Colorado Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon went 1-for-3 with a two-run homer against the Chicago Cubs in Thursday's Cactus League matchup. The veteran is entering his 14th season, all with Colorado and has looked good this spring with a .333 batting, two homers and six RBI in 39 at-bats. At age 37, Blackmon may have to succumb some playing time to younger players on a rebuilding Rockies team, but he can still be useful during long stretches at Coors Field. Even with a nice spring, there should be players with bigger upsides towards the end of deep league drafts.

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich has been having a nice spring with two homers, five RBI and a .333 batting average in 24 Cactus League at-bats. Yelich, 32, bounced back in 2023 after some rough campaigns in 2022 and 2023 and finished with a .278 batting average that was accompanied by 19 homers, 76 RBI and 28 stolen bases. Yelich looked to be on the decline, but last year proved he still has enough juice in his bat to be productive. Despite not being the MVP-caliber player that he was in years past, Yelich should still be a useful piece for managers filling out their outfields ahead of Opening Day.

Boston Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen (back) said he felt good in his return to Grapefruit League action on Thursday night against the Baltimore Orioles and expects to be ready for Opening Day on March 28 next Thursday. Jansen said he didn't feel good until Thursday and that he's been battling lat, shoulder and back issues throughout spring training. The 36-year-old veteran right-hander looked like his dominant self in a perfect inning of work against Baltimore, which is great news for fantasy managers that already have Jansen rostered. It was just his second appearance of the spring, though, and MLB's active leader in saves should be considered a pretty big injury risk as a No. 2 fantasy closer as he heads into his 15th big-league season (second with the Red Sox).

Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper (back) was hitting and fielding again on Thursday. While Harper has not played in a Grapefruit League game since March 14 because of soreness in his lower back, Thursday represented his third consecutive day of baseball activities. The 31-year-old slugger is scheduled to get at-bats at Carpenter Complex on Friday and Saturday, so he appears to be on track for Philly's Opening Day matchup versus the Atlanta Braves on March 28. There's been concern about Harper because he's had back issues in the past, although he's never been placed on the injured list because of them. This situation remains worth monitoring, but fantasy managers don't need to adjust Harper's 17 NFBC ADP at this juncture. Through 26 plate appearances this spring, the two-time National League MVP is slashing only .227/.346/.273 with one double and three runs scored but has stolen two bases in just nine games.

Milwaukee Brewers left-hander Wade Miley (groin) was scratched from Thursday night's Cactus League appearance versus the San Francisco Giants due to groin tightness. Miley will throw a bullpen session on Thursday without the up and downs instead and might try to pitch in a spring game this weekend. He said he was going to start the 2024 season on the injured list anyway because of shoulder issues, so he figured he wouldn't push it. With Miley sidelined to begin the season, either Joe Ross or Robert Gasser will likely fill in for the Brewers' starting rotation. Even when healthy, Miley should be avoided in mixed fantasy leagues. The soft-tossing 37-year-old southpaw just doesn't offer any upside in the strikeout department, and durability is also an issue.

Boston Red Sox relievers Kenley Jansen (back) and Chris Martin (groin) are both scheduled to pitch in Thursday night's Grapefruit League game against the Baltimore Orioles. Jansen didn't make his Grapefruit League debut until last Friday due to lat tightness this spring and then was scratched from a spring appearance earlier this week due to lower-back stiffness. While Jansen is running out of time to be ready for Opening Day on March 28 next Thursday, if he can avoid anymore setbacks with his back, he could still be ready. Martin, who is probably next in line for saves in Boston if Jansen ever misses time, will be making his Grapefruit League debut on Thursday after injuring his groin in early March. Jansen is the active MLB leader in saves, but he's become extremely injury-prone.

New York Yankees designated hitter/outfielder Giancarlo Stanton went off in Wednesday's 12-0 Grapefruit League rout of the Pittsburgh Pirates, smashing three home runs and piling up eight RBI. Stanton went deep for a towering two-run homer in the first inning, crushed a grand slam during the second frame, and launched a solo blast in the fourth just for good measure. And just like that, the 34-year-old slugger is now batting .314 (11-for-35) with four long balls, 10 RBI, and a 1.073 OPS this spring. Stanton's All-Star days might be behind him after a miserable 2023 saw him register a career-worst .191/.275/.420 triple-slash line across 415 plate appearances, but he'll open the 2024 season as the everyday designated hitter in the heart of the order in a loaded Yankees lineup. His playing time should be safe until Jasson Dominguez (elbow) returns later in the summer, and Stanton's 220 NFBC ADP should rise a bit following Wednesday's explosion.

