The Atlanta Braves have released veteran outfielder Alex Verdugo, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports. Verdugo cleared waivers after the Braves designated him for assignment on Wednesday. After spending the winter on the open market, Verdugo joined the Braves on a one-year, $1.5 million contract in late March. It didn't work out, as Verdugo slumped to a .239/.296/.289 line in 213 homer-less plate appearances with Atlanta. The 29-year-old previously spent time with the Dodgers, Red Sox, and Yankees. He has batted a respectable .270/.326/.406 with 70 homers in 3,393 trips to the plate in the bigs.

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Cincinnati Reds right-hander Hunter Greene (back, groin) will begin a Triple-A rehab assignment on Tuesday, according to Charlie Goldsmith of FOX 19. Greene has been on the 15-day injured list twice this year because of a strained right groin, and the latest issue has kept him out since June 3. The 25-year-old has also dealt with back soreness. When he has been able to pitch, Greene has gone 4-3 with a 2.72 ERA, a whopping 73 strikeouts against 14 walks, and a 0.97 WHIP in 59 2/3 innings. He could make a significant impact in the second half of the season if he stays healthy.

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Veteran right-handed reliever Hector Neris has agreed to a Major League contract with the Houston Astros, Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 reports. Neris became available when the Los Angeles Angels released him on Thursday. He has posted a horrific 7.80 ERA with 20 strikeouts, eight walks, and seven holds over a combined 15 innings between the Angels and Braves this season. The well-traveled 36-year-old is now ready for his third stint in Houston, where he pitched from 2022-23 and again in 2024. Neris has served as a solid high-leverage option for a large portion of his career, but those days may be over.

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The Toronto Blue Jays have placed reliever Yimi Garcia (ankle) on the 15-day injured list with a sprained left ankle. The team recalled right-hander Robinson Pina from Triple-A Buffalo in a corresponding move. This continues an injury-plagued year for Garcia, who just returned from a long stay on the IL this week.. He missed the final week of May and all of June because of a shoulder impingement. Garcia returned on Wednesday to allow two earned runs over one inning in an 11-9 win over the New York Yankees. The 34-year-old righty has logged 21 frames this season and pitched to a 3.86 ERA with 25 strikeouts, 12 walks, six holds, and three saves.

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Yankees right-hander Clarke Schmidt (elbow) has likely suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow and is expected to require Tommy John surgery, manager Aaron Boone announced. Unfortunately for Schmidt and the Yankees, this isn't a surprising outcome after he exited his start against the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday with forearm tightness. Schmidt is now poised to undergo his second Tommy John procedure since 2017, the year the Yankees drafted him 16th overall. Now 29, Schmidt has developed into a quality starter for the Yankees. He'll finish this season 4-4 with a 3.32 ERA and 73:30 K:BB over 78 2/3 innings. Assuming he does undergo TJ surgery, Schmidt probably won't return to a major league mound until late next season or in 2027.

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New York Yankees first baseman Paul Goldschmidt and designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton are not in the team's lineup against the New York Mets on Saturday. The right-handed duo will take a seat against Mets righty Frankie Montas. Cody Bellinger will shift from the outfield to first base, Jasson Dominguez will handle left, and Ben Rice will serve as the DH. Goldschmidt got off to a sizzling start through the first couple of months of the season. However, his production has tailed off since the beginning of June, and he has begun to lose playing time as a result. The seven-time All-Star is hitting .282/.343/.425 with eight homers, 32 RBI, 50 runs scored, and five stolen bases in 340 plate appearances. Stanton, meanwhile, has batted .224/.333/.306 with one homer and seven RBI in 57 trips to the plate since he made his season debut on June 16. The 35-year-old missed the first two-plus months of the season because of elbow problems.

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Washington Nationals right-handed pitcher Mason Thompson (elbow) was activated from the 60-day injured list on Saturday. In a corresponding move, the Nationals optioned right-handed pitcher Zach Brzykcy to Triple-A Rochester and shifted right-handed pitcher Derek Law to the 60-day injured list. Thompson has been sidelined since undergoing Tommy John surgery during the 2024 campaign. He participated in a rehab assignment, logging eight innings across time in the Florida Complex League, as well as with Double-A and Triple-A. In 2023, Thompson logged 54 innings out of the bullpen and posted a 5.50 ERA with a 1.56 WHIP. However, in 2022, Thompson was quite effective, posting a 2.92 ERA with a 1.14 WHIP. Fantasy managers should expect Thompson to have a low-average role in the bullpen as he begins to increase his workload.

