July 5, 2025
Chicago Cubs outfielder
Pete Crow-Armstrong hit two of his team's franchise-record eight home runs in their 11-3 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday. Crow-Armstrong went four-for-four with two additional runs scored and two RBI. Crow-Armstrong continues to amaze in 2025, as he's hitting .274 this season with 23 home runs, 66 RBI, 64 runs scored, and 26 stolen bases. His elevated 16.8% HR/FB rate points to some likely power regression in the second half of the season, but he deserves credit for jumping his barrel rate from 7.4% in 2024 to 12.8% so far this year. Even if his home run pace slows over the next couple of months, Crow-Armstrong's elite speed and guaranteed playing time in a great Cubs lineup due to his defensive value make him a must-start outfielder in all formats.
--Will BradySource: MLB.com
July 5, 2025
Boston Red Sox starter
Lucas Giolito earned his fifth win of the season on Friday, throwing 7 2/3 of one-run ball in his team's 11-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds. Giolito struck out seven while walking three and allowing four hits. The veteran right-hander has now won four out of his last five starts dating back to June 10. In that stretch, Giolito has thrown 32 2/3 innings, allowing just three total earned runs and striking out 31. His season-long ERA now sits at a respectable 3.66, but his 1.29 WHIP and modest 13.4% K-BB% are less impressive, and still feeling the effects of his slow start. If Giolito is rounding into form and is now fully recovered from the Tommy John surgery that cost him all of 2024, he could be an impact fantasy arm down the stretch.
--Will BradySource: MLB.com
July 5, 2025
Chicago Cubs first baseman
Michael Busch led the charge for his team on Friday, hitting three of his team's franchise-record eight home runs in their 11-3 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. Busch went four-for-four in total with five RBI. For the season, he's now hitting .288 with 17 home runs, 55 RBI, 41 runs scored, and four stolen bases. Improving upon his breakout 2024 season, Busch has reduced his strikeout rate from 28.6% to 22.4% while also boosting his barrel rate from 11.2% to 13.6%. He's still mostly a large-side platoon bat, as he's logged just 47 plate appearances against left-handed pitching this season, hitting .119 with zero home runs. However, Busch has proven himself to be extremely productive in his role and a useful fantasy option at first base.
--Will BradySource: MLB.com
July 5, 2025
Seattle Mariners catcher
Cal Raleigh's scintillating first half of the season continued in a 6-0 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday. Raleigh led the Mariners' offensive charge with two home runs, giving him a league-leading 35, and drove in three during a 2-for-4 afternoon. The All-Star slugger has already set a new career high in homers, surpassing last season's 34, while slashing .271/.379/.648 with 74 RBI, 62 runs, and nine steals in 380 plate appearances. Raleigh remains on track to become the first catcher in major league history to reach the 50-HR mark in a season.
--Connor ByrneSource: ESPN
July 4, 2025
Boston Red Sox shortstop
Trevor Story was the leader of an offensive outburst in an 11-2 blowout of the Washington Nationals on Friday. Story finished 4-for-5 with a homer, four RBI, three runs scored, and a stolen base in his fourth multi-hit game since last Saturday. While Story was the owner of a dreadful .585 OPS at the end of May, the 32-year-old has enjoyed a significant turnaround over the past month-plus. In 29 games since June 1, Story has hit .324 (36-for-111) with six homers, 27 RBI, and 19 runs scored. He's still slashing an underwhelming .252/.293/.404 in 349 plate appearances, but the two-time All-Star has amassed 13 HRs, 51 RB1, 42 runs, and 14 steals. Story looks likely to post his first 20/20 season since 2021.
--Connor ByrneSource: ESPN
July 4, 2025
Baltimore Orioles closer
Felix Bautista pitched a perfect ninth inning to wrap up a 3-2 win over the Atlanta Braves on Friday. Bautista needed just 11 pitches to nail down his 17th save in 18 attempts. The 30-year-old righty has recorded 12 scoreless appearances in 13 tries since May 31, lowering his ERA to 2.64 with 43 strikeouts over 30 2/3 frames. Bautista is issuing walks at a career-worst rate (5.58 per nine), but that's not surprising for a pitcher returning from Tommy John surgery. He has been terrific overall in his first action since 2023.
