Houston Astros right-handerJose Urquidy (forearm) played catch on Friday for the first time after suffering a forearm strain earlier this spring. Urquidy will also play catch again on Saturday. These are the first steps in Urquidy's recovery. An MRI 10 days ago showed no structural damage to his elbow. The speculation is that Urquidy could be back on the mound for the Astros in late April or early May if all goes well with his throwing program. Urquidy was (3-3) with a 5.29 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, and 45 strikeouts in only 63 innings in 2023, making him an IL stash in deep-league formats.

Chicago Cubs left-handerJustin Steele (hamstring) hit the 15-day injured list Saturday with a Grade 1 hamstring strain. In a corresponding news report, the team has decided to recall top prospect Ben Brown from the Iowa Cubs. Brown, a 24-year-old righty, features a full arsenal. Last year, he was 6-8 with a 5.33 ERA, 1.53 WHIP, and 100 strikeouts in 72 innings across AA and AAA. Brown dominated Double-A before having some struggles adapting to Triple-A last season. His role on the Cubs could be clearer, but manager Craig Counsell suggested they were not altering the rotation. Expect Brown to be available in relief over the next couple of days, with an expectation that he could start a game next week in Steele's place against the Colorado Rockies. According to Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic, Steele will miss all of April. Brown was excellent in the spring, garnering a .64 ERA in 14 innings with only five walks and 12 strikeouts, and is a speculative add in deep leagues.

Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider told reporters on Saturday that ace Kevin Gausman (shoulder) will start on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Rays. Gausman was slowed this spring by shoulder fatigue. Gausman was 12-9 with a 3.16 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and 237 strikeouts in 2023. The 33-year-old veteran had a successful bullpen session on Friday and has been given the go-ahead to start on Sunday. This pushes Bowden Francis to Monday against the Houston Astros. If all goes well on Sunday for Gausman, he will face the New York Yankees next weekend. Gausman should be put back into all fantasy lineups as soon as possible, although he'll be pretty risky in DFS. Gausman hopes to be among the top-five starting pitchers again now that he is healthy.

Kansas City Royals outfielder/designated hitter Nelson Velazquez is on the bench to begin Saturday's game against the Minnesota Twins and right-hander Joe Ryan. The former Cub was reported to be the Royals' primary designated hitter for the 2024 season but he is already on the bench following a day off, albeit against a tough right-hander in Ryan. Acquired from the Cubs midway through the 2023 season, Velazquez combined to hit .235 with an impressive 17 homers and an .888 OPS across just 53 games. ATC projects another productive season for the 25-year-old with 23 home runs and six stolen bases in 104 appearances. It appears he will sit out at times against quality right-handers this season, something fantasy managers should keep in mind.

Minnesota Twins second baseman Edouard Julien is getting his first start of the 2024 season on Saturday against Kansas City Royals right-hander Seth Lugo. Julien started Thursday's Opening Day contest on the bench against the left-handed Cole Ragans but went 1-for-2 with a walk after infielder Royce Lewis departed with an oblique injury. The 24-year-old enjoyed a big rookie season that saw him hit .263 with 16 home runs, 60 runs, three stolen bases, and an .840 OPS across 109 games and 408 trips to the plate. He should see more playing time in the 2024 season as the everyday second baseman against right-handed pitching as he spent time to begin last season in the minors. That won't be the case in 2024 as he is a premium option for fantasy managers at the second-base position.