5 days agoAthletics designated hitter
Brent Rooker went 2-for-5 with a home run, two RBI, and one run scored in Friday's 7-0 win over the Mariners. The home run was his first of the young season after smacking 39 of them in 2024. The former All-Star belted 30 HR in 2023 as well, but hit only .246, so last season's improved .293 average helped earn him a 2024 Silver Slugger award. Rooker and the A's will take on
Bryce Miller and the Mariners again on Saturday, a pitcher who the right-handed slugger is 2-for-8 off of in his career with three strikeouts.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
5 days agoAthletics starting pitcher
Jeffrey Springs was stellar in his first start of 2025, tossing six shutout innings in Friday's 7-0 victory over the Mariners. The lefty allowed just three hits and one walk while striking out nine batters en route to picking up the win. Springs underwent Tommy John surgery in 2023 after just three starts, and finally returned late last season, compiling seven starts down the stretch for the Rays with a 3.27 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, and an 11:37 BB:K over 33 innings pitched. The 31-year-old owns a strong career 21.9 percent K-BB% as a starter and a 10.12 K/9. The southpaw will be a popular waiver wire addition, and rightfully so; he should be rostered in most leagues. His next start lines up with Chicago at home next Wednesday.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
5 days agoChicago Cubs outfield prospect
Owen Caissie (groin) went 1-for-3 with a solo shot during their victory over Triple-A Omaha. Caissie was on a slower ramp-up program during camp after undergoing offseason core-muscle surgery. He was experiencing groin tightness and was in danger of missing the start of the Triple-A season. However, the No. 3 prospect in the Chicago system covered right field and batted in the two-hole in the season opener. He launched a 426-foot solo blast in the seventh inning. Last season, Caissie spent the entire campaign with Triple-A Iowa. Across 127 contests, the former second-round pick posted a .278/.375/.472 slash line with 29 doubles and 19 long balls. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to his production at Triple-A, as he should be in the mix for a promotion early in the 2025 season.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
5 days agoDetroit Tigers catcher
Dillon Dingler went 2-for-5 with a triple and a solo home run, collecting three RBI and scoring once in Friday's 8-5 loss to the Dodgers. The home run was a 410-foot blast that came in a two-strike count off of starter
Yoshinobu Yamamoto that put the Tigers up 1-0 at that point in the game. The 6-foot-1 backstop hit at least 12 home runs or more in four consecutive seasons in the minors, but managed just one last year for the Tigers in 84 at-bats, so it's good to see him get the first one of 2025 out of the way early. The 26-year-old will split catching duties with veteran
Jake Rogers, and whoever draws the start Saturday will have a tough task ahead of them with pitching phenom
Roki Sasaki set to take the hill for Los Angeles.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
5 days agoTampa Bay Rays infield prospect
Chandler Simpson went 3-for-6 at the plate with a run during the Triple-A season opener against the Norfolk Tides. Simpson tallied three singles. He was able to score off an
Eloy Jimenez double in the fifth inning. Simpson spent the 2024 campaign at High-A and Double-A and looked quite comfortable during his Triple-A debut. In 32 games with High-A, Simpson posted a strong .364/.431/.372 line. Then, in 78 games with Double-A Montgomery, Simpson posted a similar .351/.401/.407 slash line. In the Grapefruit League, the Georgia Tech product posted a .240/.296/.204 slash line. Fantasy managers should monitor his progression with the Durham Bulls, as he should be in contention for an MLB debut later this summer.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB Central
5 days agoNew York Mets outfielder
Juan Soto smacked his first home run in a Mets uniform in Friday's 3-1 win over the Astros. It was a solo shot and his only hit of the day, going 1-for-3 with a walk in the contest. That makes him 2-for-6 with three walks (.556 OBP) after the team's first two regular season games. The 26-year-old signed a massive 15-year, $765 million contract with New York in the offseason, bringing his career .285/.421/.533 slash line along with him. The left-handed slugger seems to be fitting in just fine so far, and will face Astros' RHP
Spencer Arrighetti on Saturday night. Soto is 2-for-3 with a home run off Houston's starter, so be on the lookout for some fireworks again.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
5 days agoMinnesota Twins outfield prospect
Emmanuel Rodriguez went 3-for-4 with a double and two RBI during their victory over Indianapolis on Friday evening. In the opening frame, Rodriguez would tally his first hit of the evening, which was a single. In the third, Rodriguez would tally a two-run double, which scored
Ryan Fitzgerald and
