Asbel Gonzalez Swipes Two Bags, Reaches 60 Steals in 2025
Asbel Gonzalez went 2-for-5 with two steals and three runs scored on Wednesday for Single-A Columbia. The Royals' 23rd-ranked prospect's bat went cold in mid-June, but he is now riding a four-game hit streak. He has also been able to get on base via the walk all season (10.2 percent BB%), which has allowed him to utilize his speed. The 19-year-old is up to 60 steals in 2025, good for the second-most in the entire minor leagues, while hitting .261 with a .375 OBP. The 6-foot-2 Venezuelan strikes out at just a 15.0 percent rate, so look for his bat to pick up steam and get some at-bats at High-A before the season is out. With that type of ability to steal bases, he's a prospect whose progress is worth watching in dynasty formats.Source: MiLB.com
Kansas City Royals outfield prospect Tyler Stephenson Resting on Thursday
Tyler Stephenson is out of the starting lineup for Thursday's contest against the visiting Miami Marlins at Great American Ball Park. Jose Trevino is doing the catching for left-hander Nick Lodolo and will bat seventh against Marlins right-hander Cal Quantrill. Stephenson has been struggling offensively of late, going 6-for-33 (.182) with a double, three RBI, seven walks and 14 strikeouts in 42 plate appearances over 12 games since June 24. The 28-year-old is still Cincy's primary backstop, but fantasy managers may want to stay away until he shows some signs of breaking out of his current funk at the plate. Trevino has been solid in 2025 for the Reds while hitting .283 (47-for-166), but he has only four home runs and 14 RBI. The 32-year-old has a solo home run in just three career at-bats against Lodolo.Source: MLB.com
Cincinnati Reds catcher Jesse Winker Exits with Back Tightness
Jesse Winker (back) exited the first game of Thursday's doubleheader against the hosting Baltimore Orioles with back tightness. Oof. Winker returned from a lengthy stay on the injured list due to an oblique injury just two days ago, but was pinch-hit for in the fourth inning by teammate Mark Vientos as he's now apparently dealing with a back issue. Presumably, the injury occurred during the contest, and he's almost certainly scheduled for further testing. He can be considered day-to-day for now, but back ailments aren't the most straightforward of injuries. Fantasy managers should closely monitor the situation.Source: Anthony DiComo
Per MLB.com's Anthony DiComo, New York Mets outfielder Baltimore Selects the Contract of David Banuelos
David Banuelos from Triple-A Norfolk. Baltimore currently has four of their options at backstop on the injured list, so the 28-year-old will serve as a potential fill-in if necessary, with the team playing a doubleheader with the New York Mets on Thursday. Banuelos has spent time in Triple-A and High-A in 2025, compiling an abysmally low .088/.188/.193 triple slash through 21 appearances. There's no reason to believe he'll make an impact in fantasy, and can be ignored for what will likely be a short stint with the big-league squad.Source: Baltimore Orioles
According to the team, the Baltimore Orioles have selected the contract of catcher Richie Palacios Moved to 60-Day Injured List
Richie Palacios (knee) to the 60-day injured list. It's nothing more than a procedural move for Tampa Bay, which clears a spot on the 40-man roster for newly acquired right-handed pitcher Bryan Baker. Palacios was recently pulled off his minor-league rehab assignment while dealing with intermittent soreness in his sprained right knee, but has since resumed baseball activities and will hopefully be ready to start another rehab stint following the All-Star break. The 28-year-old has taken just four at-bats for the Rays in 2025 since picking up the injury in mid-April, and is currently still set for a Jul. 24 return.Source: Tampa Bay Rays
Per the team, the Tampa Bay Rays have transferred outfielder Byron Buxton Sitting Thursday
Byron Buxton (hand) won't be in the team's lineup for their series finale against the visiting Chicago Cubs. The veteran was plunked by a pitch in Wednesday's 4-2 victory over Chicago and forced from the contest early. Initial X-rays returned negative, but it appears he'll still need some time to recover from the contusion. Teammate Harrison Bader will patrol center field in his stead with Willi Castro moving up to the leadoff spot as Minnesota goes for the sweep. After a slow beginning to the season, Buxton was red-hot through May and June, boasting a .312 average with 13 home runs, eight steals, 34 RBI, and 30 runs scored. He's cooled quite a bit in July (.172) but is still on pace to set career-highs in homers and steals, and record his first 20/20 season in the majors.Source: MLB.com
Minnesota Twins outfielder Yankees Cut Ties with DJ LeMahieu
DJ LeMahieu. Wow. The veteran was designated for assignment by New York on Wednesday, and after clearing waivers, unclaimed, was let go by the organization. LeMahieu had an incredible first two seasons with the Yankees from 2019 to 2020, but has declined in recent years and posted an unappealing .266/.338/.336 triple slash with five extra-base hits (two homers, three doubles) across 45 appearances in 2025. That, along with Jazz Chisholm Jr.'s ability at the keystone, was enough to split ways with the 36-year-old. LeMahieu will now look for more work with another MLB squad, but doesn't project to be a hot commodity on the open market.Source: New York Yankees
Per the team, the New York Yankees have released infielder Cam Schlittler Picks Up First Big-League Victory
