The Baltimore Orioles announced on Friday that right-hander Zach Eflin will start on Opening Day on March 27 in Toronto against the division-rival Blue Jays. Eflin gets the nod with fellow right-hander Grayson Rodriguez (elbow) opening the year on the injured list. The 30-year-old veteran closed out the year in Baltimore after the O's acquired him in a trade with the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays, and he'll start the first game of the year heading into his first full season in Baltimore. Eflin has allowed four earned runs with two walks and only one strikeout in two Grapefruit League starts, but he had a sharp 2.60 ERA, 47 K's and 11 walks in 55 1/3 inning over nine starts to close out last year with the Orioles. While Eflin continues to rarely walk people, his drop in strikeout percentage in 2024 could be concerning. Treat him as a back-end fantasy starting pitcher with a shaky DFS matchup on Opening Day.

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Philadelphia Phillies right-handed pitching prospect Andrew Painter (elbow) threw his first live batting practice session of the spring against some of his Phillies teammates on Friday, according to MLB.com's Todd Zolecki. Painter, who is ranked by MLB Pipeline as the No. 8 overall prospect in baseball this year, is being brought along slowly in spring training after he missed all of the last two years while recovering from Tommy John surgery that he had in July of 2023. The 21-year-old will not pitch at all in the Grapefruit League and will not break camp with the big-league roster as he continues to slowly build up his prized right arm. If everything goes well and he doesn't encounter any setbacks along the way, Painter should be a starting-rotation option for the Phillies in the second half of the season. Painter should already be rostered in all dynasty/keeper leagues, but fantasy managers in single-year leagues should temper expectations.

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Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper established himself as one of the league's best defensive first baseman in 2024 in his first full season playing the position. But in the offseason, he offered to return to the outfield if the Phillies were to acquire a big bat (such as Pete Alonso) to play first base. It came after Harper said in February of last year that he never wanted to move back to the outfield. The 32-year-old two-time MVP says he's still open to moving back to right field if the Phillies were to acquire a first baseman at the trade deadline this summer. "The main goal is to win the World Series." Alonso re-signed with the Mets, but perhaps the Phillies look to trade for Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who is in the final year of his deal. Offensively, Harper returned to the 30-homer mark in 2024 and will come off the board in the early rounds of drafts as one of the best first baseman available.

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Los Angeles Angels third baseman Yoan Moncada (thumb) was scratched from Friday's Cactus League lineup against the division-rival Athletics due to thumb soreness, according to MLB.com's Rhett Bollinger. Meanwhile, Luis Rengifo (hamstring) is returning to the spring lineup on Friday for the first time this month due to hamstring tightness he's been dealing with. It's unclear how serious Moncada's thumb issue is or if it will cause him to miss additional time. With Anthony Rendon (hip) out for the foreseeable future, Moncada has an opportunity to see regular playing time at the hot corner in Anaheim to start the season, although Rengifo is also an option there. The 29-year-old Cuban infielder hit 25 homers for the White Sox in 2019 but hasn't come close to replicating his numbers that season and played in only 12 games due to injury in 2024. He'll have to prove himself before becoming worth a roster spot in mixed fantasy leagues.

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According to Cleveland Guardians manager Stephen Vogt, the team is considering moving third baseman Jose Ramirez to the No. 2 spot in the lineup this year. Ramirez was the team's three-hole hitter 152 times last year, and he appeared in the two-hole just six times. Vogt's reasoning behind the potential change is that it will get the 32-year-old up to the plate more often over the course of the entire season and also give him more RBI opportunities. Nothing is set in stone just yet, and a move up just one spot in the lineup wouldn't drastically impact his fantasy value in 2025. Options to hit behind Ramirez in the third spot would include young first baseman Kyle Manzardo, veteran Carlos Santana and outfielder Lane Thomas. Ramirez, a six-time All-Star and five-time Silver Slugger winner, is one of the best all-around players in baseball and is ranked at RotoBaller as the No. 5 overall fantasy player.

