Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Reynaldo Lopez saw his velocity decrease during Friday's Grapefruit League contest. Lopez's fastball sat near 90-to-92 mph during the contest and occasionally increased to 93 mph. His slider and curveball also saw a slight decrease in velocity (two-to-three mph) compared to last season. In this contest, Lopez surrendered six hits and four earned runs (five total). Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status during the remainder of spring training as his production could take a hit if his velocity remains down. Last season, Lopez enjoyed a career-season as he held a 1.99 ERA with a 1.11 WHIP across 135 2/3 innings. He tallied 148 strikeouts but generated a high 42.2 percent hard-hit rate. Lopez is expected to spend the entire 2025 season in the starting rotation.

The Baltimore Orioles are saying that right-handed reliever Andrew Kittredge (knee) had "successful left-knee debridement" with Dr. Leigh Ann Curl in Baltimore on Friday. Kittredge is now expected to miss multiple months as he rehabs from knee surgery. It's a blow to the back end of Baltimore's bullpen to open the season, especially with their plan to ease closer Felix Bautista (elbow) back into ninth-inning duties after he missed all of the 2024 season due to Tommy John surgery. When he's back to full health, Kittredge figures to be a late-inning setup man for the O's. The eight-year veteran has a career 3.44 ERA (3.87 FIP) with a 1.21 WHIP, 16 saves, a 23.1% strikeout rate and 6.4% walk rate in 285 1/3 innings pitched. With Kittredge out for the foreseeable future, Seranthony Dominguez becomes the most likely option for occasional saves when Bautista is being rested.

Free-agent outfielder Alex Verdugo is biding his time on the free-agent market, but time is running out for him to sign with a new team before Opening Day at the end of March. The 28-year-old could be holding out for a better offer that he feels matches his value, but it's also possible that teams just aren't that interested in him after a disappointing season in 2024 with the New York Yankees. Once a former top prospect, Verdugo had a career-worst 83 OPS+ in the Bronx after being acquired in a trade from the division-rival Boston Red Sox. He has not lived up to his prospect hype and slashed .233/.291/.356 with a career-low .647 OPS, 13 home runs and 61 RBI last year. Despite the poor season, the Yankees continued to trot him out there. He went 10-for-48 (.208) in 14 playoff games last fall. A potential reunion went out the window when the Yankees signed Cody Bellinger in free agency.

Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Ryan Burr (shoulder) has been dealing with right-shoulder fatigue in camp and won't appear in a Grapefruit League game anytime soon. Burr has been limited to light throwing for the time being, and the Jays expect to have a clearer picture of his next steps in a few days. The 30-year-old veteran has been dealing with shoulder problems through much of spring training this year, putting his availability for Opening Day at the end of March firmly in question. When healthy, the former fifth-round pick of the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2015 out of Arizona State University is likely to serve in a middle-relief role for Toronto in his second year with the team. In his first year with the Jays in 2024, Burr went 0-2 with a 4.13 ERA (3.07 FIP), 1.25 WHIP, a career-high 47 strikeouts and 12 walks in 32 2/3 innings over 34 outings (four starts). He's not on the fantasy radar.

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Zebby Matthews (hip) is recovering well from his hip strain and is expected to throw a bullpen on Sunday. This is a great sign as the 24-year-old exited Thursday's spring training contest early with this injury. Fantasy managers should monitor his status after the bullpen as he could be nearing a return to game action if he performs well. Matthews is currently competing for a spot at the back of the starting rotation. Last season, Matthews made his MLB debut and logged 37 2/3 innings to the tune of a 6.69 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP. However, removing two starts in which he allowed six or more runs, he held a solid 3.58 ERA with a 1.29 WHIP in the majors. Earlier in the summer, the Western Carolina product held a stellar 1.95 ERA and a 0.76 WHIP across 55 1/3 innings at Double-A. If this injury were to keep Matthews sidelined for a longer period in camp, David Festa could have a better opportunity to make the Opening Day roster.