Player Notes

Michael Brantley had an RBI single and a three-run homer in Sunday's win over the Mariners.
Advice: The longball came in the second inning off of Felix Hernandez. It's just the second homer of the season for Brantley, who was hitting third in the batting order. The outfielder has now driven in 19 while hitting .301 as he quietly puts together a nice season.

Padres purchased the contract of RHP Tim Stauffer from Triple-A Tucson.
Advice: Stauffer, who was limited to one start last season due to flexor tendon surgery, had a 3.16 ERA and 38/15 K/BB ratio in 42 2/3 innings over eight starts in Triple-A. It's not clear what his role will be with the Padres, but he's worth stashing away in NL-only fantasy leagues.

Burch Smith gave up five runs and three homers in 5 1/3 innings Friday in a no-decision against the Nationals.
Advice: Smith struck out eight and walked just one, but there was no overcoming the homers. He has a 15.63 ERA after two starts, so his rotation spot is tenuous at best.

Tyler Lyons will be called up to start on Wednesday against the Padres.
Advice: It will be Lyons' major league debut. A former ninth-round pick, Lyons has put up a 4.47 ERA and 1.40 WHIP over eight starts at Triple-A Memphis this season. He's taking Jaime Garcia's spot in the rotation but is not guaranteed any more than the one start and should be avoided for fantasy purposes.
More: Derrick Goold on Twitter

Ubaldo Jimenez delivered another strong effort in a no-decision against the Mariners on Friday, surrendering two runs on seven hits over his five frames.
Advice: Jimenez racked up nine strikeouts on the evening while walking two. Unfortunately for Jimenez, Rich Hill came on in the sixth inning and immediately surrendered his 3-1 lead. Over his last four outings, he's compiled a 1.90 ERA and 29/8 K/BB ratio over 23 2/3 innings. While he's unlikely to continue at this pace, he's certainly usable in all fantasy formats for the time being. He'll look to get back in the win column when he takes on the Tigers at home on Wednesday.

Martin Prado is batting .275 in May.
Advice: Slowly but surely, Prado is digging himself out of an awful early-season slump. In his first month with the Snakes, Prado slashed an anemic .217/.266/.348. Over 15 games this month, he's batting a reasonable .275/.339/.333. It's certainly not the start Arizona expected after acquiring Prado in the Justin Upton trade and subsequently signed him to a four-year, $40 million contract extension. Sporting his trademark multi-position eligibility and playing in cozy Chase Field, now might be the time to buy low. Prado entered the year a .319/.370/.447 career hitter in Arizona.

Andre Ethier will receive a day off on Friday.
Advice: It's just a day of rest for the outfielder. Ethier has been hot of late, batting .500/.526/.625 over his last five contests.
More: Los Angeles Times

Jered Weaver (elbow) threw four innings in a simulated game Friday and feels ready for a minor league rehab assignment.
Advice: Weaver threw a total of around 80 pitches between the simulated game and his bullpen session. With his extended layoff, he will need 2-3 rehab starts before he's cleared to rejoin the Angels' rotation. He's expected to return in the early part of June.
More: Jeff Fletcher on Twitter

Jason Hammel was obliterated in a losing effort against the Rays on Friday, getting torched for seven runs on 10 hits over his 4 2/3 innings of work.
Advice: Hammel fanned four and walked two in the disappointing outing. Despite his 5-2 record on the season, Hammel's 5.72 ERA and 1.57 WHIP paint a very different picture on how he's pitched this season. He'll attempt to right the ship when he takes on the Yankees at home on Wednesday.

Jordan Lyles allowed two runs (one earned) in five-plus innings Friday in a no-decision against the Pirates.
Advice: Lyles left in position for the victory, but Hector Ambriz coughed up the lead in the eighth inning. The young right-hander held the Pirates to just four hits while the lone earned run scored on a solo homer by Andrew McCutchen in the first inning. He struck out four and walked two. While it was a step in the right direction after the Rangers hammered him last Sunday, Lyles needs to do a lot more to get our attention in fantasy leagues.

James Shields took a complete-game loss after giving up two runs in eight innings Friday against the A's.
Advice: Shields struck out nine, matching his season high. Unfortunately, he gave up his fifth and sixth homers of the season. Shields dropped to 2-4 on the season. The Royals have scored a total of five runs in his four losses.

David Murphy went 2-for-3 with a home run and four RBI in Sunday night's win over the Tigers.
Advice: With Ian Kinsler on the DL, the Rangers are using Elvis Andrus as their leadoff hitter and Murphy in the No. 2 spot. It's not exactly a deserved promotion after Murphy posted a .170/.215/.295 batting line in April, but there's not any other current options. Murphy appears to be finally healthy after missing time last week with a lower back injury.

Matt Harvey allowed two runs in 7 1/3 innings Friday to beat the Cubs and move to 5-0.
Advice: Both runs were earned because Alfonso Soriano was credited with an infield single on his grounder in the first. In reality, that ball should have been an out, which probably would have resulted in just one run scoring in the frame. Harvey ended up striking out six and walking none today. Oddly enough, all six of those strikeouts ended innings.