New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez (thumb) had the stitches removed in his surgically-repaired left thumb on Monday. Alvarez is traveling with the team so he can continue taking part in pregame meetings between pitchers and catchers, but he's still only two weeks into a roughly eight-week rehab process. The 22-year-old former top prospect isn't expected to be available to the Mets until late June, and his .236/.288/.364 triple-slash line with one home run, eight RBI, eight runs scored, and one stolen base over 55 at-bats (16 games) before getting sidelined makes him only a borderline stash in shallow mixed fantasy leagues. Veterans Omar Narvaez and Tomas Nido are filling in behind the plate for the time being, but both backstops are hitting under the Mendoza line and are very low-upside choices in two-catcher setups at the bottom of New York's lineup.

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Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez belted his seventh home run of the 2024 regular season in Monday's 2-1 win over the division-rival Detroit Tigers, helping lift his team to victory. Ramirez's go-ahead blast came in the eighth inning, and it was his second homer in as many days after going yard in Sunday's series finale against the Los Angeles Angels. It's been a much-needed rebound for Ramirez, who was mired in a 3-for-28 dry spell over eight games prior to Sunday. The 31-year-old perennial All-Star is still slashing a disappointing .230/.278/.432 on the season, but he does have seven bombs, 28 RBI, 23 runs scored, and five stolen bases covering 139 at-bats (34 games) for the Guardians. Ramirez will try to solve his woes against the Tigers during the final two contests of this three-game series, as he's batting just .167 (9-for-54) with three round-trippers and six RBI across 14 games versus Detroit since 2023.

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Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Zack Wheeler earned his fourth win of the 2024 regular season in Monday's 6-1 victory over the visiting San Francisco Giants, fanning double-digit batters (11) for the third time this year while throwing seven innings of one-run ball on four hits and one walk. After going winless through his first four starts of the campaign, Wheeler has notched four wins in a row and given up a lone run over this hot streak. Overall, the 33-year-old All-Star right-hander owns a 1.64 ERA, and 0.89 WHIP while striking out 63 and walking only 13 over 49 1/3 frames (eight starts) for the Phillies this year. With Philly seemingly riding a six-man rotation at the moment, Wheeler's next turn doesn't line up until next Monday against the division-rival New York Mets at Citi Field. In six appearances against the Mets since 2022, Wheeler shows just a 5.24 ERA and 35:12 K:BB through 34 1/3 innings.

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Cincinnati Reds outfielder TJ Friedl (wrist), who played in the fourth game of his minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville on Sunday, could return as soon as Tuesday's series opener versus the Arizona Diamondbacks. Friedl was scheduled to have a call with manager David Bell and other decision-makers on Sunday regarding this matter. Friedl has gone 4-for-16 (.250) with two RBI and three doubles over his four outings in the minors as he recuperates from a fractured right wrist that he suffered during spring training, and fantasy managers should consider adding the center fielder in all leagues with his activation from the injured list sounding imminent. Last season, the speedy 28-year-old slashed a potent .279/.352/.467 with 18 home runs, 66 RBI, 73 runs scored, and 27 stolen bases across 556 plate appearances as Cincy's primary center fielder. When Friedl returns to the Reds, Will Benson is going to lose playing time.

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Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Grayson Rodriguez (shoulder) played catch on Sunday to begin his throwing program after being placed on the 15-day injured list due to inflammation in his right shoulder last week, pitching coach Drew French said. Rodriguez threw from 60 to 75 feet, and the plan is to soon ramp him up to bullpen sessions. Whether or not he needs to go on a minor-league rehab assignment before rejoining Baltimore's rotation has yet to be determined, but the O's and fantasy managers could get the 24-year-old former top prospect back sometime in May if all goes well in the hurler's recovery. Despite a shaky 3.71 ERA (3.57 FIP), 1.41 WHIP, 37:12 K:BB over 34 innings (six starts) this year, Rodriguez needs to be stashed in all leagues. In the meantime, Dean Kremer and Cole Irvin will serve as streaming options in favorable matchups.

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Seattle Mariners right-hander Bryan Woo (elbow) made his third minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Tacoma on Saturday night and pitched into the fifth inning, giving up no runs on three hits while walking none and striking out six. The 24-year-old threw 66 pitches, and his fastball velocity was up to 95.7 mph. He was shut down in spring training with right-elbow inflammation and opened the season on the injured list. Woo has a 17-to-0 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 11 1/3 scoreless innings in three rehab starts with Tacoma and looks ready to join Seattle's starting rotation, although the M's haven't announced when that might happen. There hasn't been a need to rush Woo back with how well rookie Emerson Hancock has pitched the last several weeks. Woo could be activated to make his 2024 debut next weekend against the Oakland Athletics. The M's don't want to use a six-man rotation and would prefer to keep Hancock stretched out in Triple-A.

