53 mins 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
1
hour
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...
1 hour agoTexas Rangers right-hander
Jacob deGrom (illness) has been scratched from his scheduled Cactus League start on Thursday against the San Francisco Giants due to a stomach virus, according to manager Bruce Bochy. Hopefully, the 36-year-old veteran will be able to get back on the mound in a few days for what will only be his second spring training game after he threw 31 pitches in his debut last weekend. The two-time Cy Young winner still has the stuff to be a fantasy ace if he's healthy, but the caveat is that he's started only nine games in the last two seasons due to arm injuries and will be eased in early in 2025 to preserve his health throughout the season. Additionally, deGrom plans to back off a bit on his velocity in order to try and preserve his health. deGrom hasn't gone over 100 innings pitched in a season since 2019 with the New York Mets.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Dallas Morning News - Shawn McFarland
1 hour agoTexas Rangers second baseman
Marcus Semien (illness) is back at second base and batting leadoff on Thursday in the Cactus League game against the San Francisco Giants. A stomach bug is going around the Rangers' clubhouse in camp, and the 34-year-old veteran wasn't feeling good enough to play on Wednesday. He's now back in there a day later and is hoping to pick it up offensively with Opening Day just several weeks away. In 12 spring games to this point, Semien has gone 6-for-32 (.188) with two home runs, a triple, three RBI and three runs scored in 34 plate appearances. It was a down year for him at the plate last year, too, by his standards as he slashed .237/.308/.391 with 23 home runs, 74 RBI and eight steals in 159 games. Semien's underlying metrics didn't dip, though, so he's still a strong second base target in fantasy that has been one of the most durable players in the league.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Texas Rangers PR
1 hour agoNew York Mets infielder
Brett Baty is projected to open the year at second base while batting eighth, according to MLB.com's Anthony DiComo. Regular second baseman
Jeff McNeil (oblique) is being shut down for seven to 10 days and is likely to open the year on the injured list, which could open the door for Baty to get regular playing time at the keystone in Queens. The 25-year-old started 27 games at second last year at Triple-A Syracuse, although he's never played the position in the big leagues. Another scenario would include both Baty and
Luisangel Acuna splitting second base duties until McNeil is healed up. Baty, one of the team's former top prospects, hasn't panned out yet, although he did see some progress with a lowered strikeout rate in his limited playing time in 2024. When everyone is healthy in New York, Baty will find it hard to see the field regularly.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Anthony DiComo
2 hours agoNew York Mets left-hander
Sean Manaea (oblique) resumed throwing two days ago, according to manager
Carlos Mendoza. Manaea's follow-up MRI exam came back clean, so he's essentially re-starting his spring training program after being shut down with a strained right oblique earlier in camp. It means that the 33-year-old veteran southpaw is right on schedule. He still has a ways to go as he builds his arm up for a starter's workload, but barring a setback, he could be ready to rejoin the Mets' rotation at some point in April. Nobody really expected much from Manaea in Queens in 2024, but he pitched very well thanks to a lowered arm slot and threw more strikes, too, finishing 12-6 with a 3.47 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 184:63 K:BB in 181 2/3 regular-season innings over 32 starts. It remains to be seen if he can repeat that success in 2025, but he's at least a little cheaper now that he'll begin the year on the injured list.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Newsday - Tim Healey
2 hours agoNew York Mets outfielder
Brandon Nimmo (knee) is serving as the designated hitter and is in the two-hole for Thursday's Grapefruit League contest versus the Boston Red Sox. Nimmo appears to be past his plantar-fasciitis issues from last year, but he was brought along slowly early in camp and then dealt with right-knee soreness. As a result, this is the 31-year-old veteran's second spring training game. Nimmo still has several weeks to get ready for Opening Day and has time to work his way back onto the field in the outfield. The former first-rounder has dealt with his fair share of injuries in recent seasons, but he's remarkably still managed to play in at least 151 games in each of the last three years. He also had career-highs in home runs (23), RBI (90) and steals (15) while scoring 88 runs in 2024. The injuries are a bit worrisome, but Nimmo is still a top-50 fantasy outfielder in this lineup.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NJ Advance Media - Manny Gomez
2 hours agoAs expected, Washington Nationals shortstop
CJ Abrams (quadriceps) is back in the Grapefruit League lineup on Thursday against the Tampa Bay Rays after being pulled following a first-inning triple on Wednesday. Abrams is back at the 6 and is batting leadoff after experiencing tightness in both of his quadriceps muscles on Wednesday while rounding the bases. After a strong start to last season, the 24-year-old looks primed for another strong start in 2025 while hitting .300 with a home run in 30 at-bats this spring. However, Abrams tailed off in the second half in 2024 and was sent to the minors for staying out past curfew on a trip to Chicago. His chase rate is perhaps his biggest red flag, but Abrams still offers enough power/speed upside to be considered a top-10 fantasy shortstop. He was a first-time All-Star last year and had 20 home runs and 31 stolen bases in 138 games played.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Washington Post - Andrew Golden
3 hours agoBoston Red Sox starting pitcher
