Chicago White Sox infielder Jacob Amaya (hip) is starting at shortstop and batting ninth in Friday's Cactus League game against the Cincinnati Reds. After taking a few days to rest due to a hip injury that he suffered earlier in the week, Amaya is ready to return as he tries to win the shortstop job heading into Opening Day later this month. The 26-year-old is probably on the outside looking in right now alongside prospect Chase Meidroth and Brooks Baldwin. Amaya has just two hits in 16 at-bats during Cactus League play entering Friday, including eight punchouts in nine games. The former 11th-round pick by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2017 is going to have to do a lot in a short amount of time to change the White Sox's mind to open the regular season. He hit .176 with no homers and three RBI in 24 games with the White Sox and Houston Astros in 2024.

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Los Angeles Angels infielder Luis Rengifo (hamstring) is back in the team's split-squad Cactus League lineup on Friday against the division-rival Athletics and is playing third base and batting leadoff. It's the first spring game for Rengifo in the month of March after dealing with hamstring tightness and being scratched from the lineup multiple times last week. The 28-year-old utility infielder has a few weeks to get ready for Opening Day, but if he has any more setbacks, he'll likely need to start the regular season on the injured list. If he's healthy by March 27, Rengifo should be in the Angels' lineup regularly between third base, shortstop and second base. He was initially eased into spring action after having wrist surgery last August. Rengifo's speed, contact abilities and positional versatility make him a late-round target as infield depth in fantasy leagues.

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Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (forearm) avoided a fracture when he was hit by a pitch in Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Seattle Mariners and was feeling better on Thursday. Witt is dealing with a left-forearm contusion and will continue to be evaluated in the coming days. He will take it easy over the next few days in camp and increase his workload based on how he feels. If his forearm doesn't continue to get better, he'll go for more imaging. The 24-year-old said he initially lost feeling in his fingers, but he's feeling much better now and he should be good to go for Opening Day at the end of the month. The Royals will continue to monitor the contusion, but there's optimism that Witt won't miss any time and he'll get his final tune-ups before spring training ends. It's possible that Witt will be back in the Cactus League lineup on Saturday.

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Kansas City Royals outfielder Nelson Velazquez (calf) is back in the Cactus League lineup on Friday against the Los Angeles Angels, playing right field and batting cleanup. Velazquez left the team's spring game early on Wednesday against the Seattle Mariners with a leg cramp, but he was feeling better on Thursday and is back in action to begin the weekend. The 26-year-old is looking to pick things up at the plate to close out spring training as he tries to win a backup outfield spot out of camp. Coming into Friday's game, he's gone just 2-for-16 in eight Cactus League contests. The Puerto Rican outfielder began last year as the team's designated hitter but didn't last long and was eventually sent to Triple-A Omaha. He hit just .200/.274/.366 with eight home runs, 27 RBI and 61 strikeouts in 64 games played in the big leagues. With not much of a glove and too many strikeouts, he could begin in the minors in 2025.

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Chicago White Sox catching prospect Kyle Teel has been swinging a hot bat during spring training and is making a strong case to be on the Opening Day roster. Through 11 contests, Teel has posted a .333/.474/.800 slash line with one double, two home runs, and a 4:4 BB:K. He has added six RBI and scored four runs. Teel was shipped to Chicago in a package that sent starting pitching Garrett Crochet to Boston in the offseason. The former 13th overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft is considered one of the top catching prospects in baseball. Last season, Teel opened his campaign with Double-A and held a .298/.390/.462 line with 20 doubles and 11 long balls. He then earned a taste of Triple-A where he posted a .255/.374/.343 line with three doubles and two long balls across 28 games. Even if he were to open the season at Triple-A, he would be a popular stash candidate, as he may need only another brief look at Triple-A.

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Colorado Rockies starting pitching prospect Chase Dollander tossed four shutout frames during Thursday's spring training contest. He allowed just two hits, two walks, and struck out three batters. This is a much-needed bounce-back showing for Dollander as he allowed two hits and five earned runs across one 2/3 innings in his previous outing. The top prospect has a chance to make the Opening Day roster and Thursday's outing put him back in the running. Last summer, the Tennessee product made his professional debut and looked quite comfortable. He held a 2.83 ERA with a 1.26 WHIP across 70 innings at High-A. At Double-A, the former ninth-overall pick posted a 2.25 ERA with a 1.10 WHIP and 58 punchouts in 48 innings. If he does make the Opening Day roster, he is worth drafting in the final rounds of all drafts given his elite strikeouts upside he flashed in the minor leagues.

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New York Yankees outfield prospect Jasson Dominguez went 1-for-3 with a two-run shot for his second long ball of spring training. He hit this home run off Detroit's top pitching prospect Jackson Jobe. Through 12 spring training contests, the switch-hitter has held a .229/.270/.400 line two stolen bases and a 2:10 BB:K. The top prospect is expected to be their everyday left fielder at the start of the season. He has only appeared in 26 contests in the major leagues throughout his career and has held a .437 SLG with six home runs during this stint. Last summer, Dominguez held an impressive .309/.368/.480 slash line with seven doubles and seven home runs. He swiped 15 bags and held a 16:36 BB:K. Dominguez is a high-upside outfielder to target as he could be poised for a breakout season with a full-time role in the Yankee lineup.