Los Angeles Angels manager Ron Washington said that he's experimenting with leadoff hitters, which is why third baseman Anthony Rendon was hitting first in the order in the Cactus League game on Wednesday versus the San Francisco Giants. Washington said that the team doesn't have an ideal leadoff hitter, but Rendon does have a knack for getting on base with a career on-base percentage of .367 and 11 percent walk rate in 11 big-league seasons. The 33-year-old has mostly hit third or fourth in his four years with the Angles, which have been marred by injuries. Rendon hasn't played more than 58 games in any of his four years in Anaheim, which has basically made him avoidable in all mixed fantasy leagues going into 2024.

Kansas City Royals right-hander Michael Wacha has enjoyed a nice spring through his first four outings of Cactus League action. The veteran has pitched to a 3.86 ERA to this point with two of his four outings coming as the scoreless variety. He has struck out 10 against four walks in his 9 1/3 innings of work. It appears the next step for the 32-year-old will be to build up his innings after maxing out at 3 2/3 frames his last time out. Wacha joined the Royals on a two-year, $32 million deal this winter on the heels of a 2023 campaign that saw him pitch to a healthy 3.22 ERA across 24 starts with the Padres, going 14-4 in the process. However, he also posted a 4.43 SIERA, suggesting some regression for 2024 as ATC projects a 4.45 ERA across another 24 starts for him this upcoming season.

New York Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo is enjoying a big spring as he looks to bounce back at the plate in the 2024 season. The veteran is hitting .433 (13-for-30) with two homers, eight RBI, and a 1.241 OPS across 37 trips to the plate. He also has seven walks against five strikeouts in that time. Rizzo enjoyed a solid start to his 2023 season but a May collision with San Diego Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. on a pickoff play resulted in a concussion that bogged him down for the remainder of the season. Rizzo wound up hitting .244 with 12 home runs and a .706 OPS across 99 games for the season, the worst overall production of his career outside of his 49-game debut in the 2011 season. He figures to bounce back with some power but his 22 home runs and 67 RBI projected by ATC leave much to be desired at the first-base position.

New York Yankees infielder DJ LeMahieu (foot), who is dealing with a significant bone bruise in his right foot in camp, isn't ruling out being in the starting lineup for Opening Day on March 28 against the Houston Astros. "I've had a good spring training. I've had plenty of at-bats. I'm pretty much ready," LeMahieu said. If the 35-year-old veteran isn't able to get into another Grapefruit League game before the spring schedule ends next week, there's a pretty good chance LeMahieu won't be in the Yankees' Opening Day lineup. When healthy, he's expected to be the team's leadoff hitter and everyday third baseman in 2024. If he's not ready to go for the start of the regular season late next week, Oswaldo Cabrera figures to fill in at the hot corner in the Bronx.

San Francisco Giants infielder Wilmer Flores (knee) was scratched from the team's Cactus League lineup on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Angels due to a little knee soreness. Flores said "it's nothing." Flores should be considered day-to-day for now and should be ready for Opening Day next Thursday versus the division-rival San Diego Padres. Despite the 32-year-old Venezuelan putting up the best offensive numbers of his career last year for the Giants -- .284 average, 23 home runs and 60 RBI in 126 games -- playing time is going to be an issue for him in 2024. Flores was a bit fortunate to put up the numbers that he did, but that doesn't take away from the fact that he hits lefties well. At worst, he should be in some sort of short-sided platoon role in San Francisco's infield.

Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper (back) was held out of the lineup for the fifth consecutive day in Tuesday's 0-0 Grapefruit League tie with the Tigers. The 31-year-old has been dealing with back stiffness. However, manager Rob Thompson said, "He took ground balls today and swung the bat. He's feeling better." It does not sound like a serious injury, and the Phillies may simply be playing it safe with one of their top players. Fortunately, at this time, it seems like the organization is not worried about his health heading into Opening Day.

The Boston Red Sox are now hoping that closer Kenley Jansen (back) can pitch in a Grapefruit League game on Thursday. After being scratched from spring training action on both Monday and Tuesday with lower-back tightness, Jansen won't attempt to pitch in a minor-league game on Wednesday. Jansen was dealing with lat tightness earlier in camp and didn't make his Grapefruit League debut until last Friday. Manager Alex Cora said on Monday that the 36-year-old veteran right-hander is running out of time to get ready for Opening Day on March 28, so even if Jansen pitches on Thursday, there's a chance he won't be ready for the start of the regular season. Although Jansen is the active all-time saves leader, this is another reminder that he's become a huge injury risk as a No. 2 fantasy closer. Chris Martin (groin) is also hurt in camp, so Josh Winckowski could be looking at some early season save chances in the back of Boston's bullpen.

