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
According to NFL.com and New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, veteran safety Kyle Dugger has been demoted to the second-team defense. Dugger signed a four-year, $58 million contract last offseason, but Vrabel is not tied to decisions from previous coaching staffs. When asked how Dugger can win his starting job back, Vrabel said, "Just making sure that he's where he needs to be and understanding the coverage concepts and everything we do. A lot of this is that guys have earned the right to take a look with that first unit and, again, there will be different lineups and different things. Just focus on the reps that you get right now." It sounds like the 29-year-old has been outplayed by other safeties this offseason, and Vrabel is attempting to motivate him to work his way back. In 74 career games since being selected in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, Dugger has tallied 424 tackles, 3.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, nine interceptions, and 24 pass deflections.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com
August 14, 2025
Veteran free-agent running back
Matt Breida is retiring from the NFL, according to ESPN. The former undrafted free agent signing out of Georgia Southern by the San Francisco 49ers in 2017 compiled 575 rushing attempts for 2,652 rushing yards and caught 120 passes for 935 receiving yards in 98 career games with the 49ers, Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, and New York Giants. He tallied 15 total touchdowns. Breida had his moments on the fantasy football radar, particularly in 2018 when he rushed for 814 yards and tallied 261 receiving yards as a sophomore in Kyle Shanahan's offense. The 30-year-old declined a workout request from the Miami Dolphins this offseason.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
August 14, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback
Justin Herbert will play in his first career preseason game on Saturday against the Los Angeles Rams. Head coach John Harbaugh said the plan is for offensive and defensive starters, and Herbert will play "a series or two." While Herbert is viewed by many as one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL, his fantasy floor and ceiling took hits last season in Greg Roman's run-first offense. After throwing for at least 4,336 yards in the first three seasons of his career, the Oregon product tallied just 3,870 passing yards in 17 games a season ago. While he has a ton of upside in shootout game conditions, Harbaugh and Roman are unlikely to transition into a high-flying passing attack.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Chargers.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
August 14, 2025
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton announced that the team's key starters, including quarterback
Bo Nix, will not play in the preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday. The starters will play around 10 snaps next week against the New Orleans Saints. In Week 1 of the preseason, Nix completed six of 11 passing attempts for 31 yards and no touchdowns. The sophomore former first-round pick out of Oregon exceeded expectations in Year 1, helping lead Denver to its first playoff game since Super Bowl 50 against the Carolina Panthers. With an elite offensive line in front of him and a much-improved running back stable this season, Nix should be set up for success in Payton's offense.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Aric DiLalla
August 14, 2025
Green Bay Packers wide receivers
Romeo Doubs (back) and
Dontayvion Wicks (calf) did not practice on Thursday due to back and calf injuries, respectively. Head coach Matt LaFleur said Doubs suffered a back injury in Tuesday's practice, but the ailment is not viewed as serious. Wicks has been out of action for a few weeks. Fellow Green Bay wideouts
Savion Williams (concussion),
Jayden Reed (foot), and
Christian Watson (knee) are also banged up, leaving rookie
Matthew Golden to soak up a ton of opportunities in training camp. Golden likely has the highest upside among all Packers' pass-catchers, but 2025 could be another year of the Packers lacking a true No. 1 target hog.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Matt Schneidman -- The Athletic
August 14, 2025
Green Bay Packers wide receiver
Jayden Reed (foot) was seen out of his walking boot on Thursday, but the third-year wideout is still not participating in practice. Reed is dealing with a sprained foot, and it's unclear if it will affect his Week 1 availability. The Packers' wide receiver room is dealing with several injuries during training camp, as
Romeo Doubs,
Savion Williams,
Dontayvion Wicks, and
Christian Watson are all out of action. First-round rookie
Matthew Golden stands to benefit from extra opportunities in their absences. Reed remains a viable flex option for fantasy football, but it appears he is trending toward being relegated to three-WR sets once again in 2025.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Matt Schneidman -- The Athletic
August 14, 2025
The Washington Nationals announced on Thursday that they designated first baseman
Nathaniel Lowe for assignment to make room on the active roster for outfielder
Dylan Crews (oblique), who is returning from the 60-day injured list. Lowe gets the boot off the team's 40-man roster after hitting .216/.292/.373 on the year with 16 home runs, 68 RBI, 50 runs scored and one stolen base in 440 at-bats in his first year with the team. The 30-year-old left-handed slugger was acquired from the Texas Rangers in the offseason and just didn't work out the way Washington was hoping. Lowe's departure from the roster means that fellow left-handed slugger
Josh Bell will be the primary option at first in D.C. moving forward. Lowe will most likely go unclaimed on waivers before electing for free agency, but he should latch on with another team before the end of the season.
