Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho (shoulder) has been playing catch up to 165 feet but has not yet been cleared to throw in games. Varsho opened the regular season on the 15-day injured list as he is working his way back from shoulder surgery. However, Varsho was able to serve as the designated hitter during spring training. The coaching staff has noted that Varsho will only join the MLB roster when he is cleared to play defense. While he has been sidelined, prospect Alan Roden has seen playing time in the starting nine. Last season, Varsho saw most of his time in left and center field. Across 136 contests, the 28-year-old posted a .214/.293/.407 slash line with 18 long balls and 10 stolen bases. Varsho is worth monitoring as he will hold value in category formats given his ability to hit for power and steal bases.

New York Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger (back) is not in the starting nine when they start a three-game set against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday afternoon. According to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com, he is dealing with a stiff back. Bellinger has been in the starting lineup in each of the first six games of the campaign. However, the 29-year-old has hit a bit of a skid over his last four, tallying just one hit with a 2:5 BB:K. Over the first two games of the season, Bellinger tallied four hits which was highlighted a three-hit four RBI game on March 29. Instead, Trent Grisham will get the starting nod in center field and bat in the seven-hole. Fantasy managers should expect Bellinger to return to the starting nine on Saturday if he does not face a setback when they face Pittsburgh southpaw Bailey Falter. Grisham is worth a look as a value play in DFS as he tallied three hits with a home run on Thursday evening.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are promoting catcher Hunter Feduccia from Triple-A Oklahoma City to the majors. In a corresponding move, the Dodgers are placing first baseman Freddie Freeman (ankle) on the 10-day injured list. Feduccia received a brief taste of the major leagues last summer as he appeared in five games. Across this brief stint, Feduccia tallied four hits, scored two runs, and tallied one RBI. Through the first five games of the Triple-A regular season, Feduccia has been swinging a hot bat as he held a .357/.526/.643 slash line with a double and a long ball. Last summer, the former 12th-round selection spent the majority of the campaign at Triple-A and held a .284/.409/.428 line with six round-trippers. Fantasy managers should expect Feduccia to operate as a depth option behind the dish and not carry much standalone fantasy value.

Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson (side) was activated off the 10-day injured list on Friday. The Orioles optioned outfielder Dylan Carlson to Triple-A Norfolk in a corresponding move. Henderson has been sidelined since February due to a right intercostal strain. However, the 23-year-old did not miss much time and will already return to the MLB roster. Henderson posted a .263 AVG with two home runs across a five-game rehab assignment with Triple-A Norfolk during the week. Fantasy managers should keep an eye on the Orioles' starting nine, but given that he was activated off the injured list, he will likely make his regular-season debut this evening. Last season, Henderson enjoyed an excellent campaign as he posted a .281/.364/.529 slash line with 37 home runs and 21 stolen bases. He generated an elite .374 xwOBA. If he returns on Friday, he will face Kansas City right-hander Seth Lugo.

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Max Scherzer (thumb) was unable to play catch on Friday. Earlier in the week, reports suggested that the 40-year-old could begin to throw on Friday. However, Scherzer will remain sidelined. Shi Davidi of Sportsnet reported that the team will continue to check on the veteran right-hander daily. Scherzer was dealing with a thumb injury during camp but was cleared to make his first start of the season. His start did not last long as he was removed from the contest after throwing just three innings. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status, but should not expect him back in the majors for a few weeks. While Scherzer remains on the 15-day IL, Easton Lucas should continue to see starting opportunities.