August 15, 2025
The Cleveland Browns are cautiously optimistic that rookie fifth-round quarterback
Shedeur Sanders (oblique) could return to training camp practice next week and play in the presason finale next Saturday, Aug. 23, against the Los Angeles Rams, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Sanders injured his oblique on Wednesday and will not play in the second preseason game on Saturday against the Philadelphia Eagles, but the hope is fellow rookie
Dillon Gabriel (hamstring) can start this weekend. The Browns are officially calling Sanders day-to-day. The 23-year-old looked good in his NFL debut in the preseason opener last week, but he was never realistically in the running to win the starting QB gig for the Browns going into the regular season. Until further notice, Sanders is strictly a dynasty/keeper league stash in fantasy formats.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
August 15, 2025
Tennessee Titans wide receivers
Calvin Ridley and
Tyler Lockett did not suit up for the team's second preseason game on Friday night against the Atlanta Falcons, according to Turron Davenport of ESPN. It remains to be seen if the Titans will allow Ridley and Lockett to take the field for the final preseason contest next Friday versus the Minnesota Vikings. Targets and volume shouldn't be an issue for Ridley as he goes into his second year in Tennessee, although he'll be working with rookie quarterback
Cameron Ward. The 30-year-old caught 64 of 120 targets for 1,017 yards and four touchdowns in 17 games last year with poor QB play. Efficiency could once again be an issue in a weak Titans offense, which makes Ridley more of a WR3/flex in fantasy than a bonafide WR2 target. Ridley has back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and 12 combined TDs.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Turron Davenport
August
15,
2025
Houston
Texans
running
back
Joe
Mixon
(ankle,
foot)
is
"not
considered
a
lock
to
be
ready
for
the
season
opener
against
the
Los
Angeles
Rams,"
league
sources
tell
Aaron
Wilson
of
KPRC
2
Sports.
Mixon
is
read more...
August
15,
2025
Atlanta
Falcons
quarterback
Kirk
Cousins
is
not
playing
in
the
team's
preseason
game
on
Friday
night
against
the
Tennessee
Titans,
but
he
is
finally
healthy
again
and
has
been
impressive
during
training
camp,
according
to
Tom
read more...
August
15,
2025
Greg
Braggs
Jr.
of
CHGO
Sports
writes
that
he's
still
"trying
to
figure
out
how
DJ
Moore
fits
in
this
offense."
It
sounds
like
new
head
coach
Ben
Johnson
is
doing
plenty
of
experimenting
with
Moore
read more...
August 15, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver
Rashee Rice has received clearance to travel with the team and be permitted to enter Brazil for Week 1 of the regular season against the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers on Sept. 5, a source tells The Washington Post's Mark Maske. Rice plead guilty last month to two felonies and is facing a possible suspension under the NFL's personal-conduct policy and has a hearing scheduled for Sept. 30 before disciplinary officer Sue L. Robinson. The fact that the 25-year-old's hearing is in late September means that he's likely to be available for fantasy managers and the Chiefs in Weeks 1-4 after his involvement in a multi-car crash in 2024. A suspension of anywhere from four to six games is still very possible, though, and now it might come later in 2025 or be deferred to 2026. Likely the WR1 in KC when available, Rice's looming suspension has dropped him to WR3/flex territory.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Washington Post - Mark Maske
August 15, 2025
San Francisco Giants third baseman
Matt Chapman (hand) is not in the team's starting lineup for Friday's series opener against the visiting Tampa Bay Rays at Oracle Park.
Casey Schmitt will draw another start at third base for the Gigantes and will hit fifth versus Rays right-hander
Joe Boyle.
Christian Koss will play second and hit seventh. It will be the second straight missed game for Chapman, who was forced to the injured list earlier this year with a hand injury. However, the 32-year-old veteran could be available off the bench on Friday night, which means he could very well return to the diamond for Game 2 of the series in the Bay Area on Saturday. Chapman remains excellent on defense, but he's been a bit of a disappointment offensively in his second year with SF, slashing .229/.337/.423 with 16 home runs, 44 RBI, 53 runs and seven stolen bases in 96 games.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
August
15,
2025
Los
Angeles
Dodgers
third
baseman
Max
Muncy
(side)
remains
absent
from
the
team's
starting
lineup
for
the
start
of
a
critical
divisional
series
in
L.A.
against
the
visiting
San
Diego
Padres
on
Friday.
