Relief pitcher Brooks Raley threw a bullpen session with at least a "dozen" teams in attendance, according to Will Sammon of The Athletic. Raley logged just seven innings of work with the New York Mets before undergoing Tommy John surgery. However, it appears the southpaw is making significant progress in his recovery and could find himself on a major league team in the coming weeks. Given the timing of his surgery, he will likely not be cleared for the major leagues until after the All-Star break. In 2023, the 36-year-old logged 54 2/3 innings to the tune of a strong 2.80 ERA with a 1.26 WHIP. He tallied 61 punchouts. Fantasy managers should monitor Raley's status as he will likely have a high-leverage role when he finds a suitor and will hold value in leagues that reward holds.

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that infielder DJ LeMahieu (calf) could begin a minor-league rehab assignment next Tuesday. LeMahieu tweaked his calf in spring training and was forced to begin the regular season on the injured list, but he's been taking at-bats at extended spring training in Florida and appears to be ready to play in minor-league games. Boone said that the 36-year-old will need a full build-up once he starts his rehab assignment, so the oft-injured LeMahieu almost certainly won't make his 2025 debut for the Yankees in April after missing most of spring training. When LeMahieu does come off the injured list, whenever that may be, he won't be guarantee regular playing time if he's not producing. His best path to playing time in the Bronx will be at the hot corner. The two-time batting champion hit just .204 last year and was limited to 67 games due to injuries.

Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman helped power the team to an 8-7 win over the Rockies on Wednesday night by going 2-for-3 with a walk, a double, and his third homer of the year. He sent an 0-1 sinker from German Marquez over the right center field wall to give the Dodgers a 2-1 lead and spur them on to a seven-run first inning. In his nine games this season, Freeman is hitting .333 with three home runs and a .486 wOBA. His hard-hit rate and barrel rate are both up this year after a slight decline last year, and the 35-year-old remains an elite run-producer in the middle of a stacked Dodgers' lineup.

Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper was terrific on Wednesday, going 2-for-3 with a homer and a pair of walks in an 11-4 loss to the San Francisco Giants. Harper also scored twice and cashed in two RBI. The 32-year-old former MVP hasn't been his usual world-beating self this season, but he is now up to a .269 AVG and .873 OPS to go with 11 runs, four homers, nine RBI, and four swipes. Those are solid numbers, even if slightly underwhelming for someone of Harper's caliber. Still, he is a must-start fantasy option and will likely improve as the season continues.

Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw (knee, toe) had a positive first minor-league rehab start on Wednesday with Triple-A Oklahoma City, throwing three scoreless innings while allowing two hits, walking none and striking out two. The 37-year-old former MVP and three-time Cy Young winner threw 22 of his 30 pitches for strikes but only topped out at 88.8 mph with his four-seam fastball. Kershaw has plenty of time to build his velocity back up, though, as he's not eligible to come off the 60-day injured list until May 17. The Dodgers are going to take their time with the future Hall of Famer, which means he might not even be allowed to rejoin their big-league starting rotation by May 17. While Kershaw can still have solid outings, he has become much more of a fantasy dice roll and is likely to have his innings heavily managed when he eventually returns.

Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper went 1-for-3 with a two-run homer and a walk in a 6-4 win over the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday. Harper blasted a two-run shot off Hayden Birdsong in the seventh inning to push the Phillies' lead to 6-3. The blast traveled 354 feet with an exit velocity of 106.2 MPH. Harper is off to a decent start in 2025, hitting .250 with three homers, nine runs, seven RBI, and four steals across 64 at-bats. The veteran remains one of the top fantasy hitters in the league.

Cincinnati Reds left-hander Wade Miley (elbow) is scheduled to throw three innings in an extended spring training game on Tuesday in Arizona and then could start a minor-league rehab assignment, according to manager Terry Francona. It's unclear when Miley might be an option to make starts for the Reds in 2025, but the veteran 38-year-old southpaw is clearly making progress after having a hybrid internal-brace/Tommy John procedure on his left UCL last May. He will need a lengthy rehab assignment and probably won't be an option for Cincy's starting rotation until late May or early June, and he doesn't have much fantasy appeal at all these days. Miley made only two starts a season ago with the Milwaukee Brewers before being shut down with his elbow problems, and he allowed five earned runs on six hits while walking two and striking out two in seven innings.

