August 28, 2025
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher/designated hitter
Shohei Ohtani worked five solid innings against the Reds on Wednesday night, allowing just two hits and one run while striking out nine. This was the first start of the season that Ohtani was able to go the minimum five innings required for a win, and he picked up his first win of the year since the Dodgers cruised to a 5-1 win to complete the series sweep. Ohtani ramped up to 87 pitches and retired the last eight batters he faced. He also went 1-for-5 at the plate with a run scored. Ohtani's progress on the mound will be huge for the Dodgers in the postseason since it gives them more options with how to attack short series. His increased workload is also a great sign that he'll be ready for a full starting pitcher's role next year, as he looks to return to his unique dominance as both a pitcher and hitter.
--Zach ThompsonSource: ESPN.com
August 28, 2025
Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher
Logan Henderson (elbow) will not be able to return this season after landing on the injured list with elbow inflammation on August 8. While he has started a plyometric progression that will set him up to start a throwing program, this move means he will not be part of the Brewers' plans for this year. The 23-year-old righty was impressive in his five major league starts this year, going 3-0 with a 1.78 ERA, 3.00 FIP, and 33 strikeouts in 25 1/3 innings. He also looked good at Triple-A, going 10-4 with a 3.59 ERA and 87 strikeouts in 77 2/3 innings over 16 games. He remains a huge part of the Brewers' future and a key prospect to watch for dynasty leagues, but he can be dropped in re-draft leagues since he won't be back in the majors until 2026.
--Zach ThompsonSource: Brewers
August 28, 2025
St. Louis Cardinals outfielder
Victor Scott II (ankle) is headed out on his rehab assignment this weekend after an extensive pregame workout went well on Wednesday. He will join Double-A Springfield on Thursday and play there on Friday, according to manager Oli Marmol. He was targeting a return in late August or early September, and he appears to remain on track for that timeframe. The 24-year-old speedster sprained his ankle on August 17, but an MRI revealed no structural damage, allowing him to return before the end of the year. He is hitting .223 on the season with a career-high 31 stolen bases in his 116 games. He is a solid source of cheap speed production and should return to an everyday role when he's healthy since the Cardinals view him as a big part of their future core. Monitor his return in mixed leagues, especially if you're in the market for stolen bases in the final month of the season.
--Zach ThompsonSource: John Denton
August 28, 2025
St. Louis Cardinals third baseman
Nolan Arenado (shoulder) started hitting earlier this week and has now also begun the early stages of his throwing program in Jupiter, Florida, according to manager Oli Marmol. The veteran has been sidelined since July 30 and was having a very rough year prior to the injury. In 96 games, his triple-slash dropped to .235/.294/.366 with 10 home runs and 43 RBI. While he does still have a little pop in his bat, he remains without a timetable for his return, and he isn't someone who deserves a roster spot in standard mixed leagues. He does seem to be working his way back, though, so he has not closed the book on this season just yet. He has two years remaining on his contract with the Cards and isn't scheduled to hit the open market until 2028.
--Zach ThompsonSource: John Denton
August 28, 2025
St. Louis Cardinals second baseman/outfielder
Brendan Donovan (foot/groin pain) has not been able to advance past work in the batting cage since he is still dealing with significant soreness, according to manager Oli Marmol on Wednesday. He tried to play through his multiple issues early in August, but was placed on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to August 15. Before the injury, Donovan was having a strong season for the Cardinals, hitting .279 with nine homers and a .328 wOBA, while doing good work out of the leadoff spot. Since his progress seems to be stalled for now,
Thomas Saggese will continue to get extended playing time at second base. Donovan is eligible to return, but it doesn't sound like he's especially close, based on these comments from Marmol.
--Zach ThompsonSource: John Denton
August 28, 2025
Washington Nationals catcher
Keibert Ruiz (concussion) has been on the seven-day injured list for almost two months, but he seems to be starting to make significant progress towards a return before the end of the year. The 27-year-old, switch-hitting backstop was hitting .247 with two homers and a .263 wOBA before hitting the concussion injury list for the second time this season. He initially sustained the injury on a foul ball into the dugout in June and was able to return for two games before ending up back on the injured list.
Riley Adams has played well while Ruiz has been out, but Ruiz will likely return as the team's primary catcher once he's healthy. After such a long layoff, he will likely need a rehab stint before returning to major league action, so stay tuned for further updates as he continues to work his way back.
--Zach ThompsonSource: MLB.com
August 28, 2025
Minnesota Twins starting pitcher
David Festa (shoulder) has been out since July 23 with right shoulder inflammation, but he's working his way back to the Twins' rotation and will make a rehab start Thursday in St. Paul. The 25-year-old prospect is only 3-4 in 11 games with the Twins this season, posting a 5.40 ERA and 4.87 FIP, but he has dominated in the minors the last couple of years, including going 2-1 with a 2.83 ERA and 2.47 FIP in 28 2/3 innings in Triple-A this season. Festa has excellent long-term potential as part of the Twins' next young wave of starting pitchers, so getting him some experience down the stretch could be very important to his role next year. While his overall numbers aren't great, he has had several very effective outings. He could be usable as a DFS value play or streaming option once he returns, so keep an eye on his recovery.
--Zach ThompsonSource: Dan Hayes
August 28, 2025
Boston Red Sox outfielder
Roman Anthony continued to stay hot at the plate on Wednesday evening during their victory over the Baltimore Orioles. Anthony went 1-for-4 with a leadoff home run off Baltimore starter, left-hander
Dietrich Enns. Over his last 11 contests, the former No. 1-overall ranked prospect in the sport has flashed immense upside, holding a dominant .326/.373/.565 line with a .938 OPS. During this stretch, Anthony has tallied two doubles and launched three home runs. Throughout his first 65 games in Boston, Anthony has held a .286/.396/.462 line with seven home runs and four stolen bases. However, under the hood, he carries a remarkable .386 xwOBA, which suggests he should continue to improve in the second half. He remains a must-start option in all formats going forward.
