New York Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole (elbow) started his throwing program on Monday with around 20 pitches on flat ground, according to Meredith Marakovits of YES Network. It's a big milestone for Cole, who had reconstructive surgery on his right UCL back in March. The 34-year-old veteran will still miss the entire 2025 season, and it's not guaranteed that he'll be ready for Opening Day in 2026. Cole was dominant with a 2.63 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 222 strikeouts in 33 starts for the Yankees in 2023 as the American League Cy Young winner, but this is his second straight injured season after he made only 17 starts in 2024. He will still be relevant in all fantasy leagues next year as a high-end starter, but it's fair to wonder now whether Cole won't be as dominant as he nears the back nine of his MLB career.

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Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona said the team met with rookie right-hander Chase Burns on Monday, and while there is no set finalized plan due to moving pieces in the starting rotation, there will be an innings limit for the young hurler. The Reds might have to get creative because the team really wants him to keep pitching without being shut down for the season. Between the majors and minors this year, the hard-throwing 22-year-old has thrown 100 1/3 innings after throwing exactly 100 a year ago in his final collegiate season. It's unclear if Burns will make his next scheduled start on Friday in a tough matchup against the first-place Milwaukee Brewers. At the very least, Burns is in danger of being booted from the rotation after Friday's start with Hunter Greene (groin) and Nick Lodolo (finger) both potentially returning soon.

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Pittsburgh Pirates first base/outfield prospect Billy Cook (hand) was placed on the Triple-A 7-day injured list on Sunday with a hand injury. The Pirates' 21st-ranked prospect was hit in the hand by a pitch on August 3 and hasn't played in a game since then, although the youngster recently indicated that the hand felt fine, so it could be a minimum stay on the IL. The 26-year-old is slashing .248/.323/.384 with eight home runs and 13 stolen bases in 94 games for the Indians. The right-handed hitter has even seen time in the majors last year and this year, going 13-for-55 (.236) with three home runs, eight RBI, six runs scored, and a stolen base in 19 games played. The power and speed are there, but a 27.0 percent career strikeout rate in the minors probably limits his upside.

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Pittsburgh Pirates pitching prospect Thomas Harrington (undisclosed) has been placed on the Triple-A 7-day injured list with an undisclosed injury. The Pirates' fifth-ranked prospect made a start for Indianapolis on August 8 and left in the fifth inning with the trainer, but no diagnosis has been provided. The former 36th-overall draft pick had put up solid numbers in the minors prior to this year, but has recorded an ugly 5.40 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, and a 13.6 percent K-BB% through 19 starts (95 innings pitched) at Triple-A this year. The righty even received three appearances in the majors, one as recently as August 1, but with even less success, allowing 15 earned runs on 18 hits and seven walks while striking out seven in 8 2/3 innings pitched. Hopefully the injury is nothing serious, but he likely won't get a chance in the majors again this season.

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St. Louis Cardinals infielder/outfielder Brendan Donovan (groin) remains sidelined for Monday's series opener against the visiting Colorado Rockies at Busch Stadium. Thomas Saggese will make another start at second base and will hit seventh against Rockies rookie right-hander Chase Dollander. Left-groin tightness will keep Donovan out of a third straight game, and he could be headed for the injured list if he's unable to return in the next couple of days. Saggese profiles as a low-upside DFS sleeper, even against a rookie pitcher that has struggled so far in his time in the big leagues. Saggese has hit .241 (28-for-116) with only one home run, 10 RBI and nine runs scored in 40 games played this year after making his MLB debut in 2024. The 23-year-old has gone 8-for-30 (.267) with three doubles and three runs in 12 games since the All-Star break.

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Kansas City Royals right-hander Michael Lorenzen (oblique) made his second minor-league rehab start on Sunday for Double-A Northwest Arkansas and allowed three earned runs on seven hits while walking three and striking out four in 5 2/3 innings of work. It was Lorenzen's second rehab start, and the fact he almost went six innings in this one means that his next start could come back in the big leagues for the Royals. The 33-year-old won't be a popular waiver-wire pickup in mixed leagues, though, as he had gone 5-8 with a 4.61 ERA (4.55 FIP) and 1.30 WHIP with 85 strikeouts and 29 walks in 99 2/3 innings pitched over his 18 starts before his injury. Lorenzen will probably have a rotation spot waiting for him in KC when he's activated from the injured list, but his low strikeout rate gives him a pretty low fantasy ceiling and floor the rest of 2025.

