Paul Sewald, a key reliever for the Cleveland Guardians, has been placed on the 15-day injured list due to a right shoulder strain, following a game against the Minnesota Twins. During that game, he experienced inflammation after facing only two batters, striking one out before being removed. This season, Sewald holds a record of 1-1 with a 6.17 ERA over 14 appearances. His previous season with the Arizona Diamonds was marred by injury issues. To fill the gap, Cleveland has recalled pitcher Joey Cantillo from Triple-A Columbus and signed Vince Velasquez from the same team, while sending down Cody Bolton. Notably, ace Shane Bieber has also been transitioned to the 60-day injured list as he continues his recovery from Tommy John surgery.

As the Minnesota Twins' spring training continues in Fort Myers, Florida, eight standout players from the backfields have caught the attention of scouts and fans alike. Among them is Connor Prielipp, a left-handed pitcher whose performance has marked him as a top prospect, racking up an impressive strikeout rate in minor league games. His fastball consistently reached 94-97 mph, leaving hitters flailing.

Brandon Winokur, another rising star, displayed his power potential with multiple home runs and high exit velocities, while Yoel Roque, at just 18, has shown an electrifying fastball that sits at 94-95 mph. Third baseman Rayne Doncon, along with pitchers Dasan Hill and Michael Carpenter, exhibited notable skills that promise an exciting future for the Twins. Each player will start the season at various levels of the minors, keeping an eye on their trajectory toward the big leagues.

The early April MLB DFS slate is shaping up to resemble midseason dynamics, with rotations rolling over to aces and some teams relying on fifth starters. This variation in matchups creates opportunities for savvy fantasy players. Pitchers like Logan Gilbert from Seattle, facing a struggling Detroit lineup, stand out, while Shane Smith offers value as a rookie against Minnesota.

Key hitters include Kyle Tucker of the Cubs, who benefits from favorable conditions in Sacramento, and Corbin Carroll, who is positioned well at Yankee Stadium against a less-than-proven pitcher. Bargain options like Jack Suwinski and Nick Maton could offer significant upside, especially when paired with high-potential stacks like the Cardinals against Kyle Hendricks.

The Cleveland Guardians are optimistic about Shane Bieber's potential return to the starting rotation during the summer months of the 2025 season. The former Cy Young winner is on the mend, approximately 11 months post-Tommy John surgery, and has shown promising recovery signs. After completing his first official bullpen session of the spring training, observations from coaches indicate that his velocity and mechanics are returning to form.

Guardians associate manager Craig Albernaz expressed excitement over Bieber's performance, noting his free and easy throwing motion. Similarly, pitching coach Carl Willis highlighted the impressive velocity and ease of delivery in Bieber's throwing sessions. While the team is pleased with his progress, they remain cautious and have not set a specific timeline for his return. The Guardians are hopeful that he will be back in action during the first half of the season.