MLB's Mark Bowman writes that it feels like Atlanta Braves right-hander Reynaldo Lopez might be the early favorite to start the year as Atlanta's fifth starter behind Max Fried, Spencer Strider, Charlie Morton and Chris Sale. However, how long Lopez remains a starter remains to be seen. He hasn't thrown more than 66 innings in any of the last four seasons, so the Braves will need to closely manage his workload. Lopez had a 4.64 ERA over the 65 starts he made for the White Sox from 2018-19. He could end up back in the bullpen, but the Braves think he can be better than he was with the White Sox as a starter with more experience, better game-planning and a better defense behind him. He's currently competing with Bryce Elder, A.J. Smith-Shawver, Hurston Waldrep and others for the No. 5 rotation job.

Detroit Tigers outfielder Kerry Carpenter (hamstring) suffered a mild left-hamstring strain while doing baserunning drills in camp on Thursday. He will complete rehab daily and progress back to baseball activities as tolerated. Carpenter's injury isn't very serious, but he's going to be held out of at least the first couple Grapefruit League games this weekend and into early next week. The 26-year-old is on the fantasy radar as a No. 4 or 5 outfielder in 2024 after hitting .278/.340/.471 with an .811 OPS, 20 home runs, 17 doubles, two triples, 64 RBI, six stolen bases and 57 runs scored in 118 games in his first full big-league season in 2023. However, he had a prolonged power outage late in the year and struggled to hit left-handers as a left-handed hitter, which could leave him open to a platoon situation in Detroit's outfield eventually.

The Chicago White Sox claimed outfielder Peyton Burdick off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles on Friday and placed right-hander Matt Foster (elbow) on the 60-day injured list in a corresponding move. The White Sox will be Burdick's third team of the offseason, and he'll have his best shot at making the Opening Day roster with the rebuilding club. The 26-year-old will be no more than outfield depth, though. The former third-round pick of the Miami Marlins in 2019 out of Wright State has appeared in 46 games the last two seasons with the Fish, hitting .200/.281/.368 with only five home runs, 13 RBI, two stolen bases and 12 runs scored in 139 plate appearances.

Chicago White Sox relief pitcher John Brebbia (calf) said he strained his right calf walking back to the mound after moving toward first base on a grounder during a live batting practice session at camp the other day. Brebbia was able to finish the BP session and said his pitching is unaffected, even though he's now in a walking boot and rolling around on a scooter. He doesn't know exactly how long it will be before he's pitching in spring games, but he said the trainers estimated he'd miss a few weeks before he's back to full speed. The 33-year-old won't need as much time to get ready for the regular season because he's a reliever, but he's still going to be a candidate to open the year on the injured list. When healthy, he's the favorite to close games for the White Sox in 2024. If he opens the year on the IL, veterans Jesse Chavez and Bryan Shaw figure to factor into the ninth-inning mix.

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that outfield prospect Jasson Dominguez (elbow) will start hitting on Monday, likely starting with tee work. However, Dominguez, a switch-hitter, will only hit from the right side for the first "couple of weeks" after having Tommy John surgery on his right elbow last year. "I'm sure it's a pretty slow progression," Boone said. The 21-year-old they call The Martian has been shagging fly balls in camp and doing some throwing, but the impressive young outfielder isn't expected to make his 2024 debut until around the All-Star break. In his MLB debut at the end of last year, Dominguez hit four homers in eight games. Because Dominguez truly has 15-15 potential in half a season, he's worth stashing in deep-mixed fantasy leagues despite the fact he's expected to miss the entire first half of the year.