Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (hamstring) exited Tuesday's World Baseball Classic 5-0 win over Team Columbia with a slight hamstring issue. Freeman was removed from the game in the bottom of the fourth inning after gingerly running to first base on a pop-fly out in the third. The specific hamstring was not specified. Team Canada manager Ernie Whitt said after the game that Freeman's removal was precautionary and that he is not expected to play Wednesday against Team Mexico. Freeman has been swinging a hot bat this spring and is a top fantasy option, so it is fortunate that this sounds like a minor issue. Fantasy managers should be on the lookout for updates in the coming days.

New York Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo (back) is back in the team's Grapefruit League lineup on Tuesday against the Toronto Blue Jays and right-hander Drew Hutchison. Rizzo is starting at first base and is batting third in the lineup. The 33-year-old left-handed slugger was scratched from Sunday's spring game due to a cranky back, but both Rizzo and the team continue to say that it's nothing to worry about. He also dealt with back issues that required a trip to the injured list last September, and Rizzo admitted that it's something he'll have to continue to monitor throughout the year. Rizzo is a fine target for power at Yankee Stadium and his batting average should improve with the outlaw on shifts, but his back issues are a concern.

St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt is now playing for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, but before he left, he was hitting .417 (5-for-12) with a double, a home run, one RBI, one run scored and a stolen base in five Grapefruit League contests. The 35-year-old slugger is a top-five fantasy first baseman heading into spring drafts. The seven-time All-Star was named the National League MVP last year after slashing .317/.404/.578 with a league-high .981 OPS, 35 home runs, 115 RBI, 106 runs scored and seven stolen bases in 651 plate appearances and 151 games played. Goldschmidt is still an excellent option at the position for fantasy managers, but we should expect some regression in 2023.

The Chicago Cubs view relievers Michael Fulmer and Brad Boxberger as their primary closing options in 2023 for the ninth inning. Boxberger has 82 career saves and a long track record of durability and reliability. Fulmer won the American League Rookie of the Year in 2016 and was an All-Star in 2017 as a starter, but he moved to a full-time relief role after having Tommy John surgery in 2019. He saved 14 games for the Tigers in 2021 and had a 2.97 ERA in almost 70 innings. The Cubs also could use the likes of Brandon Hughes, Rowan Wick and Adbert Alzolay in closing situations, which makes Chicago's closing situation more of a committee approach. But if you're speculating on saves in deeper leagues, Fulmer and Boxberger could be decent options.

Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman, who is also playing for Team Canada in the World Baseball Classic, was hitting .353 (6-for-17) with two doubles, three home runs, eight RBI and four runs scored in seven Cactus League games before he departed for the WBC. The six-time All-Star slashed .325/.407/.511 with a .918 OPS. He led the league in plate appearances (708), runs scored (117), hits (199) and doubles (47) while also hitting 21 home runs, driving in 100 runs and stealing a career-high 13 bases in 159 games in his first year in LA. The 33-year-old should be more comfortable in his second year with the Blue and is RotoBaller's second-ranked fantasy first baseman, behind only Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Both New York Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo (back) and the team are downplaying a back issue this spring. A "cranky" back caused him to miss the team's short road trip, but he was able to take batting practice on Monday and felt "fine." Rizzo has dealt with back issues the last few seasons, "but it's not to be really worried about at this time." Manager Aaron Boone said Rizzo could play in Grapefruit League action as soon as Tuesday. The 33-year-old's back got worse as the season wore on in 2022, and he required an epidural in September that led to an injured list stint. He's expected to manage his back throughout the year, but fantasy managers will need to have an insurance plan ready if they draft Rizzo as their top first baseman.

New York Mets outfielder Starling Marte (head) is returning to the Grapefruit League lineup on Tuesday against right-hander Cade Cavalli and the Washington Nationals. Marte was hit in the head by a pitch in spring action on Sunday, but he avoided a serious injury and will be back in there. The 34-year-old Dominican has played in only two spring games so far while being eased in after having offseason groin surgery. The two-time All-Star was limited to 118 games in his first year in the Big Apple in 2022, and he hit .292/.347/.468 with an .814 OPS, 16 home runs, 63 RBI, 76 runs and 18 stolen bases in 505 plate appearances and 118 games. Marte also dealt with a broken finger, so durability issues are a concern for fantasy managers.

Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Lance Lynn was firing on all cylinders for Team USA In Monday's 12-1 World Baseball Classic win over Team Canada. Lynn pitched 5 innings, allowing one run on two hits (including a solo home run) and no walks with six strikeouts. The veteran had a decent 2022 season overall despite missing time recovering from right knee surgery, going 8-7 with a 3.99 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, and 24.2% strikeout rate in 21 starts. While he has never been flashy, Lynn has been a consistent fantasy contributor throughout his career. Age is of course a concern, but Lynn's high floor makes him a solid middle-of-the-rotation option for fantasy managers.

New York Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo (back) was able to take batting practice on Monday. This is good news after the 33-year-old slugger was scratched ahead of Sunday's contest. Rizzo said he felt fine after batting practice, but continues to undergo treatment for a back issue. It doesn't sound like this injury is going to force Rizzo onto the injured list. Hopefully, Rizzo will be back in the lineup within the next few days. Although, fantasy managers shouldn't be surprised if Rizzo misses time because of back issues throughout the season.

