The Chicago Cubs have optioned third baseman Matt Shaw to Triple-A Iowa. Shaw was able to earn a spot on the Opening Day roster out of spring training but will be sent back to the minor leagues to continue his development. Through his first 18 games in the majors, the Maryland product posted a modest .172/.294/.241 slash line with two doubles and one home run. Shaw drew walks at a strong 14.7 percent rate but generated a weak .272 xwOBA. In addition, Shaw posted a hefty 26.5 percent strikeout rate with a 30.8 percent whiff rate. Last summer, the former 13th overall from the 2023 MLB Draft performed very well in Double-A and Triple-A. Across 121 games split between the upper levels, Shaw posted a stellar .284/.379/.488 slash line with 21 long balls. Fantasy managers should expect Justin Turner and Jon Berti to split time at the hot corner going forward.

Baltimore Orioles outfield prospect Enrique Bradfield Jr. (hamstring) has a mild left hamstring strain and could return to action in mid-May. Bradfield hit the Double-A injured list earlier in April. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status, but it appears the former 17th overall pick appears to have avoided a significant injury. During his first six games of the Double-A campaign, Bradfield was swinging a hot bat as he posted a stellar .389/.476/.556 slash line with one double and two stolen bases. Last summer, Bradfield spent most of the season with High-A before receiving a brief look at Double-A. Across 81 games with High-A, Bradfield held a .267 AVG with an impressive 59 stolen bases. Fantasy managers should expect the 23-year-old to spend most of the season with Double-A Chesapeake when he returns to action.

St. Louis Cardinals pitching prospect Cooper Hjerpe (elbow) underwent Tommy John surgery and has been transferred from the 7-day injured list to the full-season injured list. According to the team, the left-hander is expected to return mid-season 2026. The 24-year-old was limited to just 52 innings of work last season due to numerous innings and will now face an extended absence. Across his 52 innings, Hjerpe spent time with High-A and Double-A. With High-A Peoria, the former 22nd overall pick posted a 3.35 ERA with a 1.19 WHIP. Then, during his first 14 2/3 innings with Double-A, the Oregon State product posted a strong 3.07 ERA with a 0.95 WHIP. Hjerpe is currently considered the No. 6 prospect in the system on MLB Pipeline and will likely not make his MLB debut until 2027 due to the injury.

New York Mets outfielder Jose Siri (leg) will miss extended time after tests on Monday showed he is dealing with a fractured left tibia, according to the New York Post's Mike Puma. Siri underwent an MRI exam and a CT scan on his shin after initial X-rays came back negative following a foul ball off his leg on Saturday. He has been unable to put weight on his leg and has been on crutches since. Although Siri doesn't think it's a serious fracture, he hasn't received a timetable for recovery. Tyrone Taylor had been splitting time in center field with Siri, so he stands to see the bulk of playing time now, although Luisangel Acuna could be a possibility in center. Siri has struggled offensively for most of his big-league career and was hitting just .050 in 24 plate appearances in his first season with the Mets before his injury. Taylor's stock in NL-only leagues is on the rise.

New York Mets right-hander Griffin Canning (illness) has been scratched from his scheduled start on Wednesday against the Minnesota Twins due to an illness, according to MLB.com's Anthony DiComo. The Mets have yet to announce a replacement, but it's unlikely to be pitching prospect Brandon Sproat on short rest. If Canning is feeling better in a few days, he could be asked to make his next start this Friday against the St. Louis Cardinals. After making some mechanical tweaks in the offseason, the 28-year-old has opened his first year in New York by going 1-1 with a 4.20 ERA with 13 strikeouts and eight walks in 15 innings over his first three starts. His last outing against the Athletics was his worst, as he allowed four earned runs on seven hits while walking three and fanning three. Canning will be a middling fantasy streamer in deeper formats whenever he makes his next start.