July
17,
2025
All-Star
right-hander
Hunter
Brown
is
not
part
of
the
Houston
Astros'
weekend
rotation
plans
for
their
road
series
against
the
division-rival
Seattle
Mariners.
They'll
go
with
left-hander
Brandon
Walter
on
Friday,
read more...
July 17, 2025
The Kansas City Royals expect second baseman/outfielder
Michael Massey (ankle, hand) to begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Northwest Arkansas on Friday, the team announced. The Royals have gone over a month without Massey, who sprained his ankle June 7 and hasn't played since. Massey had been rehabbing the injury in the minors, but he suffered a hairline wrist fracture on a hit by pitch on June 29 and had to be shut down. Between the poor injury luck and his woeful numbers, this has been a season to forget for Massey. The 27-year-old has only managed to hit .202/.221/.258 with two home runs in 209 plate appearances, which is a key reason why the Royals rank toward the bottom of the majors in second base production.
--Connor ByrneSource: Kansas City Royals
July 17, 2025
The St. Louis Cardinals have optioned infielder
Thomas Saggese to Triple-A Memphis. The team hasn't made a corresponding move yet, though it could signal the return of outfielder
Jordan Walker (appendectomy) from the 10-day injured list. The 23-year-old Saggese impressed in May with 14 hits and seven RBI in 41 at-bats, but his production has dropped off considerably since then. Dating back to June 20, Saggese has gone 6-for-45 (.133) with a double, three RBI, 12 strikeouts, and one walk in 14 games. Overall, Saggese has batted .233/.256/.326 with one home run and 10 RBI across 90 trips to the plate. He has been far more productive this year in Triple-A, where he owns a .317/.402/.445 line with five long balls, 24 RBI, 34 runs scored, and five stolen bases over 189 plate appearances.
--Connor ByrneSource: Jeff Jones - Belleville News-Democrat
July 17, 2025
Texas Rangers right-hander
Jon Gray (forearm) is expected to make one more rehab start with Triple-A Round Rock on Saturday before returning to the majors late next week. It's not yet clear whether the Rangers will use Gray as a starter or reliever when he comes back. The 33-year-old has missed the entire season to this point after suffering a fractured forearm in spring training. Gray made 19 starts in 23 appearances last season and pitched to a 4.47 ERA with a 1.31 WHIP and 86:28 K:BB in 102 2/3 innings. While Gray has totaled just five career relief appearances out of 228, the Rangers could stick with their current rotation and ease him back into the mix via the bullpen. Gray has only combined for five frames in two rehab outings, so he may not be ready for a traditional starter's workload yet.
--Connor ByrneSource: Jeff Wilson - Star Telegram
July 17, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers rookie wide receiver
Keandre Lambert-Smith was targeted by quarterback
Justin Herbert multiple times in the first training camp practice on Thursday, including a touchdown in the back of the end zone during 7-on-7 drills. Especially with
Mike Williams now retiring, everyone in the team's receivers room is going to get a long look this summer. Lambert-Smith, 22, was taken in the fifth round in April after the Bolts went with receiver
Tre Harris in the second round.
Ladd McConkey is the team's unquestioned WR1 after a huge rookie season, but Harris, Lambert-Smith and Quentin Johnson will battle for playing time on the outside in 2025 with Williams hanging up his cleats. Lambert-Smith had 50 catches for 981 yards and eight touchdowns at Auburn last year and is worth keeping an eye on in dynasty/keeper formats.
--Keith HernandezSource: Chris Hayre
July
17,
2025
Second-round
picks
are
slowly
starting
to
sign
this
week
with
training
camps
across
the
league
starting
this
week
and
next
week.
The
33rd
Team's
Ari
Meirov
writes
that
the
big
x-factor
is
believed
to
be
New
Orleans
Saints
rookie
quarterback
read more...
