With both Toronto Blue Jays relief pitchers Jordan Romano (elbow) and Erik Swanson (forearm) dealing with injuries with Opening Day right around the corner next week, Chad Green and Yimi Garcia are two clear candidates to fill in for the closer role if Romano and Swanson aren't ready or are eased back in. Nate Pearson could also be a candidate to make the Opening Day roster if one or both of Romano and/or Swanson are on the injured list. Green has just 11 career saves, but he has enough high-leverage experience to know the ropes. Garcia saved 15 games for the Marlins in 2021 and stepped into the role a few times in Toronto last year when Romano was available, making him the best one to speculate on in deep fantasy leagues.

Atlanta Braves left-hander Tyler Matzek (elbow) is back this year after missing all of last season and the last two postseasons while recovering from Tommy John surgery in October of 2022. Matzek threw two perfect innings with four strikeouts in a Grapefruit League game on Sunday to erase any questions about whether he'd need a short minor-league rehab stint to shake off the rust to open the season. The 33-year-old veteran reliever looks ready for the 2024 season, and his velocity has ticked up to 95 mph in his fifth spring appearance on Sunday. He has nine strikeouts, two hits allowed and two walks in 5 2/3 scoreless innings over five outings and will return to Atlanta's bullpen as an important late-inning lefty arm. Matzek isn't going to be a save option, but don't forget that he had 24 holds in 2021.

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.

Toronto Blue Jays reliever Yimi Garcia is enjoying himself a nice spring as he looks to build upon what was mostly a strong season in the 2023 campaign. The right-hander has worked to a tidy 2.25 ERA across seven outings and eight innings of work, posting a 0.63 WHIP with seven strikeouts in that time. Both of his earned runs allowed have come via solo home runs and he has walked just two batters to this point. Garcia's solid work is certainly worth monitoring considering Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano is dealing with an elbow issue and setup man Erik Swanson is also sidelined with a forearm injury. Should that duo miss time to begin the season, it's likely Garcia will be in line for some early-season save opportunities, although Romano would certainly take over closing duties upon his return.

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.

Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Randal Grichuk (ankle) is likely to begin the season on the 10-day injured list after undergoing ankle surgery to remove bone spurs in January. The Diamondbacks have not ruled the veteran out for Opening Day, but he has yet to appear in any Cactus League games to this point. Manager Torey Lovullo said, "He's still progressing. We want him to be ready for Opening Day, but we're just not sure about that right now." The outfielder came over as a free agent this offseason and is expected to be a rotational piece in the outfield for the Diamondbacks. Despite offering solid power, Grichuk is unlikely to make much of an impact with other options ahead of him on the big-league roster. He can safely be avoided in all formats at the moment.

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 Los Angeles Dodgers placed right-hander Blake Treinen (lung) on the 15-day injured list on Tuesday due to a bruised lung. In a corresponding move, Landon Knack was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City. The 35-year-old veteran reliever missed all of 2023 as well after having right-shoulder surgery in November of 2022. Treinen should be able to make his 2024 debut in April after a minimum stay on the injured list, but it remains to be seen if he'll be able to stay healthy the rest of the year. When he's healthy, the Dodgers like using Treinen in high-leverage situations out of their bullpen, but he's only going to be worth a look in deeper holds leagues since he's probably not going to see many save chances, if any. In 72 appearances in 2022, Treinen was great with a 1.99 ERA, a 0.98 WHIP, seven saves and 85 K's in 72 1/3 innings.

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.

Minnesota Twins right-hander Anthony DeSclafani (elbow/forearm) will begin the season on the injured list. He will visit Dr. Keith Meister to evaluate the next steps on his ailing right elbow. The right-hander was shut down by the team early in the spring but has recently thrown bullpen sessions. He has yet to appear in a Cactus League game to this point, however. The veteran was acquired in a trade with the Seattle Mariners this offseason after tossing a 4.88 ERA across 19 outings (18 starts) with the Giants in the 2023 season. He was involved in a deal for Mariners left-hander Robbie Ray before being dealt to Minnesota in a trade that saw Jorge Polanco head to the Mariners.

New York Yankees infielder DJ LeMahieu (foot) is "still pretty sore" but is moving around better on Monday, according to manager Aaron Boone. The veteran left Saturday's Grapefruit League game early after fouling a ball off his foot and underwent imaging on the issue afterward. "I definitely think it's going to cost him some days here," Boone added. Likely to serve as the club's leadoff hitter and everyday third baseman, LeMahieu took a step back at the plate last season, hitting .243 with 15 home runs and a .717 OPS across 136 games and 562 trips to the plate. LeMahieu's best fantasy production is behind him but he could be a decent source of runs if he can remain atop the Yankees lineup this season.