Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson (back) was scratched from Wednesday's lineup due to "lower-to-middle back pain." Manager Terry Francona noted that Stephenson will be "fine" and that it did not make sense to have him suit up. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status as the team may opt to keep him sidelined for a few days. However, it appears this injury is not serious and will not put him in danger of missing Opening Day. While the 28-year-old kept out of action, Jose Trevino should see most of the catching duties. Last season, Stephenson enjoyed a career-season as he went deep 19 times and held a .258/.338/.444 line. He generated a strong 43.9 percent hard-hit rate with a 90.2 mph average exit velocity. He should be viewed as a solid low-end No. 1 catcher in all formats playing in a favorable hitting park.

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Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Henry Davis is projected to be the team's No. 2 backstop on the Opening Day roster. Davis is a former top prospect but has yet to take the next step in the major leagues. He was selected with the first overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft. He made his MLB debut in 2023 and held a modest .214/.302/.351 line across 62 games. Then, in 2024, Davis appeared in just 37 games in Pittsburgh and had a lower .144/.242/.212 slash line. However, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com noted that given Davis' strong play in spring training, he has put himself above Endy Rodriguez and Jason Delay. During camp, Davis has held a strong .286/.348/.524 slash line with two doubles and one home run. The Louisville product has also seen time in the outfield which will provide the team with additional defensive flexibility. Fantasy managers in deeper two-catcher formats should monitor Davis' progression as he could be worth a late-round flier if he continues to produce in spring training.

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Kansas City Royals left-handed pitcher Daniel Lynch IV has put himself in the competition for the final spot in the rotation. According to Anne Rogers of MLB.com, his strong showing in camp has put him in the conversation alongside Kris Bubic, who was initially viewed as a "frontrunner." During camp, Lynch has tossed 10 innings to the tune of a 1.80 ERA and 0.90 WHIP. He has tallied nine punchouts and not served up a free pass. Last season, Lynch logged 43 1/3 innings with a 3.32 ERA and a 0.99 WHIP. He made three starts but was deployed primarily out of the bullpen. He generated an elite .213 xBA with a strong 46.2 percent ground-ball rate. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor Lynch's progression during camp as he could be a viable target to improve your WHIP ratio if he begins the season in the rotation.

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Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Zebby Matthews (hip) tossed three shutout frames in his return on Wednesday. Matthews allowed just one base runner (via a base on balls) and tallied five punchouts. The young right-hander was dealing with a minor hip injury but appears to be past this given his strong performance. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status during camp as he could have a chance to claim the No. 5 spot in the rotation. Last season, Matthews made his MLB debut and logged 37 2/3 innings with a high 6.69 ERA and a 1.65 WHIP. He tallied 43 punchouts while holding a strong 4.3 percent walk. In the minor leagues, he held a 2.60 ERA with a 0.87 WHIP across 97 innings across High, Double, and Triple-A. If he opens the season at Triple-A St. Paul, Chris Paddack will likely claim the final spot in the rotation.

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Pittsburgh Pirates left-handed pitcher Bailey Falter is projected to open the season in the starting rotation. Throughout camp, he was competing for a spot in the rotation alongside prospects Bubba Chandler, Hunter Barco, and Mike Burrows. In addition, right-hander Johan Oviedo (lat) was placed on the 60-day injured list, which opened a clear path for Falter to open the season as a starter. Falter logged 142 1/3 innings with the Pirates last season and held a 4.43 ERA with a 1.29 WHIP. He tallied just 97 strikeouts and served up 45 free passes. Under the hood, he generated a high 4.81 xERA with a .267 xBA which placed him in the 16th and 13th percentiles respectively. Given his low strikeout upside, he should only be targeted in deeper NL-only formats as a low-end streaming option in favorable matchups.

