Spring training is winding to a close and Opening Day is just a few short days away, with all 30 teams in action on Thursday to kick off the stateside regular season after the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres officially started the year with their two games in South Korea.

Before the 2024 campaign kicks into gear, it's time for one final update to our Opening Day lineup predictions, with version 1.0 published on Nov. 29, version 2.0 released on Jan. 4, version 3.0 unveiled on Jan. 31 and version 4.0 posted on March 1.

Last season's lineup data is from Baseball Reference, the projected rosters from FanGraphs, spring training lineups and the opposing starting pitcher all went into projecting each team's Opening Day lineup.

The long wait for another MLB season is almost over.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Projected Starting Lineup vs. LHP Kyle Freeland (COL)

RF Corbin Carroll
2B Ketel Marte
LF Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
1B Christian Walker
3B Eugenio Suárez
C Gabriel Moreno
DH Emmanuel Rivera
CF Alek Thomas
SS Geraldo Perdomo
SP Zac Gallen

Notes

-Veteran Randal Grichuk is still recovering from having a bone spur removed from his ankle in January, while Joc Pederson is unlikely to start against a left-hander, so the Opening Day designated hitter spot could go to Emmanuel Rivera.

-After slumping during the second half and then hitting .182/.229/.242 in 35 plate appearances this spring, Geraldo Perdomo needs to prove his first half last year was not a fluke to hold off top prospect Jordan Lawlar at shortstop.

Atlanta Braves

Projected Starting Lineup vs. RHP Zack Wheeler (PHI)

RF Ronald Acuña Jr.
2B Ozzie Albies
3B Austin Riley
1B Matt Olson
DH Marcell Ozuna
CF Michael Harris II
C Sean Murphy
SS Orlando Arcia
LF Jarred Kelenic
SP Spencer Strider

Notes

-Michael Harris II made 113 of his 137 starts last season slotted in the bottom three spots in the batting order, but it looks like he will move up to the No. 6 spot this year and into more of a run production role.

-The return of slugger Adam Duvall on a one-year, $3 million deal gives the Braves a potential platoon option for Jarred Kelenic in left field, though Kelenic will be given every chance to prove he can be an everyday guy.

Baltimore Orioles

Projected Starting Lineup vs. LHP Patrick Sandoval (LAA)

CF Cedric Mullins
C Adley Rutschman
SS Gunnar Henderson
RF Anthony Santander
1B Ryan Mountcastle
LF Austin Hays
3B Ramón Urías
DH Tyler Nevin
2B Jordan Westburg
SP Corbin Burnes

Notes

-With top prospect Jackson Holliday optioned to Triple-A to open the year, expect to see Jordan Westburg at second base and 2022 AL Gold Glove winner Ramón Urías at third base to start the year.

-Young outfielder Colton Cowser looks like a lock for the Opening Day roster, but he doesn't have a clear path to a starting role, so it will be interesting to see how the team finds enough playing time for him to justify keeping the 24-year-old on the roster.

Boston Red Sox

Projected Starting Lineup vs. RHP Luis Castillo (SEA)

RF Jarren Duran
3B Rafael Devers
SS Trevor Story
1B Triston Casas
LF Tyler O'Neill
DH Masataka Yoshida
CF Ceddanne Rafaela (R)
2B Emmanuel Valdez
C Connor Wong
SP Brayan Bello

Notes

-With Vaughn Grissom (groin strain) headed for the injured list, the Red Sox have a hole to plug at second base. Emmanuel Valdez (47 games) and Pablo Reyes (30 games) both saw time there last year, but rookie Ceddanne Rafaela could also see the occasional start there early in the year.

-The Red Sox signed Brayan Bello to a six-year, $55 million extension earlier in March, and he is shaping up to be the team's best homegrown starting pitcher since Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz came through the pipeline.

Chicago Cubs

Projected Starting Lineup vs. RHP Nathan Eovaldi (TEX)

LF Ian Happ
RF Seiya Suzuki
1B Cody Bellinger
3B Christopher Morel
SS Dansby Swanson
DH Michael Busch (R)
2B Nico Hoerner
CF Mike Tauchman
C Yan Gomes
SP Justin Steele

Notes

-Ian Happ made a couple starts in the leadoff spot in September, and new manager Craig Counsell has been using him there this spring as well. The 29-year-old logged a .360 on-base percentage and 14.3 percent walk rate in 2023.

