Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Joey Votto (ankle) was forced to exit early during Sunday's spring training contest against the Philadelphia Phillies. The veteran slugger launched a solo home run in his first at-bat with his new team. Sadly, Votto didn't last too much longer as he rolled his ankle stepping on a bat in the dugout. The team decided to take a cautious approach and pull Votto from the game. The expectation is that Votto will return to the lineup in a few days.

New York Yankees second baseman DJ LeMahieu (foot) was forced to exit early during Saturday's game. The veteran slugger fouled a ball off his right foot and underwent imaging this weekend. Luckily, the X-rays came back clean which means LeMahieu has avoided serious injury. The team will likely give LeMahieu a few days off for the pain and swelling to stop. The expectation is that LeMahieu will be fine heading into Opening Day.

With St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Sonny Gray (hamstring) not set to be cleared to pitch on Opening Day on March 28 against the Los Angeles Dodgers on the road, right-hander Miles Mikolas has been tabbed as the Opening Day starter for the Red Birds. Not only is Mikolas not much of a mixed-league target in standard 12-team fantasy leagues, but he should be considered a poor DFS option on Opening Day against a strong Dodgers lineup that added Shohei Ohtani in the offseason. The 35-year-old veteran is hoping an improved slider will make him more effective this year after he had a 4.78 ERA and 1.32 WHIP with 39 walks, 137 strikeouts and league-highs in hits allowed (226) and earned runs (107). There's just not much fantasy upside from a pitcher with a career 6.6 strikeouts per nine innings in eight years in the majors.

New York Yankees outfielder Giancarlo Stanton clobbered his first home run of the spring on Saturday in a 10-9 Grapefruit League win over the Blue Jays. The 34-year-old demolished a 1-0 fastball from Jays pitcher Paolo Espino and finished the day 2-for-4 with a home run, two RBI, and a run scored. It took Stanton 25 at-bats to hit his first homer and he's batting just .250 (7-for-28) in ten spring games, but at least he's healthy after missing 61 games last season. As long as he's in the lineup he should be a viable source of power and is available at the end of most drafts. Currently projected to hit 26 home runs over 104 games this season, if the former MVP can eclipse that number he could be a value.

St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt went hitless in four at-bats in an 8-4 Grapefruit League loss to the Marlins on Friday. The veteran has been scuffling this spring, hitting just .148 (4-for-27) including 11 strikeouts (33.3%) and just one home run. You don't want to put too much stock in spring stats, but the 36-year-old is coming off of a season that was a continuation of some troubling trends, seeing his Contact% tick down while his Whiff% ticked up for a third consecutive season. Hopefully the 7x All-Star can pick up the pace, as he'll also be in talks with the Cardinals at some point about a contract extension as the former MVP will be a free agent at the end of the season.

Free-agent reliever Justin Wilson has signed a major-league deal with the Cincinnati Reds after he opted out of his minor-league pact with the Dodgers on Wednesday. The left-hander last saw big-league action with the Reds in the 2022 season, posting a 2.45 ERA in five appearances but was forced to undergo Tommy John surgery that cost him the 2023 campaign, as well. He did appear briefly in the minors with the Brewers last season but the club declined their option on Wilson this winter. The long-time big leaguer has largely been effective in his career, posting a 3.41 ERA and a 25.9% K% across 527 appearances. He certainly won't be in line for saves and likely won't see many hold opportunities, leaving him off the fantasy radar at this point.

The New York Mets are among the teams talking to free-agent designated hitter J.D. Martinez, and the interest is mutual, according to sources. Owner Steve Cohen has apparently given the go-ahead to seriously discuss signing Martinez, even though the team is over the so-called "Steve Cohen tax," and they'd have to pay a 110 percent tax on any new deals. Martinez would solve the team's long-running issue of not having much protection for cleanup hitter Pete Alonso. The Los Angeles Angels remain involved with the veteran slugger, too, and he's said to like the idea of going to Anaheim to join Mike Trout. Martinez is now 36, but he still managed to hit .271 with 30-plus homers in 2023, but he also struck out over 30% of the time with the Dodgers.

