Cincinnati Reds first baseman Christian Encarnacion-Strand (wrist) will have a follow-up exam on June 5. Encarnacion-Strand was diagnosed with a fractured right hand back on May 8, which stemmed from being hit by a pitch on April 27, and he was expected to miss somewhere between four and six weeks. The 24-year-old former top prospect should remain stashed in shallow fantasy leagues for his power potential and a possible return sometime in the middle of June, but he was slashing a pitiful .190/.220/.293 with two home runs, six doubles, and 16 RBI over 123 plate appearances (29 games) before requiring a trip to the injured list. The switch-hitting Jeimer Candelario's playing time at first base should be locked in for the time being, but he's failed to produce much for fantasy purposes while slashing just .216/.284/.379 with four homers, 11 doubles, and 17 RBI in 153 at-bats.

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New York Mets starting pitcher Kodai Senga (shoulder, triceps) played "light catch" on Tuesday, manager Carlos Mendoza said. It's an encouraging sign for Senga, who missed Sunday's scheduled bullpen session due to a setback with triceps tightness. His next bullpen session is scheduled for Friday, but considering how much time Senga has taken between mound sessions in his throwing progression from a right posterior shoulder capsule strain, his rehab could easily extend into mid-June or beyond at this point. Mendoza does believe a return in the first half is still possible, though. In 29 starts a year ago, the hard-throwing 31-year-old right-hander recorded a strong 2.98 ERA (3.63 FIP), 1.20 WHIP, and 202:77 K:BB over 166 1/3 innings. Senga should remain stashed in the majority of leagues, but fantasy managers will need to exercise continued patience.

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Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Adbert Alzolay (forearm) is getting a second opinion on his strained right flexor. That's something you never want to hear, as it further clouds Alzolay's return timetable from the injury. In 18 games this year, the 29-year-old right-hander held a disappointing 4.67 ERA with 13 strikeouts, six walks, and six home runs allowed over 17 1/3 innings from the Cubs' bullpen before manager Craig Counsell had to remove him from the closer's role. Consider Alzolay out indefinitely until more is known. This should solidify Hector Neris' standing as Chicago's primary closer for the foreseeable future, though. Neris has a 2.65 ERA through 17 frames, but a 4.85 FIP, 1.64 WHIP, and 15:14 K:BB can't help but feel highly concerning.

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Cincinnati Reds outfielder Jake Fraley (hand) left Tuesday's game against the visiting San Diego Padres after being hit in the right hand by a pitch in the first inning. X-rays were negative for a fracture, but Fraley has swelling and will get looked at on Wednesday. Stuart Fairchild entered the game, and he would be in line for an uptick in at-bats in Cincy's outfield if Fraley needs to miss additional time beyond Tuesday. The 28-year-old Fraley is slashing a modest .272/.333/.359 with 17 runs scored and seven stolen bases through 103 at-bats in 2024, but he's going through a power outage with just one home run and seven RBI in 36 games. Consider the right fielder day-to-day ahead of Wednesday's meeting with San Diego, but it's fair to expect Fraley to get at least one day off with the injury.

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San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Blake Snell (adductor) is expected to be reinstated from the injured list to start Wednesday's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Snell has been out of action since April 19 due to a strained left adductor, but he's ready to roll following two strong appearances on his minor-league rehab assignment. It's worth noting that Snell is expecting his first child in the coming days, but at this point in time, manager Bob Melvin feels like he's going to pitch on Wednesday. The hard-throwing 31-year-old left-hander gave up 15 runs over 11 2/3 innings (three starts) before going down, but fantasy managers should feel pretty good about Snell's chances of kick-starting his season in a soft matchup against Pittsburgh.

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Chicago White Sox designated hitter Eloy Jimenez (hamstring) exited Tuesday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays with a strained left hamstring, and he's being further evaluated. Jimenez was seen limping a bit after scoring a run during the fifth inning, going 2-for-3 with a double before departing, and Gavin Sheets hit for him in the DH spot in the seventh. The oft-injured 27-year-old slugger has made only appearance in the field this season, and he's slashing a career-worst .231/.288/.381 with five home runs, five doubles, and 12 RBI with a career-high three stolen bases through 134 at-bats (36 games) as Chicago's everyday DH. Jimenez will almost certainly be absent for Wednesday's series finale against Toronto, and fantasy managers can only hope he isn't dealing with a severe strain that could send him to the injured list.

