Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Jacob Misiorowski stymied the Pittsburgh Pirates over five innings in Wednesday's 4-2 victory. He gave up two hits and issued two free passes while striking out eight in another excellent outing. The hard-throwing right-hander racked up 13 swinging strikes to register a 35% CSW and threw 15 pitches faster than opposing pitcher Paul Skenes' fastest pitch (100.2 MPH) -- topping out at an eye-popping 102.4 MPH. Few words describe just how good Misiorowski has been in his professional debut, boasting as many hits (three) as wins (3-0). He'll carry a sublime 1.13 ERA and 0.63 WHIP into a road outing with the New York Mets next week.

From RotoBaller

The Houston Astros and shortstop Jeremy Pena were deep in contract discussions on a deal worth more than $105 million over five years, multiple league sources told KPRC 2 Sports' Ari Alexander. The Astros first approached Pena early in the year, but in the midst of a career year for the 27-year-old in 2025, his price has gone up, and the Astros' most recent offer exceeded $107 million. On Monday, Pena hired Scott Boras as his new agent, which could complicate contract discussions, with the super agent well-known for taking his clients to free agency. However, the Astros have gotten deals done recently with Boras on clients Jose Altuve and Lance McCullers Jr. Pena has been one of the best players in the American League this year, going into Wednesday's action hitting .326/.382/.495 with an .877 OPS, 11 home runs, 40 RBI, 47 runs scored and 15 steals in 307 at-bats.

From RotoBaller

San Diego Padres pitcher Nick Pivetta tossed seven scoreless innings in his team's 1-0 win against the visiting Washington Nationals. He allowed three hits and matched a season-high with ten punchouts -- improving to 8-2 on the season. Pivetta was stellar against the team that drafted him, garnering an outstanding 39% CSW, and it was nice to see him hurl an outing sans a run after yielding four earned runs or more in three of his previous four outings. He's been solid in his first stint with the Friars, compiling a 3.36 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, and 101:24 K:BB ratio through 16 starts (91 innings). Pivetta's next outing will be a road date with the first-place Philadelphia Phillies early next week.

From RotoBaller

The Arizona Diamondbacks announced on Wednesday that they placed infielder Ildemaro Vargas (foot) on the 10-day injured list with a fractured fifth metatarsal in his right foot and recalled infielder Blaze Alexander from Triple-A Reno in a corresponding move. Vargas was hit by a pitch on Tuesday against the Chicago White Sox and is now wearing a walking boot. The 33-year-old backup infielder won't be able to return until the second half of the season. Alexander will serve as infield depth in Vargas' place. The 26-year-old former 11th-round pick in 2018 made his major-league debut a year ago and hit .247 (41-for-166) with three homers, 21 RBI, three steals and 19 runs scored in 61 games played. Alexander has the ability to play multiple infield spots and center field, but with Eugenio Suarez (hand) expected back by Friday, he'll serve in a bench role for now.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi blanked the Boston Red Sox over seven innings of work in Wednesday's 5-2 home win. The veteran yielded three hits, walked one, and fanned a season-high 12 batters, improving to 3-6. Kikuchi has been on quite a stretch recently, punching out 31 over his last 19 2/3 frames (three walks). Furthermore, he hasn't given up more than three runs in an outing in nearly two months (Apr. 26). The 34-year-old's expected stats aren't the most appealing (4.34 xFIP), but he continues to out-pitch his metrics, making him worth riding until regression finds him. He'll square off against the hosting Atlanta Braves the next time he toes the rubber.

From RotoBaller

Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suarez (hand) took light batting practice on Wednesday and expressed confidence that he'd be back in the starting lineup by Friday's series opener at home against the visiting Miami Marlins, according to MLB.com's Casey Drottar. Suarez was hit on his right hand by a pitch on Monday against the Chicago White Sox and missed the final two games of the series as a result. However, X-rays came back negative and he's just waiting for the swelling in his hand to go down. Fantasy managers will want to check back to make sure the 33-year-old power hitter is back on Friday after Thursday's off day. Suarez has been an elite source of power for fantasy managers this year with 25 home runs and 67 RBI while slashing .251/.323/.569 with an .892 OPS. He's also added 48 runs scored in 283 at-bats.

