August 20, 2025
Tampa Bay Rays outfielder
Jonny DeLuca (hamstring) has resumed a running progression. This is Deluca's second stint on the injured list, with the first being due to a shoulder injury. The Rays fully anticipate that DeLuca will return by the end of the season, and the fact that he's already running again is proof to back up this hope. When he returns, Deluca may be limited to an outfield platoon role. Deluca has been limited to only 20 games this year due to injury, but has played well when healthy. The 27-year-old was slashing .333/.356/.456 with six stolen bases before landing on the injured list. Fantasy managers with an IL spot in deep leagues can continue to stash him for now.
--Dr. Reuven GuySource: Marc Topkin
August 20, 2025
Texas Rangers right-hander
Chris Martin (calf) will try to go through PFPs (pitchers' fielding practice) before Wednesday's game against the Kansas City Royals. Martin tried this on August 13 but suffered a setback with his left calf strain and has been on the injured list since July 21. Martin is still likely to need at least a couple rehab appearances before being activated from the IL. When healthy, the 39-year-old is one of the higher leverage bullpen arms for the Rangers and is having a solid season with 36 strikeouts over 34 innings, a 2.36 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and two saves. Martin could be a candidate to close for the Rangers upon his return from the IL.
--Dr. Reuven GuySource: @evan_p_grant
August 20, 2025
Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher
Kyle Bradish (elbow) completed his rehab assignment on Wednesday, throwing 89 pitches over 4 2/3 innings for Triple-A Norfolk. Baltimore Orioles interim manager Tony Mansolino said a few days ago that he expects Bradish to be activated off the 60-day injured list and make his season debut early next week. Bradish has made six rehab starts, working his way through recovery from Tommy John surgery in June of 2024. Bradish pitched around 21 innings throughout his rehab assignment with a 4.67 ERA and 1.33 WHIP, while racking up 25 strikeouts and eight walks. Keep an eye on his control as he makes his season debut next week. Fantasy managers searching for pitcher help or need a streamer can add Bradish in deep leagues.
--Dr. Reuven GuySource: Jake Drill
August 20, 2025
Detroit Tigers pitcher
Alex Cobb (hip) has been sidelined all season while he recovers from inflammation in both his hips. On Tuesday, Cobb looked solid as he tossed three scoreless innings in a rehab start with Triple-A Toledo. At this stage in the season, Cobb will likely return as a reliever, assuming he returns at all in 2025. Tigers' manager A.J. Hinch said the team would like to keep Cobb stretched out to around 30-50 pitches. That being said, Cobb figures to return in a limited reliever or three-inning role if he plays this season. That might not be a bad idea for the Tigers as they would get a fairly fresh bullpen arm heading into the postseason. That also means Cobb basically has no fantasy value with a bullpen role.
--Andy WebbSource: The Detroit News
August 20, 2025
St. Louis Cardinals third baseman
Nolan Arenado (shoulder) is hopeful to resume hitting as early as Thursday or Friday. Arenado has been rehabbing a right shoulder injury that has kept him sidelined basically all of August. It doesn't sound like he's on the verge of returning, but swinging the bat is a good sign. He'll likely still need a rehab assignment before returning to the Cardinals lineup. That being said, Arenado probably won't be back until some point in September. If possible, fantasy managers should continue to hold Arenado on their IR until he's ready to return.
--Andy WebbSource: stltoday.com
August 20, 2025
Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher
Jose Soriano was placed on the paternity leave list on Wednesday. He's expected to miss a few days while he's with his family for the birth of his child. Currently, Soriano is scheduled to pitch against the Chicago Cubs on Saturday. If he's not available,
Chase Silseth will likely take the ball as he was recalled to take over Soriano's spot on the active roster. Soriano currently holds a 4.00 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, and a 130/64 K/BB ratio across 26 starts this season. He offers some low-end streaming appeal, assuming he's able to pitch this weekend.
--Andy WebbSource: Angels PR
August 20, 2025
San Diego Padres outfielder
Jackson Merrill (ankle) remains out of the starting lineup ahead of Wednesday's game against the San Francisco Giants. This marks the third game in a row that Merrill has missed due to an ankle injury. He tweaked his left ankle over the weekend, but it doesn't sound like he'll require a trip to the injured list. In his absence,
Ramon Laureano will take over in center field and bat fifth versus right-hander
Landen Roupp. Fantasy managers should check back on Thursday for another update on Merrill's status.
--Andy WebbSource: mlb.com
August 20, 2025
Texas Rangers catcher
Kyle Higashioka (hamstring) is back in the starting lineup ahead of Wednesday's game against the Kansas City Royals. Higashioka is back in the mix after missing each of the last four games due to a hamstring issue. He'll cover behind the plate and bat cleanup versus left-hander
Noah Cameron on Wednesday. Higashioka has been crushing the ball over the last month or so, which means he's a decent streaming choice for Wednesday's slate.
