Journeyman outfielder Travis Jankowski rejected an outright assignment to the minor leagues from the New York Mets on Sunday after he was designated for assignment and cleared waivers. Jankowski only appeared in four games for the Mets before being cut, and now he'll be looking to join his fourth different MLB squad in 2025. The 34-year-old speedster has appeared in 25 games this year with the Mets, Chicago White Sox and Tampa Bay Rays, going 11-for-45 (.244) with two doubles, two RBI, eight runs scored and two stolen bases in 50 plate appearances. The former first-rounder by the San Diego Padres in 2012 will likely have to settle for a minor-league deal with another club, but don't be surprised if he resurfaces in the majors in the second half. If he does, he'll only be worth a flier as outfield depth with speed in single-league fantasy formats.

From RotoBaller

The Triple-A Memphis Redbirds placed St. Louis Cardinals right-handed pitching prospect Tekoah Roby (undisclosed) on the seven-day injured list on Monday. While Roby has dealt with shoulder injuries in the past, it's unclear if this is related. The team's No. 10 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, has gone a combined 7-4 this year with a 3.10 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 87:19 K:BB in 78 1/3 innings over 16 starts with Double-A Springfield and Memphis. The 23-year-old had been peaking recently with Memphis, striking out 21 and walking only five while giving up two earned runs in his last four starts. Hopefully, the former third-rounder in 2020 will be able to return sooner than later. Roby relies on a mid- to upper-90s fastball with a nasty curveball that generates a lot of swings and misses. Health has been his biggest issue, and it could deny him a chance to debut in the big leagues in 2025.

From RotoBaller

Chicago Cubs left-hander Matthew Boyd, who has already thrown 111 2/3 innings this season, will not pitch in the All-Star game for the National League on Tuesday. Boyd's 111 2/3 frames have already surpassed his total in each of the previous five years, and given his medical history, it makes sense for the Cubs to err on the side of caution heading into the second half. The 34-year-old veteran southpaw has gone 10-3 with a 2.34 ERA and closed out his excellent first half by throwing eight shutout innings against the New York Yankees in the Bronx on Saturday. Fantasy managers shouldn't be expecting Boyd to be better in the second half, and the Cubs could look for spots to get him extra rest if they can. With a 3.30 xERA and whiff rate in just the 29th percentile, he's outperforming his underlying stats a bit. Still, he's limiting hard contact and continues to keep hitters off balance.

From RotoBaller

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Alek Manoah (elbow) battled poor command in his first minor-league rehab start on Monday in the rookie-level Florida Complex League. Manoah only went one-third of an inning and allowed four runs (three earned) on one hit while walking two and striking out one. He threw only 10 of his 22 pitches for strikes, and his four-seam fastball sat around 93-94 mph. The 27-year-old was limited to only five games for the Blue Jays last year before undergoing UCL reconstruction. In his 24 1/3 innings, he had a respectable 3.70 ERA. Manoah is likely to spend the full 30 days on his rehab assignment, but he could return to the big leagues in mid-to-late August. He was the runner-up in the American League Cy Young voting in 2022 before struggling mightily in 2023 while being sent to the minors. It's anyone's guess as to how he'll fare with Toronto late this season.

From RotoBaller

The Cleveland Guardians placed right-handed reliever Paul Sewald (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to July 12) on Tuesday with a right-shoulder strain, according to Tim Stebbins of MLB.com. A corresponding move is to be determined. Sewald went on the IL for the first time this season back in late April with a right posterior deltoid strain, and the 35-year-old veteran had just returned on July 5. He made four appearances out of the Guards bullpen before getting hurt again, allowing an unearned run on one hit while walking two and striking out three in 3 2/3 innings. Sewald will be eligible to return on July 27, but it's a good bet we won't see him until August. It's been an injury-plagued year for Sewald. He currently has a 4.70 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, two saves and 18 K's in just 15 1/3 innings of work. Whenever he returns, he'll be a late-inning setup option in front of closer Emmanuel Clase.

From RotoBaller

Texas Rangers right-hander Jon Gray (forearm) allowed an earned run on six hits while walking none and striking out two in three innings on Monday in a minor-league rehab start in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League. A rainout over the weekend forced the 33-year-old to skip making his second rehab start for Triple-A Round Rock. He should head to Round Rock after this outing, and he's expected to make at least a couple more rehab starts before the Rangers consider activating him from the 60-day injured list. Gray has yet to pitch in the big leagues in 2025 due to a fractured forearm that he suffered in spring training on March 14. He also missed some time in 2024 with groin and foot injuries and finished with a disappointing 4.47 ERA and 1.31 WHIP while striking out 86 and walking 28 in 23 outings (19 starts). After his strikeout rate dipped below 20% last year, fantasy managers will want to see more.

