With Cincinnati Reds outfielder TJ Friedl (wrist) set to open the 2024 season on the injured list with a fractured right wrist, Will Benson and Stuart Fairchild could see additional playing time to start the season, per MLB.com's Mark Sheldon. Manager David Bell said, "It's all going to work out. I'm focused on the guys we have here." The 25-year-old Benson had a successful 2023 season in limited playing time but is batting just .200 in 25 spring at-bats. Fairchild has yet to stick in a big-league role but is hitting .360 with three home runs in 25 spring at-bats. From a fantasy perspective, Benson's potential to provide power and speed seems to give him the edge over Fairchild in deeper leagues. However, fantasy managers should watch for further news as the regular season approaches.

The Arizona Diamondbacks announced Monday that starting pitcher Zac Gallen will be the team's Opening Day starter. This will be the second consecutive season that the 28-year-old has earned the honor. Gallen will get a favorable matchup against the Rockies at home. He put forth another strong season in 2023, going 17-9 with a 3.47 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and 26.0% strikeout rate in 34 starts and 210 innings pitched. He finished third in the voting for the National League Cy Young Award and will be looking to build off that, making him a high-end fantasy option in all formats.

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Jake Fraley was removed from Monday night's Cactus League game early against the San Francisco Giants after fouling a ball off what appeared to be a part of his body that is very sensitive. Fraley was probably pretty uncomfortable, but he was able to leave the field under his own power and should be fine for Opening Day on March 28. The 28-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder will continue in the strong side of a platoon against right-handed pitchers in 2024 in his third year in Cincinnati and deserves attention for outfield depth in deep-mixed fantasy leagues after he hit .256/.339/.443 with career-highs in homers (15), RBI (65) and stolen bases (21) in 111 games last year. RotoBaller has Fraley ranked as the No. 50 fantasy outfielder.

Los Angeles Angels manager Ron Washington said first baseman Nolan Schanuel (back) felt something while stretching for a ball, but trainers told him it was "nothing serious." Schanuel was scratched from Monday's Cactus League game against the Milwaukee Brewers as a precaution. The 22-year-old left-handed hitter will probably be sidelined a day or two, but he should return to spring action this weekend and be ready for Opening Day on March 28. Schanuel was fast-tracked to the majors last year after the Halos took him 11th overall out of Florida Atlanta. While he doesn't project for much long-term power at the first base position, Schanuel has enough plate discipline and contact skills to be relevant in AL-only leagues as the Angels' primary first baseman. He hit .275 (30-for-109) with a homer and six RBI in his first 29 major-league games last year.

In a move that many expected when the Milwaukee Brewers signed outfield prospect Jackson Chourio to an eight-year, $82 million contract extension, he will officially be part of the team's Opening Day roster, according to sources. Chourio, 20, will be the youngest player in team history since Robin Yount to make his MLB debut on Opening Day. He's the second-ranked prospect in all of baseball wasn't a sure thing to start the year in the majors given the team's crowded outfield picture, and despite some defensive troubles this spring, he's impressed the Brewers with his ability to hold his own at the plate against big-league pitching this spring. Chourio has hit .286 with a .347 on-base percentage and .490 slugging percentage through 272 minor-league games since 2021, clubbing 47 homers and stealing 68 bases. He'll likely start in center field and should be considered a No. 3 fantasy outfielder despite never appearing in a major-league game.