Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts says he hasn't spoken to Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing about trade speculation and doesn't "see a world in which he's moved anyway." The 24-year-old top prospect would seem to be a logical trade candidate as he's blocked off from regular playing time by star backstop Will Smith in Los Angeles, but it doesn't appear that the team is moving in that direction. Rushing has served as Smith's primary backup for much of 2025, slashing .200/.270/.275 with one home run and 11 RBI in 89 plate appearances. He's also logged four games at first base, so there's a possibility he could move out from behind the plate in future seasons. Rushing has struck out at an unsustainably high 40.4% rate so far this season, but he only struck out 20.5% of the time in 503 minor league plate appearances in 2024. He would be an intriguing high-upside player in fantasy if he had a path to regular playing time, but it doesn't look like that will happen in 2025.

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Free-agent infielder DJ LeMahieu plans to sign with a new team following the trade deadline, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. Rosenthal writes that LeMahieu wants to have a chance to see each team's roster post-deadline so his spot won't be put in jeopardy by a potential acquisition. The 37-year-old played in 45 games for the New York Yankees this season before being released earlier this month. In 142 plate appearances, LeMahieu slashed .266/.338/.336 with two home runs, 12 RBI, and 13 runs scored. He appeared exclusively at second base for the Yankees this year, but LeMahieu has also played both corner infield spots in previous seasons. He's no longer any sort of power threat at this point in his career, but LeMahieu's 51.7% hard-hit rate this season is the highest of his career, albeit in a small sample size. Depending on where he signs and what his role looks like, LeMahieu could have some deep-league appeal as a cheap source of batting average.

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Colorado Rockies infielder Ryan Ritter (finger) has had two of three stitches removed from his lacerated right middle finger, and swelling has decreased around the injury. Ritter landed on the 10-day injured list as a result of the finger ailment on July 20. In 113 plate appearances this season, the 24-year-old is hitting .238/.291/.347 with one home run, 12 RBI, 13 runs scored, and one stolen base. He's struggled to hit for power (1.4% barrel rate) while also whiffing too often (31% strikeout rate), an uninspiring combination. The Rockies have already traded away one infielder in third baseman Ryan McMahon, and could do the same with veteran middle infielders Thairo Estrada and Orlando Arcia, so there could be playing time available for Ritter upon his return.

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San Diego Padres starting pitcher Dylan Cease (head) will undergo a CT scan after being hit in the back of the head by a comebacker during his team's 7-6 win over the New York Mets on Monday night. Cease stayed in the game after the incident, which occurred in the third inning. This head injury is the latest setback in what has been a frustrating year for the 29-year-old. In 118 2/3 innings (22 starts), Cease is 3-10 with a 4.79 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, and 153 strikeouts. His 29.9% strikeout rate remains elite, but Cease is allowing the highest barrel rate (10.7%) of his career, and his 1.29 HR/9 is his highest since 2020. The results of this CT scan will likely determine whether he misses his next start, which had been scheduled to be on Monday against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

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Colorado Rockies starting pitcher German Marquez (biceps) played catch at 105 feet on Monday, but there is no timetable for his return, according to MLB.com. Marquez was placed on the 15-day injured list on July 23 (retroactive to July 21) due to right biceps tendinitis. The 30-year-old has thrown 98 1/3 innings (20 starts) this season, recording a 3-11 record with a 5.67 ERA, 1.64 WHIP, and 73 strikeouts. It's a good sign that Marquez has resumed throwing so soon after the injury, but there's no reason for the last-place Rockies to rush him back. Regardless, Marquez has not pitched well enough this year to be viable in fantasy. Right-hander Tanner Gordon has taken his place in the Colorado rotation since Marquez went down.

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San Diego Padres closer Robert Suarez recorded his fourth blown save of the season on Monday night, allowing a solo home run to New York Mets infielder Ronny Mauricio that tied the score in the ninth inning. Luckily for both Suarez and the Padres, San Diego scored in the bottom of the ninth to win the game 7-6 in walk-off fashion, allowing Suarez to pick up his third win of 2025. For the season, Suarez has thrown 43 2/3 innings with a 3.50 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 46 strikeouts, and 30 saves. His 26.6% strikeout rate is his highest since the 2022 season. Suarez has been the undisputed closer in San Diego for each of the last two seasons and still has strong numbers overall, so this blown save is unlikely to knock him out of the ninth inning.

