MLB Player News

Blum mentioned that, based on comments from Angels’ management, “it seems more likely for a backup first baseman to come in the form of a more versatile infielder.” That means Niko Kavadas and Ryan Noda are less likely to win the job. Blum suggests that Rendon, “who isn’t likely to get everyday reps at third base,” could serve as a backup at both positions, potentially starting versus left-handed pitchers. Maybe this part-time role could keep him healthy all season, but it’s hard to see him having much fantasy value outside of the deepest formats.

Alvarez played just two games in the Florida Complex League, but he will now step up his rehab significantly in Triple-A. He has been out all season with his wrist injury and will need some time to get his rhythm back, but it’s possible he could return to Atlanta as a backup middle infielder.

The Marlins worked with Alcantara a few bullpens ago on changing that focus to help improve his command. McCullough believes that switch “got him driving the ball through the mitt and finishing his pitches.” Alcantara has also added some more swing and miss by using his curve and four-seam more than he was earlier in the season. While some of his recent success is due to easy opponents, it’s also clear that Alcantara is making changes and adapting post-surgery. He’s probably worth holding on your roster, even if you don’t start him against Philadelphia next time out.

Crawford is now back to just playing catch after his wrist didn’t respond well to increasing intensity with bullpens. The right-hander is also coming back from a knee injury as well. There is no timeline for his return at this point.

An up and down bullpen is one in which the pitcher begins to simulate a game setting by throwing a simulated inning and then resting as if their team was hitting before returning to the mound. It will help the Red Sox to determine how Houck’s forearm is responding to the stop and start of pitching in an MLB game. If this goes well, Houck could move on to live bullpens against hitters. He’s still a ways away and it’s unclear what kind of role he’ll return to.

Goodman hit a solo homer off Camilo Doval in the ninth to bring the Rockies to within three runs at 10-7. The 25-year-old has been a solid option behind the plate in 2025 with a .289 batting average, 11 homers and 39 RBI over 246 at-bats across 65 games.

Adames also scored three runs. The homer was a two-run shot off an otherwise-effective Kyle Freeland in the first, and he picked up another RBI in the third with a sac fly. The 29-year-old’s first season with the Giants has not gone to plan, and he was just 2-for-25 in the month of June prior to this outburst. You can’t erase the struggles over the first 68 games, but there’s plenty of reason to believe Adames can be an effective fantasy option over the next three-plus months.

Doval came in to pitch in a 10-6 game, and unfortunately fantasy managers get a hit in the ERA category without the benefit of the save. His ERA still an outstanding 1.69 in 2025, so it’s hard to complain too much.

Freeland gave up a two-run homer to Willy Adames in the first and a sac fly to Adames in the third. From that point out, the southpaw held San Francisco scoreless in a solid — if unspectacular — start from the 32-year-old. Freeland remains impossible to recommend from a fantasy perspective and that includes his scheduled start next week against the Nationals.

Ray has been excellent in 2025, but this wasn’t him at close to his best. He allowed six hits and two walks, and needed 93 pitches — 60 of those strikes — before being pulled. He was still able to strike out five, and and Ray’s ERA remains a strong 2.55 even after this (relative) clunker. He’ll be back on the bump against the Guardians on Tuesday.

The deal is now official. Alcala ships up to Boston as a bit of a reclamation project after posting a disastrous 8.88 ERA across 24 1/3 innings (22 appearances) to open the year. The Red Sox are dealing with several injuries to key relievers, so the move represents a relatively low-cost gamble that could pay off, especially if Alcala re-discovers the form that enabled him to register a solid 3.24 ERA over 58 1/3 innings (53 appearances) last season for Minnesota. The 29-year-old righty was due for a change of scenery. He figures to pitch in middle relief out of Boston’s bullpen.