Chicago Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner (forearm) will not make the trip to Japan with the team to open the 2025 season on March 18 and 19 in Tokyo against the Los Angeles Dodgers, according to ESPN's Jesse Rogers. Hoerner is still recovering from flexor-tendon surgery on his right forearm last October and will stay back in Arizona to continue his rehab. The 27-year-old has been hitting in the batting cages at camp and is doing a throwing program, but he hasn't made his Cactus League debut as the team plays it safe with him early in spring training. Barring a setback, Hoerner still has a good shot being ready for the March 27 game against the Arizona Diamondback. With Hoerner out for the two-game series against the Cubs in Japan, the most likely options to fill in at the keystone for that two-game series are Vidal Brujan and Jon Berti.

Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto (shoulder) will not be ready for Opening Day in late March, according to manager Ron Washington. It doesn't come as much of a surprise, but Washington said he hopes to get Neto back at some point in the first month of the 2025 season. Neto had surgery on his right shoulder last November but started his throwing progression last week. The 24-year-old will be right on schedule to make his season debut at some point in April if he's able to get into Cactus League games near the end of spring training. With Neto set to open the year on the injured list, Luis Rengifo, Tim Anderson, Kevin Newman and Scott Kingery are all competing for playing time at the 6 for the Halos. Rengifo should be an everyday player regardless, as he can also fill in at third and second base. Although Neto isn't a household name at shortstop in fantasy, he did hit 23 homers and steal 30 bases in 2024.

Chicago Cubs third base prospect Matt Shaw (oblique) said that he will start playing in Cactus League games in the next few days without any restrictions. Shaw is a bit behind the other position players in spring training while dealing with a minor oblique injury since Feb. 5. Oblique injuries can be tricky, but it appears that the 23-year-old should be ready in plenty of time for the March 18 season opener in Tokyo, Japan, against the Los Angeles Dodgers. If he's ready to go by then, Shaw is expected to be the favorite to open the year as the team's starting third baseman after the Cubs traded Isaac Paredes to the Houston Astros in the offseason to acquire outfielder Kyle Tucker. Shaw absolutely should have fantasy value in all formats in his first full season in the big leagues in 2025 as long as he's playing regularly, as he has the tools to be 25-homer, 25-stolen base man.

The New York Post's Greg Joyce reports that New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge is set to make his Grapefruit League debut this Saturday, March 1, against the Houston Astros. Nothing is wrong with Judge physically, but the Yankees wanted to give him a little extra rest after the team's World Series run last fall. Manager Aaron Boone said on Wednesday that he plans to hit Judge in the No. 2 spot in the lineup this year now that Juan Soto is playing for the New York Mets. The 32-year-old two-time MVP will also be moving from center field back to right field, which will be less stressful from a physical standpoint. Judge is firmly in play for a top-three overall fantasy selection in drafts this spring after leading the league in WAR (10.8), homers (58), RBI (144), walks (133), on-base percentage (.458), slugging percentage (.701), OPS (1.159) and total bases (392) in 158 regular-season games in 2024.

Baltimore Orioles infielder Jordan Westburg (back) is dealing with a sore lower back in camp and will be out of the Grapefruit League lineup for a few days as a result, according to the Baltimore Banner's Danielle Allentuck. Westburg is getting treatment. Manager Brandon Hyde said Westburg hasn't played since last Saturday due to his lower-back soreness. As long as the 26-year-old gets back to baseball activities soon and doesn't have any setbacks, he should be ready for Opening Day at the end of March. If healthy, Westburg will be a regular in Baltimore's lineup again in 2025 after hitting 18 home runs with six stolen bases and a .792 OPS in 107 regular-season games a year ago. RotoBaller has him ranked as the No. 9 fantasy third baseman entering 2025. Westburg should also be eligible at second base in most fantasy leagues, giving him a little extra appeal.