Cincinnati Reds left-hander Alex Young (back) has allowed just one unearned run over eight relief appearances and 8 1/3 innings during his minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville. Young also pitched on back-to-back days on Saturday and Sunday and worked a scoreless inning in both games. The 30-year-old southpaw reliever begin his rehab assignment on May 2 after being out all year to this point in the majors due to lower-back disc degeneration. It explains why the reliever has been extended on his rehab assignment, but he has to be getting close to returning to Cincinnati's bullpen at this point. When healthy, Young gives the Reds another lefty arm in their bullpen. In his first year with the Reds in 2023, Young had a 4-2 record, 3.86 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, his first career save, 20 walks and 50 strikeouts in 53 2/3 innings pitched.

San Francisco Giants shortstop Marco Luciano put together a solid performance against the Colorado Rockies on Saturday. The 22-year-old was recalled on Tuesday with the team being shorthanded in the infield. He made the most of his chances on Saturday, going 2-for-4 in the win. The expectation is that Luciano is going to get significant at-bats with Nick Ahmed (wrist) still on the injured list. Luciano should get plenty of chances to show what he can do at the big league level.

Chicago Cubs pitcher Drew Smyly (hip) is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment next week with High-A South Bend, per manager Craig Counsell. The 34-year-old journeyman was placed on the 15-day injured list on April 23 with a right hip impingement and is nearing the final step in his recovery process. Smyly has operated exclusively out of the bullpen this season with a hefty 4.97 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, and 5:11 BB:K ratio. The southpaw started 23 games for the Cubs last season but looks to be stuck in a long relief role this season. When Smyly returns to major league action, he should be left on all waiver wires, but he could be worth streaming in NL-only formats if he were to make spot starts throughout the summer.

The expectation is that Major League Baseball will investigate Atlanta Braves infielder David Fletcher's reported involvement in the gambling situation with Mathew Bowyer, the Southern California bookmaker who also took wagers from Shohei Ohtani's long-time interpreter. Per ESPN, Fletcher placed bets on multiple sports but did not bet on baseball. MLB players are allowed to bet on other sports, but doing so through illegal bookmakers such as Bowyer is prohibited and could bring a suspension from the commissioner. The 29-year-old currently is playing in the minors at Triple-A Gwinnett. He was brought up briefly when Ozzie Albies was on the injured list and went 2-for-8 with two RBI in five games played. Once the league's investigation is complete, which could take some time, Fletcher could be facing a suspension.

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Cade Cavalli (elbow) is ready to begin a minor-league rehab assignment in the Florida Complex League. Cavalli has been recovering from Tommy John surgery that was performed in March 2023 and has been progressing after throwing multiple bullpen sessions over the past few weeks. Once Cavalli makes his first start, then that will start his 30-day rehab block.Only dynasty managers should be concerned with Cavalli's status as he works to return to the big leagues.

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Keaton Winn (forearm) has been placed on the 15-day injured list on Friday. Giants manager Bob Melvin told reporters earlier in the week that Winn was dealing with a mild strain and he'd likely be placed on the injured list. As a result, right-hander Mason Black has been recalled from Triple-A Sacramento. The hard-throwing righty has made two lackluster starts for the Giants this season. Black has all the tools to be a legitimate option at the big league level. He has a favorable matchup against the Colorado Rockies lineup, but remains a shaky streaming choice.

Los Angeles Dodgers infielder/outfielder Miguel Vargas is expected to be recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City. The 24-year-old is hitting the cover off the ball in the minors. Right now, Vargas is slashing .295/.437/.583 with eight homers, 38 RBI in Triple-A. Vargas has been playing almost exclusively in left field during this time in Triple-A. It's uncertain if the team plans to keep Vargas in the outfield or move him back into the infield. It's worth noting that outfielder Jason Heyward (back) is expected to be activated from the injured list soon. It'll be interesting to see how the Dodgers work Vargas into the lineup. Vargas has notoriously been great in the minors but struggled once he gets called up to the MLB. We'll see if this time is going to be different.

Chicago Cubs right-hander Yency Almonte (shoulder) is shut down from throwing and is in a strengthening program. However, the hope is that his strengthening program will be relatively short and he can start throwing again next week. The 29-year-old reliever was placed on the 15-day injured last week with a right-shoulder strain but he shouldn't be out for too much longer, barring a setback. The former 17th-round selection by the Los Angeles Angels in 2012 was 1-0 with a 3.45 ERA (3.31 FIP), a 1.08 WHIP, one save, eight walks and 20 strikeouts in 15 2/3 innings out of the Cubs' bullpen this year before going on the IL. Almonte isn't really on the fantasy radar in any formats and holds a career 4.44 ERA (4.41 FIP) and 1.30 WHIP with three saves in 223 innings out of the bullpen.

