San Diego Padres starting pitcher Dylan Cease is enjoying an excellent start to his 2024 regular season, and he'll try to keep the good times rolling in Wednesday's scheduled start on the road against the Chicago Cubs. Through seven starts this year, Cease boasts a 2.55 ERA (2.50 FIP) and 0.80 WHIP while striking out 48, walking 14, and leading MLB with just 4.3 hits per nine innings over 42 1/3 frames. After spending the first five years of his major-league career with the Chicago White Sox on the South Side, Cease has plenty of experience dealing with the Cubs. In four appearances against the Cubs since 2021, the hard-throwing 28-year-old right-hander is 3-0 with an outstanding 1.50 ERA and 33:11 K:BB across 24 innings. Chicago's current roster is batting just 4-for-46 (.087) versus Cease, who looks like a great fantasy play across the board on Wednesday.

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Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Jakob Junis (head, shoulder) was moved to the 60-day injured list on Monday, meaning he won't be eligible to come back until June 2 now, at the earliest. Junis' comeback from a right-shoulder injury in early April was interrupted when he was stretchered off the field on April 22 after being hit in the neck by a batting practice ball. He was alert and responsive when he was sent to a local hospital and was able to resume playing catch by April 26. It's a tough break for the 31-year-old veteran, who allowed just one earned run on three hits while walking one and striking out four in a four-inning no-decision in his lone start of the year on April 2 against the Minnesota Twins. When healthy, Junis should be a candidate to return to Milwaukee's starting rotation next month.

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Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Ryan Pepiot (leg) is likely to go on the injured list, manager Kevin Cash says, but a CT scan was negative. Pepiot departed Sunday's series finale against the visiting New York Mets after taking a 107.5-mph comebacker off his left leg, which resulted in a contusion, and the Rays are preparing the take a cautious approach with the 26-year-old upstart right-hander. It doesn't sound like it'll be a long stint on the IL at the moment for Pepiot, who owns an excellent 3.68 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, and 41:11 K:BB through 36 2/3 innings (seven starts) as Tampa's ace this season. Look for Taj Bradley's (pectoral) next start to come in the major leagues to take Pepiot's spot in the rotation, with Bradley's 2024 regular-season debut likely arriving on Saturday at home against the division-rival New York Yankees.

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Texas Rangers second baseman Marcus Semien collected a season-high five RBI in Tuesday's 15-8 win over the division-rival Oakland Athletics, also smacking a solo home run in the victory. It was a massive day at the plate for Semien, who went 4-for-5 with an RBI single plus a two-run double as part of a 10-run blitz in the second frame by the Rangers, and he added another run-scoring single in the fourth for good measure. The 33-year-old All-Star infielder is now slashing a solid .266/.314/.449 with six homers, nine doubles, 27 RBI, and 27 runs scored in 158 at-bats as Texas' everyday leadoff man. Before a tasty three-game weekend set against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field begins on Friday, Semien gets two more cracks at his former Athletics team in Wednesday's doubleheader. In 18 games versus Oakland since 2023, Semien is batting .329 with four long balls, 15 RBI, and three stolen bases.

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New York Mets starting pitcher Kodai Senga (shoulder) will throw another bullpen session in the coming days, followed by possibly another live batting practice before going on a minor-league rehab assignment. Senga took extra time between live BP sessions and will now require the additional bullpen, plus perhaps another live BP before the Mets send him on a rehab assignment. Despite being eligible to come off the 60-day injured list on May 27, Senga's absence with a right posterior shoulder capsule strain will almost certainly extend into at least early June. Last year, the 31-year-old ace recorded a strong 2.98 ERA and 1.22 WHIP while striking out 202 and walking 77 in 166 1/3 innings (29 starts) for the Mets and still needs to be stashed in all fantasy leagues. Right-hander Jose Butto and top prospect Christian Scott will continue competing to lock down spots in New York's rotation until Senga is cleared to return.

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Miami Marlins relief pitcher A.J. Puk (shoulder) tossed a scoreless inning with two strikeouts for the Florida Complex League Marlins on Monday. Puk went back-to-back with an outing for Single-A Jupiter on Tuesday, allowing two runs on three hits in the fifth inning. The 29-year-old left-hander is expected to make his return from fatigue in his left shoulder as a reliever, and he could be activated from the 15-day injured list at some point during Miami's next homestand that begins with Friday's series opener versus the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies. Working mainly as a high-leverage arm last season, Puk posted a 3.97 ERA and 1.18 WHIP while striking out 78 and walking only 13, but he converted just 15 of his 24 save opportunities with two holds across 56 2/3 innings. Even so, he'll eventually be a threat for ninth-inning work with closer Tanner Scott's expiring contract making him a potential trade candidate.