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San Francisco Giants left-hander Carson Whisenhunt struggled early in his major league debut Monday against a weak Pittsburgh Pirates lineup. The Giants' top pitching prospect completed five innings, allowing four earned runs while striking out three. Command was an issue, as Whisenhunt threw just 49 of 85 pitches for strikes, walking two and allowing five hits. He struggled in the first two innings but settled in by the third, tossing three scoreless frames to finish his outing. Despite his effort, the Giants dropped the game 6-5. Whisenhunt will likely face much tougher competition in his next start against the New York Mets.

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Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Joe Ross (back) threw a bullpen session on July 28 in Chicago, and "He's feeling really good," manager Rob Thomson said. The Phillies signed the 32-year-old Ross to a one-year, $4 million contract in the offseason, and he has appeared in 31 games for the team this year with a 5.28 ERA, 5.12 FIP, and 1.51 WHIP in his 44 1/3 innings, working primarily out of the bullpen. He has been sidelined since July 20 with back spasms, but he could return relatively soon, giving the team another depth option out of the bullpen.

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Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Brandon Lowe (ankle/foot) is on track to return on the first day that he's eligible to be reinstated from the injured list, which is Wednesday, when the Rays take on the Yankees in New York. Lowe was placed on the injured list due to Left ankle/foot tendinitis after initially the injury was referred to as plantar fasciitis, and Lowe was planning to play through it. Even if he's at less than 100%, he is apparently ready enough to return to action. He has been very productive when available this season, hitting .269 with 19 homers, 50 RBI, and a .344 wOBA in 86 games. He has hit exactly 21 homers in each of the last two years and should be able to exceed that number if he can stay healthy and in the lineup the rest of the way for Tampa Bay. The Rays start Tuesday's action nine games back of the Blue Jays in the AL East and 2.5 games behind the Red Sox for the third and final Wild Card spot. Getting Lowe back in their lineup will give their playoff chances a boost.

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Baltimore Orioles first baseman/outfielder Ryan O'Hearn has cooled off after his red-hot start to the season, but he's still one of the top bats available headed into the MLB Trade Deadline. According to The New York Times' Ken Rosenthal, the Brewers are among the teams interested in adding O'Hearn, who is scheduled to be a free agent at the end of this season. O'Hearn is hitting .284 with 12 homers and a .360 wOBA on the year, but since June 1, he's hitting just .222 with three homers and a .292 wOBA. He still brings some left-handed pop, though, and the Brewers could use some extra power potential in their order. He would likely get playing time at first base, left field, and designated hitter for the Brew Crew, although they do have other options that also would deserve playing time in those spots.

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According to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal, the Guardians are more likely to be sellers at the MLB Trade Deadline after the loss of closer Emmanuel Clase to non-disciplinary leave. He mentions both outfielder Steven Kwan and starting pitcher Shane Bieber (elbow) as top trade chips the team could move. Kwan is getting lots of interest with the Dodgers, Blue Jays, Phillies, and Padres all in the mix. Kwan typically does a great job getting on base and is hitting .287 this year with nine homers, a .334 wOBA, and 11 stolen bases. He's under club control for two more seasons after this year, so the asking price is sure to be extremely high. Bieber is another interesting option for teams to consider since he's just returning from Tommy John surgery in April of 2024. He is making a rehab start in Double-A on Tuesday and is expected to be heavily scouted as teams evaluate if he can help them this year. He has a $16 million player option for 2026, which he could use to hit the open market this offseason, making him more of a short-term rental for the stretch run than a longer-term solution like Kwan.

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Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Shane McClanahan (triceps/biceps) was able to play catch from 60 feet on Monday and "felt OK, nothing great," per manager Kevin Cash. McClanahan has been sidelined all season after leaving a start late in spring training with a triceps issue and lately working through left biceps soreness. He was scheduled to make a fourth start for the Durham Bulls last Thursday, but he felt the biceps soreness during a 10-pitch bullpen session last Monday. After a week off, he's back to throwing again, but he'll need to ramp back up once again before he's ready to make his season debut. He seemed to be on track for a return in early August before the latest setback, but he now could return late in August or early in September, depending on his health and the Rays' position in the playoff race.

