Houston Astros closer Josh Hader and right-handed reliever Bryan Abreu are both unavailable on Monday night against the Toronto Blue Jays, according to manager Joe Espada. Hader pitched three of the first four games of the season against the New York Yankees over the weekend, and Abreu threw on Saturday and Sunday during the team's four-game sweep at the hands of the Yankees. If a save situation arises for the Astros on Monday versus the Blue Jays, it will likely be Ryan Pressly who gets the save chance. Hader, a five-time All-Star, has been busy in the early going in his first year in Houston, but he doesn't have a save to show for it after the team got swept by the Yankees in the four-game series over the weekend. He's allowed an earned run on two hits while walking one and fanning seven in his first three innings of work.

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitching prospect Paul Skenes should be considered a fast riser after his dominant season debut on Saturday for Triple-A Indianapolis. It was a strong performance for last year's first overall pick that saw him strikeout five in three innings with no hits or walks allowed. The LSU product had a strong spring and would arguably be in the big leagues if the Pirates planned to be competitive in 2024. With the Pirates in a rebuild and unlikely to compete much this season, the club will make sure to be extra cautious about promoting their future ace. Skenes will be a must-roster if/when he is promoted this season, but managers should also be aware that he will likely be on an innings count. Regardless he is arguably the best pitcher in the minor leagues and has all the makings of an ace moving forward in his career.

Chicago White Sox manager Pedro Grifol said that outfielder Eloy Jimenez (groin) is considered day-to-day after undergoing an MRI exam on Monday. For now, the team will play a man short. Jimenez injured his left-adductor muscle running out a ground ball on Sunday against the Detroit Tigers and didn't play in Monday's loss to the Atlanta Braves. For now, it looks like the oft-injured 27-year-old won't need an injured list stint, which is a nice surprise for his fantasy managers. If Jimenez misses any more time this week, expect Gavin Sheets to serve as the club's designated hitter if they are facing a right-handed pitcher. Jimenez is not only hurt but off to a slow start offensively after going 2-for-11 with two strikeouts in his first three games over the weekend.

New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe (illness) is back at shortstop and is hitting seventh on Monday against the Arizona Diamondbacks and right-hander Ryne Nelson. Volpe was scratched from Sunday's series finale against the Houston Astros with a stomach illness, but he's apparently feeling better a day later and is back in action. The 22-year-old went 4-for-10 with a home run, two RBI and three runs scored in the first three games of the year and should be returned to starting fantasy lineups in single-season leagues on Monday now that he's back in there. With Volpe returning to the 6 on Monday, Oswaldo Cabrera has moved back to the hot corner and is hitting in the nine-hole for the Yanks.

The Arizona Diamondbacks placed outfielder Alek Thomas (left) on the 10-day injured list on Monday with a strained left hamstring and recalled outfielder Jorge Barrosa up from the minor leagues in a corresponding move. Thomas injured his hamstring on Sunday against the Colorado Rockies and will now be forced to miss at least the next 10 days. Jake McCarthy is starting in right field and batting eight in the lineup on Monday against the New York Yankees and right-hander Luis Gil, and he should benefit from most of the extra playing time in Arizona's outfield for however long Thomas is sidelined. Corbin Carroll has shifted over to replace Thomas in center field. Thomas went 3-for-14 (.214) with a homer and four RBI in the first four games of the year before landing on the IL.