Michael Kopech, Kirby Yates to Face Hitters in Upcoming Week
Michael Kopech (knee) and Kirby Yates (back) will throw live batting practice during the upcoming week, manager Dave Roberts announced. Kopech will face hitters on Monday, and Yates will follow him on Wednesday. The Dodgers have gone without Kopech since late June as a result of right-knee surgery. Yates, on the 15-day IL with pain in his lower back since July 29, seems closer to returning than Kopech. While Kopech will likely need to throw batting practice multiple times, Yates could go on a rehab assignment immediately if he gets through Wednesday without any issues. The reigning World Series champion Dodgers are hoping to get Kopech and Yates back later this month as they head toward another playoff berth.Source: MLB.com
Injured Los Angeles Dodgers relievers Enrique Hernandez Could Return in Early September
Enrique Hernandez (elbow) is pain-free in his left elbow and ready to ramp up baseball activities, manager Dave Roberts told reporters. Roberts added that Hernandez could return in early September. The 33-year-old has already missed just over a month since elbow inflammation forced him to the 10-day injured list on July 7. Hernandez didn't make much of an impact with the bat in 72 games before then, as he hit .195/.259/.367 with eight homers, 22 RBI, and 23 runs scored over 186 plate appearances. He has continued to provide defensive versatility this season, however, with double-digit starts at four positions (first, second, third, and left field).Source: Sonja Chen - MLB.com
Los Angeles Dodgers utility player Ryan Ritter to Begin Triple-A Rehab Assignment on Tuesday
Ryan Ritter (finger) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Albuquerque on Tuesday. Ritter has been on the 10-day injured list since July 20 with a lacerated right middle finger that required stitches. The 24-year-old rookie hit .238/,291/.347 with one homer, 12 RBI, 13 runs, and a stolen base in his first 113 plate appearances before he went on the IL. Ritter mostly played shortstop, but the Rockies have gotten starter Ezequiel Tovar back from injury in Ritter's absence. Second baseman Thairo Estrada suffered a season-ending hamstring injury earlier this week, though, so Ritter could see time at the keystone when he rejoins the Rockies.Source: MLB.com
Colorado Rockies infielder Evan Carter to Take Batting Practice Monday
Evan Carter (back) is expected to take batting practice against pitchers on Monday, according to the team. After one or two more batting practices in the ensuing days, he'll likely embark on a rehab assignment. Carter has been out for just over a week after going on the 10-day injured list with back spasms on Aug. 2. He was on the IL earlier in the season with a quad strain and has only appeared in 55 games as a result of his injuries. Across 189 plate appearances, Carter has hit an unspectacular .238/.323/.381 with four homers, 21 RBI, 27 runs, and 12 stolen bases.Source: MLB.com
Texas Rangers outfielder Brendan Donovan Out of Lineup on Sunday
Brendan Donovan (groin) is out of the lineup for the second straight game Sunday against the Chicago Cubs. Shortstop Masyn Winn will lead off versus left-hander Shota Imanaga, while Thomas Saggese will fill in at second base and bat seventh. Donovan missed Saturday's game because of tightness in his left groin, and the team is considering him day-to-day for now. Fantasy managers should check back Monday to see if he's in the lineup to start a series against the Colorado Rockies.Source: MLB.com
St. Louis Cardinals second baseman/outfielder Luis Garcia Jr. Remains Out on Sunday
Luis Garcia Jr. (back) remains out of the starting lineup ahead of Sunday's game against the San Francisco Giants. Garcia is set to miss his third game in a row after he was scratched ahead of Friday's game due to back tightness. The MRI came back negative, so for now Garcia should be considered day-to-day. The hope is that Garcia can get back into the lineup early in the week. Paul DeJong figures to continue seeing additional playing time with Garcia sidelined.Source: mlb.com
Washington Nationals infielder Pavin Smith Beginning Rehab Assignment on Tuesday
Pavin Smith (oblique) has been playing in camp games at the team's training facility. He appears to be doing well and is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment on Tuesday. Smith has been sidelined since early July due to a right oblique strain. Barring any setbacks, Smith should be able to rejoin the D-Backs roster by late August. It's unclear what kind of role Smith will have with the D-Backs rebuilding right now. He's not someone that needs to be rostered in fantasy formats at the moment.Source: mlb.com
Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman/outfielder Nolan Arenado Unlikely to Return During Road Trip
Nolan Arenado (shoulder) reported to the team's spring training complex in Florida to begin rehabbing. The veteran slugger is expected to be in Jupiter for the next 10 days before resuming baseball activities. That being said, Arenado is unlikely to return to the Cardinals lineup during the upcoming road trip from August 18-24. There isn't a clear timetable on Arenado's return, but it's expected to be later in August. The Cardinals figure to continue using a committee approach to fill out third base.Source: Derrick Goold
