MLB News
Ryan Weathers Ramping Up His Throwing Progression
Miam Marlins left-hander Ryan Weathers (forearm) is scheduled to ramp up his throwing progression this week, according to Fish On First's Kevin Barral. Weathers suffered a flexor strain in his left forearm late in spring training and was forced to open the 2025 season on the 15-day injured list. The 25-year-old southpaw should be stashed in deep-mixed and NL-only leagues, but he still has a ways to go to ramp up his arm and may not make his season debut until late April or early May, barring any setbacks. Weathers' season was interrupted last year due to injury as well, as he landed on the 60-day IL due to a left index finger strain. He looked good when he wasn't hurt, though, sporting career-best strikeout and walk rates while going 5-6 with a 3.63 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 80:24 K:BB in 86 2/3 innings over 16 starts. A rotation spot will be waiting for the post-hype sleeper when he returns from his forearm injury.
2 hours ago
Connor Norby Progressing In Baseball Activities
Miami Marlins third base prospect Connor Norby (oblique) is progressing in his baseball activities as he recovers from a left-oblique strain, according to Fish On First's Kevin Barral. Norby is progressing, but it's unclear exactly what he's doing, and he will probably remain on the injured list through at least mid-April. When the 24-year-old former second-round pick of the Baltimore Orioles in 2021 out of East Carolina University is finally ready to make his 2025 debut, he's expected to join the big-league roster and see plenty of playing time at the hot corner in Miami. In 36 games for the Marlins after they acquired him from the O's last year, Norby went 36-for-146 (.247) with seven home runs, 17 RBI and three steals. He was inconsistent, but the power/speed combination is clearly evident after he hit 26 homers and stole 16 bases in the majors and minors in 2024. Norby can provide plenty of power and speed but won't help your batting average.
2 hours ago
Braves Acquire Stuart Fairchild From Reds
The Atlanta Braves acquired outfielder Stuart Fairchild from the Cincinnati Reds on Monday in exchange for cash considerations, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Justin Toscano. In a corresponding move to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Fairchild, the team moved right-handed reliever Joe Jimenez (knee) to the 60-day injured list. Fairchild will head to the National League East to serve as outfield depth for the Braves after they learned on Monday that left fielder Jurickson Profar is being suspended for 80 games for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing drugs. While Bryan De La Cruz should become Atlanta's primary left fielder for the time being, the 29-year-old Fairchild could also see some playing time there. He's mostly a glove-first player, though, as he's slashed only .224/.308/.389 with 18 homers, 66 RBI and 23 steals in 249 games over four MLB seasons.
3 hours ago
Jurickson Profar Suspended 80 Games For PEDs
ESPN's Jeff Passan reports that Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar is being suspended for 80 games for violating the league's performance-enhancing drug policy, according to sources. Profar parlayed his career year with the San Diego Padres in 2024 into a three-year, $42 million deal with the Braves in the offseason, but he played in only four games for the Braves to open the 2025 season before being hit with an 80-game PED suspension. It's a big blow for the Braves offense, especially with former MVP Ronald Acuna Jr. (knee) not expected to make his debut until May after tearing his ACL in 2024. With Profar suspended, the Braves acquired Stuart Fairchild on Monday from the Reds to give them extra outfield depth. With Profar out for the foreseeable future, expect Bryan De La Cruz to see most of the playing time in left field in Atlanta.
3 hours ago
Declan Cronin, Andrew Nardi Resume Throwing
Miami Marlins pitchers Declan Cronin (hip) and Andrew Nardi (back) have both resumed their throwing programs, according to Fish On First's Kevin Barral. Cronin, a 27-year-old right-hander, is recovering from a left-hip strain that he suffered late in spring training. If he can avoid setbacks with his hip, he could be an option for the Marlins' bullpen by mid- to late-April. In his first year in Miami in 2024, Cronin had a 4.35 ERA and 1.42 WHIP with 72 K's and 25 walks in 70 1/3 relief innings. Nardi, a 26-year-old lefty, is on the 60-day injured list due to lower-back inflammation that shut him down in early March in camp. He is behind Cronin in his recovery and won't be eligible to make his 2025 debut until late May. In his third season with the Fish last year, Nardi posted a bloated 5.07 ERA and 1.25 WHIP with 70 K's and 18 walks in 49 2/3 relief innings.
