July 14, 2025
Cincinnati Reds right-hander
Carson Spiers (shoulder) made his third minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Louisville on Sunday and had mixed results, tossing 3 2/3 scoreless innings on one hit allowed versus Triple-A Columbus. Spiers also managed to fan five batters, but he also gave out four free passes and threw 39 of his 72 pitches for strikes. The 27-year-old is nearing a return to the big leagues since being sidelined since late April due to a right-shoulder impingement, but the Reds may not have a spot open for him in the starting rotation. Spiers could be used in long relief out of the bullpen, but it's also possible he'll report to Louisville, where he'll give the team additional starting depth. In three appearances (two starts) before his shoulder injury, Spiers struggled by allowing nine earned runs in 13 1/3 innings while walking seven and striking out 11.
--Keith HernandezSource: Milb.com
July 14, 2025
Tampa Bay Rays right-hander
Drew Rasmussen won't be on a short leash in his first start of the second half of the season, which is scheduled for July 22 against the Chicago White Sox. In an effort to keep Rasmussen's workload down this year after he had elbow surgery in 2023, the Rays limited the 29-year-old to no more than three innings in each of his final three starts of the first half. Tampa could put the brakes on Rasmussen again later this year, depending on how many innings he's at, but to begin the second half, fantasy managers should feel comfortable rolling him out there in starting lineups. He should definitely be in there for a plus-plus matchup next week against the White Sox. Rasmussen has only 77 strikeouts in 91 1/3 innings over his 19 starts in 2025, but he's limited the damage and is sporting an impressive 2.86 ERA and 1.03 WHIP.
--Keith HernandezSource: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
July 14, 2025
Tampa Bay Rays second baseman
Brandon Lowe (oblique) was placed on the 10-day injured list on Friday, July 11, with left-oblique tightness, but he's hoping to return when he's eligible to come off the IL on Friday, July 18, for the first game of the second half of the season. Lowe was pulled after just two innings on July 6 and will now be forced to miss this week's All-Star festivities, but the 31-year-old veteran may not have to miss much time after all. The former third-rounder has been relevant in all fantasy leagues in 2025 and made his second career All-Star team by hitting .272/.324/.487 with an .811 OPS, 19 home runs, 50 RBI, 54 runs scored and three steals through 84 games. Fantasy managers can only hope that Lowe's oblique injury doesn't negatively impact his swing going into the second half of the season. The Rays open up the second half on Friday at home against the division-rival Baltimore Orioles.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
July 14, 2025
Seattle Mariners infield prospect
Michael Arroyo went 1-for-5 on Sunday for Double-A Arkansas, belting his second home run since joining the Travelers in late June. The Mariners' sixth-ranked prospect hit the ground running when he joined Double-A, collecting a hit in 11 of his first 12 games, but Sunday's homer was his only hit in the last three games. Still, the 20-year-old is slashing .309/.426/.527 at Double-A, and for the season, he owns a .276/.422/.515 slash line with 17 home runs and six steals. The excellent OBP is buoyed by a strong 13.4 percent walk rate compared to a better-than-average 19.3 percent strikeout rate. There's plenty of pop in his bat and speed on the basepaths that make the right-handed slugger an intriguing prospect for fantasy, so dynasty managers would be wise to keep tabs on him.
--Jarod RuppSource: MiLB.com
July 14, 2025
Cleveland Guardians outfield prospect
Jaison Chourio returned from the High-A injured list in early June, and after going 3-for-37 (.081) in his first 11 games back, he's begun to regain form, going 7-for-22 (.318), albeit with zero extra-base hits. The 20-year-old continued to display an excellent eye at the plate, though, walking 22 times compared to only 17 strikeouts since his return, now with an elite 25.0 percent walk rate through 39 games at High-A in 2025, with a better-than-average 19.8 percent strikeout rate. The switch-hitter has always shown a keen eye throughout his minor league career, but he'll need to pick it up at the plate if he's going to see any time at Double-A this year, hitting just .194 for the season.