July 17, 2025
The Baltimore Ravens placed safety Ar'Darius Washington (Achilles) on the Physically Unable to Perform list on Thursday after he tore his Achilles in May. Washington won't be practicing with the Ravens during training camp or playing in preseason games, but the 25-year-old defensive back is holding out hope that he can rejoin the defense late in the 2025 season. The former undrafted free agent out of TCU joined the Ravens in 2021 and has played four seasons with the team. Washington saw by far his most playing time in 2024 and finished with 64 tackles (45 solo), one sack, five tackles for loss, his first two career interceptions, eight pass breakups and a forced fumble in 17 regular-season games (10 starts). There's no guarantee that he will make it back later this season to play for the Ravens.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Jeff Zrebiec
July 17, 2025
Baltimore Ravens quarterback
Lamar Jackson finished the 2024 season with career-highs in passing yards (4,172), completions (316) and touchdown passes (41) while throwing only four interceptions on 474 attempts. He added 915 yards on the ground and passed Michael Vick for all-time rushing yards by a QB. Jackson is scary good as a passer and a runner, which is why he'll be one of the first QBs taken in fantasy drafts in the early rounds. BaltimoreRavens.com's Clifton Brown writes that Jackson is set up for even more success in 2025 going into his third season with Todd Monken running the offense. Baltimore became the first team in NFL history with 40 passing TDs and 20 rushing TDs in the same year in 2024. They were also the first team to throw for at least 4,000 yards and rush for at least 3,000. There's the potential for Jackson to take his game to yet another level.
--Keith HernandezSource: BaltimoreRavens.com - Clifton Brown
July 17, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers second-round wide receiver
Tre Harris agreed to terms on his four-year rookie deal on Thursday, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Harris didn't report to training camp when the rest of the team's rookies did earlier this week, but now that he's under contract, he can join the rest of his teammates at practice. The 23-year-old was the 55th overall pick in April and should contribute immediately in his first year in the NFL, especially after Thursday's announcement that deep threat
Mike Williams will hang up his cleats. Harris impressed the coaching staff during OTAs and minicamp and will now look to keep that momentum going as he tries to become the team's WR2 behind
Ladd McConkey. He could have some deep-league fantasy appeal as a deep threat for quarterback
Justin Herbert, but he's probably going to be inconsistent in L.A.'s run-first offense.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
July
17,
2025
Los
Angeles
Chargers
quarterback
Justin
Herbert
is
off
to
a
strong
start
at
training
camp
on
the
first
day
of
practice
on
Thursday,
according
to
Chargers.com's
Eric
Smith.
Herbert
connected
with
receiver
read more...
July 17, 2025
Detroit Lions wide receiver
Jameson Williams has been the subject of frequent praise from the team's coaching staff this offseason, according to Colton Pouncy of The Athletic. The 24-year-old Williams has been the subject of some trade speculation this offseason, as he's entering the fourth year of his rookie contract and could hit free agency following the 2026 season. 2024 was the best season of his career, as he finished with 58 catches for 1,001 receiving yards and eight total touchdowns in 15 games played. Williams is an explosive big-play threat, but he's been a boom/bust receiver in fantasy because he hasn't commanded a huge target share in Detroit. It's early in the offseason to predict how different his role will be in 2025, but he appears to be off to a good start.
--Will BradySource: The Athletic - Colton Pouncy
July 17, 2025
Free-agent starting pitcher
Kyle Gibson has announced that he is retiring from professional baseball on Thursday. Most recently, Gibson pitched in Triple-A with the Tampa Bay Rays before opting out of his deal in mid-June. Gibson pitched well during his stint with the Rays, but he wasn't able to draw any interest from other organizations. Now, Gibson has decided to retire after 13 seasons in the big leagues. He won 112 games with a 4.60 ERA, 1.39 WHIP over 334 appearances with five different organizations. Most notably, Gibson earned an All-Star nod during the 2021 season with the Philadelphia Phillies and Texas Rangers. He posted a 3.71 ERA that season across 31 appearances. It was a good career for Gibson and best of luck to him on whatever is next in his life.