--Andy WebbSource: mlb.com
August 20, 2025
Tampa Bay Rays outfielder
Josh Lowe (oblique) is back in the starting lineup ahead of Wednesday's game against the New York Yankees. Lowe will return to the mix after missing each of the last three games due to right oblique tightness. The 27-year-old has been struggling at the plate this month, so maybe a few days off will help him get back on track. He'll cover right field and bat fifth versus right-hander
Cam Schlittler on Wednesday. Fantasy managers should make sure to get Lowe back in there ahead of first pitch.
--Andy WebbSource: lineups.com
August 20, 2025
Chicago White Sox rookie shortstop
Colson Montgomery (side) is back at shortstop and will hit fifth on Wednesday against the hosting Atlanta Braves and rookie right-hander
Hurston Waldrep. Montgomery was pulled from Monday's series opener at Truist Park early with left-side soreness, and he was held out of Tuesday's game as a result. The 23-year-old is back on Wednesday, though, and the White Sox will give fellow middle infielder
Chase Meidroth the day off.
Lenyn Sosa is starting at the keystone and is in the cleanup spot for Chicago. The former first-rounder isn't hitting for average (29-for-132) in his first 38 big-league games, but he's showed off his power stroke with 10 home runs, four doubles, a triple and 28 RBI in 145 plate appearances. Montgomery has fanned 42 times and walked only 11 times.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
August 20, 2025
The plan is for Minnesota Twins right-hander
Pablo Lopez (shoulder) to start a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A St. Paul on Thursday night against Triple-A Round Rock, according to Darren Wolfson. Lopez is working his way back from a Grade 2 teres major muscle strain and was able to throw live batting practice last week. The 29-year-old Venezuelan hurler is on the 60-day injured list and has been out since June 5, so he is going to need at least a couple rehab starts before the Twins consider returning him to their starting rotation in the majors. Lopez won't have many starts to make an impact down the stretch for fantasy managers, but he's worth rostering in most leagues if he's able to recapture his pre-injury form. In his 11 starts in 2025, Lopez had a sharp 2.82 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 61 strikeouts over 60 2/3 innings pitched.
--Keith HernandezSource: Darren Wolfson
August
20,
2025
Houston
Astros
outfielder
Taylor
Trammell
(undisclosed)
was
carted
off
the
field
during
Wednesday's
contest
against
the
Detroit
Tigers
at
Comerica
Park
after
hitting
the
wall
hard
while
pursuing
a
triple
by
Dillon
Dingler,
read more...
August 20, 2025
Texas Rangers right-hander
Caleb Boushley will make his first start in the big leagues on Wednesday againt the hosting Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium, according to Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News. All 20 of Boushley's appearances in the big leagues this year for the Rangers have come out of the bullpen, and he's sporting a 4.91 ERA (3.61 FIP), a 1.31 WHIP, his first career save, 35 strikeouts and 10 walks in 36 2/3 innings pitched. The 31-year-old has made five starts on the farm at Triple-A Round Rock and is typically a multi-inning reliever, so he won't be your typical opener that goes just one inning. Still, fantasy managers will want to avoid him as a deep DFS streamer against a Royals squad that is looking for their seventh straight victory.
--Keith HernandezSource: Dallas Morning News - Evan Grant
August 20, 2025
Kansas City Royals catcher
Salvador Perez (illness) is back behind the plate and will hit fifth for Wednesday's contest against the visiting Texas Rangers and right-hander
Caleb Boushley. Perez was under the weather to begin the week and missed the first two games of the series against Texas on Monday and Tuesday, but he's feeling better now. The 35-year-old veteran will be hoping to get back on track offensively, as he's gone just 11-for-62 (.177) in 15 games in the month of August. However, despite the cold stick this month, the nine-time All-Star has still managed four home runs, two doubles, six RBI and nine runs scored for a hot Royals team. Perez is hitless in just one at-bat against Boushley, who will be making the first start of his career.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
August 20, 2025
Washington Nationals shortstop prospect Eli Willits is expected to make his professional debut at Single-A Fredericksburg on Thursday. The top selection in this year's Draft has been working out at the team's spring training facility in Florida up to this point, and will get a chance to get some at-bats against Single-A pitchers before getting a full season of work next year. The 6-foot-1 switch-hitter was slotted in at No. 18 overall in MLB.com's latest refresh of their Top 100 Prospects list this month, and is expected to show off plus hit and speed tools when he gets into game action. Fantasy managers participating in first-year player drafts should already be contemplating Willits with their top selection.
--Jarod RuppSource: Sam Dykstra - MLB.com
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