The Atlanta Braves are increasing the activity of catcher Sean Murphy (oblique). Murphy has caught a bullpen session in each of the past two days, but he's still not swinging a bat yet and may be at least a week away from being cleared to do so. Working his way back from tightness in his left oblique, Murphy is probably not going to be available to the Braves or fantasy managers before the end of April based on the current progress in his recovery. The 29-year-old All-Star backstop will need a rehab assignment before he's reinstated to Atlanta's major-league roster as well, but an early-May return is still in the cards. Former All-Star Travis d'Arnaud is surging after a slow start to the 2024 regular season, going 8-for-13 with five home runs and 11 RBI over his past five games, and he should be rostered in two-catcher leagues while he's hot.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Cristian Javier (neck) played catch on Wednesday back in Houston. Javier is not with the team during their road series with the Chicago Cubs after flying back home on Tuesday to get checked out by team doctors, but it's encouraging to hear he's throwing. The 27-year-old star right-hander is working his way back from discomfort in his right neck, and it's unclear if he'll need a brief rehab assignment before being activated from the 15-day injured list. Fantasy managers should expect him to remain sidelined through early May, though. Although he has a weak 18:11 K:BB through 23 1/3 innings (four starts) for the Stros, Javier's 1.54 ERA and 1.11 WHIP makes him a must-stash player. Rookie right-hander Spencer Arrighetti is making starts in Houston's injury-riddled rotation, but he's struggled to muster much fantasy usability to this point.

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich (back) ran on the field on Wednesday for the first time since injuring his back. Yelich hasn't swung or played catch yet, however, as he's progressed slower than anticipated from a strained lower back. Considering Yelich battled back issues in the early part of his career with the Miami Marlins, expect the Brew Crew to take a cautious approach with the 32-year-old star left fielder. Yelich was returning first-round fantasy value before hitting the shelf, slashing .333/.422/.744 with five home runs, 11 RBI, seven runs scored, and two stolen bases across 39 at-bats (11 games). The switch-hitting Blake Perkins has received everyday ABs in Milwaukee's outfield since Yelich went on the injured list, slashing .309/.387/.473 with two homers, six RBI, 13 runs scored, and two swipes through 55 ABs overall, and he's worth a look for those in NL-only or deep mixed leagues who need a stopgap solution.

The Cincinnati Reds moved left-hander Alex Young (back) to the 60-day injured list on Wednesday and claimed outfielder Peyton Burdick off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles in a corresponding move. The Reds sent Burdick to Triple-A Louisville as organizational outfield depth. Young was shut down during spring training in mid-March with lower-back disc degeneration and now won't be able to make his 2024 debut for the Reds until late May. The 30-year-old southpaw reliever went 4-2 last year with the Reds while recording a 3.86 ERA (4.99 FIP), his first career save, a 1.36 WHIP, 20 walks and 50 strikeouts in 53 2/3 innings in his 63 appearances out of the bullpen. Young can continue to be ignored in fantasy circles.

Chicago White Sox right-hander Chris Flexen is lined up to start on Friday against the visiting Tampa Bay Rays. It will be Flexen's fourth start of the season. The 29-year-old former 14th-round pick by the New York Mets in 2012 has appeared out of the bullpen for the Pale Hose his last two times out and is now sporting a 6.41 ERA (5.75 FIP) and 1.42 WHIP with seven walks and 11 strikeouts in 19 2/3 innings pitched. Flexen has been more effective in his two relief appearances than his three starts, and the matchup against Tampa doesn't really make him attractive as a streaming sleeper in deep fantasy leagues on Friday. He'll be making the start on three days of rest. Flexen could be sent right back to Chicago's bullpen once Mike Clevinger is finally ready to make his season debut.

Minnesota Twins shortstop Carlos Correa (oblique) did some light glove work off to the side on the field on Wednesday and said he's swinging and doing baseball activities as he recovers from an oblique injury that sent him to the injured list. It sounds as though there's some possibility that he could come off the IL on the coming road trip without a minor-league rehab assignment if things keep trending well. The Twins start their road trip in Los Angeles against the Angels this Friday. The 29-year-old Puerto Rican is itching to get back as the team's starting shortstop after starting the year 11-for-36 (.306) with a homer and four RBI in 11 games played. Willi Castro has been serving as Minnesota's primary shortstop since Correa was placed on the IL.