Muncy
was
scratched
read more...
August 15, 2025
Washington Nationals outfielder
Dylan Crews wasted little time to make an impact in his first game back in nearly three months. On Thursday, the former first overall pick went 1-for-3 with a stolen base and a 1:1 K:BB during their contest against the Philadelphia Phillies. Crews has been held out of action since May due to an oblique strain. Before the injury, the LSU product was off to a slow start at the plate, as he posted an underwhelming .196/.266/.354 line with two doubles, one triple, and a 48:11 K:BB. Despite his low batting average, Crews hit seven home runs and swiped an eye-catching 11 bags in just 45 games. During his MLB debut in 2024, Crews stole 12 bases in a 31-game stint. Given his ability to steal bases at a high level and potential to hit for power, Crews remains a solid No. 5 outfielder with upside in all category leagues.
--Andy SmithSource: MLB.com
August 15, 2025
St. Louis Cardinals infielder
Brendan Donovan (foot) has been scratched from the starting lineup for Friday's series opener against the visiting New York Yankees at Busch Stadium because of lingering foot pain, according to MLB.com's John Denton. Denton writes that it's an injury that caused Donovan's recent groin soreness. Manager Oliver Marmol thinks it could be a multi-day injury for Donovan but doesn't think it will require him to go on the injured list. Although the 28-year-old is day-to-day for now, this seems like something that could eventually require an IL stint if he can't play by the end of the weekend. The German native was an All-Star for the first time this year, but he's struggled in August, going 7-for-34 (.206) with a double, three RBI and five strikeouts in nine games. Since the All-Star break, he's hit .203 (16-for-79).
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - John Denton
August 15, 2025
Houston Astros manager Joe Espada said that shortstop
Jeremy Pena (illness) is "under the weather" and getting some tests done, which is why he's out of the starting lineup for Friday's series opener against the visiting Baltimore Orioles at Daikin Park.
Mauricio Dubon will man the 6 and will hit eighth against Orioles right-hander
Brandon Young. Pena will most likely return to the field for Game 2 of the series on Saturday, but fantay managers will want to check back then. The 27-year-old Dominican is having one of his finest seasons in the big leagues with a .318/.373/.492 slash line, .865 OPS, 13 homers, 45 RBI, 52 runs and 17 steals in 362 at-bats. Pena is also hitting .289 (13-for-45) with two homers, two doubles, a triple, five RBI and two steals in 11 games in August. Dubon is a light-hitting utility man that has never faced Young in his career. Avoid him for DFS.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Brian McTaggart
August 15, 2025
Athletics outfield prospect
Colby Thomas will get another start in center field on Friday evening when the Athletics face the Los Angeles Angels. Thomas has begun to heat up at the plate, and the team is rewarding their former third-round pick with more opportunities. Over his last five games, Thomas has been swinging a hot bat, going 5-for-13 with a double, a home run, and five RBI. During this stretch, Thomas has started in three of his last four games and appears to be carving out a role in center field. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his playing time. Earlier this season, Thomas flashed upside power upside at Triple-A Las Vegas, launching 18 home runs with a .903 OPS through 81 contests. This evening, he will face Los Angeles southpaw
Yusei Kikuchi and will bat in the cleanup spot.
--Andy SmithSource: MLB.com
August 15, 2025
Washington Nationals third base prospect
Brady House will hit the bench on Friday evening when the Nationals face the Philadelphia Phillies. Since the start of August, the top-100 prospect has been a bit of a slump at the plate. Since August 1, House has held a .200/.216/.229 line with only one extra-base hit and a hefty 32.4% K rate. However, House was very productive in July, so fantasy managers should not be overly concerned with his production. In July, House posted a strong .270/.276/.392 line with three doubles and two home runs. While he has struggled to draw walks at the MLB level, holding a 45:5 K:BB through his first 43 games in D.C., he is worth keeping on your bench in deeper formats. Earlier in the season, House was one of the most productive hitters at Triple-A, carrying a .304/.353/.519 line. This evening,
Paul DeJong will get the nod at the hot corner.
