Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker said that catcher Sean Murphy (oblique) has advanced to hitting in the batting cages after hitting off a tee twice last week. Murphy is inching closer to a return from the Grade 1 left-oblique strain that he suffered in the season opener. The 29-year-old is going to need to go on a minor-league rehab assignment before he returns to the Braves, too, so fantasy baseball managers are going to need to wait a little longer before they get the catcher back. The former third-round pick of the Oakland Athletics in 2016 out of Wright State was a first-time All-Star in 2023 in his first season with the Braves and should remain stashed in all fantasy leagues as one of the better offensive catchers in baseball when healthy. Veteran Travis d'Arnaud will continue to serve as the team's starter behind the plate until Murphy returns.

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The Tampa Bay Rays reinstated right-hander Taj Bradley (pectoral) from the 15-day injured list on Wednesday, and he'll take the rotation spot of fellow right-hander Ryan Pepiot, who was placed on the 15-day IL on Wednesday with a left lower-leg contusion. Bradley is expected to make his season debut for the Rays on Friday at home against the division-rival New York Yankees after looking strong during his minor-league rehab assignment. The 23-year-old initially suffered his pectoral injury while pitching in spring training. Bradley, one of the team's former top prospects, was inconsistent in his major-league debut in 2023 with a 5.59 ERA and 1.38 WHIP, but he also walked just 39 and struck out 129 in 104 2/3 innings over 23 appearances (21 starts). He needs to be rostered in most mixed fantasy leagues now that he's about to make his 2024 debut.

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Baltimore Orioles right-hander Grayson Rodriguez (shoulder) threw a 15-pitch bullpen session on Wednesday, his first time throwing off a mound since landing on the 15-day injured list last week with right-shoulder inflammation. Rodriguez mixed in all of his pitches on Wednesday and felt good after the session. It remains to be seen if the Orioles will send the 24-year-old out on a minor-league rehab assignment, but in any case, it's looking like he won't have to miss much time. It's great news for his fantasy baseball managers. The former 11th overall pick in 2018 should remain rostered in all fantasy formats. Rodriguez has started the season going 4-1 with a 3.71 ERA (3.56 FIP) and 1.41 WHIP while walking 12 and striking out 37 in 34 innings over his six starts.

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The Tampa Bay Rays officially placed right-hander Ryan Pepiot (leg) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to May 6) on Wednesday with a left lower-leg contusion. Pepiot, who took a line drive off his leg in his last outing on Sunday against the New York Mets, will be eligible to come off the injured list on May 21. Because the 26-year-old isn't dealing with an arm injury of any kind, there's a good chance he'll return for fantasy baseball managers when he's eligible. The former third-round selection of the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2019 out of Butler has a 3-2 record, a solid 3.68 ERA (3.66 FIP) and 0.93 WHIP with 11 walks and 41 strikeouts in 36 2/3 innings over his first seven starts in 2024. Pepiot is a solid asset in all fantasy leagues, but be mindful of the fact that he's never gone over 42 innings pitched in his two major-league seasons.

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Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Paul Skenes, the top prospect in all of baseball after going first overall in last year's draft out of LSU, will finally make his major-league debut this Saturday at PNC Park against the visiting Chicago Cubs. The 21-year-old really didn't have anything left to prove at Triple-A Indianapolis after posting a 0.99 ERA and 0.91 WHIP with eight walks and 45 strikeouts in just 27 1/3 innings over seven starts, but the Pirates were intent on getting him properly built up for his eventual promotion to the big leagues. Skenes might not be as dominant right away in the majors for Pittsburgh, but he should at least be immediately serviceable in all fantasy formats because of his strikeout upside. He has been considered the best pitching prospect in baseball since Stephen Strasburg. Pick Skenes up ASAP if he's somehow available on your waiver wire.

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Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell said that a new fracture was revealed in first baseman Christian Encarnacion-Strand's right hand, and he'll miss a month to six weeks as he heals. Encarnacion-Strand was hit by a pitch on his right hand at the end of April, but initial tests didn't reveal the fracture. Not only is the 24-year-old now out for the foreseeable future, but he has started the 2024 season ice-cold at the plate, slashing just .190/.220/.293 with two home runs and 16 RBI in 116 at-bats. Despite the disappointing start to his sophomore season, CES should stay rostered in the majority of mixed fantasy leagues. Jeimer Candelario should slide over to first base the majority of time Encarnacion-Strand is out, allowing Santiago Espinal to see more playing time at third base.

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Los Angeles Angels infielder Brandon Drury (hamstring) left Wednesday's win against the Pittsburgh Pirates early with left-hamstring tightness. Drury was replaced after six inning at first base by Nolan Schanuel. The 31-year-old went 2-for-3 with two doubles, an RBI and a run scored in the eventual 5-4 win. Drury also missed several games last month with a hamstring injury, so it should be a pretty big concern that he might have to go on the injured list with his latest hamstring issue. Coming into Wednesday's game, Drury had been cold at the plate all year with a .158 average (16-for-101) with just one home run and five RBI. If Drury is forced to miss additional time with his hamstring injury, Ehire Adrianza and Cole Tucker could continue to find themselves in the lineup for the Halos on the infield.

