July 6, 2025
Atlanta Braves designated hitter
Marcell Ozuna is not in the team's lineup Sunday versus the Baltimore Orioles.
Drake Baldwin will take over at DH and bat sixth against Orioles left-hander
Trevor Rogers. It's a rare day off for Ozuna, who has started all but three of Atlanta's 88 games this season. The 34-year-old slugger has been stuck in a severe slump over the past month-plus. In 31 games since June 1, Ozuna has hit .171 (20-for-117) with two home runs. He has been stuck on 11 homers for a 20-game span dating back to June 13.
--Connor ByrneSource: MLB.com
July 6, 2025
Atlanta Braves outfielder
Ronald Acuna Jr. is getting a breather on Sunday against the Baltimore Orioles.
Stuart Fairchild is starting in his place in right field and batting eighth against Orioles left-hander
Tyler Rogers. Acuna is sitting amid an 11-game home run drought, and he hasn't recorded an RBI in nine contests. The 27-year-old is just 3-for-19 with eight strikeouts, three walks, and no extra-base hits in five games this month. Despite his recent skid, Acuna is still slashing .333/.452/.565 with nine homers, 18 RBI, 34 runs scored, and four steals in 168 plate appearances.
--Connor ByrneSource: MLB.com
July 6, 2025
Kansas City Royals catching prospect
Carter Jensen went 2-for-3 with a walk and two doubles for Triple-A Omaha on Saturday, driving in one run, scoring three times, and stealing one base in the process. The Royals' third-ranked prospect was hitting the cover off of the ball at Double-A, and although he's just 8-for-40 (.200) at Triple-A, all eight hits have gone for extra bases (three doubles, five home runs). The 22-year-old could find himself in the big leagues later this season, and with the kind of pop he's shown, the left-handed slugger could be an intriguing waiver add were he to get the call, but he would need regular at-bats in the majors and the power may come at the cost of batting average. Either way, it's worth keeping an eye on how he performs over the next several weeks to see if he becomes a worthy stash candidate in AL-only and two-catcher leagues.
--Jarod RuppSource: MiLB.com
July 6, 2025
Chicago Cubs outfield prospect
Owen Caissie hammered another two solo home runs on Saturday for Triple-A Iowa in a 2-for-4 day at the plate. Over the last five games, Caissie has belted five home runs while hitting .444 (8-for-18) with seven walks to just three strikeouts. The improving strikeout rate is welcome progress as he owned a 32.2 percent strikeout rate coming into this five-game stretch. The walk rate has been strong all season, currently standing at 14.0 percent, helping him to a .382 OBP. Now hitting .273 with 16 home runs and a .933 OPS, the Cubs' top prospect continues to bide his time until there is an opening with the major league club. The 22-year-old will likely make his MLB debut in the second half, but it could take an injury for that to happen with Chicago's outfield crowded at the moment.
--Jarod RuppSource: MiLB.com
July 6, 2025
Arizona Diamondbacks outfield prospect
Ryan Waldschmidt went 3-for-4 with a walk, two doubles, an RBI, two runs scored, and a stolen base on Saturday for Double-A Amarillo. The D-backs' third-ranked prospect has performed admirably in his first turn at that level, hitting .286 with an OBP of .388 thanks to a 14.3 percent walk rate (which mirrors his strikeout rate), chipping in five extra-base hits (one home run) and a stolen base through 11 games. The 2024 first-rounder has shown good power and an ability to draw walks at an above average rate throughout his brief minor league career, while adding some speed on the basepaths. With continued success he could be knocking on the door to the majors sometime next year.
--Jarod RuppSource: MiLB.com
July 6, 2025
Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher
Cody Poteet (shoulder) recently received an injection on his injured shoulder. The hope is that Poteet has a positive reaction to the injection and can begin throwing within the next few days. The right-hander has been sidelined since late April due to right shoulder inflammation. The assumption is that Poteet will require multiple rehab outings before becoming an option for the O's. At best, Poteet could return by the end of July, but August seems like a better timetable. Poteet isn't someone that needs to be rostered right now in fantasy formats.
--Andy WebbSource: Jake Rill
July 6, 2025
Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitchers
Justin Lawrence (elbow) and
Tim Mayza (shoulder) appear to be making progress in their recovery process. Both pitchers have been out since late April, but are finally making decent progress. They've progressed to throwing from 120 feet with good velocity and intensity, according to senior director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk. Both pitchers figure to require minor league rehab assignments before returning to the mound in Pittsburgh. The hope is that both of them can be back in the mix by the late of July. Neither pitcher offers much fantasy value as low leverage options out of the bullpen.
--Andy WebbSource: mlb.com
July 6, 2025
Tampa Bay Rays outfielder
Jonny DeLuca (shoulder) has resumed baseball activities, but hasn't started a minor league rehab assignment yet. DeLuca has been out since early April due to a shoulder injury. It has been a struggle since then with DeLuca suffering multiple setbacks while attempting to rehab. The hope is that DeLuca can begin another rehab assignment within the next week. There is no current timetable for his return to the field. DeLuca has potential to be a contributor in at least deep leagues, but isn't someone that needs to be rostered at the moment.
