The Texas Rangers have demoted third baseman Josh Jung to Triple-A Round Rock in an effort to get him back on track after a disappointing stretch. After a strong start to the 2025 season, posting impressive numbers, Jung struggled significantly in his last 30 games, hitting just .164. This move not only creates room for Jake Burger, who returns from the injured list, but also allows Jung to work on his swing in the minors. In his absence, Josh Smith and Ezequiel Duran are set to share the duties at third base. Fantasy managers should consider stashing Jung, as he still possesses noteworthy power potential that could be beneficial upon his return.

As the MLB season approaches the All-Star break, savvy fantasy baseball players are looking to bolster their rosters with under-the-radar hitters. This week, several players have emerged as strong candidates for waivers, offering potential boosts in critical categories like runs, home runs, RBIs, stolen bases, and batting average.

Josh Smith of the Texas Rangers, rostered in just 36% of leagues, continues to shine at the plate, boasting a .311 average with three home runs and 18 runs scored recently. Caleb Durbin of the Brewers is another name to watch, hitting .296 with three homers and 18 runs in June. Meanwhile, Ramon Laureano has returned to form with the Orioles, hitting .312 with four home runs and leading in runs scored.

For power hitters, Kyle Stowers of the Marlins is on the rise, hitting three home runs in the last week of June, while Gary Sanchez is making a significant impact for the Orioles as well, providing solid numbers despite limited playing time. Lastly, Otto Lopez is leading the NL in RBIs this month, making him a must-roster player. As the season progresses, these players could be the difference-makers for fantasy teams.

With Clayton Kershaw now a member of the 3,000-strikeout club, the focus shifts to the next pitchers who might achieve this milestone. Currently, only four active pitchers have surpassed 2,000 strikeouts, but injuries complicate their journeys. Chris Sale leads with 2,528 strikeouts but is sidelined with a fractured rib. Gerrit Cole, with 2,251 strikeouts, is out for the season due to elbow surgery. Charlie Morton and Yu Darvish are also in pursuit but face challenges due to age and injury.

Aaron Nola and Robbie Ray, both possessing impressive strikeout rates, might be contenders if they can avoid injuries. Newly emerging talents like Tarik Skubal and Paul Skenes show promise but face the daunting task of maintaining performance and health over many seasons. The road to 3,000 strikeouts is fraught with uncertainty, making each pitch critical.

The New York Mets secured a much-needed 7-3 victory against the Milwaukee Brewers, snapping a four-game losing streak. Key offensive performances included Brandon Nimmo's grand slam and Francisco Lindor's solo home run, both in the second inning. Rookie pitcher Jacob Misiorowski, who previously excelled with a low earned run average, struggled against the Mets, allowing five runs in 3.2 innings. Nimmo praised Misiorowski's impressive slider, drawing a comparison to former teammate Jacob deGrom, and highlighted the importance of capitalizing on scoring opportunities early in the game.

With this win, the Mets are just two games behind the Philadelphia Phillies in the NL East race, putting them in a solid position as they prepare for a rubber match with the Brewers and a weekend series against the New York Yankees.

Nathan Eovaldi returned to form in his second game since being activated from the injured list, pitching five scoreless innings against the Baltimore Orioles. Eovaldi's performance, which included two hits and one walk, marked his 14th win of the season, demonstrating a significant improvement from his previous outing where he struggled. Rangers Manager Bruce Bochy praised Eovaldi's command, attributing the success to mechanical adjustments made prior to the game.

Despite his strong outing, Eovaldi faced pitch count restrictions, which prevented him from pitching the sixth inning. He expressed confidence in his recovery and is optimistic about being fully unleashed in his next start. The Rangers are mindful of Eovaldi's health as he continues to navigate his return from injury.