--Andy SmithSource: MLB.com
August 28, 2025
Cincinnati Reds third base prospect
Cam Collier has begun to heat up at Double-A. Over his last nine games, Collier has tlalied at least one hit ion all but one and posted an elite .429/.556/.607 line with two doubles and one home run over this stretch. Before this recnet usrge at the plate, the No. 4-ranked prosepct in theyr system on MLB.com held a modest .051/.140/.051 line with no extra-base hits over his previous 13 games. Overall, since joining Double-A ealrier this seaosn, Collier has had some growing pains, holding a .241/.374/.318 line across 59 games. During this stint, Collier has posted a .692 OPS. While it took him some time to adjust, it appears the former 18th overall pick has begun to find his footing. He should be in the mix to debut in Triple-A early in 2026.
--Andy SmithSource: MiLB.com
August 28, 2025
Milwaukee Brewers infield prospect
Jesus Made continued to swing a hot bat at High-A Wisconsin. On Wednesday evening during their contest against High-A Quad Cities, Made went 4-for-5 with an RBI. Over his last 12 games, Made has posted an impressive .367/.426/.571 slash line with five doubles, one triple, one home run, and two stolen bases. Through his first 18 total games at the High-A level, the No. 7-ranked prospect in the sport has looked very comfortable, boasting a .347/.420/.569 line with six doubles, two home runs, and two stolen bases. Earlier in the season, Made posted a .261/.373/.388 line across 83 games at Low-A. Despite being several seasons away from his MLB debut, Made is a top stash option in dynasty leagues as he continues to climb prospect boards, despite being only 18 years old.
--Andy SmithSource: MiLB.com
August 28, 2025
New York Mets right-handed pitching prospect
Nolan McLean picked up his third straight victory in his third career start on Wednesday evening during their contest against the Phillies. In this outing, the right-hander tossed eight shutout innings and allowed only four hits. He did not walk a batter and punched out six. The No. 3-ranked prospect in the Mets system has been nothing short of dominant since joining the rotation earlier this month. Through his first three starts in Queens, McLean has logged 20 1/3 innings to a near-perfect 0.89 ERA and a 0.69 WHIP. Earlier in the summer, the 24-year-old enjoyed great success splitting time between Double-A and Triple-A, holding an overall 2.45 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP across 133 2/3 innings. He remains a must-start pitcher in all formats for the foreseeable future.
--Andy SmithSource: MLB.com
August 28, 2025
Athletics right-handed pitching prospect
Luis Morales continued to impress during his victory over the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday evening. In his fourth MLB start (and fifth MLB appearance), the right-hander logged seven shutout innings with just two hits against one of the top offenses in the sport. In this start, Morales struck out a career-high seven hitters while serving up just two walks. Through his first 22 2/3 innings in the big leagues, the No. 80-ranked prospect in the sport according to MLB.com has posted an elite 1.19 ERA with a 0.97 WHIP. Earlier in the summer, Morales was not as successful at Triple-A, posting a much higher 4.40 ERA with a 1.26 WHIP. Given his near-dominant start to his career, he remains a solid option heading into his next projected start against the St. Louis Cardinals.
--Andy SmithSource: MLB.com
August 28, 2025
Pittsburgh Pirates right-handed pitching prospect
Bubba Chandler was sharp in his second MLB outing on Wednesday, during their victory against the St. Louis Cardinals. Similar to his MLB debut, the Pirayes opted to deploy their top pitching prospect out of the bullpen in a long relief role. In this outing, Chandler logged four innings of work. He did not allow a run and allowed just one hit. He struck out three and served up just one free pass. He was also credited as the winning pitcher. Through his first eight MLB innings, Chandler has yet to surrender a run while posting a 0.50 WHIP with a 6:1 K:BB. Despite struggling during most of the second half at Triple-A, Chandler appears to have found his footing in the big leagues rather quickly. Despite being in a long relief role, he remains a must-start option in all standard leagues for the remainder of the campaign.
--Andy SmithSource: MLB.com
August 28, 2025
Houston Astros right-handed pitching prospect
Miguel Ullola picked up the win on Wednesday, allowing one run on three hits and a walk while striking out six in six innings against Triple-A Albuquerque. Ullola completed six innings for the first time all season in his last start, and he matched the feat again in this outing. His electric stuff was on display, generating 13 whiffs on 42 swings. A major key for the right-hander is getting ahead of hitters and limiting free passes, which he has done with only two walks in this short stretch. For the season, Ullola has a 3.68 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, and a 115:69 K:BB ratio in 95.1 innings. He is capable of contributing in multiple roles if the Astros need another arm.
--Kyle McCarthySource: MiLB.com
August 28, 2025
Atlanta Braves right-handed pitching prospect
JR Ritchie allowed one hit and two walks while striking out 11 across six scoreless innings as he picked up the win against Triple-A Norfolk. Ritchie gave up the most runs in an outing all season with five in his most recent outing, but bounced back here with the most strikeouts in a start all year. He generated 14 whiffs on 38 swings, with his sinker and curveball combining for 11 of them. The right-hander started the season at High-A, and his dominance at each level earned him multiple promotions. He's now made seven starts at Triple-A and has a 3.62 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, and a 39:16 K:BB ratio in 37.1 innings. Ritchie is currently ranked as the number two prospect in the Braves system according to MLB.com.
--Kyle McCarthySource: MiLB.com
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