Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton said that right-hander Mitch Keller will start on Opening Day on March 28 against the Marlins in Miami. This doesn't come as a surprise at all, especially after the club announced a five-year, $77 million extension with Keller earlier on Thursday. The 27-year-old was a first-time All-Star in 2023 and finished 13-9 with a 4.21 ERA (3.80 FIP) and 1.24 WHIP with 55 walks and a career-high 210 strikeouts in 194 1/3 innings over 32 starts in his fifth year in the majors. Keller was solid in the first half before sporting an ERA over 5.00 in the second half. It was nice to see Keller raise his strikeout rate last year, and his 3.70 xFIP shows that he was perhaps a little bit unlucky in the ERA department. He still has some upside, but he's best drafted as a depth arm for your fantasy rotation in the later rounds.

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (elbow) won't play in Cactus League games this weekend but could be in the lineup next week, according to manager Dave Roberts. The Dodgers aren't rushing their prized free-agent acquisition into spring training games after he had right-elbow surgery following the 2023 season. The 29-year-old Japanese superstar said he wants to get around 50 at-bats in spring games, on back fields, and in live batting practice sessions before the start of the two-game series in Korea against the San Diego Padres on March 20-21. Despite coming off elbow surgery and not pitching at all in his first year in LA, Ohtani will be a highly sought after bat in fantasy leagues as early as late in the first round.

Baltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said that right-hander Kyle Bradish (elbow) is doing well at spring training. "He feels good. Everything's going well. Progressing nicely, and he's feeling good after he's playing catch," Hyde said. Bradish is recovering from a partial UCL tear in his right elbow and was able to extend out to playing catch at 90 feet on Tuesday. The Orioles and the 27-year-old are hoping that Bradish can avoid Tommy John surgery with rest and rehab. Even if Bradish eventually bounces back and avoids going under the knife, he's going to need to start the 2024 season on the injured list. It's a tough break after his breakout 2023 campaign in which he went 12-7 with a 2.83 ERA and 1.04 WHIP with 168 K's in 30 starts. Fantasy managers should expect some regression in his third MLB season.

Houston Astros right-hander J.P. France (shoulder) said he threw a little off the mound on Wednesday and it went well. France was limited to flat-ground throwing during the first week of camp due to right-shoulder inflammation. It appears that the 28-year-old starter is making some progress, but he's not going to be available to pitch in Grapefruit League games for a while. But as long as he doesn't have any setbacks with his right shoulder, he still has a chance to be ready for Opening Day. France made his major-league debut with the 'Stros in May of last year and really impressed initially before limping to a 7.94 ERA in his last six outings. Walks were an issue for him in the minors, and his strikeout rate left a lot to be desired in his rookie campaign. If France is healthy and has a rotation spot in Houston in 2024, he'll probably be inconsistent for those in mixed leagues.

Baltimore Orioles third baseman Gunnar Henderson (oblique) is going to miss around the first week of spring training games due to his left-oblique aggravation, but he's feeling better. Henderson said he has increased his hitting and fielding workload recently in camp. "Glad to go nip this thing out that way," Henderson said. The 22-year-old reigning American League Rookie of the Year won't play in Grapefruit League games right away, but barring a setback, he should be ready for Opening Day in late March. Henderson could improve his plate discipline some, but he really looked like a seasoned veteran and was extremely impressive in his first MLB action in 2023. RotoBaller has him ranked as the No. 5 fantasy third baseman entering his sophomore season.