Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Jordan Hicks was called upon to hold a three-run lead versus the Washington Nationals on Sunday. Normally, Aroldis Chapman serves as the closer in Boston, but he was used in the eighth inning to face James Wood. It wasn't a perfect outing from Hicks, but he was able to get the job done. He walked Brady House who would come around to score and make it a two run game. Hicks was able to get out of the jam and secure his first save of the season. He allowed one hit, one run, one walk, and struck out one batter on Sunday. He's posting an ugly 6.49 ERA, 1.58 WHIP, and 45/22 K/BB ratio across 51.1 innings this season. Hicks has the stuff to be a good high leverage reliever, but we'll see how the Red Sox decide to use him. He figures to split up some of the save chances with Chapman, but it might not be enough to warrant rostering Hicks in most fantasy formats.

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Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Rhys Hoskins (thumb) has suffered a Grade 2 left thumb sprain and will land on the 10-day injured list Monday, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports. Hoskins suffered the injury on Saturday, forcing him to leave early in a loss to the Miami Marlins. He underwent an MRI that confirmed the sprain. The 32-year-old has batted a respectable .242/.340/.428 with 12 home runs and 42 RBI in 318 plate appearances, but he has slumped in recent weeks. Since June 1, Hoskins has hit .170 (15-for-88) with three homers and seven RBI. The Brewers started Jake Bauers in Hoskins' place in a 3-1 win over the Marlins on Sunday.

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Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena (ribs) has yet to resume baseball activities as he recovers from a small fracture in one of his left ribs, general manager Dana Brown said Sunday. However, Brown added that "there's an outside chance" Pena could return before the All-Star break. Pena suffered the injury on June 27 and is eligible to come off the 10-day IL on Tuesday. The Astros are in no position to rush Pena back before he's ready, as they hold a comfortable seven-game lead in the AL West. Pena has been among the main reasons for their success, breaking out with a .322/.378/.489 line, 11 homers, 40 RBI, 48 runs scored, and 15 stolen bases in 350 plate appearances.

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Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Drey Jameson (elbow) is dealing with a bone chip in his elbow that is not expected to require surgery, according to the team. Jameson missed all of last season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, and his elbow has caused problems again this year. He made three appearances out of the Diamondbacks' bullpen in late April before they optioned him to Triple-A Reno. Jameson went on the seven-day injured list in the minors on May 20 with elbow inflammation. He returned to make rehab appearances in the Arizona Complex League on June 24 and June 27, but the Diamondbacks shut him down after the second of those outings. There is no timetable for the 27-year-old's return.

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Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno (finger) is running and receiving pitches, but he's still unable to use his right hand, manager Torey Lovullo said. Moreno has been out for three weeks with a hairline fracture in his right index finger. The Diamondbacks are hopeful that Moreno will be able to return by late July. Before suffering the injury, the 25-year-old hit .270/.324/.414 with five homers, 20 RBI, and 29 runs scored in 188 plate appearances. The Diamondbacks are relying on Jose Herrera and James McCann behind the plate until Moreno returns.

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The Arizona Diamondbacks announced that they have placed designated hitter/first baseman Pavin Smith (oblique) on the 10-day injured list with a strained right oblique. The club selected the contract of infielder Tristin English from Triple-A Reno and placed left-hander Tommy Henry (elbow) on the 60-day IL in corresponding moves. Smith owned a sizzling .342/.473/.630 line through April, but his numbers have fallen off dramatically since then. While the 29-year-old is still hitting a productive .261/.371/.446 in 264 plate appearances, he carries modest counting stats (eight home runs, 28 RBI, and 33 runs scored) and has taken just 17 at-bats against left-handed pitchers. With Smith unavailable, the Diamondbacks are starting Randal Grichuk at DH on Sunday against Kansas City Royals right-hander Michael Lorenzen.

