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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New York Yankees right-hander Clarke Schmidt (elbow) will have season-ending elbow surgery on Friday, according to manager Aaron Boone. We already knew that Schmidt was likely to go under the knife, but now it's official. He will miss the rest of the 2025 season, and there's also a good chance he'll miss all of 2026, too, depending on how his rehab goes and what type of procedure he has on his elbow on Friday. In the meantime, rookie Cam Schlittler will make at least one more start in place of Schmidt after picking up a win in his MLB debut on Wednesday against the Seattle Mariners, when he allowed three earned runs while walking two and striking out seven in 5 1/3 frames. Fantasy managers that still have Schmidt on their roster can safely drop him to the waiver wire in redraft leagues.

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Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Brandon Lowe (side) remains out of action on Thursday at Fenway Park for the series opener against the division-rival Boston Red Sox. Taylor Walls will make another start at the keystone and will bat ninth against Red Sox right-hander Walker Buehler. Lowe will miss a fourth straight game after injuring his left side on Sunday. The Rays are hoping that the 31-year-old veteran won't have to go on the 10-day injured list, especially with the end of the first half of the season coming on Sunday. Walls is hitting .400 against Buehler in his career, but only in five career at-bats. Fantasy managers setting DFS lineups should avoid the glove-first player, especially since he's hitting at the bottom of the batting order. The 29-year-old utility infielder is hitting just .211/.281/.296 on the year with three home runs, 29 RBI, 29 runs and 11 steals.

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New York Yankees first baseman Paul Goldschmidt and designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton are both out of the lineup on Thursday against the visiting Seattle Mariners in the Bronx. Ben Rice is playing first base and batting sixth, while Aaron Judge will serve as the DH and bat third against Mariners right-hander Bryan Woo. Cody Bellinger is in right field and will hit cleanup. It's been a bounce-back year for Goldy, as he's hitting .290 (93-for-321), although he has just eight homers in his first year in pinstripes. The 37-year-old has also been hot lately, going 6-for-13 with two RBI and four runs in his last three games. Stanton didn't make his season debut until June 16 and hasn't been much of a power threat yet, although he has gone 4-for-14 with a homer, four RBI and three runs in his last three outings. Judge has hit .375 with four RBI in eight career at-bats versus Woo.

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Miami Marlins pitching prospect Robby Snelling is moving up to Triple-A Jacksonville. The Marlins' third-ranked prospect began the year at Double-A, and although he posted a 3.61 ERA and 1.22 WHIP overall (14 starts), the lefty has been much better as of late. Over his last three starts, Snelling has allowed two earned runs in 18 innings (1.00 ERA) with a 0.89 WHIP and a 22:3 K:BB. The 6-foot-3 hurler has tallied 318 strikeouts in 291 1/3 minor league innings pitched (9.82 K/9), and the Marlins could use all the rotation help they can get, but at 21 years old and with Miami beginning to fade from the playoff race, there's no need to rush him to the majors. As a result, fantasy managers may not see him debut until 2026, but he could be a worthwhile add in very deep and NL-only leagues were he to get the call.

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Kansas City Royals catching prospect Carter Jensen is on a roll, going 3-for-5 with a double, five RBI, and a run scored at Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday. That makes five multi-hit efforts in his last seven games, during which time he's gone 12-for-25 (.480) with four doubles, five home runs, 16 RBI, nine runs scored, a stolen base, and a 6:9 BB:K. The Royals' third-ranked prospect's hot hitting is what earned him a promotion to Triple-A in late June, but aftersome initial adversity (1-for-22 (.045), the 22-year-old has settled in nicely. At this rate, it's looking like a 2025 MLB debut is a high probability, and offensively proficient backstops are always intriguing in fantasy, so keep an eye out for any rumblings of a promotion.

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The Houston Astros announced on Thursday that they reinstated infielder Christian Walker from the paternity list and optioned infielder/outfielder Shay Whitcomb to Triple-A Sugar Land in a corresponding move. The Astros have a scheduled day off on Thursday before beginning a series on Friday against the division-rival Texas Rangers, so fantasy managers should expect Walker back this weekend to close out the first half of the season. Even though the 34-year-old veteran right-handed slugger hasn't lived up to expectations as Houston's starting first baseman in 2025 in his first year with the team, he should be returned to starting fantasy lineups on Friday. Walker has picked things up of late, going 16-for-43 (.372) with two home runs and eight RBI in his last 10 games. Hopefully he'll continue to swing the bat well going into next week's All-Star break.

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