The Baltimore Orioles optioned outfielder Heston Kjerstad to Triple-A ahead of their three-game set against the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday. Kjerstad was one of the hottest hitters at Triple-A this season, batting an absurd .349 with 10 home runs and 30 RBI in 21 games. As a result, the Orioles decided to call him up in late April. However, the left-handed slugger didn't see the playing time he deserved upon his promotion and only started four games for Baltimore over the past three weeks. He had just two hits across 17 plate appearances in 2024. The move to send down MLB Pipeline's No. 23 prospect has likely something to do with the team wanting the young outfielder to get more consistent at-bats at the plate. In a corresponding move, the Orioles called up Kyle Stowers from Triple-A Norfolk.

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Texas Rangers rookie pitcher Jack Leiter is scheduled to start at home against the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday. Despite struggling in his first two major league starts, it appears the Rangers will give Leiter another chance to prove himself on the mound. The right-hander gave up seven earned runs on eight hits in his first start against the Detroit Tigers on April 18 and then allowed four earned runs (six runs) across four innings against the Oakland A's on May 8. It's been sort of a rough go for the Rangers' No. 6 prospect to begin his MLB career, so he should only be started in extremely deep formats on Tuesday.

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The Baltimore Orioles plan to call up outfielder Kyle Stowers from Triple-A Norfolk, according to Britt Ghiroli of The Athletic. This will be Stowers's third time up in the majors with the first two coming in 2022 and 2023. Both times, though, the outfielder struggled mightily at the plate. He is hitting just .207 with three home runs, four doubles, and 11 RBI over 48 major league games in his career so far. As a result, he isn't an add in most formats. However, keep an eye on his playing time over the next few games because he showed some power potential in 36 Triple-A games this season, hitting 11 HRs with 11 doubles and 32 RBI.

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San Francisco Giants left-hander Blake Snell (groin) expects to make another minor-league rehab start before being reinstated from the injured list to rejoin the Giants' starting rotation. Snell was dominant in his first rehab outing with Single-A San Jose on Sunday, tossing four shutout innings with seven strikeouts. He threw only 46 pitches in the contest but touched 97 mph on the radar gun and tossed an addition 15 pitches in the bullpen after being removed from the contest. It makes sense for San Francisco to give Snell another start in the minors after he got off to a late start in 2024 because of the timing of his signing. The 31-year-old reigning National League Cy Young winner also got off to a rough start in his first three games before landing on the injured list, going 0-3 with an 11.57 ERA and 1.97 WHIP with 12 K's in 11 2/3 innings.

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Seattle Mariners right-hander Bryan Woo (forearm) is listed as the team's probable starter for this Wednesday's game against the visiting Kansas City Royals. Woo was removed from the injured list last week in order to make his season debut on Friday in a strong matchup against the visiting Oakland Athletics. The 24-year-old looked good, throwing 4 1/3 scoreless inning before being removed with right-forearm tightness. It was concerning since Woo missed the first six weeks of the regular season with right-elbow inflammation, but it turns out his latest injury isn't serious enough to keep him from making his second start of 2024. Woo looked good on Friday but did only throw 62 pitches in the outing, so fantasy managers looking for streamers should consider him pretty risky on Wednesday in a shy-away matchup against KC.

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Minnesota Twins catcher/designated hitter Ryan Jeffers is tied for ninth in the American League with nine home runs. He has served in the DH role for the Twins more than anyone else, but despite that, he has yet to hit a home run as the DH. Eight of Jeffers' home runs have come on days when he's the starting catcher, and the other homer came when he was used as a pinch-hitter. It's something to watch, but Jeffers is hitting .275 as the DH with a .772 OPS and six doubles. "If it was a problem, it would be on our radar. But he's had good at-bats as the DH. He's comfortable as the DH," manager Rocco Baldelli said. "If the definition of hitting for power is hitting home runs, then no. But he's hitting the ball hard as hell all over the park, even as the DH."

