MLB News

Robert Hassell III  • CF  •  Nationals

Robert Hassell III Sent Back Down

The Washington Nationals announced on Monday that they optioned outfield prospect Robert Hassell III to Triple-A Rochester on Monday and recalled outfield prospect Daylen Lile in a corresponding move. The Nationals will swap outfield prospects and give Lile another shot after Hassell hit .218 (17-for-78) with a home run, double, eight RBI, six runs scored and a stolen base in his first 21 major-league games. The 23-year-old former eighth overall pick by the San Diego Padres in 2020 should be back in the majors later this year as outfield depth, but for now he'll head back to the farm for more development. The team's No. 11 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, is currently a better speed and defensive asset at the highest level. Hassell has questionable power and was hitting .288/.337/.405 with four homers, 24 RBI and nine steals at Rochester before his call-up.
39 minutes ago   
Daylen Lile  • RF  •  Nationals

Daylen Lile Recalled and Starting on Monday

The Washington Nationals announced on Monday that they recalled outfield prospect Daylen Lile from Triple-A Rochester and optioned outfielder Robert Hassell III and infielder Jose Tena to Rochester in corresponding moves. The team also designated infielder Juan Yepez for assignment. Lile, the team's No. 9 prospect per MLB Pipeline, is starting in right field and batting eighth on Monday against the Colorado Rockies and rookie left-hander Carson Palmquist. The 22-year-old made his major-league debut earlier this year and went 6-for-31 (.194) with three doubles, a triple, two RBI, four runs scored an seven strikeouts in 36 trips to the plate over 11 games. He most likely will not have a consistent outfield role in D.C. while he battles for playing time with Jacob Young and Alex Call. The left-handed hitter has below-average power but has the ability to steal 20-plus bases over a full season.
55 minutes ago   
Josh Bell  • 1B  •  Nationals  |  Luis GarcĂ­a Jr.  • 2B  •  Nationals

Keibert Ruiz, Josh Bell, Luis Garcia Jr. Sitting Against Southpaw

Washington Nationals catcher Keibert Ruiz, designated hitter Josh Bell and second baseman Luis Garcia Jr. are all out of the starting lineup for Monday's series opener against the visiting Colorado Rockies with a left-hander on the mound. Riley Adams is doing the catching and hitting seventh, James Wood is the DH and is batting second, and Amed Rosario is at the keystone and in the five-hole versus rookie lefty Carson Palmquist. Andres Chaparro is manning first base and batting cleanup. Ruiz actually has reverse splits against lefties in 2025 with a .298 average (14-for-47) with one of his two home runs, but he has been sitting more frequently of late against lefty pitchers. Even though there's a lefty on the mound, Wood is an intriguing DFS play against the rookie southpaw. He's hitting .272 (25-for-92) with five of his 17 homers against lefties on the year.
1 hour ago   
J.T. Realmuto  • C  •  Phillies

J.T. Realmuto Sitting Out of Series Opener Against Marlins

Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto will take a seat for Monday's series opener against the division-rival Miami Marlins on the road. Rafael Marchan will catch rookie right-hander Mick Abel and will bat eighth against Marlins right-hander Sandy Alcantara. Realmuto gets a day off after starting in each of the team's last six games. The 34-year-old veteran got off to a slow start this year but is starting to pick things up in June, going 13-for-39 (.333) at the plate with three doubles, five RBI and seven runs scored in 11 games played. Realmuto hasn't homered since May 21 but does have four multi-hit games in his last six contests. Fantasy managers are hoping he can keep this up to close out the first half. Marchan will be a poor DFS sleeper choice near the bottom of the batting order. The 26-year-old has gone 7-for-42 with a homer and five RBI in a backup role in 2025.
1 hour ago   
Justin Verlander  • SP  •  Giants

Justin Verlander Returning to the Rotation on Wednesday

The San Francisco Giants are saying that right-hander Justin Verlander (pectoral) will come off the 15-day injured list to start on Wednesday against the Cleveland Guardians. Despite the fact that Verlander hasn't pitched in a major-league game since May 18, he is skipping a minor-league rehab assignment after throwing a 65-pitch simulated game last Wednesday and a bullpen session over the weekend. The 42-year-old future Hall of Famer will an even riskier fantasy streaming option in his first start back and will probably be capped around 80 to 90 pitches on Wednesday against the Guardians, a team ranked 24th in the league with a .678 OPS. Verlander is no longer the dominant ace he was in his prime, but he can still be useful as a streamer in deeper leagues in the right matchups. He's returning to a 4.33 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 41 K's in 52 innings over his 10 starts.
1 hour ago   
Ryan Gusto  • SP  •  Astros

