<p>Paredes is advancing through rehab, reporting improved speed and field activity, with live batting practice on the horizon. A year-end return is possible if progress continues, and his bat could be a meaningful upgrade for Houston’s offense in a tight playoff race.</p>

Paredes’ potential return would fortify Houston’s lineup as it heads toward the postseason, adding depth to a bat-heavy contingent and potentially lifting the middle of the order.

Paredes’ patience was a cornerstone, and his injury hurt balance. His return adds patient at-bats to balance the aggressive Astros, helping the lineup avoid over-expansion and improve overall at-bat quality.

Paredes' return timeline is a fantasy wildcard. If he re-enters the lineup with hot hands, he can provide additional RBI opportunities and lineup depth for Houston, boosting the bats around him and offering speculative upside in daily formats.

Paredes is the focal point of Houston’s late-season rehab, returning from a right hamstring strain. He’s progressing with light field work, running at partial effort, and cage hitting, with imaging guiding his timeline. A return could alter Houston’s corner-infield depth and potentially shift his role toward DH if he comes back this year, given the presence of Correa at third and Alvarez/Altuve at other spots.