Detroit Tigers right-hander Casey Mize surrendered three earned runs across 4 1/3 innings on Thursday in Game 1 of a twin bill against the New York Mets. It was the former No. 1 overall pick's first start since April 14, 2022 as he underwent Tommy John surgery and ended up missing the entire 2023 season, as well. He issued two walks and struck out four on the afternoon. Mize's only full MLB campaign came in the 2021 season when he tossed a 3.71 ERA across 30 starts before making only two outings a season ago. He sports a 4.29 ERA across 39 career big-league starts but his 18.7% K% has put a damper on his fantasy value.

St. Louis Cardinals designated hitter Matt Carpenter has been placed on the 10-day injured list due to a right oblique strain. Catcher Pedro Pages has been called from Triple-A Memphis in a corresponding move. The veteran returned to the organization where he enjoyed his most productive seasons for the 2024 campaign and is 3-for-10 (.300) with a run scored through his first 11 plate appearances on the young season. After a resurgent season with the Yankees in 2022, Carpenter hit just .176 with five homers across 76 appearances with the Padres in the 2023 season. Alec Burleson is likely to handle everyday designated hitter duties in Carpenter's absence.

The Houston Astros have claimed utility player Cooper Hummel off waivers from the Seattle Mariners. The 29-year-old spent the 2023 season in the Mariners organization, hitting just .087 without a homer across just 10 games with the big club while he also hit .262 with eight homers and a hefty 26 stolen bases across 104 games with Triple-A Tacoma. A veteran of 76 career MLB contests, Hummel has posted a .166 average with three homers and five stolen bases across 227 trips to the plate, much of which was spent with the Los Angeles Angels. He boasts a patient approach, as evidenced by his 18% BB% at Triple-A last season, and has plenty of defensive versatility, including catcher, first base, and the outfield.

The Houston Astros have claimed right-hander Miguel Diaz off waivers from the Detroit Tigers. The reliever didn't crack the Opening Day roster and was out of minor league options, meaning the Tigers needed to try and pass him through waivers if they wanted to keep him in the organization. That will not be the case, however, as Diaz will join the Astros' bullpen after impressing with just one earned run allowed across 14 innings in the 2023 season with 16 strikeouts against five walks in that time. With Josh Hader in town, Diaz won't see any save opportunities but should get an opportunity after dazzling a season ago.

St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Lance Lynn is looking to build on a strong start to this season when he takes on the visiting Miami Marlins on Thursday. The veteran tossed four scoreless innings with just one walk against five strikeouts in his return to St. Louis against the Dodgers on March 30, an encouraging sign after he struggled in the 2023 season. Lynn limped to a 5.73 ERA across 32 starts between the Chicago White Sox and the Dodgers in the 2023 campaign, the first season in which he posted an ERA above 5.00. He is a strong bounce-back candidate as he had posted four straight seasons with an ERA of 4.00 or below while he will look to get deeper into the ball game on Thursday.