--Connor ByrneSource: ESPN
July 4, 2025
Milwaukee Brewers closer
Trevor Megill pitched a scoreless ninth inning to pick up his 19th save in a 6-5 win over the Miami Marlins on Friday. It wasn't easy for Megill, who required 32 pitches to finish off the Marlins after putting a pair of runners on with a single and a walk. Megill escaped a two-out jam by fanning
Otto Lopez to give Milwaukee its 49th win of the year. That was the lone strikeout for Megill in his first save since June 25. The hard-throwing 31-year-old has put up a 2.64 ERA with 36:15 K:BB, a 1.25 WHIP, and four blown saves in 30 2/3 innings.
--Connor ByrneSource: ESPN
July 4, 2025
New York Yankees outfielder
Jasson Dominguez went deep for the first time since May 21 in a 6-5 loss to the New York Mets on Friday. Dominguez led the game off with a homer against right-hander
Justin Hagenman and added a two-run round-tripper in the fifth off righty
Austin Warren. He ended the afternoon 2-for-4 with a walk. Dominguez has put together three consecutive multi-hit games and five in eight contests since June 25. That recent hot streak has raised the 22-year-old switch-hitter's line to .271/.350/.433 with eight homers, 33 RBI, 39 runs, and 14 steals over 283 trips to the plate. Dominguez, who has compiled the extreme majority of his production against righties, will face Mets RHP
Frankie Montas on Saturday.
--Connor ByrneSource: ESPN
July 4, 2025
Detroit Tigers reliever
Will Vest retired four Cleveland Guardians on Friday to close out a 2-1 win and collect his 14th save. The Tigers called on Vest with two outs and runners on first and third in the bottom of the eighth inning. Vest walked
David Fry to load the bases, but he induced a Daniel Schneeman groundout to wiggle out of a bases-loaded jam. The right-hander faced more trouble in the ninth when he allowed a two-out double to
Steven Kwan, but
Kyle Manzardo then grounded out to Vest to end the game. Vest fanned one during the outing and dropped his ERA to 2.25 with a 0.95 WHIP, 44:11 K:BB, and three blown saves over 40 frames.
--Connor ByrneSource: ESPN
July 4, 2025
Texas Rangers reliever
Robert Garcia fell to 1-4 on the season as the club dropped a 3-2 decision against the San Diego Padres on Friday. Garcia came in to pitch the bottom of the 10th and intentionally walked
Manny Machado to put runners on first and second with nobody out. The left-hander later allowed a single in between two strikeouts to load the bases with two down. Garcia was unable to get out of the jam, as
Jake Cronenworth hit a walk-off bloop single to end it. Although Garcia has given up an earned run in back-to-back appearances, he still owns a solid 2.91 ERA with 34:12 K:BB, a 1.21 WHIP, and six saves in 34 innings. The 29-year-old has been part of a closer committee with
Luke Jackson, whose most recent save opportunity came on June 15.
--Connor ByrneSource: ESPN
July 4, 2025
Cincinnati Reds closer
Emilio Pagan notched his 19th save in a 9-6 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday. Pagan needed 16 pitches to put away the Phillies in a scoreless, one-hit ninth inning with no strikeouts or walks. It was the 34-year-old's first save opportunity since June 22. Already on the verge of his second 20-save season and his first since 2019, Pagan has posted a 2.92 ERA with 45 strikeouts, 12 walks, and a meager 0.86 WHIP over 37 innings. He has surrendered just one earned run in his past 12 appearances.
--Connor ByrneSource: ESPN
July 4, 2025
Atlanta Braves left-hander
Aaron Bummer will serve as the team's opener against the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday, according to David O'Brien of The Athletic. Having recently lost top starters
Chris Sale and
Spencer Schwellenbach to long-term injuries, the Braves are undermanned in their rotation and will have to rely more on their bullpen. Bummer has been a reliable member of their relief corps this year, having logged a 2.86 ERA with 35:12 K:BB in 34 2/3 innings. The 31-year-old won't be in Saturday's game for long, as he hasn't gone more than 2 2/3 frames in any of his 28 appearances.
