August 21, 2025
Texas Rangers second baseman
Marcus Semien (foot) left Thursday's series finale early against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium with a left-foot contusion after fouling a ball off of himself in the first inning, according to Kennedi Landry of MLB.com. Semien tried to stay in the game before ultimately being pinch hit for during his second plate appearance in the third inning. The 34-year-old veteran struck out in his only trip to the plate on the day. The Rangers will likely send Semien for X-rays, and if they are negative, he could return for Friday's series opener at home against the Cleveland Guardians. If it's a serious injury that requires Semien to go on the injured list, fantasy managers should expect utility man
Josh Smith to take over at second base. He is showing his age in 2025 and is hitting .230 (108-for-469) with 15 homers, 62 RBI, 62 runs and 11 steals in 126 games.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Kennedi Landry
August
21,
2025
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August 21, 2025
The Atlanta Braves announced on Thursday that third baseman
Austin Riley (abdomen) will miss the remainder of the 2025 season after undergoing surgery on his core that was performed by Dr. William Meyers in Philadelphia. Riley is expected to return for spring training next year. The 28-year-old tried to return from his abdominal injury but was unable to do so, so he'll end the 2025 campaign with a .260/.309/.428 slash line, 16 home runs, 54 RBI, 54 runs scored and two stolen bases in 102 games in his seventh MLB season. The two-time All-Star also missed a big chunk of the 2024 season due to injury and has become a high-risk/high-reward power-hitting third baseman in an Atlanta offense that could very easily rebound in 2026 with better health. With Riley officially out the rest of the way, expect
Nacho Alvarez Jr. to see most of the action at third base for the Braves.
--Keith HernandezSource: Atlanta Braves
August 21, 2025
The Boston Red Sox are placing outfielder
Wilyer Abreu (calf) on the 10-day injured list on Thursday with a calf injury, sources tell Mass Live's Chris Cotillo. Abreu injured his right calf in Sunday's series finale against the Miami Marlins and will now be forced to miss a little more time. In a corresponding move, the BoSox called up one of their top prospects from Triple-A Worcester in outfielder
Jhostynxon Garcia. However, the outfield prospect won't make his first MLB start in Thursday's divisional clash in the Bronx against the New York Yankees.
Roman Anthony will play right field and hit leadoff, with
Ceddanne Rafaela in center field and batting seventh. The left-handed-hitting Abreu has been relevant in mixed fantasy leagues in his third year in the big leagues, as he's already hit a career-high 22 homers with 69 RBI, six steals and a .253/.325/.486 slash line in 108 games played.
--Keith HernandezSource: MassLive.com - Chris Cotillo
August 21, 2025
Cincinnati Reds pitching prospect
Zach Maxwell is getting called up from Triple-A Louisville for what will be his major league debut whenever he enters a game. The Reds' 24th-ranked prospect owned a 4.17 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, and struck out 26.8 percent of batters he faced for the Bats, but looked even better as of late. The 6-foot-6 hurler recorded a 1.62 ERA and struck out 36.5 percent of batters over his last 16 games, although his WHIP remained elevated due to a 17.6 percent walk rate, something that has plagued him throughout his minor league career. Maxwell will likely fill a middle relief role for the Reds, and with some concerns about walks, there is little reason to roster him in fantasy leagues.
--Jarod RuppSource: Chase Ford
August 21, 2025
Cleveland Guardians pitching prospect Josh Hartle was promoted to Double-A Akron on Thursday following a successful 22 games at High-A. The Guardians' 25th-ranked prospect posted a 2.35 ERA and 1.05 WHIP, both of which led the Midwest League, and he also recorded a 15.1 percent K-BB% in 22 starts for the Captains. The 2024 third-rounder, who was once projected to be a first-rounder before heading to Wake Forest, will now get a shot at some tougher competition at the next level. The 22-year-old's 8.71 K/9 leaves a bit to be desired in fantasy terms, but perhaps it is something that can be improved upon as he progresses through the minors in his first season with Cleveland, having come over from Pittsburgh's organization in a trade.
--Jarod RuppSource: Lake County Captains
August 21, 2025
Boston Red Sox outfield prospect
Jhostynxon Garcia continued his quick rise through Boston's ranks on Thursday, which culminated in his expected promotion to the big-league club from Triple-A Worcester. Boston's third-ranked prospect began 2025 at Double-A, and after 33 games there, he earned a promotion to Worcester, where the right-handed slugger slashed .303/.367/.564 with 17 home runs in 66 games. A 27.5 percent strikeout rate at that level is worth noting, but it may not matter so long as he can keep delivering home runs (and potentially a decent average) for the Red Sox. The 22-year-old will take the place of
Wilyer Abreu (calf), who is expected to be placed on the 10-day injured list, and assuming he can garner regular at-bats, the Venezuelan would be worthy of a roster spot in deep 12-team fantasy leagues.
--Jarod RuppSource: Tommy Cassell
August 21, 2025
Colorado Rockies rookie first baseman
Warming Bernabel (face) was scratched from the starting lineup for Thursday's series finale against the division-rival Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field for precautionary reasons after being hit in the face with a throw during pre-game infield drills.
Kyle Farmer will now man first base and bat seventh against Dodgers left-hander
Clayton Kershaw, while catcher
Hunter Goodman will also draw back into the lineup as the designated hitter out of the three-hole. The 23-year-old Bernabel figures to be back in action for Friday's series opener against the Pirates in Pittsburgh. The Dominican corner infielder has been one of the club's few bright spots this year since being called up. In his first 90 major-league at-bats, Bernabel has 28 hits, four home runs, 13 RBI and 13 runs scored.
