Chicago Cubs outfielder Ian Happ (hamstring) is back in left field and is hitting second for the Cubs on Tuesday against the visiting Houston Astros and right-hander J.P. France. Happ tweaked his hamstring last Friday and sat out Saturday and Sunday. But after the team's scheduled off day on Monday, the 29-year-old switch-hitter is ready to return to Chicago's starting lineup. Happ will be looking to bust out of a recent slump that has seen him record just four hits in his last 35 at-bats now that he's healthy again. Overall this year, he's hitting .240/.352/.360 with a home run, 12 RBI and 14 runs scored in his first 75 at-bats. In his two career at-bats against France, Happ has two hits and an RBI.

Chicago Cubs left-hander Justin Steele (hamstring) went through some fielding practice on Tuesday before the team's game against the visiting Houston Astros. Steele suffered his strained left hamstring while fielding a ball on Opening Day before landing on the injured list, so the Cubs want to make sure he's good before he throws in an extended spring training game this Friday. The 28-year-old will return to a spot in Chicago's rotation, but he's going to need at least a short minor-league rehab assignment before that happens. Steele is worth stashing in an injured-list spot in most fantasy leagues after going 16-5 with a career-best 3.06 ERA and 1.17 WHIP with 36 walks and a career-high 176 strikeouts in 173 1/3 innings in 30 starts for the Cubbies in 2023.

The Chicago Cubs placed pitchers Kyle Hendricks (back) and Drew Smyly (hip) on the 15-day injured list on Tuesday and recalled infielder Matt Mervis, right-hander Hayden Wesneski and left-hander Luke Little from Triple-A Iowa in corresponding moves. The 34-year-old Hendricks has been downright bad so far in 2024, posting a 12.00 ERA in his first five starts, but hopefully his back injury was mostly to blame. If left-hander Justin Steele (hamstring) is able to return from his IL stint before Hendricks does, which is likely, Hendricks could find himself out of a rotation spot when he's ready to return. With Hendricks out, Wesneski is a candidate to fill his rotation spot until Steele is able to return. Little will give the Cubs another left-handed arm out of the bullpen to replace Smyly.

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora is giving third baseman Rafael Devers (knee) one more day to rest his knee on Tuesday against the Cleveland Guardians and said Devers will serve as the designated hitter on Wednesday. Devers was originally set to return to Tuesday's lineup, but the Red Sox are being cautious since he hasn't played since suffering a bone bruise on his left knee on April 17. Pablo Reyes is getting the start at third for Boston on Tuesday and is hitting ninth against Guardians right-hander Ben Lively. Reyes, 30, should be avoided in DFS, especially in the nine-hole for the Red Sox. The Dominican infielder has eight hits in 46 at-bats (.174 average) with no homers and four RBI this year. Reyes has hit eight home runs, drove in 53 and stolen 12 bases in his six years in the majors.

New York Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole (elbow) got out to 120 feet on flat ground in his throwing program on Tuesday, which is typically as far out as pitchers will go before getting on the mound as they rehab. With that said, Cole isn't sure when he will advance to throwing off a mound. He will take the day off on Wednesday and go from there as he ramps up his throwing progression. If the 33-year-old reigning American League Cy Young winner feels good later this week, manager Aaron Boone said he could star throwing off a mound next week. Fantasy managers in all formats need to keep Cole stashed in an injured-list spot as he attempts to come back from nerve irritation in his right elbow, but he still has a ways to go.

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.

Boston Red Sox outfielder Tyler O'Neill (concussion) was activated from the seven-day injured list on Tuesday and is serving as the designated hitter and batting third in the order against the Cleveland Guardians and right-hander Ben Lively. In a corresponding move, the Red Sox placed catcher Tyler Heineman (hamstring) on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to April 22) with a right-hamstring strain. O'Neill missed the minimum time on the IL after suffering a mild concussion during a collision with third baseman Rafael Devers last week. Fantasy managers should be ecstatic to get the 28-year-old outfielder back into their lineups, as he had a 1.21 OPS and seven home runs in his first 61 plate appearances before his head injury. O'Neill has never faced Lively in his career.

Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers (knee) remains absent from the team's starting lineup on Tuesday against the hosting Cleveland Guardians. Pablo Reyes is getting the start at the hot corner and will hit in the nine-hole against Guardians right-hander Ben Lively, making him a poor sleeper option for DFS lineups. The Red Sox were hoping the Devers could return on Tuesday after a scheduled off day on Monday, but that won't be the case. The 27-year-old could need a trip to the injured list now that he'll be missing his fifth straight game after suffering a bone bruise on his left knee. It's a gamble if you've already inserted him into your weekly fantasy lineup. On top of his injury, Devers is just 9-for-48 (.188) so far in 2024 with two home runs and five RBI.

