Fantasy Baseball News

 
Reset All

  • Diamondbacks' Corbin Martin To Undergo Lat Tendon Surgery, Likely To Miss 2023 Season

    TODAY: Martin has chosen to undergo surgery to repair his lat tendon, Lovullo told Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic and other reporters.  It is “doubtful” that Martin will be able to return before the end of the 2023 season, Lovullo said. MARCH 18: Corbin Martin left Wednesday’s game due to injury, as the Diamondbacks…

    Mar 19 · MLB Trade Rumors Diamondbacks Corbin Martin

  • Austin Nola Leaves Game After Being Hit By Pitch In The Face

    Padres catcher Austin Nola suffered a scary injury during today’s Cactus League game, as he was hit in the face by an errant Michael Fulmer pitch.  Nola was carted off the field, though he was able to get up under his own power.  Padres manager Bob Melvin suggested to reporters (including Jeff Sanders of the…

    Mar 19 · MLB Trade Rumors Padres Luis Campusano Austin Nola Pedro Severino Brett Sullivan

  • Braves Outright Jackson Stephens

    The Braves announced that right-hander Jackson Stephens was outrighted to Triple-A.  The move was necessary to remove Stephens from the 40-man roster since he is out of minor league options, but the righty will remain in Atlanta’s organization. Stephens first joined the Braves on a minor league deal last winter, and he ended up seeing…

    Mar 19 · MLB Trade Rumors Braves Jackson Stephens

  • Mariners Sign Delino DeShields To Minors Contract

    The Mariners have signed outfielder Delino DeShields to a minor league deal, according to the team’s official transactions page.  DeShields last played in the big leagues in 2021, as a member of the Reds. Seattle becomes the eighth different MLB organization of DeShields’ career, though he has seen official game action with only three of…

    Mar 19 · MLB Trade Rumors Mariners Delino DeShields

  • Red Sox Acquire Angel Pierre From Royals

    The Red Sox announced that infielder Angel Pierre has been acquired from the Royals.  Pierre is the player to be named later included along with Adalberto Mondesi in the January swap that sent Josh Taylor to Kansas City. Pierre was an international signing for the Royals in January 2022, and the 19-year-old’s first year as…

    Mar 19 · MLB Trade Rumors Red Sox Royals Adalberto Mondesi Josh Taylor

  • Andrew Vaughn Took Grounders On Sunday

    Chicago White Sox first baseman Andrew Vaughn (back) was able to take ground balls and play catch on Sunday. The 24-year-old is working his way back after dealing with lower back soreness over the last few days. The hope is that Vaughn will get back to swinging a bat soon, but the team isn't going to push him this late in spring. The team could very well give him a few more days off before they try getting Vaughn back into the swing of things. The expectation is that Vaughn is going to be ready in time for Opening Day.

    Mar 19 · Source via White Sox Andrew Vaughn

  • Seiya Suzuki Continues Making Progress

    Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki (oblique) continues taking positive steps forward as he works his way back from injury. The 28-year-old suffered an oblique strain in late-February and is still working his way back to full health. He started out by taking non-contact swings, but is ready for the next step. Now, Suzuki will begin taking some front-flip throws in the cage on Sunday. The expectation is that Suzuki is going to begin the season on the injured list. However, he could be ready to play as early as mid-April. This injury could drop Suzuki on draft boards, which makes him a sneaky addition in the late rounds of drafts.

    Mar 19 · Source via Cubs Seiya Suzuki

  • Max Kepler Exits Early On Sunday

    Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler (hip) was removed early during Sunday's Grapefruit League matchup. The left-handed slugger was pulled out of the game due to left hip tightness. It sounds like this was a precautionary move by the organization. Fantasy managers should consider Kepler as day-to-day right now. The team will likely give another update on his status, but he should be fine for Opening Day. The 30-year-old slugger is looking for a bounce back season after struggling in 2022. He should get a legitimate chance to prove himself as the everyday right fielder.

    Mar 19 · Source via Twins Max Kepler

  • Brandon Pfaadt Reassigned To Minors

    Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Brandon Pfaadt has been reassigned to minor league camp. The right-hander was among a huge group of cuts on Sunday. Pfaadt was the most surprising player to be cut here. He was making a legitimate case for the fifth starter role on the Opening Day roster. Before being reassigned, Pfaadt posted a 3.75 ERA and 15/4 K/BB ratio across 12 innings this spring. This leaves Drew Jameson as the favorite to win the fifth starter role in Arizona. However, Ryne Nelson and Tommy Henry are still in the mix as well. Pfaadt pitched well in the minors last season, so it shouldn't be long before he gets a chance to make an impact at the MLB level.

    Mar 19 · Source via Diamondbacks Brandon Pfaadt prospects

  • Glenn Otto To Undergo MRI

    Texas Rangers starting pitcher Glenn Otto (lat) was scratched ahead of his scheduled start on Saturday. The right-hander missed this contest due to right lat tightness. It sounds like Otto is still dealing with some soreness on Sunday. That being said, the organization has decided to have Otto undergo an MRI. He was likely headed to Triple-A to begin the season anyway. Now, the right-hander might land on the injured list, which could delay his start to the minor league season.

    Mar 19 · Source via Rangers Glenn Otto

  • Ricky Tiedemann Throws On Saturday

    Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Ricky Tiedemann (shoulder) took the mound for a side pitching session on Saturday. The left-hander says he feels good after experiencing shoulder soreness a few days ago. It sounds like the plan is for Tiedemann to throw another bullpen session within the next few days. The 20-year-old is currently ranked No. 32 in MLB Pipeline top prospects. Last season, Tiedemann finished with a 2.17 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, 117 strikeouts in 78 2/3 innings over 18 starts between three different levels. He still needs some more developing in the minors, but has a bright future ahead of him.

    Mar 19 · Source via Blue Jays Ricky Tiedemann prospects

  • Jurickson Profar Signs With Rockies

    The Colorado Rockies signed utility fielder Jurickson Profar to a one-year, $8.75 million deal. Profar is guaranteed $7.75 million and can earn another million if he reaches 400 plate appearances. The 30-year-old is expected to serve as the Rockies left fielder while batting leadoff in 2023. He was one of the last free agents to be signed, despite a fruitful 2022 campaign with the San Diego Padres. Profar slashed .243/.331/.391 with 15 HRs and a .723 OPS. He put together a memorable Wild Card Series against the Mets, after posting a 1.012 OPS with four plated runs in the series. If the Curacao native can continue to contribute offensively, he could be a valuable investment in deep league formats.

    Mar 19 · Source via Rockies Jurickson Profar

  • Abraham Almonte Reassigned To Minor League Camp

    New York Mets outfielder Abraham Almonte (calf) was reassigned to Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday. Almonte made eight appearances this spring, and will likely serve as organizational depth for the Mets in 2023. He made 14 at-bats and slashed .500/.650/.643 with a 1.293 OPS in spring training. He certainly made an impact this spring and may even see some time in the big leagues throughout the season. The 33-year-old spent his 2022 campaign with the Milwaukee Brewers and Boston Red Sox. He played in just 15 big league games with the Red Sox and hit .257 with one home run. If he turns some heads in Triple-A Syracuse, he could get an early promotion. Although, he won't bring any value to fantasy leagues.

    Mar 19 · Source via Mets Abraham Almonte

  • Jose Altuve Expected To Miss 8-10 Weeks

    Houston Astros All-Star second baseman Jose Altuve (thumb) is expected to miss eight to 10 weeks due to a broken right thumb that he suffered in the World Baseball Classic quarterfinals on Saturday night while playing for Team Venezuela. Altuve was hit by a pitch while facing Team USA and reliever Daniel Bard on Saturday, and now he's not expected to make his 2023 season debut until late May. The 32-year-old veteran may not return until June, depending on how his thumb heals. In the meantime, David Hensley, Mauricio Dubon and Rylan Bannon will compete for playing time at the keystone with Altuve on the shelf. It's a tough break for anyone that has already drafted Altuve, and for those with upcoming drafts, his fantasy stock obviously takes a big hit this year.

