

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Alek Manoah (shoulder) dominated in his fifth rehab start for Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday, throwing six innings of one-run ball on just two hits and two walks while striking out 12 batters. Manoah's return from soreness in his right shoulder appears to be on the horizon, and with rookie right-hander Yariel Rodriguez (back) getting placed on the injured list on Tuesday, Manoah appears to have a spot in Toronto's rotation waiting for him. The big 26-year-old right-hander is looking at an early-May activation from the IL, and Sunday's favorable matchup on the road against the Washington Nationals might be the date fantasy managers can circle on their calendars for Manoah's 2024 regular-season debut. Although Manoah limped to a 5.87 ERA, 1.74 WHIP, and 79:59 K:BB over 87 1/3 frames last year, he'd carry streaming appeal if he ultimately takes the ball on Sunday against the Nats.


Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Shane Baz (elbow) will begin a minor-league rehab assignment either on Saturday or Sunday with Triple-A Durham. After throwing two innings in an extended spring game last Wednesday, Baz pitched in another spring outing on Monday as he continues to build up his pitch count from Tommy John surgery. While it's unclear how far out he is from making his 2024 regular-season debut, the 24-year-old former top prospect should be able to rejoin Tampa Bay's injury-depleted rotation before the end of May. Baz owns a strong 28.9% strikeout rate in 40 1/3 career innings (nine starts), which makes him a worthy stash in all fantasy leagues. Veteran right-hander Zack Littell holds a respectable 3.27 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, and 35:5 K:BB over 33 frames (six starts) for the Rays this season, and he'll be a decent streaming option in Saturday's scheduled home start versus the New York Mets.



Miami Marlins left-hander A.J. Puk (shoulder) is throwing a bullpen session on Tuesday. Puk is progressing through fatigue in his left shoulder, but his return timetable remains very much in the dark at this point. The 29-year-old former No. 6 overall pick scuffled as a starter in four appearances for the Fish this season, recording a 9.22 ERA, 2.63 WHIP, and 12:17 K:BB through 13 2/3 innings before going down, and Puk will return out of Miami's bullpen when he's healthy. Although Puk could eventually be a threat for saves when he rejoins the major-league roster, he's not a must-stash fantasy player by any means. Closer Tanner Scott owns a 3.09 ERA (5.64 FIP), 1.62 WHIP, and 10:12 K:BB over 11 2/3 frames this year, and it probably wouldn't hurt fantasy managers to send out some sell-high trade offers when Puk's return becomes closer.


Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler (elbow) made perhaps his final minor-league rehab start for Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday, allowing one run on seven hits and no walks with five strikeouts over five innings. After throwing 75 pitches in this outing, Buehler should be on the cusp of rejoining LA's rotation and making his highly-anticipated 2024 regular-season debut following a long road back from Tommy John surgery. The Dodgers will make a final decision in the coming days on where his next start will come, but the 29-year-old star right-hander should be available to fantasy managers in early May. When we last saw him back in the 2022 season, Buehler logged a 4.02 ERA (3.80 FIP), 1.29 WHIP, and 58:17 K:BB over 65 frames (12 starts). Landon Knack is making Tuesday's start against the division-rival Arizona Diamondbacks, and it may very well be his last with the major-league roster for now.



Milwaukee Brewers catcher Gary Sanchez (hamstring) was removed from Tuesday's game against the visiting Tampa Bay Rays with tightness in his right hamstring. Sanchez hit into a fielder's choice in the first inning, coming up lame after legging out a throw to first base and getting pulled from the contest right away. Top prospect Tyler Black, who was just promoted from the minor leagues on Tuesday, replaced Sanchez to run for him. The Brewers should offer another update on Sanchez's status when he's further evaluated following the contest. The 31-year-old slugging backstop is slashing a decent .208/.283/.458 with three home runs, three doubles, and six RBI in 48 at-bats (18 games) for Milwaukee this year, and the club would really lean on the red-hot William Contreras behind the dish if Sanchez is facing a significant setback. Black would also see more work as a designated hitter in this case.
