The biggest point of emphasis for shortstop Anthony Volpe coming into the 2024 season was changing his bat path, he told The Athletic's Chris Kirschner. Last year, Volpe had an uppercut swing through the zone. It led to him hitting 21 home runs but also led to inconsistency at the plate throughout his rookie season. He simplified his swing this offseason, and it has been drawing rave reviews in camp. Down the bottom of the lineup, the Yankees need the 22-year-old youngster to raise his on-base percentage. His flatter swing may lead to fewer home runs in his sophomore season, but it should also lead to more contact, a higher batting average and a better on-base percentage.

New York Yankees catcher Ben Rortvedt, who worked almost exclusively as right-hander Gerrit Cole's personal catcher last year when he won the American League Cy Young, is likely to either be traded or outrighted to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to start the year with Jose Trevino and Austin Wells expected to split the playing time behind the dish in 2024. Rortvedt is considered a better defender than Wells, but Wells is the superior hitter, which has given him the apparent leg up on the competition. Rortvedt is out of minor-league options. Even more telling has been the fact that Cole has been working with Wells, and not Rortvedt, in spring training. The 26-year-old Rortvedt hit just .118/.241/.221 with two home runs in 79 plate appearances for the Yankees in 2023.

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (elbow) will make his Cactus League debut with the team at some point next week. The Dodgers are slow-playing the two-time American League MVP this spring after he had right-elbow surgery last year. It will keep the 29-year-old Japanese sensation from pitching in his first year in LA, but Ohtani will serve as the Dodgers' full-time DH and is fully expected to be ready for the two-game, season-opening series against the San Diego Padres at the end of March. He said he thinks around 50 at-bats in spring games and in live batting practice sessions will be enough for him to be ready to go for the regular season. Ohtani has immense power and will be even more valuable in the middle of the Dodgers' stacked batting order.

Boston Red Sox infielder Vaughn Grissom (hamstring) is dealing with a hamstring injury in camp and will be slow-played early in Grapefruit League action. However, manager Alex Cora expects Grissom to be ready for Opening Day in late March. It's a minor injury, but it's notable for a player trying to make an impact with his new team. If he's healthy, the 23-year-old is expected to open the 2024 season as Boston's starting second baseman. In 64 games with the Atlanta Braves the last two years, Grissom hit an impressive .287/.339/.407 with five home runs, 27 RBI and five stolen bases, but he was blocked by a stacked big-league roster. If he can stay healthy, he has the upside to hit 15 home runs and steal 15 bases while providing a high batting-average floor at the keystone for fantasy managers in a great hitter's park.

Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran (toe) is not going to play in Grapefruit League games until March 1, as he's still recovering from his toe surgery last August in which he had the flexor tendon in his left big toe repaired. Duran is believed to be fully recovered from his surgery, but the Red Sox aren't going to push their starting outfielder early in spring training action. If the 27-year-old isn't starting in center field, which is unlikely, he'll be a starter in a corner-outfield spot for Boston in 2024. Duran should be ready to roll by Opening Day in late March. The former seventh-round pick improved drastically in 2023 with a .295/.346/.482 slash line with an .828 OPS, eight home runs, 40 RBI and 24 stolen bases in 102 games. The power might take more time to develop, but Duran is certainly worth rostering as your No. 3 outfielder due to his speed.