Chicago Cubs closer Daniel Palencia shut the door on the New York Yankees to collect his 11th save in a 5-2 win on Saturday. Palencia entered with one out and a man on first in the bottom of the ninth inning and retired both hitters he faced, striking out Jazz Chisholm Jr. and inducing a Trent Grisham groundout. He needed just nine pitches to close out the Yankees. Palencia has gone six straight appearances without allowing an earned run, dropping his ERA to 1.62 in 33 1/3 innings. The 25-year-old right-hander also carries a 0.90 WHIP with 38 strikeouts and 11 walks, and his only blown save came back on May 19.

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Chicago Cubs left-hander Matthew Boyd ended the first half of his season on a high note in a 5-2 win over the New York Yankees on Saturday. Boyd improved to 10-3 with a season-high eight innings of scoreless, four-hit ball, notching six strikeouts and no walks. He threw 85 pitches, 62 for strikes, and will head into the All-Star break having allowed two or fewer earned runs in nine consecutive starts. The first-time All-Star, 34, has tallied 13 quality starts and logged an ace-like 2.34 ERA with a 1.07 WHIP, 102 strikeouts, and 23 walks in 111 2/3 frames.

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The San Diego Padres announced that they have optioned right-hander Ryan Bergert to Triple-A El Paso and recalled righty reliever Alek Jacob. Bergert spent two-plus weeks on the 15-day injured list and returned Friday to throw 4 2/3 innings of two-run ball with seven strikeouts in a win against the Philadelphia Phillies. With the first half of Bergert's season done and the Padres in immediate need of bullpen help, it made sense to option him. The 25-year-old rookie is sure to return sometime in the second half, having put up a 2.84 ERA, a 1.14 WHIP, and 30:14 K:BB across 31 2/3 innings and 10 appearances (six starts).

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Miami Marlins third baseman Connor Norby (hand) was not in the starting lineup Saturday against the Baltimore Orioles because of soreness in his left hand, Nate Karzmer of Fish on First reports. The Marlins started Javier Sanoja at the hot corner and batted him ninth versus left-hander Trevor Rogers. Norby has been a regular in Miami's lineup this season, but the 25-year-old has struggled to a .241/.289/.364 line with six home runs, 26 RBI, 33 runs, and seven stolen bases in 273 plate appearances.

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Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena (rib) fielded ground balls before the team's game against the Texas Rangers on Saturday, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. It's the latest positive development for Pena as he works back from a small fracture in one of his left ribs. The Astros have gone without Pena since he suffered the injury on June 27, but he could be back right after the All-Star break. Pena had a tremendous first half of the season, slashing .322/.378/.489 with 11 homers, 40 RBI, 48 runs scored, and 15 steals across 350 plate appearances. Mauricio Dubon and Zack Short have divided time at shortstop in Pena's absence.

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New York Mets right-hander Dedniel Nunez (elbow) will undergo Tommy John surgery next week, manager Carlos Mendoza announced. Nunez went on the 15-day injured list with a sprained elbow on July 3, but he'll now miss the rest of this season and a large portion (perhaps all) of the 2026 campaign. He previously underwent TJ surgery in 2021 while a member of the San Francisco Giants. Nunez debuted in the majors with the Mets last year and made a great first impression, notching a 2.31 ERA with 48:8 K:BB in 35 innings. However, the 29-year-old missed most of August and all of September with a flexor injury. He returned to the majors on May 5 this year and was unable to replicate last season's production. Nunez's 2025 will wrap up with a 4.66 ERA, 11 strikeouts, and six walks over 9 2/3 frames.

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St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar (side) departed the team's game against the Atlanta Braves on Saturday with left-side discomfort, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. He went 0-for-2 with a strikeout before the Cardinals replaced him in left field with Jose Fermin in the top of the sixth inning. Nootbaar has been trying to play through intercostal/ribcage soreness for the past couple of weeks, but he has missed multiple games and been pulled on more than one occasion as a result of the injury. With the All-Star break coming up, the first half of his season may be over. The 27-year-old has hit a modest .227/.332/.381 with 12 homers, 37 RBI, 50 runs scored, and four steals in 386 plate appearances.

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The Los Angeles Angels made a notable change in their rotation Friday, optioning right-hander Jack Kochanowicz to Triple-A Salt Lake. The team recalled left-handed reliever Jake Eder in a corresponding move. The Angels have remarkably used the same five starters all year, but they've seen enough of Kochanowicz for the time being. He toed the rubber Thursday and yielded eight earned runs over 2 2/3 innings in a loss to Texas. That outing capped off a brutal first half of the season for the 6-foot-7 Kochanowicz, who's 3-9 with a 6.03 ERA, 1.63 WHIP, and 65:45 K:BB across 94 frames (19 starts). Kochanowicz easily ranks last among qualified starters in ERA. There's no word on who will take over for the 24-year-old in the Halos' rotation. The Angels won't need a fifth starter again until July 22, which gives them time to find an alternative.

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Minnesota Twins right-hander Pablo Lopez (shoulder) is throwing on flat ground from 75 feet as he works back from a shoulder injury, according to the team. Lopez suffered a Grade 2 strain of the teres major on June 4 and was transferred to the 60-day injured list on June 11. As a result, he won't be eligible to return until the first half of August. The loss of Lopez has been a significant blow to both the Twins and fantasy managers, as the 29-year-old has gone 5-3 with a 2.82 ERA, a 1.07 WHIP, and 61:14 K:BB in 60 2/3 innings this season.