--Jarod RuppSource: MiLB.com
July 14, 2025
According to MLB.com, Chicago Cubs right-handed reliever
Porter Hodge (shoulder) was scheduled to throw on Saturday, July 12, and is "feeling good," according to manager Craig Counsell. The Cubs placed Hodge back on the injured list last Wednesday with a right-shoulder impingement after he surrendered six runs in just one-third of an inning against the Minnesota Twins the previous day. It's been an injury-plagued year for the 24-year-old, as Hodge also missed more than a month this season with hip and oblique injuries. It sounds like his shoulder injury isn't all that serious, though, so it's possible that he could rejoin Chicago's bullpen in late July or early August, barring a setback. Hodge had nine saves in his rookie season in 2024 but is currently sporting a 6.85 ERA, 1.56 WHIP, two saves and a 25:12 K:BB in his 23 2/3 relief innings this year.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
July 14, 2025
Chicago Cubs right-hander
Jameson Taillon (calf) is doing some baseball activities, including playing catch, in what manager Craig Counsell called a "good sign" over the weekend. However, Taillon hasn't started running, and the Cubs plan to put together a plan for him after this week's All-Star break. The 33-year-old veteran was put on the 15-day injured list on July 4 with a right-calf strain, and he's expected to miss at least a month of action. Taillon gave up 15 runs in his last three starts, so it was pretty clear there was something amiss. Until he's able to return, expect the Cubs to continue mixing and matching in their starting rotation with right-hander
Chris Flexen and lefty
Jordan Wicks. Taillon has only struck out 74 batters in 95 1/3 innings pitched in 2025 while going 7-6 with a 4.44 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in his 17 starts for the Cubbies.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
July 14, 2025
Chicago Cubs catcher
Miguel Amaya (oblique) will likely start a minor-league rehab assignment after this week's All-Star break. Amaya will initially begin playing in rehab games in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League. Manager Craig Counsell said that Amaya will need a week's worth of games before being activated from the 10-day injured list, potentially before the calendar flips to August. The 26-year-old has been working his way back from a strained left oblique that has kept him out since May 25. Amaya has been taking batting practice and catching bullpen sessions, but he should start playing in games on the farm this weekend and into next week. When Amaya does return, he'll be sharing playing time behind the plate with
Carson Kelly, who is having a very strong year. Amaya himself was hitting a strong .280 (26-for-93) with four homers, 25 RBI and 14 runs before his injury.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
July 14, 2025
The Kansas City Royals announced on Monday that they placed right-hander
Michael Lorenzen (oblique) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to July 11) with a left-oblique strain. The Royals scratched Lorenzen from his start over the weekend with what they called at the time an illness, but the 33-year-old veteran is dealing with something much worse than that heading into this week's All-Star break. Lorenzen won't be eligible to come off the IL until July 26, and given the nature of his injury, he might not be ready to return by then. It's unclear at this time who will enter his spot in the starting rotation for the Royals to begin the second half of the season this weekend. Lorenzen finishes the first half in 2025 with a mediocre 4.61 ERA and 1.30 WHIP with 85 strikeouts and 29 walks in 99 2/3 innings over his 18 starts.
--Keith HernandezSource: Kansas City Royals
July 14, 2025
Cleveland Guardians second base prospect
Travis Bazzana (oblique) has continued his rehab assignment with the team's Arizona Complex League affiliate and is now 3-for-11 (.273) with one double, a steal, and a 6:2 BB:K through five games. Before going down with the injury, the No. 1 overall pick from last year's draft was slashing .252/.362/.433 with four home runs, eight steals, and a 19:39 BB:K through 33 games (149 plate appearances) at Double-A Akron. At this point in the season, unless he catches fire, the Oregon State product will likely finish out the year at Double-A. But look for him to see Triple-A and make a push for the majors in 2026. With an exceptional hit tool, above-average power and the ability to run, the Guardians' top prospect should be stashed away in dynasty formats.
