Pete Crow-Armstrong Goes Yard in Victory
Pete Crow-Armstrong homered Thursday to help the club to a 3-2 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Crow-Armstrong snapped a scoreless tie in the bottom of the fourth with a two-run jack against left-hander Andrew Heaney. The breakout star finished the night 1-for-3 and upped his line to .271/.305/.554 with 18 homers, 51 RBI, and 21 steals in 288 plate appearances. Crow-Armstrong has had the overwhelming majority of his success versus right-handed pitchers, so it was encouraging to see him pick up his fourth round-tripper of the year against a southpaw. He'll face an ace righty, the Pirates' Paul Skenes, on Friday. Crow-Armstrong has gone 2-for-8 with an RBI and two strikeouts in their matchups.Source: ESPN
Chicago Cubs outfielder Brady House Goes Deep on Thursday
Brady House went 1-for-4 with a home run and two RBI in Thursday's 6-4 loss against Triple-A Jacksonville. The 22-year-old has been on fire so far in June with a 1.026 OPS and three home runs. It is worth noting, however, that he has yet to take a walk in June and is still striking out over 30 percent of the time. The slugger has held strong quality of contact metrics with a 46.6 percent hard-hit rate and 10.3 percent barrel rate, and should be receiving a promotion to the majors at some point this summer. He is ranked as the number 91 overall prospect on MLB.com and would be worthy of a speculative add in most formats.Source: MiLB.com
Washington Nationals third base prospect Framber Valdez Punches Out 12 in Win
Framber Valdez (7-4) mowed down the Chicago White Sox on Thursday to collect his seventh win of the season. The Astros pulled out a 4-3 victory thanks in large part to Valdez, who struck out 12 over five innings of two-run ball. He scattered seven hits, issued just one walk, and generated 20 whiffs during the 95-pitch outing. Fresh off back-to-back starts of double-digit strikeouts, the 31-year-old boasts a 96:28 K:BB and a 3.10 ERA over 90 frames. Valdez has logged seven straight quality starts and will attempt to extend that streak Wednesday against the Athletics.Source: ESPN
Houston Astros left-hander Chase Burns Fans Seven in Triple-A Debut
Chase Burns allowed two runs on four hits and four walks while striking out seven across 5 1/3 innings against Triple-A Iowa. The four walks were the most in a game this season for the right-hander. He still generated plenty of whiffs, with 13 on 37 swings. Adjusting to the automatic balls and strikes system used at Triple-A will be something to monitor with Burns. The flamethrower eviscerated hitters over his last seven starts in Double-A with an absurd 34.8 percent K-BB rate. He is currently ranked as the No. 11 overall prospect on MLB.com and should be expected to make his debut sometime this summer. He would be a priority add in virtually all fantasy formats when that happens.Source: MiLB.com
Cincinnati Reds pitching prospect Isaac Paredes Homers, Exits Early With Hamstring Injury
Isaac Paredes (hamstring) hit a key home run to help the club to a 4-3 win over the Chicago White Sox on Thursday. Paredes' solo blast, his team-leading 15th of the year, gave the Astros a 4-2 lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. He ended the night 1-for-3 before Mauricio Dubon replaced him at third base in the top of the eighth. Manager Joe Espada announced after the game that Paredes departed with a left-hamstring issue, per Chandler Rome of The Athletic. The Astros will have more information on Paredes on Friday. The 26-year-old has emerged as a major part of the Astros' offense this season with a .255/.353/.478 slash line, 42 RBI, and a career-high 12.3% walk rate in 292 plate appearances. The hope is that he won't require a stint on the injured list.Source: Chandler Rome - The Athletic
Houston Astros third baseman Jackson Chourio Homers in Win Over Cardinals
Jackson Chourio slugged his 12th home run of the year in a 6-0 win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday. Chourio's two-run homer, a 410-footer against right-hander Sonny Gray, capped off a five-run fifth inning for the Brew Crew. It was his only hit in a 1-for-4 night. The 21-year-old is batting a middling .257/.282/.453 with a microscopic 3.2% walk rate in 308 plate appearances, but he's still racking up impressive counting stats. Chourio burst on the scene as a rookie in 2024 with 21 homers, 22 stolen bases, 79 RBI, and 80 runs scored in 148 games. Along with his dozen HRs this year, he has already amassed 41 RBI, 13 steals, and 41 runs in 69 contests. He'll attempt to add to those totals Friday against Cardinals starter Erick Fedde. Chourio has collected just one hit in seven at-bats against the right-hander.Source: ESPN
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Sonny Gray Roughed Up in Defeat
