The Philadelphia Phillies activated first baseman Bryce Harper (wrist) from the 10-day injured list on Monday and designated third baseman Buddy Kennedy for assignment in a corresponding move, according to MLB.com's Paul Casella. Harper is back at first base and is hitting third for Monday's series opener against the visiting San Diego Padres and right-hander Matt Waldron. The 32-year-old two-time MVP will skip a minor-league rehab assignment despite missing over three weeks with inflammation in his right wrist. Fantasy managers will want to get him back into their starting lineups immediately against a pitcher who he has a solo home run against in five career at-bats. Harper will be returning to a .258/.368/.446 slash line with an .814 OPS, nine home runs, 34 RBI, 32 runs scored and eight stolen bases in his 213 at-bats.

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Cleveland Guardians right-handed reliever Paul Sewald (shoulder) has made two minor-league rehab appearances with Double-A Akron on June 24 and June 27 and could come off the 15-day injured list by mid-July, according to MLB.com. Sewald is working his way back from a right posterior deltoid strain and was originally placed on the IL on April 29. In his three innings of work at Akron on his rehab assignment, the 35-year-old veteran has allowed two earned runs while walking none and striking out three. Despite the fact that Sewald had a 6.17 ERA in 11 2/3 innings of relief for the Guardians before his injury this year, he did have a save, only two walks and 15 strikeouts. He has 85 career saves in the big leagues in his nine seasons and should return to a late-inning setup role in Cleveland in front of closer Emmanuel Clase when he's back.

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Washington Nationals pitching prospect Travis Sykora made his Double-A debut on Sunday with mixed results. Impressively, the right-hander struck out five of the first six batters he faced, however, eight of the next 13 batters reached base via hit or walk. All told, the Nats' top prospect allowed four earned runs on four hits and five walks while striking out six in 3 2/3 innings pitched. Command wasn't an issue before this latest start, registering an 8.0 percent walk rate in the previous 30 starts in his minor league career, which is right around average. Perhaps the 6-foot-6 hurler was working on some things, so look for him to take a step forward in his next start, which should come later this week.

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Cleveland Guardians right-handed reliever Trevor Stephan (elbow) has made six minor-league rehab appearances with Triple-A Columbus, Double-A Akron and the rookie-level Arizona Complex League and most recently threw a scoreless inning with a hit and a strikeout at Akron on Friday, according to MLB.com. In 7 1/3 innings on his rehab assignment, Stephan has allowed five earned runs on nine hits while walking three and striking out nine. The 29-year-old reliever is recovering from UCL reconstruction and has yet to make his 2025 season debut, but MLB.com expects him to return to Cleveland's bullpen at some point in July. When he does finally come off the 60-day injured list, the former third-round pick by the New York Yankees could eventually become a late-inning setup option for the Guards after saving six games in his first three MLB seasons.

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Miami Marlins catching prospect Joe Mack homered on Sunday in a 2-for-4 day at the plate for Triple-A Jacksonville. It was the third home run in his last four games, and thehits extended his current hit streak to six games, during which time he's gone 12-for-25 (.480) with a pair of doubles, three home runs, five RBI, six runs scored, and a stolen base. The 22-year-old also struck out six times compared to just one walk over that span. The left-hand hitting backstop slashed .318/.464/.614 in 13 games at Double-A this season before getting promoted to Triple-A, where he's tallied a .246/.311/.374 slash line over 50 games. The Marlins are deep at the position, with catchers Agustin Ramirez and Liam Hicks already promoted to the majors this year, but if Mack can continue to hit, he could be the next to be called upon if one of them or Nick Fortes were to hit the injured list.

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Cleveland Guardians right-hander Shane Bieber (elbow) is expected to progress to throwing live batting practice this week, according to MLB.com. Bieber threw bullpen sessions featuring all of his pitches on June 24, 26 and 27 as he continues to recover from Tommy John surgery. The 30-year-old veteran is currently on the 60-day injured list but could be activated to make his 2025 season debut by mid-to-late July. Fantasy managers shouldn't be surprised if Bieber doesn't make it back until August, but barring a setback, he's fully expected to rejoin the Guardians' starting rotation at some point in the second half. While Bieber could be useful as a back-of-the-rotation arm in mixed fantasy leagues, expectations should be tempered for a pitcher who looked like he was on the decline before his elbow issues. The former Cy Young winner's velocity and strikeout rates had dropped noticeably in 2023.

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Cleveland Guardians left-hander John Means (elbow) has progressed to throwing live batting practice, per MLB.com. According to president Chris Antonetti, Means' timetable for a return in 2025 is in the late-August to early-September range. The 32-year-old veteran southpaw began throwing off a mound in late June as he attempts to return from a second Tommy John surgery. The former 11th-round pick by the Baltimore Orioles in 2014 out of West Virginia made his lone All-Star team in his second year in the big leagues in 2019, but he has only made 25-plus starts in the majors twice in his seven years in the league. Since 2022, Means has managed to make only 10 starts, although he did have a nice 2.75 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 33:8 K:BB in 52 1/3 innings. Given the fact that Means may not make his big-league return until late this season, fantasy managers can continue to ignore him in most formats.