From RotoBaller

Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop prospect Jordan Lawlar (hamstring) returned to the starting lineup for the Triple-A Reno Aces on Wednesday and made the start at third base while batting in the two-hole. Lawlar hadn't played since last Thursday in the minors due to a sore hamstring, but he's back now. With third baseman Eugenio Suarez (hamstring) expected to return this weekend after being hit by a pitch on his hand on Monday, it's unlikely we'll see the 22-year-old Lawlar back in the big leagues until the second half of the 2025 season. Lawlar continues to prove himself at Triple-A with a .997 OPS, 10 home runs and 18 stolen bases in 52 games with the Aces, but he went hitless in 19 at-bats over eight games earlier this year and has only four hits in his 56 plate appearances in the big leagues since making his MLB debut with the Snakes back in 2023.

From RotoBaller

Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung went 2-for-4 with three RBI in Wednesday's 7-0 win against the Orioles. This snapped a huge power drought, as he hadn't homered since May 16. The 27-year-old is now slashing .246/.292/.385 with eight home runs, 34 RBI, and 25 runs in 70 games. This was his second multi-hit game in a row, so hopefully this is the start of Jung finally breaking out of his slump. The youngster is still chasing the high of hitting 23 home runs in 122 games in 2023, but he hasn't been able to return to that form after missing most of last season with an injury.

From RotoBaller

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jacob deGrom was dominant on Wednesday to pick up his eighth win of the season, pitching seven shutout innings while striking out seven. He allowed one hit and two walks and took a no-hit bid into the eighth inning, but was pulled after Colton Cowser singled to start the frame. After a bit of a rocky start to the season, the veteran pitcher has locked in and held the opposition to two runs or less in 13 straight starts dating back to April 18. The 94 strikeouts in 95 innings are less than usual for the ace, but he is making an intentional effort this season to dial back his velocity in an attempt to stay healthy. Considering he has a 2.08 ERA and 0.91 WHIP on the year, there's no need to be throwing 102 miles per hour. He'll look to repeat this performance in his next start, which is once again set to be against the Orioles.

From RotoBaller

Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz went 3-for-3 with a three-run home run, two singles, and a walk in Wednesday's 3-0 win against the Tigers. Since June 15, the rookie has launched six home runs and has three multi-hit games in that span. It took a couple of weeks for him to get comfortable at the major league level, but the slugger is now slashing .255/.313/.523 with 11 home runs in 42 games. That's more than a 40-homer pace over 162 games, and he should be universally rostered in fantasy at this point. His 32.7% strikeout rate could cause some extended slumps, but the 22-year-old's elite power should continue to shine.

From RotoBaller

Athletics starting pitcher Jacob Lopez threw seven scoreless innings against the Tigers on Wednesday to earn his second win of the season. He allowed three hits and one walk while striking out six. This is his fourth straight outing of allowing one earned run or less, with three being scoreless appearances. In that span, the 27-year-old has struck out 29 batters in 23 innings. The lefty has made seven starts this season and has certainly made the case to stay in the rotation for the foreseeable future. He'll carry a 3.56 ERA and a 28.9% strikeout rate into his next start, currently lined up to be against the Rays.

From RotoBaller

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Mitch Keller has drawn interest from the Chicago Cubs, reports Bruce Levine. However, getting a deal done could be challenging due to a seller's market, as one general manager states that 25 teams feel like they have a wild card chance. A trade of Keller to Chicago would boost his chance of getting wins, but Wrigley would be a park downgrade for the right-hander. The 29-year-old has been mediocre this season, posting a 4.02 ERA and 1.22 WHIP with 73 strikeouts and 24 walks in 94 innings. He's next scheduled to pitch Saturday against the Mets.

From RotoBaller

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho (hamstring) resumed running in the outfield on Wednesday after experiencing some hamstring tightness while running the bases on Monday. Varsho's MRI exam showed scar-tissue irritation but no structural damage, according to Sportsnet's Arden Zwelling. The 28-year-old center fielder is hoping to get back to running the bases soon. Before his setback on Monday, Varsho was getting close to going on a minor-league rehab assignment, so if he can resume running the bases soon, there's still a chance he can make it back to Toronto before the mid-July All-Star break. Varsho got a late start to 2025 while recovering from offseason shoulder surgery. He's hitting just .207 (19-for-92) in 24 games, but the team's starting center field offers plenty of pop and has eight homers and 20 RBI.

From RotoBaller

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Carson Spiers (shoulder) is chomping at the bit and is expected to start a minor-league rehab assignment soon, according to FOX 19's Charlie Goldsmith. Spiers is working his way back from a right-shoulder impingement that has kept him sidelined since the middle of April, but the 27-year-old could be nearing a return. Because of how long he's been out, it's unlikely that Spiers will return to the Reds before the mid-July All-Star break, but he could be ready to go for the start of the second half on July 18. He will most likely require a minor-league rehab start before being activated from the injured list. The former Clemson product made 22 appearances (10 starts) for the Reds last year and was touched up for 20 home runs in 90 2/3 innings. He gave up nine earned runs in 13 1/3 innings over three outings (two starts) before his injury and remains off the fantasy radar in most leagues for now.

