Chicago White Sox third base prospect Bryan Ramos (elbow) is in the starting lineup on Sunday afternoon. Ramos will serve as the designated hitter and bat in the seven-hole. This is Ramos' first start of the spring. The 22-year-old has been dealing with a sore elbow and has still faced defensive restrictions. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his progression but seeing him return to the field, even as a designated hitter, is a positive sign. Ramos was given a brief taste of the majors last summer. Across 32 games, he posted a .202/.252/.333 line with four doubles and three home runs. Earlier in the season at Triple-A, Ramos held a .263/.339/.416 slash line with 13 doubles and eight long balls. If Ramos is able to produce well offensively, he could still make the Opening Day roster even if he is limited defensively.

New York Mets left-handed pitcher A.J. Minter (hip) faced live hitters during his bullpen session on Sunday. This was his first time throwing against live hitters since undergoing hip surgery last August. Earlier in the offseason, Minter signed a two-year contract worth $22 million with the New York Mets. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his progression as he could be cleared in time for Opening Day if he continues this current pace. Before being shut down last season, the southpaw held a 2.62 ERA with a 1.02 WHIP across 34 1/3 innings of work. He tallied 35 punchouts and added nine holds. From 2021 through 2023, Minter tallied at least 20 holds in each season operating as the set up man in Atlanta. When healthy, fantasy managers should expect Minter to have a similar role in Queens, operating as the eighth inning option in front of Edwin Diaz. He should be in line to tally double-digit holds, pitching on a competing Mets roster.

Colorado Rockies right-handed pitcher Jeff Criswell (elbow) will undergo Tommy John surgery and miss the entire 2025 campaign. The 25-year-old made his MLB debut last season and was expected to compete for a bullpen role. Across his first 19 2/3 innings, Criswell held a 2.75 ERA with a 1.47 WHIP. He tallied strikeouts at a strong 31.0 percent rate and whiffs at a 39.0 percent rate. However, he did generate hefty 5.01 xERA and a .247 xBA, suggesting he should have faced some regression during the upcoming season. Across 57 2/3 innings at Triple-A last summer, Criswell posted a 6.24 ERA with a 1.79 WHIP. He tallied 83 strikeouts and allowed 28 free passes. With Criswell sidelined, fantasy managers should expect Victor Vodnik, Seth Halvorsen, and Tyler Kinley to compete for save opportunities in the Colorado bullpen.

Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Austin Gomber (shoulder) was scratched from his start on Sunday due to left shoulder soreness. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status in case this injury begins to linger. For the time being, it does not appear the southpaw is in danger of missing Opening Day. Over the past two seasons, Gomber has been deployed exclusively out of the bullpen. Last summer, the 31-year-old posted a 4.75 ERA with a 1.31 WHIP across 165 innings of work. He tallied 116 punchouts and showed strong command with a 5.5 percent walk rate. However, he struggled to limit hard contact as he generated a high 41.2 percent hard-hit rate and a 9.6 percent barrel rate. He also held a 5.07 xERA and a .278 xBA, which were well below the average marks. When healthy, Gomber will have a spot in the starting rotation.

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitching prospect Quinn Mathews was assigned to minor-league camp on Sunday. As a result, the budding ace will not open the season in the major leagues. Mathews was invited to camp and had an outside chance of breaking the Opening Day roster. However, the team will opt to let their top arm continue his development in the minor leagues. Last season, the 24-year-old made his professional debut and looked quite comfortable. He spent most of his season at Double-A where he logged 52 1/3 innings to the tune of a 2.41 ERA and a 0.96 WHIP. He tallied 70 punchouts and served up just 15 free passes. Then, in his first 16 2/3 innings at Triple-A, the southpaw served up 12 earned runs. Fantasy managers should monitor his development as he should open the season at Triple-A. If he can take the next step at Triple-A, he could push for an early-season MLB debut.