Boston Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen's (lat) live batting practice session appeared to go well on Tuesday, as he gave a thumbs up and a "yes, sir" when asked how it went. He is expected to pitch in his first Grapefruit League game on Friday. The Red Sox have been slow-playing Jansen in camp after he reported to spring training with lat soreness. The 36-year-old veteran has progressed nicely, though, and as long as he doesn't have a setback once he starts pitching in actual games, he will be ready for Opening Day later this month. Jansen is MLB's active leader in saves and will be Boston's primary ninth-inning guy when he's healthy, but there's no denying that he's a pretty big injury risk for fantasy managers at this stage of his career.

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Joey Votto could be in minor-league games in spring training as early as Wednesday, according to manager John Schneider. This would put Votto on track to appear in his first Grapefruit League game in the days that follow this weekend, but the Blue Jays want to ramp him up against minor-league pitching first. The 40-year-old veteran joined the club as a non-roster invite to spring training last Friday and will attempt to make his hometown team in what could be his final season as a professional. There's a good chance Votto will start the year at Triple-A Buffalo, but he could eventually be up in Toronto as a veteran left-handed bat off the bench. In 65 games in 2023 for the Reds, he hit just .202 but with 14 home runs.

Boston Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen (lat) is scheduled to throw another live batting practice session on Tuesday, per the Boston Globe's Pete Abraham. The 36-year-old reported right lat soreness early in camp and was shut down, but is now building up for Opening Day. Fantasy managers should monitor his situation for a better idea of whether he will be ready for Opening Day. It seems as though veteran Chris Martin (groin) would get the first shot at save opportunities for the Red Sox if Jansen is unable to start the season healthy.

The Miami Marlins and free-agent designated hitter J.D. Martinez are in discussions as the slugger lingers on the open market. The Marlins lost their primary designated hitter from last season Jorge Soler to the San Francisco Giants in free agency, so a fit with Martinez makes sense. However, the club could also go with a rotating DH combo of Josh Bell and Jake Burger as Martinez is reportedly seeking a two-year deal. The veteran is coming off of a massive season with the Dodgers in which he hit .271 with 33 home runs and 103 RBI despite appearing in just 113 games a season ago. Despite his utility-only eligibility and his unsure landing spot in free agency, Martinez still makes sense for fantasy managers around his 235.2 ADP.

Free-agent first baseman Joey Votto has signed a non-roster invite deal to join the Toronto Blue Jays for spring training. The 40-year-old is from Toronto as the player and team seemed likely to at least connect on a minors deal this winter. Votto was relatively productive in the 2023 season, hitting just .202 but also slugging 14 home runs in just 65 games played while walking at a healthy 11.2% clip. He has seen his walk rates dip and his strikeout rates increase in recent seasons but his production hovered around league average a season ago, as per his 98 wRC+. He will battle for reps at designated hitter in the 2024 season but the Blue Jays also signed veteran Justin Turner to fill that void. Votto is well off the fantasy radar at this point.

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi struck out five batters over three innings of work during his outing against the Milwaukee Brewers last week. He allowed just one run on two hits along the way, showing off impressive control and efficiency. The right-hander remains effective heading into his age-34 season and will look to build on a strong 2023 campaign that saw him post a 3.88 FIP, 51.0 GB%, 8.25 K/9, and 2.94 BB/9. The latest RotoBaller fantasy baseball draft rankings have Eovaldi listed 198th overall and 54th among starters.

Boston Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen (lat) is scheduled to throw his first live batting practice session of camp on Wednesday, but it could be postponed due to rain. The Red Sox won't take any chances with the field being wet. Jansen reported right-lat soreness early in camp and was shut down, but it's not expected to take the 36-year-old much time to ramp up in spring training, so he's not being ruled out for Opening Day just yet. If he suffers a setback or just isn't ready to go later this month for the start of the regular season, expect Chris Martin to get the first shot at save chances at the back of Boston's bullpen. Jansen is the active leader in saves and had 29 of them with Boston last year, but he's not getting any younger and is a pretty big injury risk as a fantasy relief pitcher in 2024.

Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy said that left-hander Wade Miley (shoulder) threw a bullpen session in camp on Tuesday morning. "I wouldn't count him out for the first week," Murphy said. Miley has been dealing with left-shoulder soreness in spring training and isn't a lock to be available for the first turns through the team's starting rotation to begin the regular season. The 37-year-old veteran southpaw is trending in the right direction, though, so even if he opens the year on the injured list, he could make his 2024 debut in April. Fantasy managers in mixed leagues should look to avoid the aging soft-tosser, though, as you should be able to find better upside starting rotation options at the end of your drafts.

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder/designated hitter Andrew McCutchen (Achilles) said that he is making his Grapefruit League debut on Tuesday. "Got a uniform in here. Might as well wear it," McCutchen said. The 37-year-old said his modified, back-field program this spring has kept his health/body in a great spot entering the 2024 season. McCutchen suffered a partial tear of his left Achilles in 2023, which is why he's being slow-played in camp by the Pirates. The former National League MVP in 2013 is clearly past his prime, but he was decent before his injury in his return to Pittsburgh last year, slashing .256/.378/.397 with 12 home runs, 43 RBI and 11 stolen bases in 112 games. McCutchen's lack of outfield eligibility in fantasy is bad news for his overall fantasy appeal, though.

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen (Achilles) could see Grapefruit League action the week of March 4. The 37-year-old signed a one-year, $5 million deal this off-season to return to the Pirates after slashing .256/.378/.397 with 12 home runs, 55 runs scored, 43 RBI, and 11 stolen bases in 473 plate appearances. He was forced to miss the last month of the season due to a partial tear of his left Achilles. At this point in his career, while recovering from a leg injury, it is difficult to expect much from McCutchen fantasy-wise, particularly in terms of stolen base potential.

Both Philadelphia Phillies management and first baseman Bryce Harper have expressed interest in an extension that would keep Harper on the team through the end of his career. However, managing partner John Middleton said on Monday, "We need to get something done, but when we get it done and how it gets done, it's not clear to me." The team agreed to a three-year, $126 million extension with starting pitcher Zack Wheeler on Monday, and Harper currently has eight years remaining on a 13-year, $330 million contract. The 31-year-old had another strong season in 2023, slashing .293/.401/.499 with 21 home runs, 84 runs scored, 74 RBI, and 11 stolen bases in 546 plate appearances.

St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Lance Lynn has been in a slow progression in camp as a matter of personal preference, but he will make his Grapefruit League debut on Friday against the Washington Nationals. Lynn expressed his desire to ramp up on the back fields over the first week of spring games, a practice common throughout baseball. Despite not appearing in any games yet, he's not considered "behind" the team's other starters and is on the same throwing schedule. The 36-year-old veteran isn't going to be on any fantasy radars in mixed leagues after he had the worst season of his career in 2023 with the White Sox and Dodgers, posting a rough 5.73 ERA and 1.39 WHIP in 183 2/3 innings while giving up 44 long balls. Lynn could improve with St. Louis this year, but there's virtually no upside here.

St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Lance Lynn is lined up to make his Grapefruit League debut Friday versus the Washington Nationals. Lynn began his career in St. Louis and will be sporting the Cardinals uniform for the first time since 2017 after signing a one-year, $10 million deal with the team during the offseason. The 36-year-old owned a 5.73 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, and a 191:67 K: BB over 183 2/3 innings in 2023. He allowed a league-high 44 home runs and saw his BB% rise from 3.7% in 2022 to 8.4% in 2023. Lynn currently has an NFBC ADP of 297 and should improve on his lackluster 2023, throwing half his games at pitcher-friendly Busch Stadium this season, making him a solid pick in the later rounds of fantasy drafts.