Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell said that both outfielder Nick Martini (thumb) and reliever Ian Gibaut (calf, forearm) have minor-league rehab assignments scheduled. Martini is hoping to start his rehab assignment on Sept. 17 with Triple-A Louisville as he recovers from thumb surgery on his left thumb that he had in early July. With only a few weeks left in the 2024 regular season, though, it wouldn't be a surprise if we didn't see either Martini or Gibaut back for the Reds before the end of September. Gibaut, meanwhile, is scheduled to start his rehab assignment on Sept. 15 with Louisville. The 30-year-old veteran hasn't pitched at all in 2024 after having forearm surgery, and he recently had a setback when he suffered a calf strain. Because of all the time he's missed this year, Gibaut is going to need at least several outings in the minors leagues. Fantasy managers can ignore both.

Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell said that right-hander Graham Ashcraft (elbow) will throw off the mound on Sept. 17 and also has a live batting practice session scheduled for early October. Ashcraft resumed throwing in late August but is not going to return from the 60-day injured list before the end of the 2024 regular season after missing more than two months with a strained right elbow. The 26-year-old will have plenty of time to recover during the offseason, though, and should be fully ready for the start of spring training next February. The hard-throwing right-hander wasn't really impressing anyone this year before his elbow injury, going 5-5 with a 5.24 ERA (4.84 FIP), a 1.50 WHIP and a 57:27 K:BB in 77 1/3 innings over his 15 starts. For how hard Ashcraft throws, it remains disappointing that he has a 16.6% strikeout rate in his three major-league seasons.

Seattle Mariners outfielder Randy Arozarena and shortstop J.P. Crawford are both taking the day off on Thursday in the series finale against the division-rival Oakland Athletics at the Oakland Coliseum. Victor Robles will start in left field and bat leadoff, while Leo Rivas will make the start at the 6 and bat ninth against A's right-hander Joey Estes. This will be just Arozarena's second day off with Seattle since they acquired him at the end of July from the Rays. He's been a bit better in Seattle than he was in Tampa earlier this year, batting .238 (29-for-122) with three homers and 12 RBI in his 34 games played. Crawford, meanwhile, has a hit in each of his last two games but has gone 2-for-24 with five strikeouts in seven games since returning from an IL stint on Aug. 28. Robles has been a new hitter since joining the M's and will be a nice sleeper target in DFS in the leadoff spot on Thursday.

The Kansas City Royals reinstated outfielder Hunter Renfroe (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list on Thursday and optioned right-hander Steven Cruz to Triple-A Omaha in a corresponding move. The team also designated right-hander Dan Altavilla (oblique) for assignment. Renfroe, who is hitting just .237/.312/.398 with a .710 OPS, 12 home runs and 47 RBI in 334 at-bats for the Royals this year, will be a platoon bat for the Royals against left-handed pitchers, at best, upon his return after the addition of right-handed-hitting outfielder Tommy Pham. With Vinnie Pasquantino (thumb) expected to miss the rest of the regular season, some of Renfroe's playing time could come at first base down the stretch. He has been out since late August with a strained right hamstring. He went 8-for-21 (.381) with a homer and three RBI in six games before landing on the IL, so KC will be hoping he can pick up where he left off.

The New York Mets reinstated designated hitter J.D. Martinez from the paternity list on Thursday and optioned outfielder DJ Stewart in a corresponding move. The Mets also claimed outfielder Jose Azocar off waivers from the San Diego Padres and assigned him to Triple-A Syracuse while moving pitcher Sean Reid-Foley (shoulder) to the 60-day injured list. The Mets don't play on Thursday, so Martinez won't be able to return to the starting lineup until Friday's series opener at Citi Field against the visiting Cincinnati Reds. The 37-year-old veteran was hitless in his last two games before going on paternity leave, but he's gone 8-for-26 (.308) with two homers, a double and four RBI in his previous seven games dating back to Aug. 25, so the Mets will be hoping he can pick up where he left off as the team continues their push for the final wild-card spot in the National League.