Chicago Cubs outfielder Ian Happ's (hamstring) recovery from a left-hamstring strain has plateaued, according to manager Craig Counsell. Happ hasn't played in a Cactus League game in three days and won't be in the spring lineup until Monday against the St. Louis Cardinals. He is focusing on exerted running. Counsell said Happ still isn't in danger of missing Opening Day next Thursday. "Goal is to put it behind him and it's not quite behind him," Counsell said. The 29-year-old could still avoid an injured list stint to begin the year, but fantasy managers shouldn't feel great about the possibility of Happ starting the year hot offensively, as he's also slashing just .111/.158/.167 with one RBI in 18 Cactus League at-bats. Happ was targeted as a No. 3 outfielder in fantasy drafts this spring.

Miami Marlins right-hander Eury Perez (elbow) played catch in camp pain-free on Saturday and will play catch again on Sunday. Even though it's already decided that Perez will open the 2024 regular season on the 15-day injured list due to inflammation in his right elbow, it's good news to see him throwing a baseball without any pain this weekend. The 20-year-old avoided structural damage in his arm and could make his season debut in late April if he can avoid any setbacks as he begins to ramp back up. Perez showed last year that he has tons of fantasy upside by going 5-6 with a 3.15 ERA and 1.13 WHIP with 108 strikeouts in 91 1/3 innings over his first 19 major-league starts. There's still a lot to like about Perez, but his elbow injury makes him a bit more of a risk in fantasy heading into the 2024 season.

Houston Astros centerfielder Jake Meyers was struck in the hand by a pitch Saturday during a Grapefruit League game against the Mets. The 27-year-old was sent for X-rays on his hand which on Sunday morning Meyers stated had come back clean. The righty hitter is projected to be the Astros centerfielder, although there isn't much appeal for fantasy purposes. He was able to get to double-digit home runs last season (10), but batting out of the nine-hole will give him less opportunities for production compared to other available options. He's having a mediocre spring, batting .237 (9-for-38) with two home runs, five RBI, seven runs scored, and a stolen base over 16 games.

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Taijuan Walker was getting loose for a bullpen session on Saturday and stated that his shoulder "didn't feel right." The Phillies sent him for an MRI, the results of which should be known Sunday. Walker had already battled some right knee soreness this spring and had only made two spring appearances thus far. Last time out, the veteran was tagged for seven earned runs on five hits (three home runs) and three walks while striking out just one batter over two and two-thirds IP. The injury doesn't sound promising for his already bleak outlook. Right-handed 31-year-old Spencer Turnbull would take his spot in the rotation were he placed on the IL.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Justin Steele remains on track to make his Opening Day start this Thursday against the Rangers. The southpaw suffered a knee contusion Friday after being hit by a line drive in a Cactus League contest versus the Giants. By Saturday, Steele said that it was bruised and sore, but that's it. The 2023 All-Star went 16-5 with a 3.06 ERA (3.02 FIP), 1.17 WHIP, and a 19.6% K-BB% in 2023. The 28-year-old's NFBC ADP of 103 overall isn't giving him the credit he deserves with a RotoBaller rank of 84 overall. The lefty is a solid No. 3 starter for fantasy squads, with No. 2 upside.