Colorado Rockies outfielder Kris Bryant (back) remains out of the lineup on Wednesday as he will miss his fourth straight game after leaving Saturday's contest against the Blue Jays with back soreness. The veteran remains day-to-day. It's been a sluggish start to the season for the 2016 NL MVP as Bryant is hitting just .149 with one homer and a 32.7% K% across his first 55 trips to the plate of the season. This comes on the heels of a .233 average with 10 homers and a career-worst 73 wRC+ across an injury-shortened 80 games in the 2023 campaign. Nolan Jones will man left field and hit sixth Wednesday against Phillies left-hander Christopher Sanchez.

The Arizona Diamondbacks moved left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez (shoulder) to the 60-day injured list on Wednesday. Rodriguez recently suffered a setback with his left shoulder and now won't be able to return to Arizona's starting rotation until late May. The oft-injured 31-year-old southpaw pitched well in his final season with the Detroit Tigers in 2023 but was in line for regression with his move to the desert. Now that he's been unable to stay healthy early on in 2024, fantasy baseball managers in mixed leagues should probably look for better options instead of keeping him stashed in an IL spot. The good news for the D-backs is lefty Jordan Montgomery is set to join the rotation to make his season debut later this week.

The San Diego Padres placed right-hander Yu Darvish (neck) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to April 15) with neck tightness on Wednesday and recalled right-hander Logan Gillaspie from Triple-A El Paso in a corresponding move. It's unclear as of now if Darvish has a realistic chance to return from the IL when he's eligible on April 30, but the 37-year-old will miss at least the next couple of weeks. San Diego's starting pitching depth will be tested in the season's first month, and it's not clear yet who the main candidates are to take Darvish's spot. In his first five starts of 2024, Darvish had posted a 4.18 ERA (3.88 FIP) and 1.27 WHIP with 10 walks and 22 strikeouts in 23 2/3 innings pitched. Keep the five-time All-Star stashed in an IL spot for now in fantasy leagues.

Houston Astros right-hander Justin Verlander (shoulder) will make his 2024 season debut on Friday against the Washington Nationals, according to manager Joe Espada. The team's other starters will shift back a day, with Ronel Blanco going on Saturday and Cristian Javier taking the hill on Sunday. Verlander didn't pitch at all during spring training due to right-shoulder inflammation but is now ready after making a couple minor-league rehab starts and throwing a successful bullpen session on Tuesday. The 41-year-old three-time Cy Young winner didn't look particularly sharp in the minors but got up to 77 pitches in his final rehab start. Don't be surprised if the Astros have a short leash on the future Hall of Famer in his first start of the year in the big leagues this weekend.

Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez (groin) is back behind the plate and is hitting cleanup for the Royals in the first game of a doubleheader on Wednesday against the Chicago White Sox and rookie right-hander Jonathan Cannon, who is making his big-league debut. A Grade 1 left-groin strain kept Perez out of Monday's lineup before Tuesday's contest was postponed. The 33-year-old's injury clearly wasn't too serious, but he'll most likely sit out for the second game of the doubleheader. The eight-time All-Star should be reinserted into all fantasy lineups now that he's active again. Perez is off to an excellent start at the plate in 2024, going 21-for-62 (.339) with four home runs, 15 RBI and eight runs scored in his first 16 games.

The Pittsburgh Pirates announced that catcher Yasmani Grandal (foot) will start a minor-league rehab assignment on Wednesday night with Triple-A Indianapolis. Grandal has been out since spring training with plantar fasciitis in his left foot but is getting close to being able to make his 2024 debut with the Bucs. When the 35-year-old does join the Pirates in the big leagues, he'll split time behind the dish with the struggling Henry Davis, who is currently hitting just .180 (9-for-50) with no home runs and four RBI in his first full major-league season. Grandal can provide some occasional pop as a switch-hitting backstop, but he's no longer a must-roster player in single-catcher leagues, especially since he won't be playing regularly.

