Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Ryne Nelson (elbow) threw a five-inning simulated game on Monday that went smoothly, according to manager Torey Lovullo. Nelson was able to toss 75 pitches during the session and may not even need a minor-league rehab assignment before being activated from the 15-day injured list. He's only dealing with a right-elbow contusion after being hit by a line drive. It's a good bet that he'll come off the IL when he's eligible on May 4. The former second-round selection in 2019 out of Oregon made four starts before his injury and has gone 1-2 with a 4.60 ERA (4.14 FIP) and 1.53 WHIP with five walks and 13 strikeouts in 15 2/3 innings pitched. Nelson is going to need more strikeouts to become attractive in shallow mixed fantasy leagues. Until then, he'll be a matchup-based streamer in deeper leagues when he returns to Arizona's rotation.

Arizona Diamondbacks closer Paul Sewald (oblique) will throw a bullpen session on Wednesday, according to manager Torey Lovullo. Sewald was supposed to throw a bullpen on Sunday, but the Diamondbacks pushed him back a bit after he experienced soreness in his oblique after a minor-league rehab outing with Triple-A Reno. While the team has slowed the 33-year-old veteran down slightly, it's great news that he's still on track to throw a bullpen this week. After Wednesday's session, Sewald could make another rehab appearance before being cleared to return to Arizona's bullpen. He has yet to make his 2024 debut, but Sewald should be stashed in all fantasy leagues as Arizona's primary closer when he's healthy. He had a career-high 34 saves in 65 regular-season outings with the D-backs and Seattle Mariners in 2023.

Miami Marlins left-hander Jesus Luzardo (elbow), who was diagnosed with a mild left-flexor muscle strain after undergoing testing, played catch before the team's game on Monday. The Marlins placed Luzardo on the injured list recently after he felt tightness in his left elbow. All in all, it's good news that the 26-year-old southpaw was able to play catch on Monday, but he remains without a timetable to return to the team's starting rotation. Luzardo will definitely have a spot in the rotation waiting for him when he's able to return, and even though he's gotten off to a rough 0-2 start with a 6.58 ERA and 1.42 WHIP in his first five starts in 2024, he deserves to be rostered in most fantasy leagues once he's back in action.

Miami Marlins shortstop Tim Anderson (hand, thumb) left the game early on Monday against the Washington Nationals after hurting his left hand/thumb. Vidal Brujan replaced Anderson at shortstop after Anderson struck out in his only plate appearance of the game. Fantasy managers will need to check back later on Monday night or early Tuesday morning for an update on the severity of Anderson's injury. The 30-year-old two-time All-Star fell off a cliff in his final season with the Chicago White Sox in 2023 and entered Monday's contest hitting just .223 (21-for-94) with no home runs, five RBI and three runs scored in his first 27 games with the Fish. If Anderson's injury is serious and puts him on the injured list, Brujan would likely become the team's starting shortstop.UPDATE: Anderson is dealing with a mild left-thumb sprain and is considered day-to-day.

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich (back) played catch from around 120 feet in the outfield on Monday. Given Yelich's history with back issues, dating back to last year, it's no surprise that the Brewers are taking things slow in his recovery from a lower-back strain that landed him on the injured list. It's good news that the 32-year-old left-hander is doing baseball activities, but it may still be a while before he's cleared to begin a minor-league rehab assignment. Despite the Brewers slow-playing Yelich's rehab, fantasy managers must keep him stashed in an IL spot in all leagues after he opened the season hitting .333/.422/.744 with a 1.166 OPS, five home runs, 11 RBI, two steals and seven runs in his first 39 at-bats. Until he's able to return, Blake Perkins should continue to benefit from more playing time in Milwaukee's outfield.