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Detroit Tigers third baseman Gio Urshela (hamstring) ran the bases and took batting practice ahead of Tuesday's game against the division-rival Cleveland Guardians, and he will do so again on Wednesday. If all goes well, Urshela could begin a minor-league rehab assignment sometime soon after the Tigers return home on Friday for the start of a three-game series with the Houston Astros. Although the 32-year-old defensive-minded infielder was hitting .298 (17-for-57) before going on the 10-day injured list due to a strained right hamstring, he has only six RBI, two extra-base hits, and four runs scored through 18 games (57 at-bats) as Detroit's primary third baseman and doesn't need to be stashed in most fantasy leagues. Matt Vierling is worth a look in AL-only formats in the meantime, however, slashing .286/.321/.510 with two home runs, one double, two triples, and seven RBI over his last 49 ABs (15 games).

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Colorado Rockies infielder/outfielder Kris Bryant (back) has been increasing his baseball activities according to manager Bud Black. Despite the positive news, there is still not a clear timetable for Bryant's return from a strained lower back. Before hitting the injured list, the 32-year-old former All-Star was slashing a weak .149/.273/.255 with one home run, two doubles, six RBI, and three runs scored through 55 plate appearances (13 games) while splitting work at first base and in right field for the Rockies. He's not a recommended stash in shallow fantasy leagues at this point. With Bryant sidelined, veteran Charlie Blackmon is spending more time in right field while Elehuris Montero functions as Colorado's primary first baseman. Both players have a sub-.600 OPS and aren't worth streaming at this time.

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St. Louis Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras (arm) has been diagnosed with a fractured left arm after exiting Tuesday's game against the visiting New York Mets in the second inning. Contreras was writhing in pain after getting hit on a swing by J.D. Martinez, and he immediately came out of the game. It's a massive blow to a Cardinals offense already struggling to produce runs as well as Contreras, who will face some kind of lengthy absence following the setback. Through 128 plate appearances (31 games) for St. Louis this year, the 31-year-old star backstop was slashing a robust .280/.398/.551 with six home runs, 11 doubles, 12 RBI, 20 runs scored, and two stolen bases. Ivan Herrera stepped in on Tuesday and figures to get all the action he can handle behind the dish in Contreras' stead, slashing just .215/.264/.369 with three homers and 11 RBI over 65 at-bats. Fantasy managers can find better replacements on waiver wires.

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Oakland Athletics right-hander Freddy Tarnok (hip) reported to the team's minor-league complex in Arizona on April 29. He was scheduled to throw a bullpen session on April 30 and a live batting practice session last Thursday. Tarnok was moved to the 60-day injured list on Friday and he doesn't have a current timetable to start a minor-league rehab assignment. The 25-year-old is recovering from right-hip inflammation that he first experienced in spring training and won't be able to return until at least late May. The A's aren't going to rush him along once he does start a rehab assignment on the farm. In just five appearances (one start) for the A's last year, Tarnok had a 4.91 ERA and 1.50 WHIP with 11 walks and 14 strikeouts in 14 2/3 innings. Tarnok has shown the ability to miss bats, but he's going to need to stay healthy to give himself a chance at a role.

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Oakland Athletics left-hander Ken Waldichuk (elbow) had a setback after he faced hitters in a 25-pitch live batting practice session on April 29 and has not thrown since. Waldichuk will be re-evaluated in the next week and is shut down indefinitely. The 26-year-old southpaw opened the year on the 60-day injured list while recovering from a left-elbow sprain, but this recent setback is going to keep him out at least into June. He's merely a name to monitor in AL-only leagues while he works to get healthy. Waldichuk won't be a lock for the big-league rotation when he's finally healthy, either, after going 4-9 with a 5.36 ERA (5.30 FIP) and 1.56 WHIP with 71 walks and 132 K's in 141 innings over 35 outings (22 starts) last year. A relief role is probably his best path to work in the majors if he can eventually make it back before the All-Star break.

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Oakland Athletics infielder Aledmys Diaz (calf) has resumed taking batting practice. He has not started running the bases yet, but manager Mark Kotsay said that once Diaz does so without issue, he could be ready to go on a minor-league rehab assignment. The 33-year-old veteran utility man is slowly making progress but is probably still a month away from being able to make his 2024 debut with the A's. The Cuban infielder won't be guaranteed playing time when he's able to return, though, after disappointing with a .229/.280/.337 slash line in his first year with the team in 2023 in 109 games. Even if Diaz does find regular playing time when he's healthy, he'll have a low ceiling with minimal power and speed. Diaz hasn't hit more than 18 home runs in a single season in his eight-year big-league career.

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Oakland Athletics right-hander Luis Medina (knee) faced hitters in a 20-pitch live bullpen session at the Coliseum on Monday and came away from it feeling healthy. Medina will next head to the team's minor-league complex in Arizona and throw a simulated game on Friday. If that goes well, he could start a minor-league rehab assignment soon after that. The 25-year-old Dominican hurler is recovering from a Grade 2 MCL sprain and has yet to pitch in the big leagues at all in 2024. He made his major-league debut with the A's last year and went 3-10 with a 5.42 ERA (4.76 FIP) and 1.51 WHIP with 57 walks and 106 strikeouts in 109 2/3 innings over 23 outings (17 starts) in his rookie season. Medina has a live arm and had some decent stretches in 2023, but he's going to need to show better control when he's back healthy if he wants a chance at a rotation spot.

