August 23, 2025
New York Yankees outfielder
Aaron Judge (elbow) is getting "close" on his throwing program and has been throwing to bases, according to Yankees manager Aaron Boone. Judge suffered a flexor strain in late July and has been limited to designated hitter duties since returning from the injured list on August 5. Judge's inability to play the field has forced the Yankees to play
Giancarlo Stanton in the outfield to get both sluggers in the lineup at the same time. Judge is hitting just .216 with three home runs in 66 plate appearances this month, so the flexor strain may be impacting his offense as well as his defense.
--Will BradySource: New York Daily News - Gary Phillips
August 23, 2025
Toronto Blue Jays right-handed pitcher
Alek Manoah (elbow) has had his minor-league rehab assignment extended by 10 days. He was set to return after his 30-day window for his rehab had expired. Still, after struggling last Wednesday, it was determined that he would need more time before officially being activated. This extension is part of the collective bargaining agreement that allows pitchers returning from Tommy John surgery to receive up to three additional 10-day extensions should they need more time. He is expected to make another start for Triple-A Buffalo early next week. When he is ready to return to the Blue Jays, it's unclear if he will be a part of the team's starting rotation, given their depth. There's still a chance he won't pitch for the Jays in 2025, too.
--Dave Funnell - RotoBallerSource: Ben Nicholson-Smith
August 23, 2025
New York Yankees first baseman/catcher
Ben Rice is not in the starting lineup against the Boston Red Sox left-hander
Garrett Crochet on Saturday. Rice started the season limited to first base/designated hitter duties, but he's earned more playing time behind the plate in recent weeks. That's allowed him to shift into an everyday role split between catcher and first base - Rice had made 15 consecutive starts before hitting the bench on Saturday. The 26-year-old is having a breakout year, slashing .243/.337/.486 with 20 home runs, 47 RBI, and 55 runs scored. He may even be underperforming his underlying numbers, as Rice holds a 16.5% barrel rate and a .579 xSLG. Now that he's catcher-eligible, Rice is a valuable player in fantasy as long as he continues to see near-everyday playing time.
--Will BradySource: MLB.com
August 23, 2025
Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher
Nick Lodolo (finger) successfully threw three simulated innings on Aug. 22 and is now on pace to return from the injured list and start on Aug. 27 in Los Angeles against the Dodgers. The 27-year-old last pitched on Aug. 4, when a blister developed early in a game against the Chicago Cubs. Since then, he has tossed bullpen sessions and thrown to live batters as he attempts to return for the Reds. On the season, he has found success on the mound, amassing a 23.6% strikeout rate and a very low 4.6% walk rate. Lodolo should be rostered in most fantasy leagues when he's back and healthy, although avoiding him in a tough first matchup back in L.A. might be the wise play.
--Dave Funnell - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
August 23, 2025
New York Yankees designated hitter/outfielder
Giancarlo Stanton is starting in right field and batting fourth on Saturday against the Boston Red Sox. Stanton did not start his team's game on Friday night, but came in as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning and struck out. The 35-year-old is having an excellent season, slashing .301/.382/.621 with 15 home runs and 40 RBI in 173 plate appearances. However, with
Aaron Judge limited to designated hitter duties while he plays through a flexor strain, Stanton does not have an everyday spot in the Yankees' starting lineup.
--Will BradySource: MLB.com
August 23, 2025
New York Yankees second baseman
Jazz Chisholm Jr. is not in the lineup for his team's game on Saturday against the Boston Red Sox.
Jose Caballero will take his spot at second base and bat eighth against Red Sox left-hander
Garrett Crochet. Chisholm Jr. is slugging just .323 against left-handed pitching (compared to .522 against righties), which could explain the day off. After acquiring Caballero and
Amed Rosario at the trade deadline, the Yankees now have a pair of right-handed hitting infielders who can step in for Chisholm Jr. against tough lefties. The 27-year-old should be available on Saturday off the bench as either a pinch-hitter or pinch-runner.
--Will BradySource: MLB.com
August 23, 2025
Cincinnati Reds catcher
Tyler Stephenson (thumb) has been getting himself fitted for a padded thumb guard for his fractured thumb. This guard will then be inserted inside the catcher's mitt, as the team believes that he can play again this season. The 29-year-old catcher suffered an injury to his thumb on August 8, and then re-aggravated it one week later in a game on August 15. It was revealed shortly afterward that he had, in fact, suffered the fracture, and he has been out of action since then. Stephenson has had a disappointing season at the plate. Over his 72 games played, he has mustered a .226 batting average with just nine homers, 36 RBI, and 32 runs scored. The team will likely take a cautious approach to his return.
--Dave Funnell - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
August 23, 2025
Texas Rangers second baseman
Marcus Semien (foot) was held out of action on Friday, after X-ray imaging came back negative on his left foot contusion. He remained in a walking boot after an inconclusive MRI on Friday, indicating that the injury could be more serious than first believed.
Ezequiel Duran played in place of the injured 34-year-old and may see additional playing time should Semien's absence persist. The three-time All-Star has struggled all season with a .230 batting average to go alongside 15 homers and 11 steals. A trip to the Injured List has not yet been ruled out.