Ryan Gusto Moved Up to Start on Monday

With Houston Astros right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. (foot) landing on the 15-day injured list, rookie right-hander Ryan Gusto is being moved up to start Monday's series opener against the Athletics. Gusto was originally scheduled to start Game 2 of the series in Sacramento, but he'll be moved up a day due to McCullers' foot strain. The 26-year-old will now have a two-start week with two great matchups in the A's and Los Angeles Angels. In his first 15 major-league appearances (nine starts) in 2025, Gusto has gone 4-3 with a 4.56 ERA (4.01 FIP) and 1.60 WHIP with 52 strikeouts and 22 walks in 49 1/3 innings pitched. Surprisingly, the A's are in the top 10 in team OPS (.738) on the season, so it won't be a cakewalk for Gusto on Monday. He's more of a control artist than a strikeout guy with a 23% strikeout rate and .285 batting average against.
1 hour ago   
Lance McCullers Jr.  • SP  •  Astros

Lance McCullers Jr. Lands on 15-Day Injured List With Foot Sprain

The Houston Astros placed right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. (foot) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to June 13) on Monday with a right-foot sprain and recalled right-hander Jason Alexander from the minors in a corresponding move. It's unclear when McCullers suffered the injury, but he'll now be out for at least two weeks and may not be back in Houston's starting rotation until after the All-Star break. Right-hander Ryan Gusto will now start on Monday against the Athletics. The 31-year-old former first-rounder made his return to the big leagues this year for the first time since 2022 due to various forearm setbacks. McCullers has shown flashes of his pre-injury form, but he's mostly been inconsistent for fantasy managers and is currently sporting a 4.91 ERA (4.23 FIP), 1.43 WHIP and 39:16 K:BB in 29 1/3 innings over his seven starts in 2025.
1 hour ago   
Josue De Paula  • CF  •  Dodgers

Josue De Paula Steals Two More Bases at High-A

Los Angeles Dodgers outfield prospect Josue De Paula went 0-for-3 on Sunday for High-A Great Lakes, ending his nine-game hitting streak. However, he was able to draw two walks, steal two bases, and score once in the contest. The 20-year-old continues to get on base at an excellent rate, as his 19.6 percent walk rate allows him to boast a phenomenal .423 on-base percentage. The 20-year-old is hitting .278 with an .871 OPS, eight home runs, 18 steals, and a 52:49 BB:K through 61 games for the Loons. Expect the youngster to get a look at Double-A later this year and be knocking on the door to the majors in 2026. With big power, a keen eye, and the ability to steal bases, he's got the makings of an impactful future fantasy performer.
1 hour ago   
Owen Caissie  • RF  •  Cubs

Owen Caissie Hits Home Run No. 11 on Sunday

Chicago Cubs outfield prospect Owen Caissie homered again on Sunday, the fourth time he's done so in his last seven games, going 1-for-3 with a walk and two RBI for Triple-A Iowa. The home run was a 449-foot shot to dead center and extended his current hit streak to 10 games, during which time he's gone 12-for-34 (.353) with three doubles, four home runs, 10 RBI, nine runs scored, and a 5:12 BB:K. For the season, the Cubs' top offensive prospect is now slashing .263/.367/.512 with 11 home runs and a strong 12.9 percent walk rate. Unfortunately, the big power comes with a big strikeout rate of 33.1 percent. Nevertheless, the 22-year-old is likely to get a shot in the majors at some point this season, but with a healthy outfield, there is currently no path to playing time. The left-handed slugger could be worthy of a roster spot in deep and NL-only leagues when he gets the call, but the strikeout rate likely won't improve in the majors, which will limit his ability to hit for average and dampen his fantasy value.
2 hours ago   
Paul DeJong  • 3B  •  Nationals

Paul DeJong to Begin Rehab Assignment on Tuesday

The New York Post's Jon Heyman reports that Washington Nationals infielder Paul DeJong (face) will start a minor-league rehab assignment on Tuesday with Double-A Harrisburg. DeJong is finally nearing a return after being hit in the face on April 15, and he needed surgery in late April to fix his sinuses and orbital plate. It's unclear exactly when the 31-year-old will rejoin the big-league roster from the 10-day injured list, but he should be back in D.C. by the end of June. When DeJong does return, he could be in more of a utility infield role now that the Nationals are calling up top position-player prospect Brady House. The nine-year veteran opened the year hitting .204 (11-for-54) with no home runs, four doubles, two RBI, two steals and three runs scored in 16 games before being hit by a pitch in the face. DeJong can be left on the waiver wire in mixed fantasy leagues.
2 hours ago   
Brooks Raley  • RP  •  Mets

