Los Angeles Angels reliever Robert Stephenson (bicep) has advanced to throwing from 105 feet and is anticipating that he will throw from up to 120 feet this weekend. While he is optimistic that he will pitch again this season, he is also becoming increasingly frustrated by his lack of progress and inability to stay healthy. Sidelined with Tommy John surgery in 2024, the 32-year-old reliever returned to appear in just two games earlier this season before succumbing to a stretched nerve in his bicep. Stephenson hopes to return in August instead of September, but he understands that's the nature of nerve ailments, since they depend on the person and their respective bodies. Stephenson broke out in 2023 with both the Pirates and the Rays, combining to finish with a 3.18 ERA and a 0.88 WHIP over 60 appearances. Since the veteran reliever has arrived in Los Angeles, he has struggled to maintain any semblance of health, but looks to finish the year off on the mound in preparation for the 2026 season.

From RotoBaller

Cleveland Guardians outfielder Lane Thomas (foot) has met with a doctor to discuss the next steps needed as he recovers from a foot injury. He has what is considered a "complicated case" of plantar fasciitis, seemingly keeping him out of action for the next while. While he has undergone treatment to help alleviate the problems, his foot has not responded well. Thomas will be out of action for an indefinite period. The 29-year-old outfielder missed action because of plantar fasciitis in May, and then reinjured himself with the same ailment at the beginning of July. Thomas has struggled mightily this season, hitting just four home runs while racking up four stolen bases in just 39 games. It is unclear if and when he will return this season.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Angels second baseman Christian Moore (thumb) has resumed baseball activities. He was spotted Friday playing catch and taking batting practice before the team's game. Also, he was wearing a brace on his left thumb to help support the recovery process. Moore was placed on the Injured List on July 3 with a left thumb sprain that he sustained while diving for a ground ball in the infield. Due to the nature and timing of the injury, he may require a rehab assignment to help regain his timing and mechanics at the plate before returning to the Angels. He is one of the organization's most exciting young players. In the minor leagues this year, Moore finished with a .279/.374/.422 slash line while hitting five home runs and stealing eight bases over 54 games played. He rose up the rankings quickly as a breakout, and brings excitement to the franchise.

From RotoBaller

Athletics outfielder Denzel Clarke (groin) is doing limited baseball activities as he is recovering from a Grade 2 abductor strain. The speedy 25-year-old injured himself while running the bases in a game at Cleveland this past weekend. It is somewhat encouraging that he has been able to participate in limited workouts thus far. However, he still has a long way to go before returning to the Athletics' outfield. The rookie has been a highlight reel with his glove, making outstanding defensive plays in his short time with the big league club. He is also helping out at the plate with three home runs and six stolen bases in 44 games played. There is no timetable for his return, but it is believed that Clarke will come back before the end of the season.

From RotoBaller

Houston Astros right-hander J.P. France (shoulder) will make his second rehab appearance on Sunday for Double-A Corpus Christi. He made his first rehab appearance this past Monday in the Florida Complex League, where he struck out two batters over 1 1/3 scoreless innings. The 30-year-old will be looking to ramp himself up toward a starter's workload, so a multiple-inning outing is believed to be on tap. France has been out of action for over a year, so this will likely be an extended rehab that should take up close to the 30-day maximum for pitchers. The right-hander broke out in 2023, finishing with 11 wins, a 3.83 ERA, and a 1.36 WHIP over 24 games. France is looking to possibly rejoin the rotation in September.

From RotoBaller

New York Mets right-handed pitching prospect Brandon Sproat saw his shutout streak come to an end on Friday, but was still able to pick up the victory. Facing Triple-A Omaha, the right-hander tossed five innings of two-run ball. He allowed five hits and served up two walks. He struck out three hitters. Most of his damage came on a two-run double by Omaha infielder Michael Massey. Prior to this contest, the right-hander logged 23-straight shutout frames. Over this four-game stretch, the former second-round pick struck out 27 batters and allowed just six walks. Despite his slow start at Triple-A this season, Sproat has begun to turn the corner and is nearing his MLB debut. Given his recent success, he is worth stashing in all deeper 12+ team leagues going forward.

