News for All Players - 2018 4x4 NL League - $260 Cap

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Tue Mar 1900:59Adolis Garcia Hits Solo Homer MondayAdolis GarcíaCFCardinalsFree Agent
Texas Rangers outfielder Adolis Garcia went 2-for-3 with a double, a solo home run, and a strikeout in Monday's 9-5 Cactus League loss to the Mariners. The 31-year-old got a late start to spring after suffering a moderate left oblique strain in the World Series, so seeing him flash his power is good. However, he is batting just .167 in 24 at-bats this spring. Fantasy managers shouldn't be too worried, as Garcia has been a higher-end fantasy option each of the last three seasons. If healthy, he should provide a middling batting average with high power upside and moderate speed upside.
Source: MLB.comRotoBaller.com
Mon Mar 1821:40Blake Snell Heading To The GiantsBlake SnellSPRaysFree Agent
Free-agent left-hander Blake Snell is signing a two-year deal worth $62 million with the San Francisco Giants on Monday. The deal includes an opt-out clause for the reigning National League Cy Young winner. The 31-year-old southpaw was asking for a lot on the open market coming off his second Cy Young in eight big-league seasons. He went 14-9 with a league-best 2.25 ERA (3.44 FIP) and 1.19 WHIP with a career-high 234 strikeouts in 180 innings over 32 starts for the San Diego Padres, but Snell also led the league with 99 walks and 5.8 hits per nine innings allowed, which means he was pretty fortunate to lead the league in ERA in 2023. He will stay in the NL West and move to an even more pitcher-friendly ballpark, but his lack of control and durability issues point to regression in 2024 as a No. 2 fantasy starter. Snell also has a history of starting slow, which could be exacerbated this year due to his late signing with only 10 days until Opening Day.
Source: New York Post - Jon HeymanRotoBaller.com
Mon Mar 1820:08Kenley Jansen Scheduled To Make Four More Spring AppearancesKenley JansenRPDodgersFree Agent
Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that closer Kenley Jansen (back) has just enough time to be ready for the start of the regular season on March 28, but there is no margin for any more injury setbacks. "We're running out of time," Cora said. Despite being scratched from his second Grapefruit League appearance on Monday with lower-back tightness, Jansen is scheduled to pitch on Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday and one more time in an exhibition game in Texas next week. The 36-year-old veteran reliever didn't make his first spring appearance until last Friday due to lat tightness, so Jansen has already dealt with two injuries this spring. While he could be ready for Opening Day, fantasy managers should be considering him a pretty shaky No. 2 closer in 2024. Chris Martin (groin) is also hurt and could open the year on the injured list, so the back end of Boston's bullpen is limping into Opening Day.
Source: The Boston Globe - Alex SpeierRotoBaller.com
Mon Mar 1819:35Carlos Rodon Looks Excellent On MondayCarlos RodónSPWhite SoxFree Agent
New York Yankees starting pitcher Carlos Rodon looked sharp throughout Monday's outing against the Philadelphia Phillies. The left-hander tossed 5 2/3 scoreless innings while striking out five batters as well on Monday. He currently sits at a 2.93 ERA this spring with some better outings as of late. The biggest thing for Rodon is going to be staying healthy and getting on the mound every fifth day. There is certainly some risk with taking Rodon is fantasy drafts, but he could be worth it.
Source: MLB.comRotoBaller.com
Mon Mar 1819:11Martin Perez Strikes Out Eight BattersMartín PérezSPRangersFree Agent
Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Martin Perez continued his impressive spring during Monday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies. The left-hander struck out eight batters over five innings of work during Monday's victory. It's worth noting that Perez never struck out eight hitters during a single start last season. His velocity was down during this game and he was still extremely effective. Perez has allowed one earned run in 12 innings this season. Perez probably won't be a reliable 12-team fantasy option, but could still be worth a look in deep leagues.