    Mar 19 · Source via Astros Jose Altuve

  • Jimmy Herget Competing For Closing Role

    Los Angeles Angels reliever Jimmy Herget has joined the conversation to become the teams closer to begin the season. With offseason acquisition Carlos Estevez struggling in spring training with a 15.43 ERA through six appearances, Herget is being strongly considered to start off the season as the closer. After the Halos dealt star closer Raisel Iglesias during last years trade deadline, they turned to their closing committee for the second half. 29-year-old Herget led the committee with nine saves, and the Angels were impressed by his performance in high-leverage situations. In high-pressure situations, he posted a 3.51 FIP with 10 strikeouts across 12 2/3 innings. While Herget is a strong candidate to be the teams closer, other names like Aaron Loup and Jose Quijada are in the mix as well.

    Mar 18 · Source via Angels Jimmy Herget closers

  • Abraham Almonte Re-Assigned To Triple-A

    New York Mets outfielder Abraham Almonte (calf) was re-assigned to Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday. Almonte made eight appearances this spring, and will likely serve as organizational depth for the Mets in 2023. He made 14 at-bat and slashed .500/.650/.643 with a 1.293 OPS in spring training. He certainly made an impact this spring and may even see some time in the big leagues throughout the season. The 33-year-old spent his 2022 campaign with the Boston Red Sox, which was mainly played in the minor leagues. He played in just 15 big league games and hit .257 with one home run. If he turns some heads in Triple-A Worcester, he could get an early promotion. Although, he won't bring any value to fantasy leagues.

    Mar 18 · Source via Mets Abraham Almonte

  • Jorge Polanco May Begin Season On Twins' Injured List

    The Twins have “been having some internal discussions” about Jorge Polanco’s status for Opening Day, chief baseball officer Derek Falvey said, since Polanco has yet to play in any Spring Training games.  Left knee soreness brought a premature end to Polanco’s 2022 season, so the Twins opted to bring the second baseman along slowly this…

    Mar 18 · MLB Trade Rumors Twins Jorge Polanco

  • Brayan Bello Making Spring Debut Sunday

    Boston Red Sox right-hander Brayan Bello (forearm) will toss a couple innings in a Grapefruit League game on Sunday for his spring debut. He will follow Nick Pivetta in the outing for Boston. The 23-year-old threw two innings on the back fields in spring training on Wednesday and is now ready to make his spring debut in a game. Even if Bello doesn't have any setbacks over the next couple of weeks, he's not expected to be ready to start the 2023 regular season in the Red Sox's starting rotation. The hard-throwing right-hander has plenty of maturing to do and will need to display better control to have consistent success in the big leagues, but his upside is intriguing in deep mixed and AL-only leagues if he's able to stick in Boston's rotation all year.

    Mar 18 · Source via Red Sox Brayan Bello

  • James Paxton Throws Bullpen Session

    Boston Red Sox southpaw James Paxton (hamstring) threw 25 pitches in a bullpen session on Saturday. Paxton is recovering from a right hamstring strain that he sustained in his first spring training start on March 3rd. He is expected to throw one more session along with two live BPs before pitching in a game. With the pace that he's on, Paxton will likely begin the season on the injured list. The 34-year-old missed the entire 2022 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery and anticipates making a comeback in 2023. He last pitched a full season in 2019 with the New York Yankees and composed a 3.82 ERA across 29 starts. Evidently, Paxton has had a bumpy past few seasons but the Red Sox are hoping to reinvigorate the success that he had just a few seasons ago.

    Mar 18 · Source via Red Sox James Paxton

  • Christian Walker Hits First Spring Homer In Return Saturday

    Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Christian Walker (hip) returned to the Cactus League lineup on Saturday against the Cleveland Guardians and went 1-for-2 with his first spring home run and a walk in the team's 6-4 win. Walker was pulled from Monday's Cactus League game early as a precaution after being hit by a pitch above his hip, but he was able to return this weekend and should be fully expected to be ready for Opening Day in a few weeks. The 31-year-old played first base on Saturday and hit cleanup for Arizona. If you choose to wait on the first base position in fantasy drafts, Walker is a fine target for his power. He hit .242/.327/.477 with an .804 OPS, career-high 36 home runs, 94 RBI and 84 runs scored in 160 games for the D-backs in 2022.

    Mar 18 · Source via Diamondbacks Christian Walker

  • Freddie Freeman Records Two Hits In Return To Lineup

    Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (hamstring) made his return to the team's Cactus League lineup as the designated hitter on Saturday against the Chicago White Sox and went 2-for-2 with a run scored and a walk in the team's 6-4 victory. The plan is for Freeman to play first base on Sunday after he was pulled from Team Canada's game in the World Baseball Classic earlier in the week due to a tight hamstring. The 33-year-old's injury was considered minor, and he's fully expected to be ready for Opening Day at the end of March. Heading into his second season with the Dodgers in 2023, Freeman should be considered an elite fantasy first baseman.

    Mar 18 · Source via Dodgers Freddie Freeman

  • Brandon Nimmo Diagnosed With Two Injuries

    New York Mets centerfielder Brandon Nimmo (leg) was diagnosed with a low-grade sprain in his right knee and ankle. Nimmo was in the act of sliding toward second base in Saturday's matchup against the Miami Marlins and failed to execute a proper slide. He was forced to exit the game and reported pain in his right knee the following morning. According to Mets GM Billy Eppler, the 29-year-old is on a week-to-week basis which puts his Opening Day status in jeopardy. The Mets are hoping to reinstate him as early as possible but will take every precaution to ensure that he heals completely. In 2022, Nimmo slashed .274/.367/.433 with 16 home runs and a .800 OPS. The Wyoming native is hoping to put together another healthy season as the Mets compete for their third title.

    Mar 18 · Source via Mets Brandon Nimmo

  • Nestor Cortes Roughed Up In Spring Debut Saturday

    New York Yankees left-hander Nestor Cortes (hamstring) made his Grapefruit League debut on Saturday against the Toronto Blue Jays and didn't have a great time on the mound. Cortes allowed three hits (two home runs) and five earned runs while walking three and striking out four in 3 1/3 innings of work. Although it wasn't the outing he'd like to have had, the most important thing is that Cortes is healthy and on track to be ready for Opening Day, which is important for the Yankees' starting rotation with both Carlos Rodon and Frankie Montas already hurt. The 28-year-old southpaw's spring debut was delayed due to a Grade 2 hamstring strain that he suffered early in camp. Cortes isn't dominant in the strikeout department, but he remains a key piece of New York's 2023 rotation.

    Mar 18 · Source via Yankees Nestor Cortes

  • Gabriel Moreno Doesn't Think Injury Is Serious

    Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno (hand) was removed from the team's Cactus League game on Saturday after being hit by a pitch on the left hand/wrist. He said the pitch caught him across his knuckles and doesn't think it's too serious. Moreno isn't scheduled to undergo X-rays for now, but he might get checked out on Sunday if it swells up overnight. It looks like the 23-year-old backstop has avoided a serious injury, but we'll have to keep an eye on him in the coming days. Arizona acquired Moreno from the Blue Jays in the offseason, and he'll have a legitimate shot at earning everyday playing time in the desert in 2023 in his first year with the team. He hit an impressive .319 with a homer and seven RBI in his first 25 big-league games last year and could provide a high average and 15-20 homers from the catching position.

    Mar 18 · Source via Diamondbacks Gabriel Moreno

  • Jose Altuve Exits WBC Quarterfinals With Hand Injury

    Houston Astros and Team Venezuela's second baseman Jose Altuve (hand) exited Saturday's quarterfinal game against Team USA after taking a pitch to the hand. Altuve is being tested to determine the severity of the injury, but things aren't looking too good based on his reaction. The 32-year-old was one-for-two before being replaced by Luis Rengifo in the fifth inning. In the tournament, Altuve is hitting .214/.450/.286 with a .736 OPS. This is a devastating injury for Team Venezuela, but for the Astros, this is even more impactful. Depending on the severity of the injury, there is a possibility that Altuve will miss some time to begin the season.