Boston Red Sox right-hander Kenley Jansen (back) will not pitch on Tuesday and is still dealing with back tightness, according to manager Alex Cora. Jansen was scratched on Monday but was originally scheduled to pitch on Tuesday with four more spring outings in mind. He has mad just one spring outing on March 15 and allowed three earned runs on two homers across just 2/3 of an inning. Cora said the veteran is running out of time to be ready for Opening Day. "He's running out of time," the manager said. "We still have time, but we're running out of time." The Red Sox open the regular season on March 28 in Seattle. Jansen posted a 3.63 ERA in the 2023 season, the second-worst mark of his 14-year career while his 27.7% K% was the worst mark of his career.

The Texas Rangers announced on Tuesday that right-hander Nathan Eovaldi will start the team's Opening Day game on March 28 at home versus the visiting Chicago Cubs. The injury-prone Eovaldi will kick off the year as the Rangers look to defend their World Series title from last fall. The 34-year-old veteran has made the All-Star team twice in the last three years and went 12-5 with a 3.63 ERA (3.88 FIP) and 1.14 WHIP while walking 47 and striking out 132 hitters in 144 innings over his 25 starts in 2023 during the regular season. During the team's run to the World Series in the playoffs, he went 5-0 with a 2.95 ERA and 41 K's in 36 2/3 frames. Eovaldi can be a solid fantasy asset when healthy, but he's gone over 150 innings just once since the 2016 campaign.

The Oakland Athletics have named veteran left-hander Alex Wood as their Opening Day starter for March 28 versus the Cleveland Guardians. Wood doesn't have a ton of fantasy upside these days, especially while pitching for the lowly A's, but he'll make for a decent sleeper option in DFS right off the bat against Cleveland. The 33-year-old southpaw worked in a swing role for the San Francisco Giants in 2023 and went 5-5 with a 4.33 ERA (4.47 FIP) and 1.43 WHIP while walking 42 and striking out 74 in 97 2/3 innings over 29 appearances (12 starts). Durability and a lack of strikeouts make Wood one to avoid in mixed fantasy leagues, but the fact that he'll be a full-time start in Oakland this year will make him valuable in AL-only setups in 2024.

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Joey Votto (ankle) is considered day-to-day after rolling his right ankle in his Grapefruit League debut with the team on Sunday. The injury isn't very serious, as Votto is scheduled to take live batting practice on the field in camp on Tuesday. It remains to be seen when Votto will be allowed to play in another spring game, but the injury isn't very serious at all and shouldn't keep him from being ready for the start of the 2024 regular season. Given how late the 40-year-old signed with Toronto, he's expected to open the year in the minors with Triple-A Buffalo, but he should eventually become an experienced left-handed bat off the bench for the Blue Jays in 2024 in what could be his final season of professional baseball.

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that closer Kenley Jansen (back) has just enough time to be ready for the start of the regular season on March 28, but there is no margin for any more injury setbacks. "We're running out of time," Cora said. Despite being scratched from his second Grapefruit League appearance on Monday with lower-back tightness, Jansen is scheduled to pitch on Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday and one more time in an exhibition game in Texas next week. The 36-year-old veteran reliever didn't make his first spring appearance until last Friday due to lat tightness, so Jansen has already dealt with two injuries this spring. While he could be ready for Opening Day, fantasy managers should be considering him a pretty shaky No. 2 closer in 2024. Chris Martin (groin) is also hurt and could open the year on the injured list, so the back end of Boston's bullpen is limping into Opening Day.

New York Yankees infielder DJ LeMahieu (foot) has "a pretty significant bone bruise" on his right foot, according to manager Aaron Boone, and the skipper isn't sure if LeMahieu will have enough time to get ready for Opening Day on March 28 in Houston against the Astros. LeMahieu fouled a ball off his foot in a Grapefruit League game on Saturday, but X-rays came back negative. Still, the 35-year-old veteran, who is projected to be the team's regular third baseman in 2024, may not be ready to go for the start of the 2024 regular season. The season hasn't even started yet and the Yankees are dealing with injuries to Gerrit Cole (elbow), Aaron Judge (abdomen, oblique) and LeMahieu. If LeMahieu opens the year on the injured list, Oswaldo Cabrera should see a boost in playing time at the hot corner.