

Tampa Bay Rays left-hander Jeffrey Springs (elbow, lat) threw long toss on Thursday and made 45 throws out to 90 feet, just five days after being shut down. Lat soreness caused Springs to be pulled from his second minor-league rehab outing last Saturday while pitching in the Florida Complex League at the rookie level. The 31-year-old southpaw appears to have made some nice progress since last weekend, though, and he's beginning to ramp up his throwing program once again. We'll update everyone once we know when Springs will be cleared to make another rehab start as he continues to make his way back from Tommy John surgery that he had last April. Springs will be on the fantasy radar when he's healthy. He made only three starts in 2023 before being shut down but he went 9-5 in 2022 with a strong 2.46 ERA and 1.07 WHIP with a 144:31 K:BB in 33 outings (25 starts).


Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Max Muncy (oblique) is still on a "slow program" due to lingering oblique discomfort. He isn't swinging a bat right now, but manager Dave Roberts hopes Muncy will begin swinging again "soon." The veteran 33-year-old left-handed slugger has started baseball activities, but he's moving at a slow pace, and his return isn't just around the corner despite already being eligible to come off the 10-day injured list. Once he begins swinging, Muncy will eventually be required to go on at least a short minor-league rehab assignment. In the meantime, expect Enrique Hernandez and Chris Taylor to see some playing time at the hot corner for the Blue. When healthy, Muncy is a batting-average drag for fantasy teams, but he has high-end power and plenty of RBI opportunities in the best lineup in baseball. Keep him stashed everywhere.


Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Geraldo Perdomo (knee) is set to begin a minor-league rehab assignment early next week. Before that, Perdomo will play in the Arizona Complex League this weekend. The 24-year-old switch-hitter tore the right meniscus in his knee on April 3 against the New York Yankees after previously tweaking his knee in spring training. He's been out ever since after requiring surgery but could be nearing a return after being named an All-Star in 2023 while finishing second on the team in on-base percentage (.353). After Blaze Alexander got the first shot at the 6 with Perdomo hurt, veteran Kevin Newman has since taken over and has been a solid replacement. When Perdomo returns, the D-backs have made it clear that he will remain the starter at shortstop.


New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso (hand) is not in the starting lineup on Thursday for the series opener against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks. Alonso was pulled from Wednesday's loss to the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers after getting hit by a pitch on his right hand in the first inning, but thankfully X-rays and a CT scan on his hand have come back negative. It's excellent news for both the Mets and fantasy managers that the 29-year-old All-Star slugger isn't dealing with a serious injury, but the Mets are playing it safe and keeping him out on Thursday. Alonso should be considered day-to-day for now, and fantasy managers should check back on Friday to see if he's back in there. He's a must-start whenever he's playing. Mark Vientos is handling first and will hit seventh on Thursday, while Brett Baty is at third base and is betting eighth against D-backs right-hander Zac Gallen.


Seattle Mariners outfielder Luke Raley (lat) is not in the team's starting lineup on Thursday against the visiting division-rival Houston Astros due to a sore lat. Raley will receive the day off to let it calm down, but it remains to be seen if he'll be back in for Friday's series opener against the visiting Los Angeles Angels. It doesn't sound like a serious injury for the 29-year-old left-handed hitter, so hopefully he'll be back on the field at some point this weekend against the Halos. All four of Raley's homers this year have come in May, a month in which he's hit a strong .292 (21-for-72) with two doubles and nine RBI in 78 plate appearances and 23 games to earn more run in Seattle's lineup against right-handed pitching. Dominic Canzone is starting in left field on Thursday and will hit sixth in the order against Astros rookie right-hander Spencer Arrighetti.
