San Diego Padres right-hander Joe Musgrove (elbow) is aiming to return from the 15-day injured list this weekend to start on Sunday in Atlanta against the Braves. Musgrove threw a bullpen session on Monday and was expected to throw another one on Wednesday, and it looks like he's shown enough to convince the Padres that he doesn't need to go on a minor-league rehab assignment before returning to the starting rotation. The 31-year-old veteran went on the injured list on May 5 with right-elbow inflammation and was 3-3 with an elevated 6.37 ERA and 1.51 WHIP with 36 strikeouts in 41 innings over his eight starts to begin 2024. Although Musgrove looked much better in his last outing against the Cincinnati Reds, fantasy managers will be rolling the dice if they go with him in his first start off the IL on Sunday against the strong offense of the Braves.

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Reynaldo Lopez (back) is listed as the probable starter for Sunday's matchup against the visiting San Diego Padres. After exiting Monday's appearance against the Chicago Cubs following 71 pitches due to back tightness, Lopez is good to go for his next scheduled start and won't need to miss any time. The hard-throwing 30-year-old right-hander has been a pleasant surprise out of Atlanta's rotation over seven starts in 2024, compiling a 1.34 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 40:16 K:BB in 40 1/3 innings thus far during his first season with the Braves. With that said, Lopez owns a 3.72 xERA on Baseball Savant and could be in for some regression at some point. The Padres entered Wednesday's action ranking fifth in the major leagues in both average (.255) and runs scored (211) covering 45 games.

The plan is for New York Yankees infielder DJ LeMahieu (foot) to start a minor-league rehab assignment on Thursday or Friday with Double-A Somerset. LeMahieu will need a decent amount of games in the minors since he hasn't played in nearly two months. However, he did get some more live at-bats at the team's spring training complex on Wednesday. The 35-year-old veteran has yet to play in 2024 due to an injured right foot that just hasn't healed completely. LeMahieu had already started a rehab assignment late in April before playing in just one game before he was shut down. But he's ramped up his baseball activities of late and could finally be on the cusp of making his season debut with the Bombers. When LeMahieu finally returns, he'll likely be eased into playing time at third base in the Bronx. The three-time All-Star will be looking to bounce back after a disappointing 2023 season in which he hit only .243 (121-for-497) with 15 home runs and 44 RBI.

San Diego Padres right-hander Joe Musgrove (elbow) threw a light bullpen session on Monday, marking the first time he'd done so since he was placed on the 15-day injured list after his May 1 start due to right-elbow inflammation. Musgrove is scheduled for another bullpen on Wednesday, with manager Mike Shildt noting that if all goes well, Musgrove is trending toward making his return during the team's series from May 17-20 in Atlanta against the Braves. Musgrove has had a tough season to this point, sporting a 6.37 ERA in eight starts, but his most recent outing was his sharpest, when he gave up just two runs and struck out nine in six innings of work against the Cincinnati Reds. The 31-year-old veteran still has time to turn things around and should be plucked off the waiver wire if he's available in your league, although starting him this weekend if he returns to face the Braves would be a risky proposition.

Texas Rangers right-hander Max Scherzer (elbow, neck, triceps) said he has had MRI exams on his elbow, neck and triceps and all of the imaging has come back clean. Scherzer is going to attempt to play light catch on Wednesday and will learn to manage his neck issue. The 39-year-old three-time Cy Young winner had surgery on Dec. 15 to fix a disc issue in his back and was hoping to return in May, but he was placed on the 60-day injured list on Wednesday and now won't be eligible to return before May 27. A recent thumb injury caused him to be shut down, which essentially assured that he wouldn't make his season debut for the defending champions until June. For now, there's no timeline on Scherzer's return, although his Hall of Fame resume makes him deserving of being stashed in all fantasy leagues.

Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner (hamstring) went through agility drills on Wednesday less than two weeks after suffering a left-hamstring strain. He also took ground balls. "There is no timeline," according to manager Rob Thomson. However, The Athletic's Matt Gelb writes that Turner doesn't look like a player that will miss another four weeks. It's a good sign for Turner's fantasy managers, but the Phillies could still slow-play the All-Star shortstop to make sure he doesn't aggravate his hammy when he returns. The 30-year-old needs to be stashed in an injured-list spot in all fantasy formats. In the meantime, Edmundo Sosa should continue to see most of the action at the 6 in Philadelphia. Before his injury, Turner was hitting a cool .343/.392/.460 with an .852 OPS, two home runs, nine RBI and 10 stolen bases in 137 at-bats.

The Oakland Athletics placed left-hander Alex Wood (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to May 13) with left rotator-cuff tendonitis and also optioned left-hander Brady Basso to Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday. In corresponding moves, right-hander Aaron Brooks' contract was selected from the minors and left-hander Hogan Harris was recalled from Vegas. Infielder Darrell Hernaiz (ankle) was also moved to the 60-day IL. The 33-year-old Wood is eligible to return on May 28, but it's unlikely the veteran will make it back by then. His left shoulder was bothering him in his last start on Sunday against the Mariners, but Wood hasn't been very good in his nine starts in 2024, going 1-3 with a 5.26 ERA and 1.78 WHIP with 33 K's in 39 1/3 frames. It's unclear who will take his rotation spot, but Brooks is coming up for a spot start on Wednesday versus the Houston Astros.

Seattle Mariners catcher/designated hitter Mitch Garver (back) and second baseman Jorge Polanco (hamstring) are both out of the lineup on Wednesday against the visiting Kansas City Royals. Garver was scratched from Tuesday's lineup due to back spasms and will miss his second straight game. Polanco will also sit out for the second day in a row due to a tight right hamstring. Mitch Haniger is the DH and is hitting third on Wednesday, with Josh Rojas at second base and batting leadoff against Royals right-hander Alec Marsh. Luke Raley is in right field and is batting fifth. Fantasy managers should consider both Garver and Polanco day-to-day and check back to see if they are back in the lineup on Friday for the series opener against the Orioles in Baltimore. Rojas doesn't have much power but has been swinging a hot bat this year with a .333 average (36-for-108) with three homers, eight RBI and four stolen bases.

Colorado Rockies first baseman/outfielder Kris Bryant (back) started his minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Albuquerque on Tuesday and went 0-for-2 with a walk and a run scored while playing five innings of defense at first base. Manager Bud Black said the plan is for Bryant to join the Rockies in San Francisco against the Giants on Friday. Tuesday was the first time that the 32-year-old former MVP has played in a game since going on the shelf with a lower-back strain a month ago. The Rockies will mostly likely ease Bryant back into action if he indeed joins the big-league club this weekend in San Francisco. Bryant hasn't been able to stay healthy since joining the Rockies and was hitting just .149/.273/.255 in 13 games this year before he landed on the injured list.

Colorado Rockies catcher Elias Diaz (hand) will rest in the series finale on Wednesday in San Diego against the Padres after leaving Tuesday's contest in the third inning with left-hand soreness. Diaz had similar issues flare up before, according to manager Bud Black, indicating a longer absence isn't expected. And with a scheduled off day coming on Thursday, Diaz could be back in the lineup for the series opener on Friday in San Francisco against the Giants. In his lone plate appearance on Tuesday, the 33-year-old backstop struck out. With Diaz resting on Wednesday, Jacob Stallings will likely get the start behind the dish against Padres right-hander Michael King. Diaz has been one of the best hitting catchers in baseball so far in 2024, as he's slashing .299/.342/.423 with three home runs and 21 RBI in 137 at-bats.

Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Brice Turang, outfielder Christian Yelich and first baseman Jake Bauers are all getting the day off on Wednesday with a left-hander on the mound for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Joey Ortiz is starting at second base and is batting third, rookie Jackson Chourio is in left field and is batting eighth, and Owen Miller is manning first base and is hitting seventh against Pirates left-hander Martin Perez. Turang has been hot of late and has served as Milwaukee's leadoff hitter the previous seven games, batting .296 with two steals and three RBI. Yelich has been hot all year and has picked up where he left off since returning from the injured list with a back injury, as he's gone 10-for-25 (.400) with three RBI since May 8. Ortiz, who's hitting .261 with three homers and 11 RBI in 92 at-bats this year, could be worth looking into as a DFS sleeper on Wednesday in the three-hole.

Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter Justin Turner (illness) is not in the team's starting lineup on Wednesday against the Baltimore Orioles. Turner was under the weather on Tuesday and was scheduled to sit out, but the contest in Baltimore was postponed due to inclement weather. However, the 39-year-old veteran is still feeling bad on Wednesday and will not play. The Blue Jays have a scheduled day off on Thursday, so perhaps Turner is feeling good enough to play on Friday in the series opener against the Tampa Bay Rays. The left-handed hitting Daniel Vogelbach is serving as the DH on Wednesday and will hit seventh against Orioles right-hander Kyle Bradish. On the year to this point, Turner is slashing a modest .250/.321/.411 with four home runs, 16 RBI and 17 runs scored in his first 36 games with Toronto.

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder George Springer (illness) is back in Wednesday's lineup against the Baltimore Orioles. Springer has been under the weather of late and missed a couple games over the weekend before returning to Sunday's contest. The 34-year-old veteran was feeling sick again on Tuesday, though, and was set to be held out again before the game was postponed due to inclement weather. He's back in right field and is hitting in his customary leadoff spot against Orioles right-hander Kyle Bradish. Fantasy managers may want to keep Springer on the bench despite his return, as he's gone just 5-for-31 (.161) in eight games so far in May and is hitting an even .200 (29-for-145) on the year to this point with only three home run, six RBI, six stolen bases and 13 runs scored in his first 37 games played. In his career against Bradish, Springer is hitting .412 with a 1.236 OPS, a homer and three RBI in 17 at-bats.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jameson Taillon suffered his first loss of the season on Tuesday versus the Atlanta Braves. The veteran entered the contest having allowed three runs over his first four contests, but allowed seven runs (two earned) over four innings. He also gave up seven hits with three walks and two strikeouts. Taillon did not help himself out with his own error and allowing seven hits and three walks is never a positive sign. Overall, Taillon is now 3-1 with a 1.61 ERA heading into Sunday's contest versus the Pittsburgh Pirates. Taillon is worth streaming in favorable matchups, but should not be rostered outside of the deepest leagues.

Seattle Mariners catcher/designated hitter Mitch Garver (back) was scratched from Tuesday's lineup against the Royals with spasms in his upper back and trapezius area, per Seattle Times' Ryan Divish. The 33-year-old did miss some time earlier this season with back spasms, although it was reported that his current spasms are unrelated. Garver, who has struggled offensively with a .174/.287/.347 slash line in 143 plate appearances, should be considered day-to-day unless the team releases further news.

Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman continued to heat up offensively in Tuesday's 2-1 extra-innings win over the Athletics. Bregman went 2-for-4 with a double, a solo home run, and a strikeout. The 30-year-old is slashing just .225/.293/.358 in 167 plate appearances but has now hit three HR in his last two games and has been hitting much better lately. Bregman is a proven fantasy option and fantasy managers should give him time to figure things out, which he already may be doing.

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Trevor Williams continued his dominant season in Tuesday's Game 1 6-3 win over the White Sox. Williams pitched five innings, allowing three runs (one earned) on four hits (including a solo home run) and a walk with two strikeouts. The 32-year-old has put together a career season, going 4-0 with a 1.94 ERA in eight starts and 41 2/3 IP. His next start will be a tough matchup at the Phillies. Fantasy managers may want to sit him despite his strong numbers.

Los Angeles Angels infielder/designated hitter Miguel Sano (knee) was placed on the 10-day injured list on May 1 with left-knee inflammation in his surgically repaired knee after leaving games early on April 24 and 26 with left-knee soreness. Sano has been taking ground balls, but his knee continues to bother him when he swings a bat. The 31-year-old is not going to be ready to return from the injured list anytime soon. Willie Calhoun could continue to see at-bats as the Halos' designated hitter until/if Sano is able to return. The Angels are pretty beat up on the infield, but they could be getting Luis Rengifo (illness) back this weekend to play third base regularly. Before injuring his surgically repaired knee, Sano was hitting .262 (16-for-61) with a homer and five RBI in his first 21 games with the organization. Sano didn't play at all in 2023.