Sonny Gray (7-2) turned in one of his worst starts of the season in a 6-0 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday. Gray yielded just one run in his first four innings, but the Brewers ambushed him for five in the fifth to chase him from the game. He ended the night allowing six earned runs on eight hits with four strikeouts and one walk over 4 1/3 innings. Gray had combined for 19 innings of three-run ball in his previous three starts to lower his season ERA to 3.35. Thursday's blowup caused that figure to climb to 3.84 over 79 2/3 frames. However, Gray still boasts terrific strikeout and walk numbers (85:15 K:BB), while underlying metrics such as FIP (3.22) and xFIP (3.05) are bullish on his chances of bouncing back. The 35-year-old will be in good position to do that in a start Wednesday against a weak Chicago White Sox offense.Source: ESPN
St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Lenyn Sosa to Start Rehab Assignment on Friday
Lenyn Sosa (hip) will start a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Charlotte on Friday, according to MLB.com's Scott Merkin. While Sosa won't come off the 10-day injured list when he's eligible on Friday, he should be back with the White Sox next week, barring a setback in the minors this weekend. The 25-year-old has been out since earlier this month with a right-hip flexor strain. Before his injury, Sosa was slashing .274/.291/.383 with a below-average .674 OPS, four home runs, 10 doubles, 17 RBI, 15 runs scored and a stolen base in 57 games played. When he returns, the Venezuelan infielder should see regular playing time at the keystone in the Windy City. Sosa showed improvement with his contact skills last year and has dual eligibility in most fantasy leagues, making him attractive infield depth in AL-only leagues despite playing on a bad team.Source: MLB.com - Scott Merkin
Chicago White Sox infielder Cole Ragans Going for Second Opinion on Injured Shoulder
Cole Ragans (shoulder) went back on the 15-day injured list on Wednesday, less than a week after returning from a left-groin strain, with a left rotator-cuff strain. According to manager Matt Quatraro, the team doesn't think Ragans will require surgery, but he'll be shut down from throwing for "a while." The 27-year-old southpaw will receive a second opinion on his shoulder next week, which will help give KC a better idea of how long he might be out. Ragans spent 20 days on the IL because of his groin, but this absence will be longer. He allowed five runs and three walks in three innings in the second game of a doubleheader against the Cardinals last Thursday and now has a 5.18 ERA over 10 starts after finishing fourth in the AL Cy Young voting in 2024. Rotator-cuff injuries are pretty serious, so it's possible Ragans won't be the same until next year.Source: MLB.com - Anne Rogers
Kansas City Royals left-hander Dillon Dingler Blasts Solo Shot
Dillon Dingler went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Thursday's 4-1 win against the Orioles. The homer was his seventh of the season, to go along with a .283/.313/.455 slash line. It's the second home run of the month for the 26-year-old, who has cemented himself as the full-time backstop for Detroit over backup Jake Rogers. While he may not be the most exciting option of the many young catchers having breakout seasons, he features above-average power and a solid batting average for the position. He makes for a good lower-end option for two-catcher leagues.Source: MLB.com
Detroit Tigers catcher Parker Meadows Launches Three-Run Home Run
Parker Meadows hit a three-run home run in Thursday's 4-1 win against the Orioles. This was his first homer of the season in his 10th game played, after spending the first two months of the year on the injured list with a nerve issue in his right arm. The 25-year-old hit in the ninth spot of the lineup in this game with a lefty on the mound, but he typically leads off against right-handers. The youngster was a popular breakout pick in the preseason after flashing power and speed in 2024 with nine home runs and nine stolen bases in 82 games.Source: MLB.com
Detroit Tigers outfielder Rams Sign D.J. Humphries on Thursday
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
The Los Angeles Rams signed veteran free-agent offensive tackle D.J. Humphries to an undisclosed deal on Thursday, according to his agency. Humphries hasn't played much football the last couple of seasons after tearing his ACL late in the 2023 season in his eighth and final year with the Arizona Cardinals. The 31-year-old signed with the Kansas City Chiefs last November and played in only two games with them before injuring his hamstring. The Cardinals took him with the 24th overall selection in the 2015 NFL draft out of Florida. Humphries has started all 100 games that he's appeared in over the course of his NFL career, but he'll be expected to come off the bench with the Rams as depth behind offensive linemen Alaric Jackson and Rob Havenstein.Tarik Skubal Throws Seven Shutout Innings
