Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Frankie Montas (forearm) is expected to throw off a mound this weekend, according to manager David Bell. Montas is progressing in his recovery from a right forearm contusion and is eligible to come off the 15-day injured list on May 7, but it's unknown if he'll need a brief rehab assignment before rejoining Cincy's rotation. The 31-year-old former ace carries an uninspiring 4.19 ERA (5.26 FIP), 1.44 WHIP, and 14:10 K:BB across 19 1/3 innings (five starts), and fantasy managers in shallow mixed leagues might be able to find stronger options as a stash. Veteran swingman Nick Martinez should receive at least two more starts for the Reds until Montas becomes available again, but he has just a 5.48 ERA and 1.39 WHIP with 17 punchouts in 23 frames (five appearances) and won't be a convincing streamer in Tuesday's scheduled road start against the San Diego Padres.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Justin Steele (hamstring) threw 47 pitches in 2 1/3 innings in an extended spring game on Friday in Arizona. Steele will continue his rehab program there for now, but pitching coach Tommy Hottovy said on Thursday that the hurler should be able to start shifting into a five-day routine following his recent period of building up his workload. The 28-year-old star left-hander is recuperating from a strained left hamstring, and while it's unclear how long his rehab stint will last, Steele might be able to get back into Chicago's rotation in early May if all continues to go well in his recovery. Rookie right-hander Ben Brown has shown some promise with a 3.72 ERA (2.88 FIP), 1.03 WHIP, and 18:6 K:BB over 19 1/3 innings (six appearances) for the Cubs, and he'll be a decent streaming option for fantasy managers in Saturday's scheduled start against the Boston Red Sox.

Miami Marlins starting pitcher Braxton Garrett (shoulder) resumed his rehab assignment on Friday with Triple-A Jacksonville, giving up two runs on four hits and no walks with four strikeouts in three innings. It was a 59-pitch outing out of Garrett, who is on the mend in his recovery from a left shoulder impingement after a bout of dead arm. While his next start is not going to come with the major-league roster, Garrett should be an option for Miami's banged-up rotation and fantasy managers in early May, barring any setbacks. Last year, the 26-year-old left-hander recorded a 3.66 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, and a remarkable 156:29 K:BB through 159 2/3 innings (31 appearances) and should be stashed in the majority of fantasy leagues. Unless the Marlins recall top prospect Max Meyer from the minor leagues, look for former top prospect Sixto Sanchez to get another turn as a starter in Tuesday's favorable home matchup with the Colorado Rockies.

Miami Marlins third baseman Jake Burger (oblique) completed a full on-field workout ahead of Friday's game versus the division-rival Washington Nationals, throwing across the diamond for the first time since suffering a strained left oblique. Burger still has to progress to batting practice on the machine, but it's encouraging to see he's improving in his recovery. The 28-year-old infielder was slashing .228/.281/.421 with three home runs, two doubles, 15 RBI, and eight runs scored over 64 plate appearances (16 games) before heading to the injured list, and he's tracking toward a minor-league rehab assignment in early May and a return to the Marlins sometime in the middle of May. In Burger's stead, Emmanuel Rivera has served as Miami's primary third baseman but isn't producing enough to warrant consideration for a roster spot in the vast majority of fantasy leagues.

The Arizona Diamondbacks announced that starting pitcher Zac Gallen (hamstring) left Friday's start against the Seattle Mariners due to tightness in his right hamstring. Before exiting, Gallen surrendered three runs on three hits and one walk with three strikeouts over five innings of work. He was pulled from the game after his 64th pitch in the sixth inning and relieved by Scott McGough. Although the extent of the setback won't be known until Gallen is evaluated further, the D-backs and fantasy managers should be relieved the ace isn't dealing with an injury to his throwing arm. It remains to be seen if Gallen will need a trip to the injured list, or if he'll just need his next turn in the rotation skipped, but his next start is tentatively slated for Wednesday's series finale versus the division-rival Los Angeles Dodgers. The 28-year-old workhorse right-hander owns a 3.38 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, and 35:9 K:BB over 32 frames (six starts) this year.

Arizona Diamondbacks closer Paul Sewald (oblique) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Saturday, and the team will likely have him appear in another rehab game if all goes well there. There was some optimism that Sewald's next appearance would come for the major-league club, but it sounds like fantasy managers will have to wait a few more days before the hurler is reinstated from the 15-day injured list due to a strained left oblique. Look for the 33-year-old right-hander to re-enter Arizona's bullpen and reclaim his closing gig sometime during Week 5 of fantasy baseball, which begins on Monday with a three-game series versus the division-rival Los Angeles Dodgers. Righty Kevin Ginkel owns a solid 3.48 ERA (2.85 FIP), 1.16 WHIP, and 11:2 K:BB with four saves through 10 1/3 innings, but fantasy managers should be trying to make other arrangements for saves before he reverts to a setup role upon Sewald's return.

