Chicago Cubs right-hander Ben Brown will open the 2025 season as the team's fifth starter, according to The Athletic's Sahadev Sharma. Brown will be afforded a rotation spot to open the season after Javier Assad (oblique) was injured in spring training. The 25-year-old appeared in relief in the season opener in Tokyo, Japan, last week against the Los Angeles Dodgers and was hit with a loss after giving up three runs (two earned) over 2 2/3 innings. Brown didn't fare too well in spring training, either, posting a 6.75 ERA with 13 hits allowed (one homer), one walk and nine strikeouts in eight innings over three Cactus League outings (two starts). He held his own in his rookie season in 2024 with a 3.58 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 64:19 K:BB in 15 outings (eight starts) before a neck injury cut his season short. There's some intriguing swing and miss to Brown's arsenal, particularly his knuckle-curve, making him worth a dart throw in deep-mixed leagues for depth.

Although Kansas City Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino's (hamstring) status for Opening Day on Thursday against the division-rival Cleveland Guardians is in question after he picked up a Grade 1-plus right-hamstring strain in spring training on Saturday, he said he plans on playing on Thursday. The 27-year-old isn't a speed player, so a slight hamstring pull doesn't affect him as much, and he could be deployed as the designated hitter to begin the year. The Royals are off on Friday, although the team could back-date a 10-day injured list stint three days, meaning he could return as soon as April 2. Pasquantino won't play in the two exhibition games against the Rangers on Monday and Tuesday, but he hit in the cages on Monday "without feeling the hamstring at all," manager Matt Quatraro said. If he can up the intensity of his swings on Tuesday without feeling pain, he could be cleared to start on Thursday.

The San Francisco Giants designated infielder David Villar for assignment on Tuesday and added relief pitcher Lou Trivino to the 40-man roster in a corresponding move. Villar will be available for other clubs to claim off waivers after spending his three big-league seasons in San Francisco and hitting just .200/.288/.400 with 15 home runs, 40 RBI and 39 runs scored in 109 games and 358 plate appearances. If the 28-year-old former 11th-round pick in 2018 out of the University of South Florida goes unclaimed, it's possible he'll return to the Giants in the minors. Villar hit a career-best .257 (9-for-35) but only had one home run and four RBI in a career-low 11 games in the majors. Although he has appeared at second base, Villar is mostly a corner infielder.

Houston Astros prospect Cam Smith, who is starting in right field and batting fifth for the second straight day in Tuesday's exhibition against Triple-A Sugar Land, has officially made the team's Opening Day roster despite playing in just 32 minor-league games, according to three league sources. The 22-year-old is expected to start in right field on Thursday on Opening Day against the New York Mets. His 32 minor-league games played before making a big-league roster are the third-fewest of any player in MLB's draft era. Smith slashed .342/.419/.711 in spring training and exceeded all expectations after he was the key player in return when the Astros traded Kyle Tucker to the Cubs in the offseason. There are questions about his defense, but last year's 14th overall pick has been prolific on offense and will be relevant in all fantasy leagues as long as he plays regularly in 2025.

New York Yankees outfielder Jasson Dominguez and first baseman Ben Rice officially have made the team's Opening Day roster, according to manager Aaron Boone. It shouldn't come as a surprise to fantasy managers that either player is on the big-league roster to start the year. Dominguez, 22, is the much bigger name in fantasy and will open his first full season in the majors as New York's starting left fielder. As long as he stays healthy, the Martian should be a lock for 20 homers and 20 steals. He hit .267 (16-for-60) with three homers, 12 RBI and five steals in 19 spring games. Although he hit just .207 (18-for-87) in his first 26 big-league games the last two years, Dominguez should be locked into starting fantasy lineups anytime he's active. Rice, 26, clubbed five homers in 19 Grapefruit League games. The power is there, but the playing time might not be as he tries to get at-bats at first, DH and catcher.