MLB News
Colt Keith, Justyn-Henry Malloy Will Get Work At First Base At Spring Training
According to Chris McCosky, the Tigers are planning to use Colt Keith and Justyn-Henry Malloy at first base during Spring Training. While McCosky noted that Keith will still likely operate as the regular second baseman, this move could just add more positional flexibility to the roster. Keith made his major league debut last season and logged 133 of his starts at the keystone and the other 14 as the designated hitter. He held a .260/.309/.380 slash line. Malloy, however, made all of his starts in the outfield, and shifting to first base could provide him more opportunities during the 2025 season. Across a 71-game stint in the majors this past summer, Malloy held an underwhelming .203/.291/.366 line with seven doubles and eight home runs. Given his struggles, moving to first base could get him in the lineup more often, while Keith should be viewed as the No.1 second baseman heading into Spring Training.
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Alex Lange Begins Playing Catch
Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Alex Lange (lat) has begun playing catch three times a week from 120 feet, according to the team. Lange underwent lat surgery in June which caused him to miss the entire second half of the 2024 season. Before the injury, the 29-year-old posted a 3.34 ERA and 1.77 WHIP across 18 2/3 innings. He tallied two saves and posted an underwhelming 17:21 BB:K ratio. However, he did generate whiffs at an elite 33.3% mark. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status leading up to Spring Training, as he may be able to participate, given his current pace. While Jason Foley will likely operate as the go-to ninth-inning option in Detroit this coming season, Lange could eventually mix in for opportunities as he tallied 26 saves during the 2023 season.
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Jace Jung Underwent Wrist Surgery, Expected To Be Ready For Spring Training
Detroit Tigers third base prospect Jace Jung (wrist) underwent wrist surgery earlier this offseason to address lingering wrist inflammation. However, the team noted that the young infielder is expected to be ready for Spring Training. The Texas Tech product spent the majority of the 2024 season with Triple-A Toledo before earning a late-season promotion to the big leagues. Across 91 games at Triple-A, the former 12th-overall pick held a .257/.377/.454 line with 23 doubles and 14 home runs. In 34 games at the major league level, Jung held a similar .241/.362/.304 line. Under the hood, he generated a weak 34.0% hard-hit rate and a 4.0% barrel rate. Fantasy managers in deeper formats should continue to monitor his progress during Spring Training as he should be in a good position to make the Opening Day Roster.
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Sawyer Gipson-Long Continuing Rehab Program
According to the Detroit Tigers, starting pitcher Sawyer Gipson-Long (elbow) is playing catch from 120 feet three times a week. Gipson-Long is currently recovering from Tommy John surgery he underwent in April and also a hip operation he underwent in July and was unable to pitch at all last summer. In 2023, the Mercer product made his major league debut and performed quite well as he posted a 2.70 ERA and 1.10 WHIP across 20 innings (four starts.) During this small stint, he struck out 26 batters and served up eight walks. Across 34 2/3 career innings at the Triple-A level, Gipson-Long has posted a 5.45 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP. Fantasy managers in deeper AL-only formats should continue to monitor his status throughout the first half of the season, as he may find himself back in rotation once he returns to the mound.
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Quinn Mathews Will Receive Invite To Spring Training
According to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Dispatch, starting pitching prospect Quinn Mathews will receive a non-roster invite to Spring Training. This is a great sign, as Mathews could have a great opportunity to make the Opening Day roster. The southpaw is considered one of the top pitching prospects in the sport and was named Baseball America's top pitching prospect of the 2024 season. The 24-year-old opened the season with Single-A and eventually progressed all the way up to Triple-A by August. Across all four levels of the St. Louis system, the Stanford product carried a solid 2.76 ERA and a stellar 0.98 WHIP. He struck out an incredible 202 batters across 143 1/3 innings while giving up just 49 free passes. He spent the most time at Double-A, posting a 2.41 ERA and 0.96 WHIP. Given his elite strikeout upside, fantasy managers in deeper formats should pay close attention to Mathews as he may be a popular late-round target in drafts this offseason.
