August 17, 2025
Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski plans to name the team's starting quarterback ahead of their preseason finale, using the final week as a dress rehearsal for Week 1. The decision comes amidst a four-way battle between rookie quarterbacks
Shedeur Sanders (oblique), Dillon Gabriel,
Kenny Pickett (hamstring), and veteran
Joe Flacco. Flacco, who has not yet made his preseason debut, is currently the leader for the job as injuries have sidelined both Pickett, Gabriel, and Sanders at various points this preseason. Gabriel put up serviceable numbers this week, going 13 for 18 for 143 yards and an interception in the team's 22-13 preseason win over the Eagles. Sanders impressed in the first game with two touchdowns before suffering his injury. Whoever is named Cleveland’s starting quarterback is mainly a late option in superflex leagues.
--Don FanelliSource: Adam Schefter
August 17, 2025
Boston Red Sox outfield prospect
Jhostynxon Garcia tallied a four-hit night on Saturday, going 4-for-4 with four RBI and a run scored for Triple-A Worcester. Boston's third-ranked prospect (MLB No. 78) is now 8-for-14 (.571) with a double, a home run, six RBI, and five runs scored over his last three games, and is now slashing .292/.366/.520 for the season with 20 home runs between Double-A and Triple-A. With his big power, the 22-year-old also has an elevated strikeout rate of 27.3 percent through 64 games at Worcester, which is something to keep an eye on, although it may not be an issue so long as he's hitting home runs. The Venezuelan could see a late-season call-up if he continues to produce, but if not, he looks like a lock to debut in 2026.
--Jarod RuppSource: MiLB.com
August 17, 2025
The Houston Texans have traded wide receiver
John Metchie III and a 2026 sixth-round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for tight end
Harrison Bryant and a 2026 fifth-round pick. Metchie, a former second-round pick, is entering his third season after missing his entire rookie year while battling leukemia. The 25-year-old receiver struggled to earn a consistent role in the Texans' passing game, finishing his time in Houston with 40 receptions for 412 yards and one touchdown in 29 games. Metchie will now look to earn a spot on the Eagles' depth chart behind wideouts
A.J. Brown,
DeVonta Smith, and
Jahan Dotson.
--Don FanelliSource: Jordan Schultz
August 17, 2025
Cleveland Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said he is "hopeful" quarterbacks
Kenny Pickett (hamstring) and
Shedeur Sanders (oblique) will increase their practice participation this week as they recover from injuries. Pickett, who has been dealing with a hamstring injury since late July, said he feels like he is "turning the corner" and was able to do more running in recent days. Sanders impressed in the team's first preseason win against the Carolina Panthers, going 14-for-23 for 138 yards and two touchdowns before suffering an oblique injury that sidelined him for the second preseason game. The two are in a four-way battle with rookie
Dillon Gabriel and veteran
Joe Flacco for the starting quarterback position.
--Don FanelliSource: Daniel Oyefusi
August 17, 2025
Cleveland Guardians outfield prospect
Chase DeLauter (hand) has resumed baseball activities after undergoing hamate fracture incision surgery on July 23. The Guardians' second-ranked prospect was hitting well at Triple-A before the injury, but the recovery timeline ends his season in all likelihood. The former first-round draft pick was hitting .278 at Columbus with five home runs and a .383 OBP thanks to a strong 14.8 percent walk rate, even reaching base at least once via hit or walk in each of the 34 games he played there. The 23-year-old has had multiple injuries since he began his minor league career in 2023, and has yet to surpass 57 games played in a single season. Maybe next year will be the year he stays healthy, and if he does, there's a good chance he'll make his MLB debut. When on the field, the left-handed slugger offers solid power, contact, and on-base skills, making for a potentially valuable fantasy asset if hitting in the middle of the Cleveland lineup.