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St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado (shoulder) was scratched from Saturday's lineup due to a right shoulder impingement when they continue a series against the Chicago Cubs. Arenado was held out of action earlier in the week due to a finger injury and now appears to have another injury. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status leading up to Sunday's contest as he could he held out of action for a few games. After a productive stretch in June, Arenado has taken a step back over his last eight games, holding a low .179/.207/.250 slash line with just two doubles and two RBI. Before this skid, he held a much higher .344/.382/.547 line over his last 10. This afternoon, the Cardinals will have Thomas Saggese cover the hot corner and bat in the five-hole.

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Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Andres Gimenez (ankle) is not in the starting nine on Saturday when the Blue Jays continue a series against the Los Angeles Angels. Gimenez suffered an ankle injury during the contest against the Yankees on Wednesday. While he was able to return to the starting nine on Friday, Gimenez was eventually lifted from that game. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status, as he could be in danger of sitting out on Sunday as well. Over his last 11 contests, Gimenez has been one of the most productive hitters in the sport, posting a .342/.390/.447 slash line with one double, one home run, and nine RBI. Through 61 total games this season, Gimenez has held a .218/.300/.322 line. This afternoon, Davis Schneider will cover the keystone and bat in the nine-hole.

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Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (foot) is back in the starting nine on Saturday when the Blue Jays continue a series against the Los Angeles Angels. Guerrero was held out of action on Friday after suffering a minor foot injury on Thursday. However, the 26-year-old was able to avoid a serious injury and is making a quick return to the starting nine. Over his last 10 games, Guerrero has been in a bit of a skid at the plate, posting a modest .237/.341/.421 slash line with one double, two home runs, and five RBI. Through 86 total games this season, Guerrero has held a .274/.378/.439 slash line with 17 doubles and 12 round-trippers. He sits in the 96th percentile in xwOBA and 100th percentile in xBA, which suggests he should be in store for a massive second half. He is a strong play in DFS this afternoon, facing Los Angeles Angels right-hander Jack Kochanowicz.

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The Arizona Diamondbacks have optioned infielder Tim Tawa to Triple-A Reno. In a corresponding move, the Diamondbacks have activated outfielder Corbin Carroll (wrist) from the 10-day injured list. Tawa has enjoyed an extended stint in the majors this season. During his first taste of the majors, the rookie infielder has held a modest .200/.262/.355 slash line with six doubles and six home runs. Tawa has generated a low .300 xwOBA, .224 xBA, .394 xSLG, and an 88.8 mph average exit velocity, which are all below the average marks of qualified hitters. Earlier this season, Tawa was hitting for high power at Triple-A, launching three home runs and adding two doubles. Fantasy managers should expect Tawa to return to Arizona later in the second half as an injury replacement.

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The Arizona Diamondbacks have activated outfielder Corbin Carroll (wrist) from the 10-day injured list prior to their contest on Saturday against the Kansas City Royals. In a corresponding move, the Diamondbacks optioned infielder Tim Tawa to Triple-A Reno. Carroll has been sidelined with a fracture in his left wrist since June 24. However, Carroll was able to avoid a significant injury. He made just one rehab appearance in the Arizona Complex League on July 3 before being cleared to return to MLB action. Before his injury, Carroll was enjoying a productive season at the plate, posting a .255/.341/.573 slash line with 20 home runs and 10 stolen bases. Under the hood, he has generated a stellar .390 xwOBA with a .565 xSLG. Carroll should continue to be viewed as a must-start option in all leagues going forward.

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St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Jordan Walker (appendix) is working on a swing adjustment with the staff at Double-A Springfield, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Dispatch. Walker last played in the big leagues on June 22 before dealing with appendicitis, and he previously missed time in June with a wrist injury as well. He's struggled mightily in 191 plate appearances for the Cardinals, slashing .210/.267/.295 with a 33% strikeout rate. The former top prospect has struck out at a similarly untenable 38.5% rate in 26 minor league plate appearances, so he clearly needs more time to work out the kinks in his new swing. Per Goold, Cardinals President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak says he hopes Walker can make his return within two weeks.

