MLB News

Sandy Alcantara  • SP  •  Marlins

Sandy Alcantara Throws Live Batting Practice On Wednesday

Miami Marlins right-hander Sandy Alcantara (elbow) was seen throwing live batting practice in camp on Wednesday. It was Alcantara's first live BP session of spring training as he finishes the final steps of his recovery from Tommy John surgery that he had in early October of 2023. The 29-year-old missed all of the 2024 campaign as a result, but he's making good progress already this spring and should be able to eventually pitch in Grapefruit League games. However, this is a reminder that the Marlins will be extremely cautious with the former National League Cy Young winner. But barring a setback in spring training, Alcantara has a good shot to be ready for Opening Day in late March. There is the allure of Alcantara returning to his pre-surgery ace form, but fantasy managers may want to temper expectations. RotoBaller has him listed as the No. 46 fantasy starting pitcher in 2025.
0 hour ago   
Freddy Peralta  • SP  •  Brewers

Brewers Name Freddy Peralta As Opening Day Starter

Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy said on Wednesday that right-hander Freddy Peralta will be the team's Opening Day starter in 2025 on March 27 against the New York Yankees. It shouldn't come as much of a surprise for the Brew Crew with right-hander Brandon Woodruff (shoulder) likely to open the year on the injured list. It will be the second straight Opening Day start for the 28-year-old Peralta, and it won't be a great matchup for fantasy purposes against the Bronx Bombers. Peralta went 11-9 with a 3.68 ERA (4.16 FIP) and 1.21 WHIP with 200 strikeouts and 68 walks in a career-high 173 2/3 innings over 32 starts in 2024. It was the second straight year he reached the 200-strikeout mark, but that type of production is probably the ceiling at this point in his career as he heads into his eighth year in Milwaukee. Target Peralta as a safe No. 3 fantasy starter in drafts this spring.
0 hour ago   
Michael Kopech  • RP  •  Dodgers

Michael Kopech Behind Schedule, Could Open Season On Injured List

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that right-handed reliever Michael Kopech (forearm) is behind schedule in his ramp-up to open spring training, and the skipper is unsure if Kopech will have to start the 2025 regular season on the injured list. Kopech dealt with right-forearm inflammation this winter, although some in the Dodgers organization were saying that his injury was being overblown. The 28-year-old hasn't been shut down from throwing, though, so if he does start the year on the IL, hopefully it won't be a lengthy stay before he makes his season debut. The hard-throwing reliever was great for the Dodgers in 24 regular-season appearances last year after being acquired from the White Sox, posting a 1.13 ERA, 0.79 WHIP and six saves. However, the additions of relievers Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates this offseason make it unlikely Kopech sees many save chances in 2025.
0 hour ago   
Yoshinobu Yamamoto  • SP  •  Dodgers  |  Roki Sasaki  • SP  •  Dodgers

Dodgers Plan To Use Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Roki Sasaki In Tokyo Series

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said on MLB Network that the team's plan is to use both Japanese right-handers Yoshinobu Yamamoto and rookie Roki Sasaki in the season-opening series from March 18-19 in Tokyo, Japan, against the Chicago Cubs. "The expectation is for both those guys to pitch," Roberts said. It's likely that Yamamoto will take the hill in the first game and matchup against Cubs lefty Shota Imanaga, with Sasaki going in Game 2. Yamamoto, who looked really good in his first year in the big leagues in 2024, should be considered a low-end No. 1 fantasy starter going into his sophomore season, with Sasaki being more of a low-end No. 2 starter given question marks about his durability as he makes the transition to the States. While the Dodgers are saying they won't have any restrictions on the 23-year-old to begin the year, you have to imagine at some point they'll be monitoring Sasaki's innings.
1 hour ago   
Shohei Ohtani  • DH  •  Dodgers

