Houston reshuffles its bullpen, placing Bennett Sousa on the 15-day injured list with elbow inflammation as it adds Craig Kimbrel on a major-league deal and activates him for Friday’s game against Baltimore. Lance McCullers Jr. returns from the IL to start, while Logan VanWey is optioned to Triple-A and Brandon Walter moved to the 60-day IL to clear a 40-man spot. Tayler Scott is also in play as part of the ongoing bullpen overhaul. For fantasy managers, Kimbrel’s arrival could push him into late-inning duties, while Sousa’s absence leaves the relief corps thinner in high-leverage moments.

The swap signals a shift in the Astros’ late-inning plan: Kimbrel steps in as a trusted arm to close or near-close, especially with Hader unavailable. McCullers’ return steadies the rotation, potentially easing load on the bullpen as innings increase. The moves hint at opportunities for other Houston relievers to claim holds or setup roles, making the Houston bullpen a dynamic target for speculative adds in the short term. The backdrop of a tight schedule against the Orioles adds urgency for fantasy rosters to react quickly to bullpen usage and closing chances.

As the Astros navigate this patchwork period—absences, activations, and new signings—fantasy managers should monitor usage patterns closely, particularly who steps into the closer’s role behind Kimbrel and how long Sousa remains sidelined. With the team balancing innings and leverage, opportunistic adds in the Houston bullpen could yield value in holds leagues, while saves upside hinges on Kimbrel’s performance and workload management in the near term.

Houston added Tayler Scott to its major-league staff and designated Jordan Weems for assignment, signaling a fresh bullpen arms move before the Detroit series. Scott, 33, has spent most of 2024 in Houston’s bullpen and posted a strong 2.23 ERA across 62 appearances last season, though this year’s early numbers slipped to 5.40 in 17 outings. He logged a 9.00 ERA in nine innings with Arizona after last DFA, and owns a 4.91 ERA in 11 Triple-A Sugar Land outings since rejoining the organization. Weems gave up five runs in just one-third of an inning on Sunday, underscoring Houston’s need for a reliable, late-inning option. Manager Joe Espada stressed Scott’s depth potential, noting he can cover a clean inning or more if needed, a timely addition after a bullpen-heavy weekend.

The Astros have leaned on their relievers heavily in recent days, with a six-inning bullpen stint in a 12-inning win on Saturday and another six innings on Sunday after Cristian Javier exited ill. The move provides a fresh arm for a unit that spent the weekend stretched thin and could be in line for a few upcoming high-leverage spots as Houston eyes a productive road trip beginning in Detroit. The Diamonds, Orioles, and Sugar Land references in the backstory underscore Scott’s bend-and-breathe path back to the big leagues. Overall, Houston is stocking bullpen depth with a proven, if imperfect, veteran, while Weems’ DFA opens a spot for a longer-term alternative if the need persists.

The Houston Astros have designated reliever Tayler Scott for assignment, a surprising move given his strong performance last season with a 2.23 ERA over 62 appearances. Scott was expected to contribute again this year but struggled early on with a 5.40 ERA in 17 outings. The decision to DFA Scott creates roster space for Colton Gordon, who will make his major league debut against the Royals. Scott's departure leaves the Astros with a mix of left-handed and right-handed options in the bullpen as they navigate a busy schedule.

Lance McCullers Jr. made a significant return to the mound after a 915-day hiatus, successfully completing 3 ⅔ scoreless innings against the Chicago White Sox. This marked his first start since Game 3 of the 2022 World Series and was instrumental for the Houston Astros, who maintained their lead throughout his outing. McCullers faced some challenges, allowing three hits and walking three batters, yet he struck out four and managed to escape tight spots without surrendering a run. His pitch count reached 87, demonstrating a careful approach to his comeback from surgery to repair a flexor tendon.

In a game that tested his endurance, McCullers maintained a focus on using his breaking pitches, notably throwing 17 sliders and 16 curveballs. Notably, his sinker averaged 91.8 mph, slightly lower than his previous season's average. Despite some shaky moments, like loading the bases in the second inning, his ability to induce pop-ups and strikeouts showcased a resilient performance. His exit came after a walk to Joshua Palacios, ensuring the Astros remained in control as reliever Tayler Scott entered to close out the inning.

Roki Sasaki finally secured his first major league win with the Los Angeles Dodgers, dominating the Atlanta Braves in a 10-3 victory. Sasaki faced a three-hour rain delay before entering the game, which helped him settle into his routine. Although he struggled with his fastball control, he managed to escape a shaky first inning without conceding any runs, ultimately striking out four batters throughout the game.

With solid support from teammates like Shohei Ohtani, who hit a home run, and contributions from Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, the Dodgers maintained a strong offensive presence. Sasaki's journey continues as he acknowledges the need to refine his pitching, especially his fastball, but his first win marks an important milestone in his career.