August 26, 2025
Detroit Tigers right-hander
Alex Cobb (hip) will be pulled off his rehab assignment and shut down for a week, manager AJ Hinch told MLB Network Radio on Tuesday. This move enables Detroit to reset Cobb's 30-day rehab window in the minors. The Tigers signed Cobb to a one-year, $15 million contract in free agency last winter, but he hasn't pitched in the majors in 2025 as a result of left-hip inflammation. Cobb has made nine rehab appearances (seven starts) in the minors and walked 12 hitters over 19 2/3 innings, but he has still managed a 1.83 ERA with 24 strikeouts. If the 37-year-old does pitch in the majors this season, he's expected to come out of the bullpen in a multi-inning role.
--Connor ByrneSource: Chris McCosky - Detroit News
August 26, 2025
Cincinnati Reds catcher
Tyler Stephenson (thumb) will take batting practice on Friday as he works back from a fractured left thumb. The 29-year-old, who hasn't played since Aug. 15, has been fitted for a padded thumb guard and is on track to return sometime in September. Between multiple injuries (thumb and oblique) and a dip in output from last season, 2025 has been a struggle for Stephenson. He has played in 72 games and batted an underwhelming .226/.313/.393 with nine homers, 36 RBI, and 32 runs scored over 288 plate appearances. However, that's still better offensive production than what backup catcher
Jose Trevino has offered. Trevino has hit .246/.283/.377 with four HRs, 20 RBI, and 27 runs in 255 trips to the plate.
--Connor ByrneSource: MLB.com
August 26, 2025
Los Angeles Angels manager Ron Washington opened up about his health problems on Monday, revealing to the media that he underwent quadruple bypass surgery on June 30. Washington has been on medical leave since June 20 and will not return to the dugout in 2025. At 73, Washington is the game's oldest manager, but he made it clear that he wants to come back as the Angels' skipper for a third season in 2026. "Without a doubt," said Washington, who added that his fate is in general manager Perry Minasian's hands. Minasian will have to decide whether to pick up Washington's option for next season. In the meantime, the Angels will finish this season under bench coach and interim manager Ray Montgomery. At 62-69, the club is on pace to miss the playoffs for the 11th year in a row.
--Connor ByrneSource: Jeff Fletcher - Orange County Register
August 26, 2025
Chicago Cubs right-hander
Michael Soroka (shoulder) is scheduled to throw off a mound Tuesday for the first time since a shoulder strain forced him to the 15-day injured list on Aug. 5. Soroka suffered the injury in his Cubs debut on Aug. 4, just a few days after the team acquired him from the Washington Nationals. The 28-year-old has started in all 17 appearances this season and put up a 4.86 ERA (3.39 xERA) with a 1.13 WHIP, 90 strikeouts, and 25 walks in 83 1/3 innings. The Cubs estimate that Soroka will return in mid-September, at which point he could rejoin their rotation or pitch in relief. Soroka has some experience as a reliever, having come out of the bullpen in 17 of 86 career appearances.
--Connor ByrneSource: MLB.com
August 26, 2025
Los Angeles Angels reliever
Ben Joyce (shoulder) told reporters on Monday that he expects to start throwing within a month as he recovers from May surgery on his right shoulder. Joyce won't make it back this season, and it's unclear if he'll be ready for spring training, but he said that his rehab is "going great." The hard-throwing Joyce burst on the scene in 2024 with a 2.08 ERA, a 1.15 WHIP, and 33:14 K:BB over 34 2/3 innings. He was unable to follow up on that this season, though, as he landed on the injured list on April 11 after just five appearances and 4 1/3 innings of three-run ball.
--Connor ByrneSource: MLB.com
August 26, 2025
Los Angeles Angels outfielder
Jorge Soler (back) is with the team in Texas and has begun limited baseball activities. Along with running and throwing, Soler is taking on-field batting practice for the first time since he landed on the 10-day injured list with lower-back inflammation on July 24. The 33-year-old has gone on the IL twice this season with back issues and struggled to a .215/.293/.387 line with 12 homers, 34 RBI, and 31 runs scored over 82 games and 315 plate appearances. While there's no timetable for Soler's return, he should have a chance to come back in 2025 if he continues to progress.
--Connor ByrneSource: MLB.com
August 26, 2025
Texas Rangers starting pitcher
Jon Gray (shoulder) appeared in only six games for the team this season after recovering from a broken wrist. He struggled to a 7.71 ERA and 7.33 FIP in 14 innings before landing on the injured list on August 17 with right shoulder nerve irritation. The team was concerned that his symptoms were consistent with thoracic outlet syndrome, which could require surgery. However, President of baseball operations
Chris Young gave a good report and said, "Our hope is that whatever it is, it's minor and, after 15 days, he'll be ready. But we still have some diagnostics to get through before we have a clear idea on the prognosis." Gray is still uncertain and not a fantasy option at this point in any format. However, the last chapter of his 2025 season isn't closed just yet.
