Washington Nationals outfielder Jacob Young (back) left Friday's game early against the Toronto Blue Jays with back spasms. He's getting treatment, and the team will see how he's doing on Saturday. Young was hitting leadoff in Friday's game for the first time since April 19, going 1-for-2 with a double and a run scored in the eventual 9-3 victory before departing early. If the 24-year-old continues to swing the bat well, he could find himself atop Washington's batting order more often against left-handed pitchers as a right-handed swinger. Young raised his batting average to .311 and his OPS to .732 on the year with the one-hit night. It doesn't sound like his injury is very serious, but if the back spasms linger and Young is forced to the injured list, the Nats could bring up outfield prospect James Wood, who is hitting .314/.422/.461 at Triple-A Rochester.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Jose Soriano recorded his first win of the 2024 regular season in Friday's 6-0 victory over the Cleveland Guardians, firing six scoreless innings on five hits and one walk with three strikeouts. The Angels gave Soriano plenty of run support on Friday, and he most notably escaped from a bases-loaded jam in the fifth inning with no damage. It was a great rebound performance after Soriano was chased for four runs and couldn't get through two innings in his last appearance at home against the Minnesota Twins. With the effort, the 25-year-old right-hander now sports a decent 3.77 ERA and 1.29 WHIP while fanning 26 and walking 15 over 28 2/3 frames (seven appearances) for the Halos this year. Soriano will aim to build on this showing in Wednesday's projected start on the road against the Pittsburgh Pirates, who are scoring a pathetic 2.4 runs per game over their last 22 contests since April 9.

From RotoBaller

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitchers Jeffrey Springs (elbow) and Drew Rasmussen (elbow) are both scheduled to throw in an extended spring game around May 20. The Rays' rotation is arguably ruined by injury more than any other in baseball, but at least two of their key arms progressing toward a return at some point later this summer. Springs is likely closer to doing so in his recovery from Tommy John surgery, and barring any setbacks, he could be in line to rejoin Tampa Bay's rotation by July's All-Star break. Rasmussen, on the other hand, is a weaker stash in fantasy leagues because his return from a hybrid internal brace procedure last July is not expected to arrive until the final months of the year. Over his last three seasons (196 innings), Springs owns a 2.53 ERA (3.14 FIP), 1.03 WHIP, and 231:49 K:BB and can be stashed in deep competitive leagues.

From RotoBaller

Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Cal Quantrill silenced the Pittsburgh Pirates in Friday's 3-1 victory, tossing 7 2/3 scoreless innings of three-hit ball with no walks on a season-high nine strikeouts en route to his first win of the year. Although he's not known for his bat-missing stuff, Quantrill dominated Pittsburgh for his longest start of the 2024 regular season on Friday and a big bounce-back effort after surrendering six runs in his last appearance at home versus the Houston Astros. The soft-throwing 29-year-old right-hander improved his ERA to 4.31 with a 1.29 WHIP and 26:14 K:BB over 39 2/3 frames (seven starts) this season from Colorado's rotation. Despite the strong showing, Quantrill still won't be the most exciting streaming option for fantasy purposes in his next projected start on Thursday at Coors Field against the division-rival San Francisco Giants.

From RotoBaller

New York Mets third baseman Brett Baty erupted for nine total bases in Friday's 10-9 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays, going 3-for-4 with two home runs and four RBI. Baty homered to deep right field in the second inning to score Jeff McNeil and Tyrone Taylor and give the Mets a temporary 3-0 lead before going yard to right field once more in the ninth to make things interesting late. It's been an up-and-down season for Baty, but the 24-year-old former top prospect is producing a respectable .271/.340/.385 triple-slash line with three long balls, two doubles, 13 RBI, and 13 runs scored over 96 at-bats (30 games) for the Mets during his second full year in the major leagues. He's only a viable fantasy option for those in NL-only leagues, holding limited upside while batting in the lower part of New York's lineup, but Baty's certainly worth watching in all leagues.

From RotoBaller

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher George Kirby (knee) has been dealing with a right knee issue, manager Scott Servais said following Friday's 5-3 road loss to the division-rival Houston Astros. Servais said that it's not a major problem, but it's one that the team is monitoring. It likely explains why the M's opted to turn to their bullpen with Kirby pitching well on just 88 pitches through six innings, as the hurler had given up only one run on four hits and zero walks with three strikeouts for a no-decision on Friday. The 26-year-old right-hander's status is worth keeping an eye on ahead of his next scheduled start, which tentatively lines up for Wednesday against the surging Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Over his last four starts, Kirby holds a 1.13 ERA with a sparkling 28:2 K:BB across 24 innings, but the Twins are scoring 7.3 runs per game during their current 11-game winning streak.