From RotoBaller

San Francisco Giants first base prospect Bryce Eldridge (hamstring) went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored on Monday in his first rehab game with the ACL Giants. The Giants' top prospect is working his way back from a hamstringstrain that has kept him out since June 21. It's not clear how long the rehab assignment will last, but once complete, he'll return to Triple-A, where he was slashing .230/.284/.426 with three home runs in 16 games after earning a promotion from Double-A. The 6-foot-7 slugger is the Giants' first baseman of the future, and although he strikes out quite a bit, dynasty managers should be stashing him away based on his future power potential.

From RotoBaller

Baltimore Orioles first baseman Ryan Mountcastle (hamstring) is scheduled to begin a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Norfolk on July 22, according to MLB.com. Mountcastle was diagnosed with a Grade 2 right-hamstring strain and was moved to the 60-day injured list on June 23. Barring a setback on his rehab assignment, he could be activated on July 30 or shortly thereafter. The 28-year-old right-handed hitter has been out since the end of May but should return to regular duties at first base in Baltimore when he's ready. In the meantime, expect Ryan O'Hearn and Coby Mayo to continue splitting time at the cold corner for the O's coming out of this week's All-Star break. Mountcastle had been a disappointment for fantasy managers before his hamstring injury, slashing .246/.280/.348 with a weak .628 OPS, only two homers, 15 RBI and 19 runs in 187 at-bats.

From RotoBaller

Veteran right-handed reliever David Robertson is throwing for interested clubs this week, according to The Athletic's Will Sammon. Robertson has been a free agent since the end of last season, but he could land with a team looking for help in the bullpen soon. Several teams, including the New York Mets and New York Yankees, have looked into Robertson, according to league sources. Robertson turned 40 in April, but he had a 3.00 ERA with 99 strikeouts and 27 walks with the Texas Rangers in 2024. From 2022-24, he averaged 63 appearances per year with a 2.82 ERA. The former 17th-round pick by the Yankees in 2006 out of Alabama has 177 career saves in 16 MLB seasons and has also pitched for the Marlins, Phillies, Cubs, White Sox, Rays and Rangers. Because of his wealth of experience in high-leverage roles, it's not out of the question for Robertson to become fantasy relevant in the second half.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout is eyeing a return to the outfield after the All-Star break and is planning on resuming drills in the outfield, according to The Sporting Tribune's Thomas Murray. However, there's no exact timetable on when Trout will return to right field. Trout has been a full-time designated hitter for the Halos since returning on May 30 from a stint on the injured list due to a bone bruise on his right knee, the same knee he had surgery on last year for a torn meniscus. He has hit .278 with seven home runs and 18 RBI in 37 games since his return, a positive sign for the three-time MVP that has dealt with injuries the last few years. When/if Trout returns to duties in right field, Jorge Soler will shift to a full-time DH role in Anaheim. Expect the Angels to give Trout plenty of rest in the DH spot, too, if he returns to right field.

From RotoBaller

Miami Marlins reliever Jesus Tinoco (forearm) is continuing a throwing program he started on June 16 and is "close to getting back on the mound," according to MLB.com. The 30-year-old right-hander was placed on the 15-day IL with a right forearm strain in early June. Before the injury, Tinoco had worked 19 1/3 innings with a 5.12 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 10 strikeouts, and four saves. His 3.26 xERA was significantly lower than his actual number, but his putrid 12.5% strikeout rate was also much worse than the 25.9% K rate he posted in 2024. He could get back in the mix for saves in the Marlins bullpen upon his return. Miami has opted for a committee approach led by breakout right-hander Ronny Henriquez in his absence.

From RotoBaller

Left-handed relief pitcher Joe Mantiply and the Toronto Blue Jays have agreed to terms on a minor-league deal. The 34-year-old veteran was knocked around this year, giving up 17 runs on 26 hits in just 9 2/3 innings. He had a 15.83 ERA and 9.39 FIP, while serving up five homers and letting lefties go 12-for-25 (.480) with a .658 wOBA in that small sample size. He had been an important contributor to Arizona's bullpen for the last four years before his rough start to 2025, posting a combined 3.63 ERA over 198 1/3 innings. After his tough start and diminished velocity, he was released by the Diamondbacks earlier this year, and now the Blue Jays will see if he has anything left to contribute as they chase the AL East title. Mantiply does provide solid veteran depth in the organization, but he doesn't have a clear path to a role right now with Justin Bruihl and Brendon Little as the Blue Jays' current southpaws in the bullpen.

From RotoBaller

Left-handed pitcher Foster Griffin hasn't pitched in the majors since 2022, but he could be one of the most under-the-radar free agents this coming offseason. He split time in 2022 between the Royals and Blue Jays before joining the Yomiuri Giants in the Nippon Professional League. This year, he has posted a 0.75 ERA with 72 strikeouts in 12 games (11 starts). He is 6-0 with a 1.39 FIP and 0.86 WHIP in his 72 innings. Griffin reportedly switched up his arsenal this year, catching the eye of several MLB teams with his strong start to the season, according to Fansided's Robert Murray. Griffin will be a name to watch this offseason as teams look to fortify their rotations, and he could be very productive, despite his non-traditional path through Japan.

