3 days agoPittsburgh Pirates catcher
Joey Bart (back) is set to undergo testing before Tuesday's contest against the Cincinnati Reds. Bart has been held out of the starting nine since being removed from Friday's contest with a back injury. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status, as he may need to be placed on the injured list if he has not made any progress. As a result,
Henry Davis will get another start behind the dish and bat ninth. Through his first 11 games of the campaign, Bart was productive at the plate, holding a .282/.378/.436 slash line with one double and one home run. He held a 4:14 BB:K and swiped one bag. Last summer, Bart enjoyed similar success in Pittsburgh, posting a .265/.337/.462 slash line with 13 home runs across 80 games. Fantasy managers in two-catcher formats should continue to stash Bart on their roster while he remains sidelined.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
3 days agoKansas City Royals infielder
Jonathan India will not be in the starting nine when the Royals continue a series against the New York Yankees on Tuesday evening. India was held out of the starting lineup on Sunday due to a quadriceps injury but was able to return on Monday. However, India has returned to the bench. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status in case the 28-year-old suffered a setback. As a result,
Cavan Biggio will get the nod at the hot corner and bat in the nine-hole. Through his first 16 games in Kansas City, India has seen time at both third base and the outfield. He has posted a .198/.328/.250 line with stellar 14.9 percent walk rate and an 11.9 percent strikeout rate. He remains a strong option in points leagues given his low strikeout rate and ability to draw walks.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
3 days agoAthletics first baseman
Tyler Soderstrom could see time at third base to open a spot in the starting nine for prospect
Nick Kurtz. According to Martin Gallegos of MLB.com, the Athletics have to find a spot in the lineup for Kurtz as both first base and designated hitter are typically occupied by Soderstrom and
Brent Rooker, respectively. Gallegos noted that there is a scenario where the Athletics attempt to move Soderstrom to the hot corner to open first base for Kurtz. Rooker could also move to the outfield. Soderstrom has enjoyed an impressive start to the campaign, posting a .305/.388/.644 slash line with six home runs. However, first base prospect Nick Kurtz has been just as impressive with Triple-A Las Vegas, posting a .367/.409/.817 line with seven long balls. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor the Athletics' starting nine as both Soderstrom and Rooker could begin to shift to another position to open a spot for Kurtz.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Martin Gallegos
3 days agoCincinnati Reds left-hander
Wade Miley (elbow) is scheduled to throw three innings in an extended spring training game on Tuesday in Arizona and then could start a minor-league rehab assignment, according to manager Terry Francona. It's unclear when Miley might be an option to make starts for the Reds in 2025, but the veteran 38-year-old southpaw is clearly making progress after having a hybrid internal-brace/Tommy John procedure on his left UCL last May. He will need a lengthy rehab assignment and probably won't be an option for Cincy's starting rotation until late May or early June, and he doesn't have much fantasy appeal at all these days. Miley made only two starts a season ago with the Milwaukee Brewers before being shut down with his elbow problems, and he allowed five earned runs on six hits while walking two and striking out two in seven innings.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Cincinnati Enquirer - Charlie Goldsmith
3 days agoCincinnati Reds catcher
Tyler Stephenson (oblique) could start a minor-league rehab assignment next Tuesday, according to manager Terry Francona. Stephenson is getting closer to making his 2025 debut with the Reds after suffering a left-oblique strain in mid-March in spring training. Barring a setback to his oblique when he resumes playing in games, the 28-year-old backstop could rejoin the big-league squad late next week. Stephenson is the Reds' starting catcher when healthy and should be stashed in all fantasy formats right now. Until he's activated from the injured list, Cincy will continue to roll with veteran
Jose Trevino as their No. 1 catcher, with
Austin Wynns backing him up. Last year in 138 games played, Stephenson hit a career-high 19 home runs and drove in a career-high 66 runs while slashing .258/.338/.444.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Cincinnati Enquirer - Charlie Goldsmith
3 days agoCincinnati Reds outfielder/infielder
Spencer Steer will begin Tuesday's game against the visiting Seattle Mariners on the bench at Great American Ball Park.