From RotoBaller

Miami Marlins starting pitcher Braxton Garrett (shoulder) is scheduled to throw six innings or 75 pitches at the club's Florida Complex League in rookie ball on Monday. Although Garrett tossed five scoreless innings of one-hit ball on 61 pitches with Triple-A Jacksonville on Wednesday, his next appearance will not come with the major-league roster as some may have anticipated. The Marlins appear to be taking a cautious approach with Garrett, who has previously experienced "dead arm" on his way back from a left shoulder impingement. He's looking at a mid-to-late May return to Miami's rotation. Unheralded rookie Roddery Munoz will get at least one more turn in the big-league rotation, carrying an impressive 2.45 ERA (3.77 FIP), 0.72 WHIP, and 14:3 K:BB over 11 innings (two starts), but he'll have his work cut out in his next projected start on Monday against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Chavez Ravine.

From RotoBaller

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Taj Bradley (pectoral) made his second and perhaps final minor-league rehab appearance on Friday with Triple-A Durham, throwing six scoreless innings of two-hit ball on two hits and two walks with eight strikeouts. After throwing 94 pitches in this outing, Bradley's next appearance could very well come with the big-league club as he enters the final stages of his recovery from a strained right pectoral. While the 23-year-old former top prospect mostly floundered during his first taste of major-league action with a 5.59 ERA and 1.38 WHIP over 23 starts during his rookie year last season, he struck out 129 batters and walked only 39 across 104 2/3 frames. If Bradley's next start comes with the Rays, he would likely be making his 2024 regular-season debut at home next Friday versus the division-rival New York Yankees, where a wait-and-see approach would be recommended from a fantasy perspective.

From RotoBaller

Atlanta Braves catcher Sean Murphy (oblique) swung off a tee in Seattle during the team's series earlier this week against the Mariners. Murphy felt good, and he's going to keep building up from there. There was originally some hope that Murphy would have been over his Grade 1 left oblique strain, which he suffered back on March 29, by early May, but there's no clear timeline for his return at this stage of his recovery. The 29-year-old All-Star backstop probably won't be back with the Braves until the mid-to-late portion of May. In Murphy's stead, former All-Star Travis d'Arnaud has operated as Atlanta's primary catcher and is worth streaming in all fantasy formats in the meantime. d'Arnaud is slashing a robust .282/.358/.592 with five home runs, seven doubles, 16 RBI, and 12 runs scored in 81 trips to the plate (25 games) this year.

From RotoBaller

Miami Marlins starting pitcher Jesus Luzardo (elbow) is scheduled to make a minor-league rehab start with Single-A Jupiter on Sunday in Port St Lucie. After tossing 22 pitches in Thursday's bullpen session, Luzardo has a target of four innings and 60 pitches for Sunday's appearance as he works his way back from tightness in his left elbow. Assuming all goes well there, and he only needs one outing in the minors before rejoining Miami's rotation, Luzardo is a candidate to start at some point during next weekend's three-game series at home versus the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies. With the 26-year-old former top prospect struggling to a 6.58 ERA and 1.42 WHIP while fanning 27 batters and walking 13 through 26 innings (five starts) for the Fish this season, Luzardo would be a risky fantasy play across the board if he faces this difficult matchup for his first start back.

From RotoBaller

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich's (back) goal is to return to play before the end of the team's current road trip, which runs until Wednesday's series finale against the Kansas City Royals. Yelich had already been doing better running and throwing before having his best session yet swinging the bat in the cage before Friday's game versus the division-rival Chicago Cubs, giving him a chance to re-enter Milwaukee's lineup in the middle of next week. A strained lower back has kept Yelich on the shelf since mid-April, but the 32-year-old star outfielder is returning first-round value on a .333/.422/.744 triple-slash line with five home runs, 11 RBI, seven runs scored, and two stolen bases in 46 plate appearances (11 games) this year. Until Yelich returns, the switch-hitting Blake Perkins is worth a look for fantasy managers in NL-only leagues for his decent power/speed combination.

From RotoBaller

Heading into Friday night's series opener against the Diamondbacks in Arizona, San Diego Padres second baseman Xander Bogaerts was hitting just .217/.284/.287 with two home runs, 11 RBI, two stolen bases and 17 runs scored in 141 plate appearances over 32 games. The Friars made a big trade to acquire second baseman Luis Arraez from the Marlins on Friday night, but Bogaerts, who is a superior defender, should remain as the starter at second moving forward. But the 31-year-old four-time All-Star will likely drop further down the batting order with the addition of Arraez. Bogaerts managed to hit 19 homers and steal 19 bases in his first year in SD in 2023, but a lot more was expected from him after he signed an 11-year, $280 million deal last offseason. He's going to need to start making more consistent hard contact at the plate to turn around his slow start now that the calendar has flipped to May.