--Connor ByrneSource: David O'Brien - The Athletic
July 4, 2025
San Diego Padres shortstop
Xander Bogaerts (hamstring) left the team's 3-2 win over the Texas Rangers on Friday with an apparent right-hamstring injury, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports. The Padres pinch-hit
Bryce Johnson for Bogaerts in a bases-loaded situation in the bottom of the 10th inning. Johnson struck out, but the Padres went on to win on a
Jake Cronenworth walk-off single. Bogaerts finished 0-for-4 with two strikeouts and is now hitting .255/.329/.364 with five homers, 30 RBI, 36 runs, and 13 stolen bases in 343 plate appearances. Until now, this has been a healthy season for Bogaerts. He battled a shoulder injury last year and sat out 51 games.
--Connor ByrneSource: AJ Cassavell
July 4, 2025
Tampa Bay Rays shortstop
Ha-Seong Kim (calf) finally made his season debut on Friday, but sadly he didn't make it through the game. Kim was pulled out in the seventh inning after attempting to steal third base. Afterwards, Rays manager Kevin Cash said Kim is considered day-to-day with a calf injury. The team downplayed the issue and doesn't believe Kim will require another stint on the injured list. Before exiting, Kim went 1-for-3 with a single and a stolen base. Fantasy managers should continue to look for another update, but it wouldn't be shocking to see Kim sit out the rest of the weekend.
--Andy WebbSource: Ryan Bass
July 4, 2025
Toronto Blue Jays second baseman
Andres Gimenez (ankle) made his return to the lineup on Friday, but sadly it didn't last too long. Gimenez tweaked his ankle on Wednesday and as a result sat out on Thursday. He appears to have re-aggravated the injury while running the bases in the sixth inning on Friday. Gimenez attempted to talk his way into staying on the field, but ultimately exited the contest. The expectation is that the Blue Jays will have Gimenez undergo further testing to determine the severity of the injury. Before exiting, Gimenez went 1-for-3 with a single and an RBI.
Leo Jimenez figures to see increased playing time if Gimenez doesn't play this weekend.
--Andy WebbSource: Shi Davidi
July 4, 2025
Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder
Corbin Carroll (wrist) could be activated off the injured list as early as this weekend, according to D-Backs manager Torey Lovullo. Carroll has been out since late June due to a fracture in his wrist. He began a rehab assignment on Thursday and appears to be ready to return. Before going down, Carroll was slashing .255/.341/.573 with 20 home runs, 44 RBI, and 10 stolen bases in 72 games. Jake McCarty figures to lose playing time once Carroll is back in the mix. Fantasy managers should check back on Saturday for another update on this status.
--Andy WebbSource: Arizona Sports
July 4, 2025
Texas Rangers outfielder
Wyatt Langford (oblique) is expected to rejoin the big league club ahead of Saturday's game against the San Diego Padres. Langford is ready to get back in the mix after being sidelined since late June due to a left oblique strain. Before going down, Langford was in a mini slump, going 1-for-13 at the plate, but will hopefully get off to a better start at the plate. He's slashing .232/.308/.421 with 13 home runs, 31 RBI, and 11 stolen bases in 67 games this season. Langford does a little bit of everything which makes him worth rostering in most fantasy formats.
--Andy WebbSource: Shawn McFarland
July 4, 2025
New York Yankees relief pitcher
Luke Weaver has struggled on the mound over the last few outings. The right-hander has given up two earned runs in each of his last three appearances. Weaver was hit around during their series against the Toronto Blue Jays. The problems continued on Friday when Weaver gave up a two-run home run to
Jeff McNeil and suffered his second blown save of the season. Weaver says he's feeling good physically, but he seemingly can't do anything right on the mound.
Devin Williams has settled back into the closer role, so Weaver is droppable in most fantasy formats.
--Andy WebbSource: Greg Joyce
July 4, 2025
Tampa Bay Rays first base prospect
Xavier Isaac remains in a slump at Double-A Montgomery. Over his last seven contests, the No. 46-ranked prospect in the sport on MLB.com has posted a low .148/.343/.259 slash line. During this stretch, Isaac has hit just one extra-base hit (a home run) and held an 8:8 K:BB. Through 41 total games with Double-A this season, Isaac has held a modest .201/.366/.446 line. While his batting average is low, he has shown a strong eye at the plate, drawing 34 walks and striking out just 52 times. He has also hit nine home runs and held an .812 OPS. Last season, Isaac held a much lower .695 OPS during his first taste of Double-A. Fantasy managers should expect the former 29th overall pick to remain at Double-A through most of the second half.
