The New York Mets have placed infield prospect Ronny Mauricio (knee) on the 10-day injured list. Mauricio is still working his way back from a torn ACL he suffered in January 2024. However, the 23-year-old has faced a few setbacks which has slowed down his recovery process. Mauricio was unable to participate in any spring training contests and will now miss at least the beginning of the minor league campaign. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status as he would be eligible to begin a rehab assignment later in April. The No. 6 ranked prospect in the New York system made his MLB debut during the 2023 campaign and posted a .248/.296/.347 slash line with two home runs and seven swiped bags. When he is cleared to return, he could eventually compete for time at the keystone in the majors.

San Diego Padres outfielder Jackson Merrill went 1-for-3 in the team's 7-4 win over the Atlanta Braves on Opening Day, with a single and four RBI. He did not walk or strikeout. The 21-year-old got the scoring started for the Friars in the bottom of the first, slapping a single into shallow center field, plating teammates Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado. Though Merrill would not record another hit, he'd knock in Machado again two innings later on a groundout and then once more in the seventh on a sacrifice fly to right. The former first-round pick hit fifth on Thursday and will be afforded many more RBI opportunities while batting in the heart of the Padres' order.

The Cleveland Guardians have placed pitcher John Means (elbow) on the 15-day IL, retroactive to Mar. 24. Means is unlikely to rejoin the team until late in the year as he recovers from Tommy John surgery in June. It was the second Tommy John surgery the 31-year-old required on his left elbow. He's proved a capable pitcher before, compiling a 3.62 ERA and 1.03 WHIP over 146.2 innings in 2021, and held a strong 2.61 ERA in 20.2 innings pitched before hurting his elbow in 2024. There's still a chance Means won't pitch in 2025. He can be left on waivers for the time being. Even if Means hits no snags in his recovery process, he may not be a factor on the field until September.

Colorado Rockies catcher Hunter Goodman will get the starting nod in their season opener on Friday afternoon. Goodman will play catcher and bat sixth against Tampa Bay right-hander Ryan Pepiot. Goodman was competing for the starting catcher job during camp and appears to have won the job for the time being. During spring training, the 25-year-old posted an impressive .444/.500/.822 slash line with three round-trippers and six doubles. Last season, Goodman appeared in 70 MLB games and posted a .190/.228/.417 slash line with nine doubles and 13 home runs. However, he spent most of his time in the outfield and started just 22 games behind the dish. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his deployment in the starting nine as he could be quite valuable in two-catcher leagues if he also sees time in the outfield. He is worth a look as a cheap option for power in DFS, facing Pepiot, who struggles to put the ball on the ground.

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider (elbow) will make a rehab appearance for Triple-A Gwinnett on Saturday. Strider was placed on the 15-day IL earlier this week. Strider is working his way back from an internal brace procedure he underwent last April. He was able to log four innings during spring training and flashed elite strikeout upside as he tallied 10 punchouts over this short stint. Fantasy managers should keep a close eye on his progression in the minor leagues as he could return to the majors later in April. Last season, he was only able to pitch nine innings before being shut down. In 2023, the 26-year-old led the National League in strikeouts (281) and posted a 3.86 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP across 186 2/3 innings. When he does return to the majors, prospect AJ Smith-Shawver or Grant Holmes could lose their spot in the rotation.