Boston Red Sox relievers Liam Hendriks (hip) and Justin Slaten (shoulder) are both in the midst of throwing programs, with Hendriks playing catch up to 150 feet, according to the Boston Herald's Gabrielle Starr. Hendriks landed on the injured list back on May 30 with right-hip inflammation but resumed throwing in the middle of June. However, the 36-year-old veteran is a ways off from a return and most likely won't be back in Boston's bullpen as a setup man until after the mid-July All-Star break. The Australian native is a three-time All-Star and has 116 career saves, but he missed all of last year due to injury and was rusty in 14 relief outings with Boston this year, allowing 11 runs (10 earned) with seven walks and 12 K's in 13 2/3 frames. Slaten has been out a month with shoulder inflammation and also likely won't be back until the second half.

From RotoBaller

Baltimore Orioles right-handed pitching prospect Brandon Young has been optioned to Triple-A Norfolk. In a corresponding move, the Orioles recalled right-handed pitcher Kade Strowd from Norfolk. Young is considered the No. 19-ranked prospect in the system on MLB.com. The 26-year-old made his MLB debut earlier this season. Through his first three starts in the majors (12 2/3 innings), Young has struggled, posting a high 7.11 ERA with a 1.97 WHIP. During this stint, Young has tallied 11 punchouts but allowed free passes at a 15.0% rate. However, at Triple-A this season, Young has been quite productive, posting a 2.73 ERA with a stellar 0.84 WHIP. Fantasy managers should expect Young to return to Baltimore later this season as a spot starter.

From RotoBaller

Updating a previous report, Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (forearm) is now in the starting lineup for Friday's series opener at Fenway Park against the division-rival Boston Red Sox and right-hander Brayan Bello, playing first base and batting third in the order. Guerrero was not in the initial starting lineup on Friday after being removed from Thursday's series finale early against the Cleveland Guardians after being hit by a pitch in his right forearm. Thankfully, X-rays came back negative for any fractures, and the 26-year-old All-Star will now return to action for the weekend series. Fantasy managers in all leagues need to get Vladdy back in their starting lineups. Not only does he have the highest xBA (.326) in the league, but he's also hitting a cool .417 with a 1.273 OPS, two home runs and 10 RBI in 24 career at-bats against Bello.

From RotoBaller

The San Francisco Giants are promoting right-handed pitching prospect Carson Seymour to the major leagues. Seymour is currently considered the No. 20-ranked prospect in the system on MLB.com. Seymour has spent the 2024 campaign and the first half of the 2025 season with Triple-A Sacramento. In 2024, Seymour logged 134 1/3 innings of work at Triple-A and posted a 4.82 ERA with a 1.57 WHIP. During this stretch, he struck out 132 hitters. Through 74 innings this season, Seymour has taken a step forward, posting a 3.89 ERA with a 1.35 WHIP. He has tallied an impressive 83 punchouts while allowing 37 free passes. While the 26-year-old has been deployed as a starter in the minor leagues, he may begin his time in the major leagues in a long relief role. As a result, he is only worth monitoring in deeper NL-only formats.

From RotoBaller

Boston Red Sox right-hander Nick Burdi (foot, hip) has been shut down with a hip injury, according to the Boston Herald's Gabrielle Starr. Burdi has been out since June 15 with a foot injury and had been rehabbing at Triple-A Worcester, but now he's dealing with a foot injury and will miss more time. Given the timing, it's highly likely that the 32-year-old veteran reliever won't return to the big-league bullpen until after the mid-July All-Star break. Burdi had only appeared in four games out of Boston's bullpen before his injury, tossing 5 1/3 scoreless frames with two walks and five strikeouts. He's not really on the fantasy radar in any leagues at this time. In his sixth MLB season in 2025, Burdi has compiled a 5.34 ERA, 1.65 WHIP, one save, 44 strikeouts and 21 walks in 35 relief appearances with four different teams since debuting in the majors in 2018 with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

