Cincinnati Reds right-hander Hunter Greene (back, groin) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session in Boston on Wednesday, according to FOX 19's Charlie Goldsmith. If Greene comes out of that session fine, he'll throw again in Philadelphia before embarking on a minor-league rehab assignment. The 25-year-old's rehab process from a back and groin injury has gone well, but fantasy managers should not expect to have him back until the start of the second half of the season in late July. He last made a start for the Reds on June 3 versus the Milwaukee Brewers. Despite the long layoff, Greene is deserving of being stashed in an IL spot in all fantasy leagues. Before his injury, the hard-throwing hurler had gone 4-3 with a 2.72 ERA and 0.97 WHIP with 73 strikeouts and 14 walks in 59 2/3 innings over his 11 starts as the Reds' ace.

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Atlanta Braves right-hander Spencer Strider gave up two runs and five hits in seven innings in the loss to the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday, his longest start since September of 2023. Strider had only four strikeouts, though, the first time he had fewer than six K's in nine career starts of seven frames or more. The 26-year-old's velocity isn't quite what it was before he had elbow surgery in April of last year, but he has improved his fastball velocity steadily while also improving his secondary pitches. He has a 2.25 ERA in his last four starts and an MLB-leading 33 K's in 24 innings during that span after having a 5.40 ERA in his first five starts in 2025. While Strider's 2025 season has been far from perfect, he could easily return to his pre-injury form in the second half and be a fantasy ace. Fantasy managers should lock him into their lineups for his next outing against the Baltimore Orioles.

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Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar will be back in the team's starting lineup on Wednesday against the visiting Los Angeles Angels after serving an 80-game suspension for performance-enhancing drugs. Profar played just four games with the Braves before being hit with the 80-game suspension, but he's coming off a career year with the San Diego Padres in which he hit .280 with 24 home runs, 85 RBI and an .839 OPS, which was more than 100 points above his career .725 OPS. Even if the 31-year-old doesn't come close to matching that kind of output upon his return, he should at least provide an offensive boost from what Atlanta was getting from Eli White and Alex Verdugo in left field. Manager Brian Snitker said he plans to hit Profar in the heart of the order upon his return, which will give him plenty of chances to drive in runs for fantasy managers.

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Toronto Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said that outfielder/designated hitter Anthony Santander (shoulder) is getting close to starting a hitting progression. Atkins also said that Santander suffered a left-shoulder subluxation (partial separation) when he crashed into the outfield wall in early May in a game against the Los Angeles Angels. After being a first-time All-Star in 2024 in his final year with the Baltimore Orioles, Santander has been a big free-agent bust so far in 2025 in Toronto, slashing .179/.273/.304 with a .577 OPS, only six home runs, 18 RBI and 55 strikeouts in 209 plate appearances before his shoulder injury. It's good news that the 30-year-old Venezuelan is close to resuming baseball activities, but he won't be back until after the All-Star break as he looks to turn around his awful first half with the Jays.

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The Athletics announced on Monday that they optioned JJ Bleday to Triple-A Las Vegas and recalled outfield prospect Colby Thomas from Las Vegas in a corresponding move. Bleday is hitting just .191/.288/.358 on the season with a .645 OPS, eight home runs, 22 RBI, 30 runs, one stolen base and a 57:28 K:BB in 62 games in his third year with the team. After rejoining the big-league squad a month ago after a stay on the farm, the 27-year-old left-handed hitter started just nine of 26 games and hit .135/.273/.324 with a strikeout rate over 35 percent. The former first-rounder by the Miami Marlins in 2019 out of Vanderbilt did hit a career-high 20 home runs last year in Oakland, but he's quickly fallen out of favor with an A's team that isn't afraid to give their young prospects a shot the rest of the 2025 season.

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The Athletics announced on Monday that they reinstated catcher Shea Langeliers (oblique) from the 10-day injured list and optioned catcher Willie MacIver to Triple-A Las Vegas in a corresponding move. Langeliers will return as the team's starting backstop after missing over three weeks with a strained left oblique. The 27-year-old right-handed-hitting catcher went 8-for-13 with a home run in just three minor-league rehab games with Vegas and will be hoping to keep that hot hitting going when he returns to the A's lineup. Fantasy managers should expect him to start right away in Monday's series opener against the hosting Tampa Bay Rays and right-hander Drew Rasmussen. Langeliers swings and misses too much to be a batting-average asset in fantasy, but he has above-average at the weak catching position and is already in double digits in homers with 10 in 207 at-bats.

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St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado (finger) is at the hot corner and is batting fifth for Monday's series opener in Pittsburgh against the division-rival Pirates and left-hander Andrew Heaney at PNC Park. Arenado was lifted early as a precaution in Sunday's series finale against the Cleveland Guardians after he jammed his right index finger while running to first base. The injury wasn't a serious one, but it will be worth watching to see if it affects the 34-year-old veteran at the plate to close out the first half of the season. Arenado has gone hitless in nine career at-bats against Heaney and is in just the 26th percentile in expected slugging percentage. The eight-time All-Star's power is down for a second straight season (10 homers in 79 games), but he has been better at the plate in June, slashing .283/.317/.434 with four homers, three doubles, 14 RBI and 14 runs in 26 games.

