Baltimore Orioles catching prospect Samuel Basallo has put his slow start behind him and is performing at an elite level. He is currently riding an incredible 12-game hitting streak and has posted a .422/.469/.578 line with two home runs, nine RBI, and two stolen bases during this stretch. Through 44 games with Double-A Bowie this season, the number two prospect in Baltimore holds a .287/.332/.439 line with seven home runs. The 19-year-old is considered the number 14 overall prospect in baseball on MLB Pipeline and is projected to reach the majors next season. Basallo is one of the best young backstops in the game and should be rostered in all dynasty and keeper leagues.

St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn will not start on Friday in Philadelphia against the Phillies. In his place, veteran Brandon Crawford will start at shortstop and will hit eighth against Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola. Not only is Crawford hard to trust as a deep DFS sleeper in the eight-hole, but he's hit just .176 with three RBI in 17 career at-bats against Nola. The Cardinals are giving Winn a day off in the series opener in Philly despite the fact that he's currently riding an 18-game hitting streak. During his 18-game streak, the 22-year-old youngster has gone 25-for-68 (.368) with two home runs, seven doubles, 11 RBI, two stolen bases, three walks and six strikeouts in 72 plate appearances to raise his season slash line to .308/.358/.440. Winn has become a must-start player in all fantasy leagues in 2024.

The Cleveland Guardians activated outfielder Steven Kwan (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list on Friday after he spent 23 yards on the sidelines and designated outfielder Estevan Florial in a corresponding move. Kwan, a two-time Gold Glove left fielder, will slot in immediately in his customary leadoff spot for Cleveland on Friday in the series opener against the visiting Washington Nationals and left-hander Patrick Corbin. The 26-year-old has recovered from the left-hamstring strain he suffered on May 4 and should be returned to all starting fantasy lineups immediately. Kwan was leading the American League in hits, batting average, fewest strikeouts per plate appearance and multi-hit games before getting hurt. In four minor-league rehab games at Double-A Akron and Triple-A Columbus, he had two hits (one homer) and four RBI.

New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso (hand) had a scare with a hand injury in the series finale against the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday but is back in the starting lineup on Friday for the second game of the series against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks after sitting out on Thursday. Alonso is back at first base and is hitting second on Friday versus D-backs left-hander Jordan Montgomery. X-rays and a CT scan came back negative on the 29-year-old's right hand after he was hit by a pitch by a James Paxton fastball in the first inning on Wednesday. In six career at-bats against Montgomery, Alonso is hitting just .167 with two RBI, but fantasy managers will want to get him back in there in all formats. Alonso already has 12 homers and 26 RBI with a .235 average (50-for-213) for the Mets this year.

The Toronto Blue Jays announced on Friday that they have placed right-hander Alek Manoah (elbow) on the 15-day injured list with a right-elbow sprain. In other moves, the team acquired right-hander Ryan Burr from the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for cash considerations and designated right-hander Joel Kuhnel for assignment. Manoah is reportedly going for a second opinion on his right elbow, according to sources, but the expectation at this point is that he's likely to miss an extended period of time. The 26-year-old is dealing with damage to his UCL, which is going to require significant rest and could eventually lead to surgery down the road. After a disastrous 2023 campaign in which he was demoted to the minors, Manoah has held his own in five starts in Toronto this year, going 1-2 with a 3.70 ERA and 1.03 WHIP with 26 strikeouts and eight walks in 24 1/3 innings.