Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Oneil Cruz has been in a slump recently and was dropped in the batting order. He fell to sixth in the order on Sunday, but maybe that helped spark his bat. Cruz hit a two-run home run off right-hander Frankie Montas in the first inning. He would hit another two-run shot in the seventh inning for his first multi-hit game in nearly a month. Cruz finished this game 2-for-4 with two homers, four RBI, and two runs scored in the blowout win over the New York Mets. It has been a struggle at times with Cruz, but fantasy managers should continue to stick with him.

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Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Tyler Kinley got a rare save chance during Sunday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers. Kinley isn't normally called upon for saves, but Seth Halvorsen and Victor Vodnik were already used earlier in the game. The Rockies handed Kinley the ball in the 11th inning with a one-run lead. The veteran right-hander tossed a scoreless inning with two strikeouts to record his third save of the season. Fantasy managers shouldn't read too much into this one. Kinley has struggled throughout most of the season, so he'll probably remain in lower leverage situations going forward.

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Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Justin Wrobleski came in as the bulk reliever during Sunday's game against the Kansas City Royals. This strategy has been working for the Dodgers, so they will continue using it. Wrobleski followed opener Lou Trivino and was nearly untouchable on the mound. He tossed six scoreless innings, allowing three hits, and striking out six batters in the win. Wrobleski has tossed four straight outings with two earned runs or less. The 24-year-old could start picking up steam here soon in fantasy leagues with the way he's throwing the ball.

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Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jack Leiter has been roughed up on the mound lately, but put together a strong performance versus the Mariners. The right-hander tossed six innings allowing one earned run on seven hits while striking out seven batters in the no-decision. This is the first time that Leiter has allowed three earned runs or less in a start since June 5. He'll take a 4.29 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, and 58/32 K/BB ratio into his next start against the San Diego Padres. Leiter hasn't produced enough quality outings lately to warrant streaming in anything more than deep leagues.

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New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge (back) was reportedly dealing with back soreness heading into Sunday's game against the Athletics. It didn't seem to be bothering him too much as he produced a big game. Judge took right-hander Luis Severino deep in the fourth inning with a two-run shot. He would later hit another home run which would be his 30th of the season. Judge finished this game 2-for-4 with two homers, four RBI, three runs scored, and a walk in the win. He might serve as the DH for a few more games until his back is better, but that issue isn't going to slow him down at the plate.

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Seattle Mariners catcher Mitch Garver made his return to the lineup after missing a few games due to a jaw injury. He came ready to play during Sunday's game against the Texas Rangers. Garver tied the game in the sixth inning with an RBI single. He would collect another RBI with a hit in the 10th inning. Finally, Garver would put the game out of reach with a two-run home run off right-hander Cole Winn in the 12th inning. He finished this game 3-for-6 with a homer and four RBI in the win. Garver has been fairly quiet this season and doesn't play enough to warrant rostering in most fantasy formats. However, this was a good performance by Garver, so maybe he'll earn more playing time.

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Toronto Blue Jays closer Jeff Hoffman mowed down the Boston Red Sox to earn his 18th save in a 5-3 win on Sunday. Hoffman entered in the bottom of the ninth and struck out the side on just 14 pitches. It was Hoffman's first save since June 10. The 32-year-old stumbled through a few awful outings in May, but he has righted the ship in June with nine innings of two-run ball. Overall, Hoffman has logged a 4.98 ERA with 48 strikeouts, 10 walks, a 1.08 WHIP, and four blown saves across 34 1/3 innings.

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Philadelphia Phillies left-handed reliever Matt Strahm got out of a jam Sunday to pick up his fifth save in a 2-1 win over the Atlanta Braves. Strahm took the reins in the bottom of the ninth inning and allowed a one-out single and a two-out walk. The Braves had the tying run on third after a wild pitch, but Strahm got Stuart Fairchild to fly out to end the game. Strahm didn't record any strikeouts during his 17-pitch inning. The 33-year-old has been shaky of late, having allowed an earned run in four of his past seven appearances. Nevertheless, Strahm and righty Orion Kerkering have emerged as the Phillies' main options for saves in recent weeks. Strahm carries a 3.78 ERA with 37:9 K:BB and a 1.23 WHIP over 33 1/3 innings.

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Boston Red Sox reliever Zack Kelly (oblique) left the team's 5-3 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday with tightness in his right oblique. Kelly came into the game in the fifth and allowed one earned run on two hits with a strikeout and a walk in the inning. While Kelly stayed in to start the sixth, he exited immediately after hitting Andres Gimenez with a pitch. Oblique injuries often lead to lengthy absences, meaning the 30-year-old right-hander may require a stint on the 15-day IL. Regardless, this has been a rough season for Kelly, who owns a 5.56 ERA with 25:9 K:BB and two holds over 22 2/3 frames.

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Los Angeles Angels outfielder/designated hitter Mike Trout spent almost all of May on the injured list because of a bone bruise in his left knee. Trout returned May 30, but the 11-time All-Star still hasn't gotten into any games as an outfielder because his knee remains an issue. "I haven't even thought about (playing the field)," Trout told Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register. "It's still sore. Just battling through it." Trout got a routine day off Sunday, but the 33-year-old has been a consistent presence in the Angels' lineup since coming off the IL. While Trout isn't producing at an MVP level anymore, the future Hall of Famer has still hit a more-than-respectable .274/.426/.417 with four homers, 12 RBI, 13 runs scored, and 29:22 K:BB in June.

