Kevin Alcantara Goes Deep Wednesday
Kevin Alcantara went 2-for-5 with a home run and two RBI in Wednesday's 10-6 win over Triple-A Omaha. Alcantara slugged his 10th homer of the season and is knocking on the door for 10 stolen bases with nine so far in 282 plate appearances. The 22-year-old is coming off a strong month of June, slashing .306/383/.486 with a 9:22 BB:K. He's consistently made hard contact with a 49 percent hard-hit rate for the year. However, the 6'6" outfielder has some contact issues as he also owns a 30% strikeout rate. The upside is through the roof with Alcantra's power and speed combo, although we are unlikely to see him in the majors this season.Source: MiLB.com
Chicago Cubs outfield prospect Robert Suarez Earns Save in Shaky Outing
Robert Suarez shut the door on the Philadelphia Phillies in a 6-4 win during the first game of a doubleheader on Wednesday. It wasn't easy for Suarez, who had to extinguish a Phillies rally for his 24th save of the season. The right-hander entered a 6-3 game in the bottom of the ninth and allowed one run on three singles before striking out Kyle Schwarber to end it with runners on second and third. The 34-year-old has given up at least one earned run in back-to-back games and has totaled just three scoreless appearances in his past eight outings. He had an outstanding 1.78 ERA before that stretch, but the number has soared to 4.04 over 35 2/3 innings. Suarez still owns a solid 37:12 K:BB and a 1.15 WHIP, while he's tied for the second-most saves in the majors.Source: ESPN
San Diego Padres closer Jhoan Duran Collects 13th Save
Jhoan Duran nailed down his 13th save of the year in a 2-1 win over the Miami Marlins on Wednesday. Duran allowed a one-out single to Connor Norby, but he quickly put out the fire by forcing Dane Myers to ground into a game-ending double play. The right-hander needed just nine pitches to get through the ninth inning and log his third straight scoreless appearance. Duran's ERA is down to a sparkling 1.64 with 42:14 K:BB and a 1.07 WHIP in 38 1/3 innings.Source: ESPN
Minnesota Twins closer Edwin Diaz Gets Four Outs for 17th Save
Edwin Diaz cruised to a four-out save in a 7-3 win over the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 2 of a doubleheader on Wednesday. Diaz entered the game with men on first and second base and two outs in the top of the eighth inning. He fanned Jake Bauers to wiggle out of trouble before pitching a perfect ninth with two more strikeouts. The 31-year-old threw 21 pitches (13 strikes) in his first appearance since last Thursday. After his numbers dipped in 2024, Diaz has returned to dominant form this season. The two-time All-Star has converted 17 of 18 save opportunities while pitching to a 1.91 ERA with 49 strikeouts, 12 walks, and a 0.95 WHIP over 33 frames.Source: ESPN
New York Mets right-hander Tyler O'Neill to Return Friday
Tyler O'Neill (shoulder) will come off the injured list when the team begins a series against the Atlanta Braves on Friday, according to Sam Cohn of the Baltimore Sun. O'Neill has been out of action since going on the 10-day IL with a left shoulder impingement on May 18. The 30-year-old has also spent time on the IL this season with a neck injury. When he has been healthy enough to play, O'Neill has posted a miserable .188/.280/.325 line with two home runs, 10 RBI, and two stolen bases across 24 games and 93 plate appearances. O'Neill has upside as a two-time 30-HR hitter, including last season with Boston, and will try to regain that form upon his return.Source: Sam Cohn - The Baltimore Sun
Baltimore Orioles outfielder Christian Moore Exits Early with Thumb Irritation
Christian Moore (thumb) departed the team's 8-3 loss to the Atlanta Braves with left-thumb irritation, according to Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register. Moore exited after diving for a ground ball in the bottom of the sixth inning, and the Angels replaced him with Kevin Newman. Moore is undergoing tests to determine the severity of the injury. Before exiting, Moore drew two walks in his only plate appearances of the night. The 22-year-old rookie has hit .189/.302/.396 with three homers, eight RBI, and eight runs scored in 64 plate appearances since debuting on June 13.Source: Jeff Fletcher - Orange County Register
Los Angeles Angels rookie second baseman Matt Chapman to Take Batting Practice Thursday