    Mar 18 · Source via Astros Jose Altuve

  • Kyle Wright To Make Spring Debut Monday

    Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Kyle Wright (shoulder) said he's scheduled to make his Grapefruit League debut on Monday against the Tampa Bay Rays. Wright has faced hitters in spring training, but this will be his first time getting into a game. The 27-year-old needed a cortisone injection in his right shoulder back in January and has been brought along slowly in camp. As long as he doesn't have a setback in the next couple weeks, he should be ready to go for Opening Day. Wright had a league-leading 21 wins last year in a breakout campaign and has become a solid starting target in fantasy leagues heading into the 2023 regular season.

    Mar 18 · Source via Braves Kyle Wright

  • Glenn Otto Scratched On Saturday

    Texas Rangers starting pitcher Glenn Otto (lat) was scratched ahead of Saturday's Cactus League matchup versus the Los Angeles Angels. The right-hander was pulled ahead of his scheduled start due to right lat tightness. Instead, Chase Lee was asked to make an emergency start versus the Angels on Saturday. This is not good news for Otto's chances of making the Opening Day roster. He already seemed like a long shot, but this injury certainly isn't going to help his case. Otto will likely head to Triple-A to begin the season, but should return to the Rangers roster at some point in 2023.

    Mar 18 · Source via Rangers Glenn Otto

  • Arte Moreno Discusses Ohtani, Luxury Tax, Angels Stadium, Ownership

    In the wake of Arte Moreno’s decision to abandon plans to sell the Angels, the owner has been somewhat uncharacteristically willing to discuss team matters with the media.  Moreno has already spoken with the New York Post’s Jon Heyman in February and Sports Illustrated’s Tom Verducci over the last month, and today the Halos owner…

    Mar 18 · MLB Trade Rumors Angels Shohei Ohtani Albert Pujols Anthony Rendon Mike Trout

  • Joey Lucchesi Optioned To Triple-A

    New York Mets starting pitcher Joey Lucceshi has been optioned to Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday. This doesn't come as surprise considering Lucceshi is in the final stages of working his way back from Tommy John surgery. He has only thrown two innings this spring, in which he was roughed up with four runs allowed. The plan is for Lucceshi to get stretched out in Triple-A before he makes his way back to New York. The 29-year-old should make an impact on the Mets roster at some point this season. Until then, fantasy managers can ignore him in basically every format.

    Mar 18 · Source via Mets Joey Lucchesi

  • Joey Wiemer Could Make Opening Day Roster

    Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Joey Wiemer has a chance at making the Opening Day roster, according to manager Craig Counsell. The right-handed slugger has held his own during his time in camp this spring. He's hitting .250 with two home runs, three RBI, and two stolen bases so far in Cactus League action. Counsell mentioned the team has uncertainty in the outfield, which means Wiemer has a shot at earning a spot on the roster. Last season, Wiemer hit .256/.336/.465 with 21 homers, 77 RBI, and 31 stolen bases between Double-A and Triple-A. The 24-year-old has promising upside, so fantasy managers should keep an eye on him throughout camp.

    Mar 18 · Source via Brewers Joey Wiemer prospects

  • Tommy La Stella To Play The Field On Wednesday

    Seattle Mariners infielder Tommy La Stella (shoulder) is expected to play the field for the first time on Wednesday, according to manager Scott Servais. The veteran infielder has been limited to designated hitter while dealing with shoulder soreness. Despite that, the Mariners believe that the injury is a minor issue. It sounds like La Stella should be ready for Opening Day, barring any setbacks. The 34-year-old isn't expected to have much fantasy value and is mainly a utility infielder.

    Mar 18 · Source via Mariners Tommy La Stella

  • J.P. Crawford Expected To Play On Monday

    Seattle Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford (shoulder) is expected to return to action for Monday's Cactus League matchup. The left-handed slugger has been dealing with a minor shoulder issue, but appears to be doing better. Crawford was able to take at-bats during a minor league game on Saturday. He didn't play the field, but fantasy managers shouldn't be concerned going forward. It sounds like Crawford is day-to-day and his availability for Opening Day shouldn't be in question.

    Mar 18 · Source via Mariners J.P. Crawford

  • Gabriel Moreno Removed From Saturday's Game

    Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno (hand) was forced to exit early during Saturday's Cactus League game. The 23-year-old was hit in the hand by a 95.5 mph fastball. The good news is, Moreno appears to have avoided serious injury. The team doesn't plan on having Moreno undergo further testing on his hand. It sounds like the team is going to wait-and-see how his hand does overnight. The right-handed slugger appears to be day-to-day, but fantasy managers should check back for more updates on his status.

    Mar 18 · Source via Diamondbacks Gabriel Moreno

  • Red Sox Notes: Rodriguez, Paxton, Meneses

    Red Sox reliever Joely Rodriguez left today’s game with what the team described as right torso pain.  The discomfort was visible, as The Boston Globe’s Peter Abraham (Twitter link) described Rodriguez as “groaning in pain as he went to the clubhouse and was holding onto his side.”  The somewhat vague wording of the club’s official…

    Mar 18 · MLB Trade Rumors Red Sox Joey Meneses James Paxton Joely Rodriguez

  • Michael Harris II Having Good Spring

    Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II is hitting .286 with a .375 OBP through 28 spring at-bats. The defending NL Rookie of the Year looks ready for the season and to improve on last year. He has two home runs and one stolen base this spring. He was a solid contributor across the board last season, hitting .297 with 19 homers, 20 steals, 64 RBI, and 75 runs scored in 414 at-bats. He should exceed those numbers after playing in 114 games in the majors last season. He's currently RotoBaller's 30th-ranked player but has an ADP of 42, so he should land in an excellent spot for one of your top outfield options.

    Mar 18 · Source via Braves Michael Harris

  • Jose Trevino To Catch Tuesday, Thursday

    New York Yankees catcher Jose Trevino (wrist) is scheduled to catch on Tuesday and Thursday of next week. The backstop has been dealing with a right wrist sprain for over a week now and has been out of action since March 9. He is expected to be ready for Opening Day. Trevino hit .248 with 11 home runs last season, so he's not a great option for fantasy unless you're in AL-only or deeper leagues.

    Mar 18 · Source via Yankees Jose Trevino

  • Tommy Kahnle Unable To Throw

    New York Yankees relief pitcher Tommy Kahnle (biceps) could not throw as scheduled. Kahnle is battling biceps soreness, and it is unknown when he will throw next. Last week General Manager Brian Cashman indicated Kahnle was to begin the year on the injured list. The continued soreness for Kahnle could push the start of his season back even further. He was projected to be a key piece in the Yankee's bullpen, so hopefully, he can get on track soon. Kahnle pitched in just 13 games last season after missing most of 2020 and all of 2021, so it would be nice to see him healthy again at some point this year.

    Mar 18 · Source via Yankees Tommy Kahnle closers

  • Andrew Vaughn Day-To-Day With Sore Back

    Chicago White Sox first baseman/outfielder Andrew Vaughn (back) is considered day-to-day, says manager Pedro Grifol. Vaughn has a sore lower back and will rest for a few more days. Vaughn was 10-for-31 (.323) during spring games so far, so the injury comes at a somewhat inopportune time for the youngster. The former third-overall pick is looking to build on a solid 2022 season and was showing well this spring. Hopefully, the few days off are all Vaughn needs, and it won't become a more significant issue. It shouldn't affect his draft position right now. He is currently going 142nd in upcoming fantasy drafts and is the 142nd-ranked player on RotoBaller. If Vaughn is back in the lineup in a couple of days, draft as you would.

