San Francisco Giants right-hander Tristan Beck (arm) has been cleared to increase his conditioning, but he isn't expected to resume throwing until May as he recovers from an upper right-arm aneurysm. He is scheduled to see Dr. Jason Lee for another follow-up exam at Stanford on May 1. The 27-year-old felt his hand go cold after throwing some bullpen sessions early in spring training, prompting the Giants to send him back to San Francisco to be evaluated by team doctors on Feb. 27. Beck was moved to the 60-day injured list on March 3 and underwent surgery at Stanford the next day to address the issue. Beck is hoping to return at some point in 2024, but that's unlikely to happen until the second half of the season. And if Beck does return this year, there's no guarantee he'll have a spot in the rotation waiting for him.

From RotoBaller

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Bryce Elder came out strong in Monday's 3-0 win against the Miami Marlins. Elder struck out four and allowed eight hits while allowing no runs in 6 innings pitched in his first start of the season. The 24-year-old started three games in the minors this season and recorded a 3.31 ERA while allowing 14 hits (one homer), six runs, five walks and 18 strikeouts in 16 1/3 innings pitched. He makes for a solid streaming option and a great roster spot if he can solidify his position in the starting rotation for Atlanta.

From RotoBaller

St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Keynan Middleton (forearm) has been on a two days on, one day off throwing program and has been stretched out so far to 110 feet. He's not throwing off a mound yet, though. Meanwhile, Drew Rom (biceps) did some plyometric work but didn't respond well late last week and hasn't made any progress from his injury. Middleton should be cleared to throw off a mound again soon and could then move to a short minor-league rehab assignment after that if all goes well. The 30-year-old hasn't pitched since getting hurt on March 7 during spring training, but when healthy, he could have some fantasy value in leagues that count holds. He'll be one of the team's primary setup men in front of closer Ryan Helsley.

From RotoBaller

San Francisco Giants right-hander Alex Cobb (hip, shoulder) was moved to the 60-day injured list on April 20, so he won't be eligible to return until May 27. Cobb was progressing well in his rehab from offseason hip surgery, but he hit another minor setback when he felt mild shoulder irritation before throwing a bullpen session on April 16. He "felt OK" when he resumed throwing but saw team orthopedist Dr. Ken Akizuki as a precaution on April 18, according to manager Bob Melvin. Cobb said the imaging on his shoulder came back clean, and he's currently throwing out to 75 feet on flat ground. The 36-year-old also had a "baby setback" when he was briefly shut down with a mild flexor strain in his right elbow. Cobb should have a rotation spot waiting for him when he's healthy, but he can stay on the waiver wire for now in most mixed leagues.

From RotoBaller

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Dylan Carlson (shoulder) has taken swings, including some in the cage off batting practice tosses, and has gone through defensive work that includes throwing. However, he's still feeling some pain on the follow-through of his right-handed swing, but throwing has gone better than expected. There remains no timetable for his 2024 debut, but he's making progress and could start a minor-league rehab assignment in a few days. The 25-year-old is making slow progress and appears to be ahead of Tommy Edman (wrist) in his rehab, so he could be set for a starting role in center field when he's able to come off the injured list. The switch-hitting former 33rd overall pick in 2016 has disappointed in recent seasons, and injuries haven't helped his cause. When Edman is ready, Carlson figures to be a fourth outfielder in St. Louis.

From RotoBaller

St. Louis Cardinals designated hitter Matt Carpenter (oblique) received a platelet-rich injection on Monday for his strained right oblique, according to manager Oliver Marmol. The plan is for Carpenter to have three days of no activity followed by hitting coach thrown batting practice and then machine work before they look at getting him live at-bats. The 38-year-old veteran had three hits in 10 at-bats over three games at the beginning of the season before getting hurt and landing on the injured list. When healthy, Carpenter will strictly be a bench bat and a DH option for the Cards when they are facing right-handed pitching. In 76 games with the San Diego Padres in 2023, he slashed a miserable .176/.322/.319 with five home runs and 31 RBI.