Matt Chapman (hand) will take on-field batting practice Thursday, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports. Chapman, who previously took BP on Monday, will face live pitching and a high-velocity machine in the next step in his recovery from a sprained right hand. The 33-year-old went on the 10-day IL on June 9, which interrupted a productive start to his season. Chapman was hitting .234/.360/.452 with 12 homers, 30 RBI, 35 runs scored, and seven stolen bases over 272 plate appearances when he suffered the injury. The Giants have sent third base backups Casey Schmitt and Christian Koss to the injured list this week, making it all the more important for Chapman to return soon.Source: Shayna Rubin - San Francisco Chronicle
San Francisco Giants third baseman Martin Perez Hopes to Pitch in Rehab Game by Aug. 2
Martin Perez (elbow) is hoping to pitch in an injury rehab game by Aug. 2, according to Scott Merkin of MLB.com. Perez joined the White Sox on a one-year, $5 million deal in the offseason and pitched to a 3.15 ERA over 20 innings in April before hitting the shelf with a flexor tendon strain. It initially looked as if Perez would require surgery, but he has avoided going under the knife for a season-ending procedure. The 34-year-old is optimistic he'll pitch again in 2025. Perez told Merkin that the next steps in his rehab will include three throwing sessions from 120 feet and two "touch and feel" bullpen sessions. If those go well, he expects to resume throwing from a mound.Source: Scott Merkin - MLB.com
Chicago White Sox left-hander Luis Robert Jr. Takes Batting Practice
Luis Robert Jr. (hamstring) took batting practice and did some pregame running before the club's contest against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday. Robert hasn't played since last Tuesday because of a strained left hamstring. The injury forced him to the 10-day IL on June 26, continuing a brutal start to the season for the former All-Star. Robert has batted a personal-worst .185/.270/.313 with eight homers, 32 RBI, and 27 runs scored over 285 plate appearances. The lone bright spot has been his work on the bases, as Robert has already tallied 22 steals. He's just one swipe away from tying the career-high 23 he amassed last year.Source: Scott Merkin - MLB.com
Chicago White Sox outfielder Kevin Pillar Announces Retirement
Kevin Pillar announced his retirement on the Foul Territory podcast on Wednesday. Now 36 years old, Pillar began his professional career as a 32nd-round pick of the Toronto Blue Jays in 2011 and turned into an improbable success story. He debuted in the bigs in 2013 and eventually earned a reputation as a high-end defensive outfielder who could also contribute with the bat and on the base paths. Pillar spent the majority of his career in Toronto, but he made several other stops after Toronto traded him to San Francisco in 2019. He spent time with Colorado, Boston, the New York Mets, both Los Angeles teams, Atlanta, the Chicago White Sox, and the Texas Rangers from 2020-25. He appeared in 20 games with the Rangers this season and struggled to a .209/.209/.256 line in 20 games before the team released him. Pillar hangs up his cleats a lifetime .255/.293/.405 hitter with 114 home runs and 111 stolen bases over 1,234 games and 4,409 plate appearances.Source: Foul Territory
Long-time major-league outfielder Masataka Yoshida to Get "Light Work" at First Base During Rehab
Masataka Yoshida (shoulder) will get "light work" at first base during his rehab assignment. However, he's unlikely to see game action at the position, Sean McAdam of MassLive.com reports. "I don't anticipate him starting at first base," Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. "but if something crazy happens, at least he can catch throws and knock down a ground ball." Yoshida, who has been out all season after undergoing offseason shoulder surgery, embarked on a rehab assignment this week and should make his 2025 debut soon. He played almost exclusively at the DH position last year and hit .280/.349/.415 with 10 homers, 56 RBI, and 45 runs scored in 421 plate appearances.Source: Sean McAdam - MassLive.com
Boston Red Sox outfielder/designated hitter Wyatt Langford to Start Rehab Assignment Thursday
Wyatt Langford (oblique) took a successful live batting practice Wednesday and will begin a minor league rehab assignment Thursday, according to Shawn McFarland of the Dallas Morning News. Langford, on the 10-day injured list since June 25 with a strained left oblique, is targeting a return to the Rangers' lineup on Sunday. The 23-year-old has hit .232/.308/.421 with 13 homers, 31 RBI, 32 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases in 292 trips to the plate this season.Source: Shawn McFarland - Dallas Morning News
