Atlanta Braves starting pitching prospect Hurston Waldrep is being promoted to Triple-A Gwinnett after posting a dominant start at Double-A this season. Through 49 innings, the 22-year-old held a 2.92 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP, with a 17:48 BB:K ratio. The Florida product got a small taste of Triple-A ball late last summer and logged just four shutout innings. Waldrep is considered the number two prospect in the Atlanta system and now has a strong chance to make his major league debut later this summer. Waldrep should be rostered in all dynasty leagues and could be worth adding in deeper redraft formats if he performs well through his first few starts at Triple-A.

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Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams has been scratched from Saturday's contest against the Cleveland Guardians. While the reason for his absence is undisclosed, it's worth noting that Abrams hit his head on the ground playing defense on Friday, so it's possible he is feeling the effects of that situation despite him remaining in for the rest of his club's 7-1 loss. The 23-year-old displayed his power/speed potential in his first full big-league season in 2023, hitting 18 homers alongside a hefty 47 stolen bases across 151 appearances. That appetizing combination has translated into the 2024 campaign as Abrams has slugged nine round-trippers alongside eight stolen bases across 53 contests. Fantasy managers will want to keep a close eye on his status moving forward as a potential concussion could be the issue.

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The Washington Nationals have released outfielder Victor Robles on Saturday as the former top prospect continues to struggle at the plate. After several seasons of lackluster offensive output, Robles hit .299 alongside a .749 OPS across 36 games in the 2023 season but back issues put a strong halt on his campaign. Robles also showcased his power/speed potential with 17 homers and 28 stolen bases back in the 2019 season but failed to build on that potential. Still just 27 years old, Robles hit just .120 without a homer across 14 games and 33 plate appearances in the 2024 season while an ankle injury suffered in early April hasn't helped his cause. Considering his highly-regarded defense in center field and solid base-running skills, it's likely a club will take a chance on Robles as a low-risk flier.

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Toronto Blue Jays reliever Yimi Garcia is likely the club's first closing option with Jordan Romano (elbow) being placed on the 15-day injured list on Saturday, according to skipper John Schneider. Schneider also mentioned that right-hander Chad Green could also see some save opportunities but Garcia is certainly the reliever of choice for fantasy managers considering the season he has enjoyed to this point. The 33-year-old has worked to a tidy 1.23 ERA alongside a 32.1% K% in 21 appearances spanning 22 innings of work. Garcia has also earned a pair of saves after beginning the season as the Jays' closer with both Romano and Erik Swanson on the IL. Considering this is Romano's second elbow-related trip to the injured list (and his 6.59 ERA) this season and Swanson being optioned to Triple-A, there's a real chance Garcia could be the team's No. 1 closer even upon Romano's return from the injured list.

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San Diego Padres right-hander Joe Musgrove has landed on the 15-day injured list due to right elbow inflammation. It's a concerning development for the 31-year-old who missed time in early May with an elbow issue before successfully returning with 8 1/3 frames of three-run ball (two earned) across a pair of starts before returning to the injured list on Saturday. All told, it has certainly been an uneven season from both a health and performance perspective as Musgrove owns a 5.66 ERA across 10 starts and 49 1/3 innings of work, although his 4.16 xFIP and 4.02 SIERA suggest he has dealt with some unfortunate luck to this point in the season. Fantasy managers will want to keep a close eye on his status considering it's his second trip to the IL due to an elbow injury in less than a month.

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San Diego Padres right-hander Yu Darvish (groin) has landed on the 15-day injured list on Saturday. The veteran was still under evaluation ahead of Tuesday's scheduled start against the Los Angeles Angels and while he hadn't been ruled out of making that start, he has indeed been placed on the 15-day IL. Making matters worse for the Friars is the fact fellow righty Joe Musgrove (elbow) also landed on the 15-day IL on Wednesday, decimating a Padres rotation that sits 18th with a 4.13 ERA on the season. As for Darvish, the 37-year-old has done his part in tossing a 3.20 ERA across his 11 starts, going 4-3 in the process. It's a nice bounce-back for Darvish who scuffled to a 4.56 ERA in the 2023 season but fantasy managers will need to exercise what will hopefully be some short-term patience as he sits on the sidelined with a groin issue.

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Toronto Blue Jays catcher Danny Jansen is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's afternoon contest against the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates. The 29-year-old went 0-for-4 with a pair of walks and a run scored in Friday's extra-innings win but will give way to Alejandro Kirk behind the dish on Saturday. Jansen is in the midst of an excellent season that has seen him hit .287 with five homers alongside a .906 OPS across 116 trips to the plate as he dealt with a broken hand earlier in the season. His productive bat has not only given him the lion's share of starts over Kirk behind the plate but has earned him a spot in the two-hole on a regular basis of late. He has emerged an excellent No. 1 catcher for fantasy managers in the 2024 campaign.

