Markel hasn't appeared in the majors since the 2019 campaign. The 31-year-old righty recorded a 4.42 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 91/45 K/BB ratio across 57 innings (41 appearances) at Triple-A El Paso this season. He should be able to land an invitation to spring training during the offseason.

Royals manager Matt Quatraro and Ragans were noncommittal on Friday when asked if he would make his next start. The positive takeaway here for fantasy managers is that the 27-year-old fantasy ace has been diagnosed with a “very mild” left groin strain after undergoing a precautionary MRI following an early exit from last Thursday’s start against the Rockies. It doesn’t seem like he’ll require a trip to the injured list, but he’s likely going to have his next start pushed back to later this week.

The recovery timetable for this procedure is three-to-four months, so Olynyk should be back before training camp. Olynyk was in and out of the lineup just before the end of the regular season, though that can at least partially be attributed to New Orleans looking to improve its lottery odds. Olynyk is entering the final season of a two-year deal that he initially signed with the Raptors.

Peña finds himself in the leadoff spot for the second consecutive contest with Jose Altuve hitting second after sitting out Sunday’s series finale against Kansas City. The Houston Chronicle’s Matt Kawahara notes it’s the first time Altuve hasn’t led off since June 17, 2023. Peña, who has moved around between several lineup spots this season, is hitting .255 (25-for-98) with three homers and five steals through 27 games.