Detroit Tigers third baseman/shortstop/outfielder Javier Baez went 2-for-5 out of the ninth spot of the team's batting order on Wednesday night in Denver, picking up four RBI and scoring a run in the team's 8-6 extra-inning victory. Baez has re-emerged as a fantasy option this season, hitting .313 with three homers and a .364 wOBA in 29 games. He has become the team's regular center fielder over the past few weeks and has hit safely in each of his last eight games with an at-bat, going 14-for-33 (.424) with four doubles, three homers, and a .544 wOBA during that hot streak. After a few miserable seasons, this is quite the turnaround for Baez, who can be a nice boost to your fantasy team for the waiver wire while he stays so hot.

Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman and outfielder Cedric Mullins are both taking the day off in Thursday's series finale against the hosting Minnesota Twins. Maverick Handley will be the catcher and hit ninth, while Ramon Laureano will patrol center field and hit fifth against Twins right-hander Bailey Ober. Rutschman will take the day off after starting each of the last eight games for the O's. Like most of the team's bats this year, the switch-hitting backstop has been cold, hitting .212 (25-for-118) with four homers, 10 RBI and 15 runs on the year. Mullins will sit out for the first time since April 27. The 30-year-old has been one of the O's most productive offensive players with seven homers, 21 RBI and five steals in 33 games in 2025. Handley has never faced Ober, while Laureano is hitless against him in just two career at-bats.

Baltimore Orioles right-hander Zach Eflin (lat) will "more than likely" return from the 15-day injured list this weekend to face the Los Angeles Angels in the series finale on Sunday, according to manager Brandon Hyde. The Orioles announced on Wednesday that Eflin would be returning from the IL this weekend after throwing a successful bullpen session, but now we know the exact date. Although the matchup will be an excellent one for the 31-year-old veteran -- the Angels rank 25th in MLB with a .665 team OPS -- but Eflin could be limited pitch-count wise in his first start back after throwing only 58 pitches in his only minor-league rehab start. Still, Eflin is tempting for fantasy lineups after posting a 3.00 ERA and 0.83 WHIP with eight strikeouts in 18 innings over his first three starts this year before injuring his lat.

Cleveland Guardians infield prospect Angel Genao (shoulder) is set to begin participating in simulated games early next week. Genao has been on the 7-day injured list through the early part of the MiLB regular season. However, it appears the No. 4-ranked prospect in the Cleveland system is nearing a return to game action. Fantasy managers should keep an eye on his progression as he should be in the mix to return to Double-A in the coming weeks. Last summer, Genao spent his time at Low-A and High-A. Across 44 games at Low-A, Genao held a .341/.383/.553 slash line with 14 doubles and six home runs. He was then given the call to High-A, where the No. 59-ranked prospect in the sport held a strong .322/.377/.463 line. Fantasy managers should keep an eye on his progression as he could be in the mix to reach Triple-A by the second half of the campaign.

St. Louis Cardinals catcher Ivan Herrera (knee) is expected to come off the 10-day injured list before Friday's series opener against the Washington Nationals, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Derrick Goold. The Cardinals have already sent Luken Baker to Triple-A Memphis to free up a roster spot for Herrera's impending return. The 24-year-old backstop has gone 9-for-23 with a home run and a double in six minor-league rehab games for Memphis and appears ready to go. The Cardinals could ease him in at first with more starts as the designated hitter following a month-long absence due to a bone bruise in his left knee, but when he returns, Herrera will be a lineup regular for the Cardinals. Before his injury, he was the team's starting catcher and had gone 8-for-21 with four homers, 11 RBI and six runs scored.