July 3, 2025
New York Yankees starter
Clarke Schmidt (forearm) exited Thursday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays with right-forearm tightness, Meredith Marakovits of the YES Network reports. Schmidt struggled over three innings, allowing three earned runs on four hits and two walks, before departing. The Yankees brought in right-hander
Clayton Beeter as his replacement. Forearm injuries are always concerning for pitchers because they often lead to Tommy John surgery. Schmidt already underwent the procedure back in 2017. Losing him for a sizable chunk of time would be a significant blow to the Yankees. They've battled a slew of injuries in their rotation, but Schmidt has been a reliable source of innings. The 29-year-old has gone 4-4 with a 3.32 ERA and 73:30 K:BB over 78 2/3 frames.
--Connor ByrneSource: Meredith Marakovits - YES Network
July 3, 2025
Michael Fulmer signed a minor-league deal with the Kansas City Royals on Thursday after clearing waivers, giving the 2017 All-Star a chance to revive his career. The right-hander tossed three scoreless innings over two appearances with the Cubs in June but couldn't stick on the 40-man roster. Overall, he posted a 4.76 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, and three strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings with the Cubs and Red Sox this season. With injuries piling up in the Royals' rotation, Fulmer could be a call-up candidate if he performs well in Triple-A Omaha. The former Rookie of the Year remains a name to monitor in deep AL-only leagues.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Raising Royals
July 3, 2025
Miami Marlins right-hander
Eury Perez (1-2) dazzled in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Minnesota Twins. He allowed two baserunners while striking out seven over six dominant innings, picking up his first win of the season. It was his best start of the year and a strong rebound after tough outings versus Atlanta and Arizona. The 22-year-old flamethrower finally looked like the ace fantasy managers hoped for. He now owns a 4.50 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and 21 strikeouts over 22 innings in 2025. While it's wise to tread lightly, Perez deserves a spot on your watch list and is only rostered in 34% of Yahoo Fantasy leagues. Perez's next start is scheduled to face the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday. With another strong outing, he will become a must-add in standard leagues.
--Shaun AlbinSource: ESPN
July 3, 2025
Kansas City Royals second baseman
Michael Massey (ankle) has been returned from his rehab assignment at Triple-A Omaha due to lingering injury concerns and will be re-evaluated. He was pulled from his last rehab game on June 29 after being hit by a pitch. The 26-year-old has struggled to stay on the field this season, and his .202 average with just two homers across 209 plate appearances offers little to be optimistic about. With Kansas City fading from playoff contention and Massey unable to stay healthy or produce, he holds no fantasy relevance outside deep AL-only leagues. Massey remains day-to-day, with no timetable for his return.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Kansas City Royals
July
3,
2025
The
Chicago
White
Sox
are
promoting
shortstop
prospect
Colson
Montgomery
to
the
major
leagues.
Montgomery
was
selected
with
the
22nd
overall
pick
in
the
2021
MLB
Draft
out
of
Southridge
HS.
The
23-year-old
spent
the
entire
read more...
July 3, 2025
NFL.com's Coral Smith reports that the Pittsburgh Steelers have signed general manager Omar Khan to a new three-year contract on Thursday. The financial details were not noted. Khan has been a member of the Steelers' organization since 2001, but took over his current role in 2022 from predecessor Kevin Colbert. The 48-year-old, known for his aggressive offseason moves, has undoubtedly been entertaining as the team's GM. However, despite continuing the franchise's winning ways, playoff wins -- particularly deep playoff runs -- have been the issue. The hope is that will change in 2025, with a revamped wide receiver room led by
DK Metcalf, veteran signal-caller
Aaron Rodgers at the helm, and the recent acquisition of tight end
Jonnu Smith. Still, they share a division with two of the more brutal AFC squads (Bengals, Ravens). Pittsburgh hasn't won more than ten games or sat atop the AFC North since 2020, but they're pushing their chips all-in ahead of the upcoming campaign.