According to Justin Toscano, a beat writer for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Atlanta Braves right-hander Craig Kimbrel was Assigned To Double-A Columbus on Monday. The Braves had signed Kimbrel to a minor-league deal, and he has spent that time ramping up at the team's complex in Florida but has yet to face any hitters. The assignment to Double-A suggests that Kimbrel and the Braves are taking the next step, hoping he still has something left in the tank and will help the Braves' bullpen in 2025. The 36-year-old struggled with the Baltimore Orioles in 2024, with a 5.33 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP, but is still considered a future Hall-of-Famer and respected by many in the baseball community. Fantasy managers can continue to monitor his progress, as Kimbrel could hold value as a high-leverage reliever for the Braves. Still, Raisel Iglesias will likely continue to get the save opportunities if and when Kimbrel arrives.

According to Justin Toscano, a beat writer for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Atlanta Braves right-hander Craig Kimbrel was assigned to Double-A Columbus on Monday. The Braves had signed Kimbrel to a minor-league deal, and he has spent that time ramping up at the team's complex in Florida, but he has yet to face any hitters. The assignment to Double-A suggests that Kimbrel and the Braves are taking the next step, hoping he still has something left in the tank and will help the Braves' bullpen in 2025. The 36-year-old struggled with the Baltimore Orioles in 2024 with a 5.33 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP, but he is still considered a future Hall of Famer and respected by many in the baseball community. Fantasy managers can continue to monitor his progress, as Kimbrel could hold value as a high-leverage reliever for the Braves. Still, Raisel Iglesias will likely continue to get the save opportunities, if and when Kimbrel arrives.

Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman earned his third save of the season on Sunday afternoon by closing out the Red Sox's 3-1 victory over the White Sox in Chicago. Chapman took the loss on Saturday, allowing a walk, stolen base, and walk-off single after entering the ninth inning in a tie game. He came in with a two-run lead on Sunday and had two strikeouts in the ninth, getting Luis Robert Jr. to start the inning and Michael A. Taylor to end the game. The 37-year-old veteran has 11 strikeouts in his seven innings and has converted each of his three save opportunities. The run he gave up on Saturday is the only run he has allowed all season, but he has now pitched in back-to-back games, so he may not be available as the Red Sox continue their road trip in Tampa Bay on Monday night.

Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (rest) is out of the starting lineup ahead of Sunday's game against the Chicago Cubs. Freeman recently returned from the injured list and went 1-for-6 with three strikeouts during that span. It's not shocking to see the Dodgers giving Freeman a day off to get his mind right. Enrique Hernandez will cover first base and bat eighth versus right-hander Colin Rea. Hernandez is 4-for-40 to start the season, so he isn't an ideal fantasy option right now.

New York Yankees designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton (elbow) is still hitting off the Trajekt machine. However, Yankee manager Aaron Boone noted that Stanton is progressing well and is "getting close" to taking live at-bats. Stanton has been sidelined since the start of the campaign due to tennis elbows in both of his arms. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status as it appears the slugger is progressing well in his recovery. Last season, the 35-year-old posted a .233/.298/.475 slash line with 27 long balls. Under the hood, he generated a .509 xSLG with a 20.7 percent barrel rate and a 53.5 percent hard-hit rate, which were all well above the average marks. When Stanton eventually returns to action, he could limit Ben Rice's playing time. For now, Stanton is only worth stashing in deeper 12+ team formats.

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (toe) is scheduled to begin a minor league rehab assignment on Wednesday, according to manager Dave Roberts. The veteran southpaw isn't eligible to be activated from the injured list until the middle of May. That being said, Kershaw is likely going to make a handful of starts with Triple-A Oklahoma City. When healthy, Kershaw is a stud, but actually keeping him on the mound has been a problem lately. He figures to be a regular in the starting rotation once he's cleared to play. That being said, Kershaw could be a good stash for fantasy managers who have an open IL spot at the moment.

