Diamondbacks Select Contract For Tucker Barnhart

The Arizona Diamondbacks selected veteran catcher Tucker Barnhart's contract Monday and designated pitcher Peter Strzelecki for assignment in a corresponding move. This means that Barnhart will serve as backup to Gabriel Moreno to start the season. The 33-year-old is a two-time Gold Glove winner and can provide experience and leadership off the bench. However, he […...

Sam Haggerty To Start Season On Injured List

Seattle Mariners second baseman/outfielder Sam Haggerty (personal) will start the season on the injured list with a personal medical issue, per general manager Justin Hollander. Hollander only specified that the injury is non-baseball related. The 29-year-old spent most of his time at Triple-A Tacoma last season, slashing .324/.419/.578 with eight home runs, 19 RBI, and […...

Matt Brash Throws Bullpen Session Monday

Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Matt Brash (elbow) threw 25 pitches off the mound at 85 percent effort on Monday, per Seattle Times' Ryan Divish. The 25-year-old has been positively progressing through right elbow inflammation this spring. Brash played a key part in the Mariners bullpen last season, going 9-4 with four saves and 24 holds […...

Gregory Santos To Undergo MRI Thursday

Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Gregory Santos (lat) is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Thursday, per the Seattle Times' Ryan Divish. Santos has been dealing with a lat strain this spring which has slowed his progress on and off. The 24-year-old will continue his throwing program if the MRI comes back clean. While he may […...

Kevin Gausman Strikes Out Seven In Monday's Start

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Kevin Gausman (shoulder) had an encouraging start in Monday's 4-3 Grapefruit League loss to the Pirates. Gausman pitched three innings, allowing one run on three hits and no walks with seven strikeouts. The 33-year-old experienced shoulder soreness earlier in spring training, but now should avoid a stint on the injured […...

Shohei Ohtani Plays Catch Monday

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani (elbow) played catch Monday after addressing the media. It was the first reported time of him throwing a baseball since his second elbow surgery. Manager Dave Roberts said that he doesn't expect Ohtani to pitch until 2025 but said he may be able to play the field in […...

Will Benson - Fantasy Baseball Draft Values and Sleepers (2024)

BALLER MOVE: Target in drafts ~pick 274 CURRENT ADP: ~353 ANALYSIS: With Cincinnati Reds outfielder TJ Friedl (wrist) set to open the 2024 season on the injured list with a fractured right wrist, Will Benson could see additional playing time to start the season, per MLB.com's Mark Sheldon. Manager David Bell said, "It's all going to work out. […...

Woo-Suk Go Optioned To Triple-A Tuesday

The San Diego Padres optioned relief pitcher Woo-Suk Go to Triple-A El Paso on Tuesday. The 25-year-old Korean agreed to a two-year, $4.5 million contract this off-season after establishing himself as one of the best closers in the Korean Baseball Organization. However, he has not found that success with the Padres this spring, posting a […...

Pablo Lopez Posting Poor Spring Numbers

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Pablo Lopez has not looked like the ace-tier fantasy option fantasy managers are hoping for this spring. The 28-year-old has gone 0-2 with a 7.07 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, and 14 strikeouts in 14 innings pitched. While this is not encouraging for fantasy managers, they should remember that spring samples are small […...

Sean Reid-Foley Tracking To Make Opening Day Roster

New York Mets relief pitcher Sean Reid-Foley (arm fatigue), who hasn't appeared in a Grapefruit League game since March 9 due to arm fatigue, threw a bullpen session Tuesday. The 28-year-old touched the mid-90s with his velocity. He expects to return to game action before the end of the week. Reid-Foley has had a strong […...

David Peterson Throws Fourth Bullpen Session Tuesday

New York Mets pitcher David Peterson (hip) threw his fourth bullpen session of spring training on Tuesday, tossing 15 pitches. "I feel like a real player again," the 28-year-old said. "It feels different, but it feels different in a better way." Peterson underwent surgery to fix a labrum tear in his left hip last November […...

Asa Lacy Undergoes Tommy John Surgery Tuesday

Kansas City Royals starting pitching prospect Asa Lacy (elbow) announced on his Twitter page Tuesday that he had Tommy John surgery on his elbow. The 24-year-old, who was a former first-round pick, has been plagued with injuries throughout his career. He last pitched professionally in 2022 with Double-A Northwest Arkansas, managing just 20 innings pitched. […...

Bryce Harper Remains Out Of Lineup Tuesday

Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper (back) was held out of the lineup for the fifth consecutive day in Tuesday's 0-0 Grapefruit League tie with the Tigers. The 31-year-old has been dealing with back stiffness. However, manager Rob Thompson said, "He took ground balls today and swung the bat. He's feeling better." It does not […...

Brusdar Graterol Placed On 15-Day Injured List Tuesday

Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Brusdar Graterol (shoulder) will not be on the 26-man roster for the upcoming Seoul Series, as he was placed on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with right shoulder inflammation. The 25-year-old made just one appearance this spring, tossing a scoreless inning. The severity of his injury is unknown, but losing […...

Adolis Garcia Hits Solo Homer Monday

Texas Rangers outfielder Adolis Garcia went 2-for-3 with a double, a solo home run, and a strikeout in Monday's 9-5 Cactus League loss to the Mariners. The 31-year-old got a late start to spring after suffering a moderate left oblique strain in the World Series, so seeing him flash his power is good. However, he […...

