Washington Nationals outfielder Joey Gallo (shoulder) will start a minor-league rehab assignment with Low-A Fredericksburg on Saturday. Gallo will return to live games after recently landing on the injured list due to a sprained AC joint in his left shoulder. If the 30-year-old left-handed slugger can avoid a setback with his shoulder, he could be off the injured list and back with the Nationals by early next week. Gallo still has plenty of power and is a lineup regular for the Nats when healthy, but it's hard to ignore his low batting average and swings and misses. Before going on the shelf, Gallo was sporting a .122/.286/.311 slash line with three home runs, five RBI, one stolen base and eight runs scored in 74 at-bats.

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Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said that outfielder Alek Thomas (hamstring) is expected to come off the injured list and be back with the team at the start of the team's road trip to Cincinnati against the Reds that starts on Tuesday. Thomas is serving as the designated hitter on a minor-league rehab assignment for Triple-A Reno on Friday, so as long as he doesn't have a setback with his strained left hamstring over the weekend, he'll be back with the Snakes next week. The 24-year-old is more valuable to Arizona on defense in center field than he's been with his bat, as he's hit just .230/.273/.362 with 18 home runs, 82 RBI and 13 stolen bases in 242 games at the big-league level since debuting in 2022. When Thomas returns, it will mean less playing time for the likes of Pavin Smith and Jake McCarthy.

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Washington Nationals right-hander Josiah Gray (elbow) will throw a bullpen session on Saturday. It will be the first time that Gray has thrown off a mound since going on the injured list with a flexor strain in his right elbow almost a month ago. It's good to see the 26-year-old making progress, but he still has a ways to go and will likely need a lengthy minor-league rehab assignment before the Nationals clear him to rejoin their big-league starting rotation. Gray, the former second-round pick of the Cincinnati Reds in 2018 out of Le Moyne College, had an absolute disastrous start to 2024 by giving up 13 earned runs on 15 hits (two homers) while walking five and striking out nine in 8 1/3 innings in his first two starts before landing on the IL. When healthy, Gray should be able to bounce back and will have a spot waiting for him in Washington's rotation.

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Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash said that second baseman Brandon Lowe (oblique) is scheduled to start a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Durham on Tuesday. Lowe is finally going to resume playing in live games after straining his right oblique on April 7. Once the Rays deem him healthy enough to come off the injured list, the 29-year-old should at least be on the strong side of a platoon at second base against right-handed pitching. In the meantime, Amed Rosario and Curtis Mead will continue to share playing time at the keystone in Tampa. There's a lot to like about Lowe in most fantasy leagues because of his pop from the second base position, but he has trouble staying on the field and has only played in 100-plus games in two of his six big-league seasons.

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St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said that an MRI exam showed a "protruding disc" in left-hander Steven Matz's lower back. He received a pain-killing injection and will be re-evaluated early next week after being placed on the 15-day injured list on Friday. Matz was pitching through lower-back pain in his outing on Tuesday against the Detroit Tigers and is now most certainly going to miss more than two weeks. On top of it, the 32-year-old veteran southpaw has opened his third year in St. Louis with a 1-2 record, a bloated 6.18 ERA (4.73 FIP), 1.73 WHIP, 11 walks and 17 strikeouts in 27 2/3 innings over his first six starts. In shallow mixed leagues, Matz isn't a must-hold, especially given the nature of his injury, if you have bigger needs on your roster.

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Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash said that relief pitcher Pete Fairbanks (arm), who is dealing with a nerve issue in his arm, is scheduled to start a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Durham on Tuesday. We don't know all the details on the exact nature of Fairbanks' injury, but he's obviously doing well and is getting close to a return to the major-league roster. The 30-year-old right-hander could be eased into high-leverage situations at the back of Tampa's bullpen when he returns, but when fully healthy, Fairbanks is this team's primary closer. In the meantime, Jason Adam and Garrett Cleavinger will split the save opportunities with the Rays. Fairbanks' injury could help explain his current 9.00 ERA and 2.29 WHIP in just seven innings pitched before he went on the injured list.

