News for Free Agent Players - 2020 5x5 Mixed League - $260 cap

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Tue Mar 1900:59Adolis Garcia Hits Solo Homer MondayAdolis GarcíaLF/RFRangersFree 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
Tue Mar 1900:52Cristian Javier Turns In Rough Start MondayCristian JavierSPAstrosFree Agent
Houston Astros starting pitcher Cristian Javier yielded his worst start of the spring in Monday's 10-1 Grapefruit League loss to the Nationals. Javier pitched 4 2/3 innings, allowing five runs on three hits (including a solo home run) and four walks with one strikeout. The 26-year-old is coming off of a surprisingly poor 2023 season and now has a 4.30 ERA with a 1.02 WHIP and 14 strikeouts in 14 2/3 IP this spring. He is still a bounce-back fantasy candidate given his career track record, but hopefully, he can turn in a few more positive outings heading into the regular season.
Source: MLB.comRotoBaller.com
Tue Mar 1900:34Matt Canterino Suffers Setback Monday, Will Need Injured List StintMatt CanterinoSPTwinsFree Agent
Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Matt Canterino (elbow, shoulder), who had Tommy John surgery in August of 2022 and did not pitch in 2023, suffered a shoulder strain Monday and will start the 2024 season on the Triple-A injured list. This is a shame, as the Twins pitching staff has suffered numerous injuries and The 26-year-old had looked good in his two spring outings. He is still worth keeping an eye on in dynasty leagues, but Canterino will now have another health hurdle to overcome before continuing his trajectory to the big leagues.
Source: Aaron Gleeman - The AthleticRotoBaller.com
Tue Mar 1900:27Caleb Thielbar To Start Season On Injured ListCaleb ThielbarRPTwinsFree Agent
Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Caleb Thielbar (hamstring) will be one of several of the team's pitching staff to start the 2024 season on the injured list, per the Athletic's Aaron Gleeman. Thielbar suffered a strained left hamstring early in camp and, while he progressed to throwing live batting practice last week, it was determined that the 37-year-old won't be ready in time to start the season. Thielbar had a successful 2023 season, earning 14 holds with a 3.23 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, and 30.0% strikeout rate in 30 2/3 innings pitched. Fantasy managers in saves-plus-holds leagues should look for additional information on a timetable for his return.
Source: Aaron Gleeman - The AthleticRotoBaller.com
Tue Mar 1900:19Will Benson, Stuart Fairchild Could See Time In Center FieldWill BensonRFIndiansFree Agent
Stuart FairchildCFDiamondbacksFree Agent
With Cincinnati Reds outfielder TJ Friedl (wrist) set to open the 2024 season on the injured list with a fractured right wrist, Will Benson and Stuart Fairchild could see additional playing time to start the season, per MLB.com's Mark Sheldon. Manager David Bell said, "It's all going to work out. I'm focused on the guys we have here." The 25-year-old Benson had a successful 2023 season in limited playing time but is batting just .200 in 25 spring at-bats. Fairchild has yet to stick in a big-league role but is hitting .360 with three home runs in 25 spring at-bats. From a fantasy perspective, Benson's potential to provide power and speed seems to give him the edge over Fairchild in deeper leagues. However, fantasy managers should watch for further news as the regular season approaches.
Source: Mark Sheldon - MLB.comRotoBaller.com
Tue Mar 1900:08Zac Gallen Gets Opening Day NodZac GallenSPDiamondbacksFree Agent
The Arizona Diamondbacks announced Monday that starting pitcher Zac Gallen will be the team's Opening Day starter. This will be the second consecutive season that the 28-year-old has earned the honor. Gallen will get a favorable matchup against the Rockies at home. He put forth another strong season in 2023, going 17-9 with a 3.47 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and 26.0% strikeout rate in 34 starts and 210 innings pitched. He finished third in the voting for the National League Cy Young Award and will be looking to build off that, making him a high-end fantasy option in all formats.
Source: Michael McDermott - SI.comRotoBaller.com
Mon Mar 1823:33Jake Fraley Leaves Monday's Game EarlyJake FraleyRFMarinersFree Agent
Cincinnati Reds outfielder Jake Fraley was removed from Monday night's Cactus League game early against the San Francisco Giants after fouling a ball off what appeared to be a part of his body that is very sensitive. Fraley was probably pretty uncomfortable, but he was able to leave the field under his own power and should be fine for Opening Day on March 28. The 28-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder will continue in the strong side of a platoon against right-handed pitchers in 2024 in his third year in Cincinnati and deserves attention for outfield depth in deep-mixed fantasy leagues after he hit .256/.339/.443 with career-highs in homers (15), RBI (65) and stolen bases (21) in 111 games last year. RotoBaller has Fraley ranked as the No. 50 fantasy outfielder.