--Keith HernandezSource: Washington Nationals
August 14, 2025
Cincinnati Reds infield prospect
Sal Stewart extended his hit streak to seven games on Wednesday in epic fashion, going 4-for-6 at Triple-A Louisville, including a pair of doubles, a home run, five RBI, and two runs scored. The Reds' top-ranked prospect has homered in back-to-back games and is now 30-for-89 (.337) with 12 doubles and six home runs at Triple-A, boasting a 12.0 percent strikeout rate and an above-average walk rate of 10.0 percent. The 21-year-old does not appear to be overmatched whatsoever and is making a strong case for a September call-up. With 16 steals on the year, he also possesses an element of speed and has the well-rounded makings of an appealing fantasy asset.
--Jarod RuppSource: MiLB.com
August 14, 2025
New York Mets pitching prospect
Eduardo Herrera has been promoted from High-A Brooklyn to Triple-A Syracuse. The 25-year-old has had an excellent season in relief for the Cyclones, recording a 1.98 ERA, a 1.17 WHIP, and 29 strikeouts in 27 1/3 innings pitched. The right-hander even made one appearance in relief at Double-A midseason, in which he did not allow a run and struck out three batters in 2 1/3 innings. Now just one step away from the majors, the Venezuelan could provide some bullpen depth for a Mets team looking to make a playoff run, although if he were to get the call, it would likely be as a middle relief option, so he would not carry any fantasy value.
--Jarod RuppSource: MiLB.com
August 14, 2025
The Washington Nationals announced on Thursday that they reinstated outfielder
Dylan Crews (oblique) from the 60-day injured list and designated first baseman
Nathaniel Lowe for assignment in a corresponding move. The Nationals have not released their starting lineup for Thursday's contest against the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies in the series opener, but we'd be surprised if Crews was not in it. The 23-year-old second overall pick in 2023 has missed nearly three months with a strained left oblique but will be looking for more success to close out his second season in the big leagues. Crews was a disappointment for fantasy managers before going down with an injury, slashing .196/.266/.354 with a .620 OPS, seven home runs, 15 RBI, 24 runs and 11 steals in 45 games. Fantasy managers in keeper/dynasty leagues should not be giving up on him just yet.
--Keith HernandezSource: Washington Nationals
August 14, 2025
Philadelphia Phillies outfield prospect
Justin Crawford went 2-for-4 on Wednesday for Triple-A Lehigh Valley, including a double, three RBI, one run scored, and a stolen base. The Phillies' third-ranked prospect is now the owner of an eight-game hit streak, and has hit safely in 17 of his last 20 games, going 25-for-70 (.357) over that stretch with a .944 OPS. The former first-round draft pick is slashing .331/.414/.438 on the year with 37 steals and a 53:79 BB:K in 96 games for the Iron Pigs. With as hot as he's been all year, it is somewhat surprising we haven't seen a call-up for the 21-year-old, but his speed could be a difference-maker down the stretch and in the playoffs, so a September debut is still very much in the cards.
