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.

The San Francisco Giants reinstated catcher Patrick Bailey (head) from the seven-day concussion injured list on Tuesday and optioned catcher/outfielder Blake Sabol to Double-A Richmond in a corresponding move. The Giants also added outfielder Ryan McKenna to the active roster. Although Bailey was brought back from the IL on Tuesday, it was Curt Casali who got the start behind the plate for the Giants in Pittsburgh against the Pirates with a left-hander on the mound. Now that he's back, Bailey should return to primary catching duties in San Francisco after opening the year with a strong .280/.340/.451 slash line in 95 plate appearances. The former 13th overall pick in 2020 out of North Carolina State has added three home runs, 11 RBI and 10 runs scored in his 82 at-bats in 2024. Bailey should be back in the starting lineup on Wednesday.

Minnesota Twins third baseman Royce Lewis (quadriceps) ran the bases for the first time on Monday after faring well during change-of-direction work, according to athletic trainer Nick Paparesta. It's another big step in Lewis' rehab process, and the Twins should have a better sense of his progress when they return home on Friday. The 24-year-old strained his right quadriceps muscle on Opening Day on March 28 and has been out ever since. Because of the long layoff, fantasy managers should expect Lewis to be required to go on a lengthy minor-league rehab assignment before the Twins reinstate him from the injured list. In a best-case scenario, he's probably not going to make his return until at least early June. Despite his injury, the former No. 1 overall pick in 2017 should continue to be stashed in all fantasy formats for his power upside.

Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Bobby Miller (shoulder) threw a three-inning simulated game consisting of 51 pitches on Tuesday. Manager Dave Roberts said that next up for Miller will be a minor-league rehab game with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga on Sunday. Because Miller has been out since April 13 with right-shoulder inflammation, fantasy managers shouldn't expect him to return to LA's starting rotation after just one rehab start. However, the 25-year-old is getting much closer to making his return and should be stashed in an IL spot in all fantasy leagues because of his high-end upside on one of the best teams in baseball. The former 29th overall pick in 2020 out of Louisville went 11-4 with an ERA under 4.00 and 119 K's in 124 1/3 innings in his first 22 MLB starts for the Blue in 2023.

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.

Colorado Rockies outfielder Nolan Jones (back, knee) has had his minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Albuquerque halted due to right-knee soreness that he sustained on a slide. Jones had an MRI exam come back clean, but he will still rest for a few days before getting back on the field. It's a delay in his rehab assignment, but his knee injury doesn't appear to be too serious. The 26-year-old left-handed-hitting slugger was originally put on the 10-day injured list on April 30 with a lower-back strain. If he only misses a few more days, there's still a chance that he could return to the Rockies' lineup at some point next week. Fantasy managers are hoping the former second-rounder's slow start in 2024 has more to do with his back injury than anything else. Jones is currently hitting .170 (16-for-94) with just one homer and seven RBI after being a 20-20 guy last year.

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.

The Houston Astros activated outfielder Chas McCormick (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list on Tuesday and optioned outfielder Trey Cabbage to Triple-A Sugar Land in a corresponding move. McCormick is right back in the starting lineup on Tuesday against the visiting Los Angeles Angels and right-hander Griffin Canning, playing left field and batting ninth. The 29-year-old went 5-for-23 with two doubles and a stolen base in six minor-league rehab games before returning to Houston. Rookie Joey Loperfido could cut into some of his playing time, but McCormick should see plenty of at-bats now that he's back with the Astros. The former 21st-round pick in 2017 out of Millersville has little DFS appeal in the nine-hole on Tuesday and will be looking for his first home run of the year after missing all of May to this point.

Chicago Cubs middle infielder Nico Hoerner (hamstring) is back at second base and is hitting sixth in the order on Tuesday against the visiting Atlanta Braves and right-hander Charlie Morton in the series opener. The Cubs now have their starting middle infield back with Hoerner at the keystone and Dansby Swanson at shortstop. This will be Hoerner's first start in more than a week while he dealt with a left-hamstring injury. Hoerner, 27, has been solid at the plate this year and has gone 13-for-45 (.289) with two home runs and five RBI in his 12 games played in May before he suffered a hamstring injury. He might have to knock off a little rust after taking a week off, but fantasy managers in redraft leagues will want to get him back into their lineups. He's hitting .333 in nine career at-bats against Morton.

Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley (intercostal) is sitting yet again on Tuesday against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. The longer Riley sits out, the more likely him landing on the injured list is. The 27-year-old power-hitting right-hander has been sidelined since May 12 with left-intercostal inflammation, but the good news is that he was cleared to take soft swings in the batting cage on Tuesday. Fantasy managers must keep him on their bench and check back on Wednesday to see if he's cleared to rejoin the starting lineup. Zack Short is getting another start at third base on Tuesday and will hit eighth against Cubs right-hander Javier Assad. Short has only six hits in 38 at-bats so far in 2024 with three different teams and should be avoided in DFS.

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Matt Manning will make the start against the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday. It was uncertain what the team was going to do with Kenta Maeda (illness) nearing a return. The plan is for Maeda to throw on Wednesday or Thursday. After that, the Tigers will determine what to do depending on how he feels. For now, Manning will stick in the rotation and make at least one more start. Although, Manning isn't a great streaming option against the tough Blue Jays lineup.

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.

Seattle Mariners infielder Jorge Polanco (hamstring) remains out of the starting lineup ahead of Tuesday's game against the New York Yankees. The good news is that Polanco was available off the bench during Monday's contest. It's a bit odd that he still remains out of the lineup despite being available to bat. The 30-year-old has missed seven straight games. It doesn't sound like he'll need to be placed on the injured list but we'll see what happens over the next few days. Dylan Moore will cover second base and bat ninth versus right-hander Clarke Schmidt on Tuesday.

New York Yankees outfielder Giancarlo Stanton (rest) is out of the starting lineup ahead of Tuesday's game against the Seattle Mariners. The Yanks will give the veteran slugger the night off to rest here. That means, Aaron Judge will serve as the designated hitter, while Trent Grisham gets the start in center field versus right-hander Bryan Woo. The expectation is that Stanton will be back in the lineup after this game.

Boston Red Sox catcher Connor Wong is out of the starting lineup ahead of Tuesday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays. This appears to be a routine rest day for Wong. The Red Sox will play matchups and have Reese McGuire behind the plate versus a right-handed starter. McGuire will bat seventh versus righty Zack Littell on Tuesday. Fantasy managers should adjust their lineups before first pitch.

Tampa Bay Rays infielders Yandy Diaz and Jose Caballero are out of the starting lineup ahead of Tuesday's game against the Boston Red Sox. Fantasy managers shouldn't be worried as this appears to be routine rest day for both players. Jonathan Aranda will cover first base with Brandon Lowe playing second and Amed Rosario is at shortstop for Tuesday's game. Fantasy managers should adjust their lineups accordingly.

Minnesota Twins left-handed hitters Max Kepler, Edouard Julien, Alex Kirilloff and Trevor Larnach are all on the bench on Tuesday as the team takes on left-hander Patrick Corbin and the Washington Nationals. Kepler is on the bench for the second straight day for the suddenly struggling Twins. The 31-year-old lefty slugger has had a great year to this point, though, batting .303/.352/.505 with an .857 OPS, three home runs and 17 RBI in 29 games. He's even hitting .400 against lefties, but in just 20 at-bats. Kepler and most of Minnesota's lefty hitters typically find themselves riding pine against southpaws. Manuel Margot is in right field and is hitting leadoff, while Ryan Jeffers is the designated hitter and is batting second in a great matchup against Corbin. ... [More]