Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (hand) is back in center field and will bat in his customary leadoff spot for Friday's series opener at Target Field against the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates and right-hander Paul Skenes. Buxton was hit by a pitch on his left hand in Wednesday's win over the Chicago Cubs, but thankfully he didn't suffer any fractures and will return on Friday after sitting out on Thursday. Although the matchup isn't an ideal one, Buxton enters Friday's action as one of five players to lead their team in home runs (20), RBI (53) and stolen bases (17). The 31-year-old veteran is hitting .270/.338/.544 with an .881 OPS while also scoring 60 runs in 285 at-bats. If Buxton can stay healthy in the second half, 2025 should easily be a career year for him. In eight games in July so far, he's gone 5-for-29 (.172) with a homer, two doubles, two RBI and two steals.

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Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson (hand) will miss a third straight game for Friday's series opener against the visiting Toronto Blue Jays in Sacramento. With Wilson still nursing a left-hand injury, Max Muncy will shift to shortstop and will bat seventh against Blue Jays right-hander Max Scherzer. Wilson is being considered day-to-day, so there's hope he could return to the lineup for one of the final two days of the first half of the regular season on Saturday or Sunday before next week's All-Star break. Believe it or not, the 23-year-old Wilson ranks second in MLB (behind Aaron Judge) with a .335 average (111-for-331) despite having one of the shortest and slowest swings in the game. Wilson's xBA of .290 is still strong, but it foreshadows regression in the second half. Muncy is hitting only .218 in his first 52 MLB games, but he does have eight homers.

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Detroit Tigers right-handed pitching prospect Sawyer Gipson-Long (neck) completed a bullpen session on Thursday. Gipson-Long was placed on the 15-day injured list on July 2 with a neck strain. This was the first time the Mercer product was able to complete a bullpen session since being placed on the injured list. Through 23 innings this season, Gipson-Long posted a 4.70 ERA with a strong 1.09 WHIP. During this stretch, Gipson-Long tallied 18 strikeouts while showing elite command, allowing walks at a 4.3% rate. Gipson-Long made his MLB debut during the 2023 campaign and held a 2.70 ERA with a 1.10 WHIP through 20 innings. He was unable to pitch in the majors in 2024 due to Tommy John surgery. When he is cleared to return, he will likely be deployed in a long relief role, which will limit his fantasy value.

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Los Angeles Angels first baseman Nolan Schanuel (calf) is starting at first base and batting second for Friday's series opener against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks and right-hander Ryne Nelson. Schanuel was held out of Thursday's series finale against the Texas Rangers as a precaution due to tightness in his calf, but he's feeling fine a day later and will return for the start of the final series of the first half of the regular season. The 23-year-old left-handed hitter has gone 9-for-38 (.237) with a homer, seven RBI and two runs scored in nine games so far in the month of July. On the season, he's hitting .267/.356/.394 and lacks high-end power (eight home runs) that most fantasy managers are looking for at the first base position. Elsewhere, Schanuel ranks in the sixth percentile in hard-hit rate and the 55th percentile in xwOBA.

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Houston Astros infield prospect Brice Matthews is starting at second base and is batting eighth in his major-league debut for Friday's series opener against the division-rival Texas Rangers and right-hander Jack Leiter at Daikin Park. Matthews, who is ranked as the team's top prospect per MLB Pipeline, was called up from Triple-A Sugar Land after slashing .283/.400/.476 with an .876 OPS, 10 home runs, 39 RBI, 51 runs scored and 25 steals in 73 games on the farm. It remains to be seen how long the 23-year-old right-handed hitter will be up with the Astros and if he'll stick around through the All-Star break, but the Astros need Jose Altuve in their banged-up outfield right now. At the very least, Matthews' raw power/speed combination is worthy of waiver-wire consideration in the short term in deep-mixed and AL-only leagues.

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Cincinnati Reds third base prospect Cam Collier has held a .296/.425/.366 line through his first 21 games with Double-A Chattanooga. Collier earned a promotion to Double-A earlier in June and has shown elite contact skills with a strong eye at the plate during his first look. However, his power has yet to translate to this level as he has tallied just five extra-base hits (all doubles). He has only struck out 20 times and drawn an impressive 15 walks. Earlier in the season, the No. 62-ranked prospect on MLB.com posted a .293/.370/.415 line with High-A before earning the promotion. Last season, the former 18th overall pick spent most of his season with High-A, where he held a .248/.355/.443 line. If Collier can begin to hit for power, he could be in the mix to earn a brief taste of Triple-A towards the end of the regular season.

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Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll is taking the day off for Friday's series opener on the road against the Los Angeles Angels with left-hander Tyler Anderson on the mound. Instead, veteran Randal Grichuk will start in right field and will hit sixth versus Anderson. It will be Carroll's day of rest since he came off the injured list last Friday. In the six games since his return from a wrist ailment, the former National League Rookie of the Year has gone just 5-for-26 (.192) with a homer, double, triple, three RBI, four runs and a steal in 28 plate appearances, but he's also carrying a modest four-game hitting streak into the weekend series in Anaheim. The 24-year-old should be back on Saturday and should be returned to all starting fantasy lineups. Grichuk will be a viable DFS sleeper who has hit .308 with a homer and two RBI in 13 career at-bats against Anderson.

