August 16, 2025
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander
Bowden Francis (shoulder) has begun throwing while rehabbing at the team's Florida complex. It's unclear as to how far he has been able to throw, but it's good news nonetheless that he has progressed to this point. He plans on ramping up his distance thrown and pitch count, but he is still in the early stages of his recovery. The next step forward in his recovery would be completing moundwork. How quickly he progresses will be closely monitored, given that he suffered a setback with discomfort on July 18. Fantasy managers will want to keep him on the waiver wire in all redraft leagues because even if he does return, his role is largely unknown.
--Dave Funnell - RotoBallerSource: Arden Zwelling
August 16, 2025
The Pittsburgh Pirates have yet to announce their starter for Sunday, but it won't be
Bubba Chandler. The 22-year-old right-hander will remain in Triple-A, where he's scheduled to start tonight. Many expected Chandler to make his MLB debut this weekend, but the Pirates are opting for more development time. The hard-throwing prospect owns a 5-5 record with a 3.82 ERA and a strong 27.6% strikeout rate this season. While fantasy managers will need to remain patient, Chandler remains one of the system's most exciting arms and could debut late this year or open 2026 in the rotation.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Noah Hiles
August 16, 2025
Seattle Mariners prospect
Harry Ford launched a 411-foot homer on Friday, bringing his total to 15 on the year. The 22-year-old has impressed at Triple-A with a strong plate approach, walking at a 15.3% rate while keeping his strikeouts at just 18.9%. Ford is slashing .294/.412/.479 this season and looks ready for the next step. However, with
Cal Raleigh entrenched as Seattle's starting catcher, Ford's MLB debut may not come until 2026. Dynasty managers should already be stashing him, as his on-base skills and power make him a premium long-term asset.
--Shaun AlbinSource: MLB Pipeline
August 16, 2025
Boston Red Sox starter
Kutter Crawford (wrist) is recovering well from the surgery that he had on his right wrist back on July 2, which was a procedure that ended his season. He anticipates that he will be throwing by October, leading to the hope that he will be ready by Spring Training. It has been a rough year for Crawford, who will end up not pitching at all in 2025. Following a breakout season in 2024, where he finished with a 4.36 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP, he started the season on the injured list with right patellar tendiopathy. While he was rehabbing, the right-hander injured himself with an off-field incident while doing yardwork at home. His progress this offseason will be something to monitor, as he could be an option late in 2026 drafts.
--Dave Funnell - RotoBallerSource: Jen McCaffrey
August 16, 2025
Miami Marlins shortstop prospect Aiva Arquette launched his first professional home run Friday in just his eighth game with High-A Beloit. The seventh overall pick in June's draft, Arquette already ranks as the organization's No. 2 prospect. At 6'5", he brings rare size and raw power to the shortstop position, with legitimate 30-homer upside. While he's currently being developed exclusively at short, his defensive versatility could provide multiple paths to the majors. Arquette will be a premium dynasty prospect this offseason and should come off the board early in prospect drafts.
--Shaun AlbinSource: MLB Pipeline
August 16, 2025
Boston Red Sox catcher
Carlos Narvaez (knee) has been battling knee soreness of late, which is the reason for his absence from the lineup earlier in the week. While he did return to play on Friday night, he was absent from Saturday's lineup, giving way to the possibility that he could be fatigued or still suffering from recurring soreness. Since the All-Star Break, the 26-year-old has struggled at the plate to the tune of a .130/.161/.296 slash line over 16 games played. It remains to be seen if additional rest can lead to a better approach at the plate. He can stay on the waiver wire in most fantasy leagues.
--Dave Funnell - RotoBallerSource: Jen McCaffrey
August
16,
2025
Pittsburgh
Pirates
interim
manager
Don
Kelly
said
that
left-hander
Andrew
Heaney
will
pitch
out
of
the
bullpen
for
the
rest
of
the
year,
according
to
Noah
Hiles
of
Pittsburgh
PG.
It
read more...
August 16, 2025
Pittsburgh Pirates prospect
Konnor Griffin stayed hot Friday, going 1-for-3 with a single, a run scored, and two stolen bases. The 19-year-old now has 58 steals on the season across two levels and continues to flash his five-tool skill set. Since his promotion to High-A Greensboro, Griffin is slashing .319/.429/.508 with seven home runs in 49 games. The Jackson, Mississippi native is one of the fastest risers in dynasty formats and should already be rostered in long-term leagues. While his MLB debut likely won't come until 2027 at the earliest, Griffin profiles as a high-upside dynasty asset.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Young Bucs
August 16, 2025
Seattle Mariners first baseman
Josh Naylor (illness) is feeling better and is starting at first base and batting cleanup for Saturday's tilt against the hosting New York Mets and rookie right-hander
Nolan McLean, who will be making his major-leagu debut. Naylor was under the weather and did not play in Friday's series opener at Citi Field, but the 28-year-old left-handed slugger is back in there now and hitting in the heart of Seattle's batting order. The Canadian first baseman should be returned to starting fantasy lineups against the rookie right-hander on Saturday. It's been a strong season for Naylor, although he does have only 15 home runs in 414 at-bats. Since the Mariners acquired him from the Arizona Diamondbacks, he's gone 19-for-65 (.292) with four home runs, 10 RBI, 11 stolen bases and 11 runs scored in 18 games.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
August 16, 2025
Texas Rangers second baseman
Marcus Semien (wrist) is out of the starting lineup for Saturday's contest against the hosting Toronto Blue Jays after he was hit by a pitch on his wrist in Friday night's game, according to Shawn McFarland of th Dallas Morning News. Semien said he woke up on Saturday and his wrist was swollen, so he will go for X-rays.
