Boston Red Sox outfielder Raimel Tapia is starting out of the leadoff spot Tuesday night when the club hosts right-hander Ben Lively and the Cincinnati Reds. It's a fairly rare start for the speedster, as Alex Verdugo has been a constant out of the leadoff spot for the BoSox this season, appearing in 51 of the team's 53 contests. The 29-year-old Tapia hasn't been totally out of the picture, though, as he's appeared in 35 games while hitting .256 with one homer and five stolen bases across 87 trips to the plate. However, his .659 OPS, .297 wOBA, and 82 wRC+ leave plenty to be desired despite solid glove work in the outfield.

From RotoBaller

Seattle Mariners RHP Darren McCaughan was recalled from Triple-A Tacoma, and RHP Juan Then was optioned to Triple-A on Tuesday, May 30.

Seattle Mariners RHP Darren McCaughan was recalled from Triple-A Tacoma, and RHP Juan Then was optioned to Triple-A on Tuesday, May 30.

Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal (elbow) threw his second live batting practice session on Tuesday, and barring a setback, his next step is to start a minor-league rehab assignment. Skubal would likely make four or five rehab starts before the Tigers consider reinstating him from the injured list to rejoin their starting rotation. The 26-year-old southpaw has looked good so far in his recovery from flexor-tendon surgery, but fantasy managers must remain patient. It might be too optimistic to expect him to be back in June, but it's a remote possibility. When he's healthy and pitching again for Detroit, he should be rostered in the majority of fantasy leagues. Skubal has pitched to a 4.15 ERA (4.32 FIP), 1.21 WHIP and 9.6 K/9 in 299 innings in 60 outings (57 starts) over his three big-league seasons to this point.

From RotoBaller

The Los Angeles Dodgers optioned pitching prospect Gavin Stone back to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday and recalled left-hander Alex Vesia, who hasn't allowed a run in his last nine appearances at Oklahoma City. Stone, the team's No. 4 prospect per MLB Pipeline, struggled immensely in his first three major-league starts. The 24-year-old right-hander surrendered 17 runs (16 earned) on 23 hits (one homer) while walking seven and striking out only five in 10 innings pitched against tough competition in the Phillies, Braves and Rays. Michael Grove (groin) is expected to return to LA's starting rotation this weekend. Stone is likely to be back at some point in 2023, but for now he can be returned to the waiver wire in shallow-mixed fantasy leagues.

From RotoBaller

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Matt Manning (foot) threw another full bullpen session on Tuesday. Manning also threw a bullpen last week as he works his way back from a right-foot fracture that he suffered in the middle of April. The 25-year-old right-hander is getting closer to facing live hitters, and he'll eventually go on a minor-league rehab assignment before rejoining Detroit's starting rotation. He only made two starts for the Tigers this year before fracturing his foot, and he will return to a 4.63 ERA (7.31 FIP), 1.29 WHIP, three walks and seven strikeouts in 11 1/3 innings pitched. Because he's on the 60-day injured list, Manning won't be eligible to return for fantasy managers until mid-June.

From RotoBaller

Chicago Cubs RHP Hayden Wesneski was recalled from Triple-A Iowa, and RHP Michael Rucker was optioned to Triple-A on Tuesday, May 30.

Chicago Cubs RHP Hayden Wesneski was recalled from Triple-A Iowa, and RHP Michael Rucker was optioned to Triple-A on Tuesday, May 30.

The Milwaukee Brewers placed outfielder Jesse Winker (neck) on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to May 28) on Tuesday with a cervical strain and recalled infielder Abraham Toro from Triple-A Nashville in a corresponding move. Winker, who has had a brutal year to this point in his first year in Milwaukee, figures to miss extensive time with this injury. The 29-year-old left-handed hitter has limped to a .204 average (22-for-108) with three doubles, no home runs, 13 RBI, 11 runs scored, 15 walks and 31 strikeouts in 127 trips to the plate over 39 games. Given how bad he's been this year, Winker has probably already been dropped in the majority of mixed fantasy leagues. Toro should operate as corner infield depth while he's with the Brew Crew.

From RotoBaller

The Detroit Tigers acquired OF Jake Marisnick from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for cash considerations Tuesday, May 30.

New York Yankees outfielder Harrison Bader (hamstring) will at the very least miss the next few games, and his injury could require a trip to the injured list, according to manager Aaron Boone. Bader left Monday night's Memorial Day game early against the Seattle Mariners with a right-hamstring injury, and he's undergoing an MRI exam on Tuesday. Fantasy managers should plan for the worst for the 28-year-old, which would mean a couple weeks of missed action if he goes on the 15-day injured list. If Bader requires an extended absence, Greg Allen and Isiah Kiner-Falefa could see more playing time in center field. So far through 90 at-bats in 2023, Bader is hitting .267 with two triples, six homers, 19 RBI, six stolen bases and 14 runs scored in 95 plate appearances.