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The Colorado Rockies announced on Monday that they have recalled right-handed pitching prospect Chase Dollander from Triple-A Albuquerque and have designated catcher Austin Nola for assignment in a corresponding move. Dollander will be making his 16th start of the yar for the Rockis in Monday's series opener at Busch Stadium against the hosting St. Louis Cardinals. The 23-year-old had a ruke awakening in the big leagues earlier this year, as he recorded a 6.68 ERA (5.96 FIP) and 1.56 WHIP with 52 strikeouts and 33 walks in 68 2/3 innings over 15 starts before the Rockies sent him to the minors. He wasn't any better in three starts on the farm after being sent down in July, posting an 8.74 ERA and 1.85 WHIP in three starts. The matchup against St. Louis isn't a terrible one for his return, but we wouldn't recommend rolling with the young hurler in his first start back.

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The Minnesota Twins reinstated outfielder Byron Buxton (rib) from the 10-day injured list on Monday and optioned outfielder Carson McCusker to Triple-A St. Paul in a corresponding move, according to the team. The Twins haven't released their starting lineup for Monday's series opener in the Bronx against the New York Yankees and right-hander Will Warren, but Buxton should be back in there, either in center field or as the designated hitter. The 31-year-old veteran is returning from left rib cartilage irritation that has kept him out since late July. Buxton is having one of the finest years of his MLB career, but he didn't go on a minor-league rehab assignment and could be rusty on offense initially. The two-time All-Star is returning to a strong .282/.343/.561 slash line, a .905 OPS, 23 home runs, 59 RBI, 68 runs scored and 17 steals in 326 at-bats.

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Chicago White Sox right-hander Elvis Peguero is set to serve as the opener for Monday's series opener against the division-rival Detroit Tigers, with left-hander Tyler Alexander serving in a bulk-relief role, according to SI.com's Jack Ankony. Peguero will be making his debut with the club after they claimed him off waivers from the Milwaukee Brewers on Aug. 3 and initially sent him to Triple-A Charlotte. The 28-year-old Dominican will be making the first "start" of his MLB career, and he had a 4.91 ERA (5.56 FIP) and 1.64 WHIP with five strikeouts and four walks in 7 1/3 relief innings with Milwaukee earlier this year. Neither Peguero or Alexander are worthwhile streaming options, but Peguero will most likely just go one inning. Alexander will be making his fifth start of 2025. He's gone 4-10 on the season with a 4.52 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 62 K's in 73 2/3 innings.

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The Boston Red Sox have designated right-handed pitcher Nick Burdi for assignment, according to Chris Cotillo of MassLive. Burdi has dealt with multiple injuries this season and has spent the majority of his healthy innings with Triple-A Worcester. In the 5 1/3 innings he pitched for Boston this season, Burdi did not allow an earned run and recorded five strikeouts. The Red Sox are recalling left-hander Jovani Moran from Triple-A, who will replace Burdi on the team's 40-man roster, but Boston will need to make an additional move to clear an active roster spot.

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Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Alek Manoah (elbow) may not have a path to the big leagues this season, according to MLB.com's Keegan Matheson. Manoah has spent all of 2025 to this point working his way back from the elbow surgery he underwent in June 2024. The 27-year-old right-hander has thrown 5 1/3 innings across three rehab appearances, so he would be on track to return from a health perspective. However, Matheson writes that Manoah could be blocked off by the Blue Jays' starting rotation depth at the big league level. Toronto has gotten surprisingly strong work from Eric Lauer as the team's fifth starter, and deadline acquisition Shane Bieber (elbow) is nearing his return from elbow surgery. As such, Manoah is likely to remain in the minor leagues this season, barring multiple starting pitcher injuries for Toronto.

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St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Kyle Leahy could be used in a piggyback role with starting pitchers Andre Pallante and/or Matthew Liberatore down the stretch of the season, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Goold writes that the team is considering building Leahy up as a starter going into 2026. In 62 2/3 innings (45 games) this season for St. Louis, Leahy is 2-1 with a 2.59 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and 55 strikeouts. All 81 of his career big-league appearances have come in relief, but he made 26 starts in the minors as recently as 2022. If Leahy is indeed utilized in a consistent multiple-inning role in the middle of games the rest of the way, he could be an interesting waiver-wire target for fantasy managers in need of wins.

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Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Nick Lodolo (finger) played catch on Sunday for the first time in four days, according to MLB.com. The 27-year-old was placed on the 15-day injured list on August 5 due to a blister on his left index finger. Lodolo is expected to return from the IL once eligible on August 20, which will be a welcome sight for the Reds. In 129 2/3 innings pitched (23 starts) this season, Lodolo is 8-6 with a 3.05 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, and 124 strikeouts. His 4.6% walk rate is the best of his career. Once he returns to the mound, Lodolo is a must-start pitcher in fantasy.

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Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Jack Kochanowicz was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake on Sunday night, per Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register. Kochanowicz was sent down earlier in the year after allowing eight earned runs to the Texas Rangers on July 10, but he was recalled by Los Angeles after just one minor league start. The overall big-league stat line for Kochanowicz this year is not pretty. In 107 2/3 innings (22 starts), the 24-year-old is 3-10 with a 6.19 ERA, 1.69 WHIP, and an abominable 14.5% strikeout rate. The team has yet to announce who will be taking Kochanowicz's spot on the major-league roster.