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Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Nick Gonzales is viewed as the team's primary second baseman. Last season, Gonzales logged a career-high 94 games at the MLB level and is poised to surpass that total in 2025. Across this stint last season, Gonzales held a .270/.311/.398 line with 19 doubles and seven home runs. He swiped five bags while holding an underwhelming 18:74 BB:K. He generated a strong .270 xBA which placed him in the 84th percentile among qualified hitters. The former seventh round selection of the 2020 MLB Draft also flashed elite speed as he placed in the 93rd percentile in sprint speed. However, from a power perspective, he posted a modest 36.9 percent hard-hit rate. Gonzales is a solid late-round middle infield option as he will have an everyday spot in the Pittsburgh lineup.

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Colorado Rockies prospects Adael Amador and Drew Romo were both optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque on Wednesday. Amador was having a nice spring, going 8-for-27 (.296) with nine RBI, five runs scored, and an 8:5 BB:K. The switch-hitter is Colorado's seventh-ranked prospect and offers a blend of power and speed. Last season at Double-A, he hit 14 home runs and stole 35 bases in 100 games. Romo got off to a cold start this spring, going 2-for-17 (.118) along with a 1:4 BB:K. The Rockies' 11th-ranked prospect will head back to Triple-A, where he hit .297 with 14 home runs last season. Both had a taste of the majors in 2024, albeit with little success, but Amador offers the better fantasy profile of the two and is likelier to get back to the big leagues sooner, maybe even before summer.

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Colorado Rockies catcher/utility player Hunter Goodman had reportedly pulled ahead of Drew Romo for the backup catcher role with his performance this spring, and that became more apparent on Wednesday when Romo was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque. Goodman is 7-for-19 (.368) this spring, and, although he doesn't have a home run yet, he has a 4:3 BB:K. That's a good sign, seeing as he posted an 8:64 BB:K during his 70 games with the big league club last season. The former fourth-round draft pick has big-time power, with 80 home runs in 1114 minor league at-bats, even blasting 13 last season for the Rockies on the back of a 12.8 percent barrel rate. The right-handed slugger will backup 35-year-old Jacob Stallings, but the veteran has logged no more than 89 games in the last two campaigns, so Goodman should have a decent role that would only grow if Stallings were to get hurt. With the power he can provide, Goodman could be worthy of a roster spot in two-catcher leagues and all leagues if he were thrust into a full-time role. The 25-year-old is also eligible at both C and OF on Yahoo, although he'll focus on catching in 2025 despite playing five different positions in 2024.

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On Wednesday, the Seattle Mariners' top two prospects, infielder Colt Emerson (MLB No. 20) and outfielder Lazaro Montes (MLB No. 42), were reassigned to minor-league camp. Emerson was Seattle's first-round pick in 2023 is a .290 hitter thus far in his MiLB career, and carries an elite OBP of .419 with his ability to get on base via the walk. The 19-year-old boasts a 14.9 percent walk rate over 450 plate appearances, finishing 2024 at High-A. True to form, he posted a 4:3 BB:K in Cactus League action even though he managed to hit only .118 (2-for-17). Montes has big-time power, belting 21 home runs last season as a 19-year-old across Single-A and High-A, but he too has a good eye, recording a 15.7 percent walk rate thus far over 1067 PA. The Cuban hit .385 (5-for-13) this spring, including a pair of home runs, but will head back to the minors to test his mettle against pitchers at the upper levels. Both could be solid fantasy contributors in 2026, so dynasty and redraft managers alike should be familiar with them.

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Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Matt Brash threw a live batting practice session on Wednesday, the first time he's done so since having an internal brace procedure on his elbow last May. The hitters were instructed not to swing in this particular session, but Brash was pleased with how it went, with the fastball sitting mostly in the mid-90s and the breaking stuff showing good spin. The next step will probably be to throw a real batting practice session with hitters trying to make contact, but the righty is not expected to be ready by Opening Day, rather, it will be closer to the May-June timeframe. Brash last pitched in the majors in 2023, recording a 3.06 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, and 107 strikeouts over 70 2/3 innings pitched while logging four saves and 24 holds. Redraft managers who may be in need of strikeouts will want to monitor his return, although some command issues yield a high WHIP; otherwise, he'd be valuable in AL-only leagues and those that reward for holds.