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Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that right-hander Nick Pivetta (elbow) will not need another minor-league rehab start. It's a bit of a surprise after Pivetta gave up four runs in three-plus innings in a rehab start for Triple-A Worcester on Thursday. The deciding factor is probably the fact that the Red Sox could really use Pivetta back in their rotation sooner than later. The 31-year-old should be rostered in most fantasy leagues after allowing just one earned run with 13 strikeouts and one walk in 11 innings in his first two starts in 2024 before injuring his elbow. However, you'll want to avoid him in his first start back with Boston, especially since it's likely to come early next week against the Atlanta Braves and their dangerous lineup.

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Boston Red Sox outfielder Masataka Yoshida (thumb) will get a second opinion on his injured left thumb, according to manager Alex Cora. Yoshida strained his left thumb last Sunday against the Chicago Cubs, and the club isn't ruling out surgery. There's no clear timetable for when the 30-year-old left-handed hitter will be able to return, but obviously he'll be facing an extended absence if he's forced to go under the knife. For now, fantasy managers must stash Yoshida in an IL spot until we know more. Before the injury, he was slashing .275/.348/.388 with two home runs and 11 RBI over 89 plate appearances. In the short term, Garrett Cooper, Bobby Dalbec and Dominic Smith could all see time as the team's designated hitter.

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St. Louis Cardinals starting pitching prospect Tink Hence was named Texas League Pitcher of the Month for April. Throughout April, Hence has pitched 25 innings to the tune of a strong 2.10 ERA and stellar 0.74 WHIP. He struck out 31 batters and only surrendered six free passes. The 21-year-old has taken a significant step forward at Double-A this season, as he struggled last year with a 5.47 ERA and 1.51 WHIP. MLB Pipeline ranks Hence as the top prospect in the St. Louis system. He should be rostered in most dynasty leagues, as he could very well push for a late-season promotion, thanks to his dominant opening month.

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The Oakland Athletics reinstated infielder J.D. Davis (thigh) from the 10-day injured list on Friday and optioned infielder Nick Allen to Triple-A Las Vegas in a corresponding move. The A's also selected the contract of infielder Brett Harris from Vegas and moved right-hander Freddy Tarnok (hip) to the 60-day IL. Davis is playing first base on Friday night and hitting fifth in his return against Miami Marlins left-hander Ryan Weathers. The 31-year-old corner infielder will return to a weak .196/.255/.373 slash line with two home runs and two RBI, but he's worth rostering in AL-only leagues as he should be a regular for the A's at either corner infield spot. Davis went 3-for-15 in four minor-league rehab games with Vegas.

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Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Paul Sewald (oblique) is expected to be activated from the injured list ahead of Tuesday's game against the Cincinnati Reds. The 33-year-old has been sidelined since late March due to a left oblique strain. Luckily, it sounds like Sewald is finally ready to contribute to the D-Backs bullpen. That being said, Kevin Ginkel should only hold onto the closer role through the weekend before Sewald returns.

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Miami Marlins outfielder Dane Myers has been hitting the cover off the ball since being called up. The 28-year-old is 5-for-11 with five RBI and a stolen base during his limited action with the team. Given the Marlins woes on offense, manager Skip Schumaker has moved Myers up in the batting order. He'll bat cleanup and serve as the right fielder during Friday's game against the Oakland Athletics. Fantasy managers in deep leagues should keep an eye on Myers going forward.

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Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Alek Manoah (shoulder) is scheduled to throw a side session on Friday. The right-hander is working his way back from a shoulder issue but appears to be ready to return. Manoah struck out 12 batters over six scoreless innings during his last rehab start. That being said, Manoah is a potential option to pitch during Sunday's game with Yariel Rodriguez (back) going down. Manoah has been up-and-down during his time in the big leagues, but a matchup against the Washington Nationals does give him some streaming appeal.