Joey Bart will be starting at catcher and batting eighth for the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday against the Milwaukee Brewers. The Pirates acquired Bart from the San Francisco Giants on April 2 and with Pittsburgh, the catcher is slashing .313/.450/.750. Bart last played on April 21 when he went 0-for-3 with a strikeout against the Boston Red Sox. Bart will be catching left-handed pitcher Bailey Falter who's starting for the Pirates on Tuesday.

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.

Right-hander Kenta Maeda is set for his fifth start of the MLB season as the Detroit Tigers are on the road to play the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday. Maeda is coming off a terrible start against the Texas Rangers, as he went 2 2/3 innings and allowed six runs (five earned) on seven hits, including three home runs. Maeda is 0-1 with a 7.64 ERA and faces a Rays lineup is slashing .242/.304/.356. Fantasy managers would be wise to avoid Maeda in this one as a streamer.

Right-hander Kevin Gausman will be starting for the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday in the second game of their four-game series against the Kansas City Royals. Gausman struggled to begin the year with his velocity, but in his last start against the Yankees, the right-hander had success, as he went five innings and allowed just one run on four hits while striking out six. Gausman is 0-2 with an 8.16 ERA this season and will face a Royals lineup that is slashing .237/.306/.405.

Toronto Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano recorded his third save on Monday in a 5-3 victory against the Kansas City Royals. Romano allowed one hit (one homer) with one strikeout in one inning pitched. He has now recorded three saves in four games that he has appeared in while recording a 4.50 ERA with three hits (one homer), and three strikeouts in four innings pitched. He may not be flashy with the strikeouts but he is recording saves and makes for a decent option for depth across all leagues. He is worth monitoring as he came off the injured list recently with elbow inflammation and has been a high-end closer in recent seasons.

Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suarez's plate vision was displayed in Monday's 5-3 loss against the St. Luis Cardinals. Suarez went 3-for-4 with two doubles, two RBI, and one run, finally connecting at the plate after going hitless in back-to-back games over the weekend against the Giants. He is 21-for-85 (.247) with five doubles, two homers, 16 RBI, 16 runs, eight walks and 24 strikeouts through 23 games. The season has had ups and downs for the third baseman and with his recent slump, the matchup against St. Luis favors him. With the favorable matchups for this week, Suarez is a strong stash option with upside across all formats.

San Francisco Giants right-hander Alex Cobb (hip, shoulder) was moved to the 60-day injured list on April 20, so he won't be eligible to return until May 27. Cobb was progressing well in his rehab from offseason hip surgery, but he hit another minor setback when he felt mild shoulder irritation before throwing a bullpen session on April 16. He "felt OK" when he resumed throwing but saw team orthopedist Dr. Ken Akizuki as a precaution on April 18, according to manager Bob Melvin. Cobb said the imaging on his shoulder came back clean, and he's currently throwing out to 75 feet on flat ground. The 36-year-old also had a "baby setback" when he was briefly shut down with a mild flexor strain in his right elbow. Cobb should have a rotation spot waiting for him when he's healthy, but he can stay on the waiver wire for now in most mixed leagues.

St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Keynan Middleton (forearm) has been on a two days on, one day off throwing program and has been stretched out so far to 110 feet. He's not throwing off a mound yet, though. Meanwhile, Drew Rom (biceps) did some plyometric work but didn't respond well late last week and hasn't made any progress from his injury. Middleton should be cleared to throw off a mound again soon and could then move to a short minor-league rehab assignment after that if all goes well. The 30-year-old hasn't pitched since getting hurt on March 7 during spring training, but when healthy, he could have some fantasy value in leagues that count holds. He'll be one of the team's primary setup men in front of closer Ryan Helsley.

St. Louis Cardinals designated hitter Matt Carpenter (oblique) received a platelet-rich injection on Monday for his strained right oblique, according to manager Oliver Marmol. The plan is for Carpenter to have three days of no activity followed by hitting coach thrown batting practice and then machine work before they look at getting him live at-bats. The 38-year-old veteran had three hits in 10 at-bats over three games at the beginning of the season before getting hurt and landing on the injured list. When healthy, Carpenter will strictly be a bench bat and a DH option for the Cards when they are facing right-handed pitching. In 76 games with the San Diego Padres in 2023, he slashed a miserable .176/.322/.319 with five home runs and 31 RBI.

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Dylan Carlson (shoulder) has taken swings, including some in the cage off batting practice tosses, and has gone through defensive work that includes throwing. However, he's still feeling some pain on the follow-through of his right-handed swing, but throwing has gone better than expected. There remains no timetable for his 2024 debut, but he's making progress and could start a minor-league rehab assignment in a few days. The 25-year-old is making slow progress and appears to be ahead of Tommy Edman (wrist) in his rehab, so he could be set for a starting role in center field when he's able to come off the injured list. The switch-hitting former 33rd overall pick in 2016 has disappointed in recent seasons, and injuries haven't helped his cause. When Edman is ready, Carlson figures to be a fourth outfielder in St. Louis.