--Keith HernandezSource: Rockies Club Information
August 21, 2025
New York Mets infielder/outfielder
Jeff McNeil (shoulder) is dealing with right-shoulder soreness, which bothers him mostly when he's throwing, according to MLB.com's Anthony DiComo. It's the reason why McNeil is not in Thursday's starting lineup against the division-rival Washington Nationals.
Brett Baty is starting at second base and will bat sixth against Nationals left-hander
MacKenzie Gore. It sounds like the 33-year-old McNeil shouldn't need a trip to the injured list with an injury that has been bothering him since last week, but it's possible that he'll be eased back in as the designated hitter, possibly for Friday's series opener against the division-rival Atlanta Braves on the road. McNeil hasn't looked like a former batting champion in 2025, but he's looked his best in August, going 20-for-67 (.299) with a homer, six doubles, eight RBI and nine runs scored in 17 games played.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Anthony DiComo
August 21, 2025
San Francisco Giants pitching prospect
Joel Peguero has been called up to the majors from Triple-A Sacramento for what will be his big league debut whenever he enters a game. The 28-year-old's numbers at Triple-A weren't pretty, recording a 5.10 ERA (4.78 FIP), 1.61 WHIP, and a 12.0 percent K-BB% in 42 1/3 innings of relief, but he can hit triple-digits with his fastball and had pitched better as of late. The 5-foot-11 Dominican posted a 2.33 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, and a 21.3 percent K-BB% over his last 12 appearances (19 1/3 IP). The right-hander will likely fill a middle relief role for the Giants, though, and unless he's thrust into a high-leverage role, he doesn't warrant grabbing off the waiver wire.
--Jarod RuppSource: Susan Slusser
August 21, 2025
The Tampa Bay Rays placed shortstop
Ha-Seong Kim (back) on the 10-day injured list on Thursday with back stiffness and are calling up top infield prospect
Carson Williams from Triple-A Durham in a corresponding move, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Kim was scratched from Wednesday night's game against the New York Yankees and will now miss the next week and a half as well with yet another injury. The 29-year-old didn't make his debut with the Rays this year until July 4 after recovering from offseason surgery, and he's been banged up with other injuries as well ever since his return. Kim has played in only 29 games in his first year in Tampa and is sporting a weak .214/.290/.321 slash line with two homers, five RBI and six stolen bases. The Rays haven't released their lineup for Thursday's game against St. Louis, but expect Williams to be at the 6.
--Keith HernandezSource: Tampa Bay Times - Marc Topkin
August 21, 2025
San Diego Padres outfielder
Jackson Merrill (ankle) will sit out of Thursday's series finale against the division-rival San Francisco Giants at Petco Park.
Ramon Laureano will get another start in center field and will bat seventh against Giants right-hander
Justin Verlander. Merrill will end up missing the entire four-game series against the Gigantes due to a bone bruise in his left ankle that he suffered in last weekend's series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The hope is that the 22-year-old will be available this weekend for another crucial series against L.A., but if he isn't, a stint on the injured list could be coming. An extended absence for Merrill would mean more playing time for
Gavin Sheets, who homered twice in Wednesday night's victory. Laureano has been money since joining the Friars at the trade deadline, hitting .324 (22-for-68) with four homers, 12 RBI and 12 runs in 18 games.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
August 21, 2025
Tampa Bay Rays shortstop prospect
Carson Williams is getting called up for his major-league debut. The Rays' top-ranked prospect (MLB No. 47) is an elite defender, but also brings both power and speed on the offensive side. The former first-round draft pick belted 23 home runs in 111 games at Triple-A Durham this season, including five in his last 10 contests, and he stole 22 bases, but struggled to put the bat on the ball consistently this year. He was batting a paltry .213 with a high 34.1 percent strikeout rate and a 17.2 percent swinging-strike rate. It's hard to imagine those things getting better in the majors, but for fantasy managers looking for a potential power boost, the 22-year-old is worth a flier in deep leagues.
--Jarod RuppSource: Jeff Passan
August 21, 2025
New York Mets outfielder
Brandon Nimmo (neck) will take a seat for Thursday's divisional clash against the Washington Nationals in D.C.
Tyrone Taylor will get the nod in left field and will hit seventh in the batting order against Nationals left-hander
MacKenzie Gore. Nimmo will be left out of the starting lineup after leaving Tuesday's contest early with neck stiffness. It's something to keep an eye on for the 32-year-old, as neck issues have cropped up for him in the past. While Nimmo is day-to-day for now, this has a higher probability of turning into a trip to the injured list. Check back to see if he's available to play in Friday's series opener against the division-rival Atlanta Braves. For what it's worth, the Mets are hopeful Nimmo will be able to play this weekend. Taylor hasn't had much success against Gore, hitting .182 against him in 11 at-bats, although he does have a solo homer.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
August 21, 2025
Colorado Rockies rookie infielder
Kyle Karros (back) is out of the starting lineup for Thursday's series finale against the division-rival Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field.
Orlando Arcia is starting at the hot corner and will bat eighth against Dodgers left-hander
Clayton Kershaw. Back tightness will keep Karros out of action for the second straight day, but hopefully the 23-year-old will be able to return for Friday's series opener in Pittsburgh against the Pirates. The son of former Dodgers first baseman Eric Karros has held his own in his first 37 big-league at-bats for the last-place Rockies, recording 10 hits, a homer, five RBI and 10 runs scored. With the Rockies yet again playing out the string in the second half, Karros should continue to see regular playing time if he can get over his back injury. Arcia is a light-hitting infielder who has gone 2-for-10 in his career against Kershaw.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
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