Washington Nationals rookie right-hander Cade Cavalli (elbow) will be 12 full months removed from Tommy John surgery by mid-March, but the team intends to bring him along at a slower pace and he's not expected to face hitters or pitch in spring training games. The 25-year-old was ticketed for the 2023 Opening Day starting rotation and was expected to make 25-plus starts in his first extended year in the big leagues, but he felt his elbow pop on March 14 and didn't pitch all year. The target for Cavalli's return to the rotation is in June, which would put him on course to go on a minor-league rehab assignment in May to build up his innings. If everything goes well, he should be able to pitch through season's end and not be subject to a late-season shutdown in 2024. Cavalli is the club's top pitching prospect, but fantasy managers may want to temper expectations for him this year.

Los Angeles Dodgers right-handed reliever Blake Treinen (shoulder), who has been limited to just five appearances in the last two years due to shoulder issues, said he expects to have a "normal" spring training. General manager Brandon Gomes said earlier this month that Treinen is trending toward a return this year, so as long as the 35-year-old high-leverage reliever doesn't have a setback with his shoulder in spring training, he should be ready for the start of the regular season. He had surgery in November of 2022 and missed all of the 2023 season, so the Dodgers will likely be cautious with his workload, at least early on in 2024. Treinen has nine years of major-league experience with 79 career saves under his belt, but he'll be an injury risk in deep holds leagues this season.

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (elbow), who has been rehabbing from elbow surgery, said he's "very confident" that he'll be ready to serve as the team's DH when they open their season in South Korea on March 20 against the division-rival San Diego Padres. On Saturday, manager Dave Roberts said outfielder Mookie Betts will lead off, first baseman Freddie Freeman will hit second, and Ohtani would hit third to open the 2024 season. Ohtani, LA's $700 million free-agent pickup this winter, has been taking flips and hitting off a tee and is expected to hit on the field on Monday for the first time since undergoing surgery last year. The 29-year-old lefty slugger will start hitting off velocity shortly after he reports to sprint training next week. Ohtani's throwing program is mostly undetermined, but he said he's "right on schedule" with his hitting progression.

There are reportedly still a handful of teams interested in signing free-agent pitcher Michael Lorenzen. The veteran is one of the better free-agent arms remaining on the market as he can pitch as a starter or out of the bullpen, both of which he did last season. Lorenzen posted a 3.58 ERA across 18 starts with the Tigers last season, earning his first career All-Star appearance in the process. He was then traded to the Phillies at the trade deadline, and while he threw his first career no-hitter in August, he also struggled to a 5.51 ERA with the Phils, making his final four appearances out of the bullpen. The 32-year-old owns a career 4.11 ERA in 342 big-league appearances (69 starts) and 724 innings of work.

Free-agent catcher Chad Wallach has signed a minor-league deal with the Los Angeles Angels that includes an invite to big-league spring training. The 31-year-old saw the most playing time of his career with the Halos last season due to the long-term shoulder injury suffered by catcher Logan O'Hoppe. Wallach struggled at the plate, however, hitting just .197 with seven home runs and a .635 OPS across a career-high 65 appearances and 172 trips to the plate. He has seen big-league action each season since 2017 but has largely scuffled at the dish as he is a career .198 hitter with 11 HR and a .591 OPS across 443 plate appearances. The club has also signed free-agent backstop Francisco Mejia this offseason and has O'Hoppe and Matt Thaiss leading the way on the catching depth chart.