2 mins agoMiami Marlins outfielder
Jesus Sanchez (side) was forced from Thursday's Grapefruit League outing against the Houston Astros in the fourth inning. Sanchez went 2-for-3 with a single and a double but was pulled precautionarily after manager Clayton McCullough "didn't like [his] mannerisms" while standing at second base. When asked about it after the game, the 27-year-old merely pointed at his side. Fortunately, it doesn't appear to be a big deal at this time. Still, side injuries are never good news. Sanchez hits the ball hard often, ranking in the 95th percentile in 2024 with a 51.3% hard-hit rate. He swiped 16 bags last season and hit .305 in September across 85 at-bats -- nearly 40 points better than in any other month. He's being selected inside the top 300 in fantasy drafts and holds some sleeper appeal if he can replicate his late-season form from a year ago.
--Alex CiullaSource: Christina De Nicola
26 mins agoMatt Kawahara of The Houston Chronicle reports that Houston Astros pitcher
Forrest Whitley (knee) was diagnosed with a bone bruise in his knee. Per manager Joe Espada, Whitley "felt something" in his knee on a pitch during his most recent Grapefruit League outing on Mar. 8, and an MRI later revealed the bruise. Espada notes that it's "too soon to tell" if the ailment will jeopardize his Opening Day status. The former top pitching prospect was building up to be a multi-inning reliever for the squad, but his off-season ramp-up will be put on hold for now. The 27-year-old has dealt with injuries before, including missing two months last season with elbow discomfort. However, upon his return, he compiled a 0.95 ERA in 28.1 innings at Triple-A Sugar Land.
--Alex CiullaSource: Matt Kawahara
41 mins agoMark Sheldon of MLB.com reports that Cincinnati Reds outfielder
Spencer Steer (shoulder) took swings in the batting cage on Wednesday. However, he has not resumed throwing. It's a critical step for the 27-year-old, who hadn't picked up a bat since receiving a cortisone shot in his shoulder on Mar. 1. "It's been progressing well," said Steer, "Hopefully, it continues." While he appears to be progressing well, Sheldon notes that the versatile outfielder is still likely to begin the season on the injured list. Still, the former third-round pick isn't yet giving up hope. "I wouldn't count it out yet, I really wouldn't. But it's getting close." Steer notched his first 20/20 season in 2024, though he projects as a better option in points leagues unless his average climbs back up toward the .271 he hit in 2023. He's currently sitting around the top 100 in ADP.
--Alex CiullaSource: Mark Sheldon
53 mins agoChicago White Sox manager
Will Venable notes that outfielder
Andrew Benintendi (hand) "felt really good" while taking swings in the batting cage on Thursday. Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reported the news. "We feel confident that he's in a good spot to progress," said Venable. The veteran broke a bone in his hand at the end of February after being hit by a pitch and was initially given a four- to six-week timetable for his return. It appears he's currently on schedule, and though Van Schouwen notes his being ready on Opening Day seems slightly out of reach, Venable did not rule it out. Benintendi underperformed in 2024 with a .229 average, marking a career-low. Even if he bounces back, he isn't as appealing as a bat in terms of fantasy.