    Mar 18 · Source via White Sox Andrew Vaughn

  • Josh Jung Involved In Minor Car Accident, Uninjured

    Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung was part of a minor car accident on his way to the ballpark Saturday but was uninjured. He was not in the lineup for Saturday's game, however. Jung hit five home runs in 26 games for the Rangers last season and is ranked as the team's top prospect. Hopefully, Jung doesn't feel any delayed ill effects from the accident, and he can walk away unscathed. He's currently ranked as RotoBaller's 20th-best third baseman, though he has the potential to finish higher than that, with excellent power upside. Jung is now hitting .281 with two homers and five RBI this spring.

    Mar 18 · Source via Rangers Josh Jung prospects

  • Reds Release Austin Romine

    The Reds announced that catcher Austin Romine has been released from his minor league deal.  Romine inked his contract in December, re-signing with Cincinnati after initially being acquired from the Cardinals at last August’s trade deadline. The release gives Romine a bit of extra time to try and land a new contract with another team,…

    Mar 18 · MLB Trade Rumors Reds Austin Romine

  • Harrison Bader Recovering Well

    New York Yankees outfielder Harrison Bader (oblique) is "doing better than we anticipated," according to manager Aaron Boone. It's not a very detailed account by Boone, but that's to be expected with injuries, especially ones in their early stages, such as Bader's. Bader is said to be set to miss around six weeks with a left oblique strain, and this doesn't ensure the timeline has shortened any. Injuries have been a problem for Bader in his career, and another has cropped up in the early going of this year. Bader's timeline is late April or early May, so it won't cost him most of the season like last year when he played in just 86 games.

    Mar 18 · Source via Yankees Harrison Bader

  • Carlos Rodon "Feeling Good" After Throwing Friday

    New York Yankees starting pitcher Carlos Rodon (forearm) threw on Friday and is said to be doing well. Rodon has been dealing with a mild forearm strain and was shut down from throwing since March 9. While he will start the season on the injured list, this is an encouraging sign in his rehab, which may last only a few more weeks. With injuries to Rodon and fellow starter Frankie Montas, the Yankees will likely depend on Domingo German and Clarke Schmidt to begin the season. Rodon still has an ADP of 57.3, and after a season in which he struck out 237 batters, the only thing holding him back from being a top fantasy arm is the injury.

    Mar 18 · Source via Yankees Carlos Rodon

  • Austin Slater Suffers Strained Hamstring

    Giants outfielder Austin Slater has suffered a strained hamstring, manager Gabe Kapler told reporters, including Evan Webeck of Mercury News. It’s not known yet how this injury affects Slater’s status for Opening Day, now just 12 days away. Slater’s injury is another blow to the Giants’ outfield depth chart, with Mitch Haniger already recovering from…

    Mar 18 · MLB Trade Rumors Giants Austin Slater

  • Luke Voit Pushes Back Opt-Out Date

    First-baseman/designated hitter Luke Voit has pushed back the opt-out date on his minor league deal with the Brewers until Friday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports. Voit told reporters he likes the fit with Milwaukee, and that the team likes him, but they are trying to maintain maximum 40-man roster flexibility going into the season. Voit…

    Mar 18 · MLB Trade Rumors Brewers Keston Hiura Rowdy Tellez Luke Voit Jesse Winker

  • Mets, Nine Other Teams Attended Zack Britton's Showcase

    The Mets were among the ten teams that attended free agent left-hander Zack Britton’s showcase on Friday, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. While the Mets have just lost their closer to a long-term injury, Heyman notes that the Mets’ level of interest in Britton is still unknown. Britton, 35, was once…

    Mar 18 · MLB Trade Rumors Mets Zack Britton John Curtiss Edwin Diaz Zach Muckenhirn Brooks Raley Drew Smith closers

  • Latest On The Yankees' Shortstop Battle

    As top prospect Anthony Volpe continues to make a strong case to win the Yankees’ starting shortstop job this spring, Andy Martino of SNY reports that the team are not close to making a decision on who’ll start there on Opening Day. Volpe, fellow youngster Oswald Peraza, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, and to a lesser extent Oswaldo…

    Mar 18 · MLB Trade Rumors Yankees Harrison Bader Oswaldo Cabrera Isiah Kiner-Falefa Oswald Peraza Anthony Volpe prospects

  • Mariners Release Drew Ellis

    The Mariners announced Friday evening that corner infielder Drew Ellis has been released. He’d been in camp as a non-roster invitee after being outrighted off Seattle’s roster last November. Seattle claimed Ellis off waivers from the Diamondbacks last June. The Louisville product only played one MLB game with the M’s, going 1-3 with a strikeout. He…

    Mar 17 · MLB Trade Rumors Mariners Drew Ellis

  • Ryan Yarbrough Continues Making Progress

    Kansas City Royals pitcher Ryan Yarbrough (groin) threw one inning during a minor league game on Thursday. Manager Matt Quatraro mentioned that everything went great during his outing. The left-hander has been dealing with a minor groin injury throughout camp. The hope is that Yarbrough will be able to make a Cactus League appearance soon. He is progressing well and should be available on Opening Day. However, his exact role with the team is unknown right now. Yarbrough has been a swingman throughout his career, so it's possible he continues with that role in Kansas City. The 31-year-old could have some streaming appeal when starting, but it would be dependent on the lineup he's pitching against on that day.

    Mar 17 · Source via Royals Ryan Yarbrough

  • Jacob deGrom To Take The Mound On Sunday

    Texas Rangers starting pitcher Jacob deGrom (side) is scheduled to make his first start of the spring against the Seattle Mariners on Sunday. The 34-year-old has been slowly working his way back from a side issue. He threw a 24-pitch simulated game on Tuesday. The expectation is that he'll throw two or three innings during his first start. The team isn't going to have him fully built up in time for Opening Day. The Rangers are going to be extremely cautious with deGrom. When healthy, deGrom is an ace, but keeping him on the field has been a problem throughout his career.

    Mar 17 · Source via Rangers Jacob deGrom

  • Dylan Moore To Miss Multiple Weeks

    Seattle Mariners outfielder Dylan Moore (oblique) is expected to miss multiple weeks after suffering an injury on Thursday. The 30-year-old is likely to miss 2-4 weeks after being diagnosed with an oblique strain. He was already questionable for Opening Day while recovering from core muscle surgery. Now, the Mariners might hold him out longer than this timetable until he's back to full health. His absence means that Cooper Hummel and Mason McCoy have a better chance at making the Opening Day roster. Moore wasn't a great fantasy option anyway, but this injury means he can probably be avoided in most leagues. His best attribute is his speed, which makes him a possible deep league option when healthy.

    Mar 17 · Source via Mariners Dylan Moore

  • Brandon Drury Expected To Be Fine

    Los Angeles Angels third baseman Brandon Drury (calf) was removed early during Friday's spring training contest. The right-handed slugger was pulled out of the game after fouling a ball off his calf. It sounds like his removal from the game was precautionary and Drury should be fine going forward. The expectation is that Drury will be back in the lineup for Saturday's game. Fantasy managers shouldn't have to worry here as it appears Drury is dealing with a very minor injury.

    Mar 17 · Source via Angels Brandon Drury

  • Adrian Morejon Avoids Serious Injury

    San Diego Padres pitcher Adrian Morejon (elbow) was pulled out early during Sunday's game due to elbow discomfort. Luckily, the MRI came back clean, so it appears Morejon isn't dealing with anything too serious. The team is going to treat him for inflammation and create a timetable for him to resume throwing again. There's a decent chance that Morejon opens the season on the injured list. However, it doesn't sound like a long term issue, so the team got lucky there.

    Mar 17 · Source via Padres Adrian Morejon

  • Brandon Nimmo Exits Early On Friday

    New York Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo (knee) was removed early during Friday's Grapefruit League matchup against the Miami Marlins. The left-handed slugger jammed his knee while sliding into second base. Nimmo needed assistance to get off the field, but the severity of the injury is unknown. The expectation is that the organization is going to have Nimmo undergo additional testing. Fantasy managers will have to check back for another update on Nimmo.

