Chicago Cubs third baseman Christopher Morel (knee) is back at third base and is batting cleanup for the Cubbies on Sunday against the Pittsburgh Pirates and left-hander Bailey Falter. Morell was forced to leave Saturday's contest early in the fifth inning with right-knee soreness after sliding into second base on a stolen-base attempt. It was clearly nothing serious, though, so fantasy managers can get the 24-year-old back into their starting lineups for a good matchup against Falter. Morel is hitting just .220 (31-for-141) on the year, but he also has eight home runs, 25 RBI, four stolen bases and 21 runs scored in the middle of Chicago's batting order. He's hit .250 (6-for-24) with two of his home runs against left-handed pitching.

The Boston Red Sox reinstated right-hander Brayan Bello (lat) from the 15-day injured list on Sunday and optioned right-hander Josh Winckowski to Triple-A Worcester after Saturday's game in a corresponding move. Bello will return to the mound on Mother's Day to start on Sunday versus the visiting Washington Nationals. The 24-year-old was initially put on the injured list on April 24 with right-lat tightness. In his lone minor-league rehab start for Double-A Portland on Tuesday, Bello gave up three runs (two earned) on four hits while walking two and striking out five in just 2 2/3 innings. Bello went 3-1 with a solid 3.04 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in his five starts before going on the shelf and he'll have a good matchup against the Nationals, but the fact he only went 2 2/3 frames in his lone rehab start probably makes him a low-upside fantasy play in his first start back on Sunday.

Colorado Rockies third baseman Ryan McMahon went 4-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored in Saturday's 8-3 win over the Rangers. While all four hits were singles, the 29-year-old is having a fine season so far, slashing .303/.391/.462 with five home runs, 21 RBI, and 16 runs scored. The former second-round MLB draft pick has a strong 14.1% Barrel% and is walking at a good rate (12.9%). A .419 BABIP is unsustainable and suggests his batting average will see a decline, but a solid season like he's seen the prior three years with 20-plus home runs and a .250-.260 range for batting average looks likely again.

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Kevin Pillar went 3-for-4 with three RBI, two runs scored, and a stolen base in Saturday's 9-3 win over the Royals. It was the 35-year-old's second three-hit game in his last four, so perhaps things are looking up for the veteran in what has been an otherwise forgetful beginning to the season. Through May 5, Pillar was batting .161 but this four-game stretch has raised his season average to .261 as he's logged just 12 starts in 2024 and has come in as a pinch-hitter, pinch-runner, or defensive replacement 12 times. The recent outburst is nice to see for Pillar, but you're still staying away for fantasy unless he can get more regular at-bats.

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher James Paxton pitched six innings of shutout ball in Saturday's 5-0 victory over the Padres, allowing just four hits and no walks while striking out four on the way to earning his fifth win of the season. The veteran has an impressive 2.58 ERA on the season and a low HR/FB% of 6.3%, but the 1.41 WHIP and -1.2% K-BB% are a bit concerning. A high 86.3% LOB% with such a low strikeout rate and a FIP of 4.91 indicate things could fall apart quickly for the southpaw. Nevertheless, if he can continue to walk the tightrope, the Dodgers should continue to provide enough run support for the 35-year-old to collect some additional wins.