The Baltimore Orioles plan to recall outfield prospect Heston Kjerstad from the minor leagues ahead of Tuesday's game against the Los Angeles Angels. Kjerstad, the No. 42 prospect in baseball and Baltimore's No. 4 prospect, is slashing a prolific .349/.431/.744 with 10 home runs, 30 RBI, 25 runs scored, and one stolen base in 86 at-bats (21 games) for Triple-A Norfolk this season, and it was only a matter of time before he was brought back up to the big-league club after a brief cameo late last season. The lefty-hitting 25-year-old former No. 2 overall pick figures to get most of his playing time in left field and at designated hitter against right-handed pitching with Austin Hays (calf) sidelined, but there's no guarantee for everyday at-bats with both Colton Cowser and Ryan O'Hearn off to strong starts. Even so, Kjerstad carries enough four-category fantasy upside to be an immediate add in the majority of mixed leagues.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Justin Steele (hamstring) completed a live batting practice session on Sunday at Wrigley Field. Manager Craig Counsell said everything went well, and Steele's next outing will come in an extended spring training game in Arizona on Friday. On the mend from a Grade 1 left hamstring strain that he suffered back on Opening Day, Steele continues to ramp up his activity ahead of a minor-league rehab assignment that appears to be on the horizon. Based on Steele's current progress, fantasy managers can expect the 28-year-old All-Star left-hander to rejoin Chicago's rotation at some point in the middle of May. Right-hander Javier Assad has been a major factor in mixed leagues as a starter for the Cubs to begin the 2024 regular season, posting a 2.11 ERA (3.72 FIP), 1.03 WHIP, and 21:8 K:BB over 21 1/3 innings (four starts), but he'll face a tough matchup on paper in Thursday's scheduled home start versus the Houston Astros.

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Alek Manoah (shoulder) is slated to start for Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday or Thursday, per manager John Schneider. Schneider liked Manoah's fastball command and slider movement when he watched his latest rehab start on video, but the Jays want the hurler to get one more minor-league rehab appearance under his belt before deciding what's next for Manoah. The big 26-year-old right-hander threw 92 pitches of two-run ball in his latest rehab outing and is essentially built up in his recovery from soreness in his right shoulder, and he figures to be an option for Toronto's starting rotation early next week if he bounces back well from the start. Rookie right-hander Yariel Rodriguez will get at least one more start, which is scheduled for Wednesday against the Kansas City Royals, sporting a promising 2.35 ERA (4.38 FIP), 1.30 WHIP, and 13:3 K:BB across 7 2/3 innings (two starts).

The Baltimore Orioles placed outfielder Austin Hays (calf) on the 10-day injured list on Monday, retroactive to Sunday. After leaving Saturday's win over the Kansas City Royals, Hays needs to miss some additional time with a strained left calf. The 28-year-old left fielder was already trending down due to a feeble .111/.200/.111 triple-slash line with just two RBI over 45 at-bats (19 games) as well as the emergence of former top prospect Colton Cowser for the O's, so fantasy managers shouldn't feel inclined to stash Hays while he's sidelined. Cowser's playing time in left field becomes even more solidified in the absence of Hays. Hitting .373 (19-for-51) with five home runs, six doubles, nine runs scored, and three stolen bases to this point, Cowser is a player with five-category upside in Baltimore's potent lineup for the foreseeable future.

Baltimore Orioles first baseman Ryan Mountcastle (knee) is out of Monday's lineup for the start of a three-game series on the road against the Los Angeles Angels as a precaution due to knee soreness. Skipper Brandon Hyde says Mountcastle is available to pinch-hit from Baltimore's bench if needed, so there's no need for fantasy managers to be alarmed by the infielder's absence. The 27-year-old slugger is slashing a stellar .324/.388/.500 with two home runs, seven doubles, 11 RBI, and 14 runs scored through 74 at-bats (19 games), and he can be expected back in the starting lineup as soon as Tuesday's matchup in Anaheim. Utility man Ramon Urias will slide in to bat fifth against Halos left-hander Reid Detmers and cover the cold corner for Mountcastle on Monday, but he's not the most exciting fantasy option while batting .219 (7-for-32) with just one extra-base hit and two RBI this season.