Milwaukee Brewers closer Devin Williams (back) is scheduled to start playing catch within the next two weeks, according to manager Pat Murphy. Williams has a checkup with a doctor for his back injury in the coming days. The Brewers' bullpen took a big hit when it was announced that the 29-year-old All-Star closer wouldn't be ready to make his 2024 debut until around the All-Star break due to a serious back issue that has been bothering him for a while. The good news is that Williams appears to be making progress. Given how elite he's been as a closer when healthy, he should be stashed in an injured list spot in all fantasy formats. Joel Payamps and Abner Uribe have been called on in a few save situations, but as of right now, Trevor Megill is the favorite for saves in Milwaukee with Williams still out of the picture.

Milwaukee Brewers outfield prospect Jackson Chourio remains out of the team's starting lineup on Friday as the club faces the visiting St. Louis Cardinals. It's the third straight game that the struggling 20-year-old has started on the bench for the Brew Crew since Christian Yelich returned from the injured list. Blake Perkins is starting in center field for Milwaukee and will hit seventh against Cardinals veteran right-hander Lance Lynn. Chourio is going to be back in the starting lineup at some point, but right now he's the odd man out after starting the year with a .205/.275/.387 slash line while adding four home runs, 13 RBI, six stolen bases and 14 runs scored in his first 33 games in the big leagues. Fantasy managers should keep Chourio on their benches until he gets going.

Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Matt Brash (elbow) underwent successful Tommy John surgery this week. The right-hander had his UCL repaired and is expected to be sidelined until June of 2025. That timeline seems a bit optimistic, but it's possible he returns around then if he doesn't suffer any setbacks. The loss of Brash is a significant hit to the Mariners bullpen considering how well he has pitched in the past. His absence won't mean much for fantasy purposes with Andres Munoz locked into the closer role.

Texas Rangers outfielder Evan Carter (rest) is out of the starting lineup ahead of Friday's game against the Colorado Rockies. The rookie outfielder will sit out for the third time this week against a left-handed starting pitcher. Ezequiel Duran will get the start in left field and bat seventh versus Austin Gomber. Carter has the potential to be a solid big league player, but his fantasy value is limited with him stuck in a platoon role.

San Francisco Giants shortstop Nick Ahmed (wrist) has been placed on the 10-day injured list on Friday. This news comes after Ahmed was hit by a 108-mph line drive during Thursday's game. The team is calling it a left wrist sprain, so hopefully Ahmed won't miss significant time. Casey Schmitt has been recalled from Triple-A to take the spot on the active roster. Both Schmitt and Tyler Fitzgerald figure to see increased playing time with Ahmed sidelined.