Athletics starting pitcher Jacob Lopez threw seven scoreless innings against the Tigers on Wednesday to earn his second win of the season. He allowed three hits and one walk while striking out six. This is his fourth straight outing of allowing one earned run or less, with three being scoreless appearances. In that span, the 27-year-old has struck out 29 batters in 23 innings. The lefty has made seven starts this season and has certainly made the case to stay in the rotation for the foreseeable future. He'll carry a 3.56 ERA and a 28.9% strikeout rate into his next start, currently lined up to be against the Rays.

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Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Mitch Keller has drawn interest from the Chicago Cubs, reports Bruce Levine. However, getting a deal done could be challenging due to a seller's market, as one general manager states that 25 teams feel like they have a wild card chance. A trade of Keller to Chicago would boost his chance of getting wins, but Wrigley would be a park downgrade for the right-hander. The 29-year-old has been mediocre this season, posting a 4.02 ERA and 1.22 WHIP with 73 strikeouts and 24 walks in 94 innings. He's next scheduled to pitch Saturday against the Mets.

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Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho (hamstring) resumed running in the outfield on Wednesday after experiencing some hamstring tightness while running the bases on Monday. Varsho's MRI exam showed scar-tissue irritation but no structural damage, according to Sportsnet's Arden Zwelling. The 28-year-old center fielder is hoping to get back to running the bases soon. Before his setback on Monday, Varsho was getting close to going on a minor-league rehab assignment, so if he can resume running the bases soon, there's still a chance he can make it back to Toronto before the mid-July All-Star break. Varsho got a late start to 2025 while recovering from offseason shoulder surgery. He's hitting just .207 (19-for-92) in 24 games, but the team's starting center field offers plenty of pop and has eight homers and 20 RBI.

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Cincinnati Reds right-hander Carson Spiers (shoulder) is chomping at the bit and is expected to start a minor-league rehab assignment soon, according to FOX 19's Charlie Goldsmith. Spiers is working his way back from a right-shoulder impingement that has kept him sidelined since the middle of April, but the 27-year-old could be nearing a return. Because of how long he's been out, it's unlikely that Spiers will return to the Reds before the mid-July All-Star break, but he could be ready to go for the start of the second half on July 18. He will most likely require a minor-league rehab start before being activated from the injured list. The former Clemson product made 22 appearances (10 starts) for the Reds last year and was touched up for 20 home runs in 90 2/3 innings. He gave up nine earned runs in 13 1/3 innings over three outings (two starts) before his injury and remains off the fantasy radar in most leagues for now.

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Cincinnati Reds right-hander Hunter Greene (back, groin) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session when the team is in Boston next week for a series against the Red Sox. Greene is working his way back from multiple injuries that have kept him out for over three weeks now. It's good to see the hard-throwing 25-year-old hander getting ready to get back on the mound, but at this point in the schedule with the All-Star break quickly approaching, it's unlikely that he'll rejoin Cincy's starting rotation until the start of the second half of the season on July 18. Until then, the team's top pitching prospect, Chase Burns, will get a run in the big-league rotation after making his MLB debut on Tuesday night against the Yankees. Greene is a must-stash in all fantasy formats and had a 2.72 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 73 K's in 59 2/3 innings over 11 starts before his injury. He has the potential to be a difference-maker in the second half if he's healthy.

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FOX 19's Charlie Goldsmith reports that Cincinnati Reds outfielder Jake Fraley (shoulder) is dealing with a shoulder injury, and he was held out of Wednesday's starting lineup against the visiting New York Yankees. Not only is Fraley dealing with a banged-up shoulder, but the Reds have faced left-handed starting pitchers each of the last two games. The Reds have Thursday off, but it remains to be seen if the 30-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder will be ready for Friday's series opener against the visiting San Diego Padres. Rece Hinds made the start in right field on Wednesday against the Yankees and could split playing time at the position with the left-handed-hitting Will Benson if Fraley ends up missing more time with his shoulder ailment. As a part-time player against righties, Fraley's fantasy upside is limited, and he's hitting just .224 with five homers, 17 RBI and four steals in 47 games in 2025.

