Houston Astros right-hander Jose Urquidy (forearm) will make his next minor-league rehab start on Friday at Triple-A Sugar Land and he's set to throw around 70 to 75 pitches, according to manager Joe Espada. The Astros are slow-playing a pitcher that missed a big chunk of the 2023 campaign with an arm injury. Urquidy is now recovering from a right-forearm injury but is on the cusp of making his 2024 debut. The 29-year-old Mexican hurler reached 59 pitches in his last rehab outing on Saturday and should be cleared to join the Astros' starting rotation if he gets out of this weekend's outing without any setbacks. Given all the injuries to Houston's rotation this year, Urquidy's return will be a welcomed sight. Urquidy had a career-worst 5.29 ERA in 63 innings in 2023 and holds a subpar 19.6% strikeout rate in five big-league seasons, but he'll be in play as a matchup-based streamer in deeper fantasy leagues when he's back in the fold.

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Houston Astros right-hander Ronel Blanco will likely make his return from a 10-day suspension to start on Sunday against the Oakland Athletics, according to manager Joe Espada. Blanco was ejected from his last start after just three innings against the A's after umpires found an illegal substance on his glove. He threw three scoreless innings against Oakland his last time out and has been excellent this year for the Astros, going 4-0 with a 2.09 ERA (4.02 FIP) and 1.06 WHIP with 21 walks and 45 strikeouts in 47 1/3 frames over eight starts. Blanco's FIP of over 4.00 shows that he's due some regression in 2024, but fantasy managers must continue to roll with him in starting lineups, especially against an A's offense that ranks 22nd in baseball with a .674 OPS.

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The Chicago White Sox are planning to recall pitching prospect Nick Nastrini from Triple-A Charlotte in order to join their major-league starting rotation, according to sources. Nastrini could start as soon as Wednesday in Toronto against the Blue Jays. The 24-year-old is the team's No. 8 prospect, per MLB Pipeline. He looked overmatched in his first two big-league starts last month, picking up two losses, allowing eight runs (seven earned), walking seven and striking out eight in eight total innings against the Kansas City Royals and Philadelphia Phillies. His third MLB start on Wednesday will be a better matchup against the struggling Jays offense, but the rookie hurler will still have plenty of risk as a deep-league streaming option. If Nastrini shows improvement, perhaps the White Sox will consider giving him another turn through the rotation with Michael Soroka now in the bullpen.

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Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Ryan Pepiot (leg) will be activated from the 15-day injured list to start on Wednesday against the Boston Red Sox. As expected, Pepiot will make his return to the Rays' starting rotation after initially landing on the injured list with a bruised lower left leg after he was hit by a comebacker in his last start on May 5. The 26-year-old didn't require any minor-league rehab starts because he wasn't dealing with an injury to his arm, so fantasy managers should feel a bit more comfortable throwing him back into their starting lineups right away. The matchup against the Red Sox isn't a great one, however, as they rank eighth in all of baseball with a .724 team OPS. Since giving up six earned runs in his season debut on April 1, Pepiot has looked better and will return on Wednesday to a 3.68 ERA and 0.93 WHIP with 41 K's in 36 2/3 innings over his seven starts.

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Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr. (hip) is scheduled to play five innings on Wednesday in a minor-league rehab game in the Arizona Complex League. Robert will then take Thursday and play this weekend in Arizona before going on a rehab assignment with a higher affiliate, according to manager Pedro Grifol. It's likely that the White Sox will let the 26-year-old right-handed slugger play in plenty of rehab games before they consider bringing the oft-injured outfielder back to the majors. He's been out since April 6 with a Grade 2 right hip-flexor strain, but Robert should be stashed in an IL spot in all fantasy leagues because of his power/speed upside when he's healthy. Even without a setback, the best bet is that Robert won't return until early June. The Cuban outfielder was a first-time All-Star in 2023, hitting .264 with a career-high 38 home runs, 80 RBI and 20 stolen bases.

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Texas Rangers head coach Bruce Bochy said that right-hander Jon Gray (groin) left his start early on Tuesday against the Philadelphia Phillies with right-groin tightness after throwing 75 pitches. Gray was hit with his second loss of the season after allowing two earned runs on four hits while walking three and striking out four in his five innings of work to raise his season ERA to a still very solid 2.21. We should know more on the severity of the 32-year-old's groin injury later on Tuesday night or on Wednesday morning. Even if it's not that severe of a strain, the Rangers could play it safe and put Gray on the injured list. At the very least, it seems likely that he won't be able to make his next scheduled start on Sunday against the Minnesota Twins. The good news for the Rangers is that right-hander Dane Dunning (shoulder) is returning from the IL to start on Wednesday in Philly.

