August 21, 2025
Veteran free-agent reliever
Craig Kimbrel is signing an undisclosed deal with the Houston Astros on Thursday and will be joining the major-league roster, a source tells Jeff Passan of ESPN. The Texas Rangers granted Kimbrel his release on Thursday, and it didn't take long for the 37-year-old veteran to find a new team to pitch for down the stretch in 2025. He has only thrown one innning in the big leagues this year with the Atlanta Braves, and there's no guarantee he'll stick around with the Astros through the end of the season. But with left-handed closer
Josh Hader (shoulder) expected to miss the the rest of the regular season, the Astros are turning to a veteran with 440 career saves for some depth for their bullpen. At best, Kimbrel might be a late-inning arm for Houston, and
Bryan Abreu remains the best bet for saves the rest of the way.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
August
21,
2025
Los
Angeles
Dodgers
manager
Dave
Roberts
said
that
two-way
superstar
Shohei
Ohtani
(thigh)
will
be
back
in
the
starting
lineup
as
the
designated
hitter
for
Friday's
series
opener
against
the
division-rival
San
Diego
Padres
at
Petco
read more...
August
21,
2025
With
the
Miami
Marlins
severing
ties
with
right-hander
Cal
Quantrill,
they
will
turn
to
rookie
right-hander
Ryan
Gusto,
who
will
make
the
start
in
Friday's
series
opener
against
the
Toronto
Blue
read more...
August 21, 2025
With San Francisco Giants right-hander
Landen Roupp (knee) headed to the 15-day injured list with a knee sprain, MLB.com's Justice delos Santos reports that rookie right-hander
Carson Whisenhunt will be recalled from Triple-A Sacramento to start in Friday's series opener against the first-place Milwaukee Brewers. Whisenhunt, the team's No. 7 prospect per MLB Pipeline, made his major-league debut earlier in 2025 and struggled in three starts against the Pirates, Mets and Nationals, allowing nine runs (eight earned) on 13 hits (five homers) while walking seven and striking out 12 over 14 1/3 innings. The 24-year-old is going to need to throw more strikes and hit better spots in his return to the majors, but he could stick around for the rest of the year in San Fran's rotation if Roupp can't make it back. We'd suggest avoiding Whisenhunt as a fantasy streamer against Milwaukee in his return to MLB.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Justice delos Santos
August 21, 2025
The Triple-A Worcester Red Sox placed infielder
Vaughn Grissom (foot) and pitcher
Cooper Criswell (elbow) on the seven-day minor-league injured list on Wednesday, according to Tommy Cassell. Grissom is dealing with right-foot inflammation, while Criswell is sidelined with right-elbow inflammation. Grissom, 24, has yet to play in the big leagues with the Red Sox this year after hitting a disappointing .190/.246/.219 with no homers, six RBI and two steals in 31 games in 2024 in Beantown. He was hitting a solid .270/.342/.441 for Worcester with 13 homers, 48 RBI, 69 runs and nine steals in 418 plate appearances before his injury and could be an option for infield depth in Boston next month if he's healthy. Criswell made seven appearances (one start) for the BoSox earlier this year and had a 3.57 ERA, 1.59 WHIPO and 9:5 K:BB in only 17 2/3 frames.
--Keith HernandezSource: Tommy Cassell
August 21, 2025
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher
Spencer Strider will have his spot in the rotation skipped. That means, Strider won't make his scheduled start against the New York Mets this weekend. This doesn't come as a shock given how horrible Strider has been lately. He was crushed for seven earned runs on 10 hits during his most recent start against the Chicago White Sox. Strider could use some time off after getting shelled for five runs or more in each of his last three starts. It's unclear when Strider is going to make his next appearance on the mound. The assumption is that he'll start early next week. In the meantime,
Joey Wentz,
Cal Quantrill, and
Bryce Elder will take the mound versus the Mets this weekend.
--Andy WebbSource: Mark Bowman
August 21, 2025
Houston Astros outfielder
Taylor Trammell (neck, concussion) was placed on the 10-day injured list on Thursday. Trammell will head to the shelf due to a cervical muscle strain that he suffered during Wednesday's contest. It's also worth noting that Trammell remains in the concussion protocol as well. He's currently with the team for their series in Baltimore while he recovers from these issues. In the meantime,
Brice Matthews has been recalled to take over the spot on the active roster. Neither player brings enough upside with the bat to warrant rostering in fantasy formats.
--Andy WebbSource: Chandler Rome
August 21, 2025
Baltimore Orioles infielder
Jordan Westburg (ankle) remained out of the starting lineup ahead of Thursday's game against the Houston Astros. Westburg hasn't been able to play since exiting early during Monday's game against the Boston Red Sox. Currently, Westburg is considered day-to-day with right ankle discomfort. The organization is hopeful that Westburg can avoid a stint on the injured list. It wouldn't be shocking to see Westburg miss a handful of games due to this issue.
