Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder/designated hitter Andrew McCutchen (Achilles) said that he is making his Grapefruit League debut on Tuesday. "Got a uniform in here. Might as well wear it," McCutchen said. The 37-year-old said his modified, back-field program this spring has kept his health/body in a great spot entering the 2024 season. McCutchen suffered a partial tear of his left Achilles in 2023, which is why he's being slow-played in camp by the Pirates. The former National League MVP in 2013 is clearly past his prime, but he was decent before his injury in his return to Pittsburgh last year, slashing .256/.378/.397 with 12 home runs, 43 RBI and 11 stolen bases in 112 games. McCutchen's lack of outfield eligibility in fantasy is bad news for his overall fantasy appeal, though.

Houston Astros right-hander J.P. France (shoulder) will face hitters in live batting practice in camp on Wednesday and is on target to begin the 2024 regular season in the starting rotation. France has been working his way back from right-shoulder inflammation in spring training and should have enough time to get stretched out for the start of the regular season. It's good news for the Astros rotation, as they won't have three-time Cy Young winner Justin Verlander (shoulder) ready to go for Opening Day. In his first taste of the majors in 2023, France was solid, going 11-6 with a 3.83 ERA and 1.36 WHIP with 47 walks and 101 strikeouts in 24 outings (23 starts) during the regular season. However, he was hit hard towards the end of the year and doesn't miss quite as many bats as fantasy managers would hope.

Houston Astros right-hander Justin Verlander (shoulder) will start the 2024 regular season on the injured list, manager Joe Espada confirmed on Tuesday. Verlander's right shoulder didn't respond the way he'd hoped this offseason, which caused him to come to spring training behind all the other starting pitchers. The 41-year-old three-time Cy Young winner has been throwing bullpen sessions in camp but has yet to be cleared to face live hitters. It doesn't appear to be a serious issue, but the Astros aren't going to rush an aging pitcher who has had injury issues in recent seasons. There's no guarantee that Verlander will be ready to go when he's eligible to come off the injured list on April 11. The future Hall of Famer is no longer a fantasy ace and comes with plenty of injury risk as a No. 3 or 4 starter for fantasy managers.

San Francisco Giants second baseman Thairo Estrada went 1-for-3 with a double in Saturday's 3-2 Cactus League loss to the San Diego Padres. It was Estrada's first extra-base hit of the spring, and he's now 4-for-15 (.267) with a run scored, no walks, and four strikeouts through five spring games. Estrada is projected to hit out of the second spot in the Giants lineup and has decent contact skills to go along with his ability to steal bases, but his current NFBC ADP of 135 is a bit rich. RotoBaller ranks him at 150 overall.

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Sonny Gray left Monday's spring training start in the second inning with what is now being called a mild hamstring strain. According to Cardinals President of Baseball Operations, John Mozeliak, Gray's status for Opening Day is now in question and it is possible he could begin the season on the IL. Hopefully the 3x All-Star won't have to miss too much time, but this is obviously not good news for fantasy managers who were hoping for a repeat of last year's second-place Cy Young performance.