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Houston Astros' SP Framber Valdez recorded 12 strikeouts in 6 innings in a 2-1 loss to the Nationals on Monday, Jul. 28.

Reds' SP Chase Burns recorded 10 strikeouts in 5.2 innings but took the loss in a 5-2 loss to the Dodgers on Monday, Jul. 28.

Baltimore Orioles catcher/designated hitter Adley Rutschman (oblique) made a strong impression in his return from the 10-day injured list in Monday's 11-4 win over the Blue Jays. The 27-year-old, who was out with a strained left oblique, went 3-for-5 with a single, two doubles, two RBI, and a strikeout. It was a welcome performance for the O's and fantasy managers, as Rutschman has slashed just .235/.324/.385 with eight home runs and 22 RBI in 281 plate appearances this season. He has underperformed expectations this season, and the catcher position has been surprisingly deep for fantasy leagues. However, Rutschman was a former first-round pick and has been a solid fantasy contributor for his career.

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Pittsburgh Pirates rookie catcher Endy Rodriguez (elbow) has been doing low-level strengthening and range-of-motion exercises in Florida as he recovers from right elbow inflammation. Elbow issues have plagued the 25-year-old throughout his career, and he has been on the 60-day injured list since the middle of June. Rodriguez is currently dealing with some residual soreness, and his surgeon, Dr. Neal ElAttrache, would like to take a slower, concerted effort before performing any more procedures. Rodriguez was a former prospect, but hasn't been healthy enough to make an extended big-league impression. He slashed .173/.246/.250 with no home runs and two RBI in 57 plate appearances this season with the Pirates before his injury.

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Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider said after Monday's 11-4 loss to the Orioles that outfielder/designated hitter George Springer (shoulder/head) is "doing all right" after being hit by a pitch in the ninth inning. The incident was a scary one, as Springer had a 96 MPH fastball clip his shoulder but strike him in the side of the helmet. Schneider said that Springer was alert after being hit. He went 0-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout before exiting. This is overall great news for the 35-year-old, who is having a resurgent season. Springer has slashed .291/.383/.506 with 18 home runs, 57 RBI, and 12 stolen bases in 408 plate appearances. Fantasy managers should wait to see if he will return to the lineup next, although it seems reasonable that he may get at least a day off.

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Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Monday that second baseman Hyeseong Kim (shoulder) could serve time on the injured list with a left shoulder injury, per the Athletic's Fabian Ardaya. The 26-year-old has been managing an injury for about a week and did not play on Sunday. However, he did start in Monday's 5-2 win over the Reds, going 0-for-3 with two strikeouts. Kim has been solid in limited playing time this season, slashing .304/.338/.406 with two home runs, 15 RBI, and 12 stolen bases in 146 plate appearances. Fantasy managers should keep an eye out for more news, as Kim was healthy enough to play a full game on Monday.

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The Washington Nationals received unfortunate news Monday, confirming that top pitching prospect Travis Sykora (elbow) will undergo Tommy John surgery, likely sidelining him for the entire 2026 season. Sykora had been dominant through four minor league levels this season, posting a 44.3% strikeout rate at High-A, and was expected to make his MLB debut in 2026. However, after just two starts and 4 2/3 innings at Double-A, his season is now over. Despite the setback, Sykora remains a top stash in dynasty formats, as his long-term upside is undeniable.

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Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Monday that the team is contemplating placing utilityman Tommy Edman (ankle) on the injured list after he tweaked his right ankle running the bases on Sunday. Edman was not in the lineup for Monday's 5-2 win over the Reds. While his defensive versatility has helped the Dodgers this season, he hasn't provided much in terms of offense. The 30-year-old has slashed just .225/.280/.389 with 11 home runs, 42 RBI, and three stolen bases in 322 plate appearances. Fantasy managers should wait to hear more before considering any roster moves.

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