Cristian Javier Turns In Rough Start Monday

Houston Astros starting pitcher Cristian Javier yielded his worst start of the spring in Monday's 10-1 Grapefruit League loss to the Nationals. Javier pitched 4 2/3 innings, allowing five runs on three hits (including a solo home run) and four walks with one strikeout. The 26-year-old is coming off of a surprisingly poor 2023 season […...

Hunter Brown Having Strong Spring

Houston Astros starting pitcher Hunter Brown has put together a strong spring to this point, compiling a 2.84 ERA with a 1.12 WHIP and 12 strikeouts in 12 2/3 innings pitched. This is a good sign for the Astros and fantasy managers, as the team has expressed that the 25-year-old will need "to take a […...

Matt Canterino Suffers Setback Monday, Will Need Injured List Stint

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Matt Canterino (elbow, shoulder), who had Tommy John surgery in August of 2022 and did not pitch in 2023, suffered a shoulder strain Monday and will start the 2024 season on the Triple-A injured list. This is a shame, as the Twins pitching staff has suffered numerous injuries and The 26-year-old […...

Caleb Thielbar To Start Season On Injured List

Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Caleb Thielbar (hamstring) will be one of several of the team's pitching staff to start the 2024 season on the injured list, per the Athletic's Aaron Gleeman. Thielbar suffered a strained left hamstring early in camp and, while he progressed to throwing live batting practice last week, it was determined that […...

Will Benson, Stuart Fairchild Could See Time In Center Field

With Cincinnati Reds outfielder TJ Friedl (wrist) set to open the 2024 season on the injured list with a fractured right wrist, Will Benson and Stuart Fairchild could see additional playing time to start the season, per MLB.com's Mark Sheldon. Manager David Bell said, "It's all going to work out. I'm focused on the guys […...

Zac Gallen Gets Opening Day Nod

The Arizona Diamondbacks announced Monday that starting pitcher Zac Gallen will be the team's Opening Day starter. This will be the second consecutive season that the 28-year-old has earned the honor. Gallen will get a favorable matchup against the Rockies at home. He put forth another strong season in 2023, going 17-9 with a 3.47 […...

3 Overvalued Closers: Bust Candidates for Fantasy Baseball Drafts (2024)

Relief pitcher is one of the trickier positions to determine fantasy baseball value given the volatility of the position and the limited ways it can provide fantasy output. Generally speaking, relief pitchers are only valuable in most fantasy leagues if they serve as the closer for their team. There are exceptions depending on league type, […...

Matt McLain Confident In Opening Day Health

Cincinnati Reds second baseman Matt McLain (oblique) said Tuesday that he will "totally" be ready to start the 2024 regular season healthy after missing most of spring training with an oblique injury. The 24-year-old, who made his Cactus League debut on Sunday, has the support of manager David Bell, who said Tuesday, "I am confident […...

Jordan Westburg Hits Three-Run Homer Tuesday

Baltimore Orioles second/third baseman Jordan Westburg had a nice game at the plate in Tuesday's 12-8 Grapefruit League win over the Rays. The 25-year-old went 2-for-3 with a three-run home run. Westburg has put together a solid showing offensively this spring, batting .286 with two HR and five RBI in 28 at-bats. The O's have […...

Colin Rea To Start Season In Brewers Rotation

Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy said Tuesday that starting pitcher Colin Rea will start the season in the team's rotation. The 33-year-old made 26 appearances (22 starts) for the Brewers in 2023, going 6-6 with a 4.55 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and 21.3% strikeout rate. Rea has looked sharp in his eight innings of work this […...

Colt Keith Posting Modest Offensive Spring

Detroit Tigers second/third baseman Colt Keith has put forth a .250 batting average with no home runs, five RBI, and no stolen bases in 24 Grapefruit League at-bats this spring. While it is unclear if the 22-year-old will start the season with the Tigers, he signed a six-year, $28.64 million contract extension this off-season. Keith […...

Luis Robert Jr. Homers Twice Tuesday

Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr. had a big day at the plate in Tuesday's 14-1 Cactus League win over the Reds. The 26-year-old went 2-for-3 with a solo home run, a two-run HR, and a walk. He hasn't been particularly effective at the plate overall this spring, batting .231 with no stolen bases […...

Yuki Matsui Scheduled To Pitch Wednesday

San Diego Padres manager Mike Shildt said Tuesday that relief pitcher Yuki Matsui (back) is slated to return to game action on Wednesday in the team's Cactus League finale against the Athletics. Matsui, who was signed this off-season, has missed the last three weeks with back tightness. However, the left-hander pitched in an intrasquad game […...

Jackson Jobe Throws 102 MPH In Spring Debut

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Jackson Jobe made his long-awaiting spring debut in Tuesday's 1-0 Grapefruit League loss to the Twins. The 21-year-old, who is the Tiger's No. 3 prospect and the No. 25 overall prospect per MLB Pipeline, pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning with two strikeouts and hit 102 MPH with his fastball. Jobe was […...

Rangers, White Sox Potentially In Discussions For Dylan Cease

The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported Tuesday that there are "growing indications" that the Chicago White Sox are more serious about trading starting pitcher Dylan Cease, and that the Texas Rangers may have been in recent discussions. The reigning World Series champions currently have several key injured rotation pieces and also lost Jordan Montgomery to free […...