Lucas Giolito (hamstring) has a low-grade hamstring strain. The right-hander suffered this injury during Tuesday's Grapefruit League contest. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status. Giolito said, "he feels good and his work will be based on how he feels." However, he is not sure if he can make his next start. Giolito was unable to pitch during the entire 2024 season after undergoing an internal brace procedure during last year's spring training. In 2023, Giolito logged 184 1/3 innings with a 4.88 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP. He tallied 204 punchouts and held a high 9.2 percent walk-rate. He also generated a modest 4.61 xERA with a low 36.1 percent ground-ball rate. If he were to miss time early in the season, fantasy managers should expect
Cooper Criswell,
Richard Fitts, and
Quinn Priester to have increased opportunities.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Jen McCaffrey
4 hours agoPittsburgh Pirates third baseman
Ke'Bryan Hayes (side) has resumed full baseball activities. Pirates senior director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk noted, "We envision him being available for game activity in the coming days as well." Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status but should expect him to return to the starting lineup very soon. Hayes has been dealing with left side tightness over the past two weeks. When healthy, he should have an everyday role as the starting third baseman. Last season, the former 32nd-overall pick held a .233/.283/.290 line with four home runs and 11 stolen bases. He generated a weak .279 xwOBA but showed a strong eye at the plate as he held an 18.9 percent strikeout rate. Fantasy managers should view him as a depth corner infield option that has more value in points leagues given his low strikeout rate.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Noah Hiles
4 hours agoNew York Mets second baseman
Jeff McNeil (oblique) suffered a low-grade oblique strain and will not participate in baseball activities for the next 7-to-10 days. In addition, manager
Carlos Mendoza noted that McNeil could be sidelined for 3-to-4 weeks. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status but given this report, he will likely miss the start of the season. He may also be placed on the injured list if he were to miss several weeks of action. Last season, McNeil held a .238/.308/.384 line across 129 games. He tallied 26 doubles and swiped five bags. The 32-year-old won the NL batting title in 2022 with a .326 AVG. As a result, fantasy managers should expect
Luisangel Acuna to likely operate as the team's starting second baseman at the start of the regular season. Donovan Wilson and
Brett Baty could also be in the mix for opportunities.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: SNY
4 hours agoHouston Astros first baseman
Christian Walker (oblique) was hitting in the batting cage. The first baseman also fielded ground balls and ran. This is a great sign as this is the first time the 33-year-old swung a bat since suffering this injury. Walker underwent an MRI on his oblique but did not suffer a strain. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status, but it appears he will likely not be in danger of missing Opening Day. Earlier in the offseason, Walker signed a three-year deal with the Astros worth $60 million. Last season, Walker held a .251/.335/.468 slash line with 26 home runs in Arizona. He generated an elite .351 xwOBA, 13.3 percent barrel rate, and 48.0 percent hard-hit rate, which were all well above the average marks. When healthy, fantasy managers should expect Walker to serve as the everyday first baseman in Houston. He should be viewed as a solid No. 1 first baseman in all formats given his high-upside power.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Brian McTaggart
4 hours agoThe St. Louis Cardinals have optioned right-handed pitching prospect
Tekoah Roby to Double-A Springfield. The 23-year-old enjoyed a nice spring training where he tallied 10 punchouts with a 3.00 ERA and a 0.89 WHIP across nine innings. While he was not expected to make the Opening Day roster, this strong showing could have opened the door for a nearly promotion to Triple-A. Last season, Roby logged 33 1/3 innings with Double-A Springfield before being shut down with a shoulder injury. During this stint, he held a 6.75 ERA with a 1.65 WHIP. During the 2023 campaign, the former third-round selection held a 4.63 ERA with a 1.20 WHIP across 58 1/3 innings of work at the Double-A level. Dynasty managers should monitor his progress as he may only need a brief stint at Double-A before making his Triple-A debut.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: St. Louis Cardinals
4 hours agoHouston Astros third base/outfield prospect
Cam Smith is getting the starting nod in right field on Thursday. The Astros have provided their top prospect with opportunities to learn the outfield during camp. This is his first time covering right field in a Grapefruit League game. The Astros acquired the former 14th-overall pick in a package that sent
Kyle Tucker to the Chicago Cubs. In addition, Smith is slated to bat cleanup in a lineup that contains all major league players, which suggests he could be in the running to make the Opening Day roster. Through nine games this spring, Smith has held a stellar .450/.560/.850 line with a triple and two home runs. Last summer, Smith appeared in 32 games in the Cubs system and posted a .313/.396/.609 line. If Smith makes the Opening Day roster, he is worth taking a late-round flier on in all standard leagues.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Brian McTaggart
5 hours agoCincinnati Reds catcher
Tyler Stephenson (back) was scratched from Wednesday's lineup due to "lower-to-middle back pain." Manager Terry Francona noted that Stephenson will be "fine" and that it did not make sense to have him suit up. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status as the team may opt to keep him sidelined for a few days. However, it appears this injury is not serious and will not put him in danger of missing Opening Day. While the 28-year-old kept out of action,
Jose Trevino should see most of the catching duties. Last season, Stephenson enjoyed a career-season as he went deep 19 times and held a .258/.338/.444 line. He generated a strong 43.9 percent hard-hit rate with a 90.2 mph average exit velocity. He should be viewed as a solid low-end No. 1 catcher in all formats playing in a favorable hitting park.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Mark Sheldon
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