Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that as of Saturday, right-hander Kutter Crawford is "in the lead" for a spot in the Opening Day starting rotation behind Lucas Giolito, Nick Pivetta and Brayan Bello. Garrett Whitlock, Tanner Houck and Josh Winckowski are fighting for the final spot in Boston's rotation. Crawford has been working on a split-finger fastball this year, which could make him even more effective in a starting role. The 27-year-old opened last year in the rotation as well before eventually moving to the bullpen. He had a 4.20 ERA (3.64 FIP) in 21 starts for Boston last year. Crawford has a deep arsenal and a fastball that generates a lot of swings and misses. He's a pitcher on the rise and a name to keep an eye on in deep-mixed leagues early in the season.

An MRI exam on Toronto Blue Jays No. 1 prospect Ricky Tiedemann showed just minor inflammation between his left hamstring and calf muscles. Manager John Schneider isn't expecting the left-hander to miss much time and is calling him day-to-day. It's good news for Tiedemann, who missed considerable time in the minors last year with an injury. Tiedemann had to be scratched from making the start in the team's Grapefruit League opener on Saturday, although he could be back on the mound in short order this spring. While the 21-year-old southpaw has some of the best stuff of any pitching prospect in the game, Toronto isn't going to rush him to the big leagues, so don't be surprised if he begins the year at Triple-A Buffalo. Tiedemann is worth stashing in deep-mixed leagues, but fantasy managers will want to temper expectations for him in 2024.

Detroit Tigers outfielder Riley Greene (elbow) is tentatively scheduled to serve as the designated hitter on Monday for the Grapefruit League game against the Houston Astros. He'll then return to the outfield on Tuesday. Greene is recovering from Tommy John surgery on his right (non-throwing elbow) last September. He took live batting practice earlier this week and "didn't even think about my arm." The 23-year-old should be fully healthy by Opening Day and will be the Tigers' starting center fielder again in 2024. There is a bit of swing and miss to his game, but Greene still managed to hit a strong .288/.349/.447 with 11 home runs, 37 RBI, seven stolen bases and 51 runs scored in 378 at-bats in 2023 before being shut down with his elbow injury. He's a solid No. 3 outfield target with upside in fantasy drafts.

Baltimore Orioles infield prospect Jackson Holliday is starting at second base and is hitting seventh in the lineup for Saturday's Grapefruit League opener against the Boston Red Sox. Holliday, baseball's top prospect per MLB Pipeline, is a natural shortstop, but he's going to get plenty of action at the keystone this spring and could be the favorite to be Baltimore's Opening Day second baseman if he impresses in spring training games. The 20-year-old former first overall pick hit .323/.442/.499 with 12 home runs and 24 stolen bases in the minors last year at just 19 years old. The upside is through the roof with Holliday, and even if he starts the year at Triple-A Norfolk, he should be drafted in all fantasy formats with the potential to make an immediate impact whenever he gets to Baltimore.

Los Angeles Angels second baseman Luis Rengifo (hamstring) is dealing with a left-hamstring issue at camp and took himself out of workouts at spring training on Friday. He is going to be off his feet for a few days, but manager Ron Washington was adamant that Rengifo will be ready for Opening Day in late March. When healthy, the 26-year-old switch-hitter is expected to see the majority of playing time for the Halos at second base, and he should also be the club's leadoff hitter against left-handed pitchers. The Venezuelan infielder hit .264/.339/.444 with 16 home runs, 15 doubles, four triples, 51 RBI, six stolen bases and 55 runs scored in 126 games in 2023 before his season was cut short due to a torn left biceps in September. None of Rengifo's skills really stand out for fantasy managers, but he can be an asset as depth in deep-mixed and AL-only leagues as an everyday player for the Angels.