Cam Schlittler yielded four hits and three earned runs over 5 1/3 innings of work in Wednesday's 9-6 win over the visiting Seattle Mariners. He issued two free passes and struck out seven to notch his first MLB win. The 24-year-old fired 52 of 72 pitches for strikes and picked up ten whiffs for a strong 33% CSW, while recording the seven fastest pitch velocities in the outing. Schlittler fell victim to the long ball -- allowing two solo homers -- but was mainly solid in his big-league debut. He'll get a chance to stick in the rotation with teammate Clarke Schmidt (elbow) likely to require Tommy John surgery, and should get his next start in a road series against the Atlanta Braves following the All-Star break. Schlittler is worth a speculative add until he proves otherwise.Source: ESPN
New York Yankees starting pitcher Javier Assad Still Working Toward Live Batting Practice
Javier Assad (oblique) has continued to remain in the bullpen sessions phase of his throwing program as he steadily works toward live batting practice — the next step in his rehabilitation. The 27-year-old is still battling back from a nagging oblique injury that's plagued him since spring training. Assad appeared to be nearing a return in April, but a setback has robbed him of even more time. Currently, Chicago believes he'll still be able to contribute in 2025 and has tentatively scheduled him for a return in mid-August. Depending on how the remainder of his rehab goes, it wouldn't be surprising to see the Cubs be stingy with his workload when he rejoins the major league roster.Source: Chicago Cubs
According to the team, Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Travis Jankowski Designated for Assignment
Travis Jankowski for assignment. Second baseman Luisangel Acuna was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse in a corresponding move. The 34-year-old joined the team a few weeks ago, but earned just one at-bat -- a sacrifice hit -- and was already the veteran's third stop this season (White Sox, Rays). Overall, in 2025, Jankowski is batting .244 (11-for-45) with two doubles, two steals, eight runs scored, and two RBI in 26 appearances. He'll be on the lookout for more work if he goes unclaimed.Source: Mike Puma
The New York Post's Mike Puma reports that the New York Mets have designated outfielder Orioles Flip Bryan Baker to Tampa Bay
Bryan Baker to the Tampa Bay Rays. The complete trade details have not been disclosed yet. Baker has been solid for Baltimore in 2025, pitching to the tune of a 3.52 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 49:9 K:BB ratio over 42 appearances (38 1/3 innings). He projects to provide the Rays with another middle-relief arm out of the bullpen, and could be used in high-leverage situations if necessary, as he'd earned ten holds with the Orioles. The Florida native can be avoided for fantasy purposes.Source: Robert Murray
Per MLB Insider Robert Murray, the Baltimore Orioles are trading right-handed reliever Mets Recalling Luisangel Acuna
Luisangel Acuna to the big-league squad. Acuna was demoted a few weeks back as he wasn't garnering frequent at-bats for New York, but he'll be up with the team on Thursday at least for their scheduled doubleheader against the Baltimore Orioles. The 23-year-old has had trouble consistently impacting the game with his bat, but has been a critical piece for the Amazins' in late-game base-running and defensive situations due to his athleticism. In 12 appearances for Triple-A Syracuse in 2025, he's slashing a solid .289/.346/.378. It's unclear how long he'll stay in the majors, but he doesn't project to make a difference in fantasy lineups as of now.Source: Jon Heyman
MLB Network's Jon Heyman reports that the New York Mets are recalling second baseman Kyle Bradish Continues His Recovery
Kyle Bradish (elbow) continues to work his way back from Tommy John surgery and could be ready for a rehab assignment soon. According to interim manager Tony Mansolino. Bradish has thrown a pair of live batting practices in Florida and will have one more before potentially beginning a rehab assignment. Bradish made eight starts last season for the Orioles, going 2-0 with a 2.75 ERA, 2.61 FIP, and 12.1 K/9. He looked to be developing into a possible front-line starter for Baltimore before needing Tommy John. He could ramp up and return in August or September, which would give fantasy owners a good chance to evaluate his fantasy potential for next season. He's definitely someone to keep an eye on to see if he can return to form after the surgery and extensive recovery.Source: Jake Rill
Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Alex Cobb Is Still Dealing with Symptoms
Alex Cobb (hips) is working his way back from hip inflammation and has received injections on both sides, but he is still a long way from making his Tigers' debut. According to manager A.J. Hinch, "He's still symptomatic... I feel for him because it's not a lack of effort or a lack of toughness or lack of anything, other than his body's failing him right now." Cobb has not been able to pitch all season for the Tigers after signing with the team as a free agent this past offseason. The 37-year-old veteran will likely need an extensive rehab once he's able to start ramping up, so time is running out on his opportunity to pitch this season for Detroit. The team will continue to work with him to get him back in the mix, but he seems very unlikely to make any fantasy impact this season.Source: Evan Woodbery
Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Jon Gray Starts Rehab Assignment on Wednesday
Jon Gray (wrist) took a huge step in his road to recovery on Wednesday night, pitching two innings for the Round Rock Express. He gave up a home run to Sam Hilliard but didn't allow any other hits while picking up one strikeout and throwing 32 pitches, 20 of which were strikes. Gray has been sidelined all season after fracturing his wrist on a comebacker in Spring Training, but he is now ramping up and should be ready to join the Rangers' rotation after the All-Star break at the end of July or early in August. If you are in deep leagues or need rotation depth, Gray is an option to monitor as he continues his recovery.Source: Scott Lucas
Texas Rangers starting pitcher