--Andy WebbSource: Jim Hayes
July 17, 2025
Detroit Lions guard Christian Mahogany is expected to step into a full-time starting role in 2025, according to Colton Pouncy of The Athletic. The Lions drafted Mahogany in the sixth round out of Boston College in 2024, and he played well in a spot-starter role as a rookie. Pro Football Focus graded Mahogany seventh-highest out of 136 qualified guards, albeit in a small sample size of just 75 snaps. Detroit lost 2024 starting right guard Kevin Zeitler to free agency and All-Pro center Frank Ragnow to retirement, so the interior of their offensive line is in flux. Mahogany's performance will undoubtedly play a role in the fantasy production of Lions running backs
Jahmyr Gibbs and
David Montgomery.
--Will BradySource: The Athletic - Colton Pouncy
July 17, 2025
Texas Rangers infielder
Justin Foscue was recalled from Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday. Foscue is back on the big league roster after being sent down on July 5 due to a lack of playing time. The assumption is that Foscue will be a platoon option at first base with
Jake Burger (quad) still sidelined. Foscue is slashing .252/.344/.453 with 10 home runs and 37 RBI across 55 games in Triple-A this season. The former first-round pick hasn't been given much of a chance at the big league level. Hopefully, Foscue will get a chance to prove himself this time around.
--Andy WebbSource: Adam Morris
July 17, 2025
A "massive" contract extension that reflects Denver Broncos defensive lineman Zach Allen's impact on the team could "soon be on the way," according to Nick Kosmider of The Athletic. Allen is entering the final season of the three-year, $47.75 million contract he signed with Denver in March 2023. He turns 28 in August and is coming off the best season of his career in 2024, recording 8.5 sacks and being named second-team All-Pro. He's versatile enough to line up at either defensive end or defensive tackle, and Kosmider notes that Allen played the most snaps of any defensive lineman in the NFL last season.
--Will BradySource: The Athletic - Nick Kosmider
July 17, 2025
According to Chris Cotillo, the Boston Red Sox have signed catcher
Ronaldo Hernandez to a minor-league deal. This looks like a depth move for Boston after they recently traded
Blake Sabol to the Chicago White Sox. Hernandez is slashing .221/.287/.351 with two home runs and 13 RBI across 25 games in Triple-A with the New York Yankees. Hernandez has shown good flashes as he hit over .300 across 63 games in the minors with the Arizona Diamondbacks last season. He figures to spend most of his time at Triple-A and possibly head to Boston as emergency depth.
--Andy WebbSource: Chris Cotillo
July 17, 2025
Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin's (ankle) "availability for the start of training camp remains unclear," according to James Boyd of The Athletic. Franklin underwent surgery on his left ankle in May, missing all of the team's spring practices as a result. The 28-year-old has played at least 16 games in each of his seven NFL seasons, so he's been highly durable up until this injury. Franklin was named second-team All-Pro in 2024 and is one of the league's most prolific tacklers. He led the NFL with 173 combined tackles last season, and also chipped in 3.5 sacks and two interceptions. It does not seem as though he's currently at risk of missing regular-season games, but his status will be one to monitor when the Colts open training camp.
--Will BradySource: The Athletic - James Boyd
July 17, 2025
Boston Red Sox relief pitcher
Josh Winckowski (elbow) is currently in the early stages of a throwing program, according to Chris Cotillo. Winckowski suffered a right flexor strain in Triple-A during mid-May. He has been sidelined since then, but is eligible to return from the injured list in early August. Winckowski has only pitched in six games for the Red Sox this season. However, Winckowski has been a solid swingman option for Boston over the last few seasons. The right-hander could be an option for Boston down the stretch of the season.
--Andy WebbSource: Chris Cotillo
July 17, 2025
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, free-agent guard
Damian Lillard (Achilles) agreed to a three-year, $42 million contract to return to the Portland Trail Blazers. Lillard, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, spent 11 seasons with the Blazers before being traded to Milwaukee in September 2023. Unfortunately, he wasn't nearly as productive with the Bucks, most recently averaging 24.9 points throughout the 2024 campaign, 7.3 points fewer than he has in his final year in Portland. Lillard also battled numerous health issues last season, including a blood clot in his calf and a torn Achilles sustained during the postseason. After the Bucks waived him this offseason, it was reported Lillard wasn't in a rush to sign with a team. However, he will now rehab before once again suiting up for the Blazers, where he'll have a chance to revive his career.