From RotoBaller

The Miami Marlins traded second baseman Luis Arraez to the San Diego Padres in exchange for relief pitcher Woo-Suk Go and three prospects on Friday. The prospects are outfielder Dillon Head, outfielder Jakob Marsee and first baseman Nathan Martorella. Head is the top prize here as the Padres' No. 6 prospect. Marsee ranks as the Padres' No. 9 prospect, and Martorella ranks as their No. 13 prospect. Suk Go has been playing in Double-A San Antonio and was signed in the offseason after playing seven seasons in the KBO. Arraez and his .299 batting average will rank second on the Padres behind Jurickson Profar. The acquisition will create an interesting scenario in San Diego, as struggling second baseman Xander Bogaerts was acquired prior to the 2023 season. With Arraez not having as great a glove as Bogaerts, there is potential that Arraez could spend time at DH while Bogaerts stays set at second base. Either way, Arraez will be a lineup regular in San Diego and should hit at the top of their lineup while sending Tyler Wade to the bench.

From RotoBaller

Colorado Rockies third baseman Ryan McMahon went two-for-five and hit a solo shot in the Rockies 3-2 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday. The solo shot was McMahon's fifth homer of the season and he's now hitting for a .920 OPS on the season. This would be the best mark of the lefty's career. Fantasy managers weary of starting McMahon on the road should note that the 29-year-old is hitting for a higher OPS on the road (.956) than he is at Coors Field (.878). That may be put to the test on Saturday, though, as McMahon gets a matchup against dominant Pirates rookie Jared Jones.

From RotoBaller

The Miami Marlins and San Diego Padres have agreed to a trade that sends second baseman Luis Arraez to San Diego in exchange for second baseman Xander Bogaerts, relief pitcher Woo Suk Go and three prospects. The prospects San Diego is sending to Miami are outfielder Dillon Head, outfielder Jakob Marsee and first baseman Nathan Martorella. Head is the Padres sixth ranked prospect, Marsee is their number nine prospect and Martorella ranks 13th. Suk Go had signed with the Padres over the offseason after playing in the KBO for the last seven years. Arraez and his .299 batting average will rank second-highest on the Padres behind Jurickson Profar. Bogaerts had been severely underperforming, hitting for just a .219 BA and a .571 OPS. The move signifies the beginning of a rebuild in Miami while the Padres continue to make moves to try and make noise in the NL West.

From RotoBaller

Chicago Cubs third baseman Christopher Morel went 1-for-4 and smashed a solo shot in the bottom of the sixth inning against Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Joe Ross in the Cubs' 3-1 loss on Friday. Morel's sixth homer of the season, and second in as many games, gave the Cubs a 1-0 lead at the time. The 24-year-old now has a .689 OPS on the season. Morel is hitting below his 2023 levels, but a .295 wOBA with a .338 xwOBA point towards some positive regression for the righty. He will get a matchup against Brewers rookie Tobias Myers on Saturday.

From RotoBaller

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Hayden Wesneski recorded eight strikeouts and gave up no runs in 6 1/3 innings pitched in Friday's 3-1 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers. The eight strikeouts matched a career-high for Wesneski, who was recently called up. The 26-year-old has been used in both the bullpen and as a starter in his career, but he has now made two starts in a row for the Cubs. Wesneski may make a decent bench option for fantasy managers needing help in deeper leagues, but he could be bumped from the rotation when Justin Steele (hamstring) returns from the injured list next week. Wesneski's next scheduled start is Wednesday, May 8, against the San Diego Padres.

From RotoBaller

Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner (hamstring) was removed from Friday's game early against the San Francisco Giants with left-hamstring soreness. Turner was removed prior to the top of the fifth inning after scoring from second base on a passed ball that resulted in a walk to Bryce Harper in the bottom of the fourth. The 30-year-old was replaced by Edmundo Sosa after going 2-for-3 at the plate and scoring a run. Should Turner be forced to miss any time, Sosa would be the likely starter at shortstop. With just hamstring soreness, Turner should be expected to be day-to-day until the soreness subsides.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani is back in the Dodgers' lineup and batting second on Friday night after sitting vs Arizona Diamondbacks lefty Jordan Montgomery on Wednesday night. It marked Ohtani's first day off of the 2024 season. The lefty gets a matchup against Atlanta Braves right-hander Charlie Morton, who's posting up another solid season with a 3.60 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP. Ohtani is one-for-seven in his career against Morton and has struck out against the veteran in three of those at-bats. Fantasy managers should keep Ohtani in their lineups, but there may be sneakier options with cheaper costs in the late slate for DFS players.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Bobby Miller (shoulder) threw a bullpen session on Friday, but manager Dave Roberts was unsure how many bullpens Miller will need before he's cleared to face live hitters. However, the skipper said Miller can ramp up quickly once that starts. The 25-year-old is trying to work his way back from right-shoulder inflammation that landed him on the injured list on April 13. Friday was the first time that Miller has thrown off a mound, so it's a notable step in his recovery. The former 29th overall pick in 2020 out of Louisville has a 5.40 ERA and 1.46 WHIP in his first three starts in 2024, but his elite strikeout upside makes him stash-worthy in all fantasy formats. Miller struck out 18 and walked just six in 11 2/3 innings over his first three outings before going on the shelf.

From RotoBaller