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Washington Nationals third base prospect Brady House has enjoyed a productive week at the plate in the major leagues. Over his last six games, the No. 3-ranked prospect in the system has held a solid .280/.308/.320 line with a double and three RBI. Prior to this stretch, he held a much lower .232/.267/.286 line with just three doubles and a 16:3 K:BB over his last 14 contests. Under the hood, House boasts a .291 xBA, and it appears he is beginning to see some positive regression. Earlier in the summer, House was one of the most productive hitters at Triple-A, posting a .304/.353/.519 line through 65 games. During this stint, he went deep 13 times. Fantasy managers should continue to expect House to see nearly every day opportunity in the Washington lineup.

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Boston Red Sox infield prospect Marcelo Mayer is expected to see the majority of the opportunities at second base going forward. Mac Cerullo of The Boston Herald noted that Ceddanne Rafaela could factor in as well, especially when facing lefties. However, it appears the top prospect is expected to have an everyday role in the Boston starting nine going forward. Over his last 12 contests, Mayer has begun to find his footing in the big leagues, posting a strong 297/.297/.432 slash line with three doubles, one triple, and three RBI. Through 37 total games with Boston, Mayer has posted a .224/.263/.411 line with four long balls. Given that Mayer is expected to see significant playing time going forward, he is worth adding in all standard leagues.

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The Houston Astros placed outfielder Jake Meyers (calf) on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to July 10) on Friday with a right-calf strain and recalled infield prospect Brice Matthews from the minors in a corresponding move, according to MLB.com's Brian McTaggart. Infielder/outfielder Zach Dezenzo (hand) was also moved to the 60-day IL. Meyers aggravated his right calf injury in his return to action on Wednesday against the Cleveland Guardians and will now be out through next week's All-Star break. It remains to be seen if the 29-year-old center fielder will be ready to return for the start of the second half of the season on July 18. Despite a lack of power (three homers), the former 13th-rounder has hit a strong .308 (89-for-289) with 21 RBI, 47 runs and 14 steals in 2025. Taylor Trammell is starting in center on Friday, but Kenedy Corona could also factor in with Meyers on the shelf.

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The Tampa Bay Rays placed infielder Brandon Lowe (oblique) on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to July 8) on Friday with left-oblique tightness and recalled infielder Curtis Mead from Triple-A Durham in a corresponding move. Lowe initially injured his oblique in Sunday's game against the Minnesota Twins, and now he'll be out through the All-Star break next week. The 31-year-old left-handed slugger will be eligible to return for the start of the second half of the season on July 18, but he might need more time to recover given the nature of his injury. The two-time All-Star is having one of the finest seasons of his career, batting .272/.324/.487 with 19 homers and 50 RBI, so he's worth stashing in most fantasy formats while he rehabs. Jose Caballero is starting at the keystone for the Rays on Friday against Boston, but Taylor Walls and Mead will also be options at second with Lowe out.

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The New York Mets announced on Friday that they reinstated right-hander Kodai Senga (hamstring) from the 15-day injured list and optioned right-hander Justin Hagenman to Triple-A Syracuse in a corresponding move. Senga will return from a near month-long absence due to a strained right hamstring to face the Kansas City Royals in the series opener on Friday. The 32-year-old Japanese hurler is typically a must-start in fantasy, but he'll have a considerably lower ceiling in his first start back after only throwing 68 pitches in his lone minor-league rehab start. As a result, the Mets will most likely be cautious with his pitch count on Friday, and Senga is unlikely to go very deep against KC despite the solid matchup. Before his injury, Senga was having a fine 2025 season, recording a sharp 1.47 ERA and 1.11 WHIP with 70 strikeouts and 30 walks in 73 2/3 innings.

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The New York Mets announced on Friday that they placed outfielder Jesse Winker (back) on the 10-day injured list with back inflammation and recalled infielder Jared Young from Triple-A Syracuse in a corresponding move. Winker had just returned from the 60-day IL due to an oblique injury not long ago, but now he's headed back to the shelf and won't be available to the Mets until sometime in the second half of the season. In the meantime, Mark Vientos is expected to see more playing time in the designated hitter spot for the Mets. Winker has only been able to play in 26 games in 2025 in his first full year in New York, and he's hit jut .229 (16-for-70) with a homer, 10 RBI, eight runs scored and one stolen base. It's unclear if Winker will be ready to return to the Mets shortly after the start of the second half of the season later this month.

