Wed Mar 27 | 14:35 | Will Smith Inks 10-Year Extension With Dodgers | Will Smith | | | Free Agent |
| | | Will Smith | RP | Brewers | Free Agent |
The Los Angeles Dodgers and catcher Will Smith are finalizing a 10-year, $140 million contract extension. The 28-year-old has been one of the most productive offensive catchers since entering the big leagues in the 2019 season, putting together a career .263 average with 91 home runs and an .842 OPS across 486 games played. Most recently, he hit .261 with 19 home runs, 80 runs, 76 RBI, and a .797 OPS across 554 trips to the plate in the 2023 season. ATC projects Smith to club 21 home runs along with 74 RBI and an .823 OPS in 124 games in the 2024 season as he is every bit worthy of his 80.46 ADP as the fourth catcher off the draft board this spring. |
Source: Jeff Passan | RotoBaller.com |
Wed Mar 27 | 09:56 | Freddie Freeman Finishes Spring With Fourth Homer | Freddie Freeman | 1B | Braves | Free Agent |
Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman finished Spring Training with a 1-for-4 performance against the Los Angeles Angels. Freeman's lone hit was a solo home run. For the spring, the veteran finishes with four homers, 16 RBI and a .282 average. Although he is another year older, Freeman remains as consistent as they come. One of the safest picks this season, Freeman should once again put-up big power numbers with a healthy batting average. He remains as safe of a pick as there is entering 2024 and should have even more RBI opportunities with Shohei Ohtani joining Mookie Betts as the two batters in front of Freeman this season. |
Source: MLB.com | RotoBaller.com |
Wed Mar 27 | 00:36 | Pablo Sandoval States He Is Not Retiring | Pablo Sandoval | 3B | Giants | Free Agent |
San Francisco Giants corner infielder Pablo Sandoval said after Tuesday's 3-1 exhibition loss to the Athletics that he is not retiring and will report to Triple-A Sacramento if he gets the chance, per the San Francisco Chronicle's Susan Slusser. The 37-year-old veteran went 1-for-2 with a single and a strikeout, with his broken-bat hit coming in his final at-bat in the ninth inning. Sandoval batted .250 with no home runs in 28 spring at-bats and hasn't played in a big-league organization since 2021. However, he had a storied career during his time with the Giants, earning three World Series Championships, two All-Star appearances, and one World Series Most Value Player Award. Regardless of the outcome, the Panda made a lasting mark in the Giants' organization. |
Source: Susan Slusser - Twitter.com | RotoBaller.com |
Tue Mar 26 | 11:30 | J.T. Realmuto Hits Second Home Run Of Spring | J.T. Realmuto | C | Marlins | Free Agent |
Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto hit his second home of the spring on Monday in a 6-3 Grapefruit League loss to the Rays. It was a long time coming, as his first homer came in his first spring game back in February. The 33-year-old is now 10-for-40 (.250) in the spring, with a double, two home runs, four RBI, six runs scored, and a stolen base. He's getting his hacks in this spring, as the 3x All-Star hasn't drawn a single walk, while he's struck out 11 times. Managers who drafted him as the second backstop off the board are counting on the power and stolen base numbers to be there this season, but with a price tag of 72 overall, it's best to grab a catcher further down the board. |
Source: ESPN | RotoBaller.com |
Tue Mar 26 | 10:44 | Marcell Ozuna Goes Deep Monday, Collects Three RBI | Marcell Ozuna | CF | Marlins | Free Agent |
Atlanta Braves designated hitter Marcell Ozuna hit his second home run of the spring on Monday in a 4-0 Grapefruit League win over the Twins. Ozuna had started off the spring hot but his bat had gone cold as of late, going 2-for-17 over his last six games. The 33-year-old is still hitting .306 in the spring, going 15-for-49 with two doubles, two home runs, four RBI (three of which came on Monday's HR), and four runs scored. He's got just two walks compared to 16 strikeouts which is a bit concerning, but as long as he keeps hitting home runs that can be tolerated. The Braves have their Grapefruit finale on Tuesday before opening the season Thursday against the Phillies in Philadelphia. |
Source: ESPN | RotoBaller.com |
Tue Mar 26 | 00:47 | Diamondbacks Select Contract For Tucker Barnhart | Tucker Barnhart | C | Reds | Free Agent |
