The Cincinnati Reds announced that they have optioned infielder Christian Encarnacion-Strand to Triple-A Louisville to make room on the active roster for outfielder Jake Fraley (shoulder), who is returning from the 10-day injured list on Saturday. The Reds haven't really been able to keep Encarnacion-Strand's struggling bat in their lineup regularly, so he'll head down to the farm just before the All-Star break to work on his approach. The 25-year-old right-handed slugger just has not been what the Reds were hoping for as a potential replacement for Joey Votto at first base, and he gets demoted after slashing .208/.234/.377 with a .610 OPS and only six home runs in his 130 at-bats this year. CES also dealt with a back injury earlier this season that slowed his production. He should be back in Cincy at some point in the second half, but he won't be guaranteed regular playing time.

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The Boston Red Sox announced on Saturday that they placed rookie right-hander Hunter Dobbins (knee) on the 15-day injured list with a torn right ACL and recalled right-hander Richard Fitts from Triple-A Worcester in a corresponding move. Dobbins suffered the serious knee injury during his start on Friday against the Tampa Bay Rays. The 25-year-old will now be unavailable for the rest of the year and will finish his first MLB season in Boston with a 4-1 record, 4.13 ERA (3.82 FIP) and 1.28 WHIP with 45 strikeouts and 17 walks in 61 innings pitched over his 13 appearances (11 starts). With Tanner Houck, Kutter Crawford and Patrick Sandoval all still unavailable, it's possible Fitts will take over Dobbins' rotation spot for the BoSox heading into the second half of the season later this month. Dobbins can obviously be dropped now in single-year fantasy formats.

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Chicago Cubs outfielder Ian Happ has been dropped to seventh in the batting order for the second game of the series in the Bronx on Saturday against the hosting New York Yankees and left-hander Max Fried. Second baseman Nico Hoerner will bat leadoff for the Cubbies. Happ didn't even start against lefty Carlos Rodon in Friday's 11-0 blowout loss, and now he'll hit near the bottom of the lineup after going 2-for-32 (.063) with a double, run scored, two RBI, eight walks and eight strikeouts in nine games so far in July. The 30-year-old left-handed hitter has hit .556 with a 1.889 OPS, two home runs and two RBI in nine career at-bats versus Fried, but he's also batting .223 (23-for-103) with only two of his 12 home runs and a 30:16 K:BB against left-handed pitchers this season. The way Happ has been swinging it, he's one to fade against Fried.

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Boston Red Sox infielder/outfielder Ceddanne Rafaela was the hero in Friday night's 5-4 win over the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park, blasting a walk-off, two-run home run in the ninth inning to send the home fans away happy. Rafaela, who is starting at second base on Saturday, will now be rewarded with a move to the two-hole in the batting order against Rays right-hander Shane Baz. The 24-year-old has always been a marvel in the outfield with his glove, but he's starting to make improvements as a hitter in 2025 and is now slashing .271/.314/.477 with a .792 OPS, 13 home runs, 46 RBI, 54 runs and 12 stolen bases in 310 at-bats. He's hit .452 (14-for-31) with 13 RBI and nine runs in his last eight games and has batted .331 (47-for-142) with 11 homers, 27 RBI and five steals in 39 games since May 27. This resurgence appears to be for real.

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New York Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger took it to his former team, the Chicago Cubs, in Friday night's 11-0 blowout win in the Bronx by clubbing three home runs and driving in six runs. Bellinger could have had a fourth round-tripper in the series opener if not for right fielder Kyle Tucker robbing him at the wall. In any event, manager Aaron Boone has rewarded Bellinger with a move up the batting order for Game 2 of the series at Yankee Stadium, even against Cubs lefty Matthew Boyd. Bellinger is hitless in just two career at-bats against Boyd, but he's in the midst of a 16-game hitting streak that has seen him go 28-for-69 (.406) with six home runs, five doubles, 16 RBI, 16 runs scored and two stolen bases over 71 trips to the plate. He's also hit a strong .386 (34-for-88) with six of his 16 home runs in 2025 against southpaws.

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St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado (finger) is not in the lineup for his team's game on Saturday afternoon against the Atlanta Braves. Arenado exited the Cardinals' loss to Atlanta on Friday night with a sprained right index finger so this news comes as no surprise. The veteran has been battling discomfort in the finger for several weeks but has yet to hit the injured list. For the season, Arenado has slashed .246/.305/.388 with 10 home runs and 42 RBI. His strikeout rate is a career-best 9.8%, but his 4.3% barrel rate is underwhelming, as is his .378 xSLG. He's a borderline fantasy option at this point in his career who needs everyday playing time to volume his way to production.