From RotoBaller

Texas Rangers RHP Dane Dunning was reinstated from the paternity list Tuesday, May 30, and RHP Joe Barlow (illness) was placed on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to May 29.

Texas Rangers RHP Dane Dunning was reinstated from the paternity list Tuesday, May 30, and RHP Joe Barlow (illness) was placed on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to May 29.

New York Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo (neck) will not be in the lineup on Tuesday against the Seattle Mariners, according to manager Aaron Boone. Rizzo left Sunday's series finale against the San Diego Padres with a neck injury and also sat out for the series opener against Seattle on Monday night. The Yankees initially weren't too worried about the 33-year-old's injury, but it will bear watching if he misses any further games this week. With Rizzo out on Monday, DJ LeMahieu shifted over to play the cold corner for the Yanks. Rizzo has been excellent in the month of May -- .327 average (33-for-101) with three doubles, six home runs and 19 RBI -- so hopefully he won't miss much more time and can avoid landing on the injured list.

From RotoBaller

New York Mets second baseman Jeff McNeil (groin) has returned to the lineup on Tuesday. He is starting at the keystone and is hitting seventh in the batting order against Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Ranger Suarez. Mild groin tightness kept the 31-year-old veteran infielder out of Sunday's game against the Colorado Rockies, but after Monday's off day on Memorial Day, he'll return to action against the division rivals. In single-year formats, fantasy managers will want to get McNeil back into their starting lineups, even against a southpaw. In 68 plate appearances against lefties so far this year, McNeil is hitting a cool .291 (16-for-55), although he has no home runs against them and only two total on the year.

From RotoBaller

New York Mets catching prospect Francisco Alvarez is behind the plate and is hitting second on Tuesday against the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies and left-hander Ranger Suarez. Not only has Alvarez earned more playing time for the Mets of late, but he's also earned a spot high up in the batting order. After a slow start to the season, the 21-year-old Venezuelan backstop has hit .309 (21-for-68) with six doubles, seven home runs, 17 RBI and 11 runs scored in 21 games in the month of May to raise his season slash line to .269/.327/.558 with an .885 OPS. Even when Omar Narvaez (calf) returns from the injured list soon, Alvarez has earned the majority of starts behind the dish for the Mets.

From RotoBaller

San Diego Padres outfielder Juan Soto (back) has returned to the starting lineup on Tuesday to face right-hander Sandy Alcantara and the Miami Marlins. Soto is starting in left field and batting third in the lineup. Soto was limited to close out the weekend series against the New York Yankees in the Bronx because of back tightness, but it obviously wasn't a very serious injury and he is back in the lineup after Monday's off day. Fantasy managers will want to get the 24-year-old left-handed slugger back in their starting lineups, as he's really picked it up at the plate in the month of May. In 24 games (104 plate appearances), he's hitting .333 (27-for-81) with 11 doubles, five home runs, 13 RBI and four stolen bases.

From RotoBaller

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder/designated hitter Bryce Harper is taking the day off on Tuesday against the division-rival New York Mets. Fantasy managers shouldn't be worried, as this appears to just be a normal day of rest for the former MVP. Since returning from elbow reconstruction as the team's primary designated hitter, Harper has been excellent, hitting .306 (26-for-85) with six doubles, three home runs, eight RBI, two stolen bases and 18 runs scored in his first 23 games of 2023. The 30-year-old All-Star will continue to be a must-start in all fantasy lineups when he returns to action on Wednesday. In his absence, Kyle Schwarber will serve as the DH and bat cleanup, while Dalton Guthrie starts in left field and hits in the nine-hole against Mets right-hander Kodai Senga.

From RotoBaller

Detroit Tigers outfielder Matt Vierling has been placed on the 10-day injured list with low back soreness. It's one of a flurry of moves for the Tigers Tuesday afternoon as ace Eduardo Rodriguez was placed on the 15-day IL with a finger injury while infielder Tyler Nevin and pitcher Braden Bristo have been recalled in corresponding moves. Acquired from the Phillies in the offseason, Vierling is hitting .241 with four homers, four stolen bases, and a .649 OPS across 46 appearances on the campaign. His .324 xwOBA exceeds his .288 wOBA so far this season, so it's possible an uptick in production could be on the horizon upon his return to the lineup.

From RotoBaller