Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona said that right-handed reliever Alexis Diaz (hamstring) will throw on back-to-back days over the next two days on his minor-league rehab assignment at Triple-A Louisville. Diaz struggled mightily with his command in spring training before suffering a hamstring injury in camp that landed him on the injured list to begin the 2025 regular season. The 28-year-old Puerto Rican hasn't been much better in the minors during his rehab assignment, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits while walking four and striking out four in three innings with the Bats. The fact that the Reds are having Diaz go on back-to-back days is likely an indication that he's getting close to coming off the IL. However, even if he rejoins Cincy's bullpen soon, fantasy managers should expect the former closer to be eased into low-leverage situations given his struggles with command so far this year.

Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona said he's pretty confident that second baseman Matt McLain (hamstring) will return from the 10-day injured list when he's eligible next Tuesday, April 15. The Reds placed McLain on the IL early this week as a precaution with a left-hamstring strain, and he should be able to rejoin the team early next week. Because the Reds don't seem very concerned with his injury, the 25-year-old will likely skip a minor-league rehab assignment altogether. Gavin Lux has seen some action at the keystone with McLain out this week, but Santiago Espinal is making the start at second and is batting eighth for the Reds on Friday. When McLain returns, he will return to starting duties at the position for the Reds. The former first-rounder looked great in his rookie season in 2023 before missing all of last year due to injury. He went 6-for-28 with three homers, a double and five RBI before his injury.

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Jake Fraley is out of the starting lineup for Friday's series opener against the division-rival Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park with a left-hander on the mound. Blake Dunn will get the start in right field for the Reds and will bat second against Pirates left-hander Bailey Falter. Fraley is often rested against southpaws, so this shouldn't come as much of a surprise to fantasy managers in deeper leagues that have the 29-year-old lefty swinger rostered. In addition to his struggles against lefties, Fraley has gone just 6-for-32 in the early going this year with no homers, one RBI, one steal, three runs scored and five strikeouts in 10 games played. Dunn is in a nice lineup spot to make him a potential DFS sleeper on Friday, but he has just four hits (one homer) in his first 20 at-bats this year. He has never faced Falter in his career.

St. Louis Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras is not in the starting nine on Friday when they begin a series against the Philadelphia Phillies. Contreras has had a slow start to the campaign and will be given the night off. Instead, Alec Burleson will cover first base and bat in the five-hole. Through the first 12 games of the campaign, Contreras has held an underwhelming .102/.170/.143 slash line with two doubles. However, he has tallied three hits over his last four games and has begun to slowly turn the corner. Fantasy managers should expect the 32-year-old to return to the starting nine on Saturday. He remains a must-start option despite his slump as he held a strong .262/.380/.468 line last summer. Burleson is worth a look in DFS facing Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola.

The Tampa Bay Rays have placed right-handed pitcher Kevin Kelly (glute) on the 15-day injured list with a left gluteal strain. Kelly made an appearance during Wednesday's contest against the Los Angeles Angels but will now be sidelined for at least the next two weeks. Through his first five innings of work in Tampa Bay this season, Kelly has held a 3.60 ERA with a stellar 0.80 WHIP. He has tallied one hold and held a 2:2 BB:K. Last summer, Kelly saw work as a high-leverage relief option in the Tampa Bay bullpen, logging 70 2/3 innings of work. During this stint, Kelly tallied 17 holds and posted a 2.67 ERA with a 0.96 WHIP. While Kelly is sidelined, fantasy managers should expect Edwin Uceta, Garrett Cleavinger, and Mike Montgomery to continue to see the set-up opportunities behind Pete Fairbanks.