--Jarod RuppSource: MiLB.com
August 14, 2025
Chicago Cubs outfield prospect
Owen Caissie was officially called up from Triple-A Iowa and is making his major-league debut on Thursday in the series finale in Toronto against the Blue Jays and right-hander
Max Scherzer. Caissie will serve as the designated hitter and will bat in the five-hole. Meanwhile, both outfilders
Pete Crow-Armstrong and
Seiya Suzuki will get the day off in the matinee game. The 23-year-old Caissie hit .291/.391/.567 with 22 home runs in 402 plate appearances at Triple-A to earn his first big-league call-up this week. When everyone is healthy on this Cubs squad, it's hard to envision Caissie getting consistent playing time down the stretch, as the the team also has outfielders
Ian Happ and
Kyle Tucker locked into everyday roles. However, the Cubs are searching for a spark on offense and are hoping Caissie can give it to them.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com
August 14, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback
Aaron Rodgers will not play in the team's second preseason game this Saturday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to Brooke Pryor of ESPN. Rodgers will sit again and probably won't play in the preseason finale next week, either. The 41-year-old future Hall of Famer has seen it all at this point and needs to save the bullets he has left for the regular season. Backup
Mason Rudolph will make another start this weekend at QB for Pittsburgh. Rodgers looked slow last year in his final season with the New York Jets while coming off an Achilles tear, and there's no guarantee he'll be any more athletic another year older. Rodgers still has the ability to sling it, but injuries will be a big concern, and it's hard to envision him lighting up box scores on a weekly basis in what is expected to be a run-first Steelers offense.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Brooke Pryor
August 14, 2025
New York Yankees pitching prospect Bryce Cunningham (undisclosed) was reinstated from the seven-day injured list on Wednesday and got the start for High-A Hudson Valley. The Yankees' fifth-ranked prospect threw just 30 pitches in the outing, lasting 1 1/3 innings, and although he did not allow a hit, he walked three batters and struck out none. It is the second time the righty spent time on the injured list this season, but was looking good prior to this latest injury, posting a 1.93 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, and a 19.7 percent K-BB% in 46 2/3 innings pitched. The 6-foot-5 hurler should test the upper levels of the minors next year, and with his build and stuff, he's worth monitoring in dynasty formats as he makes his push towards the majors.
--Jarod RuppSource: MiLB.com
August 14, 2025
Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer said that quarterback
Joe Milton III (elbow) will start the team's second preseason game on Saturday versus the Baltimore Ravens. Starter
Dak Prescott will watch on the sidelines. Milton suffered a minor elbow injury during the preseason opener last Saturday against the Los Angeles Rams and was pulled early, but the 25-year-old will be able to play this weekend as he tries to win the backup job in Dallas over
Will Grier. Before leaving the game against the Rams, Milton went 17-for-29 passing for 143 yards with a touchdown and interception, and he also carried the ball five times for 22 yards. Milton has some intriguing dual-threat abilities as a backup QB, but the Cowboys would be in rough shape if Prescott suffers another injury in 2025 that forces Milton into starting duties.
--Keith HernandezSource: Dallas Morning News - Calvin Watkins
August 14, 2025
Baltimore Orioles pitching prospect
Trey Gibson was promoted to Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday and made his first start for the Tides on Wednesday. The Orioles' 12th-ranked prospect was impressive in his first outing, tossing five innings of one-hit ball, not allowing a walk or a run scored while striking out six batters. It was the right-hander's fourth straight start without allowing an earned run, lowering his season-long ERA to 2.91 with a 0.98 WHIP and tallying 141 strikeouts in 96 innings pitched (13.22 K/9, 27.9 percent K-BB%). If the 6-foot-5 hurler can show well at Triple-A, look for him to debut in the majors next season, and with good strikeout stuff, he's worth keeping an eye on. However, if the command dips, then there is some reliever risk with Gibson, which could diminish his potential fantasy value.
--Jarod RuppSource: Norfolk Tides
August 14, 2025
Jacksonville Jaguars running back
Travis Etienne Jr. got a lot of run "from the jump" in the team's scrimmage on Thursday.
