New York Yankees third baseman DJ LeMahieu (foot) is with the team on their current road trip in a three-game series with the Toronto Blue Jays. Manager Aaron Boone is encouraged by the veteran infielder's progress as he recovers from a non-displaced fracture of his right foot, and he said it's "very possible" LeMahieu will go on a rehab assignment when the club returns home on Thursday. With the Yankees struggling to find a consistent answer in the leadoff spot, the 35-year-old hitting machine will be an option for that role when he returns after hitting .273 (60-for-220) with eight home runs, nine doubles, 27 runs scored, and 36 walks in 60 games post-All-Star break last year. He has a chance to return before the end of April. The switch-hitting Oswaldo Cabrera is hitting .289 with an .888 OPS, three homers, and 11 RBI in his first 12 games of the campaign and remains worth rostering in all fantasy leagues while he's running hot.

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that outfielder Jason Heyward (back) is still dealing with residual soreness in his back. There is no timetable for his return, but Heyward would have to go on a minor-league rehab assignment before being activated from the 10-day injured list because he's already missed two weeks. Until the 34-year-old veteran left-handed swinger is able to return to the big-league roster, Teoscar Hernandez should continue to regularly play right field, with Chris Taylor also seeing additional playing time for the Blue in the outfield. Heyward should play regularly against right-handed pitching when he's healthy again. The former first-rounder in 2007 by the Atlanta Braves had gone 3-for-14 with two RBI in four games this year before landing on the IL.

Houston Astros right-hander Justin Verlander (shoulder) will throw a bullpen session on Tuesday, and if all goes well, he will return to the team's starting rotation this weekend to face the Washington Nationals in his 2024 debut, according to manager Joe Espada. Verlander said he feels ready despite giving up five earned runs on seven hits while walking a batter in four innings (77 pitches) in a minor-league rehab start for Double-A Corpus Christi on Saturday. The Astros could really use the 41-year-old three-time Cy Young winner back in their banged-up rotation, and a start this weekend against the Nats would be a plus matchup for fantasy managers in Verlander's first start of the year. Don't expect ace-like numbers from Verlander at his age, but he still has the potential to be a strong No. 3 if he can stay healthy.

An MRI exam on Monday morning revealed that Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez (groin) has a Grade 1 groin strain. Perez said he's pain-free and just has a little tightness/pinch after getting hurt on Sunday against the New York Mets. The veteran backstop was held out of the lineup on Monday versus the Chicago White Sox but is hoping to return to action on Tuesday. He went straight to manager Matt Quatraro's office on Monday and lobbied to play, but Freddy Fermin is doing the catching and is batting eighth against White Sox rookie righty Nick Nastrini. The 33-year-old Perez shouldn't need a trip to the injured list, and fantasy managers should check back on Tuesday to see if he's back in the starting lineup. Perez is off to a great start in 2024, batting .339 (21-for-62) with four home runs, two doubles and 15 RBI in just 16 games.

New York Yankees outfielder/designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton will start on the bench on Monday versus the Toronto Blue Jays. With Stanton starting on the pine, outfielder Aaron Judge is serving as the designated hitter and batting third, while Trent Grisham gets the start in center field and will hit ninth against Blue Jays right-hander Chris Bassett. Judge has hit .222 in nine career at-bats against Bassitt, while Grisham has hit .167 in just six career at-bats against Bassitt. The biggest takeaway for Stanton after the first 13 games of the 2024 season is that he's managed to stay healthy so far. In his 55 plate appearances to begin the year, he's gone 13-for-52 (.250) with four home runs, nine RBI and seven runs scored. As long as he stays healthy, Stanton can always provide elite power numbers in a strong Yankees lineup.

Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez (groin, hip) is not in the starting lineup on Monday against the Chicago White Sox on the road. It shouldn't come as a huge surprise that Perez isn't in there after he was pulled early from Sunday's game New York Mets with left groin and hip injuries. Catcher Logan Porter is currently on the team's taxi squad to begin the week just in case the 33-year-old Perez's injury ends up costing him more than just a few days. Freddy Fermin would be the team's primary backstop if Perez is forced to the injured list. Fermin is behind the plate and is batting eighth on Monday against White Sox rookie right-hander Nick Nastrini, who is making his big-league debut. Fermin has just five hits in his first 26 at-bats in 2024 for a .192 batting average and one RBI.

