San Diego Padres right-hander Dylan Cease (4-10) collected his fourth win of the season in a 7-3 decision against the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday. Cease allowed just one hit over five scoreless innings and tallied nine strikeouts against one walk on 90 pitches (59 strikes). The 29-year-old's name was popular in the rumor mill leading up to the July 31 trade deadline, but the Padres decided to keep him. That paid off on Sunday, but Cease still owns an underwhelming 4.60 ERA in 123 1/3 innings (up from 3.47 last season). Cease has been a great source of strikeouts, though, as he ranks fourth in the majors with 162. Only Zack Wheeler, Tarik Skubal, and Garrett Crochet - all aces - have punched out more hitters than Cease. He's scheduled to face the Boston Red Sox on Saturday.

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Houston Astros infielder Carlos Correa hit his first home run since June 28, a span of 23 games, in a 6-1 loss to the Boston Red Sox on Sunday. It was one of just three hits for Houston, which was no match for Red Sox starter Lucas Giolito. Correa, meanwhile, now has his first homer in his second stint with the Astros. He starred with the Astros from 2015-21, left in free agency for the Minnesota Twins, and is back in Houston after the two teams swung a deal at the July 31 trade deadline. The Astros and fantasy managers are left to hope the trade will reignite Correa during a down season. The 30-year-old is hitting .266/.318/.390 with eight homers, 32 RBI, and 43 runs scored over 377 plate appearances.

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Seattle Mariners infield prospect Colt Emerson has earned a promotion to Double-A Arkansas after a strong showing at High-A Everett to begin the year. The Mariners' top-ranked prospect was slashing .277/.385/.451 with 11 home runs, six steals, and nearly as many walks (53) as strikeouts (68) over 89 games. His last 12 games were especially strong, going 16-for-44 (.364) with four doubles, three home runs, and an 8:8 BB:K. With one of the best hit tools in the minor leagues, expect the 20-year-old to push for at-bats at Triple-A next year and potentially make his big league debut. With solid pop and speed to go along with his hit tool, he should be scooped up if not already stashed away in dynasty formats.

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Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Johan Oviedo (elbow, lat) will make his 2025 debut on Monday with a start against the San Francisco Giants, Colin Beazley and Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette report. Oviedo, currently on the 60-day injured list, hasn't pitched since Sept. 27, 2003. He missed the entire 2024 campaign as a result of Tommy John surgery and has been on the shelf all of this season with a lat injury. After making six rehab starts, including one at the Triple-A level, the 27-year-old is ready to rejoin the Pirates' rotation. Oviedo will take over for left-hander Bailey Falter after he went to the Kansas City Royals at the July 31 trade deadline. In 2023, his most recent season in the bigs, Oviedo went 9-14 with a 4.31 ERA, a 1.37 WHIP, and 158:83 K:BB over a career-high 32 starts and 177 2/3 innings in 2023.

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Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Cristopher Sanchez was dominant on Sunday, earning his 10th win of the season in a 2-0 victory over the Tigers. He pitched eight scoreless innings, allowing five hits and one walk while striking out six. He needed only 84 pitches to complete the outing. The 28-year-old has been sensational this season, as his ERA is now down to 2.40 on the year with 145 strikeouts and 34 walks in 138 innings. This was a great bounce back after allowing four runs in his previous start, which was only the second time he's given up more than three runs all season. He looks like a true ace for fantasy purposes, and could end the season regarded as a top-12 starting pitcher.

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Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Jhoan Duran earned his 18th save of the season and his second since being dealt to the Phillies before the trade deadline. He pitched a scoreless ninth inning to shut the door on a 2-0 win against the Tigers. He struck out one and didn't allow anyone to reach base. The 27-year-old is one of the best closers in the sport and now figures to be even better for fantasy with the team upgrade. Although the Phillies have historically stuck to closer-by-committee approaches, Duran should see the large bulk of save chances with occasional usage in very high-leverage spots earlier in the game if needed.

