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Boston Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story (back) has been out the last few days due to a mild back issue but returned on Thursday to take part in a simulated game in camp against right-hander Walker Buehler, according to MLB.com's Ian Browne. Story has not played in a Grapefruit League game since March 9 due to lower-back tightness, but it's nothing serious and he's expected to return to a spring game on Saturday. Barring a setback with his back, the 32-year-old veteran will open the 2025 regular season as the Red Sox's starting shortstop. The former first-rounder only played in 26 games in 2024 due to a shoulder injury that he suffered while diving for a ground ball. Injuries are part of the equation now for Story, as he hasn't played in over 94 games in his three years in Beantown. For that reason, he's viewed as middle-infield depth in mixed fantasy leagues.

From RotoBaller

Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers (shoulder) said he will be fine if the team wants him to serve as the designated hitter on Opening Day. "I don't make those decisions," Devers said after talking to chief baseball officer Craig Breslow and manager Alex Cora a few weeks ago. The 28-year-old has changed his tune after saying on Feb. 17 that "third base is my position. I play third." Devers is finally scheduled to make his Grapefruit League debut this Saturday after working on his swing during spring training following issues with both of his shoulders last year. Meanwhile, new addition Alex Bregman is a Gold Glove third baseman and has been at the hot corner all spring. Devers could see time at third at some point in 2025, but all signs are pointing to him opening the year as the full-time DH with Masataka Yoshida (shoulder) starting on the injured list.

From RotoBaller

After recovering nicely from facing San Diego Padres minor-leaguers in camp on Tuesday, Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Brandon Woodruff (shoulder) is penciled in to make his Cactus League debut on Sunday against the Cleveland Guardians. It's a big step this spring for the 32-year-old veteran, who didn't pitch at all in 2024 for the Brew Crew after having right-shoulder surgery in the fall of 2023. He was able to touch 94 mph on Tuesday with his fastball and is likely ticketed for around an inning of work this weekend in his first official spring training game. Woodruff is making progress, but he has a ways to go and will need to go on a 30-day minor-league rehab assignment at the start of the 2025 regular season, so his return to Milwaukee's starting rotation is still a ways off. Despite the fact that Woodruff will have his workload monitored in his return this year, he's stash-worthy in all fantasy formats.

From RotoBaller

Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson (back) is going for an MRI exam after being scratched from Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Texas Rangers due to lower-back pain, according to manager Terry Francona. The Reds initially said that they thought Stephenson "was going to be fine." The starting backstop has hit .227 with a home run and four walks in 22 official spring training at-bats this year. If his injury turns out to be serious enough to land him on the injured list to open the regular season, Jose Trevino would be forced into regular playing time behind the dish in Cincy. Fantasy managers will want to check back later for Stephenson's MRI results, but for now he should be considered day-to-day. The 28-year-old had a resurgent 2024 campaign with career-highs in homers (19), RBI (66) and runs (69) and should be considered a top-10 fantasy catcher as long as his back injury isn't anything serious.

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Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (knee) is taking part in most baseball activities in camp but has not been cleared to play in Grapefruit League games. Acuna will embark on a minor-league rehab assignment once the 2025 regular season begins in late March, and his return should come in early- to mid-March, according to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand. The 2023 National League MVP has the ability to make a huge impact for the Braves and for fantasy managers when he makes his season debut. Acuna also won the NL Rookie of the Year award in 2018 and has made four All-Star appearances. However, he's now torn the ACL in both of his knees since 2021 and will miss at least the first month of the 2025 season. His latest ACL tear has taken him from being the consensus No. 1 overall pick in fantasy to No. 29 at RotoBaller.

From RotoBaller

It's reasonable to expect Atlanta Braves right-hander Spencer Strider (elbow) to rejoin the starting rotation sometime in late April, sources tell MLB.com's Mark Feinsand. Strider, who won 20 games for Atlanta in 2023, underwent an internal-brace surgery to fix his right UCL last April. He could throw in a Grapefruit League game before the end of spring training and then is likely to start a 30-day minor-league rehab assignment when the regular season opens. The 26-year-old was fourth in the National League Cy Young voting in 2023, when he went 20-5 with a 3.86 ERA in 186 2/3 innings. Strider's arrow is pointing up for sure, but fantasy managers will have to expect the Braves to slow-play the talented right-hander when he's back in the rotation after he made only two starts a year ago. But because of his upside, he's in play as a No. 3/4 fantasy starting pitcher in upcoming drafts.

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Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Max Scherzer (thumb) had an MRI exam on his sore right thumb, but nothing serious was found, according to MLB.com's Keegan Matheson. Scherzer is playing catch in camp on Thursday and will be back on a mound on Friday or Saturday. It's good news for an aging pitcher that has dealt with injuries in recent seasons as he nears the end of his career. The 40-year-old three-time Cy Young winner and eight-time All-Star was scratched from his Cactus League start this week but has avoided any serious damage and should be ready for Opening Day later this month. Although he remains an injury risk at this point of his career after making only nine starts in 2024 due to injuries, Scherzer can be a value pick in deeper fantasy drafts if he can stay on the field. So far in nine innings in spring training, he's looked more like his old self with 14 strikeouts and no walks.