Tank Bigsby and rookie
Bhayshul Tuten had the second-most reps of RBs during the scrimmage, and Bigsby found the end zone. Etienne was also the team's lead back in the preseason opener on Saturday against the Pittsburgh Steelers, although he only carried the ball twice for six yards and caught one pas for a pickup of 10 yards. Bigsby and Tuten didn't see the field. Etienne's usage so far suggests that he should be a big part of Jacksonville's offense in 2025, unless he's traded before the start of the season. The 26-year-old is still RotoBaller's highest-ranked (No. 33) Jaguars RB in fantasy, but Bigsby is at No. 38, and Tuten sits at No. 51. It could be a three-headed monster for Jacksonville, making Etienne an RB3/flex, at best, in PPR leagues if he's not traded.
--Keith HernandezSource: Mia O'Brien
August
14,
2025
San
Francisco
49ers
wide
receiver
Jauan
Jennings
(calf)
posted
a
photo
on
his
social-media
account
of
him
getting
treatment
on
Thursday
morning
from
Las
Vegas,
where
his
teammates
are
scheduled
to
have
a
joint
practice
against
read more...
August 14, 2025
New England Patriots running back
Rhamondre Stevenson (undisclosed) remained sidelined at Thursday's training camp practice, according to Brian Hines of Pats Pulpit. Stevenson probably isn't in line to suit up for the second preseason game on Saturday against the Minnesota Vikings, but head coach Mike Vrabel said on Wednesday that Stevenson's injury is minor. The 27-year-old shouldn't be in danger of having to miss the start of the 2025 regular season in early September. When Stevenson is healthy and available, he's going to split touches in New England's backfield with rookie
TreVeyon Henderson, although given his issues with ball security, this could easily become Henderson's backfield in 2025 when all is said and done. If that ends up happening, Stevenson's best bet for fantasy purposes might be as an RB3/flex touchdown vulture at the goal line.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pats Pulpit - Brian Hines
August 14, 2025
Baltimore Orioles catcher
Adley Rutschman is not in the lineup for his team's game against the Seattle Mariners on Thursday.
Alex Jackson is catching and batting ninth in his absence. This is likely just a scheduled day off for Rutschman, who has started 14 straight games since returning from an oblique injury on July 28. The 27-year-old is in the midst of a down year overall, slashing .232/.318/.386 with nine home runs, 27 RBI, and 37 runs scored in 333 plate appearances. He's fallen out of the must-start tier in one-catcher fantasy leagues for 2025, but there's plenty of potential for a rebound season in 2026.
--Will BradySource: MLB.com
August 14, 2025
The Detroit Lions offense has had a learning curve this summer with the transition from former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson to new OC John Morton, but the offense reportedly looked dominant in joint practice with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday and could be finally hitting its stride with the regular season quickly approaching. Wide receiver
Amon-Ra St. Brown was the best player on both teams on Wednesday. "We feel like as an offense maybe this camp there has been some struggles for us as an offense. But I think that's normal. You got new coaches and different moving parts and you're going against a really good defense every day," St. Brown said. The 25-year-old caught 115 passes for 1,263 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2024 and is arguably the best slot receiver in the league.
Jameson Williams could demand more targets this year, though, potentially making St. Brown a bust candidate as a top-five fantasy wideout.
--Keith HernandezSource: DetroitLions.com - Tim Twentyman
August 14, 2025
Seattle Mariners starting pitcher
Bryce Miller (elbow) was solid in his third rehab appearance with Triple-A Tacoma on Wednesday. He threw 76 pitches over 5 2/3 innings, allowing two hits and two earned runs while walking one and striking out four. Miller has been on the injured list since early June due to inflammation in his right elbow. The 26-year-old struggled before the injury, pitching to a 5.73 ERA and 1.54 WHIP with 39 strikeouts in 48 2/3 innings (10 starts). He's pitched to a 4.05 ERA with 15 strikeouts in 13 1/3 innings on his rehab assignment, but he's been punished by the long ball (four home runs allowed). Now that he's made it up to 76 pitches, Miller should be in line to make his next start in the big leagues.
