Clayton Kershaw (shoulder) faced hitters at Dodger Stadium on Saturday afternoon during a live batting practice. This marked the first time during Kershaw's rehab that he has faced hitters. The lefty said he felt great and would likely throw two innings during his next time out in about five or six days. Kershaw is likely still a couple months away from returning but this is a positive step forward for the future hall of famer. His return to the Dodgers will be very welcome as the Dodgers' rotation, though more steady than in 2023, still is a bit of a patchwork rotation right now. Fantasy managers should monitor Kershaw's status going forward and prepare for him to be active at some point after the All Star Break.

From RotoBaller

Arizona Diamondbacks reliever Kevin Ginkel exited Saturday's game against the New York Mets early after being hit in the knee by a comebacker off the bat of Brandon Nimmo. Ginkel was able to walk it off but had a noticeable limp. The team should be releasing more information on Ginkel's status later on Saturday, but until then he should be considered day-to-day. The 30-year-old had been having a subpar year after a very solid 2023 but was due for a touch of positive regression (4.29 ERA vs 3.93 xERA). Fantasy managers should keep an eye on his status going forward. In the meantime, Justin Martinez may get a few more innings as a right-handed option out of the pen if Ginkel is to miss some time.

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San Francisco Giants second baseman Thairo Estrada is out of the lineup on Saturday night for the Giants' tilt against the New York Yankees. Brett Wisely will start in his place. This appears to be a mix of a rest day for Estrada while also getting Wisely, a lefty, in a nice platoon matchup against Yankees right-hander Cody Poteet. Estrada had a solid May, hitting for a .731 OPS during the month. Fantasy managers shouldn't worry about Estrada's status going forward while DFS managers may want to take a peek at Wisely for Saturday night as the lefty is hitting for an .845 OPS and six RBI in 29 PA so far this season.

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Washington Nationals outfielder Jacob Young was removed during the 7th inning of the Nationals' 3-2 loss to the Cleveland Guardians. The team has not specified why Young was removed from the game but more should be released later. The 24-year-old was visited by team trainer Paul Lessard in the 7th and was replaced by Joey Gallo shortly after. Young dealt with back spasms earlier this season, causing him to miss one game, and was struck by a pitch in the head against the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday though he missed no time from that incident. More should be revealed about why Young exited in the coming hours. If he is to miss any significant time, expect Victor Robles to pick up the slack in the outfield.

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Chicago White Sox outfielder Andrew Benintendi left today's contest against the Milwaukee Brewers early with Achilles tendinitis, according to the team. Benintendi had hit a a solo shot in the top of the third and then was pulled. The lefty was replaced by Dominic Fletcher. More information in regards to the injury has yet to be released by the team, but Benintendi should be considered day-to-day until his status is clarified. Should Benintendi happen to miss much time then Fletcher should be expected to play in his place. The 29-year-old had been having a very subpar season prior to today's game so fantasy managers shouldn't hesitate to drop Benintendi if they're worried about his status going forward.

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Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Garrett Mitchell (finger) has recently participated in full batting practice and will start taking live at-bats soon. Mitchell suffered a fracture to his left index finger earlier in the spring and has been sidelined ever since. However, he has yet to face any setbacks and is nearing the end of his recovery process. The young outfielder has only appeared in 47 games at the major league level across the past two seasons and posted a .278/.315/.446 five home runs, and a 7:26 BB:K ratio. With how well he is progressing, a mid-June return date seems very possible. However, when he does return, he will join a crowded outfield with Christian Yelich, Jackson Chourio, Blake Perkins, Jake Bauers, and Sal Frelick, which will make reliable playing time hard to find. Mitchell is worth adding in NL-only formats but should be left on the waiver wire in shallow leagues.

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St. Louis Cardinals infielder/outfielder Brendan Donovan (neck) remains out of the starting lineup for a second consecutive day with neck stiffness. As a result, Alec Burleson will play in left field this evening and bat in the six-hole. Donovan, who is typically in the lead-off spot, will cede those duties to young shortstop Masyn Winn, who was riding an incredible 16-game hitting streak through most of May. Donovan should be considered day-to-day for the time being and could return to the lineup on Sunday. Both Burleson and Winn have a difficult matchup in southpaw Ranger Suarez, who enters Saturday with a stellar 1.75 ERA, 0.82 WHIP, and 16:77 BB:K ratio and should be faded in DFS.

