Minnesota Twins third baseman Jose Miranda is on the bench for the second straight day on Thursday against the visiting Houston Astros at Target Field. Willi Castro is making the start at the hot corner and will hit sixth versus Astros right-hander Hunter Brown. Miranda has an opportunity for regular playing time at third base early on in 2025 due to Royce Lewis' (hamstring) latest injury, but so far he hasn't taken advantage by going 3-for-18 with two RBI, a run scored, no walks and six strikeouts in his first five games played. The 26-year-old Puerto Rican infielder may need to pick it up at the plate soon in order to keep Castro from spelling him more often at third. Castro, who also hails from Puerto Rico, is 5-for-20 early on with a homer and three RBI. He's faced Brown eight times in his MLB career and is hitting .625 against him with one RBI.

Chicago White Sox third base prospect Chase Meidroth went 2-for-4 with his second home run of the campaign during Tuesday's loss to the Norfolk Tides. Meidroth wasted little time as he went deep in the opening frame off Cameron Weston. Later in the contest, he knocked a single for his second hit of the evening. Through the early part of the Triple-A regular season, Meidroth has enjoyed a strong start, as he has only gone hitless in one game. Through five games, the former fourth-round selection has posted a solid .294/.478/.647 slash line. Meidroth was included in the package that sent budding ace Garrett Crochet to the Boston Red Sox during the winter. Last season, Meidroth held a .293/.437/.400 line through 122 games with Triple-A Worcester and should be in the mix for an MLB debut on the Southside early in the campaign.

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora described right-handers Brayan Bello (shoulder) and Lucas Giolito (hamstring) as "not close" to coming off the injured list to rejoin the team's starting rotation given their need to have a spring training-like buildup. It sounds like both pitchers will need at least a couple more minor-league rehab starts. In their first rehab starts with Triple-A Worcester this week, Bello reached 47 pitches and Giolito reached 51 pitches. Bello is scheduled to make a second start with the WooSox on Sunday, with Giolito likely to return to the mound on Monday or Tuesday. Both pitchers came down with their respective injuries in spring training, but barring a setback on their rehab assignments, they could rejoin Boston's rotation by late April. In the meantime, Richard Fitts and Sean Newcomb will hold down the fort at the back end of the rotation in Boston.

Houston Astros right-handed pitcher Luis Garcia (elbow) is dealing with inflammation in his right elbow. According to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com, Garcia will be shut down from throwing and will be reevaluated in four weeks. This is not a good sign for Garcia as he is working his way back from the Tommy John surgery he underwent in May 2023. Garcia was also dealing with elbow soreness earlier in camp. Fantasy managers should continue monitoring his status, but this recent setback could push Garcia's timeline further back. As a result, the 28-year-old may not be an option until the second half of the campaign. In 2023, Garcia logged just 27 innings with a 4.00 ERA. During the 2021 and 2022 campaigns, Garcia logged a total of 312 1/3 innings to the tune of a 3.60 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP. While he remains out, Hayden Wesneski should continue to see starting opportunities.

The Athletics have activated third baseman Brett Harris (oblique) from the 10-day injured list and optioned him to Triple-A Las Vegas. Harris has been dealing with this minor injury throughout March but is now cleared to return to a full-time role with Las Vegas. Harris has already appeared in three rehab games at the level but will now officially be cleared from injury. Harris tallied one hit in each contest during these three rehab games and added two RBI. Last season, the Gonzaga product made his MLB debut and posted a .146/.276/.262 slash line with three doubles and three long balls across 36 contests. Harris drew walks at an elite 13.8 percent rate during this stint but generated a low .274 xwOBA. He should eventually push for a return to the big leagues later in the campaign.