Oakland Athletics manager Mark Kotsay mentioned that relief pitchers Sean Newcomb (knees) and Freddy Tarnok (hip) are "slightly behind" the rest of the team's pitchers at spring training as they return from surgeries. Both pitchers are progressing well on slower programs and may not pitch in Cactus League games right away. Newcomb, 30, had left-knee surgery in September and surgery on his right knee in December. The left-hander threw just 15 innings for the A's in 2023 and is ticketed for a long-relief role in 2024. Stay away from him in fantasy. Tarnok, 25, had right-hip surgery in August and will be an option for Oakland's starting rotation when he's healthy. He allowed eight earned runs while walking 11 and fanning 14 in 14 2/3 innings over five outings (one start) in 2023.

Cincinnati Reds left-hander Alex Young (back) experienced back tightness during his workout on Wednesday in spring training and is to be evaluated before resuming his throwing schedule. The Reds are going to be cautious with the 30-year-old reliever, and Young has plenty of time to get ready for Opening Day. The veteran southpaw was solid for the Reds in 63 appearances out of their bullpen in 2023, going 4-2 with a 3.86 ERA (4.99 FIP), a 1.36 WHIP, his first career save, 20 walks and 50 strikeouts in 53 2/3 innings pitched. Young's 4.99 FIP shows that he was pretty fortunate, though, and he won't really be of much use to fantasy managers in a relief role again this year if he's healthy. He has a career 4.43 ERA and 1.41 WHIP with 224 strikeouts in 262 innings pitched over his five major-league seasons.

Seattle Mariners right-hander Gregory Santos (lat) is a little bit behind the other pitchers in spring training due to a right-lat that has recently surfaced. Santos won't be able to throw off a mound right away in camp. The 24-year-old also dealt with right-elbow soreness last year and could be in danger of opening the 2024 regular season on the injured list. Santos came to Seattle this offseason in a trade from the Chicago White Sox and figures to serve in a setup role when healthy. The Dominican reliever made a career-high 60 appearances out of Chicago's bullpen last year and was solid with a 3.39 ERA and 1.29 WHIP with his first five career saves, 17 walks and 66 strikeouts in 66 1/3 innings. Unless injuries in the back of Seattle's bullpen open up save chances for Santos, he's unlikely to have much fantasy appeal in 2024.

Chicago White Sox right-hander Davis Martin's (elbow) rehab from Tommy John surgery has gone well. His body and arm are feeling good and he is scheduled to start throwing bullpen sessions next Monday. The 27-year-old hurler went under the knife last May and continues to work his way back for the 2024 season. He will open the regular season on the injured list and probably isn't going to be able to join Chicago's bullpen until the second half of the year. Martin made his big-league debut with the Pale Hose in 2022 and had a 4.83 ERA (4.28 FIP) and 1.29 WHIP with 19 walks and 48 strikeouts in 63 1/3 innings over 14 appearances (nine starts). Given his long layoff, Martin is most likely to return to Chicago as a reliever once he's ready to make his season debut in 2024.

New York Yankees right-hander Lou Trivino (elbow), who re-signed with the club on Wednesday, said that he hopes to be back "at some point in the middle of the season" after undergoing Tommy John surgery to fix a torn UCL last May. Trivino has already been throwing bullpen sessions and is feeling good. The 32-year-old's deal with the Yankees includes an option for the 2025 season. He started last year with the Oakland Athletics before finishing with the Yankees, going a combined 2-8 with a 4.53 ERA (3.63 FIP), a 1.64 WHIP, 11 saves, 24 walks and 67 strikeouts in 53 2/3 innings pitched. Ten of his 11 saves came in Oakland, but he was better overall with the Yankees with a 1.66 ERA in 21 2/3 innings pitched. Trivino is off the fantasy radar.