Source: MLB.comRotoBaller.com
Mon Mar 1819:06Merrill Kelly Has Stellar OutingMerrill KellySPDiamondbacksFree Agent
Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Merrill Kelly continued his stellar spring during Monday's game against the Oakland Athletics. The right-hander threw 3 1/3 scoreless innings while allowing four hits and striking out seven batters. The 35-year-old hasn't allowed a run in two of his first three outings this spring. The hope is that these outings carry over into the regular season. Kelly should continue to climb up draft boards if he keeps pitching like he has lately.
Source: MLB.comRotoBaller.com
Mon Mar 1816:45DJ LeMahieu In Danger Of Missing Opening DayDJ LeMahieu2BRockiesFree Agent
New York Yankees infielder DJ LeMahieu (foot) has "a pretty significant bone bruise" on his right foot, according to manager Aaron Boone, and the skipper isn't sure if LeMahieu will have enough time to get ready for Opening Day on March 28 in Houston against the Astros. LeMahieu fouled a ball off his foot in a Grapefruit League game on Saturday, but X-rays came back negative. Still, the 35-year-old veteran, who is projected to be the team's regular third baseman in 2024, may not be ready to go for the start of the 2024 regular season. The season hasn't even started yet and the Yankees are dealing with injuries to Gerrit Cole (elbow), Aaron Judge (abdomen, oblique) and LeMahieu. If LeMahieu opens the year on the injured list, Oswaldo Cabrera should see a boost in playing time at the hot corner.
Source: MLB.com - Bryan HochRotoBaller.com
Mon Mar 1816:36Justin Verlander Expected To Face Hitters "In The Next Day Or Two"Justin VerlanderSPAstrosFree Agent
Houston Astros manager Joe Espada said that right-hander Justin Verlander (shoulder) should face hitters "in the next day or two" in camp. Verlander came into spring training with right-shoulder issues, but he threw another bullpen session on Sunday and is ramping up with the start of the 2024 regular season right around the corner. The 41-year-old future Hall of Famer and three-time Cy Young winner is going to start the year on the injured list and might not make his 2024 debut until late April or early May. He became the first pitcher age 40 or older to win 12 games and post an ERA below 3.25 since 2013, so Verlander can clearly still be effective despite his age. However, injuries are a big concern, and his fantasy value has obviously dropped considerably in 2024 now that he could miss the first month of the season.
Source: The Athletic - Chandler RomeRotoBaller.com
Mon Mar 1816:30Corey Seager Takes Batting Practice MondayCorey SeagerSSDodgersFree Agent
Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager (hernia) took live batting practice in camp on Monday for the first time since having sports-hernia surgery on Jan. 30. Manager Bruce Bochy said that Seager could be in the lineup on March 25-26 for the team's exhibition games against the Boston Red Sox at Globe Life Field. While Seager is making good progress in his rehab, he said himself that he's still unsure if he'll be ready to play on Opening Day on March 28. If the 29-year-old reigning World Series MVP is able to play in any Cactus League games in the next week or in the two exhibition games against Boston, there's a good bet that he'll be ready for Opening Day. In one of the best offenses in baseball and a great hitter's park in Texas, Seager is ranked as RotoBaller's No. 7 fantasy shortstop despite coming off offseason surgery.
Source: RangersToday.com - Jeff WilsonRotoBaller.com
Mon Mar 1816:25Aaron Judge Likely To Play In Four Of Final Six Spring GamesAaron JudgeRFYankeesFree Agent
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that outfielder Aaron Judge (abdomen, oblique) is likely to play in four of the team's final six Grapefruit League games. Judge was also expected to resume taking batting practice last Friday and return to spring training action on Sunday or Monday, but that didn't happen. Although fans and fantasy managers may be getting worried about Judge's Opening Day availability, especially after he missed over 50 games due to hip and toe injuries in 2023, both the Yankees and Judge continue to downplay his injuries this spring. Unless the 31-year-old former MVP doesn't return to Grapefruit League action at all this week, fantasy managers shouldn't be too worried about Judge's status for the start of the 2024 regular season. When healthy, he is an elite fantasy baseball commodity.
