Sal Frelick Exits Sunday with Hamstring Discomfort
Sal Frelick (hamstring) left the game in the third inning of his team's 8-1 win over the Washington Nationals on Sunday. Frelick felt discomfort in his left hamstring, according to the team, and was replaced by Isaac Collins in right field. The 25-year-old Frelick is in the midst of his best big-league season, slashing .294/.354/.404 with seven home runs, 39 RBI, 46 runs scored, and 17 stolen bases. He doesn't make a ton of hard contact (26.9% hard-hit rate entering play on Sunday), but he's difficult to punch out (12.7% strikeout rate). Frelick will have the All-Star break to heal his hamstring, so he may be able to avoid missing games. His speed is a big part of his fantasy value, so nursing a bum hamstring could potentially impact his utility in the second half of the season.Source: Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Yordan Alvarez to Be Re-Evaluated Thursday, Could Resume Swinging Soon
Yordan Alvarez (hand) is set for re-evaluation Thursday as team doctors consider clearing him to start swinging a bat. Alvarez was placed on the injured list on May 6 with a right hand fracture. His return timeline remains undefined. The 28-year-old slugger was struggling before the injury in 29 games, slashing .210/.306/.340 with three home runs and a .646 OPS. Alvarez reports no pain in his hand and would be a welcome offensive boost for the banged-up Astros as they aim for a postseason run.Source: Chandler Rome
Astros outfielder Jake Meyers to Miss More Than Three Weeks with Calf Injury, Halting Breakout Season
Jake Meyers (calf) will miss more than three weeks because of his calf injury. Meyers was placed on the 10-day injured list on July 11 with a right calf strain after it tightened up before a July 9 game against the Guardians. The 29-year-old was enjoying a breakout season before the injury, slashing .308/.369/.405 with three home runs across 89 games. He is now targeting an August return and will aim to recapture his early-season form for a surging Astros team.Source: Brian McTaggart
Astros General Manager Dana Brown reported on the team's pregame radio show that outfielder Shane Bieber Set for Rehab Start Tuesday; Eyes August Return After Setback
Shane Bieber (elbow) is scheduled to make his first rehab start Tuesday in the Arizona Complex League after suffering a setback in his Tommy John recovery last month. The 30-year-old is expected to throw around two innings or 35 pitches as he works toward an August return. Bieber made only two starts in 2024 before tearing the UCL in his right elbow, allowing no runs and striking out 20 batters across 12 innings. He has spent his entire career in Cleveland and could be a key addition to a pitching staff that ranks 18th in MLB with a 3.92 team ERA.Source: Tim Stebbins
Cleveland Guardians right-hander Luis Garcia Nearing Return After Setback; Astros Eye Late July Reinforcement
Luis Garcia (elbow) has worked his way up to 94 mph and is targeting late July to early August for a return. Garcia hasn't appeared in an MLB game since the 2023 season, when an elbow injury forced him to undergo Tommy John surgery. He reportedly experienced a setback in April but is still looking to contribute meaningful innings for a competitive Astros team. Before going down with the injury, Garcia had a 3.61 ERA over four seasons with the Astros and had emerged as a promising starter in the AL West.Source: Brian McTaggart
Astros General Manager Dana Brown has reported that right-hander Chase DeLauter Sidelined With Wrist Injury; Evaluation Coming During Break
Chase DeLauter (wrist) was held out of the lineup for Triple-A Columbus on Sunday due to ongoing right wrist soreness. The 23-year-old also did not start Saturday night and will have the injury examined during the International League All-Star break. DeLauter, the No. 34 prospect in baseball, is slashing .278/.383/.476 with five home runs in 34 games with Columbus. He continues to flash high-end offensive potential but has struggled to stay on the field. The Guardians will hope for good news, as his health remains a key concern heading into the second half.Source: Paul Hoynes
Cleveland Guardians outfield prospect Konnor Griffin Fine After Getting Hit by Pitch
Konnor Griffin (hand) is reportedly fine after getting hit by a pitch during Saturday's All-Star Futures Game. This is good news after Griffin took a fastball to the hand during the fourth inning of Saturday's contest. The 19-year-old was checked out and cleared, so it looks like he'll be fine going forward. Griffin is slashing .327/.400/.521 with 13 home runs, 53 RBI, and 41 stolen bases in 75 games in Single-A. Griffin is one of the best prospects in the game and is someone to keep an eye on for years to come.Source: Geoff Pontes
Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Shane McClanahan Making Rehab Start on Sunday
Shane McClanahan (triceps) took the mound for a rehab start with Triple-A Durham on Sunday. He started his rehab assignment earlier in the week with a scoreless inning of work in the Rookie-level Florida Complex league. The 28-year-old took the ball again on Sunday, but didn't give another scoreless outing. McClanahan tossed 1.2 innings, allowing one earned run on four hits while striking out three batters. The expectation is that McClanahan will need a few more rehab starts before returning to the Rays roster. He has been sidelined since spring training, but is hopeful to be available in early August.Source: milb.com
