August 5, 2025
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Olivia Sayer reported Monday that Atlanta Braves starting pitcher
Grant Holmes (elbow) will opt for non-surgical rehabilitation of his right elbow inflammation. Holmes was placed on the 60-day injured list on July 27, so his season would have been over regardless of his rehab approach. The 29-year-old popped onto fantasy radars in 2024 and he had logged a 3.99 ERA, a 1.34 WHIP, and a 25.0% strikeout rate in 115 innings pitched this season before landing on the IL. Fantasy managers should check in next spring for more info on his rehab.
--Connelly DoanSource: Olivia Sayer - X.com
August 5, 2025
Minnesota Twins top prospect
Walker Jenkins was named Texas League Player of the Week after a dominant showing at Double-A. The 20-year-old outfielder crushed three home runs, added two doubles, drove in five runs, and scored eight times last week for the Wichita Wind Surge. Jenkins is now slashing .304/.414/.486 and continues to make a strong case for a late-season promotion. If he stays healthy, the former first-round pick could open 2026 at Triple-A and push for his MLB debut soon after. Dynasty managers should already have the rising star on their radar.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Minor League Baseball
August 5, 2025
San Diego Padres starting pitcher
Michael King (shoulder) may only end up making one rehab start and could have his next start be with the Padres, per manager Mike Shildt. King has been on the 60-day injured list since the end of May with right shoulder inflammation. He made his first rehab start on Sunday with Triple-A El Paso. However, Shildt said Monday, "I'm not going to put it in pen yet, but we'll put it in dark pencil that he's got a good chance to make his next start for the Padres." The 30-year-old had an outstanding 2024 season and was on his way to a solid 2025, going 4-2 with a 2.59 ERA, a 1.02 WHIP, and a 28.4% strikeout rate in 10 starts and 55 2/3 innings pitched. While his rehab start wasn't great, fantasy managers may be inclined to put him right back into their lineups once they get confirmation of his return.
--Connelly DoanSource: Jesse Borek - X.com
August 5, 2025
Detroit Tigers infield prospect John Peck was named Midwest League Player of the Week after going 9-for-17 to boost his season average to .308. The 23-year-old offers defensive versatility and intriguing power-speed upside, with 10 home runs and 16 stolen bases through 87 games. While his 25.9% strikeout rate remains a concern, Peck has shown the ability to produce despite the swing-and-miss. As he continues to develop, improving his plate discipline will be key. Still, Peck is emerging as a notable name in the Tigers' system and could climb prospect rankings if the bat holds.
--Shaun AlbinSource: West Michigan Whitecaps
August 5, 2025
Houston Astros starting pitcher
Spencer Arrighetti (thumb) is set to rejoin the big-league team and will start Wednesday's game against the Marlins, per Julia Morales. Arrighetti has been on the injured list since early April with a fractured thumb. The 25-year-old did not look great in his three rehab starts across Double-A Corpus Christi and Triple-A Sugar Land, compiling a 5.73 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP. However, he showed some fantasy promise in 2024, going 7-13 with a 4.53 ERA, a 1.41 WHIP, and a 27.1% strikeout rate in 145 innings pitched. Arrighetti only covered 11 IP in his three rehab starts, so fantasy managers should not be surprised if his pitch count is kept in check on Wednesday. The Marlins have hit well lately and Arrighetti's rehab production wasn't great, so fantasy managers may not want to slot him into their lineups right away.
--Connelly DoanSource: Julia Morales - X.com
August 5, 2025
Miami Marlins left-handed prospect Julio Mendez was named Florida State League Player of the Week after tossing five hitless innings with six strikeouts and two walks for Single-A Jupiter. The 20-year-old has struggled overall this season with a 4.52 ERA and 2-6 record, but he's now allowed just two earned runs across his last three starts. While the recent stretch is promising, Mendez will need to improve his 13.2% walk rate to stay on the radar. Still, the lefty is showing signs of progress and is worth monitoring in deeper dynasty leagues.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Jupiter Hammerheads
August 5, 2025
Chicago Cubs managers Craig Counsel said after Monday's 3-2 loss to the Reds that starting pitcher
Michael Soroka (shoulder) will be placed on the injured list, per ESPN's Jesse Rogers. Soroka, who made his first start with the Cubs Monday after being traded from the Nationals, pitched just two innings before exiting with right shoulder discomfort. The 28-year-old's 4.86 ERA has left something to be desired, but his underlying stats have suggested better performance, and his 1.13 WHIP and 9.72 K/9 rate are solid. Fantasy managers should wait for more news on how much time Soroka may miss, but this is a disappointing development overall.