The Washington Nationals reinstated first baseman/outfielder designated hitter Joey Gallo (shoulder) from the 10-day injured list on Friday and optioned rookie infielder Trey Lipscomb to Triple-A Rochester in a corresponding move. It remains to be seen if Gallo will be included in Friday's starting lineup against the Philadelphia Phillies and right-hander Zack Wheeler. The 30-year-old left-handed slugger has recovered from a sprained AC joint in his left shoulder and should play mostly in right field or as the DH on most days against right-handed pitching for the Nats, at least until Lane Thomas (knee) returns from his injury. Gallo has elite power but struggles to make consistent contact at the plate. He's returning to a .122/.286/.311 slash line with three homers and five RBI in the 23 games he's played in this year.

The Los Angeles Dodgers acquired left-hander Anthony Banda from the Cleveland Guardians on Friday in exchange for cash considerations. Banda will head to the Dodgers after posting a 2.12 ERA and 0.94 WHIP with six walks and 25 strikeouts in 17 relief innings for Triple-A Columbus this year. The 30-year-old southpaw will likely report to Triple-A Oklahoma City now and will operate as left-handed relief depth for the Dodgers moving forward. Banda was originally a 10th-round pick of the Milwaukee Brewers in 2012 out of San Jacinto College. He made his big-league debut back in 2017 with the Arizona Diamondbacks and has pitched in the majors with seven different teams since then. Overall, he has a 5.69 ERA and 1.63 WHIP with one save, a weak 19.9% strikeout rate and an 8.9% walk rate.

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell said that right-handed reliever Julian Merryweather (ribs, shoulder) will start throwing in Arizona on Monday. Merryweather still has a long ways to go to get up to speed, but it's a good sign that he's ready to resume throwing. The 32-year-old veteran was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his ribs in early April and is currently on the 60-day injured list, meaning he's not eligible to return until early June. Given the severity of his injury and the fact that he's starting his throwing program next week, Merryweather is unlikely to be ready to come off the IL when he's eligible. The former fifth-round pick by Cleveland in 2014 out of Oklahoma Baptist has a 3.29 ERA, a 1.30 WHIP, two saves and 104 K's in 76 2/3 relief innings for the Cubs the last two years and will be a useful high-leverage arm out of their bullpen when he's ready to come back.

The Chicago Cubs placed right-hander Colten Brewer (back) on the 15-day injured list on Friday with a lower-back injury and recalled right-handed pitcher Porter Hodge from Triple-A Iowa in a corresponding move. Brewer last pitched against the Pittsburgh Pirates last Sunday. In a middle-relief role for the Cubs this year, the 31-year-old has been solid for the team, posting a 3.09 ERA (3.20 FIP) and 1.11 WHIP with four walks and 12 strikeouts in 11 2/3 innings out of the bullpen. In six years in the big leagues, Brewer has a 4.78 ERA (5.06 FIP) and 1.70 WHIP with a very mediocre 20.2% strikeout rate and 12.7% walk rate. Hodge, 23, was a 13th-round pick by the Cubs in 2019 and will be making his big-league debut when he enters a game out of the Cubs' bullpen.

The New York Mets optioned left-hander Joey Lucchesi to Triple-A Syracuse after Wednesday night's game and recalled left-hander Josh Walker from Syracuse in a corresponding move. In his spot start on Wednesday versus the division-rival, Lucchesi didn't fare well, allowing five runs over 4 1/3 innings of work while walking four and striking out two to take the loss. The 30-year-old southpaw was making his season debut for the Mets, but now he'll head back to the minors to serve as starting pitching depth for the organization. Walker, 29, will give the Mets' bullpen a fresh arm. He made his big-league debut last year and had an 8.10 ERA and 1.80 WHIP in just 10 innings. So far in 2024, Walker has tossed three shutout innings in relief while walking one and striking out three for the Mets.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have called up pitching prospect Carmen Mlodzinski from Triple-A Indianapolis. The right-hander made his debut last season out of the bullpen and registered an impressive 2.25 ERA with 34 strikeouts in 36 innings for the Bucco's. His 2024 campaign got off to a slow start as he was dealing elbow inflammation, but he has struggled with Triple-A Indianapolis in his recovery. For Indianapolis, Mlodzinski has allowed 10 runs in 14 innings. For now, managers in all formats can leave the right-hander on the waiver wire.

