Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Daniel Hudson (knee) said that he will begin the 2023 season on the injured list. The right-hander has been working his way back from a torn ACL from last June. He has been able to face live hitters a few times, but it appears his knee is still bothering him. The Dodgers will develop a new timetable for Hudson to get back on the mound. Until then, Brusdar Graterol and Evan Phillips figure to be the favorites for the closer role in Los Angeles.

The Miami Marlins reassigned pitching prospect Eury Perez to minor-league camp on Monday, in addition to catcher Paul McIntosh, infielder Alex De Goti and left-hander Enmanuel De Jesus. The Marlins also optioned left-hander Josh Simpson, first baseman/outfielder Jerar Encarnacion and right-hander Eli Villalobos to Triple-A. Perez is the team's top prospect, per MLB Pipeline, but the 19-year-old right-hander will begin the 2023 season on the farm. He struggled in spring action by allowing nine earned runs in just 10 2/3 innings, but he might not be far away from making him major-league debut, perhaps later this year. Fantasy managers in dynasty/keeper leagues should already know his name.

Boston Red Sox third baseman/designated hitter Justin Turner (face) has returned to the team's Grapefruit League lineup on Monday against the Pittsburgh Pirates and right-hander Luis Ortiz. Turner is serving as the designated hitter and is batting third in the lineup. The 38-year-old required 16 stitches after being hit in the face by a pitch on March 6 and will be back in a game setting for the first time since then. Although he missed some valuable at-bats while healing, he has plenty of time to get his timing down between now and Opening Day at the end of this month. Between DH duties and occasionally filling in at the corner infield spots, Turner should be an everyday player in his first year in Beantown in 2023. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect a ton of power after he showed a sharp decline last year, but he still has excellent plate discipline.

Houston Astros All-Star second baseman Jose Altuve (thumb) is expected to miss eight to 10 weeks due to a broken right thumb that he suffered in the World Baseball Classic quarterfinals on Saturday night while playing for Team Venezuela. Altuve was hit by a pitch while facing Team USA and reliever Daniel Bard on Saturday, and now he's not expected to make his 2023 season debut until late May. The 32-year-old veteran may not return until June, depending on how his thumb heals. In the meantime, David Hensley, Mauricio Dubon and Rylan Bannon will compete for playing time at the keystone with Altuve on the shelf. It's a tough break for anyone that has already drafted Altuve, and for those with upcoming drafts, his fantasy stock obviously takes a big hit this year.

Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (hamstring) made his return to the team's Cactus League lineup as the designated hitter on Saturday against the Chicago White Sox and went 2-for-2 with a run scored and a walk in the team's 6-4 victory. The plan is for Freeman to play first base on Sunday after he was pulled from Team Canada's game in the World Baseball Classic earlier in the week due to a tight hamstring. The 33-year-old's injury was considered minor, and he's fully expected to be ready for Opening Day at the end of March. Heading into his second season with the Dodgers in 2023, Freeman should be considered an elite fantasy first baseman.

Houston Astros and Team Venezuela's second baseman Jose Altuve (hand) exited Saturday's quarterfinal game against Team USA after taking a pitch to the hand. Altuve is being tested to determine the severity of the injury, but things aren't looking too good based on his reaction. The 32-year-old was one-for-two before being replaced by Luis Rengifo in the fifth inning. In the tournament, Altuve is hitting .214/.450/.286 with a .736 OPS. This is a devastating injury for Team Venezuela, but for the Astros, this is even more impactful. Depending on the severity of the injury, there is a possibility that Altuve will miss some time to begin the season.

Colorado Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon (back) is still dealing with a sore back and won't play in Cactus League games this weekend. It's starting to become a concern for Blackmon, as he's already missed a week of spring games due to the injury. There's still time for him to return and get himself ready for Opening Day at the end of this month, but he's starting to run out of time. The 36-year-old left-handed hitter's fantasy stock is on the decline as he heads into his 13th MLB season for the Rockies. He hit .264/.314/.419 with a .733 OPS, 16 home runs, 78 RBI, 60 runs scored and four stolen bases in 577 plate appearances and 135 games in 2022. At this point, Blackmon is becoming a streamer for when he plays his home games at hitter-friendly Coors Field.

Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Lance Lynn will start for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic in the quarterfinals against Team Venezuela on Saturday. Lynn allowed just one run in five innings for a win on Monday against Team Canada, and he will be back on the bump this weekend in a much stiffer test. If the US comes out victorious, they will face off against Team Cuba in the semifinals on Sunday. Lynn had a late start in 2022 due to an injury and made only 21 starts in total. The 35-year-old right-hander got off to a rough start, but he finished strong with a 2.18 ERA and 62 strikeouts in his final 10 starts. He's looked good this spring as well, so his fantasy stock is rising ahead of upcoming drafts.