Jeremiah Jackson is covering the hot corner on Thursday. He'll likely see increased playing time over there until Westburg is ready to play again.
--Andy WebbSource: Jacob Calvin Meyer
August 21, 2025
Milwaukee Brewers infielder
Joey Ortiz (hamstring) was forced to make an early exit from Thursday's game against the Chicago Cubs. Ortiz suffered a left hamstring injury when grounding out in the fifth inning. He finished this game 1-for-2 with a single. The assumption is that he'll undergo further testing to determine the severity of the injury. For now, fantasy managers should consider Ortiz as day-to-day until more information is revealed.
Andruw Monasterio took over at shortstop and figures to see increased playing time if Ortiz is forced to miss time. Fantasy managers should check back on Friday for another update.
--Andy WebbSource: Todd Rosiak
August 21, 2025
Texas Rangers outfielder
Evan Carter (hand) was forced to make an early exit from Thursday's game against the Kansas City Royals. Carter suffered a hand injury when he was hit by a pitch during the seventh inning on Thursday. He remained in the game, but was eventually lifted for a defensive replacement. He finished this game 1-for-2 with a single, stolen base, and was hit by a pitch twice. The expectation is that Carter will undergo further testing to determine the severity of the injury. For now, fantasy managers should consider Carter as day-to-day. There should be more information on his status ahead of Friday's contest.
--Andy WebbSource: Kennedi Landry
August 21, 2025
Texas Rangers second baseman
Marcus Semien (foot) left Thursday's series finale early against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium with a left-foot contusion after fouling a ball off of himself in the first inning, according to Kennedi Landry of MLB.com. Semien tried to stay in the game before ultimately being pinch hit for during his second plate appearance in the third inning. The 34-year-old veteran struck out in his only trip to the plate on the day. The Rangers will likely send Semien for X-rays, and if they are negative, he could return for Friday's series opener at home against the Cleveland Guardians. If it's a serious injury that requires Semien to go on the injured list, fantasy managers should expect utility man
Josh Smith to take over at second base. He is showing his age in 2025 and is hitting .230 (108-for-469) with 15 homers, 62 RBI, 62 runs and 11 steals in 126 games.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Kennedi Landry
August
21,
2025
The
Baltimore
Orioles
placed
catcher
Adley
Rutschman
(oblique)
on
the
10-day
injured
list
on
Thursday
with
a
right-oblique
strain
and
recalled
outfielder
Daniel
Johnson
from
the
minors
in
a
corresponding
move,
according
to
read more...
August 21, 2025
The Atlanta Braves announced on Thursday that third baseman
Austin Riley (abdomen) will miss the remainder of the 2025 season after undergoing surgery on his core that was performed by Dr. William Meyers in Philadelphia. Riley is expected to return for spring training next year. The 28-year-old tried to return from his abdominal injury but was unable to do so, so he'll end the 2025 campaign with a .260/.309/.428 slash line, 16 home runs, 54 RBI, 54 runs scored and two stolen bases in 102 games in his seventh MLB season. The two-time All-Star also missed a big chunk of the 2024 season due to injury and has become a high-risk/high-reward power-hitting third baseman in an Atlanta offense that could very easily rebound in 2026 with better health. With Riley officially out the rest of the way, expect
Nacho Alvarez Jr. to see most of the action at third base for the Braves.
--Keith HernandezSource: Atlanta Braves
August 21, 2025
The Boston Red Sox are placing outfielder
Wilyer Abreu (calf) on the 10-day injured list on Thursday with a calf injury, sources tell Mass Live's Chris Cotillo. Abreu injured his right calf in Sunday's series finale against the Miami Marlins and will now be forced to miss a little more time. In a corresponding move, the BoSox called up one of their top prospects from Triple-A Worcester in outfielder
Jhostynxon Garcia. However, the outfield prospect won't make his first MLB start in Thursday's divisional clash in the Bronx against the New York Yankees.
Roman Anthony will play right field and hit leadoff, with
Ceddanne Rafaela in center field and batting seventh. The left-handed-hitting Abreu has been relevant in mixed fantasy leagues in his third year in the big leagues, as he's already hit a career-high 22 homers with 69 RBI, six steals and a .253/.325/.486 slash line in 108 games played.
--Keith HernandezSource: MassLive.com - Chris Cotillo
August 21, 2025
Cincinnati Reds pitching prospect
Zach Maxwell is getting called up from Triple-A Louisville for what will be his major league debut whenever he enters a game. The Reds' 24th-ranked prospect owned a 4.17 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, and struck out 26.8 percent of batters he faced for the Bats, but looked even better as of late. The 6-foot-6 hurler recorded a 1.62 ERA and struck out 36.5 percent of batters over his last 16 games, although his WHIP remained elevated due to a 17.6 percent walk rate, something that has plagued him throughout his minor league career. Maxwell will likely fill a middle relief role for the Reds, and with some concerns about walks, there is little reason to roster him in fantasy leagues.
--Jarod RuppSource: Chase Ford
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