    Mar 17 · Source via Mets Brandon Nimmo

  • Latest On Marlins' Rotation

    Even after trading Pablo López for Luis Arraez as part of their effort to overhaul the lineup, the Marlins go into 2023 with a strong group of starting pitchers. Defending Cy Young award winner Sandy Alcantara is followed by Jesús Luzardo, Trevor Rogers and offseason pickup Johnny Cueto. The fifth spot has at least been a bit up in the air,…

    Mar 17 · MLB Trade Rumors Marlins Sandy Alcantara Luis Arraez Edward Cabrera Johnny Cueto Braxton Garrett Trevor Rogers

  • Nolan Arenado In Midseason Form

    St. Louis Cardinals third basemanNolan Arenado has looked great this spring and during the World Baseball Classic. Before heading out for the WBC, Arenado hit .571 with two home runs and three RBI for the Cards. Though he's yet to homer for Team USA, he has four RBI with a .333/.375/.533 slash line. Three of his five hits have gone for doubles. Team USA plays Team Venezuela Saturday night, so Arenado can continue his hot hitting for at least one more game in the WBC. The fifth-best third baseman on RotoBaller's rankings and 37th overall, it'll take a high-end pick to grab Arenado, but it will also be worth it. He's a solid contributor across the board but is still separated by about 15 spots compared to the top third baseman.

    Mar 17 · Source via Cardinals Nolan Arenado

  • Jose Altuve Struggling In Spring, WBC

    Houston Astros second basemanJose Altuvehas yet to find his groove this spring. Altuve was hitting .143 during Spring Training and is hitting .167 during the World Baseball Classic for Team Venezuela. It's nothing to be alarmed about, but you hope that one of the game's better hitters will get on a hot streak to carry into the beginning of the regular season. Venezuela will play Team USA Saturday night in the quarterfinals, so Altuve should have a few more chances to get going against big-league pitching. The No. 2 second baseman for RotoBaller rankings, it will be hard for Altuve to recreate his 164 wRC+ from 2022, but if he's healthy all year, he should again be amongst the best in the game.

    Mar 17 · Source via Astros Jose Altuve

  • Shane McClanahan Scoreless Over Two Starts This Spring

    Tampa Bay Rays left-handerShane McClanahanhas not given up a run during Spring Training. McClanahan has pitched 4 2/3 innings, striking out four, and has a WHIP of 0.64. The southpaw is still building his pitch count and has a few more spring innings left to go, but he looks ready for Opening Day. After striking out 30.3% of batters last season, McClanahan is set to be an ace again this year. He had a sparkling 2.54 ERA and a WHIP under one. He's currently RotoBaller's No. 8 ranked starting pitcher, but he is going outside the top 30 in drafts, making for a great value. If he can stay healthy for the full season, he should give great returns compared to his draft position.

    Mar 17 · Source via Rays Shane McClanahan

  • Raisel Iglesias Having Mediocre Spring

    Atlanta Braves closerRaisel Iglesias has a 4.50 ERA over four innings in Spring Training thus far. He has three strikeouts and a 1.25 WHIP. While those numbers wouldn't be helpful to your fantasy team during the year, they're nothing to worry about now. Iglesias was dominant after being traded to the Braves last season, striking out 30 batters in 26 1/3 innings. He had a minuscule 0.34 ERA and earned himself the chance to be the Braves' closer this season. He currently has a 79.3 ADP but is ranked as RotoBaller's 60th-best player, so there's some value there if you decide to look for saves that high.

    Mar 17 · Source via Braves Raisel Iglesias closers

  • Tony Gonsolin Expected To Open Season On Injured List

    Dodgers right-hander Tony Gonsolin won’t be ready for the beginning of the season due to his current ankle injury, manager Dave Roberts announced Friday (Twitter link via Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times). He’s expected to open the season on the 15-day injured list. Righties Ryan Pepiot and Michael Grove are the favorites to break…

    Mar 17 · MLB Trade Rumors Dodgers Tony Gonsolin

  • Austin Riley Looking Good In Spring Training

    Entering Grapefruit League play on Friday, Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley is hitting a strong .316 (6-for-19) with a double, two home runs, four RBI and three runs scored in nine games played. He made his first All-Star team in his fourth year in the big leagues in 2022 by slashing .273/.349/.528 with an .878 OPS, career-high 38 home runs, 93 RBI and 90 runs scored in 693 plate appearances and 159 games played. The 25-year-old is an elite power option in fantasy at the third base position, and he consistently barrels baseballs up, hitting a combined 71 round-trippers in his first two full MLB seasons in 2021 and 2022. Fantasy managers should consider him a top-five third baseman heading into 2023.

    Mar 17 · Source via Braves Austin Riley

  • Jake Rogers Injured On Friday

    Detroit Tigers catcher Jake Rogers (elbow) was removed from Friday's Grapefruit League game against the New York Yankees early after being drilled on his left elbow by a pitch. He was replaced by Andrew Knapp. Hopefully Rogers' injury isn't very serious, as he came into the day hitting a solid .333 (7-for-21) with two doubles, three home runs, three RBI, five runs scored and a stolen base in 11 spring contests. The 27-year-old missed all of last year while rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, and his fantasy appeal will be limited in 2023 behind Eric Haase in Detroit. Fantasy managers should look elsewhere in two-catcher leagues, as Rogers has a career batting average under .200 in his time in the big leagues.

    Mar 17 · Source via Tigers Jake Rogers

  • Braden Shewmake Not Expected To Make Opening Day Roster

    MLB.com's Mark Bowman doesn't expect Atlanta Braves shortstop prospect Braden Shewmake to make the team's Opening Day roster in a bench role. At this stage of their careers, the Braves need Shewmake and Vaughn Grissom to play every day, and Grissom is expected to be Atlanta's shortstop to begin the 2023 campaign. However, Shewmake has impressed this spring by hitting .292 (7-for-24) with two doubles, a triple, four RBI and a run scored in 11 Grapefruit League games. The former first-rounder hit just .259/.316/.399 with a .715 OPS, seven home runs, 25 RBI, 37 runs scored and nine stolen bases in 76 games for Triple-A Gwinnett in 2022 and would probably benefit from some more time down on the farm.

    Mar 17 · Source via Braves Braden Shewmake

  • Mets Claim Dennis Santana Off Waivers From Twins

    The New York Mets claimed right-handed reliever Dennis Santana off waivers from the Minnesota Twins on Friday. It's the second time Santana has been claimed off waivers before the 2023 season, as the Twins previously snagged him from the Atlanta Braves not long ago. The 26-year-old was with the Texas Rangers in 2022, posting a 5.22 ERA (3.35 FIP), 1.33 WHIP, one save, 28 walks and a career-high 54 strikeouts in 58 2/3 innings over 63 appearances (one start). He will provide some more relief depth for the Mets after losing closer Edwin Diaz (knee) for what is likely to be the entire 2023 season. Santana can be avoided for fantasy purposes.

    Mar 17 · Source via Twins Dennis Santana closers

  • Austin Slater Going For MRI On Calf

    San Francisco Giants outfielder Austin Slater (calf) is getting an MRI exam on Friday for his calf injury. Slater was removed from Thursday's Cactus League game early as a precautionary measure with a left-calf cramp. We'll have a better idea of when he might be able to return to the spring lineup after his MRI, but this doesn't seem like a very serious injury. The 30-year-old has also dealt with right elbow neuritis in camp and has played in just three games, going 2-for-9 with a double, four RBI, a run scored and two stolen bases in 11 plate appearances. Speed is probably Slater's biggest asset in deep-mixed and NL-only leagues, but he'll have limited upside in an outfield platoon role against left-handed pitching.

