Pittsburgh Pirates closer David Bednar (lat) threw live batting practice on Monday and said that his next step is likely to appear in games. "I'm staying day-by-day as much as I possibly can," Bednar said. "But each day has been feeling good. I'm optimistic." Bednar has yet to appear in a Grapefruit League game this spring due to right-lat soreness, but he's optimistic that he'll be ready by Opening Day next Thursday on March 28. When healthy, he's a top-10 fantasy closer, as he's been one of the best relievers in the game the last two years. He was 3-3 with a career-best 2.00 ERA with a league-high 39 saves and 80 strikeouts in 67 1/3 innings in 2023. The Pirates could be conservative with Bednar early on, perhaps not using him on back-to-back days, instead using lefty veteran Aroldis Chapman in those spots.

St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said that right-hander Sonny Gray (hamstring) will pitch two innings against minor-league hitters on Friday on a back field at the team's spring training complex. If Gray passes that test, he could be slotted in for his first regular-season start on the team's West coast road trip from March 28-April 3. The 34-year-old won't be able to start on Opening Day on March 28 due to the hamstring he strained in camp, but it sounds like he may not need to open the year on the injured list. Gray was the runner-up behind Gerrit Cole in the American League Cy Young voting in 2023, and while he doesn't throw that hard, he has great control and knows how to limit hard contact. In his first year with the Cardinals, Gray should be a high-floor No. 3 fantasy starter.

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani is not currently facing discipline, nor is he believed to be under active investigation by the league, according to an MLB official. Ohtani's long-time interpreter Ippei Mizuhara was fired by the Dodgers on Wednesday following accusations of "massive theft." Ohtani went 1-for-5 with a sacrifice fly in the 15-11 loss to the San Diego Padres on Thursday and didn't answer questions postgame and was escorted out of the clubhouse by a team public relations official. There was no consideration of having Ohtani sit out Thursday's game, according to manager Dave Roberts. Mizuhara is being accused of using Ohtani's money to place bets with an illegal bookmaker who is under federal investigation. As of right now, the 29-year-old Ohtani isn't facing any discipline, but this is a developing situation.

San Diego Padres right-hander Robert Suarez picked up his first save of the 2024 season in Korea on Thursday in the team's 15-11 win over the division-rival Los Angeles Dodgers. Suarez picked up the save by recording four outs. The 33-year-old gave up one hit and struck out two batters to earn his first save of the year. The hit he allowed in the bottom of the eighth inning allowed the Dodgers to score a run, but he threw a perfect 1-2-3 ninth inning to lock it down. The Padres never officially named Suarez as their closer in spring training, but he was also the most likely candidate for save chances for the Friars despite the offseason addition of left-hander Yuki Matsui. The fact that Suarez got the team's first save opportunity of 2024 is evidence that he's the Padres' closer for now.

Tampa Bay Rays designated hitter Jonathan Aranda (finger) has a broken right ring finger and will open the season on the injured list. Aranda injured his finger on Tuesday in camp while fielding a ground ball. The 25-year-old will have surgery to have a pin placed in his broken right ring finger and will likely miss four to six weeks. Aranda was projected to open the 2024 campaign as the team's regular designated hitter again right-handed pitching, but the Rays will now have to pivot. With Aranda injured, Curtis Mead, Harold Ramirez and Amed Rosario should all see more chances for DH at-bats with the Rays early in the year. Aranda did nothing but hit in the minor leagues, but he's so far struggled in the big leagues in parts of the last two seasons, as he's slashed only .212/.311/.345 with four home runs and 19 RBI in 66 games.