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St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado (shoulder) is out of the starting lineup on Sunday against the Chicago Cubs. Arenado is dealing with a right shoulder impingement that also forced him to sit out Saturday's contest. The 34-year-old downplayed the severity of the injury Sunday, telling reporters that he feels "drastically better" than he did on Saturday. The Cardinals are off on Monday, but Arenado could return Tuesday against the Washington Nationals. Thomas Saggese is starting at third and batting seventh for the Cardinals on Sunday against Cubs left-hander Matthew Boyd.

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Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Brandon Lowe (side) exited the team's game against the Minnesota Twins on Sunday with soreness in his left side. Lowe appeared to injure himself swinging and missing on a strikeout in the first inning. The Rays replaced Lowe in the third inning with Jose Caballero, ending the former's 20-game hitting streak. Lowe has batted an impressive .272/.324/.487 with 19 homers, 50 RBI, 54 runs scored, and three steals across 343 plate appearances. The 31-year-old leads all second basemen in homers and RBI, and he ranks second in runs. The Rays and fantasy managers are hoping he isn't dealing with an injury that will require a stint on the IL.

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Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Cole Ragans (shoulder) appears to be headed in the right direction. Ragans received positive results from his follow-up MRI, according to Royals manager Matt Quatraro. Now, the plan is for Ragans to begin throwing again as early as Monday. The left-hander still has plenty of work ahead of him, but appears to be making the right steps forward now. Ragans has been sidelined since early June due to a shoulder injury. The expectation is that Ragans will be out until late July or early August. Fantasy managers should continue to hold Ragans on their IL, assuming they have a spot available.

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Kansas City Royals infielder Maikel Garcia is out of the starting lineup ahead of Sunday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. This is a rare off day for Garcia who has started in every game since June 3. Garcia could use a rest day after going 6-for-28 at the plate over the last seven games. In his absence, Nick Loftin will take over at third base and bat seventh versus right-hander Anthony DeSclafani on Sunday. Fantasy managers should adjust their lineups with Garcia taking a seat here.

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Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernandez is out of the starting lineup ahead of Sunday's game against the Houston Astros. This appears to be a routine rest day for Hernandez who has started in each of the last three games. During that span, Hernandez has gone 1-for-10 at the plate, so a rest day looks like it's needed. In his absence, Esteury Ruiz will make his first start since being recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City earlier in the week. Ruiz will bat ninth and play right field versus right-hander Ryan Gusto on Sunday.Update: Hernandez is getting scans on his left foot after fouling a ball off it last night, according to manager Dave Roberts. This explains why he's out of Sunday's lineup and could be sidelined for a few days because of the issue.

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San Diego Padres relief pitcher David Morgan will serve as the opener ahead of Sunday's game against the Texas Rangers. It looks like the Padres have decided to go bullpen-game here. The expectation is that Morgan will throw an inning or two before Kyle Hart takes over for the bulk of the innings. Morgan has been a fairly decent option out of the bullpen, but doesn't offer much streaming upside as an opener. Fantasy managers should look elsewhere for help ahead of Sunday's slate.

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Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Daniel Lynch IV (elbow) was placed on the 15-day injured list ahead of Sunday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The left-hander is dealing with left elbow nerve irritation. There is no word on how long Lynch is expected to be sidelined. The expectation is Lynch is probably be sidelined for most of July. He posted a 2.59 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, and 29/22 K/BB ratio across 39 appearances with the Royals this season. In a corresponding move, right-hander Jonathan Bowlan has been recalled to take the spot on the active roster.

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Los Angeles Dodgers infielder/outfielder Tommy Edman is absent from the starting lineup ahead of Sunday's game against the Houston Astros. This appears to be a routine rest day for Edman who has started in each of the last six games. During that span, Edman went 2-for-17 at the plate, so he could use a day off to get his mind back on track. In his absence, Hyeseong Kim will take over second base while Andy Pages covers center field versus right-hander Ryan Gusto on Sunday.

