Houston Astros right-hander reliever Ryan Pressly (back) threw a bullpen session at Minute Maid Park on Wednesday before the series finale against the Boston Red Sox. Manager Joe Espada said that Pressly probably won't need to go on a minor-league rehab assignment before coming off the injured list. A lower-back strain put the 35-year-old veteran on the 15-day IL last weekend, but he's making good progress and should be ready to rejoin the big-league bullpen when he's eligible to return on Aug. 29. A rough stretch before his injury ballooned Pressly's ERA on the season to 3.86, while he's also holding a 1.41 WHIP with two saves and 49 strikeouts in 46 2/3 innings pitched in 2024. When he rejoins the Astros, he should return to a key late-inning setup role for the first-place Astros, making him valuable in deeper holds leagues.

Washington Nationals outfield prospect Dylan Crews went 1-for-5 with a three-run home run and a walk on Tuesday for Triple-A Rochester. Crews has spent two months in Triple-A, and the transition has been relatively smooth. Through 46 games, he's slashing .255/.333/.459 with 10 doubles, eight homers, 28 RBI, eight stolen bases, and 19:37 BB/SO. Currently the No. 3 prospect in all of baseball (per MLB.com), Crews will likely assume the top spot once Jackson Holliday and Junior Caminero graduate from prospect status. With just over a month left in the 2024 season, Crews may even make his MLB debut before the season ends.

Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Rowdy Tellez will take a seat in Wednesday's series finale against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field with a left-hander on the bump. Connor Joe will make the start at first base and will hit cleanup for the Pirates versus Rangers left-hander Andrew Heaney. Tellez has only faced left-handers 39 times this year and is hitting .206 (7-for-34) against them, so it's no surprise he will retreat to the bench in favor of the right-handed-hitting Joe. Overall, Tellez has been a modest source of power (10 homers) as corner-infield depth in deeper fantasy leagues in 2024. Joe has only faced Heaney two times in his career and has gone hitless. Versus southpaws this year, he's gone 33-for-127 (.260) with three of his seven home runs. He'll be a low-cost DFS sleeper for Wednesday's slate out of the cleanup spot for the Bucs.

Boston Red Sox outfield prospect Roman Anthony went 4-for-5 with a double and a home run on Tuesday for Triple-A Worcester. Anthony has played just seven games in Triple-A. He struggled at first, going 3-for-19 to start. But over his last two games, he's gone 6-for-8 with three extra-base hits and four RBI. Through 91 games in 2024, Anthony is slashing .274/.368/.494 with 23 doubles, 16 homers, 49 RBI, 16 stolen bases, and 50:100 BB/SO. Currently the No. 14 prospect in all of baseball (per MLB.com), he's expected to make his MLB debut at some point next season.

The San Diego Padres re-signed right-handed reliever Carl Edwards Jr. to a minor-league deal. Edwards became a free agent in early August when the Padres outrighted him off the 40-man roster, but now he's back with the organization to provide relief depth in the minors. The 32-year-old veteran appeared in just one game for the Friars this year and allowed a hit while walking two before being pulled without recording an out. In three minor-league stops, he's posted a 3.30 ERA, 1.59 WHIP, seven saves, 45 strikeouts and 29 walks in 46 1/3 innings over 26 outings (six starts). At Triple-A El Paso, Edwards is sporting a rough 4.76 ERA and 1.82 WHIP with an 18:12 K:BB in four starts covering 17 innings of work. There's no guarantee that Edwards makes it back to San Diego in 2024, even when rosters expand in September.