Source: The Cincinnati Enquirer - Gordon WittenmyerRotoBaller.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 1820:28Nick Lodolo To Be Ready By April 10Nick LodoloSPRedsFree Agent
Cincinnati Reds left-hander Nick Lodolo (leg) will not be a part of the team's Opening Day starting rotation, but he's expected to be ready to go by April 10. The Reds will open the year with a rotation consisting of Frankie Montas, Hunter Greene, Graham Ashcraft and Nick Martinez (ribs), with Andrew Abbott and Brandon Williamson (shoulder) vying for the No. 5 spot. When healthy, though, the 26-year-old Lodolo will have a rotation spot waiting for him after a lost season in 2023 due to a stress reaction in his tibia. While Lodolo has lots of strikeout upside for fantasy managers, he's also a big injury risk. The good news is that he's feeling better and has allowed only one run in two Cactus League starts this spring. In deep-mixed fantasy leagues, Lodolo is still worth taking a late-round flier on.
Source: MLB.com - Mark SheldonRotoBaller.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 1819:58Yordan Alvarez's Removal Monday Wasn't Due To InjuryYordan AlvarezDHAstrosFree Agent
Houston Astros outfielder/designated hitter Yordan Alvarez was removed from Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Miami Marlins early, but it wasn't due to injury, with manager Joe Espada saying it was planned all along for Alvarez to take only two at-bats. The 26-year-old left-handed slugger had an injury scare a few days ago in camp, too, but that turned out to be just an eye irritation. Alvarez has proven to be injury-prone so far in his career, but his offensive exploits in a stacked Astros lineup outweigh the potential health risks. The former American League Rookie of the Year in 2019 has made the All-Star team in each of the last two seasons and has exceeded 30 homers and 90 RBI in each of the last three seasons in Houston. He's ranked as the No. 15 overall fantasy player at RotoBaller and should be fine for Opening Day on March 28 against the New York Yankees.
Source: The Athletic - Chandler RomeRotoBaller.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 PérezSPRed SoxFree 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 1818:57Oneil Cruz Blasts Two HomersOneil Cruz3BPiratesFree Agent
Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Oneil Cruz continued his impressive power display during Monday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies. He went 3-for-6 with two home runs and six RBI during Monday's blowout victory. Cruz is now tied for the spring lead with seven home runs already. Fantasy managers who were lucky enough to draft him before the hype train should be excited. Now, fantasy managers will have to pay the price to get Cruz, but he looks like he's the real deal. It feels like a 30-HR and 30-SB season could be a real possibility for him.
Source: MLB.comRotoBaller.com
Mon Mar 1817:06Patrick Bailey To Return To Game Action SoonPatrick BaileyCGiantsFree Agent
The San Francisco Giants are saying that catcher Patrick Bailey (hand) will be back in a Cactus League game in the next day or two. Bailey hasn't played in a week at spring training since taking a foul tip off his hand, but he appears to be fine now and will return to game action before the end of spring games early next week. The 24-year-old switch-hitting backstop hit .233/.285/.359 with seven home runs, 48 RBI and 29 runs scored in 353 plate appearances over 97 games in his rookie season for the Gigantes in 2023. Bailey caught fire early on after his big-league promotion but struggled in the second half. While he should see most of the playing time behind the plate in San Fran because of his defensive prowess, he's not really relevant in single-catcher fantasy leagues.
Source: San Francisco Chronicle - Susan SlusserRotoBaller.com
Mon Mar 1816:45DJ LeMahieu In Danger Of Missing Opening DayDJ LeMahieu1B/2B/3BYankeesFree 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 1816:40Jose Urquidy Has Forearm Strain, Will Begin On Injured ListJosé UrquidySPAstrosFree Agent
Houston Astros right-hander Jose Urquidy (forearm) has been diagnosed with a forearm muscle strain, according to manager Joe Espada. Urquidy is not throwing for now in camp and will not open the 2024 regular season in the team's starting rotation. The 28-year-old pulled himself out of a minor-league game in camp last Friday and will now be forced to open the year on the injured list. It's bad news for a pitcher that already wasn't very attractive in mixed fantasy leagues after he missed most of 2023 due to arm injuries. He had a 5.29 ERA and 1.43 WHIP in only 63 innings last season. With both Urquidy and Justin Verlander (shoulder) set to begin the year on the IL, and with Lance McCullers Jr. (forearm) and Luis Garcia (elbow) to miss the first half of the season, J.P. France and Ronel Blanco are expected to open the year in the starting rotation.
Source: Houston Chronicle - Matt KawaharaRotoBaller.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
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