Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Miguel Vargas, who was the team's starting second baseman on Opening Day last year, has come to spring training this year as a left fielder. It remains to be seen if Vargas will actually make the permanent switch to the outfield moving forward. What is clear, though, is that Vargas won't be in line for a starting spot anywhere on the diamond for the Dodgers to open the 2024 season. In left field, new acquisition Teoscar Hernandez will be LA's regular left fielder. The 24-year-old Vargas will really have to impress this spring to avoid starting the year at Triple-A Oklahoma City. In 81 games for the Blue in 2023, the Cuban hit a weak .195/.305/.367 with seven home runs, 32 RBI, three steals and 36 runs scored in 304 trips to the plate. He can be avoided in most fantasy leagues.

The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal said on Foul Territory on Tuesday that he expects the Philadelphia Phillies and right-hander Zack Wheeler to agree on a contract extension before the start of the regular season. Wheeler will be turning 34 years old this May, but the veteran hurler has been everything the Phillies had hoped he'd be when they signed him as a free agent before the 2020 season. In his four years with the team, Wheeler has gone 43-25 with a 3.06 ERA (2.90 FIP) and 1.05 WHIP with 135 walks and 675 strikeouts in 629 1/3 innings over 101 starts in the regular season. He's managed to stay healthy and has been one of the best all-around starting pitchers in the game in his time in Philadelphia, and he hasn't shown any signs of slowing down in 2024.

Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Dinelson Lamet, who is a non-roster invitee to spring training, isn't in camp with the rest of the pitchers and catchers yet due to visa issues, according to manager Dave Roberts. Other than Lamet, all of the pitchers and catchers are accounted for. Lamet can ill-afford to miss any time in spring training with his new organization as the seeks to claim a roster spot for Opening Day. The 31-year-old former starter fell apart last year with the Colorado Rockies and Boston Red Sox, sporting an 11.71 ERA and 2.35 WHIP with 23 walks and 32 strikeouts in 27 2/3 innings over 17 appearances (four starts). Injuries and control issues have really derailed what was once a promising career when he was with the San Diego Padres.

The Cincinnati Reds claimed outfielder Bubba Thompson off waivers from the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday and designated right-hander Levi Stoudt for assignment in a corresponding move. Thompson has been passed around this offseason but will return to the Reds after they cut him two months earlier. The 25-year-old former first-rounder played in 92 games for the Texas Rangers the last two years and hit .242/.286/.305 with only one home run, 13 RBI, 22 stolen bases and 28 runs scored in 241 plate appearances. Thompson is mainly attractive for his defense in the outfield and his speed, but he won't be on the fantasy radar at all and will most likely open the 2024 season at Triple-A Louisville given the Reds' stacked position player roster.

Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash said that left-hander Garrett Cleavinger (knee) is considered fully healthy and won't have any restrictions in spring training. Cleavinger underwent ACL and meniscus surgery on his right knee in May of last year but is good to go for the 2024 campaign. The 29-year-old southpaw made 15 relief appearances for the Rays in 2023 before his injury, allowing five runs (four earned) on six hits (two homers) while walking six and striking out 14 in 12 innings. He should return to a high-leverage role in the back of Tampa's bullpen this year if he can stay healthy. Cleavinger doesn't have any career saves or holds, but he should at least get some holds under his belt this year.