Chicago Cubs right-handed pitcher Porter Hodge (oblique/hip) completed another bullpen session on Saturday. Hodge threw 30 pitches. Hodge was also able to complete a session earlier this week on Wednesday. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status as he could be nearing a rehab assignment, as he has yet to face any setbacks following these bullpen sessions. Before the injury, Hodge was deployed as a high-leverage option in the bullpen. Across 19 1/3 innings of work, Hodge posted a 5.12 ERA with a 1.50 WHIP. During this stretch, he struck out 19 batters but showed weak command of his pitches, posting a 13.1% walk rate. He tallied two saves and six holds. When he returns, fantasy managers should expect Hodge to share the closer role alongside Daniel Palencia.

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Chicago Cubs left-handed pitcher Shota Imanaga (hamstring) completed a 37-pitch bullpen session on Saturday. Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports reported that the left-hander is set to pitch in an Arizona game on Monday. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his progression as he may only need a few rehab outings before returning to the major leagues. Before his injury, Imanaga logged 44 2/3 innings of work to the tune of a 2.82 ERA and an impressive 1.10 WHIP. During this stretch, he struck out just 34 batters but showed strong control of his pitches, allowing walks at a 7.7% rate. However, under the hood, Imanaga generated a high 4.59 xERA with a .254 xBA, which suggests he could face some regression when he returns to the bump. When he returns, Imanaga will replace either Ben Brown or Cade Horton in the starting rotation.

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Philadelphia Phillies right-handed pitcher Zack Wheeler (paternity) is set to return from the paternity list on Monday to face the Chicago Cubs. The ace of the Philadelphia rotation has been sidelined over the past week due to the birth of his child. However, Wheeler is in line to make a quick return to the rotation. Before missing time, Wheeler logged 76 innings to the tune of a 2.96 ERA with a stellar 0.92 WHIP. Across this stretch, Wheeler has tallied 94 punchouts and allowed walks at an impressive 6.1% rate. Under the hood, the right-hander sits in the 96th percentile in xERA and 94th percentile in xBA. He has also allowed hard contact at a strong 32.4% rate. Fantasy managers should continue to view Wheeler as a high-end SP1 in all formats going forward.

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Houston Astros outfielder Jose Altuve is not in the starting lineup for Sunday's series finale in Cleveland against the Guardians. Rookie Jacob Melton will make the start in left field and will hit seventh against Guardians right-hander Tanner Bibee. Altuve will get a day off after starting in each of the team's last 25 games. The 35-year-old nine-time All-Star and former MVP doesn't have excellent counting stats this year with nine homers, 24 RBI, 29 runs scored and five stolen bases, but he has hit .328 with five of his nine home runs on the year in his last 17 games to raise his season slash line to .261/.306/.396 in 245 at-bats. However, the Venezuelan's xBA of .236 suggests there's more regression coming for the aging star. Melton, one of the team's top prospects, has gone 3-for-16 with two RBI, two runs and a steal in his first six MLB games.

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The Houston Astros have designated right-handed pitcher Forrest Whitley for assignment. This transaction opened a spot on the roster for left-handed pitcher Brandon Walker, who is slated to start Sunday's contest against the Cleveland Guardians. Whitley has dealt with injuries this season and has only logged 7 1/3 innings of work. During this brief stint, Whitley has allowed nine hits and 10 earned runs. He has struck out just eight batters and allowed six free passes. Last season, Whitley made his MLB debut and logged 3 1/3 innings of work and did not allow a run. Through 126 1/3 career innings at the Triple-A level, the 27-year-old has held a 6.27 ERA with a 1.54 WHIP. Given his lack of success in the minor and major leagues, Whitley may not draw much interest on waivers.

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Houston Astros rookie outfielder Cam Smith (illness) is returning to right field and will bat sixth on Sunday against the hosting Cleveland Guardians and right-hander Tanner Bibee at Progressive Field. Smith returns to Houston's starting lineup after missing the last two games due to an illness. Fantasy managers might want to keep the young outfielder on their benches, though, since the 22-year-old has only one hit with eight strikeouts in his last 17 at-bats. After tearing it up in spring training in the Grapefruit League, last year's 14th overall selection out of Florida State has struggled in his first MLB regular season with only three home runs, 18 RBI, 19 runs scored and three stolen bases in 163 at-bats. He has walked 17 times and fanned 54 times in his 183 plate appearances. Smith has not faced Bibee this year before Sunday.

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Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams is receiving a breather in Sunday's series finale against the visiting Texas Rangers. With Abrams on the bench, Nasim Nunez will make the start at the 6 and will hit ninth against Rangers left-hander Jacob Latz. This will be Abrams' first game off since returning from a hip injury that he dealt with in April. He could use the day off, as he's gone 7-for-55 (.127) with no homers, three doubles, an RBI, two steals, nine runs scored, two walks and 11 strikeouts in his last 14 games since May 23. The 24-year-old former first-rounder remains a fine source of power and speed from the shortstop position and has an xBA of .283 despite his current .261 batting average. He's added eight homers and 11 stolen bases in 203 at-bats. Nunez has never faced Latz and should be avoided in DFS.

