Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell said that everything went well with left-hander Justin Steele's (hamstring) minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Iowa. He will work out with Iowa on Thursday and then meet the Cubs in Chicago on Friday. However, there is nothing official on when Steele's next start will be. It's definitely possible that the 28-year-old southpaw could come off the injured list this weekend and make his next start with the Cubbies after injuring his hamstring in his Opening Day start on March 28 against the Texas Rangers, when he allowed three hits and an earned run while walking one and striking out six in 4 2/3 innings of work. After a breakout 16-win season for Chicago in 2023, Steele belongs on all fantasy rosters.

Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (knee) will undergo imaging on his injured right knee, and the Twins will take the off day on Thursday to assess his injury. Buxton declined to speak to the media after the team's 10th straight victory on Wednesday over the Chicago White Sox. The oft-injured 30-year-old tweaked his knee while trying to steal a base in the second inning and gingerly left the field. It's an ominous sign for a player that has had a tough time staying on the field due to injuries, not to mention it's to the same knee he's had surgery on twice. We should know more on Thursday or Friday, but fantasy managers should be bracing for the worst. If Buxton requires an injured-list stint, Manuel Margot could see additional playing time in Minnesota's outfield.

Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Zac Gallen (hamstring) is asymptomatic, but left-hander Jordan Montgomery being scratched on Tuesday night due to a lengthy delay gave the team the opportunity to give Gallen some more rest. Gallen is being pushed back to, at the earliest, Sunday against the San Diego Padres, according to manager Torey Lovullo. Slade Cecconi will take the hill for the Snakes in the series opener on Friday night. The 28-year-old Gallen suffered a minor hamstring injury last week and was originally scheduled to take his regular spot in the rotation until Montgomery was pushed back on Tuesday night. While Gallen may not make a start for fantasy managers this week, he'll at least avoid a tough matchup against the division-rival Dodgers on Wednesday night. Fantasy managers will want to start him the next time he's on the bump on extra rest.

Los Angeles Dodgers superstar designated hitter Shohei Ohtani isn't in the team's lineup on Wednesday against the Arizona Diamondbacks for the first time this year against left-hander Jordan Montgomery. Catcher Will Smith will serve as the Dodgers' DH and hit third, while Austin Barnes will do the catching and bat in the nine-hole against Montgomery. Ohtani has gone just 5-for-26 in the last six games, so he's deserving of a day off and will get another day to rest on Thursday before the team begins a big series on Friday against the Atlanta Braves. Despite his recent skid, the 29-year-old Japanese left-handed slugger is slashing an impressive .336/.399/.618 with a 1.017 OPS, seven home runs, 19 RBI, five stolen bases and 25 runs scored in his first 32 games with the Blue. Smith has a solo homer among his two hits in four career at-bats against Montgomery.

Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez has snapped out of his early season slump at the plate. On Wednesday, Rodriguez went 3-for-5 with a run scored in the loss to the Atlanta Braves. The 23-year-old has now recorded seven multi-hit games over the last 13 games. He only has one home run on the season, but seven steals to his name. Fantasy managers will gladly take this three-hit performance from Rodriguez.