--Alex CiullaSource: Coral Smith
July
3,
2025
The
Los
Angeles
Dodgers
placed
third
baseman
Max
Muncy
(knee)
on
the
10-day
injured
list
on
Thursday
with
a
left-knee
bone
bruise
and
recalled
outfielder
Esteury
Ruiz
from
Triple-A
Oklahoma
City
read more...
July
3,
2025
Los
Angeles
Dodgers
catcher
Will
Smith
will
take
the
day
off
against
the
Chicago
White
Sox
in
Thursday's
series
finale
at
Dodger
Stadium.
Rookie
Dalton
Rushing
is
behind
the
plate
to
read more...
July
3,
2025
Los
Angeles
Dodgers
third
baseman
Max
Muncy
(knee)
is
not
in
the
team's
starting
lineup
for
Thursday's
series
finale
against
the
visiting
Chicago
White
Sox.
Fantasy
managers
shouldn't
be
surprised
after
Muncy
had
a
scary-looking
injury
read more...
July 3, 2025
Kansas City Royals rookie first baseman/outfielder
Jac Caglianone will start Thursday's game against the hosting Seattle Mariners on the bench.
John Rave draws into the starting lineup and will bat sixth for the Royals against Mariners right-hander
Bryan Woo. Caglianone has elite power from the left side as one of the best power-hitting prospects in the game, but so far he hasn't been able to figure out big-league pitching, going 14-for-97 (.144) with two home runs, three doubles, four RBI, four runs and a 24:5 K:BB in 103 trips to the plate in 26 games played. The 22-year-old former sixth overall pick last year out of Florida crushed minor-league pitching to the tune of a .322/.389/.593 slash line with 15 homers an 56 RBI in 50 games with Double-A Northwest Arkansas and Triple-A Omaha. Perhaps Cags can get settled in after the All-Star break in his first year in the Show.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
July 3, 2025
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder
Christian Yelich will take a seat for Thursday's series finale against the New York Mets at Citi Field with left-hander
David Peterson starting on the mound.
Eric Haase is serving as the designated hitter and is batting seventh versus Peterson. Yelich snapped a 12-game hitting streak in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader in Queens but then hit a homer in the nightcap. The 33-year-old former MVP and three-time All-Star has been relevant in all fantasy formats this year with the Brew Crew, entering Thursday's action with a .259/.337/.460 slash line, .797 OPS, 17 long balls, 61 RBI, 43 runs scored and 12 stolen bases. The former first-rounder can do it all and is a must-start in fantasy everytime he's in the starting lineup. Haase is hitting .167 (3-for-18) with one of his two homers on the year against lefties.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
July 3, 2025
Colorado Rockies shortstop
Ezequiel Tovar (oblique) will join Triple-A Albuquerque for a rehab assignment on Friday. This was expected with Tovar ramping up his activities lately. He has been sidelined since early June due to a strained left oblique. He figures to need a handful of rehab games before being cleared to return to the Rockies lineup. Tovar should be back with the Rockies shortly after the All-Star break. Before going down, Tovar was slashing .258/.301/.406 with three home runs and 10 RBI across 32 games this season.
--Andy WebbSource: Thomas Harding
July 3, 2025
Milwaukee Brewers infielder
Brice Turang is out of the starting lineup on Wednesday against the hosting New York Mets at Citi Field with a left-hander on the mound.
Andruw Monasterio is starting at second base and will bat ninth against Mets southpaw
David Peterson. Turang is getting a well-deserved breather after he snapped a 14-game hitting streak with an 0-for-4 performance with three strikeouts in the second game of a doubleheader on Wednesday in New York. The 25-year-old slashed a ridiculous .421/.452/.579 with 10 RBI and 11 runs scored during the streak. He'll get a chance to start a new streak when he returns for Friday's series opener in Miami against the Marlins. The former first-rounder doesn't have much power (five homers), but he's a great source of average (.288), runs scored (55) and speed (17 steal) in fantasy as a must-start asset when he's on the field.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
July 3, 2025
Baltimore Orioles outfielder
Dylan Carlson has been optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday. The former first-round pick has been unable to find much success in the MLB since his 2022 season with the St. Louis Cardinals. Carlson is slashing .234/.271/.378 with four home runs and 12 RBI in 41 games with the O's this season. This move was expected to come with
Tyler O'Neill (shoulder) likely to be activated off the injured list ahead of Friday's game. It's unclear if Carlson will be back with the O's again this season, so for now he's not worth holding in any fantasy formats.