--Dennis ClausenSource: Shams Charania
July
17,
2025
New
York
Jets
tight
end
Mason
Taylor
is
"going
to
be
a
crucial
part
of
the
offense
immediately,"
according
to
Zack
Rosenblatt
of
The
Athletic.
A
second-round
pick
out
of
LSU,
Taylor
appears
to
be
the
read more...
July 17, 2025
St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher
Andre Pallante is scheduled to take the ball versus the Arizona Diamondbacks for the beginning of the second half on Friday. This is an interesting decision to give Pallante the start to kick off the second half of the season. Pallante most recently gave up seven earned runs in a start against the Washington Nationals on July 9. He holds a 4.49 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, and 64/32 K/BB ratio across 18 starts this season. He won't be a recommended streaming option for this game. Following Pallante,
Sonny Gray will get the ball on Saturday while
Miles Mikolas is set to pitch on Sunday.
--Andy WebbSource: Derrick Goold
July 17, 2025
MLB.com's Jason Beck speculates that the Detroit Tigers could call up right-handed pitching prospect
Troy Melton down the stretch this year, much like they did in their aggressive promotion of
Jackson Jobe late last year. Melton, who is considered Detroit's No. 10 prospect per MLB Pipeline, has lots of swing-and-miss stuff and has posted a 3.15 ERA and 1.22 WHIP with 93 punchouts and 19 walks in 71 1/3 innings over 17 appearances (16 starts) between Double-A Erie and Triple-A Toledo in 2025. It's purely speculation from Beck right now, but a high-octane arm like Melton's could make noise late in the regular season or the postseason. The 6-foot-4, 210-pounder has impressive raw stuff on the mound and gets most of his swings and misses with a fastball-changeup combination. Because of the Tigers' starting depth, Melton might not get an extended run as a starter in the big leagues until sometime next year.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Jason Beck
July 17, 2025
The St. Louis Cardinals placed right-handed pitching prospect Chen-Wei Lin (undisclosed) on the seven-day minor-league injured list at High-A Peoria on Thursday with an undisclosed injury. Lin has struggled in 2025 at Peoria and Single-A Palm Beach, but he was especially bad in his last five starts for Peoria, posting a 7.27 ERA with 23 strikeouts and 18 walks in 17 1/3 innings pitched. In all, the 23-year-old Taiwanese hurler has gone 0-2 with a 4.59 ERA and 1.44 WHIP with 42 strikeouts and 24 walks in 33 1/3 innings over 10 starts at the two minor-league levels. It's unclear how long Lin might be sidelined. Per MLB Pipeline, he's St. Louis' No. 13-ranked prospect. Lin hit 100 mph or over 12 times last year and also features a pretty nasty changeup that induces lots of swings and misses, but he's going to need to improve his control to move up the ladder in the minors.