Austin Martin. Later in the sixth, he would reach first via a walk and cap off his evening with another single in the seventh. The 22-year-old is considered the No. 2 prospect in the system on MLB.com, only behind budding superstar
Walker Jenkins. Last summer, Rodriguez spent most of his time at Double-A and only received a brief look at Triple-A. If he continues to produce at Triple-A, the 22-year-old should be in the mix for an MLB debut in the second half of the season.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
5 days agoMinnesota Twins starting pitcher
David Festa tossed five shutout innings in his first Triple-A start of the campaign. He allowed just three hits and tallied four punchouts. Festa was competing for a spot in the Opening Day rotation but fell short. In spring training, Festa struggled as he posted a high 11.91 ERA with a 1.94 WHIP across 11 1/3 innings of work. However, the Seton Hall product was able to get himself back on track on Friday evening. Fantasy managers in deeper formats should continue to monitor his status at Triple-A, as he could eventually work his way back to the major leagues. He made his MLB debut last summer and posted a 4.90 ERA with a 1.32 WHIP. Across 60 1/3 innings with Triple-A St. Paul last summer, Festa held a 4.03 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP. For now,
Simeon Woods Richardson will operate as the No. 5 starter in Minnesota.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
5 days agoAthletics infield prospect
Max Muncy went 1-for-4 with his first career home run during their victory over the Seattle Mariners on Friday evening. Muncy would go deep in the eighth off Seattle left-hander
Tayler Saucedo. This was also his first career MLB hit. Muncy was able to break camp with the MLB roster due to
Zack Gelof (wrist) opening the campaign on the injured list. During the first two games of the season, Muncy has been deployed as the starting second baseman. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his development, but it appears he will continue to see everyday opportunities in the starting lineup. Last season, the former 25th overall pick posted a solid .277/.374/.491 line across 50 games at Triple-A. He is worth monitoring in deeper formats as he could be a viable middle infielder if he continues progressing at the MLB level.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
5 days agoTexas Rangers starting pitching prospect
Jack Leiter tossed five innings of one-run ball en route to earning the victory on Friday evening against the Boston Red Sox. Leiter tallied four punchouts and allowed five hits. His lone run allowed came in the fourth inning when outfielder
Wilyer Abreu hit an RBI single. This was a strong outing for the former No. 2 overall pick. Last summer, Leiter made his MLB debut and did not find much success as he posted an 8.83 ERA with a 1.71 WHIP across 35 2/3 innings. He tallied 31 strikeouts and served up walks at a high 9.8 percent rate. However, even though his control was an issue in the minor leagues, Leiter flashed elite strikeout upside. At Triple-A, he tossed 77 innings and tallied 110 punchouts. He will look to build off this promising outing on Wednesday against the Cincinnati Reds.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
5 days agoToronto Blue Jays starting pitcher
Kevin Gausman logged six innings and allowed two earned runs and three hits en route to earning the victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Friday evening. He struck out four and served up one free pass. He did not allow a baserunner in the first two innings. His first blemish came in the third, when
Jackson Holliday hit a solo shot. Later in the fourth, Gausman would run into some more trouble as he served up a leadoff walk to
Adley Rutschman, who would eventually score on a
Tyler O'Neill sacrifice fly. Over his final two innings, he would only allow one hit to conclude his outing. This was a strong start for Gausman as he struggled to find consistency throughout the 2024 season, as he posted a modest 3.85 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP. He will look to have another quality start on Wednesday when he faces the Nationals.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
5 days agoMiami Marlins infielder
Otto Lopez went 1-for-3 with a home run during their loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday evening. Lopez would launch his two-run shot in the final frame, which also scored
Matt Mervis. Lopez hit the long ball off Pittsburgh closer
David Bednar. Through his first two games of the campaign, Lopez has gone 2-for-6 with one home run, three RBI, and a 2:1 BB:K. He is expected to continue being deployed as Miami's everyday second baseman. Last season, the 26-year-old appeared in a career-high 117 MLB contests and posted a .270/.313/.377 slash line with 23 doubles, six long balls, and 20 swiped bags. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his production as he could be a solid middle infielder to target in category leagues, given his ability to steal bases and the potential to hit for power. On Saturday, he will face Pittsburgh southpaw
Bailey Falter.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
