Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Max Scherzer (thumb) threw a bullpen session in camp on Thursday and said afterwards that the plan is for him to pitch in a game on Saturday, assuming his thumb recovers normally. Manager John Schneider said they would ideally like Scherzer to throw 65 to 70 pitches this weekend. The 40-year-old future Hall of Famer continues to be bothered by a right-thumb injury this spring, but he's pushing through it and could be ready for the start of his first season in Toronto if he makes it through his outing this Saturday without any issues. While the eight-time All-Star and three-time Cy Young winner had been somewhat of a value pick as rotation depth for much of the spring, his thumb injury reminds us that there's still plenty of injury risk surrounding the aging pitcher. Scherzer is just inside RotoBaller's top-100 rankings for starting pitchers.

Houston Astros infielder Zach Dezenzo (jaw) is back in the team's Grapefruit League lineup on Thursday against the Miami Marlins, playing right field and batting cleanup. Dezenzo suffered a TMJ sprain in his jaw when he was hit in the face by a ground ball on Tuesday. The 24-year-old was cleared to play on Thursday after he avoided a concussion. He will now resume competing for one of the team's final roster spots out of camp as a bench player after playing in his first 19 major-league games in 2024. In 65 plate appearances, Dezenzo went 15-for-62 (.242) with two home runs, eight RBI and five runs scored. He's been better in spring training, going 14-for-37 (.378) with two homers, six RBI, a steal and seven runs scored in 15 Grapefruit League contests. Dezenzo is still developing as a hitter and won't carry much value in fantasy as a bench player if he makes the Opening Day roster.

Houston Astros right-hander Luis Garcia (elbow) has been shut down with elbow soreness and will be seen by team doctors, according to manager Joe Espada. Garcia was originally scheduled to throw a live batting practice session in camp on Thursday. The 28-year-old Venezuelan hurler had Tommy John surgery in May of 2023 and has encountered multiple setbacks in his recovery, which kept him from pitching at all with the Astros in 2024. Another setback right before the start of the 2025 season is ominous news, but we'll have to wait and see what the team's diagnosis on his arm is. When healthy, Garcia should be locked into the Astros' starting rotation, but it could be a while before that comes to pass. In addition to missing all of last year, Garcia made just six starts for Houston in 2023 before being shut down. Even if he pitches in 2025, he's going to be on a strict innings limit.

Colorado Rockies shortstop-turned-reliever Zach Agnos has had a great spring training with a 3.86 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, seven strikeouts and only one walk in 9 1/3 Cactus League innings, but The Denver Post's Patrick Saunders thinks there's a good chance he'll begin the year in the minors. The Rockies' coaching staff loves Agnos' arsenal and maturity, but the team already has decent relief depth at the major-league level in Seth Halvorsen, Victor Vodnik, Angel Chivilli, Tyler Kinley and Jimmy Herget. Many of their relievers also still have minor-league options remaining, giving the Rockies the option to mix and match with their bullpen. The 24-year-old Agnos is ranked as the team's No. 28 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, after saving 44 games in the minors the last two years. If he continues to look good on the farm, he could be up in the big leagues soon and compete for saves sooner than later.

The Denver Post's Patrick Saunders writes that Colorado Rockies outfield prospect Zac Veen, the ninth overall pick in 2020, is pushing hard for an Opening Day roster spot this spring. Entering Wednesday's action, he was batting .318 with a .991 OPS, two home runs, four doubles and 11 RBI while also leading the Cactus League with seven steals. The 23-year-old plays with energy and could be a needed spark, but it remains to be seen if Veen can be a viable backup in center field to Brenton Doyle. The primary goal is to get Veen consistent at-bats, and even with Sam Hilliard really struggling in camp, the Rockies have decent outfield depth. Both Sean Bouchard and Nick Martini have had strong springs. Injuries have held Veen back in the minors so far in his career, and his elevated strikeout rate could be a problem, but if he does find regular playing time on the big-league squad, he could become fantasy relevant in a hurry.