New York Mets right-hander Kodai Senga (calf) threw roughly 25 pitches during a bullpen session on Wednesday with noticeably increased intensity. Senga said recently that he's shifting his focus from his calf rehab to getting his arm back in shape, and this bullpen was a clear step in that direction. It's good news for the Mets as they try to secure the final wild-card spot in the National League down the stretch. However, with the 31-year-old Japanese hurler only making one start this year due to calf and shoulder injuries, it's more likely that he'll return in a relief role than in a starting role for the Mets near the end of September. Fantasy managers in redraft leagues still competing for a title should have already dumped Senga for healthier options.

Cleveland Guardians first baseman Josh Naylor (back) remains out of the starting lineup on Wednesday evening as the Guardians look to close out a three-game sweep on the division-rival Kansas City Royals. The slugging first baseman was removed from Tuesday's game due to a back spasm and will need at least another day to rest. The Guardians will likely take caution with the 27-year-old as they have their sights on competing in October. As a result, rookie Kyle Manzardo will get the starting nod on Wednesday and bat in the six-hole. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor the Cleveland lineup, as Naylor could return as early as Friday against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Manzardo could be a sneaky play in DFS against Royals right-hander Seth Lugo, as the young infielder has tallied five hits across his past three games.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Justin Steele (elbow) was placed on the 15-day IL earlier on Wednesday evening with left elbow tendinitis. The 29-year-old ace was initially scratched from his start on Tuesday evening due to reported inflammation but will now sit out for at least the next two weeks. Currently, there is no specific timetable for his return, but fantasy managers could expect him back sometime before the end of the regular season if he progresses well. On Tuesday, the Cubs turned to veteran Kyle Hendricks to fill in for Steele and, as a result, should be considered the front-runner to claim his rotation spot for the time being. Steele has enjoyed another strong campaign and has held a 3.09 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP after finishing near the top in NL Cy Young voting last summer. Deeper league managers looking to replace Steele should only consider streaming Hendricks in favorable matchups as he has struggled quite often this summer, sitting with a career-worst 6.60 ERA and a 1.51 WHIP.

Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Joe Boyle was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday. In a corresponding move, the Athletics activated Scott Alexander (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list. Since rejoining the Athletics in mid-August, Boyle has posted a hefty 7.04 ERA and a 1.76 WHIP across four starts while holding a 13:20 BB:K ratio. Alexander will likely return to his typical bullpen role, where he performed quite well before hitting the IL. In his past ten outings, the southpaw allowed just one earned run with a 4:11 BB:K ratio. Fantasy managers should expect J.T. Ginn to continue to hold the final spot in the Oakland rotation going forward, while Alexander should serve as a high-leverage set-up man for closer Mason Miller.

New York Yankees relief pitcher Clay Holmes could be losing his grip on save opportunities. Jack Curry of the YES Network reported that manager Aaron Boone expressed that the team will get "creative with the closer role in the short term." Boone further expressed that Holmes should continue to be in the mix. While fantasy managers should not expect Holmes to immediately shift to a low-leverage role, his position as the bona fide ninth-inning option is shifting for now. Holmes surrendered four earned runs on Tuesday evening in his third blown save in his past ten innings. While the Yankee skipper did not mention any direct names of those who could see ninth-inning duties, fantasy managers should expect Mark Leiter Jr. to get one of the first chances as he typically pitches in the eighth inning and is worth stashing in deeper leagues if you are lacking in saves.