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Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said that right-hander Dane Dunning (shoulder) will be ready to come off the injured list and start on Wednesday in Philadelphia against the Phillies. Dunning is making his return from a right rotator-cuff strain that put him on the injured list earlier this month. The 29-year-old didn't go on a minor-league rehab assignment and has gone beyond five innings just twice (in his first two starts) so far in 2024, so fantasy managers shouldn't be expecting him to go very deep in one of the tougher matchups in his return on Wednesday. The former 29th overall pick by the Washington Nationals in 2016 out of Florida has a decent 4.10 ERA and 1.15 WHIP with 43 strikeouts in 37 1/3 innings over his seven starts. Dunning has a 48.9% hard-hit rate but also a strong 31% whiff rate, making him a pretty polarizing fantasy asset.

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Cincinnati Reds first baseman Christian Encarnacion-Strand (wrist) will have a follow-up exam on June 5. Encarnacion-Strand was diagnosed with a fractured right hand back on May 8, which stemmed from being hit by a pitch on April 27, and he was expected to miss somewhere between four and six weeks. The 24-year-old former top prospect should remain stashed in shallow fantasy leagues for his power potential and a possible return sometime in the middle of June, but he was slashing a pitiful .190/.220/.293 with two home runs, six doubles, and 16 RBI over 123 plate appearances (29 games) before requiring a trip to the injured list. The switch-hitting Jeimer Candelario's playing time at first base should be locked in for the time being, but he's failed to produce much for fantasy purposes while slashing just .216/.284/.379 with four homers, 11 doubles, and 17 RBI in 153 at-bats.

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New York Mets starting pitcher Kodai Senga (shoulder, triceps) played "light catch" on Tuesday, manager Carlos Mendoza said. It's an encouraging sign for Senga, who missed Sunday's scheduled bullpen session due to a setback with triceps tightness. His next bullpen session is scheduled for Friday, but considering how much time Senga has taken between mound sessions in his throwing progression from a right posterior shoulder capsule strain, his rehab could easily extend into mid-June or beyond at this point. Mendoza does believe a return in the first half is still possible, though. In 29 starts a year ago, the hard-throwing 31-year-old right-hander recorded a strong 2.98 ERA (3.63 FIP), 1.20 WHIP, and 202:77 K:BB over 166 1/3 innings. Senga should remain stashed in the majority of leagues, but fantasy managers will need to exercise continued patience.

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Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Adbert Alzolay (forearm) is getting a second opinion on his strained right flexor. That's something you never want to hear, as it further clouds Alzolay's return timetable from the injury. In 18 games this year, the 29-year-old right-hander held a disappointing 4.67 ERA with 13 strikeouts, six walks, and six home runs allowed over 17 1/3 innings from the Cubs' bullpen before manager Craig Counsell had to remove him from the closer's role. Consider Alzolay out indefinitely until more is known. This should solidify Hector Neris' standing as Chicago's primary closer for the foreseeable future, though. Neris has a 2.65 ERA through 17 frames, but a 4.85 FIP, 1.64 WHIP, and 15:14 K:BB can't help but feel highly concerning.

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Cincinnati Reds outfielder Jake Fraley (hand) left Tuesday's game against the visiting San Diego Padres after being hit in the right hand by a pitch in the first inning. X-rays were negative for a fracture, but Fraley has swelling and will get looked at on Wednesday. Stuart Fairchild entered the game, and he would be in line for an uptick in at-bats in Cincy's outfield if Fraley needs to miss additional time beyond Tuesday. The 28-year-old Fraley is slashing a modest .272/.333/.359 with 17 runs scored and seven stolen bases through 103 at-bats in 2024, but he's going through a power outage with just one home run and seven RBI in 36 games. Consider the right fielder day-to-day ahead of Wednesday's meeting with San Diego, but it's fair to expect Fraley to get at least one day off with the injury.

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San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Blake Snell (adductor) is expected to be reinstated from the injured list to start Wednesday's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Snell has been out of action since April 19 due to a strained left adductor, but he's ready to roll following two strong appearances on his minor-league rehab assignment. It's worth noting that Snell is expecting his first child in the coming days, but at this point in time, manager Bob Melvin feels like he's going to pitch on Wednesday. The hard-throwing 31-year-old left-hander gave up 15 runs over 11 2/3 innings (three starts) before going down, but fantasy managers should feel pretty good about Snell's chances of kick-starting his season in a soft matchup against Pittsburgh.

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Chicago White Sox designated hitter Eloy Jimenez (hamstring) exited Tuesday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays with a strained left hamstring, and he's being further evaluated. Jimenez was seen limping a bit after scoring a run during the fifth inning, going 2-for-3 with a double before departing, and Gavin Sheets hit for him in the DH spot in the seventh. The oft-injured 27-year-old slugger has made only appearance in the field this season, and he's slashing a career-worst .231/.288/.381 with five home runs, five doubles, and 12 RBI with a career-high three stolen bases through 134 at-bats (36 games) as Chicago's everyday DH. Jimenez will almost certainly be absent for Wednesday's series finale against Toronto, and fantasy managers can only hope he isn't dealing with a severe strain that could send him to the injured list.