5 days agoPittsburgh Pirates outfielder
Oneil Cruz went 2-for-4 with two runs and two RBI during their victory over the Miami Marlins on Friday evening. Cruz reached first base for the first time in the fourth inning via a base on balls. He then proceeded to swipe second base and would then advance to third on a throwing error. This was already his second stolen base of the season as he swiped one on Opening Day. In his next at-bat, Cruz would launch a 115 mph two-run shot, which scored
Tommy Pham. The 26-year-old is enjoying an impressive start to the campaign and is showing off both his raw power and elite speed. Last season, Cruz hit 21 home runs and swiped 22 bags, but could exceed those numbers given his impressive start. He will look to stay hot on Saturday, facing Miami right-hander
Valente Bellozo.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
5 days agoTexas Rangers catcher
Jonah Heim went 2-for-3 with two home runs during their victory over the Boston Red Sox on Friday evening. Heim would launch his first home run of the evening in the third inning against Boston right-hander
Tanner Houck. Later in the fifth, Heim would take Houck deep for a second time. The 29-year-old was riding pine in the season opener on Thursday in favor of
Kyle Higashioka but made a significant impact in his first outing of the season. Last summer, Heim took a step back after his 2023 All-Star season. In 2024, Heim held an underwhelming .220/.267/.336 slash line with 13 home runs and one stolen base. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his production as he could eventually carve out a larger share of starts. For now, both backstops will likely share time, hindering their fantasy values.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
5 days agoLos Angeles Dodgers shortstop/outfielder
Mookie Betts went 3-for-4 with two home runs, including a walk-off three-run shot, during their victory over the Detroit Tigers on Friday evening. Betts would tally his first hit of the evening with a single in the sixth inning. Later in the eighth, Betts would launch his first long ball of the contest, this time a solo shot off right-hander
Jack Flaherty. In extra innings, Betts would conclude his impressive evening with a walk-off three-run blast that scored
Will Smith and
Shohei Ohtani. During the final weeks of camp, Betts was dealing with an illness and was unable to play during their opening series in Tokyo. However, he was able to turn the corner in time for Thursday and looked quite healthy on Friday evening. Fantasy managers should continue to view Betts as a high-end option in all formats and a top play in DFS.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
5 days agoArizona Diamondbacks third baseman
Eugenio Suarez went 2-for-4 with two home runs and four RBI during their victory over the Chicago Cubs. Suarez launched his first long ball, which was a two-run shot off Chicago right-hander
Jameson Taillon. This long ball scored
Pavin Smith. Later in the fourth, Suarez would launch his second two-run shot off Taillon, once again scoring Smith. Suarez went deep on Opening Day and has now launched three long balls over his first two contests. During this impressive start, he has tallied five total RBI and only struck out once. After a slow start in the first half last summer when he posted a mere .216/.302/.366, Suarez appears to be picking up where he left off as he held a stellar .307/.341/.602 line after the All-Star break. The 33-year-old remains a must-start third baseman in all formats. He will look to extend his home run streak to three games on Saturday against
Shota Imanaga.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
5
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5 days agoTexas Rangers third baseman
Josh Jung (neck) was removed from Friday's win over the visiting Boston Red Sox at Globe Life Field early due to neck stiffness, according to MLB.com's Kennedi Landry. Jung's neck stiffened up on him during a play in the field, and he was replaced by
Josh Smith. Before leaving, the 27-year-old went 1-for-3 with a single and an RBI. This is concerning for an oft-injured slugger that was also removed from Monday's exhibition game against the Kansas City Royals due to a stiff neck. Although at the time it was considered a precaution, the fact that Jung is still dealing with neck issues is a concern, and it's quite possible it will land him on the injured list. Jung has intriguing power upside at the hot corner in fantasy, but his inability to stay on the field has given him equally as much downside. If he misses additional time, Smith will be the primary beneficiary at third base in Texas.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Kennedi Landry
5 days agoAtlanta Braves shortstop
Orlando Arcia will take a seat ahead of Friday's game against the San Diego Padres. Arcia got the starting nod on Opening Day, but will take a seat the next day. He went 1-for-4 at the plate with two strikeouts, so not exactly a stellar performance. Arcia has some decent pop in his bat, but is probably only worth rostering in NL-only formats right now.