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Seattle Mariners infielder Luis Urias got the start at third base on Sunday in the series finale against the Houston Astros after saying on Saturday night that he was looking forward to getting the chance to play more often against right-handed pitchers. Manager Scott Servais said that could happen more often moving forward. The 26-year-old went 1-for-3 with two RBI on Sunday in the win over Houston, but he's still hitting just .167 (7-for-42) with three home runs, 10 RBI and four runs scored in 20 games in 2024 in his first year in Seattle. Despite the poor average, Urias has been clutch with runners in scoring position, but even with more playing time potentially coming in the near future, he's more of an AL-only asset with the way he's been swinging the bat.

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Miami Marlins left-hander Jesus Luzardo (elbow) looked good in a minor-league rehab start for Double-A Jupiter on Sunday, throwing 5 2/3 shutout innings while allowing one hit, walking one and striking out one on 67 pitches. His fastball averaged 95.1 mph and topped out at 96.4 mph. After the strong showing by Luzardo, it's a good bet that he'll come off the 15-day injured list this week to make a start this weekend in a tough matchup against the Philadelphia Phillies. The 26-year-old southpaw got off to a slow start to begin the year in 2024 with an 0-2 record, 6.58 ERA (5.08 FIP) and 1.42 WHIP with 13 walks and 27 strikeouts in 26 innings over his first five starts. Still, Luzardo should be stashed in the majority of fantasy formats.

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Miami Marlins left-hander Braxton Garrett (shoulder) dominated on Monday in his minor-league rehab start with the team's Florida Complex League affiliate, tossing 5 2/3 scoreless innings with one hit allowed while walking one and striking out 13. Fantasy managers should take this outing with a grain of salt because it was against rookie-level competition, but it's nevertheless a good sign for a pitcher that appears to be on the cusp of making his 2024 big-league debut. The 26-year-old is recovering from a left-shoulder impingement and should be able to make his next start with the Marlins after making five rehab starts. If Garrett is available in your mixed fantasy league, he deserves to be picked up ASAP after his mini breakout season in 2023.

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Miami Marlins third baseman Jake Burger (oblique) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list on Monday and is back at third base while hitting third in the series opener in Los Angeles against the Dodgers and right-hander Walker Buehler, who is making his first start in the big leagues since 2022. Burger is returning from a left-intercostal strain that caused him to miss the last few weeks. The 28-year-old right-handed slugger isn't going to help your fantasy team's batting average, but his power potential makes him worth rostering in at least deep-mixed leagues. In 57 at-bats before going on the injured list, Burger was hitting .228 (13-for-57) with three home runs, 15 RBI and eight runs scored. Burger hit a career-high 34 home runs in 141 games last year with the Marlins and White Sox.

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Tampa Ray Rays right-hander Drew Rasmussen (elbow) had a season-ending internal-brace procedure for a right-flexor strain on July 24 of last year. Rasmussen, who has previously had two Tommy John surgeries, is doing well in his rehab and is scheduled to throw in an extended spring game around May 20. President of baseball operations Erik Neander said before the season that Rasmussen could return to the big-league staff in the final months of the season. Rasmussen was put on the 60-day injured list back on Feb. 20. The 28-year-old should remain on the waiver wire in single-year fantasy leagues. The former sixth-round pick in 2018 by the Brewers out of Oregon State had a 2.84 ERA and 1.04 WHIP with a 125:31 K:BB in 28 starts covering 146 innings in his last full season in the majors in 2022.

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Tampa Bay Rays left-hander Shane McClanahan (elbow) has ramped up to throwing from 90 feet. Manager Kevin Cash said on Friday that McClanahan is "progress well," although he's still in the early stages of his rehab from the second Tommy John procedure of his career. The 27-year-old southpaw is expected to miss the entire 2024 season. In a best-case scenario, it's possible that he'll return in the late stages this year, but fantasy managers in single-year formats shouldn't count on it at all. McClanahan was officially placed on the 60-day injured list on Feb. 14 before the team's first spring training workout. He underwent his second Tommy John surgery on Aug. 21 of 2023.

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Tampa Bay Rays infielder Jonathan Aranda (finger) is has not hit well during his minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Durham, and manager Kevin Cash said on Friday that the team wants to make sure Aranda is "timed up at the plate as much as possible" before ending his rehab assignment. Aranda fractured his right ring finger during a workout on March 19, which led to surgery to insert a pin into his finger on March 21. He had the pins removed from his finger on April 15. The 25-year-old looked great in spring training before his injury and should have a significant role for the Rays when he returns, at least as the designated hitter against right-handed pitching. Aranda is at least worth a pickup in deep-mixed leagues when he makes his 2024 debut.

