Texas Rangers starting pitching prospect Kumar Rocker tossed three shutout innings during an intrasquad contest. Rocker has gotten off to a rough start during spring training, allowing eight hits and eight earned runs across two innings. He has served up two free passes and only tallied two punchouts. Earlier in the week, Rocker also went to the Rangers pitching lab to find his footing. Rocker is competing for a spot at the back of the starting rotation. However, given his disappointing start to spring training, Rocker may be sent to Triple-A to begin the campaign. The Vanderbilt product has battled numerous injuries throughout his young career, which has limited his playing time. Last season, he received a brief taste of the majors and held a 3.36 ERA with a 1.54 WHIP across 11 2/3 innings. If Rocker were to open the season in the minor leagues, Cody Bradford would likely claim the No. 5 spot.

Milwaukee Brewers catching prospect Jeferson Quero (shoulder) was optioned to Triple-A Nashville on Monday. Quero missed the majority of the 2024 season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder. Before the injury, he appeared in just one minor-league contest last summer. Manager Pat Murphy noted that Quero will likely serve as the team's DH during the start of the Triple-A season as he continues to increase his workload defensively. He was unable to appear in any spring training contests with the major-league roster. In 2023, Quero spent his entire 2023 at the Double-A level and posted a strong .262/.339/.440 slash line with 12 doubles and 16 long balls. The 22-year-old is considered the team's top prospect on MLB Pipeline and one of the top catching prospects in the sport. He could push for a late-season MLB debut if he performs well at Triple-A during the first half of the season.

Arizona Diamondbacks right-handed pitching prospect Cristian Mena was optioned to Triple-A. Mena was unlikely to claim a spot on the Opening Day roster and will begin his season at Triple-A. Mena made his MLB debut last summer and logged just three innings of work. He allowed four earned runs and tallied two strikeouts. Mena spent the majority of his 2024 campaign with Triple-A. Across 95 2/3 innings at this level, the 22-year-old held a 4.61 ERA with a 1.54 WHIP. He tallied 102 strikeouts but served up a high 46 walks. He made his Triple-A debut late in the 2023 season and held a higher 5.95 ERA with a 1.78 WHIP across 19 2/3 frames. Fantasy managers should expect Mena to remain in the starting rotation with Triple-A Reno and could eventually return to the majors if he continues to progress.

The Arizona Diamondbacks optioned right-handed pitching prospect Yilber Diaz to Triple-A. The 24-year-old made his MLB debut last summer and was competing for a spot on the Opening Day roster. However, the team will have him continue his development with the Reno Aces at the start of the season. Across his first 28 1/3 innings in the majors last season, Diaz held a 3.81 ERA with a 1.38 WHIP. However, over his final four outings, Diaz shows significant progress as he posted a strong 2.03 ERA with a 1.35 WHIP. Through 50 1/3 innings with the Reno Aces last season, Diaz posted a 3.22 ERA with a 1.29 WHIP. He tallied an impressive 63 punchouts and served up 18 free passes. If the 24-year-old continues to produce at Triple-A, he should be promoted back to the majors when Arizona needs additional pitching depth later in the season.

Chicago White Sox shortstop prospect Colson Montgomery (back) is still in contention to make the Opening Day roster despite the missed time during camp. The infielder was sidelined for 10 days due to a back injury. However, manager Will Venable noted that his injury will not affect his chances of making the roster. Montgomery is considered one of the top prospects in the White Sox system. He was drafted with the 22nd overall selection in the 2021 MLB Draft. The 23-year-old spent the entire 2024 season at the Triple-A level and held a .214/.329/.381 line with 21 doubles and 18 home runs. He swiped eight bags and carried a 69:164 BB:K. He showed progress during the final month of the season as he held a .264/.357/.458 line. If he were to make the roster, he will compete with Brooks Baldwin for an everyday role at shortstop.