Colorado Rockies right-handed reliever Victor Vodnik (biceps), who was placed on the 15-day injured list on Aug. 21 (retroactive to Aug. 19), threw a side session on Aug. 30. Manager Bud Black said Vodnik is scheduled for an "aggressive" side session on Tuesday in Atlanta. Depending on how that session goes, Black said the Rockies will either activate Vodnik from the IL or send him on a short minor-league rehab assignment. The 24-year-old's return to the back end of Colorado's bullpen could happen soon, barring any setbacks. When he does return, he could at least be sharing closing duties with Tyler Kinley, who has taken over as Colorado's closer with Vodnik injured. In his second year in the big leagues, Vodnik has an ERA above 4.00 but has also picked up his first nine career saves for a bad Rockies team. Fantasy managers looking for saves down the stretch in deeper leagues shouldn't forget about him.

Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said that first baseman Christian Walker (oblique) did some work at Chase Field before Monday's series finale against the division-rival Los Angeles Dodgers and might not need another minor-league rehab game. It sounds as though Walker will come off the 10-day injured list and rejoin the team in San Francisco against the division-rival Giants during their upcoming series that starts on Tuesday. It remains to be seen how effective the 33-year-old first baseman will be in his return from a strained left oblique that has kept him out since late July, but the D-backs and fantasy managers could sure use his middle-of-the-order power bat after just dropping three out of four to the Dodgers. Walker will return to a .254/.338/.476 slash line with 23 home runs and 71 RBI for Arizona in 107 games in 2024.

Colorado Rockies right-handed pitching prospect Jaden Hill (hamstring), the team's No. 21 prospect per MLB Pipeline, suffered a right-hamstring strain on his final pitch of a three-strikeout outing for Triple-A Albuquerque on Aug. 17 and was reportedly fine when he threw a bullpen session on Aug. 29. The Rockies are expected to recall Hill at some point soon with rosters now expanded, but they want to see him pitch again in a Triple-A game before making that decision. Colorado will need to put him on the 40-man roster after the season to avoid potentially losing him in the Rule 5 draft, which is why they want to see him pitch in the majors before the year is over. The 24-year-old has posted a 4.67 ERA and 1.47 WHIP with 68 strikeouts and 17 walks in 44 1/3 relief innings with seven saves for Albuquerque and Double-A Hartford in 2024.

Texas Rangers right-hander Max Scherzer (shoulder) said he will make a minor-league rehab start on Saturday, with the location being to be announced. Scherzer has been cleared to restart a rehab assignment after tossing a successful two-inning live batting practice session on Monday. The 40-year-old future Hall of Famer hasn't pitched for the Rangers since the start of August due to right-shoulder fatigue but continues to hold out hope that he can return for a few starts in the final month of the 2024 season in September. Injuries are beginning to take their toll on the three-time Cy Young winner, and he's only been able to make eight starts for Texas this year after getting a late start to the season due to offseason back surgery. Even if Scherzer makes it back later this month, he's going to be a pretty risky fantasy streamer and could even be on a pitch count.

Baltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said that first baseman Ryan Mountcastle (wrist) is feeling a little better but hasn't resumed swinging a bat. "I have no idea about Monty," Hyde said. With no timetable for a return, fantasy managers can't be expecting Mountcastle to return from the 10-day injured list when he's eligible. The 27-year-old is dealing with a sprained left wrist that he suffered on Aug. 22 and might be pushing it to return by the end of the regular season in September. It's more bad news for a player that had already seen another drop in power after hitting a career-high 33 home runs back in 2021. Mountcastle has just 13 long balls this year with 61 RBI in 118 games played. Ryan O'Hearn should continue to operate in the strong side of a platoon at first base with Emmanuel Rivera in Baltimore for however long Mountcastle remains on the shelf.