Kansas City Royals left-hander Cole Ragans (shoulder) remains on track in his pitching progression and is playing catch up to 120 feet, according to MLB.com. Ragans is recovering from a left rotator-cuff strain that initially landed him on the 15-day injured list on June 11. He was transferred to the 60-day IL on July 8 and is expected to return in late August, barring a setback. Ragans is making slow progress and could return for the final month of the regular season, but he's running out of time, especially to help out fantasy managers. The 27-year-old southpaw will probably be on a short leash when he returns, too, and there's even the possibility he returns in a relief role. After being a first-time All-Star in 2024, it's been a very disappointing season for Ragans. He ran into bad luck in his 10 starts with a 5.18 ERA (2.43 FIP) while striking out 76 and walking 16.

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Kansas City Royals rookie outfielder Jac Caglianone (hamstring) has been able to hit and throw but hasn't introduced running into his rehab program yet after landing on the 10-day injured list on July 27 with a strained left hamstring, according to MLB.com. The 22-year-old left-handed slugger took live at-bats against rehabbing right-hander Michael Lorenzen last Thursday and is getting close to potentially going on a minor-league rehab assignment. The former two-way star and sixth overall pick in 2024 out of Florida has struggled in his first taste of the big leagues in 2025, but the elite power is there. Through his first 41 games with KC, he's gone 22-for-150 (.147) with five home runs, 10 RBI and a 34:8 K:BB. When Cags does return from the IL, he could be the team's primary designated hitter to close out the year after the Royals added Randal Grichuk and Mike Yastrzemski at the trade deadline.

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Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Jonny DeLuca (hamstring) was removed from Wednesday's 5-4 win over the Los Angeles Angels in the sixth inning due to left-hamstring tightness, according to Ryan Bass of Bally Sports. Before departing, DeLuca 1-for-3 with a triple before being replaced in center field by Jake Mangum. The 27-year-old should be considered day-to-day for now, but he could require a trip to the injured list if testing shows it's something serious. DeLuca was playing in just his 20th game of the season for the Rays on Wednesday but had seen more playing time over the last week with rookie Chandler Simpson dealing with a finger injury. If DeLuca requires time away, Mangum figures to benefit the most in Tampa's outfield. The Rays have a day off on Thursday before starting a series on Friday against the Mariners in Seattle.

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Kansas City Royals right-hander Michael Lorenzen (oblique) made his first minor-league rehab start on Tuesday with Double-A Northwest Arkansas and allowed four runs on four hits (two homers) while walking three and striking out five in three innings of work. Lorenzen threw 66 pitches in the outing, per MLB.com. The 33-year-old veteran wasn't great in his first rehab start, but the primary takeaway is that he didn't have a setback with his left-oblique strain that landed him on the 15-day injured list on July 14. There isn't a guarantee that Lorenzen will return to KC's starting rotation when he's fully healthy. He has gone 5-8 in his first full season with the Royals with a 4.61 ERA (4.56 FIP) and 1.30 WHIP with 85 strikeouts and 29 walks in 99 2/3 frames over 18 starts. With a weak 7.7 K/9 and an up-in-the-air role to close out the season, Lorenzen doesn't carry much fantasy upside.

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Chicago White Sox rookie middle infielder Chase Meidroth (thumb) remains out of action for Wednesday's contest in Seattle against the Mariners at T-Mobile Park. Lenyn Sosa will get the nod at the keystone and will hit in the two-hole versus Mariners right-hander George Kirby. Meidroth is missing his fifth straight game, so if he's unable to return soon, he may be looking at a stint on the 10-day injured list after he was hit by a pitch on his right thumb last Wednesday. Sosa won't be a bad sleeper in DFS on Wednesday out of the two-hole while hitting .281 (96-for-342) on the year with 12 home runs, 44 RBI and 36 runs scored for the Pale Hose in 96 games played. He's gone hitless in only two career at-bats against Kirby. The 24-year-old Meidroth has been a modest speed contributor with 11 stolen bases for those in AL-only leagues in his first year in the Show.

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Miami Marlins starting pitcher Ryan Weathers (lat) was able to throw a bullpen session on Wednesday. This is a positive step forward for Weathers who is working his way back from a lat strain he suffered in early June. This session was the first time that Weathers has thrown off a mound since his injury. The southpaw still needs to build up his pitch count and stamina before returning to the big league mound. The expectation is that Weathers is going to need a rehab assignment before returning to the Marlins. Possibly, Weathers is able to pitch for the big league club before the end of August.