The Milwaukee Brewers promoted outfield prospect Chris Roller to the major league club on Wednesday. In a corresponding move, the Brewers optioned Oliver Dunn to the minors. The 27-year-old made his major league debut Wednesday night when he entered the game in the sixth inning as a pinch-hitter, ultimately striking out in a six-pitch at-bat. The right-handed hitter did a lot of that in his 56 Triple-A at-bats this season, striking out at a 36.2% clip (21 times compared to two walks), while batting .250 with zero home runs and one stolen base. Roller was drafted in 2017, so it's nice when you see a player's perseverance pay off, but as far as fantasy is concerned, he is off the radar for now.

The New York Mets recalled infielder Mark Vientos, right-hander Grant Hartwig and left-hander Joey Lucchesi from Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday and optioned right-hander Jose Butto to Syracuse in a corresponding move. Right-hander Yohan Ramirez and infielder Joey Wendle were designated for assignment. Vientos is playing third base and is batting fifth on Wednesday against Phillies left-hander Ranger Suarez. In six career at-bats against Suarez, Vientos has a solo home run. The 24-year-old former second-round pick in 2017 has hit just .211/.260/.368 with 11 home runs and 27 RBI in 84 career games for the Mets and is likely to see some playing time at third base for the Mets when the club faces left-handed pitching. The left-handed-hitting ... [More]

The New York Mets optioned right-hander Jose Butto to Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday and recalled right-handers Grant Hartwig and left-hander Joey Lucchesi from Syracuse in a corresponding move. Butto will go back down to the minors to work on his control. In his seven starts with the Mets, he's gone 1-3 with a strong 3.08 ERA (4.13 FIP) and 1.13 WHIP with 38 strikeouts in 38 innings pitched, but he's also walked 21 hitters for a 5.0 BB/9. The 26-year-old had become a decent streaming option in deeper fantasy leagues. If the Mets are in need of more rotation help at some point this year, Butto will be at the top of their consideration list. In the meantime, Adrian Houser, Tylor Megill (shoulder), or even Lucchesi could take Butto's rotation spot in the big leagues.

Colorado Rockies left-hander Kyle Freeland (elbow) joined the team on their West Coast trip and continues to up the intensity of his pre-game throwing sessions in the outfield, according to manager Bud Black. Freeland is "a week or 10 days away from getting back on the mound," according to Black. The veteran southpaw will also need to go on a minor-league rehab assignment before he's cleared to rejoin the starting rotation. The Rockies are bringing Freeland back slowly from his strained left elbow, and he's not particularly close to coming off the 15-day injured list. Even if Freeland doesn't have a setback, fantasy managers in NL-only leagues that are holding onto him shouldn't expect him back until June. In four starts before his elbow injury, Freeland was 0-3 with an elevated 13.21 ERA and 2.55 WHIP with nine strikeouts in 15 2/3 innings pitched.

San Francisco Giants right-hander Keaton Winn (forearm) left his start early on Tuesday against the visiting division-rival Los Angeles Dodgers during the fifth inning due to right-forearm tightness. Before leaving, Winn's struggles in 2024 continued, as he gave up five more earned runs on five hits (one home run) while walking three and striking out four to raise his season ERA to 6.17. The 26-year-old is now 3-6 on the year after the loss and could be headed to the injured list soon, depending on what the results of his MRI exam on Wednesday show. His next start is scheduled to come on Sunday in a favorable matchup against the Colorado Rockies in San Francisco, but it remains to be seen if he'll be able to pitch then. If Winn is forced to miss more than one start, the Giants could elect to bring back rookie Mason Black.

Cincinnati Reds left-hander Brandon Williamson (shoulder) started a minor-league rehab assignment on Tuesday with High-A Dayton. Williamson is currently on the injured list with a left-shoulder strain but is still on track to return to the team by the end of the month of May, barring any setbacks. The former second-round pick by the Seattle Mariners in 2019 out of Texas Christian University made his major-league debut last year with the Reds and went 5-5 with a 4.46 ERA (4.63 FIP) and 1.28 WHIP while walking 39 and striking out 98 in 117 innings over 23 starts. The 25-year-old southpaw went on the COVID injured list late in the year and didn't look like the same pitcher when he returned down the stretch. It's unclear how Williamson might fit into Cincy's starting rotation when he's ready to return, but he'll be a starting arm to watch in deeper fantasy leagues if you're in need of rotation help.