Houston Astros relief pitcher Kendall Graveman (shoulder) is in the middle of a throwing program with a remote chance that he could make it back in September. Graveman said his Jan. 10 surgery was to fix a torn labrum and clean up his rotator cuff. It was initially believed that the 33-year-old right-handed reliever would miss all of the 2024 season, but he's apparently made good progress and could make it back for the stretch run. Still, fantasy managers in deeper leagues probably don't have the room to stash a holds guy like Graveman. Plus, if he does return late in the year, the Astros probably won't have him pitching in high-leverage situations. He has 24 saves in nine big-league seasons and posted a 3.12 ERA, a 1.31 WHIP, eight saves, 66 K's and 36 walks in 66 1/3 relief innings in 2023 with the Astros and Chicago White Sox.

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Detroit Tigers right-hander Alex Faedo (hip) is scheduled to make his second minor-league rehab appearance on Saturday for Triple-A Toledo. In his first rehab outing on Wednesday, Faedo was able to throw a scoreless inning. If the 28-year-old doesn't encounter any setbacks on Saturday, he could come off the injured list after that and rejoin Detroit's bullpen. Faedo was originally the 18th overall pick in 2017 out of Florida and came up threw the team's minor-league system as a starter before being moved to a full-time relief role this year. In 21 appearances out of the bullpen for the Tigers before his injury, Faedo had gone 3-1 with six holds, a 3.38 ERA, a 1.18 WHIP and 29:13 K:BB in 34 2/3 innings. At best, Faedo is an option in the deepest of holds leagues when he's healthy.

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Pittsburgh Pirates left-hander Martin Perez (groin) will start a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Indianapolis and make a start on Saturday. Perez is getting close to a return to the big-league starting rotation after landing on the injured list in late May with a strained left groin. The 33-year-old veteran southpaw is expected to throw around 75 pitches on Saturday in what is expected to be his only rehab start before rejoining the major-league roster. The soft-tossing Perez has a low fantasy ceiling because of his lack of strikeouts. Before his injury, he had gone 1-3 with a 4.71 ERA (4.68 FIP) and 1.55 WHIP with only 46 strikeouts and 19 walks in 57 1/3 frames over his 11 starts. The 13-year veteran is sporting a weak 18% strikeout rate in 2024 and has a 16.1% strikeout rate in his career.

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Boston Red Sox outfielder Wilyer Abreu (ankle) was back with the team on Friday before their game against the Cincinnati Reds and is likely to be activated from the 10-day injured list on Saturday. Abreu had been seeing notable playing time before his ankle injury and was hitting .272/.344/.485 with an .829 OPS, six home runs, 22 RBI, seven stolen bases and 26 runs scored in 169 at-bats in 53 games in just his second year in the big leagues. His impending return could be bad news for Masataka Yoshida, who also hits left-handed. While Abreu has been a nice surprise off the waiver wire for fantasy managers in deeper leagues, keep in mind that his underlying numbers point to serious regression the rest of the way with an expected batting average of just .230.

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Detroit Tigers outfielder Kerry Carpenter (back) said he hopes to begin baseball activities on Monday and it seems like his recovery is still on a positive track. Carpenter is dealing with a pretty serious injury and has been shut down from all baseball activities since late May with a lumbar spine stress fracture in his back. The 26-year-old most certainly will not be back with the Tigers before the mid-July All-Star break but appears to be headed in the right direction with his rehab. The former 19th-round pick in 2019 has a bright future in Detroit and had been starting regularly against right-handed pitching before his injury, hitting an impressive .283 (41-for-145) with a .342 on-base percentage, .914 OPS, eight homers and 29 RBI. Until he's able to return, outfielders Matt Vierling and Wenceel Perez will be ticketed with more playing time in the outfield.

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Texas Rangers right-hander Jon Gray will be moved up to make his next start on Saturday against the visiting Kansas City Royals, according to manager Bruce Bochy. Right-hander Max Scherzer (back, thumb) was supposed to make his 2024 debut on Saturday, but the Rangers have decided to push him back as a precaution to give him at least another day. Gray was originally slated to make his next start on Monday in Milwaukee against the Brewers on seven days of rest. The 32-year-old veteran was hit hard his last time out on Monday against the Mets, giving up a season-high nine earned runs on 11 hits (two homers) while walking none with two punchouts in just three innings. Gray allowed only one earned run in his two previous starts, but he hasn't gone over three innings in any of his three starts since returning from the injured list and will have another tough matchup against KC.

