As expected, Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman (elbow) is out of the series finale on Sunday against the Chicago White Sox at Minute Maid Park. Rookie Shay Whitcomb will make a second straight start at third base and will hit fifth against White Sox left-hander Ky Bush. Bregman is dealing with swelling in the back of his right elbow and is now missing a third straight game, although he considers himself day-to-day, and he could be back for Monday's series opener against the Boston Red sox. Whitcomb, who made his big-league debut on Saturday, went 2-for-3 with a double, a walk and a run scored and will be a low-cost DFS sleeper in his second career game. Bregman has hit .340 (18-for-53) with five homers, five doubles and eight RBI in 12 games in August, so fantasy managers would like him back as soon as possible.

Houston Astros outfielder/designated hitter Yordan Alvarez will retreat to the bench on Sunday against the Chicago White Sox at Minute Maid Park. Alvarez is getting a much-needed day of rest after starting each of the team's last 29 games. With the All-Star left-handed slugger sitting out, Pedro Leon draws into the starting lineup in right field and will hit ninth against White Sox left-hander Ky Bush. The 27-year-old Alvarez has made the All-Star squad each of the last three years and is having another phenomenal season in 2024, slashing .306/.395/.552 with a .947 OPS, 25 home runs, 66 RBI, a career-high five stolen bases and 70 runs scored in 117 games played. He's been even better in August, going 19-for-50 (.380) with five home runs, three doubles and 11 RBI in 14 games. Alvarez is an elite hitter, folks.

Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder/designated hitter Joc Pederson is out of the starting lineup on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field despite a right-hander being on the mound. It appears to just be a day of rest for the 32-year-old veteran left-handed hitter. With Pederson on the bench, Randal Grichuk will serve as Arizona's DH and will hit sixth against Rays right-hander Drew Rasmussen. Grichuk is typically only a DFS play when he's in the lineup against left-handed hurlers. The 33-year-old veteran has hit just .229 (16-for-70) with three of his four home runs this year against righties. He's never faced Rasmussen in his career. Pederson is having a strong first year in the desert and is currently slashing .287/.395/.545 with a career-best .940 OPS, 19 homers and 55 RBI in 101 games played.

Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto is getting a breather on Sunday against the division-rival Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park. Garrett Stubbs will catch right-hander Taijuan Walker for the Phillies and will bat in the nine-hole against Nationals right-hander Jake Irvin. Realmuto will get a much-needed day off after starting each of the team's last six games. He missed over a month due to a knee injury, and since his return on July 20, Realmuto hasn't been nearly as good, hitting .230/.321/.311 with only one home run, three doubles, seven RBI, nine walks and 14 strikeouts in 20 games played. In 13 games in August, the veteran All-Star catcher has gone 11-for-48 (.229) with a homer, three doubles, seven RBI and nine strikeouts. DFS gamers can probably find better sleeper options than Stubbs at catcher. Stubbs has never faced Irvin in his career.

Seattle Mariners outfielder Randy Arozarena will head to the bench for Sunday's series finale against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park as the Mariners look to avoid a three-game sweep. Arozarena was beginning to pick things up offensively early in the second half of the season before he was traded to the Mariners at the deadline in late July, but the 29-year-old slugger has fallen on hard times again. He could use the day off after striking out in all five of his at-bats in Saturday's loss. Luke Raley is getting the start in left field for the M's and will bat cleanup, with Justin Turner playing first base and hitting sixth against Pirates right-hander Jake Woodford. Since joining Seattle on July 27, Arozarena has hit .239 (16-for-67) with a homer, five doubles, five RBI and 25 strikeouts in 83 plate appearances over 19 games played. He's also gone hitless over his last four games in 15 at-bats with 10 strikeouts. It's been a tough year for Arozarena and his fantasy managers.