From RotoBaller

Boston Red Sox outfielder/designated hitter Masataka Yoshida (shoulder) could start a minor-league rehab assignment on Tuesday, according to the Boston Herald's Gabrielle Starr. The plan is for Yoshida to play the outfield at Triple-A Worcester. The 31-year-old Japanese outfielder has yet to play in 2025 after having right-shoulder surgery last October and served strictly as a DH for the team last year, so this could be a sign that the Red Sox are planning to trade Jarren Duran before the July 31 deadline this summer. Yoshida has made plenty of contact in his two big-league seasons in Boston, hitting .285 with a .343 on-base percentage, but his 25 home runs in 248 games has left a lot to be desired from fantasy managers. Still, Yoshida will be worth a pickup in at least deep-mixed leagues whenever he returns if he's playing regularly for the Red Sox.

From RotoBaller

Boston Red Sox third baseman Alex Bregman (quadriceps) did some hitting on Friday and will take some grounders on Saturday, according to manager Alex Cora. Bregman has been feeling really good, but there's still no timetable for him to start a minor-league rehab assignment, and all signs are pointing toward him not returning to the big-league roster until the start of the second half of the season. The 31-year-old two-time All-Star and former Silver Slugger winner has been out since late May but started running early in June and is making good progress. However, the BoSox aren't going to rush him back with the end of the first half of the year quickly approaching. The former first-rounder has leaned more into his power in his first year in Boston and was hitting a strong .299 (59-for-197) with 11 home runs and 35 RBI before his injury. Bregman should be stashed in all fantasy leagues.

From RotoBaller

As expected, New York Mets third baseman Mark Vientos (hamstring) was officially activated from the 10-day injured list and is starting in Friday's series opener in Pittsburgh against the Pirates and right-hander Mitch Keller. Vientos will be eased in as the designated hitter and will bat sixth in the order, with Brett Baty at third base and hitting behind him in the seven-hole. The 25-year-old Vientos broke out for the Mets last year with 27 homers and 71 RBI in 111 regular-season games, but he was hitting just .230/.298/.380 with a below-average .678 OPS, six homers, 21 RBI and 49 strikeouts in 53 games before his hamstring injury. An xwOBA in the 19th percentile and a 32nd percentile chase rate doesn't bode well for his chances of a rebound, but the power is certainly there. Vientos might need to pick things up to fend off Baty as the regular third baseman in the second half of 2025.

From RotoBaller

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Jake Fraley (shoulder) said he has a partial tear in the labrum of his left shoulder, according to FOX 19's Charlie Goldsmith. The injury ties back to a recent diving catch that Fraley made in the outfield, but he's also had issues with the same shoulder for four years, with the tear taking place recently. He will go for a third opinion before the team makes a determination on the next steps for Fraley. While nothing is official yet, this doesn't sound very good. At the very least, the 30-year-old veteran could be out well into the second half of the season, and in a worst case, he could require season-ending surgery. The good news for the Reds is that they just got Austin Hays (foot) back from the injured list, and he, Will Benson and Rece Hinds will be the options moving forward for Cincy in right field with Fraley sidelined.

From RotoBaller

Texas Rangers outfielder Wyatt Langford (oblique), who is out of Friday's lineup against the division-rival Seattle Mariners, said he's dealing with a very minor left-oblique strain. The Rangers haven't made a decision yet on whether to put him on the injured list, and Langford thinks the team will give him a few days before making a final decision. Langford was pulled from Wednesday's game early and also missed time back in spring training with an oblique injury, so we'd be surprised if he avoids a trip to the IL, especially with the All-Star break quickly approaching. The 23-year-old former first-rounder out of Florida has clear 20-20 potential but has gone 17-for-76 (.224) with two homers, eight RBI and 25 K's in 18 games in June. Fantasy managers should be preparing for a potential lengthy absence. Josh Smith, Alejandro Osuna and Sam Haggerty are all options to play left field if Langford misses additional time.