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Endy Rodriguez Expected To Be "Fully Healthy" For Spring Training
Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton said at the MLB winter meetings on Monday that the expectation is that catching prospect Endy Rodriguez (elbow) will be "fully healthy" for the start of spring training in mid-February. Rodriguez was forced to miss all of the 2024 season after undergoing surgery to fix the UCL and flexor tendon in his right elbow in December of 2023, although he did take part in a minor-league rehab assignment in September for Double-A Altoona. The 24-year-old backstop switch-hitting Dominican made his MLB debut in 2023 and slashed .220/.284/.328 with three homers and 13 RBI in 57 games for the Bucs in 57 games. Given all the time he missed last year while recovering from elbow surgery, it would not be a surprise at all to see Rodriguez start in the minors in 2025 while serving as catching depth for Joey Bart and Henry Davis at the big-league level.
9 hours ago
Paul Blackburn On Track For Opening Day
New York Mets right-hander Paul Blackburn (back), who had surgery on Oct. 11 to fix a spinal fluid leak in his back, is on track to be healthy and ready to roll for Opening Day in 2025, according to president of baseball operations David Stearn. The front-office executive also said that the Mets view Blackburn as a starter, but he can also pitch out of the bullpen if needed. It sounds like the Mets could very easily use Blackburn in a swing role next year, especially after already adding right-handers Frankie Montas and Clay Holmes, the latter of which is expected to move from a relief to starting role in 2025. The 31-year-old began the year with the Athletics in 2024 before being acquired by the Mets in a trade at the deadline. The former first-rounder went a combined 5-4 with a 4.66 ERA and 1.29 WHIP with a 59:21 K:BB in 75 1/3 frames over 14 starts. He'll only be relevant in fantasy in a starting role for the Mets.
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Jung Hoo Lee Won't Have Restrictions In Spring Training
San Francisco Giants manager Bob Melvin said on Monday at the MLB winter meetings that outfielder Jung Hoo Lee (shoulder) won't have any restrictions when he reports to spring training in mid-February after his rehab from shoulder surgery has gone smoothly. "Jung Hoo is good to go. Jung Hoo is ready," Melvin said. The 26-year-old Korean had season-ending surgery to fix a torn labrum in his left shoulder in June but should be ready for Opening Day in 2025, barring a setback. The left-handed-hitting outfielder was the club's starting center fielder and leadoff man before his injury, hitting .262/.310/.331 with a .641 OPS, only two homers, eight RBI, two steals and 15 runs in 145 at-bats before his injury. Lee has more power than his surface stats in a limited sample size show, but elite contact ability and on-base skills should continue to carry his value in fantasy heading into next season.
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Christian Yelich Should Be Ready For Spring Training
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich (back) hasn't resumed swinging a bat yet, but he's doing other baseball movements and should be ready to go early in spring training. "I think that was a big part of why he had the surgery sooner than later," general manager Matt Arnold said. "He's in a really good spot right now." Yelich's 2024 season ended early when he decided to have a microdiscectomy procedure to fix a herniated disc in his lower back. It's an injury that the 33-year-old veteran has dealt with for years, so the hope is that the surgery will alleviate those concerns moving forward. Although he only played in 73 games in 2024, Yelich made his third All-Star squad by hitting .315/.406/.504 with a .909 OPS, 11 homers, 42 RBI and 21 steals in 315 plate appearances. Yelich could be a league-winner if he can return to his MVP production, but his health is a big question mark.
9 hours ago
Brandon Woodruff Might Not Be Ready For Opening Day
Milwaukee Brewers general manager Matt Arnold left some doubt as to whether right-hander Brandon Woodruff (shoulder) will be ready to be in the club's Opening Day starting rotation in 2025. "It's hard to say at the moment (whether he will be in the rotation to open the season). I think certainly, we have expectations that he'll be part of our rotation. We also want to be cautious with him and his health," Arnold said. Woodruff had surgery in October of 2023 to fix the anterior capsule in his right shoulder. The 31-year-old started throwing in late August off a mound, but Milwaukee isn't going to rush Woodruff, even if that means him opening the year on the injured list. The two-time All-Star only made 11 starts in 2023 but was electric when on the mound, sporting a 2.28 ERA and 0.82 WHIP with 74 K's and 15 walks in 67 innings. It's fair to wonder if he can recapture his pre-injury form while also potentially having his innings limited early in the season.