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San Diego Padres right-hander Yu Darvish (elbow) recovered well from a three-inning, 51-pitch simulated game against Single-A Lake Elsinore on June 25 and then threw a 31-pitch bullpen session on Saturday in Cincinnati, according to MLB.com. Manager Mike Shildt said that Darvish "felt great" afterwards, and the next step could be another simulated game. Darvish is currently on the 60-day injured list and hasn't pitched yet in 2025 for the Padres, but if he continues to progress, he could come off the IL to make his season debut before the mid-July All-Star break. The Friars could surely use the 38-year-old veteran Japanese hurler back with Michael King (shoulder) and Ryan Bergert (forearm) also on the IL. Darvish is no longer in his prime and had a career-low 23.6% strikeout rate last year, but he can still be useful in mixed fantasy leagues in the right matchups.

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Tampa Bay Rays left-hander Shane McClanahan (triceps) got a positive report from Dr. Gregory J. Paul in Texas on June 17 and threw off a mound on June 25. McClanahan is now scheduled to move to a full-intensity bullpen session on Tuesday, July 1, per MLB.com. The 28-year-old southpaw hasn't pitched all year to this point while recovering from nerve irritation in his left triceps. He's currently on the 60-day injured list but could be able to make his 2025 season debut for the Rays at some point in August if he can avoid any further setbacks as he ramps up his throwing program. Although McClanahan still has a ways to go before potentially returning to the big-league rotation, he's worth stashing in all fantasy leagues because of his high-end strikeout upside when he's healthy. He missed all of 2024 while recovering from Tommy John surgery.

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Texas Rangers outfielder Evan Carter went 3-for-4 with a double and two steals in his team's 6-4 loss to the visiting Seattle Mariners. He also singled twice, scored a run, and drew a walk. Carter has heated up to close out the month, notching a hit in seven straight appearances with three multi-hit efforts in that span. He's chipped in three steals during the streak, too, and has been much more productive in June with a .333/.421/.530 through 66 at-bats. The former top prospect's strikeout rate has significantly improved so far, posting a near-ten-point drop from the undesirable 26.5% he sported in 2024 (15.9%).

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Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Brandon Woodruff (ankle, elbow, shoulder) wasn't at his best in his minor-league rehab start on Sunday with Triple-A Nashville, but it's expected to be his last one before making his 2025 debut with the Brewers. Woodruff allowed four earned runs on four hits (one homer) while walking three and striking out one in 3 2/3 innings against Triple-A Jacksonville. The 32-year-old veteran was making his 10th rehab start after multiple setbacks with his ankle and elbow. Woodruff had right-shoulder surgery in the fall of 2023 and missed all of last season, but he's on the cusp of being activated from the injured list to rejoin Milwaukee's starting rotation. He threw 53 of his 82 pitches for strikes and should make his first start of the year this weekend against the Miami Marlins in a great matchup for fantasy purposes. Scoop Woodruff up now off the waiver wire if he's available.

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St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Jordan Walker (appendix) appears to be on track to come off the 10-day injured list on Friday before the series opener at Wrigley Field against the division-rival Chicago Cubs, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Daniel Guerrero. Walker landed on the IL last week due to appendicitis, but he didn't need surgery and has already played in two minor-league rehab games with Triple-A Memphis. The 23-year-old former first-rounder could see his playing time continue to dip upon his return since he's hit just .210/.267/.295 with a career-worst .562 OPS, three home runs, 23 RBI and 63 strikeouts in 191 plate appearances over 55 games in his third year in the big leagues. Walker is currently in the second percentile in strikeout rate and the 16th percentile in chase rate, which doesn't bode well for a rebound in the second half.

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The Athletic's Chandler Rome reports that the Houston Astros have placed shortstop Jeremy Pena (ribs) on the 10-day injured list with a fracture in his ribs. Oof. Pena was plunked by a pitch in the ribs a few days ago, and while initial X-rays returned negative for the Dominican Republic native, new findings have him facing an IL stint. It's unfortunate news for the Astros and fantasy managers, as Pena was a stud from the leadoff spot in 2025. It's unclear precisely how severe the injury is, and there's been no word on a timetable for his return. Teammate Mauricio Dubon has gotten the start at shortstop in his stead over the last two contests, and figures to do so primarily while he's out. However, it's worth noting Dubon hasn't been that effective against right-handed pitching thus far (.227).