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Houston Astros right-hander Cristian Javier (elbow) has been sent on a rehab assignment to the Florida Complex League, according to MLB.com. Javier underwent Tommy John surgery in June of 2024, so he'll likely need the full extent of the rehab assignment before he's ready to return to the big-league mound. The 28-year-old starter has thrown 501 career innings (82 starts) with a 33-18 record, 3.59 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and 17.5% K-BB rate. He'll have to prove he can regain full health and prior form, but he could be an important addition to Houston's rotation for the final few months of the season. Javier is someone for fantasy managers to monitor, but he'll likely return to true fantasy relevance in 2026.

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Detroit Tigers outfielder Parker Meadows is not in the lineup for his team's game on Saturday against the Seattle Mariners. Meadows missed the first two months of the season with a nerve injury in his right upper arm but has gotten near everyday playing time since returning on June 2. It's been a struggle for him so far as he's slashed .202/.272/.298 with two home runs, nine RBI, 12 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 114 plate appearances. The lefty-swinging Meadows has traditionally gotten his days off against same-handed pitching, so it's noteworthy that he's out of the lineup against right-hander Seattle starter George Kirby. Versatile veteran Matt Vierling will take Meadows' place in center field and bat seventh on Saturday.

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New York Yankees outfielder Jasson Dominguez will take a seat for his team's Saturday game against the Chicago Cubs and left-handed start Matthew Boyd. Dominguez is off to a red-hot start in July, hitting .350 with five extra-base hits including two home runs, seven RBI, eight runs scored, and two stolen bases in 43 plate appearances. The 22-year-old rookie is a switch-hitter, but he's been much better against right-handed pitching. Dominguez is hitting .203 with one home run, six RBI, and a 32.2% strikeout rate in 90 plate appearances against lefties. Cody Bellinger will slide over and play left field in his absence, with Trent Grisham being inserted in center field.

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Toronto Blue Jays relievers Yimi Garcia (ankle) and Paxton Schultz (finger) threw bullpen sessions in Toronto on Friday, according to Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith. Garcia returned from a shoulder injury that cost him over a month in early July but only made one appearance before spraining his ankle and going back on the 15-day injured list. The veteran right-hander has pitched to a 3.86 ERA and 1.19 WHIP with 25 strikeouts and three saves in 21 innings. Schultz is currently on the 15-day IL with a finger issue and last pitched on June 28. The 27-year-old has thrown 23 2/23 innings for Toronto this season with a 4.56 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, and 27 strikeouts. Since both Garcia and Schultz are back to throwing, it seems likely that neither will remain out much past the All-Star break.

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Minnesota Twins shortstop Carlos Correa (ankle) is out of the lineup for his team's Saturday afternoon game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Correa left the team's 2-1 win over Pittsburgh on Friday night in the seventh inning after Pirates outfielder Tommy Pham collided with his lower leg in a scary-looking play at second base. Initial reporting indicates a mild ankle sprain for Correa, and with the All-Star Break in sight, it seems likely that Minnesota will let him rest for the remainder of the weekend. The 30-year-old Correa has had an underwhelming season so far, slashing .261/.302/.385 with seven home runs, 30 RBI, and 35 runs scored. Correa's 5.7% walk rate in 2025 is significantly worse than his career average (10.3%), and his .302 OBP would be his lowest single-season mark. He has a history of ankle issues, so this latest injury is a worrying one for fantasy managers hoping for a second-half bounce back.

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Texas Rangers right-hander Josh Sborz (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment on Saturday with Triple-A Round Rock, Jeff Wilson of DLLS Sports reports. Sborz has yet to pitch this year after undergoing shoulder surgery last November. Shoulder problems dogged the 31-year-old throughout the 2024 season and limited him to 16 1/3 innings of 3.86 ERA ball. In 2023, his most recent full season, Sborz struggled to a 5.50 ERA despite quality strikeout and walk numbers (66:17 K:BB) over 52 1/3 frames. He should rejoin the Rangers' bullpen when he's ready to return.

