Baltimore Orioles infielder Jorge Mateo (elbow) is progressing well in his recovery but is still a "long shot" to be ready for Opening Day. Mateo has begun hitting in the batting cage but still has several steps to progress through before being cleared for action. The 29-year-old underwent UCL reconstruction surgery on his left elbow last August. Across 68 contests last season, Mateo posted a .229/.267/.401 slash line with 14 doubles and five home runs. He swiped just 13 bags but placed in the 99th percentile in sprint speed. During the 2023 campaign, Mateo appeared in 116 contests and held a .217/.267/.340 slash line with 14 doubles, seven long balls, and 32 swiped bags. When Mateo is healthy, he will likely operate as a depth option in the Baltimore infield. While he is sidelined, Ramon Urias could have an increased role as a utility option in the infield.

The Tampa Bay Rays assigned left-handed pitching prospect Ian Seymour to minor-league camp. The Virginia Tech product was competing for a spot on the Opening Day roster but will instead continue his development in the minor leagues. Last season, the 26-year-old made his Triple-A debut and posted a strong 2.33 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP. He tallied 63 strikeouts and served up 19 free passes. He opened the campaign at the Double-A and held a similar 2.36 ERA and a stellar 0.83 WHIP across 91 1/3 innings of work. During this stint, Seymour tallied 99 punchouts with 22 free passes. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his development at Triple-A as he could push for an early-season MLB debut as he has already performed well at this level. When he does receive the call, he will carry value in deeper redraft leagues given the strikeout upside he has flashed in the upper levels of the minor leagues.

New York Yankees left-handed pitcher Tyler Matzek (oblique) is expected to miss a few weeks due to an oblique strain. However, the 34-year-old could resume a throwing program on Monday. The Yankees invited Matzek to camp after he signed a minor-league deal earlier in the offseason. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status but he will likely not be ready for Opening Day. Last season, the southpaw logged just 10 innings of work with the Atlanta Braves and held a 9.90 ERA with a 1.90 WHIP. During the 2022 campaign, Matzek held a 3.50 ERA with a 1.26 WHIP across 43 2/3 innings of work. He tallied 36 punchouts with eight holds while operating as a setup man. When he returns from this injury, Matzek could contend for a spot in the Yankee bullpen. However, given his lack of experience last season, he will likely be eased into action and will see time as a low-leverage option.

The Houston Astros have signed left-handed relief pitcher Jalen Beeks to a minor-league contract. Beeks spent the 2024 campaign with the Colorado Rockies and the Pittsburgh Pirates. Across 70 total frames, Beeks held a 4.50 ERA with a 1.49 WHIP. He tallied just 55 strikeouts and held an 8.7 percent walk rate. Despite his low strikeout production, the southpaw generated an elite 4.8 percent hard-hit rate and a 33.0 percent hard-hit rate, placing him in the 91st and 89th percentile among qualified pitchers. During his time with the Rockies he tallied nine saves. Fantasy managers should monitor his status during the remainder of spring training as he will likely be competing for a middle-relief role in the Houston bullpen. If he were to make the Opening Day roster, he will likely not see many high-leverage opportunities.

New York Yankees right-handed pitcher Ian Hamilton (infection) is nearing his spring training debut. Hamilton has been dealing with an infection during the early part of camp. However, given that the team is expressing optimism about his status, suggests he will not be in any danger of missing Opening Day. Last season, Hamilton logged 37 2/3 innings out of the Yankee bullpen and held a 3.82 ERA with a 1.35 WHIP. He tallied strikeouts at a solid 25.2 percent rate and walks at an 8.6 percent rate. Hamilton also generated whiffs at an elite 36.5 percent rate, which suggests he should see positive regression in his strikeout production when he returns to the bump. While he is cleared to return to action, fantasy managers should expect the 29-year-old to compete for a high-leverage role in the New York bullpen and will be a viable target in deeper leagues that score holds.