Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jacob deGrom (elbow) made his first minor-league rehab start on Thursday, allowing one earned run on two hits and no walks while striking out three in two innings (29 pitches) with Double-A Frisco. In his first appearance in game action in over 16 months, deGrom touched 100 mph on his fastball in the first inning on Thursday. Manager Bruce Bochy has previously estimated the Rangers' ace's assignment will last four starts, so deGrom will likely make his first big-league appearance this season around mid-September if all goes well in the minors. deGrom's fantasy impact is going to be muted when it's all said and done for 2024, but the two-time National League Cy Young Award winner is certainly someone to stash for those looking to bolster playoff rosters in the season's final weeks.

Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies (wrist) is now wearing a soft cast. There remains no definitive timetable on when Albies can begin swinging a bat, but he's at least been able to run and throw since fracturing his left wrist on July 21. Fantasy managers can probably find more impactful stashes on waiver wires, as the 27-year-old star infielder is unlikely to make it back to the Braves until late September, considering Albies is only about four weeks into an eight-week timeline for a full recovery. Veteran Whit Merrifield is slashing a serviceable .258/.380/.394 with two doubles, two triples, 14 runs scored, and five stolen bases in 66 at-bats (22 games) as Atlanta's interim primary second baseman, and he's worth a look in deep mixed and NL-only leagues while hitting near the top of the lineup.

Baltimore Orioles first baseman Ryan Mountcastle (wrist) was pulled from Thursday's 6-0 shutout loss against the Houston Astros early at Camden Yards due to a sore wrist, according to manager Brandon Hyde. Mountcastle went 1-for-3 with a double and a strikeout in the contest before Ryan O'Hearn moved from right field to first base to replace him. The injury stemmed from when the 27-year-old dove head-first into second base in the second inning, but he stayed in the game until being replaced in the ninth. We'll have a better idea of how much time Mountcastle might be forced to miss after he undergoes tests on his wrist. At the very least, fantasy managers should expect him to be out for the second game of the series against Houston on Friday. If Mountcastle's injury is serious enough to put him on the injured list, O'Hearn would be in line for more starts at the cold corner in Baltimore.

Chicago Cubs catcher Miguel Amaya had a big night at the plate on Thursday, going 3-for-4 with a grand slam in a 10-2 clobbering of the Detroit Tigers. Amaya also smacked an RBI single later in the game to bring his total RBI's to five. The backstop is now slashing .221/.277/.333 with 20 runs, six homers, and 29 RBI in 249 at-bats on the season. Needless to say, this game is an anomaly for Amaya, who doesn't need to be rostered in any fantasy leagues. Nevertheless, this was an excellent game for the 25-year-old.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Justin Steele had one of his best starts of the season on Thursday, pitching seven two-run innings while fanning a season-high 10 in a 10-2 win over the Detroit Tigers. The lefty allowed only four hits and didn't walk a batter. Steele had his fastball working especially well in this one, generating 14 whiffs and 28 CSW on the pitch. The 29-year-old had a tough start to his season, but since June he has looked like the 2023 version of himself. He should be regarded as a must-start pitcher the rest of the way.