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Colorado Rockies outfielder Kris Bryant (back) has been sidelined most of the season with lumbar degenerative disease. It's a chronic back condition that is likely to require maintenance throughout the rest of his playing time. Bryant recently told reporters that his back isn't responding well when he attempts to run. That being said, Bryant is scheduled to consult with doctors this week regarding an experimental treatment for his back. The 33-year-old is unlikely to play again this season and might not be able to play ever again. Hopefully, Bryant will be able to find a treatment that does help with his issues.

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The Los Angeles Dodgers have promoted right-handed pitcher Emmet Sheehan before his start on Sunday afternoon against the Houston Astros. Sheehan made one start in the majors this season and allowed one run across four innings of work. During this start, he struck out six batters and allowed just three hits. Through 17 2/3 innings at Triple-A this season, Sheehan has flashed elite strikeout upside, tallying 31 while posting a strong 4.58 ERA with a 1.02 WHIP. Sheehan made his MLB debut in 2023 but was shut down during the 2024 campaign, recovering from a hybrid Tommy John operation. In 2023, Sheehan held a 4.92 ERA with 64 strikeouts across his first 60 1/3 MLB innings. Fantasy managers should view Sheehan as a top waiver wire option this weekend, given his high strikeout potential.

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Colorado Rockies outfielder Tyler Freeman (hamstring) is not in Sunday's lineup when the Rockies conclude a series against the White Sox. According to Thomas Harding of MLB.com, the outfielder is dealing with a sore right hamstring. Harding noted that this minor injury has not affected his play. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status in case this injury begins to linger. Freeman has been one of the most productive hitters over the past month. In his last 19 games, Freeman has held .379/.474/.470 slash line with six doubles, nine runs, and seven stolen bases. This afternoon, the Rockies will give prospect Yanquiel Fernandez the starting nod in right field and will bat in the eighth hole. The Rockies are a viable stack in DFS facing right-hander Shane Smith.

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New York Yankees right-handed pitching prospect Cam Schlittler is set to make his MLB debut on either Tuesday or Wednesday, according to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. Schlittler has been one of the most productive pitchers in the Yankee system and is being rewarded with a promotion. Schlittler began the campaign with Double-A but needed just 53 innings to prove he was ready to move up to Triple-A. With Double-A Somerset, Schlittler posted a 2.38 ERA with a 1.21 WHIP. Through 23 2/3 innings with Triple-A, Schlittler was quite impressive, tallying 35 strikeouts while serving up just nine free passes. With Clarke Schmidt (forearm) slated to undergo Tommy John surgery, Schlittler could have a path to remain in the majors for the foreseeable future. He is worth adding in all 12+ team formats.

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New York Yankees second/third baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. (shoulder) is out of the lineup due to a sore shoulder. Bryan Hoch of MLB.com noted that Chisholm has been dealing with this injury for several weeks, and it has affected his throwing more than his hitting. While this injury does not appear to be serious, fantasy managers should expect the Yankees to occasionally keep him out of the lineup to provide him rest. Over his last 11 games, Chisholm has been one of the most productive hitters in the sport, launching five home runs and adding two doubles. The 27-year-old should be expected to return to the starting nine on Tuesday when they begin a series against the Seattle Mariners. This afternoon, Oswald Peraza will cover the hot corner.

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Cincinnati Reds right-handed pitcher Carson Spiers (shoulder) is set to move his rehab assignment to Triple-A on Tuesday. Spiers has been on the 60-day injured list with a right shoulder impingement since April 20. Spiers completed his first rehab assignment in the Arizona Complex League on July 3. In this start, Spiers tossed 2 1/3 shutout innings with two hits, no walks, and four punchouts. Earlier this season, the 27-year-old tossed 13 1/3 innings for the Reds and posted a 6.08 ERA with a 1.50 WHIP. Last season, the right-hander logged a season-high 90 2/3 innings in the major leagues but struggled, posting a 5.46 ERA with a 1.53 WHIP. When he does return from the injured list, he will likely be deployed in a long relief role.

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