Spencer Strider will make his first rehab start Saturday with Triple-A Gwinnett as he works his way back from an internal brace procedure. (Source: Mark Bowman on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Strider made two spring training appearances, posting a 4.50 ERA with 10 strikeouts over four innings. He is expected to rejoin the Atlanta Braves in mid-April. Fantasy managers should stash him in an IL spot, as he has the potential to return to his dominant 2023 form, when he recorded a 3.86 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and an elite 36.8% strikeout rate over 186.2 innings.

Ozzie Albies went 1-for-5 with three RBI and a home run on Thursday against the Padres.

Fantasy Impact: Albies opened the scoring with an RBI ground out in the opening frame. He later hit a go-ahead two-run blast in the third inning off Michael King.

Austin Riley went 1-for-5 with a home run on Thursday against the Padres.

Fantasy Impact: Riley broke a 3-3 tie with a solo home run in the fourth inning. It was his lone hit to open the season for the Braves.

Chris Sale allowed three runs on six hits across five innings with seven strikeouts and one walk on Thursday against the Padres.

Fantasy Impact: Sale was able to limit the hard hit damage in his five innings. He left the game with the Braves leading before Hector Neris gave up the lead in the seventh inning. He is scheduled for a matchup with the Dodgers next.

Reynaldo Lopez will take the mound for the Braves on Friday against the Padres. (Source: MLB.com)

Fantasy Impact: Lopez will follow Opening Day starter Chris Sale to open the season. They will be followed by Spencer Schwellenbach and AJ Smith-Shawver.

Atlanta placed Sean Murphy (ribs) on the 10-day IL Tuesday, per team updates, due to a fractured rib from early March. (Source: Atlanta Braves)

Fantasy Impact: Murphy’s 4-to-6 week absence from a March rib fracture puts him on the IL Tuesday, with prospect Drake Baldwin stepping up as Atlanta’s main catcher to start the season. Fantasy managers in all leagues should stash him, banking on his bat for strong value in Atlanta’s 2025 lineup once he returns midseason.

Atlanta placed Joe Jiménez on the 15-day IL Tuesday with a left knee articular cartilage injury, per team updates, following November surgery. (Source: Atlanta Braves)

Fantasy Impact: Jiménez’s November knee surgery lands him on the IL Tuesday, likely out until mid-2025 or beyond for Atlanta, with a possible 60-day IL shift if roster space is needed. Fantasy managers in deep dynasty leagues should stash him, banking on his return for late value in Atlanta’s 2025 bullpen if rehab progresses well.

Atlanta placed Nacho Alvarez on the 10-day IL Tuesday due to left wrist inflammation, per team updates, stemming from a late February tweak. (Source: Atlanta Braves)

Fantasy Impact: Alvarez’s wrist injury from late February lingers into a Tuesday IL stint, eligible to return April 4, though a minors assignment likely awaits post-recovery for Atlanta’s prospect. Fantasy managers in deep dynasty leagues should stash him, banking on his upside for a potential 2025 call-up to Atlanta’s lineup if he heals and performs well in the minors.

Atlanta placed Ronald Acuña Jr. (knee) on the 10-day IL Tuesday, retroactive to March 24, per team updates, as he rehabs from ACL surgery. (Source: Atlanta Braves)

Fantasy Impact: Acuña’s ACL recovery, targeting early to mid-May, lands him on the IL Tuesday after spring baseball activities sans game clearance, with a rehab stint to clarify his 2025 debut. Fantasy managers in all leagues should stash him, banking on his elite skills for a massive return to Atlanta’s lineup once he’s fully back midseason.

Atlanta released Dany Jiménez on Monday, per team updates, after a tough spring as a non-roster invitee ended his camp stint.

Fantasy Impact: Jiménez’s 2 runs and 1:5 K:BB in 3 outs across 3 spring outings lead to his Monday release from Atlanta, making him a free agent with an opt-out or team decision unclear. Fantasy managers in deep dynasty leagues might stash him, banking on his arm for a 2025 role if he signs elsewhere soon.