From RotoBaller

Washington Nationals outfielder Victor Robles (hamstring) will travel with the team as he continues to rehab a left-hamstring strain, which he suffered running from first to third base on April 3. Robles is throwing and hitting without pain and has regained full range of motion. Manager Dave Martinez hopes he will begin running drills soon. Robles had returned to full health during spring training after back spasms limited him to 36 games in 2023. It's good news that the 26-year-old is making progress, but when he's ready to rejoin the big-league roster, he's probably going to need to produce to continue playing regularly, especially given the fact that Washington has several big-name prospects that are itching to make their major-league debuts. Jacob Young has been serving as Washington's center fielder with Robles out and has gone 11-for-42 (.262) with no homers, two RBI and six steals in 15 games.

From RotoBaller

Washington Nationals right-hander Josiah Gray (elbow, forearm) played catch up to 60 feet for two days in a row late last week, according to manager Dave Martinez. Gray was put on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to April 6) after an MRI exam showed a right elbow/forearm flexor strain before his scheduled April 9 start against the San Francisco Giants. He is 0-2 on the year with a 14.04 ERA in two starts, so he may have already been dropped in a lot of fantasy leagues after he landed on the IL. The 26-year-old is without a clear timetable to return and has plenty of steps to go through before the Nationals will seriously consider activating him from the IL and throwing him back into their starting rotation.

From RotoBaller

An MRI exam that Boston Red Sox first baseman Triston Casas (rib) underwent on Monday confirmed the expectation that he's going to miss a significant amount of time with his injury. Casas was placed on the 10-day injured list, but it's basically a foregone conclusion that he'll miss much more time than that. The former 26th overall pick in 2018 out of high school needs to be stashed in all fantasy formats for now, as he had already cleared the fences six times while driving in 10 in his first 78 at-bats of the 2024 season while hitting .244 (19-for-78). Until Casas is able to return, the Red Sox will move forward with some combination of Bobby Dalbec, Pablo Reyes and Rob Refsnyder at first base in Beantown. With none of the trio likely to see consistent playing time, they aren't very attractive in mixed fantasy leagues.

From RotoBaller

Miami Marlins starting pitcher Ryan Weathers struggled in Monday's 3-0 loss to the Atlanta Braves. Weathers went for 5 2/3 innings pitched while allowing six hits, one homer, and three runs while walking three batters and only striking out one. The 24-year-old moves to 2-2 on the season with a 3.16 ERA, an 8.1 K/9 rate, and a 4.1 BB/9 rate through five games. The Marlins played it safe in his previous start against the San Francisco Giants where they pulled him due to cramping in his left hand. While it wasn't a huge concern before, fantasy managers will want to watch him in his next start versus the Washington Nationals to see if the left-hand cramping is an issue.

From RotoBaller

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Keaton Winn had a strong performance in Monday's 5-2 win over the New York Mets. Winn pitched well through six innings with six strikeouts while allowing just four hits, one homer, and one batter walked. After a rough start to the season, the Giants pitcher has mellowed out and secured two-straight wins, bringing his season record to 2-3 with a 3.54 ERA and 7.39 K/9 rate through his first five starts. He is a pitcher to keep stashed across all formats, with a nice matchup versus the Pirates in his next start.

From RotoBaller

New York Mets middle infield prospect Luisangel Acuna has been off to a sluggish start for Triple-A Syracuse. Acuna, who is the brother of Ronald Acuna Jr. was the big name acquired for Max Scherzer last season and hit .294 with nine home runs, 63 RBI, 57 stolen bases and 93 runs in 121 games with Double-A Binghamton and Double-A Frisco. Thus far for Syracuse, Acuna is still adjusting as he hitting just .211 with one homer, five RBI and seven RBI. Acuna has shown his ability on the basepaths, but he still needs to hit better offensively to make a big mark at the next level. For now, he remains best suited on the waiver, but could see a promotion to the big leagues before the end of the season, if he improves in the batter's box.

From RotoBaller

St. Louis Cardinals pitching prospect Tink Hence has adjusted positively in his second go-around for Double-A Springfield. Over his first three starts, he has a pristine 1.17 ERA in 15 1/3 innings. He has also struck out 17 batters with just two walks on the season. Hence, 21, split time in 2023 between High-A Peoria and Springfield, but struggled in Springfield with a 5.47 ERA in 12 starts versus a 2.81 ERA for Peoria. Hence offers good velocity on his fastball that registers in the mid-90s to go along with a nice changeup and slider. Hence has shown the ability to be a very productive pitcher, but durability remains a concern in the long-term with Hence never throwing more than 100 innings in a season or 82 pitches in a single game. If Hence can improve his stamina, he has the future makings of a MLB starter, but if he continues to have durability issues, Hence would be best suited as a relief pitcher. He remains an intriguing option for dynasty managers to monitor.

