Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Yasmani Grandal (groin), outfielder Jack Suwinski and first baseman Rowdy Tellez are all sitting on Wednesday with the team facing San Francisco Giants left-hander Blake Snell, who is making his first start off the injured list. Joey Bart will do the catching and bat seventh, Michael Taylor is in center field and hitting ninth, and Connor Joe is at first base and batting third against Snell. Grandal left Tuesday's game against the Giants late with left-groin soreness. The Pirates have catcher Grant Koch on the taxi squad, so there's a chance the 35-year-old veteran could land on the injured list. With ... [More]

Detroit Tigers right-hander Shelby Miller (elbow) completed a successful bullpen session on Tuesday. It was the first time that he had thrown off a mound since going on the injured list on May 13 with right ulnar nerve inflammation. The 33-year-old veteran will need to slowly build his arm back up with several more bullpen sessions before he's cleared to face live hitters in batting practice sessions or on a minor-league rehab assignment. Given the fact that Miller is now in a relief role, it shouldn't take him as long to return, which means he has a shot to come off the injured list before June. Miller isn't really on the fantasy radar at all and is currently 3-4 in 2024 with a 4.41 ERA (4.37 FIP) and 1.04 WHIP with six walks and 15 strikeouts in 16 1/3 innings pitched in 15 appearances out of Detroit's bullpen.

Detroit Tigers right-hander Kenta Maeda (illness) threw a bullpen session at Kauffman Stadium on Wednesday and is lined up to start on Saturday or Sunday against the Toronto Blue Jays. Maeda is attempting to return to the Tigers' starting rotation after landing on the injured list with a viral illness in mid-May. The 36-year-old veteran pitched in a minor-league rehab game last week and appears to be feeling good enough to rejoin the team this weekend. The matchup against Toronto isn't a bad one, but fantasy managers should still be very hesitant to throw Maeda back into the fire as a streamer this weekend. In seven starts before going on the shelf, the Japanese hurler went 1-1 with a 6.75 ERA and 1.40 WHIP with only 23 strikeouts in 30 2/3 innings pitched.

Houston Astros first baseman Jose Abreu will remain in West Palm Beach and play Florida Complex League games on Wednesday and Thursday before reporting to Triple-A Sugar Land this weekend, according to manager Joe Espada. It was reported earlier this week that Abreu could rejoin the big-league roster by Friday for the series opener against the Oakland Athletics, but it looks like that won't be the case. The 37-year-old veteran Cuban slugger agreed to head to the minors after starting the 2024 season with a lowly .099 average (7-for-71) with no homers, three RBI and 18 strikeouts in his first 22 games. He's played in four games in the FCL so far, going 6-for-18 (.333) with two doubles and two RBI. When Abreu does return to the Astros, it could just be in a platoon role at first base with the left-handed-hitting Jon Singleton.

Kansas City Royals outfielder Hunter Renfroe will head to the bench for Wednesday's contest as the Royals go for the sweep against the visiting Detroit Tigers in the series finale. Renfroe has gone 6-for-24 (.250) with a homer and five RBI in his last seven games since May 12, but overall he's been bad this year with a .160/.236/.282 slash line with four home runs, 18 RBI and 15 runs scored in 144 plate appearances over 43 games played in his first year in KC. With Renfroe on the bench, Dairon Blanco is getting the start in right field and will bat seventh against Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal. Blanco has three hits and two RBI in six career at-bats against Skubal. The 31-year-old Cuban outfielder has been useful for his speed this year in AL-only leagues, as he has 11 thefts in just 44 at-bats in 2024.

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jon Gray (groin) will undergo an MRI after being removed early from Tuesday's start with a right-groin injury. The veteran tossed five innings on 75 pitches before being pulled from the game. Manager Bruce Bochy said that Gray was experiencing tightness in his right groin and it wasn't worth it to keep pushing Gray and potentially injure him more. It seems like the move to remove Gray was more of a precaution than anything, but his MRI will determine the true extent of his injury. Bochy expect Gray to be able to make his next start versus the Minnesota Twins on Sunday. If Gray does miss time, Jack Leiter would be an option for a spot start.

Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Jose Alvarado picked up his ninth save of the season in Tuesday's 5-2 win over the Rangers. Alvarado came in to pitch the top of the ninth inning up by three. He got the first out on a ground-out, had a runner reach on a throwing error and allowed a single, and ended the game with back-to-back strikeouts. The 29-year-old has pitched well overall this season, converting all of his save opportunities with a 3.54 ERA, an 8.85 K/9 rate, and a 3.10 BB/9 rate in 22 appearances. However, Jeff Hoffman, who pitched in the eighth inning of this game, has also pitched well and has converted three of six save opportunities. Alvarado appears to have more fantasy value of the two, but his overall value may remain in the mid-tier if Hoffman continues to see somewhat frequent save chances.

New York Yankees relief pitcher Tommy Kahnle (shoulder) is expected to be recalled from Double-A Somerset on Wednesday, per the Athletic's Chris Kirschner. Left-handed pitcher Clayton Andrews was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after Tuesday's game in a corresponding move. Kahnle has been out with shoulder inflammation since last season but compiled a solid 2.66 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 29.1% strikeout rate with 14 holds in 40 2/3 innings pitched. Given his higher-leverage usage and strong team context, Jahnle will be worth a look in deeper saves-plus-holds leagues.

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell said that veteran right-hander Kyle Hendricks will be moved to the bullpen for now, but the hope is to get Hendricks back on track to eventually return him to the starting rotation. With a bullpen-type game coming on Wednesday against the visiting Atlanta Braves, the 34-year-old could be used in a relief role as perhaps the bulk reliever. Hendricks has already spent time on the injured list this year and just has not looked at all like the pitcher he was in 2023, when he had a 3.74 ERA and 1.20 WHIP in his 24 starts. Through seven starts in 2024, he's gone 0-4 with a rough 10.57 ERA (6.93 FIP) and 1.99 WHIP with 11 walks and 25 strikeouts in 30 2/3 innings. Even if Hendricks eventually returns to a starting role, it will be hard to recommend him in standard 12-team fantasy leagues.

Los Angeles Angels manager Ron Washington gave right-handed reliever a vote of confidence before their game on Tuesday against the Houston Astros. "He's our closer," Washington said. Estevez has been shaky for more of the year, holding a 5.17 ERA through his first 15 games entering Tuesday's contest. He has seven saves and three blown saves. Estevez picked up his seventh save on Monday but allowed a run and would have allowed another if not for Jo Adell robbing a home run. If the Angels change their tune after Estevez took the loss in one-third of an inning in the extra-inning defeat to the Astros on Tuesday, Hunter Strickland would most likely get the next chance at saves. He has a 2.25 ERA and 28 career saves in 10 big-league seasons. Fantasy managers speculating on saves may want to stash Strickland now if he's available. Estevez has only walked two this year but said his four-seam fastball "is a little off."

Texas Rangers head coach Bruce Bochy said that right-hander Jon Gray (groin) left his start early on Tuesday against the Philadelphia Phillies with right-groin tightness after throwing 75 pitches. Gray was hit with his second loss of the season after allowing two earned runs on four hits while walking three and striking out four in his five innings of work to raise his season ERA to a still very solid 2.21. We should know more on the severity of the 32-year-old's groin injury later on Tuesday night or on Wednesday morning. Even if it's not that severe of a strain, the Rangers could play it safe and put Gray on the injured list. At the very least, it seems likely that he won't be able to make his next scheduled start on Sunday against the Minnesota Twins. The good news for the Rangers is that right-hander Dane Dunning (shoulder) is returning from the IL to start on Wednesday in Philly.

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Blake Snell (groin) is expected to be reinstated from the injured list to start Wednesday's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Snell has been out of action since April 19 due to a strained left groin, but he's ready to roll following two strong appearances on his minor-league rehab assignment. It's worth noting that Snell is expecting his first child in the coming days, but at this point in time, manager Bob Melvin feels like he's going to pitch on Wednesday. The hard-throwing 31-year-old left-hander gave up 15 runs over 11 2/3 innings (three starts) before going down, but fantasy managers should feel pretty good about Snell's chances of kick-starting his season in a soft matchup against Pittsburgh.