Boston Red Sox third baseman/designated hitter Justin Turner (face) is hitting on the field on Friday and could play in a Grapefruit League game on Monday if all goes well with his hitting session. Turner required 16 stitches after getting hit by a pitch in the face early last week in a spring game, but he's progressed ahead of schedule and should be ready for Opening Day in late March at this point. The 38-year-old veteran will be an everyday player in 2023 in his first year in Boston between regular designated hitter duties and occasional starts at both third and first base. His peak power days at the plate are likely over, but Turner can still provide modest counting stats at Fenway Park while getting on base at a useful clip.

The Los Angeles Dodgers' plan is for first baseman Freddie Freeman (hamstring) to serve as the designated hitter for Saturday's Cactus League game and then play first base on Sunday. Freeman was pulled from Team Canada's game in the World Baseball Classic earlier this week with a tweaked right hamstring, but it was a precautionary measure and he's fully expected to be ready for Opening Day. The 33-year-old left-handed slugger is back in camp with the Dodgers now and should be back in the Cactus League lineup this weekend, barring a setback on Friday. Freeman is one of baseball's best all-around first baseman and resides in one of the league's best lineups. He's an elite fantasy first baseman.

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen (elbow) is dealing with "very minor" right elbow soreness in spring training, and the team doesn't think the injury is significant. "Out of an abundance of caution, we're taking it very slow with Andrew," director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said. The Pirates aren't too concerned, but it's something to watch for the 36-year-old as he enters the twilight of his career with the organization that he spent the first nine seasons of his career with. McCutchen is hitting just .235 (4-for-17) with no homers or RBI, one run scored and seven strikeouts in eight Grapefruit League games. If healthy, he's expected to see most of the playing time in right field for the rebuilding Bucs in 2023.

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi (side) is likely to be on a pitch count early in the 2023 regular season, according to manager Bruce Bochy. Eovaldi is recovering from left-side tightness in spring training and will likely be limited to 75-80 pitches to open the regular season as the Rangers take a conservative approach with him. It makes sense, given that the 33-year-old right-hander was limited to only 20 starts with the Boston Red Sox in 2022 due to various injuries. His injuries caused his velocity and strikeout rate to drop, and he also had issues giving up the long ball in Beantown. Durability concerns are the biggest factor in Eovaldi's fantasy profile as he gets set to embark on his first season in Texas.

With New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz (knee) potentially suffering a season-ending right knee injury in the World Baseball Classic on Wednesday night, relievers David Robertson and Brooks Raley will likely become the team's primary options in save situations. Raley returned from the WBC with a hamstring injury, but the Mets expect him to be ready for Opening Day or shortly thereafter. New York could also choose to sign another left-hander such as Zack Britton after scouting him in February. Robertson saved 20 games for the Cubs and Phillies last year and has 157 career saves over 14 big-league seasons, so he seems like the logical favorite for the majority of save chances if Diaz is out for a significant period of time.

The San Francisco Giants agreed to a minor-league deal with free-agent relief pitcher Sergio Romo on Thursday that will include an invite to major-league spring training. If all goes according to plan, the Giants will work with Romo to build up his arm strength to appear in a couple exhibition games before calling it a career. The 40-year-old right-hander said he hasn't done anything since last September. Romo will return to the team that he won three World Series championships with, spending the first nine seasons of his career with the Giants. In his 15-year career, Romo had a 3.21 ERA (3.33 FIP), 1.05 WHIP, 137 saves and a 27 percent strikeout rate in 722 2/3 innings pitched in the regular season.

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he has "no concern at all" that first baseman Freddie Freeman (hamstring), who suffered a right hamstring injury while playing for Team Canada in the World Baseball Classic on Tuesday, won't be ready for Opening Day. "We expect him to be in a game sooner rather than later," Roberts said. It's great news, but Freeman is done with the 2023 WBC for Canada and will now focus on getting back into a Cactus League game for LA. The 33-year-old's hamstring injury is considered mild, but the Dodgers will take a cautious approach with Opening Day still several weeks away. Freeman is RotoBaller's second-ranked fantasy first baseman heading into his second year with the Blue.

Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (hamstring) is officially out of Team Canada's lineup in the World Baseball Classic against Team Mexico on Wednesday, as expected. "He's out of this tournament for now. The Dodgers decided that. He's over in camp right now getting looked at by the doctors and training staff," Canada manager Ernie Whitt said. Freeman left the game early on Tuesday due to hamstring tightness, and the Dodgers understandably aren't going to take any chances with their All-Star first baseman. At this point, it's likely that the 33-year-old left-handed slugger will not play again in the WBC this year. Fantasy managers will just be hoping he'll be ready for Opening Day, which remains to be seen.

Boston Red Sox third baseman/designated hitter Justin Turner (face) is scheduled to take batting practice on Friday. Turner is ahead of schedule while needing 16 stitches after taking a pitch to the face in spring action early last week, and he could be cleared to return to Grapefruit League games if all goes well with his hitting session on Friday. The 38-year-old should open the 2023 regular season as Boston's primary designated hitter while also filling in at first and third base. Turner is no longer in his prime, but he still has excellent plate discipline and can provide modest counting stats for fantasy managers in a corner infield or DH spot in deep mixed leagues.