Outfielder George Springer will retain his leadoff spot in the Toronto Blue Jays' batting order to open the 2024 regular season, but the team is leaning toward having first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit second, followed by shortstop Bo Bichette. "I really like the way (Guerrero) is swinging the bat," manager John Schneider said. "I think having him in between George and Bo is a good thing." Guerrero often hit third in 2023, a spot that will now be occupied by mostly Justin Turner. The 25-year-old slugger hit in the three-hole for 110 games in 2023, while batting second only twice. It's a move that probably won't have a drastic affect on Vlad Jr.'s overall numbers, although it could allow him to get more at-bats in the long run.

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Victor Scott II has now made the team's Opening Day roster with Dylan Carlson (shoulder) heading to the injured list, and the team's No. 4 prospect will start in center field on Opening Day this Thursday in Los Angeles against the Dodgers. In addition to Carlson, Tommy Edman (wrist) and Lars Nootbaar (ribs) are on the IL, so Scott and Michael Siani should see extra opportunities early on in 2024. Scott is the more attractive waiver-wire pickup in mixed fantasy leagues and hit an impressive .316/.409/.368 in 44 trips to the plate in the Grapefruit League this spring. The 23-year-old has 50-steal upside over a full season and could stick around in St. Louis if he gets off to a hot start once the rest of the team's outfielders return from their respective injuries.

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Dylan Carlson (shoulder) has been diagnosed with a sprained AC joint in his left shoulder and will start the season on the injured list after colliding with teammate Jordan Walker in Monday's contest. A Cardinals official said that Carlson's absence will be weeks, "not a matter of months." St. Louis' outfield is a mess to begin the year, with Carlson joining Tommy Edman (wrist) and Lars Nootbaar (ribs) on the IL. It means that one of the team's top prospects, Victor Scott II, will now make the Opening Day roster and start in center field on Thursday versus the Los Angeles Dodgers. Michael Siani has also made the Opening Day roster and could see playing time in the outfield early on with Carlson, Edman and Nootbaar sidelined.

Texas Rangers right-hander Jose Urena has made the team's Opening Day roster after inking a minor-league pact with the club this winter. The veteran has struggled mightily in recent seasons, working to a 6.45 ERA across 10 outings between the Rockies and White Sox in the 2023 season, although his 4.10 ERA in five outings with the White Sox was far superior to his 9.82 ERA in five appearances with the Rockies to begin the season. Urena's inability to miss bats has long plagued him as he sports a minuscule 15.5% K% in is career. He generates ground balls at a hearty 48.2% clip but has still surrendered a 1.24 HR/9 clip in his 199 career outings. He remains well off the fantasy radar moving forward.

Cleveland Guardians outfield prospect Chase DeLauter did not make the team's Opening Day roster out of spring training despite hitting .520 with four home runs and 13 RBI in 13 Cactus League games. The 22-year-old was the 16th overall pick in 2022 out of James Madison and hit .355/.417/.528 with a .945 OPS, five home runs, 39 RBI and six stolen bases in 57 games while making it to Double-A Akron last year. Per MLB Pipeline, he's Cleveland's top prospect, but he could open the 2024 season back at Akron for more development. However, given some of the Guardians' lackluster options in the outfield at the big-league level, DeLauter could easily make his MLB debut sooner than later in 2024, making him a worthy stash candidate in AL-only fantasy leagues. He should already be rostered in keeper/dynasty leagues.