St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar (ribs) was pinch-hit for in the seventh inning of Thursday's contest due to soreness in his rib cage, reports Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Cardinals manager Oli Marmol said that the move was precautionary, and he is expected to be back in the lineup tomorrow. That's good news for the outfielder, although this has been a recurring issue for at least a couple of weeks. He recently missed the last two games of June with soreness in the same area. Hopefully the 27-year-old can put the injury behind him and continue his solid 2025 season where he is slashing .229/.334/.384 with 12 home runs.

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Boston Red Sox second baseman David Hamilton was optioned to Triple-A Worcester after Thursday's game, reports Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com. There hasn't been an official corresponding transaction by the Red Sox yet, but it is almost certainly to make room for Alex Bergman's return from the injured list. Hamilton has been very disappointing in 2025, particularly offensively, posting a .179 batting average and .229 on-base percentage. The 27-year-old did steal 15 bases, which is the extent of his fantasy value. He was already losing significant playing time as of late, serving more as a backup utility option.

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San Diego Padres starting pitcher Michael King (shoulder) completed his first full bullpen session in nearly two months, reports Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune. The bullpen session was 25 pitches in length, in what was originally just supposed to be a "touch and feel" session, but King said he wanted to speed up the process. He last pitched on May 18 before going on the injured list with a nerve issue in his shoulder. There's been no official timeline for when the 30-year-old is aiming to return, but mid-August seems the most likely. The ace posted a 2.59 ERA and 1.02 WHIP in 55 innings before the injury.

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Texas Rangers designated hitter Joc Pederson (hand) is still two to three weeks away from taking batting practice, reports Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News. Pederson was initially expected to return shortly after the All-Star break, but now it seems he won't even be swinging a bat by then. He has been on the injured list since late May after suffering a broken hand when he was hit by a pitch. The injury and the slugger's delayed return don't have much of an impact for fantasy purposes, as he was batting just .131 with two home runs in 46 games before the injury. The 33-year-old will have to significantly turn his season around to make it back onto fantasy radars.

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Texas Rangers right-hander Tyler Mahle (shoulder) will start throwing next week, manager Bruce Bochy said Thursday. Mahle hasn't pitched since June 10 because of a strained rotator cuff, which caused the Rangers to transfer him to the 60-day injured list on July 1. As a result, he won't be eligible to rejoin the Rangers until mid-August. Mahle was a key part of the Rangers' rotation before the injury interrupted his season, as he went 6-3 with a stingy 2.34 ERA and 56:27 K:BB in 77 innings. Unfortunately, staying healthy has been a problem for the 30-year-old, who has combined for just 22 starts since 2023.

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Texas Rangers right-hander Jon Gray (wrist) will make another rehab start with Triple-A Round Rock on Sunday, manager Bruce Bochy announced. Gray made his first start Wednesday and threw two innings of one-run ball over 32 pitches. He'll build on that total next time out as he continues working back from the fractured wrist that he suffered in spring training. From 2022-24, his first three years with the Rangers, Gray amassed 72 starts in 76 appearances and pitched to a 4.16 ERA with 8.41 K/9 and 2.81 BB/9 across 387 1/3 innings. He'll be an option for the Rangers' rotation in the second half of the season.

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Washington Nationals outfielder Dylan Crews (oblique) is ramping up activities as he works back from a strained right oblique, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports. Crews threw for the first time in seven weeks on Wednesday, and he participated in defensive drills before the Nationals' game against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday. While Crews isn't quite ready to take on-field batting practice, interim manager Miguel Cairo is confident that the 23-year-old will start a rehab assignment in the minors either a bit before or a little after the All-Star break. Crews, who last played May 20, got off to a slow start with the bat before landing on the injured list. He has hit .196/.266/.354 with seven homers, 15 RBI, 24 runs scored, and 11 steals in 173 plate appearances this season.