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The Philadelphia Phillies activated first baseman Bryce Harper (wrist) from the 10-day injured list on Monday and designated third baseman Buddy Kennedy for assignment in a corresponding move, according to MLB.com's Paul Casella. Harper is back at first base and is hitting third for Monday's series opener against the visiting San Diego Padres and right-hander Matt Waldron. The 32-year-old two-time MVP will skip a minor-league rehab assignment despite missing over three weeks with inflammation in his right wrist. Fantasy managers will want to get him back into their starting lineups immediately against a pitcher who he has a solo home run against in five career at-bats. Harper will be returning to a .258/.368/.446 slash line with an .814 OPS, nine home runs, 34 RBI, 32 runs scored and eight stolen bases in his 213 at-bats.

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Cleveland Guardians right-handed reliever Paul Sewald (shoulder) has made two minor-league rehab appearances with Double-A Akron on June 24 and June 27 and could come off the 15-day injured list by mid-July, according to MLB.com. Sewald is working his way back from a right posterior deltoid strain and was originally placed on the IL on April 29. In his three innings of work at Akron on his rehab assignment, the 35-year-old veteran has allowed two earned runs while walking none and striking out three. Despite the fact that Sewald had a 6.17 ERA in 11 2/3 innings of relief for the Guardians before his injury this year, he did have a save, only two walks and 15 strikeouts. He has 85 career saves in the big leagues in his nine seasons and should return to a late-inning setup role in Cleveland in front of closer Emmanuel Clase when he's back.

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Washington Nationals pitching prospect Travis Sykora made his Double-A debut on Sunday with mixed results. Impressively, the right-hander struck out five of the first six batters he faced, however, eight of the next 13 batters reached base via hit or walk. All told, the Nats' top prospect allowed four earned runs on four hits and five walks while striking out six in 3 2/3 innings pitched. Command wasn't an issue before this latest start, registering an 8.0 percent walk rate in the previous 30 starts in his minor league career, which is right around average. Perhaps the 6-foot-6 hurler was working on some things, so look for him to take a step forward in his next start, which should come later this week.

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Cleveland Guardians right-handed reliever Trevor Stephan (elbow) has made six minor-league rehab appearances with Triple-A Columbus, Double-A Akron and the rookie-level Arizona Complex League and most recently threw a scoreless inning with a hit and a strikeout at Akron on Friday, according to MLB.com. In 7 1/3 innings on his rehab assignment, Stephan has allowed five earned runs on nine hits while walking three and striking out nine. The 29-year-old reliever is recovering from UCL reconstruction and has yet to make his 2025 season debut, but MLB.com expects him to return to Cleveland's bullpen at some point in July. When he does finally come off the 60-day injured list, the former third-round pick by the New York Yankees could eventually become a late-inning setup option for the Guards after saving six games in his first three MLB seasons.

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Miami Marlins catching prospect Joe Mack homered on Sunday in a 2-for-4 day at the plate for Triple-A Jacksonville. It was the third home run in his last four games, and thehits extended his current hit streak to six games, during which time he's gone 12-for-25 (.480) with a pair of doubles, three home runs, five RBI, six runs scored, and a stolen base. The 22-year-old also struck out six times compared to just one walk over that span. The left-hand hitting backstop slashed .318/.464/.614 in 13 games at Double-A this season before getting promoted to Triple-A, where he's tallied a .246/.311/.374 slash line over 50 games. The Marlins are deep at the position, with catchers Agustin Ramirez and Liam Hicks already promoted to the majors this year, but if Mack can continue to hit, he could be the next to be called upon if one of them or Nick Fortes were to hit the injured list.

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Cleveland Guardians right-hander Shane Bieber (elbow) is expected to progress to throwing live batting practice this week, according to MLB.com. Bieber threw bullpen sessions featuring all of his pitches on June 24, 26 and 27 as he continues to recover from Tommy John surgery. The 30-year-old veteran is currently on the 60-day injured list but could be activated to make his 2025 season debut by mid-to-late July. Fantasy managers shouldn't be surprised if Bieber doesn't make it back until August, but barring a setback, he's fully expected to rejoin the Guardians' starting rotation at some point in the second half. While Bieber could be useful as a back-of-the-rotation arm in mixed fantasy leagues, expectations should be tempered for a pitcher who looked like he was on the decline before his elbow issues. The former Cy Young winner's velocity and strikeout rates had dropped noticeably in 2023.