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Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout (knee) underwent successful surgery to repair the torn meniscus in his left knee on Friday. The Angels have not given a timetable on the return of Trout, but this injury isn't expected to be season-ending. Regardless, it's a crushing blow to both the Angels roster and fantasy managers. For now, fantasy managers will have to sit tight and hold Trout on an IL spot. Mickey Moniak figures to gain the most playing time in the absence of Trout. He hasn't hit well this season, but possibly more playing time will help him get his bat going again.

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Chicago White Sox infielder Danny Mendick (back) has been scratched ahead of Friday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals. The team has decided to pull Mendick from the lineup due to back tightness. This sounds like a minor issue that should only sideline Mendick for a day or two. In the meantime, Braden Shewmake will cover third base and bat ninth on Friday.

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Boston Red Sox pitcher Garrett Whitlock (oblique) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Saturday. This is encouraging news that Whitlock has finally been cleared to throw off the mound. The 27-year-old has been sidelined since mid-April due to a left oblique strain. If Saturday goes well, Whitlock could then head to the minors for a rehab assignment. It's unclear if the team plans on having Whitlock do any rehab work, but the assumption is that they'd at least make one or two appearances before rejoining the Red Sox. Fantasy managers should stay tuned for more updates after Saturday's session.

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Minnesota Twins infielder Royce Lewis (quad) has been progressing well in his recovery, according to manager Rocco Baldelli. The 24-year-old is currently entering his fifth week of recovery from a right quad strain. The organization originally gave an eight-week timetable for Lewis when he first went down. It sounds like Lewis is increasing his baseball activities, so possibly he can beat the current time frame. Regardless, Lewis should be back in the Twins lineup before the end of the month. Fantasy managers will need to stay patient for a few more weeks.

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San Francisco Giants left-hander Blake Snell (groin) will throw around 50 pitches in another bullpen session on Saturday, according to manager Bob Melvin. If all goes well, the Giants will make a decision on whether Snell will go on a minor-league rehab assignment or face hitters next. Snell is making progress from his Grade 2 adductor strain, but he still has some boxes to check off and may need to make several starts in the minor leagues before rejoining the big-league rotation. It seems like even more of a good idea after last year's National League Cy Young winner opened the year with an 0-3 record, 11.57 ERA and 1.97 WHIP with five walks and 12 strikeouts in 11 2/3 innings over his first three starts for the Gigantes. Despite the ugly start, Snell must remain stashed in all fantasy formats.

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All of Philadelphia Phillies starting pitchers Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Ranger Suarez, Cristopher Sanchez and Taijuan Walker are currently healthy, leaving right-hander Spencer Turnbull as the odd man out in the rotation. But Turnbull has pitched well enough -- he's gone 2-0 with a microscopic 1.67 ERA and 0.83 WHIP with 36 strikeouts in six starts -- to remain in the Phillies' plans. The team hasn't announced a starter for next Tuesday, and manager Rob Thomson hinted the team could go to a six-man rotation. However, a six-man rotation won't be ideal since it would give starters too much rest with off days the next two weeks. Turnbull could piggyback another starter moving forward, but that obviously would make him much less attractive in fantasy. If Turnbull were to take over for another start, the most likely candidate would be Sanchez, especially since the Phillies are conscious of his workload.

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Los Angeles Angels infielder Brandon Drury (head) is out of the starting lineup again on Friday against the Cleveland Guardians. Drury was scratched from the starting lineup on Wednesday due to a migraine and it's obviously something that is still bothering him despite a scheduled day off on Thursday. Luis Rengifo is handling the keystone for the Halos and will bat second, while Ehire Adrianza is at third base and is batting seventh against Guardians right-hander Tanner Bibee. The 31-year-old Drury has gotten off to a dreadful start in his second season with the Angels, slashing .176/.245/.235 with one homer, five RBI, eight runs scored and 18 strikeouts in his first 25 games. Rengifo is hitting .326 (28-for-86) on the year but will be facing a tough matchup in Bibee. He's hitless in two career at-bats against him.

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