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Washington Nationals outfielder Jesse Winker (back) left the game early in the fifth inning on Sunday against the Boston Red Sox due to back spasms. Winker felt it before the contest and it got worse after he dove for a line drive in the outfield early in the game. Before leaving, Winker was hitless in his two at-bats and was replaced in left field by Ildemaro Vargas. The 30-year-old veteran left-handed hitter is now slashing .235/.350/.386 on the year with four home runs, 18 RBI, four stolen bases and 19 runs scored in 132 at-bats. At the very least, it's unlikely that Winker will be in action on Monday for the series opener against the Chicago White Sox. If the Nationals don't elect to call up top prospect James Wood from the minors, more playing time will go to Victor Robles if Winker needs a trip to the injured list.

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Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (knee) ran the bases at Target Field on Saturday and will do so again when the team returns there on Tuesday, according to athletic trainer Frank Paparesta. It's a sign that the soreness in his surgically repaired right knee has stopped, and that Buxton is nearing readiness for a return from the injured list. He's eligible to be activated for Tuesday's game against the New York Yankees, and the Twins are "cautiously optimistic" that they can do so. It's a bit of a surprise that Buxton won't need a minor-league rehab assignment, but fantasy managers won't be complaining if the 30-year-old veteran is able to return to the Twins lineup this week. The oft-injured outfielder continues to struggle to stay on the field for large stretches and will return to a .250/.300/.391 slash line with a homer, 11 RBI, one steal and 12 runs scored when he returns.

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San Francisco Giants manager Bob Melvin said that outfielder Jung Hoo Lee (shoulder) suffered a separated left shoulder in Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Reds in the first inning and will go for an MRI exam. Even if Lee's MRI exam doesn't show any structural damage in his shoulder, the 25-year-old first-year outfielder could be set for an extended absence. Fantasy baseball managers should prepare for a worst-case scenario and for Lee to require a stint on the injured list. With Michael Conforto (hamstring) going on the injured list on Sunday, Luis Matos was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento. If Lee misses extended time, Matos, Heliot Ramos and Tyler Fitzgerald could all see more playing time in San Fran's outfield. Fitzgerald replaced Lee in center field on Sunday and went 1-for-5 with a run scored and a strikeout.

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San Francisco Giants catcher Patrick Bailey (illness) was scratched from Sunday's series finale against the Cincinnati Reds due to a viral illness, according to the team. Bailey recently came off the seven-day concussion injured list, but his absence from Sunday's game wasn't in any way a setback with his head. Fantasy managers will want to check back to see if the 24-year-old backstop is feeling good enough to play in the series opener on Monday against the division-rival Los Angeles Dodgers. If Bailey misses any more time this week, Blake Sabol will benefit from more playing time behind the dish for the Gigantes. So far in 2024, Bailey is hitting a strong .280/.340/.451 with three home runs, 11 RBI, a stolen base and 10 runs scored in 26 games played.

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Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley (side) isn't too concerned about being removed from Sunday night's loss to the division-rival New York Mets early as a precaution with left-side tightness and considers himself day-to-day. Riley started feeling tightness in his side during batting practice before Sunday's contest and was eventually removed in the fourth inning after going 1-for-2. The 27-year-old doesn't know if he'll go for an MRI exam on Monday, but there's a very good chance he won't be in the starting lineup for the series opener on Monday against the Chicago Cubs. Fantasy managers will have to make a tough decision whether to keep him in their lineups in weekly leagues, but you shouldn't rule out a trip to the injured list.

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San Diego Padres starting pitcher Yu Darvish blanked the division rival Los Angeles Dodgers in Sunday's victory. The veteran tossed seven scoreless innings and allowed two hits, one walk and struck out seven. It was an impressive start for the 37-year-old against one of the toughest offenses in the league. Darvish has been putting together a strong season over his first eight starts and owns a 3-1 record to go along with a 2.43 ERA and 0.97 WHIP with 37 strikeouts in 40 2/3 innings. He should be rostered in all formats, but draws a tough matchup against the Atlanta Braves this weekend.

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Minnesota Twins first baseman Carlos Santana went 2-for-4 with a three-run homer in Sunday's victory against the Toronto Blue Jays. The homer would be the seventh of the season for the veteran. Santana has shown up with power this season as he also has 21 RBI. The issue for Santana has been that he is only hitting .212, but he has been hitting the ball hard with an average exit velocity of 90.7 MPH. Managers in deeper leagues should consider Santana if power is needed, but with the expectation that he will sink managers batting average along the way.