--Dave Funnell - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
August 23, 2025
New York Mets outfielder
Juan Soto reached base five times in a 3-for-4 effort during Friday's 12-7 win over the Braves, including two walks, a home run, four RBI, and two runs scored. It was his seventh home run in his last 14 games, now up to 32 on the year, and he's now slashing .251/.386/.500 with a .377 wOBA and 147 wRC+ through 126 games. He'll face off with the Braves' newly acquired
Cal Quantrill on Saturday, who brings a 5.50 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, and a lowly 6.73 K/9 into the contest. Soto is also 1-for-2 with a walk against the righty, and with the Mets having one of the highest implied run totals on the board Saturday, Soto should once again be a strong DFS option.
--Jarod RuppSource: ESPN
August 23, 2025
Los Angeles Angels third baseman
Yoan Moncada went 2-for-4 with a pair of solo home runs in Friday's 3-2 loss to the Cubs. Moncada's home runs accounted for two of the Angels' three hits on the night, and it was his second straight game with a home run. It has been another injury-riddled season for the 30-year-old, limited to just 59 games, but he's now up to 11 home runs despite the limited playing time, and is 10-for-28 (.357) over his last nine games, including two doubles, three home runs, six RBI, and five runs scored. Season-long fantasy managers may shy away, but the switch-hitter could be a sneaky DFS play while he's hot.
--Jarod RuppSource: ESPN
August 23, 2025
San Francisco Giants shortstop
Willy Adames went 2-for-4 with a pair of solo home runs in Friday's 5-4 loss to the Brewers. It was the second straight game with a home run for the 29-year-old, and it gives him four home runs in his last seven games. The right-handed slugger's batting average sits at a paltry .224 with a .315 wOBA and 104 wRC+ for the season, but he's now up to 22 home runs, 65 RBI, and 76 runs scored. He's hitting just .149 (11-for-74) in August, but for what it is worth, the Dominican is still barreling the ball at a 14.9 percent rate this month and his xSLG for the year is .454 compared to his actual SLG of .410, so there should be more power to come over the remainder of the season, although it looks like he'll fall short of the 32 home run total he tallied last year.
--Jarod RuppSource: ESPN
August 23, 2025
Arizona Diamondbacks reliever
Ryan Thompson (shoulder) threw a simulated game at Chase Field on Friday. The 33-year-old is working his way back from a right scapular strain and hasn't pitched since July 4. Before the injury, the right-hander posted a 4.45 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, a 12.9 percent K-BB%, and also earned one save and 11 holds for the D-backs in 32 1/3 innings pitched. The next step in the progression will be to pitch against live hitters, either in a minor league or camp game, before being activated off the injured list. Without a dedicated closer in Arizona, Thompson could be in the mix for save chances, so fantasy managers desperate for saves should keep an eye on the situation when he returns.
--Jarod RuppSource: MLB.com
August 23, 2025
Detroit Tigers relief pitcher
Paul Sewald (shoulder) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session prior to Saturday's home matchup against the Royals. The veteran has been on the shelf with a shoulder strain and hasn't pitched since July 11. The right-hander began a throwing progression on August 4, but this session will mark the first time he'll be throwing off a mound. The 35-year-old posted a 4.70 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and a strong 22.6 percent K-BB% in 15 1/3 innings pitched earlier this season, and so long as he does not suffer a setback, he appears to be on track to be ready when he is first eligible to return on September 10.
--Jarod RuppSource: Evan Petzold
August 23, 2025
Making his long-awaited return from April 2024 Tommy John surgery and his debut with the Toronto Blue Jays, right-hander
Shane Bieber was spectacular in a 5-2 win over the Miami Marlins on Friday. The former AL Cy Young winner went six innings, allowed one earned run on two hits, and recorded nine strikeouts against no walks to notch his first win in 16 months. Bieber threw 87 pitches (55 strikes) and generated 15 whiffs on the night. Toronto couldn't have asked for a better first outing when it took a gamble on Bieber in a deal with the Cleveland Guardians at the July 31 trade deadline. The 30-year-old will have a chance to keep rolling Wednesday against the Minnesota Twins, whose offense has been among the league's worst over the past few weeks.
--Connor ByrneSource: ESPN
August 22, 2025
Cleveland Guardians reliever
Cade Smith was unable to shut the door on the Texas Rangers in a 4-3 loss on Friday. Smith came in to pitch the bottom of the ninth inning with a 3-2 lead and proceeded to allow three straight hits, including a walk-off double by
Joc Pederson. The 26-year-old picked up his fifth blown save and fell to 5-5 on the season. The normally effective Smith has now surrendered at least one earned run in three consecutive appearances and blown back-to-back saves. Considering Smith has been among the game's best high-leverage arms since he debuted in 2024, there's no reason to panic over his recent struggles. The right-hander still owns a 3.14 ERA (2.26 FIP) with a 1.13 WHIP, 77:19 K:BB, 19 holds, and seven saves in 57 1/3 innings this season.
--Connor ByrneSource: ESPN
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