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Edward Cabrera Hopeful to Avoid Injured List
Edward Cabrera (elbow) appears to have avoided any major injuries. The MRI on Cabrera came back clean, so there's no structural damage done to his elbow. The right-hander was forced to make an early exit from Friday's start. The organization is hopeful that Cabrera is able to avoid a trip to the injured list. Luckily, Cabrera will get an extended week off with the All-Star break beginning on Monday. The Marlins will likely wait and see how Cabrera feels after a few days before making any further decisions.Source: Craig Mish
Miami Marlins starting pitcher Alec Bohm Held Out on Sunday
Alec Bohm (rib) is out of the starting lineup ahead of Sunday's game against the San Diego Padres. Unsurprisingly, Bohm will take a seat after exiting early on Saturday due to a bruised left rib cage. This is the final game before the All-Star break, so it's not shocking to see the Phillies giving Bohm the day off. The hope is that he'll be ready to go following the break. In the meantime, Edmundo Sosa will bat eighth and play third base versus right-hander Nick Pivetta on Sunday. Fantasy managers should adjust their lineups ahead of first pitch.Source: mlb.com
Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Oneil Cruz Absent on Sunday
Oneil Cruz (hip) is absent from the starting lineup ahead of Sunday's game against the Minnesota Twins. The Pirates will hold Cruz out of this contest after he exited on Saturday due to a hip flexor issue. The assumption is that the Pirates are just taking the cautious approach with this being the final game before the All-Star break. Jack Suwinski will cover center field and bat sixth during Sunday's game. The hope is that Cruz can still participate in the Home Run Derby, but that decision will likely be made closer to the event.Source: mlb
Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder CJ Abrams Scratched on Sunday
CJ Abrams (undisclosed) has been scratched from the starting lineup ahead of Sunday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers. There is no word on why Abrams is being pulled from the lineup, but there should be more information shortly. This is the final game before the All-Star break, so hopefully Abrams will be fine to play after the break. In the meantime, Paul DeJong will cover shortstop and bat cleanup versus right-hander Freddy Peralta on Sunday. Fantasy managers should adjust their lineups ahead of first pitch.Source: mlb.com
Washington Nationals shortstop Gavin Sheets Placed on Paternity List
Gavin Sheets on the paternity list before their contest on Sunday against the Philadelphia Phillies. In a corresponding move, the Padres promoted catcher Luis Campusano from Triple-A El Paso to take his spot on the roster. Sheets has enjoyed a productive debut campaign in San Diego and is on pace to enjoy a career season. Through 92 contests, the Wake Foret product has posted a .265/.324/.451 slash line with 14 long balls. Under the hood, Sheets has generated an elite .364 xwOBA, .288 xBA, .501 xSLG, and a 42.1% hard-hit rate, all of which are well above the average marks among qualified hitters. While Sheets is held out of action, fantasy managers should expect Bryce Johnson and Tyler Wade to see time in left field.Source: San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres have placed first baseman/outfielder Luis Urias Activated, Zack Gelof Optioned
Luis Urias (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list before their contest on Sunday against the Toronto Blue Jays. In a corresponding move, the Athletics optioned second baseman Zack Gelof to Triple-A Las Vegas. Urias suffered this injury on July 2 but was able to make a quick return to the starting nine. Before his injury, Urias was carrying a .227/.244/.227 line with just 10 total hits (all singles) across his last 12 games. Gelof made his season debut earlier in July but has posted an underwhelming .080/.143/.080 line with a .223 OPS through eight games. Fantasy managers should expect Urias to see most of the opportunities at the keystone during the second half. With Urias returning, this could also limit Max Muncy's starting opportunities as well.Source: A's Communications
The Athletics have activated infielder Lars Nootbaar Placed on 10-Day Injured List
Lars Nootbaar (ribs) was placed on the 10-day injured list before their contest on Sunday against the Atlanta Braves. Katie Woo of The Athletic reported that this is the same injury that has bothered Nootbaar for the past few weeks. Nootbaar was lifted from Saturday's game due to discomfort. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status during the All-Star break. Since the start of the month, the outfielder has posted a modest .219/.306/.375 with two doubles and one home run. Overall, he sits with a .227/.332/.381 line and a below-average .330 xwOBA. This afternoon, the Cardinals will give Jose Fermin the starting nod in left field. While he remains sidelined, Fermin, Brendan Donovan, and Alec Burleson should see most of the opportunities in left field.Source: Katie Woo
St. Louis Cardinals outfielder