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Arizona Diamondbacks reliever Kendall Graveman (hip) threw live batting practice on Friday, according to MLB.com. Graveman was placed on the 15-day injured list on June 9 with a right hip impingement. It's been a difficult last couple of years for the veteran righty from an injury perspective. Graveman missed the entirety of 2024 after undergoing shoulder surgery, and also had a separate IL stint in March due to back tightness. In the 8 1/3 innings he's thrown for the Diamondbacks this season, Graveman has allowed eight earned runs and five walks while striking out just three. Arizona's bullpen needs high-leverage arms, but Graveman will have to prove he can stay healthy and regain prior form before he's an option in fantasy.

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Cleveland Guardians shortstop Gabriel Arias fielded ground balls pre-game on Friday, according to MLB.com. Arias was placed on the 10-day injured list on July 1 (retroactive to June 30) with a moderate sprain in his left ankle. Given that he's already back on the field in a limited capacity, it appears as though he's avoided a more long-term ailment. In 281 plate appearances before getting hurt, Arias was hitting .231 with six home runs, 31 RBI and 28 runs scored. An elevated 31.3% strikeout rate limits his upside at the plate. The Guardians have relied on Brayan Rocchio and Daniel Schneeman at shortstop in Arias' absence.

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It's "feasible" that Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow could return during the team's upcoming road trip next week, according to Dodgers Tailgate. Glasnow has been on the injured list since late April due to inflammation in his pitching shoulder. The veteran right-hander made his third rehab start on Thursday with Triple-A Oklahoma City, reaching 78 pitches over 4 1/3 innings. In the 18 innings he pitched this season with the Dodgers before getting hurt, Glasnow struggled to a 4.50 ERA and 1.28 WHIP with an elevated 14.3% walk rate. Los Angeles will play a three-game set in Milwaukee against the Brewers starting on Monday and then travel to San Francisco to play the Giants next weekend.

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Los Angeles Dodgers utility man Tommy Edman will be the team's everyday third baseman starting on Monday, according to Dodgers Tailgate. Edman is replacing the injured Max Muncy, who is set to miss at least six weeks with a left knee bone bruise. The versatile Edman has seen the majority of his playing time this season at second base and in center field, and he last appeared in a game at third base in 2022. In 269 plate appearances this season, Edman has posted a .242/.297/.426 slash line with 10 home runs, 3 stolen bases, 38 RBI, and 38 runs scored. His fantasy value comes as an accumulator in an excellent Dodgers lineup. Consistent playing time and additional positional eligibility both help his overall outlook.

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Minnesota Twins rookie infielder Luke Keaschall (forearm) is hitting off a pitching machine and close to taking live batting practice. Keaschall will eventually need to go on a rehab assignment before returning from a right-forearm fracture that has sidelined him for over two months. The 22-year-old entered the season as a consensus top 100 prospect and looked the part during his first seven games in the majors, as he went 7-for-19 with three doubles and five walks in 26 plate appearances. He has been out since a hit by pitch forced him to the IL on April 25.

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Outfielder Seth Brown has signed a minor-league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Brown spent a short time on the free-agent market after the Athletics released him on June 26. The 32-year-old opened the season batting .185/.303/.262 with one home run in 76 plate appearances and dealt with a minor elbow injury before the A's moved on from him. He was much better over the previous four seasons, during which he swatted double-digit home runs in each campaign and belted 20 or more on two occasions. Brown is a lifetime .226/.292/.419 hitter with 74 homers, 233 RBI, and 24 steals across 1,804 plate appearances. The Diamondbacks are the second organization for the former 19th-round pick. He'll begin his D-backs tenure with their Triple-A affiliate in Reno.

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Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Andres Gimenez will undergo an MRI on his ankle after reaggravating an injury that originally occurred on Wednesday. He reaggravated it running the bases in Friday's 4-3 extra-innings win over the Angels. For now he's considered day-to-day, but depending the results of the MRI, a trip to the injured list is possible. The 26-year-old already missed a month earlier this season due to a quad injury, so hopefully this new injury won't keep him out long. The left-handed hitter is having a rough year, slashing .218/.300/.322, but had been hitting well recently, going 10-for-21 (.476) over his last six games, including a home run, nine RBI, four runs scored, and a stolen base.

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