Kansas City Royals relief pitcher James McArthur posted his first save of the season in Friday's 2-1 win over the division-rival Chicago White Sox, recording the final two outs of the game. After struggling incumbent closer Will Smith allowed a double and a walk to make things interesting, McArthur only needed two pitches to induce a double play and put out the ninth-inning fire. Although the save should get McArthur on most fantasy radars, he still has a poor 9.82 ERA and 1.91 WHIP with three punchouts in 3 2/3 frames to begin the year. Smith has been worse; the veteran holds an abysmal 18.00 ERA and 3.33 WHIP with three K's over his three innings of work for the Royals in 2024. KC's closing situation looks like a fluid one that could witness a form of hot-hand or matchup-based approach until one arm or the other pulls away in the competition, but McArthur is worth a speculative add.

Texas Rangers second baseman Marcus Semien had himself a day in Friday's 10-2 blowout win over the division-rival Houston Astros, getting a hit in all three of his at-bats and bashing a three-run home run during the sixth inning. Semien smacked one 395 feet to deep left center to make the score 10-0 and get the rout fully underway. It was the first homer of the campaign for the 33-year-old fantasy stalwart, who is now slashing .333/.471/.481 with eight RBI and six runs scored across 27 ABs thus far in 2024. Hitting atop one of the most dynamic offenses in baseball, Semien has led MLB in plate appearances in three of the past four years and should serve as head-to-head gem in all fantasy formats. Dating back to 2023, Semien is batting .393 with four bombs, nine RBI, and 14 runs scored in his last 14 games against the Astros and gets Houston three more times this series.

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora said on Friday that second baseman Vaughn Grissom (groin, hamstring) participated in live batting practice and is progressing well at the plate. Cora added that Grissom will fly to Boston and be with the team on Tuesday for the Red Sox' home opener. While Cora didn't have an exact date for Grissom to begin a rehab assignment, he expects the infielder to be playing in games soon. Unable to log any spring training at-bats due to a strained left groin and hamstring, Grissom will likely need extended reps before debuting for fantasy managers in 2024. The 23-year-old former top prospect should be able to return during mid-to-late April, and he was being regularly drafted as a late-rounder in pre-spring drafts. After Trevor Story (shoulder) went down with a scary shoulder injury on Friday, Grissom may eventually be needed as a shortstop for the BoSox and belongs an all watchlists.

Boston Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story (shoulder) injured his left shoulder on a diving play in the bottom of the fourth inning on Friday night against the Los Angeles Angels and was writhing in pain on the ground. After being looked at by a trainer for a while, Story walked off the field with his left arm dangling at his side with a dejected look on his face. It looked like the 31-year-old may have popped his shoulder out of socket, but fantasy managers should check later Friday night or Saturday morning for more details on the severity of his shoulder injury. Story didn't make his 2023 debut until August due to an internal-brace procedure on his right elbow, and he could be looking at extended time on the sidelines again. Pablo Reyes replaced Story at the 6 and figures to be looking at expanded playing time with Story likely headed to the injured list. Boston's top prospect is shortstop Marcelo Mayer, but he's currently at Double-A and likely needs a bit more seasoning on the farm.

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider (elbow) complained about elbow discomfort following Friday's start against the Arizona Diamondbacks and will get an MRI on Saturday. After Strider labored through four innings and gave up five runs on Friday against the D-backs, it's the last thing the Braves and fantasy managers want to hear. The 25-year-old strikeout machine led MLB with 20 wins and 281 punchouts in 32 starts a year ago, and all we can do is hold our collective breath that Atlanta's ace isn't dealing with any kind of significant injury. His next start is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday against the New York Mets, but that looks to be very much in doubt at this point. Strider has a 7.00 ERA and 1.67 WHIP with 12 K's through nine innings this year.