Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Graham Ashcraft (toe) had surgery on his big right toe in September. He threw a live bullpen session against hitters on Monday, but he's still managing his comeback from surgery and said that some days are better than others. "We got a plate in it, and I stayed off it for a month," Ashcraft said. "I've finally built back up. It's starting to get better, but it's one of those things we'll have to piece together. It'll take its time to get feeling right, but I know I'll be good by the season." The 26-year-old right-hander went 7-9 with a 4.76 ERA (5.06 FIP) and 1.37 WHIP with 52 walks and a career-high 111 strikeouts in 145 2/3 frames over 26 starts in his second big-league season in 2023. Ashcraft is probably going to need to strike out more hitters to be worth rostering in most mixed leagues in one of the most hitter-friendly ballparks in baseball.

Cincinnati Reds infielder Noelvi Marte (hamstring), who will mostly focus on third base in spring training, is coming back from a hamstring injury that he suffered in late November and isn't quite at full speed. His injury typically carries a six- to 10-week recovery period. "He has been out there running," general manager Brad Meador said. "He's hitting. He's doing everything, but just building back up." The 22-year-old can also play shortstop, but that's Elly De La Cruz's primary position, so Marte is going to have to share playing time at the hot corner with Jeimer Candelario in 2024. Defense isn't Marte's strong suit, but he hit an impressive .316/.366/.456 with three homers and 15 RBI in his first 35 big-league games a season ago. Playing time could be an issue, but he has a very exciting power/speed combination.

Cincinnati Reds second baseman Jonathan India (foot) didn't get a chance to work in the outfield this offseason as much as the Reds expected because of plantar fasciitis in his left foot, an injury that landed him on the injured list last summer and popped back up in the offseason. He was able to take batting practice and field ground balls on Tuesday at camp, but he's still going through a ramp-up program. "He said the foot feels fine and he feels no pain," general manager Brad Meador said. "It's just about building up endurance." The 27-year-old missed almost two months in 2023 due to the injury, so hearing that he's still not completely over the injury is bad news for a player whose fantasy value was already on the decline. In order to continue getting regular at-bats in 2024, India is going to have to move around defensively with youngster Matt McLain likely to see most of the playing time at the keystone.

Cincinnati Reds infielder Elly De La Cruz is expected to be the team's regular shortstop in 2024. "Going into it, Elly will play a lot of short, and Matt will play a lot of second," manager David Bell said. "Everything else, we've got to let it play out." De La Cruz played both third base and shortstop in his rookie season in 2023, but he's expected to focus on the 6 in spring training. Matt McLain, who started 53 games at shortstop and 37 games at second base last year, will train at both positions in camp. The 22-year-old has some of the best range, lateral quickness and arm strength in baseball, and the 6-foot-6 infielder has worked this offseason to shorten his leg kick on both sides of the plate in an effort to cut down his swings and misses in 2024. If he can put it all together offensively in his first full season in the big leagues, De La Cruz has the potential to be a special player at a premium position.

The New York Yankees claimed infielder Jordan Groshans off waivers from the Miami Marlins on Tuesday and designated left-hander Matt Krook for assignment in a corresponding move to make room for Groshans on the 40-man roster. Groshans, a former first-round pick by the Toronto Blue Jays back in 2018 made his major-league debut in 2022 and went 16-for-61 (.262) with a home run, two RBI and nine runs scored. The right-handed hitter disappointed in the minors in 2023 with a .244/.339/.330 slash line, six home runs, 60 RBI and 60 runs scored in 125 games played for Triple-A Jacksonville. The 24-year-old will hope for better results with a change of scenery, and he'll give the Yankees depth all over the infield in the minors to open up the 2024 campaign. Groshans makes plenty of contact but has limited power upside.