Minnesota Twins right fielder Max Kepler (knee) is on the verge of returning to the Twins' lineup after spending the past two weeks on the injured list with a right-knee contusion. Kepler played in games with Triple-A St. Paul on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, collecting four hits and three walks. He could be activated from the injured list as soon as Monday. At least against right-handed pitching, the 31-year-old left-handed hitter should be a regular in Minnesota's starting lineup once he returns in right field. Kepler's return could mean less playing time for Trevor Larnach, although he could pick up at-bats as the team's designated hitter. Before his injury, Kepler had just one hit in his first 20 at-bats in 2024 with no home runs, RBI or runs scored for the Twins.

Minnesota Twins right-hander Louie Varland is a candidate to be removed from the team's starting rotation after going just 2 2/3 innings while giving up four runs in a loss to the Detroit Tigers on Sunday. The loss dropped Varland to 0-4 on the year with a 9.18 ERA. He was pushed into the team's rotation to begin the year due to Anthony DeSclafani's (elbow) injury, but he may not be around much longer. He's allowed six homers in just 16 2/3 innings. Manager Rocco Baldelli declined to commit to Varland taking his next scheduled turn through the rotation after Sunday's game. If the Twins do move Varland out of the rotation, Simeon Woods Richardson, who pitched well in a spot start against Detroit on April 13, is the most logical choice to take Varland's spot next weekend against the Los Angeles Angels.

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Frankie Montas (forearm) left Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Angels early with a right-forearm bruise. X-rays on his arm showed no fracture after he was hit in the arm by a comebacker. It's good news that the 31-year-old doesn't have any kind of break in his arm, but Montas said that he's likely to miss his next start due to soreness and swelling. He recorded just two outs in Sunday's game before being hit in the arm, so he also may not be able to go very deep in his next start after taking at least one turn through the rotation off. The injured list is still a possibility if Montas isn't feeling great after missing one start. Montas has been up and down through his first five starts with the Reds in 2024, going 2-2 with a 4.19 ERA (5.33 FIP) and 1.45 WHIP with 10 walks and 14 strikeouts in 19 1/3 innings.

Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said that right-hander Merrill Kelly (shoulder) is experiencing some shoulder discomfort and went for an MRI exam on Sunday night. The 35-year-old veteran is still being evaluated after being scratched from his scheduled start on Sunday against the division-rival San Francisco Giants. The Diamondbacks are hoping Kelly can avoid a trip to the injured list, but that will depend on the results of his MRI, which we'll pass along once we have them. Slade Cecconi was called up from the minors to start against the Giants on Sunday and he pitched well, giving up only two earned runs with no walks and three strikeouts over six innings in a win. Losing Kelly for any stretch of time would be a big blow for Arizona and fantasy managers, as he currently has a 2.19 ERA and 0.93 WHIP with 21 K's in 24 2/3 frames over his first four starts.

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Spencer Turnbull will head to the bullpen after Wednesday's start against the Cincinnati Reds. Turnbull has had a solid start to the season with an ERA of 1.23 in 22 innings pitched. He has allowed three runs through four games with 10 hits, 22 strikeouts, and seven walks. The return of Taijuan Walker (shoulder) is expected to happen during this weekend's series against the San Diego Padres. This will allow the Phillies to monitor Turnball with his move to the bullpen. With having pitched less than 57 innings since 2019, the Phillies would like to keep their pitching rotation safe and healthy. Turnbull should be held onto in deep-leagues while adding Walker. He went 15-6 in 2023 with a 4.38 ERA in 31 starts, adding a nice depth to rosters.