Chicago Cubs third baseman Matt Shaw is in danger of losing playing time during the second half. Shaw was able to break camp with the MLB roster but struggled during his first look. Through his first 18 games, the former first-round pick posted a .172/.294/.241 slash line with just one long ball and a double. He was then optioned to Triple-A Iowa, where he began to find his swing and made a quick return to Chicago. During his first 20 games in his second stint, the former top prospect appeared to be rounding into form, posting a strong .311/.346/.446 line with seven doubles and a round-tripper. However, over his 25 games since, Shaw has posted a low .107 AVG with a .344 OPS. In addition, Shaw has begun to lose playing time to Jon Berti and Vidal Brujan. With the Cubs already linked to several of the top third basemen on the trade market, Shaw could find himself back at Iowa for most of the second half. He is only worth holding on your bench in deeper 12+ team leagues for now.

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Boston Red Sox infield prospect Marcelo Mayer has begun to find his swing and could be poised to break out in the second half. Over his final five games before the All-Star break. Mayer has held a .313/.353/.500 slash line with three doubles, two RBI, and three runs. Before this recent surge, the former fourth overall pick held a .217 AVG over his last eight contests. In addition, Boston recently noted that Mayer will be the primary second baseman going forward with Alex Bregman back in action. This is a great sign for the top prospect as he is beginning to find his swing and is not in any danger of losing playing time. Under the hood, he has generated an elite 52.5% hard-hit rate with a 74.2 mph bat speed. Despite his slow start, he is worth rostering in all 12-team formats in the second half.

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Tampa Bay Rays right-handed pitcher Joe Boyle could have a very limited role when the Rays open the second half with a weekend series against the Baltimore Orioles. During the final two weeks of the first half, the Rays deployed Boyle as a bulk relief option behind starting pitcher Drew Rasmussen, who was put on a strict innings limit. However, Marc Topkin of The Tampa Bay Times reported that Rasmussen is expected to open the second half with a regular workload. As a result, Boyle will likely only pitch a limited amount out of the bullpen, or he could even be a candidate to return to Triple-A Durham. Through three outings in Tampa Bay this season, Boyle has tossed 14 innings to the tune of a 1.29 ERA and a 0.71 WHIP while holding a 15:5 K:BB. At Triple-A, Boyle struck out 96 batters through 73 innings pitched. Due to his strikeout upside, he is worth holding in deeper 12+ team leagues for the time being.

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Houston Astros infield prospect Brice Matthews has struggled to find his footing during his first taste of the major leagues. Matthews made his MLB debut on July 11 but has gone 0-for-7 during his first two games in Houston. During this stretch, he has struck out five times and drawn a walk. His rough start also sent him to the bench during Houston's final game before the All-Star break. Fantasy managers should continue to keep a close eye on his status as the Astros could option him back to Triple-A if these struggles continue. Through his first two games, Matthews has covered the keystone. However, once Jake Meyers, Yordan Alvarez, or Jeremy Pena return, Matthews could be in danger of losing his roster spot. Earlier this season at Triple-A, the top prospect in Houston held a strong .283/.400/.476 line with 10 home runs and 25 stolen bases. Given his five-category potential, he is worth holding in all deeper 12+ team leagues for the time being.

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Los Angeles Dodgers right-handed pitcher Bobby Miller spent most of the 2025 season with Triple-A Oklahoma City, and he has struggled. Across 64.2 innings at Triple-A, Miller owns a 5.15 ERA, 1.56 WHIP, and just a 2.4 percent strikeout minus walk rate. The latter mark is the fourth worst among all starters at Triple-A this season with at least 50 innings. It's been a frustrating couple of years for the flamethrowing right-hander, as he's made just one start in the majors this season at home against the Rockies, and coughed up six runs in three innings. After looking like one of baseball's brightest young starters in 2023, it's been a nightmarish two years to follow. Only 26 years old, he'll look to bounce back in the second half and generate some positive momentum.

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The Pittsburgh Pirates acquired infielder Cam Devanney from the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday in exchange for veteran infielder/outfielder Adam Frazier, the Pirates announced. The Pirates have optioned Devanney to Triple-A Indianapolis, where he'll serve as middle-infield depth. The 28-year-old former 15th-round selection in 2019 out of Elon University by the Milwaukee Brewers has the ability to play pretty much every infield position and can also serve as an outfielder in a pinch, which will increase his odds of making his MLB debut in Pittsburgh later this year. In 69 games at Triple-A Omaha in the first half of 2025, Devanney hit .272/.366/.565 with a .931 OPS, 18 home runs, 55 RBI, 41 runs scored and three steals in 288 trips to the plate. He's a .253 hitter in six minor-league seasons and had a career-high 23 bombs in 2022.

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Baltimore Orioles outfield prospect Dylan Beavers enjoyed an exciting first half as he stuffed the stat sheet, hitting .311/.405/.482 (141 wRC+) with 10 homers and 20 stolen bases in 305 plate appearances. He is one of only six hitters at Triple-A this season to record at least 10 homers and 20 steals, including the recently promoted Brice Matthews. Beavers pairs this enticing power and speed skillset with a refined approach at the plate, with 41 walks to 52 strikeouts for the year. The quality of contact is more modest, however, with a 39 percent hard-hit rate and 8.2 percent barrel rate. While the upside may not be as high as other guys, Beavers still ranks as the number five prospect in the Orioles system and could debut after the trade deadline.

