MLB.com's Keegan Matheson suggests that right-hander Bowden Francis feels like the front-runner for the final rotation spot to open the year after posting a 1.73 ERA over 36 1/3 innings last year. "He added the splitter this year, which I think will be good against lefties to go with his heater and curveball," manager John Schneider said. "I think it's just about seeing what his stuff does. We tried to do this a bit last year as camp went on, trying to get him up to 50-60 pitches. His stuff is so good in short spurts, but can you harness that as you get your pitch count up?" Francis' main competition is Mitch White, but the team's No. 13 prospect, right-hander Chad Dallas, could be a dark-horse candidate. Of course, if Alek Manoah (shoulder) isn't ready for the start of the year, both Francis and White could be in the Opening Day rotation.

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Alek Manoah (shoulder) experienced some right-shoulder soreness during his last bullpen session in camp and will not make his scheduled Grapefruit League start on Sunday as a result. Manoah had an MRI exam on Friday that didn't show any structural damage, though, and the team is considering him day-to-day. It doesn't sound too serious, but this should raise more eyebrows than normal after Manoah's disastrous 2023 campaign when he also dealt with arm issues and was demoted to the minors twice. The 26-year-old wasn't sharp in his spring opener on Tuesday, either, hitting three batters in 1 2/3 innings. A bounce-back could be coming if Manoah is healthy and mentally right, but he's currently outside of RotoBaller's top-100 rankings for starting pitchers.

Minnesota Twins right-hander Joe Ryan, who has been criticized for relying too much on his fastball at times, displayed a new sinker in his Grapefruit League debut on Friday. Ryan threw five different pitches -- a four-seam fastball, a sweeper, splitter, a "shorter slider," and his new sinker. "It kind of just gives me the options now to throw whatever I want and whatever a lineup might dictate," Ryan said. "Just put a little indecision in the hitters' heads, and I think that always helps." The 27-year-old mostly relied on his four-seamer, sweeper and splitter in 2023, and he mostly used his fastball and splitter in his complete-game shutout of Boston on June 22. Ryan was great to start last year but fell apart and was injured late. If his secondary pitches can improve in 2024, he should serve as a solid high-end No. 3 starter for fantasy managers.

New York Mets infielder Joey Wendle (shoulder) is dealing with some right-shoulder soreness in camp, but he's been building back up and should make his spring training debut toward the end of next week. He's in his first year in New York in 2024 after hitting a weak .212/.248/.306 with two homers, 20 RBI, seven stolen bases and 33 runs scored in 318 plate appearances and 112 games for the Miami Marlins in 2023. The 33-year-old's greatest asset is his glove and his ability to play multiple infield positions, but he's not much to look at in fantasy with his bat. Even with Ronny Mauricio (knee) slated to miss the entire season, Wendle will most likely serve as a utility infielder for the Mets. Most of his playing time will likely come at third base to spell youngster Brett Baty.

New York Mets second baseman/outfielder Jeff McNeil (biceps) tweaked his left biceps muscle during cage work the other day in camp. The Mets don't think it's a serious injury, but McNeil is nevertheless delayed at spring training at the moment. The 31-year-old left-handed hitter will be held out of action for a few days in hopes that the injury clears up. McNeil still has plenty of time to get ready for Opening Day in late March, but it's just another injury concern. He suffered a partial ligament tear in his left elbow late in 2023 and is going to have to deal with the issue again in 2024. The two-time All-Star won the National League batting title in 2022 but fell off with a .270/.333/.378 slash line with 10 homers, 55 RBI and 10 steals in 156 games last year. McNeil is an elite contact guy, but he doesn't move the needle all that much elsewhere for fantasy managers.