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Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Cole Sands pitched a scoreless eighth inning on Sunday in a 5-4 win over the Guardians. He struck out two and walked one. He was brought on to face the third, fourth, and fifth batters in the Guardians lineup, making it a higher leverage situation than the ninth. This was the second time he has been used in this way since the trade deadline, which implies this could be a true committee situation with Sands being used in the highest leverage spot. Michael Tonkin was initially brought in for the save chance, but allowed the first four batters to reach base and was pulled in favor of Erasmo Ramirez. A huge hole has opened up in the ninth inning with the departure of Jhoan Duran at the trade deadline, and Sands is still the most enticing option to own in fantasy. The saves will eventually come if he continues to be used in the highest leverage opportunities.

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Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Keegan Akin took the loss on Sunday in a 5-3 defeat to the Cubs by allowing a two-run walk-off home run to Justin Turner in the bottom of the ninth inning. He entered the inning in a tie game before the first batter reached on an error and the second batter sent one into the stands. This isn't good for his claim to the closer's role, as he's currently in a committee with Yennier Cano and Corbin Martin for the job. He did earn the save yesterday with a scoreless ninth inning, but this outing will likely make the situation murkier. With Felix Bautista injured and Seranthony Dominguez traded, there may not be a definitive closer for a while in Baltimore.

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San Diego Padres relief pitcher Robert Suarez earned his 32nd save of the season in Sunday's 7-3 victory over the Cardinals. The Padres held a 7-0 lead entering the ninth before Adrian Morejon gave up four singles and a walk to make the game a save situation. This is the second save that Suarez has gotten since Mason Miller was dealt to San Diego at the trade deadline, which is a great sign for his fantasy value moving forward. Many assumed that the 34-year-old would lose the closing job to the young flamethrower whom the Padres gave up their best prospect for, but that doesn't seem to be the case. He definitely has a much shorter leash now with Miller waiting in line behind him, but Suarez is still worth starting in fantasy.

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Chicago Cubs third baseman Justin Turner is having a tough time at the plate this season, but came away the hero during Sunday's game versus the Baltimore Orioles. Turner came into the game as a pinch-hitter in the ninth inning with the game tied 3-3. The right-handed slugger delivered a two-run walk-off home run to send the Wrigley faithful home happy. It's nice to see the veteran slugger having a happy moment in what has been an ugly 2025 campaign. Turner doesn't hit well enough or even get on the field enough to warrant rostering in fantasy formats.

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Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Ben Casparius was called upon in a big situation during Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays. Initially, Blake Treinen was tasked with closing the door, but he experienced some troubles. Treinen recorded two outs, but allowed a hit and a pair of walks. After that, manager Dave Roberts decided to go with Casparius to get the final out of the ballgame. He was able to retire Yandy Diaz and earn his second save of the season. The Dodgers are still without Kirby Yates (back) and Tanner Scott (elbow) right now. Treinen has been struggling, so maybe Casparius gets more save chances going forward. He's someone to keep an eye on over the next week or so.

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Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Nick Gonzales was struggling coming into this series, but put together an outstanding series in Coors Field. Gonzales posted a four-hit effort in a tough 17-16 loss on Friday. He went hitless on Saturday, but came back ready to play on Sunday. Gonzales went 4-for-5 with three singles, a double, and one RBI in the win on Sunday. This eight-hit series has raised his batting average from .253 to .275 on the season. There still isn't enough upside here to warrant rostering Gonzales in most fantasy formats.

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Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Spencer Horwitz put together an outstanding game at the plate during Sunday's game against the Colorado Rockies. He got the fun started with a two-run home run off right-hander Bradley Blalock in the second inning. Horwitz followed up the fun with a three-run shot off southpaw Ryan Rolison in the sixth inning. He finished his day 3-for-5 with two homers and six RBI in the win. This was an awesome performance for Horwitz, but he's not consistent enough at the plate to warrant rostering in most fantasy formats.

