Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (biceps) "feels considerably better" on Saturday, manager Dave Roberts told Maddie Lee of MLB.com. Ohtani is out of the starting lineup for the Fourth of July contest in L.A. against the division-rival San Diego Padres on Saturday night, as expected, but the Dodgers will "see how the day goes as far as availability tonight." Roberts said he's "hopeful" that Ohtani will be in the starting lineup for the series finale on Sunday. Ohtani was a little concerned about his right biceps muscle in his last at-bat in Friday's win over SD and was pulled as a precaution. He said it was in the same spot as something he felt a couple of months ago that resolved relatively quickly. Outfielder Andy Pages will serve as the Dodgers' designated hitter on Saturday and hit in the two-hole against Padres left-handed opener Wandy Peralta. The 31-year-old Ohtani should be considered day-to-day for now and looks likely to avoid a trip to the injured list just before the All-Star break. After a slow start at the plate, he quickly turned it around and is currently batting .288/.403/.524 with a .927 OPS, 18 homers, 50 RBI, 60 runs, and six steals in 309 at-bats. Ohtani isn't running as much, but he's still an elite five-category contributor as a hitter in 2026.

Athletics catcher Shea Langeliers (thumb) will not be in the team's starting lineup for Saturday's contest against the visiting Miami Marlins on the Fourth of July, according to MLB.com. Jonah Heim will catch right-hander Aaron Civale and will bat cleanup for the A's versus Marlins right-hander Sandy Alcantara. It's unclear how serious Langeliers' left-thumb injury is, but it's worth noting that the A's called up Brian Serven from Triple-A Las Vegas for more catching depth, which could be a sign that he could be on the verge of landing on the injured list, which would keep him out for the rest of the first half of the season. Langeliers was forced from Friday's game early with his thumb injury. The 28-year-old former ninth overall pick in 2019 out of Baylor University is a must-start in all fantasy leagues when he's healthy, as one of the best power-hitting catchers in baseball. He has hit .264 (87-for-330) with 20 long balls, 44 RBI, 51 runs, and two steals in 80 games so far in 2026. Heim will serve as the A's primary backstop for however long Langeliers is out.

Kansas City Royals catcher/first baseman Salvador Perez (elbow) remains out of the starting lineup for Saturday's contest against the visiting Philadelphia Phillies, according to MLB.com. Carter Jensen is doing the catching for right-hander Michael Wacha and will hit leadoff against Phillies left-hander Jesus Luzardo. It's the second straight game that Perez will sit due to soreness in his left elbow. It's not expected to be a serious injury, so fantasy managers could have the veteran backstop back on the field for Sunday's series finale at Kauffman Stadium. The 36-year-old nine-time All-Star might be on his last legs in his 15th year in the majors, as he enters play on Saturday sporting a rough .201/.241/.327 slash line with a career-low .568 OPS, 10 homers, 30 RBI, and 29 runs scored in his 81 games and 340 plate appearances. Since the start of June, he's gone 18-for-96 (.188) with a homer, four doubles, five RBI, eight runs scored, one walk, and 21 strikeouts.

Tampa Bay Rays speedy outfielder Chandler Simpson (fingers) will miss a second straight game on Saturday in Houston against the Astros, according to MLB.com. Victor Mesa Jr. is making another start in left field for the Rays and will bat fifth against Astros right-hander Hunter Brown. Simpson is dealing with soreness in his right index and middle fingers and will miss a second straight game after he was scratched from Friday's lineup. It's not considered a serious injury, though, so fantasy managers could have Simpson back for Sunday's series finale at Daikin Park. The 25-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder has not hit a single home run in his first two MLB seasons over 190 games and 765 plate appearances, so power is obviously not his forte. In 81 games in 2026, he's slashing .278/.317/.331 with a .648 OPS, 16 RBI, 20 steals, and 35 runs scored. Simpson hit just .211 (15-for-71) in 24 games in June, but he's currently riding a modest seven-game hitting streak in which he's gone 10-for-26 (.385) with three doubles, an RBI, three steals, and two runs scored.