San Francisco Giants right-hander Hayden Birdsong (finger) said he's been dealing with an issue with his right middle fingernail. However, he had a fake nail put on his finger and said he should be OK to pitch to open the year as the team's No. 5 starter. The 23-year-old was able to beat out Landon Roupp for the final rotation spot this spring by allowing only one earned run while walking none and striking out 18 in 12 innings over four Cactus League outings (one start). The former sixth-round pick in 2022 out of Eastern Illinois University made his major-league debut in 2024 and went 5-6 with a 4.75 ERA (4.67 FIP), 1.39 WHIP and an 88:43 K:BB in 72 innings over 16 starts. Birdsong struggled with a 13.7 percent walk rate, but he also had an above-average strikeout rate (27.9%), making him a pitcher worth taking a chance on in the right matchups in DFS.

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher/designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (elbow, shoulder) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Saturday. This will be the first time that Ohtani has thrown since Feb. 25. The Dodgers have been slowly bringing him along, so it's unclear exactly when he'll get back on the mound in game action. Ohtani is going to serve as the DH to begin the season, but it shouldn't be too long before he's mixed in for starts as well. The two-way superstar didn't pitch at all in 2024 in his first year with the Dodgers after having Tommy John surgery.

Los Angeles Angels third baseman Yoan Moncada (thumb) was able to resume throwing the baseball on Monday. This is a positive step forward for Moncada who has been dealing with right thumb soreness for the last few weeks. When healthy, Moncada is expected to be the everyday option at third base in Los Angeles. However, the Angels are uncertain if Moncada will be ready in time for Thursday's season opener. Moncada has struggled to stay healthy over the last few seasons, but could have some deep league value, assuming he plays everyday.

Detroit Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris said that outfielder Wenceel Perez (back) is expected to be out at least a month to begin the season due to lower-back inflammation. Perez is scheduled to receive an injection in his back later this week. The Tigers have been hit hard with injuries to their outfielders at the start of the year, as Perez, Parker Meadows (arm) and Matt Vierling (shoulder) will all open on the injured list. It's why Detroit just signed veteran Manuel Margot, who could actually open the year as the team's primary center fielder. Another option would be for the Tigers to move Riley Greene to center field, which would open up playing time for Justyn-Henry Malloy in left field. Ryan Kreidler was also returned from minor-league camp this week to provide extra outfield depth early on. This news is obviously a big hit to Perez's fantasy value in AL-only leagues.

Los Angeles Angels left-hander Reid Detmers will open the 2025 regular season in the bullpen, according to manager Ron Washington. Detmers will be set for a long-relief/swing role to start after losing out on the final starting rotation spot to sinker-baller right-hander Jack Kochanowicz. The 25-year-old southpaw will almost certainly make some starts for the Halos this year, but it won't be early in the season. Detmers, a former first-rounder in 2020, wasn't bad this spring, as he had a 2.79 ERA and 1.09 WHIP while walking four and striking out 17 in 19 1/3 Cactus League innings over six appearances (three starts). He started off last year strong before going 0-6 with an 8.93 ERA in eight starts, which earned him a trip to Triple-A Salt Lake. Detmers has already thrown a no-hitter at the big-league level, but he continues to search for consistency and won't really have much fantasy appeal as long as he's pitching in relief.