Free-agent catcher Mike Zunino has retired from professional baseball. Known for both his prodigious power and big-time strikeout rates, the 32-year-old spent the 2023 season with the Cleveland Guardians but struggled to a .177 average with just three homers in 42 games before being designated for assignment to pave the way for the catcher of the future Bo Naylor. Also known for his excellent work behind the plate, Zunino hangs 'em up after appearing in 892 regular-season games with a lifetime .199 average and 149 home runs in that time. He launched a career-high 33 home runs in the 2021 season with the Tampa Bay Rays while he spent six seasons with the Seattle Mariners to begin his career.

Los Angeles Angels infielder Brandon Drury went 0-for-2 with a strikeout in Wednesday's Cactus League contest versus the Oakland A's as his early-spring struggles continue. The veteran is now just 2-for-21 (.095) without an extra-base hit and eight strikeouts across 25 trips to the plate. The 31-year-old has turned things around at the plate over the last few seasons, beginning in 2021 with the Mets. Most recently, he has hit 54 home runs and driven in 170 runs over the last two seasons split between the Angels, Padres, and Reds. ATC is projecting 23 more homers and 74 RBI alongside a .756 OPS in 127 games for Drury in the 2024 season, production fantasy managers would gladly take at the keystone.

Minnesota Twins second baseman Edouard Julien launched his second home run of the spring during Wednesday's 7-1 triumph over the Boston Red Sox. The 24-year-old launched a three-run homer off of Red Sox righty Cooper Criswell in the bottom of the third inning that ended the latter's afternoon. The long ball continued a hot start for the infielder as he's up to a .421 average (8-for-19) with the two homers along with a double and a walk across 20 plate appearances, good for a big-time 1.239 OPS. Julien also enjoyed a big spring for the Twins last season and he'll once again hope to parlay this one into success after he broke out with a .263 average alongside 16 home runs, three stolen bases, and an .840 OPS in his rookie season. He is an excellent middle-infield option in the 2024 campaign.

Pittsburgh Pirates pitching prospect Jared Jones is in a competition for a rotation spot, according to skipper Derek Shelton. The 22-year-old was the club's second-round pick in the 2020 draft and turned a corner in the 2023 season. The right-hander worked to a tidy 2.23 ERA across 10 starts at Double-A before posting a 4.72 ERA across 16 outings (15 starts) at the Triple-A level. However, he also posted a 3.98 FIP at the minors' highest level alongside a strong 18.6% K-BB%. Jones has shown a strong ability to miss bats in the minors while putting forth improved control. His value in redraft leagues is low in 2024 but his strikeout stuff combined with a quick ascent through the minors makes him a strong dynasty league target moving forward.

Washington Nationals catcher Keibert Ruiz had a solid day at the plate as part of his team's 9-3 Grapefruit League win over the Miami Marlins. He scored a run in the fourth inning before collecting an RBI double and scoring again in the fifth. The 25-year-old backstop is now 4-for-13 (.308) on the spring, although Wednesday's double is his lone extra-base knock across 15 trips to the plate. Ruiz hit .260 with a healthy 18 home runs and 67 RBI across 136 games with the Nats in 2023 but his overall production was hurt due to a subpar 5.5% BB%, even if accompanied by an elite 10.3% K%. ATC is projecting 15 long balls for Ruiz in his age-25 season, although he will need to earn more free passes to help fantasy managers in OPS leagues.