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New York Mets shortstop prospect Jett Williams performed admirably in the first half of 2025, hitting .288/.396.495 with eight homers and 26 stolen bases over 334 plate appearances. His batting average and stolen base total both rank top five among all Double-A hitters. In addition, Williams' 164 wRC+ is the highest in the league. The 21-year-old has a sound approach at the plate with the ability to spray line drives to all parts of the field, which is an excellent combination with his amazing speed. He has some pop as well, with 13 homers over 534 plate appearances across multiple levels in 2023. Williams is moving quickly through the Mets' system, and a promotion to Triple-A Syracuse could soon be on the horizon. He should be viewed as a strong asset in dynasty leagues.

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Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton has never looked like a realistic trade candidate approaching the July 31 deadline. Nevertheless, Buxton addressed speculation at All-Star festivities in Atlanta this week and made it clear that he isn't going anywhere. In fact, the 31-year-old expects to spend his entire career with the Twins. "I've got a no-trade clause -- I'm a Minnesota Twin for the rest of my life," Buxton told reporters, including Phil Miller of the Minnesota Star Tribune. Buxton's no-trade clause came as part of a seven-year, $100 million extension that took effect in 2022. A member of the Twins organization since going second overall in the 2012 draft, Buxton has been one of the majors' most electrifying players when healthy. Injuries have been an all-too-frequent problem during his career, though, and have held him to just two seasons of 100-plus games. For the most part, Buxton has stayed healthy this year, which may go down as a career campaign. He deservedly earned his second All-Star nod after slashing .289/.351/.574 with 21 homers, 56 RBI, 64 runs scored, and 17 stolen bases over 78 games and 333 plate appearances during the first half. Buxton had his best game of the season last Saturday, when he hit for the cycle and went 5-for-5 in a win over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

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Los Angeles Angels third baseman Yoan Moncada is garnering interest from "multiple" teams leading up to the July 31 trade deadline, Francys Romero reports. Romero names the Yankees, Cubs, Brewers, and Mariners as potential fits for Moncada. There is some question as to whether the Angels will trade Moncada, as the team is four games out of a wild-card spot and still has an outside chance at a playoff berth. In the event of a trade, the soon-to-be free agent would be a pure rental for any acquiring club. Previously with the White Sox, Moncada joined the Angels on a $5 million deal last winter and has performed well when healthy. The 30-year-old has taken 135 trips to the plate and batted a respectable .231/.326/.479 with seven home runs and 21 RBI. However, Moncada has a long history of injuries and has only appeared in 36 of the Angels' 96 games this season while dealing with multiple ailments. Knee inflammation kept Moncada out from June 2 to July 8, and the switch-hitter has gone 4-for-20 with one homer in eight games since returning. If Moncada comes out of the All-Star break with a healthy and productive two weeks, it would boost his modest trade value to some degree.

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The San Diego Padres have activated first baseman/outfielder Gavin Sheets from the paternity list, according to Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune. He'll take the roster spot of catcher Luis Campusano, whom the Padres optioned to Triple-A El Paso. Sheets ended up missing just one game, a 2-1 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday. The 29-year-old was a surprise success story in the first half of the season for the Padres after settling for a minor-league contract over the winter. While Sheets generally struggled with the White Sox from 2021-24, he has slashed a productive .265/.324/.451 with 14 homers, 50 RBI, and 36 runs scored in 349 plate appearances this year. He's already just one HR and three RBI away from tying his career-high marks in those categories. Furthermore, Sheets ranks in the league's 82nd percentile or better in xwOBA, xBA, xSLG, hard-hit rate, and bat speed, which bodes well heading into the stretch run.

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The San Diego Padres have their rotation in place for this weekend's road series against the Washington Nationals. They'll begin the second half of the season with right-handers Dylan Cease (Friday), Yu Darvish (Saturday), and Nick Pivetta (Sunday) taking on a Washington offense that ranks 18th in the majors in runs and 22nd in OPS (.700). Cease has disappointed this year and carries an awful 6.27 road ERA through a 10-start, 51 2/3-inning span. Darvish missed the first three months of the season with elbow inflammation, and the results haven't been pretty in his first two starts back. The 38-year-old has coughed up six earned runs on eight hits with 7:6 K:BB in 8 1/3 innings. Pivetta, on the other hand, has been a resounding success this season, though he has been a lot more effective at home (2.07 ERA in 65 1/3 innings) than on the road (4.09 in 44 frames). He dominated the Nationals in a home win on June 25, throwing seven scoreless, three-hit innings with a season-high 10 strikeouts.