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Chicago Cubs right-hander Ben Brown will start Tuesday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays, according to Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network. Brown's last outing came on August 4 against the Cincinnati Reds, and he worked four innings while allowing two hits and one earned run with five strikeouts. In 19 games (15 starts) for the Cubs this season, Brown is 5-7 with a 6.04 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, and 104 strikeouts. The 25-year-old is an intriguing waiver-wire option because of his 25.4% strikeout rate, but Brown is also a persistent threat to cause harm in the ERA and WHIP categories.

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Colorado Rockies right-hander German Marquez (biceps) threw a bullpen session Saturday and is scheduled to throw live batting practice Tuesday, MLB.com reports. Marquez has been sidelined since July 21, meaning a rehab assignment is likely; however, the team has yet to announce whether that is necessary. While this is good news for German and the Rockies, at this time, Marquez is not a recommended fantasy option. He boasts a 5.67 ERA, a 1.64 WHIP, and a 6.68 K/9 in 98 1/3 innings pitched. In addition, he pitches in the least pitcher-friendly ballpark in the majors, Coors Field. Feel free to keep him on the waiver wire for the time being in redraft leagues.

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Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Sunday that Hyeseong Kim (shoulder) could be cleared to take live batting practice by the end of the week, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports. Kim has resumed taking part in most baseball activities since landing on the injured list July 29 due to left shoulder bursitis, but facing live pitching is an encouraging sign he is heading in the right direction to be cleared before heading out on a minor-league rehab assignment. Late August appears to be realistic for the 26-year-old. Kim has produced when given the opportunities in a stacked lineup, slashing .304/.338/.406 with two home runs, 17 runs scored, 15 RBI, and 12 stolen bases in 146 plate appearances. Even when Kim does return, he will likely be in a platoon with Miguel Rojas and Tommy Edman (ankle), making it difficult to trust him in redraft formats.

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Houston Astros outfielder Jake Meyers (calf) is progressing well and is now sprinting, hitting, and engaging in outfield work. The Astros want to increase the volume and intensity of his activities before he advances to live at-bats, according to MLB.com. Meyers hit the 10-day injured list on July 11, but encouragingly enough, is now ramping up his baseball activity. Meyers is slashing .308/.369/.405 with three home runs, 47 runs scored, 21 RBI, and 14 stolen bases in 322 plate appearances. Meyers is enjoying a breakout campaign for his standards, as his career slash line through five MLB seasons is .245/.308/.378. He brings a lot of value in the outfield as well, ranking in the 98th percentile in range (OAA). The Astros are currently half a game up in the AL West standings and will be looking for all reinforcements down the stretch to help them win a division title. At this time, Meyers can stay on the waiver wire, and at best, is a deep league streamer from a fantasy perspective.

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Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno (finger) will go on rehab assignments to Triple-A Reno on Tuesday, per Torey Lovullo. Looking like Arizona's next homestand is the target for reinforcements and roster decisions, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports. Moreno is eligible to return from the 60-day injured list on August 18, and he looks like he'll have a shot to be activated on that date if all goes smoothly on his rehab assignment. On the season, Moreno is slashing .270/.324/.414 with five home runs, 20 RBI, and 29 runs scored in 188 plate appearances. That slash line aligns with his career numbers through his previous three MLB seasons with a slash line of .278/.343/.397. Moreno is known for his contact, hard-hit, and squared-up percentage to go along with his defensive skills, including throwing out runners attempting to steal bases. The power has yet to surface, although he has never hit more than 12 home runs in a season at any level in his eight-year career. Fantasy managers looking for a good contact guy who doesn't strike out much will find just that in Moreno.

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Baltimore Orioles right-hander Kyle Bradish (elbow) is expected to make at least one more rehab start before returning from the 60-day injured list, MLB.com reports. Bradish has worked 12 1/3 innings over four minor league starts, producing a subpar 6.57 ERA and 1.54 WHIP. While his numbers appear rough on the surface, his 3.57 FIP and 3.50 xFIP suggest some signs of positive regression. His 9.49 K/9 and 2.92 BB/9 both line up with his career numbers. At this time, it's not yet clear whether Bradish will require one more start or multiple starts. He threw 69 pitches in his recent outing. Should Bradish get called up after his final rehab start, he could provide fantasy managers with a solid arm down the stretch. That being said, he would have to hit the ground running and produce at a decently high level right away for fantasy managers to have complete trust. The Orioles (53-65) are firmly out of playoff contention, so they have little incentive to rush Bradish. Currently, he remains a decent IL stash with some upside.

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