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The Cleveland Guardians optioned outfielder Jhonkensy Noel to Triple-A Columbus on Sunday and recalled outfielder Johnathan Rodriguez from Columbus in a corresponding move, according to MLB.com's Tim Stebbins. With Lane Johnson battling injuries pretty much all year to this point, Noel has had plenty of opportunities to showcase his power in Cleveland's outfield, but he's failed to do so. The 23-year-old Dominican has hit just .146 (15-for-103) with two home runs, nine RBI, 12 runs scored, three walks and 34 strikeouts in 107 trips to the plate over his 46 games in his second MLB season. Since the start of May, he had gone 5-for-48 (.104) in 23 games, so he'll go down to the farm to find ways to make more contact. The right-handed-hitting Rodriguez will now be in line for a platoon in right field with Nolan Jones.

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Texas Rangers outfielders Adolis Garcia and Wyatt Langford both find themselves on the bench for Sunday's series finale in Washington D.C. against the Nationals. Sam Haggerty will start in right field and hit in the two-hole, while Alejandro Osuna is in left field and hitting eighth against Nationals right-hander Trevor Williams. Garcia, who has been slumping all year, recently took four games off for a "mental break." Since returning, the 32-year-old has gone 4-for-15 with an RBI and a steal in four games. Langford will be getting his first day off since April 27. The 23-year-old former first-rounder has 11 homers and 11 steals in 207 at-bats in his second big-league season, but he's hitting under .200 with a strikeout rate over 30% in his last 20 games. Neither Haggerty nor Osuna have faced Williams in their careers, but Haggerty is the better DFS sleeper in the two-hole.

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The Houston Astros have promoted left-handed pitching prospect Brandon Walter ahead of his start on Sunday against the Cleveland Guardians. In a corresponding move, the Astros designated right-handed pitcher Forrest Whitley for assignment. Walter has made a start in Houston this season and tossed five shutout frames with five punchouts and three hits against the Tampa Bay Rays. Last season, Walter made his MLB debut and logged 23 innings to the tune of a 6.26 ERA and a 1.70 WHIP. Over his last five outings at Triple-A Sugar Land, the southpaw has found success, holding a 1.88 ERA with a strong 0.88 WHIP. During this stretch, Walter has tallied 28 punchouts and allowed just one free pass. This afternoon, he is worth a look in deeper formats as a streaming option, given his earlier success in the majors and strong production at Triple-A.

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Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno (hand) remains out of the starting nine on Sunday when the Diamondbacks conclude a series against the Cincinnati Reds. Moreno exited Friday's contest early after being struck in the hand by a pitch. He sat out on Saturday. However, Moreno's X-rays came back negative, which suggests he could be in line to return to the lineup on Monday evening when they face the Seattle Mariners. Through 50 games this season, Moreno has held a .278/.355/.414 slash line with eight doubles, one triple, four home runs, and a 29:13 K:BB. He has only struck out at a 16.5% rate. This afternoon, Jose Herrera will do the catching duties and is slated to bat in the nine-hole. The Diamondbacks are a top target in DFS facing Cincinnati right-hander Brady Singer.

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Miami Marlins outfielder Kyle Stowers (hand) remains out of the starting nine on Sunday when the Marlins conclude a series against the Tampa Bay Rays. Stowers has been held out of action since Wednesday's contest. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status in case he does not progress and needs a stint on the injured list. Before his injury, Stowers held a .245/.308/.464 line with four doubles, one triple, and six home runs over his last 30 contests. This afternoon, the Marlins will give Javier Sanoja the starting nod in left field. He will bat in the nine-hole. Fantasy managers should monitor Stowers' status leading up to their next contest on Monday against the Pirates. This afternoon, the Marlins are best to fade in DFS facing Tampa Bay right-hander Drew Rasmussen, who enters this game with a 2.14 ERA.

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The Cleveland Guardians are promoting outfield prospect Johnathan Rodriguez to the major leagues prior to Sunday's contest against the Houston Astros. In a corresponding move, the Guardians optioned Jhonkensy Noel to Triple-A Columbus. Rodriguez is considered the No. 12-ranked prospect in the system on MLB.com. The 25-year-old has appeared in 17 MLB contests over the past two years, including four earlier this season. Through the brief stint in the big leagues, Rodriguez has held a .111 AVG with a .486 OPS. However, at the Triple-A level, Rodriguez has been very productive and could be poised to take the next step in the majors. Through 211 career games with Triple-A Columbus, Rodriguez has held a .301/.391/.534 line with 47 home runs. For now, fantasy managers in AL-only leagues should consider taking a flier on Rodriguez given his power upside.

