Colorado Rockies right-hander Jake Bird (elbow), who was placed on the 15-day injured list on Sunday with right-elbow inflammation, is likely to need a minor-league rehab assignment before returning to Colorado's bullpen. Bird made a whopping 70 appearances out of the Rockies' bullpen in 2023 but has been inefficient so far in 2024 before getting hurt. He allowed four runs while walking six in his three appearances before landing on the injured list and has a 6.10 ERA (6.35 FIP), a 1.74 WHIP, his first career save, 15 walks and 12 strikeouts in 20 2/3 relief innings this year. "We need to figure out what was going on, and we haven't quite got there yet mechanics-wise," manager Bud Black said. Righty Matt Koch finished off last year strong for Colorado and will replace Bird in the bullpen for now. He was 3-1 with a 2.53 ERA in 21 1/3 innings over 18 outings for Triple-A Albuquerque.

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Colorado Rockies left-hander Kyle Freeland (elbow) continued playing catch on Sunday from up to around 50 feet and threw his fastball from his regular motion on flat ground. Freeland is trying to avoid a setback and doesn't currently have a date set to throw off a mound. He will also have to go on a minor-league rehab assignment after building up his strength in bullpen sessions and in live batting practice. The 31-year-old southpaw doesn't appear to be in any rush to get back to the major-league level, instead prioritizing his health for the rest of the year. The Rockies initially were hoping that he would be able to return at some point in the middle of June. The former eighth overall pick in 2014 out of Evansville has very little fantasy upside with half his games coming at Coors Field while also sporting a career 4.53 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 17.1% strikeout rate.

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Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Dustin May (elbow) started throwing off a mound at the team's spring training facilities on Monday in Arizona. May is slowly recovering from surgery that he had last July to fix his right flexor tendon and UCL. The 26-year-old is expected to pitch in 2024, but that's not likely to come until sometime this summer around the All-Star break in mid-July. Fantasy managers in redraft leagues shouldn't expect a whole lot from him this year, especially since the Dodgers aren't going to put too much on his plate once he is available at the big-league level. The former third-rounder's strikeout rate of 22.5% has left a lot to be desired when considering his pure stuff, but overall, May has looked good in his five years in LA, going 12-9 with a 3.10 ERA and 1.05 WHIP with 57 walks and 174 K's in 191 2/3 frames over 46 outings (34 starts).

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Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Emmet Sheehan (elbow) said that his Tommy John surgery last week also included an internal brace. Sheehan also said he suffered an oblique injury during spring training, in addition to the forearm irritation he dealt with. He mentioned an expected 13 months before his potential return, which essentially means he won't be an option for the Dodgers' starting rotation until around the All-Star break in 2025. The former sixth-round selection in 2021 out of Boston College won't return anytime soon after not being able to pitch at all in 2024. In his major-league debut last year, Sheehan went 4-1 with a 4.92 ERA (4.85 FIP) and 1.19 WHIP with 26 walks and 64 strikeouts in 60 1/3 innings over 13 outings (11 starts). There's obvious strikeout upside with Sheehan for fantasy managers in keeper/dynasty leagues, but home runs and walks were an issue last year.

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Los Angeles Dodgers right-handed reliever Joe Kelly (shoulder) started a throwing program on Monday. Kelly has resumed throwing after being put on the 15-day injured list on May 6 with a right-shoulder strain. Even though the 35-year-old veteran will likely require a minor-league rehab assignment before returning to the Dodgers' bullpen, it should be a short one, barring a setback with his shoulder. Kelly isn't really a candidate for saves in LA -- he has just seven in his 13-year MLB career -- but he's a valuable right-handed setup man in the Dodgers' bullpen when he's healthy and could have some appeal in deep holds leagues. Before his shoulder injury, Kelly had allowed eight runs (seven earned) on 13 hits while walking five and striking out 14 in 13 1/3 relief innings.

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It appears likely that Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Joe Ross (back) will land on the injured list after leaving his start on Monday against the Miami Marlins after just one inning due to lower-back tightness. After being looked at by doctors, it was determined that the 30-year-old veteran is dealing with a lower-back strain, which will almost certainly keep him out for at least a couple weeks. Ross entered his start on Monday with a 2-4 record, 4.61 ERA (3.88 FIP) and 1.37 WHIP with 15 walks and 35 strikeouts in 41 innings pitched over his eight starts. Fantasy managers in shallower mixed leagues shouldn't feel compelled to hang onto Ross now that he's hurt. It remains to be seen who will Milwaukee will use to take Ross' spot in the rotation, but left-hander Aaron Ashby could be an option.

