Jesús Luzardo made a strong comeback for the Philadelphia Phillies, striking out 11 batters in his debut after nearly ten months out. The lefty had previously struggled with the Miami Marlins, notching a win before a back injury sidelined him for the remainder of the season. His performance against the Washington Nationals showcased his powerful sweeper pitch, which he used effectively alongside a fastball reaching 97 mph. Teammates like Bryson Stott and Kyle Schwarber praised Luzardo's electric presence on the mound, highlighting his ability to adapt and excel against hitters.

In the realm of fantasy baseball, knowing which players to avoid can be just as crucial as identifying breakout stars. For the upcoming season, several hitters from National League teams are projected to be overvalued based on their past performances and current ADPs. CJ Abrams of the Washington Nationals, who had a promising start, saw a sharp decline in his numbers as the season progressed, raising concerns about his consistency. Brice Turang of the Milwaukee Brewers, while extremely fast, struggles to contribute significantly in other categories, making his ADP unsustainable. Philadelphia's Bryson Stott and Trea Turner also raise eyebrows; Stott offers little more than speed, and Turner's declining stolen base count is concerning. Lastly, Keibert Ruiz's poor performance with the Nationals raises questions about his viability as a catcher in fantasy leagues.

The second base position is less robust heading into the 2025 fantasy season, with Mookie Betts as the only top-tier player available in the first two rounds. Following him, notable names like Ketel Marte, Jose Altuve, and Ozzie Albies are expected to be drafted between rounds three and five. Most managers will likely target second basemen in the middle-to-late rounds, but there are valuable options to consider post-pick 85.

Highlighted value picks include Jordan Westburg of the Baltimore Orioles, who boasts dual eligibility and an impressive ADP of 89.7. Following a strong All-Star season, Westburg's potential for offensive growth looks promising.

Bryson Stott, currently with an ADP of 153.7, offers a solid middle-round pick despite last year's slump. His speed on the bases can be beneficial, especially in points leagues. Meanwhile, Jackson Holliday from the Orioles and Jonathan India, now with the Kansas City Royals, present intriguing late-round opportunities. They could emerge as useful contributors in 2025.

The Philadelphia Phillies showcased a strong offensive performance during their spring training matchup against the Toronto Blue Jays, taking an early 5-0 lead that they maintained for a 5-4 victory. J.T. Realmuto initiated the scoring in the second inning with an RBI single, followed by Bryson Stott contributing another run with his own single. Kyle Schwarber capped off the second with a line drive that brought Realmuto home. The third inning saw Alec Bohm hit a home run, while Brandon Marsh added another run with a single.

The Blue Jays attempted a comeback in the later innings, scoring through Addison Barger and Alan Roden's solo home runs, but their rally fell short. Despite a two-run shot by Eddinson Paulino in the ninth that brought the game to a tense finish, the Phillies held on as they secured the win. Bowden Francis struggled on the mound for Toronto, allowing seven hits and five runs, while Taijuan Walker delivered a solid performance for Philadelphia.