Brooks Raley to Start Rehab Assignment on Tuesday

New York Mets left-handed reliever Brooks Raley (elbow) will start a minor-league rehab assignment with Single-A St. Lucie on Tuesday, according to MLB.com's Anthony DiComo. Raley is recovering from Tommy John surgery and an internal-brace procedure in May of last year, so his rehab assignment will be an extended one and will last several weeks, if not the full 30 days. Barring a setback, the 36-year-old veteran southpaw should be an option for the Mets' bullpen after the All-Star break in the second half of July. When healthy, the former sixth-round pick by the Chicago Cubs in 2009 out of Texas A&M will provide a lefty arm at the back end of their bullpen. Raley made only eight appearances in 2024 before being shut down but had a nice 2.80 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, three saves, 61 strikeouts and 25 walks in 54 2/3 innings for New York in 2023.
2 hours ago   
Jesus Made  • SS  •  Brewers

Jesus Made Reaches Base Four Times, Swipes Two Bags on Sunday

Milwaukee Brewers infield prospect Jesus Made reached base four times on Sunday, tallying two walks, a single, and a double for Single-A Carolina. He also swiped two bases in the contest, now with six steals in his last five games. The Brewers' top prospect (MLB No. 20) is having a good season at Single-A, hitting .284 with 20 extra-base hits (four home runs) and 29 steals in 53 games, while logging a 14.8 percent walk rate that has boosted his OBP to .395. The switch-hitter should get some run at High-A in the coming weeks, but at just 18 years old, the 6-foot-1 Dominican is likely a couple of years away from the majors. Still, he's one that dynasty managers should keep a very close eye on, as he has the talent to be a multi-category producer.
2 hours ago   
Jesse Winker  • LF  •  Mets

Jesse Winker "Multiple Weeks Away" From Rehab Assignment

New York Mets outfielder Jesse Winker (oblique) is still "multiple weeks away" from going on a minor-league rehab assignment, according to president of baseball operations David Stearns. It's been a slow recovery from Winker, who suffered a Grade 2 strain of his oblique back on May 4 against the St. Louis Cardinals. Because he hasn't even started a rehab assignment yet, the 31-year-old veteran outfielder won't be back with the Mets until after the All-Star break in mid-July. When he does return to the Big Apple, he'll be in play as a platoon option in the outfield for New York. Winker had gone 16-for-67 (.239) with a home run, 10 RBI, eight runs scored and one steal this year before his oblique injury. Winker has recorded over 20 homers in just one of his eight MLB seasons and won't have a ton of fantasy upside when he's back in what will likely be a limited role.
2 hours ago   
Jose Siri  • CF  •  Mets

Jose Siri Suffers a Setback

The Athletic's Tim Britton writes that New York Mets outfielder Jose Siri (leg) suffered a setback, with the reimaging of his fractured tibia showing that it hasn't healed as much as the team had hoped. Siri has backed off his running and baseball activities and will be re-evaluated in around two weeks. President of baseball operations David Stearns said Siri is still "a ways away." The 29-year-old was originally given an eight- to 12-week timetable for a return after he broke his leg on April 12 against the Athletics. Now that he's had a setback, he is not going to be ready to rejoin the big-league roster until after the All-Star break and will still need to go on a minor-league rehab assignment. Siri's absence has led to more playing time for Tyrone Taylor in center field, but he's hit just .229/.295/.324 with a homer, 12 RBI, 18 runs scored and eight steals in 188 at-bats.
2 hours ago   
Thomas White  • SP  •  Marlins

Thomas White Getting Promoted to Double-A

Miami Marlins pitching prospect Thomas White is headed to Double-A Pensacola after a strong showing at High-A. The 20-year-old missed a couple of starts in May due to a blister on his finger, but looks fully recovered after allowing just two earned runs over his last three starts that spanned 10 innings, recording 16 strikeouts to just one walk over that time. For the season, the Marlins' top prospect owns a 2.83 ERA (2.07 FIP), 1.11 WHIP, and a phenomenal 24.8 percent K-BB% on the back of a 13.63 K/9. The 6-foot-5 hurler has the stuff to make quick work of Double-A and could make a handful of starts at Triple-A before the season is out. The southpaw should be a pitcher to target in dynasty leagues if he's not already stashed, and should push for a major league debut in 2026.
2 hours ago   
Frankie Montas  • SP  •  Mets

