Texas Rangers right-hander Nathan Eovaldi will start the team's Opening Day game on March 27 against the visiting Boston Red Sox, manager Bruce Bochy announced on Sunday. It will be Eovaldi's fifth career Opening Day nod, and he'll also become the seventh pitcher in Rangers history to make consecutive Opening Day starts. The 35-year-old is not without injury questions, which is why he's ranked just outside RotoBaller's top-50 fantasy starting pitchers. Still, Eovaldi was respectable in his 29 starts for Texas in his second year with the team, going 12-8 with a 3.80 ERA (3.83 FIP), a 1.11 WHIP and 166:42 K:BB in 170 2/3 frames. Even though the two-time All-Star's 170 2/3 innings were his most since 2021, he still missed time with a groin issue and should be counted on for at least one stint on the injured list at some point, especially given his age. Eovaldi has a stable skill set and a decent floor for a back-end fantasy starter.

Houston Astros left-hander Framber Valdez has been named the team's Opening Day starter on March 27 against the New York Mets, according to manager Joe Espada. Because Valdez doesn't have the high-end strikeout upside that other aces do, he's merely a low-end fantasy ace/high-end No. 2 option, and the 31-year-old Dominican southpaw will have a tough task on his hands in his first start of 2025. He makes up for his lack of strikeouts with an elite ability to induce weak contact, mainly in the form of ground balls. The two-time All-Star and former World Series champion went 15-7 in 2024 with a sharp 2.91 ERA (3.25 FIP) and a 1.11 WHIP with 169 strikeouts and 55 walks in 176 1/3 innings over his 28 regular-season starts. The veteran southpaw has also looked good this spring with a 2.53 ERA in his 10 2/3 innings, but Valdez only has one season of 200-plus K's.

MLB.com's Mark Bowman reports that Atlanta Braves right-hander Spencer Strider (elbow) will make his Grapefruit League debut on Monday and start against the Boston Red Sox. It's a positive step in the right direction for Strider, who made only two starts in 2024 before undergoing season-ending Tommy John surgery. The 26-year-old hurler will open the 2025 regular season on the injured list as he puts the finishing touches on his rehab, but barring a setback on his rehab assignment, he could make his season debut for Atlanta by the end of April. Strider was a first-time All-Star in 2023 and was one of the best pitchers in baseball, going 20-5 with a 3.86 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, a league-best 281 strikeouts and 58 walks in 186 2/3 innings over 32 starts. He also had over 200 strikeouts in 2022, but he's ranked as RotoBaller's No. 38 starting pitcher this year because he could the entire first month and may not be as sharp upon his initial return.

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Max Kepler (undisclosed) exited Sunday's contest after colliding with the left field wall. He was replaced by Christian Arroyo. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status as the team will likely provide an update after the contest. However, he was able to exit the game on his own power, which is a positive sign. Earlier in the winter, the Phillies signed Kepler to a one-year deal worth $10 million. When healthy, he will likely be on the strong side of a platoon in left field alongside Brandon Marsh. Last season, Kepler posted a .253/.302/.380 slash line with 21 doubles and eight home runs. He generated a modest .247 xBA with a .381 xSLG. If Kepler were to miss time early in the season, Marsh would likely have a full-time role in left field.

Minnesota Twins pitching prospect Eiberson Castellano could earn a spot in the Opening Day bullpen. Given the numerous injuries to Minnesota's bullpen, including Brock Stewart (knee), Justin Topa (shoulder) and Michael Tonkin (shoulder), Castellano could be a favorite to begin the season in the major leagues. Last season, the 23-year-old began the season by making his High-A debut and he was able to finish the campaign with Double-A. Across 63 1/3 innings at High-A, Castellano held a 4.12 ERA with a 1.33 WHIP. He tallied 86 punchouts and served up 20 walks. At Double-A, Castellano logged 40 1/3 innings to the tune of a 3.79 ERA and a strong 0.99 WHIP. At this level, the No. 13 ranked prospect in the system only served up nine free passes and tallied 50 punchouts. If he were to make the Opening Day roster, he will likely have a middle-relief role in the bullpen.