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.

The Milwaukee Brewers placed outfielder Christian Yelich (back) on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to April 13) on Tuesday with a lower-back strain and recalled infielder/outfielder Owen Miller from Triple-A Nashville in a corresponding move. Yelich was put on the IL after not playing since last Friday. This is definitely an injury that could linger for the 32-year-old Yelich, so fantasy managers should be prepared to be patient if he's forced to miss more than 10 days. Keep him stashed in an IL spot in all fantasy leagues after he started the year hitting .333 (13-for-39) with five home runs, 11 RBI and two steals in 11 games. Blake Perkins is starting in center field and batting sixth against the San Diego Padres and right-hander Dylan Cease on Tuesday, but Joey Wiemer could also see additional playing time in Milwaukee's outfield until Yelich is able to return.

It's "very unlikely" that designated hitter J.D. Martinez (back) will join the New York Mets on their upcoming West Coast road trip, according to manager Carlos Mendoza. The Mets begin their road trip this Friday, April 19, against the Los Angeles Dodgers and will wrap it up in San Francisco against the Giants on Wednesday, April 24. Martinez didn't sign with New York until late in spring training, so he stuck around in extended spring training to get his timing down at the plate before injuring his back in early April. The 36-year-old could start a rehab assignment later this week and make his 2024 debut with the Mets later this month or in early May. When he's finally ready to return, Martinez can still provide some thump from the DH spot and will give the Mets more protection for All-Star first baseman Pete Alonso.

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Sonny Gray posted another strong outing on Monday versus his former team, the Oakland Athletics. Gray went six scoreless innings and allowed four hits with no walks and six strikeouts. Gray missed the beginning of the season with a hamstring injury, but he has not missed a beat in his two starts this season with 11 scoreless innings, no walks and 11 strikeouts. Gray will eventually walk a batter this season, but managers could not have asked for a better start to the season then what Gray has given them. Moving forward, Gray is lined up to face the division rival Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday.

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Nick Castellanos turned in another disappointing game at the plate in Monday's 2-1 extra-innings win over the Rockies. Castellanos went 0-for-4 with a strikeout batting sixth. The 32-year-old has gotten off to a very slow start offensively, slashing just .177/.250/.177 with no home runs and five RBI in 68 plate appearances. However, fantasy managers should give him a bit of a leash given his career track record and strong 2023 season.

New York Yankees third baseman DJ LeMahieu (foot) is with the team on their current road trip in a three-game series with the Toronto Blue Jays. Manager Aaron Boone is encouraged by the veteran infielder's progress as he recovers from a non-displaced fracture of his right foot, and he said it's "very possible" LeMahieu will go on a rehab assignment when the club returns home on Thursday. With the Yankees struggling to find a consistent answer in the leadoff spot, the 35-year-old hitting machine will be an option for that role when he returns after hitting .273 (60-for-220) with eight home runs, nine doubles, 27 runs scored, and 36 walks in 60 games post-All-Star break last year. He has a chance to return before the end of April. The switch-hitting Oswaldo Cabrera is hitting .289 with an .888 OPS, three homers, and 11 RBI in his first 12 games of the campaign and remains worth rostering in all fantasy leagues while he's running hot.

Miami Marlins catcher Christian Bethancourt (illness) has been placed on the 10-day injured list on Monday. It appears Bethancourt is dealing with some sort of illness and he'll be sidelined for at least a week or so. In a corresponding move, the Marlins have selected catcher Jhonny Pereda from Triple-A Jacksonville. He figures to split up the playing time behind the plate with Nick Fortes while Bethancourt is sidelined.

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich (back) remains out of the starting lineup ahead of Monday's game against the San Diego Padres. The veteran outfielder has been sidelined since being forced to exit early on Friday due to back discomfort. For the moment Yelich is considered as day-to-day, but fantasy managers shouldn't be shocked if Yelich ends up on the injured list. Sal Frelick will bat third and cover left field during Monday's game.

New York Yankees starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (elbow) didn't throw at all on Monday, according to manager Aaron Boone. The right-hander continues to slowly work his way back up from an elbow injury that has sidelined him since the beginning of the season. It sounds like the plan is to have Cole rest on Monday before throwing again on Tuesday. He's expected to throw up to 75 feet during his Tuesday session. Fantasy managers will continue to need to be patient with Cole. He likely won't be back in the Yankees rotation until the end of May.

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Sonny Graywill be limited to 75 pitches in Monday's start against the Oakland A's. Gray spent a large portion of spring training dealing with a hamstring issue that limited him to just two starts, so it makes sense why the Cardinals are gradually increasing the veteran's pitch count. In his first start of the year against the Philadelphia Phillies on April 9, he threw 64 pitches across five shutout innings. Now, St. Louis has set his limit at around 75 pitches in his second start. The pitch limit shouldn't worry fantasy managers, though. If you roster the 34-year-old in fantasy, you should be starting him in a plus matchup against Oakland.

