Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez is out of the team's starting lineup on Sunday as they take on the visiting Oakland Athletics. In Ramirez's absence, Gabriel Arias will start at the hot corner and bat eighth in the batting order against A's right-hander Ross Stripling. Ramirez, a five-time All-Star, has gotten off to a bit of a slow start by his standards this year, going 22-for-92 (.239) with three home runs, 18 RBI, one stolen base and 15 runs scored in his first 21 games played and 95 trips to the plate. Fantasy managers shouldn't be too worried, though, and he should be back in action on Tuesday against the Boston Red Sox after a scheduled off day on Monday. Arias is hitting .302 (13-for-43) with a homer, seven RBI and a steal in the early going, but he's never faced Stripling in his career.

Houston Astros right-hander Cristian Javier (neck) has been scratched from his start on Sunday versus the Washington Nationals with "neck discomfort." Right-hander Hunter Brown will start in his place. Fantasy managers will obviously want to move Javier to their benches for Sunday's action. The Astros have an off day on Monday, but it's unclear when the 27-year-old Javier will be able to make his next start. Fantasy baseball managers will want to check back later on Sunday or Monday for more details on the severity of Javier's neck injury. The Dominican hurler has been excellent in his first four starts in 2024, going 2-0 with a 1.54 ERA (3.66 FIP) and 1.11 WHIP while walking 11 and striking out 18 batters in 23 1/3 innings pitched.

The Boston Red Sox announced on Sunday that they have placed first baseman Triston Casas (rib) on the 10-day injured list with a left-rib strain and recalled catcher Tyler Heineman from the minors in a corresponding move. Casas will be out now until May after injuring his rib in Saturday's contest against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The 24-year-old left-handed slugger could be out beyond the 10 days, too, but fantasy managers in most formats should keep Casas stashed in an IL spot, as he has hit .244 (19-for-78) with six home runs, 10 RBI and 12 runs scored in his first 22 games of the 2024 season. Bobby Dalbec is the most likely candidate to see most of the playing time at first base for the BoSox with Casas sidelined, but he has just one hit in his first 26 at-bats so far this year.

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Jackson Chourio went 2-for-3 with a single, home run, and two walks in Saturday's 12-5 victory over the Cardinals. Chourio also drove in two runs, scored three times, and stole a base in the contest. After hitting safely in 11 of his first 13 MLB games, Chourio had gone 0-for-11 over his last three games before Saturday's outburst. On the season, the 20-year-old now has a .235-4-13-10-4 line. He's held his own so far, and even though it hasn't been a fantasy bonanza, his combination of power and speed make him a must-own and probably start in most cases.

Chicago Cubs closer Adbert Alzolay blew his fourth save of the season and took the loss on Saturday in a 3-2 defeat by the Marlins in Game 1 of their doubleheader. Alzolay allowed a single to Luis Arraez and then a two-run go-ahead home run to Bryan De La Cruz before retiring the final two batters in the inning. It has been a rollercoaster ride for the 29-year-old, as he's collected three saves to along with the four he's blown, allowing five earned runs on 10 hits and four walks while striking out nine over 10 IP. The righty's ERA now stands at 4.50 and WHIP at 1.40. Fellow reliever Hector Neris recorded the save in Game 2 and could earn more opportunities if Alzolay continues to falter, although Neris' numbers so far this season don't exactly inspire confidence either, with a 3.86 ERA and a whopping 1.86 WHIP in seven innings pitched.