--Alex CiullaSource: Daryl Van Schouwen
2 hours agoBoston Red Sox shortstop
Trevor Story (back) has been out the last few days due to a mild back issue but returned on Thursday to take part in a simulated game in camp against right-hander
Walker Buehler, according to MLB.com's Ian Browne. Story has not played in a Grapefruit League game since March 9 due to lower-back tightness, but it's nothing serious and he's expected to return to a spring game on Saturday. Barring a setback with his back, the 32-year-old veteran will open the 2025 regular season as the Red Sox's starting shortstop. The former first-rounder only played in 26 games in 2024 due to a shoulder injury that he suffered while diving for a ground ball. Injuries are part of the equation now for Story, as he hasn't played in over 94 games in his three years in Beantown. For that reason, he's viewed as middle-infield depth in mixed fantasy leagues.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Ian Browne
2 hours agoBoston Red Sox third baseman
Rafael Devers (shoulder) said he will be fine if the team wants him to serve as the designated hitter on Opening Day. "I don't make those decisions," Devers said after talking to chief baseball officer
Craig Breslow and manager Alex Cora a few weeks ago. The 28-year-old has changed his tune after saying on Feb. 17 that "third base is my position. I play third." Devers is finally scheduled to make his Grapefruit League debut this Saturday after working on his swing during spring training following issues with both of his shoulders last year. Meanwhile, new addition
Alex Bregman is a Gold Glove third baseman and has been at the hot corner all spring. Devers could see time at third at some point in 2025, but all signs are pointing to him opening the year as the full-time DH with
Masataka Yoshida (shoulder) starting on the injured list.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Jen McCaffrey
2 hours agoCincinnati Reds catcher
Tyler Stephenson (back) is going for an MRI exam after being scratched from Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Texas Rangers due to lower-back pain, according to manager Terry Francona. The Reds initially said that they thought Stephenson "was going to be fine." The starting backstop has hit .227 with a home run and four walks in 22 official spring training at-bats this year. If his injury turns out to be serious enough to land him on the injured list to open the regular season,
Jose Trevino would be forced into regular playing time behind the dish in Cincy. Fantasy managers will want to check back later for Stephenson's MRI results, but for now he should be considered day-to-day. The 28-year-old had a resurgent 2024 campaign with career-highs in homers (19), RBI (66) and runs (69) and should be considered a top-10 fantasy catcher as long as his back injury isn't anything serious.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Cincinnati Enquirer - Pat Brennan
3 hours agoAfter recovering nicely from facing San Diego Padres minor-leaguers in camp on Tuesday, Milwaukee Brewers right-hander
Brandon Woodruff (shoulder) is penciled in to make his Cactus League debut on Sunday against the Cleveland Guardians. It's a big step this spring for the 32-year-old veteran, who didn't pitch at all in 2024 for the Brew Crew after having right-shoulder surgery in the fall of 2023. He was able to touch 94 mph on Tuesday with his fastball and is likely ticketed for around an inning of work this weekend in his first official spring training game. Woodruff is making progress, but he has a ways to go and will need to go on a 30-day minor-league rehab assignment at the start of the 2025 regular season, so his return to Milwaukee's starting rotation is still a ways off. Despite the fact that Woodruff will have his workload monitored in his return this year, he's stash-worthy in all fantasy formats.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Adam McCalvy
3 hours agoAtlanta Braves outfielder
Ronald Acuna Jr. (knee) is taking part in most baseball activities in camp but has not been cleared to play in Grapefruit League games. Acuna will embark on a minor-league rehab assignment once the 2025 regular season begins in late March, and his return should come in early- to mid-March, according to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand. The 2023 National League MVP has the ability to make a huge impact for the Braves and for fantasy managers when he makes his season debut. Acuna also won the NL Rookie of the Year award in 2018 and has made four All-Star appearances. However, he's now torn the ACL in both of his knees since 2021 and will miss at least the first month of the 2025 season. His latest ACL tear has taken him from being the consensus No. 1 overall pick in fantasy to No. 29 at RotoBaller.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Mark Feinsand
3 hours agoIt's reasonable to expect Atlanta Braves right-hander