--Jarod RuppSource: Camryn Justice
August 17, 2025
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur announced that running back
MarShawn Lloyd (hamstring) "is going to miss some time" after suffering a hamstring injury. The second-year back left the Green Bay Packers' 23-19 preseason win over the Indianapolis Colts after catching a 33-yard pass. The 2024 third-round pick has been more hurt than healthy in his young career, having been limited to just one game in his rookie season due to hamstring, ankle injuries, and appendicitis. Despite coming into camp healthy, he was dealing with a groin injury in late July before this latest issue. In Sunday's game, Lloyd finished with 15 yards on six rushes and his one catch for 33 yards before exiting. He is currently battling to be the backup for Packers workhorse RB
Josh Jacobs, but this latest injury will delay the opportunity for now.
--Don FanelliSource: Matt Schneidman
August 17, 2025
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback
Aidan O'Connell continues to have a rough preseason, throwing his third interception despite completing 10 of 15 passes for 88 yards in Saturday's 22-19 loss to the 49ers. O'Connell struggled against blitz pressure and failed to finish any drives with a touchdown. While he remains the favorite to back up
Geno Smith for now, rookie
Cam Miller isn't ready to seriously challenge for the QB2 role. O'Connell has no fantasy value as long as Smith is available.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Vincent Bonsignore
August 17, 2025
Las Vegas Raiders running back
Ashton Jeanty showcased his blend of power and speed in the team's second preseason contest. The rookie logged seven carries for 33 yards and a touchdown, highlighted by a 13-yard burst where he lowered his shoulder and flattened cornerback Deommodore Lenoir. Jeanty's strong playstyle and decisive running fit well into Pete Carroll's offensive scheme, which favors physical backs who can finish runs. Currently being selected late in the first round of redraft leagues, Jeanty's expanding workload in preseason action suggests he has a clear path to providing immediate fantasy value in 2025.
--Shaun AlbinSource: NFL.com
August
17,
2025
Cincinnati
Reds
pitching
prospect
Rhett
Lowder
(forearm,
oblique)
recently
underwent
an
MRI
on
his
left
oblique,
and
it
came
back
clean.
This
means
he
will
be
able
to
begin
throwing
from
a
mound
and
is
already
read more...
August 17, 2025
Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman
Ketel Marte is out of the starting lineup ahead of Sunday's game against the Colorado Rockies. This appears to be a routine rest day for Marte after he started in each of the last 12 games. Marte is in the middle of a hot stretch at the plate. Over the last seven games, Marte is hitting .414 with two home runs and 11 RBI. Fantasy managers should expect Marte back in the lineup ahead of Monday's contest.
Connor Kaiser will take over at second base and bat ninth against right-hander
Antonio Senzatela on Sunday.
--Andy WebbSource: mlb.com
August 17, 2025
Tampa Bay Rays outfielder
Josh Lowe (oblique) remains out of the starting lineup ahead of Sunday's game against the San Francisco Giants. This comes a day after Lowe was scratched ahead of Saturday's contest due to oblique tightness. The organization is hopeful to avoid a stint on the injured list, but oblique issues sometimes are tricky.
Everson Pereira will take over center field while
Jake Mangum moves to right field against right-hander
Logan Webb on Sunday. Fantasy managers should check back on Tuesday for another update on Lowe. The Rays are off on Monday before beginning an important series against the New York Yankees on Tuesday.
--Andy WebbSource: mlb.com
August 17, 2025
St. Louis Cardinals outfield prospect
Nathan Church has been called up from Triple-A Memphis for his major league debut. The Cardinals' 14th-ranked prospect has hit well all season, including a .336 batting average at Double-A Springfield before earning a promotion to Triple-A at the beginning of June. The 25-year-old slashed .332/.396/.517 with seven home runs and eight steals in 52 games for the Redbirds, hitting safely in six of his last seven games before the promotion to the big leagues. The left-handed slugger will get the start in center field on Sunday and will bat ninth in the order. The former 11th-round draft pick doesn't strike out much, with a career 11.0 percent strikeout rate in the minors, and has some speed, but a lack of power and hitting at the bottom of the order are drawbacks for fantasy. As such, the UC-Irvine product should only be considered in deeper and NL-only leagues for now.
