Los Angeles Angels right-hander Andrew Wantz has moved into a starting role, at least for now, according to skipper Ron Washington. Washington said the reason for it is the team's need for depth in the starting rotation. Wantz hasn't been a starter since the 2019 season in the minor leagues, but he'll remain stretched out for now as the team gets ready for the start of the 2024 campaign. The 28-year-old former seventh-round pick by the Angels in 2018 out of North Carolina has made 90 big-league appearances (only four starts) in the last three years in Anaheim and has gone 5-1 with a 3.85 ERA and 1.15 WHIP with 47 walks and 123 strikeouts in 117 frames. The best bet is that he'll be a swingman for the Angels this year and will start the year as a long reliever.

Los Angeles Angels right-hander Robert Stephenson (shoulder) said he's confident he'll be pitching in spring training games, but he's not sure it will be enough games for him to be active on Opening Day in late March. Stephenson is working his way back from right-shoulder soreness in camp and was able to play catch on Wednesday, but there just might not be enough time for him to be fully ready for the start of the 2024 season. Although Stephenson signed a three-year, $33 million contract with the Angels in free agency this offseason, he's expected to be the primary bridge to closer Carlos Estevez in his first year in Anaheim. Even so, the 31-year-old veteran should be a solid source of holds for fantasy managers near the back end of the Angels' bullpen.

Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder/designated hitter Joc Pederson (personal) is back in the team's Cactus League lineup on Thursday, starting in left field and hitting fifth against the San Francisco Giants. Pederson was scratched from the spring training lineup on Tuesday because he had to attend to a personal matter, but he's back out on the field on Thursday. The 31-year-old left-handed slugger is coming off a down year in 2023 for the San Francisco Giants in which he hit .235/.348/.416 with 15 home runs, 51 RBI and 59 runs scored in 358 at-bats a year after his second All-Star selection in 2022. Pederson is mostly expected to serve as Arizona's designated hitter against right-handed pitching in his first year in the desert. He's now in a more favorable hitting environment, but a likely platoon role gives Pederson a low fantasy ceiling and floor.

With San Francisco Giants right-hander Tristan Beck (arm) now facing a potentially lengthy absence due to an aneurysm in his arm, manager Bob Melvin mentioned 26-year-old Sean Hjelle as a candidate to enter the starting rotation for the beginning of the 2024 season with Alex Cobb (hip) and Robbie Ray (elbow) to open the year on the injured list. Maybe the Giants will now get serious about signing lefties Blake Snell or Jordan Montgomery. The Giants would prefer to keep Hjelle in a long-relief role, but they may have no choice if Keaton Winn (elbow) also is unable to be ready by Opening Day. While Hjelle should already be a bit stretched out, all 23 of his major-league appearances have come out of the bullpen, and he had a poor 6.52 ERA in 15 outings in San Fran.

San Francisco Giants right-hander Keaton Winn (elbow) will throw a bullpen session this weekend, while right-hander Alex Cobb (hip) will throw a bullpen on Thursday. People around camp have been impressed with how far along Cobb seems to be, but he'll still miss a big chunk of time at the start of the year. Meanwhile, Tristan Beck (arm), who was the favorite for the No. 5 rotation spot to begin the year, was diagnosed with an aneurysm in his arm and could need surgery. Winn cut his last bullpen short over a week ago due to right-elbow soreness. It's unclear when the 26-year-old will be cleared to pitch in spring training games, but the Giants are holding out hope he'll be ready to be in the team's Opening Day rotation. With Beck hurt, Sean Hjelle is the favorite now for the final rotation spot in San Francisco.