New York Mets designated hitter J.D. Martinez (back) is scheduled to resume swinging the bat on Monday and is still a few days away, according to manager Carlos Mendoza, of getting back into a minor-league game. Martinez hasn't played since last Saturday for Low-A St. Lucie after which he started to feel back tightness. The veteran right-handed slugger received a shot in his back last Tuesday. The Mets signed the 36-year-old late in spring training, but he didn't join the club for Opening Day as he tried to get his timing down at the plate before hurting his back. He probably won't resume his minor-league rehab assignment until later this week, but if he continues to feel good this weekend, there's a possibility that Martinez could join the Mets for his team debut sometime next week.

Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez suffered a left groin and hip injury on Sunday when he collided with New York Mets outfielder Starling Marte at home plate. The veteran backstop left the game and was seen limping off of the field following the collision. He will be evaluated on Monday and an update is expected before the club kicks off a series against the rival White Sox. It's been a big start to the 2024 season for the long-time Royals catcher as Perez has hit .339 with four home runs and 15 RBI across 16 games and 65 trips to the plate, posting a healthy .934 OPS in the process. The heavily-used backstop continues to deliver quality power numbers into his mid-30s and should continue to drive in plenty of runs on an improved Royals offense in 2024.

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve continued his torrid start to the season on Sunday, smacking a pair of homers in an 8-5 win over the Texas Rangers. Altuve went 3-for-5 on the day, adding two runs and two RBI as well as a stolen base. He is now up to a .382 AVG to go with five homers and a stolen base. The 33-year-old isn't showing any signs of aging and should continue to be an excellent five-category contributor as long as he can stay healthy.

Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez left Sunday's game early after a collision at home plate with Starling Marte. Freddy Fermin entered the game for Perez, who walked off the field with a noticeable limp. It is too early to determine the severity of Perez's injury but hopefully it is nothing long term. Fermin would be the likely replacement if the 33-year-old is forced to miss time. Fermin had modest success at the plate in 2022, but he would only have true value in two-catcher leagues or AL Only formats.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander (shoulder) is quickly approaching his season debut. Verlander was unable to throw at all during Spring Training but has made minor league rehab appearances over the past week and is just about complete with his recovery process. Manager Joe Espada expressed that the three-time Cy Young Award winner could make his season debut on Friday as the Astros will take on the Washington Nationals. The Astros are in need of a spark due to their early season struggles. The future Hall-Of-Famer will slot right into the rotation when cleared.

Pittsburgh Pirates designated hitter Andrew McCutchen will be on the bench Saturday as the Pirates continue a four-game set against the Phillies. The 37-year-old has a tough start to the season as he holds a .161/.316/.226 line with no home runs and only two RBI. Edward Olivares will instead be in the designated hitter spot and bat in the five-hole as he takes on Spencer Turnbull. Olivares has been swinging a hot bat over the first two weeks, hitting for a .314 AVG and .600 SLG with seven RBI and three home runs. Olivares is worth consideration in DFS, but he does have a difficult matchup with Spencer Turnbull, who has yet to allow an earned run and has a minuscule 0.55 WHIP.

Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Daniel Bard (knee, elbow) had a setback rehabbing and will undergo season-ending right flexor tendon surgery. After recently throwing off a mound, the banged-up Bard's season suddenly ends before it even begins while also recovering from a cleanup procedure on his left knee. The 38-year-old veteran right-hander is a free agent following the 2024 campaign, and it's unlikely that he'll draw very much interest after walking more batters (49) than he struck out (47) a season ago. Bard spent seven years away from the major leagues before latching on with Colorado in 2020. Justin Lawrence and Tyler Kinley are the names to watch for fantasy purposes for saves-needy managers, but Lawrence has yielded seven runs across five appearances, and Kinley has given up eight runs over six innings thus far.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander (shoulder) is scheduled to make his next minor league rehab start on Saturday at Double-A Corpus Christi. The 41-year-old appears to be progressing well and could return after this outing. Obviously, the Astros don't want to rush back Verlander, but they need help in the rotation. Fantasy managers will have to check back after Saturday to see how Verlander is feeling. He'll be a must-have fantasy option once he's back on the mound.

