New York Yankees right-hander Luis Gil (lat) is seven to 10 days away from playing catch, according to the New York Daily News' Gary Phillips. It's good news that Gil is getting close to throwing the baseball again, but he has a long ways to go and is expected to be out at least until June due to a high-grade right-lat strain that he suffered in spring training. The 26-year-old is currently on the 60-day injured list. It's possible that Gil won't pitch at all in the first half of the season, so fantasy managers must decide if he's worth stashing in an IL spot given other needs on their rosters. The Dominican pitcher had a strong season for the Yankees in 2024 in his first action since 2022, going 15-7 with a 3.50 ERA and 1.19 WHIP to win American League Rookie of the Year honors. However, a career-high 151 2/3 innings might have taken its toll.

Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto (shoulder) will play shortstop for the first time on Friday night in a minor-league rehab game with Triple-A Salt Lake, according to play-by-play announcer Tony Parks. Neto looked great during workouts during the week and has been cleared to play defense as he rehabs from offseason shoulder surgery. The 24-year-old middle infielder has already played in three games with the Bees as the designated hitter and has gone 3-for-13 with a home run, double and two RBI. As long as Neto doesn't suffer a setback with his surgically-repaired shoulder as he returns to action on defense, he should be ready to come off the 10-day injured list at some point next week to make his 2025 season debut with the Halos. The former first-rounder hit 23 homers and stole 30 bases in 155 games in his first full MLB season in 2024 and should be stashed in all fantasy formats as he nears his return.

MLB.com's Mark Bowman reports that Atlanta Braves catcher Sean Murphy (rib) caught seven innings in a minor-league rehab game for Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday night and will catch right-hander Spencer Strider's (elbow) rehab start on Friday night. Barring a setback, Murphy is expected to be activated from the 10-day injured list in one of the next few days. The 30-year-old veteran should be back with the Braves to make his season debut before the end of this weekend's series in Atlanta against the division-rival Miami Marlins. With Murphy beginning the year on the shelf, catching prospect Drake Baldwin has been serving as the team's primary catcher, with Chadwick Tromp working as his backup. Entering Friday's action, Baldwin has just one hit in his first 18 big-league at-bats and could be sent to the minors following Murphy's return. Murphy should be rostered in all fantasy leagues.

Cincinnati Reds outfielder/corner infielder Spencer Steer is not in the team's starting lineup for Friday's series opener against the division-rival Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. Jeimer Candelario is serving as the designated hitter and is batting fifth, while Santiago Espinal is playing third base and batting eighth against Brewers left-hander Tyler Alexander. Candelario has never faced Alexander in his career, while Espinal is hitless in just three at-bats. When considering that Steer only played in three spring training games due to a minor shoulder injury, it isn't all that surprising that he's off to just a 1-for-18 start to the 2025 regular season at the plate. The 27-year-old right-handed hitter has yet to play on defense because of his shoulder, either, being limited to DH duties. Candelario hasn't been much better, going 5-for-25 with three RBI, two walks and eight strikeouts in seven games played.

New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said that infielder Jeff McNeil (oblique) has been hitting off a pitching machine in the batting cages. McNeil was forced to open the 2025 regular season on the injured list due to a right-oblique strain that he suffered in spring training. The 32-year-old veteran and former batting champion is working his way back, though, and may be able to make his season debut before the end of April, barring a setback once he begins a minor-league rehab assignment. In the meantime, Brett Baty and Luisangel Acuna will continue their platoon at the keystone, with Baty facing right-handers and Acuna in there against lefties. McNeil has middling power and speed and didn't look anything like a former batting champion the last couple of years. At best, he's a middle-infield option without much upside in deep-mixed leagues when he's healthy.