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Athletics third baseman Luis Urias (back) was forced to make an early exit from Sunday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Urias never got a chance to take an at-bat as he was pulled out in the second inning due to back spasms. There is no word on the severity yet, so fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day for now. Max Schuemann moved over to second base in his place. Schuemann could see a few more games over at second if Urias misses a couple of games.

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San Francisco Giants third baseman Rafael Devers came alive at the plate during Sunday's game against the New York Mets. His biggest hit of the game came in the form of a three-run home run off right-hander Frankie Montas in the third inning. He continued to have fun with an RBI single in the fourth inning as well. Devers finished this game 3-for-4 with a homer, four RBI, two runs scored, and a walk in the win. It hasn't been a great start to his career in San Francisco, but maybe this is a sign of good things to come.

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Miami Marlins outfielder Kyle Stowers came up clutch for his team during Sunday's game against the New York Yankees. He came up to the plate and delivered a three-run home run off Brent Headrick in the fourth inning. Stowers finished this game going 2-for-4 with a homer and four RBI in the win. The Yankees are certainly happy this series is over as Stowers hit two homers with eight RBI during this three-game series. Stowers is having a nice breakout campaign and deserves to be rostered in most fantasy formats right now.

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New York Yankees right-hander Luis Gil (0-1) took the loss in a rough season debut against the Miami Marlins on Sunday. Returning after missing four months with a high-grade lat strain, Gil lasted 3 1/3 innings and yielded five runs on five hits with four walks against three strikeouts in a 7-3 defeat. Gil threw 77 pitches, just 44 for strikes, and his velocity topped out at a game-high 98.5 mph. While Sunday didn't go well for Gil, there are still high hopes for him after he took home AL Rookie of the Year honors in 2024. Gil went 15-7 and posted a 3.50 ERA with 171:77 K:BB last season. He was an asset for both the Yankees and fantasy managers a year ago, but it's anyone's guess if he'll regain that form down the stretch. The 27-year-old's second start is scheduled for Saturday against a tough Houston Astros team.

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Cleveland Guardians left-hander John Means (elbow) has been throwing live batting practice and "feeling really good," according to manager Stephen Vogt. He remains on track to pitch later this season after undergoing his second UCL surgery in June 2024 while with the Baltimore Orioles. The Guardians signed Means to a one-year, $1 million contract with a $6 million option for 2026 last winter. Ideally, they'll get a look at Means in game action before deciding whether to pick up the option. Means is a former All-Star who has pitched to a solid 3.68 ERA in 401 innings, but injuries have limited him to 10 starts and 52 1/3 frames since 2022.

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Baltimore Orioles right-hander Kyle Bradish (elbow) struggled in his first rehab start at the Triple-A level on Sunday. Bradish, who's working back from June 2024 Tommy John surgery, allowed seven runs (five earned) on six hits with 3:1 K:BB over three innings. The 28-year-old didn't get the results he wanted, but the good news is that he built up to 57 pitches (36 strikes) after amassing 38 in his previous rehab outing on Tuesday in Double-A ball. Bradish figures to need at least a couple more rehab starts before returning to the Orioles. He'll rejoin the O's rotation with a career 3.56 ERA, 9.18 K/9, and 2.9 BB/9 across 61 starts and 325 2/3 frames.

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Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Shane Bieber (elbow) impressed in his organizational debut on Sunday. Making a rehab start for Triple-A Buffalo, Bieber went five innings and gave up two runs on five hits with six strikeouts against one walk. The 30-year-old former AL Cy Young winner threw 62 pitches (47 strikes) and sat in the 93-94 mph range with his fastball. Bieber said afterward that "everything feels great," per Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet. It's unclear if Bieber will make another rehab start or debut with the Blue Jays, who acquired him from the Cleveland Guardians before Thursday's trade deadline. Bieber hasn't pitched in the majors since undergoing Tommy John surgery in April 2024, but AL East-leading Toronto was willing to roll the dice.

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