Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Walker Buehler (illness) is scheduled to take the mound against the Texas Rangers on Saturday. The right-hander was scratched from his most recent start due to a minor illness. It sounds like Buehler looked fine during his five innings of work on Monday. The team doesn't believe this illness will linger into the regular season, so Buehler appears to be ready to go. Buehler is coming off a rough 2024 campaign, but he somewhat salvaged his value with his strong performance in the postseason. It's worth noting Buehler hasn't finished with an ERA under 4.02 since the 2021 season. He could be a solid back-end option for the Red Sox, but his fantasy value might be limited.

San Francisco Giants pitcher Hayden Birdsong (finger) will shift to the bullpen to begin the season. It was between Birdsong and Landen Koupp for the final spot in the starting rotation. Giants manager Bob Melvin confirmed on Monday that Koupp has won that final spot. Both pitchers are deserving of a spot on the Opening Day roster, so luckily they both made it. Birdsong will lose significant fantasy value with the move to the bullpen. He isn't going to offer much fantasy value unless he's picking up saves or possibly holds. It's also worth noting that Birdsong is dealing with a fingernail issue. However, Birdsong appears to be fine to pitch through the issue, so this doesn't sound like something that will land him on the injured list.

San Francisco Giants pitcher Landen Roupp has earned the fifth spot in the starting rotation to begin the season. It was down to Roupp or Hayden Birdsong, but manager Bob Melvin confirmed on Monday that Roupp will get the final spot in the rotation. Roupp has been extremely impressive this season and is well deserving of this chance. Last season, Roupp posted a 3.58 ERA, 1,37 WHIP, and 47/26 K/BB ratio across 23 games (four starts) with the Giants. He's someone that should have fantasy value right away in most formats, assuming he's able to adjust to being a full-time starter. Birdsong will see his fantasy value take a hit with the shift to the bullpen.

MLB.com's Tim Stebbins writes that the bulk of Cleveland Guardians new outfielder Nolan Jones' at-bats this year are expected to come in right field against right-handed pitchers. After the Guardians acquired Jones from the Colorado Rockies on Saturday, they also optioned left-handed-hitter Will Brennan to Triple-A Columbus. Jhonkensy Noel is expected to get starts in right field when Cleveland faces left-handed pitchers. The 26-year-old Jones, who was previously selected by the Guardians in the second round in 2016, is moving from the best hitter's park in baseball in Coors Field to Progressive Field, which actually played very favorably to lefty hitters in 2024. He hit 20 homers and stole 20 bags in 106 games in 2023 before slumping to a .227/.321/.320 slash line and only three homers in 79 games in an injury-plagued 2024 campaign. If Jones can avoid injuries in his return to Cleveland, a bounce-back could be coming.

Baltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said on Monday that right-hander Kyle Gibson will spend April ramping up with the goal of joining the starting rotation "somewhere around" May 1. Gibson had already built up to 50 to 70 pitches before signing with Baltimore during spring training, but the O's have a specific plan for him. The team officially optioned the 37-year-old veteran to minor-league camp on Monday. Gibson is going to be stretched out as a starter with Grayson Rodriguez, Tyler Wells, and Kyle Bradish all opening the year on the injured list due to elbow injuries, but it remains to be seen if there will be a rotation spot for Gibson by the time the Orioles believe he's ready to join their active roster. After signing a one-year, $5.25 million deal, Gibson, who has made 30 starts in three straight seasons, should have a good shot at making starts for Baltimore. He could be worth a bench stash in AL-only leagues.