The Braves have reassigned James McCann to minor-league camp. (Source: Braves on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: McCann recently inked a minor-league deal with the Braves to provide depth behind the plate. After not having a full spring training, the veteran will need some time to ramp up prior to being an option to join the Braves' roster.

The Braves have reassigned Craig Kimbrel to minor-league camp. (Source: Braves on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Kimbrel was just recently signed by the Braves and needs time to ramp up since he has not had a regular spring training. He will likely get into games over the next few weeks and should be an option for the Braves' bullpen soon.

The Braves have optioned Bryce Elder to Triple-A Gwinnett. (Source: Braves on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Elder will head to the minors after posting a 4.97 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP this spring. He will likely open the season in the Triple-A rotation.

The Braves have traded Ian Anderson to the Angels. (Source: Jon Heyman on Twitter )

Fantasy Impact: The Braves will get Jose Suarez back in the trade. Anderson posted a 2.25 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP in six games this spring.

Atlanta selected Drake Baldwin’s contract from Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday, per team updates, setting him as the primary catcher with Sean Murphy sidelined. (Source: Atlanta Braves)

Fantasy Impact: Baldwin’s .313/.436/.375 spring line with a 2:7 K:BB, after a 2024 .276/.370/.423 with 18 homers in the minors, earns him Atlanta’s catcher role while Murphy (rib) misses weeks. The 23-year-old steps up. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues should roster him, banking on his bat for early value in the Braves’ 2025 lineup until Murphy returns, with a shot to stay if he impresses.

Atlanta selected Enyel De Los Santos’ contract from Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday, per team updates, locking in his place in the Opening Day bullpen. (Source: Atlanta Braves)

Fantasy Impact: De Los Santos’ 2 runs with a 7:1 K:BB over 6.2 Grapefruit League innings clinch his Atlanta Opening Day bullpen role Friday, likely starting in low-leverage situations. The 29-year-old stands out. Fantasy managers in deep dynasty leagues should stash him, banking on his strikeout ability for potential midseason value in the Braves’ 2025 pen if he rises to higher-leverage spots.

AJ Smith-Shawver shifted from Thursday to start Friday’s Grapefruit League game against the Rays, per team updates, aligning him for a March 31 game versus the Dodgers. (Source: Justin Toscano)

Fantasy Impact: Smith-Shawver’s 18:3 K:BB in 12 homer-free spring innings outshines Ian Anderson’s 8:18 K:BB in 17 frames, hinting he’s ahead for the Braves’ fifth starter spot by March 31, possibly warming it for Spencer Strider’s April return. The 22-year-old dazzles. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues should roster him, banking on his strikeouts for early value in Atlanta’s 2025 rotation.

Luke Williams cleared waivers Thursday and was assigned to Triple-A Gwinnett, per team updates, after falling short of Atlanta’s Opening Day bench this spring. (Source: Atlanta Braves)

Fantasy Impact: Williams’ 5-for-32 spring line with 3 RBI and 5 runs in 16 games couldn’t snag an Atlanta bench spot, costing him his 40-man roster place Thursday with no options left. His MLB path narrows. Fantasy managers in deep dynasty leagues might stash him, hoping the 28-year-old’s versatility sparks a midseason call-up if the Braves need infield or outfield depth in 2025.

Jurickson Profar (wrist) will rejoin Atlanta’s Grapefruit League lineup Thursday against the Phillies, per team updates, after resuming batting practice from a March 8 injury. (Source: David O'Brien)

Fantasy Impact: Profar’s left wrist bone bruise sidelined him since March 8, but his batting practice this week clears him for Thursday’s game, prepping for Atlanta’s Opening Day roster. The 32-year-old’s back on track. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues should roster him, expecting his versatile bat to contribute in the Braves’ lineup from the season’s start in 2025.

The Braves are returning reliever Anderson Pilar to the Marlins. (Source: Jesse Rogers on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Atlanta picked up Pilar in the Rule 5 Draft. He was unable to earn a spot in the Braves bullpen out of spring training.