The Toronto Blue Jays placed outfielder Kevin Kiermaier (hip) on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday with left-hip flexor inflammation and recalled utility man Addison Barger from Triple-A Buffalo in a corresponding move. Kiermaier was injured in Tuesday's contest and will now miss at least the next 10 days. Considering the 34-year-old's injury history, it wouldn't be a surprise if he missed more than the required 10 days on the IL. Kiermaier will be eligible to return on May 4. Daulton Varsho is moving to center field and batting cleanup on Wednesday, while Barger will make his major-league debut in left field while hitting eighth against Kansas City Royals right-hander Alec Marsh. Barger, who hits from the left side, is likely to see some playing time against right-handed pitching and is worth a deep-league pickup for his power upside.

Houston Astros left-hander Framber Valdez (elbow) threw 40 pitches in a bullpen session on Tuesday at Wrigley Field and is expected to come off the injured list and start one of the team's games in Mexico City against the Colorado Rockies this weekend. Right-hander Ronel Blanco will start the other game. The 30-year-old Valdez was put on the 15-day injured list on April 9 with left-elbow inflammation. The fact that he's not going to pitch in a minor-league rehab game before returning to the major-league starting rotation should have fantasy managers hesitant to use him in his first start back from the IL, even if the matchup is a juicy one against the Rockies away from Coors Field. The two-time All-Star should still be rostered in all fantasy leagues and was looking good in his first two starts of 2024 before going on the shelf.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler (rest) is out of the starting lineup ahead of Wednesday's game against the Chicago White Sox. This appears to be a routine rest day for Kepler against a tough left-handed starter. Kepler has been hot since returning from the injured list with four RBI in two games. In his absence, Manuel Margot will cover right field and bat third versus left-hander Garrett Crochet.

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Jake Fraley (illness) remains out of the starting lineup ahead of Wednesday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies. The left-handed slugger has missed four games in a row due to an illness. He shouldn't require a trip to the injured list, but it could happen if he continues to miss time. Stuart Fairchild will cover center field and bat ninth versus right-hander Spencer Turnbull on Wednesday.

Colorado Rockies outfielder Nolan Jones (back) is out of the team's starting lineup on Wednesday against the visiting San Diego Padres after he was pulled from Tuesday's victory with back stiffness. With Jones resting on the bench, Jake Cave is getting the start in left field for the Rockies and will hit eighth against Padres right-hander Matt Waldron. Jones should be considered day-to-day for now, but with a day game on Thursday before a scheduled day off on Friday, don't expect the 25-year-old to return in the series against the Friars. After hitting an impressive .297 (109-for-367) with 20 homers, 62 RBI and 20 stolen bases in 106 games in 2023, Jones has really disappointed early in 2024 with a .148 average (13-for-88), just one home run, seven RBI and two steals in his first 24 games. He could use a couple days off.

Miami Marlins right-hander Sixto Sanchez will get the start for the series finale against the division-rival Atlanta Braves on Thursday. The last time Sanchez started in a big-league game was in Game 3 of the 2020 National League Division Series against the Braves. The 25-year-old Dominican hurler has made his return to the majors in 2024 after dealing with multiple shoulder injuries and is currently 0-1 with a 6.14 ERA (5.75 FIP) and 1.50 WHIP with three walks and three strikeouts in 7 1/3 innings pitched, all in relief for the Fish. It's a cool comeback story for Sanchez, but fantasy managers looking for a streaming option on Thursday should avoid him, as he's unlikely to go more than two or three innings as the team's opener against a very tough opponent.

Washington Nationals manager Dave Martinez said that the plan for now is to play Joey Gallo in right field after the team placed outfielder Lane Thomas (knee) on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday with a Grade 2 MLB sprain in his left knee. Rookie infielder Trey Lipscomb, who was called up from Triple-A Rochester, will play multiple positions but probably a decent amount of first base. Gallo is making his first start in the outfield on Wednesday and is hitting fifth against Los Angeles Dodgers right-handed rookie Landon Knack. The 30-year-old left-handed batter has plenty of power offensively, but he swings and misses often and is hitting just .143 (9-for-63) on the year with three home runs, five RBI and 34 strikeouts in 79 plate appearances over 20 games.

Washington Nationals manager Dave Martinez said that outfielder Lane Thomas (knee) is dealing with a Grade 2 MCL sprain in his left knee after getting hurt in Tuesday night's loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. "It could've been a lot worse," Martinez said. Thomas was placed on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday and is likely to miss more than the required 10 games, but fantasy managers should keep him stashed in an IL spot for the time being after he had 28 home runs and 20 stolen bases in a breakout season in 2023. Martinez said the plan for now is to play Joey Gallo in right field, with infield prospect Trey Lipscomb playing multiple positions but probably a decent amount at first base. Thomas is hitting just .184 (16-for-87) in the first month of the season, but he's helped his fantasy managers with 11 stolen bases, which ranks third in MLB.