The Arizona Diamondbacks selected veteran catcher Tucker Barnhart's contract Monday and designated pitcher Peter Strzelecki for assignment in a corresponding move. This means that Barnhart will serve as backup to Gabriel Moreno to start the season. The 33-year-old is a two-time Gold Glove winner and can provide experience and leadership off the bench. However, he has hit just .217 this spring and has never been much of an offensive fantasy option. |
Source: MLB.com | RotoBaller.com |
Mon Mar 25 | 19:49 | Randal Grichuk A Good Bet To Open On Injured List | Randal Grichuk | RF | Cardinals | Free Agent |
Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo stopped short of saying that outfielder Randal Grichuk (ankle) will open the year on the injured list, but the skipper left little doubt. Lovullo said that Grichuk would be ready to serve as the designated hitter but that "just having a DH and not giving somebody a chance to play on the other side of the ball would not be fair to him or the team." The 32-year-old is recovering from surgery to remove a bone spur from his right ankle in February and is unlikely to be on the Opening Day roster. When Grichuk is healthy, he'll serve as outfield insurance for the Snakes after hitting .267/.321/.459 with 16 home runs and 44 RBI in 118 games with the Colorado Rockies and Los Angeles Angels in 2023. Grichuk hasn't hit 20 homers since 2021 and lost most of his fantasy appeal when he left Colorado last year. |
Source: The Arizona Republic - Theo Mackie | RotoBaller.com |
Mon Mar 25 | 19:44 | Michael Wacha Not Expected To Miss Any Time | Michael Wacha | SP | Cardinals | Free Agent |
Kansas City Royals right-hander Michael Wacha (finger) is fine and isn't expected to miss any time to open the 2024 regular season. Manager Matt Quatraro said Wacha woke up Monday morning and even "forgot about it." Wacha is the club's No. 4 starter in his first year in KC, joining Cole Ragans, Seth Lugo, Brady Singer and Alec Marsh. The 32-year-old veteran suffered a bruised right middle finger during an intrasquad game on Sunday, but it won't impact his availability for the start of the 2024 campaign. He's expected to make his Royals debut on April 1 in a tough matchup against the defending American League East-champion Baltimore Orioles. Fantasy managers should expect regression from Wacha after two straight fortunate seasons in 2022 and 2023. |
Source: MLB.com - Jackson Stone | RotoBaller.com |
Mon Mar 25 | 18:39 | Joey Votto Likely To Stay In Extended Spring Training | Joey Votto | 1B | Reds | Free Agent |
Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Joey Votto (ankle) is feeling better but has still yet to resume full baseball activities in camp. He will likely stay in extended spring training when the Blue Jays open the 2024 season later this week against the Tampa Bay Rays. The 40-year-old rolled his right ankle recently in a Grapefruit League game and will not be ready for the start of the regular season, although the injury isn't considered serious. It gives Votto a chance to stay in spring training to work on his swing after signing with the club late in spring training. Once he's healthy, he'll most likely head to Triple-A Buffalo while hoping to eventually join the Blue Jays in the big leagues as a veteran bat off the bench at both first base and designated hitter. |
Source: Sportsnet.ca - Arden Zwelling | RotoBaller.com |
Mon Mar 25 | 18:02 | Wade Miley To Throw Simulated Game Wednesday | Wade Miley | SP | Diamondbacks | Free Agent |
Milwaukee Brewers left-hander Wade Miley (groin, shoulder) will throw a simulated game on Wednesday in New York with three up-downs. If all goes well with that session, he will most likely move his rehab to Triple-A Nashville for a couple of minor-league rehab starts. Groin and shoulder injuries have limited the 37-year-old veteran southpaw during spring training, which will force him to open the year on the injured list. Miley might not be sidelined for long if he looks good in his minor-league rehab starts, but fantasy managers in mixed leagues should be looking for better upside arms for rotation depth. He has found a way to induce soft contact in his career, but with a career 7.0 K/9 mark in 13 big-league seasons, he's just not going to miss enough bats. |
Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Curt Hogg | RotoBaller.com |
Mon Mar 25 | 12:51 | DJ LeMahieu Starting The Year On Injured List | DJ LeMahieu | 2B | Rockies | Free Agent |
