Welcome to the first of several weekly Cactus League update articles with fantasy-relevant features on happenings in several teams’ camps. With the Dodgers and Cubs set to officially open the 2025 season with a two-game series in Japan in just about a month, their camps have started early this year. In fact, pitchers and catchers have already been in action for a week now for those two teams so there’s much to talk about already.
Not only do the early starts generate newsworthy items but the significant player injury returns have created an abnormally high level of interest in their first few days of camp. Fortunately, there’s much good news to report early on and several players have hit the field and made encouraging impressions.
Cactus League Catch-up for Week 1
1. Freddie Freeman Finds His Footing
It’s hard for anyone to fault Freddie Freeman for playing on his injured foot as part of his heroic effort to help the Dodgers win a World Series. Yet, those efforts came at a cost as he required intensive surgery in the offseason. Rather than resting on his laurels after earning the World Series MVP, he’s been going through rigorous rehab on his foot. As camp opened up last week all eyes were on Freeman to see how well he has progressed. Fortunately, there was good news to report as he has already gone into hitting drills and even some light fielding. Early indicators show an on-track status for opening day.
After ankle surgery in December, Freddie Freeman told reporters at Camelback Ranch on Saturday that he's on track for opening day. https://t.co/YtTYUNYVFz
— True Blue LA (@truebluela) February 16, 2025
2. Shohei Ohtani Resumes His Pitching Regimen
If any one player’s production and fantasy value is seemingly immune to injuries, it’s Shohei Ohtani. Entering last offseason it was known that he wouldn’t be pitching after previous season elbow surgery, but many worried about his ability to hit. Those concerns were quickly quelled as he mashed his way to an MVP award. This offseason we have many of the same questions as he underwent offseason shoulder surgery. However, encouraging news emerged from Dodger’s camp recently as he started to ramp up his pitching early in spring training. Barring any setbacks, the plan is to resume his status as a regular in the starting pitching rotation, while still providing all-time great hitting production.
FIRST LOOK: Shohei Ohtani is back on the mound throwing his first bullpen of Spring Training. pic.twitter.com/E06ND3O5SJ
— MLB (@MLB) February 15, 2025
3. Jung Ho Lee Eager to Restart His Debut Season
The debut season for the highly touted KBO import, Jung Ho Lee, was unfortunately derailed early on in 2024 due to a major shoulder injury. While showing his outfield range he crashed into an outfield wall and dislocated his shoulder. This incident led to season-ending surgery for his torn labrum. After over nine months of rehabilitation, Lee finally returned to the Giant’s dugout at the start of spring training. Initial reports stated positive signs of range of motion when hitting and throwing.
Giants centerfielder Jung Ho Lee is healthy and took batting practice full speed today pic.twitter.com/efmyCqmAut
— Marty Lurie (@baseballmarty) February 12, 2025
4. Christian Yelich Enters Camp on a Mission
There seem to be only two possible outcomes for Christian Yelich on a yearly basis; either an MVP-caliber production-level season or a mid-season shutdown due to compounding injuries. In 2024, it looked as if he was returning to his former MVP form but then his lingering back issues flared up. Eventually, the back problems sidelined him for the remainder of the season and he opted for major back surgery. Fast forward to 2025 and Yelich is back at camp as an active participant early on. He even proclaimed full health and readiness to start the season. Fantasy baseball managers should still be wary when drafting him, however, as few injuries are as chronic as back problems.
Christian Yelich started hitting in January, right on schedule for a normal offseason. Here’s what he had to say about his outlook for 2025. pic.twitter.com/H8aAjzm8br
— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) February 15, 2025
5. Matt Brash Aims to Pick Up Where He Left Off
One of the most surprising breakouts in 2023 was with Mariner’s rookie pitcher Matt Brash. While highly regarded as a prospect, the surprise came from his dominance as a reliever instead of a starting pitcher. Many assumed he would continue on in the big leagues as a starter, but that quickly changed. Brash made the move to the bullpen early in the 2023 season and quickly flourished. However, the rapid rise to prominence came to an abrupt end in May of 2024 when he opted for Tommy John surgery. Now, nearly fully recovered, he’s back in action early into camp and showing signs of his former elite stuff, including his superb slider.
Matt Brash back on the mound pic.twitter.com/G0H4MyIicG
— Ryan Divish (@RyanDivish) February 15, 2025
It’s always fun to start the Cactus League update series off with some good news, especially when it comes to injuries. With each new weekly article we’ll aim to keep you updated on the latest events in spring training. Next week we’ll focus on the spring training debuts of new international imports or top prospects at their new team’s camp. Stay tuned Let me know what you think by reaching me on BlueSky or X at @TheToddMpls.
For more of the great fantasy baseball rankings and analysis you’ve come to expect from FantraxHQ, check out our full 2025 Fantasy Baseball Draft Kit! We’re here for you all the way up until Opening Day and then on into your championship run.