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St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley recorded his 12th save of the season versus the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday. Helsley worked a perfect 1-2-3 inning with two strikeouts. The right-hander remains one of the best closers in the league and hasn't allowed an earned run since April 8. Overall, Helsley has a rock solid 1.42 ERA to go along with a 0.84 WHIP and 21 strikeouts over 19 innings. Managers should continue to enjoy rostering one of the best closers in the game, but also be aware that the Cardinals could be sellers as the season progresses. If Helsley were to be dealt., Andrew Kittredge and Giovanni Gallegos would likely be the next men up for saves.

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Texas Rangers infielder/outfielder Ezequiel Duran kept a hot bat on Sunday versus the Colorado Rockies. Duran went 2-for-3 with a walk and a double. His two hits marked his fourth straight multi-hit performance. Duran has seen an uptick in play with rookie outfielder Wyatt Langford (hamstring) and third baseman Josh Jung (wrist) both on the injured list and has taken advantage of it with 13 hits over his last 26 at-bats. He doesn't have any homers this year and only has four RBI with one stolen base, but managers looking for hits should consider Duran. With eligibility at first baseman, third base, shortstop and outfielder, Duran can be a helpful player for managers in deeper leagues until he cools off with the bat.

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Making his second start of the season on Sunday, Colorado Rockies pitcher Ty Blach earned his first victory of the season. Blach went five innings against the Texas Rangers and allowed seven hits, one run, zero walks and recorded a pair of strikeouts. It was a good start for the veteran against a good Rangers offense, but managers should not be running to the waiver wire to grab the southpaw. The 33-year-old has been operating as a swingman for the Rockies and with a career ERA of 5.09, Blach can remain on the waiver wire.

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Chicago Cubs corner infielder/outfielder Patrick Wisdom had a big day in Sunday's victory against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The slugger went 3-for-4 with a walk, stolen base and solo home run. The home run would occur in the top of the 10th inning off Aroldis Chapman to help propel the Cubs to a win. Wisdom had a slow start to the season with it beginning on the injured list, but he is now hitting .321 with two homers, seven RBI and three stolen bases over his first 28 at-bats. Wisdom has gone on power surges in the past and he is a joy to roster during those times, but he also does not provide much outside of the home run ball. With Wisdom operating as a bench player, he can be avoided for now.

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Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman/outfielder Connor Joe went 2-for-4 with a walk, two runs and a two-run homer in Sunday's loss against the Cubs. Joe came up big in the bottom of the 10th inning when he opened it up with a two-run rocket to the bleachers off Adbert Alzolay to open the frame, but it would not be enough to secure the Pirates a victory. Joe has quietly been off to a very good start for the Pirates and has mostly hit no lower than fourth in the lineup this season. For the year, he is hitting .292 with five homers, 20 RBI and two stolen bases to go along with a healthy .866 OPS. Although he isn't the sexiest name, Joe has been having a good enough season to be rostered in deeper mixed leagues.

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Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler was knocked around against the San Diego Padres on Sunday, taking the loss in a 4-0 defeat. Buehler pitched just 3 IP and allowed three runs. He allowed five hits and two walks while striking out two. The 29-year-old was making his second start on the season after coming back from Tommy John surgery, and although it wasn't a disastrous outing, it certainly wasn't encouraging either. His limited pitch count and overall rustiness are to be expected, but fantasy managers were likely looking for a step in the right direction from his last outing, and that didn't happen on either front. It might be a while before we see the Walker Buehler that competed for a Cy Young, if we even see him at all this year.

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Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Alex Lange got destroyed on Sunday, allowing four runs in just IP in a 9-3 loss to the Houston Astros. Lange allowed five hits and two walks while failing to record a strikeout. The 28-year-old had been pitching well recently and seemed to be making a case to be re-inserted into the closer discussion, but a lot of that goodwill went away today with this disastrous performance. The Tigers will likely continue to use Jason Foley in the ninth inning, although they don't seem to fully trust him of late. Still, a lack of other options makes Foley the go-to guy for now.

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