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Minnesota Twins right-hander Zebby Matthews (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A St. Paul on Sunday. Matthews has been down since June 5 with a strained right shoulder. The 25-year-old made four starts before going on the 15-day injured list and registered an unappealing 5.21 ERA and 1.47 BB/9 in 19 innings, though he did amass 25 strikeouts against eight walks. Matthews could factor back into Minnesota's rotation later this month if he gets through his rehab unscathed.

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San Diego Padres right-handed pitcher Joe Musgrove (elbow) tossed his first bullpen since undergoing Tommy John Surgery last October. He threw a handful of pitches, at about 75% intensity, and measured his fastball at around 80 mph. Both Musgrove and the training staff are happy with the results as he continues to work his way back from Tommy John surgery. Barring any setbacks, the 32-year-old is expected to advance to full bullpen sessions in August. Before getting injured, he owned a 3.88 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and 103 strikeouts over 99 2/3 innings in 2024. Musgrove isn't likely to pitch for the Padres this season, but his offseason progress is something to monitor heading into 2026.

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Minnesota Twins right-hander Bailey Ober (hip) threw a successful bullpen session on Wednesday. This happened days after he had anti-inflammatory medicine to help ease the pain from the impingement in his left hip. He will continue to do this while attempting to get his mechanics back in order. Entering the season, it was believed that the right-hander would take a big step forward in his production. Instead, he has struggled from the get-go, posting a 5.28 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, and 74 strikeouts over 92 innings. However, there is some belief that his regression is related to this ongoing hip injury. Ober is worth stashing in leagues with IL spots, with the hope that a healthier version of him can return for the second half.

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New York Yankees ace Max Fried (finger) exited his start against the Chicago Cubs on Saturday with what appeared to be a blister on his left thumb, Jack Curry of YES Network reports. The Yankees replaced him with right-hander Ian Hamilton. Fried didn't resemble his All-Star self Saturday, as he labored through three innings and allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits and three walks. The 31-year-old left-hander struck out two during a 73-pitch outing in which he totaled just 39 strikes. Notably, Fried has landed on the injured list multiple times in his career because of blisters. The Yankees should have more on his status after the game. UPDATE: The Yankees announced that Fried has a blister on his left index finger.

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Boston Red Sox left-handed pitcher Patrick Sandoval (elbow) continues to show progress daily, as he attempts to return to the mound and pitch for the Red Sox in 2025. He has already thrown multiple bullpens a week and has incorporated curveballs in those sessions. Despite his confidence, the 28-year-old noted that he still has many more bullpens to throw, and that he needs to start mixing in breaking balls as well. Once that happens with pain-free consistency, it's fair to assume that Sandoval will be able to face live batters before undergoing an extensive rehab assignment. The Red Sox signed him to a two-year, $18.25 million contract to utilize him more in 2026. If he can return and contribute this season, it would go a long way in establishing peace of mind as he enters a vital year next season. His status is worth monitoring in all dynasty formats.

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The Cincinnati Reds have reinstated outfielder Jake Fraley (shoulder) from the 10-day injured list. The team optioned infielder Christian Encarnacion-Strand to Triple-A Louisville in a corresponding move. Fraley hasn't played since June 23 because of a partial tear in his right labrum. He recently underwent a cortisone shot to alleviate the pain, and he'll try to play through it and delay surgery until the offseason. The 30-year-old has hit .224/.331/.376 with five home runs, 17 RBI, 24 runs, and four steals in 145 plate appearances. Fraley is not in Cincinnati's lineup on Saturday against the Colorado Rockies. Instead, the Reds are starting Will Benson in right field, Fraley's usual position, and batting him seventh versus right-hander Bradley Blalock.

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Athletics left-handed pitcher Ken Waldichuk (elbow) will need to make a few more rehab starts before the team considers bringing him back to the major leagues. Already with six innings pitched while with Triple-A Las Vegas, the 27-year-old struggled in his last outing. He surrendered five earned runs on two hits and three walks across 2/3 of an inning in Tuesday's outing against El Paso. The southpaw already surpassed 50 pitches in his previous outings, so this now looks to be more about his mechanics than anything. On the shelf since having Tommy John Surgery in May of 2024, Waldichuk seems like an option for the Athletics down the stretch, but shouldn't be considered in anything shallower than a 15-team league.

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The Kansas City Royals announced that right-hander Michael Lorenzen (illness) will not make his scheduled start against the New York Mets on Saturday because of an illness. Left-handed reliever Angel Zerpa will take his place. Lorenzen posted arguably his best start of the season in his previous outing last Sunday. He fired a seven-inning, two-hit shutout with seven strikeouts in a win over the Arizona Diamondbacks. Overall, Lorenzen has gone 5-8 with an unspectacular 4.61 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, and 85:29 K:BB in 99 2/3 innings. Zerpa hasn't recorded more than nine outs in any of his 40 appearances this year, meaning he won't be in for long on Saturday. The 25-year-old has a 3.89 ERA with a 1.32 WHIP and 37:13 K:BB across 39 1/3 frames.

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Baltimore Orioles first baseman Ryan Mountcastle (hamstring) has started ramping up his physical activities as he prepares for a return to the team's lineup. He was spotted doing resistance running as well as swinging a bat during pre-game warmups. While Mountcastle still has a ways to go, he continues to improve daily. Originally given a timeline of 8 to 12 weeks for a return, he is almost five weeks removed from that diagnosis. The 28-year-old will likely need a lengthy rehab assignment before being cleared to rejoin Baltimore's lineup. Mountcastle is worth stashing in deep leagues and in 12-team leagues on teams that are looking for corner infield or first base help.

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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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