From RotoBaller

Chicago White Sox shortstop prospect Colson Montgomery continued his impressive power surge during their victory on Friday evening over the Chicago Cubs. In this outing, the former first-round pick went deep for his third-straight contest. He would hit a solo shot in the second frame against Chicago ace Shota Imanaga. Over his last seven games, Montgomery has only gone hitless once and has held an impressive .296/.296/.704 slash line. Through 17 total games in the major leagues, Montgomery has held his own, carrying a .273/.344/.509 line with two doubles, three long balls, and a 16:6 K:BB. Fantasy managers should continue to expect Montgomery to see everyday opportunities in the starting nine. Given his recent power surge, he is worth adding as a middle infielder in all 12-team leagues.

From RotoBaller

Baltimore Orioles catching prospect Samuel Basallo (oblique) enjoyed an impressive showing in his return on Friday evening. The top prospect was dealing with an oblique injury over the past week. However, he was able to avoid a stint on the injured list. In his return on Friday evening, facing Triple-A Lehigh Valley, the backstop went 5-for-5 with a double and a long ball. This was his first five-hit game of the campaign. Over his last seven games, the 20-year-old has posted a remarkable .481/.548/1.111 slash line with five doubles and four home runs. Through 63 total games with the Norfolk Tides, Basallo has posted a .282/.395/.624 line. Given his elite production at Triple-A, the catcher should be viewed as a priority stash in all standard leagues.

From RotoBaller

Athletics' 1B Nick Kurtz had eight RBIs going 6-for-6 with four home runs in a 15-3 win over Houston on Friday, Jul. 25.

Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola (ankle, rib) threw a three-inning, 56-pitch live batting practice session at Yankee Stadium on Friday and will likely begin a Triple-A rehab assignment next week, per Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer. The plan is for Nola to amass 55 to 60 pitches in his first start and eventually build up to 90, meaning he'll take the ball three or four times before rejoining the Phillies around mid-August. Nola landed on the 15-day injured list with a sprained right ankle back on May 15. As he was rehabbing from that injury, he suffered a stress fracture in his right rib that led the Phillies to move him to the 60-day IL. The typically reliable Nola endured uncharacteristic struggles before then, as he opened the season with a 1-7 record and a hideous 6.16 ERA across 49 2/3 innings. If all goes well during Nola's rehab, the 32-year-old will have a chance to turn his fortunes around during the last several weeks of the season.

From RotoBaller

Boston Red Sox left-hander Patrick Sandoval (elbow) has gone from throwing bullpen sessions to just playing catch, manager Alex Cora told reporters Friday. Cora admitted that Sandoval is running out of time to pitch this season. It has been over a year since Sandoval took the mound in the majors, as he underwent season-ending UCL surgery while with the Los Angeles Angels in June 2024. After the Angels non-tendered Sandoval in the offseason, he signed a two-year, $18.25 million contract with the Red Sox in free agency. Boston knew at the time that Sandoval would need the first half of the season to rehab, but the hope was that the 28-year-old would be able to contribute down the stretch. That now appears unlikely to happen.

From RotoBaller

St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley preserved a shutout to earn save No. 21 in a 3-0 win over the San Diego Padres on Friday. Helsley tossed a scoreless, one-hit ninth inning with two strikeouts for his second save in as many nights. The 31-year-old right-hander has converted seven straight saves since his most recent blown opportunity on June 9, and he has allowed just two runs in his past 12 appearances. Helsley's ERA has fallen to an even 3.00 with 41:14 K:BB over 36 innings. As a proven high-leverage option, he's on many teams' radars leading up to the July 31 deadline. The Cardinals are just 1 1/2 games out of a wild-card spot, though, so there's a chance they'll keep Helsley for the rest of the season.

From RotoBaller

Athletics rookie first baseman Nick Kurtz posted one of the best offensive performances in baseball history in a 15-3 thrashing of the Houston Astros on Friday. The burgeoning star finished a jaw-dropping 6-for-6 with four homers, a double, eight RBI, and six runs scored to continue an incredible month at the plate. Now the 20th player to swat four homers in a game and the first rookie to ever accomplish the feat, the 22-year-old has gone 31-for-73 (.425) with 11 long balls, 27 RBI, and 22 runs across 19 games in July. With a .305/.374/.686 line, 23 HRs, 59 RBI, and 45 runs over 271 plate appearances this season, Kurtz has established himself as the favorite for AL Rookie of the Year just 12 months removed from going fourth overall in the 2024 draft.

