With San Francisco Giants right-hander Keaton Winn (elbow) dealing with elbow soreness in camp, it's possible that pitchers Spencer Howard or Daulton Jefferies could make the club's Opening Day roster as starting rotation options. Howard, 27, and Jefferies, 28, are both in camp this year as non-roster invites for the Giants. Howard hasn't had success so far in 38 big-league outings (29 starts) over four seasons, posting a rough 7.20 ERA and 1.67 WHIP with 55 walks and 109 K's in 115 innings. Jefferies, meanwhile, is attempting to return in 2024 after his second Tommy John surgery. In his three years with the Oakland Athletics, the right-hander went 2-8 with a 5.75 ERA and 1.35 WHIP with 14 walks and 37 K's in 56 1/3 innings over 14 appearances (10 starts). The Giants could be in trouble early on if they're relying on Howard or Jefferies in their rotation.

San Francisco Giants right-hander Keaton Winn (elbow) felt some right-elbow soreness during his last bullpen session, but an MRI exam came back clean and he'll be shut down in camp for a few days. With Robbie Ray (elbow) and Alex Cobb (hip) out for the first half of the 2024 season, Winn is currently the team's No. 4 starter. Despite the injury, Winn isn't too concerned and thinks he'll be ready for Opening Day. Tristan Beck is the favorite for the final rotation spot in San Fran. If Winn ends up not being ready for the start of the season, Spencer Howard and Daulton Jefferies could be options to fill in early on in April in the Giants' rotation. Winn, 26, made his big-league debut in 2023 and looked good, striking out 35 and walking only eight in five starts and four relief outings in 42 1/3 innings.

Texas Rangers catcher Jonah Heim won't make his first Cactus League start until Feb. 28. Heim isn't injured, but the Rangers are giving him extra recovery time this spring after a long season in 2023 that culminated in the franchise's first-ever World Series championship. There's no need for the Rangers to rush Heim into Cactus League action with games kicking off this weekend. The 28-year-old switch-hitting backstop made his first All-Star team in 2023 and hit .258/.317/.438 with a career-high 18 home runs, 28 doubles, 95 RBI and 61 runs scored in 131 games for the Rangers in the regular season. In an effort to give Heim more days off early on in 2024, the Rangers may keep three catchers on the major-league roster. Although he's almost 30, Heim is a top-15 fantasy backstop.

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Brandon Marsh (knee) has progressed to jogging at spring training. Marsh had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in early February and was expected to need three to four weeks before making a full recovery. The 26-year-old left-handed hitter obviously won't be ready for the start of Grapefruit League games this weekend, but the Phillies are expecting him to be ready for Opening Day, barring a setback in his recovery from the minor surgery. When he's healthy, Marsh figures to be the team's starting left fielder against right-handed pitching, but he'll lose at-bats to Whit Merrifield against left-handers. Even though Marsh lowered his strikeout rate in 2023, he still struck out a third of the time. He's still an asset in mixed fantasy leagues because of his above-average power and his speed, and he's great defensively for the Phils as well.

St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Keynan Middleton (illness) is scheduled to throw a live batting practice session at camp on Wednesday. Middleton is entering his first year with the Cardinals after signing with them in free agency for one year and $5 million, but he reported to camp late and was also held back last week by a stomach bug. The 30-year-old reliever is feeling better now and will be ready for Opening Day at the end of March. While Middleton probably isn't going to see many save chances, if any at all, he could be useful in fantasy leagues that award points for holds, as he should serve in a key late-inning setup role. The former third-round pick of the Angels in 2013 had a 3.38 ERA and 1.24 WHIP with two saves and a career-high 64 strikeouts in 50 2/3 innings for the White Sox and Yankees in 2023.