Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette (knee) remains out of the starting lineup for Thursday's series finale against the division-rival New York Yankees. Second baseman Andres Gimenez is also sitting after an injury scare with his ankle in Wednesday's win. Ernie Clement is starting at short and batting sixth, while Leo Jimenez is at the keystone and in the nine-hole versus Yankees right-hander Clarke Schmidt. Bichette will end up missing the entire four-game series against the Yanks after stepping on a baseball during pre-game batting practice on Monday and tweaking his right knee. Fantasy managers will want to check back on Friday to see if Bichette is ready to return for the series opener against the visiting Los Angeles Angels. The 27-year-old two-time All-Star is in the midst of a bounce-back season and is hitting .272/.311/.427 with 11 homers, 49 RBI, 39 runs and four steals in 356 at-bats.

The New York Mets placed right-hander Paul Blackburn (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list on Thursday with a right-shoulder impingement, according to SNY. It's unclear what the corresponding move was for the Mets. Blackburn has rarely been healthy since joining the Mets midseason in 2024, and he had made only seven appearances (six starts) for New York this year before going back on the IL with a new ailment. The 31-year-old veteran has not been good in his 18 2/3 innings for the Mets this year, either, allowing 17 runs (16 earned) on 30 hits (two homers) while walking seven and striking out 15. He's currently sporting a 7.71 ERA and 1.98 WHIP and doesn't have any business being rostered in mixed leagues, especially that he'll now be out through the All-Star break.

New York Yankees pitching prospect Clayton Beeter was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Wednesday. The righty made his major league debut in 2024, striking out five batters and walking just one in 3 2/3 innings of work. The strikeout stuff has been there at Triple-A this season, fanning 35 batters (38.5 percent K%) in 21 innings pitched, however, he's also walked 17 batters (18.7 percent BB%). Nevertheless, the 26-year-old will get another shot in the big leagues, working out of the bullpen for the Yankees. With New York already with a couple of options at closer, Beeter doesn't have much value for fantasy, though.

Philadelphia Phillies outfield prospect Justin Crawford went 3-for-4 with a double, a walk, and one run scored on Wednesday for Triple-A Lehigh Valley. The Phils' third-ranked prospect is 10-for-21 (.476) over his last five games, including four doubles and a home run, although surprisingly without even a single stolen base. The 21-year-old is sporting a .341/.415/.451 slash line with 26 steals, a .395 wOBA, and a 135 wRC+ through 65 games for the Iron Pigs. The former first-rounder is striking out at just a 17.8 percent clip while drawing walks at an above-average rate of 11.6 percent. As hot as he's been all season, it is somewhat surprising that he hasn't seen a promotion, but so long as he is not dealt before the trade deadline, look for the team to give him a shot in the majors in the second half, bringing with him solid contact skills and speed, which could make for a viable fantasy asset.

Milwaukee Brewers pitching prospect Logan Henderson was tagged for five earned runs in his latest start on Tuesday for Triple-A Nashville, yieldingthree hits (two home runs), one walk, and he hit one batter while striking out three in four innings of work. The Brewers' sixth-ranked prospect has been susceptible to the home run lately, allowing five home runs in his last three starts at Triple-A after allowing only three home runs total in his first eight games. Still, the right-hander owns a 3.12 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and a 20.8 percent K-BB% through 11 starts for the Sounds in 2025. The 23-year-old also pitched well in four starts in the majors earlier this year as well, postinga 1.71 ERA (3.04 FIP), 0.95 WHIP, and a 28.4 percent K-BB%, so expect him to get back on track and be in the big leagues later this year. When that happens, he'll be worthy of a roster spot in most 12-team leagues.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are calling up outfielder Esteury Ruiz from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday with third baseman Max Muncy (knee) undergoing additional testing after suffering an ugly-looking left-knee injury in the win over the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday night, sources tell The Athletic's Fabian Ardaya. Although nothing is official, this is sign that Muncy is heading to the injured list to close out the first half of the season. It wouldn't be a surprise given how bad the injury looked during a collision with White Sox outfielder Michael Taylor during a stolen base attempt. The 26-year-old Ruiz stole a league-high 67 bases in 2023 with the A's and was hitting .292 with eight home runs and 38 steals in 66 games for OKC, but the speedster is unlikely to see enough playing time in L.A. to be worth anything more than an NL-only flier.