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Cleveland Guardians left-hander John Means (elbow) has progressed to throwing live batting practice, per MLB.com. According to president Chris Antonetti, Means' timetable for a return in 2025 is in the late-August to early-September range. The 32-year-old veteran southpaw began throwing off a mound in late June as he attempts to return from a second Tommy John surgery. The former 11th-round pick by the Baltimore Orioles in 2014 out of West Virginia made his lone All-Star team in his second year in the big leagues in 2019, but he has only made 25-plus starts in the majors twice in his seven years in the league. Since 2022, Means has managed to make only 10 starts, although he did have a nice 2.75 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 33:8 K:BB in 52 1/3 innings. Given the fact that Means may not make his big-league return until late this season, fantasy managers can continue to ignore him in most formats.

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San Diego Padres right-hander Yu Darvish (elbow) recovered well from a three-inning, 51-pitch simulated game against Single-A Lake Elsinore on June 25 and then threw a 31-pitch bullpen session on Saturday in Cincinnati, according to MLB.com. Manager Mike Shildt said that Darvish "felt great" afterwards, and the next step could be another simulated game. Darvish is currently on the 60-day injured list and hasn't pitched yet in 2025 for the Padres, but if he continues to progress, he could come off the IL to make his season debut before the mid-July All-Star break. The Friars could surely use the 38-year-old veteran Japanese hurler back with Michael King (shoulder) and Ryan Bergert (forearm) also on the IL. Darvish is no longer in his prime and had a career-low 23.6% strikeout rate last year, but he can still be useful in mixed fantasy leagues in the right matchups.

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Tampa Bay Rays left-hander Shane McClanahan (triceps) got a positive report from Dr. Gregory J. Paul in Texas on June 17 and threw off a mound on June 25. McClanahan is now scheduled to move to a full-intensity bullpen session on Tuesday, July 1, per MLB.com. The 28-year-old southpaw hasn't pitched all year to this point while recovering from nerve irritation in his left triceps. He's currently on the 60-day injured list but could be able to make his 2025 season debut for the Rays at some point in August if he can avoid any further setbacks as he ramps up his throwing program. Although McClanahan still has a ways to go before potentially returning to the big-league rotation, he's worth stashing in all fantasy leagues because of his high-end strikeout upside when he's healthy. He missed all of 2024 while recovering from Tommy John surgery.

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Texas Rangers outfielder Evan Carter went 3-for-4 with a double and two steals in his team's 6-4 loss to the visiting Seattle Mariners. He also singled twice, scored a run, and drew a walk. Carter has heated up to close out the month, notching a hit in seven straight appearances with three multi-hit efforts in that span. He's chipped in three steals during the streak, too, and has been much more productive in June with a .333/.421/.530 through 66 at-bats. The former top prospect's strikeout rate has significantly improved so far, posting a near-ten-point drop from the undesirable 26.5% he sported in 2024 (15.9%).

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Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Brandon Woodruff (ankle, elbow, shoulder) wasn't at his best in his minor-league rehab start on Sunday with Triple-A Nashville, but it's expected to be his last one before making his 2025 debut with the Brewers. Woodruff allowed four earned runs on four hits (one homer) while walking three and striking out one in 3 2/3 innings against Triple-A Jacksonville. The 32-year-old veteran was making his 10th rehab start after multiple setbacks with his ankle and elbow. Woodruff had right-shoulder surgery in the fall of 2023 and missed all of last season, but he's on the cusp of being activated from the injured list to rejoin Milwaukee's starting rotation. He threw 53 of his 82 pitches for strikes and should make his first start of the year this weekend against the Miami Marlins in a great matchup for fantasy purposes. Scoop Woodruff up now off the waiver wire if he's available.

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St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Jordan Walker (appendix) appears to be on track to come off the 10-day injured list on Friday before the series opener at Wrigley Field against the division-rival Chicago Cubs, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Daniel Guerrero. Walker landed on the IL last week due to appendicitis, but he didn't need surgery and has already played in two minor-league rehab games with Triple-A Memphis. The 23-year-old former first-rounder could see his playing time continue to dip upon his return since he's hit just .210/.267/.295 with a career-worst .562 OPS, three home runs, 23 RBI and 63 strikeouts in 191 plate appearances over 55 games in his third year in the big leagues. Walker is currently in the second percentile in strikeout rate and the 16th percentile in chase rate, which doesn't bode well for a rebound in the second half.

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The Athletic's Chandler Rome reports that the Houston Astros have placed shortstop Jeremy Pena (ribs) on the 10-day injured list with a fracture in his ribs. Oof. Pena was plunked by a pitch in the ribs a few days ago, and while initial X-rays returned negative for the Dominican Republic native, new findings have him facing an IL stint. It's unfortunate news for the Astros and fantasy managers, as Pena was a stud from the leadoff spot in 2025. It's unclear precisely how severe the injury is, and there's been no word on a timetable for his return. Teammate Mauricio Dubon has gotten the start at shortstop in his stead over the last two contests, and figures to do so primarily while he's out. However, it's worth noting Dubon hasn't been that effective against right-handed pitching thus far (.227).

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