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Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Chris Sale (ribs) is set to throw a live batting practice session on Thursday. Sale continues to progress from a fractured left ribcage he suffered in mid-June. The expectation is that Sale will likely go on a minor league rehab assignment after Thursday's session. It's unclear how many starts he'll need before rejoining the Braves rotation. Sale is eligible to be activated from the injured list on August 19. The assumption is that he'll rejoin the Braves rotation around then. There should be more information on his status following his batting practice session.

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Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung (calf) has been limited to designated hitter duty lately due to injury. However, Jung took grounders on Wednesday and is expected to return to third base on Friday. Jung has missed four games over the last week due to a calf issue. He has avoided a trip to the injured list, but has been limited to playing DH. The Rangers have an off day on Thursday, but Jung should be back at his primary position on Friday. That being said, it sounds like Jung is basically fully healed from his injury with his return to the field looming.

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Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Sal Frelick (knee) is back in the starting lineup ahead of Wednesday's game against the Atlanta Braves. Frelick is returning to the lineup following a three-game absence due to left knee soreness. Frelick has been swinging a hot bat lately, so the Brewers are happy to avoid a stint on the injured list. The 25-year-old is slashing .333/.350/.556 with one home run and two RBI over the last two weeks. He'll bat leadoff and play right field versus right-hander Spencer Strider. Fantasy managers can safely get Frelick back into their lineups.

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Boston Red Sox catcher Carlos Narvaez (knee) is out of the starting lineup ahead of Wednesday's game against the Kansas City Royals. Narvaez reportedly looked to be limping during Tuesday's game, so he'll take a seat here due to knee soreness. Manager Alex Cora downplayed the severity of the issue and believes Narvaez will be ready to play on Friday. Connor Wong will do the catching and bat ninth versus right-hander Michael Wacha on Wednesday. Fantasy managers should adjust their lineups accordingly with Narvaez sidelined.

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Texas Rangers outfielder Evan Carter (back) said he had an injection in his back and is hoping to ramp things up as early as this Friday, according to Jeff Wilson of DLLS Sports. Back spasms sent Carter to the 10-day injured list last weekend, but the 22-year-old is hoping he can rejoin the big-league squad sooner than later. Back issues are nothing new for the young outfielder, so it's something to watch the rest of the season. The Rangers have moved Wyatt Langford to center field with Carter out, which has opened up playing time for both Alejandro Osuna and Sam Haggerty in left field. Carter can contribute across the board for fantasy managers when he's right, but he's proven injury-prone early in his career. He has hit .238/.323/.381 with a .704 OPS, four homers, 21 RBI, 27 runs and 12 stolen bases for Texas in 2025 in a career-high 55 games.

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St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado (shoulder) will report to Jupiter, Fla., to start a minor-league rehab assignment on Friday, according to manager Oliver Marmol. The Cardinals think that after Arenado's shoulder strengthens, he could play in games soon in the rookie-level Florida Complex League. The 34-year-old veteran is on the 10-day injured with right-shoulder soreness, and there's no timetable for his return at this moment. However, if he's able to begin a rehab assignment next week, he should be back with St. Louis before the end of August, barring a setback. In the meantime, Nolan Gorman has been filling in as the team's primary option at the hot corner. Arenado continues to be excellent with his glove on defense, but his power numbers have continued to decline in 2025. The eight-time All-Star is hitting a mere .235 (85-for-361) with only 10 bombs and 43 RBI.

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Toronto Blue Jays outfielder George Springer (concussion) did not start his minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday as previously expected, per Shi Davidi of Sportsnet. "He's going to go through everything. I think there still needs to be some tests done to see if he can get cleared for today," manager John Schneider said. The Blue Jays are being cautious with the 35-year-old, but hopefully he will get back on the field in the minors any day now. He is eligible to come off the seven-day injured list on Friday, but there's a good chance Springer won't be quite ready by then. With Springer dealing with a head injury, newcomer Ty France has been filling in as Toronto's DH. Springer is a must-stash in fantasy leagues in the midst of his resurgent season, as he's slashing .291/.383/.506 with 18 homers, 57 RBI, 66 runs and 12 stolen bases in 344 at-bats.

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Athletics infielder Luis Urias (back) remains out of the starting lineup on Wednesday against the hosting Washington Nationals in D.C. Max Schuemann will make another start at second base and will hit ninth against Nationals right-hander Cade Cavalli, who will be making his first major-league start since 2022. Urias has been out since suffering from lower-back spasms when he was pulled from Sunday's game early. The 28-year-old Mexican is day-to-day for now but could be a candidate to land on the injured list if he doesn't recover quickly. He has not been relevant in mixed fantasy leagues in 2025 with a .234/.322/.355 slash line, .677 OPS, only eight home runs, 20 RBI and 25 runs scored in 83 games played. Schuemann will also be a DFS sleeper to avoid on Wednesday in the nine-hole for the A's.

