The Athletic's Patrick Mooney writes that Chicago Cubs right-hander Brad Keller will likely be added to the big-league roster at some point because he has an opt-out clause in his contract, and the Cubs wouldn't want to see him get taken by another team at the end of spring training. Keller has shown a velocity jump due to mechanical improvements and has opened eyes in the Cactus League, according to sources. If he's in the big leagues with the Cubs in 2025, Keller will earn a $1.5 million salary. In his seven innings in spring training action, the 29-year-old has allowed four runs while striking out six and walking one. Despite the fact that Keller is looking better this spring, he's still unlikely to be on the fantasy radar and could be ticketed for a long-relief role out of Chicago's bullpen in 2025. In seven big-league seasons, he's had a 4.34 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, two saves and a weak 17.1% strikeout rate.

The Athletic's Jen McCaffrey writes that it's looking more and more likely that outfielder Wilyer Abreu (illness) won't be ready for Opening Day at the end of March. Manager Alex Cora noted that Abreu is pretty behind in spring training and is still only tracking pitches and not swinging yet off a machine. The 25-year-old has been dealing with gastrointestinal issue in camp that has really hit him hard, preventing him from playing in any Grapefruit League games to this point. While it looks likely that he will begin the year on the injured list, he probably won't be out for long. Top prospect Roman Anthony (illness) has also been dealing with an illness in camp, but Abreu's illness could give him a much better shot at making the Opening Day roster. Veteran Rob Refsnyder could also be asked to fill in in right field in a pinch to open the year if Abreu is still not ready.

Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers (shoulders) has yet to get into a Grapefruit League game. However, manager Alex Cora said the team is targeting a debut for either next Tuesday or Wednesday. Devers was originally expected to make his Grapefruit League debut this past Wednesday, but he informed the team that he wasn't quite ready. The 28-year-old battled through injuries to both of his shoulders in 2024 but still managed to hit .272/.354/.516 with an .871 OPS, 28 home runs and 83 RBI in 138 games. Devers' shoulder issues have never really been seen as something that will keep him from being ready for Opening Day later this month, but fantasy managers would really like to see him going soon so that he can get his timing down and be ready to go. He's been adamant that he wants to stick at third base, but it wouldn't be surprising to see him open the season as Boston's primary designated hitter.

Houston Astros right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. (forearm) threw around 23 or 24 pitches in his second live batting practice session of camp on Friday and said it went well. McCullers' first live batting practice session came last Saturday, and he was able to mix in his curveball, sinker and changeup in addition to his fastball. It's good news for the 31-year-old oft-injured hurler, but he still has a ways to go before fantasy managers will take notice. McCullers is hoping to have three more live BP sessions before potentially getting into a Grapefruit League game before the end of spring training. He did not pitch at all in 2024 while recovering from flexor tendon surgery on his right forearm and has not pitched in a big-league game since the 2022 World Series. McCullers was a dependable rotation arm for Houston before his injuries, but now he's just hoping to return to a major-league mound after multiple arm surgeries.

New York Yankees right-hander Clayton Beeter (shoulder) will not be ready for Opening Day, according to The Athletic's Chris Kirschner. Additionally, left-hander Tyler Matzek (oblique) could also open the 2025 regular season on the injured list due to an oblique injury. Beeter has been throwing off a mound, but the 26-year-old has yet to appear in a Grapefruit League game and needs more time to recover from a right-shoulder injury. The good news is that it won't take him as much time to get ready now that he's been moved to a full-time relief role with the Yankees. A shoulder injury caused him to miss almost four months last year, too, so it's not a great sign that he's still having issues. Beeter has a career 33.2% strikeout rate, so he could become a key multi-inning reliever for the Yankees in 2025 if he can get past his shoulder problems.