Shohei Ohtani Won't Pitch In Cactus League Games

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts doesn't have a start date yet for two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (elbow, shoulder) to starting throwing full bullpen sessions this spring. Roberts says that Ohtani will be pitching "sooner rather than later," but he won't pitch in any Cactus League games. The 30-year-old Japanese hurler is recovering from surgeries on his right elbow and his left (non-throwing) shoulder and isn't expected to join the Dodgers' starting rotation until sometime in May, which obviously makes him much more attractive as a hitter than a pitcher again in 2025. Ohtani didn't pitch at all in 2024 after having Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in September of 2023. In addition to his elbow surgery, Ohtani tore the labrum in his left shoulder during the World Series, but it shouldn't affect his timetable to return as a pitcher.
1 hour ago   
Robert Stephenson  • RP  •  Angels

Robert Stephenson To Throw Off Mound On Wednesday

Los Angeles Angels right-handed reliever Robert Stephenson (elbow) said that he's throwing off a mound on Wednesday for the first time since having Tommy John surgery and an internal-brace procedure back in May of last year. Stephenson hopes to be back with the Angels by early July or right around the All-Star break. The 31-year-old veteran signed a three-year, $33 million deal with the Halos last offseason but injured his elbow and didn't pitch at all for the team in 2024. Whenever he returns this year, Stephenson will merely be a late-inning setup man in front of hard-throwing Ben Joyce and veteran closer Kenley Jansen, who was signed to a one-year, $10 million contract on Tuesday. Now that he's pretty much blocked for save chances in the Angels' bullpen whenever he returns, fantasy managers can avoid Stephenson.
1 hour ago   
Anthony Rendon  • 3B  •  Angels

Anthony Rendon To Have Hip Surgery

The Orange County Register's Jeff Fletcher reports that Los Angeles Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon (hip) is having hip surgery. General manager Perry Minasian said it's a "long-term" thing. Rendon has played in fewer than 60 games in five straight seasons with the Angels, and this year looks like more of the same. The 34-year-old veteran was already expected to start the year in a bench role in 2025, but now he'll be on the injured list, a common destination for him since he's been in Anaheim. With Rendon likely out for the long term, former White Sox third baseman Yoan Moncada has an even better shot to open the year as the team's primary third baseman, although Luis Rengifo could also see time at the hot corner. When Rendon did play last year, he hit just .218/.307/.267 with 14 RBI and six steals in 238 plate appearances. He should be avoided in all fantasy formats in 2025.
1 hour ago   
Ben Joyce  • RP  •  Angels

Ben Joyce To Get Another Year To Grow Into Closer Role

The Los Angeles Angels signed veteran closer Kenley Jansen on a one-year, $10 million deal on Tuesday, which will give 24-year-old right-hander Ben Joyce another year to grow into the closer role for the Angels. While Jansen will most likely be L.A.'s primary ninth-inning arm, he's also 37 years old and an injury risk, so Joyce's fantasy value could shoot back up quickly if Jansen ends up missing significant time due to an injury in 2025. But there's also no denying the fact that the signing of Jansen puts a huge damper on Joyce's fantasy prospects for the Halos this year. Joyce should still see the occasional save on days where Jansen is being rested, but one of the hardest throwers in the game will now be relegated to a high-leverage setup for the Angels this year.
1 hour ago   
Zach Neto  • SS  •  Angels

Zach Neto Ahead Of Schedule

Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto (shoulder) said he got "good news" from doctors on Tuesday and is ahead of schedule after having right-shoulder surgery. However, Neto is still unsure if he will be ready for Opening Day in late March. He has yet to be cleared to throw but has been hitting off a tee. The expectation is still that Neto will require a stint on the injured list to begin the 2025 regular season, but it sounds as though he could be ready sooner rather than later. In the meantime, the Angels have a handful of options to hold down the fort at the 6, including Tim Anderson, Luis Rengifo, Scott Kingery and Kyren Paris. Despite Neto potentially opening the season on the IL, fantasy managers should still consider him a nice middle-infield target in the later rounds of drafts after his breakout 2024 campaign in his first full year in the big leagues. RotoBaller has him ranked as the No. 25 fantasy shortstop.
1 hour ago   
Austin Riley  • 3B  •  Braves

