Ryan Helsley to Stay Put?
Ryan Helsley is a potential trade candidate as the July 31 deadline approaches, but he's "more likely" to remain with the team through the season, according to Katie Woo of The Athletic. Helsley will be a free agent over the winter, but even if the Cardinals don't re-sign the flamethrowing right-hander, they could get draft compensation back by issuing him a qualifying offer. In the meantime, Helsley could help the Cardinals chase down a playoff spot. They'll enter the second half of the season just 1 1/2 games out of wild-card position. While Helsley has helped the Cardinals' cause to this point, he hasn't been nearly as effective as he was from 2022-24. Over that three-season, 167 2/3-inning span, Helsley put up a lights-out 1.83 ERA with 12.08 K/9, 3.22 BB/9, and 82 saves in 95 chances. The 31-year-old has gone 19-for-24 on saves this season and pitched to a 3.27 ERA with 36:14 K:BB across 33 innings.Source: Katie Woo - The Athletic
St. Louis Cardinals closer Jesse Chavez Designated for Assignment
Jesse Chavez for assignment. His roster spot is going to righty Dane Dunning, whom the Braves acquired from the Texas Rangers on Thursday. This is the third time this season the Braves have designated Chavez, who re-signed on minor-league deals in the previous two instances. It stands to reason that the 41-year-old will do the same in this case. He has thrown just eight innings and allowed eight earned runs with the Braves this year. On the other hand, Chavez has fared much better with Triple-A Gwinnett, where he has registered a 2.05 ERA with 36 strikeouts and 12 walks in 30 2/3 frames.Source: Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves have designated right-hander Paul Blackburn Fans Eight in Rehab Start
Paul Blackburn (shoulder) began a rehab assignment Thursday in the rookie-level Florida Coast League. The 31-year-old was strong over 3 2/3 innings, as he allowed one earned run on three hits while piling up eight strikeouts against two walks. Blackburn has been on the 15-day injured list since July 3 with a shoulder impingement. He previously missed the first two months of the season with knee inflammation, and things haven't gone well when Blackburn has been healthy enough to pitch. In six appearances (four starts) in June, Blackburn went 0-3 with a 7.71 ERA, a 1.98 WHIP, and 15:7 K:BB over 18 2/3 innings. The Mets estimate that Blackburn will return later this month. However, he'll face an uphill battle in getting his rotation spot back, especially if the team upgrades around the July 31 trade deadline.Source: MiLB.com
New York Mets right-hander Chris Taylor Begins Rehab Assignment
Chris Taylor (hand) began a rehab assignment in the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League on Thursday. Taylor had a big night, going 3-for-3 with a double, two RBI, and a run scored. The 34-year-old hasn't appeared in the majors since suffering a fractured left hand on a hit by pitch on June 9. That continued a brutal start to the season for Taylor, who has combined to hit .200/.246/.323 with one home run in 69 plate appearances between the Dodgers and Angels. He wasn't much better over a larger sample size of 246 plate appearances last year, when he batted .202/.298/.300 in 246 trips to the plate.Source: AngelsMiLB
Los Angeles Angels infielder/outfielder Mariners Rotation Set to Start the Second Half
Luis Castillo has been given the nod to start the first game after the All-Star break against their division opponent, the Houston Astros. This is a big series for the Mariners, as they find themselves five games behind the Astros in the AL West race. Castillo has been solid for the Mariners with a 3.41 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, and a 93/42 K/BB in 19 starts. Castillo will continue to be a strong option for fantasy managers to deploy in the second half, and although his 7.73 K/9 is something that leaves a lot to be desired, he provides a lot of quality innings. Following Castillo, Logan Evans will get the ball on Saturday, while Sunday's starter is to be determined.Source: Adam Jude
Seattle Mariners right-hander Diamondbacks Set Rotation to Kick Off Second Half
Brandon Pfaadt is scheduled to start on Friday against the St. Louis Cardinals for the start of the second half. It is odd that Pfaadt is the first to start after the All-Star break, considering he owns a 5.16 ERA in 99 1/3 innings pitched thus far in 2025. Nonetheless, Pfaadt will attempt to build off his strong outing on July 9 against the San Diego Padres, where he threw eight innings, allowed two earned runs, struck out four, and didn't walk a batter. Outside of his 5.16 ERA, he holds a 1.31 WHIP and an 84/23 K/BB ratio over 19 starts. Pfaadt will be hard to trust until he starts pitching to his potential. Following Pfaadt, Ryne Nelson will toe the rubber on Saturday while Merrill Kelly is set to pitch the final game of the series.Source: Alex Weiner
Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Tyler Glasnow Scheduled to Start on Friday
Tyler Glasnow is scheduled to toe the rubber versus the Milwaukee Brewers in their first series post-All-Star break. Glasnow faced the Brewers in his last turn through the rotation on July 9, which was also his first start back from his shoulder injury that had kept him out since late April. With the Dodgers sending Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Clayton Kershaw to the All-Star game, it makes sense that they come out of the break starting Glasnow. Thus far this season, Glasnow has a 3.52 ERA in 23 innings pitched. His last time around against the Brewers, he tossed five innings, allowed two hits, three walks, no runs, and struck out five. Following Glasnow, Emmet Sheehan will get the ball on Saturday while Clayton Kershaw is set to start on Sunday.Source: David Vassegh
Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Carlos Estevez Drawing Interest as the Trade Deadline Approaches