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Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Reese Olson (hip) said he played catch on Tuesday and felt fine other than a little soreness around his hip. Olson will throw a side session on Wednesday, but he expects to be ready to go in time for Saturday's scheduled start at home against the Toronto Blue Jays after suffering a right hip contusion in Monday's start against the division-rival Kansas City Royals. The 24-year-old right-hander may be without a win through his nine starts this season, but he owns an excellent 2.16 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, and 43:16 K:BB over 50 innings of work for the Tigers. Fantasy managers should continue monitoring the status of Olson over the coming days for confirmation that he won't need to miss a turn in the rotation.

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Baltimore Orioles catcher/first base prospect Samuel Basallo has been performing very well in his first extended look at Double-A pitching. Through 36 games this season, the 19-year-old has a solid .255/.293/.390 line with five long balls and two stolen bases. The young backstop has remained steady as he posted a .262 AVG in April and currently holds a .246 AVG through May. Basallo spent the majority of last season with Single and High-A and only got to play four games with Double-A. In 144 games last year, he showcased his elite potential with a stellar .313/.402/.551 slash line with 20 long balls. Basallo is considered as the 14th-best prospect in baseball on MLB Pipeline and remains a coveted asset in dynasty and keeper leagues.

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Washington Nationals third base/shortstop prospect Brady House went 3-for-4 on Tuesday with two RBI to lead Double-A Harrisburg to a victory. The 20-year-old entered Tuesday sporting a cold .218/.323/.491 slash line with a 7:16 BB:K. However, despite his lack of contact recently, he has tallied five long balls during this stretch. During April, he posted a higher .256 average and even opened the season with a six-game hitting streak. The former No. 11 overall selection in the 2021 MLB draft is considered the No. 3 prospect in the Nationals system on MLB Pipeline and is projected to reach the majors sometime next season. He is worth rostering in deeper dynasty leagues and could be worth adding in keeper leagues if he makes it to Triple-A later this summer.

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The San Francisco Giants reinstated catcher Patrick Bailey (head) from the seven-day concussion injured list on Tuesday and optioned catcher/outfielder Blake Sabol to Double-A Richmond in a corresponding move. The Giants also added outfielder Ryan McKenna to the active roster. Although Bailey was brought back from the IL on Tuesday, it was Curt Casali who got the start behind the plate for the Giants in Pittsburgh against the Pirates with a left-hander on the mound. Now that he's back, Bailey should return to primary catching duties in San Francisco after opening the year with a strong .280/.340/.451 slash line in 95 plate appearances. The former 13th overall pick in 2020 out of North Carolina State has added three home runs, 11 RBI and 10 runs scored in his 82 at-bats in 2024. Bailey should be back in the starting lineup on Wednesday.

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Washington Nationals outfield prospect James Wood launched his eighth home run of the season in the second game of a doubleheader on Tuesday. The top prospect in the Washington system has been on fire all season at Triple-A with a stellar .348/.456/.571 with ten stolen bases and a 33:37 BB:K ratio. This is a significant improvement compared to the hefty 39:124 BB:K ratio he held last season at Double-A. The number five overall prospect in baseball, according to MLB Pipeline, is on the verge of making his major league debut and should be rostered in all leagues as he will provide fantasy managers with a high-upside combination of power and speed.

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San Francisco Giants outfielder Michael Conforto (hamstring) has been cleared for on-field batting practice and is nearing a return from the injured list. A right-hamstring strain put Conforto on the 10-day injured list over a week ago, but he appears to be making good progress. The last hurdle that the 31-year-old probably will have to clear is running the bases at full speed, and it remains to be seen if he'll be sent out on a minor-league rehab assignment before returning to San Francisco. Conforto is eligible to return next Wednesday. The Giants could really use him back after recently losing rookie Jung Hoo Lee (shoulder) for the entire season. The left-handed-hitting Conforto was slashing a strong .280/.331/.490 with an .821 OPS, seven home runs and 20 RBI in 143 at-bats for the Giants before tweaking his hammy.

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Minnesota Twins third baseman Royce Lewis (quadriceps) ran the bases for the first time on Monday after faring well during change-of-direction work, according to athletic trainer Nick Paparesta. It's another big step in Lewis' rehab process, and the Twins should have a better sense of his progress when they return home on Friday. The 24-year-old strained his right quadriceps muscle on Opening Day on March 28 and has been out ever since. Because of the long layoff, fantasy managers should expect Lewis to be required to go on a lengthy minor-league rehab assignment before the Twins reinstate him from the injured list. In a best-case scenario, he's probably not going to make his return until at least early June. Despite his injury, the former No. 1 overall pick in 2017 should continue to be stashed in all fantasy formats for his power upside.

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