Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop/outfielder Mookie Betts had a huge game on Thursday versus the San Diego Padres. Betts went 4-for-5 with two runs, six RBI and one walk. He also belted his first homer, a two-run rocket off Michael King in the fifth inning. Betts is always one of the strongest performers in the league and now is leading off with Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman behind him. In addition to his outfield and second base eligibility, Betts will soon pick up shortstop eligibility and that will only increase his already high value. Betts continues to put up top tier numbers on a yearly basis and there is no reason to believe that he will cool down this season at age 31. At the top of arguably the best lineup in the game, Betts remains entrenched as a first-round pick with sneaky position eligibility.

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Joe Musgrove struggled in his first start of the season in Thursday's victory against the rival Los Angeles Dodgers. Musgrove only lasted 2 2/3 innings and allowed seven hits, five runs, two walks and two strikeouts. The 31-year-old only threw six innings this spring in the Cactus League and was hit hard over that time. Despite that limited action this spring, Musgrove remains a steady option for managers after coming off a 2023 campaign that saw him throw to the tune of a 3.05 ERA with 97 strikeouts in 97 1/3 innings. With an ADP of 96, Musgrove makes for a solid option at the top of managers rotations in 2024.

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto only lasted one inning in his regular season debut versus the San Diego Padres on Thursday. Yamamoto was hit hard and allowed four hits, five runs and one walk, but did record two strikeouts. The 25-year-old out of Japan came over with huge expectations after signing a 12-year, $325 million contract this offseason. Although it is still plenty early to write the book on the righty, he also struggled mightily in the Spring Training to the tune of an ugly 8.38 ERA, but had 14 strikeouts over 9 2/3 innings. The strikeouts have been about the only thing going for Yamamoto in his young career, but he was one of the highest touted pitchers to come over from overseas to the MLB and the potential is certainly there for him to turn things around. Despite the unfavorable results early on, he might make for a good buy-low option to acquire from managers that have already hit the panic button.

Free-agent right-hander Michael Lorenzen has inked a one-year, $4.5 million deal with the Texas Rangers, pending a physical. The deal includes $2.5 million in incentives which could potentially bring the pact to a total of $7 million. The veteran spent the 2023 season between the Tigers and Phillies, earning his first All-Star appearance in the process. Lorenzen worked to a 3.58 ERA across 18 starts with the Tigers before being flipped to the Phillies where he limped to a 5.51 ERA across 11 appearances, the final four of which were relief outings. He tossed a no-hitter against the Nationals in August but largely scuffled upon the move. The 32-year-old owns a career 4.11 ERA across 342 outings (69 starts) while his upcoming usage with the Rangers is unknown at this time.

Washington Nationals right-hander Kyle Finnegan (back), who hasn't pitched in a Grapefruit League game since March 12 due to a tight back, is healthy. He was originally going to pitch on Wednesday night, but he and the team decided to push him back to Thursday. When healthy, Finnegan should be the favorite for saves for the rebuilding Nats in 2024, although he could lose some save chances to Hunter Harvey. Finnegan, 32, had a career-high 28 saves in 67 appearances last year for Washington while also posting a career-high 3.76 ERA and 1.29 WHIP with 24 walks and 63 strikeouts in 69 1/3 relief innings. He saw the vast majority of save opps for the team but ran out of gas late. Finnegan throws gas but had a below-average strikeout rate (21.7%) and allowed too many home runs, which makes him a fantasy closer to avoid in 2024.