Seattle Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford (oblique) said he was diagnosed with a Grade 1 right-oblique strain after undergoing an MRI exam and was placed on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to April 24) on Thursday. In corresponding moves, infielder Leo Rivas' contract was selected from Triple-A Tacoma and right-hander Gregory Santos (lat) was moved to the 60-day injured list. Crawford was scratched from Wednesday's lineup and will now miss at least the next 10 days. The 29-year-old's strain isn't very serious, but it could easily keep him out beyond 10 days. Dylan Moore is making his second straight start at the 6 on Thursday in place of Crawford and is likely to see most of the playing time there as long as Crawford is out. Crawford has had a rough start to 2024, hitting under .200 with two home runs and nine RBI in 22 games.

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani enjoyed a big day at the dish in Wednesday's 11-3 rout of the Washington Nationals, going 3-for-6 with two RBI and two runs scored. Each of Ohtani's hits were doubles on Wednesday, with his final two two-baggers bringing Mookie Betts around for some insurance scores late in the contest. After this three-hit attack, the 29-year-old two-time American League MVP raised his triple-slash line to .371/.433/.695 to go with six home runs, 16 RBI, an MLB-leading 14 doubles, 22 runs scored, and five stolen bases over 121 plate appearances (26 games) in the 2024 regular season. After Thursday's series finale in Washington, Ohtani faces off with the Toronto Blue Jays for a three-game set starting on Friday. In 20 games versus the Jays since 2021, Ohtani is batting .319 (22-for-69) with seven blasts, five doubles, 18 RBI, and 16 runs scored.

Seattle Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford (oblique) was scratched from Wednesday's lineup against the division-rival Texas Rangers in Arlington due to soreness in his right oblique. There's no word from the M's on the severity of the injury, but it might be fair to expect Crawford to get another day off during the series finale on Thursday. The 29-year-old on-base machine's fantasy value has been more noticeable in leagues that count walks, as evidenced by his .198/.296/.302 triple-slash line with two home runs, nine RBI, and 13 runs scored over 98 plate appearances (22 games) during the 2024 regular season. Super-utility player Dylan Moore drew the start at short in Crawford's stead on Wednesday, and he can steal bases in bunches when given playing time. In fact, Moore already has four swipes across 15 games and is worth a speculative add for those in need of speed.

Miami Marlins left-hander A.J. Puk (shoulder) will pitch out of the bullpen when he returns to the major-league roster, according to manager Skip Schumaker. The experiment as a starter in Miami's rotation was a failed on for Puk, who is nursing fatigue in his left shoulder following just four appearances and holds a dismal 9.22 ERA, 2.63 WHIP, and a 12:17 K:BB over 13 2/3 innings. Although Puk's return timetable from the issue remains unclear, this development is bad news for the rest-of-season outlook of closer Tanner Scott, who is going to have some competition for ninth-inning work when Puk is eventually reinstated from the 15-day injured list. With Scott carrying a 3.38 ERA (5.88 FIP) and 1.68 WHIP while striking out 10 hitters and walking 12 through his first 10 2/3 frames of the 2024 regular season, it probably behooves fantasy managers to field some sell-high trade offers after Puk picked up 15 saves in 2023.

San Francisco Giants second baseman Thairo Estrada (hamstring) exited Wednesday's loss to the visiting New York Mets in the sixth inning due to tightness in his left hamstring after going hitless in two at-bats. Estrada wanted to stay in the game before Jung Hoo Lee replaced him, so it doesn't seem like he's dealing with a significant injury at this time. Consider him day-to-day ahead of Friday's series opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates, and perhaps San Fran's day off on Thursday will be enough to prevent Estrada from missing any additional time. The 28-year-old veteran infielder is batting only .232 (22-for-95) with nine extra-base hits, 12 RBI, 11 runs scored, and zero stolen bases through 26 outings, and his fantasy value will remain diminished until he can climb his way up the Giants' batting order.