Updating a previous story, Cleveland Guardians right-hander Luis L. Ortiz is being investigated by the league after a betting-integrity firm flagged a pair of his pitches that had received unusual gambling activity, according to sources. Major League Baseball has placed Ortiz on "non-disciplinary paid leave" through July 17, which is the end of the All-Star break. The first alert was sent on June 15 triggered by action on Ortiz's first pitch against the Mariners in the bottom of the second inning to be a ball or a hit batsman. Ortiz started the inning with a slider well out of the strike zone. The second alert came on June 27 on his first pitch against the Cardinals in the top of the third being a ball or hit batsman. Ortiz opened with a slider well out of the zone. It's a serious and sensitive issue, and Ortiz's leave could be extended if the league's investigation remains open for the start of the second half of the season.

Arizona Diamondbacks infield prospect Jordan Lawlar (hamstring) is expected to miss multiple weeks with his latest hamstring injury, accordingto manager Torey Lovullo. The former first-rounder had been placed on the 7-day IL after being removed from a game on June 25. Lawlar was hitting well at Triple-A all year, slashing .319/.410/.583 with 10 home runs and 18 stolenbases, but now it appears he'll be out until August. The D-backs' top-ranked prospect dealt with hamstring injuries last season as well, and was limited to just 14 games between Double and Triple-A, so the team won't look to rush him back, especially without an opening on the big league roster. The 22-year-old dropped 10 spots on MLB.com's latest refresh list, but there is still 20/20 potential here wheneverhe's finally able to get regular major league at-bats.

Colorado Rockies shortstop Ezequiel Tovar (oblique) is running the bases at Coors Field before Thursday's series finale against the visiting Houston Astros, and interim manager Warren Schaeffer said that the team is close to sending Tovar on a minor-league rehab assignment. The 23-year-old has already been taking swings off a tee, so if he doesn't suffer a setback while running on Thursday, he could be cleared to start playing in rehab games this weekend and come off the injured list before the All-Star break in mid-July. Tovar has been away from the team since early June with a left-oblique strain, but it sounds like he could be on the cusp of a return. Rookie Ryan Ritter has been filling in as Colorado's starting shortstop with Tovar out. Tovar had a breakout year in 2024 with 26 homers, 78 RBI and 45 doubles but had gotten off to a slow start in his first 32 games this year.

Pittsburgh Pirates pitching prospect Bubba Chandler allowed one earned run on three hits and four walks while striking out six in 3 1/3 innings pitched in his latest start this past Saturday. After a dominating start to the year, some command issues have cropped up for the Pirates' top prospect, registering a 15.0 percent walk rate over his last 10 starts while posting a 4.75 ERA, 1.78 WHIP, and a 10.4 percent K-BB%. What seemed like an imminent promotion to the big leagues earlier this season has now turned into potentially a handful of starts in the second half, a disappointing outcome for fantasy managers who have stashed him in hopes of a major league debut. The ceiling is still high, and Pittsburgh's general manager Ben Cherington recently stated the team wants him to be in the majors this season.

The Colorado Rockies announced on Thursday that they recalled rookie right-handed reliever Zach Agnos from Triple-A Albuquerque and optioned right-hander Angel Chivilli to Albuquerque in a corresponding move. Although it's hard to bank on anything from the back end of the worst team in baseball's bullpen, the return of Agnos is notable for fantasy managers scrounging for saves and high-leverage arms that could have an impact in the second half. The 24-year-old former 10th-rounder in 2022 out of East Carolina had a short stint as the Rockies' closer earlier this year and picked up his first four saves, but he also struggled to an 0-3 record, 5.48 ERA and 1.31 WHIP with 12 strikeouts and nine free passes in 21 1/3 innings pitched in 20 appearances. As things currently stand, Seth Halvorsen is the primary option for saves for the last-place Rockies.

Houston Astros outfielder Chas McCormick (oblique) is scheduled to travel to Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday and start a minor-league rehab assignment on Friday, according to manager Joe Espada. As long as McCormick doesn't suffer a setback with his oblique, he could be activated from the 10-day injured list and rejoin the big-league club early next week. The 30-year-old veteran has been sidelined since late May with a strained left oblique and will provide outfield depth for the Astros when he's back. McCormick had been serving as a bench player for Houston before his injury and was hitting .256 (11-for-43) with no homers, two RBI, a steal and six runs scored in 36 games played. He had a career-best 22 long balls, 70 RBI and 19 stolen bases in 115 games for the 'Stros back in 2023, but he's facing an uphill battle for regular playing time in 2025.

Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena (ribs) is not doing baseball activities yet, but general manager Dana Brown said he could resume baseball activities this weekend in Los Angeles. The Astros placed Pena on the 10-day injured list on Monday with a small rib fracture on his left side after he was hit by a pitch. It's good news that the 27-year-old could resume baseball activities this weekend, but by no means should fantasy managers be expecting him to return from the IL before the end of the first half of the season. However, it's possible that Pena could be ready to roll for the start of the second half of the season on July 18 if he continues to make good progress after he resumes baseball activities. Pena is having a career year for fantasy managers in 2025 and should remain stashed in all leagues. Until he's back Mauricio Dubon will serve as the team's primary shortstop.

