Chicago Cubs outfielder Cody Bellinger is scheduled to make his Cactus League debut on Wednesday and serve as the designated hitter. He will likely make his first spring start in the outfield on either Friday or Saturday. Bellinger didn't re-sign with the Cubs until recently, so he's behind in spring training and will start ramping up in games this week. It sill gives the 28-year-old former National League MVP several weeks to get ready for Opening Day, but don't be surprised if he gets out of the gates slow this year as a result. While he can also fill in at first base, most of his playing time will come as Chicago's starting center fielder. RotoBaller has Bellinger ranked as the No. 15 fantasy outfielder after a big bounce-back season in 2023 in which he hit .356 with 26 homers, 97 RBI and 20 steals in 130 games for the Cubbies. He cut his strikeout rate down, which was nice, but a career-high .319 BABIP could be a sign of regression in the average department in 2024.

Oakland A's right-hander Luis Medina departed Monday's Cactus League game against the Cincinnati Reds due to a right knee sprain. The 24-year-old was appearing in his second spring contest and has done well with six punchouts while allowing just one earned run across 3 1/3 innings of work. As a rookie, Medina tossed 109 2/3 innings with the A's in the 2023 season, working to a 5.42 ERA across 23 outings, 17 of which were starts. He also struggled to a 6.48 ERA across 6 appearances (five starts) at the Triple-A level in his 16 2/3 innings of work at that level. All things told, Medina should line up as the A's fifth starter in the 2024 season but his fantasy value is at a minimum at this point.

Atlanta Braves right-hander AJ Smith-Shawver is enjoying himself this spring after a fine outing on Monday versus the Minnesota Twins. The youngster tossed 2 2/3 innings of scoreless ball to go along with five strikeouts against just one walk. He allowed just one hit in the outing as part of the Braves' 4-3 loss to the Twins. The 21-year-old made six appearances and five starts with the Braves in the 2023 season, working to a 4.26 ERA in that time. While he struck out just 19% of the hitters he faced in the majors, he also punched out a hefty 27.5% of the hitters he faced in 10 starts at the Triple-A level where he posted a 4.17 ERA. Smith-Shawver is in a battle for a rotation spot with the Braves this spring but his immediate-term fantasy value isn't terribly attractive in redraft leagues.

Veteran third baseman Josh Donaldson has decided to retire from professional baseball. The 38-year-old played 13 seasons in the big leagues and enjoyed a wildly successful career. Donaldson was a two-time Silver Slugger winner, appeared in three All-Star games, and took home the 2015 AL MVP Award. He put forth a .261 average with 279 home runs and a .847 OPS across 1,384 games played. Interestingly, his runs and RBI figures were identical at 816 apiece. Most recently, Donaldson appeared in 51 games between the Yankees and Brewers in the 2023 season but limped to a .152 average, although he did slug 13 home runs in just 189 trips to the plate. He spent his 13 years in the majors with the Athletics, Blue Jays, then-Indians, Braves, Twins, Yankees, and Brewers.

Minnesota Twins right-hander Anthony DeSclafani (elbow) threw a bullpen session at camp on Monday as he continues to ramp up after the Twins shut him down at the starting of spring training due to right-elbow soreness. Minnesota is justified in wanting to slow the 33-year-old down in camp after DeSclafani missed time in 2023 due to a flexor strain in his right arm. However, the Twins are still hopeful that he can fill up a spot at the back of the starting rotation to begin the 2024 regular season. Fantasy managers shouldn't really be interested in DeSclafani after he went 4-8 with a 4.88 ERA (4.35 FIP) and 1.25 WHIP with 20 walks and only 79 strikeouts in 99 2/3 innings over 19 outings (18 starts) for the Giants last year. He already didn't miss many bats to begin with, and now he's an injury concern.