Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery fired seven strong innings in Wednesday's 4-3 victory over the Cincinnati Reds, surrendering just two runs on seven hits and two walks with two punchouts in his second win of the season. It was arguably Montgomery's best start as a D-back to this point, though his first start back on April 19 may have been just as impressive. The 31-year-old veteran southpaw will still want to improve on his disappointing 4.70 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, and 10:6 K:BB over 23 frames (four starts) for Arizona when he takes the ball in his next scheduled appearance at home in a soft matchup against these same Reds on Monday. Cincinnati is now batting .209 as a team through 36 games, which is the worst mark in all of baseball.

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Chris Sale produced his first double-digit strikeout effort of the season in Wednesday's 5-0 victory over the visiting Boston Red Sox, throwing six scoreless innings on six hits and one walk en route to his fifth win of the year. Staked to an early four-run lead, Sale cruised through his former club with relative ease on Wednesday. After giving up five runs to the last-place Miami Marlins back on April 19, the 35-year-old seven-time All-Star has gone 4-0 with a pristine 1.50 ERA and 32:3 K:BB over his past four starts (23 innings) for the Braves. Up next, Sale sets up for a manageable home start against the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday. Over their last 12 outings, the Cubs are scoring just 2.8 runs per game.

New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge racked up a season-high eight total bases in Wednesday's 9-4 win over the visiting Houston Astros, homering and doubling with three RBI. Judge clobbered his eighth home run of the campaign in the third inning, later lining a two-run double in the sixth frame. Although the 32-year-old former American League MVP endured a sluggish start to the year, he's batting a stratospheric .385 with four bombs, four two-baggers, 11 RBI, and nine runs scored in his last 11 games since April 27. Judge looks to keep his foot on the gas during a three-game set against the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays beginning on Friday, but in 13 games against the Rays since 2023, he's hitting just .146 with two blasts and five RBI.

Chicago White Sox closer Michael Kopech locked down Wednesday's 4-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays, firing a scoreless ninth inning to secure the victory. Kopech got Randy Arozarena to fly out before giving up a single to Harold Ramirez, but the hurler managed to induce a game-ending double play out of Isaac Paredes. It's been a mixed bag from the hard-throwing 28-year-old right-hander as a reliever for the last-place ChiSox this season, but he does have three saves as well as a serviceable 3.93 ERA and 1.25 WHIP while fanning 25 and walking 10 over 18 1/3 frames as Chicago's preferred ninth-inning weapon. Rookie righty Jordan Leasure and veteran John Brebbia are also in the mix for save opportunities on the South Side, making Kopech a fringe hold in fantasy leagues for saves desperados.

Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. stayed hot in Wednesday's 6-4 win over the visiting Milwaukee Brewers, going 2-for-3 with a home run and a double while scoring three runs. After doubling in the first inning, Witt greeted Brewers right-hander Joel Payamps with a solo shot to deep left center in the eighth frame. The 23-year-old former top prospect has been spectacular all year long, but over his last 15 games since April 23, he's batting .377 with the aforementioned homer, 12 RBI, 16 runs scored, and nine stolen bases. A four-game set against the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim starting on Thursday is on tap for Witt. In nine games against the Angels in his career, Witt is surprisingly hitting just .237 with three taters, 10 RBI, three runs scored, and zero steals.

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Garrett Whitlock (oblique) is scheduled to throw live batting practice ahead of Friday's series opener against the visiting Washington Nationals. If all goes well, Whitlock could make a minor-league rehab start five days later on May 15 and potentially be back with the Red Sox by May 20. Before suffering a strained left oblique, the 27-year-old right-hander registered an outstanding 1.96 ERA (3.31 FIP) and 1.14 WHIP while striking out 17 and walking seven in four starts (18 1/3 innings) out of Boston's rotation this season, and he remains a strong stash in all fantasy leagues. Swingman Cooper Criswell has filled in well during Whitlock's absence, compiling a 1.74 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, and 16:4 K:BB through 20 2/3 frames (four starts), and he'll be a prime streaming candidate for Sunday's series finale against a middling Nats lineup.

