San Francisco Giants left-hander Blake Snell said he won't be ready for Opening Day next Thursday on March 28 against his former team, the San Diego Padres. Snell is in the 60-pitch range in camp, but those pitches are without the adrenaline and facing big-league hitters. The Giants will get a schedule after Snell throws a bullpen session on Thursday. Last year's National League Cy Young winner -- the second time he's won the award in his career -- signed with the Gigantes just this week and is going to be delayed to start the regular season. For a pitcher that is notorious for starting slow, his late signing is a red flag for his 2024 fantasy value as a No. 2 starter. The 31-year-old southpaw led the league with a 2.25 ERA and 182 ERA+, but he also led the league in walks (99). Regression is likely coming despite being in an excellent pitcher's park in San Fran.

Houston Astros reliever Josh Hader is having a nice spring to this point in Grapefruit League action. The left-hander has worked to a 3.18 ERA across 5 2/3 innings of work in five appearances, striking out five versus two walks in that time. The strikeout artist began his spring with four scoreless frames but allowed a pair of solo home runs in 2/3 of an inning his last time out on Monday. Signed to a historic deal this winter, Hader posted an eye-popping 1.28 ERA alongside a massive 36.8% K% across 61 outings with the Padres last season, locking down 33 saves in that time. As the confirmed closer for a strong Astros team, Hader is a candidate to pace all of baseball in saves in 2024 while boasting elite strikeout stuff with a career 42.2% K%, making him perhaps the top closing option in fantasy baseball.

Toronto Blue Jays reliever Yimi Garcia is enjoying himself a nice spring as he looks to build upon what was mostly a strong season in the 2023 campaign. The right-hander has worked to a tidy 2.25 ERA across seven outings and eight innings of work, posting a 0.63 WHIP with seven strikeouts in that time. Both of his earned runs allowed have come via solo home runs and he has walked just two batters to this point. Garcia's solid work is certainly worth monitoring considering Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano is dealing with an elbow issue and setup man Erik Swanson is also sidelined with a forearm injury. Should that duo miss time to begin the season, it's likely Garcia will be in line for some early-season save opportunities, although Romano would certainly take over closing duties upon his return.

Kansas City Royals right-hander Michael Wacha has enjoyed a nice spring through his first four outings of Cactus League action. The veteran has pitched to a 3.86 ERA to this point with two of his four outings coming as the scoreless variety. He has struck out 10 against four walks in his 9 1/3 innings of work. It appears the next step for the 32-year-old will be to build up his innings after maxing out at 3 2/3 frames his last time out. Wacha joined the Royals on a two-year, $32 million deal this winter on the heels of a 2023 campaign that saw him pitch to a healthy 3.22 ERA across 24 starts with the Padres, going 14-4 in the process. However, he also posted a 4.43 SIERA, suggesting some regression for 2024 as ATC projects a 4.45 ERA across another 24 starts for him this upcoming season.

New York Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo is enjoying a big spring as he looks to bounce back at the plate in the 2024 season. The veteran is hitting .433 (13-for-30) with two homers, eight RBI, and a 1.241 OPS across 37 trips to the plate. He also has seven walks against five strikeouts in that time. Rizzo enjoyed a solid start to his 2023 season but a May collision with San Diego Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. on a pickoff play resulted in a concussion that bogged him down for the remainder of the season. Rizzo wound up hitting .244 with 12 home runs and a .706 OPS across 99 games for the season, the worst overall production of his career outside of his 49-game debut in the 2011 season. He figures to bounce back with some power but his 22 home runs and 67 RBI projected by ATC leave much to be desired at the first-base position.