Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho (shoulder) will make his Grapefruit League debut on Friday against the division-rival New York Yankees while serving as the designated hitter. Varsho said he's progressing well from right rotator-cuff surgery last September and has been throwing at 120 feet. He also continues to shag fly balls and hit in camp. The 28-year-old will begin the 2025 regular season on the injured list, but he might only have to spent the minimum time on the shelf before making his season debut. Fantasy managers shouldn't be in any hurry to roster Varsho coming off a pretty serious surgery, especially after he hit just .214/.293/.407 with a .700 OPS, 18 home runs, 58 RBI, 10 stolen bases and 73 runs scored in 136 games in 2024 in his second year in Toronto. His batted-ball metrics didn't paint a pretty picture, although his defensive abilities should keep him as a lineup regular if he's healthy.

Updating a previous report, Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson (side) was pulled from Thursday's Grapefruit League game early against the division-rival Toronto Blue Jays due to lower right-side discomfort. In his only at-bat of the game, Henderson tried to beat out a ground ball and then also made a diving catch in the field. It's likely that the Orioles were exercising an abundance of caution with one of the best players in all of baseball, but we'll pass along word if the 23-year-old's injury is more than just a day-to-day situation early in spring training. Most likely, Henderson will be just fine and ready for Opening Day at the end of March. Henderson can do it all at the plate and on defense and had a breakout 2024 season, vaulting him to a top-10 fantasy player heading into the 2025 campaign.

Chicago White Sox outfielder Andrew Benintendi (hand) was pulled from Thursday's Cactus League game against the division-rival Cleveland Guardians with right-hand soreness after he was hit by a pitch from pitcher Logan Allen. Benintendi will undergo tests to make sure he didn't break any bones in his right hand. For now, the 30-year-old veteran should be considered day-to-day in spring training. In his second year with the Pale Hose in 2024, Benintendi matched his career-high with 20 home runs but also slashed just .229/.289/.396 with a below-average .685 OPS, 64 RBI, three stolen bases and 50 runs scored in 135 games played. He did make gains with his barrel rate and hit more fly balls, but he still checked in as a below-average hitter while also playing terrible defense in left field. If healthy, he'll remain a regular for the rebuilding White Sox, but fantasy managers in mixed leagues can find better outfielders.

The Washington Nationals designated outfielder Stone Garrett for assignment on Thursday to make room for right-handed reliever Kyle Finnegan on the 40-man roster. Garrett will now be subjected to waivers, but if he goes unclaimed, he could return to the Nationals organization and be assigned to Triple-A Rochester to start the year. The 29-year-old former eighth-round pick by the Miami Marlins in 2014 only appeared in two games in the big leagues in 2024 after having left-ankle surgery. However, in 118 career games since debuting with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2022, Garrett has hit .276/.341/.492 with an .833 OPS, 14 home runs, 53 RBI and six stolen bases in 361 plate appearances, so he could attract interest from around the league as outfield depth with some pop. He could find work in a short-side platoon elsewhere.

Washington Nationals outfielder James Wood (quadriceps) will serve as the designated hitter in his Grapefruit League debut on Friday versus the division-rival New York Mets, according to manager Dave Martinez. Depending on how Friday's game goes, the Nationals will decide if Wood is ready to play left field after that. Washington is easing the 22-year-old left-handed slugger into action in spring training while he deals with left-quadriceps tendonitis. With Opening Day not until late March, Wood should be fine for the start of the 2025 regular season, barring a setback when he begins playing in games. Going into his first full season in the big leagues, Wood is ranked as RotoBaller's No. 17 fantasy outfielder after he hit .264/.354/.427 with nine home runs, 41 RBI and 14 steals in his first 79 games in 2024. Lack of consistent contact could be an issue, but Wood's power upside makes him a top-25 fantasy outfielder.