The hope is that Colorado Rockies outfielder Nolan Jones (back) will start defensive practice and resuming hitting in the cage this weekend. As he prepares to ramp up his baseball activities, Jones will "more than likely" need a brief minor-league rehab assignment before returning from a strained lower back. Following a 2023 breakout campaign, the 26-year-old left-handed hitter was slashing an icy .170/.243/.277 with one home run, five doubles, seven RBI, and two stolen bases through 94 at-bats (26 games) as Colorado's primary left fielder but remains a recommended stash with a mid-May return still a possibility. Top prospect Jordan Beck should continue receiving the lion's share of the reps in left field until Jones is ready to return, but he's hitting an empty .125 (3-for-24) over seven outings during his first stint in the major leagues.

Tampa Bay Rays closer Pete Fairbanks (arm) is set to make another minor-league rehab appearance on Friday. After throwing a scoreless inning for Triple-A Durham on Tuesday, Fairbanks is scheduled for another outing in the minors before returning from a nerve-related issue and rejoining Tampa Bay's bullpen. Barring any setbacks, the Rays could activate the hard-throwing 30-year-old right-hander from the injured list following that assignment. Although he's given up seven earned runs and walked eight over seven innings this year, Fairbanks has three saves as well as a respectable 3.72 FIP and should reclaim the closing gig upon his return. Until then, Jason Adam should remain the favorite for saves and is worth holding in the majority of fantasy leagues.

Oakland Athletics infielders Aledmys Diaz (calf) and Zack Gelof (oblique) will both join Triple-A Las Vegas this weekend to begin their respective minor-league rehab assignments. Diaz was cleared for a rehab assignment after successfully running the bases on Wednesday. The 33-year-old veteran utilityman is on the 60-day injured list and has yet to play in 2024. He won't be eligible to return until late May, so he'll take his time on his rehab assignment. When he's back from the injured list, he won't be guaranteed to see regular playing time for the A's. Gelof, who was the team's starter at second before his injury, is the more attractive fantasy asset in deeper leagues despite starting the year with a .196/.260/.337 slash line with three home runs, seven RBI and four stolen bases in his first 92 at-bats.

Houston Astros right-handed reliever Ryan Pressly (back), who hasn't pitched since last Friday, is dealing with soreness in his lower back, according to manager Joe Espada. Pressly played catch on Wednesday, and Espada said he "felt OK" and termed it "nothing worrisome right now." For now, the 35-year-old will remain with the team, but it remains to be seen if he'll be available out of the team's bullpen on Wednesday against the New York Yankees. Pressly's back issues could have contributed to his slow start in 2024, as he's currently sporting a 5.27 ERA and 1.68 WHIP while walking five and striking out 21 in 13 2/3 innings of relief. However, he hasn't allowed a run in his last five innings while walking one and striking out nine and will remain a key late-inning setup man in front of closer Josh Hader if he's healthy enough to pitch.

Houston Astros outfielder Chas McCormick (hamstring) could start a minor-league rehab assignment this weekend. McCormick has recovered quickly after landing on the injured list with hamstring soreness last week. If the 29-year-old gets out of a short rehab assignment without any setbacks, he could return to the Astros early next week. Mauricio Dubon has seen more playing time in Houston's outfield since McCormick landed on the shelf. McCormick is going to need to do more with the bat when he returns to assure himself regular playing time. In 21 games before his hamstring injury, he was hitting .236/.325/.278 with no home runs, eight RBI, two stolen bases and six runs scored in 83 plate appearances. He's coming off his best season as a pro in 2023, when he hit .273 with 22 homers, 70 RBI and 19 swipes.

Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager was held out of the starting lineup for Game 2 of a doubleheader on Wednesday against the A's in Oakland. Josh Smith got the start at shortstop for the nightcap instead and is hitting out of the No. 5 spot for the Rangers. In the Game 1 loss, Seager broke a modest five-game hitting streak by going 0-for-3 with a walk and strikeout. The four-time All-Star and two-time World Series MVP had hernia surgery in the offseason and has gotten off to a slow start in 2024 by his standards, slashing .235/.305/.316 with three home runs, two doubles, 13 RBI and 16 runs scored in 34 games. After a scheduled off day on Thursday, Seager will be back in there on Friday for a series opener in Colorado against the Rockies. Smith has been a great find for fantasy managers in deeper leagues in the early portion of the year, as he's hitting over .300 with two homers and 16 RBI with Josh Jung (wrist) out.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Jose Urquidy (forearm) is scheduled to begin a minor league rehab assignment with Triple-A Sugar Land this weekend. The right-hander has been sidelined since spring training due to inflammation in his forearm. The expectation is that Urquidy is going to need a few rehab starts before rejoining the Astros rotation. Possibly, Urquidy is able to rejoin the Astros rotation by the end of May. Fantasy managers will have to stay tuned for more updates over the next week or two.