From RotoBaller

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Hunter Greene (back, groin) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session when the team is in Boston next week for a series against the Red Sox. Greene is working his way back from multiple injuries that have kept him out for over three weeks now. It's good to see the hard-throwing 25-year-old hander getting ready to get back on the mound, but at this point in the schedule with the All-Star break quickly approaching, it's unlikely that he'll rejoin Cincy's starting rotation until the start of the second half of the season on July 18. Until then, the team's top pitching prospect, Chase Burns, will get a run in the big-league rotation after making his MLB debut on Tuesday night against the Yankees. Greene is a must-stash in all fantasy formats and had a 2.72 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 73 K's in 59 2/3 innings over 11 starts before his injury. He has the potential to be a difference-maker in the second half if he's healthy.

From RotoBaller

FOX 19's Charlie Goldsmith reports that Cincinnati Reds outfielder Jake Fraley (shoulder) is dealing with a shoulder injury, and he was held out of Wednesday's starting lineup against the visiting New York Yankees. Not only is Fraley dealing with a banged-up shoulder, but the Reds have faced left-handed starting pitchers each of the last two games. The Reds have Thursday off, but it remains to be seen if the 30-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder will be ready for Friday's series opener against the visiting San Diego Padres. Rece Hinds made the start in right field on Wednesday against the Yankees and could split playing time at the position with the left-handed-hitting Will Benson if Fraley ends up missing more time with his shoulder ailment. As a part-time player against righties, Fraley's fantasy upside is limited, and he's hitting just .224 with five homers, 17 RBI and four steals in 47 games in 2025.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto's (shoulder) MRI exam didn't reveal any structural damage in his surgically-repaired right shoulder, and he's considered day-to-day, according to Bally Sports' Erica Weston. Neto aggravated his right shoulder when he jammed it during a stolen base attempt in Tuesday's extra-inning win over the visiting Boston Red Sox and was removed from the game. The 24-year-old didn't play in Wednesday's victory, but it's possible that he could be back as soon as Friday's series opener in Anaheim against the visiting Washington Nationals after a scheduled day off on Thursday. It's great news for the Halos and fantasy managers alike, as Neto is quickly becoming one of the best rising young shortstops in the game. The former first-rounder (13th overall) is currently hitting .278 (68-for-245) and is on pace for a 30-30 season.

From RotoBaller

Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. announced on Wednesday that he will participate in this year's Home Run Derby on July 14 during All-Star festivities that will take place at Truist Park in Atlanta. Despite not making his 2025 debut until late May, almost one year after he tore the ACL in his left knee, the former MVP and four-time All-Star hasn't missed a beat and entered play on Wednesday slashing a ridiculous .385/.496/.692 with a 1.188 OPS, nine home runs, 16 RBI, 31 runs scored and four stolen bases in only 104 at-bats. The 27-year-old will be competing in the Derby for the third time in his career, most recently losing to Mets first baseman Pete Alonso in the first round at Dodger Stadium in 2022. Acuna will be hoping to become the first Braves player to ever win the Home Run Derby. Fantasy managers will be hoping his participation doesn't affect his swing in the second half.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith will grab some pine to start Wednesday's contest at Coors Field against the division-rival Colorado Rockies. Rookie Dalton Rushing will be the battery mate for right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto and will hit ninth against Rockies rookie right-hander Chase Dollander. Smith is just receiving a regular day off. The two-time All-Star is hitting a cool .330 (69-for-209) on the year with nine home runs, 42 RBI, 39 runs scored and two stolen bases. The former first-rounder continues to be a must-start catcher in fantasy when he's on the field in one of the best lineups in baseball. Rushing has held his own as the backup to Smith in his first taste of big-league pitching, batting .244 (11-for-45) with a homer, nine RBI and eight runs scored in 16 games. His DFS upside is limited in the nine-hole, but it's still Coors Field against a struggling rookie hurler.

From RotoBaller

Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper (hand) was able to take part in batting practice ahead of Wednesday's game against the Houston Astros. This is a good sign in Harper's recovery after he was able to go through his pre-game routine on Tuesday. The hope is that Harper keeps making progress and can return to the lineup by the end of the week. Harper has been sidelined since early June due to wrist inflammation. Fantasy managers should stay tuned for more updates as Harper appears to be on the verge of returning.

From RotoBaller