St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Dylan Carlson (ankle), who had season-ending left-ankle surgery last year, is expected to run the bases on Wednesday in addition to hitting in live batting practice and taking fly balls. Manager Oliver Marmol described Carlson's base-running as "checking the final box." The 25-year-old left-handed hitter probably won't play right away when the Grapefruit League scheduled kicks off this weekend, but barring a setback this spring, he should be ready to go for Opening Day at the end of March. A former top prospect, Carlson has hit just .230/.316/.364 in the last two seasons and now enters the 2024 campaign as the team's fourth outfielder. He should bounce back this year with better health, but playing time isn't going to be easy to come by.

St. Louis Cardinals catcher Willson Contreras (wrist) was scheduled to take live batting practice at spring training on Wednesday. It's a notable development since Contreras ended last year on the sidelines due to tendinitis in his left wrist. The 31-year-old veteran backstop avoided surgery in the offseason and appears to be fully healthy as he prepares for his second year in St. Louis. His first year with the Red Birds got off to a rough start, but Contreras eventually rebounded to hit .264/.358/.467 with an .826 OPS, 20 home runs, 27 doubles, 67 RBI, a career-high six stolen bases and 55 runs scored in 125 games. It was his fourth straight season with 20-plus long balls. Even though his defensive abilities leave a lot to be desired, Contreras should once again be one of the most attractive offensive-minded catchers for fantasy managers in 2024.

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Tommy Edman (wrist) could still be a couple of weeks away from being cleared to take part in full baseball activities. Edman is being eased in at camp this year after having offseason surgery on his right wrist. His delay at spring training could cause him to be unavailable for the start of the 2024 regular season, and even if he's ready, fantasy managers have to consider the possibility that Edman won't be himself at the plate right away. The 28-year-old switch-hitter is still worth drafting as a No. 3/4 fantasy outfielder, though, mainly for his speed and positional versatility -- he played shortstop, second base and the outfield in 2023. When healthy, Edman looked just fine last year, slashing .248/.307/.399 with 13 home runs, 47 RBI and 27 stolen bases in 137 games.

San Diego Padres manager Mike Shildt said that third baseman Manny Machado (elbow), who is coming off offseason shoulder surgery, will not play in the team's Cactus League opener on Thursday against the Los Angeles Dodgers. However, Machado is "trending in a really good place" and could serve as the designated hitter "sooner than later" in spring training games. Machado had surgery to fix the extensor tendon in his right elbow after last season, but he should be ready to go for Opening Day, even if he's serving as the team's DH to kick off the regular season. Even though the 31-year-old veteran slugger played through elbow pain for much of 2023, he still managed to hit 30 home runs and drive in 91 RBI, but his .781 OPS was his lowest mark since 2017. Machado is RotoBaller's No. 6 fantasy third baseman and still has a very high floor.

Miami Marlins right-hander Sixto Sanchez (shoulder) faced live hitters Wednesday for the first time since last September when he appeared in a rehab game before being shut down again due to his ailing right shoulder. The rehab outing was his first appearance since the 2020 season when he tossed a 3.46 ERA for the Fish in seven starts down the stretch en route to a surprising playoff berth. However, he underwent shoulder surgery shortly after and has yet to appear in a big-league game since. Now 25, the former top prospect is out of minor league options and reportedly is not guaranteed a spot on the Opening Day roster. As a result, the Marlins would likely lose Sanchez on waivers as an attractive reclamation project for a rival club if he does not make the team.