Chicago Cubs right-hander Kyle Hendricks (back) threw another bullpen session in Pittsburgh on Friday, and manager Craig Counsell confirmed that he will make another minor-league rehab start for Triple-A Iowa on Sunday. In his first rehab start with Iowa on Tuesday, Hendricks gave up one earned run while walking three and striking out six in 4 1/3 innings. If the 34-year-old veteran looks good again on Sunday for Iowa, there's a good chance his next outing will be back in the big leagues with the Cubbies. Chicago could need Hendricks back in their starting rotation by then if Jameson Taillon (back) needs another stint on the injured list. Before being sidelined, Hendricks was getting lit up to the tune of a 12.00 ERA and 2.09 WHIP with just 16 strikeouts in 21 innings over five starts. It's no wonder the Cubs aren't rushing him back.

Chicago Cubs right-hander Jameson Taillon (back) experienced back stiffness while throwing on Tuesday and was shut down/pushed back from his scheduled start on Friday in Pittsburgh for the series opener against the Pirates. Manager Craig Counsell said it's not as bad as Taillon's spring training back issue, but it's something to watch. There's a chance that Taillon could start on Sunday in Pittsburgh, but the Cubs aren't making anything official and will see how he feels on Saturday. If the 32-year-old veteran doesn't feel good enough to start on Sunday, there's a chance the Cubs will play it safe and send him to the injured list for the second time this year. It's bad timing after being scratched from a good matchup against the Bucs, as Taillon is currently 3-0 with a 1.13 ERA and 0.87 WHIP with 16 strikeouts in 24 innings over his first four starts of the year.

Minnesota Twins starting pitching prospect Zebby Matthews made his Double-A debut on Thursday and tossed 6 2/3 innings of two-run ball (zero earned runs). He allowed just three hits and matched a season-high of nine strikeouts. After posting a dominant 1.59 ERA and 0.75 WHIP through 22 2/3 innings at High-A to open the season, the 23-year-old was moved up to Double-A and has yet to slow down. The 20th-ranked prospect in the Minnesota pipeline is not projected to reach the major leagues until 2025 but could be worth adding in dynasty leagues if he continues to silence Double-A bats.

Los Angeles Dodgers right-handed reliever Evan Phillips (hamstring) played catch on Friday and continues to progress from his Grade 1 right-hamstring strain. Phillips has been on the 15-day injured list for only five days and should be ready to return when he's eligible on May 19 since he's not dealing with any kind of injury to his arm. As the closer out of the Dodgers' bullpen when healthy, the 29-year-old needs to be rostered in all fantasy formats despite missing some time with a hamstring injury. Before going on the shelf, Phillips was sporting a fantastic 0.66 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, eight saves, four walks and 17 strikeouts in 13 2/3 innings in 2024. Since Phillips has been injured, both lefty Alex Vesia and veteran righty Daniel Hudson have picked up saves. Hudson is the better bet for more saves until Phillips is eligible to return.

San Diego Padres right-hander Joe Musgrove (elbow) was able to play catch at Petco Park on Friday after having some imaging done on his right elbow. Everything came out looking good on his tests, and he's still expecting a minimum stay on the 15-day injured list. It's the first time that Musgrove has played catch since landing on the injured list last Sunday with right-elbow inflammation. If he doesn't have any setback, the 31-year-old veteran could return to the Padres' starting rotation next Friday. Fantasy managers probably will want to avoid throwing him right back into their starting lineups when he returns. After finishing last year on the sidelines due to an injury, Musgrove has gone 3-3 with a bloated 6.37 ERA and 1.51 WHIP with a league-high 10 home runs allowed, 13 walks and 36 strikeouts in 41 innings over eight starts.