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi (side) put together a strong outing during his Triple-A start on Monday. The right-hander struck out two batters, while allowing two hits over two scoreless frames of work. He was able to throw 22 of his 29 pitches for strikes, which is good news. The next step would be for Eovaldi to make his return to Cactus League action. The expectation is that Eovaldi will be ready for Opening Day, barring any setbacks. Fantasy managers should check back for another update on Eovaldi later in the week.

San Francisco Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford (knee) is experiencing left knee discomfort and will be shut down for one week in spring training. It's not a great sign for a player that his 36 years old, and there's a chance he may not be ready for Opening Day at the end of March. If Crawford isn't ready for the start of the regular season, Thairo Estrada could open the year as the Giants' starter at the 6. Crawford also missed time last summer with knee inflammation, so this is something to keep an eye on. At this point of his career, Crawford can't be counted on for much offensive production after he slashed .231/.308/.344 with a career-low .652 OPS, nine home runs, 52 RBI and 50 runs scored in 458 plate appearances and 118 games in 2022.

Free-agent starting pitcher Trevor Bauer will sign with the Yokohama DeNa BayStars in Japan's professional league. His deal is worth $4 million plus incentives, pending a physical. Bauer will attempt to rehabilitate his image overseas after the Los Angeles Dodgers released him in January after a lengthy domestic-violence suspension. It remains to be seen if the 32-year-old will return to the United States to pitch for an MLB team, but apparently no clubs had interest in him for the 2023 season. Bauer won the National League Cy Young in the shortened 2020 season with the Cincinnati Reds, but he's made only 17 starts since (107 2/3 innings) because of his lengthy suspension for domestic violence.

New York Mets outfielder Starling Marte (concussion) appears to have avoided serious injury. The concussion test came back negative, so the team plans to re-evaluate him on Monday. The right-handed slugger was hit in the helmet by a pitch during Sunday's spring training contest. Luckily, he left the field under his own power and appears to be doing well. It doesn't sound like Marte is going to need a stint on the injured list. Fantasy managers should check back on Monday after he has been re-evaluated.

Boston Red Sox third baseman/designated hitter Justin Turner (face), who had his stitches removed this weekend, could resume baseball activities on Monday. Turner was hit in the face by a pitch in a Grapefruit League game last Monday and needed 16 stitches after being taken to a local hospital. He's been feeling good and is expected to serve as the BoSox's primary designated hitter while occasionally filling in at first base for Triston Casas and at third base for Rafael Devers. The 38-year-old joined the Red Sox on a one-year deal that guarantees him $15 million after nine strong seasons with the Dodgers. Turner is no longer in his prime, but when healthy, he can still be a decent source for on-base percentage and counting stats.

New York Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo (back) was scheduled to make the trip for Grapefruit League action on Sunday, but he was scratched from the lineup because his back is "a little cranky," according to manager Aaron Boone. The plan is for Rizzo to play again on Tuesday when the team returns home. Billy McKinney will get the start at first and bat sixth on Sunday against the Boston Red Sox and right-hander Tanner Houck. The 33-year-old Rizzo continues to deal with back issues, but it's obviously not too concerning right now. It's probably something that the left-handed slugger will have to deal with throughout the year, so fantasy managers should bake that into their first base rankings.

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi (side) will start the team's Triple-A spring game on a back field on Monday. Like ace Jacob deGrom, Eovaldi has been a bit behind in camp while dealing with left side tightness. The Rangers are taking a cautious approach with both starters, but they will test it out in minor-league action to begin the week. If Eovaldi can avoid setbacks, he could get into a Cactus League game his next time out. The 33-year-old right-hander still has a shot to be in the Opening Day rotation in his first year in Texas. He was limited to 20 outings for the Boston Red Sox in 2022 due to injuries, which helps explain his drop in strikeout rate and velocity. Injuries and his issues with the long ball are concerning.

Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto (biceps, shoulder) is making his spring debut in the team's Cactus League game on Sunday against the Los Angeles Dodgers and right-hander Dustin May. Votto is starting at first base and batting second in the lineup. He missed the end of the 2022 season due to a torn rotator cuff and left biceps injury, so he's been brought along slowly this spring. It remains to be seen if the 39-year-old will be ready for the start of the regular season, but one thing is for sure: fantasy managers shouldn't count on Votto returning to his old self. He won't have much help around him in the lineup and he hit just 11 home runs in 2022 after clubbing 36 the year prior. Votto still has excellent plate discipline, but it would be unwise to bank on his power returning to All-Star form.

New York Mets relief pitcher Brooks Raley (hamstring) should be ready for Opening Day, according to manager Buck Showalter. The left-hander recently dropped out of the World Baseball Classic due to a low-grade left hamstring strain. The organization doesn't seem too concerned and believes he could return as early as Tuesday. It sounds like Raley has avoided serious injury, which is great news. He should be good to go by the end of March at the latest, assuming he doesn't suffer any setbacks. Raley isn't likely to have much fantasy value as a middle reliever.

Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto (biceps, shoulder) had a few plate appearances in one of the team's minor-league games at spring training on Friday. Votto is not expected to be ready for Opening Day this year after he had surgery on his left biceps and on a torn rotator cuff in his shoulder last August. The 39-year-old Canadian slugger hit just .205/.319/.370 with a career-low .689 OPS, 11 home runs, 41 RBI and 31 runs scored in 376 plate appearances and 91 games for the Reds last year. It came a year after he hit 36 home runs, but it's likely that his injuries took a toll on him at the plate before he underwent surgery. Better numbers could be in store if he's healthy this year, but there's more injury risk as well as a poor lineup around him in Cincy. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect a return to the glory days for Votto at this point in his career.