--Jarod RuppSource: John Denton
August 17, 2025
San Francisco Giants third baseman
Casey Schmitt (forearm) remains out of the starting lineup ahead of Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays. Schmitt was hit by a pitch on the forearm during Friday's contest. The X-rays came back negative, so Schmitt shouldn't require a stint on the injured list. He sat out on Saturday and is absent on Sunday as well. Hopefully, Schmitt will be back in the mix early next week. In his absence,
Christian Koss will cover third base and bat sixth against right-hander
Ryan Pepiot on Sunday.
--Andy WebbSource: mlb.com
August 17, 2025
New York Yankees first baseman
Paul Goldschmidt (knee) is back in the starting lineup ahead of Sunday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals. Goldschmidt is back in the mix after missing three games due to right knee soreness. He missed the first two games of this series, but will at least get to play one game against his former team. Goldschmidt was struggling at the plate before this injury, so maybe some extra rest will help him get back on track. Goldschmidt will bat sixth and play first base against right-hander
Miles Mikolas on Sunday.
--Andy WebbSource: mlb.com
August 17, 2025
Minnesota Twins pitcher
Thomas Hatch will take the mound against the Detroit Tigers on Sunday. The Twins are in desperate need of pitching with
Simeon Woods Richardson (illness) and
Pablo Lopez (shoulder) both sidelined right now. Hatch should be able to offer some length after throwing 4.1 innings in each of his last two outings. It's worth noting that Hatch allowed four earned runs and walked seven batters during his latest outing. He's not a recommended streaming option for Sunday's game.
--Andy WebbSource: Evan Woodbery
August 17, 2025
The St. Louis Cardinals have placed outfielder
Victor Scott II (ankle) on the 10-day injured list with a sprained left ankle and promoted outfielder
Nathan Church from Triple-A Memphis in a corresponding move. It's no surprise that Scott will miss time after injuring his ankle in a 12-8 loss to the New York Yankees on Saturday. Scott had to exit a few innings after crashing into the center field wall while trying to take a home run away from
Aaron Judge. The 24-year-old has been an asset in the field and on the bases (31 steals), but he has only managed a .223/.311/.312 line with five homers, 35 RBI, and 49 runs scored in 402 plate appearances this season. Church, 25, is making his major league debut Sunday and starting in Scott's place in center field.
--Connor ByrneSource: John Denton - MLB.com
August 17, 2025
Kansas City Royals first baseman/designated hitter
Vinnie Pasquantino (illness) is in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Chicago White Sox. Pasquantino exited the Royals' 6-2 win over the White Sox early on Saturday with a heat-related illness, but he's making a quick return. The 27-year-old will DH and hit third against right-hander
Davis Martin, while
Salvador Perez will man first base and bat fifth. Pasquantino has put together a respectable .259/.320/.448 line with a career-high 22 homers, 80 RBI, and 48 runs scored in 513 plate appearances this season. He's 3-for-7 with a pair of HRs against Martin.
--Connor ByrneSource: MLB.com
August
17,
2025
The
Cincinnati
Bengals
are
listening
to
trade
offers
for
four-time
Pro
Bowl
defensive
end
Trey
Hendrickson
with
contract
talks
at
an
impasse,
sources
tell
Tom
Pelissero
of
NFL
Network.
There
is
no
deal
imminent
between
the
Bengals
and
Hendrickson,
and
the
read more...
