Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Ryne Nelson (shoulder) will throw a 25-pitch bullpen session on Tuesday, according to manager Torey Lovullo. If Nelson's bullpen goes well on Tuesday, it sounds like he could make his return this weekend for the final regular-season series at Chase Field against the division-rival San Diego Padres. Lovullo said that whether Nelson returns as a starter or reliever depends on what pitch count the team feels he can safely reach. At this point in the year with less than a week until the postseason, it's likely that the 26-year-old will be brought back for a relief role if Arizona gets into the playoffs as a wild-card team in the National League. Nelson was put on the 15-day injured list on Sept. 14 with right-shoulder inflammation. He's been a back-end starter for Arizona with a career-best 5.5% walk rate, a 20.1% K rate and a 4.33 ERA in 27 outings (25 starts) in his third MLB season.

After undergoing an MRI exam on Monday, Houston Astros outfielder/designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (knee) was diagnosed with a right-knee sprain. Alvarez did not play in the series-opening loss to the division-rival Seattle Mariners on Monday and will not be available for the entire series. The 27-year-old left-handed slugger was removed from Sunday's series finale against the division-rival Los Angeles Angels when he injured his right knee on a slide. While it's not great Houston won't have one of the best hitters in MLB available for their crucial series against the M's, the Astros' primary objective will be to have Alvarez ready to go for the start of the playoffs next week. It wouldn't be a surprise if Alvarez is also unavailable this weekend against the Cleveland Guardians. The left-handed hitting Jason Heyward made the start in left field on Monday and should see more run until Alvarez is able to return.

The Philadelphia Phillies announced that left-hander Tanner Banks will make the start for Tuesday's game against the Chicago Cubs at Citizens Bank Park instead of right-hander Taijuan Walker after the club locked up the National League East title on Monday night for the first time since 2011. Walker and Kolby Allard are expected to pitch at some point on Tuesday after Banks. The Phillies will most likely be resting a lot of their regulars on Tuesday against the Cubbies after winning the division title and celebrating late into the evening. The 32-year-old Banks will most likely work just an inning or two on Tuesday as the opener before giving way to either Walker or Allard. He's posted a 3.78 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 75 strikeouts in 69 innings in 2024, with both of his saves coming with the White Sox. Banks has allowed seven earned runs with 20 K's and nine walks in 21 relief innings for the Phillies.

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Bryce Miller continued his dominant second half in Monday's 6-1 win over the Astros. Miller pitched seven scoreless innings, allowing two hits and two walks with five strikeouts. The 26-year-old now has a stellar 2.94 ERA through 31 starts and 180 1/3 IP this season. This has been fueled by his 12 second-half starts, which have resulted in a 5-1 record with a 1.89 ERA, a 0.84 WHIP, and 73 strikeouts in 71 1/3 IP. He is slated to start the final game of the season against the Athletics, so fantasy managers should hopefully have one more opportunity for him to provide them with excellent results as the Mariners push for a playoff spot.

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Tanner Houck turned in a nice start in Monday's 4-1 win over the Blue Jays. Houck pitched five scoreless innings, allowing one hit and one walk with no strikeouts. The 28-year-old's season has been a tale of two halves. His first half performance earned him All-Star honors, but his second half has resulted in a 1-4 record with a 4.23 ERA, a 1.35 WHIP, and 42 strikeouts in 11 starts and 61 2/3 IP. Houck is currently in line for a favorable matchup to end the season against the Rays. His final impression could sway how fantasy managers feel about him for the 2025 season.