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Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Reese Olson (hip) said he played catch on Tuesday and felt fine other than a little soreness around his hip. Olson will throw a side session on Wednesday, but he expects to be ready to go in time for Saturday's scheduled start at home against the Toronto Blue Jays after suffering a right hip contusion in Monday's start against the division-rival Kansas City Royals. The 24-year-old right-hander may be without a win through his nine starts this season, but he owns an excellent 2.16 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, and 43:16 K:BB over 50 innings of work for the Tigers. Fantasy managers should continue monitoring the status of Olson over the coming days for confirmation that he won't need to miss a turn in the rotation.

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Baltimore Orioles catcher/first base prospect Samuel Basallo has been performing very well in his first extended look at Double-A pitching. Through 36 games this season, the 19-year-old has a solid .255/.293/.390 line with five long balls and two stolen bases. The young backstop has remained steady as he posted a .262 AVG in April and currently holds a .246 AVG through May. Basallo spent the majority of last season with Single and High-A and only got to play four games with Double-A. In 144 games last year, he showcased his elite potential with a stellar .313/.402/.551 slash line with 20 long balls. Basallo is considered as the 14th-best prospect in baseball on MLB Pipeline and remains a coveted asset in dynasty and keeper leagues.

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Washington Nationals third base/shortstop prospect Brady House went 3-for-4 on Tuesday with two RBI to lead Double-A Harrisburg to a victory. The 20-year-old entered Tuesday sporting a cold .218/.323/.491 slash line with a 7:16 BB:K. However, despite his lack of contact recently, he has tallied five long balls during this stretch. During April, he posted a higher .256 average and even opened the season with a six-game hitting streak. The former No. 11 overall selection in the 2021 MLB draft is considered the No. 3 prospect in the Nationals system on MLB Pipeline and is projected to reach the majors sometime next season. He is worth rostering in deeper dynasty leagues and could be worth adding in keeper leagues if he makes it to Triple-A later this summer.

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The San Francisco Giants reinstated catcher Patrick Bailey (head) from the seven-day concussion injured list on Tuesday and optioned catcher/outfielder Blake Sabol to Double-A Richmond in a corresponding move. The Giants also added outfielder Ryan McKenna to the active roster. Although Bailey was brought back from the IL on Tuesday, it was Curt Casali who got the start behind the plate for the Giants in Pittsburgh against the Pirates with a left-hander on the mound. Now that he's back, Bailey should return to primary catching duties in San Francisco after opening the year with a strong .280/.340/.451 slash line in 95 plate appearances. The former 13th overall pick in 2020 out of North Carolina State has added three home runs, 11 RBI and 10 runs scored in his 82 at-bats in 2024. Bailey should be back in the starting lineup on Wednesday.

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Washington Nationals outfield prospect James Wood launched his eighth home run of the season in the second game of a doubleheader on Tuesday. The top prospect in the Washington system has been on fire all season at Triple-A with a stellar .348/.456/.571 with ten stolen bases and a 33:37 BB:K ratio. This is a significant improvement compared to the hefty 39:124 BB:K ratio he held last season at Double-A. The number five overall prospect in baseball, according to MLB Pipeline, is on the verge of making his major league debut and should be rostered in all leagues as he will provide fantasy managers with a high-upside combination of power and speed.

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San Francisco Giants outfielder Michael Conforto (hamstring) has been cleared for on-field batting practice and is nearing a return from the injured list. A right-hamstring strain put Conforto on the 10-day injured list over a week ago, but he appears to be making good progress. The last hurdle that the 31-year-old probably will have to clear is running the bases at full speed, and it remains to be seen if he'll be sent out on a minor-league rehab assignment before returning to San Francisco. Conforto is eligible to return next Wednesday. The Giants could really use him back after recently losing rookie Jung Hoo Lee (shoulder) for the entire season. The left-handed-hitting Conforto was slashing a strong .280/.331/.490 with an .821 OPS, seven home runs and 20 RBI in 143 at-bats for the Giants before tweaking his hammy.

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Minnesota Twins third baseman Royce Lewis (quadriceps) ran the bases for the first time on Monday after faring well during change-of-direction work, according to athletic trainer Nick Paparesta. It's another big step in Lewis' rehab process, and the Twins should have a better sense of his progress when they return home on Friday. The 24-year-old strained his right quadriceps muscle on Opening Day on March 28 and has been out ever since. Because of the long layoff, fantasy managers should expect Lewis to be required to go on a lengthy minor-league rehab assignment before the Twins reinstate him from the injured list. In a best-case scenario, he's probably not going to make his return until at least early June. Despite his injury, the former No. 1 overall pick in 2017 should continue to be stashed in all fantasy formats for his power upside.

