Chicago White Sox general manager Chris Getz said that the expectation is to have right-hander Mike Clevinger in uniform around May 1. The White Sox officially announced the signing of Clevinger to a one-year, $3 million deal on Thursday. They optioned him to the Arizona Complex League so that he can build up his arm. When he's ready, the 33-year-old veteran will slot into Chicago's starting rotation as their No. 5 starter. But until then, it appears the team will go with a bullpen game every fifth day. The former fourth-round pick of the Los Angeles Angels in 2011 went 9-9 for the Pale Hose in 2023 with a 3.77 ERA and 1.23 WHIP with 40 walks and 110 strikeouts in 131 1/3 innings over 24 starts. Clevinger is no longer an upper-tier fantasy starter like he was with Cleveland due to durability and consistency issues, but he'll be in play as a matchup-based streamer and as rotation depth in AL-only leagues.

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Kevin Kiermaier (back) was scratched from Friday's lineup against the New York Yankees with lower-back tightness. With Kiermaier now out, Daulton Varsho is moving to center field and will bat eighth, while Davis Schneider moves to left field and will hit fifth against Yankees right-hander Marcus Stroman. Cavan Biggio enters the lineup at second base and will hit sixth. The 33-year-old Kiermaier should be considered day-to-day for now, but fantasy managers shouldn't be surprised if the veteran outfielder misses more than just one day with this injury. On top of now being hurt, he has just one hit in his first 20 plate appearances in 2024 over six games with an RBI, stolen base and six strikeouts for Toronto.

Chicago White Sox pitching prospect Nick Nastrini's (illness) stuff was down last night for Triple-A Charlotte, but general manager Chris Getz said it's understandable since he was dealing with an illness that put him down for a couple days at the end of spring training. Nastrini is now on the mend and is starting to feel good again. The 24-year-old, who is listed as the team's No. 8 prospect on MLB Pipeline, allowed four runs on seven hits while walking two over just two innings in his first start of the year for Charlotte on Wednesday. Because he's still building back up, it's unlikely that Nastrini will come up to Chicago to make the start on Monday versus the Cleveland Guardians. He's a candidate to make his big-league debut at some point in 2024, even though the White Sox recently reunited with Mike Clevinger.

Baltimore Orioles outfielder Austin Hays is taking the day off on Friday with the team facing the Pittsburgh Pirates. Hays has gone 2-for-18 on the year with six strikeouts in 21 plate appearances over his first five games and has gone hitless in his last 10 at-bats, so it's probably a good time for him to take a mental break. Meanwhile, rookie Colton Cowser has four hits in his first eight plate appearances this year, including two doubles and an RBI, and he will make another start in left field and will bat eighth on Friday against Pirates rookie right-hander Jared Jones. Cowser, 24, has above-average power and speed and is an interesting stash candidate in deep-mixed leagues, especially if Hays continues to struggle offensively.UPDATE: Hays is out sick on Friday.

Chicago Cubs outfielder Mike Tauchman is taking a seat on Friday for the series opener against the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers. Tauchman will be on the bench to start this one after starting the last three contests versus right-handed pitchers. The 33-year-old veteran has started the 2024 season off cold, going 1-for-8 in his first four games, although he's walked five times and scored five runs in 13 plate appearances. With Tauchman on the bench in this one, Christopher Morel is serving as the designated hitter and batting cleanup, while Nick Madrigal draws in at third base and is hitting eighth against Dodgers impressive young right-hander Bobby Miller. Neither Morel nor Madrigal have faced Miller yet in their careers.