The Baltimore Orioles selected the contract of right-hander Albert Suarez from Triple-A Norfolk, and he will make the start on Wednesday against the Minnesota Twins in the series finale. This will be Suarez's first big-league appearance since back in 2017 when he threw 31 2/3 innings of relief for the San Francisco Giants. The 34-year-old veteran should be avoided in fantasy formats as a streaming option after posting a 5.87 ERA and 1.32 WHIP with one walk and 17 strikeouts in 15 1/3 innings over his three outings (one start) for Norfolk before getting the call up to the Show on Wednesday. The O's are currently short-handed in their starting rotation with Tyler Wells (elbow) hitting the injured list on Tuesday, but this will likely be just one spot start for Suarez before he's sent back to the minors.

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Reynaldo Lopez continued his hot start to the season with a victory on Tuesday versus the Houston Astros. Lopez tossed six innings and allowed four hits, no runs, one walk and struck out seven. Lopez has been a reclamation project for the Braves after spending the bulk of his career with the Chicago White Sox, who had him pitching out of the bullpen. So far, Lopez has earned an A+ and is 2-0 with a sparkling 0.50 ERA and 0.94 WHIP in three starts. Lopez should be rostered in all formats, not only due to his success early on, but the bevy of injuries to pitchers in general. Managers should consider that Lopez has not been a full-time starter since 2019 and it will be interesting to see how he handles a full workload as the season continues. The right-hander will look to keep things going versus a weak Miami Marlins offense on Tuesday.

San Francisco Giants third baseman Matt Chapman went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Tuesday's loss versus the Miami Marlins. The veteran is now up to four homers on the season, but is hitting a weak .205. Chapman has never been a big contact hitter with a career ,240 batting average, but the power has always been there and that is showing with his new team thus far. At this point in his career, Chapman is what he is and fantasy managers seeking power can give him a look with the knowledge that he will hurt managers batting average.

Los Angeles Dodgers middle infielder/outfielder Mookie Betts had another stellar offensive game in Tuesday's 6-2 win over the Nationals. Betts went 5-for-5 with three singles, two doubles, and two RBI. The 31-year-old has produced like a top fantasy pick, slashing .388/.490/.700 with six home runs, 22 runs scored, 18 RBI, and three stolen bases while hitting atop one of baseball's best lineups.

Miami Marlins closer Tanner Scott picked up his second save of the season in Tuesday's 6-3 win over the Giants. Scott came in to pitch the top of the ninth inning up by three. He got the first out on a flyout, allowed back-to-back walks, and got the final two outs on a strikeout and a pop-out. Things haven't gone smoothly for the 29-year-old, as he is 0-3 and has converted two of three save opportunities with a 4.15 ERA, an 8.31 K/9 rate, and a huge 12.46 BB/9 rate. Scott ended the 2023 season to earn the closer's role to start 2024, but walks have been an issue throughout his career. Fantasy managers should keep an eye out to see if he can get them back under control.

Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper had a nice game at the plate in Tuesday's 5-0 win over the Rockies. Harper went 2-for-4 with a double, a two-run home run, three RBI, and a strikeout. The 31-year-old has hit for power but not average to start the season, slashing .215/.301/.462 with four HR and 11 RBI in 73 plate appearances. Fantasy managers should be patient with Harper given his excellent career. Hopefully, his average will start to catch up to his power production.

Updating a previous report, Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers (knee) left Tuesday's game against the visiting Cleveland Guardians with left-knee discomfort. Devers went 1-for-2 with two RBI and two walks before being replaced at the hot corner in the eighth inning by Bobby Dalbec. The 27-year-old missed several games last weekend due to a shoulder injury but returned to action on Monday before an injury scare when he collided with outfielder Tyler O'Neill (head), who was forced to leave the game. For now, fantasy managers should consider Devers as day-to-day while checking back on Wednesday to see if he's back in the starting lineup. The Red Sox can ill-afford another injury to their infield after losing shortstop Trevor Story (shoulder) already for the season. In addition to Dalbec, Pablo Reyes could play some third base if Devers is forced to miss additional time.

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Michael Wacha allowed 10 hits and gave up five runs while taking a loss in last Friday's 6-1 defeat to the New York Mets, but he finds himself in prime position to bounce back in Wednesday's start on the road in one part of a doubleheader against the division-rival Chicago White Sox. Although Wacha holds a mediocre 4.00 ERA (2.75 FIP) through 18 innings (three starts) to begin his Royals debut season, his 1.05 WHIP is a cause for optimism. Since 2023, the 32-year-old journeyman right-hander is 2-0 with 14 scoreless frames and 15 strikeouts over two appearances against the White Sox. Additionally, the current Chicago roster is hitting a career .141 across 72 plate appearances versus Wacha. With the ChiSox sitting dead last in baseball with 34 runs scored, treat Wacha as a confident fantasy option on Wednesday's full slate.

Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers was pulled during the eighth inning of Tuesday's game versus the visiting Cleveland Guardians, and Bobby Dalbec replaced him defensively at third base. He went 1-for-2 with a double and two RBI before exiting, and it's unclear at this time why Devers was removed from the contest. It's worth noting he dealt with soreness in his left shoulder that cost him four games last week, so it remains to be seen if he's dealing with some type of setback with the injury. The Red Sox should offer some clarity on the 27-year-old All-Star slugger's status shortly, and we'll provide that update when it becomes available. Devers is hitting just .205 with two home runs and five RBI over his first 44 at-bats of the season.

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Alex Cobb (hip, elbow), who was briefly shut down recently with a mild flexor strain in his right elbow, has been cleared to resume throwing and tossed a bullpen session in Arizona on Tuesday. Other than that hiccup, Cobb is progressing well and believes he's ahead of schedule in his rehab from offseason surgery on his left hip. The 36-year-old right-hander was an All-Star in 2023 for the first time in his career, and despite running into trouble with the long ball in the second half, he still managed to compile a solid 3.87 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, and 131:37 K:BB across 151 1/3 innings (28 starts). Cobb could re-enter San Fran's rotation at some time during May, and he's a decent stash in most fantasy leagues. With Robbie Ray (elbow) also on the shelf, Jordan Hicks and Keaton Winn should continue to function as starters for the Giants for the time being.

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Robbie Ray (elbow) is scheduled to throw his next bullpen session in Arizona on Wednesday. Although the 2021 American League Cy Young Award winner is still expected to be out until the second half of the 2024 season, it feels like he has a chance to make his Giants debut earlier than that based on his current progress. Ray is pleased with where he's at in his recovery from Tommy John surgery, and he also tossed a bullpen on Friday. In his last full season during 2022 with the Seattle Mariners, the 32-year-old strikeout machine fanned 212 hitters while walking 62 over 189 innings and amassed a 3.71 ERA and 1.19 WHIP through 32 starts. Fantasy managers off to a good start should start thinking about stashing Ray. With Alex Cobb (hip) also sidelined until at least May, Jordan Hicks and Keaton Winn should keep operating as starters for the Giants in the meantime.

Colorado Rockies left-hander Kyle Freeland (shoulder) said he's fine on Tuesday after getting injured in Monday night's extra-inning loss while sliding into home plate as a pinch-runner late in the game. Freeland will throw like normal in between his starts and be good to go at some point this weekend for a matchup against the Seattle Mariners. The 30-year-old southpaw's injury was to his right, non-throwing shoulder, so it shouldn't affect his next start at all. Even though Seattle's offense hasn't looked good at all early this year, Freeland will still be a shaky streaming option in fantasy after posting a rough 13.21 ERA and 2.55 WHIP with eight walks and nine strikeouts in his first four starts. Freeland currently leads the league in hits allowed (32) and earned runs allowed (23).

Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker said that second baseman Ozzie Albies (toe) won't need surgery on his fractured big toe but doesn't have a specific timetable for a return from the injured list. It sounds like there's a chance Albies could be back in two weeks, which means three weeks might be the safer bet, especially this early in the season. It's ultimately good news for the 27-year-old after he was hit by a pitch in Monday's 6-1 win over the Houston Astros. Fantasy baseball managers must be patient with the All-Star second baseman and keep him stashed in an IL spot in all formats. In the meantime, outfielder Michael Harris II will hit near the top of the batting order, boosting his short-term fantasy stock. Luis Guillorme, who is starting at second on Tuesday, and David Fletcher figure to split playing time at the keystone in Atlanta with Albies hurt.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander (shoulder) is set to make his return from the injured list. The veteran right-hander will make his season debut either Friday or Saturday versus the Washington Nationals. The 41-year-old has been brought along slowly while he recovers from a shoulder injury. He's finally ready to return after having no issues during a recent bullpen outing. It's uncertain if the Astros will have Verlander on a pitch count or limited in some capacity. Regardless, fantasy managers in season-long formats can get him back in their lineups this weekend.