Austin Hays (calf), who is making his season debut, will serve as the designated hitter and bat fifth against Mariners right-hander
Luis Castillo. Due to a shoulder injury he dealt with in spring training, Steer has yet to appear on defense so far in 2025. However, the 27-year-old has been ramping up his throwing of late and could make his first start on defense soon, which might be bad news for first baseman
Christian Encarnacion-Strand. Steer's shoulder could be affecting him at the plate as well, as he's started the 2025 campaign hitting just .109 (5-for-46) with a homer, two doubles, three RBI, four walks and 12 strikeouts in his first 13 games. Fantasy managers may want to steer clear of Steer for now until he breaks out of his early slump.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
3 days agoCincinnati Reds corner infielder
Christian Encarnacion-Strand (back, hamstring) is back in the starting lineup on Tuesday against the visiting Seattle Mariners, starting at first base and batting seventh against right-hander
Luis Castillo at Great American Ball Park. The Reds held Encarnacion-Strand out of action the last two games with minor back and hamstring injuries, but he's ready to go now. The 25-year-old hasn't been a reliable fantasy asset in the early going in 2025, batting .163 (8-for-49) with two home runs, a double, three RBI, three runs scored, one walk and 12 strikeouts in 13 games played. With
Austin Hays back, he might need to start picking it up at the plate to continue seeing everyday playing time with the Reds. CEH has never faced Castillo in his career.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
3 days agoCincinnati Reds outfielder
Austin Hays (calf) was activated from the 10-day injured list on Tuesday and is serving as the designated hitter and batting fifth against the visiting Seattle Mariners and right-hander
Luis Castillo at Great American Ball Park. Outfielder
Jacob Hurtubise was optioned to Triple-A Louisville in a corresponding move. Hays is recovered from a strained calf and will be making his season debut on Tuesday against the M's. The 29-year-old is expected to see regular playing time for the Reds in left field now that he's back, giving him fantasy appeal in deep-mixed leagues. An All-Star in 2023 with the Baltimore Orioles, Hays battled injury last year with the Orioles and Philadelphia Phillies and finished with a .255/.303/.396 slash line, five home runs and 20 RBI in 85 total games played. Hays is hitless in two career at-bats against Castillo with one RBI.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Cincinnati Reds
3 days agoThe Cincinnati Reds announced on Tuesday that they activated right-handed reliever
Alexis Diaz (hamstring) from the 15-day injured list prior to their game against the visiting Seattle Mariners. However, manager Terry Francona said that Diaz won't be the set closer upon his activation. The skipper said it's fair to pitch Diaz "when it makes sense." Diaz could get the closer job back eventually this year, but the Reds have been pleased with
Emilio Pagan's early-season performance -- 1.23 ERA, 0.41 WHIP, four saves and five strikeouts in 7 1/3 innings. The 28-year-old Diaz not only injured his hamstring in spring training, but he was all over the place with his control and his mechanics were out of whack. Expect the Puerto Rican reliever to start out in low-leverage situations out of the bullpen before eventually being moved to a more high-leverage role. He's still worth stashing in fantasy for save opps this year.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Cincinnati Reds
3
days
agoThe
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Reds
announced
that
they
have
activated
infielder
Matt
McLain
(hamstring)
from
the
10-day
injured
list,
and
he
is
starting
at
second
base
and
batting
second
on
Tuesday
against
the
visiting
Seattle
Mariners
and
right-hander
Luis
Castillo
at
Great
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3 days agoThe New York Yankees are hopeful that right-hander
Luis Gil (lat) will begin his throwing program on either Wednesday or Thursday, according to the New York Daily News' Gary Phillips. Gil has been shut down from throwing for six weeks du to a high-grade lat strain that he suffered in spring training but the 26-year-old is ready to test it out this week. After a breakout 2024 season that saw him win American League Rookie of the Year thanks to a 3.50 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 171:77 K:BB in 29 starts, Gil is on the 60-day injured list and might not be able to pitch at all in the first half of the season. We'll have a better idea of his timetable once he starts building his arm back up, but fantasy managers stashing him in an IL spot need to be prepared for a very lengthy absence. There's no guarantee he'll be nearly as good as last year when he returns, either.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: New York Daily News - Gary Phillips
3 days agoNew York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that outfielder
Cody Bellinger (back) is still getting treatment for his sore back, which is why he was out of the starting lineup for Monday's series opener against the visiting Kansas City Royals. "He's doing well. I just want to pick some spots here, especially getting through 13 (games) in a row here," Boone said. It doesn't sound like anything fantasy managers should be worried about, but they'll want to check back on Tuesday to see if he has returned to the starting lineup. It could also be a big reason for why the 29-year-old left-handed slugger is hitting just .191 (9-for-47) in the early going of his first year in pinstripes with a homer, eight RBI, nine runs scored and two stolen bases in 13 games played. Bellinger also missed some time early last week after dealing with food poisoning.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Bryan Hoch
3 days agoThe Minnesota Twins have signed right-handed pitcher
Tyler Beede to a minor-league contract. According to Ari Alexander, Beede is expected to report to Triple-A St. Paul. Beede earned a spot on Cleveland's Opening Day roster last season but was later sent to Triple-A after he posted an 8.36 ERA with a 1.79 WHIP across 14 innings of work. He did not find much success across 22 1/3 innings with Triple-A Columbus, as he allowed 33 hits and 28 earned runs. He struck out just 24 batters and served up 16 free passes. Through 201 career innings in the major leagues, the right-hander has held a modest 5.55 ERA with a 1.58 WHIP. Fantasy managers should expect Beede to spend most of the season at Triple-A St. Paul. He could push for a return to the majors if he is able to find success at the top level of the minor leagues.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Ari Alexander
3 days agoBoston Red Sox right-hander
Brayan Bello (shoulder) will make his next minor-league rehab start for Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday, with right-hander
Lucas Giolito (hamstring) starting for the WooSox on Tuesday, according to the Boston Herald's Gabrielle Star. Manager Alex Cora said it will "most likely" be Bello's last rehab start before he's activated from the injured list. Bello is ahead of Giolito after throwing 64 pitches in four innings in his last start for Worcester. If all goes well with his outing on Wednesday, the 25-year-old should make his 2025 debut next week for the BoSox. Both Bello and Giolito will be inserted into Boston's starting rotation, which will bump left-hander
Sean Newcomb out. Bello has allowed eight runs (seven earned) in his three rehab starts, but he's walked three and fanned 14 in 9 2/3 frames. In two rehab starts, Giolito has allowed an earned run with four walks and five K's.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Boston Herald - Gabrielle Starr
3 days agoToronto Blue Jays outfielder
Daulton Varsho (shoulder) will start a formal minor-league rehab assignment with Single-A Dunedin soon, according to MLB.com's Keegan Matheson. Varsho and his wife, Brook, are expecting a child in the coming days, so he will ramp up his rehab after the baby arrives. The 28-year-old has been cleared to begin a rehab assignment after recently playing in extended spring training games on defense in the outfield. He got a late start in spring training after offseason surgery on his right shoulder, but if everything goes well on his rehab assignment, he could rejoin Toronto before the end of April. The Blue Jays will surely ease Varsho in on defense when he comes off the injured list, but when healthy, he will be a regular starter in the outfield as one of their best defenders. He was a disappointment offensively in 2024, and it remains to be seen how productive he'll be coming off shoulder surgery.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Keegan Matheson
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