Philadelphia Phillies left-handed reliever Matt Strahm (finger) was scheduled to pitch in the team's Grapefruit League game against the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday, but he was scratched du to left middle fingernail irritation after packing in the morning. The issue isn't believed to be serious, according to MLB.com's Todd Zolecki, and Strahm is still expected to make the Opening Day roster. The 33-year-old veteran has also dealt with inflammation in his left shoulder this spring, which has limited him to only two spring training appearances. Despite the lack of action in Grapefruit League games due to his balky shoulder, that also isn't enough of a concern for the Phillies to keep him off the Opening Day roster. However, Strahm could see more rest between outings than usual to open the regular season. He made his first All-Star squad in 2024 and is the team's top high-leverage lefty arm out of the bullpen.

The Athletics announced that second baseman Zack Gelof (hand) had successful surgery on his right hamate bone in Los Angeles on Monday. Dr. Steven Shin performed the procedure on Gelof's right wrist, and the second baseman will start his rehab in West Sacramento this week. With the 25-year-old set to open the regular season on the injured list and miss six to eight weeks, prospect Max Muncy has made the Opening Day roster for the A's and should see regular playing time at the keystone. In his first full season in the big leagues in 2024, Gelof struggled, hitting just .211 (105-for-497) with 17 homers, 49 RBI, 25 stolen bases and a league-leading 188 strikeouts in 138 games played. Now that he'll miss the first month of the season, he's likely only worth stashing in AL-only and dynasty formats. Muncy has above-average power and speed and could stick around as a utility infielder for the A's once Gelof returns.

Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts (illness) was able to keep food down on Monday and also worked out at Dodgers Stadium, according to manager Dave Roberts. Betts is optimistic that he will play in the final Freeway Series game on Tuesday against the Los Angeles Angels after sitting out on Monday. The 32-year-old eight-time All-Star and former MVP has been sick since before the Dodgers departed for Tokyo, Japan, for a two-game series against the Chicago Cubs last week. Not only did he not play in any games in Japan, he lost nearly 20 pounds and was sent home early after not being able to keep any food down. While it sounds like Betts is feeling better, it could take him a while to work his strength back and regain weight. If he returns to Tuesday's exhibition lineup, Betts will likely be available on Opening Day, but he could be eased into the start of the regular season.

Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton said on Monday that right-handed pitching prospect Thomas Harrington will not be on the team's Opening Day roster. Harrington was an option to open the year as the team's fifth starter with Jared Jones (elbow) injured, but that job will go to right-hander Carmen Mlodzinski early on. Harrington, the Pirates' No. 3 prospect per MLB Pipeline, will begin the 2025 season at Triple-A Indianapolis with Bubba Chandler, the club's top prospect. Going into his final spring outing on Monday, the 23-year-old Harrington had a 2.70 ERA and 0.90 WHIP with five K's and three walks in three Grapefruit League appearances. When Harrington does eventually make his big-league debut (likely this year), he'll be overshadowed by the likes of Paul Skenes and Chandler, but he has excellent command and good stuff and could quickly become relevant in deep-mixed fantasy leagues.

Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton said that right-hander Carmen Mlodzinski will open the year as the team's fifth starter. Even with Jared Jones (elbow) starting the year on the injured list, neither Thomas Harrington nor Bubba Chandler will open the 2025 season in Pittsburgh's starting rotation, but we'll see how long Mlodzinski can hold them off. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect much from the 26-year-old Mlodzinski, who didn't have a single traditional start for the Bucs in his 40 appearances a season ago. He went 5-5 with a 3.38 ERA (3.36 FIP) and 1.18 WHIP with 46 strikeouts and 19 walks in 50 2/3 innings pitched. Mlodzinski was a reliable reliever for Pittsburgh last year after opening the season with an elbow injury, but he's displayed a modest strikeout rate and probably isn't anything more than a short-term option for the back of the team's starting rotation.