St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Jordan Walker (knee) made progress in his return from left knee inflammation, according to manager Oli Marmol. The 22-year-old worked on baserunning movement and did some work in the batting cage. A return to spring games should be around the corner if all goes to plan, and the expectation remains that he'll be ready for Opening Day. The 6-foot-6 slugger is hoping to start 2025 better than he did in 2024 when he slashed .155/.239/.259 before getting sent back to Triple-A by the end of April. The former first-rounder has worked on his swing in the offseason in hopes of a turnaround, so hopefully this injury doesn't set him back too far. The right-handed hitter is penciled in as the team's right fielder, and if he can get back to the 22.4 percent K% he posted in 2023, then a much-improved batting average, along with double-digit home runs and steals could be in the cards. Going at the end of drafts, he could be a value if he can stick with the big league club for the entire year.

St. Louis Cardinals shortstop prospect J.J. Wetherholt was reassigned to minor-league camp on Wednesday. The Cardinals' 2024 first-round draft pick earned a roster invite this spring but will need more seasoning before returning to the big leagues. The left-handed hitter played just 29 games at Single-A last season but showed well with a .295/.405/.400 slash line over 126 plate appearances, while walking more than he struck out (16:15 BB:K). The 22-year-old was 2-for-20 in Grapefruit League play, which included a home run, plus he added three stolen bases. The keen eye was on full display as well, posting a 6:5 BB:K. If he plays well this summer, then perhaps there's an outside shot we'll see him in St. Louis by season's end, however, a 2026 debut is more likely.

On Wednesday, the Seattle Mariners' top two prospects, infielder Colt Emerson (MLB No. 20) and outfielder Lazaro Montes (MLB No. 42), were reassigned to minor-league camp. Emerson was Seattle's first-round pick in 2023 is a .290 hitter thus far in his MiLB career, and carries an elite OBP of .419 with his ability to get on base via the walk. The 19-year-old boasts a 14.9 percent walk rate over 450 plate appearances, finishing 2024 at High-A. True to form, he posted a 4:3 BB:K in Cactus League action even though he managed to hit only .118 (2-for-17). Montes has big-time power, belting 21 home runs last season as a 19-year-old across Single-A and High-A, but he too has a good eye, recording a 15.7 percent walk rate thus far over 1067 PA. The Cuban hit .385 (5-for-13) this spring, including a pair of home runs, but will head back to the minors to test his mettle against pitchers at the upper levels. Both could be solid fantasy contributors in 2026, so dynasty and redraft managers alike should be familiar with them.

Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Matt Brash threw a live batting practice session on Wednesday, the first time he's done so since having an internal brace procedure on his elbow last May. The hitters were instructed not to swing in this particular session, but Brash was pleased with how it went, with the fastball sitting mostly in the mid-90s and the breaking stuff showing good spin. The next step will probably be to throw a real batting practice session with hitters trying to make contact, but the righty is not expected to be ready by Opening Day, rather, it will be closer to the May-June timeframe. Brash last pitched in the majors in 2023, recording a 3.06 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, and 107 strikeouts over 70 2/3 innings pitched while logging four saves and 24 holds. Redraft managers who may be in need of strikeouts will want to monitor his return, although some command issues yield a high WHIP; otherwise, he'd be valuable in AL-only leagues and those that reward for holds.

Colorado Rockies prospects Adael Amador and Drew Romo were both optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque on Wednesday. Amador was having a nice spring, going 8-for-27 (.296) with nine RBI, five runs scored, and an 8:5 BB:K. The switch-hitter is Colorado's seventh-ranked prospect and offers a blend of power and speed. Last season at Double-A, he hit 14 home runs and stole 35 bases in 100 games. Romo got off to a cold start this spring, going 2-for-17 (.118) along with a 1:4 BB:K. The Rockies' 11th-ranked prospect will head back to Triple-A, where he hit .297 with 14 home runs last season. Both had a taste of the majors in 2024, albeit with little success, but Amador offers the better fantasy profile of the two and is likelier to get back to the big leagues sooner, maybe even before summer.