--Andy WebbSource: Matt Weyrich
July 3, 2025
Washington Nationals relief pitcher
Andrew Chafin (hamstring) was activated off the injured list ahead of Thursday's game against the Detroit Tigers. Chafin has been sidelined since early June due to a right hamstring strain. He threw a simulated game earlier in the week and was able to avoid doing a rehab assignment. Chafin will be back in the mix as a middle reliever ahead of Thursday's contest. He holds a 3.18 ERA, 2.02 WHIP, and 14/11 K/BB ratio across 16 appearances with the Nationals this season. Chafin doesn't pitch in enough high leverage situations to warrant rostering in fantasy formats
--Andy WebbSource: Nationals Communications
July 3, 2025
Washington Nationals outfielder
James Wood has accepted the invite to participate in the upcoming Home Run Derby at Truist Park in Atlanta. Wood is well deserving of this honor after slashing .283/.387/.547 with 22 home runs and 65 RBI, with 12 stolen bases so far this season. The rookie outfielder will join
Cal Raleigh and
Ronald Acuna Jr. so far on Monday, July 14 in Atlanta. Wood was one of the key pieces brought back in the
Juan Soto trade with the San Diego Padres in 2022. The 22-year-old figures to be an important player in Washington for years to come.
--Andy WebbSource: Nationals Communications
July 3, 2025
Texas Rangers outfielder
Joc Pederson (hand) is reportedly three weeks away from returning to the lineup, according to manager Bruce Bochy. Pederson has been sidelined since late May due to a fractured right hand. The original timetable had Pederson returning before the All-Star break, but that doesn't seem like it's going to happen. Pederson figures to still need a rehab assignment as well before getting back into the mix. Pederson was struggling with a .131 batting average, two home runs, and six RBI before going on the injured list. He figures to get playing time at designated hitter against right-handed pitching once he's cleared to play. Given his struggles, Pederson isn't someone that needs to be stashed in fantasy formats right now.
--Andy WebbSource: Jeff Wilson
July 3, 2025
Seattle Mariners starting pitcher
Logan Evans has been recalled and will take the ball versus the Kansas City Royals on Thursday. The Mariners could use some help in the rotation with
Bryce Miller (elbow) still sidelined and
Emerson Hancock being optioned to the minors. Evans has been decent this season, posting a 3.38 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, and a 30/12 K/BB ratio across seven starts with the Mariners. This is a favorable spot for Evans against a Royals lineup that has struggled to produce this season. Evans is worth a look as a low-end streaming option for Thursday. In a corresponding move, left-hander
Joe Jacques has been optioned to the minors.
--Andy WebbSource: Mariners PR
July 3, 2025
Defenseman Nick Leddy was claimed off waivers on Thursday by the San Jose Sharks. The 34-year-old had a rough campaign with the St. Louis Blues in 2024-25 and was waived by the team earlier in the week. Leddy is entering the final year of his contract, which has an average annual value of $4 million. The veteran will try to help the NHL's leakiest defense next season. San Jose was the only team to allow 300 goals last term, finishing with a goals-against average of 3.78. That said, Leddy is not a player who should attract the interest of fantasy managers.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
July 3, 2025
Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider said that all systems are go for right-hander
Max Scherzer (forearm, thumb) to start on Saturday against the Los Angeles Angels after he threw a bullpen session on Thursday afternoon at the Rogers Centre. A right-thumb issue has been bothering Scherzer all year and is the reason he's only made three starts for Toronto, and he also dealt with right-forearm fatigue in his start against the New York Yankees on Monday. Despite not feeling 100%, the 40-year-old future Hall of Famer only allowed two earned runs on three hits while walking none and fanning a season-high seven in five innings for a no-decision. Scherzer is certainly past his prime and now very injury-prone, but he proved on Monday he can still be useful in fantasy. However, he threw only 71 pitches earlier this week and could be on a short leash against the Halos this weekend.