--Will BradySource: milb.com
August 14, 2025
Veteran starting pitcher
Carlos Carrasco has been designated for assignment by the Atlanta Braves. In the corresponding move, the team has recalled right-hander
Hunter Stratton from Triple-A Gwinnett. Carrasco began the 2025 season with the New York Yankees but was acquired by Atlanta in late July. He made three starts for the Braves, allowing 15 earned runs in 13 2/3 innings pitched. In 45 2/3 total innings this season, the 38-year-old has pitched to a 7.09 ERA and 1.71 WHIP with 34 strikeouts. Carrasco has not pitched to an ERA under 5.64 since the 2022 season, so this may be the end of the road on what's otherwise been a very solid career.
--Will BradySource: MLB.com
August 14, 2025
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay said early in training camp that backup quarterback
Jimmy Garoppolo would not play in the preseason this year, so it might be Stetson Bennett once again taking the majority of the snaps under center for the second week of the preseason on Saturday against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Matthew Stafford (back) has still yet to practice during training camp, and
Dresser Winn is the only other QB on th roster. The Rams are optimistic that Stafford will be ready for Week 1 of the regular season, but it makes sense for them to keep Jimmy G on ice during the preseason as an insurance policy in case Stafford isn't ready. The 31-year-old has reportedly looked strong running the first-team offense in Stafford's absence this summer, and he'd become a low-end QB2 option in superflex fantasy leagues if Stafford misses time to begin the 2025 season.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL.com - Eric Edholm
August 14, 2025
Detroit Tigers outfielder
Parker Meadows (quad) is "hitting and throwing daily" and "closing in on potentially beginning a rehab assignment soon," according to MLB.com. Meadows has been on the injured list since July 28 with a right quad strain. Multiple injuries have limited Meadows to 137 plate appearances this season, and he's struggled to a .200/.270/.296 slash line with two home runs, nine RBI, 15 runs scored, and three stolen bases. The Tigers have been using a combination of
Javier Baez and
Wenceel Perez in center field while Meadows has been out. Meadows could see the majority of starts against right-handed pitching when he returns, but he'll have to perform better the rest of the way than he has so far in a small sample.
--Will BradySource: MLB.com
August 14, 2025
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander
Alek Manoah (elbow) had a rough start for Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday. Manoah worked 1 2/3 innings, allowing two hits and three earned runs while walking three and hitting a batter. It was the first rehab outing for Manoah at the Triple-A level as he works his way back from the elbow surgery he underwent in June 2024. The 27-year-old has struggled throughout his rehab, allowing nine earned runs, 11 hits, and eight walks across seven total innings. Recent reports indicate that even when fully healthy, Manoah is unlikely to rejoin what has become a deep Blue Jays' starting rotation in 2025.
--Will BradySource: milb.com
August
14,
2025
Miami
Dolphins
wide
receiver
Tyreek
Hill
(oblique)
will
not
practice
on
Thursday
despite
a
strong
push
to
return
to
the
field,
according
to
ESPN's
Daniel
Oyefusi.
Hill
is
dealing
with
an
oblique
injury
that
has
kept
read more...
August 14, 2025
Miami Dolphins linebacker Chop Robinson (rib) returned to training camp practice on Thursday, according to head coach Mike McDaniel. It comes a day after Robinson was carted from joint practice with th Detroit Lions early with a rib injury. "It was a rib hit that we had to make sure we were responsible and didn't have any fractures or anything like that," McDaniel said. "He's definitely sore, but he'll be practicing today." The former first-rounder last year has drawn rave reviews for his performance this summer after recording six sacks in his first NFL season in 2024. Linebacker Jaelan Phillips (undisclosed) was unable to practice on Thursday due to an undisclosed injury. The 22-year-old Robinson will be looking to build on a solid rookie season ro the Dolphins defense in 2025.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Marcel Louis-Jacques
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