1 day agoSt. Louis Cardinals shortstop prospect
J.J. Wetherholt was reassigned to minor-league camp on Wednesday. The Cardinals' 2024 first-round draft pick earned a roster invite this spring but will need more seasoning before returning to the big leagues. The left-handed hitter played just 29 games at Single-A last season but showed well with a .295/.405/.400 slash line over 126 plate appearances, while walking more than he struck out (16:15 BB:K). The 22-year-old was 2-for-20 in Grapefruit League play, which included a home run, plus he added three stolen bases. The keen eye was on full display as well, posting a 6:5 BB:K. If he plays well this summer, then perhaps there's an outside shot we'll see him in St. Louis by season's end, however, a 2026 debut is more likely.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: St. Louis Cardinals
1
day
agoSt.
Louis
Cardinals
outfielder
Jordan
Walker
(knee)
made
progress
in
his
return
from
left
knee
inflammation,
according
to
manager
Oli
Marmol.
The
22-year-old
worked
on
baserunning
movement
and
did
some
work
in
the
batting
cage.
A
return
to
spring
games
should
be
around
read more...
1 day agoHouston Astros outfielder
Pedro Leon (knee) played catch and hit in the batting cages in camp on Wednesday. Leon is finally resuming baseball activities at spring training after he was diagnosed with a Grade 1 left MCL strain early in camp. Because of all the time he's missed in spring training, the 26-year-old will not be ready for Opening Day and will most likely start the 2025 season at Triple-A Sugar Land. The Cuban outfielder made his major-league debut with the Astros in 2024 but only appeared in seven games, going 2-for-20 (.100) with two stolen bases, 10 strikeouts and two runs scored in 21 plate appearances. Per MLB Pipeline, he's Houston's No. 22 prospect. The 5-foot-9, 170-pounder can really swing the bat and has some raw pop despite his size, but he could really stand to improve his plate discipline if he wants to have an everyday role once he's in the big leagues for good.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Brian McTaggart
1
day
agoKansas
City
Royals
right-handed
reliever
Carlos
Estevez
(back)
threw
a
live
batting
practice
session
in
camp
on
Tuesday,
and
manager
Matt
Quatraro
said
it
went
"really
well."
As
a
result,
Estevez
is
scheduled
to
make
his
Cactus
League
debut
on
Friday
against
his
read more...
1 day agoKansas City Royals left-hander
Sam Long (hand) returned to Cactus League action on Wednesday versus the Seattle Mariners and threw a scoreless inning while giving up one hit, walking none and striking out none. It was Long's third outing of spring training but his first since he was hit by a line drive on his left hand on March 3. The 29-year-old southpaw thankfully avoided a break in his hand and will be ready for the start of the 2025 regular season, although he's not guaranteed a spot in the Opening Day bullpen out of camp. The former 18th-round selection by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2016 out of California State University of Sacramento has four years of major-league experience and posted a career-low 3.16 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, one save, a career-high 44 strikeouts and 17 walks in 42 2/3 relief innings for KC in 2024.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Anne Rogers
1 day agoIt appears likely that San Francisco Giants outfielder
Heliot Ramos will be the team's leadoff hitter this year against left-handed pitchers, according to the San Francisco Chronicle's Shayna Rubin. That was the case for Ramos on Tuesday in the Cactus League game against Athletics left-hander
Jeffrey Springs. In his 123 at-bats versus southpaws last year, Ramos was dialed in with a .370/.439/.750 slash line and 10 home runs, so it makes sense on paper. The 25-year-old has hit a modest .231 (3-for-13) with no homers, one double and two steals in five spring training games, but fantasy managers should take those numbers with a grain of salt. Ramos will be San Fran's starting left fielder in 2025 and will see a boost in fantasy value with his move to the top of the order against lefties. His 20-homer power makes him worth of outfield depth in standard 12-team fantasy leagues.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: San Francisco Chronicle - Shayna Rubin
1 day agoMASN's Mark Zuckerman reports that the Washington Nationals are moving 2019 first-rounder
Jackson Rutledge to the bullpen, according to manager Dave Martinez. The Nationals currently have plenty of starting-pitching depth entering the 2025 season, so this will be the 25-year-old right-hander's best shot at making the Opening Day roster. The Washington Post's Andrew Golden specifically notes that Martinez said Rutledge will serve in a multi-inning role out of the bullpen. The Nationals think the young pitcher will be more effective in his new role and will gain velocity in shorter stints. In addition to Rutledge,
Cole Henry has also been moved to the 'pen this spring. Rutledge had a walk rate over 13% with a rough 6.40 ERA at Triple-A Rochester last year and also has a 5.72 ERA and 1.41 WHIP in 28 1/3 innings over seven outings (five starts) the last two years in the big leagues.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MASN Sports - Mark Zuckerman
1 day agoWashington Nationals infielder
Amed Rosario (knee) was scratched from Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Houston Astros due to a knee injury. However, Rosario told manager Dave Martinez that he could have played if it was a regular season game. The 29-year-old was just being cautious with two weeks until Opening Day.
