Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Jakob Junis (head, shoulder) was moved to the 60-day injured list on Monday, meaning he won't be eligible to come back until June 2 now, at the earliest. Junis' comeback from a right-shoulder injury in early April was interrupted when he was stretchered off the field on April 22 after being hit in the neck by a batting practice ball. He was alert and responsive when he was sent to a local hospital and was able to resume playing catch by April 26. It's a tough break for the 31-year-old veteran, who allowed just one earned run on three hits while walking one and striking out four in a four-inning no-decision in his lone start of the year on April 2 against the Minnesota Twins. When healthy, Junis should be a candidate to return to Milwaukee's starting rotation next month.

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Dylan Cease is enjoying an excellent start to his 2024 regular season, and he'll try to keep the good times rolling in Wednesday's scheduled start on the road against the Chicago Cubs. Through seven starts this year, Cease boasts a 2.55 ERA (2.50 FIP) and 0.80 WHIP while striking out 48, walking 14, and leading MLB with just 4.3 hits per nine innings over 42 1/3 frames. After spending the first five years of his major-league career with the Chicago White Sox on the South Side, Cease has plenty of experience dealing with the Cubs. In four appearances against the Cubs since 2021, the hard-throwing 28-year-old right-hander is 3-0 with an outstanding 1.50 ERA and 33:11 K:BB across 24 innings. Chicago's current roster is batting just 4-for-46 (.087) versus Cease, who looks like a great fantasy play across the board on Wednesday.

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Ryan Pepiot (leg) is likely to go on the injured list, manager Kevin Cash says, but a CT scan was negative. Pepiot departed Sunday's series finale against the visiting New York Mets after taking a 107.5-mph comebacker off his left leg, which resulted in a contusion, and the Rays are preparing the take a cautious approach with the 26-year-old upstart right-hander. It doesn't sound like it'll be a long stint on the IL at the moment for Pepiot, who owns an excellent 3.68 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, and 41:11 K:BB through 36 2/3 innings (seven starts) as Tampa's ace this season. Look for Taj Bradley's (pectoral) next start to come in the major leagues to take Pepiot's spot in the rotation, with Bradley's 2024 regular-season debut likely arriving on Saturday at home against the division-rival New York Yankees.

New York Mets starting pitcher Kodai Senga (shoulder) will throw another bullpen session in the coming days, followed by possibly another live batting practice before going on a minor-league rehab assignment. Senga took extra time between live BP sessions and will now require the additional bullpen, plus perhaps another live BP before the Mets send him on a rehab assignment. Despite being eligible to come off the 60-day injured list on May 27, Senga's absence with a right posterior shoulder capsule strain will almost certainly extend into at least early June. Last year, the 31-year-old ace recorded a strong 2.98 ERA and 1.22 WHIP while striking out 202 and walking 77 in 166 1/3 innings (29 starts) for the Mets and still needs to be stashed in all fantasy leagues. Right-hander Jose Butto and top prospect Christian Scott will continue competing to lock down spots in New York's rotation until Senga is cleared to return.

Texas Rangers second baseman Marcus Semien collected a season-high five RBI in Tuesday's 15-8 win over the division-rival Oakland Athletics, also smacking a solo home run in the victory. It was a massive day at the plate for Semien, who went 4-for-5 with an RBI single plus a two-run double as part of a 10-run blitz in the second frame by the Rangers, and he added another run-scoring single in the fourth for good measure. The 33-year-old All-Star infielder is now slashing a solid .266/.314/.449 with six homers, nine doubles, 27 RBI, and 27 runs scored in 158 at-bats as Texas' everyday leadoff man. Before a tasty three-game weekend set against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field begins on Friday, Semien gets two more cracks at his former Athletics team in Wednesday's doubleheader. In 18 games versus Oakland since 2023, Semien is batting .329 with four long balls, 15 RBI, and three stolen bases.