Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell said that rookie infielder Noelvi Marte (hamstring) will make his Cactus League debut on Saturday. Marte suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain while playing in the Dominican winter league and had more issues with his leg in the leadup to spring training, so the Reds have been slow-playing the impressive young infielder in camp. The 22-year-old has made enough progress to play in Cactus League games, though, and he should be just fine for Opening Day at the end of March. He'll have to share playing time at the hot corner with Jeimer Candelario, but Marte has lots of upside for fantasy managers in all leagues thanks to an exciting mix of power and speed. It also helps that he's in a rising lineup in a great hitter's park. Marte hit .316 (36-for-114) with three homers, 15 RBI and six steals in his first 35 big-league games in 2023.

Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (knee) is getting his sore right knee looked at by a doctor "just to make sure," manager Brian Snitker said. It's not an MRI exam, and Snitker also said, "I don't think it'll be anything." It may be nothing, but it doesn't hurt for the Braves and Acuna to get peace of mind this spring, especially considering that the 26-year-old superstar tore the ACL in the same knee back in 2021. The Braves scratched Acuna as a precaution from Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Baltimore Orioles, but he could be back in spring training games sooner than later if the exam doesn't turn up anything significant. Acuna broke records in 2023 and is elite across the board in all categories for fantasy managers as the top overall fantasy asset when he's healthy.

Detroit Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson played in more games (159) than any player on the team in 2023 and hit .233/.313/.446 with 31 home runs, 34 doubles, one triple, 94 RBI and 88 runs scored in his second major-league season. In early May, he was hitting .198 with only two home runs. He was worth only 1.4 fWAR at first base and his on-base percentage was only .313. Torkelson's minus-11 defensive runs saved was the worst total from any MLB first baseman since Miguel Cabrera and Chris Davis in 2017. The former first overall pick in 2020 has stuff he can work on, mainly his defense and getting on base more, but 2023 was a vast improvement over his rookie campaign. Torkelson could take another step forward in 2024 and already has elite raw power from the right side. RotoBaller has him ranked as the No. 11 fantasy first baseman.

Despite the offseason addition of left-handed reliever Aroldis Chapman and his seven All-Star selections, Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander David Bednar remains the team's primary closer heading into the 2024 season. Bednar, who has been an All-Star each of the last two years himself, received a call from manager Derek Shelton after Chapman's signing, reassuring him of his role. The 29-year-old has saved 58 games while posting a strong 2.27 ERA in 111 appearances for Pittsburgh the last two years. His 39 saves in 2023 were more than double the previous year and were tied for second in the majors. Bednar's role remains pretty secure despite the presence of Chapman, and he's still a top-10 fantasy closer, even though the Pirates are one of the weaker teams in baseball.

Atlanta Braves closer Raisel Iglesias made his Grapefruit League debut on Friday in a game against the Baltimore Orioles. He entered in the fourth frame and had a scoreless inning of work, with his only blemish being a two-out double to infield prospect Jackson Holliday. In his first full season with the Braves in 2023, Iglesias had a career-high 33 saves in 55 2/3 regular-season innings while also registering a 2.75 ERA (3.26 FIP) and 1.19 WHIP with 15 walks and 68 strikeouts. That all came after the 34-year-old missed the first month of the season with a right-shoulder strain. He leaned more on his changeup than ever because opposing hitters started to sit on his fastball. All things considered, Iglesias has a strong floor as a top-five fantasy closer for one of the best teams in baseball.