--Andy SmithSource: MiLB.com
July 4, 2025
Chicago Cubs catching prospect
Moises Ballesteros continues to dominate at Triple-A and is making a strong case to return to the major leagues. Over his last seven contests, the backstop has posted a stellar .308/.333/.462 slash line with four doubles, one stolen base, and a 7:2 K:BB. Over his last four games, he has hit at least one double in all but one. Ballesteros received a brief taste of the big leagues earlier this season. During his five-game stint in the majors, Ballesteros tallied three hits and three RBI. Through 69 total games with Triple-A Iowa this season, Ballesteros has posted a remarkable .331/.389/.498 slash line with 19 doubles and eight home runs. With
Miguel Amaya (oblique) on the IL, Ballesteros could be in the mix to return to the North Side very soon. For now, he is worth stashing in all deeper two-catcher formats.
--Andy SmithSource: MiLB.com
July 4, 2025
San Diego Padres infield prospect
Leodalis De Vries has continued to swing a hot bat at the High-A level. Over his last five games, the No. 3-ranked prospect in the sport on MLB.com has posted a remarkable .385/.522/.611 slash line with two doubles, one triple, and a 2:4 K:BB. Through 66 total games with High-A Fort Wayne, the budding infielder has held a .250/.361/.403 line with 15 doubles, four triples, five home runs, and six stolen bases. Last summer, De Vries made his professional debut with Low-A Lake Elsinore and posted a .237/.361/.441 line with 22 doubles and 11 long balls. Even though De Vries remains several seasons away from his potential MLB debut, he is a name worth closely monitoring in dynasty leagues as he has the upside to be one of the top prospects in the minor leagues over the next few seasons.
--Andy SmithSource: MiLB.com
July 4, 2025
Chicago Cubs left-hander
Drew Pomeranz will serve as the team's opener on Saturday at Wrigley Field against the division-rival St. Louis Cardinals, according to manager Craig Counsell. It's unclear who will work as the bulk reliever for the Cubbies in Game 2 of the divisional series, but it's most likely to be left-hander
Jordan Wicks, who was called up from Triple-A Iowa on Friday with righty
Jameson Taillon (calf) going on the 15-day injured list. In both of his opening assignments this year, Pomeranz has gone an inning apiece, so he should be avoided for fantasy purposes, even though the 36-year-old veteran has yet to allow a run in 2025 in 23 1/3 innings pitched. In addition to his 23 1/3 scoreless frames for Chicago, Pomeranz has a 0.90 WHIP, a save, 23 punchouts and seven walks.
--Keith HernandezSource: CHGO Sports - Jared Wyllys
July 4, 2025
The Athletics reinstated second baseman
Zack Gelof (ribs) from the 60-day injured list on Friday and placed infielder
Luis Urias (hamstring) on the 10-day IL (retroactive to July 3) with a right-hamstring strain in a corresponding move, according to the team. Gelof will immediately start at second base and hit eighth in his 2025 debut in Friday's series opener against the visiting San Francisco Giants and right-hander
Justin Verlander. He fractured the hamate bone in his hand in spring training and then dealt with a stress reaction in his ribs, but Gelof should now serve as the team's starting second baseman the rest of the way. While the 25-year-old is a work in progress, he's worthy of a waiver-wire pickup in mixed fantasy leagues for his power/speed profile. He hit 17 homers and stole 25 bags in 138 games last year but also led the league with 188 strikeouts.
--Keith HernandezSource: A's Communications
July 4, 2025
Cleveland Guardians second base prospect
Travis Bazzana (oblique) is set to begin a rehab assignment in the Arizona Complex League. The former first overall pick in last year's MLB Draft has been dealing with an oblique strain since May. However, the Oregon State product was finally cleared for game action. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status, as he could return to Double-A in the coming weeks. Before the injury, Bazzana spent his entire season with Double-A Akron. Through 33 games, Bazzana held a .252/.362/.433 slash line with five doubles, three triples, four home runs, and eight stolen bases. Given the time he missed with the injury, Fantasy managers should not expect Bazzana to debut in Cleveland this season.