--Zach ThompsonSource: Evan Grant
August 26, 2025
Texas Rangers starting pitcher
Tyler Mahle (shoulder) has been out since mid-June with shoulder fatigue, but he recently was able to resume throwing off a mound. He still has been limited to just fastballs, but he could advance to throwing live batting practice in the near future and possibly still work his way back to the majors by the end of the year. In his 77 innings over 14 starts before the injury, Mahle went 6-3 with a 2.34 ERA and 3.39 FIP. If the 30-year-old can return at anywhere close to that level, he could be a valuable spot start or DFS play in the right matchups down the stretch and also give the Rangers' injury-depleted rotation a nice boost. He still has a ways to go, but he's worth monitoring over the next few weeks.
--Zach ThompsonSource: Evan Grant
August 26, 2025
Athletics starting pitcher
Jack Perkins (shoulder) received a subacromial injection and does not have a timetable for return at this point after being placed on the 15-day injured list Friday due to a strained right shoulder. The 25-year-old righty is one of the organization's top pitching prospects, so the team will likely be cautious bringing him along since they are out of the playoff race at this point. Perkins made four starts for the club in August, going 3-1 with a 5.68 ERA, 4.48 FIP, and 18 strikeouts in 19 innings. He won each of his last three outings, although he gave up multiple runs in each game. Perkins is most likely done making meaningful contributions for fantasy baseball this season, but he's a prospect to monitor for dynasty leagues since he could claim a spot in next year's rotation if his recovery goes well.
--Zach ThompsonSource: Martin Gallegos
August 26, 2025
Athletics outfielder
Denzel Clarke (adductor) is improving and has "made progress," but the 25-year-old is not currently running or hitting. He still seems to be a ways away from a possible return before the end of the season. The rookie made a splash with an impressive highlight reel in center field over his 47 games in the majors and hit .230 with three homers, 18 runs scored, and six stolen bases. He landed on the injured list with a Grade 2 adductor strain just after the All-Star break and was diagnosed with the same injury in a slightly different location from the original one in mid-August. It's good news that he's progressing, but he may be running out of time to fully rehab the injury and return before the end of the season. He's still a huge part of the A's future, though, so keep a close eye out for further injury updates the rest of the season, especially for dynasty league purposes.
--Zach ThompsonSource: Martin Gallegos
August 26, 2025
Athletics starting pitcher
Luis Severino (oblique) has been on the shelf since early in August due to a left oblique strain, but is ready to face live hitters on Wednesday in a simulated game. Severino is 6-11 in his first season with the organization, posting a 4.82 ERA, 4.10 FIP, and helping to eat up 136 1/3 innings over 24 starts. The veteran righty seems to be on track to return before the end of the season and will help fill in a thin Athletics' rotation. He was actually pitching well in the second half before the injury, going 4-1 with a 2.93 ERA and 2.61 FIP in his last five starts before being sidelined. His return would be a key addition to the A's rotation, and he could even be mixed-league streaming material in the right matchup coming down the stretch.
--Zach ThompsonSource: Martin Gallegos
August 26, 2025
Athletics infielder
Max Muncy (hand) was able to start a hitting progression as he continues his road to recovery from a fractured hand, suffered on July 21. The 23-year-old rookie played 59 games with the Athletics this season, hitting .215 with nine homers, 23 RBI, and a .279 wOBA. He had a .325 batting average and .397 wOBA in 31 games at Triple-A and remains an excellent prospect for the Athletics' infield of the future. Muncy could work his way back into the mix for the final month of the season, although
Jacob Wilson,
Zack Gelof,
Brett Harris, and
Darell Hernaiz are also young players in the mix for playing time down the stretch. Muncy will likely need a rehab assignment before returning, but the fact that he has resumed hitting is a huge step in the right direction.
--Zach ThompsonSource: Martin Gallegos
August
26,
2025
Athletics
starting
pitcher
Jacob
Lopez
(elbow)
has
been
shut
down
from
throwing
after
being
diagnosed
with
a
Grade
1
flexor
strain
and
is
expected
to
be
placed
on
the
15-day
injured
list
on
Tuesday.
The
big
read more...
August 26, 2025
Chicago White Sox infield prospect Kyle Lodise has been named South Atlantic League Player of the Week after a blistering run at High-A. The 21-year-old shortstop hit safely in every game, slashing .571 with three home runs, six RBI, and seven runs scored. A third-round pick by Chicago, Lodise has quickly impressed with a .255/.371/.510 overall line in High-A, showing advanced plate discipline and emerging power. While still in the early stages of development, Lodise's ability to impact games with his bat makes him an intriguing dynasty league stash, especially in deeper formats that reward long-term upside.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Minor League Baseball
August 26, 2025
St. Louis Cardinals third baseman
Nolan Arenado (shoulder) has begun a hitting program and will start a throwing program during the week, per the Athletic's Katie Woo. The veteran was placed on the 10-day injured list on August 1 with a right shoulder strain. The 34-year-old has seen a decline in fantasy production this season, slashing .235/.294/.366 with 10 home runs and 43 RBI in 394 plate appearances. He has also seen a decline in his defense after winning 10 Gold Glove Awards in his career. Arenado is currently without a timetable for his return, although fantasy managers may not necessarily want to rely on him down the stretch whenever he does return.
--Connelly DoanSource: Katie Woo - X.com
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