Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (ankle) is scheduled to make his Cactus League debut as the designated hitter on Thursday against the division-rival Colorado Rockies, according to the Los Angeles Times' Jack Harris. The Dodgers have eased Freeman into the early portion of spring training after he had surgery in December to remove loose bodies from his right ankle. The 35-year-old veteran left-handed hitter should be good to go by Opening Day in Tokyo, Japan, on March 18 versus the Chicago Cubs. Although Freeman is getting up there in age, he still ranks as RotoBaller's No. 2 fantasy first baseman in 2025 and is projected to hit third in the Dodgers' lineup behind MVP Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts. His ankle injury slowed him down early in the postseason, but the fact that he hit four long balls in the World Series against the Yankees should have fantasy managers unconcerned heading into this season.

Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith (ankle) is set to make his Cactus League debut for the Dodgers on Friday against the Los Angeles Angels, according to the Los Angeles Times' Jack Harris. A minor ankle injury kept Smith sidelined early in the spring training slate, but he's ready to go now and will be ready to roll for Opening Day on March 18 against the Chicago Cubs in Tokyo, Japan, barring a setback once he gets into games. The 29-year-old backstop will also serve as the catcher in his first spring game on Friday. The former 32nd overall pick in 2016 out of the University of Louisville, Smith has been an All-Star each of the last two years and slashed .248/.327/.433 with a career-low .760 OPS, 20 home runs, 75 RBI and 77 runs scored in 128 regular-season games in 2024. While Smith's numbers definitely dipped, especially in the second half, he's been extremely consistent and is on the best team in baseball.

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said on Foul Territory on Wednesday that he's planning to return outfielder Aaron Judge to the No. 2 spot in the lineup this year. Boone explains that it makes sense with the Yankees' lineup being left-handed heavy, especially with outfielder/designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton (elbows) currently sidelined. The skipper said that infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. and outfielder Cody Bellinger are candidates to hit in the three-hole, although it could be someone else with a left-hander on the mound. Judge hit in the No. 3 spot last year with Juan Soto in the two-hole, but now that Soto is out of town, Judge will return to second in the batting order in the Bronx. Chisholm or young outfielder Jasson Dominguez are the primary options to hit leadoff. Judge won the American League MVP in 2024 and is a top-five fantasy asset.

Detroit Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal will get the nod on Opening Day on March 27 against the World Series-champion Los Angeles Dodgers. "I'm looking forward to the challenge. You don't know how many Opening Days you're going to start in your career and I'm honored to be able to start two of them," Skubal said. It's no surprise that the 28-year-old southpaw will take the hill on Opening Day at Chavez Ravine after winning the American League Cy Young award unanimously in 2024. He will have a tough task on his hands on the road against the Dodgers, but fantasy managers that pay the high price to take Skubal early in drafts shouldn't be benching him. The former ninth-round pick in 2018 out of Seattle University led the league in WAR (6.3), wins (18), ERA (2.39), strikeouts (228) and FIP (2.49) in 192 innings and 31 starts in 2024 in his fifth year in the league with Detroit.

San Diego Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. (illness) is back in camp after missing a few days while battling the flu, according to MLB.com's AJ Cassavell. Tatis will likely have a light day on Wednesday as he builds back up, according to manager Mike Shildt. It' unclear when the 26-year-old will make his Cactus League debut, but there's no rush with Opening Day not until late March. The former shortstop made the All-Star team for the second time in his career in 2024 and finished with a .276/.340/.492 slash line, .833 OPS, 21 home runs, 49 RBI, 11 stolen bases and 64 runs in 102 games. A stress reaction in his right quadriceps cost him two-plus months and was also likely the reason why his stolen base production dropped. Fantasy managers can't expect Tatis to ever approach his career-high 42 homers again after his PED suspension, but his power/speed upside still makes him a top-15 overall player.