Texas Rangers outfielder Jon Gray Nearing Rehab Assignment
Jon Gray (wrist) could begin a rehab assignment if he doesn't deal with any setbacks from Wednesday's live bullpen session, Shawn McFarland of the Dallas Morning News reports. Gray has now thrown four bullpen sessions as he works back from the fractured right wrist that he suffered during spring training. The 33-year-old should make his season debut sometime in the coming weeks, but he's unlikely to land on most fantasy managers' radars. He threw 102 2/3 innings of 4.47 ERA ball with 7.54 K/9 and 2.45 BB/9 in 2024.Source: Shawn McFarland - Dallas Morning News
Texas Rangers right-hander No Extension Imminent for Cubs, Kyle Tucker
Kyle Tucker to a long-term contract extension, but they aren't committing to serious contract talks until later in the season or in the offseason, according to The Athletic's Patrick Mooney. Tucker was acquired in a blockbuster trade last winter from the Houston Astros, and the original idea was that the team would try to win big with Tucker in 2025 and figure out the rest later on. "Kyle Tucker is a player you want to have for a long time," president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said. "He's been one of the best players in baseball this year. He does so many things well, and he's really had a significant impact on this offense. Certainly, you want to keep a player like that. You go into the negotiation wanting to keep him. But, obviously, you realize in some way that you must have your limits."Source: The Athletic - Patrick Mooney
The Chicago Cubs are open to trying to sign outfielder Jeremy Pena Sidelined With Rib Fracture
Jeremy Pena (rib) was placed on the injured list Monday with a small rib fracture on his left side. He sustained the fractured rib after being hit by a pitch in Friday's 7-4 win over the Chicago Cubs. Initial x-rays were normal, but a CT scan showed the fracture. Sometimes, a fracture may not be visible on imaging until three to five days after the injury due to inflammation near the fracture. The 27-year-old is expected to be sidelined for more than the minimum 10 days, with no timeline for his return. This type of fracture can take three to six weeks to heal, depending on its severity. Before the injury, Pena was terrific this season, slashing .322/.378/.489 with 11 home runs, 40 RBI, 48 runs, and 15 stolen bases across 82 games. Mauricio Dubon is expected to handle shortstop duties with Pena out and is mainly a fantasy option in AL-Only or deep-league formats.Source: @juliamorales
Houston Astros shortstop Hamstring Strain Lands Luis Robert Jr. on IL
Luis Robert Jr. (hamstring) was placed on the injured list Sunday with a left hamstring strain. The severity of his hamstring strain is unknown, but Robert recently took batting practice and did some pregame running ahead of Wednesday's game against the Dodgers. He had missed the prior two games with this injury before being placed on the injured list. He is eligible to come off the injured list on July 6. The 27-year-old has struggled this season, slashing .185/.270/.313 with eight home runs, 32 RBI, and 22 stolen bases. Brooks Baldwin was recalled from Triple-A Charlotte on Tuesday and could see playing time in the outfield with Austin Slater while Robert Jr. is out. Neither Slater nor Baldwin is worth rostering outside deep Al-Only leagues.Source: @whitesox
Chicago White Sox outfielder Kodai Senga Begins Road Back to Mets
Kodai Senga (hamstring) has been on the injured list with a Grade 1 right hamstring strain for the past three weeks. The 32-year-old threw an up-and-down live batting practice session on Sunday. It was the first time he had faced hitters since the injury. His next step would be a bullpen session followed by a rehab assignment. Before landing on the injured list, Senga owned a 1.47 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 70 strikeouts over 73 2/3 innings. Barring any setbacks, Senga is expected to return by the end of July. Blake Tidwell has been filling in as a spot starter for the Mets since Senga was injured. Fantasy managers should continue to stash Senga in all leagues.Source: @snytv
New York Mets right-hander Alex Bregman Inching Closer to a Return
Alex Bregman (quadriceps) is on the injured list with a right quad strain, but is close to returning to action. He has been doing baseball activities and was thought to be out until the All-Star break. Red Sox manager Alex Cora said this week that Bregman is "feeling great" and will have his status reassessed this weekend. Cora added that Bregman is "close to 100 percent". This is at the six-week mark of Bregman's IL stint. It is possible that Bregman could be activated from the injured list earlier than anticipated. This could impact Marcelo Mayer's playing time, and he may be sent back down or moved to second base.Source: @bossportsgordo
