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.

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.

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.

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.

Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw (shoulder) threw his first bullpen session post-surgery on Friday, according to manager Dave Roberts. Kershaw threw only 15 pitches in the session, but it's notable progress for the 36-year-old future Hall of Famer after he underwent left-shoulder surgery in the offseason. He still has a ways to go in his recovery, but Roberts said Kershaw "came out well" from the bullpen session. Fantasy managers stashing Kershaw in deeper leagues will need to remain patient, as the three-time Cy Young winner isn't expected to return to LA's big-league starting rotation until around the All-Star break in July. The 10-time All-Star is no longer at his peak, but he still went 13-5 last year with a 2.46 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 137 strikeouts in 24 starts when he was healthy.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Texas Rangers placed right-hander Nathan Eovaldi (groin) on the 15-day injured list on Friday with a right-groin strain and recalled right-hander Yerry Rodriguez from Triple-A Round Rock in a corresponding move. Eovaldi suffered the groin strain in his win over the Washington Nationals on Thursday and is now going to be out for at least the next two weeks. While the oft-injured 34-year-old starter could miss more than the 15 days on the IL, he needs to be stashed in all fantasy formats after his strong start in 2024. Eovaldi currently has a 2.61 ERA and 1.16 WHIP with 19 walks and 44 strikeouts in 41 1/3 innings over his first seven starts. It remains to be seen who will take his rotation spot in Texas, but it's possible it could be top pitching prospect Jack Leiter.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (knee) is being placed on the 10-day injured list on Friday with right-knee inflammation. Austin Martin is returning from the minors in a corresponding move. Buxton has once again landed on the IL due to a knee injury, and it's the same knee he's already had surgery on twice. The good news is that no structural damage was found in the right knee that he injured while trying to steal a base on Wednesday, so it's possible that the 30-year-old could be back with the Twins in just over a week. With that said, fantasy managers shouldn't be surprised if the oft-injured Buxton misses more than the 10 days. Willi Castro, a 27-year-old switch-hitter, is batting .270 (27-for-100) with two homers and three steals and should see regular playing time in center with Buxton sidelined. Manuel Margot is another candidate to see more playing time.

Baltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said that right-hander Craig Kimbrel (back) will return to his normal role as closer on Friday for the start of a series against the Cincinnati Reds. Kimbrel will return to the fold at the back end of Baltimore's bullpen after not appearing in a game since injuring his back last Sunday against the Oakland Athletics. The 35-year-old's back injury could explain why he's blown both of his last two save chances while allowing three runs. It's something to keep a close eye on moving forward. Kimbrel is currently sporting a 3.18 ERA and 1.23 WHIP with seven saves, six walks and 17 strikeouts in his 11 1/3 innings pitched. If Kimbrel's back issues return and he's forced to miss more time, a closer committee could form in Baltimore between Jacob Webb, Danny Coulombe and Yennier Cano.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (knee) is not in the team's starting lineup on Friday for the series opener against the visiting Boston Red Sox. Buxton injured his surgically-repaired right knee on a stolen-base attempt on Wednesday and was sent for an MRI exam, so it shouldn't be much of a surprise that he's not in Friday's lineup. Although we don't know the results of the 30-year-old's MRI exam yet, fantasy managers should already be preparing for the oft-injured outfielder to land on the injured list. Willi Castro, who has been one of the hottest hitters in baseball of late, is starting in center field and batting eighth on Friday against Red Sox right-hander Tanner Houck. If Buxton lands on the IL, Castro will most likely become the team's regular center fielder.

The Pittsburgh Pirates are activating veteran catcher Yasmani Grandal (foot) from the injured list on Friday and have optioned catcher/outfielder Henry Davis to Triple-A Indianapolis in a corresponding move, according to manager Derek Shelton. Grandal is returning from plantar fasciitis in his left foot and will platoon with Joey Bart being the plate moving forward. The switch-hitting 35-year-old will be making his 2024 debut when he gets into a game, but he'll start on the bench on Friday with Bart getting the start. Davis, the former first overall pick in 2021 out of Louisville, will head to the farm to work on his swing after hitting a miserable .162 (11-for-68) with no home runs, 11 walks and 29 strikeouts in 83 plate appearances.

