Dana Brown's options for a left-handed bat could include an infielder or outfielder with possible return of Jose Altuve to second base.

A Twins utilityman might make more sense than Arizona's third baseman, plus notes on other deadline options and Cam Smith's recent slide.

Starting third baseman Isaac Paredes (hamstring) is on the 10-day IL, but general manager Dana Brown said on Sunday that the injury is “a little bit more severe than we projected,” via The Athletic’s Chandler Rome. That could jeopardize Houston’s first-place status if it doesn’t acquire a replacement player by Thursday’s Trade Deadline.