    Mar 17 · Source via Giants Austin Slater

  • C.J. Cron Out A Few Days With Back Spasms

    Colorado Rockies first baseman C.J. Cron (back) will miss at least a few days of Cactus League games due to back spasms he experienced on Thursday. There is no timeline for him to return to spring action. Cron hasn't been in the lineup since Tuesday, but his back injury doesn't look to be serious enough to put him on the injured list to begin the 2023 regular season. If for some reason his back spasms linger, Mike Moustakas and Harold Castro would likely split first base duties in Colorado, while Michael Toglia could also be an option at the cold corner. The 33-year-old Cron has attractive power, especially at hitter-friendly Coors Field, as he's hit 57 long balls in the last two years. But like most Rockies hitters, he hasn't been nearly as good on the road.

    Mar 17 · Source via Rockies C.J. Cron

  • Paul Blackburn Will Start Season On Injured List

    Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Paul Blackburn (finger) will begin the 2023 regular season on the injured list due to a cracked fingernail, according to manager Mark Kotsay. Blackburn had a nice season with the A's in 2022, but he also made only 21 starts due to another finger injury. The A's haven't given a timetable on his return, but the 29-year-old right-hander shouldn't miss too much time to begin the season. He went 6-2 with a 2.26 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in his first 13 starts last year before his finger injury cropped up, and fantasy managers will be hoping he can return to that level once he gets past his latest finger injury. Blackburn is worth a late-round flier in deep mixed leagues in a great home pitching park.

    Mar 17 · Source via Athletics Paul Blackburn

  • Tony Gonsolin To Begin Season On Injured List

    Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed on Friday that starting pitcher Tony Gonsolin (ankle), as expected, will begin the 2023 regular season on the injured list due to a sprained ankle he suffered in camp. While Gonsolin won't be ready to take his first turn through the rotation to begin the year, he's expected to only miss the first couple weeks of action. The 28-year-old right-hander isn't being pushed by the Dodgers to close out spring training, and he's fully expected to be a big piece of their starting rotation yet again after breaking out in 2022. Gonsolin should still be drafted in all redraft leagues, but fantasy managers should fully expect some regression.

    Mar 17 · Source via Dodgers Tony Gonsolin

  • Mets Claim Dennis Santana

    The Mets have claimed right-hander Dennis Santana off waivers from the Twins, tweets Dan Hayes of The Athletic. Santana is out of minor league options, and the Twins apparently attempted to pass him through waivers after deciding he wouldn’t break camp with the club. Minnesota claimed Santana off waivers from the Braves earlier in spring…

    Mar 17 · MLB Trade Rumors Mets Dennis Santana closers

  • Charlie Blackmon Won't Play This Weekend

    Colorado Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon (back) is still dealing with a sore back and won't play in Cactus League games this weekend. It's starting to become a concern for Blackmon, as he's already missed a week of spring games due to the injury. There's still time for him to return and get himself ready for Opening Day at the end of this month, but he's starting to run out of time. The 36-year-old left-handed hitter's fantasy stock is on the decline as he heads into his 13th MLB season for the Rockies. He hit .264/.314/.419 with a .733 OPS, 16 home runs, 78 RBI, 60 runs scored and four stolen bases in 577 plate appearances and 135 games in 2022. At this point, Blackmon is becoming a streamer for when he plays his home games at hitter-friendly Coors Field.

    Mar 17 · Source via Rockies Charlie Blackmon

  • Phillies Notes: Strahm, Suarez, Plassmeyer

    The Phillies are stretching lefty Matt Strahm out to handle a multi-inning relief option, tweets Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Manager Rob Thomson said this week that the organization’s goal is for Strahm to be built up to the point that he can handle three-inning stints by the end of camp, Lauber notes. He’s…

    Mar 17 · MLB Trade Rumors Phillies Michael Plassmeyer Matt Strahm Ranger Suarez closers

  • Royals Sign Jake Brentz To Two-Year Deal

    The Kanas City Royals signed left-hander Jake Brentz to an undisclosed two-year extension on Thursday. Brentz will miss all of this season after having Tommy John surgery on his left elbow last July. The 28-year-old southpaw reliever made just eight relief appearances for the Royals before his injury in 2022 in just his second major-league season, and he allowed 11 hits and 15 runs (14 earned) while walking 10 and striking out nine in just 5 1/3 innings pitched. In 2021, he had a 3.66 ERA (4.23 FIP), 1.28 WHIP, two saves and 76 strikeouts in 64 relief innings. Brentz is obviously well off the fantasy radar for now.

    Mar 17 · Source via Royals Jake Brentz

  • Mets Will Be Reimbursed For Edwin Diaz's Salary

    The New York Mets will be reimbursed for closer Edwin Diaz's (knee) salary during his time on the injured list this year after he suffered a torn patellar tendon at the World Baseball Classic on Wednesday night, according to league sources. MLB has insurance in place to protect teams if their players get injured in the WBC. If Diaz doesn't return in 2023, the league's insurance would cover his entire 2023 salary of $18.65 million, but it's unclear if Diaz's salary will still count against the luxury tax. The 28-year-old had successful surgery on Thursday and is expected to be out for at least eight months, so he'll most likely miss all of this year. With Diaz now on the shelf, David Robertson and Brooks Raley are now the most likely options to save games for the Mets in 2023.

    Mar 17 · Source via Mets Edwin Diaz closers

  • Lance Lynn To Start For Team USA On Saturday

    Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Lance Lynn will start for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic in the quarterfinals against Team Venezuela on Saturday. Lynn allowed just one run in five innings for a win on Monday against Team Canada, and he will be back on the bump this weekend in a much stiffer test. If the US comes out victorious, they will face off against Team Cuba in the semifinals on Sunday. Lynn had a late start in 2022 due to an injury and made only 21 starts in total. The 35-year-old right-hander got off to a rough start, but he finished strong with a 2.18 ERA and 62 strikeouts in his final 10 starts. He's looked good this spring as well, so his fantasy stock is rising ahead of upcoming drafts.

    Mar 17 · Source via White Sox Lance Lynn

  • Justin Turner Could Return To Game Action Monday

    Boston Red Sox third baseman/designated hitter Justin Turner (face) is hitting on the field on Friday and could play in a Grapefruit League game on Monday if all goes well with his hitting session. Turner required 16 stitches after getting hit by a pitch in the face early last week in a spring game, but he's progressed ahead of schedule and should be ready for Opening Day in late March at this point. The 38-year-old veteran will be an everyday player in 2023 in his first year in Boston between regular designated hitter duties and occasional starts at both third and first base. His peak power days at the plate are likely over, but Turner can still provide modest counting stats at Fenway Park while getting on base at a useful clip.

    Mar 17 · Source via Red Sox Justin Turner

  • Yordan Alvarez Taking On-Field Batting Practice Friday

    Houston Astros outfielder/designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (hand) is scheduled to take on-field batting practice on Friday, according to manager Dusty Baker. It's the first time that Alvarez will take on-field batting practice this spring. Alvarez has been held out of spring action due to a sore left hand, which is something he also dealt with in 2022. However, the Astros still expect him to be ready for Opening Day at the end of March. It's still a bit concerning for fantasy managers, though, and it's something to keep an eye on once the 2023 regular season begins. But when healthy, the 25-year-old left-handed slugger can be a beast at the plate and should be considered a top-10 fantasy selection in upcoming drafts.

    Mar 17 · Source via Astros Yordan Alvarez

  • Carlos Santana Dealing With Knee Discomfort

    Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Carlos Santana (knee) was removed from Thursday night's Grapefruit League game against the New York Yankees due to left knee discomfort. Santana suffered the injury when he slipped on the infield while attempting to catch a fly ball. The Pirates continue to evaluate him, and we'll have an update on the severity of his injury when we know more. There are still a few weeks left in spring training before Opening Day, so if it's just a minor injury, he should still be ready to go for the start of the regular season. The 36-year-old left-handed hitter should benefit from a batting-average rebound with the new shift rules, but fantasy managers still shouldn't count on major contributions from him in that category.

