Miami Marlins outfielder Derek Hill (back) remains out of the starting lineup for Friday's series opener against the division-rival Atlanta Braves on the road at Truist Park. With Hill missing his third straight start due to back tightness, the Fish will start Griffin Conine, Dane Myers and Kyle Stowers across the outfield from left to right, respectively. If the 29-year-old Hill will likely be forced to the 10-day injured list if he's unable to return to the lineup by the end of the weekend series in Atlanta. The former first-rounder by the Detroit Tigers in 2014 went 5-for-18 with two doubles, an RBI and a stolen base in five games before injuring his back. Stowers is the only Marlins outfielder in the starting lineup on Friday that has faced Braves right-hander Spencer Schwellenbach before, and he has one hit in just three career at-bats against him.

Atlanta Braves right-hander Reynaldo Lopez (shoulder) is scheduled to have arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder next Tuesday, according to manager Brian Snitker. The Braves will have a better idea on the extent of damage in Lopez's shoulder after the surgery. The 31-year-old veteran hurler has already been placed on the 60-day injured list, though, which means he'll be out until at least late May, but it's more likely that we won't see him again until the second half of the season. It's a big blow for the Braves and the veteran Dominican, but the good news for Atlanta's pitching staff is that Spencer Strider (elbow) should make his 2025 debut later this month. In his return to a starting role in 2024 in his first year in Atlanta, Lopez was a first-time All-Star by going 8-5 with a 1.99 ERA and 1.11 WHIP with 148 K's and 42 walks in 135 2/3 innings. Expecting him to return to that form in the second half this year is probably asking a lot.

Detroit Tigers right-handers Sawyer Gipson-Long (hip, elbow) and Ty Madden (shoulder) are both scheduled to throw bullpen sessions on Saturday. Gipson-Long is recovering from a left-hip labral repair and right-UCL reconstruction, while Madden is rehabbing from a right-shoulder strain. Meanwhile, right-hander Jose Urquidy (elbow) is playing catch out to 105 feet three times a week as he recovers from right-UCL reconstruction. Gipson-Long is on the 60-day injured list after having Tommy John surgery last April and hip surgery last July. Barring a setback, the 27-year-old won't be an option for the Tigers until around the All-Star break in mid-July. Madden, 25, suffered a right rotator-cuff strain in spring training and won't be able to return until at least the end of May while on the 60-day IL.

Detroit Tigers outfielder Wenceel Perez (back) received the second of two scheduled cortisone injections on Friday, according to MLive's Evan Woodbery. Perez was forced to the injured list to begin the 2025 season due to lumbar-spine inflammation, and there's currently no timetable for his return. With no clear picture on when he might be able to make his season debut, the 25-year-old most likely won't come off the IL until May. When he is healthy, expect him to be an option for a platoon role in center field with Parker Meadows (arm) also out for the foreseeable future. The switch-hitting Dominican can be left to the waiver wire in mixed leagues for now. Last year was his first year in the big leagues, and he hit .242/.300/.383 with a .683 OPS, nine home runs, 37 RBI and nine steals in 112 games played.

Detroit Tigers outfielder Kerry Carpenter showed his power in Friday's 7-4 win over the division-rival Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park by going 2-for-5 with two solo home runs and a strikeout. The home runs were Carpenter's first of the 2025 season, and he's now hitting .261 with an .815 OPS in the early going for fantasy managers. The 27-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder played in only 87 games in 2024 due to injuries, but when he was available, he was a consistent producer with a .284/.345/.587 slash line, career-high .932 OPS, 18 home runs, 57 RBI and 37 runs scored in 296 plate appearances. Carpenter's lack of success against left-handed pitching is a problem, though, and it affects his overall fantasy upside for those that have him rostered in mixed leagues.