August 20, 2025
San Diego Padres outfielder
Jackson Merrill (ankle) was out of the lineup for the third straight game on Wednesday as a result of a left-ankle strain. Merrill suffered the injury last Friday and has been out of commission since he left Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers early. While the Padres have avoided placing him on the 10-day injured list, manager Mike Shildt said Wednesday that "there is some bone bruising, which can take a while to heal." With that in mind, Merrill's status for the Padres' series against the Dodgers this weekend "appears questionable," according to Dennis Lin of The Athletic. If that's the case, the team may have to put him on the IL. Should Merrill go on the shelf on Thursday, the Padres would be able to backdate it to Aug. 18. The club should have an update on his status before Thursday's series finale against the San Francisco Giants.
--Connor ByrneSource: Dennis Lin - The Athletic
August 20, 2025
Los Angeles Angels closer
Kenley Jansen (ribs) is dealing with an injury to his ribs and won't be available against the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register reports. Jansen revealed that he injured himself in the gym on Sunday. The 37-year-old right-hander is unsure if he'll be able to return when the Angels open up a series against the Chicago Cubs on Friday. After surrendering two earned runs in one inning on Tuesday to take the loss against the Reds, Jansen owns a 3.00 ERA with a 1.08 WHIP, 48:16 K:BB, and 23 saves over 48 frames.
Ryan Zeferjahn and
Reid Detmers are the only other Angels relievers with more than one save this season (they have two apiece), so either could close in Jansen's absence.
--Connor ByrneSource: Jeff Fletcher - Orange County Register
August 20, 2025
Pittsburgh Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said infielder
Enmanuel Valdez (shoulder) will meet with his surgeon later in August and could be cleared to resume hitting soon after. Valdez had season-ending surgery in May for a dislocated left shoulder. He has already been playing catch from 90 feet, and the Pirates hope that he will be ready to play during winter ball or by October. The 26-year-old is a left-handed hitter, and the surgery to his left shoulder is of greater concern to his long-term outlook offensively. Although he has only 12 career home runs, Valdez has shown flashes of power and speed combo in the minors from 2021-2024 in both the Houston Astros and Boston Red Sox organizations.
--Dr. Reuven GuySource: Colin Beazley of The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
August 20, 2025
Texas Rangers right-hander
Cole Winn (hand) was placed on the injured list on Wednesday due to nerve irritation in his right hand. This issue may have factored into his poor relief performance on Tuesday against the Royals. Nerve issues in the hand could range from cervical (neck) radiculopathy to carpal tunnel syndrome. The 25-year-old will undergo further testing, and there is no timeline for his return at this time.
Jacob Latz was called up from Triple-A Round Rock in a corresponding move. Winn has pitched effectively out of the bullpen this year for the Rangers with 26 strikeouts over 31 innings and a very respectable 1.45 ERA and 1.00 WHIP.
--Dr. Reuven GuySource: Evan Grant
August 20, 2025
New York Mets outfielder
Jose Siri (tibia) is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment next week. The 30-year-old fouled a ball off his left shin back in April, fracturing his left tibia, limiting him to 10 games this season. Based on the amount of time he has missed, Siri is likely to need multiple rehab games before returning to the Mets' active roster. His role when he returns is murky at best, especially after
Cedric Mullins was acquired at this year's trade deadline. Siri could still be utilized as a defensive replacement and a pinch runner late in games, as he stole two bases this year and averaged 13 steals over the past three seasons.
--Dr. Reuven GuySource: Anthony Dicomo
August 20, 2025
Tampa Bay Rays outfielder
Jonny DeLuca (hamstring) has resumed a running progression. This is Deluca's second stint on the injured list, with the first being due to a shoulder injury. The Rays fully anticipate that DeLuca will return by the end of the season, and the fact that he's already running again is proof to back up this hope. When he returns, Deluca may be limited to an outfield platoon role. Deluca has been limited to only 20 games this year due to injury, but has played well when healthy. The 27-year-old was slashing .333/.356/.456 with six stolen bases before landing on the injured list. Fantasy managers with an IL spot in deep leagues can continue to stash him for now.
--Dr. Reuven GuySource: Marc Topkin
August 20, 2025
Texas Rangers right-hander
Chris Martin (calf) will try to go through PFPs (pitchers' fielding practice) before Wednesday's game against the Kansas City Royals. Martin tried this on August 13 but suffered a setback with his left calf strain and has been on the injured list since July 21. Martin is still likely to need at least a couple rehab appearances before being activated from the IL. When healthy, the 39-year-old is one of the higher leverage bullpen arms for the Rangers and is having a solid season with 36 strikeouts over 34 innings, a 2.36 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and two saves. Martin could be a candidate to close for the Rangers upon his return from the IL.