St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Carlos Narvaez Expected to Return on Monday
Carlos Narvaez (knee) remains out of the starting lineup ahead of Sunday's game against the San Diego Padres. This marks the fourth game in a row that Narvaez has missed with a knee issue. The plan is for Narvaez to get back into the lineup for Monday's game against the Houston Astros. In the meantime, Connor Wong will handle the catching duties. Fantasy managers should check back to see if Narvaez is back in the lineup on Monday.Source: mlb.com
Boston Red Sox catcher Matt Vierling Heads to 10-Day Injured List
Matt Vierling (oblique) was placed on the 10-day injured list ahead of Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Angels. Vierling was lifted out of Saturday's game for what appeared to be a matchup decision to get Kerry Carpenter into the game. Now, Vierling's exit is looking like it was injury related. He'll head to the injured list with a left oblique strain. It's unclear how much time he's going to miss at the moment. Vierling isn't worth rostering in fantasy formats right now. In a corresponding move, infielder Trey Sweeney has been recalled from Triple-A Toledo.Source: Tigers PR
Detroit Tigers outfielder Shane Bieber Fans Six in Second Triple-A Rehab Start
Shane Bieber (elbow) turned in his second straight solid Triple-A rehab outing on Saturday. Bieber went 5 2/3 innings and gave up two runs on four hits with six strikeouts against one walk. He threw 78 pitches, 54 for strikes, and is likely to make one more rehab start before debuting with the Blue Jays. The former AL Cy Young winner underwent Tommy John surgery while with the Cleveland Guardians in April 2024 and hasn't pitched in the majors since. He joined the Blue Jays in a trade with the Guardians before the July 31 deadline. While AL East-leading Toronto already has Jose Berrios, Kevin Gausman, Max Scherzer, Chris Bassitt, and Eric Lauer as its starting five, manager John Schneider has said the team could go to a six-man rotation to make room for Bieber.Source: MiLB.com
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Phillies Recall David Robertson
David Robertson from Triple-A Lehigh Valley and optioned righty Alan Rangel, the team announced. The 40-year-old Robertson is joining the Phillies' bullpen about three weeks after signing a one-year, $6 million contract with the club. He showed some rust during his tune-up at the Triple-A level, as he surrendered six earned runs on 11 hits with 6:1 K:BB in 5 1/3 innings. However, Robertson has an excellent track record in the majors and remained effective last year while with the Texas Rangers. He ate up 72 innings in 2024 and logged a 3.00 ERA with a 1.11 WHIP, 99:27 K:BB, and 34 holds. He'll now serve as one of the Phillies' setup men in front of closer Jhoan Duran.Source: Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies have recalled right-handed reliever Ronald Acuna Jr. Doing Sprints, Agility Drills
Ronald Acuna Jr. (calf) has been sprinting and working on agility drills in the outfield as he recovers from a Grade 1 right-calf strain, per David O'Brien of The Athletic. Acuna has looked "springy as usual," according to O'Brien, which bodes well for his forthcoming return from the 10-day injured list. The 27-year-old superstar went on the IL on July 30 and is eligible for activation any day. He's going to travel with the Braves to New York for a series with the Mets that begins on Monday, though it's unclear if they'll reinstate him during that three-game set. After missing almost all of last season with a torn left ACL, Acuna has been superb in his comeback this year. He's slashing .306/.429/.577 with 14 homers, 26 RBI, 48 runs, and four stolen bases in 238 plate appearances.Source: David O'Brien - The Athletic
Atlanta Braves outfielder Byron Buxton Could Return Monday
Byron Buxton (rib) from the 10-day injured list as early as Monday's series opener against the New York Yankees, according to Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic. Buxton landed on the IL with left-rib cartilage irritation on July 29 (retroactive to July 27), but it appears he'll make a quick return. Although the 31-year-old went three straight games without a hit before going on the shelf, he has recorded outstanding overall numbers this season. Buxton has put together a .282/.343/.561 line with 23 homers, 59 RBI, 68 runs scored, and 17 steals in 364 trips to the plate.Source: Aaron Gleeman - The Athletic
The Minnesota Twins could activate outfielder Wenceel Perez Sitting on Sunday
Wenceel Perez (foot) is out of the lineup Sunday against Los Angeles Angels right-hander Jack Kochanowicz. Javier Baez will replace him in center field and bat ninth, and Trey Sweeney will take shortstop and hit eighth. Perez left the Tigers' 7-4 loss to the Angels on Saturday with a contusion on his right foot after he fouled a ball off himself.. The 25-year-old avoided any major damage, but it's painful enough to keep him out of the starting lineup for at least a day. Perez has hit a solidly above-average .267/.321/.492 with nine homers, 25 RBI, 33 runs scored, and six steals in 212 plate appearances this season.Source: MLB.com
Detroit Tigers outfielder