1 day agoLos Angeles Angels relief pitcher
Ryan Johnson picked up the first save of his early career in Monday's 5-4 extra-innings win over the Cardinals. The 22-year-old came in to pitch the bottom of the 10th inning up by two with an automatic runner on second. He got the first out on a fly-out, allowed a single, got the second out on a sacrifice fly, and ended the game with a strikeout. Johnson is an interesting prospect in that he made his big-league debut this season without ever pitching in the minors. While his pitch arsenal could lend itself to a late-inning role, he saw this opportunity because both closer
Kenley Jansen and
Ben Joyce had pitched in each of the previous two games. Johnson will need to first prove that he can hold his own in the big leagues before attempting to work his way into the end-of-game pecking order, so his fantasy value remains limited at this time.
--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
1 day agoThe Philadelphia Phillies have agreed with pitching prospect
Travis Kuhn on a minor-league contract. Kuhn was drafted by the Mariners in 2019 and spent his entire career there before getting released on March 30. He spent the last three seasons at Double-A, where the righty pitched to a 3.54 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, and a 14.6 percent K-BB% over 168 innings of relief. The 5-foot-10 hurler limits the long ball, with a miniscule 0.32 HR/9, but the walks are too high and the strikeout rate isn't as high as you'd hope for reliever pitching at the Double-A level. The 26-year-old will get a fresh start and look to rejuvenate his career with a new club, but he doesn't move the needle for fantasy.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
1 day agoLos Angeles Angels outfielder
Mike Trout continued his slow start at the plate in Monday's 5-4 extra-innings win over the Cardinals. The 33-year-old went 0-for-3 with two RBI and a strikeout. The power hitter is now 1-for-13 in his first four games. While this is not what fantasy managers were hoping for, the main thing is that Trout entered the season healthy, as his inability to stay on the field has been his biggest fantasy hindrance over the last several seasons. Unfortunately, the Angels haven't gotten things going offensively as a whole, so fantasy managers may have to hope that Trout can be a catalyst for his team. It may be frustrating, but fantasy managers need to be patient this early in the season.
--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
1 day agoSan Francisco Giants starting pitcher
Jordan Hicks looked sharp in his first start of the season Monday, helping his team to a 7-2 win over the Astros. The 28-year-old tossed six scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and two walks with six strikeouts. Hicks had a strong first half in 2024 with a 3.79 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP while returning to a rotation role, but his poor second half forced him to end the season in the bullpen. Hicks' heavy sinker has carried fantasy appeal throughout his career, and his first start against a solid Astros lineup could spark interest once again. He is widely available and should have a good chance to string together another solid outing in his next scheduled start at home against the Mariners, making him worth a look in at least deeper leagues.
--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
1 day agoPhiladelphia Phillies designated hitter
Kyle Schwarber went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Monday's 6-1 win over the Rockies. The 434-foot blast was Schwarber's third of the season and he's now up to six RBI. The 32-year-old is coming off a 38-home run campaign in 2024, with ATC projections forecasting another 36 in 2025. The left-handed hitter is hitting well to begin the year, now 6-for-17 (.353) on the young season. With the Phillies having an off day on Tuesday, Schwarber will get back to work on Wednesday against
Kyle Freeland and the Rockies, a pitcher whom he's not had success against in the past, going just 1-for-12 with six strikeouts in his career. Season-long managers will continue to fire him up, but he might be an avoid for DFS.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
1 day agoThe Los Angeles Angels have acquired pitching prospect
Jake Eder from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for cash. The lefty was subsequently optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake. The former fourth-round draft pick was once a promising prospect, but underwent Tommy John surgery in 2021, causing him to miss the rest of that season and all of 2022. Since then, the southpaw has logged a 6.52 ERA, 1.68 WHIP, and a 12.8 percent K-BB% over 38 starts. He's still got solid strikeout stuff but the command has been a problem, owning a career 11.5 percent walk rate in the minors. He'll provide the Angels with some starting pitching depth in the minors, but remains off the fantasy radar at this point.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: Chicago White Sox
1
day
agoThe
Pittsburgh
Pirates
have
acquired
outfield
prospect
Alexander
Canario
from
the
New
York
Mets
in
exchange
for
cash.
Canario
finished
his
spring
season
strong,
collecting
at
least
one
hit
in
six
of
his
last
seven
games,
going
8-for-11
(.727)
with
a
double
and
three
read more...