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Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Bobby Miller (shoulder) threw a three-inning simulated game consisting of 51 pitches on Tuesday. Manager Dave Roberts said that next up for Miller will be a minor-league rehab game with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga on Sunday. Because Miller has been out since April 13 with right-shoulder inflammation, fantasy managers shouldn't expect him to return to LA's starting rotation after just one rehab start. However, the 25-year-old is getting much closer to making his return and should be stashed in an IL spot in all fantasy leagues because of his high-end upside on one of the best teams in baseball. The former 29th overall pick in 2020 out of Louisville went 11-4 with an ERA under 4.00 and 119 K's in 124 1/3 innings in his first 22 MLB starts for the Blue in 2023.

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Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Max Muncy (oblique) took ground balls before the game on Monday and is starting up baseball activities after a Grade 1 right-oblique strain landed him on the 10-day injured list last Friday. It's good news that the 33-year-old veteran is already resuming baseball activities, but swinging a bat will be the true test with an oblique injury. It's unclear if the Dodgers will want him to go on a minor-league rehab assignment before returning, but fantasy managers shouldn't expect Muncy to be back from the IL when he's eligible to return. He's currently slashing .223/.323/.475 with nine home runs, 28 RBI and 24 runs scored in his first 139 at-bats on the year. Muncy is going to hurt your fantasy team's batting average, but you can't argue against his pop and RBI opportunities in a loaded Dodgers lineup.

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New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone is expecting infielder DJ LeMahieu (foot) to return from the 10-day injured list for a series that begins next Tuesday, May 28, against the Los Angeles Angels. When he returns, LeMahieu will be the team's everyday third baseman, which will be bad news for Oswaldo Cabrera, who has been playing regularly at the hot corner this year with LeMahieu sidelined. LeMahieu had his minor-league rehab assignment moved from Double-A Somerset to High-A Hudson Valley after going 2-for-3 with three walks in six plate appearances at Somerset. The 35-year-old is going to be mixed into regular playing time when he returns to the Bronx, but at the very least, LeMahieu deserves to be rostered in deep-mixed fantasy leagues now that he's a week away from making his 2024 debut.

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The New York Yankees transferred outfield prospect Jasson Dominguez's (elbow) minor-league rehab assignment from Single-A Tampa to Double-A Somerset on Tuesday. Dominguez played in four games for Tampa and went 5-for-13 with a double and four walks before being moved up to Double-A. The 21-year-old they call the Martian is the team's top prospect, per MLB Pipeline, and is currently recovering from Tommy John surgery that he had last year. Manager Aaron Boone recently disclosed that once Dominguez's 30-day rehab assignment is up, the team will option him to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to continue his rehab/development. If Dominguez swings the bat like he did in 2023, though, it might not be long before he becomes the starting center fielder in the Bronx. He's worth stashing in most redraft leagues.

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New York Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole (elbow) threw a live batting practice session on Tuesday and said he'll throw two to three more live sessions. Cole's next live batting practice will come this weekend after he threw 20 pitches on Tuesday. The reigning American League Cy Young winner isn't ruling out a June return. It's the first time that the 33-year-old has faced live hitters, a significant step along the way in his recovery since being diagnosed with right-elbow inflammation. Because of how long Cole has been sidelined, he's going to require a lengthy minor-league rehab stint and will not be ready to come off the 60-day injured when he's eligible to return later this month. Cole should not be available on the waiver wire in any fantasy leagues.

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The Colorado Rockies reinstated first baseman/outfielder Kris Bryant (back) from the 10-day injured list on Tuesday and optioned outfielder Sean Bouchard to Triple-A Albuquerque in a corresponding move. The Rockies also outrighted infielder Julio Carreras to Albuquerque after he wasn't claimed by another team. Bryant will make his return to the starting lineup on Tuesday, playing first base and batting fifth against Oakland Athletics right-hander Aaron Brooks. The 32-year-old former MVP has been out since being put on the IL on April 17 with a lower-back strain. Since signing a big deal with the Rockies before the 2022 campaign, the four-time All-Star has had trouble staying on the field because of injuries. On top of it, he hasn't played well when he's been on the field. Bryant is returning to a .149/.273/.255 slash line with a homer, six RBI and 18 strikeouts in 13 games in 2024.

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Colorado Rockies outfielder Nolan Jones (back, knee) has had his minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Albuquerque halted due to right-knee soreness that he sustained on a slide. Jones had an MRI exam come back clean, but he will still rest for a few days before getting back on the field. It's a delay in his rehab assignment, but his knee injury doesn't appear to be too serious. The 26-year-old left-handed-hitting slugger was originally put on the 10-day injured list on April 30 with a lower-back strain. If he only misses a few more days, there's still a chance that he could return to the Rockies' lineup at some point next week. Fantasy managers are hoping the former second-rounder's slow start in 2024 has more to do with his back injury than anything else. Jones is currently hitting .170 (16-for-94) with just one homer and seven RBI after being a 20-20 guy last year.

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