Cleveland Guardians right-hander Gavin Williams (elbow) will start the year on the injured list. He will need another three or four days without throwing before he ramps back up and won't have enough time to build up completely before Opening Day on March 28. Williams had an MRI exam and everything looked good structurally, though, so he should be able to make his 2024 debut at some point later in April. The 24-year-old injured his right elbow while throwing weighted balls during a spring workout, but the injury isn't overly serious. Williams looked good in his first MLB season in 2023, going 3-5 with a 3.29 ERA and 1.26 WHIP with 37 walks and 81 strikeouts in 82 innings over 16 starts. While Williams was a little fortunate in the ERA department last year, he's still worth a back-end rotation spot in mixed fantasy leagues as he enters his sophomore season.

Chicago White Sox right-hander Michael Kopech is being moved to the bullpen, according to general manager Chris Getz. It doesn't come as a huge surprise after Kopech finished last year pitching in relief for the Pale Hose. However, it's a bit more surprising after Chicago just traded ace Dylan Cease to the San Diego Padres on Wednesday evening. The 27-year-old Kopech, a former first-round pick by the Boston Red Sox in 2014, had a career-worst 5.43 ERA (6.46 FIP) and 1.59 WHIP with a league-high 91 walks and a career-high 134 strikeouts in 129 1/3 innings over 30 outings (27 starts) in 2023. Given the lack of closing options in Chicago's current bullpen, Kopech might be the favorite for saves now, which would make him much more valuable in fantasy than if he remained in a starting role.

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Alek Manoah (shoulder), who has been dealing with shoulder fatigue in spring training, has been receiving daily treatment while continuing to throw off flat ground to maintain his release point. Behind the scenes, he's doing strengthening and stability exercises, recovery work and cupping to speed up his recovery. If his progress continues, he expects to throw a bullpen session by early next week. Because of his delay in camp, it's clear he won't be fully ramped up by Opening Day on March 28. Manoah had a dreadful 2023 season, posting a 5.87 ERA in 87 1/3 innings. Those hoping he could bounce back this year might already be abandoning those hopes. With both Manoah and Kevin Gausman dealing with shoulder issues, both Bowden Francis and Mitch White are the leading candidates to open the year in Toronto's starting rotation.

Chicago Cubs first baseman/outfielder Dominic Smith (wrist) had surgery on Jan. 20 to remove the hamate bone from his right wrist and is still working his way back from the injury this spring as he competes for one of the team's final bench spots. He was taking live batting practice on Jan. 5 when he felt something in his right wrist. Smith isn't 100 percent yet, but he's feeling good enough to play and has looked good in 14 Cactus League at-bats. The 28-year-old left-handed hitter said he's been dealing with some form of wrist or hand pain since he debuted in the big leagues almost seven years ago. Once a consensus top-100 prospect with the Mets, Smith has struggled with his power, but perhaps finally fixing his hand/wrist issue will help him be more consistent and productive as a bench bat for the Cubbies in 2024.

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell has liked what he's seen from infielder Michael Busch as he tries to get more comfortable with the move to first base with his new team after primarily playing second and third base the previous three years. "I've seen the same thing with Michael at first base as in the box," Counsell said. "He's just steady and consistent. That's what it's felt like. Probably the thing you notice is there is athleticism." The 26-year-old left-handed slugger and former first-round pick in 2019 put up impressive numbers in the minors in the Dodgers organization, but he looked overmatched in 27 games in his MLB debut last year. The good news is that Busch is expected to see most of the playing time at first base in Chicago, which will at least make him worthy of fantasy consideration in NL-only leagues in 2024.