From RotoBaller

Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr. (hamstring) will not start in Friday's series opener against the visiting San Francisco Giants. Michael Taylor will make the start in center field for the Pale Hose and will bat ninth against Giants right-hander Landen Roupp. Robert was pulled early from Wednesday's series finale against the Arizona Diamondbacks with tightness in his hamstring and will not return to action despite having an off day on Thursday. Given his history with lower-body injuries, fantasy managers should not be surprised if the 27-year-old outfielder is held out through the All-Star break in mid-July. The Cuban slugger does have 22 steals in 249 at-bats this year, but he's struggled immensely otherwise with a .185/.270/.313 slash line and a .584 OPS. He's one of the most likely trade candidates this summer, but his hamstring injury isn't helping matters for the White Sox.

From RotoBaller

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (forearm) is absent from the starting lineup for Friday's series opener at Fenway Park against the division-rival Boston Red Sox despite manager John Schneider saying earlier in the day that he expected the All-Star slugger to return. Guerrero was pulled from Thursday's series finale against the Cleveland Guardians after he was hit by a pitch in his right forearm, but thankfully X-rays came back negative. The 26-year-old is considered day-to-day, and we'd be surprised if he's not back in there for Game 2 of the series in Beantown on Saturday. Ernie Clement will start at first on Friday and bat sixth against Red Sox right-hander Brayan Bello. Clement is hitless in five career at-bats versus Bello and lacks power, but the 29-year-old is hitting a cool .303 (77-for-254) on the year. However, he's in the fifth percentile for barrel rate and has an xBA of .269.

From RotoBaller

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Oneil Cruz is on the bench for Friday's series opener at PNC Park against the visiting New York Mets. Alexander Canario is starting in center field for the Bucs and will hit eighth against Mets left-hander David Peterson. Not only has Cruz been slumping at the plate, but he was pulled from the game earlier this week after not running out a double-play ground ball. In 21 games in June, the 26-year-old Dominican has gone 12-for-81 (.148) with a homer, two doubles, five RBI, eight steals, 10 walks and 32 strikeouts in 93 trips to the plate. He has only two hits in his last 31 at-bats with 12 K's. Cruz is barely hitting over the Mendoza Line in 264 at-bats in 2025, but he does still have 13 long balls, 42 runs and a league-high 26 stolen bases, making him a must-start in fantasy amidst his struggles. Canario is hitless in three career at-bats against Peterson and is a low-upside DFS sleeper.

From RotoBaller

San Diego Padres shortstop Xander Bogaerts (shoulder) is back in the starting lineup for Friday's series opener in Cincinnati against the Reds and right-hander Nick Martinez, playing shortstop and batting sixth. Bogaerts was scratched from the series finale on Wednesday against the Washington Nationals with left-shoulder soreness, but he's feeling better after a scheduled day off on Thursday. While the 32-year-old continues to be very mediocre overall on offense, he has hit .385 with a 1.082 OPS, one home run and two RBI in 13 career at-bats against Martinez, a former Padre. In 22 games in June, Bogaerts has been slightly better, hitting .259/.319/.365 with a home run, six doubles, eight RBI, 10 runs scored, two stolen bases and an 11:8 K:BB in 94 plate appearances. The four-time All-Star's diminishing power is no secret, but he does already had 13 steals in 78 games.

From RotoBaller

New York Mets right-hander Griffin Canning (Achilles) will miss the rest of the 2025 season after being placed on the 60-day injured list on Friday with a ruptured left Achilles that he suffered in Thursday's game against the Atlanta Braves. The Mets added right-handed pitching prospect Blade Tidwell from Triple-A Syracuse in a corresponding move. It's a tough break for Canning, who might not be ready for the start of next year either, depending on how his rehab goes this offseason. The 29-year-old was having his best year in the big leagues in his first season with the Mets, going 7-3 with a 3.77 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 70:35 K:BB in his 16 starts. Obviously, fantasy managers in single-year leagues can now drop him. With Kodai Senga (hamstring) and Sean Manaea (elbow, oblique) on the IL, Tidwell could temporarily fill the fifth spot in New York's starting rotation.