-If Christopher Morel proves he can hold down the everyday third base job from a defensive standpoint, it gives the team significantly more flexibility, as he would otherwise see the bulk of his playing time at designated hitter.

Chicago White Sox

Projected Starting Lineup vs. LHP Tarik Skubal (DET)

LF Andrew Benintendi
3B Yoán Moncada
CF Luis Robert Jr.
DH Eloy Jiménez
1B Andrew Vaughn
RF Kevin Pillar
SS Paul DeJong
C Martín Maldonado
2B Nicky Lopez
SP Garrett Crochet

Notes

-Hard-throwing lefty Garrett Crochet will be making his first career MLB start on Opening Day after spending the first four years of his pro career pitching out of the bullpen. The No. 11 overall pick in the 2020 draft was a starter during his time at the University of Tennessee.

-With a left-hander on the mound, Kevin Pillar could get the Opening Day start in right field, though rookie Dominic Fletcher is expected to be the team's primary starter at that position after coming over in an offseason trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Cincinnati Reds

Projected Starting Lineup vs. RHP Josiah Gray (WAS)

2B Jonathan India
SS Elly De La Cruz
LF Spencer Steer
3B Jeimer Candelario
1B Christian Encarnacion-Strand
DH Jake Fraley
C Tyler Stephenson
RF Will Benson
CF Stuart Fairchild
SP Frankie Montas

Notes

-With TJ Friedl (wrist fracture), Matt McLain (shoulder discomfort) and Noelvi Marte (80-game PED suspension) all on the sidelines to open the year, many of the Reds' biggest roster questions have been answered by default.

-Stuart Fairchild saw playing time at all three outfield spots last season in a fourth outfielder role, and he could be the guy in center field until Friedl returns to action. The Reds could also use Will Benson in center field, Jake Fraley in right field and rotate players at designated hitter.

Cleveland Guardians

Projected Starting Lineup vs. LHP Alex Wood (OAK)

LF Steven Kwan
2B Andrés Giménez
3B José Ramírez
1B Josh Naylor
RF Ramón Laureano
C Bo Naylor
DH Will Brennan
CF Tyler Freeman
SS Brayan Rocchio (R)
SP Shane Bieber

Notes

-The Guardians would not have given top prospect Brayan Rocchio a spot on the Opening Day roster if they didn't intend to give him everyday playing time, so it would appear he has won the starting shortstop job over Gabriel Arias.

-The surprise decision to outright Myles Straw off the 40-man roster and option him to the minors likely means it will be a platoon between Tyler Freeman and Estevan Florial in center field. The right-handed hitting Freeman gets the nod in our projected lineup with a lefty on the hill.

Colorado Rockies

Projected Starting Lineup vs. RHP Zac Gallen (ARI)

DH Charlie Blackmon
1B Kris Bryant
LF Nolan Jones
3B Ryan McMahon
2B Brendan Rodgers
SS Ezequiel Tovar
C Elias Diaz
RF Sean Bouchard
CF Brenton Doyle
SP Kyle Freeland

Notes

-In 140 plate appearances over the past two seasons, Sean Bouchard has quietly hit .304/.429/.563 for a 161 OPS+ with eight doubles, seven home runs, 18 RBI, 20 runs scored and 1.5 WAR. The 27-year-old has earned the first crack at the starting right field job.

-Shortstop Ezequiel Tovar signed a seven-year, $63.5 million extension over the weekend, and that could prove to be a huge bargain if he builds off a rookie season in which he was a Gold Glove finalist while tallying 56 extra-base hits, 11 steals and 2.5 WAR.

Detroit Tigers

Projected Starting Lineup vs. LHP Garrett Crochet (CWS)

CF Parker Meadows (R)
RF Riley Greene
1B Spencer Torkelson
DH Kerry Carpenter
LF Mark Canha
SS Javier Báez
2B Colt Keith (R)
3B Gio Urshela
C Jake Rogers
SP Tarik Skubal

Notes

-Rookies Parker Meadows and Colt Keith will be key pieces of the Detroit Tigers roster this year, and the latter will be making his MLB debut on Opening Day after signing a six-year, $28.6 million extension in January.