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Tampa Bay Rays left-hander Colin Poche (back) threw on flat ground at Tropicana Field on Sunday and was scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Monday. Poche went on the injured list on April 26 with mid-back tightness that had been preventing him from feeling fully comfortable on the mound. He received an injection in his back, which came before a few days of rest. The 30-year-old southpaw should be able to return in the middle of May as long as he doesn't have any setbacks. Poche won a career-high 12 games last year for the Rays and had a 2.23 ERA and 1.09 WHIP with a save. He has a 6.75 ERA and 1.61 WHIP in his first 9 1/3 relief innings so far in 2024, but he also has two saves and could be in the picture for saves, depending on when Pete Fairbanks (hand) is able to return.

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Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Chris Devenski (knee) is playing catch and will progress based on how he feels, according to manager Kevin Cash. The skipper said on Friday that Devenski could throw a bullpen session soon "if the knee calms down." Devenski was placed on the injured list on April 29 (retroactive to April 26) with right-knee tendinitis. He said he was optimistic that he wouldn't miss much time despite an MRI exam on April 30 showing "pretty strong patella tendinitis," according to Cash. The 33-year-old will be eligible to return on May 11, but it remains to be seen if that will actually happen. Before the injury, Devenski hadn't pitched well, posting a 7.71 ERA and 1.79 WHIP with six walks and 11 strikeouts in 14 relief innings for the Rays.

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San Francisco Giants left-hander Blake Snell (groin) had a successful bullpen session over the weekend and will now throw three innings to live hitters in a batting practice session on Tuesday, according to manager Bob Melvin. Snell's next steps after that are to be determined. The reigning National League Cy Young winner is eligible to come off the injured list on Wednesday, but it remains to be seen if the 31-year-old southpaw will be back with the Giants by then after missing more than two weeks with a Grade 2 groin strain. We'd bet on Snell going on a minor-league rehab assignment first after surrendering 15 earned runs in 11 2/3 innings over his first three starts before getting hurt. Despite the injury and rough start, Snell needs to be rostered in all fantasy formats for his high-strikeout upside.

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Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Shane Baz (elbow) gave up three runs on three hits over three innings while walking one and striking out none in his first minor-league rehab assignment for Triple-A Durham on Saturday. Twenty-two of his 39 pitches went for strikes, and his four-seam fastball topped out at 97.1 mph. The 24-year-old missed all of last year after having Tommy John surgery. He was never expected to have a significant workload in 2024 after missing so much time, especially after he dealt with two minor oblique setbacks during his comeback. He essentially began his buildup after spring training ended and was put on the 15-day injured list on March 26. Baz will likely need several more rehab starts before Tampa thinks about activating him. Fantasy managers in single-year leagues need to temper their expectations for Baz in 2024 in his first season coming off Tommy John surgery.

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Chicago Cubs outfielder Cody Bellinger (ribs) will not need to go on a minor-league rehab assignment, and there's a chance he could be back in the Cubs' lineup before they go on the road go on the road on Friday to Pittsburgh to start a series, according to manager Craig Counsell. The 28-year-old is currently on the 10-day injured list due to a fracture in his right ribcage. He was able to do some hitting and defensive work on Monday and apparently made a positive impact on the coaching staff. Fantasy managers will be happy to get him back, as he's been out for almost two weeks. When he returns, rookie outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong will likely head to the bench or possibly back to the minors. Bellinger is a must-start in fantasy leagues when he's available. Before his injury, he was hitting .226 (19-for-84) with five homers and 17 RBI.

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Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki (oblique) will need to go on a minor-league rehab assignment before returning from the injured list, but manager Craig Counsell wants to see how Suzuki gets through Monday's workout before his next steps are outlined. Suzuki did some hitting and defensive drills on Saturday and has already taken on-field batting practice, but given the nature of the injury, the Cubs want to see him play in a few minor-league games first. Depending on when the 29-year-old outfielder starts a rehab assignment, he could be ready to come off the IL by this weekend's series against the St. Louis Cardinals. Suzuki will be an everyday player for the Cubs when he returns, so he should be rostered in most fantasy leagues. Mike Tauchman's playing time will likely take the biggest hit when Suzuki is back.

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Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Freddy Peralta confirmed on Sunday his plans to drop his five-game suspension for intentionally throwing at Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Jose Siri last Tuesday. Peralta will start serving his suspension on Monday and will be eligible to make his next start on Saturday against the division-rival St. Louis Cardinals. The 27-year-old took his first loss of the year against the Chicago Cubs on Sunday by allowing three earned runs on three hits while walking a season-high six and striking out five in five innings. Despite the loss, Peralta has still had a successful season to this point with a 3.49 ERA and 0.98 WHIP with 50 strikeouts in 38 2/3 frames over his first seven starts. Fantasy managers will want to get him back in their lineups for his next matchup with St. Louis this weekend.

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