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Los Angeles Angels Nolan Schanuel (thumb) is sitting out for the second consecutive game with a thumb injury. Schanuel was a late scratch on Friday evening and will take another seat on Saturday. As a result, 29-year-old Willie Calhoun will start at first base and bat cleanup. Schanuel should be considered day-to-day for the time being. Willie Calhoun enters Saturday with a solid .277/.289/.415 line with one long ball and six RBI through 25 games this season. He is worth considering in DFS as a value play, as he will face Bryce Miller, who has surrendered at least two earned runs and five hits in each of his past five starts and carries a 3.48 ERA. Calhoun should also have solid RBI opportunities this evening, batting behind Luis Rengifo and Taylor Ward.

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Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams (shoulder) was scratched from Saturday's lineup with a shoulder injury. At first, there was speculation that the budding superstar was sitting Saturday's contest out due to a head-related injury as he hit his head on the ground on Friday evening. However, it is now confirmed that the 23-year-old is dealing with shoulder soreness and is considered day-to-day. As a result, 32-year-old Ildemaro Vargas slotted in as the starting shortstop and batted in the eight-hole. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to any other updates regarding Abrams' status, as he has been a valuable contributor during the early part of the season with a solid .249 AVG and a strong combination of power and speed with nine home runs and eight swiped bags.

From RotoBaller

Atlanta Braves starting pitching prospect Hurston Waldrep is being promoted to Triple-A Gwinnett after posting a dominant start at Double-A this season. Through 49 innings, the 22-year-old held a 2.92 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP, with a 17:48 BB:K ratio. The Florida product got a small taste of Triple-A ball late last summer and logged just four shutout innings. Waldrep is considered the number two prospect in the Atlanta system and now has a strong chance to make his major league debut later this summer. Waldrep should be rostered in all dynasty leagues and could be worth adding in deeper redraft formats if he performs well through his first few starts at Triple-A.

From RotoBaller

Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams has been scratched from Saturday's contest against the Cleveland Guardians. While the reason for his absence is undisclosed, it's worth noting that Abrams hit his head on the ground playing defense on Friday, so it's possible he is feeling the effects of that situation despite him remaining in for the rest of his club's 7-1 loss. The 23-year-old displayed his power/speed potential in his first full big-league season in 2023, hitting 18 homers alongside a hefty 47 stolen bases across 151 appearances. That appetizing combination has translated into the 2024 campaign as Abrams has slugged nine round-trippers alongside eight stolen bases across 53 contests. Fantasy managers will want to keep a close eye on his status moving forward as a potential concussion could be the issue.

From RotoBaller

The Washington Nationals have released outfielder Victor Robles on Saturday as the former top prospect continues to struggle at the plate. After several seasons of lackluster offensive output, Robles hit .299 alongside a .749 OPS across 36 games in the 2023 season but back issues put a strong halt on his campaign. Robles also showcased his power/speed potential with 17 homers and 28 stolen bases back in the 2019 season but failed to build on that potential. Still just 27 years old, Robles hit just .120 without a homer across 14 games and 33 plate appearances in the 2024 season while an ankle injury suffered in early April hasn't helped his cause. Considering his highly-regarded defense in center field and solid base-running skills, it's likely a club will take a chance on Robles as a low-risk flier.

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Toronto Blue Jays reliever Yimi Garcia is likely the club's first closing option with Jordan Romano (elbow) being placed on the 15-day injured list on Saturday, according to skipper John Schneider. Schneider also mentioned that right-hander Chad Green could also see some save opportunities but Garcia is certainly the reliever of choice for fantasy managers considering the season he has enjoyed to this point. The 33-year-old has worked to a tidy 1.23 ERA alongside a 32.1% K% in 21 appearances spanning 22 innings of work. Garcia has also earned a pair of saves after beginning the season as the Jays' closer with both Romano and Erik Swanson on the IL. Considering this is Romano's second elbow-related trip to the injured list (and his 6.59 ERA) this season and Swanson being optioned to Triple-A, there's a real chance Garcia could be the team's No. 1 closer even upon Romano's return from the injured list.

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San Diego Padres right-hander Joe Musgrove has landed on the 15-day injured list due to right elbow inflammation. It's a concerning development for the 31-year-old who missed time in early May with an elbow issue before successfully returning with 8 1/3 frames of three-run ball (two earned) across a pair of starts before returning to the injured list on Saturday. All told, it has certainly been an uneven season from both a health and performance perspective as Musgrove owns a 5.66 ERA across 10 starts and 49 1/3 innings of work, although his 4.16 xFIP and 4.02 SIERA suggest he has dealt with some unfortunate luck to this point in the season. Fantasy managers will want to keep a close eye on his status considering it's his second trip to the IL due to an elbow injury in less than a month.