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Minnesota Twins Zebby Matthews (shoulder) struck out nine and allowed no hits and one walk over four shutout innings in Sunday's rehab start for Triple-A St. Paul. This was the first time on the mound for Matthews since June 4 while recovering from a shoulder strain. His fastball topped out at around 97 to 98 mph. The 25-year-old went (1-1) with a 5.21 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, and 25:8 K:BB in only 19 innings over his first four starts for the Twins. Matthews could be headed back to the majors soon after the All-Star break, and fantasy managers in 12+ team leagues should continue to stash him for the second half.

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The Miami Marlins announced on Wednesday that they acquired right-hander Michael Petersen from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for cash considerations and optioned him to Triple-A Jacksonville. In a corresponding move, the team transferred right-hander Jesus Tinoco (forearm) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL. Petersen made four relief appearances for the Braves this year, allowing three earned runs on seven hits (one homer) while walking two and striking out five in 6 2/3 frames. The 31-year-old has only thrown 26 1/3 innings in the big leagues and has a 5.47 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 19:13 K:BB in 20 relief appearances. Tinoco has been out since early June with a strained right forearm and won't be eligible to return from the IL until Aug. 5. The Venezuelan reliever had a 5.12 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, a career-high four saves and 10 K's in 19 1/3 innings before his injury.

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Houston Astros right-hander Spencer Arrighetti (thumb) could begin a rehab assignment in seven to 10 days, according to Astros general manager Dana Brown. Brown said that Arrighetti has resumed throwing live batting practice sessions and could start his rehab assignment soon. The 25-year-old made just two starts before being placed on the injured list in April with a fractured right thumb. He will likely need multiple outings to build up his pitch count before he would be cleared to rejoin the Astros rotation. Fantasy managers with an IL spot should continue to stash Arrighetti as he could return to the Astros at some point in early to mid-August.

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Baltimore Orioles right-hander Kyle Bradish (elbow) had Tommy John surgery with internal bracing performed in June 2024. Interim Orioles manager Tony Mansolino said recently that Bradish will throw at least one more live batting practice session before beginning a minor-league rehab assignment. The 28-year-old has already thrown a few live bullpen sessions and should be cleared to start his rehab assignment soon after the All-Star break. Barring any setbacks during the rehab assignment, Bradish could be ready to rejoin Baltimore's rotation by mid-August. Fantasy managers with an open IL spot should continue to stash Bradish after he posted a 2.75 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and a 53:15 K:BB across 39 1/3 innings last season before getting injured.

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New York Yankees right-hander Luis Gil (lat) made a pitching appearance in a game for the first time since October 2024, allowing two hits, a walk, and an earned run while striking out six across 3 1/3 innings. Gil continues to recover from a lat strain and was pulled after 50 pitches. He will likely need a few more rehab outings as the Yankees could consider activating him from the injured list once he reaches 75 pitches. If not, 90 pitches would be the return threshold. Gil posted a 3.50 ERA and 1.19 WHIP over 151 2/3 innings with 171 strikeouts last season. Fantasy managers should continue to stash Gil as he could rejoin the Yankees' rotation by the end of July.

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Los Angeles Dodgers right-handed reliever Blake Treienen (forearm) made his third minor-league rehab appearance on Tuesday in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League and allowed a solo home run while walking none and striking out one in his inning of work. In his three innings on the farm during his rehab assignment, the 36-year-old veteran hurler has allowed two runs (one earned) while striking out four and walking one. It's unclear how much longer he'll be on his rehab assignment, but barring a setback with his forearm, we'd suspect he'll rejoin the big-league bullpen shortly after the start of the second half of the season this Friday. Treinen has two saves in just eight appearances in 2025 and 82 saves in 11 big-league seasons, so he could see more work in the ninth inning in the second half for the Blue, especially if lefty Tanner Scott continues to be inconsistent.

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Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal will make his first start of the second half of the season this Sunday in the series finale on the road against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park, per the Detroit News' Chris McCosky. Right-hander Reese Olson will kick off the second half in Friday's series opener in Texas, while the team has listed their starter for Saturday as to be determined. Skubal's final start in the first half was perhaps one of his worst all year, as he gave up four earned runs on four hits (one homer) while walking two and striking out five in a loss to the Seattle Mariners. Last year's American League Cy Young winner also allowed two earned runs on three hits in just an inning of work in Tuesday's All-Star game, so he's not exactly going into the second half on a high note. Still, Skubal remains one of the best pitchers in the game and will be facing a Rangers offense that ranks 25th in OPS (.676).

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The Texas Rangers will open the second half of the season this Friday at Globe Life Park against the visiting Detroit Tigers with left-hander Patrick Corbin on the mound, per Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News. Corbin will be followed by rookie right-hander Kumar Rocker on Saturday and righty Nathan Eovaldi for the series finale on Sunday. Right-hander Jacob deGrom will get a bit of extra rest coming out of the All-Star break. It won't be easy sledding for any of Corbin, Rocker or Eovaldi against the first-place Tigers, a team that ranks sixth in baseball with an OPS of .749 heading into the second half. deGrom, 37, has a pretty lengthy injury history, and the Rangers want to keep him healthy the rest of the way. He finished the first half by picking up quality starts in seven of his last eight starts while going 5-0 in a span of 49 innings. deGrom should face the A's early next week in a plus matchup.

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