Jeremy Peña reaches three times in Astros’ victory

Helsley had been warming up, but then sat down in the bullpen and was caught on camera flexing his elbow and grabbing it, which didn’t inspire a lot of confidence in his health. Considering he was already on the injured list earlier this season with elbow inflammation, this is not a great sign. We’ll wait for more word from the Orioles, but Rico Garcia would operate as the high-leverage reliever again if Hesley were to miss time, but that would not mean he gets every save chance.

Kremer allowed four hits and one walk. He gave up a homer to Sam Antonacci on the second pitch of the game but held Chicago scoreless after that. This was only his third start of the year after a quad injury kept him sidelined since late April. He’s pitched well in the small sample and now has a 20:3 K/BB ratio in 17 innings. His next start lines up at home against the Cubs.

Schultz struck out seven and looked fantastic through four innings, but things unraveled in the fifth, and multiple inherited runners scored. This was the rookie’s first start since May 24 as he missed over a month due to a knee injury. Walks remain a problem for the left-hander, and he’ll look for better results next time out against the Red Sox.

Baltimore was being no-hit through four innings before O’Neill hit a solo blast off Noah Schultz to begin the fifth. He also made an impressive diving catch, but was later pinch-hit for and remains in a very part-time role for the Orioles. O’Neill has started against just one of the past nine right-handers the team has faced. He’s signed through 2027 as part of a three-year, $49.5 million deal he was given as a free agent.

Antonacci took Dean Kremer deep on the second pitch of the game, but it was the only run Chicago could muster. The rookie hit just one homer from April 15 through June 13, but he’s left the yard four times since then. He was already profiling as a strong fantasy asset with batting average, runs scored, and stolen-base upside, but the recent power uptick is surely welcomed. He’ll remain a must-start fantasy option as the White Sox head to Cleveland for a four-game set beginning Thursday.

Clase has been recalled with George Springer headed to the paternity list. However, Clase is also not in the lineup against a left-handed pitcher on Wednesday, so he might not play much in the few games Springer misses.

Congrats to George and his growing family. Springer had a hot stretch earlier in the month, but is hitting .239/.340/.398 in 23 games in June with three home runs, three steals and 13 RBI. He is not a player you have to move on from in shallower formats, but you might be able to find more production on the waiver wire in 10 and 12-team leagues.

Scherzer is traveling with the Blue Jays on their road trip, so he will make a rehab start Friday with Vancouver, then rejoin the team in Seattle on Saturday. From there, he will throw a bullpen on Sunday, and the team will determine next steps from there. Scherzer could return right after the All-Star break, but he would remain off the fantasy radar outside of the deepest formats until we can see him pitch deep into an MLB game.

Despite hitting .147/.261/.173 in 27 games in June, the Mets continue to play Baty at second base against right-handed pitching. Ronny Mauricio has made only one start in the last month, so there doesn’t seem to be any threat to Baty’s playing time. We would not be trusting him in fantasy leagues, though. Tyrone Taylor will make his first start against right-handed pitching since coming off the injured list, starting in left field and batting ninth.

Vlad Jr. had missed Tuesday’s game with back tightness, but it was never expected to be a serious issue. Perhaps another day or two off could have helped the slumping first baseman with a mental reset, but he will be back in the lineup, and it’s hard to keep him out of fantasy lineups unless you’re in a shallow league and were able to claim multiple difference-makers off the waiver wire. Sean Keys will start at DH and bat eighth with George Springer on the paternity list.