Per the Houston Astros, outfielder/designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (hand) received some encouraging news from a hand specialist that examined him on Wednesday. Alvarez received additional imaging, which showed that the main cause of his current pain is merely inflammation, and the small fracture that had been sustained is now a non-factor in the pain that Alvarez is experiencing. He received two injections on Wednesday and will refrain from baseball activity with his hand in the coming days. The specialist also determined that the 28-year-old's hand has made noticeable progress when compared to the imaging done over the last several weeks. While it's good news, there's still no timetable for the All-Star's return. In a best-case scenario, Alvarez will be ready to go for the start of the second half of the season on July 18.

Houston Astros catcher Yainer Diaz won't be in the team's lineup for the final game of their series with the hosting Colorado Rockies. The Dominican Republic native got the starting nod for the previous six contests, but he'll take a seat with Houston squaring off against left-handed pitcher Kyle Freeland. Victor Caratini will cover behind home plate in his stead and bat sixth. Diaz has had a tough time getting going this year, but he's underproducing his expected stats by a decent margin. He's a candidate for positive regression, considering not much has changed in his underlying profile. However, it's worth noting that the 26-year-old has struggled mightily against righties (.231) after batting .297 or better against them the past two campaigns.

New York Mets starting pitcher Sean Manaea (elbow, oblique) allowed six hits and three runs (two earned) over three innings in Wednesday's outing for Double-A Binghamton. The 33-year-old walked one and struck out three, working up to 60 pitches (39 strikes). Manaea was shut down for a bit upon the findings of a loose body in his elbow, but was able to make his fifth rehab start as he works back from an oblique injury that's sidelined him all season. While there's been no news on the next steps for the veteran, he's expected to make at least one more trip to the mound next week. He's eligible to return from the injured list in ten days, though it's worth mentioning that's New York's last game before the All-Star break. It's been a slow-moving process, but he should rejoin the team's rotation within the next few weeks, barring any setbacks.

Colorado Rockies first baseman Michael Toglia won't be in the team's lineup for their home series finale with the Houston Astros. The 26-year-old will get a routine day of rest after suiting up for the previous 15 games. Orlando Arcia will get the start at first base and bat seventh for Colorado against southpaw Brandon Walter. Toglia has struggled in 2025 to the tune of a .202/.263/.368 triple slash with ten home runs and three steals. It's a far cry from the 25/10 he sported a season ago, and an extended hot streak would be required for him to challenge those figures. The switch-hitting former first-round pick has seen a decline in the quality of his contact and plate discipline compared to 2024.

Miami Marlins outfielder Dane Myers will take a seat for the final game of their home series with the Minnesota Twins. The former sixth-round pick will get the day off with right-handed hurler David Festa taking the mound. Teammate Derek Hill will operate in center field, batting ninth, with Jesus Sanchez handling right-field duties and hitting from the two-hole. It will be Hill's first outing since injuring his wrist in late May. Myers has been solid for the Marlins across 58 appearances this season, batting .297 with a 91st percentile xBA (.293). While the Rice alum hasn't been as effective against righties (.265), he's hitting southpaws very well (.362).

Colorado Rockies catcher Hunter Goodman is getting a breather for the team's series finale against the visiting Houston Astros. It appears to be a regular day of rest for the right-handed slugger, with fellow backstop Austin Nola getting the start behind home plate and batting eighth. Goodman missed a few days with a hamstring issue recently, but looked no worse for wear when he launched two homers on Tuesday. He's produced well in his third campaign with Colorado and is fresh off a red-hot June in which he slashed .342/.373/.734 with six doubles, two triples, 15 runs scored, and 17 RBI. The 25-year-old has already set a career-high with 16 long balls.

Wednesday's doubleheader against the Milwaukee Brewers was a mixed bag for shortstop Francisco Lindor and the New York Mets. Lindor went 0-for-4 in Game 1 as the Mets dropped a 7-2 decision. The team turned it around in a 7-3 win in the nightcap, though, and Lindor was a key contributor. For the first time in 191 games, Lindor did not hit leadoff for the Mets. They dropped him to second in the order, and Lindor responded by going 3-for-4 with a solo homer, a double, and three RBI. It ended a week-long skid for the 31-year-old switch-hitter, who was mired in a 2-for-29 slump entering the evening. Just named to his fifth All-Star team, Lindor is now slashing 261/.330/.457 with 17 homers, 46 RBI, 52 runs scored, and 13 steals in 385 plate appearances. He's well on his way to a third straight 20/20 campaign.