Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Joel Payamps is off to a rough start this spring, giving up six runs (five earned) and two home runs in just 2 2/3 innings of work, but he remains next in line for save opportunities in the team's bullpen. With All-Star closer Devin Williams (back) heading for a second opinion from a spine specialist on his sore back this week, Payamps is a name to watch late in fantasy drafts while Williams' status is unclear. The 29-year-old Dominican right-hander has been a solid high-leverage arm throughout his career, and he most recently delivered a strong 2.55 ERA (3.48 FIP), 1.04 WHIP, and 77:17 K:BB through 70 2/3 frames for the Brew Crew in 2023. After collecting 27 holds a year ago, Payamps may be needed for ninth-inning duties if Williams ends up needing to miss time to begin the campaign and is worth rostering in deep fantasy leagues until the latter is cleared to return.

New York Yankees outfielder Juan Soto continued his raging-hot start this spring in Sunday's 9-8 Grapefruit League win over the Atlanta Braves, clubbing a three-run home run during the fourth inning. After going 2-for-3 in the victory, Soto is now a ridiculous 9-for-18 with four big flies and 10 RBI during spring training. The 25-year-old four-time Silver Slugger looks to be in midseason form already, and he remains a consensus first-round fantasy draft pick in all formats. While Soto's aptitude for drawing walks (MLB-high 132 in 2023) can sometimes hinder his appeal in leagues that don't account for on-base percentage, he has a chance at a career season in the power department with Yankee Stadium's short porch in right field sure to work to the left-handed slugger's benefit. In a contract year to boot, Soto is set for a prolific campaign in the Bronx with fellow superstar Aaron Judge's bat flanking him in New York's batting order.

An x-ray confirmed that Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Jonny DeLuca (hand) suffered a broken right hand after being hit by a pitch during Sunday's 7-6 Grapefruit League loss to the Boston Red Sox. DeLuca is slated to be re-evaluated in four-to-six weeks, but it's a difficult setback for a player who was pushing to be a part of Tampa Bay's Opening Day roster. Over 13 spring training at-bats, the 25-year-old hit .308 with a .746 OPS, one RBI, and one stolen base. Although Ryan Pepiot was the centerpiece of this past offseason's Tyler Glasnow trade for the Rays, DeLuca slashed a respectable .262./311/.429 with two home runs, six RBI, and one swipe across 42 ABs with the Los Angeles Dodgers last year. Jose Siri's playing time in center field has become solidified with DeLuca now on the shelf, while Tampa is likely to maintain a platoon approach at designated hitter between Jonathan Aranda and Harold Ramirez.

The Arizona Diamondbacks optioned shortstop Jordan Lawlar to Triple-A Reno on Sunday. There was some hope that Lawlar, Arizona's No. 1 prospect and baseball's No. 11 prospect for 2024 per MLB Pipeline, would open the year in the major leagues following a promotion in late 2023. After he hit just .129 (4-for-31) in the bigs last season and .176 (3-for-17) during spring training this year, however, the D-backs have decided Lawlar may need a little more time to develop in the minors. The 21-year-old former No. 6 overall pick is certainly the club's future shortstop, but fantasy managers will have to wait a bit longer to see the speedy infielder in action for 2024. Following a surprise All-Star campaign, the switch-hitting Geraldo Perdomo will man short in the desert for the time being. While Lawlar is not a must-hold player in redraft leagues, he could be called up early in the season and belongs on all watchlists.

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Jack Suwinski went 3-for-3 with a two-run home run in Saturday's 4-2 spring win over the Atlanta Braves. Suwinski took Charlie Morton deep in the first inning to put the Pirates on the scoreboard. It was his fourth home run of the spring. The 25-year-old is slashing .324/.361/.765 with four home runs, nine RBI, five runs scored, and a stolen base over 12 games during spring training. He is expected to be the team's everyday right fielder after the Pirates signed Michael A. Taylor on Friday to handle center field duties. Suwinski slashed .224/.339/.454 with 26 home runs, 74 RBI, 63 runs, and 13 stolen bases over 534 plate appearances in 2023. Suwinski has power/speed potential, making him a high-upside pick if fantasy managers can withstand his low batting average at his current NFBC ADP of 230.