The St. Louis Cardinals are hoping that catcher Ivan Herrera (knee) can begin running and catching this weekend, according to manager Oliver Marmol. If Herrera can progress to that point this weekend, it will give the team a better indication on when he might be able to return from the injured list. Marmol also said that Herrera is progressing to hitting in the batting cages and playing catch. The 24-year-old backstop will not travel with the team to New York this weekend. It was announced last week that Herrera was expected to miss around four weeks after suffering a bone bruise in his left knee. Fantasy managers will want to stash him in an IL spot until he returns after he hit .381 (8-for-21) with four homers (three in one game), 11 RBI and six runs scored in his first seven games as the starting catcher. Until he's back, Pedro Pages will function as the starter with Yohel Pozo backing him up.

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Chicago Cubs catcher Carson Kelly (hand) is back behind the dish to catch left-hander Matthew Boyd in Wednesday's series finale against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Kelly will hit eighth in the batting order against Padres right-hander Nick Pivetta after missing the first two games of the series in SD due to a left-hander injury that he suffered when he was hit by a pitch on Sunday against the Los Angeles Dodgers. With Kelly returning, Miguel Amaya will head to the bench. The 30-year-old veteran has had a phenomenal start to his first season with the Cubbies, going 10-for-24 (.417) with four home runs and 13 RBI in nine games played. Kelly isn't going to be this good all year long as he shares playing time with Amaya, but fantasy managers are riding his hot streak early on. He has two hits and an RBI in just four career at-bats against Pivetta.

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St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said "we're on pace for Masyn Winn (back) to be activated on Tuesday." Winn will stay in St. Louis this weekend to continue his rehab work on his injured back and could return on Tuesday during the series against the Atlanta Braves. Marmol said the 23-year-old is progressing to hitting in the batting cages and playing catch. The first day that Winn is eligible to come off the 10-day injured list is next Tuesday. In the meantime, the Cardinals will continue to roll with young infielder Thomas Saggese as their starting shortstop. When Winn is able to return next week, fantasy managers will be hoping that he can start producing more at the plate, as he's started off 2025 with a .222/.314/.289 slash line with a homer, three RBI and eight runs scored. Winn will have a lower fantasy ceiling and floor as long as he remains at the bottom of St. Louis' batting order.

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The Washington Nationals are promoting infielder Trey Lipscomb from Triple-A Rochester. In a corresponding move, the Nationals are placing infielder Paul DeJong (nose) on the 10-day injured list. Lipscomb made his MLB debut last summer and posted a .200/.268/.232 slash line across 61 games. He only hit one long ball, but carried decent fantasy value given his speed production. Across this stint, he swiped 11 bags. During the early part of the Triple-A regular season, Lipscomb enjoyed a strong start, as he held a .295/.392/.386 line across 13 games. He tallied 13 total hits, swiped two bags, and held a 7:13 BB:K. Fantasy managers should expect Lipscomb to see time at shortstop while DeJong is sidelined. He is worth adding in deeper category formats when looking for speed upside.

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New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez (wrist) is "fine" after being hit by a pitch during Tuesday's rehab outing. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza noted that the young backstop will continue his rehab assignment with Double-A on Wednesday evening and is slated to be behind the dish. This is an excellent sign as the 23-year-old was removed from Tuesday's contest after the HBP. Fantasy managers should continue monitoring his progress as he could be in the mix to return to the majors sometime next week, if he continues progressing well in his rehab outing. Last summer, Alvarez held a .237/.307/.403 slash line across 100 contests. However, during the 2023 season, Alvarez posted a promising .437 SLG with 25 long balls across 123 contests. When he is cleared to return, he should be viewed as a low-end No. 1 catcher.

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Baltimore Orioles infielder Jordan Westburg is not in the starting lineup on Wednesday afternoon when they continue a series against the Cleveland Guardians. Westburg was dealing with a minor upper-body injury last week and could be held out of the lineup for a maintenance day. As a result, Ramon Urias will cover the hot corner and bat in the nine-hole. Westburg enjoyed an impressive start to the campaign, posting a stellar .297/.350/.541 slash line with three home runs across his first nine games. However, the Mississippi State product has gone 0-for-19 over his previous five contests with a modest 2:8 BB:K. Fantasy managers should expect Westburg to return to the starting nine on Thursday. Urias is worth a look as a value play in DFS facing Cleveland right-hander Gavin Williams.

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Washington Nationals infielder CJ Abrams (hip) was able to run on the field prior to Tuesday's contest. Abrams was placed on the 10-day injured list due to a right hip flexor strain on April 12 but appears to already be making significant progress. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his progression as he could be activated on his earliest return date, April 22. Before his injury, the 24-year-old flashed his power upside as he held a .244/.289/.585 slash line with two doubles and four long balls across just 11 games. During this stretch, Abrams swiped four bags and scored six runs. Fantasy managers should expect the former top prospect to return to his typical spot at the top of the lineup when he is cleared to return. While he is out, Amed Rosario, Trey Lipscomb, and Nasim Nunez should continue to share time at shortstop.