The Atlanta Braves are increasing the activity of catcher Sean Murphy (oblique). Murphy has caught a bullpen session in each of the past two days, but he's still not swinging a bat yet and may be at least a week away from being cleared to do so. Working his way back from tightness in his left oblique, Murphy is probably not going to be available to the Braves or fantasy managers before the end of April based on the current progress in his recovery. The 29-year-old All-Star backstop will need a rehab assignment before he's reinstated to Atlanta's major-league roster as well, but an early-May return is still in the cards. Former All-Star Travis d'Arnaud is surging after a slow start to the 2024 regular season, going 8-for-13 with five home runs and 11 RBI over his past five games, and he should be rostered in two-catcher leagues while he's hot.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Cristian Javier (neck) played catch on Wednesday back in Houston. Javier is not with the team during their road series with the Chicago Cubs after flying back home on Tuesday to get checked out by team doctors, but it's encouraging to hear he's throwing. The 27-year-old star right-hander is working his way back from discomfort in his right neck, and it's unclear if he'll need a brief rehab assignment before being activated from the 15-day injured list. Fantasy managers should expect him to remain sidelined through early May, though. Although he has a weak 18:11 K:BB through 23 1/3 innings (four starts) for the Stros, Javier's 1.54 ERA and 1.11 WHIP makes him a must-stash player. Rookie right-hander Spencer Arrighetti is making starts in Houston's injury-riddled rotation, but he's struggled to muster much fantasy usability to this point.

Houston Astros left-hander Framber Valdez (elbow) threw 40 pitches in a bullpen session on Tuesday at Wrigley Field and is expected to come off the injured list and start one of the team's games in Mexico City against the Colorado Rockies this weekend. Right-hander Ronel Blanco will start the other game. The 30-year-old Valdez was put on the 15-day injured list on April 9 with left-elbow inflammation. The fact that he's not going to pitch in a minor-league rehab game before returning to the major-league starting rotation should have fantasy managers hesitant to use him in his first start back from the IL, even if the matchup is a juicy one against the Rockies away from Coors Field. The two-time All-Star should still be rostered in all fantasy leagues and was looking good in his first two starts of 2024 before going on the shelf.

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Jake Fraley (illness) remains out of the starting lineup ahead of Wednesday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies. The left-handed slugger has missed four games in a row due to an illness. He shouldn't require a trip to the injured list, but it could happen if he continues to miss time. Stuart Fairchild will cover center field and bat ninth versus right-hander Spencer Turnbull on Wednesday.

Washington Nationals manager Dave Martinez said that the plan for now is to play Joey Gallo in right field after the team placed outfielder Lane Thomas (knee) on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday with a Grade 2 MLB sprain in his left knee. Rookie infielder Trey Lipscomb, who was called up from Triple-A Rochester, will play multiple positions but probably a decent amount of first base. Gallo is making his first start in the outfield on Wednesday and is hitting fifth against Los Angeles Dodgers right-handed rookie Landon Knack. The 30-year-old left-handed batter has plenty of power offensively, but he swings and misses often and is hitting just .143 (9-for-63) on the year with three home runs, five RBI and 34 strikeouts in 79 plate appearances over 20 games.

Baltimore Orioles first baseman Ryan Mountcastle (knee) is back at first base and is hitting third in the order for Wednesday's game against the Los Angeles Angels and left-hander Tyler Anderson. Mountcastle will return to action after missing the last two games with knee soreness. The 27-year-old former 36th overall pick in 2015 has been swinging the bat well this year with a .333 average (25-for-75) with two home runs, 11 RBI and 14 runs scored in his first two games. Fantasy baseball managers need to make sure to get Mountcastle back into their lineups. He's only faced Anderson twice in his career and is hitless with one RBI. So far against southpaws in 2024, Mountcastle is 8-for-25 (.320) with a homer and three RBI.

Chicago Cubs outfielder Mike Tauchman went 2-for-3 with a walk and four RBI in Tuesday's victory against the Houston Astros. Both of the outfielder's hits were home runs, his first and second of the season. Tauchman has been on a heater lately and has nine hits over his last 20 at-bats. For the season, Tauchman is hitting a respectable .283 with two homers and seven RBI to go along with 13 runs scored. With Seiya Suzuki (oblique) sidelined, Tauchman has gotten every day reps and has taken the most of the opportunity. As long as he keeps hitting, he is worth a look in deeper leagues. The outfielder will look to stay hot on Wednesday in a rematch against the Astros and rookie starting pitcher Spencer Arrighetti.

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Michael King did not last long in Tuesday's 7-4 loss to the Rockies. King pitched just 3 2/3 innings, allowing six runs (four earned) on eight hits (including a grand slam) and three walks with five strikeouts. The 38-year-old has had an up-and-down start to the season with his new team, going 2-2 with a 4.11 ERA, a 9.98 K/9 rate, and a 5.28 BB/9 rate in five starts. He will look to rebound in his next start in a tougher matchup against the Phillies.

Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash said that closer Pete Fairbanks (undisclosed) underwent tests on Tuesday that came back "really clean". Fairbanks was sent for multiple tests, evaluating everything from his neck to his fingertips, but the Rays still haven't provided a specific diagnosis. Cash is "encouraged that nothing is showing up", though. While it's promising to hear no serious setback for Fairbanks has come to light to this point, the hard-throwing 30-year-old right-hander's return timetable from a nerve-related issue remains very cloudy. Over Fairbanks' two injured-list stints last season, setup man Jason Adam collected 10 saves while the closer was sidelined and belongs on all mixed-league fantasy rosters until Tampa Bay's bullpen hierarchy becomes clearer. Lefty Colin Poche should be in the mix for ninth-inning work as well, but he gave up three runs in the eighth inning in Tuesday's 4-2 loss to the Detroit Tigers.

Houston Astros left-hander Framber Valdez (elbow) will throw a bullpen session with the team in Chicago this week and he could start one of the two games against the Colorado Rockies in Mexico City, either this Saturday or Sunday, according to manager Joe Espada. The 30-year-old southpaw was able to throw a 30-pitch bullpen session last Saturday, which was his first time throwing off a mound since left-elbow inflammation landed him on the injured list on April 9. Whether Valdez is able to make his return and start this weekend against the Rockies will be determined by how he looks in his next bullpen session this week. Even though the Rockies are a very enticing matchup, Valdez would be a shaky fantasy play in the altitude in Mexico City if he's activated for a start this weekend.

Baltimore Orioles first baseman Ryan Mountcastle (knee) remains out of the starting lineup ahead of Tuesday's game against the Los Angeles Angels. The right-handed slugger will miss his second game in a row due to knee soreness. That means, Ryan O'Hearn will cover first base and bat third on Tuesday. It doesn't sound like this issue will force Mountcastle to miss significant time. For now, fantasy managers should consider him as day-to-day.

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Jake Fraley (illness) and second baseman Jonathan India (illness) are both still out on Tuesday against the visiting Philadelphia Phillies due to illnesses. Fraley has been out of the starting lineup since last Friday, while India has now missed the last three games due to a bug that has been going around the clubhouse. Stuart Fairchild is in center field and is batting leadoff, while Nick Martini is the designated hitter and is batting seventh against Phillies left-hander Cristopher Sanchez. Santiago Espinal is at second and hitting in the eight-hole. Fantasy managers will need to check back on both Fraley and India to see if they're feeling good enough to return on Wednesday. Fairchild is the best DFS sleeper play out of the leadoff spot. He has yet to homer in 44 at-bats in 2024, but he does have a homer and RBI in five career at-bats against Sanchez.

The Texas Rangers activated catcher Jonah Heim from the bereavement list on Tuesday and optioned catcher Sam Huff to Triple-A Round Rock after Sunday's game in a corresponding move. Heim will be back behind the dish to catch right-hander Dane Dunning on Tuesday while hitting eighth in the batting order against the visiting Seattle Mariners and right-hander Logan Gilbert. The left-handed-hitting backstop has a .300 average with a home run and four RBI in 20 career at-bats against Gilbert, so fantasy managers will surely want to get him back into their starting lineups right away. Heim has been decent at the plate to start the year, too, going 19-for-72 (.264) with three home runs, 15 RBI, one stolen base and seven runs scored in 18 games played.

Outfielder Estevan Florial is in the starting lineup and batting seventh as the designated hitter for the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday. Florian last played on April 19 and went 1-for-4 with an RBI and a run. The left-handed hitter will be facing right-handed pitcher Tanner Houck, who is starting for Boston. This season, Florial is slashing .235/.316/.500 with two home runs and four RBI in 13 games for the Guardians.

The New York Yankees will be starting right-hander Marcus Stroman on Tuesday against the Oakland Athletics. Stroman is coming off going 5.1 innings allowing two runs on six hits against the Toronto Blue Jays. Stroman is 1-1 with a 2.42 ERA this season, while at home is 0-1 with a 3.27 ERA. The right-hander is going up against an Athletics lineup that is slashing .204/.278/.339 which ranks 28th, 29th, and 26th in the majors.