Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Shota Imanaga made his return to the mound for Thursday's outing against the St. Louis Cardinals. This was Imanaga's first start since suffering a hamstring injury in early May. Imanaga didn't look rusty at all as he tossed five scoreless innings, allowing only one hit and one walk with three strikeouts in the win. The Cubs didn't want to push Imanaga too hard during his first game back, but this was an excellent outing from him. He'll look to keep the good times rolling against the Cleveland Guardians in his next start.

From RotoBaller

Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco was found guilty of sexual abuse of a minor in the Dominican Republic on Thursday, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan. Franco will receive a two-year suspended prison sentence, with the primary condition being that he doesn't approach minors with sexual intentions. The 24-year-old was formally charged with sexual abuse and sexual exploitation against a minor, as well as human trafficking, in July of last year. He was placed on administrative leave by MLB last August and remains on the league's restricted list. While it appears that Franco may not actually have to do any prison time, it's still unlikely that he sets foot back onto a field in the big leagues for the Rays or any other organization.

From RotoBaller

Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Zac Gallen is in a contract year and is posting career-worst numbers in almost every category, sparking speculation that he could be traded at this year's deadline if the team doesn't make a run before July 31. While Gallen's stuff hasn't necessarily declined, he's allowing too much damage when hitters make contact with his offerings. ESPN's Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan believe there's a 30 percent chance Gallen is traded, and teams like the Toronto Blue Jays, San Diego Padres, Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs could be suitors. The 29-year-old now has a rough 6.97 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 39:21 K:BB in 51 2/3 innings this year and has allowed nine homers in his last five starts. It's possible contending teams aren't willing to give up enough for Gallen if they don't think he can turn it around in 2025.

From RotoBaller

Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suarez is in a contract year and is sitting near career-highs in isolated power and wRC+ despite turning 34 years old before the July 31 trade deadline. ESPN's Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan believe it's a coin flip as to whether Arizona trades the veteran power hitter this summer, but it would make sense to open up a spot at third base for infield prospect Jordan Lawlar, who continues to rake in the minor leagues. Suarez's fielding metrics have declined in recent seasons, but he's still an acceptable defender at third base and could be used as a full-time designated hitter by a contender. The D-backs aren't out of the National League wild-card race by any means, but they might need a hot stretch before late July to make them consider hanging onto Suarez, who currently ranks fourth in baseball with his 25 home runs.

From RotoBaller

Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Shane Baz was at the top of his game in Thursday's 4-0 victory over the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Field, tossing a season-high eight scoreless innings while giving up only three hits, walking one and striking out nine to lower his season ERA to 4.37 and pick up his eighth win of the year. Although this was his third straight win, the 26-year-old wasn't sharp last time out against the Detroit Tigers, allowing five earned runs while walking four in 5 1/3 frames. The former 12th overall pick by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2017 has had trouble limiting runs this year and has a below-average 21.9% strikeout rate and sub-optimal 9.7% walk rate, but he's been fortunate to rack up the wins for fantasy managers. The bright side is that there's room for improvement in the second half in his first full season removed from Tommy John surgery.

From RotoBaller

The Kansas City Royals could look to move veteran right-hander Seth Lugo at this year's trade deadline with a Nathan Eovaldi-type deal awaiting him in free agency this winter, according to ESPN's Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan. That could especially be the case if the Royals continue to struggle going into late July with lefty Cole Ragans (shoulder) on the injured list. Despite not possessing eye-popping strikeout rates or velocity, Lugo has posted mid-3.00s or lower ERAs for five straight seasons. His ability to strand runners and limit hard contact has been impressive and has been helped by the fact that he can keep hitters off balance with nine different pitches. Lugo currently is sporting an ERA under 3.00 with a 1.04 WHIP, but with only 68 strikeouts in 83 innings and an xERA of 4.69. The Cubs, Astros, Blue Jays, Padres and Dodgers are potential landing spots if Lugo is dealt.

From RotoBaller

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Kevin Gausman was extremely stingy in the team's 6-0 win over the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field in Thursday's series finale. Gausman hurled eight shutout innings while allowing only two hit, walking one and striking out six to lower his season ERA to 4.21. It was a very nice bounce-back outing for the 34-year-old veteran after he gave up a season-high seven earned runs in 4 1/3 innings for a loss in his last outing against the Arizona Diamondbacks. This was easily Gausman's best start in June, as he had allowed a total of 17 earned runs on 20 hits (four homers) while walking 12 and striking out 23 over 20 innings in his previous four starts. It's not going to get any easier next time out, though, as he's currently set up to toe the rubber against the division-rival New York Yankees at home next week.

