
Arizona Diamondbacks pitching prospect Joe Elbis (undisclosed) will begin the 2025 campaign on the injured list at the Double-A level. The team did not specify the extent of his injury. Fantasy managers should monitor his status, but should expect him to miss potentially the first few weeks of the Double-A regular season. Last season, the 22-year-old spent most of his 2024 campaign at High-A before earning a look at Double-A. Across 90 1/3 innings at High-A (16 starts), the right-hander posted a strong 2.79 ERA with a 1.14 WHIP. He tallied 75 punchouts. At Double-A, Elbis held a high 4.60 ERA with a 1.50 WHIP across 45 innings of work. He held a modest 18:37 BB:K. When he is cleared to return, fantasy managers should expect Elbis to begin his 2025 season at Double-A Amarillo.

Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner (back), who was out of the starting lineup for the third straight day on Monday against the Colorado Rockies due to back spasms, appeared as a pinch-hitter in the seventh inning and walked before scoring the go-ahead run in the 6-1 victory in the team's home opener. Turner is expected to miss another game on Tuesday against Colorado, but he's clearly feeling better and is expected to return to the starting lineup for Wednesday's contest. The 31-year-old veteran is still searching for his first hit of the 2025 season after going hitless in his first six plate appearance with two walks, a strikeout and a run scored in just two games (one start). Fantasy managers will want to check back later on Tuesday to see if he's back in there, but most likely he won't be available again until Wednesday's game.

First baseman Dominic Smith is returning to the New York Yankees on a minor league contract. Smith opted out of his previous minor league deal with the Yankees in March but will return to the Bronx after not finding another suitor. Fantasy managers should expect the 29-year-old to report to Triple-A and provide first base and outfield depth. Last season, Smith appeared in 93 MLB contests, with most of his time in Boston. Across this stint, the 29-year-old posted a .233/.313/.378 slash line with 22 doubles and six home runs. During the 2023 campaign, he spent the entire campaign with the Washington Nationals and held a .254/.326/.366 slash line. In 275 career games at Triple-A, Smith has posted a strong .293/.360/.455 slash line. He should be in the mix to return to the big leagues if the Yankees need additional depth at first base or in the outfield.

Colorado Rockies outfielder Sam Hilliard has cleared waivers and has been outrighted to Triple-A. Hilliard was designated for assignment shortly before Opening Day when the Rockies claimed outfielder Mickey Moniak off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels. Last season, Hilliard spent 58 games with the Rockies. Across this stint, Hilliard held a .239/.305/.507 slash line with five doubles and 10 long balls. He generated a modest .215 xBA but flashed upside power as he generated an elite 14.8 percent barrel rate and a 52.3 percent hard-hit rate. He also placed in the 88th percentile in sprint speed and swiped five bags. In 65 games with Triple-A last season, Hilliard held a strong .288/.374/.542 slash line with 14 home runs and 13 stolen bases. He is worth monitoring in NL-only leagues as he should be in the mix to return to the majors later in the summer.

The New York Yankees and relief pitcher Adam Ottavino agreed to a one-year contract on Tuesday. The veteran was with Boston this spring but wasn't able to make the roster so he opted out of his minor league deal, allowing him to sign with another team. That other team will be the same one he was with from 2019-20. The righty pitched last season for the Mets and owns a career ERA of 3.49, a 1.28 WHIP, and 16.9 percent K-BB%. The 39-year-old will likely provide the Yankees with some middle relief help, and with some solid strikeout stuff left in the repertoire, he could feasibly be of help to managers in deep AL-only leagues, but that's about the extent of his fantasy relevance.
