Chicago White Sox right-hander Chris Flexen is lined up to start on Friday against the visiting Tampa Bay Rays. It will be Flexen's fourth start of the season. The 29-year-old former 14th-round pick by the New York Mets in 2012 has appeared out of the bullpen for the Pale Hose his last two times out and is now sporting a 6.41 ERA (5.75 FIP) and 1.42 WHIP with seven walks and 11 strikeouts in 19 2/3 innings pitched. Flexen has been more effective in his two relief appearances than his three starts, and the matchup against Tampa doesn't really make him attractive as a streaming sleeper in deep fantasy leagues on Friday. He'll be making the start on three days of rest. Flexen could be sent right back to Chicago's bullpen once Mike Clevinger is finally ready to make his season debut.

Minnesota Twins shortstop Carlos Correa (oblique) did some light glove work off to the side on the field on Wednesday and said he's swinging and doing baseball activities as he recovers from an oblique injury that sent him to the injured list. It sounds as though there's some possibility that he could come off the IL on the coming road trip without a minor-league rehab assignment if things keep trending well. The Twins start their road trip in Los Angeles against the Angels this Friday. The 29-year-old Puerto Rican is itching to get back as the team's starting shortstop after starting the year 11-for-36 (.306) with a homer and four RBI in 11 games played. Willi Castro has been serving as Minnesota's primary shortstop since Correa was placed on the IL.

The Toronto Blue Jays placed outfielder Kevin Kiermaier (hip) on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday with left-hip flexor inflammation and recalled utility man Addison Barger from Triple-A Buffalo in a corresponding move. Kiermaier was injured in Tuesday's contest and will now miss at least the next 10 days. Considering the 34-year-old's injury history, it wouldn't be a surprise if he missed more than the required 10 days on the IL. Kiermaier will be eligible to return on May 4. Daulton Varsho is moving to center field and batting cleanup on Wednesday, while Barger will make his major-league debut in left field while hitting eighth against Kansas City Royals right-hander Alec Marsh. Barger, who hits from the left side, is likely to see some playing time against right-handed pitching and is worth a deep-league pickup for his power upside.

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.

Oakland Athletics infielder Zack Gelof (undisclosed) has been scratched ahead of Wednesday's game against the New York Yankees. It's unclear why the A's pulled Gelof out of the lineup. The hope is that it's a minor issue and he'll be back in the lineup soon. In the meantime, Abraham Toro will cover third base and bat sixth on Wednesday. The A's should give an update on his status shortly.