Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner (hamstring) was removed from Friday's game early against the San Francisco Giants with left-hamstring soreness. Turner was removed prior to the top of the fifth inning after scoring from second base on a passed ball that resulted in a walk to Bryce Harper in the bottom of the fourth. The 30-year-old was replaced by Edmundo Sosa after going 2-for-3 at the plate and scoring a run. Should Turner be forced to miss any time, Sosa would be the likely starter at shortstop. With just hamstring soreness, Turner should be expected to be day-to-day until the soreness subsides.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani is back in the Dodgers' lineup and batting second on Friday night after sitting vs Arizona Diamondbacks lefty Jordan Montgomery on Wednesday night. It marked Ohtani's first day off of the 2024 season. The lefty gets a matchup against Atlanta Braves right-hander Charlie Morton, who's posting up another solid season with a 3.60 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP. Ohtani is one-for-seven in his career against Morton and has struck out against the veteran in three of those at-bats. Fantasy managers should keep Ohtani in their lineups, but there may be sneakier options with cheaper costs in the late slate for DFS players.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Bobby Miller (shoulder) threw a bullpen session on Friday, but manager Dave Roberts was unsure how many bullpens Miller will need before he's cleared to face live hitters. However, the skipper said Miller can ramp up quickly once that starts. The 25-year-old is trying to work his way back from right-shoulder inflammation that landed him on the injured list on April 13. Friday was the first time that Miller has thrown off a mound, so it's a notable step in his recovery. The former 29th overall pick in 2020 out of Louisville has a 5.40 ERA and 1.46 WHIP in his first three starts in 2024, but his elite strikeout upside makes him stash-worthy in all fantasy formats. Miller struck out 18 and walked just six in 11 2/3 innings over his first three outings before going on the shelf.

From RotoBaller

The Toronto Blue Jays optioned third baseman/outfielder Addison Barger to Triple-A Buffalo on Friday and recalled outfielder Nathan Lukes in a corresponding move. Barger, the team's No. 6 prospect per MLB Pipeline, didn't fare well in his first taste of big-league pitching, so he'll go back to the minors and work on his craft before potentially helping the Blue Jays as a utility option later in the year. In his first 18 major-league at-bats, the 24-year-old former sixth-rounder in 2018 had just one hit, a run scored, no walks and six strikeouts in five games played. Barger certainly has the look of a major-leaguer and is a physical specimen at 6-foot, 210 pounds, but he has some work to do before he's an option for fantasy managers outside of dynasty/keeper formats.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw (shoulder) threw his first bullpen session post-surgery on Friday, according to manager Dave Roberts. Kershaw threw only 15 pitches in the session, but it's notable progress for the 36-year-old future Hall of Famer after he underwent left-shoulder surgery in the offseason. He still has a ways to go in his recovery, but Roberts said Kershaw "came out well" from the bullpen session. Fantasy managers stashing Kershaw in deeper leagues will need to remain patient, as the three-time Cy Young winner isn't expected to return to LA's big-league starting rotation until around the All-Star break in July. The 10-time All-Star is no longer at his peak, but he still went 13-5 last year with a 2.46 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 137 strikeouts in 24 starts when he was healthy.

From RotoBaller

Washington Nationals outfielder Joey Gallo (shoulder) will start a minor-league rehab assignment with Low-A Fredericksburg on Saturday. Gallo will return to live games after recently landing on the injured list due to a sprained AC joint in his left shoulder. If the 30-year-old left-handed slugger can avoid a setback with his shoulder, he could be off the injured list and back with the Nationals by early next week. Gallo still has plenty of power and is a lineup regular for the Nats when healthy, but it's hard to ignore his low batting average and swings and misses. Before going on the shelf, Gallo was sporting a .122/.286/.311 slash line with three home runs, five RBI, one stolen base and eight runs scored in 74 at-bats.