As long as New York Mets designated hitter J.D. Martinez (back) comes out of his final minor-league rehab game with Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday without a setback, the team expects him to be their starting DH on Friday night against the visiting St. Louis Cardinals. Martinez signed with the Mets late in spring training but didn't join the big-league club for Opening Day because he needed to get his timing down first. A back issue has delayed his arrival to the big leagues in New York, but it sounds like his 2024 debut is right around the corner on Friday. Injuries are probably going to continue to be an issue, but if Martinez is available in your fantasy league, he's worth a pickup if you're in need of a power boost. The 36-year-old six-time All-Star hit .271/.321/.572 with an .893 OPS, 33 home runs and 103 RBI in 113 games with the Dodgers in 2023.

The Washington Nationals officially placed outfielder Lane Thomas (knee) on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday with a left-MCL sprain and recalled infielder Trey Lipscomb from Triple-A Rochester in a corresponding move, according to president of baseball operations and general manager Mike Rizzo. The 28-year-old Thomas hit just .184 with two home runs, 10 RBI, eight walks, 11 stolen bases and six runs scored in 22 games before injuring his knee on Tuesday against the Los Angeles Dodgers. While he hasn't hit well in the early going, he ranks third in the league with his 11 thefts. If the Nats move Nick Senzel to the outfield, Lipscomb should see regular starts again at the hot corner in D.C. Thomas is probably going to miss more than 10 days, but he deserves to be stashed in all fantasy leagues after clubbing 28 home runs and stealing 20 bases in 2023.

San Francisco Giants manager Bob Melvin classified left-hander Blake Snell's groin strain as moderate, and he could stay on the injured list beyond the 15 days, but that's to be determined right now. Snell felt the groin strain while throwing a bullpen session the other day and shut himself down briefly, but he didn't feel good when he tried throwing again. He was scheduled to make his next start on Wednesday against the New York Mets. In a bullpen game against the Mets on Wednesday, Ryan Walker will serve as the opener. The 31-year-old Snell is not only hurt now but is 0-3 with a rough 11.57 ERA and 1.97 WHIP with 12 strikeouts in 11 2/3 innings in his first three starts with the Gigantes. Fantasy managers must stash the two-time Cy Young winner in an IL spot in all leagues and hope that he'll be better when he returns to full health.

Chicago Cubs outfielder Cody Bellinger (rib) has been placed on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday due to a right-rib fracture that he suffered on Tuesday when he crashed into the outfield wall at Wrigley Field, according to manager Craig Counsell. Prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong is being called up from the minors in a corresponding move. Initial X-rays turned up negative on Bellinger, but a CT scan found the fracture, which will cause the 28-year-old to miss at least several weeks. In the meantime, Bellinger should be stashed in an IL spot in all fantasy leagues. He's currently hitting .226 (19-for-84) with five home runs and 17 RBI in the first 22 games. Crow-Armstrong could see regular playing time as Chicago's center fielder until Bellinger is able to return, making him an attractive short-term waiver-wire pickup in single-year leagues.

Los Angeles Angels manager Ron Washington said that infielder Brandon Drury (hamstring), who is out of the lineup for the third straight game on Wednesday against the Baltimore Orioles, has been feeling soreness from a left-hamstring injury he suffered last week. Washington added that Drury was left out of Wednesday's lineup as a precaution but could pinch hit, if needed. Luis Rengifo is filling in at the keystone and is hitting eighth against Orioles right-hander Dean Kremer. Fantasy managers should consider the 31-year-old Drury as day-to-day for now, but if his hamstring soreness lingers, he could eventually land on the injured list. Drury has been a non-factor offensively for the Halos so far this year, going 13-for-66 (.197) with one homer and four RBI in 19 games played.

Baltimore Orioles first baseman Ryan Mountcastle (knee) is back at first base and is hitting third in the order for Wednesday's game against the Los Angeles Angels and left-hander Tyler Anderson. Mountcastle will return to action after missing the last two games with knee soreness. The 27-year-old former 36th overall pick in 2015 has been swinging the bat well this year with a .333 average (25-for-75) with two home runs, 11 RBI and 14 runs scored in his first two games. Fantasy baseball managers need to make sure to get Mountcastle back into their lineups. He's only faced Anderson twice in his career and is hitless with one RBI. So far against southpaws in 2024, Mountcastle is 8-for-25 (.320) with a homer and three RBI.