Source: YES Network - Justin ShackilRotoBaller.com
Mon Mar 1814:56Anthony DeSclafani To Begin Season On Injured ListAnthony DeSclafaniSPRedsFree Agent
Minnesota Twins right-hander Anthony DeSclafani (elbow/forearm) will begin the season on the injured list. He will visit Dr. Keith Meister to evaluate the next steps on his ailing right elbow. The right-hander was shut down by the team early in the spring but has recently thrown bullpen sessions. He has yet to appear in a Cactus League game to this point, however. The veteran was acquired in a trade with the Seattle Mariners this offseason after tossing a 4.88 ERA across 19 outings (18 starts) with the Giants in the 2023 season. He was involved in a deal for Mariners left-hander Robbie Ray before being dealt to Minnesota in a trade that saw Jorge Polanco head to the Mariners.
Source: Bobby NightengaleRotoBaller.com
Mon Mar 1814:50DJ LeMahieu Still Pretty SoreDJ LeMahieu2BRockiesFree Agent
New York Yankees infielder DJ LeMahieu (foot) is "still pretty sore" but is moving around better on Monday, according to manager Aaron Boone. The veteran left Saturday's Grapefruit League game early after fouling a ball off his foot and underwent imaging on the issue afterward. "I definitely think it's going to cost him some days here," Boone added. Likely to serve as the club's leadoff hitter and everyday third baseman, LeMahieu took a step back at the plate last season, hitting .243 with 15 home runs and a .717 OPS across 136 games and 562 trips to the plate. LeMahieu's best fantasy production is behind him but he could be a decent source of runs if he can remain atop the Yankees lineup this season.
Source: Bryan HochRotoBaller.com
Mon Mar 1814:42Aaron Judge To Return On WednesdayAaron JudgeRFYankeesFree Agent
New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge (abdomen, oblique) "should be good to go" for Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Pittsburgh Pirates following an off day on Tuesday, according to manager Aaron Boone. Judge has been dealing with an abdomen/oblique issue this spring while he also noted that he is still bothered by a toe injury he suffered when crashing into the outfield wall last season. The superstar hasn't seen much spring action his far, hitting only .143 without a homer across six appearances and 16 trips to the plate. He was a monster at the plate again in the 2023 season, hitting .267 with 37 home runs and a 1.019 OPS across just 106 games and 458 trips to the plate. When healthy, he is one of the very best assets fantasy baseball has to offer.
Source: Bryan HochRotoBaller.com
Mon Mar 1813:51Michael Lorenzen Throws 70 Pitches SundayMichael LorenzenRPRedsFree Agent
Free-agent right-hander Michael Lorenzen threw 70 pitches on Sunday, getting up and down four times while also hitting 94 to 96 mph with his fastball on the radar gun, according to a report viewed by The Athletic. The 32-year-old veteran remains without a team with Opening Day quickly approaching, despite the fact that he threw a no-hitter with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2023. If Lorenzen does sign with a team soon, he should be pretty stretched out despite not facing actual competition in spring training. Both the Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees have obvious needs in their starting rotations and have reportedly been considering signing Lorenzen. The former first-rounder of the Reds in 2013 out of Fullerton made his first career All-Star team in 2023 but struggled late in the year and was demoted to the bullpen in Philadelphia.
Source: The Athletic - Ken RosenthalRotoBaller.com
Mon Mar 1813:35Shohei Ohtani Cleared To Begin Throwing ProgramShohei OhtaniSP/DHAngelsFree Agent
Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (elbow) has been cleared to start a throwing program later this week, six months after having his second elbow surgery. Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who performed Ohtani's surgery last Sept. 19, said that if Ohtani "goes along with the throwing program as we have it scheduled," he could begin throwing to hitters in late September. However, manager Dave Roberts reiterated that the team doesn't expect Ohtani to pitch until 2025. The skipper did acknowledge the possibility that the Dodgers could consider playing Ohtani in the field later this year if his arm has recovered enough. The 29-year-old Japanese superstar played a total of 8 1/3 innings in the outfield in his six seasons with the Angels (all in 2021), so it's unlikely we'll see him in the outfield much, if at all, later in 2024.