-In 15 starts last season after returning from flexor tendon surgery, Tarik Skubal posted a 2.80 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and a 102-to-14 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 80.1 innings. Don't sleep on him as a dark-horse AL Cy Young candidate.

Houston Astros

Projected Starting Lineup vs. LHP Nestor Cortes (NYY)

2B Jose Altuve
DH Yordan Alvarez
RF Kyle Tucker
3B Alex Bregman
1B José Abreu
LF Chas McCormick
C Yainer Diaz
SS Jeremy Peña
CF Jake Meyers
SP Framber Valdez

Notes

-With a clear path to regular playing time, catcher Yainer Diaz is a prime candidate to build off a rookie season in which he posted a 128 OPS+ with 22 doubles, 23 home runs and 60 RBI in 377 plate appearances.

-Justin Verlander, José Urquidy, Lance McCullers Jr. and Luis García are all sidelined to start the year, which means the Astros will lean on Hunter Brown, J.P. France and Ronel Blanco to round out the starting rotation.

Kansas City Royals

Projected Starting Lineup vs. RHP Pablo López (MIN)

LF MJ Melendez
SS Bobby Witt Jr.
1B Vinnie Pasquantino
C Salvador Perez
RF Hunter Renfroe
2B Adam Frazier
DH Nelson Velázquez
3B Maikel García
CF Kyle Isbel
SP Cole Ragans

Notes

-Second baseman Michael Massey is dealing with lower back tightness and is expected to open the year on the injured list, which makes the move to sign veteran Adam Frazier to a one-year, $4.5 million deal look like a wise decision.

-Left-hander Cole Ragans had a 2.64 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 89 strikeouts in 71.2 innings over 12 starts after he was acquired from the Texas Rangers at the trade deadline in exchange for a two-month rental of Aroldis Chapman.

Los Angeles Angels

Projected Starting Lineup vs. RHP Corbin Burnes (BAL)

2B Luis Rengifo
1B Nolan Schanuel
CF Mike Trout
3B Anthony Rendon
LF Taylor Ward
DH Brandon Drury
RF Mickey Moniak
C Logan O'Hoppe
SS Zach Neto
SP Patrick Sandoval

Notes

-The Angels could opt to keep Nolan Schanuel or Mickey Moniak on the bench against left-handed pitching, with veteran Aaron Hicks starting in right field or at designated hitter with Brandon Drury shifting to first base.

-Left-hander Patrick Sandoval got the Opening Day start after posting a 4.11 ERA in 144.2 innings last year, and he has shown flashes of frontline potential since becoming a regular in the Angels rotation in 2021.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Projected Starting Lineup vs. RHP Miles Mikolas (STL)

SS Mookie Betts
DH Shohei Ohtani
1B Freddie Freeman
C Will Smith
3B Max Muncy
LF Teoscar Hernández
CF James Outman
RF Jason Heyward
2B Gavin Lux
SP Tyler Glasnow

Notes

-The above lineup is the exact one the Los Angeles Dodgers used in both of their games against the San Diego Padres in the Seoul Series in South Korea, so there's a good chance that will be how they open the year against the St. Louis Cardinals.

-When a lefty is on the mound, expect to see Chris Taylor and Enrique Hernández in the starting lineup over Jason Heyward and Gavin Lux. Those two players give manager Dave Roberts a lot of potential to platoon with their defensive versatility.

Miami Marlins

Projected Starting Lineup vs. RHP Mitch Keller (PIT)

2B Luis Arraez
1B Josh Bell
3B Jake Burger
CF Jazz Chisholm Jr.
SS Tim Anderson
RF Jesús Sánchez
DH Avisaíl García
LF Bryan De La Cruz
C Christian Bethancourt
SP Jesús Luzardo

Notes

-With Sandy Alcántara, Eury Pérez, Edward Cabrera and Braxton Garrett all opening the year on the injured list, the Marlins will be piecing things together in the starting rotation behind rising ace Jesús Luzardo. Former first-round picks A.J. Puk, Ryan Weathers and Max Meyer will all have a chance to carve out a regular role on the starting staff.