--Dr. Reuven GuySource: @evan_p_grant
August 20, 2025
Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher
Kyle Bradish (elbow) completed his rehab assignment on Wednesday, throwing 89 pitches over 4 2/3 innings for Triple-A Norfolk. Baltimore Orioles interim manager Tony Mansolino said a few days ago that he expects Bradish to be activated off the 60-day injured list and make his season debut early next week. Bradish has made six rehab starts, working his way through recovery from Tommy John surgery in June of 2024. Bradish pitched around 21 innings throughout his rehab assignment with a 4.67 ERA and 1.33 WHIP, while racking up 25 strikeouts and eight walks. Keep an eye on his control as he makes his season debut next week. Fantasy managers searching for pitcher help or need a streamer can add Bradish in deep leagues.
--Dr. Reuven GuySource: Jake Drill
August 20, 2025
Detroit Tigers pitcher
Alex Cobb (hip) has been sidelined all season while he recovers from inflammation in both his hips. On Tuesday, Cobb looked solid as he tossed three scoreless innings in a rehab start with Triple-A Toledo. At this stage in the season, Cobb will likely return as a reliever, assuming he returns at all in 2025. Tigers' manager A.J. Hinch said the team would like to keep Cobb stretched out to around 30-50 pitches. That being said, Cobb figures to return in a limited reliever or three-inning role if he plays this season. That might not be a bad idea for the Tigers as they would get a fairly fresh bullpen arm heading into the postseason. That also means Cobb basically has no fantasy value with a bullpen role.
--Andy WebbSource: The Detroit News
August 20, 2025
St. Louis Cardinals third baseman
Nolan Arenado (shoulder) is hopeful to resume hitting as early as Thursday or Friday. Arenado has been rehabbing a right shoulder injury that has kept him sidelined basically all of August. It doesn't sound like he's on the verge of returning, but swinging the bat is a good sign. He'll likely still need a rehab assignment before returning to the Cardinals lineup. That being said, Arenado probably won't be back until some point in September. If possible, fantasy managers should continue to hold Arenado on their IR until he's ready to return.
--Andy WebbSource: stltoday.com
August 20, 2025
Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher
Jose Soriano was placed on the paternity leave list on Wednesday. He's expected to miss a few days while he's with his family for the birth of his child. Currently, Soriano is scheduled to pitch against the Chicago Cubs on Saturday. If he's not available,
Chase Silseth will likely take the ball as he was recalled to take over Soriano's spot on the active roster. Soriano currently holds a 4.00 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, and a 130/64 K/BB ratio across 26 starts this season. He offers some low-end streaming appeal, assuming he's able to pitch this weekend.
--Andy WebbSource: Angels PR
August 20, 2025
San Diego Padres outfielder
Jackson Merrill (ankle) remains out of the starting lineup ahead of Wednesday's game against the San Francisco Giants. This marks the third game in a row that Merrill has missed due to an ankle injury. He tweaked his left ankle over the weekend, but it doesn't sound like he'll require a trip to the injured list. In his absence,
Ramon Laureano will take over in center field and bat fifth versus right-hander
Landen Roupp. Fantasy managers should check back on Thursday for another update on Merrill's status.
--Andy WebbSource: mlb.com
August 20, 2025
Texas Rangers catcher
Kyle Higashioka (hamstring) is back in the starting lineup ahead of Wednesday's game against the Kansas City Royals. Higashioka is back in the mix after missing each of the last four games due to a hamstring issue. He'll cover behind the plate and bat cleanup versus left-hander
Noah Cameron on Wednesday. Higashioka has been crushing the ball over the last month or so, which means he's a decent streaming choice for Wednesday's slate.
--Andy WebbSource: mlb.com
August 20, 2025
Tampa Bay Rays outfielder
Josh Lowe (oblique) is back in the starting lineup ahead of Wednesday's game against the New York Yankees. Lowe will return to the mix after missing each of the last three games due to right oblique tightness. The 27-year-old has been struggling at the plate this month, so maybe a few days off will help him get back on track. He'll cover right field and bat fifth versus right-hander
Cam Schlittler on Wednesday. Fantasy managers should make sure to get Lowe back in there ahead of first pitch.
--Andy WebbSource: lineups.com
August 20, 2025
Chicago White Sox rookie shortstop
Colson Montgomery (side) is back at shortstop and will hit fifth on Wednesday against the hosting Atlanta Braves and rookie right-hander
Hurston Waldrep. Montgomery was pulled from Monday's series opener at Truist Park early with left-side soreness, and he was held out of Tuesday's game as a result. The 23-year-old is back on Wednesday, though, and the White Sox will give fellow middle infielder
Chase Meidroth the day off.
Lenyn Sosa is starting at the keystone and is in the cleanup spot for Chicago. The former first-rounder isn't hitting for average (29-for-132) in his first 38 big-league games, but he's showed off his power stroke with 10 home runs, four doubles, a triple and 28 RBI in 145 plate appearances. Montgomery has fanned 42 times and walked only 11 times.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
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