Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Alexis Diaz (hamstring) is set to open the season on the injured list, per Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer. The 28-year-old reliever sustained a hamstring injury early in camp, and it appears he isn't entirely over it. It's possible the hamstring is to explain for how shaky he's been this spring -- owning a ghastly 13.50 ERA in 3.1 Cactus League innings. For now, one of Taylor Rogers, Emilio Pagan, Graham Ashcraft or Scott Barlow could pick up save chances in Diaz's stead. All three could be mixed and matched in high-leverage situations if manager Terry Francona opts to go in that direction. This bullpen situation will be one to monitor.

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Matthew Liberatore has been named the team's fifth starter. The Arizona native was decent in spurts a season ago but could never put it all together consistently. He spent most of his 86 innings out of the bullpen (six starts) in 2024, but the Cardinals will give him another go in the rotation. Liberatore has been solid this spring, compiling a 1.62 ERA and 0.78 WHIP in 16 2/3 innings of work (one start). It's unclear whether or not the former first-round pick will impact fantasy this season, but it's certainly intriguing that the Cardinals continue to give him chances in the rotation. He's nothing more than a late-round lottery ticket at this point and can be found by fantasy managers on waiver wires until he proves he's worth a roster spot.

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Victor Scott II will be the team's center fielder on Opening Day. The Athletic's Katie Woo reported the news. Scott's first taste of big-league action did not go as planned, as he hit .179 over 145 at-bats (53 games) with 11 extra-base hits. However, he's been electric this spring, hitting .366 with four home runs and five stolen bases (1.225 OPS). While that production is likely unsustainable, the 24-year-old projects to boost fantasy managers in the stolen base department. The former fifth-round pick sports an 80 grade for his elite speed and will now get everyday at-bats for St. Louis. He represents a potential cheap source of steals in fantasy drafts and he's going just inside the top 400.

With his recent move to the bullpen, Cincinnati Reds pitcher Graham Ashcraft notes he's eyeing the team's closer role. "At the end of the day, if I'm in the bullpen, that's where I want to be," said Ashcraft. The 27-year-old had been considered one of the Reds' Big Three pitching prospects over recent years, though it hasn't really panned out for him in the rotation. A recent move to the bullpen could be a boon for the former sixth-round pick, and he pitched well last Thursday in that role, allowing no hits, a walk, and striking out two. Ashcraft may not begin the season pitching late in games, particularly with teammates Taylor Rogers, Emilio Pagan, and Scott Barlow offering potential ninth-inning options for manager Terry Francona. Still, if he can continue to pitch well when called upon, he may find his way there later.

Seattle Mariners outfielder Victor Robles' (hand) X-rays were deemed negative. Though he is not in the lineup on Sunday, he's hitting in the cages, per Shannon Drayer of SeattleSports.com. Robles left Saturday's outing against the Chicago White Sox after getting plunked in the hand with a pitch and looked to be seriously hurting. Fortunately, it appears he can be considered day-to-day. The 27-year-old was a different player last season upon his arrival to Seattle, hitting an eye-popping .328 with 30 steals after the move. Robles is currently hovering around the top 200 picks off the board (~OF30) and projects to give fantasy managers the most considerable boost in the average and steals categories.