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Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki (wrist) is returning to the starting lineup on Wednesday afternoon when they play the final game of a three-game set against the San Diego Padres. Suzuki has been kept out of the lineup over the past three days due to a wrist injury. However, the 30-year-old was able to avoid a lengthy absence. On Wednesday, he will serve as the designated hitter and bat in the three-hole. He has enjoyed a productive start to the campaign, holding a strong .292/.390/.538 slash line with two doubles and four home runs across 17 contests. He has tallied 11 runs, 15 RBI, and held an 11:23 BB:K. Under the hood, he has generated an impressive 14.0 percent barrel rate and a 48.8 percent hard-hit rate, which are both well above the average marks. He should be started in all formats, but it is best to fade in DFS facing San Diego right-hander Nick Pivetta, who enters Wednesday boasting a 1.59 ERA.

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The Washington Nationals have placed shortstop Paul DeJong (nose) on the 10-day injured list with a fractured nose. In a corresponding move, the Nationals promoted infielder Trey Lipscomb from Triple-A Rochester. DeJong suffered this injury during their victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday evening. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status while he is sidelined, but should not expect him to miss too much time. Through the first 16 games of the campaign, the 31-year-old infielder posted a .204/.246/.278 slash line with four doubles and a 2:24 BB:K. Under the hood, DeJong has generated a low .220 xwOBA with a .258 xSLG, which are both well below the average marks. While he is sidelined, fantasy managers should expect Lipscomb to see several opportunities in the infield. He will have value in deeper formats given his speed upside.

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Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez is not in the team's starting lineup with a left-hander on the mound in Wednesday's series finale versus the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. Jose Altuve will serve as the DH while hitting leadoff, and Chas McCormick draws into left field while batting ninth against Cardinals southpaw Steven Matz. Alvarez hit his second home run of the season in Tuesday's win over St. Louis, but he's hitting an uncharacteristic .224 (13-for-58) with two doubles, 10 RBI, a steal, 11 walks and 15 strikeouts in his first 17 games. It's still way too early to panic with the three-time All-Star. Altuve, meanwhile, continues to hit .300 with three homers, seven RBI, 10 runs and three steals after moving permanently to left field. Both he and McCormick have homered in their careers off Matz, although McCormick is a lackluster DFS play in the nine-hole on Wednesday.

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Detroit Tigers outfielder Kerry Carpenter is getting a day of rest with a left-hander on the mound in Wednesday's series finale versus the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. Justyn-Henry Malloy is in right field and will bat leadoff, while second baseman Gleyber Torres is the designated hitter and batting second against Brewers left-hander Jose Quintana. Andy Ibanez is at second base and in the three-hole. Carpenter has gone 3-for-15 against lefties so far this year, but two of those hits cleared the fences. Overall, the 27-year-old has been a great source of power for fantasy managers in the early going with five home runs and 10 RBI in 17 games. Malloy has zero homers and has gone 7-for-34 (.206) this year, but he's worth a look as a DFS sleeper in the leadoff spot. Torres has a solo home run and is batting .571 in seven career at-bats against Quintana.

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Slumping New York Mets third baseman Mark Vientos will retreat to the bench for Wednesday's series finale against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Brett Baty will take over at third base and will bat eighth against Twins right-hander David Festa. This will be Vientos' first day off of the season. After a breakout 2024 season in which he hit .266/.322/.516 with an .837 OPS, 27 home runs and 71 RBI in 111 games played, the 25-year-old has started off cold in 2025, going 9-for-62 (.145) with no home runs, four doubles, four RBI, nine walks and 14 strikeouts in 17 games. It will be more concerning if his slow start to the year drags into May, but hopefully this day off will get Vientos right. Baty hasn't been any better, going 5-for-36 (.139) with no homers and just one RBI early on for the Mets. The former first-rounder has never faced Festa in his career.

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Minnesota Twins outfielder Matt Wallner (hamstring) is out of the team's starting lineup for Wednesday's series finale against the New York Mets at Target Field after tweaking his left hamstring in his first at-bat in Tuesday's victory. Wallner is going for an MRI exam on Wednesday, but until we know more, fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day. After an off day on Thursday, Wallner's next chance to play will be on Friday in Atlanta against the Braves. In his absence on Wednesday, DaShawn Keirsey Jr. will start in right field and bat eighth against Mets right-hander Huascar Brazoban. The 27-year-old will be playing in just his 18th big-league game after debuting for the Twins in 2024. He hit .154 (2-for-13) last year with a homer and RBI and has gone 1-for-10 with two steals and four strikeouts in his first 11 games in 2025. DFS gamers should look for better sleeper options in the outfield on Wednesday.

