The Tampa Bay Rays reinstated right-hander Taj Bradley (pectoral) from the 15-day injured list on Wednesday, and he'll take the rotation spot of fellow right-hander Ryan Pepiot, who was placed on the 15-day IL on Wednesday with a left lower-leg contusion. Bradley is expected to make his season debut for the Rays on Friday at home against the division-rival New York Yankees after looking strong during his minor-league rehab assignment. The 23-year-old initially suffered his pectoral injury while pitching in spring training. Bradley, one of the team's former top prospects, was inconsistent in his major-league debut in 2023 with a 5.59 ERA and 1.38 WHIP, but he also walked just 39 and struck out 129 in 104 2/3 innings over 23 appearances (21 starts). He needs to be rostered in most mixed fantasy leagues now that he's about to make his 2024 debut.

The Tampa Bay Rays officially placed right-hander Ryan Pepiot (leg) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to May 6) on Wednesday with a left lower-leg contusion. Pepiot, who took a line drive off his leg in his last outing on Sunday against the New York Mets, will be eligible to come off the injured list on May 21. Because the 26-year-old isn't dealing with an arm injury of any kind, there's a good chance he'll return for fantasy baseball managers when he's eligible. The former third-round selection of the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2019 out of Butler has a 3-2 record, a solid 3.68 ERA (3.66 FIP) and 0.93 WHIP with 11 walks and 41 strikeouts in 36 2/3 innings over his first seven starts in 2024. Pepiot is a solid asset in all fantasy leagues, but be mindful of the fact that he's never gone over 42 innings pitched in his two major-league seasons.

Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Paul Skenes, the top prospect in all of baseball after going first overall in last year's draft out of LSU, will finally make his major-league debut this Saturday at PNC Park against the visiting Chicago Cubs. The 21-year-old really didn't have anything left to prove at Triple-A Indianapolis after posting a 0.99 ERA and 0.91 WHIP with eight walks and 45 strikeouts in just 27 1/3 innings over seven starts, but the Pirates were intent on getting him properly built up for his eventual promotion to the big leagues. Skenes might not be as dominant right away in the majors for Pittsburgh, but he should at least be immediately serviceable in all fantasy formats because of his strikeout upside. He has been considered the best pitching prospect in baseball since Stephen Strasburg. Pick Skenes up ASAP if he's somehow available on your waiver wire.

Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell said that a new fracture was revealed in first baseman Christian Encarnacion-Strand's right hand, and he'll miss a month to six weeks as he heals. Encarnacion-Strand was hit by a pitch on his right hand at the end of April, but initial tests didn't reveal the fracture. Not only is the 24-year-old now out for the foreseeable future, but he has started the 2024 season ice-cold at the plate, slashing just .190/.220/.293 with two home runs and 16 RBI in 116 at-bats. Despite the disappointing start to his sophomore season, CES should stay rostered in the majority of mixed fantasy leagues. Jeimer Candelario should slide over to first base the majority of time Encarnacion-Strand is out, allowing Santiago Espinal to see more playing time at third base.

The Boston Red Sox reinstated right-hander Nick Pivetta (elbow) from the 15-day injured list on Wednesday and optioned right-hander Naoyuki Uwasawa to Triple-A Worcester in a corresponding move. The Red Sox also reinstated infielder/outfielder Romy Gonzalez (wrist) from the 10-day IL and designated infielder Zack Short for assignment. Pivetta will immediately return to Boston's starting rotation and will toe the rubber on Wednesday against the Atlanta Braves. The 31-year-old has been out since April 9 due to a right-elbow flexor strain. Pivetta threw only 62 pitches in his only minor-league rehab start and should be considered a poor streaming option in his first game back against the potent Braves lineup. It doesn't mean he shouldn't be rostered everywhere after starting with a 0.82 ERA and 0.82 WHIP with 13 K's in his first two starts in 2024, though.