Tarik Skubal earned his seventh win of the season on Thursday, pitching seven scoreless innings while striking out six against the Orioles. He gave up three hits and walked two. This is the fourth straight start where he has gone at least seven innings, and he's only given up one run in that span of 30 ⅔ innings. There's not much else to say about Skubal other than the fact that he is still the best pitcher in the league. The reigning AL Cy Young champ now has a 1.99 ERA on the season with 111 strikeouts and nine walks in 90 ⅓ innings. We could see one of his best starts of the season in his next time out against a struggling Pirates offense.Source: MLB.com
Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Troy Franklin has Had a Good Offseason
Denver Broncos second-year wide receiver Troy Franklin has had a good offseason, has looked more explosive and added about five pounds, according to head coach Sean Payton. The Broncos took the Oregon product in the fourthread more...
Jacob Misiorowski Leaves Game with Ankle Injury
Jacob Misiorowski (ankle) left the game in the sixth inning after turning his right ankle after throwing a pitch, reports Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. The young phenom was in the middle of an extremely impressive major league debut, throwing five no-hit innings while striking out five and walking three. The 6'7 righty looked dominant on the mound, featuring a fastball touching 102 mph and a slider at 96. He induced 13 whiffs in the 81-pitch outing. Hopefully the injury is minor, as Misiorowski is one of a small number of pitching prospects with true ace upside. More news on the extent of the injury should be available after the game.Source: Adam McCalvy
Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Mike Williams Expected to be Ready for Training Camp
Mike Williams (undisclosed) to b ready for training camp at the end of July after missing mandatory minicamp this week due to an undisclosed injury. It's not a great start for Williams this offseason after a rough first season in 2024 coming back from an ACL tear. He's returning to the team that drafted him seventh overall back in 2017 out of Clemson after catching just 21 of 34 targets for 298 yards and one touchdown in 18 games (five starts) in 2024 with the New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers. The 30-year-old veteran could rebound another year removed from major knee surgery, but the odds are probably against it in a run-first offense at his age. RotoBaller has Williams ranked as the No. 86 fantasy wideout. He should go undrafted in leagues with only 12 teams.Source: ESPN.com - Kris Rhim
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said that he expects wide receiver Adolis Garcia Blasts Three-Run Home Run
Adolis Garcia hit a three-run home run and walked twice in a 16-3 win over the Twins on Thursday. The slugger was stuck in a massive slump, so much so that he was benched for three games a week ago to mentally reset. The break seemingly worked wonders, as he has picked up at least one hit in seven straight games since. That includes a home run, two doubles, and two stolen bases in that span. The 32-year-old's overall slash line of .217/.263/.381 is still a sight for sore eyes, but this could be the start of him getting back on track. The upside is still immense, as he's only two years removed from hitting 39 home runs in 2023.Source: MLB.com
Texas Rangers outfielder Trey Benson Adds Weight, Explosiveness
Trey Benson said that he's added seven pounds this offseason but is also more explosive going into his sophomore campaign. "That's my mindset: Two RB1s," Benson said. The team's other RB1 is of course James Conner, who is a workhorse but is no stranger to injuries. The 22-year-old former third-rounder (66th overall) last year out of Florida State took a clear back seat to Conner in 2024, carrying the ball just 63 times for 291 yards (4.6 yards per carry) and one touchdown while catching all six of his targets for 59 yards in 13 games (one start). He missed the final three games with an ankle injury. Benson has the size and speed to be a workhorse himself, but that's not going to happen unless Conner misses time with injury in 2025. He is still more of a dynasty stash than a redraft target, with RotoBaller ranking him as the No. 46 fantasy RB.Source: AZCardinals.com - Darren Urban
Arizona Cardinals second-year running back Dorian Finney-Smith Undergoes Ankle Surgery
According to ESPN's Dave McMenamin, Los Angeles Lakers forward Dorian Finney-Smith (ankle) underwent surgery on his left ankle. He is expected to be ready to go by training camp. The veteran has been burdened by a "lingeringread more...