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Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto's (shoulder) MRI exam didn't reveal any structural damage in his surgically-repaired right shoulder, and he's considered day-to-day, according to Bally Sports' Erica Weston. Neto aggravated his right shoulder when he jammed it during a stolen base attempt in Tuesday's extra-inning win over the visiting Boston Red Sox and was removed from the game. The 24-year-old didn't play in Wednesday's victory, but it's possible that he could be back as soon as Friday's series opener in Anaheim against the visiting Washington Nationals after a scheduled day off on Thursday. It's great news for the Halos and fantasy managers alike, as Neto is quickly becoming one of the best rising young shortstops in the game. The former first-rounder (13th overall) is currently hitting .278 (68-for-245) and is on pace for a 30-30 season.

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Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. announced on Wednesday that he will participate in this year's Home Run Derby on July 14 during All-Star festivities that will take place at Truist Park in Atlanta. Despite not making his 2025 debut until late May, almost one year after he tore the ACL in his left knee, the former MVP and four-time All-Star hasn't missed a beat and entered play on Wednesday slashing a ridiculous .385/.496/.692 with a 1.188 OPS, nine home runs, 16 RBI, 31 runs scored and four stolen bases in only 104 at-bats. The 27-year-old will be competing in the Derby for the third time in his career, most recently losing to Mets first baseman Pete Alonso in the first round at Dodger Stadium in 2022. Acuna will be hoping to become the first Braves player to ever win the Home Run Derby. Fantasy managers will be hoping his participation doesn't affect his swing in the second half.

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Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith will grab some pine to start Wednesday's contest at Coors Field against the division-rival Colorado Rockies. Rookie Dalton Rushing will be the battery mate for right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto and will hit ninth against Rockies rookie right-hander Chase Dollander. Smith is just receiving a regular day off. The two-time All-Star is hitting a cool .330 (69-for-209) on the year with nine home runs, 42 RBI, 39 runs scored and two stolen bases. The former first-rounder continues to be a must-start catcher in fantasy when he's on the field in one of the best lineups in baseball. Rushing has held his own as the backup to Smith in his first taste of big-league pitching, batting .244 (11-for-45) with a homer, nine RBI and eight runs scored in 16 games. His DFS upside is limited in the nine-hole, but it's still Coors Field against a struggling rookie hurler.

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Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper (hand) was able to take part in batting practice ahead of Wednesday's game against the Houston Astros. This is a good sign in Harper's recovery after he was able to go through his pre-game routine on Tuesday. The hope is that Harper keeps making progress and can return to the lineup by the end of the week. Harper has been sidelined since early June due to wrist inflammation. Fantasy managers should stay tuned for more updates as Harper appears to be on the verge of returning.

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Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr. (hamstring) was forced to make an early exit from Wednesday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Robert was taken out of the contest in the first inning due to left hamstring tightness. Luckily, Robert appears to have avoided serious injury and is currently considered day-to-day. The 27-year-old has been struggling with the bat, so maybe a few days off might be helpful. The expectation is that Michael A. Taylor and Austin Slater will see increased playing time while Robert is sidelined.

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New York Yankees starting pitcher Clarke Schmidt will have his next start pushed back to Saturday, according to manager Aaron Boone. The Yankees have decided to be cautious with Schmidt and give him an extra day of rest. This move will mean Will Warren takes the mound on Friday and Schmidt starts against the Athletics. Schmidt has looked sharp on the mound lately with three straight scoreless outings. The right-hander has only allowed three earned runs over his last five starts. Hopefully everything is fine with Schmidt because he's pitching extremely well right now.

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Colorado Rockies outfielder Brenton Doyle is absent from the starting lineup ahead of Wednesday's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. This comes after Doyle went 0-for-5 with three strikeouts during Tuesday's loss. That being said, it looks like Doyle could use a day off to rest and recover. Doyle has struggled in the month of June with six hitless performances over his last 10 games. Sam Hilliard will take over in center field and bat ninth against right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

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St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar is out of the starting lineup ahead of Wednesday's game against the Chicago Cubs. This appears to be a routine rest day for Nootbaar versus a left-handed starting pitcher. Nootbaar has been swinging a hot bat lately with seven hits, three homers, and seven RBI over his last five games. In his absence, Brendan Donovan will shift to left field while Thomas Saggese covers second base versus left-hander Matthew Boyd on Wednesday. Fantasy managers should adjust their lineups with Nootbaar on the bench for this one.

