Houston Astros right-hander Justin Verlander (shoulder) threw two simulated innings (32 pitches) during his live batting practice session on Tuesday and sat at 92-94 mph and touched 95 mph on the stadium radar gun in his first inning at Minute Maid Park. Manager Joe Espada said on Monday that if all goes well with Verlander's session on Tuesday, his next step will be starting a minor-league rehab assignment. The 41-year-old veteran said he felt good on Tuesday and wants to build up his pitch count to 85 before making his 2024 debut for the Astros. Houston isn't going to rush the process, so fantasy managers that have Verlander stashed for rotation depth this year shouldn't be surprised if he doesn't make his season debut until May.

The Washington Nationals announced on Tuesday that they placed right-hander Cade Cavalli (elbow) on the 60-day injured list while he recovers from Tommy John surgery. In corresponding moves, the team selected the contract of right-hander Derek Law and moved infielder Trey Lipscomb to minor-league camp. Cavalli had elbow reconstruction in March of last year and is hoping to rejoin Washington's starting rotation in June of this year. The 25-year-old former first-rounder is the club's No. 4 prospect, per MLB Pipeline and possesses an electric upper-90s fastball, but fantasy managers in deeper leagues will want to temper expectations for him when he returns from Tommy John this summer. For a pitcher that has displayed only average command so far, that could be an issue for him in the second half in 2024.

Washington Nationals outfielders Robert Hassell III (groin) and Daylen Lile (back) have both been cleared to play in Tuesday's exhibition contest. Hassell suffered a groin strain on March 8 but will bat leadoff and play left field for the prospects team. Lile is recovering from an injury to his back when he flipped over the outfield wall on March 2. Hassell, the team's No. 8 prospect per MLB Pipeline, didn't play at all in spring training and has so far been a bust after the San Diego Padres took him eight overall in 2020. The 22-year-old will start 2024 at Double-A Harrisburg. Lile, the team's No. 7 prospect, is expected to open the season at High-A Wilmington.

Washington Nationals outfield prospect James Wood will begin the year playing for Triple-A Rochester. With fellow top prospect Dylan Crews at Double-A Harrisburg, it will allow the two outfielders to get as many reps in any of the three outfield positions. Unlike Crews, who struggled at the plate this spring, the 21-year-old Wood hit .364 (16-for-44) with four home runs and three steals in Grapefruit League play this spring. The former second-round pick of the San Diego Padres in 2021 should make his MLB debut this year in D.C. after coming over in the Juan Soto trade. The team's No. 2 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, has plenty of tools, but he's going to need to make more contact if he's going to thrive at the next level. Crews remains the better long-term prospect for fantasy managers.

Washington Nationals outfielder Dylan Crews, the No. 2 overall pick out of LSU last year, will start the 2024 season at Double-A Harrisburg. The 22-year-old top prospect flew up the ranks to reach Harrisburg after he was drafted last year and hit .355 with a 1.068 OPS, three doubles, five homers and 24 RBI in 14 games with Single-A Fredericksburg before getting promoted. However, he hit just .208 with 19 strikeouts in 20 games at Double-A to end the year and went 5-for-32 (.156) with a home run, five RBI and 12 strikeouts in 20 Grapefruit League games this spring. It doesn't change the fact that Crews is one of the most intriguing position-player prospects in the game, and the Nationals won't be afraid to promote him again once he proves to master the Double-A level.