-Jon Berti, Vidal Brujan and Nick Gordon all bring tremendous versatility to the Marlins bench, which should mean plenty of mixing and matching in the starting lineup as the season unfolds.

Milwaukee Brewers

Projected Starting Lineup vs. LHP José Quintana (NYM)

CF Sal Frelick
C William Contreras
LF Christian Yelich
1B Rhys Hoskins
SS Willy Adames
DH Gary Sánchez
RF Jackson Chourio (R)
2B Brice Turang
3B Joey Ortiz (R)
SP Freddy Peralta

Notes

-With Garrett Mitchell now sidelined with a fractured left hand, Sal Frelick will likely shift back to the outfield after transitioning to third base during spring training. That then opens up a spot in the starting lineup for Joey Ortiz or Andruw Monasterio at the hot corner.

-The Mitchell injury could also create a spot on the Opening Day roster for Eric Haase, giving the Brewers a third catcher since Gary Sánchez is expected to serve as the team's primary designated hitter.

Minnesota Twins

Projected Starting Lineup vs. LHP Cole Ragans (KC)

2B Edouard Julien
CF Byron Buxton
SS Carlos Correa
3B Royce Lewis
RF Max Kepler
1B Carlos Santana
C Ryan Jeffers
LF Manuel Margot
DH Willi Castro
SP Pablo López

Notes

-With a lefty on the mound for the Kansas City Royals, Manuel Margot and Willi Castro are penciled into the projected starting lineup. Left-handed hitters Matt Wallner and Alex Kirilloff will likely fill those spots when a righty is on the bump.

-Former Gold Glove winner Byron Buxton is set to return to center field after spending the entire 2023 season serving as designated hitter, and keeping him healthy will be a major key to success for the Twins.

New York Mets

Projected Starting Lineup vs. RHP Freddy Peralta (MIL)

LF Brandon Nimmo
SS Francisco Lindor
1B Pete Alonso
C Francisco Álvarez
2B Jeff McNeil
RF Starling Marte
3B Brett Baty
CF Harrison Bader
DH DJ Stewart
SP José Quintana

Notes

-The Mets signed J.D. Martinez to a one-year, $12 million deal last Thursday, and while some of that money is expected to be deferred, whatever they pay him in 2024 will come with a 110 percent luxury-tax penalty. The 36-year-old will open the year in the minors while he makes up for lost time prepping for the season.

-With Martinez expected to stay behind at extended spring training and Mark Vientos optioned to Triple-A, it appears DJ Stewart and Tyrone Taylor will open the season as the team's primary designated hitter options.

New York Yankees

Projected Starting Lineup vs. LHP Framber Valdez (HOU)

2B Gleyber Torres
RF Juan Soto
CF Aaron Judge
DH Giancarlo Stanton
1B Anthony Rizzo
SS Anthony Volpe
LF Alex Verdugo
C Jose Trevino
3B Oswaldo Cabrera
SP Nestor Cortes

Notes

-With DJ LeMahieu dealing with a bone bruise on his foot, Oswaldo Cabrera is the next man up at third base to open the year, while Gleyber Torres is the leading candidate to fill the void in the leadoff spot.

-Nestor Cortes gets the Opening Day start with Gerrit Cole sidelined, and he has a chance to be a major X-factor for the Yankees. The 29-year-old had a 2.61 ERA over 251.1 innings in 2021 and 2022 before dealing with injuries and struggling to a 4.97 ERA in 63.1 innings last year.

Oakland Athletics

Projected Starting Lineup vs. RHP Shane Bieber (CLE)

1B Ryan Noda
2B Zack Gelof
RF Seth Brown
DH Brent Rooker
3B J.D. Davis
C Shea Langeliers
CF JJ Bleday
LF Esteury Ruiz
SS Nick Allen
SP Alex Wood

Notes

-Plus defender Nick Allen will get the first crack at the shortstop job as he looks to prove he can make enough of an impact offensively to be an everyday player. The 25-year-old hit .221/.263/.287 for a 58 OPS+ in 329 plate appearances last season.