Colorado Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon (illness) is out of the starting lineup ahead of Friday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays. Rockies' manager Bud Black said Blackmon is feeling under the weather, so they will hold him out of this contest. The expectation is that this will be a one-game absence for the veteran outfielder. In the meantime, Kris Bryant will function as the designated hitter, while Elehuris Montero covers first base versus right-hander Kevin Gausman on Friday.

The Houston Astros are still committed to Justin Verlander (shoulder) making another minor-league rehab start this weekend, manager Joe Espada said following Thursday's 13-3 loss to the Kansas City Royals. Even though Framber Valdez (elbow) is on the injured list and Hunter Brown couldn't make it through the first inning on Thursday, there's still no thought of inserting Verlander back into an Astros rotation that really needs length. The club is taking the cautious route with the 41-year-old star right-hander, who is working his way back from right shoulder inflammation. Barring any setbacks, Verlander should be available to Houston's rotation in late April after collecting a 3.31 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 63:14 K:BB over 68 innings with the Stros last season. Ronel Blanco has filled in admirably with 15 one-hit innings thus far, but he faces a tough test against the defending-champion Texas Rangers during the Lone Star Series on Saturday.

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve went 3-for-4 with a walk during Thursday's blowout loss to the Kansas City Royals. The veteran infielder has been his productive self to start the season, slashing .370/.452/.648 with three home runs through 14 games. Altuve continues to be one of the best fantasy second basemen in the league and should garner plenty of counting stats at the top of the Astros lineup. He remains a must-start option for the rest of 2024 even though Houston has been a surprising disappointment overall.

New York Yankees infielder DJ LeMahieu (foot) will travel with the club for its upcoming road trip to Cleveland and Toronto as he builds up toward game action. The veteran suffered a non-displaced fracture in his right foot this spring and has recently worked on taking grounders and running the bases. LeMahieu didn't have his best season at the plate in 2023, hitting .243 with 15 homers, two steals, and a .717 OPS across 136 appearances, production that graded out 1% above the league average, as per his 101 wRC+. He was scheduled to be the team's everyday third baseman and leadoff hitter prior to his injury and he will likely return to those roles upon his return to action.

St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt and shortstop Masyn Winn are both getting a breather on Wednesday against the visiting Philadelphia Phillies. Alec Burleson is playing first base and batting sixth, while Brandon Crawford is at the 6 and is hitting seventh against Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola. The 36-year-old Goldschmidt could use the break after putting up a weak .544 OPS to begin the 2024 season. Meanwhile, Winn has been consistent so far in his first full season as the Cardinals' starting shortstop, going 11-for-33 (.333) with a double, triple, three RBI and a stolen base in 11 games. Neither Burleson nor Crawford will be very strong DFS plays against Nola. Burleson is hitting .167 with an RBI in six at-bats against Nola, while Crawford is hitting .200 with three RBI in 15 career at-bats.

Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Daniel Bard (knee) was expected to throw off a mound on Tuesday. The Rockies have been careful with Bard, whose platelet-rich plasma shots in his right forearm are a bigger concern than the cleanup operation on his left knee in February. Bard didn't participate in spring training, so he won't be available for the Rocks until May at the earliest. Even though the 38-year-old right-hander struggled to a 4.56 ERA (6.13 FIP), 1.70 WHIP, and an unfathomable 47:49 K:BB through 49 1/3 innings last season, he still might end up receiving the bulk of the save chances when he returns to the mound later this year. Justin Lawrence (9.82 ERA) and Tyler Kinley (13.50 ERA) remain the nominal favorites for saves out of Colorado's bullpen right now, but neither of the two right-handers have separated much in terms of seizing the closing gig to this point.