Austin Riley Takes Batting Practice On Wednesday

Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley (hand) was seen taking batting practice at Braves camp on Wednesday. It's a nice sight for the Braves after Riley's 2024 season was cut short last year due to a fractured hand that he suffered on Aug. 18. The 27-year-old avoided surgery, though, and appears to be full go for spring training this year. If he avoids injuries in 2025, fantasy managers should be getting an elite power hitter that is a good bet to return to the 30-homer mark. The former first-rounder and two-time All-Star hit a combined 75 long balls in 2022 and 2023 but fell to 19 home runs and 56 RBI in just 110 games played last season because of his hand injury. Fantasy managers shouldn't hold his 2024 injury against him in drafts this spring. RotoBaller currently has Riley ranked as the No. 4 fantasy third baseman.
1 hour ago   
Brandon Woodruff  • SP  •  Brewers

Brandon Woodruff A Full Participant At Spring Training, To Face Hitters On Friday

Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Brandon Woodruff (shoulder) said he's a full participant as spring training gets underway this week and hasn't had any setbacks after missing all of last season. Woodruff's next big milestone will be this Friday when he faces hitters for the first time since having surgery to fix the anterior capsule in his right shoulder in October of 2023. Given all the time Woodruff missed in 2024, the Brewers will slowly build up the 32-year-old veteran this spring, and the expectation is that he'll begin the 2025 regular season on the injured list as a precaution. Before his shoulder injury, Woodruff was one of the best pitchers in baseball on a yearly basis, but his shoulder injury and the possibility that he faces workload restrictions this year make him much more risky in fantasy. However, the fact that he's feeling good this spring should be music to the Brewers' ears.
2 hours ago   
Ke'Bryan Hayes  • 3B  •  Pirates

Ke'Bryan Hayes Feeling Good

The word at Pittsburgh Pirates camp is that third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes (back) is feeling good entering spring training. PittsburghPG's Noah Hiles writes that he couldn't help but notice Hayes walking around on Wednesday with a big smile on his face. The 28-year-old fell apart in 2024 and played in only 96 games, slashing .233/.283/.290 with a career-worst .573 OPS, four home runs, 25 RBI, 11 stolen bases and 75 strikeouts in 396 plate appearances. However, his back injury was most likely to blame, and he didn't play for the Pirates past Aug. 17. Hayes has an elite glove at third base, so as long as he's healthy, he should see regular playing time. But for fantasy purposes, managers shouldn't be expecting much from a power standpoint given the injuries that he dealt with last year. Hayes' speed and regular playing time will make him useful in NL-only formats, but those in mixed leagues will be avoiding him.
2 hours ago   
DJ Stewart  • RF  •  Pirates  |  Darick Hall  • 1B  •  Pirates

Jared Triolo, DJ Stewart, Darick Hall All Options At First Base

Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington mentions Jared Triolo, DJ Stewart and Darick Hall as options that the Pirates will consider at first base now that Spencer Horwitz is expected to miss six to eight weeks with a wrist injury that required surgery. Those three players should see the most reps at first base in spring training with Horwitz sidelined, but Cherington also mentioned the possibility that there could be others that get work at first that aren't as familiar with the position. Cherington also said the team's focus right now is to keep left fielder Bryan Reynolds in the outfield. Triolo won a Gold Glove as a utility player in 2024 and is the most likely option to benefit the most from Horwitz's injury early in the season. However, he hit just .216/.296/.315 with nine homers and eight steals in 125 games in 2024 and probably won't move the needle much fantasy-wise, especially if he's in a platoon at first.
2 hours ago   
Nolan Arenado  • 3B  •  Cardinals

Cardinals Talking To Five Teams About Nolan Arenado

St. Louis Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said he's been limited to talking to five teams that fit third baseman Nolan Arenado's wishes, and that group of teams hasn't grown as the official start of spring training nears. Mozeliak did not name the specific teams, but the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Derrick Goold lists the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees and San Diego Padres. Arenado, who has a full no-trade clause, already nixed a trade to the Houston Astros earlier this offseason. The Padres are a new team that we haven't heard yet, and they'd be an interesting fit with Manny Machado already entrenched at third base, but Arenado has also said he'd be willing to shift across the diamond to first base to accommodate a trade to his liking. Fantasy-wise, Arenado's offensive numbers have been declining in recent seasons, and RotoBaller has him ranked as the No. 19 third baseman.
2 hours ago   
Spencer Horwitz  • 1B  •  Pirates