3 hours ago
Edward Cabrera To Begin Rehab Assignment On Tuesday
Miami Marlins right-hander Edward Cabrera (finger) will start a minor-league rehab assignment on Tuesday at Triple-A Jacksonville. Cabrera is on the injured list to begin the 2025 regular season due to yet another blister issue on his right middle finger that surfaced on March 13 during his spring training start. However, the 26-year-old is already ready to start his rehab assignment and may only need a couple of outings in the minors before he's activated and rejoins Miami's starting rotation. Cabrera is officially eligible to come off the IL on April 7. Fantasy managers in most mixed leagues can probably take a wait-and-see approach on the Dominican hurler when he's ready to return. He's been incredibly inconsistent and injury-prone in his four years in the majors and went 4-8 in 2024 with a 4.95 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 107:50 K:BB in 96 1/3 frames over 20 starts.
3 hours ago
Lance McCullers Jr. Throws Two Innings In First Rehab Start
Houston Astros right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. (forearm) allowed two earned runs and struck out three batters in his two innings of work in his first minor-league rehab start on Sunday at Triple-A Sugar Land. McCullers hit 94.9 mph on the radar gun in what was overall a positive outing, especially when considering it was his first real game action since the World Series in 2022. The 31-year-old also threw a scoreless inning in his only action in the Grapefruit League during spring training. McCullers had surgery to fix the flexor tendon in his right arm back in 2023 and hasn't pitched since after having multiple setbacks along the way. It's looking he may finally make his return to Houston's starting rotation in 2025, but he has a ways to go still, and the Astros are going to take their time. McCullers deserves to be stashed in deep-mixed and AL-only leagues, but his fantasy upside will be limited while on a strict workload this year.
3 hours ago
Bailey Ober Has Been Under The Weather
Minnesota Twins right-hander Bailey Ober (illness) allowed eight earned runs in just 2 2/3 innings in his first start of the year on Sunday against the St. Louis Cardinals. Ober struggled through diminished velocity and poor command on Sunday and in spring training, but he revealed after his poor start on Sunday that he has been battling an illness. The 29-year-old's fastball averaged 91.7 mph last year, but it fell to 89.9 mph during spring training and was only slightly better on Sunday. He threw only 33 of his 77 pitches for strikes and got only four whiffs on 28 swings while also walking three. Manager Rocco Baldelli noted the coaching staff came close to skipping or pushing Ober's start back. His next scheduled start will be on Saturday at home against the Houston Astros, giving him extra time to get healthy. Fantasy managers will be hoping Ober can bounce back after a rough first start, which is what he did in 2024.
3 hours ago
Emilio Pagan Looks To Be Favorite For Saves In Cincinnati
Cincinnati Reds right-handed reliever Emilio Pagan could be the favorite for saves after he was seen warming up in the bullpen in the bottom of the eighth inning of Sunday's loss to the San Francisco Giants. Pagan also pitched in the first two games of the series against San Fran and recorded the save on Saturday. Manager Terry Francona refused to name a set closer to enter the year with Alexis Diaz (hamstring) on the injured list, but after the first series of the season, it looks pretty clear that Pagan is Francona's top option for the ninth. Diaz has no timeline for a return and won't necessarily be handed closing duties when he's back, considering his rough showing in spring training. In addition to Pagan, Tony Santillan might be next in line for fantasy managers scrounging for save opps. He pitched scoreless innings in the seventh and eighth with the Reds up by a run on both Thursday and Saturday.
3 hours ago
Gleyber Torres Placed On 10-Day Injured List With Oblique Strain
The Detroit Tigers announced on Monday that they placed infielder Gleyber Torres (oblique) on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to March 29) with a left-oblique strain and recalled infielder/outfielder Justyn-Henry Malloy from Triple-A Toledo in a corresponding move. Torres suffered what the team was calling a rib injury on Friday in the loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers, and he sat out of Saturday's series finale at Dodger Stadium as a result. It's a tough break for the 28-year-old Venezuelan to start his first year in Detroit, but the injury wasn't believed to be very severe, so hopefully he'll be able to come off the IL when eligible. With Torres sidelined on Saturday, Colt Keith moved to the keystone and Spencer Torkelson manned first base. That should be the setup moving forward with Torres on the shelf. Malloy will provide depth for a beat-up Tigers outfield.