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Blake Snell (groin) resumed playing catch on flat ground on Friday, which is a good sign for a player who is dealing with a multi-week absence due to a strained left groin. Snell believes he can rejoin San Fran's rotation right around May 7, when he's first eligible for activation from the 15-day injured list. The 31-year-old reigning National League Cy Young Award winner has obviously been a massive fantasy bust with an 11.57 ERA, 1.97 WHIP, and 12:5 K:BB through 11 2/3 innings (three starts), but his elite strikeout upside when healthy means he can't be jettisoned to any waiver wires. In the interim, former second-round pick Sean Hjelle may be needed as a starter for the Giants and has a 5.79 ERA and 0.85 WHIP with two punchouts and one walk in 4 2/3 frames this year. He'd line up for a decent matchup with the Boston Red Sox at some point next week in this case.

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Alex Cobb (hip, shoulder) has been held back from throwing activities the last few days as he's still experiencing soreness in his shoulder. He is scheduled to see Dr. Ken Akizuki Friday night. Cobb had been working his way back from a hip surgery he had in October and started to experience some setbacks after throwing a bullpen session a few weeks ago. The 36-year-old won't be eligible to come off the injured list until late May, but these setbacks may push his return further into June. This isn't the news the Giants wanted to hear after needing to put newly acquired Blake Snell on the 15-day injured list this week. Cobb will have a rotation spot available for him when he returns, but fantasy managers and Giants fans will need to exercise patience for a couple more months for that moment.

San Francisco Giants second baseman Thairo Estrada (hamstring) is not in the Giants' lineup for their Friday night tilt against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Estrada was removed from Wednesday's game against the Mets after dealing with hamstring tightness. As of now, Estrada is considered day-to-day. The 28-year-old is slashing .232/.253/.400 on the year so his impact to the Giants and fantasy managers' lineups may be fairly negligible. Tyler Fitzgerald is getting the start in his place and will bat eighth. Should Estrada return this weekend he would see Martin Perez on Saturday and Pirates rookie Jared Jones on Sunday.

San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado has been activated off the paternity leave list on Friday. That is great news after Machado missed a few games earlier in the week due to a personal matter. He's batting fourth and covering third base during Friday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies. In a corresponding move, infielder Matthew Batten has been optioned to the minors. Fantasy managers should make sure to get Machado back in their lineups.

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that right-hander Walker Buehler (elbow) will make another minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Oklahoma City next Tuesday. If all goes well, Buehler will then be activated to make his 2024 debut with the Dodgers. The 29-year-old hasn't pitched in a major-league game since 2022, but he got up to 86 pitches in 4 1/4 innings in his latest rehab start on Wednesday at Oklahoma City despite giving up five runs (three earned). His numbers on his rehab start have been nothing to write home about -- a 4.86 ERA, 1.68 WHIP, 16 strikeouts and nine walks in 16 2/3 innings -- but the most important thing is that he's healthy. Buehler could have some ups and downs early on with LA, but if he can show any of his pre-injury form in 2024, he has the potential to be a huge fantasy asset down the stretch.

Milwaukee Brewers veteran left-hander Wade Miley (elbow) needs Tommy John surgery and will spend the next 10 to 12 months rehabbing and then decide whether to continue his career. It's a tough break for the 37-year-old southpaw and the Brewers. Fantasy baseball managers that were stashing Miley in deeper leagues can now officially let go. "I've always said I want to go out on my own [terms]," Miley said. "I still feel like I've got more in the tank." While it sounds like the 14-year veteran wants to give it a shot to come back at some point in 2025, it's fair to wonder if he's already thrown his final pitch in the big leagues. Even if Miley rehabs for a comeback next season, he'll be off the radar in most fantasy formats. The former 43rd overall pick by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2008 out of Southeastern Louisiana gave up five earned runs with four walks and two K's in his two starts in 2024.

Atlanta Braves outfielder Jarred Kelenic is out of the starting lineup on Friday with the team facing a left-handed pitcher. Veteran Adam Duvall will instead get the start in left field and will bat ninth against the visiting Cleveland Guardians and left-hander Logan Allen. Kelenic is hitting a strong .314 (16-for-51), although he has yet to clear the fences and has driven in only three runs in his first year in Atlanta. He's also only had one plate appearance against a southpaw this year, so fantasy managers should continue to expect him to sit regularly when Atlanta opposes a lefty. Duvall is a career .233 hitters against lefties in 921 plate appearances with 47 homers and 132 RBI. He has two home runs on the season but is a low-upside DFS play in the nine-hole against a pitcher he's never faced in his career.