Nick Allen will cover shortstop and bat eighth versus right-hander
Dylan Cease on Friday. Fantasy managers can find a better streaming option than Allen for Friday's slate.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: mlb.com
5 days agoDetroit Tigers catcher
Jake Rogers is out of the starting lineup ahead of Friday's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. As expected, Rogers will split up the catching duties after going 1-for-3 with a walk during the season opener. Now,
Dillon Dingler will do the catching and bat seventh versus right-hander
Yoshinobu Yamamoto on Friday. Dingler has the potential to put up good power numbers, but isn't someone that needs to be rostered while stuck in a platoon situation.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: mlb.com
5 days agoChicago Cubs catcher
Miguel Amaya will head to the bench ahead of Friday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. This is an interesting decision after Amaya delivered two hits and collected five RBI during the team's win on Thursday. It appears the 26-year-old is going to really split time behind the plate this season.
Carson Kelly will do the catching and bat ninth against right-hander
Merrill Kelly on Friday. Neither catcher is likely going to be able to provide reliable fantasy value, assuming they continue to split up the time behind the plate.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: mlb.com
5 days agoColorado Rockies starting pitcher
Kyle Freeland was fantastic on the mound during Friday's season opener against the Tampa Bay Rays. The southpaw struck out seven batters while allowing two hits over six scoreless innings in a no-decision. Freeland only threw 67 pitches in this game before the Rockies decided to go to the bullpen. The left-handed held a 2-0 lead when he exited, but sadly his bullpen was unable to hold it down for him. Regardless, Freeland was excellent during this outing, but could have some trouble in his next start against the Philadelphia Phillies. Fantasy managers might want to wait and see how he does next time out before jumping on the waiver wire for Freeland.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: mlb.com
5 days agoThe Detroit Lions announced on Friday that they re-signed offensive lineman Kayode Awosika to an undisclosed deal. Awosika will return to Detroit for his fourth season in 2025 after serving as a rotational offensive lineman with the team since 2022. The 26-year-old offensive guard went undrafted out of Buffalo but made his NFL debut in 2021 with the Philadelphia Eagles, when he appeared in just one game that year. He has started only seven of the 36 games that he's appeared in over his three seasons with the Lions. There's a chance that Awosika could have a bigger role on the interior of the Lions' offensive line in 2025, but he will have to earn more playing time by standing out in training camp this summer and in preseason games.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Detroit Lions
5 days agoTampa Bay Rays outfielder
Kameron Misner wasn't in the starting lineup to begin Friday's game, but he came up as the hero. Misner came into the game as defensive replacement in the eighth inning. He came ready to play as Misner hit a game-winning home run off
Victor Vodnik during his lone plate appearance. Misner returned to the big league roster with
Richie Palacios (finger) heading to the injured list. However, Misner figures to be primary a bench outfielder, so his playing time could be limited. He was the hero on Friday, but fantasy managers don't need to jump on the waiver wire to add Misner.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: mlb.com
5 days agoThe New York Jets re-signed exclusive-rights free-agent wide receiver
Irvin Charles (knee) to an undisclosed deal on Friday. Charles will return to the Jets in 2025, although it's highly unlikely he'll be ready for training camp this summer or the start of the regular season after tearing his ACL in Week 14 of last year. The 27-year-old former undrafted free agent appeared in 13 games (no starts) in 2024 and was unable to catch his only target on offense. In his two NFL seasons, he has yet to catch a pass on just two targets over 25 games (no starts), mainly contributing on special teams. Charles logged 212 special-teams snaps last year and will likely resume a similar role at some point next year when he's cleared from his knee injury. He's nowhere near the fantasy radar.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Cards Wire - Howard Balzer
5 days agoThe Green Bay Packers have signed linebacker Kristian Welch to an undisclosed contract. Welch spent 2023 with the Pack but was a member of the Baltimore Ravens for each of his other four seasons in the league. Signing with Baltimore as an undrafted free agent in 2020, Welch played in 43 games over three seasons. He never notched more than four tackles but also contributed on special teams. The Iowa product registered eight tackles in 2024, appearing in 15 games for Green Bay, including both postseason starts for the team. The 26-year-old will have a chance to compete for playing time during camp but figures to be more of a depth piece on defense and an asset on special teams.