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Milwaukee Brewers infielder Joey Ortiz (foot) is going for X-rays on his right foot after he was hit by a pitch early in Monday's game against the Miami Marlins. The good news is that Ortiz was able to stay in the 3-2 extra-inning loss in Miami, going 0-for-1 with two walks and a strikeout to drop his season average to .290 and his OPS to .931. We'll have a better idea of how much time the 25-year-old might have to miss once we get the results of his X-rays. The former fourth-round pick by the Baltimore Orioles in 2019 out of New Mexico State is off to a great start this year with a .292/.387/.538 slash line with a .925 OPS, five home runs, 15 RBI and 16 runs scored in 106 at-bats. If Ortiz is forced to miss extended time, both Andruw Monasterio and Owen Miller could see playing time at the hot corner for the Brew Crew.

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Houston Astros outfielder Chas McCormick (hamstring), who was not activated from the injured list ahead of Monday's series opener against the division-rival Los Angeles Angels, should re-enter Houston's lineup "soon." After finishing his minor-league rehab assignment with Double-A Corpus Christi on Sunday, McCormick went through pregame workouts on Monday and should be reinstated from the IL sometime this week. The 29-year-old outfielder broke out with 22 home runs and 19 stolen bases a year ago, but he was slashing a feeble .236/.325/.278 with three extra-base hits, eight RBI, and two steals over 83 plate appearances (21 games) before going down with discomfort in his right hamstring. Top prospect Joey Loperfido is batting an encouraging .333 (13-for-39) with one homer, five RBI, and one pilfer through 13 outings with the Astros, but he'll be in line to lose playing time when McCormick returns.

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Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Garrett Whitlock (oblique, elbow) has ligament damage in his right elbow, and surgery has become a real possibility. Whitlock was originally expected to return to Boston's rotation on Monday after being sidelined by a strained left oblique, but he experienced soreness in his elbow following last week's minor-league rehab appearance and now appears to be staring at a potentially season-ending setback. It would be a big blow to the Red Sox' pitching staff after the 27-year-old right-hander put together a promising 1.96 ERA and 1.15 WHIP with 17 strikeouts and seven walks across 18 1/3 innings (four starts) in 2024. Whitlock will be evaluated by a doctor in Alabama for a second opinion later this week. In the meantime, righty Cooper Criswell looks set to continue handling a rotation spot going forward.

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Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Bobby Miller (shoulder) will pitch in another simulated game on Tuesday at Dodger Stadium. Miller threw two simulated innings last Wednesday, and the hope is that a brief minor-league rehab assignment is the next step following Tuesday's session. The 25-year-old flame-throwing right-hander is working his way back from inflammation in his right shoulder, and despite giving up seven runs over 11 2/3 innings before the injury this season, his 18:6 K:BB and elite strikeout upside make him a must-stash fantasy asset with a late-May or early-June return being the expectation. In Miller's absence, former top prospect Gavin Stone is worth streaming in all leagues with a respectable 3.27 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, and 29 punchouts with four wins through 44 innings (eight starts).

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Los Angeles Dodgers closer Evan Phillips (hamstring) will need to make either two or three appearances during a minor-league rehab assignment before being activated from the injured list. There was some optimism that Phillips could rejoin LA's bullpen sometime this weekend, but he won't be ready to return from a strained right hamstring for about another week in all likelihood. In 14 appearances before hitting the shelf, the 29-year-old right-hander allowed a lone run while striking out 17, walking four, and converting each of his eight save chances over 13 2/3 innings of work as the Dodgers' closer. Veteran Daniel Hudson remains the best bet for fantasy managers trying to find some saves in Phillips' absence, registering a 2.84 ERA, 0.79 WHIP, and a sublime 20:1 K:BB with two saves over 19 innings, but he hasn't had very many save opportunities.

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Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Ryan Pepiot (lower leg) is expected to be reinstated from the injured list to start Wednesday's series finale against the visiting Boston Red Sox. After throwing three simulated innings in a bullpen session ahead of Friday's series opener against the division-rival Toronto Blue Jays, Pepiot won't need a minor-league rehab assignment and is ready to rejoin Tampa Bay's injury-riddled rotation following his recovery from a lower left leg contusion. In seven starts this season, the 26-year-old upstart right-hander owns an outstanding 3.68 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, and 41:11 K:BB through 36 2/3 innings as the Rays' ace. However, fantasy managers might want to take a wait-and-see approach before activating Pepiot in a pretty tough spot against Boston's hard-hitting lineup.

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Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Rhys Hoskins (hamstring) started a running progression ahead of Monday's series opener against the Miami Marlins, and he said he felt good and that it was "a good start." Barring any setbacks, Hoskins should resume hitting by the end of the week as he ramps up baseball activities during his recovery from a strained right hamstring. The 31-year-old slugger was enjoying a strong comeback campaign after missing all of last season due to a torn ACL, slashing .233/.340/.474 with nine home runs, five doubles, and 27 RBI over 133 at-bats, and he should be stashed in all fantasy leagues with a late-May or early-June return to the Brewers in the cards. With five homers and five stolen bases through 95 ABs, Jake Bauers is worth a look as Milwaukee's primary first baseman for some short-term pop and speed.

