The Chicago White Sox announced on Tuesday that they have released right-handed reliever Dan Altavilla. He will hit the open market despite pitching to a 2.79 ERA and 0.83 WHIP with 11 strikeouts and four walks in 9 2/3 relief innings in the Cactus League this spring. The 32-year-old veteran will now look to latch on with another organization for the start of the 2025 season, most likely on a minor-league deal. Altavilla spent the 2024 campaign with the Kansas City Royals but only managed to make five major-league appearances (one start) while allowing six earned runs, walking three and striking out five in 3 2/3 frames. The former fifth-round pick by the Seattle Mariners in 2014 out of Mercyhurst University has a career 4.36 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 134:63 K:BB and one save in 119 2/3 innings over seven years with three different teams.

Texas Rangers starting pitching prospect Kumar Rocker has earned a role in the starting rotation. Rocker was competing for a spot during camp. During spring training, the Vanderbilt product tossed nine innings and held a 13.00 ERA with a 2.33 WHIP. However, over his final start, Rocker turned the corner as he tallied eight punchouts across four 2/3 innings of two-run ball. Fellow top prospect Jack Leiter also earned a spot in the rotation with Cody Bradford (elbow) and Jon Gray (wrist) sidelined. Rocker made his brief MLB debut last summer and held a 3.86 ERA with a 1.54 WHIP across 11 2/3 innings. In the minor leagues, Rocker posted a strong 1.96 ERA and a stellar 0.79 WHIP across 36 2/3 cumulative innings across Double and Triple-A. Given his prospect pedigree and success in the upper levels of the minor leagues, Rocker is worth adding in all 12-team formats as a high-upside starting pitcher.

Texas Rangers starting pitching prospect Jack Leiter has earned a spot in the starting rotation. The former No. 2 overall selection made his MLB debut last summer and will look to take the next step in his development. During his first 35 2/3 innings in the majors, the Vanderbilt product posted a high 8.83 ERA with a 1.71 WHIP. He tallied 31 punchouts and allowed walks at a high 9.8 percent rate. During spring training, Leiter tossed 20 2/3 innings to the tune of a 3.48 ERA and a 1.55 WHIP. He tallied 21 punchouts and served up 10 free passes. While he has struggled to command his pitches, the right-hander has flashed elite strikeout upside. Last season, Leiter tallied an impressive 110 punchouts across just 77 innings of work at the Triple-A level. He is worth taking a flyer on in deeper formats due to his elite swing-and-miss potential.

Texas Rangers right-handed pitcher Dane Dunning cleared waivers and has been outrighted to Triple-A Round Rock. The Rangers placed Dunning on waivers earlier this week and will begin his 2025 campaign at the top level of the minor leagues. Dunning was competing for a spot in the starting rotation but ultimately fell short. During spring training, the 30-year-old struggled as he served up a high 8.18 ERA with a 1.91 WHIP across 11 innings of work. He held a 4:14 BB:K and allowed four long balls. Last season, Dunning appeared in 26 games (15 starts) and logged 95 innings to the tune of a 5.31 ERA with a 1.44 WHIP. He tallied 91 punchouts and allowed walks at a high 9.5 percent rate. In addition, Dunning also generated a high 45.8 percent hard-hit rate. With Dunning starting the season in Triple-A, Kumar Rocker and Jack Leiter will have a spot in the rotation.

Texas Rangers outfielder Evan Carter did not make the Opening Day roster and is being optioned to Triple-A Round Rock. Carter made his MLB debut during the 2023 campaign and played a critical role during their World Series run. Across his first 23 games in the majors, Carter posted a strong .306/.413/.645 slash line with four doubles and five home runs. During the postseason, he continued to produce as he held a strong .300/.417/.500 line. However, in 2024, Carter dealt with a lingering back injury, which eventually cut his season short after just 45 contests. During spring training, Carter struggled as he posted an underwhelming .154/.214/.205 slash line. Fantasy managers should expect Carter to compete for an early return to the big leagues, especially if he finds his footing at the top level of the minor leagues. In Texas, Leody Taveras will likely see most of the opportunities in center field to start the season.