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Baltimore Orioles pitching prospect Chayce McDermott (elbow) left his start with Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday with right-elbow discomfort, according to Jacob Calvin Meyer of the Baltimore Sun. McDermott exited after throwing 5 1/3 innings of one-run, three-hit ball with six strikeouts and one walk. The 26-year-old entered Thursday with an ugly 7.65 ERA, 35 strikeouts, and 32 walks in 37 2/3 Triple-A innings this season. He made two appearances with the Orioles back in May and endured similar struggles, as he surrendered seven earned runs on eight hits (three homers) with eight walks and seven strikeouts over 7 2/3 frames. Nevertheless, McDermott ranks as the Orioles' third-best prospect at MLB Pipeline. The O's should have an update on his status soon.

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Boston Red Sox third baseman Alex Bregman (quadriceps) has not begun contract extension talks with the team, Rob Bradford of WEEI reports. Bregman signed a three-year, $120 million contract with the Red Sox last winter, but the deal contains opt-outs after this season and the 2026 campaign. If the Red Sox don't sign Bregman to a new contract by the July 31 trade deadline, and if they expect the Scott Boras client to test free agency again in the offseason, they could deal him over the next three weeks. Bregman has made a case for a richer pact this year by slashing a robust .299/.385/.553 with 11 home runs and 35 RBI in 226 plate appearances. While the three-time All-Star hasn't played since May 23 because of a strained right quadriceps, the Red Sox will activate him this weekend. With his future uncertain, Bregman will be an intriguing player to watch leading up to the deadline.

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Los Angeles Angels first baseman Nolan Schanuel (calf) is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Texas Rangers with tightness in his right calf. Schanuel has been dealing with the issue over the past few days, according to Erica Weston of FanDuel Sports Network West. The 23-year-old is just 9-for-38 in nine games this month, though he's hitting a respectable .267/.356/.394 with eight home runs, 39 RBI, and 43 runs in 382 plate appearances this season. With Schanuel on the bench, the Angels are starting LaMonte Wade Jr. at first base and batting him ninth against Rangers left-hander Patrick Corbin.

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New York Yankees pitcher Ryan Yarbrough (oblique) resumed a throwing program on Wednesday, according to manager Aaron Boone. This is a step in the right direction for Yarbrough who has been sidelined since mid-June due to a right oblique strain. It seems likely that the Yankees are going to wait until after the All-Star break to bring Yarbrough back into the mix. The left-hander figures to require at least one rehab start before returning to the Bronx. It's uncertain if Yarbrough will have a rotation spot once he's back, so he's not someone that needs to be stashed right now

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New York Yankees relief pitcher Mark Leiter Jr. (leg) is hopeful to resume a throwing program this weekend, according to manager Aaron Boone. Leiter recently landed on the injured list due to a stress fracture in his leg. The Yankees haven't given much of a timetable for Leiter's return yet. The expectation is that he's going to need longer than the minimum 15 days. There should be more updates on his status once he's able to begin throwing again this weekend. Leiter isn't much of a fantasy option right now with his lack of save chances.

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St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Erick Fedde will remain in the starting rotation for at least one more start. There were discussions that Fedde would be moved out of the rotation after allowing 17 earned runs over his last three starts. Despite that, the Cardinals will give Fedde another shot against the Atlanta Braves on Saturday. The right-hander was supposed to be a trade piece at the deadline, but that ship might've sailed at this point. Given his struggles, Fedde isn't a recommended streaming option for this weekend.

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Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson (hand) remains out of the starting lineup ahead of Thursday's game against the Atlanta Braves. Wilson suffered a left hand contusion when he was hit by a pitch during Tuesday's game. Now, Wilson will miss his second straight game on Thursday due to the issue. It doesn't look like the A's plan on placing Wilson on the injured list. For now, fantasy managers should consider Wilson as day-to-day and be hopeful for his return this weekend. In his absence, Max Muncy will cover shortstop and bat sixth versus right-hander Spencer Strider.

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Cleveland Guardians first baseman Kyle Manzardo (personal) has been reinstated from the family medical emergency list on Thursday. Manzardo missed the last three games while tending to a personal matter. He'll slide right back into the lineup as he bats cleanup and plays first base against right-hander Jonathan Cannon on Thursday. He hasn't been great this season with a .217/.289/.429 slash line with 13 home runs and 33 RBI this season with the Guardians. Manzardo is really only worth a look in deep leagues at the moment. In a corresponding move, Jhonkensy Noel has been optioned to Triple-A with Manzardo returning.