From RotoBaller

ESPN's Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan put the chances of Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Freddy Peralta being traded this summer at 20 percent. Peralta has been a steady presence in Milwaukee's starting rotation for the last eight years, averaging 140 innings pitched with a 3.49 ERA in the last four seasons. The 29-year-old Dominican hurler currently has a league-high eight wins in 17 starts with a tidy 2.90 ERA (3.90 FIP), 1.13 WHIP and 98:34 K:BB in 93 innings with a career-high 94.9 mph average velocity. He has a very cheap $8 million option for the 2026 season, but with the Brew Crew in the thick of the race in both the National League Central and the NL wild card, it would be a pretty big surprise if he were traded by July 31. Potential teams that could be looking to acquire Peralta include Boston, Houston, Toronto, St. Louis, Arizona, San Diego and Baltimore.

From RotoBaller

Milwaukee Brewers third base prospect Brock Wilken (knee) is facing an eight- to 10-week recovery timeline after suffering a dislocated left patella when he was injured last week while celebrating Double-A Biloxi's first-half championship, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Todd Rosiak. Wilken and the Brewers have agreed on a non-surgical route, but he will not be back in action on the farm until late in the second half of the minor-league season. The 23-year-old former 18th overall pick in 2023 out of Wake Forest is considered the team's No. 18 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, and was hitting .230 (51-for-222) with 18 home runs, 41 RBI, 42 runs and two steals in 65 games for Biloxi before his serious knee injury. With his 6-foot-4, 225-pound frame, Wilken provides plenty of raw power for a corner infielder, but he's unlikely to make his MLB debut until next year, especially after this injury.

From RotoBaller

New York Mets reliever Austin Warren was recalled from AAA Syracuse on Thursday. Right-hander Jonathan Pintaro was optioned as the corresponding move. Warren has made just one appearance for the Mets this year and owns a career 3.08 ERA across 49 2/3 career big-league innings. In 29 2/3 innings pitched at AAA this season, Warren has a 3.94 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, and 35 K. His 27.6% strikeout rate at AAA is slightly intriguing, but Warren's career strikeout rate in the majors is a much more modest 18.9%. At 29 years old, Warren profiles as a depth piece in the Mets' bullpen and nothing more.

From RotoBaller

New York Mets left-handed starter Sean Manaea (elbow, oblique) played catch on Thursday after being shut down earlier this week. An MRI revealed that Manaea is dealing with a loose body in his left elbow, but it appears that he has avoided a more serious injury. He is expected to complete his current minor league rehab assignment next week. Manaea has yet to pitch for the Mets this year after suffering a right oblique injury in spring training. The 33-year-old veteran is coming off a very solid 2024 in which he threw 181 2/3 innings with a 3.47 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and 184 strikeouts. He'll have every chance to reclaim a prominent role in the Mets rotation when he does indeed make his return to the big-league mound.

From RotoBaller

New York Mets third baseman Mark Vientos (hamstring) said he will come off the 10-day injured list to rejoin the big-league roster on Friday before the series opener in Pittsburgh against the Pirates. Vientos should return to regular playing time for the Mets when he's back between third base and designated hitter. The 25-year-old went 5-for-28 with six RBI and four runs scored in seven minor-league rehab games with Triple-A Syracuse and will return to a .230/.298/.380 slash line with six home runs, 21 RBI and 22 runs scored at the big-league level. Vientos was a breakout star for the Mets in 2024 with 27 home runs and 71 RBI in 111 regular-season games, but he hasn't looked like that same hitter so far in 2025 with a strikeout rate in the 40th percentile and a chase rate in the 32nd percentile. He can still provide pop and RBI in a strong lineup, but the average is going to remain low.

From RotoBaller

Miami Marlins outfielder Derek Hill (wrist) will start a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Jacksonville on Thursday night, according to MLB.com's Christina De Nicola. Hill will resume playing in games in the minors after missing the last month with a sprained left wrist. If the 29-year-old can avoid setbacks with the Jumbo Shrimp this weekend, it's possible he will rejoin the major-league roster for next week's series against the visiting Minnesota Twins, which begins on Tuesday. The former first-rounder in 2014 by the Detroit Tigers went 17-for-73 (.233) with two home runs, five RBI, 11 runs scored and six stolen bases in 23 games for the Fish this year before his injury. At best, Hill will be in a platoon role in the outfield for one of the worst teams in the big leagues, which limits his fantasy appeal to NL-only formats. His most attractive trait is his 95th percentile sprint speed.

From RotoBaller

Baltimore Orioles left-hander Cade Povich (hip) will make his first minor-league rehab start on Thursday with Triple-A Norfolk, according to The Baltimore Sun's Matt Weyrich. It might only take Povich one or two rehab starts before he's activated from the 15-day injured list after initially being sidelined in the middle of June due to inflammation in his left hip. The 25-year-old southpaw has continued to struggle as a starter in the big leagues for the O's in his second year in the majors in 2025, posting a 2-5 record, 5.15 ERA (4.09 FIP) and 1.50 WHIP with 23 walks in 64 2/3 innings, but he has also fanned 68 in his 13 appearances (12 starts). It's possible that Povich will rejoin the starting rotation next week against the Texas Rangers, which would make him an intriguing deep-league streamer given the Rangers' offensive struggles.

