August 20, 2025
Toronto Blue Jays first baseman
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (hamstring) is out of the lineup against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday.
Ty France will take over at first base and bat sixth in a meeting with right-hander
Johan Oviedo. Guerrero hasn't played since he left a 5-2 loss to the Pirates early on Monday with tightness in his left hamstring, but the Blue Jays don't regard it as a serious injury. The team is off on Thursday, which will give Guerrero an extra day to recuperate, and the five-time All-Star slugger could return to the lineup Friday in Miami.
--Connor ByrneSource: MLB.com
August
20,
2025
The
Pittsburgh
Pirates
will
promote
prized
right-handed
pitching
prospect
Bubba
Chandler
to
the
majors
before
Friday's
game
against
the
Colorado
Rockies,
Noah
Hiles
of
the
Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette
reports.
While
Chandler
will
initially
work
as
a
long
reliever
read more...
August 20, 2025
Chicago Cubs right-handed reliever
Daniel Palencia recorded his 17th save of the season in the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Brewers, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning. The hard-throwing right-hander threw 11 of his 17 pitches for strikes and ended the game on a slider that produced a game-ending double play. Palencia has been rock-solid overall with a 1.81 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, 17 saves, and a 47/12 K/BB through 44 2/3 innings pitched. However, he has been somewhat inconsistent in August, allowing runs in three of his six appearances with a blown save in four opportunities. Still, he appears to have a firm hold on the Cubs' closer job and remains a top closing option for fantasy managers down the stretch.
--Nicho RoesslerSource: MLB.com
August 20, 2025
Athletics right-hander
Luis Severino was unexpectedly placed on the injured list on August 12, retroactive to August 6. According to Martin Gallegos of MLB.com, on Tuesday, Severino continued a throwing program. Severino is eligible to return from the injured list on Thursday, but it does not appear that will be the case with him, as he has yet to throw bullpens or face live hitters. His injury came up unexpectedly, and although he landed on the injured list, it did appear that he avoided a series-ending injury.
Luis Morales has slotted in for Severino in his absence. Severino has put up modest numbers in 2025, with a 4.82 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, and 103 strikeouts in 136 1/3 innings pitched. With the timeline for Severino's return looking more like late August or early September, fantasy managers can drop him in redraft formats to build their teams for the fantasy playoffs that are quickly approaching.
--Nicho RoesslerSource: Martín Gallegos
August
20,
2025
The
Athletics'
young
infielder,
Max
Muncy
(hand),
is
doing
defensive
baseball
activities,
but
still
has
not
been
doing
any
hitting,
Martin
Gallegos
of
MLB.com
reports.
Muncy
has
been
out
of
the
lineup
since
July
22,
read more...
August 20, 2025
Minnesota Twins right-hander
Simeon Woods Richardson (illness) is scheduled to pitch four innings Thursday for Triple-A St. Paul, the Minnesota Star Tribune reports. Woods Richardson will make his second rehab start after having a procedure earlier this month to remove a parasite from his digestive tract. He threw two innings Friday for St. Paul. Assuming all goes well on Thursday, he'll likely be activated from the injured list and make his next start in the majors. With
Pablo Lopez (shoulder),
David Festa (shoulder), and Chris Paddock being traded, Woods Richardson should be able to insert himself back into the rotation without much competition. He has put up modest numbers in 2025. Through 16 starts, he has a 4.24 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, and 69 strikeouts in 80 2/3 innings pitched. Most of his advanced stats support his actuals, and he remains a matchup-dependent streamer or deep league option in all fantasy formats.
--Nicho RoesslerSource: Star Tribune
August 20, 2025
Los Angeles Angels reliever
Kenley Jansen (undisclosed) said he was bothered by something physical, but he didn't want to say what it was. When asked if he might miss some time, he said, "Just gonna take it day by day and see where we're at," Jeff Fletcher, Angels beat writer, reports. Something must have happened to Jansen during his outing on Tuesday, where he took the loss against the Reds, allowing two earned runs on two hits and one walk, while striking out just one. Jansen has put together a solid 2025 campaign, with a 3.00 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and a 48/16 K/BB ratio in 48 innings pitched to go with his 23 saves. Timing is unfortunate for fantasy managers with fantasy playoffs approaching.
Reid Detmers would be a candidate for saves should Jansen need to miss any action.
--Nicho RoesslerSource: Jeff Fletcher
August 20, 2025
Kansas City Royals outfielder
Jac Caglianone (hamstring) went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run on Tuesday against Triple-A Columbus. Caglianone has been looking healthy during his rehab games, going 12-for-24 with three home runs and a stolen base in six games. The slugging first baseman will look to translate that success back to the major leagues when he returns. It's been a struggle for the 2024 sixth overall pick so far through 41 games with the Royals, as he's hit .147/.205/.280 with five homers. Positively, the quality of contact has still been there with a 12.1% barrel rate and 41.4% hard-hit rate. He hasn't been totally overwhelmed with a 21.1% strikeout rate, and it seems to be a matter of time before he breaks out of the slump. He should be added in most standard leagues if he were dropped.