New York Mets designated hitter J.D. Martinez (back) is scheduled to resume swinging the bat on Monday and is still a few days away, according to manager Carlos Mendoza, of getting back into a minor-league game. Martinez hasn't played since last Saturday for Low-A St. Lucie after which he started to feel back tightness. The veteran right-handed slugger received a shot in his back last Tuesday. The Mets signed the 36-year-old late in spring training, but he didn't join the club for Opening Day as he tried to get his timing down at the plate before hurting his back. He probably won't resume his minor-league rehab assignment until later this week, but if he continues to feel good this weekend, there's a possibility that Martinez could join the Mets for his team debut sometime next week.

New York Yankees starter Gerrit Cole (elbow) played catch on Thursday, according to MLB.com. It was the second time the star right-hander has played catch since going on the 60-day injured list. Yankees manager Aaron Boone noted that session went well, but he did not mention when Cole will throw again. The 33-year-old is not eligible for activation until late May, though there is no guarantee he will be ready to return by then. Cole still deserves to be stashed in all formats until further notice, but it is safe to assume the Yankees will take things slow with their ace.

Atlanta Braves catcher Travis d'Arnaud is not in the team's starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Miami Marlins. It is just a regular rest day for the veteran backstop as he started the past two games behind the plate. Chadwick Tromp will take over catching duties on Sunday and bat ninth. Tromp is slashing .200/.182/.300 with no home runs to start the season and is not a recommended fantasy play for any format.

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich (back) remains out of the starting lineup ahead of Sunday's game against the Baltimore Orioles. The veteran outfielder continues to deal with back discomfort and will be held out of at least one more game. At the moment, fantasy managers should consider Yelich as day-to-day. However, Yelich could end up heading to the injured list if the issue continues to linger. Joey Wiemer will cover left field and bat eighth versus right-hander Corbin Burnes on Sunday. Fantasy managers should probably stay away from Wiemer in this tough matchup.

San Diego Padres second baseman Xander Bogaerts is out of the lineup on Saturday. There's no current indication that this is anything more than a rest day for the 31-year-old. A day off may not be a bad thing for Bogaerts, who's started out sluggish this season with just a .219 batting average and only one HR. Tyler Wade will get the start at second base in Bogaerts' place, sliding over from third base where he has been playing in most of his starts this season. Eguy Rosario will start at third base for the Padres with Manny Machado at DH. Expect Bogaerts to return back to the lineup in Sunday's matchup against the Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander James Paxton.

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich (back) is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Baltimore Orioles. Yelich exited Friday's game early with a lower back discomfort. The 32-year-old has had a history of back issues, and the Brewers will be cautious with their star outfielder and rest him on Saturday. He is considered day-to-day, with the series finale on Sunday being his next chance to enter the lineup. Blake Perkins will replace Yelich in the lineup and is batting ninth for Saturday's contest. Perkins has been red hot recently, slashing .389/.476/.556 with a home run, four RBI, and six runs over five games. The 27-year-old can be a streamer in Saturday's slate against Orioles right-hander Dean Kramer while swinging a hot bat.

Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Daniel Bard (knee, elbow) had a setback rehabbing and will undergo season-ending right flexor tendon surgery. After recently throwing off a mound, the banged-up Bard's season suddenly ends before it even begins while also recovering from a cleanup procedure on his left knee. The 38-year-old veteran right-hander is a free agent following the 2024 campaign, and it's unlikely that he'll draw very much interest after walking more batters (49) than he struck out (47) a season ago. Bard spent seven years away from the major leagues before latching on with Colorado in 2020. Justin Lawrence and Tyler Kinley are the names to watch for fantasy purposes for saves-needy managers, but Lawrence has yielded seven runs across five appearances, and Kinley has given up eight runs over six innings thus far.

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich (back) was pulled from Friday's game against the Baltimore Orioles in the second inning. He left Friday's game with lower back discomfort. He went 1-for-1 with a single before being replaced in the bottom of the second inning. The 32-year-old has dealt with back issues in the past, and it's unclear how severe the latest injury is for Yelich. He is considered day-to-day. Yelich has been swinging a hot bat during the young season, hitting .316/.409/.737 with five home runs and two swiped bags. If Yelich were to miss time, Blake Perkins could be a candidate to handle left field.

Colorado Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon (illness) is out of the starting lineup ahead of Friday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays. Rockies' manager Bud Black said Blackmon is feeling under the weather, so they will hold him out of this contest. The expectation is that this will be a one-game absence for the veteran outfielder. In the meantime, Kris Bryant will function as the designated hitter, while Elehuris Montero covers first base versus right-hander Kevin Gausman on Friday.

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Kevin Gausman will make his third start of the season against the Colorado Rockies at the Rogers Centre this evening. The ace pitcher was dealing with shoulder fatigue earlier in the offseason, which prevented him from seeing time in Spring Training and delayed his season debut. He threw four one-run innings against the Tampa Bay Rays in his first start but struggled mightily in his second against the New York Yankees, where he allowed five earned runs. Gausman's velocity dipped in that start but did not express much concern. The 33-year-old should have an excellent opportunity to deliver a quality start against a Rockies team that has the sixth most total strikeouts, making him a fantastic option in DFS.