Colorado Rockies left-hander Lucas Gilbreath (elbow, shoulder) progressed on his minor-league rehab assignment from High-A Spokane to Triple-A Albuquerque at the end of July. Gilbreath has pitched two games for the Isotopes, throwing 2 2/3 innings and giving up no runs while walking two and striking out three. "Gilbreath is going to throw [Aug. 7] and [Aug. 9]," manager Bud Black said. "He's doing fine." The 28-year-old southpaw had Tommy John surgery in March of 2023 and also had a setback with his left shoulder, but he's doing fine now and should be an option for Colorado's bullpen to close out the 2024 season. Gilbreath hasn't pitched in the big leagues since 2022 and has one save, a 3.78 ERA and 1.39 WHIP in 94 appearances (one start) over 85 2/3 innings since debuting in 2021.

Colorado Rockies right-handed reliever Peter Lambert (thumb) was injured in his relief appearance on Thursday against the visiting New York Mets in the fourth inning after Francisco Lindor hit a line drive with an exit velocity of 106.7 mph off of Lambert's glove. The liner was converted into a double play, but Lambert's left thumb was bruised in the process. "It ballooned up as the outing went on," manager Bud Black said. "It got to the point where it was becoming a little bit of a distraction for him to pitch, so that's why we got him out of there. We took X-rays, and they were negative. But it's severely bruised, and it hurts." The 27-year-old struck out three in his three innings of work on Thursday but is unlikely to be available on Friday and could land on the 15-day injured list. He has not been a fantasy asset in 2024 with a 5.98 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 44:23 K:BB in 52 2/3 innings for the Rockies.

Minnesota Twins president of baseball operations Derek Falvey expressed optimism that right-hander Chris Paddack (forearm) will pitch again this year. Everything is tracking well for Paddack, and he hasn't had any issues with his UCL. The 28-year-old could start a throwing progression soon with hopes of returning to the Twins in the final month of the regular season. Paddack is currently on the 15-day injured list with a strained right forearm, but barring a setback once he begins building his arm back up, the Twins could have him back in their starting rotation for the final month of the regular season in September and potentially for the playoffs. Fantasy managers shouldn't be as optimistic that he can help them the rest of the way, especially after he posted a career-low 20.6% strikeout rate, a 4.99 ERA and 1.39 WHIP in his 17 starts before going on the shelf.

Miami Marlins infielder/outfielder Vidal Brujan will take a seat on the bench for Friday's series opener against the visiting San Diego Padres with veteran left-hander Martin Perez on the bump in South Beach. Brujan has now been on the bench the last four times that the Fish have faced a southpaw. The Marlins will roll with Kyle Stowers, Derek Hill and David Hensley across the outfield from left to right field, respectively. Brujan, who is a switch-hitter, has actually been better against lefties than righties in 2024 but is hitting a combined .218/.306/.316 with a .622 OPS, one homer, 12 RBI, four stolen bases and 28 runs scored in 206 at-bats on the year, making him avoidable in mixed fantasy leagues. It's not a good sign that he's been on the bench the last four games against lefties after Miami traded away so much position-player talent at the July 30 deadline.

The Los Angeles Angels reinstated outfielder Taylor Ward from the paternity list on Friday and optioned third baseman Charles Leblanc to the minors in a corresponding move. The Angels haven't released their starting lineup yet for Friday's series opener in D.C. against the hosting Washington Nationals, but Ward should return to his starting duties in left field while batting in the middle of the order after missing the series in the Bronx against the New York Yankees this week. Outside of some modest power numbers (16 home runs), the 30-year-old Ward has had a pretty low ceiling on a bad Angels team in 2024. Since the All-Star break, he's homered twice while going 14-for-61 (.230), adding two doubles, 11 RBI, five walks and 20 strikeouts in 16 games played. Only three of his 16 homers this year have come off lefties, so he's not particularly attractive in DFS on Friday evening.