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White Sox Agree With Mike Tauchman
The Chicago White Sox agreed to terms on an undisclosed deal with free-agent outfielder Mike Tauchman on Monday evening, according to a source. Tauchman will head across town in Chicago after spending the last two seasons with the Cubs, where he hit .250/.360/.372 with a .732 OPS, 15 home runs, 77 RBI, 13 stolen bases and 114 runs scored in 217 games. He hit .248/.357/.366 with seven long balls, 29 RBI, six steals and 50 runs in 109 games in 2024, mostly in right field for the Cubbies. The 34-year-old has experience at all three outfield spots, though, and should at least be in position to earn part-time playing time. While Tauchman hits from the left side, he's had similar success against righties and lefties in his career. Most of the veteran's value comes as a fourth outfielder/DH type, but more playing time should be available with the Pale Hose.
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Astros Want To "Cut Back" On Yordan Alvarez's Time In The Outfield
Houston Astros manager Joe Espada said he would like to "cut back" on outfielder Yordan Alvarez's playing time in left field next year. Espada also praised Zach Dezenzo's development in left field during winter ball in Puerto Rico, so perhaps Dezenzo will be awarded some playing time at the position next year when the Astros elect to use Alvarez as the designated hitter. The 27-year-old Alvarez played 53 games in left field in 2024 and served as the DH 94 times in 147 regular-season games for the 'Stros. A right-knee sprain kept Alvarez sidelined towards the end of September. Position aside, Alvarez is an everyday hitter with elite batted-ball metrics and a low strikeout rate, which is a testament to just how good of an all-around hitter he is. He played in a career-high 147 games last year and cleared the 30-homer mark for the fourth straight year. Injuries are always an issue, but few boast the kind of dominant hitting consistency that Alvarez has shown in recent seasons.
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Aaron Judge Likely Moving Back To Right Field In 2025
New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said on Monday at the MLB winter meetings that it "makes sense" to move outfielder Aaron Judge back to right field in 2025 after failing to re-sign superstar outfielder Juan Soto in free agency. And with Judge likely going back to right field, outfield prospect Jasson Dominguez is a leading candidate for starting center-field duties. The 32-year-old Judge's outfield positioning likely won't matter to most fantasy managers. A toe injury in 2023 limited the power-hitter to only 37 long balls and 75 RBI in 106 games, but the six-time All-Star bounced back in a big way in 2024 to win his second MVP award by leading the league in homers (58), RBI (144), walks (133), on-base percentage (.458), slugging (.701), OPS (1.159) and total bases (392). RBI opportunities might not be as plentiful with Soto now in Queens, but otherwise Judge is an elite class of power.
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Jasson Dominguez A Leading Candidate To Play Center Field In 2025
New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said that it "makes sense" to move outfielder Aaron Judge back to right field in 2025 after the team failed to re-sign superstar outfielder Juan Soto. Manager Aaron Boone mentioned outfield prospect Jasson Dominguez as a leading candidate to start in center field next year, even though Trent Grisham remains under contract. Dominguez, a switch-hitting 21-year-old Dominican, dealt with multiple injuries in 2024 and only played in 18 games at the major-league level with the Yankees after debuting in eight games in 2023 in his rookie campaign. He hit just .179 with two homers and five stolen bases in 56 at-bats last year but has an incredibly high ceiling in both fantasy and real life for the Yankees if he finally is given a shot at regular playing time in the Bronx next year. If he plays a full season in the majors and is healthy, Dominguez should be a lock for a 20-20 showing.
10 hours ago
Red Sox Haven't Discussed Moving Rafael Devers Off Third Base
Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora said he can "guarantee" he hasn't had any talks with third baseman Rafael Devers this offseason about moving him off the hot corner. There have been talks around the league that the Red Sox could look to acquire St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado or sign free-agent 3B Alex Bregman and then move Devers from third base. Boston could also do so if they elect to trade first baseman Triston Casas this winter, but as of right now, it appears Cora doesn't have any plans for Devers to move from third. The 28-year-old isn't the best defensive third baseman to begin with and he injured his shoulder diving for a ball this past season. If Devers doesn't eventually move to first base, he could become a regular at designated hitter. On the offensive side, Devers struck out more in 2024 but remained productive due to a high barrel rate and plenty of walks.