Angels Calling Up Christian Moore
Christian Moore from Triple-A Salt Lake after taking him eighth overall in last year's MLB draft out of Tennessee, sources tell FanSided's Robert Murray. The 22-year-old did nothing but impress in the minors leagues and played in only 20 games at the Triple-A level, but as has been the case lately, the Angels aren't hesitating to bring up their top prospects sooner than later. Between Salt Lake and Double-A Rocket City this year, Moore hit .279/.374/.422 with a .796 OPS, five home runs, 32 RBI, 31 runs scored and eight stolen bases in 54 games played. He went 28-for-80 (.350) with four homers and 18 RBI in his 20 games at Salt Lake and he should immediately become the Halos' starting second baseman. Moore is a power over hit tool prospect, so expect plenty of swing and miss but plenty of homer upside at the keystone.Source: FanSided - Robert Murray
The Los Angeles Angels are calling up infield prospect Evan Carter Continues to Swing the Bat Well
Evan Carter stayed hot in Thursday's 16-3 lopsided win at Target Field over the Minnesota Twins, going 2-for-4 with a solo home run, two RBI, two runs scored, a stolen base and a walk. Carter didn't make his 2025 debut until May 6 due to injury but has made up for lost time and is now hitting .293 with a .903 OPS on the year thanks to four straight multi-hit games in which he's gone 10-for-16 with three home runs, five extra-base hits and two steals. The 22-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder is en fuego, as they say. It's still a small sample size in 2025 for Carter and he's only faced left-handers five times, but the big takeaway is that he's swinging the bat well and is healthy. At the very least, Carter will be on the strong side of a platoon in the outfield in Texas against righties and can provide a valuable power/speed combo in all fantasy leagues if he can stay healthy.Source: MLB.com
Texas Rangers outfielder Wyatt Langford Involved in Rangers Homer Barrage on Thursday
Wyatt Langford hit one of the team's six home runs on the day in Thursday's 16-3 blowout win over the Minnesota Twins at Target Field in the series finale. It was part of a 2-for-4 day at the plate for Langford, and in addition to hitting his 13th home run of the year, he added three RBI, two runs scored, two walks and two strikeouts. It was a much-needed nice performance from the 23-year-old former fourth overall pick, as he entered Thursday's action hitting .186 (26-for-140) with six home runs, 15 RBI, seven steals, 17 runs, 15 walks and 46 strikeouts in 36 games since the start of May. Langford is swinging and missing a lot (28th percentile in strikeout rate), but he's also in the 84th percentile in hard-hit rate and has a high-upside power/speed combination. He's already up to 13 bombs after hitting 16 in 134 games in his rookie campaign in 2024.Source: MLB.com
Texas Rangers outfielder Jake Burger Clubs 10th Homer in Blowout Win Over Twins
Jake Burger got in on the fun in Thursday's 16-3 blowout loss against the hosting Minnesota Twins at Target Field, going 3-for-6 on the day with a solo home run, three RBI, two runs scored and a strikeout. His 10th home run of the season came in the second inning off starter Bailey Ober with nobody on base, and the Rangers would never look back in this lopsided affair in the series finale. After being sent down to the minors briefly to work on his offensive approach, Burger is starting to figure it out, batting .350 (7-for-20) with two home runs in his last four games to raise his season average to .225 and his OPS to .676. The 29-year-old power-hitting corner infielder swings and misses frequently and is in the 26th percentile in strikeout rate, but he's in the 90th percentile in hard-hit rate and has an xBA of .252. The worst could be behind him in 2025.Source: MLB.com
Texas Rangers first baseman Bailey Ober Hit Hard in Loss to Rangers