From RotoBaller

The Colorado Rockies officially reinstated left-hander Kyle Freeland (back) from the 15-day injured list on Friday and optioned right-hander Anthony Molina to Triple-A Albuquerque in a corresponding move. Freeland will make the start for Friday's series opener in Milwaukee against the Brewers. The 32-year-old veteran required a minimum stay on the IL and skipped a minor-league rehab assignment, so there's a good chance he will be on a strict pitch count in his first start back against a tough opponent on the road. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues should probably be looking to stay away from Freeland, who has gone 1-8 this year with a 5.13 ERA (3.63 FIP) and 1.53 WHIP with 57 K's and 15 walks in 73 2/3 innings over his 14 starts. In his first start against Milwaukee on April 8, Freeland allowed five earned runs on eight hits while striking out five in a loss in 6 1/3 innings.

From RotoBaller

The Boston Red Sox placed rookie infielder Marcelo Mayer on the bereavement list on Friday and recalled infielder Nick Sogard from Triple-A Worcester in a corresponding move, according to Mass Live's Chris Cotillo. Mayer will step away from the team for a couple of days and will most likely miss the entire weekend series at Fenway Park against the division-rival Toronto Blue Jays. Sogard will step into the starting lineup on Friday against Blue Jays right-hander Jose Berrios, playing third base and batting in the nine-hole. Mayer, the team's No. 2 prospect per MLB Pipeline, is the club's shortstop of the future, but he has been filling in at the hot corner in Beantown with Alex Bregman (quadriceps) expected to be out for the rest of the first half of the season. The 22-year-old has hit just .208 (16-for-77) but does have four home runs in his first 27 MLB contests.

From RotoBaller

The Cincinnati Reds activated outfielder Austin Hays (foot) from the 10-day injured list on Friday, according to FOX 19's Charlie Goldsmith. Hays has been an everyday player for the Reds this year when he's been healthy, and he'll step back into that role, but the team will ease him back in as the designated hitter at first for Friday's series opener against the visiting San Diego Padres and right-hander Dylan Cease. The 29-year-old has been out since May 29 with a left-foot contusion. Hays has had a tough time staying on the field in 2025, but when he's been active, he's been useful in mixed fantasy leagues with a .303/.346/.555 slash line, .901 OPS, six home runs, 25 RBI, 23 runs scored and two stolen bases in 119 at-bats. Outfielder Jake Fraley (shoulder) was put on the IL in a corresponding move with Hays returning.

From RotoBaller

The Cincinnati Reds placed outfielder Jake Fraley (shoulder) on the 10-day injured list on Friday with a shoulder sprain and activated outfielder Austin Hays (foot) from the 10-day IL in a corresponding move, according to FOX 19's Charlie Goldsmith. It's unclear how long Fraley will be sidelined, but even if it's a minor injury, there's a good chance we won't see him again until the second half of the season in late July. The Reds get some reinforcement in Hays, but Will Benson and Rece Hinds could end up splitting playing time in right field with Fraley out. The 30-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder is primarily a fantasy asset in NL-only leagues because of the fact that he rarely plays against left-handed pitchers. The former second-rounder by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2016 out of LSU is also hitting just .224 (28-for-125) on the year with five homers, 17 RBI, 24 runs and four steals.

From RotoBaller

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar (intercostal) is back in the team's starting lineup for Friday's series opener against the hosting Cleveland Guardians and right-hander Luis L. Ortiz, playing left field and batting fifth in the order. Nootbaar will return to action after missing the final two games of the series against the Chicago Cubs with an intercostal injury, but he's back on Friday and ready to go for the weekend. He has hit .237 (44-for-186) with nine of his 11 home runs on the year against right-handed pitchers and has gone hitless in just two career at-bats versus Ortiz. The 27-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder comes into Friday's series opener riding a modest six-game hitting streak in which he's gone 7-for-22 with three home runs, a double, seven RBI and three runs scored.

From RotoBaller