10 hours ago
Yankees, Mets Vying For Garrett Crochet
The New York Yankees and New York Mets are now both vying for Chicago White Sox left-hander Garrett Crochet via trade after just competing in a bidding war for superstar outfielder Juan Soto, according to sources. The Philadelphia Phillies and Boston Red Sox are also interested in acquiring Crochet, but the Yankees and Mets have been the most aggressive suitors. The 25-year-old southpaw had a breakout campaign in 2024 and is under team control for another two seasons, which makes him even more attractive to contenders looking to bolster their starting rotation. The Mets could have the edge for Crochet based on the young talent they could offer in a trade. If the White Sox want more young infield help, they could look at Jett Williams, Luisangel Acuna or Brett Baty. The Yankees and White Sox talked about Crochet last summer, but Chicago didn't value the Yankees' position prospects highly enough.
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Shohei Ohtani Unlikely To Pitch In Season-Opening Series
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he expects two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (shoulder) to be ready to hit in the season-opening series in Tokyo, Japan, against the Chicago Cubs, but he's unlikely to pitch in the series. Ohtani had Tommy John surgery in 2023 and did not pitch at all during the 2024 campaign, but it didn't stop him from winning his third MVP award in the last four seasons by making history with 54 home runs, 130 RBI and 59 RBI while also leading the league in runs (134), on-base percentage (.390), slugging percentage (.646), OPS (1.036) and total bases (411). The Japanese superstar will be more attractive as a hitter in fantasy in 2025, but he still has ace potential on the mound in his first year back from TJ surgery. Ohtani is a unicorn on the baseball field and became the only player in MLB history with 50-plus homers and 50-plus steals in a single season.
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Mookie Betts Preparing To Play Shortstop In 2025
Los Angeles Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said on Monday that outfielder Mookie Betts is preparing to play shortstop in 2025. It means that Tommy Edman would be the club's regular center fielder, while Gavin Lux would be in line for regular duties at the keystone. Betts began last year on the infield but was moved back to right field after returning from a fractured left wrist. The 32-year-old has been an All-Star in each of the last eight full seasons, although injuries are starting to become an issue, and it led to a big drop in OPS (.863) and home runs (19), which can be attributed to his wrist injury. Betts also isn't as much of a threat to run, having not reached the 20-steal mark since 2018. It's something to think about, but Betts is still a well-above average player in the best lineup in baseball and could be eligible at short, second and outfield in fantasy leagues in 2025.
10 hours ago
Tyler Fitzgerald Penciled In As Starting Second Baseman
San Francisco Giants president of baseball operations Buster Posey said on Monday that he views infielder Tyler Fitzgerald as the team's starting second baseman going into the 2025 season and has already discussed it with the young infielder. Fitzgerald filled in nicely for the Giants at the 6 in his second year in the big leagues in 2024 and surprised everyone with a .280/.334/.497 slash line, .831 OPS, 15 home runs, 34 RBI, 17 stolen bases and 53 runs scored in 96 games after playing in only 10 games in his rookie season in 2023. With Giants bringing in Willy Adames to play shortstop, Fitzgerald will move to the keystone, where he has earned regular playing time after his strong showing. He has experience playing there (87 games in the minors) and will also have shortstop eligibility for fantasy managers. Fitzgerald has always had a high strikeout rate, so you shouldn't expect another high average, but his 20-20 potential will be intriguing as a middle-infield target later in drafts.
11 hours ago
Jordan Hicks To Remain In Starting Rotation
San Francisco Giants president of baseball operations Buster Posey said on Monday at the winter meetings that right-hander Jordan Hicks will remain in the starting rotation in 2025. In his first full season as a starter in the big leagues in his first year with the Giants in 2024, the hard-throwing Hicks did very well but broke down in the second half and was then shifted to the bullpen to monitor his workload. He finished 4-7 with a 4.10 ERA (4.37 FIP), a 1.45 WHIP, one save, a career-high 96 strikeouts and 47 walks in a career-high 109 2/3 innings over 29 outings (20 starts). The 28-year-old should be better positioned to handle the elevated workload next year, but he'll fantasy managers shouldn't forget about his shoulder injuries from this past season. In his first 12 starts in 2024, Hicks had a 2.70 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 52:19 K:BB before falling apart in his final eight starts.
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Colt Keith
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Tigers