-Slugger J.D. Davis gives the Athletics a proven run producer after he was cut loose by the San Francisco Giants in the wake of the Matt Chapman signing. He signed a one-year, $2.5 million deal that could earn him another $1 million worth of incentives.

Philadelphia Phillies

Projected Starting Lineup vs. RHP Spencer Strider (ATL)

DH Kyle Schwarber
SS Trea Turner
1B Bryce Harper
C J.T. Realmuto
2B Bryson Stott
3B Alec Bohm
RF Nick Castellanos
LF Brandon Marsh
CF Johan Rojas
SP Zack Wheeler

Notes

-The Phillies lineup has been set since the offseason started, with all of the key pieces from last year's team returning and Bryce Harper set to make the full-time move to first base, allowing Kyle Schwarber to shift to designated hitter.

-The biggest question mark is whether center fielder Johan Rojas can maintain his stellar rookie numbers after posting extremely mediocre batted-ball figures. If he struggles, former top prospect Cristian Pache could play his way into a bigger role.

Pittsburgh Pirates

Projected Starting Lineup vs. LHP Jesús Luzardo (MIA)

SS Oneil Cruz
RF Bryan Reynolds
3B Ke'Bryan Hayes
LF Jack Suwinski
DH Andrew McCutchen
1B Rowdy Tellez
CF Michael A. Taylor
C Henry Davis
2B Jared Triolo
SP Mitch Keller

Notes

-A healthy Oneil Cruz will likely be joined up the middle by Jared Triolo, who has emerged as the front-runner for the starting second base job. The 26-year-old posted a 116 OPS+ and 2.1 WAR in 54 games as a rookie.

-Improved defense from Henry Davis behind the plate has put him in the driver's seat for the starting catcher job, though he may still be splitting time with veteran Yasmani Grandal to open the year.

San Diego Padres

Projected Starting Lineup vs. RHP Logan Webb (SF)

2B Xander Bogaerts
RF Fernando Tatis Jr.
1B Jake Cronenworth
DH Manny Machado
SS Ha-Seong Kim
LF Jurickson Profar
C Luis Campusano
3B Tyler Wade
CF Jackson Merrill (R)
SP Yu Darvish

Notes

-The Padres used the above lineup in both of their games against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the Seoul Series, and until Manny Machado is ready to play the field again, it looks like utility man Tyler Wade will be the guy at third base.

-Top prospect Jackson Merrill went 2-for-8 with a double in South Korea, and his athleticism making the shift from shortstop to center field is reminiscent of the path Trea Turner took when he first broke into the big leagues.

San Francisco Giants

Projected Starting Lineup vs. RHP Yu Darvish (SD)

CF Jung Hoo Lee (R)
DH Jorge Soler
1B LaMonte Wade Jr.
3B Matt Chapman
LF Michael Conforto
2B Thairo Estrada
RF Mike Yastrzemski
C Patrick Bailey
SS Nick Ahmed
SP Logan Webb

Notes

-The Giants have platooned as much as any team in baseball in recent years, and that will likely be the case again this year. Wilmer Flores will be a staple in the starting lineup against left-handed pitching, while Luis Matos could also start in the outfield over Michael Conforto or Mike Yastrzemski against southpaws.

-The decision to send top prospect Marco Luciano back to the minors to open the year means non-roster invitee Nick Ahmed and utility man Tyler Fitzgerald will hold down the fort at shortstop.

Seattle Mariners

Projected Starting Lineup vs. RHP Brayan Bello (BOS)

SS J.P. Crawford
CF Julio Rodríguez
2B Jorge Polanco
DH Mitch Garver
C Cal Raleigh
RF Mitch Haniger
LF Luke Raley
1B Ty France
3B Josh Rojas
SP Luis Castillo

Notes

-The Mariners have put a lot of eggs in the "Mitch Haniger returns to form" and "Luke Raley proves his 2023 breakout was not a fluke" baskets, but it was an outside-the-box approach to filling their corner outfield voids that could pay major dividends.