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The Minnesota Twins have activated left-handed pitcher Danny Coulombe (forearm) from the 15-day injured list before Sunday's contest against the Toronto Blue Jays. In a corresponding move, the Twins placed right-handed pitcher Zebby Matthews (shoulder) on the 15-day IL. Coulombe has been held out of action since May 18. Before the injury, the southpaw was enjoying an impressive start to the campaign, tossing 16 2/3 shutout innings of relief. The left-hander has struck out 19 batters and served up walks at a stellar 3.3% rate. Under the hood, he has generated an elite 1.68 xERA with a .187 xBA. During the opening months of the campaign, Coulombe tallied two holds and two saves operating as a high-leverage option. While Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax will continue to see most of the high-leverage situations, Coulombe should see a handful of opportunities to tally holds going forward.

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The Minnesota Twins have placed right-handed pitcher Zebby Matthews (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list with a right shoulder strain on Sunday. Matthews was able to pick up his first win of the campaign in his last outing, but will now be sitting for at least the next two weeks. In a corresponding move, the Twins activated left-handed pitcher Danny Coulombe (forearm) from the IL. Through 19 innings this season, Matthews has posted a 5.21 ERA with a 1.47 WHIP. He has tallied 25 punchouts but allowed walks at a high 9.6% rate. Earlier this season at Triple-A, Matthews showed high upside as he posted a 1.93 ERA with a 1.19 WHIP across 32 2/3 innings of work. With Matthews now sidelined, fantasy managers should expect the Twins to promote Simeon Woods Richardson from Triple-A to fill his spot in the rotation.

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Athletics first base prospect Nick Kurtz (hip) went 2-for-3 with a home run, three RBI, two runs scored and a walk as Low-A Stockton's leadoff hitter in his minor-league rehab game on Saturday. It was Kurt's first rehab game since landing on the 10-day injured list on May 25 with a strained left hip flexor, but as long as he feels good coming out of Saturday's game, he's expected to come off the IL and play in Monday's series opener against the division-rival Los Angeles Angels. The 22-year-old left-handed slugger is the No. 2 first base prospect in MLB behind the Royals' Jac Caglianone, and he has high-end power for fantasy manager in the near and long term. When Kurtz returns on Monday, he should jump right back into the starting lineup as the A's regular first baseman. The former first-rounder had gone 23-for-94 (.245) with five homers and 15 RBI in his first 28 MLB games before his injury.

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Boston Red Sox outfield prospect Roman Anthony collected just one hit in four at-bats on Saturday for Triple-A Worcester, but the lone hit was a mammoth 497-foot grand slam that came off the bat at 115.6 mph. In addition to the four RBI, MLB's top prospect also walked once and scored twice in the contest. It was the 21-year-old's 10th home run of the year and the longest home run hit at any level this season. The 6-foot-3 slugger is now slashing .290/.421/.495 on the season. Despite going 5-for-29 (.172) over his last seven games, he owns one of the best hit tools in the minors, and Saturday's display should show that, at the very least, his power is MLB-worthy. Anthony will be one of the next big prospects to get the call to the majors and should be up by the end of the month. The left-handed slugger is a stash candidate in all leagues ahead of his eventual call-up.

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Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop/outfield prospect Konnor Griffin is absolutely on fire at Single-A Bradenton, going 3-for-5 on Saturday with a home run, three RBI, two runs scored, and a stolen base. The Pirates' second-ranked prospect now has multiple hits in five straight games, and at least three hits in four of his last seven contests, going 16-for-29 (.552) over that seven-game stretch, which includes a double, a triple, a home run, and five steals. The 2024 first-rounder now boasts a .338/.396/.536 slash line with nine home runs and 26 stolen bases through 50 games played. A test at Double-A should be right around the corner, and dynasty managers should be keeping a close eye on the toolsy 19-year-old.

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Tampa Bay Rays pitching prospect Ian Seymour has been called up from Triple-A Durham in order to provide some relief to a heavily taxed bullpen. The Rays' 19th-ranked prospect is a logical option due to the fact that he is already on the 40-man roster, and although he has been working as a starter in the minors, the lefty has superb strikeout stuff that has helped him to 84 punchouts in only 61 innings pitched. The 84 strikeouts are the most of any minor league pitcher, coming with a 2.95 ERA and 1.20 WHIP. Not being a closing option or a starter and without any certainty how long he'll be with the team, there's little reason to roster the southpaw on most fantasy squads, but if a rotation spot were to open up, Seymour would be a solid add on his strikeout upside alone in deeper leagues. Cole Sulser was optioned to Durham in a corresponding move.

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Tampa Bay Rays catcher Danny Jansen was an unlikely hero at the plate during Saturday's game against the Miami Marlins. Jansen did a little of everything in this game, including a two-run home run in the fourth inning. He would finish this game 3-for-4 with a homer, double, and three runs scored in the loss. It hasn't been a pretty season for Jansen who is slashing .200/.320/.354 with five homers and 14 RBI this season. It was a nice outing for the veteran catcher, but he's still not productive enough to warrant rostering in most fantasy formats.

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