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The Houston Astros have not ruled out the possibility of designated hitter/outfielder Yordan Alvarez (hand) coming off the injured list next weekend, according to general manager Dana Brown. It's "not the most likely scenario, but we're not putting that aside," Brown said of a potential return for a July 4-6 road series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Alvarez, out since May 2 because of a fracture in his right hand, has taken swings in the batting cage this weekend. Before landing on the IL, Alvarez hit a disappointing .210/.306/.340 with three home runs and 18 RBI in 121 plate appearances. However, considering the 28-year-old slugger is one of the game's premier hitters, the Astros and fantasy managers will happily welcome him back.

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San Diego Padres right-hander Matt Waldron (oblique) will make his 2025 debut Monday in a road start against the Philadelphia Phillies, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. Waldron suffered a strained left oblique during the spring and has missed the first three months of the season as a result. The 28-year-old knuckleballer tossed a career-high 146 2/3 innings last season and pitched to a 4.91 ERA with 133 strikeouts, 40 walks, and a 1.26 WHIP. Waldron will now take over for right-hander Ryan Bergert in the Padres' rotation. Bergert landed on the 15-day injured list earlier this week with a right forearm contusion.

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Miami Marlins shortstop Xavier Edwards will head to the bench ahead of Sunday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. This is a rare rest day for Edwards who has started in 13 straight games. His combo of contact and speed makes him a valuable fantasy option despite not having any home runs this season. Otto Lopez will take over at shortstop and bat leadoff against left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez. Fantasy managers should adjust their lineups ahead of first pitch.

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Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto (shoulder) remains out of the starting lineup ahead of Sunday's game against the Washington Nationals. Neto has been able to pinch-hit in each of the last two games, but is out of the lineup for the fourth straight contest. The fact that Neto has been able to come off the bench means he shouldn't require a trip to the injured list. The Angels have a scheduled day off on Monday, so hopefully Neto can return for Tuesday's contest. In the meantime, Kevin Newman will cover shortstop and bat ninth versus left-hander Mitchell Parker.

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Seattle Mariners catcher Mitch Garver (jaw) is back in the starting lineup ahead of Sunday's game against the Texas Rangers. Garver was forced to make an early exit on Thursday after getting hit in the face with a ball. As a result, Garver missed two games, but is back in the lineup for this one. He'll draw the start behind the plate and bat seventh against right-hander Jack Leiter. Garver doesn't see enough playing time to warrant rostering in fantasy formats.

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Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout is out of the starting lineup ahead of Sunday's game against the Washington Nationals. This is the first day off for Trout since June 1, so a well-deserved absence for him. Trout has looked better at the plate since returning from the injured list. He has a hit in each of his last four games, including a home run during Saturday's contest. The 33-year-old might've lost a step since his younger days, but can still swing the bat at a high level. Travis d'Arnaud will serve as the designated hitter and bat sixth versus left-hander Mitchell Parker on Sunday.

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San Francisco Giants infielder Casey Schmitt (wrist) has been scratched from the starting lineup ahead of Sunday's game against the Chicago White Sox. Schmitt will now miss his fourth straight game due to wrist contusion. Giants manager Bob Melvin told reporters that Schmitt will undergo an MRI on Monday. Schmitt continues to deal with pain in his wrist from getting hit by a pitch earlier in the week. It's possible he lands on the injured list, but for now fantasy managers can consider him as day-to-day. Wilmer Flores will take over at first base and bat third versus right-hander Jonathan Cannon.

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Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr. (hamstring) has been placed on the 10-day injured list ahead of Sunday's game against the San Francisco Giants. Robert was pulled from Wednesday's game due to a hamstring issue. He has been unable to play since then, so the White Sox have decided to place him on the injured list. The White Sox didn't call-up anyone prior to Sunday's game, so a corresponding move will be made later. Michael A. Taylor will cover center field on Sunday and figures to see more action out there going forward. Robert is in the middle of a bad slump at the plate, so maybe some time off will help him get back on track.

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The Cincinnati Reds have released infielder Jeimer Candelario. Candelario was activated from the 10-day injured list on Monday and designated him for assignment. However, after clearing waivers, the Reds opted to cut ties with the 31-year-old. Candelario appeared in 22 games for the Reds before being released. During this stint, Candelario held an underwhelming .113/.198/.213 line with two doubles and two home runs. Under the hood, he generated a .113 xBA and a .217 xwOBA. During his first season in Cincinnati last summer, Candelario did not find much success as well, holding a .225/.279/.429 line with 23 doubles and 20 round-trippers. Given his power upside, he may draw interest on the free agent market later in the season. In the infield, fantasy managers should expect Spencer Steer and Christian Encarnacion-Strand to cover first and third base in Cincinnati.

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Cleveland Guardians infielder Gabriel Arias (leg/ankle) was carted off the field on Sunday during their outing against the St. Louis Cardinals. Arias got his cleat stuck in the dirt while attempting to play a groundball, which caused the injury. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status, but it appears the 25-year-old may have sustained a significant injury. The infielder underwent X-rays, but the results came back negative. Arias was eventually replaced by infielder Daniel Schneemann. Before exiting, Arias went 0-for-1 at the dish. Through 76 games this season, Arias has held a .232/.294/.370 slash line with 17 doubles, six home runs, and three stolen bases. Under the hood, he has generated a low .300 xwOBA with a .222 xBA. While he remains sidelined, fantasy managers should expect Schneeman to see most of the opportunities at shortstop.

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