-Outfielder Dominic Canzone hit .354/.431/.634 with 18 doubles, 16 home runs and 71 RBI in 71 games at Triple-A last season, and he was acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks at the deadline in the Paul Sewald deal. The 26-year-old could see regular action in left field.

St. Louis Cardinals

Projected Starting Lineup vs. RHP Tyler Glasnow (LAD)

DH Brendan Donovan
1B Paul Goldschmidt
2B Nolan Gorman
3B Nolan Arenado
C Willson Contreras
LF Alec Burleson
RF Jordan Walker
CF Dylan Carlson
SS Masyn Winn (R)
SP Miles Mikolas

Notes

-With Lars Nootbaar (rib fractures) and Tommy Edman (wrist surgery) both set to start the season on the injured list, the Cardinals will open the year with Alec Burleson and Dylan Carlson penciled into the starting lineup in the outfield.

-Slick-fielding Masyn Winn will have every opportunity to prove his bat is ready for the big leagues thanks to his elite defensive potential. If he does struggle at the plate, veteran Brandon Crawford gives the club a short-term stopgap.

Tampa Bay Rays

Projected Starting Lineup vs. RHP José Berríos (TOR)

1B Yandy Díaz
DH Brandon Lowe
LF Randy Arozarena
RF Harold Ramírez
3B Isaac Paredes
2B Amed Rosario
CF José Siri
SS José Caballero
C René Pinto
SP Zach Eflin

Notes

-With Josh Lowe expected to miss the first couple weeks of the season with hip inflammation, Harold Ramírez could see some action in right field to open the year, which frees up the DH spot for someone else.

-Using Brandon Lowe in that aforementioned DH role would create a path to playing time for Amed Rosario or rookie Curtis Mead at second base, and both guys are capable of pushing their way into a large role given the opportunity.

Texas Rangers

Projected Starting Lineup vs. LHP Justin Steele (CHC)

2B Marcus Semien
SS Corey Seager
RF Adolis García
LF Evan Carter (R)
DH Wyatt Langford (R)
3B Josh Jung
C Jonah Heim
1B Jared Walsh
CF Leody Taveras
SP Nathan Eovaldi

Notes

-Shortstop Corey Seager and third baseman Josh Jung just made their spring debuts over the weekend, but both All-Stars are expected to be part of the Opening Day roster even after getting such a late start to the preseason.

-On the flip side, Nathaniel Lowe (oblique strain) is headed for the injured list, which opens the door for Jared Walsh to make good on his minor league deal. The 2021 All-Star posted an .831 OPS with three home runs this spring after struggling to a .125 average and 33 OPS+ in 116 plate appearances last year.

Toronto Blue Jays

Projected Starting Lineup vs. RHP Zach Eflin (TB)

RF George Springer
1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
SS Bo Bichette
DH Justin Turner
LF Daulton Varsho
C Alejandro Kirk
CF Kevin Kiermaier
3B Isiah Kiner-Falefa
2B Cavan Biggio
SP José Berríos

Notes

-Following a red-hot start after he was called up in August, Davis Schneider suffered through an 0-for-31 slump in September. Now he will need to play his way into the starting lineup while veterans Cavan Biggio and Isiah Kiner-Falefa hold down second and third base.

-Slugger Daniel Vogelbach has earned a spot on Toronto's Opening Day roster on a minor league contract, and that could mean the Blue Jays view Justin Turner as an option for occasional starts at third base.

Washington Nationals

Projected Starting Lineup vs. RHP Frankie Montas (CIN)

SS CJ Abrams
RF Lane Thomas
LF Jesse Winker
1B Joey Gallo
C Keibert Ruiz
DH Joey Meneses
3B Nick Senzel
2B Luis Garcia Jr.
CF Victor Robles
SP Josiah Gray

Notes

-Jesse Winker and Eddie Rosario both played their way onto the Nationals roster after signing minor league deals, and they will be options in left field and at designated hitter while they both look to rebuild their stock.

-Rookie Trey Lipscomb hit .400/.455/.540 in 55 plate appearances this spring, and he could push Luis Garcia Jr. and Nick Senzel for playing time on the infield if he finds his way onto the Opening Day roster and continues to hit.