New York Yankees infielder DJ LeMahieu (foot) will start the 2024 season on the injured list, according to general manager Brian Cashman. "(It's been) a slow go on the recovery side" due to bone bruise, right foot," Cashman said. LeMahieu is dealing with inflammation and a deep bone bruise in his right foot and will have another MRI exam later this week to give the club an idea of how much progress he's made. The 35-year-old veteran might not have to miss much time, but there's also a chance his 2024 debut won't come until later in April. LeMahieu suffered the injury while fouling a ball off his foot in a spring game last week. With LeMahieu on the shelf to begin the season, Oswaldo Cabrera should operate as the Yankees' primary third baseman. |
Source: The Bergen Record - Pete Caldera | RotoBaller.com |
Mon Mar 25 | 12:08 | Anthony Rizzo Back In Action Monday | Anthony Rizzo | 1B | Cubs | Free Agent |
New York Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo (lat) is back in the team's Grapefruit League lineup on Monday against the New York Mets, serving as the designated hitter and batting cleanup. Lat tightness caused the Yankees to scratch Rizzo as a precaution from Friday's spring training game, but he's back in there on Monday after taking the weekend off. Barring a setback, the 34-year-old left-handed-hitting veteran should be New York's starting first baseman on Opening Day on Thursday, March 28, on the road versus the Houston Astros. Fantasy managers that took Rizzo as a corner infielder in mixed leagues are hoping he can stay healthy in 2024 and carry his strong spring results into the regular season. Rizzo currently has a 1.189 OPS and two home runs in the Grapefruit League. |
Source: Yes Network - Meredith Marakovits | RotoBaller.com |
Mon Mar 25 | 12:05 | Yasmani Grandal To Open The Year On The Injured List | Yasmani Grandal | C | Padres | Free Agent |
Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Yasmani Grandal (foot) and outfielder Ji Hwan Bae (hip) will open the 2024 regular season on the 10-day injured list. Grandal is dealing with plantar fasciitis and has yet to resume running in spring training, so he won't be ready for Opening Day. The good news is that the 35-year-old veteran backstop hasn't been completely shut down from baseball activities, so he could be ready to make his 2024 debut when he's eligible to return next month. With Grandal sidelined, it opens the door for Henry Davis to see full-time duties as Pittsburgh's starting catcher to begin the year. When Grandal is healthy, the Bucs plan to rotate the two behind the dish in 2024. While Grandal still has some pop from the left side, he's not much of an option in single-catcher fantasy leagues. |
Source: MLB.com - Alex Stumpf | RotoBaller.com |
Sun Mar 24 | 17:15 | DJ LeMahieu A Longshot For Opening Day | DJ LeMahieu | 2B | Rockies | Free Agent |
New York Yankees infielder DJ LeMahieu (foot) is reportedly a longshot to be ready in time for Opening Day, according to manager Aaron Boone. It sounds like the veteran infielder has not progressed as quickly as the organization hoped. The 35-year-old continues to deal with a bone bruise in his right foot that could linger into Opening Day. The good news is that LeMahieu has been able to participate in baseball activities. Although, LeMahieu isn't quite ready for game action, so he could begin the season on the injured list. Oswaldo Cabrera figures to see an expanded role if LeMahieu does miss time. |
Source: Bryan Hoch | RotoBaller.com |
Sun Mar 24 | 08:32 | Gerrit Cole Could Begin Season On 60-Day IL | Gerrit Cole | SP | Pirates | Free Agent |
Yankees GM Brian Cashman stated that starting pitcher Gerrit Cole could be placed on the 60-Day IL if they need to free up a spot on the 40-man roster. Cole is expected to miss an extended amount of time anyway, so putting him on the IL would give them some roster flexibility. If the Yankees were to do that, that would at least firm up the fact that the 6x All-Star would not return before late May or early June at the earliest, and fantasy managers can adjust expectations accordingly. Cole's draft stock has already plummeted of course, but a late-round flier on a pitcher with Cole's ceiling seems like a reasonable gamble, assuming he won't need to miss any additional time and provided you have space to stash him. |
Source: NY Post Sports - Greg Joyce | RotoBaller.com |
Sat Mar 23 | 12:51 | Jacob deGrom Officially Placed On 60-Day Injured List | Jacob deGrom | SP | Mets | Free Agent |