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San Diego Padres right-hander Yu Darvish (groin) has landed on the 15-day injured list on Saturday. The veteran was still under evaluation ahead of Tuesday's scheduled start against the Los Angeles Angels and while he hadn't been ruled out of making that start, he has indeed been placed on the 15-day IL. Making matters worse for the Friars is the fact fellow righty Joe Musgrove (elbow) also landed on the 15-day IL on Wednesday, decimating a Padres rotation that sits 18th with a 4.13 ERA on the season. As for Darvish, the 37-year-old has done his part in tossing a 3.20 ERA across his 11 starts, going 4-3 in the process. It's a nice bounce-back for Darvish who scuffled to a 4.56 ERA in the 2023 season but fantasy managers will need to exercise what will hopefully be some short-term patience as he sits on the sidelined with a groin issue.

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Toronto Blue Jays catcher Danny Jansen is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's afternoon contest against the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates. The 29-year-old went 0-for-4 with a pair of walks and a run scored in Friday's extra-innings win but will give way to Alejandro Kirk behind the dish on Saturday. Jansen is in the midst of an excellent season that has seen him hit .287 with five homers alongside a .906 OPS across 116 trips to the plate as he dealt with a broken hand earlier in the season. His productive bat has not only given him the lion's share of starts over Kirk behind the plate but has earned him a spot in the two-hole on a regular basis of late. He has emerged an excellent No. 1 catcher for fantasy managers in the 2024 campaign.

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Atlanta Braves catcher Sean Murphy will be getting the day off on Saturday as the Braves continue a three-game set against the Oakland Athletics. Instead, Travis d'Arnaud will get the nod behind the dish and bat in the six-hole. Murphy was recently reinstated from the injured list with an oblique injury this week but has tallied just two hits across four games. Travis d'Arnaud has posted a solid .260/.329/.480 line with five long balls and 21 RBI through 43 games this season. He is worth considering in DFS this afternoon as he will face Oakland right-hander Aaron Brooks, who enters this game with a 3.63 ERA and 1.56 WHIP.

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Detroit Tigers outfielder Mark Canha (hip) remains out of the starting lineup again on Saturday. The 35-year-old was a late scratch on Friday and will once again be sitting out due to hip discomfort. Chris McCosky reports that there is no inclination that Canha will not go on the injured list and that the team will wait until how his hip holds up for the time being. Rookie Colt Keith will slot in as the designated hitter and bat fifth this afternoon, which opens up the keystone for Zach McKinstry, who will bat in the seven-hole. Keith is worth a look in DFS as he has posted a strong .378 AVG with two home runs in his past eleven games. He will face Red Sox right-hander Cooper Criswell who enters Saturday with a 4.19 ERA.

From RotoBaller

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Joe Musgrove (elbow) will be heading to the injured list, per Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune. Musgrove is dealing with a recurrence of an elbow issue that kept him sidelined earlier in May. While this injury is not expected to be season-ending, the 31-year-old could miss an extended period of time. Musgrove was scheduled to start Saturday, but the Padres will now look to Randy Vazques to clinch a series victory against the Kansas City Royals. Musgrove has struggled through 49 1/3 innings he has logged this season with a poor 5.66 ERA and 1.48 WHIP. Vasquez should be expected to remain in the rotation while Musgrove remains sidelined and could be worth adding in NL-only formats, as he could see several starts through June.

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Miami Marlins catcher Christian Bethancourt was placed on the bereavement list on Saturday and will be out of the lineup for the next three days. In a corresponding move, the Marlins promoted backstop Jhonny Pereda from Triple-A Jacksonville. Bethancourt has struggled through his first 31 games of the season, posting a .162/.208/.250 line with just one home run and three doubles. Nick Fortes is starting at catcher Saturday afternoon, batting in the nine-hole, and should be expected to see the majority of starts will Bethancourt is away. Fortes has posted a modest .173 AVG with two long balls across 41 games this season. Fortes is best to fade in DFS as he has struggled to show consistency this season and is projected to face Michael Lorenzen, who enters Saturday with a 3.35 ERA.

From RotoBaller