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Atlanta Braves catcher Sean Murphy will be getting the day off on Saturday as the Braves continue a three-game set against the Oakland Athletics. Instead, Travis d'Arnaud will get the nod behind the dish and bat in the six-hole. Murphy was recently reinstated from the injured list with an oblique injury this week but has tallied just two hits across four games. Travis d'Arnaud has posted a solid .260/.329/.480 line with five long balls and 21 RBI through 43 games this season. He is worth considering in DFS this afternoon as he will face Oakland right-hander Aaron Brooks, who enters this game with a 3.63 ERA and 1.56 WHIP.

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Detroit Tigers outfielder Mark Canha (hip) remains out of the starting lineup again on Saturday. The 35-year-old was a late scratch on Friday and will once again be sitting out due to hip discomfort. Chris McCosky reports that there is no inclination that Canha will not go on the injured list and that the team will wait until how his hip holds up for the time being. Rookie Colt Keith will slot in as the designated hitter and bat fifth this afternoon, which opens up the keystone for Zach McKinstry, who will bat in the seven-hole. Keith is worth a look in DFS as he has posted a strong .378 AVG with two home runs in his past eleven games. He will face Red Sox right-hander Cooper Criswell who enters Saturday with a 4.19 ERA.

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San Diego Padres starting pitcher Joe Musgrove (elbow) will be heading to the injured list, per Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune. Musgrove is dealing with a recurrence of an elbow issue that kept him sidelined earlier in May. While this injury is not expected to be season-ending, the 31-year-old could miss an extended period of time. Musgrove was scheduled to start Saturday, but the Padres will now look to Randy Vazques to clinch a series victory against the Kansas City Royals. Musgrove has struggled through 49 1/3 innings he has logged this season with a poor 5.66 ERA and 1.48 WHIP. Vasquez should be expected to remain in the rotation while Musgrove remains sidelined and could be worth adding in NL-only formats, as he could see several starts through June.

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Miami Marlins catcher Christian Bethancourt was placed on the bereavement list on Saturday and will be out of the lineup for the next three days. In a corresponding move, the Marlins promoted backstop Jhonny Pereda from Triple-A Jacksonville. Bethancourt has struggled through his first 31 games of the season, posting a .162/.208/.250 line with just one home run and three doubles. Nick Fortes is starting at catcher Saturday afternoon, batting in the nine-hole, and should be expected to see the majority of starts will Bethancourt is away. Fortes has posted a modest .173 AVG with two long balls across 41 games this season. Fortes is best to fade in DFS as he has struggled to show consistency this season and is projected to face Michael Lorenzen, who enters Saturday with a 3.35 ERA.

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Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Joc Pederson is not in Saturday's lineup as they are scheduled to face southpaw Sean Manaea. The 32-year-old has yet to make a start against a left-handed pitcher this season, and Saturday will continue this pattern. As a result, Ketal Marte will shift to the designated hitter spot and bat leadoff, which opens up second base for Blaze Alexander, who will bat in the eight-hole. Pederson has looked quite comfortable with his new club through the early part of the season with a .308/.406/.546 line. Pederson should be expected to return to the starting lineup on Sunday as the Mets will send out right-hander Tylor Megill. Ketel Marte is always worth consideration in DFS, and Blaze Alexander could be a nice value option as Sean Manaea enters Saturday with a 3.16 ERA and 1.29 WHIP.

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Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Jordan Romano (elbow) was placed on the 15-day injured list with right-elbow inflammation on Saturday, June 1. In a corresponding move, Brendon Little was promoted from Triple-A. The closer has been dealing with soreness in his elbow since Wednesday of this week and will now be sidelined for an extended period. In addition, the 31-year-old battled a similar injury earlier in the spring, which delayed his start to the season. Romano has pitched only 13 innings this season to the tune of a poor 6.59 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, and 4:13 BB:K ratio. As a result, Yimi Garcia and Chad Green are both candidates to see the majority of save opportunities while Romano remains sidelined.

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Baltimore Orioles outfielder Cedric Mullins is retreating to the bench on Saturday against the visiting Tampa Bay Rays. Colton Cowser will slide over to center field and bat sixth, while Kyle Stowers mans left field and hits in the eight-hole against Rays right-hander Taj Bradley. Mullins is still useful for his speed on the basepaths -- he's swiped 11 bags in 52 games this year -- but he's hitting just .185 (30-for-162) with six home runs, 22 RBI and 22 runs scored in 175 plate appearances with a career-high 25.7% strikeout rate. If Mullins continues to struggle offensively, he'll find himself on the bench more often against right-handed pitching. Stowers has gotten some run in Mullins' expense and has capitalized by going 7-for-18 with three doubles and five RBI in his first 10 games in 2024.