From RotoBaller

Philadelphia Phillies shortstop prospect Aidan Miller went hitless in five plate appearances for Double-A Reading on Wednesday, but drew three walks in the contest, collected an RBI on a sacrifice fly, and stole two bases. The Phils' top offensive prospect missed a week and a half with what was described as skin irritation, but has picked up where he left off, collecting hits and stolen bases in bunches. Over his last 15 games, seven have been two-hit performances while the other eight have been hitless efforts, and there have been four two-steal games in there as well. Although the batting average still sits at an uninspiring .239, the 2023 first-rounder has displayed an improved approach at the plate, walking 14 times compared to just 13 strikeouts during that stretch, good for a 20.3 percent walk rate and 18.8 percent strikeout rate. This is in contrast to the 11.9 percent walk rate and 28.4 percent strikeout rate he authored prior to this recent 15-game span. If he continues to show improvement, he could get a look at Triple-A before the season is out. With 60-grade power and the ability to steal bases (26 SB in 54 games so far in 2025), managers in dynasty formats should have a keen interest in Miller, and he could make a debut in the big leagues as soon as next season.

From RotoBaller

The Los Angeles Angels optioned middle infielder Kyren Paris back to Triple-A Salt Lake on Thursday, according to the team. Paris was only up with the big-league club for three days and will now head back to the Bees, where he'll serve as middle-infield depth for the Halos. The 23-year-old is likely headed back to the farm after the Angels discovered that starting shortstop Zach Neto (shoulder) isn't dealing with any structural damage to his surgically-repaired right shoulder after aggravating it during a slide into second base on a steal attempt earlier this week. Paris' path to regular playing time at the big-league level in the second half of 2025 got more difficult after second base prospect Christian Moore received his first MLB call-up not long ago. It will likely take an injury to one of the team's infielders for Paris to get another shot.

From RotoBaller

Athletics second baseman Zack Gelof (ribs) went 2-for-4 with two doubles, an RBI, three runs scored and a walk in his latest minor-league rehab game on Wednesday with Triple-A Las Vegas in a 13-2 victory over Triple-A Albuquerque. Gelof had surgery on March 24 to fix a fractured hamate bone in his right wrist before being shut down in late April with a stress reaction in his ribs. The 25-year-old is getting closer to making his 2025 season debut, but he might require another week or so of rehab games first. In nine rehab games with the Aviators, he has hit .217 (5-for-23) with two doubles, two RBI, two steals and 10 run scored in 33 plate appearances. The former second-round pick has 20-20 potential and should be the A's starting second baseman when he returns, making him plenty useful in mixed fantasy leagues. Gelof has hit .231 but with 31 homers and 39 RBI in 207 games in his first two MLB seasons.

From RotoBaller

Updating a previous report, X-rays on Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s right forearm came back negative after he was hit by a pitch from Cleveland Guardians right-hander Tanner Bibee in Thursday's series finale, according to the team. Guerrero went 0-for-1 in the contest with a groundout before leaving the ballgame as a precaution. Fantasy managers should consider the 26-year-old slugger to be day-to-day. There's a good chance that he'll be ready to return to action for Friday's series opener at Fenway Park against the division-rival Boston Red Sox. The four-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger winner has the highest xBA in baseball at .327 and is in the 96th percentile in hard-hit rate and 98th percentile in xwOBA. Guerrero is a stud and should be in starting fantasy lineups whenever he's on the field.

From RotoBaller

Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez (forearm) left Thursday's game early against the visiting Toronto Blue Jays at Progressive Field with a bruised right forearm after he was hit by a pitch from Kevin Gausman in the bottom of the fourth inning. J-Ram was pulled before going back on defense in the top of the fifth. The good news is that X-rays came back negative on his arm, so there's a good chance we'll see the 32-year-old All-Star back in the starting lineup for Friday's series opener against the St. Louis Cardinals. Before leaving, Ramirez was hitless in two plate appearance. Daniel Schneemann moved from second to third base, Angel Martinez moved from center to second, Lane Thomas moved from right to center, and Nolan Jones entered the game to play right field. Fantasy managers should check back on Ramirez to see if he's active on Friday.

From RotoBaller

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (hand, wrist) left Thursday's contest early in the bottom of the fourth inning at Progressive Field against the Cleveland Guardians after he was hit by a Tanner Bibee pitch on his left hand/wrist in the second inning, according to MLB.com's Tim Stebbins. Before leaving early, Guerrero went 0-for-1 at the plate with a groundout. Ernie Clement moved from shortstop to first base, with Andres Gimenez moving from second to short and Davis Schneider entering the game to play second. The Blue Jays should have an update soon on the 26-year-old All-Star's status soon after he likely undergoes X-rays. Fantasy managers will be holding their breathe until then, as Vladdy is one of the best all-around hitters in the game. He entered Thursday slashing .282/.387/.450 with an .837 OPS, 11 homers, 40 RBI and 48 runs scored.

From RotoBaller