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Minnesota Twins right-hander Pablo Lopez (hamstring) threw a successful bullpen session on Wednesday, according to The Athletic's Dan Hayes. Lopez will now wait to see how his hamstring responds on Thursday. The 29-year-old Venezuelan hurler is currently on the 15-day injured list with a right-hamstring injury, but if he continues to progress at this pace, he could be ready to rejoin Minnesota's starting rotation when he's eligible on April 24. He was looking good in his first three starts of the year before getting injured, going 1-1 with a 1.62 ERA (3.26 FIP) and 1.02 WHIP with 14 strikeouts and only two walks in 16 2/3 innings against the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago White Sox and Kansas City Royals. If Lopez is for some reason available on your league's waiver wire, scoop him up immediately. Right-hander David Festa has been filling in for Lopez in the Twins' rotation.

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Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Max Scherzer (thumb) threw on Tuesday and Wednesday and will visit with a doctor again on Wednesday, according to manager John Schneider. Scherzer will be visiting with a different hand specialist than the last time. The 40-year-old veteran just hasn't been able to get past a thumb issue after feeling more soreness following a throwing session late last week. It's good news that he has started throwing again, but we won't know more on a potential timeline for a return until he meets with another doctor on Wednesday. Even if the three-time Cy Young winner is cleared to start ramping up his throwing program, it seems like a good bet he won't return to Toronto's starting rotation until May. In the meantime, left-hander Easton Lucas will get more starting opportunities for fantasy managers in AL-only leagues.

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Minnesota Twins shortstop Carlos Correa (wrist) is not in the starting lineup for Wednesday's series finale against the New York Mets at Target Field. It shouldn't come as a big surprise after Correa injured his left wrist on a swing in the fifth inning of Tuesday's win over the Mets. Expect the 30-year-old to undergo testing on his injured wrist, at which point we'll have a better idea of the severity of his injury. Minnesota has a day off on Thursday before starting a new series on Friday in Atlanta against the Braves. Fantasy managers will want to check back then on Correa's status. On Wednesday, Willi Castro will make the start at shortstop and bat seventh, while Brooks Lee is at the hot corner and is hitting sixth against Mets right-hander Huascar Brazoban. Both Lee and Castro are each hitless in their only career at-bats against Brazoban.

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The Atlanta Braves officially activated right-hander Spencer Strider (elbow) from the 15-day injured list on Tuesday, and he will make his 2025 season debut in Toronto against the Blue Jays. In a corresponding move, the team optioned right-hander Zach Thompson to Triple-A Gwinnett. While Strider will be a bit more risky in DFS lineups in his season debut, fantasy managers in single-year leagues will want to get him back into their starting lineups immediately after how dominant he was during his minor-league rehab assignment. The 26-year-old got up to 90 pitches in his final rehab start and will make his return to Atlanta's starting rotation just over a year after having an internal-brace procedure on his right elbow. In his 13 2/3 innings at Gwinnett, Strider struck out 27, walked five and allowed just two runs. He proved in 2023 that he's a fantasy ace when he's healthy.

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Toronto Blue Jays outfielder George Springer (wrist) remains out of action for Wednesday's series finale against the Atlanta Braves at the Rogers Centre. Alan Roden will get another start in left field and will bat sixth against Braves right-hander Spencer Strider (elbow), who is making his first start of the season. This will be Springer's third straight game on the bench as he deals with inflammation in his left wrist. Toronto has a day off on Thursday before starting a weekend series against the visiting Seattle Mariners on Friday, so fantasy managers will want to check back then to see if the 35-year-old veteran is back in the lineup. As of right now, Toronto is treating Springer as day-to-day, and he could even be available off the bench on Wednesday. Roden clubbed his first home run of the season in Tuesday's win over Atlanta but will be in store for a tough matchup against Strider on Wednesday.

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Arizona Diamondbacks infield prospect Jordan Lawlar went 1-for-4 with a home run during Tuesday's contest against Triple-A Round Rock. This was Lawlar's second-straight game going deep. This outing also extended his current hitting streak to three games. Over his last five games, the former sixth overall pick has begun to find his power upside, as he has gone deep three times and added three doubles with a .381/.458/.952 slash line. Through the first 16 games of the Triple-A regular season, Lawlar has held a strong .292/.395/.523 slash line with six doubles, three long balls, and four stolen bases. In addition to his offensive production, the Reno Aces have begun moving him to several infield positions. Fantasy managers should keep a close eye on his production as he could be in the mix to return to Arizona in the coming weeks.

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Washington Nationals left-handed pitcher DJ Herz (elbow) is set to undergo Tommy John surgery. The southpaw sought several opinions on his partial UCL tear. However, Herz was unable to make significant progress and will now be sidelined until at least the 2026 All-Star break. The 24-year-old has been shut down for several weeks due to this injury. He entered camp competing for a spot on the Opening Day roster. Last summer, Herz made his MLB debut and logged 88 2/3 innings to the tune of a 4.16 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP. He struck out batters at an impressive 27.7 percent rate and generated an elite 3.26 xERA and a .208 xBA, which suggests he should see significant positive regression when he returns to the bump. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status but should not expect him to carry any fantasy value for at least the next 12 months.

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