Atlanta Braves right-hander Charlie Morton will be aiming for more success on Friday when he takes the mound for a road contest against the difficult Los Angeles Dodgers. The 40-year-old dominated the Cleveland Guardians his last time out, tossing seven scoreless innings while allowing just four hits and a walk against six strikeouts but took a tough-luck no-decision in an eventual 4-2 extra-inning loss. The veteran has had an up-and-down season that includes 5 2/3 shutout innings in his first start of the season before he allowed 10 earned runs over his next two outings and 11 1/3 innings of work. However, he has not allowed just two earned runs over 13 innings in his last two starts and owns a 3.60 ERA through five starts. He will take on a Dodgers team that ranks first in baseball with a .354 wOBA versus right-handed pitching.

Washington Nationals left-hander Patrick Corbin will look to get straightened out on Friday when he toes the rubber against the visiting Toronto Blue Jays. The 34-year-old yielded seven runs his last time out against the Miami Marlins, and while only four were earned, it's the fifth time in six starts this season in which he had yielded at least four earned runs. He coughed up eight hits, including a homer, alongside a pair of walks in just four innings his last time out. The ugly outing raised his ERA to 6.82 through six starts this season after he tossed a 5.20 ERA across 32 starts last season. He will take on a Jays team that sports a .314 wOBA versus left-handed pitching this season, good for a share of 13th league-wide.

Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy said that catcher Gary Sanchez (hamstring) is "good to go" but not at 100 percent yet. Eric Haase is currently with the team as catching insurance, but it sounds like Sanchez is available off the bench for Friday's series opener against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. The 31-year-old veteran backstop was removed from Tuesday's game early with right-hamstring tightness, but it appears he will stay with the team and will avoid a trip to the injured list. Sanchez will continue to work as William Contreras' backup and is worth rostering in two-catcher leagues for his power potential from the right side of the plate. Through his first 18 games with Milwaukee, Sanchez has gone 10-for-48 (.208) with three home runs and six RBI.

St. Louis Cardinals left-hander Steven Matz (back) was placed on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to May 1) on Friday with a lower-back strain. In a corresponding move, right-hander Kyle Leahy was recalled from Triple-A Memphis. It's unclear how long it will take the 32-year-old veteran southpaw to return, but fantasy managers shouldn't be surprised if he's out longer than two weeks. Matz attempted to pitch through his back issue in his latest start on Tuesday against the Detroit Tigers but wasn't effective. He's opened the year 1-2 with a bloated 6.18 ERA and 1.73 WHIP with only 17 strikeouts and 11 walks in 27 2/3 innings over six starts for the Cardinals. Matz isn't a must-hold in deep-mixed leagues, especially if he's out longer than two weeks. It's unclear who might take his rotation spot in St. Louis.

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell said that right-hander Kyle Hendricks' (back) minor-league rehab start with Double-A Tennessee on Thursday was "encouraging," but Hendricks will make another rehab start on Tuesday with Iowa. The 34-year-old veteran gave up two runs while fanning seven batters in five innings for Tennessee on Thursday, but the Cubs want to see more before bringing him back to the big-league starting rotation. In his five starts with Chicago before landing on the IL, Hendricks had a disastrous 12.00 ERA (7.71 FIP) and 2.09 WHIP with seven walks and 16 strikeouts in 21 innings pitched. Given how bad Hendricks was with the Cubs, it's fair for fantasy managers in mixed leagues to not want anything to do with him when he's back in Chicago's rotation.

Washington Nationals outfielder Eddie Rosario is hitting .086 in 23 games so far this year, including an 0-for-2 performance with two strikeouts in Thursday's loss to the Texas Rangers. Despite his slow start, manager Dave Martinez plans to stick with the nine-year big-leaguer who has a history of struggling at the plate in March and April. "It's early," said Martinez. "You've got to give him a chance, you really do. I'm not going to sit him down yet right now. He's got to go out there and play. I've seen him play before. This kid can hit. He can put you on his shoulders." The 32-year-old is a career .265 hitter, but he's hit just .205 in March and April. But Rosario's average exit velocity (88.6 mph) and hard-hit rate (38.5%) are below league average, and fantasy managers in deeper leagues shouldn't have the same patience as Martinez.