--Keith HernandezSource: Toronto Sun - Rob Longley
July 3, 2025
Defenseman Dmitry Orlov has joined the San Jose Sharks as a free agent. The Russian rearguard, who will celebrate his 34th birthday in a couple of weeks, was handed a two-year, $13 million contract. Orlov is moving to the West Coast after spending the past two seasons with the Carolina Hurricanes. He notched 28 points (six goals, 22 assists) in 76 games last term and registered 101 blocks. Orlov might get more ice time with the Sharks, which could boost his numbers. A couple of seasons ago, he flirted with a 40-point season when he played over 22 minutes a game with the Washington Capitals and Boston Bruins.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
July 3, 2025
The Athletic's Mitch Bannon writes that Toronto Blue Jays outfielder
Daulton Varsho (hamstring) should start a minor-league rehab assignment in the next few days. Varsho resumed running last Wednesday and has now apparently been cleared to play in rehab games, which means he'll be a candidate to return to the big-league roster next week, barring a setback this weekend. The 29-year-old starting center field got a late start in 2025 while recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, but when he returned, his power stroke was on point with eight home runs in his first 92 at-bats over 24 games. Varsho has never hit over .246 in his five major-league seasons and probably isn't going to provide a useful batting average for fantasy managers, but he could return to the 20-homer mark in 2025 if he can stay healthy the rest of the way.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Mitch Bannon
July 3, 2025
Winger Nikolaj Ehlers signed a six-year, $51 million contract with the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday. He was the biggest name remaining among free agents and reportedly preferred a move to Raleigh over Washington and Utah. Ehlers had spent his entire NHL career so far with the Winnipeg Jets. Last season, the Danish forward had one of the best campaigns of his career, scoring 63 points (24 goals, 39 assists) in 69 games. Ehlers is likely to fill a similar role to the one he had in Winnipeg and will get a chance to post a third consecutive 60-point year in 2025-26.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
July 3, 2025
Toronto Blue Jays second baseman
Andres Gimenez (ankle) is sitting out of Thursday's series finale against the New York Yankees after injuring his ankle in the win on Wednesday.
Leo Jimenez will start at second base and will bat in the nine-hole versus Yankees right-hander
Clarke Schmidt. The Athletic's Mitch Bannon reports that Gimenez should be available for Thursday's game off the bench, if needed. It means that Gimenez should return for this weekend's series against the visiting Los Angeles Angels. The 26-year-old was pulled from Wednesday's game in the ninth inning after injuring his ankle on a play at second base, but it's not an injury that should force him to the injured list. Fantasy managers should look for better DFS sleepers than Jimenez, who is hitting .227 (41-for-181) with four homers in his 65 big-league games, dating back to last year.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Mitch Bannon
July
3,
2025
New
York
Yankees
first
baseman
Paul
Goldschmidt
and
designated
hitter
Giancarlo
Stanton
are
both
out
of
the
starting
lineup
for
Thursday's
series
finale
against
the
division-rival
Toronto
Blue
Jays.
read more...
July 3, 2025
The New York Post's Jon Heyman writes that the New York Yankees are fielding trade calls for a first baseman with the July 31 trade deadline approaching, and they have expressed interest in Colorado Rockies third baseman
Ryan McMahon. Their current third baseman,
Jazz Chisholm Jr., has arguably been their second-best offensive player this year behind
Aaron Judge and has 14 home runs, 36 RBI, 33 runs scored and 10 stolen bases despite missing time with an injury. However, Heyman says that the Yankees know Chisholm belongs at the keystone, where he's Gold Glove-caliber.