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Updating a previous report, Texas Rangers outfielder Wyatt Langford (side) is out of Wednesday's starting lineup against the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards due to left-side tightness. Langford will go for testing when the Rangers return home from Baltimore, but there seems to be less concern than with first baseman Jake Burger, who went on the 10-day injured list on Saturday with a strained left oblique. The Rangers have a day off for travel on Thursday, but fantasy managers should automatically assume that Langford will return for Friday's series opener against the division-rival Seattle Mariners. Remember, the 23-year-old former first-rounder dealt with a mild oblique injury that kept him out for a while back in spring training, so the Rangers won't rush him back with the All-Star break looming. Alejandro Osuna and Sam Haggerty could pick up starts in left if Langford misses additional time.

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New York Mets third baseman Mark Vientos (hamstring) could be activated from the 10-day injured list on Thursday, according to manager Carlos Mendoza. The Mets will decide on whether to activate Vientos for the series finale against the division-rival Atlanta Braves on Thursday or give him an extra day off after playing in the minor leagues on Tuesday and Wednesday. If Vientos doesn't return on Thursday, he should be back for Friday's series opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The 25-year-old has been out since early June with a strained right hamstring, but he's on the cusp of a return to the big leagues and should return to regular starting duties at the hot corner in Queens despite his slow start to the 2025 season. Vientos broke out in 2024 with a career-high 27 homers and 71 RBI, but so far he's hit just .230 (43-for-187) with six homers and 21 RBI in 53 games in 2025.

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The St. Louis Cardinals announced on Wednesday that they placed outfielder Jordan Walker (appendix) on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to June 23) with appendicitis and recalled infielder Jose Fermin from Triple-A Memphis in a corresponding move. Walker will most likely require an appendectomy, which will probably keep him out of action through the mid-July All-Star break. It's more bad news for the 23-year-old former top prospect, who just hasn't been able to break through at the big-league level. Walker also missed time this season with a wrist injury, and when he returned recently, he hasn't been playing as much for the Cardinals. Overall, he's batting a disappointing .210/.267/.295 with a .562 OPS, three home runs, 23 RBI, 21 runs and three steals in 176 at-bats. Walker is running out of chances in St. Louis.

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The St. Louis Cardinals announced on Wednesday that they optioned right-hander Michael McGreevy to Triple-A Memphis and recalled right-hander Matt Svanson from Memphis in a corresponding move. McGreevy, the team's No. 9 prospect per MLB Pipeline, has been used as a spot starter for the Cardinals in recent weeks. The 24-year-old had his worst start of the year in Tuesday's win over the Chicago Cubs, allowing five earned runs on seven hits (one homer) while walking one and striking out only one in a no-decision in 4 2/3 innings of work. The 6-foot-4, 220-pounder will go back to the farm to continue his development, but he figures to be back in the big leagues in the second half of 2025 for more spot starts or to enter the rotation permanently if injuries occur. McGreevy doesn't have overpowering stuff and relies on control and location to succeed, limiting his fantasy upside.

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Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II (elbow) is back in center field and is hitting eighth in the batting order for Wednesday's contest at Citi Field against the division-rival New York Mets and right-hander Clay Holmes. Harris departed Tuesday's win over the Mets early after being hit by a pitch in the right elbow, but X-rays came back negative and he's good to go a day later. The 24-year-old former third-rounder in 2019 already has 11 stolen bases and 43 RBI in 78 games in his fourth year in the big leagues, but otherwise he's been a disappointment for fantasy managers, slashing .220/.246/.331 with six home runs and 18 runs scored in 316 plate appearances. Half of his homers have come in June, but otherwise he's gone 13-for-78 (.167) with 22 strikeouts and no walks in 21 games during the month. Harris is hitless in three career at-bats against Holmes.

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New York Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger will take a seat for Wednesday's series finale in Cincinnati against the Reds at Great American Ball Park. Trent Grisham will start in center field and bat leadoff for the Yanks against Reds right-hander Brady Singer. Bellinger continues to play regularly for New York despite the recent return of slugger Giancarlo Stanton, and he's hitting a solid .278 (22-for-79) with two home runs, five doubles, a triple, six RBI, three stolen bases and eight runs scored in 20 games in the month of June. The 29-year-old former MVP and two-time All-Star isn't an elite fantasy asset, but he's been productive across the board in pinstripes with 10 homers, 38 RBI, 37 runs and seven steals in 273 at-bats. Grisham surprisingly has 15 long balls on the year, but he's hit only two in June while batting .206 (14-for-68). He's hitless in three career at-bats against Singer.

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