Carlos Estevez might be one of the bullpen pitchers drawing the most interest. Teams like the Yankees have been keeping an eye on him in recent months, per sources. The Royals have underachieved thus far this season, and it appears that the Detroit Tigers could be running away with the division, meaning the Royals may be inclined to trade their 32-year-old closer, who is having an excellent season with a 2.36 ERA and 25 saves. At this point, it's unclear what other teams are considering him, but depending on where Estevez lands, it's possible it could alter his role. That being said, he is second in MLB in saves. Making it hard to imagine that whatever team potentially acquires him would not deploy him as their closer; however, fantasy managers will want to keep their eyes on what happens with Estevez as the trade deadline approaches at the end of July.Source: Francys Romero
MLB.com's Francys Romero reported on Thursday that Kansas City Royals reliever Nestor Cortes Expected to Return in the Next 10-14 Days
Nestor
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suffering
a
left-elbow
flexor
strain
back
on
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6,
Francys
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Milwaukee
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left-hander
C.J. Culpepper Dominant Since Returning from Injured List
C.J. Culpepper has been quite impressive since returning from the 60-day IL at Double-A Wichita. Culpepper was sidelined for the majority of the first half due to an undisclosed injury. He had a short rehab assignment with Low-A and High-A and was officially returned to Double-A on June 14. Through his first five starts since returning (13 2/3 innings), the right-hander has posted a near-perfect 0.66 ERA with a 1.10 WHIP. During this stretch, Culpepper has struck out 15 hitters and allowed only five walks. Although he has only logged four innings in one outing, he has shown high upside and appears to have recovered from his injury. Last season, the No. 10-ranked prospect in the system logged 21 innings with Double-A to the tune of a 4.71 ERA. Given the time he missed, he will likely spend the entire second half with Double-A.Source: MiLB.com
Minnesota Twins right-handed pitching prospect Tai Peete has Modest Showing Through First Look at High-A
Tai Peete has had a modest showing during his first extended look at the High-A level. Through 81 games in the first half, Peete has posted a .224/.284/.403 slash line with 13 doubles, 13 home runs, and 15 stolen bases. He has generated a .687 OPS and held a poor 111:27 K:BB. While he has flashed power upside at times and is on track to finish the season in the 20/20 club, his strikeout rate has limited his upside. Over his last nine games, he has struck out 14 times and carried a .723 OPS. Last season, the 19-year-old spent his entire season with Low-A Modesto, posting a .269/.343/.408 slash line with 26 doubles, nine home runs, and an impressive 45 stolen bases. If Peete can lower his strikeout rate, he could be in the mix to earn a brief taste of Double-A in the final weeks of the season.Source: MiLB.com
Seattle Mariners outfield prospect Arjun Nimmala Ends First Half in a Slump
Arjun Nimmala concluded his first half of the campaign in a bit of a skid at High-A. Over his last 17 games with High-A Vancouver, Nimmala held a low .118/.200/.176 slash line with just four doubles, two stolen bases, and a 19:6 K:BB. However, during his first 61 games with High-A, Nimmala was quite impressive, holding a .270/.358/.484 slash line with 16 doubles, two triples, 11 home runs, and five stolen bases. During this stretch, he held a solid 57:32 K:BB and scored 46 runs. Last season, the top-ranked prospect in Toronto spent the majority of his season with Low-A Dunedin and carried a .232/.313/.476 line. Given his slow finish to the first half, fantasy managers should expect Nimmala to spend the entire second half with High-A.Source: MiLB.com
Toronto Blue Jays shortstop prospect Adrian Del Castillo has Locker in MLB Clubhouse
Adrian Del Castillo was participating in optional workouts at Chase Field and has a locker in the clubhouse. This suggests that the young backstop will likely join the team officially on Friday when they begin a series against the St. Louis Cardinals. Del Castillo made his MLB debut last season but has spent the entire 2025 campaign in the minor leagues. He has also dealt with numerous injuries, having appeared in only 28 total minor league games. However, when on the diamond, he has been very effective. Through 14 games with the Reno Aces, Del Castillo has posted a .288/.386/.559 with a .945 OPS. During his first look in the big leagues, Del Castillo held his own, posting a .313/.368/.525 line with five doubles and four home runs. He is worth a look in all two-catcher leagues given his upside bat.Source: Alex Weiner
Arizona Diamondbacks catching prospect Robert Hassell III on Impressive Run at Triple-A
Robert Hassell III has been on an impressive run since returning to Triple-A Rochester in mid-June. Through his last 22 games at the top level of the minor leagues, Hassell has posted an impressive .298/.404/.488 slash line with four doubles, four home runs, five stolen bases, and 12 RBI. Prior to this recent surge, Hassell received his first look at the big leagues but did not find much success, holding a .218/.222/.269 line over his first 79 PA. He hit just one home run and swiped a bag. In total, through 65 games at Rochester this season, Hassell has posted a solid .291/.361/.433 slash line with 11 doubles, eight long balls, and 14 stolen bases. He is worth keeping a close eye on as he should earn a second look at the majors later in the second half.Source: MiLB.com
Washington Nationals outfield prospect Yilber Diaz Struggling at Triple-A
Yilber Diaz has been struggling at Triple-A Reno throughout the first half of the campaign. The No.5-ranked prospect in the system on MLB.com has typically been deployed in a relief role and has logged 39 innings to the tune of an 11.31 ERA with a 2.36 WHIP. During this stretch, Diaz has struck out 45 hitters and served up 55 walks. In his most recent outing on July 12, he allowed three runs and was unable to tally one out. This is a significant drop in production for the right-hander as he was quite effective with Triple-A last season and even made his MLB debut. Through 50 1/3 innings with Triple-A last season, Diaz held a 3.22 ERA with a 1.29 WHIP. Fantasy managers should not expect Diaz to be in the mix to return to Arizona, given his struggles.Source: MiLB.com
Arizona Diamondbacks right-handed pitching prospect