Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Merrill Kelly looks to build on his strong start to the year when he takes the hill against the division-rival Colorado Rockies and right-hander Cal Quantrill in Tuesday's road start. After giving up eight runs in 12 frames of spring ball, Kelly has sharpened up to allow just three runs in 13 2/3 innings with a 12:1 K:BB across his first two appearances of the regular season. The 35-year-old soft-tossing right-hander has plenty of experience with Colorado in his career, and fantasy managers may be weary of starting him due to the unfavorable ballpark factor. Over his last three starts at Coors Field since 2022, however, Kelly is 2-0 with a 1.89 ERA and 19 strikeouts across 19 innings. Season-long fantasy managers should feel fine starting Kelly against the Rocks, and the righty holds some contrarian DFS appeal in a shy-away spot on paper.

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jacob deGrom (elbow) has extended his throwing program out to 90 feet, which is a new step in his recovery. deGrom continues to work his way back from the second Tommy John surgery of his career in June of last year, and the defending-champion Rangers hope to have him back in their rotation at some stage later this summer. From a fantasy perspective, it's difficult to call deGrom a must-stash with such a fluid recovery timetable. Few other pitchers have his level of upside when healthy; the 35-year-old two-time Cy Young Award winner produced a 2.67 ERA (1.54 FIP), 0.75 WHIP, and 45:9 K:BB across 30 1/3 innings during his debut season in Arlington a year ago. deGrom's progression in his throwing program is something that needs to be kept a close eye on, as the veteran right-hander could turn out to be a league-winning asset if he's available during crunch time of the fantasy season.

Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Erik Swanson (forearm) began a minor-league rehab assignment on Sunday, throwing one clean inning for Single-A Dunedin. Swanson struck out two batters and threw 10 of his 11 pitches for strikes. Once Swanson gets one or two more appearances under his belt, he'll be ready to return to Toronto's bullpen. The 30-year-old right-hander had his spring training cut short after two appearances due to inflammation in his right elbow, but he should be activated from the 10-day injured list in mid-April. If he's available before star closer Jordan Romano (elbow), Swanson could be thrust into high-leverage situations right off the bat after earning a 2.97 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 75:21 K:BB over 66 innings a year ago. In the meantime, Chad Green and Yimi Garcia will form a committee for ninth-inning work for the Jays and remain worth holding in most fantasy leagues.

Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Triston McKenzie fired 5 2/3 scoreless innings in Monday's 4-0 victory over the division-rival Chicago White Sox, allowing three hits but walking four with two strikeouts for his first win of the season. McKenzie labored through 3 1/3 innings and yielded four runs in his last time out against the Seattle Mariners, but he was far more effective on Monday. He still struggled with his control a bit, and an Andrew Benintendi single during the sixth inning would prevent him from finishing the frame. The 26-year-old right-hander is still searching for a rhythm after missing most of 2023 with an elbow injury, but he posted solid results in the spring and has given up four earned runs and six walks with four K's through nine regular-season innings. His next start is slated for Sunday in a difficult task versus the New York Yankees, but McKenzie did hurl seven one-hit innings the last time he met the Yankees back in 2022.

New York Yankees outfielder Juan Soto blasted a three-run home run as part of Monday's 7-0 romp over the visiting Miami Marlins, adding a double in the third inning. Soto's homer traveled 396 feet to deep right to make it a 6-0 ballgame in the sixth frame as the Yankees took it to Marlins left-hander Jesus Luzardo. The 25-year-old four-time Silver Slugger continues to make himself comfortable early during a contract year in the Bronx following a red-hot spring, now batting .357 (15-for-42) with two long balls, 10 RBI, and six runs scored in 11 outings so far this season. The lefty-hitting Soto has to face two more lefties during this series against Miami on Tuesday and Wednesday, but he's slashing .417/.467/.750 over 12 at-bats versus southpaws in 2024 and is a totally matchup-proof fantasy play on a daily basis.