Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (groin) said on Sunday that he hopes to be ready as soon as he's eligible to be activated from the injured list on July 9. Manager Rob Thomson said that Schwarber was doing some jogging in the pool and weight room work. When asked if he needed a minor-league rehab assignment, Schwarber said that he'll listen to the team but emphasized that he's been fine without rehab stints in the past. Schwarber is recovering from a strained left groin, and if he's able to bypass a rehab assignment, he could rejoin the Phillies for the last few games prior to the mid-July All-Star break. Over 300 at-bats before getting injured, the 31-year-old star slugger was batting a palatable .250 with 17 home runs, 60 runs scored, 49 RBI, and four stolen bases.

Colorado Rockies outfielder/infielder Kris Bryant (rib, oblique) threw before Monday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Coors Field, and he also hit in the cage. There's still no timetable for his return from the injured list, however, and a minor-league rehab stint will be required before his reinstatement. The oft-injured Bryant is working his way back from multiple ailments, a left rib contusion and oblique strain, and he's missed 56 of 83 possible games for the Rockies in 2024. After slashing a woeful .186/.307/.279 with two home runs, two doubles, five runs scored, and 10 RBI over 86 at-bats before going on the shelf, Bryant does not need to be stashed in any fantasy leagues.

The Chicago White Sox quietly engaged in brief contract-extension talks with ace left-hander Garrett Crochet, but with no optimism towards reaching an agreement, the White Sox intend to trade him by the July 30 deadline. Chicago has had 15 teams calling to express interest in Crochet, who is making just $800,000 and is under team control through 2026. He has already thrown 94 1/3 innings as a first-year starter in 2024, 21 more than his entire career total entering this year, and the White Sox and Crochet already have a firm plan in place to greatly limit his workload the rest of this season. It's possible that a team acquiring him may have to offer a contract extension for him to lift his innings restrictions in the second half because of potential injury risk. The Dodgers already made an offer for Crochet, but it was quickly rejected. Chicago is seeking young prospects with enormous upside.

Rival MLB teams who have expressed interest in New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso are convinced that Alonso will definitely stay put as long as the Mets are within five games of the wild-card race. After their extra-inning win over the division-rival Washington Nationals on Monday, the Mets are the first team currently on the outside looking in of the National League wild-card race, sitting 1.5 games back of the St. Louis Cardinals. They are 13-4 in their last 17 games, so as of now, the Mets appear ready to make a run at the postseason with Alonso in the fold. The three-time All-Star and former NL Rookie of the Year is an elite power bat for the Mets and fantasy managers after hitting 40-plus homers each of the previous two seasons. Alonso is also hitting .245 (76-for-310) after hitting a career-low .217 in 2023.

The Toronto Blue Jays want to make one last run with first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and shortstop Bo Bichette, so they should both be staying around past this summer's trade deadline until at least this winter, if not next summer. However, with their season already on the brink, they plan to place left-hander Yusei Kikuchi, catcher Danny Jansen, reliever Yimi Garcia, designated hitter Justin Turner and outfielder Kevin Kiermaier on the trade block. After the Blue Jays' 3-1 loss on Canada Day on Monday to the Houston Astros, Toronto is currently in dead last in the American League East while sitting eight games out of the last wild-card spot. Guerrero has been hot of late but is also dealing with a finger injury he picked up on Sunday, while Bichette has just not been able to get it going consistently on offense in 2024.