From RotoBaller

Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said that outfielder Alek Thomas (hamstring) is expected to come off the injured list and be back with the team at the start of the team's road trip to Cincinnati against the Reds that starts on Tuesday. Thomas is serving as the designated hitter on a minor-league rehab assignment for Triple-A Reno on Friday, so as long as he doesn't have a setback with his strained left hamstring over the weekend, he'll be back with the Snakes next week. The 24-year-old is more valuable to Arizona on defense in center field than he's been with his bat, as he's hit just .230/.273/.362 with 18 home runs, 82 RBI and 13 stolen bases in 242 games at the big-league level since debuting in 2022. When Thomas returns, it will mean less playing time for the likes of Pavin Smith and Jake McCarthy.

From RotoBaller

Washington Nationals right-hander Josiah Gray (elbow) will throw a bullpen session on Saturday. It will be the first time that Gray has thrown off a mound since going on the injured list with a flexor strain in his right elbow almost a month ago. It's good to see the 26-year-old making progress, but he still has a ways to go and will likely need a lengthy minor-league rehab assignment before the Nationals clear him to rejoin their big-league starting rotation. Gray, the former second-round pick of the Cincinnati Reds in 2018 out of Le Moyne College, had an absolute disastrous start to 2024 by giving up 13 earned runs on 15 hits (two homers) while walking five and striking out nine in 8 1/3 innings in his first two starts before landing on the IL. When healthy, Gray should be able to bounce back and will have a spot waiting for him in Washington's rotation.

From RotoBaller

Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash said that second baseman Brandon Lowe (oblique) is scheduled to start a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Durham on Tuesday. Lowe is finally going to resume playing in live games after straining his right oblique on April 7. Once the Rays deem him healthy enough to come off the injured list, the 29-year-old should at least be on the strong side of a platoon at second base against right-handed pitching. In the meantime, Amed Rosario and Curtis Mead will continue to share playing time at the keystone in Tampa. There's a lot to like about Lowe in most fantasy leagues because of his pop from the second base position, but he has trouble staying on the field and has only played in 100-plus games in two of his six big-league seasons.

From RotoBaller

St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said that an MRI exam showed a "protruding disc" in left-hander Steven Matz's lower back. He received a pain-killing injection and will be re-evaluated early next week after being placed on the 15-day injured list on Friday. Matz was pitching through lower-back pain in his outing on Tuesday against the Detroit Tigers and is now most certainly going to miss more than two weeks. On top of it, the 32-year-old veteran southpaw has opened his third year in St. Louis with a 1-2 record, a bloated 6.18 ERA (4.73 FIP), 1.73 WHIP, 11 walks and 17 strikeouts in 27 2/3 innings over his first six starts. In shallow mixed leagues, Matz isn't a must-hold, especially given the nature of his injury, if you have bigger needs on your roster.

From RotoBaller

Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash said that relief pitcher Pete Fairbanks (arm), who is dealing with a nerve issue in his arm, is scheduled to start a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Durham on Tuesday. We don't know all the details on the exact nature of Fairbanks' injury, but he's obviously doing well and is getting close to a return to the major-league roster. The 30-year-old right-hander could be eased into high-leverage situations at the back of Tampa's bullpen when he returns, but when fully healthy, Fairbanks is this team's primary closer. In the meantime, Jason Adam and Garrett Cleavinger will split the save opportunities with the Rays. Fairbanks' injury could help explain his current 9.00 ERA and 2.29 WHIP in just seven innings pitched before he went on the injured list.

From RotoBaller

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that right-hander Nick Pivetta (elbow) will not need another minor-league rehab start. It's a bit of a surprise after Pivetta gave up four runs in three-plus innings in a rehab start for Triple-A Worcester on Thursday. The deciding factor is probably the fact that the Red Sox could really use Pivetta back in their rotation sooner than later. The 31-year-old should be rostered in most fantasy leagues after allowing just one earned run with 13 strikeouts and one walk in 11 innings in his first two starts in 2024 before injuring his elbow. However, you'll want to avoid him in his first start back with Boston, especially since it's likely to come early next week against the Atlanta Braves and their dangerous lineup.

