MLB Spring Training Notebook - Injuries, Risers, and Fallers (3/10/20)

Welcome to the Spring Training Notebook for March 10, 2020, where we'll dive into a few of the bigger stories around Major League Baseball's Grapefruit and Cactus Leagues.

As we head through the thick of Spring Training 2020, players are starting to separate themselves in the eyes of their organizations with hopes of making the big league club for Opening Day later this month. It's important to monitor every team's situation as it's possible for a player's performance to slide under the radar, whether it's good or bad.

Every couple of days, I'll be back to break down some of the league's stories, news, and notes. I'll cover everything from risers to position battles to the latest injury news that could affect how you draft your fantasy roster. Think of this as a one-stop shop for 2020 spring raining information with a fantasy twist.

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Key Spring Performances

• Toronto Blue Jays catcher Danny Jansen popped a grand slam in Monday's game, upping his spring total to three long balls with 10 runs batted in. After a disappointing rookie season where he hit just .207 with 13 homers, Jansen likely isn't being drafted in one catcher leagues, but presents a very interesting deep sleeper in AL-only formats or two-catcher leagues, especially if he can continue this tear into the season.
• Cleveland Indians outfielder Franmil Reyes hit his fourth and fifth home runs of the spring on Monday against the L.A. Angels. In his first spring with his new team, he's been on fire as he fights for an every-day role. Along with his league-leading home run total, he's also driven in 11 runs, while doubling four times. His mid-round ADP is making Reyes a popular sleeper in mixed leagues and with continued power in a more hitter-friendly park, he could wind up being one of the steals of 2020.
• Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Madison Bumgarner used 73 pitches to get through 3 2/3 innings while surrendering three hits, walking one, and striking out four on Monday. It was just his third appearance of the Cactus League season but it's clear the Diamondbacks aren't worried his workload letting him throw so many pitches. Bumgarner took a big hit in terms of pitching environment when signing with Arizona and it seems fantasy owners aren't being fooled, as he's going on average in the 11th round. However, our RotoBaller rankers think he's better suited for around the 14th turn through your draft.
• Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Blake Snell (elbow) had a rough go of it in his return to Grapefruit League action Monday. He faced just five hitters and walked four of them. While Snell was upset with his performance, he offered positive news that his elbow "felt good" so we'll have to take his word that things are looking up. As the ninth-ranked starting pitcher in RotoBaller's rankings, it might be worthwhile to see one more outing from the southpaw before investing your SP1 spot on him.

On The Mend

• Cleveland Indians pitcher Mike Clevinger (knee) threw his first bullpen session since undergoing surgery to repair his partially torn meniscus on Monday. The right-hander had been throwing on flat ground previously but this is a step in the right direction, barring any setbacks. Opening Day is out of the question but an April return is hopeful for the Cleveland ace. His surgery and injury history has set him back in some fantasy mock drafts, as he was going around the second round before going down, but when the 29-year-old is healthy he is at least a top tier SP2.
• New York Yankees pitcher James Paxton (back) could begin throwing this week, after having a cyst removed from his back in February. The southpaw went 15-6 in his first season in the Bronx, but now on the wrong side of 30, it will be interesting to see if his body starts to tell him it's time to slow down. Paxton is looking at a May 2020 debut, which means his fantasy draft stock has plummeted to a later-round option with hopes that there are no setbacks in his recovery.
• New York Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes (heel, ankle) has been running at full speed to first base and hitting in simulated games. The 34-year-old hasn't played in a game since July 2018 due to these injuries so the team is making sure to not rush back the aging slugger. His age along with a crowded Mets outfield make this a bit easier on management, but for fantasy purposes, it's hard to get a gauge on the condition Cespedes will be in upon return. He's going un-drafted currently in most formats but could serve as a late-round dart throw in NL-only leagues.
• Cincinnati Reds third baseman Eugenio Suarez (shoulder) will likely serve as the designated hitter in Friday's Cactus League game. The 28-year-old hit a career-high 49 bombs last year before requiring surgery on his shoulder this offseason. If things go well, he should be on track for Opening Day, which would be a big boost for the Reds slugger. His fantasy stock has dropped a bit since he's been out, but going after more risky players like Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Suarez could provide solid value at the hot corner.

Cause For Concern

• Houston Astros pitcher Justin Verlander (lat) is officially shut down for an undisclosed amount of time, after being pulled from Sunday's spring training start. General manager James Click didn't give many details but did say that it's unlikely that the 37-year-old will be ready for Opening Day. This is a brutal break for fantasy owners, considering Verlander has been going as early as the late first round, depending on your league size. While he shouldn't miss an extended amount of time, this still makes you wonder if age is catching up to the two-time Cy Young winner.
• New York Mets outfielder Michael Conforto (side) left Monday's game after making a catch in the field. He underwent an MRI but will require more testing, which definitely makes you question the seriousness of the issue. However, it's important to remember that teams are going to show an abundance of caution in the spring because missing a few games in April doesn't matter as much as missing games in August and September. Granted he doesn't miss any regular-season time, the 27-year-old should provide plenty of value around the 10th or 11th round.
• Houston Astros outfielder/designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (knee) believes he will be ready to go for Opening Day and will hopefully return to Grapefruit League games by Wednesday after last suiting up over a week ago. There's certainly no reason to worry about him missing time early in the year, but after experiencing similar problems as a rookie, this could be an underlying issue for Alvarez down the road. Regardless, he's one of the top young sluggers in the game and his third-round ADP is more than warranted.

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