--Kyle McCarthySource: MiLB.com
August 20, 2025
Athletics shortstop
Jacob Wilson (forearm) had a solid third rehab game with Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday, going 1-for-3 with a solo home run while playing seven innings. The 23-year-old has been on the 10-day injured list retroactive to July 26 with a fractured left forearm. He is now hitting .273 in 11 at-bats during his rehab stint. The Athletics and fantasy managers will look forward to having Wilson back in their lineups for the rest of the season, as he was slashing .312/.354/.439 with 10 HR, 45 RBI, and five stolen bases in 396 plate appearances. He earned himself a spot on the American League All-Star team and was making a Rookie of the Year case for himself.
--Connelly DoanSource: MiLB.com
August 20, 2025
Chicago White Sox pitching prospect
Hagen Smith allowed one run on two hits and two walks with seven strikeouts across five innings on Tuesday against Double-A Rocket City. The left-hander generated 16 swinging strikes for the outing and did well to limit damage and be more efficient. Before this start, Smith had allowed either two or three runs in every outing since July 4. It was one of his best overall performances of the year and brings his season numbers to a 3.51 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, and 84:40 K:BB in 59 innings. He dominant 2.10 ERA in the first half, but has dipped to a rockier 4.59 mark in the second. The 2024 fifth overall pick has still shown plenty of promise and should be viewed favorably for the time being.
--Kyle McCarthySource: MiLB.com
August 20, 2025
Athletics outfielder
Denzel Clarke (hip) has been diagnosed with a new Grade 2 right adductor strain, per MLB's Martin Gallegos. Clarke was placed on the 10-day injured list retroactive to July 21 with a right adductor strain and suffered another adductor strain in a slightly different location on August 16 while rehabbing with Triple-A Las Vegas. The 25-year-old does not currently have a timetable to return to baseball activities. This is unfortunate for Clarke and the Athletics, for while Clarke had not provided a ton of offensive production, he is one of baseball's most electric defensive players.
--Connelly DoanSource: Martin Gallegos - X.com
August 20, 2025
Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher
Nick Lodolo (finger) threw a side session near full speed on Tuesday and is set to throw one more in the coming days. Lodolo was placed on the 15-day injured list on August 5 with a left index finger blister. Manager Terry Francona said there is a chance he could return for the August 25-27 series against the Dodgers, provided he remains on schedule. The 27-year-old has dealt with blisters throughout his career. He was putting together a strong season before hitting the IL, going 8-6 with a 3.05 ERA, a 1.03 WHIP, and a 23.6% strikeout rate in 23 starts and 129 2/3 innings pitched. Hopefully, he can return on the projected dates, although fantasy managers may not want to throw him into their lineups right away, given the tough matchup.
--Connelly DoanSource: MLB.com
August 20, 2025
Washington Nationals pitching prospect
Jarlin Susana allowed one run on two hits and two walks while striking out 13 on Tuesday against Double-A Erie. The big right-hander mowed hitters down all night, racking up 20 swings and misses. Susana has been cruising in four starts during August, holding a 1.45 ERA, 0.75 WHIP, and a 34:6 K:BB ratio in 18.2 innings. The walk rate is still high for the season, but he consistently touches 100 MPH and has a future 80-grade slider that carves up hitters. He's spent time on the injured list this season, but looks to be rounding into form over the last month. He'll look to finish out strong and make a push to be considered for a role in the Nationals' pitching staff in 2026.
--Kyle McCarthySource: MiLB.com
August 20, 2025
New York Mets manager
Carlos Mendoza announced Tuesday that catcher
Francisco Alvarez (thumb) will need surgery on his thumb. Alvarez was placed on the 10-day injured list retroactive to Monday with a right thumb UCL sprain. However, Mendoza said they will see if he can play through it and that they are "hopeful", as Alvarez's season may be done if he receives the surgery. The 23-year-old has put together a decent offensive season when he has been up with the Mets, slashing .265/.349/.438 with seven home runs and 24 RBI in 209 plate appearances. His current injury timing is unfortunate, as he had been hitting well since returning from Triple-A Syracuse at the end of July.
Luis Torrens should see increased playing time in Alvarez's absence.
--Connelly DoanSource: Anthony DiComo - X.com
August 20, 2025
Miami Marlins manager Clayton McCullough announced Tuesday that relief pitcher
Anthony Bender (leg) will be out for the rest of the season with a right tibial stress reaction. Bender was placed on the 15-day injured list earlier in the day. This will hurt the Marlins' bullpen down the stretch, as the 30-year-old was a solid option, notching four saves and 19 holds with a 2.16 ERA, a 1.06 WHIP, and a 20.6% strikeout rate in 50 innings of work. From a fantasy perspective, Bender was likely only rostered in saves-plus-holds leagues, as he had not seen any save opportunities lately.
--Connelly DoanSource: Stephen Strom - X.com
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