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San Diego Padres catcher Luis Campusano (thumb) was scratched from Friday's contest against the visiting Milwaukee Brewers as he deals with what manager Mike Shildt called "soreness and bruising" in his left thumb. It's unclear if an injured-list stint will be necessary, but if it is, Kyle Higashioka would be needed to take over starting catching duties in San Diego. In addition to his injury, the 25-year-old Campusano has cooled off at the plate since earlier in the year and is now slashing .234/.282/.371 with five home runs, 31 RBI and 25 runs scored in 205 at-bats as the Friars' primary catcher this year. In 15 games so far in June, he's gone 9-for-35 (.257) with a homer, three doubles, six RBI and six strikeouts. Higashioka might be worth a look in two-catcher leagues if Campusano hits the IL, but he has much less offensive upside.

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Kansas City Royals outfielder Kyle Isbel (back) had to leave Friday's game early in the fifth inning against the Texas Rangers with lower-back tightness. The good news is that before leaving the contest in Texas, Isbel hit his fifth home run of the year, a solo shot in the third inning of starter Nathan Eovaldi. He was replaced in center field by Garrett Hampson. The former third-round pick in 2018 out of UNLV came into Friday's contest hitting a weak .225 (42-for-187) with a .270 on-base percentage and .618 OPS with four home runs, 19 RBI, four stolen bases and 25 runs scored in 62 games in his fourth year with the Royals. Until we know about the severity of his injury, consider him day-to-day. Hampson could get more looks in KC's outfield if Isbel's injury lands him on the injured list.

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Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno (thumb) left Friday's game early against the Philadelphia Phillies with a sprained left thumb. Before departing, Moreno at least was able to do damage for his fantasy managers, going 2-for-3 with a two-run home run in the third inning and a run scored. He was replaced behind the plate by Tucker Barnhart in the sixth inning. It's unclear exactly how serious the 24-year-old's injury is, but we wouldn't be surprised at all if it requires a trip to the injured list. For however long Moreno is out, Barnhart would serve as Arizona's primary backstop. Moreno excelled in his first year in the desert in 2023 with a .284 average and also won a Gold Glove, but he's been struggling offensively in 2024, as he entered Friday's contest with a .223/.308/.324 line with only two homers and 24 RBI in 60 games played.

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Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (elbow) exited the game on Friday night against the Philadelphia Phillies with left-elbow soreness. It was a tough night for the D-backs health-wise in the 5-4 road win, as catcher Gabriel Moreno (thumb) also left early. Gurriel did manage to go 2-for-4 with a solo home run, his 10th of the year, in the second inning. The 30-year-old appeared to hurt his elbow during an at-bat in the seventh inning. Without much more information on the severity of his injury, fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day heading into the second game of the series in Philly on Saturday. Veteran Randal Grichuk, who entered the game in right field, would stand to see an increase in playing time if Gurriel's injury is serious enough to land him on the injured list. The Cuban slugger entered Friday's game with a .256 average, nine homers, 43 RBI and 33 runs scored.

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Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Josh Lowe had a huge day at the plate, smacking two homers and notching four RBI in the Rays' 10-3 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday. The homers were the fourth and fifth of the season for Lowe and he now has 12 RBI in 2024. Lowe has been having a slow start to the season after missing time with an oblique injury, hitting for just an 83 OPS+. June has not been the lefty's best month hitting but he now has three HR in his last four games. Lowe has a small bit of positive regression heading his way per his .308 xwOBA, giving him potential upside going forward. Fantasy managers may want to consider adding Lowe and stashing him as a bench option. DFS players may want to consider adding him when facing righties on the road, his best situation in 2024 where he has a 113 wRC+.

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Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco struck out seven in six innings of work while allowing just one earned run in the Guardians 7-1 win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday. Carrasco improved his record to 3-6 on the season. The win was much needed for the 15-year vet as this was just his third quality start in 13 chances. The right-hander still has some work to do to get his numbers to a respectable level. His 5.13 xERA suggests he still has a long ways to go before he can become any type of reliable fantasy option. His next shot to keep turning around his season will be a real tough test on Wednesday as the Guardians will travel to Baltimore to face the Orioles at Camden Yards.

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Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy (oblique) was transferred to the 60-day IL on Friday. Muncy has been on the IL since May 17th, making any potential return to the Dodgers active roster not likely until after the All-Star break. Though he was added to the 60-day IL, the lefty slugger has been making progress in his recovery and was seen taking grounders at Dodger Stadium on Friday. Muncy has been shut down from swinging until at least next week. Any progress swinging the back will be a great sign for fantasy managers and Dodgers fans. Enrique Hernandez and Cavan Biggio have been starting at third base in Muncy's absence. Neither is a great fantasy option at this point and fantasy managers looking to fill Muncy's void will want to look elsewhere.

