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.

Miami Marlins right-handed pitching prospect Anthony Maldonado has been called up from Triple-A Jacksonville to start on Friday against the Washington Nationals after left-hander Jesus Luzardo was scratched after experiencing left-elbow discomfort. Maldonado, the team's No. 18 prospect per MLB Pipeline, will be making his major-league debut and won't be a recommended streamer for fantasy managers. The 26-year-old has posted a 2.31 ERA and 0.77 WHIP with 10 strikeouts and four walks in 11 2/3 innings at Jacksonville this year, but he hasn't gone more than two innings in any of his eight outings on the farm in 2024. Don't expect that to change in what will essentially be a bullpen game for the Fish to start the series against the Nats. Kyle Tyler is probably the best bet for the bulk role for Miami on Friday.

Chicago Cubs top prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong blasted the first home run of his major-league career during Thursday's 3-1 win over the Houston Astros. The 22-year-old came to the plate with a man on in a tie game and smoked a Bryan Abreu offering into the seats. Crow-Armstrong is one of the top outfield prospects in baseball and should see steady playing time with Cody Bellinger (rib) sidelined for a while. Crow-Armstrong was struggling in Triple-A prior to being called up, but his speed and power blend make him worthy of a speculative add in the short-term.

Colorado Rockies outfielder Hunter Goodman is in the starting lineup and will hit eighth while manning right field against the San Diego Padres and right-hander Randy Vasquez. The 24-year-old was called up from Triple-A Albuquerque on Wednesday and went 0-for-2 with a strikeout in a pair of pinch-hitting plate appearances but will get his first start in the big leagues this season on Thursday. Goodman debuted with the Rockies last season but struggled to a .200 average with just one homer and one stolen base across 77 plate appearances. However, he has demolished Triple-A pitching to the tune of a .298 average with seven homers, 22 RBI, and a 1.042 OPS across 20 games so far this season. He is worth a deep-league add given the light-tower power he has displayed throughout his minor-league tenure.

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Landon Knack earned his first career win on Wednesday in an 11-2 victory over the Nationals. The righty made his first career start against these same Nationals last week but came away with the loss despite pitching well. This time, the 26-year-old went six innings, allowing just three hits (one home run) while walking three batters and striking out five on his way to the win. With Walker Buehler nearing his return, however, Knack likely heads back to the minors. If these two starts were any indication though, he could be a viable DFS play or streaming option if he were recalled again, depending on the matchup.

Chicago Cubs outfield prospect Brennen Davis went 2-for-4 with a three-run homer for Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday. His home run came off Alek Manoah in the top of the third inning. This was the outfielders first game in Iowa this season after returning from an arm injury that he suffered in spring training. Davis, 24, has slowly dropped from the Cubs top prospect over the past few seasons and injuries have been a big reason as he likely would have made his debut sometime in the past two seasons. Davis offers good power potential, but the Cubs have already promoted outfield prospects Alexander Canario and Pete Crow-Armstrong, so for now Davis will continue to swing the bat for Iowa. Outside of deeper dynasty leagues, Davis can be ignored for now.

Colorado Rockies outfield prospect Yanquiel Fernandez went 2-for-4 with a three-run homer in Wednesday's contest for Double-A Hartford. The home run for Cuban was absolutely crushed and marked his second of the season. The 21-year-old is a consensus Top-100 prospect is now hitting .243 with 12 RBI on the season. Fernandez is a very aggressive hitter, but he makes good contact and is only beginning to tap into his power potential, which should play very well in his future home of Coors Field. It is unlikely that Fernandez will make his big-league debut in 2024, but it is realistic that 2025 could be a big year for him. The Rockies do not have much to be excited about at the big-league club, but Fernandez offers excitement for patient fans. He should be rostered in dynasty leagues and redraft managers should file his name away for the future.

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.

Miami Marlins catcher Christian Bethancourt (illness) has been activated from the 10-day injured list on Wednesday. The 32-year-old will return to the field after missing the last week or so due to an illness. His return won't mean too much for fantasy managers as Bethancourt has struggled this season. He's hitless through 23 plate appearances, so fantasy managers can look elsewhere for help. Jhonny Pereda has been optioned to Triple-A Jacksonville to make room for Bethancourt on the active roster.

The Colorado Rockies announced on Wednesday that they recalled utility man Hunter Goodman from Triple-A Albuquerque and optioned infielder/outfielder Michael Toglia to Albuquerque in a corresponding move. Goodman, the club's No. 12 prospect per MLB Pipeline, gets called up to the majors after hitting .298 with seven home runs and 10 doubles in the first 20 games at Triple-A this year. The 24-year-old former fourth-round pick in 2021 out of Memphis made his big-league debut in 2023 and went 14-for-70 (.200) with a homer, 17 RBI, five walks and 24 strikeouts in his first 23 games played in the Show. For now, he's merely a waiver-wire option for fantasy managers in deep leagues for his power upside at Coors Field. He figures to see some playing time in right field and first base, but he's not start in Wednesday against the visiting San Diego Padres.

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.