--Andy SmithSource: Cleveland Guardians
July 4, 2025
The Colorado Rockies announced on Friday that they reinstated right-hander
Ryan Feltner (back) from the 60-day injured list and optioned him to Triple-A Albuquerque. The team also outrighted outfielder
Sam Hilliard to Albuquerque after he cleared outright waivers. The Rockies want to see more from Feltner after he gave up two home runs and nine walks in 10 2/3 innings on his minor-league rehab assignment with the Isotopes. The 28-year-old made six starts with the Rockies before his injury this year and posted a 4.75 ERA (4.34 FIP) and 1.48 WHIP with 25 strikeouts and 12 walks in 30 1/3 innings over six starts. Feltner also made a career-high 30 starts for Colorado last year, so he figures to be a starting rotation option for the team at some point in the second half. At best, he's a matchup-based deep-league streamer on the road in fantasy.
--Keith HernandezSource: Rockies Club Information
July 4, 2025
Forward Christian Fischer has decided to hang up his skates. The 28-year-old announced his retirement from the NHL in an interview with The Athletic. "It's just more so a decision of moving on into another chapter of my life," Fischer said. "I wish there was a big reasoning why, but in the end, I'm very thankful for the career I had." The Chicago native added that he has a business opportunity in the golf industry. Fischer was the No. 32 pick in the 2015 draft and spent most of his NHL career with the Arizona Coyotes. He also had stints with the Detroit Red Wings and Columbus Blue Jackets, posting 137 points (62 goals, 75 assists) in 523 regular-season appearances.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
July 4, 2025
Toronto Blue Jays right-handed pitching prospect
Lazaro Estrada is being promoted to the major leagues. In a corresponding move, the Blue Jays are sending right-handed pitcher
Justin Bruihl to Triple-A Buffalo and shifting outfielder
Anthony Santander (shoulder) to the 60-day injured list. Estrada has spent the first half of the campaign with Triple-A. During his first career stint with Triple-A this season, Estrada has posted a 4.75 ERA with a 1.37 WHIP. During this stretch, Estrada has struck out 66 batters while allowing 21 walks. Last summer, the No. 25-ranked prospect spent time in the system with Low-A, High-A, and Double-A. While Estrada has typically been deployed out of the rotation in the minor leagues, he will likely have a long relief role in Toronto. Given his projected role, he is not worth adding in any fantasy formats.
--Andy SmithSource: Toronto Blue Jays
July 4, 2025
Colorado Rockies outfielder
Brenton Doyle will retreat to the bench again for Friday's series opener at Coors Field against the visiting Chicago White Sox.
Mickey Moniak is starting in center field and will hit fifth against White Sox right-hander
Adrian Houser. This will be the second time in the last three games that Doyle has started on the bench for the Rockies. He's hitting just .201 (57-for-284) on the season, but the 27-year-old is actually in the midst of a four-game hitting streak in which he's gone 5-for-15 with two doubles, two RBI and three runs scored. Still, it's been a highly disappointing 2025 for Doyle, who has six homers, 28 RBI and eight steals over the halfway mark after clubbing 23 long balls, driving in 72 and stealing 30 bags in 2024. Moniak is a DFS outfield sleeper to consider with three hits in his last three games. Believe it or not, he has 12 homers this year.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
July 4, 2025
Milwaukee Brewers slumping first baseman
Rhys Hoskins finds himself on the bench yet again in Friday's series opener in Miami against the Marlins and right-hander
Sergio Alcantara.
Jake Bauers will make the start at first base and bat seventh. Hoskins has been benched in two of the last four games. The 32-year-old is in a rut at the plate right now, going 3-for-22 (.136) with no homers, one RBI, four walks and seven strikeouts in seven games since June 24. The cold stretch has brought his season line down to .239/.335/.418 with a .753 OPS. Bauers, who hits from the left side, hasn't been any better for the Brew Crew in 2025, going 23-for-108 (.213) with only five home runs, 18 RBI, 14 runs and four stolen bases. He's also hitless in eight career at-bats against Alcantara with one RBI.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
July 4, 2025
Goaltender Spencer Martin has signed a two-year contract with CSKA Moscow in the KHL. He will move overseas after making nine appearances with the Carolina Hurricanes last season. Martin earned seven starts and struggled, posting a 3-4-1 record with a 3.89 goals-against average and a .846 save percentage. The Oakville, Ontario native holds a 24-30-8 career record in the NHL. Since he turned 30 in June, it's possible Martin may not get a chance to add to his 66 NHL appearances. Carolina will continue to roll with Frederik Andersen and Pyotr Kochetkov in the crease next season, with newly signed Cayden Primeau providing additional depth.
--Taavi PailkSource: KHL
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