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Houston Astros first baseman Jon Singleton, outfielder Chas McCormick and catcher Yainer Diaz are all resting on Saturday against the visiting Minnesota Twins. Jose Abreu will start at first base and bat eighth, Mauricio Dubon will play left and hit seventh, and Victor Caratini will do the catching and fill out the nine-hole for Houston against Twins right-hander Joe Ryan. None of Houston's lineup replacements have a ton of DFS upside in the bottom third of the batting order against a tough pitcher. Now that Abreu is back from the minors, the 32-year-old lefty-hitting Singleton is going to find himself on the bench more often. In three games since returning to the big leagues, the struggling Abreu has two hits and an RBI in 10 plate appearances. The veteran slugger is now hitting just .111 (9-for-81) on the year and is still searching for his first homer.

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Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Josh Lowe (oblique) went 2-for-4 with a run scored and two strikeouts while playing right field in a minor-league rehab game on Friday for Triple-A Durham. Lowe is going to play in a couple more games for the Bulls this weekend but is aiming to come off the 10-day injured list to join the Rays on Tuesday for their game against the Miami Marlins. The 26-year-old left-handed slugger is on the injured list for the second time this season already with a mild right-oblique strain but has progressed nicely and is on the cusp of returning for fantasy managers. When Lowe is back in the fold, Jonny DeLuca will return to being more of a bench option. Lowe has gotten off to a slow start in 2024 but needs to remain rostered in all fantasy formats after hitting 20 bombs, driving in 83 and stealing 32 bags in 2023.

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Baltimore Orioles infielder Jordan Westburg (hand) is back at third base and is batting seventh for the O's on Saturday against the visiting Tampa Bay Rays and right-hander Taj Bradley. Westburg draws back into Baltimore's starting lineup after missing the last two games with a hand injury after he was hit by a pitch on Tuesday against the Boston Red Sox. The 25-year-old will be looking to extend his hitting streak to six games now that he's back in there. The former 30th overall pick in 2020 out of Mississippi State has gone 8-for-18 (.444) with a homer, two doubles, five RBI, two walks and five strikeouts during his modest five-game hitting streak. His lineup spot doesn't scream daily upside, but Westburg has been solid with the bat in 2024, slashing .291/.351/.508 with an .859 OPS, eight homers, 34 RBI and five swipes in a loaded Orioles lineup.

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Seattle Mariners manager Scott Servais said that right-hander Bryan Woo (arm) was dealing with some "arm stuff" early in the week and didn't throw his typical mid-week bullpen session before his start on Friday night against the visiting Los Angeles Angels, which is why the team kept him on a shorter pitch count. The 24-year-old is expected to make his next scheduled start in an excellent matchup in Oakland against the A's. Despite throwing only 66 pitches on Friday, Woo tossed six scoreless innings with three hits allowed while walking one and striking out two in a no-decision. Woo now has a shiny 1.30 ERA and 0.58 WHIP with 28 K's and only two walks in 27 2/3 frames over his first five starts in 2024 and needs to be started next week against the A's. Seattle understandably continues to monitor Woo's pitch count after he got a late start to the year due to injury.

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Boston Red Sox catcher Connor Wong and outfielder Rob Refsnyder are both out of the starting lineup on Saturday versus the visiting Detroit Tigers. Reese McGuire will do the catching for Boston and will bat seventh, while Enmanuel Valdez will serve as the designated hitter and bat fifth against Tigers right-hander Reese Olson. Wong has been a revelation for fantasy managers this year with a .329/.371/.473 slash line with an .844 OPS, five homers and 19 RBI, but his xBA of just .259 signals that regression is likely coming for the backstop. Still, fantasy managers need to keep riding him while he's hot. Refsnyder has also swung a hot bat so far in 2024, going 29-for-87 (333), and the 33-year-old should continue to play regularly with Tyler O'Neill (knee) and Masataka Yoshida (thumb) both on the injured list. O'Neill could be returning next week, though.

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Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Liam Hendriks (elbow) was able to throw fastballs and breaking pitches off the front of a mound on Thursday as he progresses in his throwing program after having Tommy John surgery. The 35-year-old Australian reliever overcame a cancer diagnosis to return to the Chicago White Sox in 2023, but he only ended up appearing in five games before undergoing elbow surgery. The three-time All-Star has 116 career saves in the big leagues over 13 seasons, so he'll bring veteran experience to the back end of Boston's bullpen when he's eventually cleared, but there's no current timetable for his return, and he's unlikely to join the team until the second half of the season. For now, Hendriks can be left to the waiver wire in most fantasy leagues, and there's no guarantee he'll be a candidate for saves in Boston as long as Kenley Jansen remains healthy.

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