The Los Angeles Dodgers announced on Friday that they activated first baseman Freddie Freeman (ankle) from the 10-day injured list. Freeman is back at first base and will bat cleanup for Friday's series opener at Dodger Stadium against the Chicago Cubs and left-hander Matthew Boyd. It's not the greatest matchup for Freeman to return to for DFS purposes -- he's hitting .167 in six career at-bats against Boyd -- but fantasy managers in single-year leagues will want to get the All-Star first baseman back in their lineups for the weekend. The 35-year-old slipped in the shower in late March and aggravated his surgically repaired right ankle, but the Dodgers were never really concerned. There's a good chance he'll be rested at some point this weekend, but the only thing that matters is that he's starting on Friday. Freeman has gone 3-for-12 with two homers and four RBI in his first three games in 2025.

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder/designated hitter Andrew McCutchen will start on the bench for Friday's series opener against the division-rival Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Adam Frazier is making the start in right field and will hit eighth against Reds right-hander Brady Singer. Bryan Reynolds (triceps) continues to serve as Pittsburgh's designated hitter, leaving the 38-year-old McCutchen as the odd-man out. The former MVP has gotten off to a .267 (8-for-30) start at the plate in his 17th big-league season, and he's added a homer, two doubles, five RBI and two runs scored in his 10 games played. Cutch should start to see more regular playing time as the DH whenever Reynolds is able to return to left-field duties. Frazier will be a low-upside DFS option at the bottom of Pittsburgh's lineup. He has hit .286 with one RBI in seven career at-bats against Singer.

The Boston Red Sox have signed catcher Yasmani Grandal to a minor-league contract on Thursday. Grandal spent the 2024 campaign with the Pittsburgh Pirates and will now look to continue his professional career in Boston. Last season, Grandal posted a .228/.304/.400 slash line with 10 doubles and nine home runs across 72 contests. He held a 24:46 BB:K. He also generated a modest .325 xwOBA with a .419 xSLG. Grandal was able to find a spot in Boston as they placed their top backstop, Connor Wong (finger), on the injured list. Fantasy managers should expect Grandal to begin his time in the minor leagues, but he could push for a quick promotion to the majors if Boston continues to lack offensive production behind the dish. Grandal is worth monitoring in two-catcher formats as he was a viable option in deeper leagues last season.

New York Yankees right-handed reliever Adam Ottavino elected free agency on Thursday instead of accepting an outright minor-league assignment. Ottavino has now been designated for assignment twice by the Yankees and has refused an outright assignment to the minors both times after clearing waivers. There's a chance the 39-year-old veteran will return to the Yankees if he doesn't generate much interest on the open market. He's made three appearances out of the bullpen for the Yankees this year and has thrown 1 2/3 scoreless innings with four walks and three strikeouts. Last year with the New York Mets, Ottavino had a 4.34 ERA (3.67 FIP), a 1.29 WHIP, one save, 70 strikeouts and 23 walks in 56 relief innings.

Free-agent veteran designated hitter J.D. Martinez is hitting and staying ready while waiting or an opportunity to sign with a major-league team, according to the New York Post's Jon Heyman. It was reported in early March that Martinez was in contact with the New York Yankees with DH Giancarlo Stanton (elbows) injured, but the two sides were never really close to a deal. MLB teams probably want the 37-year-old Martinez to play for the veteran minimum after he declined offensively with the New York Mets in 2024, hitting .235/.320/.406 with a .725 OPS, 16 home runs and 69 RBI in 120 regular-season games. Martinez is a six-time All-Star, though, and clubbed 33 homers and drove in over 100 runs with the Los Angeles Dodgers as recently as 2023, so it seems likely he'll be given a shot eventually in 2025.

Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper went 1-for-3 with a two-run homer and two walks in Wednesday's 4-3 win over the Braves. This was his second home run of the year, and he is now slashing .279/.380/.465 with two home runs, five RBI, seven runs, and one stolen base through the first 11 games. It has been a slower start to the season for Harper compared to many other star players, but he'll heat up eventually and remains one of the game's best hitters.

Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (ankle) is expected to return on Friday when the Dodgers host the Chicago Cubs. Freeman has been on the 10-day injured list after suffering a setback on the ankle he underwent surgery on. However, it appears the 35-year-old is only expected to miss a short period of time. Through his first four games of the regular season, Freeman has posted a modest .250/.250/.833 line with a double and two home runs. However, under the hood, Freeman has generated an elite .577 xwOBA, which suggests he should see significant positive regression in his batting average. While Freeman has been sidelined, Kike Hernandez has seen most of the time at first base. When Freeman returns, he should be viewed as a must-start high-end No. 1 first baseman.