Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that he had a conversation with designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (elbow), and Ohtani wants 50 at-bats this spring to be ready for the regular-season opener in Korea against the division-rival San Diego Padres. The at-bats could come as a combination of live batting practice, simulated games on the back field and in Cactus League games. The 29-year-old Japanese superstar had right-elbow surgery last September and won't pitch at all in his first year in LA, but he will open the regular season as the full-time DH. Ohtani could get off to a slow start at the plate as his surgically repaired right elbow adjusts, but he should still be in consideration for fantasy managers late in the first round after winning his second American League MVP in 2023 in the last three years.

Texas Rangers right-hander Dane Dunning will take the hill for the team's Cactus League opener on Friday against the Kansas City Royals, with Cody Bradford scheduled to follow him in relief. Dunning threw a career-high 172 2/3 innings in the regular season in 2023 over 35 appearances (26 starts) and went 12-7 with a career-best 3.70 ERA (4.27 FIP) and 1.26 WHIP with 55 walks and a career-high 140 strikeouts at the back end of the team's starting rotation. The 29-year-old relies on inducing weak contact and isn't going to overpower hitters, and he'll likely be moved to a long-relief role in the second half in 2024 if both Jacob deGrom (elbow) and Max Scherzer (back) are able to return from their injuries. Dunning is outside RotoBaller's rankings of the top-100 fantasy pitchers.

Kansas City Royals left-hander Kris Bubic (elbow) is scheduled to throw his first bullpen session of spring training on Tuesday. Bubic is recovery from Tommy John surgery last April and is scheduled for a midseason return in 2024. The 26-year-old southpaw made only three starts for the Royals last year before having surgery, and he went 3-13 with a career-worst 5.58 ERA (4.78 FIP) and 1.69 WHIP with 63 walks and 110 strikeouts over 129 innings and 27 starts in 2022. Bubic won't be a lock for the Royals' starting rotation this summer, either, as long as both Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha are healthy around the All-Star break. Fantasy managers in deep-mixed fantasy leagues should hold off on Bubic until he proves he's healthy in the second half.

Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Brandon Lowe (illness) was held out of workouts at spring training again on Tuesday due to an illness, according to manager Kevin Cash. Lowe should be able to rejoin the team at camp later this week. The 29-year-old left-handed-hitting infielder will open the 2024 season as the team's regular second baseman as long as he can stay healthy. He managed to play over 100 games in 2023 for just the second time in six major-league seasons while hitting .231/.328/.443 with 21 home runs, 15 doubles, a triple, 68 RBI, seven stolen bases and 58 runs scored in 109 games. Lowe is an injury risk and struggles to hit left-handers, but otherwise, his power from the left side at the keystone makes him a solid backup middle-infield option for fantasy managers.

Atlanta Braves right-hander Ian Anderson (elbow) said he feels great in his Tommy John surgery rehab and is aiming to return around mid-summer, but he's not putting a specific timeline on his return. Anderson said he's made a slight adjustment in his delivery and has dropped his arm angle a bit. The 25-year-old former first-rounder had a 5.00 ERA and 1.51 WHIP in 22 starts for the Braves in 2022 and didn't pitch at all in the big leagues last year due to his elbow surgery. The Braves aren't giving up on him just yet, though, after he looked decent in his first two big-league seasons in a starting role. Anderson will be on an innings limit when he returns this summer and can most likely be avoided in all mixed fantasy leagues until 2025.