Frankie Montas Could Return in Relief Role

New York Mets right-hander Frankie Montas (lat) allowed eight runs in just 1 2/3 innings in his latest minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Syracuse on Friday. There is only time for him to make one more rehab start before his 30-day rehab clock expires on June 22. The 32-year-old says he's healthy and making progress, but if the Mets don't think he's made enough progress, they could use him out of the bullpen when he returns to the major-league roster, according to The Athletic's Tim Britton. The Dominican hurler now sports a 13.17 ERA and 2.34 WHIP with 10 strikeouts and nine walks in 13 2/3 innings in his five rehab starts with Syracuse and High-A Brooklyn as he recovers from a lat strain he suffered in spring training. Montas should make starts for New York in the second half, but it sounds like he could be eased in out of the bullpen.
2 hours ago   
Angel Genao  • SS  •  Guardians

Angel Genao Hits Home Run No. 1 in Three-Hit Game

Cleveland Guardians infield prospect Angel Genao went 3-for-4 on Sunday for Double-A Akron, including a walk, two RBI, and his first home run of the season. The Guardians' fourth-ranked prospect suffered a shoulder injury during spring training that kept him out of action until June 6, but since then, the switch-hitter has gone 9-for-28 (.321) with two doubles, a home run, four RBI, five runs scored, and a 1:3 BB:K in seven games. The 21-year-old is coming off a strong 2024 season that saw him slash .330/.379/.499 with 10 home runs and 25 stolen bases between Single-A and High-A. With a strong showing at Double-A, the Dominican should push for a promotion to Triple-A later in the year. Keep an eye on MLB.com's next refresh list, as MLB's No. 52 prospect could be a big riser and has the momentum to make the majors next season.
3 hours ago   
Cade Povich  • SP  •  Orioles

Orioles Place Cade Povich on 15-Day Injured List With Hip Inflammation

The Baltimore Orioles announced on Monday that they placed left-hander Cade Povich (hip) on the 15-day injured list with left-hip inflammation and recalled right-hander Colin Selby from Triple-A Norfolk in a corresponding move. The move comes after Povich picked up a win over the Los Angeles Angels in Sunday's series finale in which he threw 3 2/3 innings of bulk relief while walking one and striking out four. It's unclear if the 25-year-old southpaw will be able to return to Baltimore's starting rotation when he's eligible, but in the meantime, the O's could go with fellow lefty Trevor Rogers as Povich's replacement. Povich has had an uneven second year in the big leagues in 2025 through his first 13 outings (12 starts), going 2-5 with a 5.15 ERA (4.09 FIP) and 1.50 WHIP with 68 strikeouts and 23 walks in 64 2/3 innings pitched.
3 hours ago   
Drew Pomeranz  • RP  •  Cubs

Cubs Being Careful With Drew Pomeranz

Chicago Cubs left-hander Drew Pomeranz was unavailable in Sunday's series finale against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field due to his recent workload and not really because of the lower-back tightness he felt during his appearance in Saturday's game in the eighth inning. The Athletic's Patrick Mooney writes that the Cubs will be careful with the oft-injured 36-year-old veteran southpaw, who didn't pitch in the big leagues in the last three years. Since the Cubs acquired him from the Seattle Mariners in April, Pomeranz has yet to give up an earned run while walking five, striking out 16 and picking up one save in 18 1/3 innings over 20 appearances (two starts). Pomeranz picked up his fourth hold of the year on Saturday despite not being 100% physically. He should be available for the start of this week's series against the Brewers on Tuesday.
3 hours ago   
Kyle Tucker  • RF  •  Cubs

Cubs Being Cautious With Kyle Tucker's Finger

Chicago Cubs outfielder Kyle Tucker (finger) was absent from the lineup for Sunday's series finale against the Pittsburgh Pirates, and manager Craig Counsell acknowledged that Tucker's recent sprained right ring finger remains a consideration. "It's there. It's not bad. But this was a chance to try to get him two days without swinging a bat," Counsell said. Since leaving on June 1 with his finger injury as a precaution, the 28-year-old sat out another game, subbed in as a pinch-hitter twice and started as the designated hitter three times. He was walked as a pinch-hitter in the 10th inning in Sunday's game. Chicago will continue to monitor Tucker's finger, but after a scheduled day off on Monday, he should be back in the starting lineup for Tuesday's series opener against the division-rival Milwaukee Brewers. Tucker has excelled in his first year in Chicago and is a must-start when he's active.
3 hours ago   
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