Houston Astros manager Joe Espada intimated that the team is exploring the possibility of simulating some at-bats in West Palm Beach, Florida, in lieu of a minor-league rehab assignment for second baseman Jose Altuve (oblique), who is healing at an "incredible" pace, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Altuve ran the bases, took ground balls, and is swinging at 75-80% effort as he continues to recover from a Grade 2 left-oblique strain. It's still unclear when the 36-year-old veteran might be ready to come off the 10-day injured list, but it's obviously good news, and Altuve could rejoin the Astros' lineup by mid-June. Until Altuve returns to the big-league roster, Brice Matthews and Braden Shewmake figure to continue splitting time at the keystone in Houston. Altuve, a former MVP and nine-time All-Star, is starting to show signs of decline in 2025 in his 16th year in the league, as he was hitting just .245/.326/.380 with a .706 OPS, four home runs, 12 RBI, 27 runs scored, and a single stolen base in 42 games across 185 plate appearances before his oblique strain.

The Los Angeles Dodgers announced that outfielder Teoscar Hernandez (hamstring) was lifted from Wednesday's contest early against the division-rival Colorado Rockies with a left-hamstring strain. Hernandez grounded out in his only at-bat before being pulled and was seen grabbing at his hamstring while running to first base in the second inning. While we'll wait for an update on the severity of his injury, it's possible that the Dodgers could lose both Enrique Hernandez (oblique) and Teoscar Hernandez (hamstring) to the injured list on back-to-back days. Hyeseong Kim replaced Hernandez in left field on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium, but Alex Call might be the biggest beneficiary of playing time in the Dodgers' outfield if Hernandez is forced to the IL with this injury. For his run production in a stacked Dodgers' lineup, the 33-year-old Dominican will need to be stashed in all fantasy leagues if he's placed on the IL. Hernandez came into Wednesday's tilt against the Rockies slashing .278/.350/.439 with a .789 OPS, seven homers, 31 RBI, 30 runs scored, and two steals across his 180 at-bats for the Blue.

Houston Astros closer Josh Hader (biceps) is set to make his final rehab appearances with Triple-A Sugar Land on Wednesday and Thursday before returning to the big leagues, per Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Hader is currently on the 60-day injured list and has yet to pitch for Houston in 2026 as he works his way back from left biceps tendinitis. However, Hader has dominated in the minor leagues during his rehab outing, entering Wednesday with a 1.29 ERA and 11 strikeouts across seven innings pitched. The veteran left-hander was one of the best closers in baseball in 2025, recording 28 saves in 29 chances and striking out 36.9% of the batters he faced. Upon his return, Hader profiles as a must-start fantasy closer across all league formats.

Texas Rangers utility man Ezequiel Duran (illness) exited early from his team's game against the Houston Astros on Wednesday due to an illness, per Kennedi Landry of MLB.com. Duran was hitless in two plate appearances before leaving the game. The 27-year-old has been a valuable stopgap piece for the Rangers so far this season, hitting .279/.333/.456 with four home runs, 26 RBI, 22 runs scored, and four stolen bases across 163 plate appearances. Duran is capable of lining up all over the field, but he's seen regular playing time at shortstop in recent weeks, with Rangers starting shortstop Corey Seager currently on the 10-day injured list due to a back injury. It does not seem as though Duran is in line for an extended absence. However, should he miss time, infielder/outfielder Michael Helman could be the next man up at shortstop for Texas.