--Jarod RuppSource: MiLB.com
July 14, 2025
Cincinnati Reds third base prospect
Cam Collier went 3-for-3 with three singles, two walks, and an RBI for Double-A Chattanooga on Sunday. The Reds' fourth-ranked prospect was promoted to Double-A back in mid-June, and since then, he's held his own, batting .293 (24-for-82) with five doubles and a 17.8 percent walk rate, but has yet to flash the home run power through 24 games at that level. In 45 games between High-A and Double-A, the 20-year-old is slashing .314/.434/.429 with a pair of home runs. The left-handed slugger got a late start to the season due to a thumb injury that could be sapping some of the power that led him to a 20-homer season last year, but hopefully it'll pick up in the second half. The former first-rounder should be knocking on the door to the majors late next year, so he's worth keeping an eye on in dynasty formats.
--Jarod RuppSource: MiLB.com
July 14, 2025
Baltimore Orioles catching prospect
Samuel Basallo went 2-for-5 with a double, a home run, and four RBI on Sunday for Triple-A Norfolk. The Orioles' top-ranked prospect (MLB No. 10) had been in a bit of a slump from late June to early July, going 3-for-24 (.125) with one home run over a nine-game stretch, but is 7-for-18 (.389) over his last five games including three doubles, three home runs, 10 RBI, and a 3:4 BB:K. The 20-year-old is now hitting .264 on the year along with a .383 OBP thanks to a strong 15.4 percent walk rate, and is boasting a .591 SLG. A big league debut in the second half is likely, and with the ability to play first base or DH as well, there are multiple paths to the majors and to at-bats once he gets there. The left-handed slugger with huge power is a top stash candidate in deep leagues ahead of his eventual call-up.
--Jarod RuppSource: MiLB.com
July 14, 2025
Houston Astros infielder/outfielder
Zach Dezenzo (hand) is making progress but still isn't swinging a bat, according to MLB.com. The Astros moved Dezenzo to the 60-day injured list last Friday, and there's currently no timetable for his return. He has been sidelined since June 1 with a capsule strain in his left hand and will not return to the Astros for the start of the second half of the season this Friday. The 25-year-old will first need to resume swinging and taking part in baseball activities before the Astros even consider sending him on a minor-league rehab assignment. Whenever he recovers from his hand injury, Dezenzo will serve in a super-utility role in Houston, leaving him minimal fantasy value the rest of the year. Before his injury, Dezenzo was hitting .245/.321/.367 with a below-average .688 OPS, two home runs, 10 RBI and 17 runs in 98 at-bats.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
July 14, 2025
Houston Astros outfielder
Chas McCormick (oblique) has gone just 2-for-20 with a home run, eight strikeouts and a walk through five minor-league rehab games at Triple-A Sugar Land, according to MLB.com. McCormick is currently on the 10-day injured list with a left-oblique strain, but he figures to return for the second half of the season later this month. The 30-year-old has been out since late May and could return for the start of the second half, which begins this Friday, July 18. When he returns, McCormick could actually see more playing time in center field with
Jake Meyers (calf) out at least three weeks. McCormick has only played in 36 games for the 'Stros this year and has hit .256 (11-for-43) with no home runs, two RBI and a stolen base in 53 plate appearances. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect much when he's back in Houston.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
July 14, 2025
Houston Astros general manager Dana Brown said on Sports Talk 790 radio that right-hander
Cristian Javier (elbow) is ahead of
Luis Garcia (elbow) in his rehab. "He's going to help us this year. It's probably going to take him a little bit longer," Brown said. Javier, who is on the 60-day injured list as he continues to recover from Tommy John surgery, hit 95 mph during a 35-pitch rehab appearance in the rookie-level Florida Complex League on July 12. MLB.com suggests he could be the first of the Astros' injured pitchers to come off the IL, potentially in August. During his rehab start on Friday in the FCL, the 28-year-old allowed three runs (two earned) on one hit while walking three and striking out two in 1 1/3 innings. Javier was unsurprisingly rusty, but he could help Houston's rotation down the stretch and potentially into the playoffs this fall.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Brian McTaggart
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