

Shortstop Masyn Winn is not in the lineup for the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday as the team hosts the New York Mets in the second game of a three-game series. The shortstop went 1-for-4 on Monday but isn't in the starting lineup, as St. Louis will be starting Brandon Crawford at shortstop, who is also batting eighth. This season, Winn is slashing .265/.333/.357 with zero home runs and seven RBI. However, the shortstop has struggled of late, as he's hitting .105 in his last five games. Winn is only eight percent owned on Yahoo and five percent on ESPN, but he isn't worth a fantasy look for the time being in standard-sized leagues until he picks things up offensively.


Houston Astros manager Joe Espada told SportsTalk790 that there is no timetable for first baseman Jose Abreu to return to the big-league roster. Abreu was sent down to the Florida Complex League on April 30 to help with his swing. Before being optioned, Abreu struggled at the plate, slashing .099/.156/.113 with zero home runs and three RBI. With Abreu in the minor leagues, Houston has been starting Jon Singleton at first base. Singleton is slashing .258/.329/.435 this season with three home runs and eight RBI. If Abreu does return to the MLB, he will need to prove he can produce offensively to be an everyday player for the Astros once again.


Shortstop Oneil Cruz is not in the Pittsburgh Pirates lineup on Tuesday against the Los Angeles Angels. The Pirates shortstop will not be in the lineup due to Los Angeles starting left-hander Patrick Sandoval. Cruz, who bats left-handed, has struggled against left-handers this season, as he's slashing .132/.154/.211. With Cruz out of the lineup, Pittsburgh will be starting Alika Williams at shortstop, who will be batting ninth. Williams is slashing .275/.310/.400 this season. Cruz should be back in the lineup on Wednesday with a right-hander pitcher on the mound for the Angels. The shortstop will also be available off the bench as a pinch-hitter on Tuesday.


The Cincinnati Reds have activated outfielder TJ Friedl (wrist) from the 10-day injured list. Friedl has yet to play this season due to a fractured right wrist. The outfielder is expected to replace Stuart Fairchild as the Reds starting center fielder. During his minor-league rehab assignment, Friedl went 4-for-16 with three doubles, three runs scored, and two RBI. Last season, Friedl slashed .279/.352/.467 with 18 home runs and can be a viable fantasy option due to his on-base ability and his ability to hit home runs. Friedl is currently owned in 44% of leagues on Yahoo and 31% on ESPN. He will get the chance to be an everyday player in the lineup going forward. Friedl is in center field and batting leadoff in his return on Tuesday against Diamondbacks right-hander Zac Gallen.


The Cincinnati Reds have activated starting pitcher Frankie Montas (forearm) from the 15-day injured list. Montas has been on the injured list since April 22 due to a forearm injury. After throwing a couple of bullpen sessions, Montas was activated and will be starting for Cincinnati on Tuesday against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Montas has started five games this season and is 2-2 with a 4.19 ERA with 14 strikeouts. One possible concern for fantasy managers is the fact that Montas did not have a minor-league rehab outing or get into game action, as he just did bullpen sessions. He's also facing a Diamondbacks offense that is slashing .249/.325/.389, which ranks eighth, seventh, and 14th, respectively, in the majors.