3 hours ago
Eury Perez To Face Live Hitters On Tuesday
Miami Marlins right-hander Eury Perez (elbow) will throw against live hitters on Tuesday, according to Fish On First's Kevin Barral. Perez had previously been limited to throwing bullpen sessions as he continues his recovery from Tommy John surgery in April of 2024. The 21-year-old is making a big step as he advances to throwing to live hitters, but he still has a ways to go before making his 2025 debut and isn't expected to return to Miami's starting rotation until around the All-Star break in mid-July. The Marlins will continue to take it slow in his recovery from elbow reconstruction. The Dominican hurler should have a full workload eventually down the stretch in 2025 when he returns, but fantasy managers still may want to temper their expectations despite the fact that Perez showed ace potential in 2023. His upside makes him worth stashing in deep-mixed and NL-only leagues, though.
3 hours ago
Jesse Chavez Called Up, Hector Neris Cut
The Atlanta Braves announced on Monday that they selected the contract of right-handed reliever Jesse Chavez from Triple-A Gwinnett to the major-league roster and designated right-handed reliever Hector Neris for assignment in a corresponding move. The 41-year-old Chavez will give the Braves a new bullpen arm after Neris had a disastrous two relief outings in San Diego over the weekend by allowing five earned runs on five hits (one homer) while walking one and striking out one in just one inning of work. This will be Chavez's fourth different stint with the organization. In 46 appearances out of the Braves' bullpen last year, Chavez was solid with a 3.13 ERA (4.43 FIP) and 1.25 WHIP with 55 strikeouts and 19 walks in 63 1/3 innings pitched. In a likely middle-relief role, Chavez will have very little fantasy appeal.
4 hours ago
Sean Murphy Starting Rehab Assignment On Tuesday
Atlanta Braves catcher Sean Murphy (rib) will begin a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday, per The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Justin Toscano. A rib injury suffered in spring training landed Murphy on the IL to begin the 2025 regular season, but barring a setback once he returns to game action this week on the farm, there's a chance that he could come off the IL when eligible this Friday, April 4. When Murphy does make it back to Atlanta, he could be eased into the starting catching duties, but when healthy, he's the team's unquestioned No. 1 backstop. Catching prospect Drake Baldwin has been serving as the Braves' primary catcher to open the year, with Chadwick Tromp backing him up. In his first three MLB games, Baldwin is just 1-for-11 at the plate with a walk and three strikeouts.
4 hours ago
Jose Altuve Returns To Second Base On Monday
Houston Astros outfielder Jose Altuve has returned to second base and will bat leadoff for the Astros for the series opener on Monday against the visiting San Francisco Giants and right-hander Jordan Hicks at Daikin Park. It will be the first time that Altuve is back at the keystone after starting the first three games last week against the New York Mets in left field. The 34-year-old veteran is expected to see most of his playing time in left in 2025, but he'll still occasionally pick up some starts at second base. With Altuve at second, Mauricio Dubon is in left field and is batting eighth. Altuve is off to an excellent start this year after his position switch, going 5-for-11 with a run scored, a walk and four strikeouts in three games against the New York Mets last week. He should remain in all starting fantasy lineups. Altuve is hitless with an RBI in just three career at-bats versus Hicks.
4 hours ago
Jo Adell Remains Out Against Cardinals
Los Angeles Angels outfielder Jo Adell (hip) remains out of the starting lineup on Monday for the start of a series in St. Louis against the Cardinals. Kyren Paris will make another start in center field and will hit eighth against Cardinals right-hander Miles Mikolas. Adell is dealing with tightness in his left hip. While it's not considered a very serious injury, it will keep the 25-year-old out of action for the second straight day. For what it's worth, Adell says he's improving and plans to return to the field on Tuesday at Busch Stadium. In just two games played so far in 2025, Adell has gone 2-for-4 with a walk and a strikeout in last weekend's series against the Chicago White Sox. Paris is 2-for-6 with a solo home run, a stolen base and two strikeouts in his three games played. He has never faced Mikolas in his career and will be a low-upside DFS option in his second straight start in center.
