August 14, 2025
Atlanta Braves outfielder
Ronald Acuna Jr. (calf) will come off the 10-day injured list and play Friday if "he wakes up feeling good," according to MLB.com. Acuna has already traveled with the Braves to Cleveland to prepare for his return against the Guardians. The 27-year-old superstar went on the IL with a calf strain on July 30, but fortunately, he incurred a low-grade injury and is set to rejoin Atlanta's lineup after two weeks on the shelf. Since making his season debut on May 23, Acuna has slashed .306/.429/.577 with 14 homers, 26 RBI, 48 runs scored, and four stolen bases in 238 plate appearances. Fantasy managers will be thrilled to welcome him back for the stretch run.
--Connor ByrneSource: MLB.com
August 14, 2025
Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander
Roki Sasaki (shoulder) had a rough time in his first Triple-A rehab start on Thursday. The Dodgers were hoping Sasaki would go three innings, but he lasted just two frames and allowed three earned runs on six hits (all singles) with a walk and no strikeouts. Sasaki threw 25 of 41 pitches for strikes and sat 93-94 mph on his fastball after touching 97 during a recent sim game, according to Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register. The rookie from Japan went on the IL with a shoulder impingement on May 13 after posting a 4.72 ERA with a 1.49 WHIP and 24:22 K:BB in his first eight starts and 34 1/3 innings in the majors. The Dodgers are hopeful that Sasaki will return in late August or early September, but in the meantime, he'll aim for better results as he continues rehabbing in the minors.
--Connor ByrneSource: Bill Plunkett - Orange County Register
August 14, 2025
Injured Colorado Rockies designated hitter
Kris Bryant (back) will not return this season, according to Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post. Bryant appeared in 11 games this year, none since April 12, and hit a ghastly .154/.195/.205 in 41 plate appearances before going on the injured list with lumbar degenerative disk disease in his back. Bryant has tried rehabbing the injury, but to no avail, and he has sought experimental treatments to avoid undergoing fusion surgery. If Bryant opts for the surgery, it could prevent him from playing again. Once among the game's premier players and a former MVP, Bryant's career has gone off the rails since he signed a seven-year, $182 million contract with the Rockies in 2022. Injuries have limited the 33-year-old to just 170 games since then, and he has only managed a .244/.324/.370 line with 17 home runs and 61 RBI in 712 plate appearances.
--Connor ByrneSource: Patrick Saunders - Denver Post
August 14, 2025
Minnesota Twins right-hander
Pablo Lopez (shoulder) will throw two innings of live batting practice on Friday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports. It'll be Lopez's sixth time throwing off a mound since he went on the injured list in early June with a right teres major strain. The injury interrupted an impressive start to 2025 for Lopez, who has gone 5-3 with a 2.82 ERA, a 1.07 WHIP, and 61:14 K:BB across 60 2/3 innings. Lopez was expected to miss eight to 12 weeks when he went down, so he should return soon if he avoids setbacks.
--Connor ByrneSource: Dan Hayes - The Athletic
August 14, 2025
San Diego Padres starting pitcher
Randy Vasquez was recalled from Triple-A El Paso on Thursday. He'll take the roster spot of
Michael King (knee) who was placed on the 15-day injured list. Vasquez hasn't pitched in the MLB since he allowed five runs in a short four-inning outing on August 3. He figures to start in King's place on Friday or pitch the bulk of the innings if the Padres decide to go with an opener. Vasquez isn't a recommended streaming choice versus the tough Dodgers lineup.
--Andy WebbSource: Alden Gonzalez
August 14, 2025
Chicago Cubs starting pitcher
Matthew Boyd was excellent on the mound throughout most of Thursday's outing against the Toronto Blue Jays. Boyd had a shutout going into the seventh inning until
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. blasted a two-run home run off him. The Cubs couldn't put up much offense during this game, so sadly Boyd will take the loss. He threw seven innings, allowing two earned runs on two hits while striking out five batters. His next time on the mound will be an important divisional game against the Milwaukee Brewers next week.
--Andy WebbSource: mlb.com
August 14, 2025
Chicago Cubs outfielder
Owen Caissie struggled at the plate during his MLB debut against the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday. It wasn't an easy first game for Caissie who faced off against right-hander
Max Scherzer to begin the game. Caissie smacked a nice liner to the outfield, but
Davis Schneider made a great diving catch to save what would've likely been a double. Caissie finished this game 0-for-4 without any other noteworthy at-bats. It's unclear if Caissie will be in the lineup again on Friday, but figures to get regular playing time in Chicago.
--Andy WebbSource: mlb.com
August 14, 2025
Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher
Max Scherzer was outstanding on the mound during Thursday's outing against the Chicago Cubs. Scherzer threw five shutout innings before allowing a solo home run off the bat of
Michael Busch. Despite that, Scherzer still worked deep into this game and helped his team get the win. He tossed seven innings, allowing one earned run on five hits, while striking out three batters. Scherzer gave up a leadoff double to begin the eighth, so the Blue Jays decided to change pitchers despite him only being at 78 pitches. His next start will come in a favorable matchup against the Pirates in Pittsburgh.