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St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Jordan Walker (knee) made progress in his return from left knee inflammation, according to manager Oli Marmol. The 22-year-old worked on baserunning movement and did some work in the batting cage. A return to spring games should be around the corner if all goes to plan, and the expectation remains that he'll be ready for Opening Day. The 6-foot-6 slugger is hoping to start 2025 better than he did in 2024 when he slashed .155/.239/.259 before getting sent back to Triple-A by the end of April. The former first-rounder has worked on his swing in the offseason in hopes of a turnaround, so hopefully this injury doesn't set him back too far. The right-handed hitter is penciled in as the team's right fielder, and if he can get back to the 22.4 percent K% he posted in 2023, then a much-improved batting average, along with double-digit home runs and steals could be in the cards. Going at the end of drafts, he could be a value if he can stick with the big league club for the entire year.

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Houston Astros outfielder Pedro Leon (knee) played catch and hit in the batting cages in camp on Wednesday. Leon is finally resuming baseball activities at spring training after he was diagnosed with a Grade 1 left MCL strain early in camp. Because of all the time he's missed in spring training, the 26-year-old will not be ready for Opening Day and will most likely start the 2025 season at Triple-A Sugar Land. The Cuban outfielder made his major-league debut with the Astros in 2024 but only appeared in seven games, going 2-for-20 (.100) with two stolen bases, 10 strikeouts and two runs scored in 21 plate appearances. Per MLB Pipeline, he's Houston's No. 22 prospect. The 5-foot-9, 170-pounder can really swing the bat and has some raw pop despite his size, but he could really stand to improve his plate discipline if he wants to have an everyday role once he's in the big leagues for good.

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Kansas City Royals right-handed reliever Carlos Estevez (back) threw a live batting practice session in camp on Tuesday, and manager Matt Quatraro said it went "really well." As a result, Estevez is scheduled to make his Cactus League debut on Friday against his former team, the Los Angeles Angels. The 32-year-old veteran has been battling lower-back tightness in spring training but appears to have put it past him as he tries to get ready for Opening Day in his first year with the Royals. He is running out of time to ramp up with only two weeks until the start of the 2025 regular season, but as long as Estevez doesn't have a setback with his back as he gets into games, he should be able to avoid starting the year on the injured list. Because of his (82 career saves in eight MLB seasons) and his strong year in 2024, he should be the favorite to close for the Royals, although Lucas Erceg could have something to say about that.

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Kansas City Royals left-hander Sam Long (hand) returned to Cactus League action on Wednesday versus the Seattle Mariners and threw a scoreless inning while giving up one hit, walking none and striking out none. It was Long's third outing of spring training but his first since he was hit by a line drive on his left hand on March 3. The 29-year-old southpaw thankfully avoided a break in his hand and will be ready for the start of the 2025 regular season, although he's not guaranteed a spot in the Opening Day bullpen out of camp. The former 18th-round selection by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2016 out of California State University of Sacramento has four years of major-league experience and posted a career-low 3.16 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, one save, a career-high 44 strikeouts and 17 walks in 42 2/3 relief innings for KC in 2024.

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It appears likely that San Francisco Giants outfielder Heliot Ramos will be the team's leadoff hitter this year against left-handed pitchers, according to the San Francisco Chronicle's Shayna Rubin. That was the case for Ramos on Tuesday in the Cactus League game against Athletics left-hander Jeffrey Springs. In his 123 at-bats versus southpaws last year, Ramos was dialed in with a .370/.439/.750 slash line and 10 home runs, so it makes sense on paper. The 25-year-old has hit a modest .231 (3-for-13) with no homers, one double and two steals in five spring training games, but fantasy managers should take those numbers with a grain of salt. Ramos will be San Fran's starting left fielder in 2025 and will see a boost in fantasy value with his move to the top of the order against lefties. His 20-homer power makes him worth of outfield depth in standard 12-team fantasy leagues.

