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
August 4, 2025
The Los Angeles Dodgers placed infielder
Tommy Edman (ankle) on the 10-day injured list with a right-ankle sprain on Monday and activated third baseman
Max Muncy (knee) from the 10-day IL in a corresponding move, according to David Vassegh. Edman will head to the shelf after spraining his ankle in Sunday's win over the Tampa Bay Rays and might only have to miss the minimum of 10 days. Muncy will immediately take over at the hot corner for the Blue, although he could be eased back in since he hasn't played in the majors since July 2. The 30-year-old switch-hitting Edman really has been more of an asset in real life than in fantasy in 2025 in his second year in Hollywood. Edman has slashed a weak .228/.281/.396 with a career-worst .677 OPS, 12 homers, 44 RBI, 43 runs and only three stolen bases in 86 games.
--Keith HernandezSource: 570 LA Sports - David Vassegh
August
4,
2025
The
Los
Angeles
Dodgers
activated
third
baseman
Max
Muncy
(knee)
from
the
10-day
injured
list
on
Monday
and
placed
infielder
Tommy
Edman
(ankle)
on
the
10-day
IL
in
a
corresponding
move
read more...
August 4, 2025
Tampa Bay Rays rookie outfielder
Chandler Simpson (finger) remains out of the starting nine for Monday's series opener against the hosting Los Angeles Angels.
Jonny DeLuca is making another start in center field and will bat fifth against Angels left-hander
Yusei Kikuchi. Bally Sports' Ryan Bass reports that Simpson's index finger continues to progress, though, and he has felt better swinging the bat in the cages. The 24-year-old will test things out defensively before Monday's game against the Angels, but he should be ready to return to the lineup on Tuesday. The speedy Simpson is missing his fourth straight game but should return on Tuesday. The former second-rounder has made an immediate impact in all fantasy leagues in his rookie season, batting just under .300 with 32 steals in 65 games played.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
August 4, 2025
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher
Chris Sale (ribs) has been making progress towards a return to the mound, according to David O'Brien. He recently threw a bullpen session and is expected to face live hitters soon. After that, Sale could go on a minor league rehab assignment for a few starts. Sale is still two weeks away from being eligible to return from the 60-day injured list. The southpaw has been sidelined since mid-June due to a fractured left ribcage. It's unlikely that Sale will be able to return when first eligible because he'll need a rehab assignment. The hope is that Sale is able to return at some point in September, but fantasy managers probably won't get much out of him.
--Andy WebbSource: David O'Brien
August 4, 2025
Detroit Tigers starting pitcher
Reese Olson (shoulder) will avoid having surgery on his injured right shoulder, according to Cody Stavenhagen. The Tigers are still waiting for the final results on his most recent medical evaluation. They will wait until then before deciding on the next steps for Olson. The right-hander is expected to miss the rest of the regular season, but is hopeful to pitch in the postseason. Fantasy managers who were holding Olson can safely drop him.
--Andy WebbSource: Cody Stavenhagen
August 4, 2025
Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher
Grayson Rodriguez (elbow) officially won't take the mound during the 2025 season. The O's attempted to avoid surgery, but sadly that is the best route at this point. The right-hander is scheduled to undergo right elbow debridement surgery early next week, according to interim manager Tony Mansolino. The good news is, Rodriguez avoided having Tommy John surgery or anything UCL related. If everything goes well, Rodriguez should be ready for the beginning of the 2026 season. Fantasy managers who were stashing Rodriguez can safely drop him now.
--Andy WebbSource: Jacob Calvin Meyer
August 4, 2025
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder
Sal Frelick (knee) remains out of the starting lineup ahead of Monday's game against the Atlanta Braves. Frelick is set to miss his second straight game after exiting Saturday's game due to left knee soreness. The organization is hopeful to avoid a stint on the injured list, but they'll likely wait a few days to see how his knee responds.
Brandon Lockridge will get another start in right field during Monday's game. Fantasy managers will need to check back on Tuesday for another update on his status.
--Andy WebbSource: mlb.com
August 4, 2025
Houston Astros third baseman
Isaac Paredes (hamstring) will not undergo season-ending surgery and is hopeful to return to the field this season, according to general manager Dana Brown. Paredes recently received a PRP injection and will go the rest and rehab route instead of surgery. That being said, Paredes will attempt to resume baseball activities once the injection takes effect. It's worth noting that the Astros have added insurance at third base with
Ramon Urias and
Carlos Correa. Fantasy managers shouldn't count on getting anything out of Paredes this season. He still has a long way to go before getting back into game action.