From RotoBaller

Pittsburgh Pirates second base prospect Termarr Johnson has been off to a slow start over his first 14 games for High-A Greensboro. Johnson, 19, is coming off a strong season between Single-A and High-A in 2023 that saw him hit a combined .244 with 18 homers, 59 RBI and 10 stolen bases in 105 games. So far in 2024, Johnson has struggled to the tune of a .205 batting average with no homers, seven RBI and two stolen bases. Johnson has a keen eye at the plate and follows that up with plenty of power potential. Although second baseman aren't the biggest power hitters, Johnson can be special offensively and should be held onto in dynasty leagues, even though he may be a few seasons away from contributing at the big-league level.

From RotoBaller

Minnesota Twins outfield prospect Emmanuel Rodriguez has been doing it all this season for Double-A Wichita. The 21-year-old outfielder has dealt with injuries the last two seasons, but looks fully recovered in his first 14 games of the season. Over that span, Rodriguez is hitting a healthy .289 with four homers, 10 RBI and eight stolen bases. He also has a shiny 1.219 OPS. Rodriguez has risen a level in each year of professional career with the Twins and held his own at each stop. The left-handed hitter has very good bat speed and strong plate discipline at such a young age and his power game is just developing as he fills out his body. The biggest flaw for the youngster has been his ability to stay healthy, but he has the future makings of a five-tool star, if everything clicks. He is a couple years away, but he should be looked at by dynasty managers and a name for redraft managers to file away for as early as next season.

From RotoBaller

Arizona Diamondbacks outfield prospect Druw Jones has been off to a slow start in 2024 for Single-A Visalia. Early in the season, Jones is hitting a weak .171 with five RBI and no home runs or steals. The son of Andruw Jones, Druw has battled injuries in his young professional career, since being drafted second overall in 2022. Jones, 20, already plays great defense like his father and also is very smooth on the basepaths, but he needs to improve his hit tool. Since being drafted, Jones has dealt with shoulder, quad and hamstring injuries and that is a big reason why his hitting hasn't developed as planned. As Jones fully recovers from those past injuries, his hit tool should improve. For now, Jones is a name to monitor in dynasty leagues, but can be a big asset if he reaches all his potential. He remains a few years away from being talked about a big-league promotion.

From RotoBaller

Twins' SP Chris Paddack recorded 10 strikeouts in 7 innings getting the win in a 7-0 win over the White Sox on Monday, Apr. 22.

Atlanta Braves catcher Travis d'Arnaud continued his power surge in Monday's 3-0 win over the Marlins. d'Arnaud went 2-for-4 with a single, a two-run home run, and a strikeout. The 35-year-old veteran has hit five HR in his last four games, bringing his season numbers to a .273/.344/.636 slash line with 14 RBI in 61 plate appearances. d'Arnaud should be a viable fantasy option in at least two-catcher leagues as long as he continues to hit while Sean Murphy (oblique) is on the injured list with an oblique injury.

From RotoBaller

Atlanta Braves closer Raisel Iglesias converted his seventh save of the season in Monday's 3-0 win over the Marlins. Iglesias came in to pitch the top of the ninth inning up by three and delivered a 1-2-3 outing with a strikeout. The 34-year-old veteran has converted all of his save opportunities with a 2.16 ERA, a 6.48 K/9 rate, and a 1.08 BB/9 rate. The strikeouts have been down, but Iglesias should continue to be a higher-end fantasy option serving as the closer on one of baseball's best teams.

From RotoBaller

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal put forth another excellent performance in Monday's 7-1 win over the Rays. Skubal pitched six scoreless innings, allowing just three hits and no walks with nine strikeouts. The 27-year-old has been every bit as good as fantasy managers had hoped for, going 3-0 with a 1.82 ERA, a 10.62 K/9 rate, and a 1.52 BB/9 rate in five starts. He will look to continue his hot streak in his next scheduled start against the Royals.

From RotoBaller