San Francisco Giants DVOA, Stats, & MLB Rankings

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.

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.

San Francisco Giants catcher/outfielder Blake Sabol (groin) will return to Cactus League action on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Angels and will play left field off the bench. Sabol hasn't played in a spring training game since March 5 due to a right-adductor strain, but he's back in action now as he tries to make the club's Opening Day roster. Given how much time he's missed this spring, it's likely that the 26-year-old backstop will open the 2024 season at Triple-A Sacramento. Sabol has the versatility to both catch and play the outfield, but his bat hasn't shown enough to give him much chance to crack the Giants' lineup regularly with Patrick Bailey and Joey Bart also at catcher. In his rookie season in 2023, Sabol hit .235/.301/.394 with 13 homers and 44 RBI in 110 appearances.

San Francisco Giants infielder Wilmer Flores (knee) was scratched from the team's Cactus League lineup on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Angels due to a little knee soreness. Flores said "it's nothing." Flores should be considered day-to-day for now and should be ready for Opening Day next Thursday versus the division-rival San Diego Padres. Despite the 32-year-old Venezuelan putting up the best offensive numbers of his career last year for the Giants -- .284 average, 23 home runs and 60 RBI in 126 games -- playing time is going to be an issue for him in 2024. Flores was a bit fortunate to put up the numbers that he did, but that doesn't take away from the fact that he hits lefties well. At worst, he should be in some sort of short-sided platoon role in San Francisco's infield.

San Francisco Giants outfielder Jung Hoo Lee (hamstring) and catcher Patrick Bailey (hand) are both back in the team's Cactus League lineup on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Angels. Lee is in center field and batting leadoff, while Bailey is behind the dish and hitting seventh for the Gigantes. The 25-year-old Lee was held out of the spring lineup for a few days after tweaking his hamstring last week. It wasn't a serious injury, and he's fully expected to be ready for Opening Day on March 28 versus the San Diego Padres as the team's leadoff man and starting center fielder after inking a six-year, $113 million deal to come over from Korea. Bailey took a foul tip off his right hand over a week ago in the Cactus League and is now fully recovered. He struggled at the plate at the end of his rookie season and should only be an option in two-catcher fantasy leagues in 2024.