New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that outfielder Aaron Judge (abdomen, oblique) is likely to play in four of the team's final six Grapefruit League games. Judge was also expected to resume taking batting practice last Friday and return to spring training action on Sunday or Monday, but that didn't happen. Although fans and fantasy managers may be getting worried about Judge's Opening Day availability, especially after he missed over 50 games due to hip and toe injuries in 2023, both the Yankees and Judge continue to downplay his injuries this spring. Unless the 31-year-old former MVP doesn't return to Grapefruit League action at all this week, fantasy managers shouldn't be too worried about Judge's status for the start of the 2024 regular season. When healthy, he is an elite fantasy baseball commodity.

Chicago White Sox left-hander Garrett Crochet has been named the team's Opening Day starter on March 28 against the Detroit Tigers in Chicago. For lack of other options after trading Dylan Cease to the San Diego Padres last week, Crochet is being moved from the bullpen to the starting rotation and will now kick off the 2024 regular season for the Pale Hose. The 24-year-old southpaw was the 11th overall pick in 2020 out of Tennessee and has made 72 big-league appearances in his three seasons with the White Sox, but his start on March 28 against Detroit will be his first. Crochet is also under two years removed from Tommy John surgery, so he's not really much of a fantasy option in mixed leagues. However, it's worth noting that he has struck out 12 and walked none in nine scoreless Cactus League innings this spring.

Los Angeles Angels first baseman Nolan Schanuel (back) was scratched from Monday's Cactus League game against the Milwaukee Brewers because of back tightness. Schanuel is being considered day-to-day, so it doesn't appear to be a very serious injury, but the young 22-year-old could be held out of action for a few more days this week. Last year's 11th overall pick made a quick rise to the big leagues and impressed in 29 games with the Halos, going 30-for-109 (.275) with a homer and six RBI in 132 trips to the plate. The left-handed-hitting first baseman will get every chance to see regular at-bats at first base for the Halos in his first full MLB season in 2024, and he has the plate discipline and contact skills to be a useful asset in AL-only leagues. However, his usefulness in mixed fantasy leagues is questionable with a limited power profile.

Minnesota Twins right-hander Anthony DeSclafani (elbow/forearm) will begin the season on the injured list. He will visit Dr. Keith Meister to evaluate the next steps on his ailing right elbow. The right-hander was shut down by the team early in the spring but has recently thrown bullpen sessions. He has yet to appear in a Cactus League game to this point, however. The veteran was acquired in a trade with the Seattle Mariners this offseason after tossing a 4.88 ERA across 19 outings (18 starts) with the Giants in the 2023 season. He was involved in a deal for Mariners left-hander Robbie Ray before being dealt to Minnesota in a trade that saw Jorge Polanco head to the Mariners.

New York Yankees infielder DJ LeMahieu (foot) is "still pretty sore" but is moving around better on Monday, according to manager Aaron Boone. The veteran left Saturday's Grapefruit League game early after fouling a ball off his foot and underwent imaging on the issue afterward. "I definitely think it's going to cost him some days here," Boone added. Likely to serve as the club's leadoff hitter and everyday third baseman, LeMahieu took a step back at the plate last season, hitting .243 with 15 home runs and a .717 OPS across 136 games and 562 trips to the plate. LeMahieu's best fantasy production is behind him but he could be a decent source of runs if he can remain atop the Yankees lineup this season.