Colin Rea Could Be Favorite For Fifth Rotation Spot

With Chicago Cubs right-hander Javier Assad currently dealing with a left-oblique injury, right-hander Colin Rea could become the favorite to win the fifth spot in the Opening Day starting rotation. The team's top four starters entering the 2025 season should be lefties Shota Imanaga, Justin Steele and Matthew Boyd, and right-hander Jameson Taillon. In addition […]

Vidal Brujan, Alexander Canario, Gage Workman Good Bets For Opening Day Roster

Because of the fact that Chicago Cubs second baseman Nico Hoerner (elbow) isn't a lock for Opening Day in 2025, utility men Vidal Brujan, Alexander Canario and Gage Workman are safe picks for the roster going into spring training, according to MLB.com's Jordan Bastian. The Cubs acquired Brujan from the Miami Marlins this offseason, and […]

Taijuan Walker Must Pitch Well To Secure Bullpen Spot

MLB.com's Todd Zolecki writes that Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Taijuan Walker will enter spring training with the final bullpen spot because he is owed $36 million over the next two years. However, Walker is going to need to perform in Grapefruit League action to keep the spot. Pitchers Max Lazar, Tyler Phillips, Nick Vespi and Joel […]

Weston Wilson Competing For Second Utility Spot

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder/first baseman Weston Wilson will be competing with Kody Clemens and Buddy Kennedy at spring training this year for the second utility job behind infielder Edmundo Sosa, who is a lock for the Opening Day roster, according to MLB.com's Todd Zolecki. If the Phillies are looking for balance on their roster, Wilson might […]

Rafael Marchan Considered The Favorite For Backup Catching Duties

MLB.com's Todd Zolecki writes that Philadelphia Phillies catcher Rafael Marchan is perceived as the favorite for backup duties behind starter J.T. Realmuto over Garrett Stubbs, who has been the backup for the last three years. Marchan is out of minor-league options, and the Phillies would prefer to preserve their depth at the position. However, the […]

Tyler Matzek Secures Minor-League Deal With Yankees

Free-agent left-hander Tyler Matzek is signing a minor-league deal with the New York Yankees on Monday after he recently impressed scouts in a showcase. The 34-year-old veteran southpaw will head to the American League East after appearing in only 11 games out of the bullpen for the Atlanta Braves in 2024. In his 11 outings […]

Kyle Wright Could Be Limited To Start Spring Training

According to Anne Rogers of MLB.com, Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Kyle Wright (shoulder) "may be a little behind" in his throwing progression. Wright missed the entire 2024 campaign after undergoing surgery to repair a torn capsule in his right shoulder. While Wright has been throwing off the mound during the offseason, he may not […]

Kris Bryant To See Limited Outfield Opportunities

According to Thomas Harding of MLB.com, the Colorado Rockies have focused on ensuring that outfielder Kris Bryant remains healthy during the 2025 season. During the offseason, Bryant focused on improving his flexibility and core strength. Harding noted that the team is exploring several ways to limit his activity, including only putting him in the outfield […]

Cubs Showing Interest In Justin Turner

According to Patrick Mooney and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Chicago Cubs have expressed interest in signing free-agent infielder Justin Turner if they cannot reach a deal with Alex Bregman. The Cubs have begun to emerge as contenders for Bregman but have also begun to find alternative options if they cannot complete a deal. […]

Juan Brito, Gabriel Arias Competing For Second Base Job

According to Mandy Bell of MLB.com, Juan Brito and Gabriel Arias will compete for the second base job during spring training. Earlier in the offseason, the Guardians traded second baseman Andres Gimenez to the Toronto Blue Jays, which opened this position on the depth chart. Bell noted that while Arias may be viewed as the […]

Drew Thorpe Could Miss Start Of Season

According to Scott Merkin of MLB.com, Chicago White Sox pitcher Drew Thorpe (elbow) might not be available for the "season's onset." Thorpe underwent surgery in September to remove a bone spur in his elbow but has faced several setbacks, which slowed down his recovery process. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his progression during spring […]

Jake Bauers Firmly In The Mix For Opening Day Roster Spot

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Curt Hogg doesn't think that enough people are giving Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Jake Bauers a realistic shot at making the Opening Day roster in 2025. Rhys Hoskins shouldn't be seen as a lock for everyday playing time at first base, and Tyler Black's shaky defense will be under a microscope […]

Nico Hoerner "In A Great Spot" In His Recovery

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell said on Monday that infielder Nico Hoerner (elbow) is "in a great spot" in his recovery from flexor-tendon surgery last October. The Cubs aren't putting a timetable on Hoerner's return, but Counsell also said, "He's not gonna miss much (time), if at all. That's what I'd say. I'm confident in […]

Jett Williams Invited To Spring Training

The New York Mets announced on Monday that shortstop prospect Jett Williams will be at major-league spring training this year as a non-roster invite. In addition, first baseman Ryan Clifford and pitcher Brandon Sproat will be non-roster invites. Williams is considered the No. 58 overall prospect in baseball, per MLB Pipeline. It was a tough […]

Twins Invite Luke Keaschall To Spring Training

The Minnesota Twins announced on Monday that infield prospect Luke Keaschall (elbow) and pitching prospect Andrew Morris will be at major-league spring training this year as non-roster invites. According to MLB Pipeline, Keaschall is the No. 61 overall prospect in baseball entering the 2025 season. The 22-year-old had Tommy John surgery last August but should […]

Trey Lipscomb, Jose Tena, Brady House Likely To Compete At 3B

MASN's Bobby Blanco writes that Washington Nationals infielders Trey Lipscomb, Jose Tena and Brady House are the most likely candidates to compete for the starting third base job in spring training this year. Lipscomb, 24, has the most MLB experience of the trio after making his big-league debut in 2024 and hitting .200/.268/.232 with a […]

Jorge Lopez The Favorite For Saves In D.C.?

