anticipate that Amaya will be able to return from the injured list before the All-Star break. However, an exact target date may not be finalized until the next steps in his recovery rehab process are identified. While Amaya has been out,
Carson Kelly and
Reese McGuire have been splitting time behind the plate for the Cubs. Before the injury, Amaya held a .280/.313/.505 slash line with four home runs, 14 runs scored, and 25 RBI. Amaya is not worth a stash in most redraft formats; fantasy managers in redraft leagues with only one catcher spot can drop him to the waiver wire.
--NichoSource: MLB.com
June 16, 2025
Los Angeles Angels third baseman
Yoan Moncada (knee) did not accompany the Angels on their road trip to Baltimore and New York, and is hitting off a tee from the left side only. It could be reassessed when the team returns home on June 20, according to MLB.com. The switch-hitting third baseman landed on the injured list June 2 due to right knee inflammation and has not been able to resume swinging a bat from the right side of the plate. At this point, his timeline for a return remains uncertain, but late June is the best-case scenario for his activation.
Luis Rengifo and
Kevin Newman have been filling in at third base in his absence. Before the injury, Moncada had been slashing .237/.336/.505 with six home runs, 16 runs scored, 19 RBI, and no stolen bases in 113 plate appearances.
--NichoSource: MLB.com
June 16, 2025
Milwaukee Brewers right-hander
Brandon Woodruff (elbow/ankle/shoulder) threw a 25-pitch bullpen on Sunday. Everything came out well physically. He said the time off after getting hit in the elbow was a "blessing in disguise" that allowed him to clean some things up mechanically. The metrics on his stuff today were where he wanted them to be, Jack Stern, beat writer for the Brewers, reports. This is fantastic news for the Brewers and fantasy managers who own Woodruff stock. Woodruff was slated to return to MLB action before taking a line drive in a rehab outing, which set him back a few weeks. Woodruff has dealt with injuries and has not pitched since 2023, but when he was healthy, he was a high-end starting pitcher in fantasy baseball, evidenced by his career 3.10 ERA in 680 ⅓ innings pitched. Fantasy managers will want to continue stashing him on their IL, as he offers a ton of upside once activated.
--NichoSource: Jack Stern
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