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Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Cade Povich allowed eight hits and five earned runs across four 2/3 innings of work on Thursday. Povich was cruising through his first four innings, allowing just one run with three hits. However, in the fifth inning, the southpaw stumbled as he served up four runs and five hits, including a home run to Toronto outfielder Daulton Varsho. With Grayson Rodriguez (elbow) expected to miss the start of the season, the 24-year-old is competing for the open spot in the rotation. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his progression during camp as he has flashed solid upside at times. However, his rough finish to this start could put him on the outside of the 40-man roster. Through nine 2/3 innings in camp, Povich has held a 4.66 ERA with a 1.03 WHIP. He held a 5.20 ERA with a 1.43 WHIP across 79 2/3 innings in the majors last season. If he were to make the starting rotation, he could have value in deeper AL-only formats.

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Atlanta Braves catching prospect Drake Baldwin (illness) is feeling better on Friday after suffering an allergic reaction earlier in the week. The backstop was scratched from Wednesday's lineup due to the reaction. Baldwin is projected to be the team's Opening Day starter with Sean Murphy (ribs) sidelined. Through 10 games in camp, Baldwin and held a .368/.520/.474 slash line with two doubles and a 6:1 BB:K. Last season, the 23-year-old opened the campaign at the Double-A level and held a .244/.313/.337 line with six doubles and four home runs. However, over his final 72 contests at the Triple-A level, the former third-round selection held a strong .298/.407/.484 line with 13 doubles and 12 home runs. If he continues to perform well in camp, he is worth a look in the final rounds of drafts as he has a clear path to playing time in one of the top lineups in the sport.

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Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Max Scherzer (thumb) threw a successful session on Friday morning. According to Keegan Matheson of MLB.com, the right-hander "let it rip" and did not appear to face any setbacks. The team is expected to provide an update in the coming days. The 40-year-old has been dealing with soreness in his thumb. However, seeing him throw at full strength suggests he will likely not be in danger of missing Opening Day. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status as he looks to increase his workload. Earlier in the offseason, Scherzer inked a one-year deal worth $15.5 million with the Blue Jays. Before this injury, Scherzer had allowed just two runs while tallying 14 punchouts across nine frames. When healthy, he should have a permanent spot in the rotation.

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Detroit Tigers outfielder Riley Greene could see more opportunities in center field at the start of the season. Last season, Greene made most of his starts in left field but did occasionally get the nod in center. However, due to the numerous injuries in the Detroit outfield, Greene may shift to a permanent role in center field. Parker Meadows (arm) is in danger of missing Opening Day and Matt Vierling (shoulder) and Wenceel Perez (back) are currently sidelined. Across a career-high 137 contests last summer, Greene posted a .262/.348/.479 slash line with 27 doubles and 24 long balls. He generated an elite .353 xwOBA and a .477 xSLG. He drew walks at a solid 11.0 percent rate and generated hard hits at a 47.1 percent rate. If the 24-year-old were to shift to center field, he could be in line to see a career-high in plate appearances, especially if Detroit does not have many proven healthy options behind him on the roster.

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According to Adam Jude of the Seattle Times, Mariners infielder Donovan Solano could see time as a designated hitter and occasionally at the hot corner during the 2025 season. The Mariners signed Solano in the winter to a one-year $3.5 million contract. He was expected to be used primarily at first base on the short side of a platoon with Luke Raley. However, given his strong play last season, the Mariners may look to keep his bat in the lineup more often. If he were to see time at DH, this could limit Mitch Garver's or Mitch Haniger's opportunities. If he were to shift to the hot corner, this could push Jorge Polanco down the depth chart. Last season in San Diego, the 37-year-old posted a .286/.343/.417 slash line with eight home runs and two stolen bases. For now, he should only be targeted in deeper formats, but could find value in standard leagues if he were to earn an everyday spot in the starting nine.

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Seattle Mariners first baseman/outfielder Luke Raley could see time against left-handed pitching. Last season, the 30-year-old deployed exclusively on the strong side of a platoon. However, manager Dan Wilson suggested that he first base may not be a "strict" platoon in 2025. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status in spring training as it could provide clarity on his potential for increased playing time. Last season, Raley held a .243/.320/.463 line with 22 home runs and 11 stolen bases, facing exclusively right-handed pitching. He generated a strong 11.0 percent barrel rate and held a 90.1 mph average exit velocity. Donovan Solano would likely face left-handed pitching if Raley were to revert to a strict platoon. Raley is worth a late-round target especially in deeper formats as he could enjoy a career-season with increased at-bats.