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New York Mets designated hitter J.D. Martinez had a very productive day at the plate on Friday, smacking a three-run homer and adding an RBI single in the Mets' 11-1 win over the Chicago Cubs. The four RBI are a season high for Martinez, and his home run was his ninth on the season. The 36-year-old has been having a fantastic season, hitting for a .370 wOBA with a .391 xwOBA, the latter ranking in the 97th percentile of the league. Fantasy managers looking for a DH should snatch up Martinez immediately if he's available. He will look to continue his hot June on Saturday against Cubs starter Jameson Taillon, who he is 5-for-21 against in his career with a double and a homer.

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Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Jack Flaherty was stellar on Friday night, pitching 5 2/3 innings and striking out eight in the Tigers' 2-1 win over the Chicago White Sox. Flaherty picked up the win and improved his record to 5-4 on the season. The 28-year-old also threw 98 pitches, negating any potential concerns about the back spasms that forced him to be removed in his start against the Texas Rangers earlier this month. With an xERA of 2.66, Flaherty should continue to be dominant whenever he takes the hill for the Tigers. His next start will be a tough test when the Philadelphia Phillies come into Detroit on Wednesday.

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Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Shota Imanaga had his worst outing in the majors on Friday afternoon, giving up 10 runs on 11 hits in three innings in the Cubs' 11-1 loss to the New York Mets. After being credited with the loss Imanaga's record is now 7-2. The lefty allowed three homers to J.D. Martinez, Francisco Alvarez and Brandon Nimmo. Imanaga's ERA rose a full run from 1.90 to 2.96 after the dredging. "Sometimes, when I give my 100% that's not enough. So, I need to figure out unique ways to be better," the Japanese rookie stated after the loss. Imanaga had been due for negative regression with a 3.05 xERA prior to today and he's clearly needing to find new ways to counter batters now that the league has a bit of a book on him. He'll get his next shot to get back on track on Wednesday night in San Francisco against the Giants.

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Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung (wrist) was pulled off his minor-league rehab assignment and is returning to Arlington, Texas, to be examined this weekend, and the Rangers will then make a decision on whether his rehab assignment will continue or if he'll be activated from the injured list to rejoin the big-league roster. If the team's doctors and decision-makers like what they see, the 26-year-old right-handed slugger could be back in the lineup later this weekend against the visiting Kansas City Royals. He has gone 4-for-17 in four rehab games with Triple-A Round Rock as he recovers from a fractured wrist that he suffered way back on April 1. When he returns, Jung will be the team's starting third baseman and should be rostered in all fantasy leagues. Both Josh Smith and Ezequiel Duran will lose out on playing time at the hot corner when Jung is activated.

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Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw (shoulder) will make his second minor-league rehab start on Tuesday with Triple-A Oklahoma City. Kershaw looked sharp in his first rehab start with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga on Wednesday, giving up just one run on two hits while walking one and striking out five in three innings of work. The 36-year-old veteran southpaw got his fastball up to 90 mph and continues to build up his arm after having offseason surgery on his left shoulder. The three-time Cy Young winner and future Hall of Famer has a ways to go in his rehab assignment and probably isn't going to be ready to make his 2024 debut for the Dodgers until after the All-Star break in mid-July. Kershaw is no longer a fantasy ace and has had his fair share of injuries in recent years, but he can still be effective in all fantasy formats if he can stay healthy in the second half.

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Updating a previous report, Los Angeles Angels infielder Brandon Drury (illness) was scratched from the lineup for the second straight game on Friday against the Los Angeles Dodgers due to an illness. Drury was also scratched from Wednesday's lineup and had Thursday's off day to rest up, but apparently he's still under the weather after initially being included in the lineup for the series opener at Dodger Stadium. Luis Rengifo is at the hot corner and batting second, while Michael Stefanic will draw into the Angels' lineup at the keystone and bat eighth against Dodgers rookie right-hander Landon Knack. The 31-year-old Drury is a regular on the infield for the Halos when healthy, but he's missed time due to injury in 2024 and hasn't been much of a fantasy contributor in mixed leagues with a .173/.233/.236 slash line and just one home run in his 110 at-bats.

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The Colorado Rockies placed rookie infielder Adael Amador on the 10-day injured list on Friday with a right-oblique strain and activated second baseman Brendan Rodgers (hamstring) from the injured list in a corresponding move. The Rockies expect Amador to have a quick recovery, although when he's all healed up, he seems likely to head back to the minors to continue his development. Colorado called up their top prospect to handle second-base duties with Rodgers on the shelf, but he looked overmatched in his first taste of big-league pitching and went 6-for-35 (.171) with a double, stolen base, one walk and six strikeouts in 10 games played. The 21-year-old suffered a similar oblique injury earlier this year while playing for Double-A Hartford, although it doesn't look like he's going to be out long.

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