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New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza announced on Friday that right-hander Clay Holmes will be the team's Opening Day starter this year on March 27 versus the Houston Astros on the road. "He earned it. We like what we're seeing," Mendoza said. As he transitions to a full-time starting role in his first year with the Mets, the Yankees' former closer has made a nice first impression and has been dominant this spring, striking out 13 and walking four in 9 2/3 scoreless Grapefruit League innings. Holmes showed plenty of dominance over the last three years in the Bronx as the Yankees closer as well with 204 total strikeouts and 74 saves in 189 2/3 innings pitched. He's also an extreme ground-ball artist. The two-time All-Star could turn out to be a great investment for the Mets over the course of his three-year deal, but for fantasy purposes, he's a back-end starter, at best, simply because he hasn't topped 100 innings since 2018.

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The Miami Marlins optioned right-handed pitchers Valente Bellozo and Brett de Geus to Triple-A Jacksonville on Friday and reassigned right-hander Josh Ekness to minor-league camp. Bellozo lost out on the competition for a starting-rotation spot in camp by giving up 10 runs in 8 1/3 innings of work in the Grapefruit League. To begin the season, the 25-year-old Mexican hurler will serve as starting depth in the minors. Bellozo made his big-league debut in 2024 and went 3-4 with a 3.67 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 44 K's and 21 walks in 68 2/3 innings over 13 starts for the Fish. The 27-year-old de Geus also didn't perform well in spring training, getting hit around to the tune of six runs in just 2 2/3 innings in the Grapefruit League. de Geus spent 2024 with three different teams and had an ERA above 7.00 in just 11 1/3 inning. He'll open in the minor as relief depth for Miami.

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Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley (forearm, wrist) left Friday's Grapefruit League game against the division-rival Washington Nationals after he was hit by a pitch in the right forearm/wrist area. Riley passed initial strength tests, and X-rays came back negative for any broken bones, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Justin Toscano. The 27-year-old will now go for a CT scan, with the Braves not saying anything until they have the full update. While it appears Riley avoided a significant injury, he's not out of the woods just yet. We will continue to monitor the situation, but expect him to miss at least a few days in camp. If the CT scan doesn't show anything serious, Riley should be ready for Opening Day in late March. There is more concern here since Riley dealt with a fractured hand in 2024, which wasn't discovered until he had a CT scan. Stay tuned.

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There is a chance that Miami Marlins right-hander Edward Cabrera (finger) will have his next turn skipped in spring training, according to manager Clayton McCullough. Cabrera was pulled from his Grapefruit League start on Thursday against the Houston Astros after only 12 pitches due to a blister on his right middle finger. The next step for the 26-year-old will be determined on Friday. If Cabrera's next start is skipped, he will almost certainly open the 2025 regular season on the injured list. In addition to another blister issue popping up, he hasn't pitched well in spring training, allowed 13 runs on 11 hits while walking four in just 4 2/3 innings. Cabrera has intriguing stuff on the mound, but injuries, inconsistency and a lack of control/command of his pitches has put him off the fantasy radar in most leagues.

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Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson (oblique) will be forced to open the 2025 regular season on the injured list after being diagnosed with a low-grade oblique strain. The Reds weren't too worried about Stephenson's injury when he initially was announced as dealing with a sore back, and although it shouldn't be a long-term injury, it will keep the 28-year-old from playing on Opening Day and in early April. He will now miss the rest of spring training and will hope that he doesn't suffer any setbacks when he eventually starts to ramp up baseball activities. It means that Jose Trevino will now open the year as Cincy's starting catcher, with Austin Wynns likely backing him up. After a bounce-back 2024 season in which the former first-rounder hit .258 with career-highs in homers (19) and RBI (66), Stephenson will now fall outside the top-10 fantasy catchers due to his oblique injury.

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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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