August 5, 2025
Baltimore Orioles first baseman
Ryan Mountcastle (hamstring) will not be activated until after the team's current series in Philadelphia against the Phillies. He will continue his rehab assignment in Triple-A Norfolk and could return on Friday, when the O's start their next series at home against the Athletics. Mountcastle hit just .246 in his 52 games with two homers and a .274 wOBA this season before landing on the 60-day injured list. He's been sidelined since the end of May, so the team is just giving him time to get fully back up to speed. In six games in Norfolk, Mountcastle is an impressive 9-for-23 (.391) with three doubles, two homers, and a 50% hard-hit rate. Following the
Ryan O'Hearn trade, he should have a clear path to playing time once he is activated, and it'll be fascinating to see how well he can finish the season.
--Zach ThompsonSource: Jake Rill
August 5, 2025
Atlanta Braves outfielder
Ronald Acuna Jr. (calf) remains day-to-day while getting treatment for his calf strain, according to manager Brian Snitker. The All-Star outfielder was able to hit in a batting cage on Monday, but he remains without a timetable to return, since the team will wait until he's pain-free before activating him. Acuna has been sidelined since July 29 with this calf strain after missing the start of the season while recovering from last year's knee injury. In his 55 games, Acuna has 14 homers, four stolen bases, a .306 batting average, and a .427 wOBA, but his limited action has been a disappointment to his fantasy owners. He has such a high ceiling that he's still worth holding at this point, although the Braves have little reason to rush him back since they are out of playoff contention.
--Zach ThompsonSource: David O'Brien
August 5, 2025
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said after Monday's 8-5 extra-inning loss to the Rangers that outfielder
Austin Slater (hamstring) will be placed on the injured list after injuring his hamstring in the game. Slater went 0-for-1 with a groundout and injured himself running the ball out in his at-bat. The 32-year-old was recently acquired by the Yankees and has put together a .223/.284/.400 slash line with five home runs, 12 RBI, and one stolen base in 142 plate appearances this season with the Yankees and White Sox.
--Connelly DoanSource: Max Goodman - X.com
August 5, 2025
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone confirmed on Monday that outfielder superstar
Aaron Judge (elbow) will return from the 10-day injured list on Tuesday. Judge was placed on the IL at the end of July with a flexor strain in his right elbow. This is great news for the Yankees and fantasy managers, as the Yankees have started August with a four-game losing streak. The 33-year-old has once again been an elite fantasy producer, slashing .342/.449/.711 with 37 home runs, 90 runs scored, 85 RBI, and six stolen bases in 459 plate appearances.
--Connelly DoanSource: Ma Goodman - X.com
August 5, 2025
Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona said Monday that starting pitcher
Hunter Greene (groin) will make his next rehab start on Friday and will aim to throw up to 80 pitches. The 25-year-old, who went on the injured list at the beginning of May with a right groin strain, threw 66 pitches in his third rehab start with Triple-A Louisville. Greene's rehab starts have been up-and-down, but the good news is that he has been able to progress closer to a return to the Reds. He had picked up this season where he left off in 2024, going 4-3 with a 2.72 ERA, a 0.97 WHIP, and a 30.8% strikeout rate.
--Connelly DoanSource: Casey Drottar - X.com
August 5, 2025
Boston Red Sox outfield prospect
Jhostynxon Garcia was red-hot last week, hitting .417 with four home runs, four doubles, and 13 RBI at Triple-A Worcester. The 22-year-old slugger is now slashing .305/.375/.587 with 15 homers and 44 RBI in just 54 games, making a strong case for a September call-up. Garcia's power plays to all fields and against both lefties and righties, giving him everyday potential at the next level. He'll need to tighten his approach against advanced pitching, but he's quickly becoming one of the more exciting breakout bats in the Red Sox system.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Tyler Milliken
August 5, 2025
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Olivia Sayer reported Monday that Atlanta Braves starting pitcher
Grant Holmes (elbow) will opt for non-surgical rehabilitation of his right elbow inflammation. Holmes was placed on the 60-day injured list on July 27, so his season would have been over regardless of his rehab approach. The 29-year-old popped onto fantasy radars in 2024 and he had logged a 3.99 ERA, a 1.34 WHIP, and a 25.0% strikeout rate in 115 innings pitched this season before landing on the IL. Fantasy managers should check in next spring for more info on his rehab.