--Andy SmithSource: MLB.com
August
15,
2025
Tennessee
Titans
rookie
fourth-round
wide
receiver
Elic
Ayomanor
has
"emerged
as
one
of
the
top
target-getters
in
the
Titans
offense
this
camp,"
according
to
Easton
Freeze
of
A
to
Z
Sports.
Calvinread more...
August 15, 2025
Arizona Diamondbacks first base prospect
Tyler Locklear has begun to find his footing in the major leagues. The Mariners shipped Locklear as the headline piece in the deal to acquire third baseman
Eugenio Suarez at the trade deadline. Locklear has covered first base since moving to the desert as the Diamondbacks also shipped
Josh Naylor to the Mariners in an earlier trade. During his first eight games serving as a full-time player, Locklear held a low .148/.303/.259 line with just four total hits. However, over his last five games, Lockear has tallied five total hits. Prior to his recent two-game skid, Locklear carried a three-game hitting streak. Earlier in the season at Triple-A, he held a .316 AVG with a strong .943 OPS. He could become a viable corner infielder in standard leauges if he continues to turn the corner.
--Andy SmithSource: MLB.com
August 15, 2025
The Colorado Rockies have activated shortstop prospect
Ryan Ritter (finger) from the 10-day injured list before their contest on Friday against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Ritter has been sidelined since July 19. In a corresponding move, the Rockies sent fellow young infielder
Adael Amador to Triple-A. Through his first 31 games in Colorado before his injury, Ritter held a solid .238/.291/.347 line with a home run and a stolen base. At Triple-A this season, Ritter flashed immense upside. Through 55 games with the Albuquerque Isotopes, Ritter posted a stellar .303/.405/.610 slash line with 13 doubles, 16 home runs, and three stolen bases. Fantasy managers should expect Ritter to continue to see most of his time at the keystone with occasional starts at shortstop.
--Andy SmithSource: Colorado Rockies
August 15, 2025
Seattle Mariners first baseman
Josh Naylor (illness) is under the weather and will not play in Friday's series opener at Citi Field against the New York Mets. With Naylor out,
Donovan Solano will start at first base and bat seventh against Mets left-hander
Sean Manaea. Catcher
Mitch Garver is the designatd hitter and is batting sixth. There's a good chance that Naylor will be back in the lineup for Game 2 of the series on Saturday, so fantasy managers will want to check back then. The 28-year-old Naylor has continued to hit well after being traded from the Arizona Diamondbacks last month, as he's gone 19-for-65 (.292) with four home runs, 10 RBI, 11 runs scored and 11 stolen bases in his first 18 games with the M's. Solano could be a worthwhile DFS sleeper on Friday with a career .300 average in 10 at-bats versus Manaea.
--Keith HernandezSource: Seattle Times - Tim Booth
August 15, 2025
The Milwaukee Brewers are promoting third base prospect
Tyler Black to the major leagues. In a corresponding move, the Brewers are placing outfielder
Isaac Collins on the paternity list and outfielder
Blake Perkins on the bereavement list. Black had a brief stint in the majors earlier this season and posted a .333 AVG across six PAs. He made his MLB debut during the 2024 campaign, where he appeared in 18 games. During this stint, Black held a modest .204/.316/.245 line with two doubles, three stolen bases, and a 17:7 K:BB. Black has gotten off to a slow start at Triple-A Nashville this season, posting a low .187 AVG with a .592 OPS. Given his underwhelming production this season and lack of MLB experience, he is best left for deeper NL-only formats.
