Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Jason Heyward (back) is out of the starting lineup on Monday night against the division-rival San Francisco Giants with a tight back. Teoscar Hernandez will move over to right field and hit sixth, while Chris Taylor draws the start in left field and will bat eighth against Giants right-hander Keaton Winn. It will be the second straight game on the bench for the left-handed-hitting Heyward, who didn't start on Sunday in the series finale against the St. Louis Cardinals with a left-handed pitcher on the mound. For now, fantasy managers should consider the 34-year-old veteran as day-to-day. Not only is Heyward not 100 percent healthy, but he went just 3-for-14 (.214) with two RBI, three runs scored and a strikeout in his first four games of the season.

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher prospect Carson Whisenhunt excelled in his first start of the season for Triple-A Sacramento on Sunday. The lefty tossed three innings and allowed one hit with no runs, no walks and six strikeouts. He also had an impressive 12 swings and misses. Despite a slow start to the offseason with an elbow injury, Whisenhunt shined in his first start of the season and continues to trend up from this past season, that saw him post a 2.45 ERA in 58 2/3 innings across Double-A and Triple-A. The lengthy lefty spent this offseason working on his health, command, and curveball to go along with already plus changeup and sinker. Developing a third pitch can do wonders and it has already paid off in one appearance. The Giants are in it to win it in a tough NL West division and should not be shy about promoting Whisenhunt this season. If promoted, he would be worth rostering with his immense talent and favorable home ballpark.

Houston Astros right-hander Luis Garcia (elbow) threw 15 pitches off a mound on Monday and is "ahead of schedule" in his recovery from Tommy John surgery, according to manager Joe Espada. Garcia had Tommy John surgery last May, so even if Garcia doesn't have any setbacks in his recovery, he's unlikely to make his 2024 debut until around the All-Star break. The Venezuelan hurler only made six starts for the Astros last year before going under the knife. In his four years in the big leagues with Houston, he's gone 28-19 with a 3.61 ERA (3.79 FIP) and 1.16 WHIP with 112 walks and 364 strikeouts in 352 innings pitched covering 69 appearances (63 starts). Fantasy managers in single-year leagues can continue to leave Garcia on the waiver wire.

Houston Astros right-hander Justin Verlander (shoulder) threw a three-inning, 52-pitch live batting practice session on Monday. He said that ramping up to full velocity after an inning break was his focus again. Asked if he expects to go on a minor-league rehab assignment next, Verlander said, "I think so." Verlander was forced to start the year on the injured list due to shoulder issues he experienced in the offseason, but he's ramping up now and getting closer to making his 2024 season debut. Still, the 41-year-old is probably going to need at least several minor-league rehab starts, which means we won't see him back in Houston's starting rotation until late April or early May. The future Hall of Famer is no longer a fantasy ace, but he can still contribute in mixed leagues when he's healthy.

The Arizona Diamondbacks promoted outfield prospect Jorge Barrosa on Monday. Barrosa will take the spot of Alek Thomas (hamstring) who was placed on the 10-day injured list prior to Friday's matchup. The 5-foot-5, switch-hitter hit .274 with 13 homers, 65 RBI and 15 stolen bases last season for Triple-A Reno and was 2-for-8 this season. Even with Thomas sidelined, Barrosa offers nothing more than a bench spot for the Diamondbacks and should remain on the waiver wire in all leagues.