Source: Orange County Register - Bill PlunkettRotoBaller.com
Mon Mar 1813:18Chris Martin May Not Be Ready For Opening DayChris MartinRPRangersFree Agent
The Boston Globe's Peter Abraham writes that right-hander Chris Martin (groin) may not be ready for Opening Day on March 28. Closer Kenley Jansen (back) was scratched from making his second Grapefruit League appearance on Monday, but the team still believes he has a shot to be ready by Opening Day. The 37-year-old Martin threw a live batting practice session in camp on Saturday, but he's running out of time to get ready for the start of the regular season. He's expected to need four spring training appearances in order to be ready for Opening Day. This is notable because Martin figures to be the BoSox's next man up for save chances if Jansen misses any time due to injury in 2024. Given Jansen's recent string of injuries and his age (36), it's likely he's going to miss time at some point. Josh Winckowski is another name that could see save chances early in the year if both Jansen and Martin aren't 100%.
Source: The Boston Globe - Pete AbrahamRotoBaller.com
Mon Mar 1813:10Kenley Jansen Scratched With Lower-Back TightnessKenley JansenRPDodgersFree Agent
Boston Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen (back) has been scratched from the team's Grapefruit League game on Monday versus the Minnesota Twins due to lower-back tightness. However, he could pitch as soon as Tuesday, and the Red Sox still expect that he'll be ready for Opening Day on March 28. Jansen didn't make his spring training debut until last Friday due to lat soreness that he experienced after reporting to camp a month ago, so he hasn't been able to get much work in this spring. Boston is being extra cautious with the 36-year-old veteran reliever. Jansen is MLB's active leader in saves and will be Boston's primary ninth-inning man in 2024, but the injuries are beginning to pile up, and he should be considered a shaky No. 2 fantasy closer.
Source: MLB.com - Ian BrowneRotoBaller.com
Mon Mar 1813:06Byron Buxton Scratched With Back TightnessByron BuxtonCFTwinsFree Agent
Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton (back) was scratched from Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Boston Red Sox due to lower-back tightness on his right side, according to the team. It's unclear exactly how serious Buxton's back injury is, but given his lengthy injury history, we shouldn't be surprised if it ends up being something that causes him to start the 2024 season on the injured list. The oft-injured 30-year-old was unable to play a single game in the outfield for Minnesota last year due to a knee injury that required offseason surgery. Buxton played in only 85 games in 2023 and hit a weak .207 (63-for-304) but also hit 17 home runs and drove in 42. He has played in over 100 games just one in nine big-league seasons, so Buxton's inability to stay on the field now far outweighs his actual power/speed capabilities.
Source: St. Paul Pioneer Press - Betsy HelfandRotoBaller.com
Mon Mar 1813:00Aaron Judge Doesn't Hit On The Field MondayAaron JudgeRFYankeesFree Agent
New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge (abdomen, oblique) did not hit on the field at camp as scheduled on Monday. Judge did take part in outfield drills, though. Both the Yankees and Judge continue to downplay his injuries in spring training, but the longer he goes without returning to a Grapefruit League game, the more concerned fantasy managers should be that his injuries will affect his performance early in the 2024 season. The Yankees are being extremely cautious with Judge after he missed almost two months with a torn ligament in his big right toe last year. The 31-year-old former MVP also missed time due to a hip injury. Injuries aside, Judge is a top-10 overall fantasy asset, but his injuries this spring are going to make fantasy managers think twice before selecting him towards the end of the first round of drafts.
Source: The Athletic - Chris KirschnerRotoBaller.com
Mon Mar 1810:30Huascar Ynoa Optioned To Triple-AHuascar YnoaSPBravesFree Agent
The Atlanta Braves have demoted starting pitcher Huascar Ynoa to Triple-A Gwinnett. Ynoa, 25, is returning from Tommy John surgery that he underwent in 2022. He tossed a scoreless inning this spring with one strikeout. The Braves are likely to have a workload limit on the right-hander, no matter which level he is at this season. He can safely remain on the waiver wire in all formats.
Source: Atlanta BravesRotoBaller.com
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