August 17, 2025
New York Yankees outfielder
Cody Bellinger (illness) is back in the lineup on Sunday after missing Saturday's 12-8 win over the St. Louis Cardinals with an illness. Bellinger will play right field and hit cleanup in a meeting with Cardinals starter
Miles Mikolas. The 30-year-old is mired in a slump this month, having gone 7-for-50 (.140) with two home runs and six RBI in 13 games in August. Despite that, Bellinger's first season as a Yankee has been a success. The former MVP has slashed .267/.322/.485 with 22 homers, 69 RBI, 66 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases in 482 plate appearances. Mikolas has had Bellinger's number, though, as he's just 2-for-20 with three RBI, five strikeouts, and one walk against the right-hander.
--Connor ByrneSource: MLB.com
August
17,
2025
The
Cincinnati
Reds
announced
that
they
have
designated
outfielder
Jake
Fraley
(knee)
for
assignment.
The
team
recalled
outfielder
Will
Benson
from
Triple-A
Louisville
to
take
his
roster
spot.
Fraley
hyperextended
his
read more...
August 17, 2025
Denver Broncos tight end
Evan Engram didn't play long in the team's second preseason game on Saturday night against the Arizona Cardinals, but he still made some noise on his only catch, rumbling down the sideline for a pickup of 58 yards. The impressive chunk play left him as the team's third leading receiver in the 27-7 victory. It was the Broncos' second play from scrimmage on Saturday and got them rolling as they marched 92 yards down the field on their first drive to go up 7-0. The 30-year-old two-time Pro Bowler only played in nine games with the Jaguars last year due to injury, but he had a career-high 963 receiving yards and 114 catches in 17 games with Jacksonville in 2023. It's possible Engram could be quarterback
Bo Nix's No. 2 target this year behind WR1
Courtland Sutton, making him a low-end TE1 target for fantasy managers in his first year in Denver.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL.com
August 17, 2025
The Philadelphia Phillies optioned infielder/outfielder
Otto Kemp to Triple-A Lehigh Valley before Sunday's game against the Washington Nationals. Philadelphia made the move to clear room for the return of third baseman
Alec Bohm (ribs) from the 10-day injured list. The 25-year-old Kemp has provided defensive versatility with double-digit appearances in left field and at both corner infield positions. However, he hasn't offered much with the bat in his first 46 games in the majors. Across 161 plate appearances, Kemp has hit a subpar .228/.298/.359 with four homers, 17 RBI, 17 runs scored, and a 30.4% strikeout rate. He got off to a 4-for-23 start with 11 strikeouts in eight games this month before the Phillies sent him down.
--Connor ByrneSource: Philadelphia Phillies
August 17, 2025
Denver Broncos second-year wide receiver
Troy Franklin continued to stand out in the team's 27-7 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday in the second week of the preseason. Franklin caught four of his five targets from backup quarterback
Jarrett Stidham for 67 yards and two touchdowns. The 22-year-old out of Oregon has received praise from teammates this summer and has now caught nine passes for 85 yards and the two scores in two preseason games. He shared the team lead in catches and targets with rookie
Pat Bryant on Saturday. Franklin has shown improvement in training camp going into his sophomore season in th NFL, but competition for targets in Denver behind WR1
Courtland Sutton could be fierce. He caught 28 of his 53 targets for 263 yards and two TDs in 16 regular-season games (six starts) last year and is currently outside RotoBaller's top 100 fantasy wideouts.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL.com
August 17, 2025
The Texas Rangers announced that they have placed right-hander
Jon Gray (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list. Gray is going on the shelf with thoracic outlet syndrome, manager Bruce Bochy revealed. It's an ominous injury that continues a brutal season for Gray. The 33-year-old suffered a fractured forearm in spring training and didn't make his debut until July 23. Since then, opposing offenses have crushed Gray in six appearances out of the bullpen. He has logged a 7.71 ERA with a 1.50 WHIP and 12:6 K:BB across 14 innings. It was reported on Saturday that Gray went through waivers unclaimed and would remain with Texas. Now, in light of this injury, it wouldn't be a surprise if he's done for the year.