--Andy WebbSource: Chandler Rome
August 4, 2025
St. Louis Cardinals infielder/outfielder
Brendan Donovan (personal) is back in the starting lineup ahead of Monday's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Donovan was scratched from the lineup on Sunday due to a personal matter. However, he has rejoined the team and is ready to play a day later. Donovan will cover second base and lead off against right-hander
Tyler Glasnow on Monday. Fantasy managers should adjust their lineups accordingly ahead of first pitch.
--Andy WebbSource: mlb.com
August 4, 2025
Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander
Johan Oviedo (lat) was activated from the 60-day injured list to make his season debut in Monday's series opener against the visiting San Francisco Giants at PNC Park. While the matchup is a nice one against the offensively-challenged Giants, fantasy managers will want to think twice before using Oviedo as a streamer after he missed all of 2024 due to Tommy John surgery and the first four months of this year with a right-lat strain. The 26-year-old will also likely be on a pitch count on Monday after he threw 62 pitches in his final minor-league rehab start. The Cuban hurler has a career 4.32 ERA and 1.39 WHIP with a below-average 19.6% strikeout rate and an elevated 10.8% walk rate as well. Oviedo showed some promising signs in 2023 but he was also plenty inconsistent, so fantasy managers shouldn't expect much to close out 2025.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
August 4, 2025
Texas Rangers third baseman
Josh Jung (calf) is back in the team's starting lineup for Monday's series opener against the visiting New York Yankees and left-hander
Max Fried and is serving as the designated hitter and is batting sixth. Jung will return to the starting nine after missing the last four games with calf soreness.
Josh Smith will remain at third base and will bat sixth. Fantasy managers will be hoping that the 27-year-old Jung can pick up where he left off after rejoining the big-league club following a demotion to the minors. Since his return to the Rangers, Jung is slashing .367/.424/.567 with two home runs in nine games. Jung has plenty of power from the right side but has had trouble making consistent contact and staying on the field for long stretches of time. When healthy, though, he's Texas' starting third baseman. He has a tough matchup on Monday against a lefty he's never faced.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
August 4, 2025
San Francisco Giants first baseman
Wilmer Flores (hamstring) remains absent for Monday's series opener against the hosting Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park.
Dominic Smith is serving as the designated hitter and is batting fifth, while
Rafael Devers is at first base and hitting second against Pirates right-hander
Johan Oviedo, who is making his first start of the season. This will be Flores' third straight missed start after he hurt his left hamstring on Friday against the New York Mets, but the 33-year-old veteran is expected to avoid a trip to the 10-day injured list. Smith has two hits in four career at-bats against Oviedo, while Devers has a solo home run in his two career at-bats against him. Flores has been one of the Giants' best run-producers with 59 RBI in 342 at-bats, but for fantasy purposes, he's pretty mediocre everywhere else with 12 homers and 36 runs in 97 games.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
August 4, 2025
New York Mets right-hander
Frankie Montas will make his next scheduled outing on Saturday against the Milwaukee Brewers, according to manager
Carlos Mendoza. However, Mets officials are discussing the possibility of using an opener in front of Montas this weekend, per MLB.com's Anthony DiComo. Montas got a late start to the 2025 season due to injury and hasn't been very good in his first seven starts for the Mets. The 32-year-old Dominican is currently sporting a 6.68 ERA (5.07 FIP) and 1.54 WHIP with 29 strikeouts and 10 walks over his 33 2/3 innings pitched. Montas has been roughed up early in games as well, so the Mets will be hoping he might be more effective if he doesn't start the game against the first-place Brew Crew on Saturday. Regardless of whether Montas is the traditional starter or bulk reliever this weekend, fantasy managers should be looking to stay away.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Anthony DiComo
August 4, 2025
Baltimore Orioles outfielder
Tyler O'Neill (illness) is serving as the designated hitter and is batting fifth for Monday's series opener in Philadelphia against the Phillies and left-hander
Jesus Luzardo.
Jeremiah Jackson will make his fourth straight start and will be in right field and in the six-hole. A minor illness kept O'Neill out on Saturday and Sunday against the Chicago Cubs, but he'll return for the first game of a new series in Philly. The Canadian power/speed threat has struggled with injuries in his first year in Baltimore and has played in just 41 games, going 29-for-138 (.210) with only seven home runs and 21 RBI in 159 plate appearances. He's been a big disappointment for fantasy managers after he reached the 30-homer mark for the second time in his career with Boston in 2024. O'Neill has only faced Luzardo twice in his career but has a hit and an RBI.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Jake Rill
RADIO