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Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Reese Olson (hip) left Monday's start against the division-rival Kansas City Royals during the third inning after taking a 101.8 mph line drive from Michael Massey off his right hip. It's worth noting that Olson attempted to stay in the game, but Beau Brieske ultimately relieved him after the club opted to pull him from the contest. Olson allowed one earned run on five hits and one walk with two strikeouts over 2 2/3 innings before departing. The Tigers should provide an official diagnosis sometime following Monday's game, and the 24-year-old right-hander should be viewed as day-to-day until then. Although Olson is winless through nine starts this year, he holds an impressive 2.16 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, and 43:16 K:BB over 50 frames. His next start tentatively lines up for Saturday, when Detroit hosts the Toronto Blue Jays.

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The Chicago Cubs activated shortstop Dansby Swanson (knee) from the 10-day injured list on Monday and optioned rookie outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong to Triple-A Iowa in a corresponding move. The team also optioned second baseman Miles Mastrobuoni to Iowa. The Cubs had the day off on Monday, but Swanson will return for Tuesday's series opener against the Atlanta Braves. Swanson will return to everyday duties at shortstop for the Cubs after missing some time with a knee injury. His fantasy managers will be hoping that he can pick it up at the plate now that he's healthy, as he was hitting just .209/.285/.341 with four home runs, 12 RBI, four stolen bases and 20 runs scored in 129 at-bats before landing on the injured list.

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The Chicago Cubs optioned rookie outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong to Triple-A Iowa on Monday to make room for the return of shortstop Dansby Swanson (knee) from the 10-day injured list. Crow-Armstrong will head back to the farm after slashing .236/.295/.364 with a homer, two doubles, one triple, nine RBI, five stolen bases and four runs scored in 23 games played in his second taste of big-league pitching following his 13-game debut in 2023. It makes sense for the Cubs to send the 22-year-old back to the minors so that he can continue his development and get everyday at-bats. Crow-Armstrong is a phenomenal defender in center field, and his speed should continue to play in fantasy whenever he makes his return to Chicago.

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The Chicago White Sox have an opening in their starting rotation after they designated right-hander Brad Keller for assignment, but manager Pedro Grifol didn't sound like he was jumping at the chance to give right-hander Michael Soroka another shot in the rotation. "Soroka had a good [relief] appearance, but I don't know if he's going to be the guy we want to do that. "We'll make that move when we have to, which would be Wednesday-Thursday," Grifol said. The 26-year-old Soroka was recently demoted to the bullpen, but he looked much better in a long-relief role on Saturday, tossing four scoreless innings while striking out seven. However, he did walk four and has surrendered 33 runs (31 earned) on 42 hits (10 home runs) while walking 24 and striking out 24 in 43 2/3 innings in his nine starts. We don't blame the White Sox for being hesitant to go back to Soroka as a starter.

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The Cleveland Guardians called up outfield prospect Johnathan Rodriguez from Triple-A Columbus on Monday and designated outfielder Ramon Laureano for assignment in a corresponding move. It is Rodriguez's first major-league call-up and he was available off the bench for Monday's contest against the visiting New York Mets. The 24-year-old is listed as Cleveland's No. 16 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, and gets the call to the majors after slashing .276/.389/.449 with an .838 OPS, seven home runs, six doubles, 28 RBI, four stolen bases and 30 runs scored in 185 plate appearances over 43 games for Columbus. The Puerto Rican was taken in the third round in 2017 out of the Carlos Beltran Baseball Academy, and he could see some at-bats for the Guardians until Steven Kwan (hamstring) returns from the injured list.

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The Washington Nationals have officially sent right-handed pitching prospect Cade Cavalli (elbow) on a minor-league rehab assignment with the Florida Complex League Nationals, according to the team's transaction log. Cavalli is trying to return after having Tommy John surgery, and his first rehab start in the Rookie League will be his first game action since the 2022 season. Given the nature of the 25-year-old's rehab and his long layoff, he's likely to spend all 30 days on his rehab assignment before the Nationals decide what to do with him. The team's No. 5 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, allowed seven earned runs in 4 1/3 innings in his first big-league start in 2022 but hasn't been back to the big leagues since because of his elbow injury. Cavalli should return to the majors at some point in 2024, but fantasy managers in redraft leagues may want to temper expectations.

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Washington Nationals outfielder Lane Thomas (knee) will begin a minor-league rehab assignment with Double-A Harrisburg on Tuesday, and if all goes well, he'll play again on Wednesday. The team will then decide if Thomas is ready to come off the injured list or if he needs more time on his rehab assignment. If the Nationals are happy with what they see from the 28-year-old on Tuesday and Wednesday, he could return to the big-league lineup on Friday for the series opener against the Seattle Mariners. Thomas has been out almost a month with a Grade 2 MCL sprain in his left knee, but he should be rostered in all fantasy formats despite going 16-for-87 (.184) before his injury. He already has 11 stolen bases in 22 games in 2024 after being a 20-20 man in 2023.

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