Boston Red Sox third baseman Miguel Amaya Not Close to Game Action
Miguel Amaya (oblique) has resumed normal batting practice, catching bullpen sessions and throwing but is "not close" to game action yet, according to manager Craig Counsell. Amaya is recovering from a strained left oblique and will not come off the 10-day injured list before the All-Star break. However, if the 26-year-old continues to make progress and is able to go on a minor-league rehab assignment sooner than later, he could be ready to rejoin the Cubs as their primary backstop early in the second half of the season, which begins on July 18. In the meantime, Carson Kelly will draw the majority of starts behind the plate in Chicago. Kelly is having a fine first season on the North Side, hitting .267 (46-for-172) with nine homers and 29 RBI. He enters Wednesday's action riding a modest four-game hitting streak in which he's gone 6-for-13 with three doubles, three RBI and two runs scored.Source: MLB.com
Chicago Cubs catcher Yu Darvish Throws Four-Inning Simulated Game
Yu
Darvish
(elbow)
threw
a
four-inning,
64-pitch
simulated
game
against
Single-A
hitters
in
Lake
Elsinore
on
Monday,
which
was
his
third
sim
game,
according
to
MLB.com.
Darvish
is
nearing
a
return
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San
Diego
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right-hander
Yordan Alvarez Transferred to 60-Day Injured List
Yordan Alvarez (hand) to the 60-day injured list on Wednesday, according to the Houston Chronicle's Matt Kawahara. In an additional moves, the Astros placed infielder Luis Guillorme (hamstring) on the 10-day IL with a hamstring strain and recalled infielder Zack Short from Triple-A Sugar Land. Houston was hoping that Alvarez could rejoin the club before the All-Star break, but that is unlikely to happen now after the 28-year-old All-Star suffered a setback this week. It's turned into a lost season for the left-handed slugger, as he's been out since early May and has hit just .210/.306/.340 with three home runs, 18 RBI and seven runs scored. Fantasy managers must continue to stash Alvarez and keep their fingers cross that he can return for the start of the second half on July 18.Source: Houston Chronicle - Matt Kawahara
The Houston Astros transferred outfielder/designated hitter Teoscar Hernandez Getting a Breather
Teoscar
Hernandez
is
receiving
the
night
off
on
Wednesday
at
Dodger
Stadium
against
the
visiting
Chicago
White
Sox.
Andy
Pages
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starting
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right
field
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Los
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Heliot Ramos Grabbing Pine on Wednesday
Heliot Ramos will take the day off on Wednesday in the tilt versus the division-rival Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Luis Matos will draw into the lineup in left field and will hit sixth against Diamondbacks right-hander Merrill Kelly. It's a good time for a breather for Ramos, who has gone 2-for-24 with eight strikeouts in his last six games played. The former first-rounder out of Puerto Rico is hitting a respectable .272 (88-for-323) on the year as an everyday player for the Giants and has added 13 homers, 44 RBI and five steals after being a first-time All-Star in 2024. Under the hood, though, he's sporting an xBA of .255 and xwOBA of .344. He's in the 55th percentile in hard-hit rate and 70th percentile in average exit velocity. Matos has a homer and two RBI while hitting .222 in nine career at-bats against Kelly.Source: MLB.com
San Francisco Giants outfielder Larry Nance Jr. Headed Back to Cavaliers
Larry Nance Jr. on Tuesday. After one injury-riddled season in Atlanta, Nance has decided to head back to Cleveland where he played from 2017-2021. Last season, Nance averaged 8.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.6 assists across 19.3 minutes per game in 24 games. At this point in his career, Nance isn't going to play big minutes, but could still contribute with minutes in the teens. He figures to play a primary role off the bench behind Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. It probably won't be a big enough role to warrant rostering in most fantasy leagues right away.Source: Evan Sidery