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Seattle Mariners starting pitcher George Kirby (shoulder) received a biologics injection in his right shoulder on Thursday afternoon. The team hopes this injection will help Kirby return to strengthening activities in three to four days. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status. Even though he is expected to open the season on the injured list, he may not face an extended absence. Last summer, the 27-year-old logged a career-high 191 innings and held a 3.53 ERA with a 1.07 WHIP. He tallied 179 punchouts and posted a stellar 3.0 percent walk rate. He generated an above-average 3.44 xERA which suggests he could see some positive regression during the 2025 season. While he is sidelined during the start of the campaign, Emerson Hancock will likely join the starting rotation.

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Houston Astros outfielder Yordan Alvarez is expected to see most of his starts during the 2025 season as a designated hitter. Manager Joe Espada expressed that they need to keep him healthy. The skipper also noted "Things are going to have to be really awful for me to be running him out there that many games," about him potentially starting more than 50 games in the outfield. Last season, Alvarez made 53 of his 147 starts in left field. However, it appears the coaching staff will ensure that number decreases in the 2025 campaign. As a result, this will open up more starts for Chas McCormick, Mauricio Dubon, Zach Dezenzo, and even top prospect Cam Smith. Last season, Alvarez was dominant in the batter's box as he posted a strong .308/.392/.567 line with 35 long balls. He should be viewed as a late first-round target in all fantasy formats.

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Los Angeles Angels pitcher Jack Kochanowicz is making his case for thefifth rotation spot for the team, now with a 1.00 ERA, 0.67 WHIP, and a 1:6 BB:K through nine Cactus League innings. The 6-foot-7 righty made his MLB debut last season, postinga 3.99 ERA and 1.19 WHIP over 11 starts, but the strikeouts lagged (9.4 percent). With a SIERAof 4.56 after 2024 was over and the lack of strikeouts that was a trend even in the minors as well (19.0 percent K% in 66 stars), it's hard to envisionthings getting drastically better for the 24-year-old in 2025. Nevertheless, the former third-round draft pick could have some value in AL-only leagues were he to win the job out of camp, so monitorthis situation for any developments if you play in that format.

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Tampa Bay Rays outfield prospect Chandler Simpson and shortstop prospect Carson Williams both put their offensive skills on display in Thursday's 7-5 Spring Breakout win over the Red Sox prospects. Simpson flashed his 80-grade speed on an infield hit to shortstop that he easily beat the throw to first, then swiped his first bag of the series. Then Carson Williams provided some insurance for his squad in the eighth inning when he blasted a two-out solo home run, giving his team some breathing room as they headed into the ninth inning. Neither is expected to make the team out of Spring Training, but both could be fantasy contributors in the second half of the season.

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The Chicago Cubs have entered into contract negotiations with veteran free-agent right-hander Lance Lynn on a one-year, big-league contract, according to USA TODAY's Bob Nightengale. The Cubs are looking for rotation depth, and Lynn has plenty of experience in the National League Central, having pitched seven seasons with the division-rival St. Louis Cardinals. The 37-year-old veteran went 7-4 a year ago with a 3.84 ERA (4.31 FIP), a 1.34 WHIP, 109 strikeouts and 44 walks in 117 1/3 innings over 23 starts for the Red Birds. Unsurprisingly at this point in his career, Lynn has missed large chunks of time over the last several seasons, including in 2024 due to a knee injury. Even though his ERA was under 4.00, his xERA of 4.93 told a different story, and Father Time is surely catching up with him. If Lynn lands in Chicago and ends up in the rotation at some point, he'll be a low-upside DFS streamer.

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Texas Rangers right-hander Tyler Mahle (forearm) pitched in a minor-league game in camp on Thursday against Double-A Northwest Arkansas and allowed three runs in four innings while allowing six hits, walking none and striking out five. He threw 42 of his 55 pitches for strikes and tossed an extra 10 pitches in the bullpen after being scratched from his Cactus League start earlier this week with right-forearm tightness. The 30-year-old's MRI results didn't show any structural damage in his arm, though, and Mahle should be able to get back into a spring training game soon. It's great news for a pitcher who only made three starts in 2024 in his return from Tommy John surgery in 2023. He also missed time late last year with a shoulder injury. Because his innings will be limited in 2025, Mahle is really only worth stashing in deeper fantasy leagues.

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Texas Rangers right-handed pitching prospects Jack Leiter and Kumar Rocker, who were teammates at Vanderbilt, are both competing for the open spot in the starting rotation now that it's confirmed that left-hander Cody Bradford (elbow) will open the year on the injured list. If we had to bet, Leiter would be the favorite -- not only because he's looked better this spring, but because he has more big-league experience. The 24-year-old has shown increased velocity in camp and has allowed only three runs on seven hits while walking six and striking out 13 in four games (one start) covering 10 2/3 innings. Although he had an ERA over 8.00 and a 1.71 WHIP, Leiter pitched in nine games (six starts) in the big leagues in 2024. Rocker, meanwhile, made three starts last year but has allowed eight earned runs while walking two and striking out only two in just two Cactus League innings in his two starts.

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