It's unclear who the Washington Nationals plan on using for the majority of their save situations in 2025, but right-hander Jorge Lopez is currently the only reliever on the roster with any real closing experience. The 32-year-old veteran signed a one-year, $3 million deal in January after posting a solid 2.89 ERA, 50 strikeouts and […]

Javier Assad Dealing With Oblique Soreness

Chicago Cubs pitchers Javier Assad (oblique) and Brandon Birdsell (lat, shoulder) are both dealing with injuries, according to manager Craig Counsell. Assad is getting imaging done on his oblique on Monday, which will give the team a better idea of the severity of his injury. It's not great news for the 27-year-old with the start […]

Jon Gray Could Be Used As A Closer

The Texas Rangers have had internal discussions about using right-hander Jon Gray in a closing role in 2025, according to the Dallas Morning News' Evan Grant. Last year's primary closer Kirby Yates signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers in free agency this offseason, and Jose Leclerc also left to join the Athletics, leaving the Rangers […]

Evan Carter Could Hit Leadoff For Rangers

The Dallas Morning News' Evan Grant writes that outfielder Evan Carter (back) is a candidate to hit leadoff for the Texas Rangers in 2025. Second baseman Marcus Semien has been Texas' primary leadoff guy the last two seasons, but his on-base percentage took a big dip in 2024, and the team could bump him down […]

Garrett Whitlock To Face Hitters On Tuesday

The Boston Globe's Peter Abraham reports that Boston Red Sox right-hander Garrett Whitlock (elbow) will face live hitters on Tuesday. Despite having an internal-brace procedure on his right elbow last May Whitlock will have a normal spring training. The main reason the 28-year-old should be ready to go for Opening Day in 2025 is the […]

Spencer Strider Could Return In Late April

MLB.com's Mark Bowman writes that Atlanta Braves right-hander Spencer Strider (elbow) could rejoin the team's starting rotation by the end of April, barring any setbacks in his recovery from elbow surgery. Strider has been throwing bullpen sessions and could be allowed to throw in at least one game before the end of spring training. His […]

Tom Murphy Not Guaranteed To Be Primary Backup Catcher

According to Andrew Baggarly and Grant Brisbee of The Athletic, San Francisco Giants catcher Tom Murphy is not guaranteed to open the season as the backup catcher. While Baggarly and Brisbee noted his contract would suggest he has a firm grasp on that role, the team will instead opt to have an open competition during […]

Shota Imanaga Will Pitch In Tokyo Series

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Shota Imanaga will start one of the games in the Tokyo series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Manager Craig Counsell said, "Yes, Shota's going to pitch in Japan. I think that's mandated. I don't think I have a choice." Fantasy managers should expect Justin […]

Eloy Jimenez Fighting For Bench Role During Spring Training

According to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, designated hitter Eloy Jimenez will have to earn a spot on the bench during spring training. Topkin noted that the newly acquired slugger will likely fight for one of the final bench spots alongside second base prospect Curtis Mead. Jimenez inked a minor-league deal with Tampa […]

Curtis Mead Will Have To Earn Spot On Opening Day Roster

According to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, second base prospect Curtis Mead will be fighting for one of the final spots on the Opening Day roster during spring training. Mead has been given brief looks in the majors over the past two seasons but has yet to find consistent success. Last summer, across […]

Kike Hernandez Returning To Los Angeles

According to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, infielder/outfielder Kike Hernandez is returning to the Los Angeles Dodgers on a one-year contract. The 33-year-old will likely return to a super-utility role for the 2025 campaign. Last summer, Hernandez posted a .229/.281/.373 slash line across 126 contests. He tallied 12 home runs with 16 doubles. He saw […]

Jon Berti Could Be Backup First Baseman In Chicago

According to Patrick Mooney and Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic, Chicago Cubs infielder Jon Berti could be the team's primary backup first baseman during the 2025 season. The team signed Berti to a one-year contract worth $2 million earlier in the offseason. Last season, Berti logged just 25 starts with the Yankees as he battled […]

Hunter Goodman Will Have Limited Role To Start The Season

According to Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post, Colorado Rockies catcher Hunter Goodman is not expected to have an everyday role in the starting lineup to open the season. Saunders noted that the 25-year-old backstop will not start behind the plate more than twice a week. After appearing in just 23 games during his rookie […]

Chase Dollander Could Skip Triple-A

According to Kyle Newman of The Denver Post, Colorado Rockies starting pitching prospect Chase Dollander could skip Triple-A if he impresses at spring training. The former ninth overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft performed very well in his first professional season and could be nearing his MLB debut. Last summer, Dollander began the season […]