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The Arizona Diamondbacks placed left-hander Jalen Beeks (back) on the 15-day injured list on Friday, retroactive to July 8, with inflammation in his lower back. The team activated right-hander Kendall Graveman (hip) from the 15-day IL to take Beeks' roster spot. If he's healthy by the end of the month, Beeks could wind up in another uniform by the July 31 trade deadline. The soon-to-be free agent is a logical trade chip for an Arizona team that's three games below .500 and could elect to sell. Beeks has recorded a 4.39 ERA with 39 strikeouts, 15 walks, and 11 holds in 41 innings. He may garner attention from contenders in serious need of bullpen help.

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The Toronto Blue Jays announced Friday that they placed right-hander Ryan Burr (shoulder) on the 60-day injured list with a strained rotator cuff. The team selected the contract of righty Tommy Nance in a corresponding move. This season may be lost for Burr, who won't be eligible to return until mid-September. That's assuming Burr doesn't suffer any setbacks in the meantime. The 31-year-old missed the first three months of the season with shoulder troubles and just returned July 6 to throw two scoreless innings over a pair of appearances.

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The Atlanta Braves have placed third baseman Austin Riley (abdomen) on the 10-day injured list with a strained right abdomen. The club recalled infielder Nacho Alvarez Jr. from Triple-A Gwinnett to take Riley's roster spot. Riley suffered the injury during the Braves' 6-5 win over the Cardinals on Friday, forcing him to exit in the fourth inning after going 1-for-2 with an RBI and a run. Riley missed 52 games last year, largely because of a fractured hand, but had stayed healthy this season up to now. He has started in all 93 of Atlanta's games and hit .274/.324/.441 with 14 homers, 48 RBI, and 51 runs scored over 408 trips to the plate. Luke Williams, who subbed in for Riley on Friday, is the only other Brave who has seen time at the hot corner this year.

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New York Mets designated hitter/outfielder Starling Marte (knee) underwent an MRI on his right knee that yielded "very good" results, manager Carlos Mendoza told reporters. The Mets expect Marte to return after the All-Star break, which suggests he'll miss the minimum amount of time after going on the 10-day injured list July 7 with a knee bruise. Marte has gotten the lion's share of work at DH for the Mets and batted .270/.353/.387 with four home runs, 20 RBI, 22 runs, and five stolen bases in 188 plate appearances.

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Houston Astros second baseman Brendan Rodgers (oblique) and right-hander Shawn Dubin (forearm) are now rehabbing from their injuries at the team's facility in Florida. Rodgers has been out since June 15 with a strained left oblique. He opened the season as the Astros' starting second baseman, but they began cutting his playing time after he slumped to a .191/.266/.278 line with two home runs and 11 RBI in 128 plate appearances. Rodgers could return sometime this month, though the recently promoted Brice Matthews has taken over at the keystone. Dubin, who hasn't pitched since June 20 on account of a forearm strain, has begun throwing off flat ground. There's no timetable for his return, but the Astros will be glad to welcome the 29-year-old back to their bullpen. He pitched to a 1.33 ERA with 18 strikeouts, seven walks, six holds, and a 1.13 WHIP in 20 1/3 innings before going on the IL.

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Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Bowden Francis (shoulder) will throw a bullpen session on Saturday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet reports. Francis is working back from a right-shoulder impingement that has sidelined him since June 15. Between the injury and his performance, this has been a rough season for Francis. The 29-year-old has made 14 starts for the Blue Jays and gone 2-8 with a 6.05 ERA, a 1.53 WHIP, and 54:27 K:BB over 64 innings. Francis is without a clear timetable for a return, and barring injuries, it seems unlikely Toronto will reinsert him into its rotation when he comes back.

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Tampa Bay Rays right-handed reliever Manuel Rodriguez (forearm) has suffered a setback in his rehab from a forearm strain. Rodriguez had to leave his appearance with Triple-A Durham on Friday against the third batter he faced after he experienced diminished velocity. The 28-year-old's fastball normally clocks in around 97 mph, but it was down to 91.6 mph on Friday. That's an alarming development for a pitcher who has already been out for a month. Rodriguez logged an excellent 2.08 ERA with 25 strikeouts, six walks, and 11 holds over 30 1/3 innings before going on the 15-day injured list on June 10.

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Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Andres Gimenez (ankle) is undergoing treatment on his ailing left ankle and remains "week-to-week," according to manager John Schneider. Gimenez has been on the 10-day injured list since July 5 with a sprain. The glove-first 26-year-old hit .218/.300/.322 with five homers, 23 RBI, 26 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases in 238 plate appearances before suffering the injury. The surging Jays have turned to a combination of Ernie Clement and Leo Jimenez at the keystone in Gimenez's absence.

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