From RotoBaller

The Colorado Rockies are willing to listen to trade offers for relievers Victor Vodnik and Seth Halvorsen, but the team has "high" asking prices for the two hard-throwing right-handers, according to Katie Woo and Will Sammon of The Athletic. Both Vodnik and Halvorsen are under affordable control for the next handful of years, which explains why the Rockies want to keep them and also why there's interest from elsewhere. Vodnik isn't due to reach free agency until after the 2029 campaign. The 25-year-old has put up a 3.00 ERA with 30 strikeouts and six holds over 30 innings this season, though he has succeeded despite issuing 17 walks. Halvorsen, also 25, is under wraps through 2030. Serving as the Rockies' primary closer this season, Halvorsen picked up his 10th save of the year on Friday with a 1-2-3 ninth inning in a 6-5 win over the Baltimore Orioles. Despite possessing elite velocity (his fastball averages 100.1 mph), Halvorsen has only managed a 4.89 ERA with 35:18 K:BB across 38 2/3 frames.

From RotoBaller

Athletics infielder Max Muncy (hand) could miss more time than first expected. On Tuesday, Muncy was placed on the injured list due to a wrist injury. Initial X-rays didn't reveal any significant injuries, but further evaluations showed Muncy is dealing with a hairline fracture in his right hand. The organization believes Muncy should be able to play through the issue once the swelling goes down. The rookie infielder is probably going to be out until mid-August. Luis Urias and Gio Urshela figure to split up the playing time while Muncy is out.

From RotoBaller

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Michael King (shoulder) is scheduled to throw a simulated game on Monday. This is good news as the right-hander has been sidelined since mid-May due to a nerve issue in his shoulder. The expectation is that King will go on a rehab assignment, assuming his simulated game goes well. Barring any setbacks, King should be able to get back in the rotation by the middle of August. In 10 starts this season, King holds a 2.59 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and a 64/17 K/BB ratio in 55.2 innings of work.

From RotoBaller

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Landen Roupp (elbow) was placed on the 15-day injured list on Friday. Roupp reportedly felt discomfort in his elbow during Tuesday's outing against the Atlanta Braves. As a result, Roupp will miss the next two weeks, but shouldn't require a lengthy stint on the IL. Giants manager Bob Melvin said Roupp isn't dealing with any structural damage and should only miss two starts. In a corresponding move, right-hander Tristan Beck has been recalled from Triple-A. It's unclear how the Giants plan to fill the vacant spot in the rotation. There's a decent chance the Giants go with a bullpen game until Roupp is ready to return.

From RotoBaller

Boston Red Sox infielder Marcelo Mayer (wrist) was placed on the 10-day injured list on Friday. This news comes after Mayer was forced to make an early exit on Wednesday due to right wrist discomfort. He underwent an MRI that revealed a wrist sprain, so he'll head to the shelf. The plan is for Mayer to visit a specialist in a few days to determine the severity of the issue. In a corresponding move, infielder David Hamilton has been recalled to take over the spot on the active roster. The Red Sox will likely use a committee approach of Hamilton, Romy Gonzalez, and Ceddanne Rafaela at second base.

From RotoBaller

San Francisco Giants third baseman Matt Chapman (elbow) is starting at third base and will hit cleanup for the Giants in Friday's series opener versus the visiting New York Mets and right-hander Clay Holmes at Oracle Park. Chapman avoided any fractures or serious damage after he was hit by a pitch on his left elbow in Wednesday's game against the Atlanta Braves, which has allowed him to return to action this weekend after an off day on Thursday. The 32-year-old former All-Star and five-time Gold Glove winner will try to break the Gigantes out of their current funk. He's been hot since the All-Star break, going 7-for-22 (.318) with two home runs and seven RBI to begin the second half of the season. Chapman also has three hits in 10 career at-bats versus Holmes. Get him back into your starting lineups. Chapman has hit .243 with 14 homers, 38 RBI and seven steals in his second season with SF.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Jorge Soler (back) remains out of the starting lineup for Friday's game in Anaheim against the division-rival Seattle Mariners. Chris Taylor is starting in right field and will bat eighth against Mariners right-hander Bryan Woo. Soler was pulled from Wednesday's game with back soreness and will now miss a second straight game after sitting out in Thursday's series opener. Fantasy managers shouldn't rule out an injured list stint for the 33-year-old right-handed slugger if he's unable to play this weekend against Seattle. Soler has some of the best raw power in the game when he connects, but it's rare that he connects. The Cuban outfielder has a .215 average (60-for-279) with 12 homers and a 94:28 K:BB in 315 plate appearances. Taylor has similar high swing-and-miss rates and should be avoided in DFS.

From RotoBaller