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San Francisco Giants outfielder Jerar Encarnacion (hamstring) was pulled from Wednesday's game early against the Pittsburgh Pirates after injuring his right hamstring while trying to beat out an infield single at PNC Park. Manager Bob Melvin said that Encarnacion is going to miss some time and added that the injury isn't good. Encarnacion will go for an MRI exam on Thursday but will likely land on the 10-day injured list. Before leaving the 4-2 win over the Bucs, the 27-year-old went 1-for-3 with his second homer of the season (a solo shot). It will be Encarnacion's third trip to the IL this year after also fracturing his hand and straining his oblique. Grant McCray entered the game in right field in place of Encarnacion on Wednesday and could see regular playing time at the position in San Fran going forward. Encarnacion came into Wednesday with a .148 average (4-for-27).

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St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Willson Contreras (illness) is out of action on Wednesday against the hosting Los Angeles Dodgers in the series finale with a stomach bug, according to John Denton of MLB.com. Contreras could be available to pinch hit late in the game. Alec Burleson is starting at first base and is in the three-hole against Dodgers right-hander Shohei Ohtani. It will be Contreras' first day off since July 4, but he should be ready to return to the lineup for a divisional clash on Friday against the Chicago Cubs after another off day on Thursday. So far in five games in August, Burleson has gone 2-for-18 with two RBI and two runs scored. The 26-year-old left-handed hitter has slashed .278/.332/.450 on the season with 14 home runs, 50 RBI, 39 runs and four steals in 353 at-bats. He's hitless in just two career at-bats against Ohtani.

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San Francisco Giants first base prospect Bryce Eldridge continued to mash on Tuesday, going 3-for-4 with a two-run home run in the ninth inning that helped propel Triple-A Sacramento to an extra-innings win. He also walked once, collected four RBI, and scored twice, while recording a home run for the third straight contest. Since returning from the IL on July 18, the Giants' top prospect is 18-for-60 (.300) with eight home runs in 16 games. He's now slashing .274/.342/.536 on the year, with 18 home runs and 59 RBI in 66 games between Double-A and Triple-A. At this scorching hot pace, he'll likely earn a promotion to the big leagues before the end of the year, and although there is strikeout risk, managers in desperate need of power production could consider rostering the 6-foot-7 slugger.

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Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (hip) hasn't shown any ill effects after leaving his last start with right-hip cramping, according to manager Dave Roberts. The plan is for Ohtani to throw four innings in his next start on Wednesday against the visiting St. Louis Cardinals. It would be the first time all year that Ohtani has gone four innings if he's able to do so in Wednesday's series finale. The reigning National League MVP has gone exactly three frames in each of his last three starts. Ohtani has a nice 2.40 ERA with 17 strikeouts and five walks in 15 innings over his seven starts in 2025, but he has allowed three earned runs in his last two starts. The 31-year-old Japanese superstar is slowly being stretched out by the Dodgers on the mound after having his second Tommy John surgery in September of 2023.

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Houston Astros right-hander Cristian Javier (elbow) made his fifth minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Sugar Land on Tuesday and allowed an earned run on two hits while walking four and striking out six in 3 2/3 innings against Triple-A Sacramento. Javier is getting closer to making his 2025 debut after rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. The 28-year-old has posted a 5.14 ERA and 1.79 WHIP with 15 strikeouts and 15 walks in 14 innings during his rehab assignment in the Florida Complex League, Double-A Corpus Christi and Round Rock. Javier should be a starting rotation option for the Astros before the end of the season, but fantasy managers should temper expectations as he struggles with his command on his rehab assignment. It's possible that his next outing could be in the big leagues.

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New York Mets pitching prospect Justin Hagenman was recalled from Triple-A on Wednesday. The right-hander made his major league debut earlier this year and has made four appearances for New York (one start), recording a 5.11 ERA and 1.22 WHIP in 12 1/3 innings pitched. On the bright side, he walked just one batter in those appearances while striking out 13. Despite an inflated ERA at Triple-A as well, the 28-year-old displayed excellent control, walking just 4.2 percent of batters while striking out 26.4 percent in 52 1/3 innings, so he's still got the potential to be an effective arm out of the bullpen for the Mets. Even so, as an unproven middle relief option, the 6-foot-3 hurler does not have fantasy relevance. Dom Hamel, who was called up for the first time on Monday, did not make an appearance during his time with the Mets and was sent back down before making his MLB debut.

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