--Alex CiullaSource: Green Bay Packers
5 days agoThe Pittsburgh Steelers have signed linebacker Jeremiah Moon to a one-year contract. The financial details have not been disclosed. Moon appeared in 13 games in 2024 for the team, finishing with two tackles on defense and another seven more on special teams. The former undrafted free agent spent 2022 and 2023 with the Baltimore Ravens, appearing in eight games (one start). The Florida product joins new teammate Malik Harrison as the Steelers' new linebackers. Pittsburgh has done well to sign help for their defensive back end. Still, Moon doesn't project to play much on defense. It's unlikely he holds much of a role outside of special teams, and he probably won't make an impact on fantasy.
--Alex CiullaSource: Teresa Varley
5 days agoThe Atlanta Falcons have come to terms with free-agent tight end
Teagan Quitoriano on an undisclosed contract. Quitoriano appeared in seven games for the Houston Texans last season but did not record any catches. The Texans initially selected the 25-year-old in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. That season, he accrued seven receptions, 113 yards, and two touchdowns in nine games. The Oregon State alum has spent time on Injured Reserve in each of the last three seasons. He'll now join a Falcons tight end room that features
Kyle Pitts,
Charlie Woerner, and
Feleipe Franks. Quitoriano will compete for snaps but will likely serve as a depth piece for the team.
--Alex CiullaSource: Terrin Waack
5 days agoArizona wide receiver
Tetairoa McMillan, who is regarded as one of the top pass-catchers in this year's NFL draft class, has a top-30 visit scheduled with the Carolina Panthers, a league source told The Athletic's Joe Person. McMillan, 21, is expected to be the first receiver off the board in April's draft, as he has great size (6-foot-4, 219 pounds) and an uncanny ability to high-point the football down the field. Despite the fact that he doesn't have elite speed, plenty of teams, including the Panthers are intrigued about his upside at the next level. Carolina holds the eighth overall pick in the first round of this year's draft, which could be right in the wheelhouse of where teams will begin considering McMillan. If he were to land with the Panthers, McMillan would almost certainly be starting in three-wide sets immediately alongside
Xavier Legette and veteran
Adam Thielen.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Joe Person
5 days agoThe Baltimore Ravens announced on Friday that they reached a three-year contract extension with head coach John Harbaugh. The new deal will keep the 62-year-old in Baltimore through the 2028 season. He was entering the final year of his previous contract that he had signed back in March of 2022, and it will continue a trend of the Ravens not allowing Harbaugh to start a regular season on the final year of his contract since he was initially hired in 2008. He is already the franchise's all-time winningest head coach with a 185-115 record over 17 seasons. His 12 playoff appearances are second-most in the NFL behind KC's Andy Reid (14), and he also led the team to a Super Bowl victory in 2012. Harbaugh is the second-longest tenured coach behind only the Steelers' Mike Tomlin. Although Harbaugh has had plenty of success in Baltimore, the Ravens have only gone past the Divisional Round once since winning the Super Bowl 12 years ago.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Baltimore Ravens
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