Chicago White Sox manager Will Venable notes that outfielder Andrew Benintendi (hand) "felt really good" while taking swings in the batting cage on Thursday. Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reported the news. "We feel confident that he's in a good spot to progress," said Venable. The veteran broke a bone in his hand at the end of February after being hit by a pitch and was initially given a four- to six-week timetable for his return. It appears he's currently on schedule, and though Van Schouwen notes his being ready on Opening Day seems slightly out of reach, Venable did not rule it out. Benintendi underperformed in 2024 with a .229 average, marking a career-low. Even if he bounces back, he isn't as appealing as a bat in terms of fantasy.

Matt Kawahara of The Houston Chronicle reports that Houston Astros pitcher Forrest Whitley (knee) was diagnosed with a bone bruise in his knee. Per manager Joe Espada, Whitley "felt something" in his knee on a pitch during his most recent Grapefruit League outing on Mar. 8, and an MRI later revealed the bruise. Espada notes that it's "too soon to tell" if the ailment will jeopardize his Opening Day status. The former top pitching prospect was building up to be a multi-inning reliever for the squad, but his off-season ramp-up will be put on hold for now. The 27-year-old has dealt with injuries before, including missing two months last season with elbow discomfort. However, upon his return, he compiled a 0.95 ERA in 28.1 innings at Triple-A Sugar Land.

Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports that Cincinnati Reds outfielder Spencer Steer (shoulder) took swings in the batting cage on Wednesday. However, he has not resumed throwing. It's a critical step for the 27-year-old, who hadn't picked up a bat since receiving a cortisone shot in his shoulder on Mar. 1. "It's been progressing well," said Steer, "Hopefully, it continues." While he appears to be progressing well, Sheldon notes that the versatile outfielder is still likely to begin the season on the injured list. Still, the former third-round pick isn't yet giving up hope. "I wouldn't count it out yet, I really wouldn't. But it's getting close." Steer notched his first 20/20 season in 2024, though he projects as a better option in points leagues unless his average climbs back up toward the .271 he hit in 2023. He's currently sitting around the top 100 in ADP.

MLB.com's Bryan Hoch reports that New York Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole's (elbow) UCL surgery included internal bracing, according to the team, which can reduce inflammation and speed up the recovery time. It means that Cole is closer to a 12-month recovery than if he had the traditional Tommy John surgery. Cole will still miss the entire 2025 season, but the internal-brace procedure means that he could have a chance to be ready right around the start of the 2026 season, depending on how he fares during his rehab. Fantasy managers that already drafted the 34-year-old former American League Cy Young winner in single-year leagues can dump him now that he's officially out for the year. The Yankees are also going to be without starter Luis Gil (lat) to begin the year, which means that both veteran Marcus Stroman and pitching prospect Will Warren figure to open the year in the starting rotation.

St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said that if all goes well with outfielder Jordan Walker (knee) over the next couple of days in camp, he will return to Grapefruit League action on Saturday. Walker has been out of spring training games since last Tuesday due to left-knee irritation but has taken batting practice and been tracking fly balls in the outfield over the last two days. It looks like the 22-year-old former top prospect is putting his sore knee behind him, and he still has plenty of time to get up to full speed before Opening Day in late March. The former 21st overall pick hit 16 home runs in his rookie season in 2023 but batted .201 with 50 K's in 178 plate appearances last year and was sent to the minors. Walker is going to get his chance as the starting right fielder in 2025, but it might be a make-or-break year for him in St. Louis.