Spencer Strider (elbow) to rejoin the starting rotation sometime in late April, sources tell MLB.com's Mark Feinsand. Strider, who won 20 games for Atlanta in 2023, underwent an internal-brace surgery to fix his right UCL last April. He could throw in a Grapefruit League game before the end of spring training and then is likely to start a 30-day minor-league rehab assignment when the regular season opens. The 26-year-old was fourth in the National League Cy Young voting in 2023, when he went 20-5 with a 3.86 ERA in 186 2/3 innings. Strider's arrow is pointing up for sure, but fantasy managers will have to expect the Braves to slow-play the talented right-hander when he's back in the rotation after he made only two starts a year ago. But because of his upside, he's in play as a No. 3/4 fantasy starting pitcher in upcoming drafts.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Mark Feinsand
3 hours agoToronto Blue Jays outfielder
Daulton Varsho (shoulder) threw out to around 105 feet in camp on Thursday. He still has two weeks until Opening Day, and although it's possible he'll need extra time to ramp up his throwing all the way, he's in a good spot given how complicated rehab from shoulder surgery can be, according to MLB.com's Keegan Matheson. The 28-year-old continues to be up in the air for the start of the 2025 season after having surgery on his right shoulder in September of last year. He has yet to play the field yet in Grapefruit League action but has gone 5-for-16 with three home runs as the designated hitter, which is a great sign for him at the plate after having offseason surgery. Varsho's DH role could continue early into the season if he's not ready to play the outfield. He is RotoBaller's No. 90-ranked fantasy outfielder, but a bounce-back is possible if his down poor 2024 was related to his injured shoulder.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Keegan Matheson
3 hours agoToronto Blue Jays right-hander
Max Scherzer (thumb) had an MRI exam on his sore right thumb, but nothing serious was found, according to MLB.com's Keegan Matheson. Scherzer is playing catch in camp on Thursday and will be back on a mound on Friday or Saturday. It's good news for an aging pitcher that has dealt with injuries in recent seasons as he nears the end of his career. The 40-year-old three-time Cy Young winner and eight-time All-Star was scratched from his Cactus League start this week but has avoided any serious damage and should be ready for Opening Day later this month. Although he remains an injury risk at this point of his career after making only nine starts in 2024 due to injuries, Scherzer can be a value pick in deeper fantasy drafts if he can stay on the field. So far in nine innings in spring training, he's looked more like his old self with 14 strikeouts and no walks.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Keegan Matheson
3 hours agoMiami Marlins right-hander
Edward Cabrera (finger) left his Grapefruit League start early on Thursday against the Houston Astros due to a blister on his right middle finger, according to Marlins Radio's Stephen Strom. Cabrera only threw 12 pitches (two strikes) in the abbreviated outing. In addition to what has been a rough spring results-wise, the blister issue has been a recurring one for the 26-year-old hurler, and it could cause him to open the 2025 regular season on the injured list. Cabrera has allowed 13 runs on 11 hits while walking four in just 4 2/3 Grapefruit League innings so far. But if he put his newest blister issue behind him in the next couple of weeks, he will be locked into Miami's starting rotation. He has displayed a slightly above-average strikeout rate in his time in the big leagues, but injury concerns and poor command and control have Cabrera outside of RotoBaller's top-100 starting pitchers.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Marlins Radio - Stephen Strom
5 hours agoBoston Red Sox right-hander
Lucas Giolito (hamstring) will begin the season on the injured list, according to manager Alex Cora. "We're going to be tested right away," Cora said. Giolito was pulled from his Grapefruit League start on Tuesday against the Philadelphia Phillies with what turned out to be a low-grade left-hamstring strain. It's not a serious injury, but it means the BoSox will now open the year without Giolito,
Brayan Bello (shoulder) or
Kutter Crawford (knee) in their rotation. With that trio of starting-pitcher injuries, both
Quinn Priester and
Richard Fitts appear likely to open the year in Boston's rotation. Giolito's fantasy value continues to drop after he missed all of the 2024 campaign due to a torn right UCL that required an internal-brace procedure. The good news is his new injury isn't arm-related, but he should still be avoided in 12-team mixed leagues.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Boston Globe - Julian McWilliams
5
hours
agoAlthough
an
MRI
exam
on
Texas
Rangers
left-hander
Cody
Bradford's
(elbow)
sore
left
elbow
came
back
clean,
he
is
going
to
need
to
start
the
season
on
the
injured
list,
according
to
manager
Bruce
Bochy.
He
will
be
shut
down
from
throwing
for
read more...
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