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Boston Red Sox third baseman Alex Bregman (quadriceps) was officially activated from the 10-day injured list on Friday and is starting at third and batting second at Fenway Park against the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays and right-hander Drew Rasmussen. Rookie Marcelo Mayer will move over to second base and will hit seventh. Bregman is back in action for the first time since suffering a strained quad muscle in late May, and he should be returned to fantasy lineups immediately. The Red Sox will ease him back into the fold this weekend and give him the day off on Saturday before he returns on Sunday to close out the first half of the season. The 31-year-old two-time All-Star was one of the team's most consistent hitters before his injury, and he's also batting .273 with a home run and three RBI in 11 career at-bats against Rasmussen.

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MLB.com's Jordan Bastian suggests that the Chicago Cubs could look for help at third base at this year's trade deadline with rookie Matt Shaw continuing to struggle. The Cubs gave the slumping Shaw a day off for Wednesday's series finale against the Minnesota Twins, as the 23-year-old former first-rounder is now hitting just .200 (41-for-205) with two homers, 15 RBI, 28 runs, 11 stolen bases and 45 strikeouts in 61 games in his first year in the majors. Names like Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suarez and Pirates 3B Ke'Bryan Hayes could be available later this month. The Cubs still believe that Shaw can be the long-term answer at third, but they may be inclined to add another third base bat if they think it will improve their chances of winning the rest of this season. Shaw's average exit velocity (83.2 mph) and hard-hit rate (26.9%) are ranked near the bottom of all MLB hitters.

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Colorado Rockies infielder Thairo Estrada (thumb) is out of the team's starting lineup on Friday against the hosting Cincinnati Reds for the third straight game while dealing with a jammed left thumb. Kyle Farmer will get the starting nod at second base and will hit in the eight-hole in the series opener against Reds rookie right-hander Chase Burns. The good news for Estrada is that X-rays on his injured thumb came back negative. However, it's unclear if the 29-year-old will be able to return to the Rockies lineup on Saturday or Sunday before next week's All-Star break. The Venezuelan infielder has hit a solid .284 (33-for-116) in 29 games in 2025, but he isn't going to provide fantasy managers with much power (two homers), and he's stolen only one base after putting up consecutive 20-steal seasons with the Giants in 2022 and 2023.

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Milwaukee Brewers left-hander DL Hall will serve as the opener for Friday's series opener at American Family Field against the visiting Washington Nationals, with right-hander Quinn Priester serving as the bulk reliever, according to MLB.com's Adam McCalvy. Hall could give a bit more length than a traditional opener, as he's gone three innings in both of his opening assignments for the Brew Crew. Still, he won't be around long enough to potentially pick up a win for fantasy managers, so he's not really worth any streaming consideration against the Nats. The 26-year-old southpaw has pitched well overall in just 10 outings (two starts) in 2025, posting a 2.29 ERA and 0.86 WHIP with 13 K's in 19 2/3 frames. Priester, who has a 3.59 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 65:30 K:BB this year in 82 2/3 innings, will be the much more attractive fantasy starter on Friday over Hall.

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St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar (ribs) is starting in left field and will bat fifth in Friday's series opener against the visiting Atlanta Braves and right-hander Grant Holmes at Busch Stadium. Nootbaar has been bothered by a rib injury dating back to last week, and he was forced out of Thursday's contest prematurely with soreness. However, the 27-year-old is feeling good going into the weekend and will wind up returning the very next day. The left-handed-hitting outfielder has hit just .230 on the season for the Cards with 12 home runs. Nootbaar has been slightly better so far in July, going 7-for-27 (.259) with a homer, two doubles, two RBI and five runs scored in eight games and 30 trips to the plate. Despite the fact he only has 12 homers in 86 games, he's only three homers shy of setting a new career-high. Nootbaar has gone hitless in just one at-bat against Holmes in his career.

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Mass Live's Chris Cotillo expects Boston Red Sox third baseman Alex Bregman (quadriceps) to come off the 10-day injured list to rejoin the team before Friday's game at Fenway Park against the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays. Bregman should be in the starting lineup on Friday against Rays right-hander Drew Rasmussen after missing 43 games with a strained right quad muscle that he suffered on May 23. With the team sending David Hamilton to Triple-A Worcester on Thursday, it appears that rookie Marcelo Mayer will now occupy second base with Bregman returning. However, Romy Gonzalez, who has started five of the last six games at the keystone, will likely also be in the mix. The 31-year-old Bregman will be Boston's everyday third baseman again, but he'll be rested on Saturday before playing on Sunday in the final game of the first half of the season.

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Sammy Levitt of 97.3 The Fan San Diego reports that San Diego Padres starting pitcher Ryan Bergert (forearm) will be activated from the 15-day injured list ahead of their series opener against the visiting Philadelphia Phillies on Friday. Bergert has been shelved for a few weeks with a right-forearm contusion after a comebacker hit him during his last start against the Washington Nationals, but he's progressed quickly. He'll take the mound against a Phillies squad that's scored the ninth-most runs per game thus far (4.62). The 25-year-old was solid for the Friars before his injury, posting a 2.67 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, and 1-0 record through five starts (nine appearances), but won't have an easy ask against a strong Philadelphia lineup.

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