Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Cristopher Sanchez was knocked around in a Grapefruit League start against the Houston Astros on Friday. The 27-year-old lasted just 2 1/3 innings while giving up four earned runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out a pair. It was just his second start of the spring after he tossed two scoreless frames with one hit allowed, zero walks and one strikeout on Feb. 27 versus the Twins. Sanchez pitched well in 19 outings (18 starts) in the 2023 season, working to a 3.44 ERA and a healthy 20.2% K-BB% across 99 1/3 innings of work. Additionally, his minuscule 4% walk rate ranked sixth among 141 pitchers who threw at least 90 frames a season ago. Sanchez will open the season as the Phillies' fifth starter and projects for a 4.04 ERA alongside a 14.3% K-BB% across 32 outings (25 starts) by ATC in 2024.

Chicago White Sox shortstop Paul DeJong slugged his third homer of the spring as part of a 3-2 win over the Chicago Cubs in Cactus League action on Friday. Signed to a one-year deal by the White Sox this offseason, DeJong is up to a .297 average with 13 RBI and a stolen base to go along with his three homers, producing a .928 OPS in the process. While the strong spring numbers are encouraging, DeJong has fallen off a cliff at the plate in recent seasons. Last season, he hit just .207 with 14 home runs and four stolen bases across 112 games between the Cardinals, Blue Jays, and Giants a season ago. He should begin the season as the club's everyday shortstop but prospect Colson Montgomery should take over at some point this season.

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder George Springer slugged a solo home run as part of his team's 9-6 loss to the Detroit Tigers in Grapefruit League action on Friday. The long ball was the veteran's second of the spring in what has been a prosperous start to Springer's 2024 season. He is hitting .318 (7-for-22) with seven runs, three RBI, a stolen base, six walks, and a big-time 1.100 OPS across 28 trips to the plate to this point in the spring. He has just three strikeouts in the process. The 34-year-old endured a down season at the plate by his standards in 2023, hitting .258 with 21 home runs and 20 stolen bases across 154 appearances. While a quality campaign overall, his 104 wRC+ was the lowest of his 10-year MLB career. He projects for a bounce back overall by ATC but his 22 homers and 14 stolen bags projected aren't much different than his 2023 season, although those figures would still serve fantasy managers well.

New York Yankees left-hander Nestor Cortes has been tabbed as the club's Opening Day starter against the Houston Astros on the road on March 28. It was recently reported that Marcus Stroman did not wish to alter his spring schedule to line up for Opening Day, and manager Aaron Boone said Carlos Rodon was not a candidate. With Gerrit Cole (shoulder) on the shelf, it's Cortes who dealt with his fair share of injuries last season, limiting him to just 12 starts. He worked to a 4.97 ERA and a 17.7% K-BB% in that time, just one season after breaking out with a 2.44 ERA across 28 starts in the 2022 campaign. ATC is projecting a bounce-back in 2024 for the 29-year-old, who projects for a 3.97 ERA and a quality 17.8% K-BB% across 26 outings (23 starts) this season.

Detroit Tigers first baseman Keston Hiura has been doing everything he can to stay on the active roster. On Friday, Hiura went 2-for-4 with a grand slam in the victory over the Toronto Blue Jays. This spring, Hiura is hitting .304 with two homers and nine RBI in 23 at-bats. The 27-year-old is coming off a season where he slashed .226/.316./.449 with 14 home runs and 32 RBI with the Milwaukee Brewers. The good news for Hiura is that he's able to play multiple positions. He always had the potential to do big things at the MLB level but has never been able to put it together. Hopefully, Hiura is ready to take the step forward in 2024.