Texas Rangers right-hander Max Scherzer (back, thumb) said that he was given a cortisone injection in his right thumb after undergoing additional tests on Wednesday. Scherzer is feeling better after the injection and apparently isn't dealing with any kind of ligament damage after he passes strength tests with his thumb. The 39-year-old three-time Cy Young winner's timetable has been pushed back due to this setback with his thumb, but the good news is that he was scheduled to play catch on Friday for the first time since reporting discomfort in his right thumb and forearm. The Rangers aren't going to rush Scherzer back, so fantasy managers might have to wait until early June now to get him back into their starting lineups.

The Philadelphia Phillies pinch hit for outfielder/designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (back) in the ninth inning of their 8-2 win over the Miami Marlins on Friday because of a sore back. Schwarber said he felt his back tighten up on his last swing in the seventh inning. He went 2-for-5 with two RBI in the victory but said, "I'll probably take tomorrow off just to make sure we're good to go." The Phillies have yet to release their lineup for Saturday's game in Miami, but fantasy managers shouldn't expect Schwarber to be in it. Kody Clemens pinch hit for Schwarber on Friday night and could get the starting nod on Saturday to give Schwarber a day to rest his back. Schwarber is still hitting only .217 (33-for-152), but he's added nine home runs and 25 RBI and will continue to be an elite source of power for fantasy managers as long as he stays healthy.

The Miami Marlins activated left-hander Jesus Luzardo (elbow) from the 15-day injured list on Saturday and optioned right-hander Eli Villalobos to Triple-A Jacksonville in a corresponding move. In his lone minor-league rehab start for Single-A Jupiter, Luzardo tossed 5 2/3 scoreless innings with one walk and six strikeouts on May 5. The Marlins will throw the 26-year-old southpaw right back into their starting rotation on Saturday to take on the visiting Philadelphia Phillies. Most fantasy managers should be hesitant to do the same with Luzardo and throw him right back into their starting lineups, as the Phillies rank second in baseball with a .762 team OPS, behind only the Dodgers. Luzardo has opened the year 0-2 with a 6.58 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 27:13 K:BB in his 26 innings, too.

The Tampa Bay Rays reinstated relief pitcher Pete Fairbanks (arm) from the 15-day injured list on Saturday and optioned right-hander Edwin Uceta to Triple-A Durham in a corresponding move. Fairbanks is ready to return to the big-league bullpen in Tampa after appearing in two minor-league rehab games for Durham. The 30-year-old has been dealing with a nerve issue in his right arm, which may have contributed to his rough start in 2024. In seven innings before landing on the injured list, he was 0-2 with a 9.00 ERA, 2.29 WHIP and 10 strikeouts in eight appearances. Fairbanks also had three saves and should immediately take over as the team's closer now that he's back. Jason Adam, who was serving as the Rays' closer with Fairbanks out, will go back to a high-leverage setup role in Tampa. Fairbanks should be rostered in all fantasy formats despite his bad start in 2024.

Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Freddy Peralta has been reinstated from his five-game suspension and is making the start on Saturday against the visiting St. Louis Cardinals. Peralta was given a five-game suspension for throwing at Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Jose Siri on April 30. The 27-year-old likely went through his in-between-starts routine this week after last starting on Sunday against the Chicago Cubs, so he shouldn't have his workload limited in any way on Saturday in a good matchup against St. Louis. The Cardinals currently have the fourth-worst OPS (.631) in all of baseball. Only the offenses of the White Sox, Marlins and Pirates are worse. Peralta is 3-1 on the year with a 3.49 ERA and 0.98 WHIP with 50 K's in 38 2/3 innings over his seven starts. Start him on Saturday against St. Louis.