    Mar 17 · Source via Pirates Carlos Santana

  • Freddie Freeman Expected To Play Saturday

    The Los Angeles Dodgers' plan is for first baseman Freddie Freeman (hamstring) to serve as the designated hitter for Saturday's Cactus League game and then play first base on Sunday. Freeman was pulled from Team Canada's game in the World Baseball Classic earlier this week with a tweaked right hamstring, but it was a precautionary measure and he's fully expected to be ready for Opening Day. The 33-year-old left-handed slugger is back in camp with the Dodgers now and should be back in the Cactus League lineup this weekend, barring a setback on Friday. Freeman is one of baseball's best all-around first baseman and resides in one of the league's best lineups. He's an elite fantasy first baseman.

    Mar 17 · Source via Dodgers Freddie Freeman

  • Cardinals Reassign Tink Hence

    St. Louis Cardinals pitching prospect Tink Hence has been reassigned to minor league camp. One of the top pitching prospects in the game, Hence made four appearances this spring and allowed one run with five strikeouts over 3 1/3 innings. The 20-year-old has been moving up the system, but the Cardinals have been limited his innings thus far in his career and he is unlikely to see the big leagues in 2023. For now, dynasty managers should consider rostering with, but redraft managers can ignore the talented right-hander.

    Mar 17 · Source via Cardinals Tink Hence prospects

  • Brandon Pfaadt Continues To Make Case For Rotation Spot

    Arizona Diamondbacks pitching prospect Brandon Pfaadt tossed four innings of three hit ball and gave up one run with seven strikeouts versus the Chicago Cubs on Thursday. Pfaadt pitched out of relief, but has been competing for a spot in the Diamondbacks rotation this spring. Known as one of the top strikeout artists in the minor leagues, Pfaadt recorded 218 strikeouts over 167 innings this past season between Double-A and Triple-A to go along with a 3.83 ERA. Pfaadt hasn't been as hyped up as some other pitching prospects, but the 24-year-old has a true shot of breaking camp with the Diamondbacks. Rookie pitchers are always hard to judge in redraft leagues, but managers could do worse than to bet on a young pitcher that can miss bats. As far as dynasty leagues go, it may be last call on Pfaadt.

    Mar 17 · Source via Diamondbacks Brandon Pfaadt prospects

  • Yankees Opt To Reassign Jasson Dominguez

    Despite a strong showing in the Grapefruit League, the New York Yankees have reassigned outfield prospect Jasson Dominguez to minor league camp. The 20-year-old hit an impressive .455 with four homers and nine RBI in just 22 at-bats. Despite his strong showing, the Yankees are opting to give the youngster some more seasoning on the farm. One of the top prospects in the game, Dominguez has shown true five tool potential and should be rostered in dynasty leagues. Managers in redraft leagues should remember the name, but he may not see a promotion to the show in 2023.

    Mar 17 · Source via Yankees Jasson Dominguez prospects

  • Angels, Evan Marshall Agree To Minor League Deal

    The Angels have agreed to a minor league contract with right-handed reliever Evan Marshall, tweets James Fegan of The Athletic. Marshall himself suggested on Twitter last night that he’d signed with the Halos. He’s represented by ISE Baseball. Marshall, 33 next month, missed the 2022 season recovering from 2021 Tommy John surgery. He enjoyed an…

    Mar 17 · MLB Trade Rumors Angels Evan Marshall closers

  • Mark Melancon Expected To Miss Multiple Months With Shoulder Strain

    The D-Backs announced on Wednesday that veteran reliever Mark Melancon would miss the start of the season after experiencing shoulder discomfort. Manager Torey Lovullo provided a disheartening update on Thursday afternoon. The four-time All-Star will receive a platelet-rich plasma injection to address a subscapularis strain, an injury the skipper said will be measured in “months, not…

    Mar 17 · MLB Trade Rumors Diamondbacks Mark Melancon closers

  • Orioles Move Mike Baumann To Relief

    The Orioles are converting right-hander Mike Baumann to a short relief role, manager Brandon Hyde told reporters after today’s Spring Training contest (relayed by Nathan Ruiz of the Baltimore Sun). Baumann worked one inning, the eighth, in today’s game against the Blue Jays. Prospect evaluators have suggested for a few seasons that Baumann might be better…

    Mar 17 · MLB Trade Rumors Orioles Michael Baumann closers

  • Wander Franco Off To Hot Start This Spring

    Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco only has eight spring training at-bats to his credit, but he's made the most of them as he prepares for what he hopes will be his first full MLB season. Franco has gone 4-for-8 with a home run and a stolen base alongside a monstrous 1.636 OPS in his small spring sample. The 22-year-old has added a double while walking three times against just one strikeout. If there's any negative to be plucked from his early work this spring, it's that he's just 1-for-3 on stolen base attempts to this point. In any regard, there are big expectations for the Dominican Republic native in 2023. He hit .277 with six HR and eight SB alongside a .745 OPS across 83 games while missing time due to wrist surgery a season ago. Franco's bat has been 21% above league average through the first 153 games of his career, according to wRC+, while he is among the elite dynasty league shortstops available on draft day.

    Mar 16 · Source via Rays Wander Franco

  • Sandy Alcantara Showing No Rust This Spring

    Miami Marlins pitcherSandy Alcantarais enjoying a hot start to his spring on the heels of earning the NL Cy Young Award in 2022. The right-hander has pitched in just two games spanning 4 2/3 innings but has yielded just one earned run on four hits and two walks in that time. His 1.29 WHIP and two strikeouts in that span don't stand out, but Alcantara remains stingy through 74 Grapefruit League pitches nonetheless. It was a marvelous 2022 campaign for the Marlins' ace as Alcantara hurled a 2.28 ERA with a 17.7% K-BB% ratio across 32 starts spanning an MLB-best 228 2/3 innings pitched. The Dominican Republic native also managed to go 14-9 on a Marlins club that finished just 69-93 a season ago. Despite a lukewarm career 21.9 K%, Alcantara is one of the game's elite fantasy arms entering the 2023 campaign.

    Mar 16 · Source via Marlins Sandy Alcantara

  • Salvador Perez Enjoying Productive World Baseball Classic

    Kansas City Royals catcherSalvador Perezis enjoying a big World Baseball Classic for Team Venezuela, who sit atop Pool D with a clean 4-0 record for the tournament. The 32-year-old Perez has gone 5-for-10, with four of those hits coming in extra-base variety via a home run and three doubles. The veteran backstop now owns a massive 1.645 OPS in a small three-game sample after a solid start to his spring in Cactus League action with the Royals. Before departing for the World Baseball Classic, Perez hit .313 with one HR and one stolen base alongside a .813 OPS across 16 at-bats. After tyingVladimir Guerrero Jr.for the MLB lead with 48 HR in 2021, Perez predictably regressed to 23 long balls in 2022, albeit in just 114 games. He will once again serve as the Royals' primary catcher in 2023 but will also see a good chunk of time as a designated hitter.

    Mar 16 · Source via Royals Salvador Perez

  • Xander Bogaerts Rakes For Netherlands Wednesday

    San Diego Padres and Team Netherlands shortstopXander Bogaertsenjoyed a big day on Wednesday in a 3-1 victory over Panama at the World Baseball Classic. Bogaerts went 3-for-4 with a home run while showing off some stellar work with the glove and scoring a key insurance run in the eighth inning. For the tournament, the former Red Sox shortstop is hitting .267 with a double in addition to the aforementioned long ball alongside a .886 OPS across 15 at-bats. The 30-year-old struggled in spring training before departing for the World Baseball Classic, hitting just .154 with a .368 OPS across 13 Grapefruit League at-bats. Bogaerts signed an 11-year megadeal with the Padres this winter after hitting .307 with 11 HR, eight stolen bases, and a .833 OPS with the Red Sox in 2022.