--Andy WebbSource: mlb.com
July 6, 2025
Minnesota Twins outfield prospect
Emmanuel Rodriguez (hip) has progressed his rehab from the Complex League to Single-A Fort Myers. The Twins' second-ranked prospect injured his hip and has been out of action since May 30. He's gone 6-for-20 (.300) with a pair of doubles and a 3:7 BB:K in six rehab games (one at Single-A), and was slashing .232/.400/.392 in 39 games at Triple-A prior to the injury. Known for his big-time power and an elite ability to draw walks, the 22-year-old still has time to get back on track and push for a major league debut this season. However, with his big power comes a lot of swing-and-miss, which would likely not get better in the majors, so fantasy managers should take a cautious approach with him once he gets the call.
--Jarod RuppSource: MLB.com
July 6, 2025
Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher
Cade Povich (hip) was able to play catch without any issues on Saturday. This is good news for the right-hander who has been out since mid-June due to left hip soreness. The Orioles shut down Povich last week after he was hit hard during a rehab outing. A second opinion confirmed the same injury, so Povich isn't dealing with anything new. There remains no timetable for his return to the mound. He'll likely still need to ramp up for a few weeks before returning to the mound. Povich might not be back in the mix until August. He's not worth holding through the injury in fantasy leagues.
--Andy WebbSource: Jake Rill
July 6, 2025
Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher
Zach Eflin (back) was able to resume throwing the ball on Saturday. That is positive news for Eflin who has been sidelined since the end of June due to lower back discomfort. The fact Eflin is throwing is a good sign, but he remains without a timetable to return. He figures to need a few more weeks, which includes a minor league rehab assignment. The hope is that Eflin is able to get back in the rotation by the end of July. He's posting an ugly 5.95 ERA,1.43 WHIP, and 42/16 K/BB ratio across 12 starts this season. Fantasy managers might want to look for a better alternative.
--Andy WebbSource: Jake Rill
July 6, 2025
Milwaukee Brewers first baseman
Rhys Hoskins (thumb) was forced to make an early exit from Saturday's game against the Miami Marlins. Hoskins jammed his thumb while being tagged out in the fourth inning of Saturday's contest. The X-rays came back negative, so it doesn't sound like too serious of an issue. However, Brewers manager Pat Murphy said Hoskins is unlikely to play on Sunday and that the injury doesn't look good. Possibly, Hoskins heads to the injured list, but for now fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day.
Jake Bauers figures to see an increased look at first base for a few days.
--Andy WebbSource: Adam McCalvy
July 6, 2025
Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop/outfielder
Mookie Betts started the scoring on Saturday night with a solo home run in the first inning against
Framber Valdez, but the Dodgers couldn't keep the offense going, as they fell to Houston for the second straight game, 6-4. Mookie finished the night 2-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored. Betts' blast was No. 11 on the season for the 32-year-old righty, and he is hitting .249 with a .315 wOBA and six stolen bases in his 82 games this year. He has hit safely in three straight, and his fantasy managers will hope this is the start of one of his signature hot streaks when he can carry an entire offense. His numbers are a little down this year, but he's still hitting in a premium lineup spot in one of the best offenses in baseball, so he's a clear starter with plenty of positional versatility in standard leagues.
--Zach ThompsonSource: ESPN.com
July 6, 2025
Chicago White Sox second baseman
Lenyn Sosa had three hits, a home run, and four RBI in his team's 10-4 victory over the Rockies in Denver. Sosa's two-run homer in the second inning extended the lead to 5-2 after he doubled and scored in the first inning. He added a two-run single in the eighth inning to add some insurance runs as well. Sosa moved up to second in the order and could have fantasy value in AL-only or deep leagues if he stays in that premium lineup spot. He's hitting a solid .275 on the season with seven homers and a .309 wOBA. Sosa and the Sox get the rare chance to close out a road sweep when they face the Rockies on Sunday at Coors.
--Zach ThompsonSource: ESPN.com
July 6, 2025
Texas Rangers catcher
Kyle Higashioka went 3-for-3 out of the last spot in the Rangers' batting order on Saturday night in San Diego. He hit his second homer of the season and finished with five RBI by adding a pair of RBI singles and a sacrifice fly. Higashioka also added his first stolen base of the season to complete his productive evening. The 35-year-old backup backstop is hitting .232 on the season, with two homers, 21 RBI, and a .621 OPS in his 45 games. He could earn more playing time with more performances like this, but for now, he is mostly a non-factor for fantasy. He has been known to be streaky, though, so he could be worth a look for streaming or DFS use if he can build on Saturday's big game.
--Zach ThompsonSource: ESPN.com
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