The 30-year-old backstop has started each of the team’s first three games, so it’s not hugely surprising to see him get a night off. He should be back in there for Saturday’s series finale. Austin Barnes will start in his place on Friday night and will bat ninth against former battery-mate Jack Flaherty.

It’s time for fantasy managers to increase their level of concern with Cruz absent from Pittsburgh’s lineup for the third straight game due to lower back tightness. The 26-year-old power/speed combo outfielder has launched eight homers and stolen 16 bases this season through 37 games. He remains day-to-day for now. It’ll be Ji Hwan Bae patrolling center field on Tuesday night in his place.

Smith will sit out his second straight contest on Tuesday night due to back soreness. It doesn’t sound like a massive concern, but it’s a situation fantasy managers should monitor. There’s an opportunity for him to play everyday with Corey Seager on the injured list with a hamstring strain. It’ll be Ezequiel Duran filling in at shortstop on Tuesday in his absence.

Higashioka rejoins the Rangers for Tuesday’s game against the Rockies after missing nearly two weeks recovering from an intercostal strain. He’ll split the catching duties with Jonah Heim going forward.

Seager heads to the injured list after re-aggravating a lingering right hamstring issue during Saturday’s two-homer performance against the Tigers. The 31-year-old fantasy superstar missed four of the club’s last five games due to the ongoing issue. He’s unlikely to require a lengthy absence, but hamstring issues can be complicated matters and the Rangers can’t really afford to take any chances. It’ll be Josh Smith taking over at shortstop in his absence.

It’s not exactly a vote of confidence. It sounds like the Red Sox are leaving all options on the table before considering their next move, which could involve jettisoning Houck to the minors in what would essentially be a full-scale reset. The 28-year-old righty was torched for 11 runs on Monday in a loss to the Tigers. The move would leave rookie Hunter Dobbins in Boston’s rotation even after Walker Buehler (shoulder) returns next week from the injured list. We’ll have updates on the developing situation as it unfolds in the coming days.

Ballesteros joins the Cubs for Tuesday’s game against the Marlins after recording a sublime 368/.420/.522 triple-slash line with four homers and three steals over 34 games this season for Triple-A Iowa. The 21-year-old catcher still has some long-term defensive question marks left to answer, but his strong bat-to-ball skills enable him to avoid strikeouts, and he figures to offer enough power upside to make an impact for fantasy purposes. There may be some initial struggles as Ballesteros adjusts to life in the majors, but he’s worthy of a speculative roster spot in all fantasy formats.