Ezequiel Duran will start at the keystone and bat eighth on Saturday against Blue Jays left-hander
Eric Lauer. It's the first time that Semien has been out since April, and depending on his X-ray results, this could result in a trip to the injured list for the 34-year-old veteran. Fantasy managers need to prepare for that possibility. Semien has been a disappointment in 2025 and has hit just .157 (8-for-51) with a homer, two doubles, six RBI and seven strikeouts in 13 games in August.
--Keith HernandezSource: Dallas Morning News - Shawn McFarland
August 16, 2025
The Toronto Blue Jays activated outfielder
George Springer (concussion) from the seven-day concussion injured list on Saturday and optioned outfielder
Joey Loperfido to Triple-A Buffalo in a corresponding move, according to Mitch Bannon of The Athletic. Springer will jump right back into the starting lineup for Saturday's contest against the visiting Texas Rangers and left-hander
Patrick Corbin, as he's serving as the designated hitter and batting leadoff at Rogers Centre. Fantasy managers will want to get Springer back in their lineups immdiately this weekend, as he's having a resurgent 2025 campaign and has hit .364 with a 1.112 OPS, one home run and five RBI in 11 career at-bats against Corbin. However, he has hit only .225 (20-for-89) with six of his 18 home runs on the year against left-handed pitchers.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Mitch Bannon
August 16, 2025
Third baseman
Gio Urshela was designated for assignment by the Athletics on Friday, per the team. Infielder
Brett Harris was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas as the corresponding move. Urshela struggled in 197 plate appearances for the Athletics in 2025, recording a .236/.287/.326 slash line with zero home runs, 20 RBI, and 10 runs scored. The 33-year-old posted his highest strikeout rate (20.3%) since 2021, and his lowest barrel rate (2.1%) since 2017. Urshela is known as a strong defender at third base, but has posted subpar defensive metrics in 2025 as well. He may catch on with a different club for the stretch run, but he should remain off the fantasy radar.
--Will BradySource: A's Communications
August 16, 2025
Veteran right-hander
Paul Blackburn has been designated for assignment by the New York Mets, according to MLB.com's Anthony DiComo. Blackburn's release from the 40-man roster will clear a spot for right-hander
Nolan McLean, who is scheduled to make his MLB debut on Saturday against the Seattle Mariners. The 31-year-old Blackburn threw 23 2/3 innings for New York this season, recording a 0-3 record with a 6.85 ERA, 1.65 WHIP, and 18 strikeouts. He has been an effective innings eater at certain points in his career, but has struggled with both injuries and ineffectiveness in 2025.
--Will BradySource: MLB.com - Anthony DiComo
August 16, 2025
Boston Red Sox right-handed pitcher
Tanner Houck (elbow) is scheduled to undergo Tommy John Surgery on Monday. The 29-year-old suffered a right flexor pronator strain in the middle of May and has been on the Injured List ever since. He had been making gains in the summer, going so far as to complete a long rehab assignment. However, before being reinstated from the Injured List, Houck suffered a setback. It was here that the decision was made for Tommy John Surgery. This procedure will cost him the rest of this season and possibly all of the 2026 season, though he is hopeful to pitch at some point. With no guarantee that he will return next season, he is someone who can remain on the waiver wire in all leagues.
--Dave Funnell - RotoBallerSource: Marc Cerullo
August 16, 2025
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher
Cole Ragans (shoulder) threw a 20-pitch bullpen on Friday and had "no pain, no restrictions in (his) delivery," per Anne Rogers of MLB.com. Ragans has been on the injured list since early June due to a rotator cuff strain. The 27-year-old left-hander will need at least a few rehab appearances to fully build back up, so he's still a ways off from returning to the big-league mound. However, it's a positive sign that Ragans was able to throw for the first time since suffering the injury without suffering any setbacks. Assuming Ragans is able to keep progressing in the coming weeks, he could be on track to rejoin the Royals in mid-to-late September.
--Will BradySource: MLB.com - Anne Rogers
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