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St. Louis Cardinals catcher Ivan Herrera (hamstring) will serve as the designated hitter for Triple-A Memphis on Thursday night as he starts a minor-league rehab assignment, according to The Athletic's Katie Woo. Herrera is scheduled to serve as the DH for the next four days and could return for the start of the second half of the season on July 18. Woo also adds that the Cardinals will likely limit Herrera's time behind the plate for the rest of the year. The 25-year-old has been out since late June with a strained left hamstring. Pedro Pages has been the club's primary backstop and should see regular playing time in the second half with Herrera to DH often. While Herrera is unlikely to keep up his offensive pace from before his injury -- he hit .320 (48-for-150) with eight homers and 36 RBI) -- he's certainly worth a look in two-catcher leagues if he's available.

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Boston Red Sox right-hander Tanner Houck (elbow) looked good in his minor-league rehab start on Wednesday night for Triple-A Worcester, allowing an earned run on three hits while walking two and striking out six in 4 1/3 innings against Triple-A Rochester. Houck threw 47 of his 76 pitches for strikes in the outing and has now posted a 5.74 ERA and 1.53 WHIP with 15 strikeouts and six walks in 15 2/3 innings over five rehab appearances (four starts). The 29-year-old was a disaster in his nine starts for the BoSox earlier this year before going on the injured list, going 0-3 with an 8.04 ERA (6.11 FIP), 1.69 WHIP and 32:17 K:BB in 43 2/3 innings, so it's unclear if he'll rejoin Boston's starting rotation or serve in a bullpen role when he rejoins the big-league roster. Houck was a first-time All-Star in 2024 with a 3.12 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 154:48 K:BB in 30 starts, but he also led the league with 16 hit-by-pitches.

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Boston Red Sox third baseman Alex Bregman (quadriceps) will play twice this weekend at Fenway Park against the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays, although manager Alex Cora wouldn't specify if it will be Friday and Sunday or Saturday and Sunday. The timing is a bit off with the All-Star break starting next Monday, but the Red Sox feel that Bregman is ready to go and want to get him back just before the end of the first half of the season. The 31-year-old will be eased back into action this weekend, but when the second half starts on July 18, he will be Boston's primary third baseman, which could push rookie Marcelo Mayer to a full-time role at second base. Fantasy managers need to be on the lookout for Bregman re-entering the starting lineup on either Friday or Saturday, and they'll also be hoping he can pick up where he left off offensively before his quad injury.

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MLB.com's Anthony DiComo writes that it sounds like New York Mets outfielder Jesse Winker (back) could be headed to the injured list after his back "locked up" on him during Game 1 of Thursday's doubleheader against the Baltimore Orioles, according to manager Carlos Mendoza. Winker will head to New York for an MRI exam. Determining on the results of the testing, the 31-year-old could head back to the IL just before next week's All-Star break after just coming off the 60-day IL on Tuesday for an oblique strain. It's been that kind of season for Winker, who came into Thursday's action with a .232 average (16-for-69) with a homer and 10 RBI in just 25 games played. It sounds as though we won't see him until sometime in the second half. In the meantime, Mark Vientos could see more opportunities as the team's designated hitter.

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The Atlanta Braves have not discussed left-hander Chris Sale (ribs) in trade talks and will not consider moving him or any other player under control beyond the 2025 season at this year's trade deadline, major-league-sources told FanSided's Robert Murray. Although Sale is currently on the 60-day injured list with a rib-cage fracture, he's been excellent for the Braves when he's been healthy since they acquired the veteran southpaw from the Boston Red Sox. The 36-year-old lefty had a 2.38 ERA and 225 strikeouts in 2024 to win the National League Cy Young award. This year, he's been nearly as good, posting a 2.52 ERA with 114 punchouts in his 15 starts. The Braves expect Sale to return later this year, but since he's now on the 60-day IL, he cannot return until at least Aug. 20. Fantasy managers must remain patient and keep him stashed until then.

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