In The Field
C Tyler Flowers (oblique) is on a rehab assignment and should return late next week. 1B Eric Thames was placed on the 10-day disabled list with a torn UCL in his left thumb. He had surgery on Friday and is looking at a 6-8 week recovery period. 1B Jesus Aguilar and OF Domingo Santana are the two main beneficiaries of Thames being out. Aguilar has started off strong (.381 AVG) while Santana has struggled (.247). C Stephen Vogt (shoulder) was sent to extended Spring Training on April 25th to begin a throwing program and to start hitting. He is likely to return in May but the exact date is still unknown. 3B Kris Bryant (head) missed all week while dealing with the carry over effect of being hit in the head by a pitch. He returned to the lineup on Saturday and should be fine going forward. 2B Ben Zobrist practiced on Thursday and reportedly looked good. He was activated from the disabled list on Saturday. 3B Jake Lamb (shoulder) has been hitting and has begun throwing as he works his way back from a sprained AC joint. His return is still unknown but he is making progress. OF Steven Souza Jr. (shoulder) has resumed throwing and could return in early May. This would reduce the playing time of OF Jarrod Dyson who has been playing regularly but is better served as a fourth outfielder. 2B Logan Forsythe (shoulder) was shut down last week due to discomfort in his throwing shoulder but did begin light throwing this week and is expected back in the beginning of May. 3B Justin Turner has been cleared to swing a bat which means that a rehab assignment is close. OF Mac Williamson missed Thursday and Friday due to concussion system after slamming into the wall earlier in the week. He was placed on the concussion DL and the Giants brought up OF Austin Slater who is not an appealing fantasy option. The Giants also put 2B Joe Panik on the 10-day DL with a left thumb sprain and called up 2B Alen Hanson. 3B David Wright was transferred to the 60-day DL. OF Adam Eaton was still experiencing pain in his ankle and was re-examined Friday. This was not considered a setback but the team gave no indication as to when he would be back. 2B Daniel Murphy is working out in extended Spring Training but is not close to rehab games yet. 3B Anthony Rendon has been able to resume baseball activities and can be activated as early as Sunday from the 10-day DL. OF Carlos Gonzalez is doing well in his rehab for his hamstring injury and is expected to travel with the team on their next trip to Miami. OF Franchy Cordero is going to play everyday according to Manager Andy Green. Cordero is hitting .241 with 5 HR, 8 R, 10 RBI, and 2 SB in 14 GP. Cordero's hit tool is lacking but he does have legitimate power and speed. He needs to be owned in all formats if he is going to play everyday. 1B Justin Bour was scratched from Saturday's game with back spasms. OF Yasiel Puig left Saturday's game with left hip soreness and a foot injury. Puig has been prone to lower body injuries in his major league career. 2B D.J. LeMahieu left Friday's game with a hamstring injury and then sat out Saturday as well. The Rockies do not believe it is serious enough to warrant a DL stint at this time. The Cardinals optioned OF Tyler O'Neill to Triple-A after receiving nine plate appearances. SS Corey Seager (hip) returned to the lineup Saturday while OF Matt Kemp sat out with quad tightness. SS J.P. Crawford left Saturday's game with strained right elbow. If he is going to miss any extended time 2B Scott Kingery would be the guy. This would give him enough time to qaulify at both 2B and SS in most leagues with 3B and OF coming.
On The Mound
Luiz Gohara needs two more rehab starts before being activated. His return date is approximately May 8th. He is a lefty with plus velocity and a high strikeout upside. Anibal Sanchez (hamstring) is ahead of schedule but the Braves rotation is in flux with both Sanchez and Gohara on the way back. Jimmy Nelson is still progressing through his throwing program while returning from shoulder surgery. He is expected back in the second half. Alex Reyes (elbow) is progressing on schedule and is expected to begin a rehab assignment mid-May. Adam Wainwright was placed on the 10-day DL with elbow inflammation. Jack Flaherty has been filling in and is the more attractive fantasy option. This is a delicate situation but Flaherty is the better pitcher at this point in Wainwright's career. Shelby Miller threw live batting practice this week and could potentially return before the All-Star break. Taijuan Walker (elbow) had tommy John surgery on April 25th and will the rest of the season and a large chunk of 2019 as well. He can be safely dropped in redraft leagues and his overall value in dynasty takes a hit. Rich Hill was placed on the 10-day disabled list with finger inflammation but is expected to start on Monday. This means that Walker Buehler is likely to head back to Triple-A. Madison Bumgarner is expected to begin throwing with the next week or so and is not eligible to return until May 25th at the earliest. Wei-Yin Chen was activated by the Marlins and started Saturday. He is worth picking up in deep mixed and NL-only leagues given his potential and floor of a league average starter who gets to pitch half of his games in Marlins Park. Dan Straily threw a bullpen session on Friday and depending on how his arm responds he could be activated on Sunday. Jason Vargas returned to the Mets rotation on Saturday by going 3.2 IP and giving up 9 ER. Jerad Eickhoff (lat) threw a bullpen this week and could start a rehab assignment next week. He is targeting a late May return to the Phillies rotation. Ben Lively was placed on the 10-day DL with a lower back strain. Joe Musgrove (shoulder) threw a simulated game this week in addition to playing catch. If everything goes well he could start a rehab assignment next week. Nick Kingham will be called up by the Pirates to spot start on Sunday. Kingham has been very good at Triple-A this year with a 1.59 ERA over 22.2 IP with 27 K/7 BB. Anthony DeSclafani has begun throwing off a mound and cannot return until May 28th at the earliest. Michael Lorenzen is throwing but still a couple of weeks away from a rehab stint. Jeff Hoffman was sent to 10-day DL at Triple-A and his return from his shoulder injury in not clear. Julio Teheran (trap) is expected to make his next start.
In The Bullpen
Corey Knebel threw a bullpen on April 21st, which is the first time he has thrown since hitting the disabled list. He is expected back in mid-May and the Brewers desperately need a reliable closer. Joaquin Benoit sas begun a throwing program but his return is still unknown. Matt Strahm (knee) is getting close to returning and will initially work out of the Padres bullpen. Pat Neshek threw a bullpen session on Friday and is likely due back the middle of May. The Cardinals had been inching all week towards Greg Holland being their guy in the ninth inning but he responded with a complete dud against the Pirates by blowing a three run lead by allowing 3 H, 3 R (2 ER) with 0 K. It is unlikely that he is not given another chance to be the permanent closer but for the time being this could still be a timeshare with both Holland and Bud Norris receiving save chances. Bradley Boxberger closed out Friday's game and is 7 for 7 in save chances with a 2.70 ERA. Archie Bradley is the superior talent but will remain in the fireman's role until Boxberger shows signs of not being able to handle the job. The Braves closer job is now a two man job with manager Brian Snitker saying that he will use both Arodys Vizcaino and A.J. Minter depending on the situation. This is a blow to the value of Vizcaino and a huge boost to Minter.
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