Houston Astros left-hander Framber Valdez (elbow) is feeling better and could start playing catch in the next few days, according to manager Joe Espada. Valdez is one of the latest high-profile starters to land on the injured list with an elbow injury, but he's only dealing with inflammation and hopefully will be able to avoid season-ending Tommy John surgery. There's currently no timetable for the 30-year-old southpaw to return to Houston's starting rotation, so fantasy managers are going to need to be patient and keep him stashed in an IL spot everywhere. Valdez has looked good in his first 12 1/3 innings this year, giving up only three earned runs while punching out 10. Rookie right-hander Spencer Arrighetti is replacing Valdez in the rotation for now.

Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton said on 93.7 The Fan that right-hander David Bednar would still be the closer if a save situation arises on Thursday against the Philadelphia Phillies in the series opener. After missing some time in spring training due to a lat injury, Bednar hasn't looked like himself in the early going in 2024 and has already blown three saves while giving up six earned runs on six hits (one home run) while walking one and fanning six in 4 1/3 innings. The 29-year-old two-time All-Star's command just isn't where he needs it to be right now, but it's good news for his fantasy managers that Shelton isn't panicking just yet. The fact that Bednar has been one of the best closers in baseball the last couple years has bought him a longer leash, but if his struggles continue, lefty Aroldis Chapman could start seeing some save chances.

The former interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani is facing federal charges related to his alleged theft of millions from Ohtani, according to a source with direct knowledge of the investigation. Ippei Mizuhara, 39, is in negotiations to plead guilty and the investigation is racing toward a conclusion, according to the New York Times. Ohtani's attorneys alleged that he had been the victim of a "massive theft," and Ohtani himself said in a statement that he never bet on baseball or any other sports and had no knowledge of Mizuhara's alleged actions. The investigations are ongoing, but at this time, it doesn't appear that Ohtani is in any way or involved or potentially in line to face any kind of suspension from MLB.UPDATE: A federal criminal complaint says Mizuhara stole more than $16 million from Ohtani to pay for his illegal betting, and he's been charged with bank fraud.

Oakland Athletics catcher Shea Langeliers will get the day off on Thursday in the series finale against the division-rival Texas Rangers in a matinee contest. With Langeliers on the bench, Kyle McCann will catch left-hander JP Sears and hit in the nine-hole against Rangers right-hander Jon Gray. All three of Langeliers' hits in this series against the Rangers were home runs on Tuesday as he single-handedly helped the A's defeat the reigning World Series champions on the road that day. The 26-year-old backstop has four long balls on the year already and seven RBI, but otherwise he's hitting just .222 (8-for-36) with two walks and 11 strikeouts in 40 plate appearances. McCann is searching for his first big-league hit and should be avoided in DFS.

Oakland Athletics first baseman Ryan Noda (hand) is back in action on Thursday against the Texas Rangers, serving as the team's designated hitter and batting sixth against Rangers right-hander Jon Gray. Tyler Nevin is at first base and hitting fifth in the batting order. Noda hurt his left hand during batting practice before Tuesday's contest and sat out the previous two games as a result, but the 28-year-old was just dealing with a contusion and will return to the lineup for the series finale against Texas. The former 15th-round selection by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2017 out of Cincinnati is still searching for his first home run and has gone 7-for-33 (.212) with one RBI and 12 strikeouts in the first 10 games. He's hitting .200 in five career at-bats against Gray