The Chicago Cubs called up outfield prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong from Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday with outfielder Cody Bellinger (rib) landing on the 10-day injured list due to a rib fracture, according to manager Craig Counsell. Crow-Armstrong is the team's top prospect, per MLB Pipeline, and deserves immediate waiver-wire consideration in mixed fantasy leagues, as he could take over primary center-field duties in Chicago until Bellinger is able to return. The 22-year-old former 19th overall pick in 2020 by the New York Mets was hitting just .203 (16-for-79) with two home runs, seven RBI and five stolen bases at Iowa before the call-up. He's more advanced defensively at this point than offensively, but his speed alone could make him valuable in the short-term.

Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said that right-hander Ryne Nelson (elbow) will throw a bullpen session at Salt River Fields on Wednesday, and it sounds like it could be close to the minimum 15 days on the injured list for him. Nelson was hit by a comebacker on his elbow and was put on the 15-day injured list last week, but he appears to be making good progress and could be ready to return when he's eligible on May 4. The 26-year-old former second-round pick in 2019 out of Oregon should have a starting rotation spot waiting for him in Arizona when he's ready. In his first four starts this year in his third major-league season, Nelson has gone 1-2 with a 4.60 ERA and 1.53 WHIP with five walks and 13 strikeouts covering 15 2/3 frames.

Chicago Cubs outfielder Mike Tauchman went 2-for-3 with a walk and four RBI in Tuesday's victory against the Houston Astros. Both of the outfielder's hits were home runs, his first and second of the season. Tauchman has been on a heater lately and has nine hits over his last 20 at-bats. For the season, Tauchman is hitting a respectable .283 with two homers and seven RBI to go along with 13 runs scored. With Seiya Suzuki (oblique) sidelined, Tauchman has gotten every day reps and has taken the most of the opportunity. As long as he keeps hitting, he is worth a look in deeper leagues. The outfielder will look to stay hot on Wednesday in a rematch against the Astros and rookie starting pitcher Spencer Arrighetti.

Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman/outfielder Pavin Smith started as the designated hitter on Tuesday versus the St. Louis Cardinals and had himself a big game. Smith went 2-for-5 with two runs, a home run and six RBI. His home run was a grand slam against Zack Thompson in the top of the sixth inning. Smith was recalled on April 19 and was 0-for-5 entering Tuesday's contest. Smith has shown power in the past, but that is about it and without regular playing time, he can remain on the waiver wire.

Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Yency Almonte recorded his first save of the season in Tuesday's victory against the Houston Astros. Almonte got the final four outs of the contest with one strikeout and no hits or walks allowed. The Cubs bullpen has been a bit of a mess in the early goings with closer Adbert Alzolay struggling to open the season, but managers should not expect Almonte to be the new closer with Alzolay still in the picture and Mark Leiter Jr. and Hector Neris ahead of him. Almonte can safely remain on the waiver wire.

Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Blake Treinen (lung) is starting a rehab assignment this week, and he will need three or four outings before he's ready to return to the major-league roster. On the mend from a bruised lung that he sustained on March 9, Treinen should be back to help LA's bullpen by the beginning of May. The 35-year-old veteran right-hander missed most of the 2022 campaign and all of last season following shoulder surgery, and while he'll be in line for the occasional save opportunity based on closer Evan Phillips' availability, Treinen's fantasy value will be more pronounced in leagues that count holds. With right-handers Joe Kelly and Ryan Brasier struggling to begin to 2024 regular season, look for Treinen to become the Dodgers' primary righty setup man before long. In his last full season during 2021, Treinen posted a 1.99 ERA (2.88 FIP), 0.98 WHIP, and 85:25 K:BB over 72 2/3 innings.

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Cade Cavalli (elbow) threw a 60-pitch bullpen session at the team's spring complex in West Palm Beach, Florida on Tuesday, and his velocity reached 96 mph. Cavalli is recovering from last year's Tommy John surgery and isn't expected to be available for the Nats until sometime later this summer, but it's encouraging to hear he's progressing in his throwing program. The 25-year-old former first-round pick is Washington's No. 5 prospect for 2024, per MLB Pipeline, and figures to eventually pick up starts on a rebuilding club and carry some mixed-league fantasy relevance at some point during the second half of the season, but his time may not come until the late stages of the campaign. Dynasty managers should be keeping a closer eye on his status than those in redraft settings.

San Francisco Giants shortstop prospect Marco Luciano tallied three RBI en route to Tuesday's victory, increasing his season total to 13. After getting a small taste of the major leagues last season, the Giants sent down the 22-year-old to continue his development in Triple-A. Luciano has performed well early in the season, posting a .303/.419/.382 slash line with six extra-base hits and three stolen bases. Luciano is expected to return to the major leagues later in the summer and is worth keeping an eye on in deeper re-draft formats.

The Texas Rangers have signed starting pitcher Johnny Cueto to a minor-league contract on Tuesday. The 38-year-old lands a deal with the defending World Series champions after a rough year with the Miami Marlins. Cueto posted a 6.02 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, and a 39/15 K/BB ratio over 52 1/3 innings with the Marlins last season. It's uncertain what Cueto still has left in the tank, but he'll at least be additional depth for the organization. Cueto has plenty of experience but is unlikely to offer any kind of fantasy value.