--Keith HernandezSource: Cardinals Player Development
July 17, 2025
Baltimore Orioles outfield prospect
Enrique Bradfield Jr. (hamstring) has been placed on the seven-day injured list with Double-A Chesapeake with a right-hamstring strain, according to The Baltimore Banner's Andy Kostka. Bradfield aggravated his hamstring during the All-Star Futures game last weekend. The 23-year-old has dealt with injuries to both of his hamstrings this year and also missed a month-plus with a left-hamstring injury. It's not great for an outfielder that primarily relies on his speed. In 36 games this year for Chesapeake, Bradfield has hit .257/.396/.372 with a homer, eight RBI, 21 runs scored and 14 stolen bases. He's ranked as the team's No. 2 prospect by MLB Pipeline, but given his hamstring troubles in 2025, he almost certainly won't make his MLB debut until 2026. Bradfield, a former first-rounder, has game-changing speed.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Baltimore Banner - Andy Kostka
July 17, 2025
Pittsburgh PG's Noah Hiles doesn't believe that the Pittsburgh Pirates will skip any of right-hander
Paul Skenes' starts in the second half, but he does expect more low-volume outings and a fw start days being pushed back later in the week as the team looks to preserve him for the future. Hiles still believes that the 23-year-old phenom will finish around 200 innings, a number that only four pitchers surpassed in 2024. Skenes threw 160 1/3 innings between the majors and minors a year ago. While this news isn't great for Skenes' overall fantasy upside in the second half of the 2025 season, it also shouldn't be a reason for fantasy managers to panic at all. To close out the first half of the year, Skenes threw fewer than 80 pitches in three of his last four starts, so it might have already started happening. Regardless, he's still a must-start every time he toes the rubber.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pittsburgh PG - Noah Hiles
July 17, 2025
For the second time in his career, Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro pass-rusher T.J. Watt becomes the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history by reaching an agreement on Thursday on a three-year, $123 million contract extension that includes $108 million fully guaranteed at signing, sources tell ESPN's Adam Schefter. The $41 million per year average is the highest of any non-QB in NFL history. The 30-year-old is a game-wrecker for the Steelers defense, and he's been a Pro Bowler each of the last seven seasons while also being named a first-team All-Pro four times. Watt has led the league in sacks three times and has 108 of them since debuting in 2017. However, he does have a lengthy injury history and totaled only 11.5 sacks in 17 regular-season games after recording 19 in 2023. As long as he can stay healthy, Watt should continue to be one of the best all-around defenders in 2025.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
July 17, 2025
Pittsburgh PG's Noah Hiles writes that the Chicago Cubs seem to have a decent amount of interest in trading for Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman
Ke'Bryan Hayes. Hiles doesn't think Hayes is Chicago's top choice, but multiple sources have said that he's on the Cubs' radar with the trade deadline approaching. The first-place Cubs are very clearly going to be buyers this summer, although their top priorities on the trade market will be starting and relief pitching. Still, they are definitely looking for an upgrade over rookie
Matt Shaw at third base after he's gotten off to a slow start to his big-league career with a .198/.276/.280 slash line, only two home runs, 15 RBI, 28 runs and 11 steals in 207 at-bats. Hayes hasn't all that much better, hitting .238 (78-for-328) with two homers and 10 steals, but the 28-year-old is also strong defensively.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pittsburgh PG - Noah Hiles
July 17, 2025
MLB.com's Jordan Bastian writes that the Chicago Cubs will have to weigh dealing one of the hottest hitters in professional baseball in outfield prospect
Owen Caissie over the coming weeks as the team looks to add at the July 31 trade deadline. Caissie is now Chicago's top-ranked prospect, per MLB Pipeline, and is sporting a .961 OPS in 73 games for Triple-A Iowa. Before this week's All-Star break, the 23-year-old hit .400 with eight home runs, 10 RBI, 10 walks and a 1.676 OPS in nine games. Caissie is currently blocked at the big-league level, but if the Cubs don't trade him this summer, he figures to make his MLB debut next year, especially if the Cubs cannot retain star outfielder
Kyle Tucker in free agency. Caissie should already be stashed in all dynasty/keeper leagues. His ETA to the big leagues figures to be fast-tracked if he's traded.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Jordan Bastian
July
17,
2025
SI.com's
Jason
Burke
suggests
that
Athletics
right-handed
pitching
prospect
Jack
Perkins,
who
is
ranked
as
the
team's
No.
7
prospect
by
MLB
Pipeline,
is
a
candidate
to
take
right-hander
Mitch
Spence's
read more...
July
17,
2025
New
York
Mets
left-hander
Sean
Manaea
will
get
the
second
half
of
the
season
kicked
off
and
start
in
the
series
opener
versus
the
visiting
Cincinnati
Reds
at
Citi
Field
on
Friday,
according
to
the
New
read more...
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