August 31, 2025
Chicago Cubs relief pitcher
Daniel Palencia was called upon to hold a one-run lead versus the Colorado Rockies on Saturday. Palencia didn't have any issues as he struck out two batters over a scoreless inning to earn his 21st save of the season. The right-hander is in the middle of a breakout campaign. He holds a 2.02 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, and a 56/15 K/BB ratio with 21 saves after Saturday's outing. Palencia is 7-of-8 in save chances in August and should be rostered in all fantasy formats where saves matter.
--Andy WebbSource: mlb.com
August 30, 2025
Baltimore Orioles left-hander
Trevor Rogers (8-2) continued an incredible run and notched his eighth win of the season in an 11-1 drubbing of the San Francisco Giants on Saturday. Rogers recorded his fourth straight start of seven-inning, one-run ball and allowed five hits with no walks and five strikeouts. That's now nine quality starts in a row for Rogers, who has unexpectedly performed like an ace since he made his 2025 debut on May 24. Rogers mostly put up mediocre production with the Miami Marlins from 2020-24 and struggled with the Orioles after they acquired him for outfielder
Kyle Stowers and third baseman
Connor Norby in June 2024. Baltimore has received no shortage of ridicule for that trade during Stowers' breakout season, but Rogers has done his best to justify the deal from the O's standpoint. He owns an absurd 1.39 ERA with a .82 WHIP and 81:19 K:BB in 90 1/3 innings. While Rogers easily ranks first in ERA among pitchers who have amassed 90-plus innings, he hasn't racked up enough frames to qualify for the title. Regardless, he has been one of the best pitchers in the league in 2025. The 27-year-old will face a significant challenge when he takes the ball against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sept. 6.
--Connor ByrneSource: ESPN
August 30, 2025
Houston Astros reliever
Bryan Abreu turned in a rare poor performance in a 4-1 defeat against the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday. Abreu fell to 3-4 on the season after surrendering three earned runs on four hits and two walks (two strikeouts) in two-thirds of an inning. The Astros called on Abreu to pitch the ninth in a 1-1 game, but the right-hander wasn't up to the task. After striking out
Jo Adell to lead off the inning, Abreu yielded four straight singles and later walked in a run. It was a surprising blowup by Abreu, whose ERA jumped from 1.47 to a still-excellent 1.89 in the span of one game. Even though Saturday didn't go well, Abreu should remain the Astros' primary choice for saves with injured closer
Josh Hader (shoulder) unlikely to return during the regular season.
--Connor ByrneSource: ESPN
August 30, 2025
Toronto Blue Jays closer
Jeff Hoffman (8-6) took his sixth loss of the year in a 4-1 game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday. Hoffman entered a 1-1 contest in the top of the ninth inning and proceeded to allow back-to-back home runs to
Jackson Chourio and
Christian Yelich. Hoffman went on to give up a walk and an RBI double, and he was pulled after recording two outs. It was the second blowup in a three-appearance span for the right-hander, who has now yielded eight earned runs on 10 hits (including three HRs) and 13:9 K:BB in 11 innings in August. While Hoffman has 29 saves, a 1.19 WHIP, and 75:20 K:BB in 56 1/3 innings this season, his ERA has climbed to an unappealing 5.11. Manager John Schneider gave Hoffman a vote of confidence after the game while also acknowledging his struggles, saying: "He's got 29 saves. He's shown that he can do it. We've got to figure out, not just him but multiple guys, their strike throwing and locating. We're going to make the best decision for everyone to try to win every single night."
--Connor ByrneSource: Keegan Matheson - MLB.com
August 30, 2025
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder
Jackson Chourio returned from the injured list on Saturday and hit a key home run in a 4-1 win over the Toronto Blue Jays. With the game tied 1-1, Chourio led off the top of the ninth inning and took Blue Jays closer
Jeff Hoffman deep to give the Brewers a lead they wouldn't relinquish. Chourio singled earlier in the day and finished 2-for-5 in his first game since suffering a strained right hamstring on July 29. Despite the missed time, the 21-year-old looks like a lock to begin his career with a second straight 20/20 season. Chourio has slashed .278/.313/.481 with 18 homers, 68 RBI, 72 runs scored, and 18 stolen bases in 476 plate appearances.
--Connor ByrneSource: ESPN
August 30, 2025
Atlanta Braves ace
Chris Sale didn't miss a beat in his first start in over two months on Saturday. Although the Braves lost 3-2 to the Philadelphia Phillies, Sale didn't factor into the decision in his return from a fractured rib cage. The 36-year-old southpaw limited the Phillies to one run on three hits while tallying nine strikeouts against one walk in six innings. Sale threw 78 pitches (51 strikes) and recorded his seventh straight quality start in his first outing since June 18. Last year's National League Cy Young winner now owns a 2.45 ERA with a 1.13 WHIP and 123:27 K:BB in 95 1/3 innings this season. He's scheduled to make his next start on Sept. 6 against the Seattle Mariners.