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The Boston Red Sox reinstated right-hander Nick Pivetta (elbow) from the 15-day injured list on Wednesday and optioned right-hander Naoyuki Uwasawa to Triple-A Worcester in a corresponding move. The Red Sox also reinstated infielder/outfielder Romy Gonzalez (wrist) from the 10-day IL and designated infielder Zack Short for assignment. Pivetta will immediately return to Boston's starting rotation and will toe the rubber on Wednesday against the Atlanta Braves. The 31-year-old has been out since April 9 due to a right-elbow flexor strain. Pivetta threw only 62 pitches in his only minor-league rehab start and should be considered a poor streaming option in his first game back against the potent Braves lineup. It doesn't mean he shouldn't be rostered everywhere after starting with a 0.82 ERA and 0.82 WHIP with 13 K's in his first two starts in 2024, though.

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The Texas Rangers placed right-hander Dane Dunning (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list on Wednesday with a right rotator-cuff strain. In additional moves, the Rangers outfielder Robbie Grossman was added to the active roster after being acquired in a trade with the Chicago White Sox, right-handers Jack Leiter and Owen White were recalled from Triple-A Round Rock and infielder Jonathan Ornelas was optioned to Round Rock. Manager Bruce Bochy said the 29-year-old Dunning isn't expected to have a lengthy stay on the sidelines. If Leiter looks better in his second MLB start in the second game of a doubleheader against the A's on Wednesday, he could stick around in Texas. Dunning is 3-2 so far this year with a 4.10 ERA (4.89 FIP) and 1.15 WHIP with 17 walks and 43 K's in 37 1/3 innings over seven starts. He's had a strong 31% whiff rate but also has the fourth-worst hard-hit rate at 60.5%.

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Texas Rangers general manager Chris Young said that right-hander Max Scherzer (back, thumb) has been shut down from throwing for a few days while still dealing with a right- thumb/forearm issue. Scherzer doesn't have a timetable to resume throwing, but Young said he won't throw again until any tightness/discomfort is gone. The Rangers aren't going to take any chances with the 39-year-old veteran, who hasn't pitched in the big leagues since having surgery on Dec. 15 to fix a herniated disc in his back. Scherzer's thumb became a problem after his first minor-league rehab start for Triple-A Round Rock on April 24. Originally hoping to return to Texas' starting rotation in May, Scherzer could now be pushed back until June, depending on when he resumes throwing. With Dane Dunning (shoulder) now in the injured list, Jose Urena should stay locked into the rotation for at least a bit longer.

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The Miami Marlins reinstated left-hander Braxton Garrett (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list on Wednesday and placed right-hander Edward Cabrera (shoulder) on the 15-day IL in a corresponding move with a right-shoulder impingement. Garrett, who hasn't pitch in the big leagues yet in 2024, is expected to make his first start of the year on Sunday against the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies. The 26-year-old has returned from a shoulder impingement of his own. Even though Sunday's matchup against the Phils isn't the best he could have for his first start back, Garrett is worth rostering in most mixed leagues now that he's healthy. Garrett looked good on his minor-league rehab assignment and went 9-7 last year with a 3.66 ERA and 1.15 WHIP with a career-high 156 K's in 159 2/3 innings over 31 outings (30 starts).

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The Miami Marlins placed right-hander Edward Cabrera (shoulder) on the injured list on Wednesday with a right-shoulder impingement. Cabrera was pulled from his outing early on Tuesday night against the Los Angeles Dodgers after allowing a grand slam in just two innings of work, and now he'll be forced to miss at least several weeks. It's the second time he's gone on the IL in the last three months, and walks have also continued to be a major issue for the 26-year-old. In his five starts this year, Cabrera has a rough 7.17 ERA (4.18 FIP) and 1.59 WHIP with 14 walks and 31 strikeouts in 21 1/3 innings pitched. The strikeout upside is evident, but until Cabrera can stay healthy and show a better command of his pitches, fantasy managers in mixed leagues should look for better options. The good news for the Marlins is that left-hander Braxton Garrett (shoulder) has been activated and is ready to make his 2024 debut.

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The Cincinnati Reds placed infielder Christian Encarnacion-Strand (hand) on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday with a right ulnar styloid fracture and signed infielder Mike Ford to a one-year major-league contract in a corresponding move. Left-hander Brandon Williamson (shoulder) was also moved to the 60-day injured list. Encarnacion-Strand fractured his right hand when he was hit by a pitch late last month and missed four games as a result. With the 24-year-old out for at least the next 10 days, Ford and Jeimer Candelario should be options to fill in at first base for the Reds moving forward. Candelario is getting the start at the cold corner on Wednesday against the Arizona Diamondbacks, with Santiago Espinal at third base. In addition to his injury, it's been a bad start for CES, as he's hitting just .190 (22-for-116) with two homers and 16 RBI.