--Connor ByrneSource: Shawn McFarland - Dallas Morning News
August
17,
2025
Denver
Broncos
rookie
fifth-round
wide
receiver
Pat
Bryant
made
his
mark
in
the
team's
second
preseason
game
on
Saturday
evening
against
the
visiting
Arizona
Cardinals,
catching
four
of
his
five
targets
for
a
team-high
70
yards.
read more...
August 17, 2025
Houston Astros designated hitter/outfielder
Yordan Alvarez (hand) will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Corpus Christi on Tuesday, manager Joe Espada told reporters. Alvarez has made a slow recovery from a fractured right hand that has shelved him since May 2. There's finally light at the end of the tunnel for the star slugger, though, with the Astros expecting him back later this month if he doesn't suffer any setbacks. Alvarez batted an uncharacteristically poor .210/.306/.340 line with four home runs and 18 RBI in 121 plate appearances before he went on the injured list. Nevertheless, considering the four-time 30-HR hitter's stellar track record, the Astros and fantasy managers will be thrilled to get him back for the last few weeks of the regular season.
--Connor ByrneSource: Matt Kawahara - Houston Chronicle
August 17, 2025
The Baltimore Orioles announced that they have reinstated outfielder
Colton Cowser (head) from the seven-day concussion injured list. He'll play center field and hit fifth Sunday against Houston Astros right-hander
Cristian Javier. Cowser, who last played Aug. 6, will try to get back on track after going 3-for-20 with one RBI, 11 strikeouts, and one walk in six games this month prior to his IL stint. The 25-year-old smacked 24 home runs and put up a .768 OPS as a rookie in 2024, but multiple injuries (including a broken left thumb) have limited him to 56 games this season. Cowser has taken 215 trips to the plate and hit a below-average .213/.279/.401 with nine homers, 22 RBI, 23 runs scored, and six stolen bases.
--Connor ByrneSource: Baltimore Orioles
August
17,
2025
New
Orleans
Saints
running
back
Alvin
Kamara
is
not
suiting
up
for
the
team's
second
preseason
game
on
Sunday
against
the
Jacksonville
Jaguars,
according
to
Erin
Summers
of
ESPN.
Kamara
was
seen
doing
pre-game
workouts
with
read more...
August 17, 2025
The Texas Rangers recalled infield/outfield prospect
Cody Freeman from Triple-A Round Rock on Sunday, and he will start at third base and bat eighth in the series finale against the hosting Toronto Blue Jays and right-hander
Jose Berrios. Freeman will get the nod at the hot corner with
Josh Jung taking a day off, but fantasy managers shouldn't expect him to receive everyday playing time moving forward. The 24-year-old right-handed hitter and former fourth-rounder in 2019 will be playing in just his fifth major-league game. In four games earlier this season, he had a double and RBI with two strikeouts in seven plate appearances. Freeman has slashed an impressive .336/.382/.549 with 19 home runs, 71 RBI and eight steals in 97 games at Round Rock this year in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League. He's ranked by MLB Pipeline as Texas' No. 24 prospect.
--Keith HernandezSource: Texas Rangers PR
August 17, 2025
Texas Rangers second baseman
Marcus Semien (wrist) is back at second base and will hit sixth for Sunday's series finale in Toronto against the Blue Jays and right-hander
Jose Berrios. Semien was hit by a pitch on his right wrist in Friday's loss and then was held out of Saturday's contest as a result. X-rays on the 34-year-old veteran's wrist came back negative, though, which will allow him to return for the final game of the series as Texas looks to avoid a sweep. It's been a disappointing 2025 campaign for the three-time All-Star, as he enters Sunday's tilt slashing .223/.299/.353 with a career-worst .652 OPS, 14 home runs, 59 RBI, 58 runs and 11 stolen bases in his 122 games played. He's been much worse in August, hitting .157 (8-for-51) with a homer, six RBI and seven strikeouts in 13 gaems. Semien has hit .250 with a homer and two RBI in 12 career at-bats versus Berrios.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
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