Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Bowden Francis (forearm) is currently being considered to take right-hander Alek Manoah's (elbow) next turn in the starting rotation after he was put on the 15-day injured list on Friday with a right-elbow sprain. In Francis' last minor-league rehab outing on Tuesday for Triple-A Buffalo, he picked up the win while giving up an unearned run on one hit while walking one and striking out five in 3 2/3 innings of work. The 28-year-old has been out since late April with forearm tendonitis, but his outing on Tuesday with the Bisons was likely his last before he returns to the big-league roster. Francis will be returning to an ugly 8.59 ERA and 1.70 WHIP with 17 strikeouts in 14 2/3 innings over five appearances (two starts) for Toronto before his injury, but he could be worth a look as a deep-league streamer now that Manoah is out for an extended amount of time.

Chicago Cubs catching prospect Moises Ballesteros has looked very comfortable in his first extended look against Double-A pitching and is making a case to join Triple-A Iowa later this summer. After playing in just four games with Double-A Tennessee last summer, Ballesteros has put up a solid .273/.358/.424 line with five home runs, 26 RBI, and an 18:22 BB:K ratio through 42 games this season. The young backstop recently moved into the top-100 ranking on MLB Pipeline in their latest update and could even climb higher as the summer progresses. He is currently projected to reach the Northside of Chicago next season and could very well develop into the future backstop of the franchise.

The Oakland Athletics officially placed right-hander Lucas Erceg (forearm) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to May 26) on Friday and recalled right-hander Dany Jimenez and left-hander Brady Basso from Triple-A Las Vegas in corresponding moves. The A's also optioned right-hander Tyler Ferguson to Vegas and outrighted infielder Tyler Nevin to Vegas after he was designated for assignment on Tuesday. Erceg has not pitched for the A's due to right-forearm tightness since May 25 and will now miss at least another couple of weeks. It's a big loss for the A's bullpen, as the 29-year-old had been operating as lockdown closer Mason Miller's primary eighth-inning setup man. Jimenez has recorded 12 saves in the previous two seasons for the A's but will settle in alongside Austin Adams and Scott Alexander as a setup option for the A's with Erceg out.

Tampa Bay Rays third base prospect Brayden Taylor has produced well in his first look at High-A pitching. Across 41 games this season with High-A Bowling Green, the former TCU product as put up a .252/.395/.469 with six long balls, 20 RBI, and ten stolen bases. In addition, through his past eleven games, he has only gone hitless in two of them. While the former 19th overall selection in the 2023 MLB Draft is still several seasons away from the major leagues, it is promising to see him perform well against tougher competition through the early part of the season. The 22-year-old could make a case to join Double-A later this summer, but the Rays may err on the side of caution with their budding star.

Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Rhys Hoskins (hamstring) has been activated from the 10-day injured list ahead of Friday's game against the Chicago White Sox. The 31-year-old slugger will make his return to the lineup on Friday. He'll bat sixth and serve as the designated hitter versus right-hander Erick Fedde. This season, Hoskins is slashing .233/.340/.474 with nine home runs and 27 RBI in 38 games. Fantasy managers should adjust their lineups with Hoskins back in the mix.