New York Mets pitching prospect Dominic Hamel struggled in his second Grapefruit League appearance versus the Detroit Tigers on Thursday. The club's No. 14 ranked prospect, as per MLB Pipeline, yielded four earned runs on the back of four solo home runs as part of his six hits allowed in just three innings of work. He walked one and struck out two. The 25-year-old spent his 2023 season in Double-A where he posted a 3.85 ERA alongside a big-time 30.4% K% across 26 outings (25 starts) a season ago. He has pumped out a ton of strikeouts in his three-year professional career to this point and will likely begin his 2024 campaign with Triple-A Syracuse.

Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Brandon Pfaadt has been roughed up in a small sample so far in Cactus League action. He's made just three outings and pitched a total of only 5 2/3 innings but has allowed seven earned runs on eight hits, including a homer, and one walk in that time while only striking out a pair. He also hasn't pitched in a big-league spring game since March 10 as he is running out of time to build up his innings for the regular season. Projected to line up as the D-backs' fourth starter, the 25-year-old posted a 5.72 ERA alongside a solid 16.2% K-BB% across 19 outings (18 starts) in the big leagues last season and also worked to a 3.71 ERA and a 20.8% K-BB% in 12 Triple-A starts. His control is excellent but he is a big fly-ball pitcher who is susceptible to the long ball, putting a damper on his fantasy value.

Chicago White Sox outfielder Eloy Jimenez (foot) has suffered a bruised right foot after fouling a pitch off of it on Wednesday. The oft-injured 27-year-old is listed as day to day at this point. It's been a productive spring to this point for Jimenez in Cactus League action as he is hitting .356 with one homer, 12 RBI, and an .894 OPS across 47 trips to the plate. He took a step back at the plate in the 2023 season when he hit .272 with 18 home runs, 64 RBI, and a .758 OPS across 120 appearances, good for a 105 wRC+ that represents the second-lowest mark of his five-year career. He is a solid bounce-back candidate who projects for 23 home runs and 73 RBI by ATC across 125 games in the 2024 campaign but he still carries substantial injury risk.

Houston Astros right-hander Justin Verlander (shoulder) faced hitters in camp on Wednesday in a live batting practice session. Verlander looked good while throwing 20 pitches, according to manager Joe Espada. However, Verlander will not pitch in a Grapefruit League game or in the two exhibition contests at Minute Maid Park next week before Opening Day next week, which means he will need a full minor-league rehab assignment. The Astros aren't going to push the 41-year-old veteran as he continues to progress from a right-shoulder issue this spring. The nine-time All-Star appears to be making good progress, but he's going to start the season on the injured list, and it won't be a surprise if he doesn't make his 2024 debut until May.

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Kevin Gausman (shoulder) threw a two-inning simulated game in camp on Wednesday as he tries to recover from right-shoulder fatigue that has sidelined him from Grapefruit League action. He reported feeling good afterward and is scheduled to make his spring debut on Monday. If he continues to progress, there's a chance that Gausman won't need to open the season on the injured list. Gausman has been one of the best pitchers in baseball the last three seasons, averaging a 3.10 ERA and 29.6% strikeout rate. The 33-year-old veteran finished third in the American League Cy Young voting in 2023. If Gausman is in the Opening Day rotation, he'll most likely be on a strict pitch limit, which will make him a pretty big fantasy risk early on.