July 18, 2025
Houston Astros designated hitter
Yordan Alvarez (hand) resumed swinging a bat on Thursday and is with the team in Seattle for their series against the division rival Mariners this weekend, according to the team. Alvarez has not played in a game since May 5 due to a fractured hand. However, the 28-year-old could finally be turning a corner, with general manager Dana Brown saying on Sunday that the team could "try to expedite Alvarez's return." We're not sure what to expect with the left-handed hitting outfielder/DH after he's missed so much time this year. When he does return, though, the Astros could ease him into the fold, and he could strictly serve as the DH the rest of the season. The three-time All-Star and former Silver Slugger winner struggled to a .210 average with only three home runs and 18 RBI in his first 100 at-bats before landing on the IL.
--Keith HernandezSource: Houston Chronicle - Matt Kawahara
July 18, 2025
New York Yankees right-hander
Cam Schlittler (arm) is expected to pitch in Toronto despite reporting upper arm soreness over the All-Star break. Imaging came back clean after he was scratched from Friday's scheduled start. In his MLB debut earlier this month, Schlittler struck out seven but allowed three runs over 5 1/3 innings. With a projected start next week against the Blue Jays and Phillies, the rookie offers strikeout potential but carries risk. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues may consider him a volatile two-start streamer.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Gary Phillips
July 18, 2025
Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona said that right-hander
Hunter Greene (groin) is on track to start a minor-league rehab assignment early next week. Greene will make his first rehab start in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League before joining Triple-A Louisville. The 25-year-old last pitched in the big leagues since June 3, so he's going to need a handful of rehab starts before the Reds let him rejoin the major-league starting rotation. That means that fantasy managers shouldn't expect Greene back until sometime in August. Despite being out for an extended stretch, the former second overall pick should remain rostered in all fantasy leagues, as he has high-end upside when he's healthy. Greene had gone 4-3 with a 2.72 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 73 strikeouts in 59 2/3 innings over his 11 starts before he landed on the IL.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Cincinnati Enquirer - Charlie Goldsmith
July 18, 2025
Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman
Max Muncy (knee) is trending toward a mid-August return. Muncy resumed playing catch and took dry swings Friday, his first since landing on the injured list on July 3. "We're right where we think we should be," Muncy said of his rehab. Before the injury, he was slashing .250/.375/.457 with a career-best 91.5 mph average exit velocity and a 21.9% strikeout rate, both signs of his improved approach since wearing glasses in May. Fantasy managers should prepare to activate Muncy in all formats once he rejoins the Dodgers' lineup.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Fabian Ardaya
July
18,
2025
The
Dallas
Morning
News'
Evan
Grant
reports
that
Texas
Rangers
first
baseman
Jake
Burger
(quadriceps)
will
miss
two
to
three
more
weeks
with
a
left-quadriceps
strain,
and
in
the
meantime,
the
team
will
roll
with
a
read more...
July
18,
2025
Atlanta
Braves
third
baseman
Austin
Riley
(abdomen)
took
batting
practice
on
Friday
and
seems
hopeful
to
be
activated
from
the
10-day
injured
list
next
week,
per
MLB.com's
Mark
Bowman.
Riley
is
on
the
shelf
right
read more...
July 18, 2025
The Arizona Diamondbacks have officially recalled catching prospect
Adrian Del Castillo prior to their contest on Friday evening against the St. Louis Cardinals. In a corresponding move, the Diamondbacks shifted starting catcher
Gabriel Moreno (finger) to the 60-day injured list. Del Castillo made his MLB debut last season and looked quite comfortable during his first stint. Through 25 games in the desert, the 25-year-old catcher posted a stellar .313/.368/.525 slash line with five doubles, four home runs, and a 28:7 K:BB. Del Castillo dealt with injuries during the first half but was very productive when on the field. Through 14 games with Triple-A Reno, the catcher posted a .945 OPS with four home runs. Given his power upside, he is worth adding in all two-catcher leagues.
--Andy SmithSource: Arizona Diamondbacks
July 18, 2025
John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports reports that Arizona Diamondbacks All-Star second baseman
Ketel Marte is taking some personal days off and is being placed on the restricted list. Marte's home got broken into during the All-Star break, so the D-backs will give him another couple days to get things sorted out in his personal life. It's likely that the 31-year-old will miss the entire three-game series versus the St. Louis Cardinals to begin the second half of the season, so fantasy managers will want to act accordingly.
Blaze Alexander is making the start at second base and will hit seventh on Friday against Cardinals right-hander
Andre Pallante, and he'll likely see most of the playing time at the keystone for however long Marte is out. Marte is an absolute must-hold in all fantasy formats.