    Mar 16 · Source via Padres Xander Bogaerts

  • Cedric Mullins Seeing Light Work For Team USA

    Baltimore Orioles and Team USA outfielderCedric Mullinshas yet to see many reps in the World Baseball Classic as part of a stacked American roster. Mullins has logged just five at-bats while appearing in three games, going 1-for-5 with an RBI triple and two strikeouts in that time. Mullins' triple came in a 12-1 blowout win over Team Canada on Monday, while he made just one plate appearance in USA's 3-2 triumph over Colombia on Wednesday. The former 13th-round pick hit .214 with a double in 14 Grapefruit League at-bats before departing for the World Baseball Classic. The 28-year-old regressed after an explosive 2021 season, hitting .258 with 16 home runs, 34 stolen bases, and a .721 OPS across 156 appearances for the Orioles in 2021. His wRC+ dropped from 136 in 2021 to 106 in 2022, but he still boasts a combination of power and speed, making him an attractive fantasy asset in his prime on draft day.

    Mar 16 · Source via Orioles Cedric Mullins

  • Carlos Santana Removed From Thursday's Game

    Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Carlos Santana (undisclosed) was forced to exit early during Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the New York Yankees. The 36-year-old slipped on the infield grass while attempting to catch a pop up. He was in some pain afterwards, so the team decided to pull Santana out of the game. It sounds like this was precautionary, but the team will likely give another update on his status. Hopefully, it's only a day-to-day issue, but fantasy managers will need to check back for another update.

    Mar 16 · Source via Pirates Carlos Santana

  • Matt Strahm To Be Multi-Inning Reliever

    Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Matt Strahm is expected to have a multi-inning role to begin the season. The left-hander signed a two-year, $15 million deal with the Phillies over the offseason. It sounds like the team is going their value out of Strahm by making him a multiple inning option. Manager Rob Thompson mentioned he wants Strahm to be built up to three innings by the end of spring training. There won't be a ton of fantasy value here considering Strahm probably won't be starting or closing in Philly. There could be spot starts mixed in, but that would likely be the only time that Strahm is only to have fantasy value in Philly.

    Mar 16 · Source via Phillies Matt Strahm closers

  • Jackson Jobe Shut Down For At Least Three Months

    Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Jackson Jobe (back) is expected to miss significant time due to injury. The right-hander will be shut down from throwing for 3-6 months. He's dealing with lumbar spine inflammation after reporting to have back discomfort earlier in the spring. There is a good chance the 20-year-old will miss a majority of the minor league season. He played his first minor league season in 2022 after being drafted as the third overall pick in 2021. Jobe has a bright future ahead of him, but sadly it's going to be slightly derailed for the time being.

    Mar 16 · Source via Tigers Jackson Jobe prospects

  • Ken Giles To Throw For Teams On Friday

    Free-agent relief pitcher Ken Giles is set to throw for teams in Arizona on Friday. It sounds like multiple teams are going to be in attendance for this session. The 32-year-old is attempting to make a comeback to the mound. He has only appeared in nine games over the last three seasons due to injuries. Before that, Giles was a reliable ninth-inning option, but it's uncertain what he has left in the tank. It's unlikely he'll have any fantasy value unless he finds a closer job somewhere. Fantasy managers can take a wait-and-see approach here.

    Mar 16 · Source via Ken Giles

  • Royals Sign Jake Brentz To Two-Year Deal

    The Royals announced Thursday evening they’ve signed lefty reliever Jake Brentz to a two-year contract. It’s a big league deal that reportedly guarantees $1.9MM with an additional $700K in attainable incentives. Brentz, a client of the Bledsoe Agency, will make $850K for the upcoming season and $1.05MM in 2024. Kansas City created a 40-man roster spot yesterday…

    Mar 16 · MLB Trade Rumors Royals Jake Brentz

  • Dylan Moore Scratched On Thursday

    Seattle Mariners outfielder Dylan Moore (side) was scratched from Thursday's Cactus League matchup. Manager Scott Servais said Moore felt something in his side while taking swings in the batting cage on Thursday morning. The team plans to have Moore undergo further testing to confirm it's not a more serious injury. It's uncertain if this will cause Moore to begin the season on the injured list. Fantasy managers should check back for another update on his status.

    Mar 16 · Source via Mariners Dylan Moore

  • Austin Slater Removed From Thursday's Game

    San Francisco Giants outfielder Austin Slater (calf) was forced to exit early during Thursday's Cactus League contest. It sounds like he was pulled due to calf tightness, so it doesn't sound too serious. It's worth noting that Slater has also been dealing with a nerve issue in his elbow. The expectation is that Slater should be fine going forward, but he might miss a few days due to this calf injury. He doesn't have great upside in terms of fantasy value, but could be worth a look in NL-only formats because of his speed.

    Mar 16 · Source via Giants Austin Slater

  • Latest On The Red Sox' Rotation

    The Red Sox’ rotation will likely be down several starters to begin the season, as MassLive.com’s Chris Cotillo writes that each of Garrett Whitlock, Brayan Bello and James Paxton are expected to begin the season on the injured list. Paxton had already been trending in this direction, but Whitlock and Bello now join him in…

    Mar 16 · MLB Trade Rumors Red Sox Brayan Bello Kutter Crawford Tanner Houck Corey Kluber Bryan Mata Chris Murphy James Paxton Nick Pivetta Chris Sale Brandon Walter Garrett Whitlock Josh Winckowski

  • Tigers Prospects Jackson Jobe, Dillon Dingler Facing Significant Absences

    The Tigers today announced a number of injury updates on some of the minor league players, with Evan Woodbery of MLive.com among those to relay the info (Twitter links). Per the release, right-hander Jackson Jobe has lumbar spine inflammation and will be sidelined for three-to-six months. Meanwhile, catcher Dillon Dingler received a meniscectomy on his…

    Mar 16 · MLB Trade Rumors Tigers Dillon Dingler Jackson Jobe prospects

  • Andrew McCutchen Dealing With Elbow Soreness

    Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen (elbow) is dealing with "very minor" right elbow soreness in spring training, and the team doesn't think the injury is significant. "Out of an abundance of caution, we're taking it very slow with Andrew," director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said. The Pirates aren't too concerned, but it's something to watch for the 36-year-old as he enters the twilight of his career with the organization that he spent the first nine seasons of his career with. McCutchen is hitting just .235 (4-for-17) with no homers or RBI, one run scored and seven strikeouts in eight Grapefruit League games. If healthy, he's expected to see most of the playing time in right field for the rebuilding Bucs in 2023.

    Mar 16 · Source via Pirates Andrew McCutchen

  • Mark Melancon Will Open Season On Injured List

    Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Mark Melancon (shoulder) has a subscapularis strain in his right shoulder and will open the 2023 regular season on the injured list, according to manager Torey Lovullo. Melancon is getting a platelet-rich plasma injection. The injury will keep the 37-year-old veteran reliever out for the first couple months of the season, so fantasy managers should be avoiding him in upcoming drafts. He opened last year as Arizona's primary closer and finished with 18 saves, but he pitched poorly for most of the year and lost the job by August. The D-backs will likely role with a committee approach to save situations, with Kevin Ginkel and Andrew Chafin the best bets for those speculating on saves in deeper fantasy leagues.

    Mar 16 · Source via Diamondbacks Mark Melancon closers

  • The Dodgers' Rotation Options If Tony Gonsolin Misses Time

    The Dodgers were dealt some undesirable news last week when All-Star starter Tony Gonsolin rolled his left ankle during a pitcher-fielding practice session. He was diagnosed with a sprain and unable to put much weight on the leg for a few days. Manager Dave Roberts told reporters yesterday that Gonsolin has again started throwing (via Bill…

    Mar 16 · MLB Trade Rumors Dodgers Dylan Covey Robbie Erlin Tony Gonsolin Michael Grove Andre Jackson Clayton Kershaw Landon Knack Dustin May Bobby Miller Ryan Pepiot Gavin Stone Noah Syndergaard prospects
    • To top