Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Merrill Kelly (shoulder) is hoping to return from the 60-day injured list to the starting rotation in the middle of August after suffering a right-shoulder strain during a between-starts throwing session in late April. Kelly has been rehabbing at the team's spring training complex and is throwing out to 75 feet. It's the first time in his 15-year career that he's dealt with a soft-tissue injury, and he thinks the strain was due to the "heavy load the last two years." Kelly will turn 36 years old in October but needs to be held in most fantasy leagues after he went 2-0 with a strong 2.19 ERA and 0.93 WHIP with 21 strikeouts in 24 2/3 innings in his first four starts before his shoulder injury. The next big step in Kelly's slow rehab will be to get back on the mound and resume throwing bullpen sessions.

The Washington Nationals selected the contract of outfielder Harold Ramirez from the minors on Monday and optioned infield prospect Trey Lipscomb to Triple-A Rochester in a corresponding move. Ramirez has made it back to the big leagues after being cut by the Tampa Bay Rays and signing a minor-league deal with Washington on June 15. The 29-year-old wasn't in the team's starting lineup for Monday's series opener against the San Diego Padres, and Ramirez figures to only draw into the starting lineup in the outfield or as the designated hitter when the team faces a left-handed pitcher. The Columbian outfielder hit .268/.284/.305 with just one homer, 13 RBI and a career-high-tying five stolen bases in 48 games this year in Tampa. Ramirez has limited power (37 career homers in six years) and fantasy upside as a part-time player.

Arizona Diamondbacks left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez (lat) has started a throwing program and is throwing at 105 feet, but the Diamondbacks are taking things very slowly since his setback last month. Rodriguez's initial throwing program was paused after he experienced some discomfort in his left lat following an April 9 bullpen session. He was moved to the 60-day injured list on April 17. E-Rod was initially removed from a spring training game on March 19 with left-lat tightness, and an MRI exam taken the following day showed the strain. Manager Torey Lovullo said last Wednesday that the 31-year-old southpaw would begin throwing off a mound within the next week, but that has yet to happen. Rodriguez will need to go on a minor-league rehab assignment eventually, so fantasy managers shouldn't expect him to make his debut with the Snakes until the second half of the season.

Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Miguel Castro (shoulder) was scheduled to throw a live batting practice session on Monday, consisting of one inning and 25 pitches. Castro has thrown multiple bullpen sessions and is now facing live hitters, so he's getting close to going on what could be a short minor-league rehab assignment. The 29-year-old relief pitcher is rehabbing from right-shoulder inflammation. Barring a setback in his recovery, he should be back with the Diamondbacks' bullpen before the All-Star break in mid-July. Before landing on the shelf, Castro had a 5.19 ERA (3.61 FIP) and 1.50 WHIP with six strikeouts and one walk in just 8 2/3 innings pitched. He's in his 10th major-league season and has a 4.17 career ERA and 1.38 WHIP with 14 saves in 455 2/3 innings pitched. Castro isn't really on the fantasy radar, even in holds leagues.

The New York Mets reinstated catcher Luis Torrens from the paternity list on Monday and designated catcher Joe Hudson for assignment in a corresponding move. Torrens was away from the team during last weekend's series against the Chicago Cubs while tending to a personal matter. The 28-year-old backstop is now back with the Mets and will resume his duties as the primary backup to starter Francisco Alvarez. Unless Alvarez misses more time with an injury, Torrens can be ignored in fantasy, even in two-catcher leagues. He has appeared in just nine games with the Mets in 2024 and has gone 8-for-24 (.333) with three home runs, a double, five RBI and six runs scored. Torrens has a .230/.292/.366 career slash line with 22 homers and 84 RBI in 278 games played in the big leagues since debuting in 2017.