Welcome to the Fantrax MLB Injury Report for Thursday, August 21, 2025. In today’s report, Felix Bautista’s future is murky, Shohe Ohtani’s night took a scary turn, and Austin Riley might not return this season. Read about all of this and so much more in today’s MLB Injury Report from Fantrax.
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MLB Injury Report
Felix Bautista – RP Baltimore Orioles
Expected to miss at least the next 12 months https://t.co/f7YPMQqvfl
— Roch Kubatko (@masnRoch) August 20, 2025
When the Orioles proclaimed that Bautista’s injury was a significant one, they weren’t kidding. Bautista will now miss the rest of the 2025 season and most of the 2026 season as well. Assuming there are no setbacks, he likely won’t be eligible to return until around September next year, and even then, it’s hard to know what state he will be in physically, mentally, and emotionally. He may be ready for the final week of the season as he tries to prepare for the 2026 offseason. This buries any and all dynasty value he may have had, as, at age 30 right now, he may never return to form.
Shohei Ohtani – SP/DH Los Angeles Dodgers
Ohtani has a right thigh contusion, according to Dave Roberts, who said he doesn't think any imaging will be necessary. He said he's "hopeful" Ohtani will be back in the lineup after a scheduled off-day tomorrow.
— Manny Randhawa (@MannyOnMLB) August 21, 2025
It was a scary moment in last night’s game, as Ohtani was hit with a comebacker, causing concern for injury. However, the dual superstar was able to stay in the game until late, though it would appear that there is hope that he will play again on Friday. Stay tuned.
Jackson Merrill – OF San Diego Padres
Mike Shildt said imaging on Jackson Merrill’s left ankle continues to be negative, “but there is some bone bruising, which can take a while to heal.” The Padres haven’t yet put Merrill on the injured list, but his status for this weekend against the Dodgers appears questionable.
— Dennis Lin (@dennistlin) August 21, 2025
Merrill last played on the weekend, and it appears that time off hasn’t done enough to show significant healing. He may need a trip to the Injured List soon in order to have a chance to come back and help the Padres down the stretch.
Kenley Jansen – RP Los Angeles Angels
Kenley Jansen said he’s been dealing with rib pain on his left side. He tweaked it in a workout. It affected him last night and in Sacramento.
He’s hoping to avoid the IL.
— Erica Weston (@EricaLWeston) August 20, 2025
It was revealed that Jansen’s mysterious injury was in his ribs, which is something that he hopes to work through. He’s been able to push through and play with injuries before, but year after year, he gets older and older, and sometimes things like this catch up to a player. We may not know for a few days if he’s bound for the Injured List, but if he is, Reid Detmers likely gets the nod as the team’s closer.
Zach Neto – SS Los Angeles Angels
Ray Montgomery says Neto is fine. X-rays negative.
— Erica Weston (@EricaLWeston) August 21, 2025
Neto was hit by a pitch on the left wrist early in last night’s contest. He was re,moved after struggling to make contact with a pitch on a later at-bat, looking like he was in extreme pain. While the good news is that there is no fracture here, his return depends on his tolerance for pain. It remains to be seen when he will return to the Angels’ lineup, but it looks like he’s avoided a serious injury.
Austin Riley – 3B Atlanta Braves
#Braves 3B Austin Riley is in Philadelphia seeing a specialist about his lower abdominal issue. There is some concern he is dealing with a sports hernia, which could end his season.
— Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) August 20, 2025
Even if he does not have a sports hernia, the fact that he has tried three times to ramp things up only to be sidelined with recurring pain is a cause for concern. Assuming he does not have this projected ailment, he could return at some point this season, though a rehab assignment is likely warranted. If he does have this hernia, then, as mentioned, he is done for the season. Either way, fantasy players should consider moving on here.
Matt Olson – 1B Atlanta Braves
https://twitter.com/DOBrienATL/status/1958300227552645387
Fantasy players should monitor this situation, as they could be without a first baseman if this escalates.
Brandon Nimmo – OF New York Mets
Nimmo awoke with a stiff neck, according to Mendoza. And tried to play through it.
— Mike Puma (@NYPost_Mets) August 21, 2025
It’s unfortunate that Nimmo was unable to play through this injury, as he was pulled after just one at-bat. He is a human being, and things like this do happen. The hope is that he didn’t exacerbate the situation and cause more of an injury by pushing himself here.
Pablo Lopez – SP Minnesota Twins
Pablo López is scheduled to make a Class AAA rehab start for the St. Paul Saints on Thursday. He’s expected to throw three innings or 45 pitches.
Simeon Woods Richardson is scheduled to pitch around four innings in that game too.
— Bobby Nightengale (@nightengalejr) August 20, 2025
If Lopez can throw a successful three innings here and feel physically well afterward, there’s a good chance that he needs just to make just two more appearances after this, possibly being ready for the final month of the season. In fact, if all goes well, he could provide fantasy players with four outings down the stretch.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – 1B Toronto Blue Jays
Sounds unlikely Vladimir Guerrero Jr (left hamstring) is available off the bench for the Blue Jays on Wednesday. Club can leverage Thursday’s off day to get him 72+ hours of rest and recovery
— Arden Zwelling (@ArdenZwelling) August 20, 2025
The Jays did not use Guerrero Jr. in yesterday’s game, and we should know tomorrow whether or not he can return or would require a trip to the Injured List.
Kyle Tucker – OF Chicago Cubs
Craig Counsell confirmed the fracture during his postgame presser. (says it’s healed now btw) https://t.co/H44RnmphSj
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) August 21, 2025
This would help explain his slump at the plate, as he’s been feeling the effects of this and battling through it. Unfortunately for fantasy baseball managers, this is something that nobody but Tucker (and possibly the team) can know about when rostering players.
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