Manager David Bell announced on Sunday that Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Frankie Montas will be the team's Opening Day starter. This is a bit of a surprise with young 2017 first-round draft pick Hunter Greene in the mix, but Greene hasn't made a statement this spring that he's ready to be the guy, continuing to walk too many batters (seven walks in three spring starts). Montas' numbers aren't exactly dazzling this spring either, but he's shown to be a leader and mentor for the young staff, and now he's been awarded with the honor of starting on Opening Day. The 30-year-old missed basically all of last season, but in 2022 the righty posted a 4.05 ERA, 3.77 SIERA, 1.25 WHIP, and a K-BB% of 16.3%. While he may be the Reds' "ace" right now, for typical 12-team roto leagues he's not a draftable asset at this point, ranked 391 overall at RotoBaller.

Baltimore Orioles top outfield prospect Colton Cowser continued his torrid spring, belting his fourth home run in a 6-6 Grapefruit League tie with the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday. He's now in a five-way tie for the spring home run lead and is 9-for-20 (.450) overall in Grapefruit League play. The powerful lefty has shown a good eye at the plate too, collecting four walks while also getting plunked by two pitches, putting his OBP at .577. It was reported last week that he's the front runner to earn the fourth outfield spot for the O's and he's done nothing since then to make us think otherwise. He's worth a look in AL-only leagues and certainly stashable in dynasty formats.

Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton reported on Sunday that everything went well after closer David Bednar (lat) played catch for a second straight day. Bednar continues to deal with lat tightness after Pittsburgh shut the right-hander down from throwing last Monday, but the Pirates just seem to be taking a cautious route with their All-Star stopper this spring after he led the National League with 39 saves a year ago and attained a 2.00 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 80:21 K:BB during 67 1/3 innings. While Bednar doesn't appear to be facing any kind of lengthy absence to start the year, setup man Aroldis Chapman should probably stay rostered in fantasy leagues in the meantime just to be safe. Bednar may not be getting selected as a top-tier closing option but is a fairly safe bet at his 91.2 Yahoo ADP, while Chapman is worth a speculative flier in all settings until Bednar is fully healthy.

Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Matt Brash (elbow) played catch out to 90 feet on Sunday. After throwing and playing catch last Tuesday, Brash continues to progress as he works his way back from inflammation in his right elbow. Following Paul Sewald's exit at 2023's trade deadline, the 25-year-old flamethrowing right-hander is in the mix for saves as a late-inning option out of the Mariners bullpen behind presumed closer Andres Munoz but is working against the clock to be ready March 28's Opening Day matchup versus the Boston Red Sox. Considering Brash hasn't appeared in spring training, fantasy managers should expect him to start the year on the injured list. After the club's No. 6 prospect from 2022, per MLB Pipeline, showed plenty of promise with a 3.06 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, and 107:29 K:BB in an MLB-high 78 appearances last season, Brash is still worth stashing in deeper mixed leagues while recovering.

Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Trevor Megill is off to a nice start this spring, tossing four innings of one-run ball with four strikeouts, and the big right-hander's fantasy stock is also on the rise due to the uncertainty surrounding the health of star closer Devin Williams (back). Williams is going for a second opinion regarding his sore back later this week, with Megill being one of Milwaukee's setup men alongside Joel Payamps for 2024. Even though Payamps has surrendered five earned runs this spring, he is likely to get the first crack at any save chances that would be freed up by any potential Williams absence to start the campaign. Fantasy managers shouldn't forget about Megill, though, after the fire-balling 30-year-old righty presented a 3.63 ERA (2.13 FIP), 1.35 WHIP, and 52:12 K:BB covering 34 2/3 frames for the Brew Crew last season. Keep him on watchlists for the time being.