--Andy WebbSource: mlb.com
August 14, 2025
San Diego Padres starting pitcher
Michael King (knee) has been placed on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to Aug. 11. Well, this is frustrating, as King was only able to make one start in the rotation before heading back to the injured list. He was prviously out since May due to a right-shoulder injury. At least this time it's not an arm issue, so hopefully King won't be out longer than the two weeks. In a corresponding move, right-hander
Randy Vasquez has been recalled to take the spot on the active roster. Vasquez figures to take King's spot in the rotation, so he'll probably draw the start against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday.
--Andy WebbSource: San Diego Padres
August 14, 2025
Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher
Aaron Nola (ribs, ankle) is scheduled to come off the 60-day injured list and take the mound against the Washington Nationals on Sunday. Nola has been out since the middle of May due to an ankle issue. The right-hander would later suffer a ribs issue. After three rehab outings, Nola appears ready to get back on the mound for the Phillies. Fantasy managers should make sure to get Nola active and back into their lineups ahead of this one. It's worth noting that the Phillies plan to move to a six-man rotation now. That will help keep their starters rested for the postseason, but also mean less starts for Nola down the stretch.
--Andy WebbSource: Scott Lauber
August 14, 2025
Los Angeles Angels right-handed reliever
Robert Stephenson (biceps) will start a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Salt Lake on Thursday night, according to Angels PR. Stephenson is nearing a return to the big-league bullpen after being out since the end of May with right-biceps inflammation. The 32-year-old did not pitch at all in 2024 due to injury and only tossed one inning earlier this year before going on the injured list, so the Halos certainly won't be rushing the veteran reliever back. However, barring a setback with his biceps, Stephenson figures to bolster the Angels' bullpen before the end of August.
Kenley Jansen is locked into the team's closer role, but Stephenson could be pitching in high-leverage, late-inning situations before the end of the season. In his last full season with the Rays and Pirates in 2023, he had a 3.10 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, one save and a 77:16 K:BB in 52 1/3 innings.
--Keith HernandezSource: Angels PR
August 14, 2025
Athletics rookie shortstop
Jacob Wilson (forearm) will start a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Las Vegas on Saturday, per MLB.com's Martin Gallegos. Wilson has already started baseball activities as he works his way back from a left-forearm fracture that has kept him out since late July. Barring a setback for the 23-year-old on his rehab assignment with the Aviators, he could rejoin the major-league roster next week. Until then, expect Darrell Hernaiz to continue serving as the club's primary shortstop. Despite having one of the slowest swings in the big leagues, Wilson is among the most difficult to strike out and made his first All-Star team in 2025. The former sixth overall pick in 2023 out of Grand Canyon University has been fortunate to have a .312 batting average (115-for-369) when looking at his xBA of .284, and he only has 10 home runs and 45 RBI for the young A's.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Martin Gallegos
August 14, 2025
Cleveland Guardians left-hander
John Means (elbow) is scheduled to make a minor-league rehab start for High-A Lake County on Friday and will throw three innings, according to Tim Stebbins of MLB.com. It's a big step for Means, who will be pitching in his first game since having a second Tommy John surgery in June of 2024. The 32-year-old southpaw is going to probably need a handful of starts in the minors, but if he can avoid a setback, it's possible that he could be a starting-rotation option for the Guards in September as they look to get into the postseason. For fantasy purposes, managers shouldn't be expecting Means to make any kind of impact. Means made his only All-Star squad in his second year in the big leagues with Baltimore in 2019 and has yet to do much since. He has started only 10 games in the big leagues since the start of 2022 due to injuries.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Tim Stebbins
August 14, 2025
New York Mets catcher
Francisco Alvarez and outfielder/designated hitter
Starling Marte will both get the day off for Thursday's contest against the division-rival Atlanta Braves at Citi Field.
Luis Torrens will be behind the plate and hit ninth, while
Ronny Mauricio will serve as the DH and bat out of the seven-hole against Braves right-hander
Bryce Elder. It's a good day for Alvarez to take off after going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts in another disappointing loss on Wednesday. Marte has been swinging it well of late and is currently riding a modest four-game hitting streak (7-for-17 with two homers). Since returning from a stay in the minors, Alvarez has swung it well, going 14-for-50 (.280) with three home runs, four doubles, a triple and eight RBI in 17 games played since July 21. Neither Torrens nor Mauricio have ever faced Elder in their careers.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
August 14, 2025
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that the chances of right-handed reliever
Brusdar Graterol (shoulder) pitching this year are "slim." Graterol is at the team's spring training facilities in Arizona but hasn't resumed throwing as he continues to rehab from surgery that he had last November for a torn labrum in his right shoulder. The 26-year-old has been out all season and probably isn't going to be an option to help a beleaguered Dodgers bullpen down the stretch and into the postseason. The Venezuelan hurler had a combined 11 saves in 2022 and 2023 in L.A. but has managed to pitch in just seven big-league games the last two seasons, making him a non-tender candidate this winter. Graterol has a decent 2.78 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in his six major-league seasons, but it has also come with a strikeout rate under 20%.
--Keith HernandezSource: Los Angeles Times - Mike DiGiovanna
RADIO
