Boston Red Sox infielder Romy Gonzalez (wrist) is not progressing as the team had hoped and is not close to a return from the 10-day injured list. Gonzalez landed on the injured list with a left-wrist sprain on April 13, but the good news is he's not dealing with any structural damage. There's no timetable on the 27-year-old's return since he has yet to resume baseball activities. Once he is able to come back from the injured list, Gonzalez will serve as infield depth for the BoSox up the middle behind Ceddanne Rafaela, and eventually, Vaughn Grissom (hamstring). So far in his first season in Beantown, Gonzalez has only seen action in two games and has gone 1-for-4 with a walk and a strikeout. He can continue to be ignored for fantasy purposes.

San Diego Padres right-hander Yu Darvish (neck) threw a side session on Wednesday, after which "reports were favorable," according to manager Mike Shildt. "He was on the gas, but didn't have it to the floor... it was a positive first step." Darvish was put on the 15-day injured list on April 17 (retroactive to April 15) and last pitched on April 14 against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The 37-year-old was shut down in September of last year with a stress reaction in his right elbow and has dealt with back and neck issues in the past. It sounds like Darvish is improving, but at 37 years old, his recurring neck issue is something to keep an eye on when he returns. Before hitting the IL, he had a 4.18 ERA and 1.27 WHIP with 22 strikeouts and 10 walks in 23 2/3 frames over his first five starts.

Kansas City Royals outfielder Hunter Renfroe finds himself on the bench again on Friday against the Detroit Tigers. This will be the second straight game that Renfroe will be starting on the bench. In his absence, the left-handed-hitting Adam Frazier will make the start in right field for the Royals and will hit eighth against Tigers right-hander Reese Olson. The 32-year-old Renfroe has hit just .149 (10-for-67) with two home runs, 10 RBI, five walks and 16 strikeouts in his first 72 plate appearances in 2024 and is quickly losing playing time in Kansas City's outfield rotation. Frazier, also 32, hasn't been much better, going 11-for-55 (.200) with no homers, four RBI and one stolen base in 22 games. He's never faced Olson in his career.

Miami Marlins right-handed pitching prospect Anthony Maldonado has been called up from Triple-A Jacksonville to start on Friday against the Washington Nationals after left-hander Jesus Luzardo was scratched after experiencing left-elbow discomfort. Maldonado, the team's No. 18 prospect per MLB Pipeline, will be making his major-league debut and won't be a recommended streamer for fantasy managers. The 26-year-old has posted a 2.31 ERA and 0.77 WHIP with 10 strikeouts and four walks in 11 2/3 innings at Jacksonville this year, but he hasn't gone more than two innings in any of his eight outings on the farm in 2024. Don't expect that to change in what will essentially be a bullpen game for the Fish to start the series against the Nats. Kyle Tyler is probably the best bet for the bulk role for Miami on Friday.

Miami Marlins left-hander Jesus Luzardo (elbow) was scratched from his scheduled start on Friday versus the Washington Nationals and will undergo testing for left-elbow discomfort, according to the team. The Marlins can ill-afford another injury to one of their starting pitchers, but the good news is they should be getting left-hander Braxton Garrett (shoulder) back soon. For now, fantasy managers that have the 26-year-old Luzardo rostered must keep him stashed and hope for the best. It's more bad news for a pitcher that has gotten off to a tough start in 2024, as he's posted a 6.58 ERA and 1.42 WHIP with 27 strikeouts and 13 walks in five starts covering 26 innings. In Luzardo's place, pitching prospect Anthony Maldonado will make the spot start against the Nats.