August 16, 2025
Pittsburgh Pirates prospect
Konnor Griffin stayed hot Friday, going 1-for-3 with a single, a run scored, and two stolen bases. The 19-year-old now has 58 steals on the season across two levels and continues to flash his five-tool skill set. Since his promotion to High-A Greensboro, Griffin is slashing .319/.429/.508 with seven home runs in 49 games. The Jackson, Mississippi native is one of the fastest risers in dynasty formats and should already be rostered in long-term leagues. While his MLB debut likely won't come until 2027 at the earliest, Griffin profiles as a high-upside dynasty asset.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Young Bucs
August 16, 2025
Seattle Mariners first baseman
Josh Naylor (illness) is feeling better and is starting at first base and batting cleanup for Saturday's tilt against the hosting New York Mets and rookie right-hander
Nolan McLean, who will be making his major-leagu debut. Naylor was under the weather and did not play in Friday's series opener at Citi Field, but the 28-year-old left-handed slugger is back in there now and hitting in the heart of Seattle's batting order. The Canadian first baseman should be returned to starting fantasy lineups against the rookie right-hander on Saturday. It's been a strong season for Naylor, although he does have only 15 home runs in 414 at-bats. Since the Mariners acquired him from the Arizona Diamondbacks, he's gone 19-for-65 (.292) with four home runs, 10 RBI, 11 stolen bases and 11 runs scored in 18 games.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
August 16, 2025
Texas Rangers second baseman
Marcus Semien (wrist) is out of the starting lineup for Saturday's contest against the hosting Toronto Blue Jays after he was hit by a pitch on his wrist in Friday night's game, according to Shawn McFarland of th Dallas Morning News. Semien said he woke up on Saturday and his wrist was swollen, so he will go for X-rays.
Ezequiel Duran will start at the keystone and bat eighth on Saturday against Blue Jays left-hander
Eric Lauer. It's the first time that Semien has been out since April, and depending on his X-ray results, this could result in a trip to the injured list for the 34-year-old veteran. Fantasy managers need to prepare for that possibility. Semien has been a disappointment in 2025 and has hit just .157 (8-for-51) with a homer, two doubles, six RBI and seven strikeouts in 13 games in August.
--Keith HernandezSource: Dallas Morning News - Shawn McFarland
August 16, 2025
The Toronto Blue Jays activated outfielder
George Springer (concussion) from the seven-day concussion injured list on Saturday and optioned outfielder
Joey Loperfido to Triple-A Buffalo in a corresponding move, according to Mitch Bannon of The Athletic. Springer will jump right back into the starting lineup for Saturday's contest against the visiting Texas Rangers and left-hander
Patrick Corbin, as he's serving as the designated hitter and batting leadoff at Rogers Centre. Fantasy managers will want to get Springer back in their lineups immdiately this weekend, as he's having a resurgent 2025 campaign and has hit .364 with a 1.112 OPS, one home run and five RBI in 11 career at-bats against Corbin. However, he has hit only .225 (20-for-89) with six of his 18 home runs on the year against left-handed pitchers.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Mitch Bannon
August 16, 2025
Third baseman
Gio Urshela was designated for assignment by the Athletics on Friday, per the team. Infielder
Brett Harris was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas as the corresponding move. Urshela struggled in 197 plate appearances for the Athletics in 2025, recording a .236/.287/.326 slash line with zero home runs, 20 RBI, and 10 runs scored. The 33-year-old posted his highest strikeout rate (20.3%) since 2021, and his lowest barrel rate (2.1%) since 2017. Urshela is known as a strong defender at third base, but has posted subpar defensive metrics in 2025 as well. He may catch on with a different club for the stretch run, but he should remain off the fantasy radar.
--Will BradySource: A's Communications
August 16, 2025
Veteran right-hander
Paul Blackburn has been designated for assignment by the New York Mets, according to MLB.com's Anthony DiComo. Blackburn's release from the 40-man roster will clear a spot for right-hander
Nolan McLean, who is scheduled to make his MLB debut on Saturday against the Seattle Mariners. The 31-year-old Blackburn threw 23 2/3 innings for New York this season, recording a 0-3 record with a 6.85 ERA, 1.65 WHIP, and 18 strikeouts. He has been an effective innings eater at certain points in his career, but has struggled with both injuries and ineffectiveness in 2025.
--Will BradySource: MLB.com - Anthony DiComo
August 16, 2025
Boston Red Sox right-handed pitcher
Tanner Houck (elbow) is scheduled to undergo Tommy John Surgery on Monday. The 29-year-old suffered a right flexor pronator strain in the middle of May and has been on the Injured List ever since. He had been making gains in the summer, going so far as to complete a long rehab assignment. However, before being reinstated from the Injured List, Houck suffered a setback. It was here that the decision was made for Tommy John Surgery. This procedure will cost him the rest of this season and possibly all of the 2026 season, though he is hopeful to pitch at some point. With no guarantee that he will return next season, he is someone who can remain on the waiver wire in all leagues.