Washington Nationals manager Dave Martinez wants to ease catcher Keibert Ruiz in now that he's returned from a bad case of influenza that caused him to lose 18-20 pounds. It will also give the skipper the opportunity to keep catcher Riley Adams' bat in the lineup on a regular basis after he posted a .793 OPS when he caught 11 of the last 13 games with Ruiz out. "We're definitely going to use him," Martinez said. "One, let him catch. And two, we can also DH Keibert like we've done in the past and let him continue to catch. He's done a great job. He's learned a lot over the years. He's really coming into his own. It's good to have him, to watch him play and to watch him get better every day he's out there." As long as the 27-year-old continues to play several times a week, he'll be valuable in two-catcher fantasy leagues.

Washington Nationals third baseman Nick Senzel (illness) remains under the weather on Friday against the Miami Marlins and is not in the starting lineup. Rookie Trey Lipscomb will get the nod at the hot corner and will hit out of the eight-hole against Marlins right-hander Anthony Maldonado, who will be making his major-league debut. Senzel was scratched from Thursday's lineup, so this will be his second straight missed game. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues will want to check back on Saturday to see if Senzel is feeling well enough to play. The 28-year-old opened the year on the injured list and has only five hits (two home runs) in his first 25 at-bats with the Nationals. Lipscomb has gone 11-for-53 (.208) with a homer, four RBI and four steals in his first 16 big-league games this year.

St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn is getting the day off on Friday versus the New York Mets on the road. It's a standard rest day for Winn after he started the previous nine games. He's off to a great start in 2024 with a .313/.385/.418 slash line with an .803 OPS, no home runs, three doubles, two triples, six RBI, four stolen bases and nine runs scored in his first 23 games in his first full season as the team's starting shortstop. Despite the strong start, he's barely hitting over .200 in his last nine contests, so the rest day is warranted. The 22-year-old should be back in there on Saturday. Veteran Brandon Crawford is at the 6 and is batting eighth on Friday against Mets right-hander Jose Butto. Crawford will be facing Butto for the first time in his career.

New York Mets right-hander Tylor Megill (shoulder) is scheduled to start a minor-league rehab assignment on Saturday and throw two innings for High-A Brooklyn. Megill is getting close to returning to the big leagues while recovering from a right-shoulder strain that he suffered during his season debut on March 31 against the Milwaukee Brewers. The 28-year-old will probably need more than one rehab start before the Mets activate him from the injured list. When fully healthy, Megill should have a spot in New York's starting rotation, making him worth a deep-league pickup for pitching depth. He ended up making 25 starts for the Mets in 2023 and held a 4.70 ERA (4.96 FIP) and 1.57 WHIP with a career-high 105 strikeouts and 58 walks in 126 1/3 innings pitched.

New York Mets right-hander Kodai Senga (shoulder) threw an up-and-down bullpen session on Thursday and is scheduled to face hitters for the first time on Monday. Senga will be facing hitters for the first time since suffering a shoulder capsule strain in late February in spring training. It's good news for the 31-year-old, but he still has many boxes to check before he's able to embark on a minor-league rehab assignment. Because Senga is on the 60-day injured list, he won't be eligible to make his 2024 debut for the Mets until late May, if he's even ready by then. Fantasy baseball managers must continue to practice patience and keep him stashed in an IL spot after he posted a 2.98 ERA and 1.22 WHIP with 202 strikeouts and 77 walks in 166 1/3 innings over 29 starts in his first year in the majors in 2023.

New York Yankees designated hitter J.D. Martinez (back) is hitting fifth in his debut with the team on Friday against the visiting St. Louis Cardinals and right-hander Miles Mikolas. Martinez is getting a late start to the 2024 campaign after signing with the team late in March. The 36-year-old veteran then tweaked his back while playing in extended spring training, further delaying his debut. Martinez is back now, though, and will give first baseman Pete Alonso more protection in the lineup. Martinez hit a strong .271/.321/.572 with 33 home runs with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2023, and while he can still provide some decent pop in mixed fantasy leagues, nobody should be expecting him to be quite that good in New York. The Mets plan to ease Martinez back in, so don't be surprised to see him get frequent days of rest.

The Miami Marlins placed left-hander Jesus Luzardo (elbow) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to April 23) on Friday with left-elbow tightness and recalled right-hander Anthony Maldonado from Triple-A Jacksonville in a corresponding move. The Marlins scratched Luzardo from his start on Friday against the Washington Nationals, and now he's going to miss at least the next two weeks. The 26-year-old southpaw first felt pain in his elbow while playing catch on Thursday but doesn't think he'll be out for too long. We should know more after the Marlins reveal the results of the tests on Luzardo's left arm. Maldonado is the team's No. 18 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, but he hasn't gone more than two innings in any of his minor-league appearances this year and is likely to be sent back to Jacksonville after his major-league debut on Friday.