The Baltimore Orioles announced on Monday that they placed right-hander Zach Eflin (back) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to June 29) with lower-back discomfort and recalled rookie right-hander Brandon Young from Triple-A Norfolk in a corresponding move. Eflin injured his back during his start on Saturday against the Tampa Bay Rays and will now be out through the All-Star break. It remains to be seen if the 31-year-old veteran will be ready for his first turn through the rotation to start the second half in late July. Eflin has not been very reliable for fantasy managers in his first full season in Baltimore, recording a bloated 5.95 ERA (5.72 FIP) and 1.43 WHIP with only 42 strikeouts and 11 walks in 62 innings pitched over his 12 starts. Fantasy managers in deep-mixed leagues can drop Eflin for other options to close out the first half.

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The Baltimore Orioles announced on Monday that they recalled right-handed pitching prospect Brandon Young from Triple-A Norfolk and placed right-hander Zach Eflin (back) on the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move with lower-back discomfort. Young, the team's No. 19 prospect per MLB Pipeline, will make a quick return to the big leagues after recently being sent down. The 26-year-old hasn't fared well at the big-league level in three spot starts this year against the Cincinnati Reds, Detroit Tigers and Texas Rangers, surrendering 10 earned runs on 16 hits (two homers) while walking nine and striking out 11 in 12 2/3 innings. With lefty Cade Povich (hip) nearing his return from the IL, it's likely that Young will occupy a long-relief role in the O's bullpen for the time being, so fantasy managers in deeper leagues looking for rotation help should look elsewhere.

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Baltimore Orioles infielder Jordan Westburg (finger) remains out of the starting lineup for Monday's series opener on the road in Texas against the Rangers. Ramon Urias will make another start at third base and will bat fifth against Rangers left-hander Patrick Corbin. Westburg aggravated a left index-finger injury on Friday and will now miss his third straight start. While the 26-year-old is considered day-to-day, the chances of him going back on the injured list are increasing each day he's held out. However, he was able to swing the bat on Sunday. After being a first-time All-Star last year, Westburg has struggled in 2025 while struggling to stay healthy, slashing .228/.286/.434 with seven home runs, 14 RBI, 20 runs and one steal in 136 at-bats. He's the team's starting third baseman when healthy. Urias is hitting .333 with two RBI in nine career at-bats against Corbin.

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Philadelphia Phillies right-handed pitching prospect Andrew Painter will be on the roster for the MLB Futures Game during the All-Star break, but he will not be pitching. The Phillies want to keep Painter on their plan, according to manager Rob Thomson. Painter is still on the comeback trail after having Tommy John surgery in July of 2023, and although he has already made 13 starts with Single-A Clearwater and Triple-A Lehigh Valley this year, the Phillies are taking it slow with the No. 5 overall prospect in baseball, per MLB Pipeline. The 22-year-old former first-rounder in 2021 should already be stashed in all dynasty/keeper leagues, and he could become a priority addition in redraft leagues as well if he joins Philly's starting rotation in the second half of 2025. Painter currently has a 4.18 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 57:19 K:BB in 51 2/3 innings on the farm.

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Cincinnati Reds right-hander Hunter Greene (back, groin) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session in Boston on Wednesday, according to FOX 19's Charlie Goldsmith. If Greene comes out of that session fine, he'll throw again in Philadelphia before embarking on a minor-league rehab assignment. The 25-year-old's rehab process from a back and groin injury has gone well, but fantasy managers should not expect to have him back until the start of the second half of the season in late July. He last made a start for the Reds on June 3 versus the Milwaukee Brewers. Despite the long layoff, Greene is deserving of being stashed in an IL spot in all fantasy leagues. Before his injury, the hard-throwing hurler had gone 4-3 with a 2.72 ERA and 0.97 WHIP with 73 strikeouts and 14 walks in 59 2/3 innings over his 11 starts as the Reds' ace.