--Connelly DoanSource: Jesse Rogers - X.com
August 5, 2025
Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop
Jordan Lawlar (hamstring) is set to take live batting practice Tuesday as he continues his recovery from a Grade 1 strain that has sidelined him since May 28. The 23-year-old top prospect struggled in his brief MLB stint earlier this season, going 0-for-19 with nine strikeouts over eight games. Arizona is expected to be cautious with his return, likely giving him time to regain confidence before a potential call-up. Fantasy managers in deeper or dynasty leagues should keep an eye on Lawlar's progress, as a strong rehab showing could pave the way for a late-season impact.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Alex Weiner
August 4, 2025
Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop
Mookie Betts will not be dropped in the batting order, reports Alden Gonzalez of ESPN. Manager Dave Roberts stated that there is no better alternative in his eyes, and he would rather keep the top of the lineup consistent rather than mix and match it every day. This is despite the 32-year-old's .664 OPS, which is nowhere close to the mark you'd expect from someone batting first and second every day. It has been a disappointing season overall for Betts, who got off to a rough start before the season even began with an illness that caused him to lose over 20 pounds. He said early in the season that he felt like this sapped his power, but he never was able to get things going even after recovering. There are still two months left in the season, and maybe the continued confidence is what he needs to finally become a star-caliber player again.
--Jeremy HeistSource: Alden Gonzalez
August 4, 2025
New York Yankees outfielder
Aaron Judge (elbow) could return from the injured list on Tuesday, reports Brendan Kuty of The Athletic. He has been on the 10-day IL since July 26 with a flexor strain in his right elbow. The plan is for the slugger to fly into Arlington on Monday night, where the Yankees will make the final decision on whether he is activated for Tuesday's contest against the Rangers. It's looking like the best-case scenario for the 33-year-old, who will have spent the minimum time on the shelf if he does make his return on Tuesday. He'll look to continue his sensational season, in which he is batting .342 with 37 home runs in 103 games, but he'll be eased into action in the DH role, which could push
Giancarlo Stanton to the outfield or the bench.
--Jeremy HeistSource: Brendan Kuty
August 4, 2025
Chicago Cubs starting pitcher
Michael Soroka (shoulder) left his start early on Monday with shoulder discomfort, reports Maddie Lee of The Chicago Sun-Times. He allowed one run over the first two innings, but did not return to the mound at the start of the third.
Ben Brown entered the game in his place, who would probably be the front-runner to step into the rotation if Soroka requires an extended absence. This certainly isn't what the Cubs wanted to see, as the 28-year-old was one of the few moves they made at the trade deadline, and he was expected to bolster their rotation depth. Expect more information to come out after the game regarding the severity of the injury.
--Jeremy HeistSource: Maddie Lee
August 4, 2025
New York Yankees outfielder
Austin Slater (hamstring) was pulled from Monday's contest with left-hamstring tightness, reports Brendan Kuty of The Athletic. He left the game after his first at-bat of the game, with
Jasson Dominguez coming in as the pinch runner. This is coming less than a week after Slater was dealt from the White Sox to the Yankees at the trade deadline. He was set to fill a platoon role with his new club as he excels against lefties, but New York may need to pivot to other plans if this injury lands the 32-year-old on the injured list. Expect an update on the severity of the injury sometime after the game.
--Jeremy HeistSource: Brendan Kuty
August 4, 2025
Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher
Nick Lodolo (finger) left his Monday start early with a blister on his left index finger. He got pulled after getting two outs in the second frame. Blisters aren't typically serious injuries but they can linger, and he has had blister issues previously in his career. The lefty hadn't allowed any base runners before leaving the game and looked to be on his way to another solid start. His ERA on the season sits at an excellent mark of 3.05, and hopefully this won't require him to miss any upcoming starts. If the 27-year-old does require a trip to the injured list,
Nick Martinez would be the frontrunner to step back into the rotation, as he was just recently moved to the bullpen.
--Jeremy HeistSource: Cincinnati Reds
August
4,
2025
Boston
Red
Sox
rookie
outfielder
Roman
Anthony
(back)
was
scratched
from
Monday's
series
opener
against
the
Kansas
City
Royals
with
mid-back
tightness,
according
to
the
team.
Wilyer
Abreu
entered
the
starting
lineup
in
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August 4, 2025
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that the team is "hopeful" that utility man
Enrique Hernandez (elbow) will return this year, but it's not guaranteed. Hernandez has been out since early July with left-elbow inflammation and may not be back with the Dodgers in 2025. The 33-year-old veteran has not resumed baseball activities, so he might merely be hoping that he can be an option for the club in the postseason in October as they look to win back-to-back rings. The news doesn't really matter for fantasy purposes, as Kike hasn't been of any help in a depth role this year for the Dodgers, hitting a mere .195/.259/.367 with a low .626 OPS, eight home runs, 22 RBI and 23 runs scored in only 169 at-bats. Rookie
Alex Freeland and newly-acquired outfielder
Alex Call will give the Dodgers additional infield and outfield depth with Hernandez potentially out the rest of the way.
--Keith HernandezSource: Dodger Blue - Matthew Moreno
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