The Mariners have officially named Luis Castillo their Opening Day starter. (Source: Ryan Divish on Twitter )
Fantasy Impact: Castillo was likely always going to get the nod for Opening Day, but it is now official. The 31-year-old turned in a 3.34 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP in 33 starts last season.
Rangers 3B Josh Jung is set to take live batting practice Monday. (Source: Jeff Wilson on Twitter )
Fantasy Impact: Jung is dealing with a strained left calf. The team hopes that if Monday’s workout goes well, that he could serve as the designated hitter later this weekend. The 26-year-old should be available for the Rangers’ on Opening Day, barring any setbacks.
Category: Injury Updates
Rangers SS Corey Seager is scheduled to take live batting practice Monday (Source: Kennedi Landry on Twitter )
Fantasy Impact: Seager continues to ramp up his rehab from a sports hernia operation he underwent in January. The veteran has yet to play in a Spring Training game and would likely need to log a few in game at-bats in order to be on the Opening Day roster.
Category: Injury Updates
Astros SP Jose Urquidy has been diagnosed with a forearm strain and will not be available for the start of the season. (Source: Matt Kawahara on Twitter )
Fantasy Impact: Urquidy will be shut down from throwing and will not be in the Opening Day rotation. The Astros have multiple injuries to their starting rotation and are expected to continue to look outside of the organization for depth.
Category: Injury Updates
The Twins scratched Byron Buxton from their lineup Monday with lower back tightness. (Source: Betsy Helfand on Twitter )
Fantasy Impact: Buxton has remained healthy this spring, but his back tightness is a bit concerning considering his injury history. The team should release more information on the severity of the injury soon.
Category: Injury Updates
The Royals have announced that SP Cole Ragans will serve as the team’s Opening Day starter. (Source: Anne Rogers on Twitter )
Fantasy Impact: Ragans turned in a solid 2023 season, posting a 3.47 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP in 96 innings pitched. Despite posting a 5.40 ERA in four spring outings, the 26-year-old will take the mound to open the season for the rebuilding Royals.
The Braves have named Reynaldo Lopez as the team’s fifth starter. (Source: Justin Toscano on Twitter )
Fantasy Impact: Lopez has officially won the job after the team optioned Bryce Elder. The veteran allowed just two runs over 11 2/3 innings pitched this spring.
The Dodgers have named SP Gavin Stone as the team’s fifth starter. (Source: Jon Morosi on Twitter )
Fantasy Impact: Stone turned in a solid Spring Training, allowing just one run over 9 2/3 innings pitched. The 25-year-old struggled last season and will need to find success early to remain in the rotation in 2024.
Reds OF TJ Friedl has a fractured wrist and will miss Opening Day. (Source: Trent Rosecrans on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Friedl is expected to miss an extended period of time as he will have to wait for the injury to fully heal before he can resume baseball activities. The team will likely to Will Benson or Stuart Fairchild to man center field to begin the season.
Category: Injury Updates
The Padres will start Jackson Merrill in centerfield on Opening Day. (Source: Jon Morosi on Twitter )
Fantasy Impact: The 20-year-old prospect has officially won the centerfield job. The rookie is in Korea for the team’s two-game series with the Dodgers. Fantasy managers should expect his draft stock to rise with the announcement from Padres’ manager Mike Shildt.
Cubs SP Jameson Taillon (back) is planning on throwing from a mound Tuesday or Wednesday. (Source: Bruce Levine on Twitter )
Fantasy Impact: Tallion stated that his back has responded well to rest and treatment. The veteran was scratched from a start on March 9th, so he will need some time to ramp up and may not be ready to join the rotation for the start of the regular season.
Category: Injury Updates
The Cubs optioned Matt Mervis to Triple-A Iowa Sunday. (Source: Cubs on Twitter )
Fantasy Impact: Mervis posted strong numbers over 19 games in Spring Training, but will not make the Opening Day roster. The 25-year-old struggled in 2023 with the Cubs and will need to show he can improve in Triple-A to start the season.
Category: Transactions
Joey Votto suffered an injured ankle after rolling his right ankle in the Blue Jays’ dugout Sunday. (Source: Hazel Mae on Twitter )
Fantasy Impact: Votto was removed as a precaution. The veteran should be considered day-to-day as the injury does not appear serious.
Category: Injury Updates
Braves SS Orlando Arcia underwent X-rays on his hand Sunday and they came back negative. (Source: Justin Toscano on Twitter )
Fantasy Impact: Arcia was hit by a pitch on the left hand Sunday. The team will determine next steps on Monday and Arcia should be considered day-to-day.
Category: Injury Updates
Phillies 1B Bryce Harper is dealing with a stiff back and will not play Monday, per manager Rob Thomson. (Source: Alex Coffey on Twitter )
Fantasy Impact: Harper has been held out of the lineup over the last few days, but the team has zero concern about the injury being serious. Thomson add that Harper will play later in the week and has no concern about his status for Opening Day.
Category: Injury Updates
The Phillies have named SP Zack Wheeler as their Opening Day starter against the Braves. (Source: Alex Coffey on Twitter )
Fantasy Impact: Wheeler was signed to a massive three-year, $126 million extension and will take the mound to kickoff the 2024 season. The veteran has turned in a solid spring, allowing just two earned runs in nine innings pitched so far.
The Pirates have reassigned SP Paul Skenes to their minor-league camp. (Source: Pirates on Twitter )
Fantasy Impact: The Pirates had already announced that Skenes would begin the season in the minor leagues. The 21-year-old should begin the season in Triple-A and could make his debut later in the 2024 season.
Category: Transactions
Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said that Max Meyer might be an option for the season-opening rotation (Source: Jordan McPherson on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: “I think everyone’s on the table,” Schumaker said. Bryan Hoeing, who is projected to be a multi-inning pitcher out of the bullpen is also a candidate. This will remain a situation to monitor.
Cristian Javier will start the second game of the season for the Astros. (Source: Chandler Rome on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Javier will fall Framber Valdez in the starting rotation for Houston. He posted a 1.80 ERA across 10 innings in Spring Training.
Miles Mikolas has been named the Opening Day starter for the Cardinals. (Source: Katie Woo on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Mikolas will get the ball with Sonny Gray (hamstring) not being cleared for Opening Day. He will look to bounce back after posting a 4.78 ERA across 35 starts last season.
Category: Injury Updates