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Washington Nationals infielder Amed Rosario (knee) was scratched from Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Houston Astros due to a knee injury. However, Rosario told manager Dave Martinez that he could have played if it was a regular season game. The 29-year-old was just being cautious with two weeks until Opening Day. Cayden Wallace took over for the veteran infielder at second base on Wednesday and hit eighth in the lineup. Since it's a minor injury, Rosario could return as soon as Thursday for the spring game against the Tampa Bay Rays, one of his former teams. He signed a one-year deal with the Nats back in January and is expected to fill a utility infield role for Washington, which will leave him minimal fantasy value in NL-only leagues with basically zero upside. The Dominican infielder played for three teams last year and hit .280 in 103 games, but it came with just three home runs.

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MASN's Mark Zuckerman reports that the Washington Nationals are moving 2019 first-rounder Jackson Rutledge to the bullpen, according to manager Dave Martinez. The Nationals currently have plenty of starting-pitching depth entering the 2025 season, so this will be the 25-year-old right-hander's best shot at making the Opening Day roster. The Washington Post's Andrew Golden specifically notes that Martinez said Rutledge will serve in a multi-inning role out of the bullpen. The Nationals think the young pitcher will be more effective in his new role and will gain velocity in shorter stints. In addition to Rutledge, Cole Henry has also been moved to the 'pen this spring. Rutledge had a walk rate over 13% with a rough 6.40 ERA at Triple-A Rochester last year and also has a 5.72 ERA and 1.41 WHIP in 28 1/3 innings over seven outings (five starts) the last two years in the big leagues.

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Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams (quadriceps) was pulled from Wednesday's Grapefruit League game early against the Houston Astros after both of his quadriceps muscles tightened up on him during his first-inning triple. "He should be OK," manager Dave Martinez said. The 24-year-old is scheduled to be on the trip to Port Charlotte for Thursday's spring game against the Tampa Bay Rays, so it's obviously not a big concern. After tripling in the first inning, Abrams has now gone 9-for-30 in Grapefruit League play with a home run in 10 contests. He was a first-time All-Star in his second full season in D.C. in 2024 but had a lapse in judgment late in the year when he stayed out past curfew, which resulted in a trip back to the minors as punishment. Abrams was unable to sustain a solid first half and also continued to chase too many pitches, but there's no denying his power/speed upside as a top-10 fantasy SS.

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Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (forearm) suffered a left forearm contusion and the X-rays came back negative. Witt was removed from Wednesday's spring training contest after being hit by a pitch. His manager Matt Quatraro noted that the star infield initially lost feeling in his fingers after being struck by the pitch. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status but it appears he has avoided a significant injury. Anne Rogers of MLB.com noted that the 24-year-old will continue to be evaluated. Last summer, Witt enjoyed a career-season as he went deep 32 times and swiped 30 bags. He posted a stellar .332/.389/.588 line. He placed in the 99th percentile in xBA and xSLg and 98th percentile in xwOBA. Witt also generated a strong 14.3 percent barrel rate and placed in the 100th percentile in sprint speed. The infielder is viewed as a top pick in all formats given his elite contact, power, and speed.

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Cleveland Guardians catcher David Fry (elbow) has been cleared to take dry swings. The 29-year-old is recovering from UCL surgery. Fry was recently placed on the 60-day injured list which will keep him sidelined through at least May 26. However, seeing him begin to take swings, could suggest he may be able to see time as a designated hitter sooner than expected. He will be unable to take the field defensively this season. Last summer, Fry enjoyed a breakout season as he logged a career-high 122 games with a .263/.356/.448 line. He went deep 14 times and added 18 doubles. He generated a solid .326 xwOBA and drew walks at an above-average 10.7 percent rate. When he is cleared to return to the lineup, he will be deployed exclusively as a designated hitter, which will limit his playing opportunities. He will compete for starts alongside prospect Kyle Manzardo and Jhonkensy Noel.

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