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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Chicago Cubs third baseman Patrick Wisdom (rest) is out of the starting lineup ahead of Monday's game against the San Diego Padres. The right-handed slugger has served as the designated hitter during three of the last four games. During that span, Wisdom went 4-for-11 with a home run, a double, and two RBI. In his absence, Christopher Morel will serve as the designated hitter and bat cleanup versus right-hander Yu Darvish on Monday.

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Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich (back) was able to take batting practice ahead of Monday's game against the Kansas City Royals. The veteran outfielder landed on the injured list in mid-April due to a back issue. The timetable for Yelich has been a bit unclear, but the organization gave positive news on Monday. Brewers' manager Pat Murphy said that Yelich taking batting practice was likely his final step in his recovery process. That means Yelich should be able to return to the lineup without going on a rehab assignment. Fantasy managers will have to check back later for another update.

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Oakland Athletics outfielder Esteury Ruiz (wrist) is back in the starting lineup ahead of Monday's game against the Texas Rangers. Ruiz was forced to exit early during Saturday's game due to a wrist issue. The young outfielder went for an MRI on Monday, which didn't reveal any significant damage. That being said, Ruiz will bat leadoff and cover left field during Monday's game. The speedster has been solid during his time in Oakland this season, so fantasy managers should make sure to get him back in their lineups.

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New York Mets outfielder Harrison Bader (rest) is out of the starting lineup ahead of Monday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals. Fantasy managers don't need to worry as this appears to be a routine rest day for Bader. In his absence, Jeff McNeil is in left field with Starling Marte in center, and Joey Wendle starting at second base on Monday. Fantasy managers should adjust their lineups accordingly.

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New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso will start on the bench on Monday in the series opener against the St. Louis Cardinals. As a result, outfielder DJ Stewart will make his first career start at first base and will hit in the cleanup spot versus Cardinals right-hander Kyle Gibson. This will be Alonso's first day off of the 2024 season. The 29-year-old right-handed slugger has gone 2-for-36 (.056) with a home run, four RBI and 11 strikeouts in his last 10 games to drop his season slash line to .206/.295/.420, so it makes sense to give him a day to rest. Despite the recent slump, Alonso has eight home runs and elite power that makes him a must-start every day he's active. Stewart, who is hitting under .200, will be a boom/bust DFS play in the cleanup spot for the Mets in DFS lineups on Monday.

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San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado is not in the team's starting lineup on Monday for a series opener against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. With Machado on the bench, Donovan Solano will start at the hot corner and bat sixth against Cubs left-hander Justin Steele, who is making his first start off the injured list. Solano is hitless in two career at-bats against Steele and will be getting his first at-bat of the 2024 season after just being called up from the minors over the weekend. The 31-year-old Machado had started all nine games since returning from the paternity list last month. Since returning on April 26, Machado has gone 9-for-36 (.250) with a home run and nine RBI in 37 plate appearances. Machado will be back in the lineup on Tuesday.

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Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Brice Turang is not in the team's starting lineup on Monday for the series opener against the Royals in Kansas City. With Turang getting a blow on Monday, Joey Ortiz will man second base for the Brewers and hit second in the batting order against Royals left-hander Cole Ragans. This will be only the third time this year that Turang hasn't been in the starting lineup for Milwaukee. The 24-year-old left-handed hitter is having a great season through 107 at-bats, slashing .299/.367/.411 with two home runs, 12 RBI, 14 stolen bases and 16 runs scored. Turang isn't much of a power hitter, but his speed plays in all fantasy leagues. Ortiz, who has gone 18-for-66 (.273) this year, will be a DFS sleeper on Monday in the two-hole.

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The Chicago White Sox recalled right-hander Mike Clevinger from Triple-A Charlotte on Monday and placed right-hander Dominic Leone (back) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to May 5) with lower-back tightness in a corresponding move. After re-signing with the White Sox late after the start of the regular season, Clevinger is finally ready to make his 2024 debut in the majors after giving up three runs on 10 hits while walking three and striking out seven in 7 1/3 innings over two minor-league starts with Charlotte. Fantasy managers should not expect him to go deep in Monday's contest, making him a poor streaming option in his first start of 2024. The 33-year-old isn't the high-upside he pitcher he once was in Cleveland, but he can be serviceable in deeper leagues and as a streamer in the right matchups.

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The St. Louis Cardinals moved outfielder Tommy Edman (wrist) to the 60-day injured list on Monday, meaning he won't be eligible to return to the team until May 24 now. Edman had surgery on his right wrist last October and has yet to make his 2024 debut with the Cardinals. However, he has resumed taking swings from both sides of the plate and is making progress. The 28-year-old switch-hitter has yet to be cleared for full baseball activities yet, though, so he still has more boxes to check off before he's activated from the IL later this month. Until Edman is activated, Dylan Carlson figures to see most of the playing time in center field for the Cardinals. When Edman is back in St. Louis, he'll be an everyday starter for the team.

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The St. Louis Cardinals placed right-hander Giovanny Gallegos (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list on Monday with a right-shoulder impingement and selected the contract of right-hander Chris Roycroft from Triple-A Memphis in a corresponding move. Gallegos didn't record an out while giving up three earned runs on three hits for his first loss of the season against the Chicago White Sox on Sunday, but it appears he wasn't pitching at 100 percent health. The 32-year-old allowed seven earned runs while recording no outs in his last two appearances, so something clearly wasn't right. The two poor outings have raised his ERA to a rough 12.00 on the year. With Gallegos on the shelf for at least the next two weeks, the Cards will ask more of setup men JoJo Romero and Andrew Kittredge.

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Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Taj Bradley (pectoral) is with the team on Monday before their series opener against the Chicago White Sox and seems likely to be activated from the 15-day injured list this week. Bradley has been out all season with a right-pectoral strain, but he's tracking toward making his season debut for the Rays later this week. The 23-year-old allowed one earned run in six innings while striking out eight for Triple-A Durham last Friday and is certainly worth a waiver-wire pickup now that he's on the cusp of his return, at least in deep-mixed fantasy leagues. His first start is likely to come this weekend against the New York Yankees, which won't be the best matchup to stream him, but his upside alone makes him worth stashing.

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Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton said that top prospect Paul Skenes is scheduled to pitch for Triple-A Indianapolis again this week. Skenes actually looked human in his last start with Indy on Sunday, giving up two runs on three hits while walking two and striking out only four in 4 1/3 innings pitched. The 21-year-old No. 1 overall pick last year threw just 66 pitches in the outing, so he definitely needs more time in the minors to get stretched out before the Pirates feel comfortable throwing him into the fire at the MLB level. Despite his subpar outing on Sunday, Skenes' numbers are still dominant. Through seven starts, he has a 0.99 ERA and 0.91 WHIP with only eight walks and 45 strikeouts in 27 1/3 innings. Skenes will be brought up to the big leagues sooner than later, and he needs to be rostered in all fantasy formats.

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