From RotoBaller

Boston Red Sox outfielder Masataka Yoshida (thumb) will get a second opinion on his injured left thumb, according to manager Alex Cora. Yoshida strained his left thumb last Sunday against the Chicago Cubs, and the club isn't ruling out surgery. There's no clear timetable for when the 30-year-old left-handed hitter will be able to return, but obviously he'll be facing an extended absence if he's forced to go under the knife. For now, fantasy managers must stash Yoshida in an IL spot until we know more. Before the injury, he was slashing .275/.348/.388 with two home runs and 11 RBI over 89 plate appearances. In the short term, Garrett Cooper, Bobby Dalbec and Dominic Smith could all see time as the team's designated hitter.

From RotoBaller

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitching prospect Tink Hence was named Texas League Pitcher of the Month for April. Throughout April, Hence has pitched 25 innings to the tune of a strong 2.10 ERA and stellar 0.74 WHIP. He struck out 31 batters and only surrendered six free passes. The 21-year-old has taken a significant step forward at Double-A this season, as he struggled last year with a 5.47 ERA and 1.51 WHIP. MLB Pipeline ranks Hence as the top prospect in the St. Louis system. He should be rostered in most dynasty leagues, as he could very well push for a late-season promotion, thanks to his dominant opening month.

From RotoBaller

The Oakland Athletics reinstated infielder J.D. Davis (thigh) from the 10-day injured list on Friday and optioned infielder Nick Allen to Triple-A Las Vegas in a corresponding move. The A's also selected the contract of infielder Brett Harris from Vegas and moved right-hander Freddy Tarnok (hip) to the 60-day IL. Davis is playing first base on Friday night and hitting fifth in his return against Miami Marlins left-hander Ryan Weathers. The 31-year-old corner infielder will return to a weak .196/.255/.373 slash line with two home runs and two RBI, but he's worth rostering in AL-only leagues as he should be a regular for the A's at either corner infield spot. Davis went 3-for-15 in four minor-league rehab games with Vegas.

From RotoBaller

Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Paul Sewald (oblique) is expected to be activated from the injured list ahead of Tuesday's game against the Cincinnati Reds. The 33-year-old has been sidelined since late March due to a left oblique strain. Luckily, it sounds like Sewald is finally ready to contribute to the D-Backs bullpen. That being said, Kevin Ginkel should only hold onto the closer role through the weekend before Sewald returns.

From RotoBaller

Miami Marlins outfielder Dane Myers has been hitting the cover off the ball since being called up. The 28-year-old is 5-for-11 with five RBI and a stolen base during his limited action with the team. Given the Marlins woes on offense, manager Skip Schumaker has moved Myers up in the batting order. He'll bat cleanup and serve as the right fielder during Friday's game against the Oakland Athletics. Fantasy managers in deep leagues should keep an eye on Myers going forward.

From RotoBaller

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Alek Manoah (shoulder) is scheduled to throw a side session on Friday. The right-hander is working his way back from a shoulder issue but appears to be ready to return. Manoah struck out 12 batters over six scoreless innings during his last rehab start. That being said, Manoah is a potential option to pitch during Sunday's game with Yariel Rodriguez (back) going down. Manoah has been up-and-down during his time in the big leagues, but a matchup against the Washington Nationals does give him some streaming appeal.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout (knee) underwent successful surgery to repair the torn meniscus in his left knee on Friday. The Angels have not given a timetable on the return of Trout, but this injury isn't expected to be season-ending. Regardless, it's a crushing blow to both the Angels roster and fantasy managers. For now, fantasy managers will have to sit tight and hold Trout on an IL spot. Mickey Moniak figures to gain the most playing time in the absence of Trout. He hasn't hit well this season, but possibly more playing time will help him get his bat going again.

From RotoBaller

Chicago White Sox infielder Danny Mendick (back) has been scratched ahead of Friday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals. The team has decided to pull Mendick from the lineup due to back tightness. This sounds like a minor issue that should only sideline Mendick for a day or two. In the meantime, Braden Shewmake will cover third base and bat ninth on Friday.

From RotoBaller