From RotoBaller

The Boston Red Sox may be circling Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Charlie Morton as a trade deadline target, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic and Fox Sports. The 41-year-old Morton's season-long numbers are unimpressive, as he's posted a 5.18 ERA and 1.52 WHIP with 88 strikeouts in 83 1/3 innings (14 starts). However, Morton has turned it on of late. Across seven starts in June and July, Morton is 4-0 with a 2.72 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, and 43 strikeouts in 36 1/3 innings. The veteran gives up a significant amount of hard contact on the ground, which has led to an elevated .331 BABIP and will continue to impact his WHIP. However, he still racks up strikeouts and could be in line for more win chances if moved to Boston or any other contender.

From RotoBaller

According to Jon Heyman, the Yankees are looking to fix their issues at third base with an obvious but effective option--Eugenio Suarez of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Suarez is slashing .250/.320/.569 and leads the NL with 78 RBI. He has crushed 31 home runs this year for Arizona, but his team is still just 47-50 at the break, sitting 11 games behind the Dodgers in the NL West and 5.5 games out of a Wild Card spot. With so many injuries to their pitching staff, the Dbacks are expected to be sellers at the deadline, and Suarez should be one of the best bats on the market. Heyman also mentions Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes and Colorado Rockies third baseman Ryan McMahon as other potential fits if a deal for Suarez can't be struck.

From RotoBaller

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho (hamstring) was scheduled to begin a rehab assignment on Monday in the Florida Complex League, but it "doesn't appear he did," according to Mitch Bannon of The Athletic. It's been a rough year so far for Varsho. He missed nearly all of April while recovering from shoulder surgery, then strained his hamstring on May 31 and has not played since. In exactly 100 plate appearances before getting hurt, Varsho slashed .207/.240/.543 with eight home runs, 20 RBI, 14 runs scored, and one stolen base. In an admittedly small sample, his 17.2% barrel rate was by far the best of his career and his .509 xSLG largely backed up his power surge. Much of Varsho's value to the Blue Jays comes from his stellar defense, so they'll want to be sure his hamstring is ready to go before he rejoins the team. It's unclear at this point whether he suffered a setback in his recovery efforts, or if the team's plans for him were altered for some other reason.

From RotoBaller

The Minnesota Twins have had no conversations about trading star pitcher Joe Ryan, according to Robert Murray of FanSided. Minnesota is 47-49, 11 1/2 games behind the Detroit Tigers in the AL Central and four games behind the Seattle Mariners for the final American League Wild Card spot. However, Ryan is under team control through the 2027 season, so there's no pressure on the Twins to make a move now. The 29-year-old is having his best year so far in 2025. In 109 1/3 innings (18 starts), Ryan is 9-4 with a 2.72 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, and 121 strikeouts. His 22.9% K-BB rate is excellent, and opposing batters are hitting just .195 against him. Whether he remains in Minnesota or eventually gets moved, Ryan profiles as a high-level fantasy option.

From RotoBaller

Texas Rangers outfielder Adolis Garcia has been asked about in trade conversations by "several teams," according to Francys Romero. The 32-year-old Garcia is under team control through 2026, so he'd be more than just a trade deadline rental for a contending team. In 373 plate appearances this season, Garcia is slashing .232/.279/.404 with 13 home runs, 56 RBI, 34 runs, and nine stolen bases. However, his 24.7% strikeout rate is the best of his career, and both his .253 xBA and .479 xSLG point to possible second-half improvement. Garcia is still a decent power/speed option in fantasy, and a move to a stronger offense at the trade deadline could help his counting stats, particularly runs scored.

From RotoBaller

Miami Marlins manager Clayton McCullough is "optimistic" that starting pitcher Edward Cabrera (elbow) will be back in the rotation after the All-Star break, according to Mike Cugno of CBS Miami. The 27-year-old right-hander left his final start before the break on July 11 against the Baltimore Orioles after four innings due to elbow discomfort, but imaging on the elbow came back clean. Cabrera has had a solid season to this point, posting a 3-4 record with a 3.61 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, and 86 strikeouts in 82 1/3 innings (16 starts). Walks have historically been an issue for Cabrera, but he's logged a manageable 8.6% BB rate so far. He's been talked about as a potential trade deadline target for contending teams, so he could find himself in a more favorable situation for wins down the stretch of the season.

From RotoBaller

Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Juan Morillo was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Monday. The Diamondbacks have suffered numerous bullpen injuries this season. Despite this, the 26-year-old flamethrower was sent down after posting a 4.94 ERA with a 1.72 WHIP and a 23.0% strikeout rate in his first 27 1/3 innings pitched at the big-league level. He was effective at Triple-A for 7 1/3 innings at the beginning of the season, so he will try to engrain that success for a larger sample to earn another shot at the big leagues.

From RotoBaller