Oakland Athletics catcher Shea Langeliers was a force at the plate during Wednesday's game against the Texas Rangers. The young catcher went 3-for-5 with a home run and five RBI in the victory during Game 1 of their doubleheader. Langeliers blasted a two-run home run off Michael Lorenzen in the second inning before adding a two-run double in the fourth inning. The assumption is that Langeliers should be back in the lineup ahead of Game 2 of Wednesday's doubleheader. The 26-year-old has struggled throughout most of the season but maybe this will get him back on track.

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernandez was a one-man wrecking crew during Wednesday's game against the Miami Marlins. Hernandez went 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBI in the win. He opened the first frame with an RBI single and blasted a two-run homer in the sixth inning. It was the only three runs the Dodgers scored in this game but it was enough to win them the contest. Hernandez has 10 home runs this season and has four long balls over his last six games.

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Dylan Cease was impressive on the mound during Wednesday's game against the Chicago Cubs. The 28-year-old struck out a season-high 12 batters over seven shutout innings during the win. Cease only allowed one hit and a pair of walks during Wednesday's outing. He holds a 2.19 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and 60/16 K/BB ratio across 49 1/3 innings this season. He'll get a favorable matchup against the Colorado Rockies during his next start.

Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker said that catcher Sean Murphy (oblique) has advanced to hitting in the batting cages after hitting off a tee twice last week. Murphy is inching closer to a return from the Grade 1 left-oblique strain that he suffered in the season opener. The 29-year-old is going to need to go on a minor-league rehab assignment before he returns to the Braves, too, so fantasy baseball managers are going to need to wait a little longer before they get the catcher back. The former third-round pick of the Oakland Athletics in 2016 out of Wright State was a first-time All-Star in 2023 in his first season with the Braves and should remain stashed in all fantasy leagues as one of the better offensive catchers in baseball when healthy. Veteran Travis d'Arnaud will continue to serve as the team's starter behind the plate until Murphy returns.

The Boston Red Sox reinstated right-hander Nick Pivetta (elbow) from the 15-day injured list on Wednesday and optioned right-hander Naoyuki Uwasawa to Triple-A Worcester in a corresponding move. The Red Sox also reinstated infielder/outfielder Romy Gonzalez (wrist) from the 10-day IL and designated infielder Zack Short for assignment. Pivetta will immediately return to Boston's starting rotation and will toe the rubber on Wednesday against the Atlanta Braves. The 31-year-old has been out since April 9 due to a right-elbow flexor strain. Pivetta threw only 62 pitches in his only minor-league rehab start and should be considered a poor streaming option in his first game back against the potent Braves lineup. It doesn't mean he shouldn't be rostered everywhere after starting with a 0.82 ERA and 0.82 WHIP with 13 K's in his first two starts in 2024, though.

The Texas Rangers placed right-hander Dane Dunning (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list on Wednesday with a right rotator-cuff strain. In additional moves, the Rangers outfielder Robbie Grossman was added to the active roster after being acquired in a trade with the Chicago White Sox, right-handers Jack Leiter and Owen White were recalled from Triple-A Round Rock and infielder Jonathan Ornelas was optioned to Round Rock. Manager Bruce Bochy said the 29-year-old Dunning isn't expected to have a lengthy stay on the sidelines. If Leiter looks better in his second MLB start in the second game of a doubleheader against the A's on Wednesday, he could stick around in Texas. Dunning is 3-2 so far this year with a 4.10 ERA (4.89 FIP) and 1.15 WHIP with 17 walks and 43 K's in 37 1/3 innings over seven starts. He's had a strong 31% whiff rate but also has the fourth-worst hard-hit rate at 60.5%.

Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno (illness) is back behind the plate and is batting seventh on Wednesday against the Cincinnati Reds and right-hander Graham Ashcraft. Moreno had the day off on Sunday against the San Diego Padres and also sat out the series opener on Tuesday against the Reds while being under the weather, but the 24-year-old backstop is feeling good enough to play on Wednesday. Moreno has yet to clear the fences so far in 2024 and is currently hitting .241/.340/.322 with five doubles, one triple, 14 RBI and nine runs scored in 100 plate appearances over 29 games played. He has gone hitless in just two career at-bats against Ashcraft.