From RotoBaller

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho (shoulder) threw out to around 105 feet in camp on Thursday. He still has two weeks until Opening Day, and although it's possible he'll need extra time to ramp up his throwing all the way, he's in a good spot given how complicated rehab from shoulder surgery can be, according to MLB.com's Keegan Matheson. The 28-year-old continues to be up in the air for the start of the 2025 season after having surgery on his right shoulder in September of last year. He has yet to play the field yet in Grapefruit League action but has gone 5-for-16 with three home runs as the designated hitter, which is a great sign for him at the plate after having offseason surgery. Varsho's DH role could continue early into the season if he's not ready to play the outfield. He is RotoBaller's No. 90-ranked fantasy outfielder, but a bounce-back is possible if his down poor 2024 was related to his injured shoulder.

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Miami Marlins right-hander Edward Cabrera (finger) left his Grapefruit League start early on Thursday against the Houston Astros due to a blister on his right middle finger, according to Marlins Radio's Stephen Strom. Cabrera only threw 12 pitches (two strikes) in the abbreviated outing. In addition to what has been a rough spring results-wise, the blister issue has been a recurring one for the 26-year-old hurler, and it could cause him to open the 2025 regular season on the injured list. Cabrera has allowed 13 runs on 11 hits while walking four in just 4 2/3 Grapefruit League innings so far. But if he put his newest blister issue behind him in the next couple of weeks, he will be locked into Miami's starting rotation. He has displayed a slightly above-average strikeout rate in his time in the big leagues, but injury concerns and poor command and control have Cabrera outside of RotoBaller's top-100 starting pitchers.

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Boston Red Sox right-hander Lucas Giolito (hamstring) will begin the season on the injured list, according to manager Alex Cora. "We're going to be tested right away," Cora said. Giolito was pulled from his Grapefruit League start on Tuesday against the Philadelphia Phillies with what turned out to be a low-grade left-hamstring strain. It's not a serious injury, but it means the BoSox will now open the year without Giolito, Brayan Bello (shoulder) or Kutter Crawford (knee) in their rotation. With that trio of starting-pitcher injuries, both Quinn Priester and Richard Fitts appear likely to open the year in Boston's rotation. Giolito's fantasy value continues to drop after he missed all of the 2024 campaign due to a torn right UCL that required an internal-brace procedure. The good news is his new injury isn't arm-related, but he should still be avoided in 12-team mixed leagues.

From RotoBaller

Although an MRI exam on Texas Rangers left-hander Cody Bradford's (elbow) sore left elbow came back clean, he is going to need to start the season on the injured list, according to manager Bruce Bochy. He will be shut down from throwing for up to 10 days to try and get the soreness out. General manager Chris Young said Bradford felt pain in his elbow during his Cactus League start last Thursday. The 27-year-old southpaw had a 1.40 ERA last year when he first landed on the IL on April 14 with nagging back and rib injuries and finished the year with a 3.54 ERA in 76 1/3 innings. It's unclear how much time Bradford might miss to open the 2025 regular season, but his injury now opens up a spot in Texas' Opening Day starting rotation for one of Jack Leiter or Kumar Rocker. Either pitcher would have some appeal for strikeout upside in mixed fantasy leagues if they win a rotation spot.

From RotoBaller

Texas Rangers right-hander Jacob deGrom (illness) has been scratched from his scheduled Cactus League start on Thursday against the San Francisco Giants due to a stomach virus, according to manager Bruce Bochy. Hopefully, the 36-year-old veteran will be able to get back on the mound in a few days for what will only be his second spring training game after he threw 31 pitches in his debut last weekend. The two-time Cy Young winner still has the stuff to be a fantasy ace if he's healthy, but the caveat is that he's started only nine games in the last two seasons due to arm injuries and will be eased in early in 2025 to preserve his health throughout the season. Additionally, deGrom plans to back off a bit on his velocity in order to try and preserve his health. deGrom hasn't gone over 100 innings pitched in a season since 2019 with the New York Mets.

From RotoBaller

New York Mets infielder Brett Baty is projected to open the year at second base while batting eighth, according to MLB.com's Anthony DiComo. Regular second baseman Jeff McNeil (oblique) is being shut down for seven to 10 days and is likely to open the year on the injured list, which could open the door for Baty to get regular playing time at the keystone in Queens. The 25-year-old started 27 games at second last year at Triple-A Syracuse, although he's never played the position in the big leagues. Another scenario would include both Baty and Luisangel Acuna splitting second base duties until McNeil is healed up. Baty, one of the team's former top prospects, hasn't panned out yet, although he did see some progress with a lowered strikeout rate in his limited playing time in 2024. When everyone is healthy in New York, Baty will find it hard to see the field regularly.

