The Texas Rangers are hoping to activate right-hander Jon Gray (groin) from the 15-day injured list on Tuesday. It's unclear when Gray will make his first start off the IL, but it's possible that he could pitch out of the bullpen as early as Tuesday at Globe Life Field against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The 32-year-old veteran has been sidelined with a strained right groin since late July and did not go on a minor-league rehab assignment, so we won't be recommending him as a fantasy streamer right away. In 20 appearances (17 starts) this year, he's gone 5-4 with a 3.73 ERA (3.34 FIP), a 1.25 WHIP and a 78:23 K:BB in 94 innings pitched. It's very possible that Gray could just be a rotation placeholder for the Ranger until one of Max Scherzer (shoulder) or Jacob deGrom (elbow) are ready to rejoin the big-league pitching staff.

Houston Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker (shin) took batting practice on the field again on Monday and continued to do drills in the outfield. Tucker is jogging, but manager Joe Espada has said previously that Tucker won't be getting close to a minor-league rehab assignment until he can run the bases, which he has yet to do. Fantasy managers have to be wondering why Tucker has missed so much time -- he went on the 10-day injured list on June 7 with a right-shin contusion. At the time of his injury, his .979 OPS was fourth in baseball behind Aaron Judge, Juan Soto and Marcell Ozuna, and he also ranked second in the American League in walks (46) and third in slugging (.584). He is the third player in franchise history with at least 19 homers in the team's first 59 games. It might not be until September until we see Tucker again, but he needs to be stashed in all fantasy formats.

Houston Astros right-hander Ryan Pressly (back) was feeling better and played catch on Monday, according to manager Joe Espada. Pressly tried to pitch through a back strain for the past two weeks before the team finally placed him on the 15-day injured list this past Saturday. He has a 3.86 ERA and 1.41 WHIP in 46 2/3 innings this year but has given up 12 hits, five earned runs and five walks in seven innings in seven appearances since July 29. The 35-year-old's rough recent stretch before going on the IL coincides with his back injury, so the Astros will be hoping that he will be much better down the stretch out of the bullpen once he returns from the IL. Pressly will be eligible to come off the IL on Aug. 29, but it remains to be seen if he'll be ready at that date.

Houston Astros right-hander Penn Murfee (elbow), who threw 19 pitches (12 strikes) while starting for Single-A Fayetteville in a minor-league rehab game last Thursday at Augusta, had a sore arm after the outing and the Astros plan to hold him back a day or two. Murfee allowed four earned runs on three hits and one walk, striking out one in his rehab outing, which was his first outing in a game since having UCL surgery in June of last year. He was acquired off waivers from the Atlanta Braves in late March. It remains to be seen when the 30-year-old will make his next rehab appearance, but the Astros aren't going to rush him back. However, barring another setback with his surgically repaired right arm, Murfee figures to be an option for the big-league bullpen to close out the year or in the postseason if the Astros can hang on and win the American League West yet again.

Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman (elbow), who was ruled out for the weekend series against the Chicago White Sox after he came down with a swollen right elbow, "hit, took ground balls and is asking, 'Put me in coach,'" manager Joe Espada said. However, the Astros held Bregman out for a fourth straight game in Monday's win over the Boston Red Sox at Minute Maid Park. Espada said Bregman also hit in the cages before Monday's contest. The two-time All-Star said on Friday that he slept on his arm "wrong" and had some swelling in the back of his elbow. An MRI exam showed no structural damage, and he stressed it's not an injury that will land him on the injured list. Rookie Shay Whitcomb has made three straight starts at the hot corner in Bregman's absence. Fantasy managers will want to check Houston's lineup on Tuesday to see if Bregman is back in there.