Miami Marlins starting pitcher Max Meyer has been a name that has been talked about a lot recently about possibly joining the big league rotation. The 25-year-old has been less than impressive during his starts with Triple-A Jacksonville in June. Through four starts, Meyer has posted a 4.70 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, and 13/7 K/BB ratio during the month of June. The Marlins are expected to be sellers at the trade deadline. That being said, Meyer could receive a promotion to the big league roster. Meyer looked fairly decent in three starts before his demotion. The top prospect has excellent stuff on the mound but lacks command at times. Despite that, Meyer looks to be ready enough to return to the big league roster before the end of 2024.

Oakland Athletics right-hander Ross Stripling (elbow), who landed on the injured list on May 25 with a right-elbow flexor strain, threw a bullpen session at Chase Field on Saturday that simulated two innings and included all of his pitches. Stripling's next step will be facing hitters in a live batting practice session on Wednesday, July 3. The 34-year-old veteran will eventually need to make at least a couple minor-league rehab starts before being activated from the injured list, so it's likely that we won't see him again in Oakland's starting rotation until after the All-Star break in mid-July. It's hard to get behind Stripling in even deep-mixed fantasy leagues after he went 1-9 with a 5.82 ERA and 1.59 WHIP with a 35:12 K:BB in 55 2/3 innings over his first 11 starts this year in his first year with the A's. He's currently sporting a career-worst 13.9% strikeout rate.

Oakland Athletics left-hander Kyle Muller (shoulder) made his second minor-league rehab appearance with Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday, going 1 1/3 innings. Manager Mark Kotsay was pleased with Muller's outing and said the lefty will go again for the Aviators on Tuesday, July 2, and stretch out to two-plus innings. Muller gave up an earned run on two hits while walking two and striking out one on Friday as he works his way back from left-shoulder tendonitis. If the 26-year-old southpaw comes out of his next rehab outing OK on Tuesday, he could be reinstated from the injured list and rejoin Oakland's bullpen. Muller came up as a starter in the Atlanta Braves organization and started 13 of his 21 appearances for the A's in 2023, but all 13 of his outings in the big leagues for Oakland in 2024 before his shoulder injury came in relief.

Oakland Athletics right-hander Paul Blackburn (foot), who landed on the injured list on May 13 with a right-foot stress reaction, threw a bullpen session at Chase Field on Saturday that simulated two innings. Blackburn's next step will be facing hitters in a live batting practice session on Wednesday, July 3. Fellow right-hander Ross Stripling (elbow) is on the same progression as the 30-year-old Blackburn, although Blackburn has been out slightly longer. He'll eventually need to go on a minor-league rehab assignment as well, so it's likely that we won't see Blackburn in Oakland's starting rotation until the second half of the season. Before injuring his foot, he had gone 3-2 with a 4.11 ERA and 1.15 WHIP with 36 strikeouts and 13 walks in 46 innings over his eight starts. Blackburn could be useful in deep fantasy leagues in the right matchups, but his career 17.8% K rate doesn't give him much upside.

Oakland Athletics outfielder Esteury Ruiz (wrist), who was placed on the 10-day injured list on May 23 with a left-wrist strain, has progressed to hitting off a tee in his recovery. It's good news that Ruiz is starting to resume baseball activities, but now that the calendar has flipped to July, he'll be fighting an uphill battle to complete his rehab and rejoin the major-league roster before the All-Star break in mid-July. And even when the 25-year-old speedy outfielder is ready to come off the injured list, he won't be guaranteed significant playing time in Oakland after already being optioned to the minors earlier this year. The Dominican led baseball with 67 stolen bases in 2023, but he's hitting just .200 (11-for-55) this year with two homers, eight RBI and five steals in 29 games played. Ruiz has game-changing speed, but he's not of a whole lot of use in fantasy if he's not playing regularly.