The Houston Astros have placed rookie outfielder Jacob Melton on the 10-day injured list due to a sprained right ankle sustained during a defensive play in Friday's victory against Minnesota. In his 11 games this season, the 24-year-old Melton posted a .241 batting average, including one triple and six RBIs.

In a roster shake-up, the Astros also optioned utility player Shay Whitcomb to Triple-A Sugar Land. To fill these roster spots, Houston brought in outfielder Cooper Hummel and infielder Luis Guillorme from Sugar Land. Furthermore, right-hander Spencer Arrighetti has been transferred to the 60-day injured list as he continues his recovery from a fractured thumb that occurred during batting practice earlier this month.

Nico Hoerner of the Chicago Cubs faced an early exit during Sunday’s game after being ejected for a comment to umpire Derek Thomas regarding his officiating. Following a low and inside strike call, Hoerner remarked, “You’re having a really bad day,” leading to his dismissal. Cubs manager Craig Counsell defended Hoerner, claiming the ejection was unwarranted and reflected poorly on player-umpire relations. This incident highlights ongoing challenges in officiating, particularly in terms of how umpires handle dissent and the influence of technology on their decisions.

Chandler Simpson has been optioned to the minors, leaving the Tampa Bay Rays in search of new talent for their struggling outfield. With his remarkable speed and valuable contributions in stolen bases, Simpson's return seems imminent. Meanwhile, Colby Thomas of the Oakland Athletics is making waves in the minors with power numbers that are hard to ignore, hitting 31 homers last season and already showing promise this year. His strikeout rate does raise concerns, but if he can overcome those, he might emulate the success of former Athletics slugger Khris Davis.

Roman Anthony and Bubba Chandler also remain prospects to watch, with their paths to the majors fraught with uncertainty. Anthony needs an injury or trade to secure his spot, while Chandler's recent performance may delay his promotion until the end of the month. Logan Henderson is a notable name as well, showcasing stellar stats at the major league level but currently working through a workload management plan.

As fantasy baseball trade season heats up in Week 8, savvy managers are identifying key buy-low and sell-high candidates. Catcher William Contreras of the Milwaukee Brewers stands out as an undervalued player, struggling with a .238 average but showing strong underlying metrics. His recent performance hints at a potential rebound.

Similarly, Yordan Alvarez of the Houston Astros, currently on the injured list, is primed for a resurgence. Despite a slow start, his elite power potential makes him a prime target. On the flip side, players like Trent Grisham of the New York Yankees, enjoying a surprising hot streak, may be overvalued due to playing time concerns. AJ Smith-Shawver of the Atlanta Braves, despite recent success, also faces regression risks that make him a sell-high candidate.