1 day agoPhiladelphia Phillies starting pitcher
Cristopher Sanchez struck out seven and gave up just one run in just over five innings of work in the Phillies' 6-1 win over the Colorado Rockies on Monday. Sanchez walked two and gave up four hits, though he did not pick up the win. The 28-year-old is continuing to build on a strong past two seasons, each seeing a 3.50 ERA or lower. ATC projects Sanchez to throw for a 3.58 ERA in 2025, nearly matching his 3.56 xERA he posted in 2024. Fantasy managers should do all they can to ensure he's in their starting lineups when he's on the hill. His next scheduled start is slated for Sunday against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
1 day agoKansas City Royals starting pitcher
Kris Bubic was fantastic in his first start of the season, striking out eight Brewers without giving up a run in the Royals' 11-1 win. The outing was great to see for the 27-year-old, who has spent most of the past two seasons in Kansas City's bullpen. It also was a great turnaround after a subpar Spring Training in which Bubic threw for a 5.40 ERA. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect Monday's outing to be the norm for Bubic going forward as ATC projections expect him to throw for a 4.16 ERA. However, there are worse options fantasy managers could find on the waiver wire. If he's available on the waiver wire then fantasy managers should pick him up if space is available. His next scheduled start is Sunday against the Baltimore Orioles, most certainly a tougher test than the Milwaukee Brewers.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
1 day agoChicago White Sox starting pitcher
Martin Perez was masterful on Monday, throwing six hitless innings and picking up the win in Chicago's 9-0 victory over the Twins. Perez did walk three batters but ultimately was spectacular in his White Sox debut. It's a great sign to see for the 33-year-old after putting up a 4.53 ERA in 2024. ATC projections still expect Perez to pitch to a 4.59 ERA this season, but if today's performance is any indication then there may be some silver linings to the many opportunities the White Sox are likely to give Perez this season. Fantasy managers should look to add Perez if he's on the waiver wire, though they shouldn't expect him to be a driving force to their lineup's success.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
1 day agoAtlanta Braves outfielder
Bryan De La Cruz is in Monday night's lineup against the Dodgers, getting his first start of the season. De La Cruz will bat seventh and face Dodgers' starter
Tyler Glasnow. The 28-year-old only has two at-bats this season and hasn't received much opportunity so tonight will be a good chance for him to make an impact as the Braves look for a spark to get them their first win of the season. De La Cruz hasn't had much success against Glasnow in his career going 0-3 against him. Fantasy managers shouldn't rush to get him into their starting lineups and DFS managers should do what they can to avoid him until he proves himself.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: Atlanta Braves
1 day agoAtlanta Braves starting pitcher
Reynaldo Lopez (shoulder) was placed on the 15-day IL with right shoulder inflammation on Monday, backdated to March 29th. In a corresponding move,
Bryce Elder was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett. Lopez gave up three runs on nine hits in his only start this season against the Padres. The 31-year-old had been seeing a decrease in velocity this Spring, suggesting the injury may have been nagging him for longer than just one start. In his absence expect Elder to get starts in Atlanta's rotation. Elder is no stranger to the Braves rotation and posted up a 3.81 ERA in 31 starts in 2023, though he performed much worse in 2024 with a 6.52 ERA in 10 starts. Fantasy managers should exercise caution before adding Elder in their league.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: Atlanta Braves
1 day agoToronto Blue Jays starting pitcher
Max Scherzer (thumb) visited with a hand specialist on Monday to discuss his thumb inflammation that landed him on the 15-day IL. Scherzer plans to return to Toronto soon and discuss next steps with team trainers and doctors according to manager John Schneider. The 40-year-old signed a 1-year, $15.5 million contract with the Blue Jays this offseason. He has dealt with this thumb injury in the past and the recurring nature of the injury should cause some worry for fantasy managers. In his absence, expect
Yariel Rodriguez to get more starts for Toronto.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: Ben Nicholson-Smith
1 day agoCleveland Guardians third baseman
Jose Ramirez (wrist) is back in the Guardians' lineup for Monday night's matchup against the San Diego Padres. Ramirez left Saturday's game with a wrist injury from stealing a base but has avoided serious injury and is ready to go. The 32-year-old will look to get his first hit of the year against Padres starter
Kyle Hart, who has a 15.55 ERA in 11 IP. Fantasy managers and DFS managers alike should do all they can to get Ramirez in their lineup.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
1 day agoLos Angeles Dodgers first baseman
Freddie Freeman (ankle) is out of Monday night's lineup. Freeman re-aggravated his ankle injury in what manager Dave Roberts is calling a "mishap" from Freeman stepping into the shower. The 35-year-old is currently considered day-to-day and should not be considered serious.
Enrique Hernandez is filling in at first base and will bat eighth in the Dodgers' lineup. Hernandez only has one hit in eight PA this season, though his one hit is a HR. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues are likely the only ones who can benefit from Hernandez starting tonight. DFS managers looking for a cheap longshot may want to consider adding the 33-year-old as well.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: Kirsten Watson
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