From RotoBaller

Texas Rangers second baseman Marcus Semien (illness) is back at second base and batting leadoff on Thursday in the Cactus League game against the San Francisco Giants. A stomach bug is going around the Rangers' clubhouse in camp, and the 34-year-old veteran wasn't feeling good enough to play on Wednesday. He's now back in there a day later and is hoping to pick it up offensively with Opening Day just several weeks away. In 12 spring games to this point, Semien has gone 6-for-32 (.188) with two home runs, a triple, three RBI and three runs scored in 34 plate appearances. It was a down year for him at the plate last year, too, by his standards as he slashed .237/.308/.391 with 23 home runs, 74 RBI and eight steals in 159 games. Semien's underlying metrics didn't dip, though, so he's still a strong second base target in fantasy that has been one of the most durable players in the league.

From RotoBaller

New York Mets left-hander Sean Manaea (oblique) resumed throwing two days ago, according to manager Carlos Mendoza. Manaea's follow-up MRI exam came back clean, so he's essentially re-starting his spring training program after being shut down with a strained right oblique earlier in camp. It means that the 33-year-old veteran southpaw is right on schedule. He still has a ways to go as he builds his arm up for a starter's workload, but barring a setback, he could be ready to rejoin the Mets' rotation at some point in April. Nobody really expected much from Manaea in Queens in 2024, but he pitched very well thanks to a lowered arm slot and threw more strikes, too, finishing 12-6 with a 3.47 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 184:63 K:BB in 181 2/3 regular-season innings over 32 starts. It remains to be seen if he can repeat that success in 2025, but he's at least a little cheaper now that he'll begin the year on the injured list.

From RotoBaller

As expected, Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams (quadriceps) is back in the Grapefruit League lineup on Thursday against the Tampa Bay Rays after being pulled following a first-inning triple on Wednesday. Abrams is back at the 6 and is batting leadoff after experiencing tightness in both of his quadriceps muscles on Wednesday while rounding the bases. After a strong start to last season, the 24-year-old looks primed for another strong start in 2025 while hitting .300 with a home run in 30 at-bats this spring. However, Abrams tailed off in the second half in 2024 and was sent to the minors for staying out past curfew on a trip to Chicago. His chase rate is perhaps his biggest red flag, but Abrams still offers enough power/speed upside to be considered a top-10 fantasy shortstop. He was a first-time All-Star last year and had 20 home runs and 31 stolen bases in 138 games played.

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New York Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo (knee) is serving as the designated hitter and is in the two-hole for Thursday's Grapefruit League contest versus the Boston Red Sox. Nimmo appears to be past his plantar-fasciitis issues from last year, but he was brought along slowly early in camp and then dealt with right-knee soreness. As a result, this is the 31-year-old veteran's second spring training game. Nimmo still has several weeks to get ready for Opening Day and has time to work his way back onto the field in the outfield. The former first-rounder has dealt with his fair share of injuries in recent seasons, but he's remarkably still managed to play in at least 151 games in each of the last three years. He also had career-highs in home runs (23), RBI (90) and steals (15) while scoring 88 runs in 2024. The injuries are a bit worrisome, but Nimmo is still a top-50 fantasy outfielder in this lineup.

From RotoBaller

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Lucas Giolito (hamstring) has a low-grade hamstring strain. The right-hander suffered this injury during Tuesday's Grapefruit League contest. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status. Giolito said, "he feels good and his work will be based on how he feels." However, he is not sure if he can make his next start. Giolito was unable to pitch during the entire 2024 season after undergoing an internal brace procedure during last year's spring training. In 2023, Giolito logged 184 1/3 innings with a 4.88 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP. He tallied 204 punchouts and held a high 9.2 percent walk-rate. He also generated a modest 4.61 xERA with a low 36.1 percent ground-ball rate. If he were to miss time early in the season, fantasy managers should expect Cooper Criswell, Richard Fitts, and Quinn Priester to have increased opportunities.

From RotoBaller

Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes (side) has resumed full baseball activities. Pirates senior director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk noted, "We envision him being available for game activity in the coming days as well." Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status but should expect him to return to the starting lineup very soon. Hayes has been dealing with left side tightness over the past two weeks. When healthy, he should have an everyday role as the starting third baseman. Last season, the former 32nd-overall pick held a .233/.283/.290 line with four home runs and 11 stolen bases. He generated a weak .279 xwOBA but showed a strong eye at the plate as he held an 18.9 percent strikeout rate. Fantasy managers should view him as a depth corner infield option that has more value in points leagues given his low strikeout rate.

From RotoBaller

New York Mets second baseman Jeff McNeil (oblique) suffered a low-grade oblique strain and will not participate in baseball activities for the next 7-to-10 days. In addition, manager Carlos Mendoza noted that McNeil could be sidelined for 3-to-4 weeks. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status but given this report, he will likely miss the start of the season. He may also be placed on the injured list if he were to miss several weeks of action. Last season, McNeil held a .238/.308/.384 line across 129 games. He tallied 26 doubles and swiped five bags. The 32-year-old won the NL batting title in 2022 with a .326 AVG. As a result, fantasy managers should expect Luisangel Acuna to likely operate as the team's starting second baseman at the start of the regular season. Donovan Wilson and Brett Baty could also be in the mix for opportunities.

From RotoBaller