The Cleveland Cavaliers have reached a one-year deal with free-agent forward Josh Naylor Returning to Diamondbacks Lineup
Josh Naylor (neck) is serving as the designated hitter and will bat cleanup on Wednesday against the division-rival San Francisco Giants and right-hander Landen Roupp. Pavin Smith will make another start at first base and bat third for Arizona. Naylor was in the original lineup on Tuesday before being scratched and missing his fourth straight game due to lingering soreness in his neck. The 28-year-old left-handed slugger will give it another go on Wednesday, though. Naylor's 10 homers for a first baseman leave plenty to be desired, but he hit .311/.366/.486 with three homers, 16 RBI and 12 runs in the month of June and is hitting .304 (89-for-293) on the year with 53 RBI, 42 runs and 10 steals in his first year with the Snakes. Nine of his 10 homers on the year have come against righties. Get him back into your starting lineups.Source: MLB.com
Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Eric Gordon Remaining with 76ers
Eric Gordon on Tuesday. Despite a rough first year in Philly, Gordon is back for another season with the Sixers. Gordon averaged a career-low 6.8 points with 1.2 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in 39 games with the 76ers last season. He missed a good part of the season due to a wrist injury. It's a low-risk deal for the Sixers to bring in a veteran presence who is still a reliable three-point shooter. It's unlikely Gordon isn't going to offer much fantasy value, but he could be a decent contributor off the bench.Source: John Clark
The Philadelphia 76ers have agreed on a one-year deal with Deandre Ayton Joining Lakers
Deandre Ayton on Wednesday. The two sides have reportedly agreed on a two-year deal. Ayton decided to opt-out of his deal with the Trail Blazers after two seasons in Portland. He averaged 14.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 40 games with the Blazers last season. Ayton has averaged a double-double in each of his first seven seasons in the league. He'll now be surrounded with some top talent such as LeBron James and Luka Doncic. Despite that, Ayton should be able to produce top-100 fantasy value, assuming he stays healthy. It's worth noting that has been limited to less than 60 games in three of the last four seasons. When healthy, Ayton can be a serious contributor on this Lakers roster.Source: Shams Charania
The Los Angeles Lakers have made a big splash and signed free-agent center Cal Raleigh on the Bench on Wednesday
Cal Raleigh is out of the starting lineup for Wednesday's contest against the visiting Kansas City Royals. Mitch Garver is behind the plate and will catch right-hander Logan Gilbert while hitting sixth against Royals left-hander Noah Cameron. Raleigh is receiving just his third day off of the season. In all fairness, it's been hard for the M's to sit him down with how dominant he's been on offense in 2025. The 28-year-old switch-hitting catcher has been one of the best players in all of baseball this year and comes into Wednesday's action leading the league with 33 home runs and 71 RBI in 84 games. He's also added a superb .272/.383/.641 slash line, 1.024 OPS, 60 runs scored and nine stolen bases in 371 plate appearances. Even with some regression due in the second half, Raleigh is going to easily finish with a career year in 2025.Source: MLB.com
Seattle Mariners catcher Gary Sanchez the DH on Wednesday
Gary
Sanchez
(finger)
is
serving
as
the
designated
hitter
and
is
batting
fifth
on
Wednesday
against
the
hosting
Texas
Rangers
and
right-hander
Nathan
Eovaldi.
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Baltimore
Orioles
catcher
Logan O'Hoppe Resting Against Braves
Logan O'Hoppe will start on the bench for Wednesday's contest in Atlanta against the Braves at Truist Park. Travis d'Arnaud is behind the plate to catch left-hander Yusei Kikuchi and will hit seventh against Braves right-handed rookie Didier Fuentes. O'Hoppe will take the day off after starting in each of the last four games behind the plate for the Halos while going 3-for-19 with a double. The 25-year-old starting backstop is one of the better offensive backstops in baseball and enters Wednesday's action with 17 home runs and 37 RBI despite hitting only .237 (57-for-250). O'Hoppe has gone 8-for-34 (.235) with three long balls, a double, six RBI and three runs in nine games over the last 14 days. d'Arnaud will be looking to make some noise against his former team, but he'll be a low-upside DFS play that has just four homers in his 124 at-bats in 2025.Source: MLB.com
Los Angeles Angels catcher