--Andy SmithSource: Milwaukee Brewers
August 15, 2025
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver
Dyami Brown was one of the players who "got the highest volume of targets from
Trevor Lawrence" at training camp practice on Friday, per SI.com's John Shipley. Brown was able to score a touchdown and also showed impressive consistency. However, Shipley also notes that it was a light day of practice without pads, so it should be taken with a grain of salt. The 25-year-old was slow to begin training camp heading into his first season with the Jaguars, but he has turned it around as he seeks to win a depth role in the passing attack in 2025. He is projected to be the team's WR3 behind
Brian Thomas Jr. and rookie
Travis Hunter, and he's developed some strong chemistry with Lawrence. Unless Thomas or Hunter miss time with injury, though, Brown will probably reside on the waiver wire in 12-team fantasy leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: SI.com - John Shipley
August 15, 2025
Jacksonville Jaguars tight end
Brenton Strange was one of the players who "got the highest volume of targets from
Trevor Lawrence" during training camp practice on Friday, according to John Shipley of SI.com. Strange found the end zone and put forth an impressive display of consistency. However, Shipley also notes that it was a light day of practice, so fantasy managers should take it with a grain of salt. He flashed "serious speed to beat the secondary after the catch on an impressive deep throw from Lawrence during team drills." The 24-year-old caught his only target for 11 yards in the preseason opener last week against the Pittsburgh Steelers. With
Evan Engram out of town, has a real opportunity for a breakout season. Strange had a 40-411-2 line in 17 games (10 starts) in his second season in 2024. RotoBaller has him ranked as the TE21 for fantasy purposes.
--Keith HernandezSource: SI.com - John Shipley
August 15, 2025
The Tacoma News Tribune's Gregg Bell writes that Seattle Seahawks running back
Kenneth Walker III (foot) "seems like a prime candidate to be one of the few Seahawks starters who does not play Friday" in the team's second preseason game versus the Kansas City Chiefs. Walker took art in a full-pads practice on Tuesday for the first time in more than a week and then rested on Wednesday. It's a routine that Walker has been going through the last couple weeks at training camp. It makes sense for Seattle to play it safe with the injury-prone Walker, who missed six of 17 games in 2024 an went on Injured Reserve in December with an ankle injury. He has yet to play a full season in his first three years with the Seahawks and could lose valuable backfield touches to
Zach Charbonnet in order to keep him healthy. RotoBaller has Walker ranked as the RB16 in fantasy.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Tacoma News Tribune - Gregg Bell
August 15, 2025
Chicago White Sox outfielder
Mike Tauchman (shoulder) is starting in right field and will bat seventh for Friday's series opener in Kansas City against the division-rival Royals and left-hander
Noah Cameron. Tauchman did not play in Wednesday's series finale due to soreness in his right shoulder, but he's back in there to begin the weekend after a day off on Thursday. Although the 34-year-old veteran has hit a decent .277 (66-for-238) on the season, those setting DFS lineups will probably want to avoid him against a left-handed hurler. Tauchman has never faced Cameron in his career and is batting .268 (11-for-41) with three of his eight home runs on the year against left-handers. He's really struggled to this point in August, going 8-for-38 (.205) with a homer, two RBI, three runs and a 10:9 BB:K in 11 games played.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
August 15, 2025
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the Miami Heat traded forward
Haywood Highsmith and a 2032 second-round pick to the Brooklyn Nets for a protected 2026 second-round pick on Friday. Highsmith will get a fresh start in Brooklyn after he recovers from a torn meniscus in his right knee, which he suffered while training recently. He underwent surgery last week and is expected to be sidelined for at least eight weeks. The 28-year-old started in 42 games for the Heat throughout the 2024-25 campaign. However, he wasn't a reliable contributor on the fantasy end overall, averaging 6.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 74 regular-season contests. Highsmith is considered questionable to open the season and will likely come off the bench for the Nets when he is available.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Shams Charania
August 15, 2025
The Chicago White Sox announced on Friday that they reinstated rookie infielder
Chase Meidroth (thumb) from the 10-day injured list and designated infielder
Jacob Amaya for assignment in a corresponding move. Meidroth will immediately return to the starting lineup for Friday's series opener on the road against the division-rival Kansas City Royals and left-hander
Noah Cameron, as he's playing second base and batting in the eight-hole. The 24-year-old missed only 10 days due to a bruised thumb and should return to primary duties at the keystone for the Pale Hose. Outside of some modest speed (11 stolen bases), Meidroth hasn't done much for fantasy managers in his first 84 big-league games, slashing .252/.330/.319 with three home runs, 15 RBI and 36 runs scored in 349 plate appearances. He has never faced Cameron in his career.