--Connor ByrneSource: ESPN
August 30, 2025
Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman/designated hitter
Pavin Smith (quadriceps) is likely to miss the rest of the season, manager Torey Lovullo said. Smith went on the 10-day injured list on Aug. 28 with a strained left quadriceps, and with the D-backs' season nearing an end, it doesn't appear he'll have enough time to make it back. The 29-year-old, who also missed time earlier this season with an oblique strain, has played in 87 games and slashed .258/.362/.434 with eight homers, 28 RBI, and 36 runs scored over 288 plate appearances. Rookie
Tyler Locklear, acquired from the Seattle Mariners last month in the
Josh Naylor trade, has gotten the start at first base in three straight games since Smith suffered his injury.
--Connor ByrneSource: Jacob Gurvis - MLB
August 30, 2025
Boston Red Sox relief pitcher
Aroldis Chapman has agreed to a one-year contract extension with the organization on Saturday. He'll get a one-year, $13.3 million extension that includes a mutual option for the 2027 season. Chapman has been outstanding with a 1.04 ERA, 0.67 WHIP, and a 74/14 K/BB ratio with 26 saves this season. Somehow, the 37-year-old flamethrower continues to get better with age. This seems like a good deal for Boston to lock up their stopper for at least one more season. Chapman needs to be rostered in all fantasy formats considering he has been arguably the best reliever in baseball.
--Andy WebbSource: Chris Cotillo
August 30, 2025
Miami Marlins relief pitcher
Tyler Phillips was called upon to hold a three-run lead versus the New York Mets on Saturday. Both
Ronny Henriquez and
Calvin Faucher were already used earlier in the game. That being said, Phillips was given a save chance and made the most of it. He tossed a scoreless inning, allowing one hit, one walk, and striking out one batter to earn his third save of the season. It's worth noting that Phillips received a save chance in two of his last three games. He figures to remain in the mix for saves down the stretch of the season. However, Henriquez and Faucher should also get chances, so Phillips won't be a consistent option for saves in fantasy formats.
--Andy WebbSource: mlb.com
August 30, 2025
New York Mets outfielder
Juan Soto did a little bit of everything during Saturday's game against the Miami Marlins. He started his day off by getting hit by a pitch in the first inning. He would walk in the second frame, steal second base, and score a run. Soto took right-hander
Edward Cabrera deep for a solo shot in the fourth inning. He would go yard again in the sixth inning, but this time it was a two-run home run. Soto finished his day 2-for-2 with two homers, three RBI, two steals, and two walks in the loss on Saturday. He has 35 homers, 84 RBI, and 24 steals on the season.
--Andy WebbSource: mlb.com
August 30, 2025
Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher
Abner Uribe was called upon in the bottom of the ninth inning after his team took the lead in the top half of the inning. Uribe was handed a three-run lead and needed only 13 pitches to close down this game. He allowed a hit, but Uribe tossed a scoreless inning while striking out one batter to convert his fourth save of the season. Uribe has been asked to convert two straight save chances. He figures to be the primary closer while
Trevor Megill (elbow) is out. Uribe has been fantastic this season and deserves to be rostered in most fantasy formats where saves matter.
--Andy WebbSource: mlb.com
August 30, 2025
Athletics first baseman
Nick Kurtz (oblique) remains out of the starting lineup ahead of Saturday's game against the Texas Rangers. Kurtz was forced to make an early exit on Friday due to an oblique injury. Luckily, the MRI came back clean and Kurtz has avoided any major injuries. A's manager Mark Kotsay said he's hopeful that Kurtz returns sooner rather than later. For now, Kurtz should be considered day-to-day, but a stint on the injured list hasn't been ruled out.
Tyler Soderstrom shifts over to first base on Saturday and figures to see a majority of his time over there until Kurtz returns.
--Andy WebbSource: Martin Gallegos
August 30, 2025
Chicago Cubs third baseman
Matt Shaw is absent from the starting lineup ahead of Saturday's game against the Colorado Rockies. Shaw will head to the bench after starting in five straight games. He has struggled with only two hits over his last three games. The rookie infielder could use a day off to get his head straight.
Willi Castro will take over third base and bat ninth versus right-hander
McCade Brown. Shaw has been in a mini slump at the plate, but outside of that he has been crushing the ball in the second half of the season. He's worth a look in most 12-team formats right now.
--Andy WebbSource: mlb.com
August 30, 2025
Colorado Rockies outfielder
Jordan Beck is out of the starting lineup ahead of Saturday's game against the Chicago Cubs. Beck will get a rare day off on Saturday after starting in nine straight games. He's looking like he could use a day off after going 2-for-19 over his last five games. It has been an ugly week or so at the plate for Beck, but he was doing well at the plate before that.
Mickey Moniak,
Brenton Doyle, and
Tyler Freeman will cover the outfield at Coors Field on Saturday. Fantasy managers should expect Beck back in the lineup following this game.
--Andy WebbSource: mlb.com
August 30, 2025
Athletics first baseman
Nick Kurtz (oblique) is out of the starting lineup ahead of Saturday's game against the Texas Rangers. This doesn't come as a surprise after Kurtz was forced to make an early exit from Friday's game due to right-oblique soreness. After the game, A's manager Mark Kotsay said Kurtz will likely undergo additional imaging to determine the severity of the injury. For now, Kurtz should be considered day-to-day and will likely sit out the weekend series.
Tyler Soderstrom will cover first base and bat cleanup versus right-hander
Merrill Kelly on Saturday. Fantasy managers should check back on Sunday for another update on Kurtz, but they should also be prepared for a potential injured-list stint from the left-handed power hitter.
--Andy WebbSource: mlb.com
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