--Dave Funnell - RotoBallerSource: Marc Cerullo
August 16, 2025
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher
Cole Ragans (shoulder) threw a 20-pitch bullpen on Friday and had "no pain, no restrictions in (his) delivery," per Anne Rogers of MLB.com. Ragans has been on the injured list since early June due to a rotator cuff strain. The 27-year-old left-hander will need at least a few rehab appearances to fully build back up, so he's still a ways off from returning to the big-league mound. However, it's a positive sign that Ragans was able to throw for the first time since suffering the injury without suffering any setbacks. Assuming Ragans is able to keep progressing in the coming weeks, he could be on track to rejoin the Royals in mid-to-late September.
--Will BradySource: MLB.com - Anne Rogers
August 16, 2025
The Baltimore Orioles have selected the contract of top outfield prospect
Dylan Beavers from Triple-A Norfolk, per MASN's Roch Kubatko. Veteran outfielder
Greg Allen has been designated for assignment as the corresponding move. The 24-year-old Beavers has raked in 418 plate appearances at Triple-A this season, slashing .304/.420/.515 with 18 home runs, 51 RBI, 78 runs scored, and 23 stolen bases. He ranks as the number three prospect in the Orioles' system, according to MLB.com. Beavers should have an extended run of every day playing time in Baltimore for the remainder of 2025. With his five-category profile, Beavers should be a priority waiver wire add in redraft leagues.
--Will BradySource: MASN - Roch Kubatko
August 16, 2025
Boston Red Sox right-hander reliever
Justin Slaten (shoulder) is scheduled to take a big step forward on Monday, as he is set to face live batters for the first time since landing on the injured list in June. He has accelerated his recovery process in August, as he has thrown multiple bullpen sessions this month, leading to the decision for him to face live batters. If he can come out of this without any recurring symptoms, he could begin a rehab assignment shortly afterward. The right-handed reliever has been a dynamic option out of the bullpen for the Red Sox, as he recorded three saves and four holds before his injury.
--Dave Funnell - RotoBallerSource: Jen McCaffrey
August 16, 2025
Cleveland Guardians left-hander
John Means (elbow) was solid in his first rehab outing as he works his way back from June 2024 Tommy John surgery. Starting for High-A Lake County, Means threw 38 pitches over 2 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing one hit and zero walks while striking out three. Given that Means has not pitched in a major league game in over a year, he will surely be making several more rehab starts. He may be a rotation or bulk relief option for Cleveland in September, but Means is unlikely to factor in fantasy until 2026. Injuries have limited Means to just 10 starts since the start of the 2022 season, but he's been a very effective pitcher (career 1.05 WHIP) when healthy.
--Will BradySource: milb.com
August 16, 2025
Houston Astros starting pitcher
Lance McCullers Jr. (finger) made a rehab start on Friday for Triple-A Sugar Land, allowing one earned run on four hits and two walks while striking out five batters in five innings of work. The 31-year-old threw 80 pitches in the contest, so he appears to be fully stretched out, and it's unclear whether or not he'll need another rehab start before rejoining the Astros. The veteran has been on the shelf due to a blister that could have been partially to blame for his ineffectiveness over his two starts before hitting the injured list. For the season, the right-hander owns a 6.90 ERA (5.86 FIP), 1.74 WHIP, and a 9.7 percent K-BB% and should only be rostered in deep leagues upon his return.
--Jarod RuppSource: MiLB.com
August 16, 2025
Minnesota Twins starting pitcher
Simeon Woods Richardson (illness) made his first rehab start at Triple-A St. Paul on Friday, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out four in two shutout innings for the Saints. The 24-year-old has been sidelined after having a parasite removed from his digestive tract earlier this month, having last pitched for the Twins on July 28. The right-hander threw just 34 pitches in the rehab start, so he will likely need a couple more before being activated from the injured list, so look for a late August or early September return. The 6-foot-3 hurler owns a 4.24 ERA (4.71 FIP), 1.40 WHIP, and a 9.7 percent K-BB% through 16 starts this season (80 2/3 innings pitched), so he should be left on the wiaver wire in most fantasy leagues even when he returns.
--Jarod RuppSource: MiLB.com
August 16, 2025
Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher
Rico Garcia will be the team's opener for Saturday's game against the Astros, with left-hander
Cade Povich to follow. The right-handed Garcia would theoretically see a trio of right-handed batters at the top of Houston's lineup, with the team's left-handed options typically hitting lower in the order. Garcia won't last very long in this game, so he would not be a viable DFS option, while Povich brings a 4.95 ERA and 1.43 WHIP into the contest and does not have much appeal beyond his 9.43 K/9 through 76 1/3 innings pitched this year. Houston also boasts the third-highest batting average against left-handed pitching this year, so DFS managers may want to look elsewhere for pitching while potentially stacking Houston batters.
--Jarod RuppSource: Andy Kostka
August 16, 2025
Minnesota Twins outfielder
Alan Roden (thumb), who was scratched from Friday's lineup, has been diagnosed with a sprained left thumb ligament. There is no official word yet on whether or not he'll need to go on the injured list, but if he does,
Austin Martin could be the beneficiary of more playing time. Roden was traded to the Twins at the beginning of the month, but has slashed just .158/.200/.263 in 12 games for his new club. Martin was recalled from Triple-A at the beginning of the month as well, and has slashed .250/.302/.400 in 14 games and offers some pop and some speed, however, neither Roden nor Martin are an appealing fantasy option in most leagues.
--Jarod RuppSource: Aaron Gleeman
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