Houston Astros manager Joe Espada said on Wednesday that right-hander Kaleb Ort (oblique) will throw a bullpen session in camp on Thursday. Ort is behind all the other pitchers in spring training after coming down with a left-oblique injury early in camp. Just based solely on the fact that the 33-year-old veteran isn't facing live hitters yet with just over a week to go until Opening Day means that he's likely to open the 2025 regular season on the injured list. However, Ort could be looking at a minimal IL stay to open the year if he can avoid any setbacks from here on out. He had a nice 2.55 ERA (5.23 FIP) and 0.81 WHIP with 26 strikeouts and only four walks in his first year with the Astros in 2024 in 24 2/3 relief innings. However, Ort sports a career 5.07 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, one save and a 77:29 K:BB in 76 1/3 innings in his four MLB seasons.

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada said on Wednesday that first baseman Christian Walker (oblique) is on track to play in Grapefruit League games this weekend. Walker is cutting it close to be ready for Opening Day next Thursday, but as long as he doesn't suffer a setback with his oblique when he resumes playing in games, he should be ready. The 33-year-old dealt with a sore left oblique in early March and has been held out of spring games since as a precaution. The good news is that Walker has been hitting in the cages, but he has also only had 10 plate appearances in spring training to this point. Fantasy managers shouldn't rule out Walker getting out to a slow start in 2025 in his first year with the Astros after signing a three-year, $60 million deal in December. The right-handed power hitter has been a consistent power hitter when healthy the last eight years with the D-backs, though.

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve will play "most of his games" in left field in 2025, manager Joe Espada said on Wednesday. The skipper left the door open for things to change due to injuries and good performances in the minor leagues, but Espada made it clear that Altuve will open the year as the team's primary left fielder. While nothing had really been official until now, this was the expectation all along for the 34-year-old veteran after he has spent all his time playing left field in spring training. As a result, Mauricio Dubon figures to see most of the starts at second base for Houston to begin the season. While Father Time will eventually catch up to Altuve, the nine-time All-Star, former MVP, seven-time Silver Slugger winner, three-time batting champ and two-time World Series champ deserves the benefit of the doubt as a high-end fantasy second baseman that is adding value with outfield eligibility.

Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar (wrist) is scheduled to return to the team's Grapefruit League lineup on Thursday against the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies and play in the remainder of the spring games, according to The Athletic's David O'Brien. A bone bruise in his left wrist has kept Profar out of spring training games since March 8, but he's ready to return now and should be ready to go for Opening Day next Thursday, barring a setback this weekend. The 32-year-old has gone 2-for-12 with two doubles in six games so far this spring. While he should be ready, it will be interesting to see if his lack of spring action will hurt him early on at the plate in his first year in Atlanta after a breakout 2024 campaign with the San Diego Padres. Profar doesn't have elite speed or power, but he makes a lot of contact and has great plate discipline. He's just inside RotoBaller's top-40 outfield rankings.

Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Ranger Suarez (back) is dealing with what the team is calling mild back stiffness and will not make his scheduled Grapefruit League start on Friday against the Toronto Blue Jays. The good news is Suarez's injury isn't believed to be as bad as last year's injury, according to manager Rob Thomson. However, the 29-year-old southpaw's availability for the start of the regular season next week is now in question. Suarez pitched in an intrasquad game last Saturday and felt soreness in his back on Sunday. We should have a better read on his status for Opening Day next week, but fantasy managers have a right to be worried after Suarez missed more than a month with a back injury in 2024. If Suarez requires a stint on the injured list to begin the season, the most likely option to take his starting rotation spot would be veteran right-hander Joe Ross.