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San Diego Padres catching prospect Ethan Salas went 2-for-4 in the batter's box with a double and his first triple of the season on Tuesday. He also tallied his eighth RBI of the season off a sacrifice fly. Salas has had a rough start to the 2024 season at High-A with a .205/.301/.284 slash line. The top prospect in the San Diego system performed very well in Single-A last season with a .267/.350/.487 line but struggled when he was promoted to High-A, and even in a brief stint in Double-A. The 17-year-old looks to have carried those struggles into the early part of the season, but his performance on Tuesday could be an excellent way for him to get back on track. Salas is considered one of the best prospects in baseball, and these struggles should not be exaggerated, as he is just 17 years old and is still several years away from his major-league debut.

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With Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Ryan Pepiot (leg) likely to land on the injured list, right-hander Taj Bradley (pectoral) is looking likely to come off the injured list in a corresponding move to make his 2024 debut on Friday against the New York Yankees. Bradley is finally ready to return to Tampa's starting rotation after missing the start of the season due to a right pectoral strain. The 23-year-old struck out eight batters in six innings while giving up one run in his final minor-league rehab start for Triple-A Durham last Friday and appears ready to roll. Friday's matchup against the Yankees isn't the most friendliest, but Bradley should be picked up off the waiver wire in at least deep-mixed leagues if you're in need of starting pitching help. Bradley struck out 129 hitters in just 104 2/3 innings in 2023 for the Rays.

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Detroit Tigers second base/third base prospect Jace Jung went 3-4 at the plate and hit his sixth home run of the 2024 campaign. Jung has posted an overall .280/.397/.525 in 33 games this season in his first taste of Triple-A ball. Jung is expected to reach the major leagues this summer but is making a case to be promoted much earlier than anticipated. The fourth overall prospect in the Tigers pipeline has yet to face any major setbacks at any level of the majors and is worth stashing in deeper redraft leagues as it looks like he could make an immediate impact when promoted.

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Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno (illness) is back behind the plate and is batting seventh on Wednesday against the Cincinnati Reds and right-hander Graham Ashcraft. Moreno had the day off on Sunday against the San Diego Padres and also sat out the series opener on Tuesday against the Reds while being under the weather, but the 24-year-old backstop is feeling good enough to play on Wednesday. Moreno has yet to clear the fences so far in 2024 and is currently hitting .241/.340/.322 with five doubles, one triple, 14 RBI and nine runs scored in 100 plate appearances over 29 games played. He has gone hitless in just two career at-bats against Ashcraft.

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The Texas Rangers acquired outfielder Robbie Grossman from the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday in exchange for right-hander Anthony Hoopii-Tuionetoa, according to the Rangers. The 34-year-old switch-hitting veteran will return to the Rangers after he hit .238/.340/.394 with 10 home runs and 49 RBI in 115 regular-season games with the World Series champions last year. In 25 games with the White Sox this year, Grossman had gone 15-for-71 (.211) with no home runs, four RBI and two stolen bases in 85 plate appearances. Grossman isn't going to hit for average but has solid on-base skills and will give the Rangers another bat off the bench for the time being with rookie Wyatt Langford (oblique) currently on the 10-day injured list.

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New York Yankees catching prospect Agustin Ramirez has been showing both excellent power and plate discipline in his first extended look at Double-A pitching. The 22-year-old went 3-3 at the plate with two walks and launched his tenth home run of the season on Tuesday which brings him to an overall .258/.405/.618 line. Ramirez is on pace to smash his previous season-high of 18 long balls that he set last season across Single, High, and a brief stint with Double-A. In addition to his power potential, Ramirez has shown excellent plate discipline. This season, he sports a 21:20 BB:K ratio, and during the early part of May, he has a 7:2 ratio. The 20th-ranked prospect in the Yankee system is still several years away from the major leagues but could become worth watching in dynasty if he continues to show this strong combination of power and plate discipline.

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The Oakland Athletics placed rookie infield prospect Darell Hernaiz (ankle) on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday with a left-ankle injury and recalled catcher/first baseman Tyler Soderstrom from Triple-A Las Vegas in a corresponding move. The A's also selected left-hander Easton Lucas' contract from Vegas and added right-hander Osvaldi Bido as the 27th man for their doubleheader on Wednesday against the Texas Rangers. Right-hander Alex Speas was designated for assignment. It's a tough break for Hernaiz, who is ranked by MLB Pipeline as the A's No. 4 prospect. With Hernaiz out, Max Schuemann is making the start at shortstop in Game 1 of Wednesday's doubleheader, but Brett Harris is also a candidate to see playing time there until Hernaiz is able to return. Hernaiz was hitting just .182 (12-for-66) with no homers and six RBI in his first 29 MLB games.

From RotoBaller