--Connelly DoanSource: Olivia Sayer - X.com
August 5, 2025
Minnesota Twins top prospect
Walker Jenkins was named Texas League Player of the Week after a dominant showing at Double-A. The 20-year-old outfielder crushed three home runs, added two doubles, drove in five runs, and scored eight times last week for the Wichita Wind Surge. Jenkins is now slashing .304/.414/.486 and continues to make a strong case for a late-season promotion. If he stays healthy, the former first-round pick could open 2026 at Triple-A and push for his MLB debut soon after. Dynasty managers should already have the rising star on their radar.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Minor League Baseball
August 5, 2025
San Diego Padres starting pitcher
Michael King (shoulder) may only end up making one rehab start and could have his next start be with the Padres, per manager Mike Shildt. King has been on the 60-day injured list since the end of May with right shoulder inflammation. He made his first rehab start on Sunday with Triple-A El Paso. However, Shildt said Monday, "I'm not going to put it in pen yet, but we'll put it in dark pencil that he's got a good chance to make his next start for the Padres." The 30-year-old had an outstanding 2024 season and was on his way to a solid 2025, going 4-2 with a 2.59 ERA, a 1.02 WHIP, and a 28.4% strikeout rate in 10 starts and 55 2/3 innings pitched. While his rehab start wasn't great, fantasy managers may be inclined to put him right back into their lineups once they get confirmation of his return.
--Connelly DoanSource: Jesse Borek - X.com
August 5, 2025
Detroit Tigers infield prospect John Peck was named Midwest League Player of the Week after going 9-for-17 to boost his season average to .308. The 23-year-old offers defensive versatility and intriguing power-speed upside, with 10 home runs and 16 stolen bases through 87 games. While his 25.9% strikeout rate remains a concern, Peck has shown the ability to produce despite the swing-and-miss. As he continues to develop, improving his plate discipline will be key. Still, Peck is emerging as a notable name in the Tigers' system and could climb prospect rankings if the bat holds.
--Shaun AlbinSource: West Michigan Whitecaps
August 5, 2025
Houston Astros starting pitcher
Spencer Arrighetti (thumb) is set to rejoin the big-league team and will start Wednesday's game against the Marlins, per Julia Morales. Arrighetti has been on the injured list since early April with a fractured thumb. The 25-year-old did not look great in his three rehab starts across Double-A Corpus Christi and Triple-A Sugar Land, compiling a 5.73 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP. However, he showed some fantasy promise in 2024, going 7-13 with a 4.53 ERA, a 1.41 WHIP, and a 27.1% strikeout rate in 145 innings pitched. Arrighetti only covered 11 IP in his three rehab starts, so fantasy managers should not be surprised if his pitch count is kept in check on Wednesday. The Marlins have hit well lately and Arrighetti's rehab production wasn't great, so fantasy managers may not want to slot him into their lineups right away.
--Connelly DoanSource: Julia Morales - X.com
August 5, 2025
Miami Marlins left-handed prospect Julio Mendez was named Florida State League Player of the Week after tossing five hitless innings with six strikeouts and two walks for Single-A Jupiter. The 20-year-old has struggled overall this season with a 4.52 ERA and 2-6 record, but he's now allowed just two earned runs across his last three starts. While the recent stretch is promising, Mendez will need to improve his 13.2% walk rate to stay on the radar. Still, the lefty is showing signs of progress and is worth monitoring in deeper dynasty leagues.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Jupiter Hammerheads
August 5, 2025
Chicago Cubs managers Craig Counsel said after Monday's 3-2 loss to the Reds that starting pitcher
Michael Soroka (shoulder) will be placed on the injured list, per ESPN's Jesse Rogers. Soroka, who made his first start with the Cubs Monday after being traded from the Nationals, pitched just two innings before exiting with right shoulder discomfort. The 28-year-old's 4.86 ERA has left something to be desired, but his underlying stats have suggested better performance, and his 1.13 WHIP and 9.72 K/9 rate are solid. Fantasy managers should wait for more news on how much time Soroka may miss, but this is a disappointing development overall.
--Connelly DoanSource: Jesse Rogers - X.com
August 5, 2025
Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop
Jordan Lawlar (hamstring) is set to take live batting practice Tuesday as he continues his recovery from a Grade 1 strain that has sidelined him since May 28. The 23-year-old top prospect struggled in his brief MLB stint earlier this season, going 0-for-19 with nine strikeouts over eight games. Arizona is expected to be cautious with his return, likely giving him time to regain confidence before a potential call-up. Fantasy managers in deeper or dynasty leagues should keep an eye on Lawlar's progress, as a strong rehab showing could pave the way for a late-season impact.
--Shaun AlbinSource: Alex Weiner
August 4, 2025
Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop
Mookie Betts will not be dropped in the batting order, reports Alden Gonzalez of ESPN. Manager Dave Roberts stated that there is no better alternative in his eyes, and he would rather keep the top of the lineup consistent rather than mix and match it every day. This is despite the 32-year-old's .664 OPS, which is nowhere close to the mark you'd expect from someone batting first and second every day. It has been a disappointing season overall for Betts, who got off to a rough start before the season even began with an illness that caused him to lose over 20 pounds. He said early in the season that he felt like this sapped his power, but he never was able to get things going even after recovering. There are still two months left in the season, and maybe the continued confidence is what he needs to finally become a star-caliber player again.
--Jeremy HeistSource: Alden Gonzalez
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