Cayden Wallace took over for the veteran infielder at second base on Wednesday and hit eighth in the lineup. Since it's a minor injury, Rosario could return as soon as Thursday for the spring game against the Tampa Bay Rays, one of his former teams. He signed a one-year deal with the Nats back in January and is expected to fill a utility infield role for Washington, which will leave him minimal fantasy value in NL-only leagues with basically zero upside. The Dominican infielder played for three teams last year and hit .280 in 103 games, but it came with just three home runs.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Washington Post - Andrew Golden
2 days agoWashington Nationals shortstop
CJ Abrams (quadriceps) was pulled from Wednesday's Grapefruit League game early against the Houston Astros after both of his quadriceps muscles tightened up on him during his first-inning triple. "He should be OK," manager Dave Martinez said. The 24-year-old is scheduled to be on the trip to Port Charlotte for Thursday's spring game against the Tampa Bay Rays, so it's obviously not a big concern. After tripling in the first inning, Abrams has now gone 9-for-30 in Grapefruit League play with a home run in 10 contests. He was a first-time All-Star in his second full season in D.C. in 2024 but had a lapse in judgment late in the year when he stayed out past curfew, which resulted in a trip back to the minors as punishment. Abrams was unable to sustain a solid first half and also continued to chase too many pitches, but there's no denying his power/speed upside as a top-10 fantasy SS.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MASN Sports - Mark Zuckerman
2 days agoKansas City Royals shortstop
Bobby Witt Jr. (forearm) suffered a left forearm contusion and the X-rays came back negative. Witt was removed from Wednesday's spring training contest after being hit by a pitch. His manager Matt Quatraro noted that the star infield initially lost feeling in his fingers after being struck by the pitch. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status but it appears he has avoided a significant injury. Anne Rogers of MLB.com noted that the 24-year-old will continue to be evaluated. Last summer, Witt enjoyed a career-season as he went deep 32 times and swiped 30 bags. He posted a stellar .332/.389/.588 line. He placed in the 99th percentile in xBA and xSLg and 98th percentile in xwOBA. Witt also generated a strong 14.3 percent barrel rate and placed in the 100th percentile in sprint speed. The infielder is viewed as a top pick in all formats given his elite contact, power, and speed.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Anne Rogers
2 days agoCleveland Guardians catcher
David Fry (elbow) has been cleared to take dry swings. The 29-year-old is recovering from UCL surgery. Fry was recently placed on the 60-day injured list which will keep him sidelined through at least May 26. However, seeing him begin to take swings, could suggest he may be able to see time as a designated hitter sooner than expected. He will be unable to take the field defensively this season. Last summer, Fry enjoyed a breakout season as he logged a career-high 122 games with a .263/.356/.448 line. He went deep 14 times and added 18 doubles. He generated a solid .326 xwOBA and drew walks at an above-average 10.7 percent rate. When he is cleared to return to the lineup, he will be deployed exclusively as a designated hitter, which will limit his playing opportunities. He will compete for starts alongside prospect
Kyle Manzardo and
Jhonkensy Noel.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Cleveland Guardians
2 days agoBoston Red Sox catcher
Connor Wong (illness) was scratched from Wednesday's contest due to an illness. Several Boston players have dealt with an illness during camp. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status but Wong will likely be held out of the lineup for a few days. His spring debut was delayed due to a shoulder injury. The 28-year-old enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2024 as he posted a strong .280/.333/.425 slash line with 13 home runs and eight stolen bases. However, he generated a modest .231 xBA with a .355 xSLG, which suggests that he may face some regression during the 2025 season. When healthy, fantasy managers should expect Wong to be the primary backstop in Boston. While he is sidelined,
Blake Sabol,
Seby Zavala and
Carlos Narvaez will compete for opportunities.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Gabrielle Star
2 days agoAccording to Anne Rogers of MLB.com, Kansas City Royals infielder
Bobby Witt Jr. (hand) will undergo x-rays. Witt was hit by a pitch during Wednesday's spring training contest. Manager Matt Quatraro noted that the superstar infielder initially "lost feeling in his fingers" but eventually came back. Fantasy managers should continue closely monitoring his status as the team should provide an update after the testing. The 24-year-old is viewed as a top pick in all formats. Last season, the former second overall selection in the 2019 MLB Draft posted a career-high .332/.389/.588 slash line with 32 home runs and 31 stolen bases. He generated an elite .407 xwOBA, .315 xBA, and a .577 xSLG. He also placed in the 100th percentile in sprint speed. If Witt were to miss time,
Maikel Garcia would likely be deployed as the starting shortstop, which opens up the hot corner for
Cavan Biggio or
Nick Loftin.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Anne Rogers
2 days agoCleveland Guardians left-handed pitching prospect
Erik Sabrowski (elbow) began throwing from 60 feet on Wednesday. Earlier in the week, the southpaw received an injection to reduce inflammation in his elbow. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status as the team has not provided a definite timetable on his recovery process. However, seeing him already throwing is a positive sign. Last season, the 27-year-old made his MLB debut. He tossed 12 2/3 shutout frames while tallying 19 punchouts and holding a stellar 0.79 WHIP. Earlier in the season, Sabrowski held a 3.51 ERA with a 1.56 WHIP across 48 2/3 innings of relief across Double and Triple-A. At the top level of the minor leagues, the former 14th round selection held a high 4.38 ERA. Given this injury, he will likely open the season at the Triple-A level and push for an early-season return to the majors.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Cleveland Guardians
2 days agoCleveland Guardians pitching prospect
Andrew Walters (shoulder) threw live batting practice on Wednesday. Walters has been dealing with shoulder soreness throughout camp. However, seeing him return to the bump to face live hitters is a positive sign and could provide him an opportunity to be cleared for Opening Day. Last season, Walters made his MLB debut. The right-hander tossed eight 2/3 shutout innings. He tallied six punchouts and generated a stellar .174 xBA. He was dominant in the minor league as well. He began the season at Double-A where he posted a 1,35 ERA with a 1.05 WHIP across 20 innings of work. He posted a 2.97 ERA at Triple-A with a 1.22 WHIP and 41 punchouts across 30 1/3 innings of work. If he were to return to spring training games, he will likely continue to compete for a spot on the Opening Day roster.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Cleveland Guardians
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