--Keith HernandezSource: Arizona Sports - John Gambadoro
July 18, 2025
Toronto Blue Jays left-handed pitching prospect
Adam Macko could be in the mix to make his MLB debut in the second half, according to Mitch Bannon of The Athletic. Bannon noted that general manager Ross Atkins mentioned Macko as a potential "depth" option for the starting rotation later in the second half. The 24-year-old has spent the majority of the campaign with Triple-A Buffalo but has struggled to find his footing. Through 21 innings of work, the No. 14-ranked prospect in the system has posted a hefty 8.14 ERA with a 2.10 WHIP. During this stretch, the southpaw has struck out just 20 hitters and served up a high 15 walks. Given his struggles at the top level of the minor leagues, Macko is not worth stashing in any formats for the time being.
--Andy SmithSource: Mitch Bannon
July 18, 2025
Baltimore Orioles right-hander
Kyle Bradish (elbow) is expected to start a minor-league rehab assignment after a two-inning live batting practice session on Saturday, per MASN's Roch Kubatko. Bradish has been out all season as he recovers from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. The 28-year-old is making some good progress and is close to getting back into real games, but he still has a ways to go and will most likely require a full 30-day rehab assignment before the Orioles consider activating him later in the second half of the season. In a best-case scenario, Bradish might return in mid to late August. Bradish had a 2.83 ERA with a 9.0 K/9 in 30 starts in a breakout 2023 campaign with the Orioles and also held a nice 2.75 ERA and 12.1 K/9 in eight starts before being shut down in 2024. He should have a rotation spot waiting for him, but his workload will probably be limited down the stretch.
--Keith HernandezSource: MASN Sports - Roch Kubatko
July
18,
2025
Baltimore
Orioles
catcher
Adley
Rutschman
(oblique)
is
expected
to
join
Triple-A
Norfolk
for
a
minor-league
rehab
assignment
next
Tuesday,
per
MASN's
Roch
Kubatko.
Rutschman
has
been
sidelined
with
a
left-oblique
strain
since
late
June,
but
now
read more...
July 18, 2025
Toronto Blue Jays left-handed pitching prospect
Ricky Tiedemann (elbow) has been performing quite well in his bullpen sessions and could be given the green light to participate in live batting practice in the coming weeks. The left-hander is working his way back from Tommy John but is nearing his first taste of game action. During his recent sessions, the top pitching prospect was able to reach 95 mph with his four-seam fastball, which is a great sign. Bannon noted that while an MLB debut this season may not occur, if he continues to progress well without any setbacks, he could make a strong case. During the 2023 season, the No. 4-ranked prospect in Toronto struck out an eye-catching 82 batters across 44 innings, split between Low-A, Double-A, and Triple-A. For now, he is worth monitoring in deeper formats as he could emerge as a late-season stash target.
--Andy SmithSource: Mitch Bannon
July 18, 2025
Colorado Rockies third base prospect
Kyle Karros has been promoted to Triple-A Albuquerque. Karros has been one of the best hitters at the Double-A level this season. Through his first 55 games at the level, the third baseman posted an impressive .294/.399/.462 slash line with 17 doubles, four home runs, and seven stolen bases. He held a 45:32 K:BB. Last season, Karros was named the 2024 Northwest League MVP. With High-A Spokane, the No. 18-ranked prospect in the system on MLB.com, posted an impressive .311/.390/.485 slash line with 33 doubles, 15 long balls, and 12 stolen bases. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to his progression at Triple-A as he could push for a late-season taste of the major leagues if he continues to swing a hot bat.
--Andy SmithSource: Patrick Lyons
July 18, 2025
Washington Nationals shortstop prospect Eli Willits is expected to sign a contract with the team on Saturday. Spencer Nusbaum of The Washington Post noted that the first overall pick will report to Florida on Sunday. The Nationals selected Willits out of high school with the top pick in last week's MLB Draft. Prior to the draft, the 17-year-old infielder was considered the No. 5-ranked prospect on MLB.com prior to the draft. The shortstop is a switch-hitter but is known for being a better hitter on the left side of the plate. He is also credited with having plus speed and a strong arm, which should translate well to the major leagues. Given his age, fantasy managers should expect Willits to spend at least the next three to four seasons in the minor leagues. However, he will likely be a top pick in first-year player drafts and could finish near the top of prospect boards next season.
--Andy SmithSource: Spencer Nusbaum
July 18, 2025
Baltimore Orioles right-hander
Grayson Rodriguez (elbow, lat) is being shut down again after his elbow flared up, according to BaltimoreBaseball.com's Rich Dubroff. Interim manager Tony Mansolino said that the team will know more about Rodriguez in a week. Rodriguez has yet to pitch in 2025 after initially injuring his right elbow back in spring training. Then the 25-year-old suffered a setback with his lat while ramping up his throwing program. But now he's dealing with more elbow issues, which makes it reasonable to wonder if we'll even see him on a mound for Baltimore in 2025 at all. Rodriguez has been throwing bullpen sessions since June, but now one has to wonder if he'll need surgery on his arm. A promising 2024 campaign was stalled out by another injury. His inability to join the O's rotation has been one of the many disappointments for the team this year.
--Keith HernandezSource: BaltimoreBaseball.com - Rich Dubroff
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