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Oakland Athletics outfielder Miguel Andujar (knee), who had surgery to fix a torn meniscus in his right knee on March 27, resumed taking batting practice, but manager Mark Kotsay said on Sunday that the outfielder is experiencing lateral knee soreness, a "slight setback" that will slow his progress. Andujar was originally given a recovery timeline of at least four to six week. He's expected to join the big-league club after he goes on a minor-league rehab assignment. Given the nature of the 29-year-old's injury and his long layoff, it wouldn't be a surprise if he wasn't able to return to the A's until June. It remains to be seen what role Andujar will have once he makes his 2024 MLB debut. He's a name worth monitoring in AL-only formats once he gets closer to a return.

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Oakland Athletics left-hander Scott Alexander (rib) gave up a run on two hits while striking out one in an inning of work in his first minor-league rehab appearance for Single-A Stockton last Friday. Alexander said he felt good in his first rehab outing and was scheduled to make another appearance in San Jose on Tuesday, also with Stockton. If he comes out of that outing without a setback, Alexander will move his rehab assignment to Triple-A Las Vegas. Now that the 34-year-old veteran southpaw is pitching again for the first time in almost two months, he could be a candidate to return to Oakland's bullpen soon. Alexander hasn't pitched yet in 2024 with the A's and is unlikely to be of much use in any fantasy format once he's back in the big leagues.

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Milwaukee Brewers third base prospect Brock WIlken (facial) recently returned from an early-season facial fracture injury this past week. Earlier in April, Wilken took a fastball to the face but thankfully did not suffer any loss of vision or concussion as a result. The 21-year-old returned to Double-A on May 4 and tallied a double. Wilken, who was a first-round selection in the 2023 MLB Draft, has not logged many games in the minor leagues but hopes to get himself back on track now that he is fully healthy. Wilken showcased his raw power potential in a limited opportunity with Double-A last season by launching two long balls in just six games. The sixth-ranked prospect in the Milwaukee system should be expected to reach the major leagues sometime next season.

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Oakland Athletics second baseman Zack Gelof (oblique) returned to baseball activities on May 1 by taking grounders at second bae and playing catch before a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He has also resumed taking light swings in the cage, but there remains no timeline for Gelof to begin a minor-league rehab assignment, as the A's don't want to rush him back and have him potentially aggravate his oblique injury. Oblique injuries are notoriously tough to return from, so the 24-year-old is going to be brought along slowly in his rehab. With Gelof out, Abraham Toro has capitalized with frequent playing time at the keystone. Gelof, the former second-rounder in 2021 out of Virginia, impressed in his major-league debut last year but was hitting just .196 (18-for-92) with three home runs, seven RBI and four steals at the time of his injury.

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New York Yankees infielder Oswald Peraza (shoulder) is scheduled to begin a minor-league rehab assignment on Tuesday night with Single-A Tampa. Peraza hasn't played at all this year after suffering a right-shoulder strain in spring training in late February. The 23-year-old is probably going to require a lengthy stint in the minor leagues before the Yankees consider adding him to the major-league roster. If he's able to return before DJ LeMahieu (foot) does, the 23-year-old infielder could see playing time at the hot corner in the Bronx. Peraza performed well in the minors last year but struggled in 52 contests at the big-league level, slashing .191/.267/.272 with two home runs, 14 RBI and four stolen bases in 191 plate appearances. When the entire Yankees roster is healthy, Peraza profiles as a utility infielder.

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Philadelphia Phillies third base/shortstop prospect has been off to an incredible start in his first full professional season at Single-A. Miller has a .310/.375/.479 line with two home runs, eight swiped bags, and a 7:14 BB:K ratio. The former first-round pick in the 2023 MLB Draft has dominated Single-A pitching and could find himself in High-A fairly soon. Even though Miller is still several years away from the major leagues, dynasty managers should pay close attention to him due to his elite combination of power and speed, as he can develop into one of the game's budding superstars.

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Kansas City Royals right-hander Alec Marsh (elbow) looked good in his minor-league rehab start for Triple-A Omaha on Sunday, tossing four shutout innings while allowing one hit, walking one and striking out six. The Royals were hoping that Marsh threw 60 to 65 pitches in the outing, but he pitched so well and efficiently that he only threw 53 pitches (38 for strikes). The 25-year-old could be ready to return from the 15-day injured list when he's eligible on Friday, but if the Royals play it safe and have him make another rehab start, Daniel Lynch would be in line to take another turn through KC's rotation. Marsh was looking good before landing on the IL, going 3-0 with a 2.70 ERA and 1.01 WHIP with 17 strikeouts and seven walks in 26 2/3 innings pitched, so he'll be guaranteed a spot back in the team's rotation when he's ready.

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