Bailey Ober's best day on Thursday against the visiting Texas Rangers at Target Field. In an eventual 16-3 blowout loss, Ober was beat up to the tune of seven earned runs allowed on six hits (four home runs surrendered) while walking a season-high six and striking out three in 4 2/3 innings. The home run allowance has been a theme for the 29-year-old hurler during his recent struggles on the mound, as he's given up seven fence-clearers in his last three starts covering 15 2/3 innings. Things might not get much better in his next scheduled start next week against the Reds in Cincinnati. Overall, Ober is now 4-3 in 2025 with a 4.40 ERA and 1.38 WHIP with 57 strikeouts and 21 walks in 73 2/3 frames. He sits in just the 25th percentile in strikeout rate and 48th percentile in whiff rate.Source: MLB.com
It wasn't Minnesota Twins right-hander Andrew Heaney Cleared to Start on Thursday
Andrew Heaney (calf) is making the start on Thursday against the division-rival Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field after experiencing cramping in his left calf in his last start on Saturday against the Philadelphia Phillies. Heaney took a no-decision in that outing despite allowing only one earned run with no walks and five strikeouts in six innings pitched. Despite only fanning 52 in 72 1/3 innings pitched through his first 13 starts of the 2025 season, Heaney has been a solid free-agent pickup for Pittsburgh, posting a 3.24 ERA and 1.15 WHIP. Under the hood, the analytics show that Heaney is due for some serious regression to the mean with a 4.70 xERA and 4.38 FIP, in addition to an xwOBA of .348. Against one of the best offenses in baseball on the road, we wouldn't recommend using Heaney in starting fantasy lineups on Thursday.Source: MLB.com
Pittsburgh Pirates left-hander Noah Brown Undergoing MRI
After being carted from mandatory minicamp practice on Wednesday with an undisclosed injury, Washington Commanders wide receiver Noah Brown (undisclosed) is undergoing an MRI exam on Thursday, according to head coach Dan Quinn. The good newsread more...
Garrett Mitchell Nearing Rehab Assignment
Garrett Mitchell (oblique) is expected to begin a rehab assignment next week, according to manager Pat Murphy. This is good news considering Mitchell has been sidelined since late April due to an oblique strain. Mitchell has resumed baseball activities and is inching his way closer to his eventual return. It's unclear how many rehab games Mitchell will need to play before returning to the Brewers outfield. The hope is that Mitchell can return to Milwaukee before the end of June.Source: Curt Hogg
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Nestor Cortes Throwing Bullpen Session on Friday
Nestor Cortes (elbow) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Friday. This marks the second time that Cortes will throw since going down with a left elbow flexor strain in April. If everything goes well on Friday, Cortes will hopefully begin to face hitters. After that, Cortes will head out on a rehab assignment before eventually rejoining the Brewers rotation. It sounds like Cortes is going to be out until at least around the All-Star break. The left-hander has only made two starts this season, but will hopefully be an option for the team in the second half.Source: mlb.com
Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Colt Keith Heading to the Bench
Colt Keith is out of the starting lineup ahead of Thursday's game against the Baltimore Orioles. It's not shocking to see Keith out against a southpaw considering his struggles against them this season. However, Keegan Akin is starting and is likely only going to pitch an inning or two. Afterwards, right-hander Dean Kremer is expected to take over as the bulk pitcher. That means, Keith could possibly come into the game as a pinch-hitter, but it's probably safer for fantasy managers just to bench him here. Keith is more of a deep league option with four home runs, 19 RBI and a .241/.332/.385 slash line on the season. Spencer Torkelson will cover first base and bat cleanup on Thursday.Source: mlb.com
Detroit Tigers first baseman Keon Coleman Dealt With Chipped Bone in his Wrist in 2024
The Niagara Gazette's Nick Sabato writes that Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman (wrist) had a promising rookie season derailed in 2024 due to a chipped bone in his wrist that he suffered in Week 9.read more...