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Atlanta Braves right-hander Spencer Strider gave up two runs and five hits in seven innings in the loss to the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday, his longest start since September of 2023. Strider had only four strikeouts, though, the first time he had fewer than six K's in nine career starts of seven frames or more. The 26-year-old's velocity isn't quite what it was before he had elbow surgery in April of last year, but he has improved his fastball velocity steadily while also improving his secondary pitches. He has a 2.25 ERA in his last four starts and an MLB-leading 33 K's in 24 innings during that span after having a 5.40 ERA in his first five starts in 2025. While Strider's 2025 season has been far from perfect, he could easily return to his pre-injury form in the second half and be a fantasy ace. Fantasy managers should lock him into their lineups for his next outing against the Baltimore Orioles.

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Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar will be back in the team's starting lineup on Wednesday against the visiting Los Angeles Angels after serving an 80-game suspension for performance-enhancing drugs. Profar played just four games with the Braves before being hit with the 80-game suspension, but he's coming off a career year with the San Diego Padres in which he hit .280 with 24 home runs, 85 RBI and an .839 OPS, which was more than 100 points above his career .725 OPS. Even if the 31-year-old doesn't come close to matching that kind of output upon his return, he should at least provide an offensive boost from what Atlanta was getting from Eli White and Alex Verdugo in left field. Manager Brian Snitker said he plans to hit Profar in the heart of the order upon his return, which will give him plenty of chances to drive in runs for fantasy managers.

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Toronto Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said that outfielder/designated hitter Anthony Santander (shoulder) is getting close to starting a hitting progression. Atkins also said that Santander suffered a left-shoulder subluxation (partial separation) when he crashed into the outfield wall in early May in a game against the Los Angeles Angels. After being a first-time All-Star in 2024 in his final year with the Baltimore Orioles, Santander has been a big free-agent bust so far in 2025 in Toronto, slashing .179/.273/.304 with a .577 OPS, only six home runs, 18 RBI and 55 strikeouts in 209 plate appearances before his shoulder injury. It's good news that the 30-year-old Venezuelan is close to resuming baseball activities, but he won't be back until after the All-Star break as he looks to turn around his awful first half with the Jays.

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The Athletics announced on Monday that they optioned JJ Bleday to Triple-A Las Vegas and recalled outfield prospect Colby Thomas from Las Vegas in a corresponding move. Bleday is hitting just .191/.288/.358 on the season with a .645 OPS, eight home runs, 22 RBI, 30 runs, one stolen base and a 57:28 K:BB in 62 games in his third year with the team. After rejoining the big-league squad a month ago after a stay on the farm, the 27-year-old left-handed hitter started just nine of 26 games and hit .135/.273/.324 with a strikeout rate over 35 percent. The former first-rounder by the Miami Marlins in 2019 out of Vanderbilt did hit a career-high 20 home runs last year in Oakland, but he's quickly fallen out of favor with an A's team that isn't afraid to give their young prospects a shot the rest of the 2025 season.

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The Athletics announced on Monday that they reinstated catcher Shea Langeliers (oblique) from the 10-day injured list and optioned catcher Willie MacIver to Triple-A Las Vegas in a corresponding move. Langeliers will return as the team's starting backstop after missing over three weeks with a strained left oblique. The 27-year-old right-handed-hitting catcher went 8-for-13 with a home run in just three minor-league rehab games with Vegas and will be hoping to keep that hot hitting going when he returns to the A's lineup. Fantasy managers should expect him to start right away in Monday's series opener against the hosting Tampa Bay Rays and right-hander Drew Rasmussen. Langeliers swings and misses too much to be a batting-average asset in fantasy, but he has above-average at the weak catching position and is already in double digits in homers with 10 in 207 at-bats.

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St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado (finger) is at the hot corner and is batting fifth for Monday's series opener in Pittsburgh against the division-rival Pirates and left-hander Andrew Heaney at PNC Park. Arenado was lifted early as a precaution in Sunday's series finale against the Cleveland Guardians after he jammed his right index finger while running to first base. The injury wasn't a serious one, but it will be worth watching to see if it affects the 34-year-old veteran at the plate to close out the first half of the season. Arenado has gone hitless in nine career at-bats against Heaney and is in just the 26th percentile in expected slugging percentage. The eight-time All-Star's power is down for a second straight season (10 homers in 79 games), but he has been better at the plate in June, slashing .283/.317/.434 with four homers, three doubles, 14 RBI and 14 runs in 26 games.

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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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