--Keith HernandezSource: Chicago White Sox
August 15, 2025
Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona said that right-handed pitching prospect
Chase Burns (elbow) could only spend a couple of weeks on the 15-day injured list in a "best-case" scenario. Burns could start throwing again later this week. The 22-year-old hard-throwing hurler was scheduled to come on in relief on Wednesday, but that plan was scrapped before the game when he reported significant shoulder stiffness. However, after an MRI exam, Reds doctors think that the rookie avoided a serious injury. Burns was officially diagnosed with a flexor strain in his right elbow. There's no denying the strikeout upside -- he has 57 punchouts in his first 34 1/3 big-league innings -- but he's also gone 0-3 with a 5.24 ERA and 1.34 WHIP with 13 walks in his first eight starts with the Reds. It's great news that Burns avoided a major injury, but his workload will still be restricted to close out the 2025 season.
--Keith HernandezSource: NBC 5 Cincinnati - Charlie Clifford
August 15, 2025
On Thursday, ESPN's Shams Charania reported that the Milwaukee Bucks signed free agent forward
Amir Coffey to a one-year contract. Coffey joins the Bucks after spending his first six NBA seasons in Los Angeles with the Clippers. In 2024-25, the 28-year-old appeared in 72 regular-season contests, posting averages of 9.7 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.1 assists during 24.3 minutes per game. He had been a helpful piece in the rotation for the Clippers most recently and could benefit from a fresh start in Milwaukee.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Shams Charania
August 15, 2025
Houston Astros closer
Josh Hader (shoulder) has a "left shoulder capsule strain," according to the team, and won't throw for "approximately three weeks." After that, Hader's next steps will be determined. The Astros placed the 31-year-old veteran southpaw on the 15-day injured list this week, but he won't be back when he's eligible to return and won't return to the big-league roster until September. In the meantime, right-hander
Bryan Abreu will serve as the club's primary ninth-inning option after picking up his first save of the season on Wednesday against the Boston Red Sox. Losing Hader for an extended period is a tough blow for the Astros' bullpen as they try to hold off the Seattle Mariners for the lead in the American League West division. Hader has been strong once again in 2025 with a 2.05 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, 28 saves and 76 K's in 52 2/3 innings pitched.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
August 15, 2025
Texas Rangers outfielder
Wyatt Langford (forearm) is starting in left field and will bat second in Friday's series opener against the hosting Toronto Blue Jays and right-hander
Chris Bassitt. Forearm tightness kept Langford out of the series finale on Wednesday against the Arizona Diamondbacks, but he's ready to roll after a scheduled day off on Thursday. The 23-year-old former fourth overall pick in 2023 out of Florida is hitting .239/.325/.412 and has already matched his home run total (16) from his rookie campaign. He's added 48 RBI, 15 stolen bases and 49 runs scored in 100 games played. Langford is riding a modest four-game hitting streak and has gone 9-for-38 (.237) with a homer, two doubles and five RBI in 11 games so far in the month of August. He has faced Bassitt just twice in his career and has two hit and an RBI against him.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
August 15, 2025
Milwaukee Brewers right-handed pitching prospect
Jacob Misiorowski (leg) has been activated from the 15-day injured list and will make an abbreviated start in Friday's series opener against the division-rival Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park, according to Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The Brewers put Misiorowski on the IL as a precaution earlier this month with a tibia contusion, but he'll rejoin Milwaukee's starting rotation without making a minor-league rehab start. The hard-throwing 23-year-old will be on a pitch count on Friday, so he may not go deep enough to qualify for a win, but he should still be in consideration for starting fantasy lineups given how dominant he's been early in his career. In his first seven MLB starts, he has recorded a 2.70 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 47 strikeouts and 14 walks in 33 1/3 innings.
--Keith HernandezSource: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Curt Hogg
August 15, 2025
Chicago Bears backup quarterback
Case Keenum (leg) injured his leg in training camp practice on Thursday and remained absent on Friday, according to Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune. It's unclear at this time what it means for the team's snap distribution at quarterback for Sunday's preseason tilt against the Buffalo Bills. The 37-year-old veteran may not play in the second preseason game this weekend, but it's not a long-term injury and shouldn't keep him from being ready to begin the 2025 regular season. Keenum has been competing this summer with
Tyson Bagent for the QB2 job in Chicago behind starter
Caleb Williams. If Keenum is held out on Sunday, it will allow
Austin Reed a chance for more reps. Keenum has played in only two games in three of the last four seasons with three different teams.
--Keith HernandezSource: Chicago Tribune - Dan Wiederer
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