San Francisco Giants outfielder Michael Conforto (hamstring) has been cleared for on-field batting practice and is nearing a return from the injured list. A right-hamstring strain put Conforto on the 10-day injured list over a week ago, but he appears to be making good progress. The last hurdle that the 31-year-old probably will have to clear is running the bases at full speed, and it remains to be seen if he'll be sent out on a minor-league rehab assignment before returning to San Francisco. Conforto is eligible to return next Wednesday. The Giants could really use him back after recently losing rookie Jung Hoo Lee (shoulder) for the entire season. The left-handed-hitting Conforto was slashing a strong .280/.331/.490 with an .821 OPS, seven home runs and 20 RBI in 143 at-bats for the Giants before tweaking his hammy.

Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Max Muncy (oblique) took ground balls before the game on Monday and is starting up baseball activities after a Grade 1 right-oblique strain landed him on the 10-day injured list last Friday. It's good news that the 33-year-old veteran is already resuming baseball activities, but swinging a bat will be the true test with an oblique injury. It's unclear if the Dodgers will want him to go on a minor-league rehab assignment before returning, but fantasy managers shouldn't expect Muncy to be back from the IL when he's eligible to return. He's currently slashing .223/.323/.475 with nine home runs, 28 RBI and 24 runs scored in his first 139 at-bats on the year. Muncy is going to hurt your fantasy team's batting average, but you can't argue against his pop and RBI opportunities in a loaded Dodgers lineup.

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone is expecting infielder DJ LeMahieu (foot) to return from the 10-day injured list for a series that begins next Tuesday, May 28, against the Los Angeles Angels. When he returns, LeMahieu will be the team's everyday third baseman, which will be bad news for Oswaldo Cabrera, who has been playing regularly at the hot corner this year with LeMahieu sidelined. LeMahieu had his minor-league rehab assignment moved from Double-A Somerset to High-A Hudson Valley after going 2-for-3 with three walks in six plate appearances at Somerset. The 35-year-old is going to be mixed into regular playing time when he returns to the Bronx, but at the very least, LeMahieu deserves to be rostered in deep-mixed fantasy leagues now that he's a week away from making his 2024 debut.

New York Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole (elbow) threw a live batting practice session on Tuesday and said he'll throw two to three more live sessions. Cole's next live batting practice will come this weekend after he threw 20 pitches on Tuesday. The reigning American League Cy Young winner isn't ruling out a June return. It's the first time that the 33-year-old has faced live hitters, a significant step along the way in his recovery since being diagnosed with right-elbow inflammation. Because of how long Cole has been sidelined, he's going to require a lengthy minor-league rehab stint and will not be ready to come off the 60-day injured when he's eligible to return later this month. Cole should not be available on the waiver wire in any fantasy leagues.

The Colorado Rockies reinstated first baseman/outfielder Kris Bryant (back) from the 10-day injured list on Tuesday and optioned outfielder Sean Bouchard to Triple-A Albuquerque in a corresponding move. The Rockies also outrighted infielder Julio Carreras to Albuquerque after he wasn't claimed by another team. Bryant will make his return to the starting lineup on Tuesday, playing first base and batting fifth against Oakland Athletics right-hander Aaron Brooks. The 32-year-old former MVP has been out since being put on the IL on April 17 with a lower-back strain. Since signing a big deal with the Rockies before the 2022 campaign, the four-time All-Star has had trouble staying on the field because of injuries. On top of it, he hasn't played well when he's been on the field. Bryant is returning to a .149/.273/.255 slash line with a homer, six RBI and 18 strikeouts in 13 games in 2024.

Colorado Rockies catcher Elias Diaz (hand) is back in the starting lineup ahead of Tuesday's game against the Oakland Athletics. Diaz will make his return to the lineup after missing each of the last four games due to a hand issue. The 33-year-old was dealing with the issue for weeks before the team decided to shut him down for a few days. Diaz will bat cleanup and cover behind the plate versus right-hander Aaron Brooks. Fantasy managers should make sure to get him back in their lineups.

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Kevin Kiermaier is out of the starting lineup ahead of Tuesday's game against the Chicago White Sox. The Blue Jays will play matchups here and give Kiermaier the night off against tough left-hander Garrett Crochet. In his absence, Daulton Varsho will bat seventh and cover center field on Tuesday. Fantasy managers should adjust their lineups accordingly.