Boston Red Sox left-hander Chris Murphy (elbow) is going for a second opinion to confirm his initial diagnosis of a high-grade UCL tear in his left elbow, and season-ending surgery is expected. We don't know yet if Murphy will actually have Tommy John surgery, but either way, his 2024 season is likely over before it even started. The 25-year-old southpaw reliever made his major-league debut for the Red Sox in 2023 and went 1-2 with a 4.91 ERA (3.70 FIP), his first career save, a 1.41 WHIP, 17 walks and 49 strikeouts in 47 2/3 relief innings over 20 appearances out of the bullpen. Murphy was much more effective as a multi-inning reliever in Boston than he was as a starter for Triple-A Worcester in 2023, as he had an ERA over 8.00 with 25 walks in 36 2/3 innings.

With both Toronto Blue Jays relief pitchers Jordan Romano (elbow) and Erik Swanson (forearm) dealing with injuries with Opening Day right around the corner next week, Chad Green and Yimi Garcia are two clear candidates to fill in for the closer role if Romano and Swanson aren't ready or are eased back in. Nate Pearson could also be a candidate to make the Opening Day roster if one or both of Romano and/or Swanson are on the injured list. Green has just 11 career saves, but he has enough high-leverage experience to know the ropes. Garcia saved 15 games for the Marlins in 2021 and stepped into the role a few times in Toronto last year when Romano was available, making him the best one to speculate on in deep fantasy leagues.

Atlanta Braves left-hander Tyler Matzek (elbow) is back this year after missing all of last season and the last two postseasons while recovering from Tommy John surgery in October of 2022. Matzek threw two perfect innings with four strikeouts in a Grapefruit League game on Sunday to erase any questions about whether he'd need a short minor-league rehab stint to shake off the rust to open the season. The 33-year-old veteran reliever looks ready for the 2024 season, and his velocity has ticked up to 95 mph in his fifth spring appearance on Sunday. He has nine strikeouts, two hits allowed and two walks in 5 2/3 scoreless innings over five outings and will return to Atlanta's bullpen as an important late-inning lefty arm. Matzek isn't going to be a save option, but don't forget that he had 24 holds in 2021.

Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell said that that second baseman Matt McLain (shoulder) won't be ready for Opening Day on March 28. "I think it's safe to say he's not going to be ready to start the season," Bell said. After being scratched from a Cactus League game on Monday due to left-shoulder soreness, McLain is going for a second opinion, and the team hasn't ruled out the possibility that he might need surgery. The 24-year-old second-year player went from being fine to potentially missing extended time to begin the 2024 because of his shoulder injury. The former 17th overall pick in 2021 out of UCLA was set to open his sophomore year as Cincy's primary second baseman after slashing .290/.357/.507 with an .864 OPS, 16 homer, 50 RBI and 14 steals in 365 at-bats in his rookie season, but now Jonathan India will open the year as the Reds' second baseman.

Detroit Tigers right-handed rookie Sawyer Gipson-Long (groin), who has been dealing with a left-groin strain since the start of spring training, was scheduled to throw a live batting practice session in camp on Wednesday in Lakeland, Florida. Gipson-Long's groin injury has prevented him from competing for a starting spot to begin the 2024 regular season, but as long as he doesn't have any further setbacks, he should be ready to go shortly after the minor-league season kicks off. Per MLB Pipeline, the 26-year-old is the team's No. 11 prospect. He had 26 strikeouts in 20 innings over his first four MLB starts in 2023 despite having an ERA over 5.00 at Triple-A Toledo before his call-up. Gipson-Long could use some more minor-league seasoning before becoming an option for Detroit's rotation once again at some point down the road in 2024.