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St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said that outfielder Lars Nootbaar (intercostal) will likely be out of the lineup until at least Tuesday against the division-rival Pittsburgh Pirates due to a left intercostal injury that he's been dealing with of late. Nootbaar aggravated the injury during a swing on Saturday in the win over the Cleveland Guardians and did not start in the series finale on Sunday. The Cardinals open a series in Pittsburgh on Monday, but fantasy managers should expect the 27-year-old left-handed hitter to be out of the lineup for a second straight game against left-hander Andrew Heaney. If Nootbaar is unable to return by Tuesday or later this week, he could land on the 10-day injured list heading into the All-Star break. Nootbaar is a starting outfielder for St. Louis when healthy and is batting just .227 (68-for-299) with 11 home runs, 35 RBI, 44 runs and four stolen bases.

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MLB.com's Mark Sheldon reports that Cincinnati Reds outfielder Jake Fraley (shoulder) recently received a cortisone shot to help him play through a torn labrum. Fraley suffered the injury attempting a diving catch a week ago against the Yankees and has since sought three opinions on his ailing shoulder. This isn't the first time that the 30-year-old has dealt with shoulder issues (subluxation), who also noted he's looking for a protective brace to aid him on tough catches at the wall, or ones similar to how he sustained the issue. With the team in Boston on a road trip, Fraley will hang back in Cincinnati to continue rehab and strengthening work. If the cortisone does its job, he should return when he's eligible in a few weeks (Jul. 18).

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Los Angeles Angels outfielder Taylor Ward went 3-for-5 with three doubles in Sunday's 7-4 extra-innings loss to the Washington Nationals. He added an RBI and a run scored. Ward is just 19-for-93 in June (.204), but he's been much better over the last week-plus. The Fresno State product has an extra-base hit in seven of his last ten appearances (seven doubles, two homers) and a solid .270 average (10-for-37) over that span. He's up to 20 home runs already in 2025, collecting five fewer than his personal-best set a season ago in nearly half as many games. However, he's still batting a paltry .216 through 81 contests and raised his strikeout rate back up to an undesirable 27.0% this season.

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Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams went 2-for-6 with a triple and three RBI in Sunday's 7-4 road win against the Los Angeles Angels. He also doubled and struck out. Abrams picked up his third triple of the season -- and first in two months -- in the eleventh inning off Angels pitcher Connor Brogdon to score teammates Daylen Lile and Drew Millas and make it 7-4 Nats. He also notched another run batted in on a double in the seventh. The 24-year-old has been spectacular in June, sporting a .308/.368/.505 triple slash with four homers, eight steals, 20 runs scored, and 12 RBI. It's raised his overall average to a strong .287, which would be his best by 40 points if it holds.

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Chicago White Sox reliever Mike Vasil picked up his second save of the year in a 5-2 win over the San Francisco Giants on Sunday. Vasil entered a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the top of the eighth and got Heliot Ramos to ground into an inning-ending double play. The right-hander stayed in to begin the ninth, striking out Rafael Devers before issuing a walk to Wilmer Flores. Once again, though, Vasil induced an inning-ending double play - this time to Mike Yastrzemski. Vasil ended his day with 1 2/3 scoreless innings and 17 pitches. The 25-year-old has been an effective innings-eater for Chicago, having recorded a 2.73 ERA across 56 frames. However, he's not typically on the radar for save opportunities. Grant Taylor has recently been Chicago's top choice to close games, but he was off Sunday after getting a six-out save Saturday.

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Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager went deep for the third straight game in the team's 6-4 loss to the Seattle Mariners on Sunday. Seager's two-run homer off right-hander Carlos Vargas tied the game at 3 with one out in the bottom of the 10th. The five-time All-Star drove in another run on a sacrifice fly in the 12th to conclude a 1-for-4, one-walk day. Despite his recent power surge, June has been a struggle for Seager. After spending most of May on the injured list with a strained hamstring, Seager has hit a woeful .185/.358/.358 in 23 games this month. Overall, he's slashing .244/.342/.430 with 10 HRs, 23 RBI, and 26 runs in 225 plate appearances. While those are above-average numbers, they're below Seager's standards. The good news for fantasy managers is that Seager ranks in the top 7% of the league in xSLG and xwOBA, making him a candidate for positive regression.

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Pittsburgh Pirates reliever Dennis Santana began serving a three-game suspension on Sunday. Major League Baseball issued the right-hander a four-game ban for "aggressive conduct toward a fan" in Detroit on June 20. However, the league reduced the punishment by a game after Santana's appeal. The 31-year-old will be available out of the Pirates' bullpen beginning Wednesday against the St. Louis Cardinals. Santana has been a rare bright spot for the last-place Pirates this season, having pitched to a 1.50 ERA with a 0.78 WHIP, 28:6 K:BB, nine holds, and five saves in 36 innings.

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