Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Shane Baz hasn't put up great numbers in his two Grapefruit League starts, but despite another rough showing on Thursday against the Washington Nationals in which he gave up four earned runs on five hits while walking none and striking out two in 4 1/3 innings, he was encouraged with his outing. "That was the best four-run game I've ever pitched," Baz told manager Kevin Cash. The 25-year-old was able to pitch into the fifth inning and showed improved control and command of his pitches. Overall, Baz has given up 10 earned runs with four walks and five strikeouts in 9 1/3 innings. It hasn't been pretty, but he continues to improve his control and command after missing all of 2023 due to Tommy John surgery. The arrow is pointing up, but the fact that Baz hasn't thrown more than 108 2/3 frames in a single season keeps his upside low entering 2025 as a back-end fantasy starter, at best.

Atlanta Braves outfielder Eli White appears to have the advantage over Luke Williams in the competition for one of the final position-player roster spots, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Justin Toscano. Both White and Williams are similar players, but the difference has come down to their performances in the Grapefruit League. White, 30, has gone 10-for-22 (.455) in 11 games, while Williams has only two hits in his 26 at-bats. Although he's unlikely to see much playing time, White's clearest path to some playing time early in the year could come in a corner-outfield spot with Ronald Acuna Jr. (knee) opening on the injured list and with Jurickson Profar (wrist) a bit banged up in camp. Still, he's unlikely to see much time and barely moves the needle in NL-only fantasy leagues. In his five big-league seasons, White has a .266/.302/.568 slash line with 10 homers, 32 RBI and 20 steals in 171 games.

The Arizona Diamondbacks optioned left-hander Tommy Henry to Triple-A Reno on Friday. The D-backs also sent infielder Grae Kessinger and outfielder Jorge Barrosa to Reno while reassigning right-handers Jeff Brigham and Juan Morillo, left-hander Jose Castillo, infielder Connor Kaiser and outfielder Cristian Pache to minor-league camp. It's not a big surprise that Henry lost out on the competition for one of the final starting rotation spots in camp after he gave up six earned runs in 7 1/3 innings of work in the Cactus League. The 27-year-old southpaw will begin the 2025 campaign at Reno as starting depth for the big-league roster registering a career-worst 7.04 ERA and 1.75 WHIP with 30 strikeouts and 18 walks in 38 1/3 innings over nine appearances (seven starts) in the big leagues last year. At best, Henry will be a short-term rotation stopgap if injuries arise for Arizona during the year.

Arizona Diamondbacks left-handed pitching prospect Blake Walston (elbow) will have Tommy John surgery, according to manager Torey Lovullo. Walston missed time last year at Triple-A Reno with a left-elbow injury and will now miss the entire 2025 season and likely the start of 2026 as well. The 23-year-old southpaw is listed as the team's No. 30 prospect, per MLB Pipeline. Walston is a 6-foot-5, 175-pounder who was taken in the first round (26th overall) by Arizona in 2019. He made his way up to the majors for the first time last year and appeared in seven games (two starts), posting a 4.42 ERA (6.17 FIP) and 1.42 WHIP with 18 strikeouts and 10 walks in 18 1/3 innings pitched. Walston doesn't miss many bats and doesn't have overpowering stuff, so he may eventually settle in as a matchup-based reliever for the Snakes out of the bullpen.

Kansas City Royals right-handed reliever Carlos Estevez (back) made his Cactus League debut on Friday against the Los Angles Angels and said he felt great afterwards. Estevez gave up an unearned run and two hits while throwing 12 of his 19 pitches for strikes in an inning of work. "I feel great," Estvez said. "Everything is going well with my body, and I'm in a good spot. The 32-year-old veteran was delayed getting into games after experiencing mild back tightness in the early portion of camp. After signing a two-year, $22.2 million deal with KC in the offseason, Estevez figures to be their primary choice for saves, although Lucas Erceg and Hunter Harvey could also be involved. As long as his back doesn't flare up on him Estevez is expected to be ready for Opening Day on March 27. Fantasy managers should consider him a No. 2 closer option heading into his first year with the Royals.