Marcus Semien exited with a left foot contusion after fouling a pitch off his foot, with an MRI scheduled to determine the extent of ligament damage under the arch. X-rays showed no fracture, but Semien described severe pain that made walking treacherous, forcing a mid-game exit after two innings of defense. In his stead, Ezequiel Duran came off the bench to hit with two on and no outs, while Evan Carter was bumped in the seventh after a wrist injury from a pitch but remained to run the bases before being removed later. The Rangers’ road trip hit a rough patch, going 2-5 and dimming their playoff odds as the season winds down.

Amid the injury flare, the relay play in the second inning showcased the roster’s depth, with Josh Smith throwing to Cody Freeman to deny a Royals’ attempt at a triple. The weekend’s medical scan looms large for Texas, and fantasy managers will monitor not just Semien’s MRI but also who steps into Semien’s keystone role and how Duran, Carter, and Tolbert might lift or shift the lineup in his absence. The lingering question: can Texas pin a successful course to the close of the season, or will this setback accelerate a gut-check for their postseason pursuit?

From a fantasy lens, Semien’s status looms large for second-base value and the Rangers’ batting order integrity. Duran’s versatility, Tolbert’s upside, and Carter’s potential burden-share become critical, especially if the MRI confirms ligament concerns. As the team weighs its next moves, grabbing speculative infield depth and tracking lineup changes will matter for daily fantasy and season-long rosters alike, particularly in leagues that reward position flexibility and late-season opportunity.

Wyatt Langford has shown signs of improvement for the Texas Rangers, culminating in a clutch bases-loaded double that helped secure an 8-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves, marking the Rangers' sixth straight win.

Despite struggling with strikes in recent games, Langford's performance was a boost as he ended a nine-game slump with two hits in Sunday’s game. Alongside him, Josh Smith hit a two-run homer, contributing to a balanced offensive effort with multiple players on base. Jack Leiter's pitching was also notable as he matched his career-high in strikeouts, reinforcing the Rangers' momentum ahead of the trade deadline.

The return of MLB provides a rich slate for daily fantasy players on DraftKings and FanDuel. Notably, pitchers like Freddy Peralta from the Milwaukee Brewers have been on a roll, boasting six consecutive victories with impressive strikeout numbers, making him a solid pick despite facing the Los Angeles Dodgers. Zebby Matthews of the Dodgers also stands out, especially against a struggling Rockies team, though his recent IL stint raises some questions.

For infielders, Texas Rangers' Josh Smith presents excellent value with his ability against right-handed pitchers, while Cubs' Michael Busch is heating up, making him a potential GPP sleeper. Outfielders like Byron Buxton are in prime positions to capitalize in favorable matchups in Coors Field, while Randy Arozarena's current form adds to his appeal against the Astros.

Heading into Week 15 of the 2025 MLB season and the All-Star break, it's crucial for fantasy baseball players to evaluate their rosters and pinpoint underperforming hitters. This week, three players in each offensive category are highlighted as potential waiver wire additions that can help enhance your team's performance across various metrics.

For runs scored, Roman Anthony of the Boston Red Sox is hitting .429 recently and has added a home run, making him a hot pickup. Jake Meyers of the Houston Astros shows consistent scoring, while Ronny Mauricio of the New York Mets is finding his stride with dual eligibility at 2B/3B. In terms of home runs, Addison Barger of the Toronto Blue Jays is showing strong offensive metrics, alongside Ben Rice of the Yankees and Sean Murphy of the Braves, who appears ready for more playing time. If your squad needs RBIs, look to Romy Gonzalez, Mickey Moniak, and Joey Ortiz for boosts. For stolen bases, Evan Carter, Tyler Freeman, and Ha-Seong Kim could be game-changers. Lastly, for batting average improvements, consider Josh Smith, Colt Keith, and Mike Tauchman, who have all demonstrated significant hitting prowess recently.

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.