DJ LeMahieu prefers second base over third base, but he's not the same player that won multiple batting titles. The 36-year-old veteran is hitting .254 with only two home runs and 12 RBI in 118 at-bats. McMahon is hitting just .216 on the year but has 12 homers and would be an upgrade over LeMahieu in the lineup.
--Keith HernandezSource: New York Post - Jon Heyman
July 3, 2025
The New York Mets announced on Thursday that they placed right-handed reliever
Dedniel Nunez (elbow) on the 15-day injured list with a right-elbow sprain and recalled right-hander
Justin Hagenman from Triple-A Syracuse in a corresponding move. There's no exact timetable for Nunez's return, but it's possible he won't be ready to go for the start of the second half of the season on July 18. It's definitely a blow to the back end of New York's bullpen to close out the first half, as the 29-year-old Dominican hurler had allowed just two runs in six innings with eight strikeouts and two holds since returning from the minors last month. Nunez posted a 2.31 ERA and 0.91 WHIP with his first career save, 48 strikeouts and only eight walks in 35 innings in his first year in the big leagues in Queens in 2024.
--Keith HernandezSource: New York Mets
July 3, 2025
New York Mets left-hander
Sean Manaea (elbow, oblique) is expected to make one more minor-league rehab start on Tuesday before coming off the 60-day injured list, according to NJ Advance Media's Manny Gomez. The Mets would like to get Manaea one start in the big leagues before the All-Star break, but they're taking it "one step at a time." If the veteran southpaw does return before the break, it will be next Sunday, July 13, against the Kansas City Royals. The 33-year-old was initially shut down in spring training with an oblique strain before recently dealing with loose bodies in his left elbow. He was able to throw 60 pitches over three innings for Binghamton on Wednesday and should only need one more rehab start, assuming it goes well. Manaea had a late-career resurgence in 2024 with the Mets thanks to a lowered arm slot. Can he do it again? Fantasy managers stashing him all this time certainly hope so.
--Keith HernandezSource: NJ Advance Media - Manny Gomez
July 3, 2025
New York Mets manager
Carlos Mendoza said that the goal is for right-hander
Kodai Senga (hamstring) to pitch in a minor-league rehab game for Double-A Binghamton this weekend. The skipper also said that Senga could be "in play" to come off the injured list before the All-Star break. The Mets' starting rotation should be getting reinforcements soon, with left-hander
Sean Manaea (elbow, oblique) also potentially returning to the fold before the All-Star break. Senga has been out since the middle of June with a strained right hamstring, but if all goes well with his rehab start this weekend, the 32-year-old veteran could return to action for the Mets by July 12 against the Kansas City Royals. Senga should be rostered in all fantasy leagues and will be a must-start as soon as he returns after going 7-3 with a 1.47 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 70 strikeouts in his 73 2/3 innings over 13 starts.
--Keith HernandezSource: SNY
July 3, 2025
The Tampa Bay Rays reinstated shortstop
Ha-Seong Kim (hamstring, shoulder) from the 60-day injured list on Thursday and optioned infielder
Curtis Mead to Triple-A Durham in a corresponding move, according to Bally Sports' Ryan Bass. Kim is expected to make his debut with the team during the weekend series in Minnesota against the Twins. The 29-year-old will also be making his 2025 season debut after undergoing surgery on his shoulder in October of last year. He had a setback during his recovery in the minors due to a hamstring injury but is now 100 percent and ready to serve as Tampa's starting shortstop the rest of the season. The South Korean native should at least provide modest power and speed for fantasy managers looking for middle-infield depth the rest of the way. Kim's high-water mark was 17 homers, 60 RBI and 38 steals for the Padres in 2023.
--Keith HernandezSource: Bally Sports Florida - Ryan Bass
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