Houston backs J.P. France off a 30-day minor-league rehab, weighing whether he returns as a starter, long-relief option, or swingman as the Astros juggle a thinning pitching staff. With Spencer Arrighetti, Cristian Javier, and Jason Alexander set to start in Baltimore, Houston is weighing how to create space for a potential McCullers promotion from the IL while keeping its rotation intact. The decision hinges on France’s readiness and the team’s roster flexibility, a strategic crossroad that could reshape fantasy value on both ends of the rotation.

France, who built 3.83 ERA across 136 1/3 innings in 2023 (23 starts), has battled shoulder issues and underwent surgery before rehab. His return could add depth if used as a starter, but Houston remains unclear on whether he’ll slot into the rotation or fill a bullpen swing role. McCullers’ return further clouds the picture, as Houston must clear a roster spot while preserving a stable stretch run, making France a wait-and-see play for fantasy managers until a concrete role emerges.

In fantasy terms, the situation is a classic add-or-drop scenario: Paris-worthy upside if he’s in the rotation with a clear workload, but significant risk if he’s a swingman or bullpen piece. The Orioles series offers a concrete test, but the real signal will come once Houston confirms France’s role and whether McCullers returns to complement or supplant any of the current starters. Until then, patience and lineup-dynamic monitoring are key.

Week 21 waiver-wire watchers get a quartet of starter options with recent momentum and clear paths to value. Joey Wentz has flashed at the top of Atlanta’s rotation, but underlying metrics hint regression ahead, making him a pickup in short stints or favorable matchups rather than a long-term anchor. Nolan McLean just debuted for the Mets with a strong start that screamed untapped upside, especially with his plus curveball and a Triple-A track record. Jason Alexander’s August surge for Houston sits on a fine line between luck and skill, aided by a dominant changeup and a sinker that occasionally plays up in the right spots. Ryan Bergert, traded to Kansas City, has started to blend a sweeper more often, producing eye-popping strikeout runs in support of a lean arsenal that should be monitored in deeper formats. Overall, these names profile as short-term adds in mixed leagues and potential weekly streams in favorable matchups.

Week 21 of 2025 brings a compact set of starting-pitcher waiver options, tailored for shallow leagues but with deeper-leaning plays that could pay off in standard formats. Will Warren anchors the top tier, offering reliable volume and recent five-inning quality starts as the Yankees chase wins. Jose Quintana stabilizes the rotation with dependable innings and solid ratios on a strong Brewers squad. Jose Soriano combines strikeouts with groundball variety for a back-end slot in many leagues. Hurston Waldrep offers upside as a top Braves prospect getting a late-season shot, while Charlie Morton provides veteran savvy as Detroit managers lean on experience. In deeper formats, Cristian Javier returns to form with injury-recovery potential; Zebby Matthews brings swing-and-mmiss upside tempered by HR risk; Nolan McLean, Jason Alexander, and Ryan Bergert each offer speculative, weekend-ready options with varying ceilings. Kyle Bradish, Michael McGreevy, Sean Burke, Michael Lorenzen, and Joey Wentz close the list with a mix of floor, wins potential, and breakout vibes. Proactive rosters can maximize Week 21 by pairing safe floors with high-upside stashes, while tracking BvP and PvB data for favorable matchups.

Houston steamrolled the Yankees 7-1 to close the series, fueled by a six-inning, one-hit gem from Jason Alexander that highlighted the Astros’ pitching depth. Jose Altuve kicked off a big night with a homer and joined an exclusive club, while Cam Smith delivered a clutch two-run double and Carlos Correa added late insurance. Mauricio Dubón and Ramón Urías supplied RBI support as Houston ran away in the later innings.

Altuve’s milestone turn—250 homers and 250 stolen bases—puts him in rare company, linking power and speed in a way few players ever have. The performance underscored Houston’s balance: a dominant start from Alexander, a timely offensive flurry, and continued versatile contributions from Dubón and Urías. For New York, the loss extends a rough run in the series, leaving the Yankees to regroup after another tough afternoon in Houston.

As the Astros improve to 66-52, the win reinforces their ability to win with a mix of breakout pitching and timely offense. The night was a reminder that Houston can beat you in multiple ways, and the roster depth often translates into fantasy upside across categories, especially in points leagues that prize stolen bases, homers, and run production.

Houston’s rotation depth got a welcomed lift as Jason Alexander rattled off six scoreless frames against the Yankees, his second straight strong start in a stadium that will test opposing depth. Houston’s lineup supplied 12 hits in a 7-1 win, finishing a 4-5 road trip through Boston, Miami and New York with two wins in the Yankees series and at least one more day atop the AL West. The restocked lineup backed Alexander, built a 4-0 lead, and rode a bullpen that minimized danger in a high-leverage moment.

Jose Altuve accounted for the early production with a first-inning homer—the 250th of his career—and added another pair of hits as Houston stretched the cushion. Cam Smith supplied the other big swing with a bases-loaded, two-out double in the fifth, flipping the momentum and giving Alexander breathing room. The bullpen trimmed the remaining threats, Abreu closing the seventh and the nine-run ninth giving Carlos Correa a late-inning homer to pad the score. The milestone from Altuve and the strong team performance reinforce Houston’s resolve as it navigates injured arms and seeks playoff-floor depth.