4 hours ago
Francisco Lindor Out On Monday For Birth Of His Son
New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor is out of the starting lineup on Monday on the road in Miami against the division-rival Marlins for the birth of his son, Koa, according to MLB.com's Anthony DiComo. With Lindor out on Monday for the start of a series in Miami, Luisangel Acuna will start at the 6 and will bat eighth against Marlins right-hander Cal Quantrill. It remains to be seen if Lindor will be back in the Mets' lineup for Tuesday's contest, so fantasy managers will need to check back then. The four-time All-Star is still searching for his first hit of 2025 after going hitless in 13 trips to the plate with an RBI and three strikeouts in the three-game series against the Houston Astros last week. Acuna, meanwhile, is also hitless in the first three games of the year, going 0-for-4 with a steal, a walk and two strikeouts. He has never faced Quantrill in his career.
4 hours ago
Dairon Blanco Placed On 10-Day Injured List
Kansas City Royals outfielder Dairon Blanco (Achilles) was placed on the 10-day injured list due to right Achilles tendinopathy on Monday. The 31-year-old did not receive a start during their opening series against the Cleveland Guardians. Last season, Blanco appeared in just 88 contests but did provide value in category formats. During this stretch, the 31-year-old swiped an impressive 31 bags, which was the eighth-most in the AL. In the batter's box, he posted a .258/.308/.392 slash line with just four doubles and four long balls. Through the first three games of the 2025 season, Blanco already swiped two bags. In a corresponding move, the Royals promoted Tyler Tolbert from Triple-A Omaha. He is worth monitoring in deeper category formats given his elite speed upside.
5 hours ago
Tobias Myers Throws Sim Game, Nearing Rehab Assignment
Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Tobias Myers (oblique) completed a 32-pitch simulated game on Sunday. The 26-year-old is slated to face live hitters on Tuesday and would then be set to embark on his rehab assignment with Triple-A Nashville. Adam McCalvy of MLB.com noted that Myers has not felt any discomfort in his oblique. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status, but it appears he is nearing a return to the big leagues. Myers has been sidelined since March with a left oblique strain. Last season, the 26-year-old made his MLB debut and performed quite well, holding a 3.00 ERA with a 1.17 WHIP across 138 innings of work. He tallied 127 punchouts and held a strong 6.3 percent walk rate. When healthy, he should return to the starting rotation and be a viable option in deeper 12+ team formats.
5 hours ago
Brandon Woodruff Set For Sim Game On Tuesday
Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Brandon Woodruff (shoulder) is set to throw a three-inning sim game on Tuesday. He is then expected to throw another sim game on April 7 and then could eventually be cleared to make a start in extended spring training or in the minor leagues. Woodruff is working his way back from capsule surgery. He was unable to pitch at all during the 2024 campaign. In 2023, Woodruff logged 67 innings and posted a 2.28 ERA with a stellar 0.82 WHIP. He tallied 74 punchouts. During the 2023 campaign, the 32-year-old posted a strong 3.05 ERA with a 1.07 WHIP with a stellar 190 punchouts in 153 1/3 innings of work. When he is cleared to return to the big leagues, Woodruff will likely rejoin the starting rotation as the Brewers have numerous injuries in their rotation, including Aaron Civale (hamstring), who hit the 15-day IL on Monday.
5 hours ago
Aaron Civale Placed On 15-Day Injured List
Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Aaron Civale (hamstring) was placed on the 15-day injured list with a strained hamstring. The 29-year-old was pulled from Sunday's start after three innings of work. Fantasy managers should monitor his status, but should expect him to be sidelined for most of April. Before exiting Sunday's game, Civale allowed four hits and five earned runs across three innings of work. With Civale sidelined, fantasy managers should expect Elvin Rodriguez to remain in the starting rotation going forward. In addition, the Brewers may have to promote a starting pitcher from Triple-A or begin to stretch out their bullpen arms. Civale joins a long list of injuries to Milwaukee's arms, such as Tobias Myers (oblique) and Aaron Ashby (oblique). This could also open the door for top pitching prospect Jacob Misiorowski to join the MLB roster.
5 hours ago
Ryan Weathers
• SP
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Marlins