The Texas Rangers officially placed right-hander Jacob deGrom (elbow) on the 60-day injured list on Friday to make room for right-hander Michael Lorenzen on the active roster. deGrom, who is recovering from surgery on his right UCL, started playing catch on Feb. 12 and resumed again on the first official day of spring workouts on Feb. 14, just under eight months after the surgery to fix his torn right UCL ended his 2023 season. It was the second Tommy John surgery for the 35-year-old veteran. General manager Chris Young said that deGrom is progressing well in his rehab with an eye on returning around August. He still has a long ways to go in his recovery and shouldn't be relied on for much, if any, fantasy production late in the second half of 2024 if he returns to Texas' starting rotation. |
Source: MLB.com | RotoBaller.com |
Sat Mar 23 | 12:05 | Bryce Harper Back In The Lineup Saturday | Bryce Harper | LF | Nationals | Free Agent |
Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper (back) is back in the team's Grapefruit League lineup on Saturday against the New York Yankees, playing first base and batting third in the lineup. After getting seven at-bats on the back fields in camp on Friday, Harper is ready to return to spring action this weekend after dealing with a minor back injury. The 31-year-old former MVP has gone only 5-for-22 with three runs scored in Grapefruit League games this spring, but the only thing that really matters is that he'll be ready for Opening Day next Thursday. Moving to first base full time in 2024, Harper is ranked at RotoBaller as the No. 1 fantasy first baseman, behind only the Dodgers' Freddie Freeman. |
Source: Philadelphia Phillies | RotoBaller.com |
Fri Mar 22 | 20:03 | Wilmer Flores Returns To Action Friday | Wilmer Flores | 3B | Mets | Free Agent |
| | | Wilmer Flores | | | Free Agent |
San Francisco Giants infielder Wilmer Flores (knee) returned to Cactus League action on Friday against the Chicago Cubs, starting at first base and batting third in the lineup. Flores returned to the field on Friday after he was scratched from Wednesday's Cactus League lineup due to minor knee soreness. The fact that the 32-year-old is already back on the field heading into the weekend suggests he won't open the 2024 regular season on the injured list next week. The Venezuelan veteran hit an impressive .284/.355/.509 with an .863 OPS, a career-high 23 home runs and 60 RBI in 126 games in 2023 in his third year in the Bay Area. At the very least, Flores should be a lineup regular for the Gigantes this year against left-handed pitching at either first base or designated hitter. |
Source: MLB.com | RotoBaller.com |
Fri Mar 22 | 18:16 | Anthony Rizzo "Fully Confident" He'll Be Ready For Opening Day | Anthony Rizzo | 1B | Cubs | Free Agent |
After New York Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo (lat) was scratched from Friday's Grapefruit League game due to lat tightness, he said he's "fully confident I'll be in there Opening Day" and added that the decision to scratch him on Friday was a precaution. "He didn't seem too concerned with it. He said it's something he has every now and then during the season, but just wanted to be certain," manager Aaron Boone said. Fantasy managers that took the 34-year-old left-handed-hitting veteran as a power-hitting corner-infield option in mixed leagues will be hoping that Rizzo can carry over his strong spring training performance into the regular season. If Rizzo can stay healthy in 2024 after missing the last two months of 2023 with a concussion, he could be an excellent value play in fantasy. |
Source: Yes Network - Meredith Marakovits | RotoBaller.com |
Fri Mar 22 | 15:28 | Bryce Harper Hopes To Play In Grapefruit League Game Saturday | Bryce Harper | LF | Nationals | Free Agent |
Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper (back) got seven at-bats on a back field in camp on Friday, hitting an opposite-field home run while also beating out an infield single. Harper was happy to see some velocity and is hoping to play first base on Saturday in a Grapefruit League game versus the New York Yankees. The 31-year-old former MVP has been out of action for the last week in spring training due to some back stiffness, but he looks to be healthy now and should be ready to go for Opening Day on March 28. Now a full-time first baseman for the Phillies, Harper is ranked as the No. 2 fantasy first baseman at RotoBaller after slashing .293/.401/.499 with a .900 OPS, 21 home runs, 72 RBI and 11 stolen bases in just 126 games in 2023 in his fifth season with the Phillies. |
Source: The Athletic - Matt Gelb | RotoBaller.com |