Spencer Horwitz To Miss 6-8 Weeks

According to Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pirates first baseman Spencer Horwitz (wrist) is expected to miss six to eight weeks. Hiles noted that Horwitz underwent a procedure on his right wrist last week to address "chronic symptoms" and is expected to make a full recovery. As a result, the 27-year-old will likely miss time during the start of the regular season and could open the 2025 campaign on the injured list. While he will be sidelined, fantasy managers should expect Jared Triolo to see most of the opportunities at first base, with Billy Cook or Bryan Reynolds potentially operating as the backup option. The Pirates acquired Horwitz earlier in the offseason via a trade from the Cleveland Guardians. Last season with Toronto, the 27-year-old posted a .265/.357/.433 slash line with 19 doubles and 12 home runs. He should see most of the starting opportunities at first base when he returns.
5 hours ago   
Alex Cobb  • SP  •  Tigers

Alex Cobb Will Not Be Ready For Opening Day

According to Evan Woodbery of the MLive Media Group, Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Alex Cobb (hip) will not be ready to make the Opening Day roster. Manager AJ Hinch noted that his ramp-up will start "about a month late." The team said that Cobb received a PNP injection last week to address right hip inflammation that gradually occurred while he was building up. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status during spring training. Earlier in the offseason, the Tigers signed the 37-year-old to a one-year contract worth $15 million. He was penciled in to have a spot in the starting rotation, but this injury will now provide Casey Mize, Kenta Maeda, Matt Manning, and Keider Montero an opportunity to earn starts early in the season. In addition, top prospect Jackson Jobe was already viewed as a "front runner" to start the season in the rotation, and given this injury, he should be in a great position to do so. Cobb was only able to log 13 1/3 innings last season but held a 3.87 ERA with a 1.32 WHIP across 151 1/3 innings in 2023.
5 hours ago   
Gavin Lux  • 2B  •  Reds

Gavin Lux To Move Around The Infield During Spring Training

According to C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic, Cincinnati Reds infielder Gavin Lux is expected to move around the infield during spring training. Manager Terry Francona noted that the 27-year-old is expected to see time at first, second, and third base, shortstop, and potentially the outfield as well. Last season, Lux spent most of his time at second base for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Earlier in the offseason, the Reds acquired Lux from the Dodgers in exchange for outfielder Mike Sirota. Across 139 games last season, Lux posted a .251/.320/.383 line with 10 home runs and 24 doubles. He also swiped five bases. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor where Lux plays in spring training, as it could impact the playing time for other Cincinnati infielders, such as Noelvi Marte and Santiago Espinal.
5 hours ago   

Christian Encarnacion-Strand Expected To See Time At Third Base

According to C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic, Cincinnati Reds infielder Christian Encarnacion-Strand is expected to see time at third base during spring training. Last season, the 25-year-old was only able to appear in 29 contests due to hand and wrist injuries. During this limited stint, he was unproductive and posted an underwhelming .190/.220/.292 slash line with just two home runs. During the 2023 season, Encarnacion-Strand posted a .270/.328/.477 line with 13 long balls during his first 63 games of MLB action. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor Encarnacion-Strand's progression during spring training, as the team will explore other ways to keep him in the lineup. However, he has primarily played first base during his time in the major leagues. Given the power upside he showed as a rookie, he could be worth a look as a high-upside pick late in fantasy drafts if he performs well in spring training.
6 hours ago   
Matt Vierling  • CF  •  Tigers

Matt Vierling Expected To See Time At Third Base And Outfield

According to Jason Beck of MLB.com, Detroit Tigers third baseman/outfielder Matt Vierling is expected to see time at both third base and outfield during the 2025 campaign. Beck noted that the team has been linked to free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman, but given their current roster, Vierling and Jace Jung will share time at the hot corner. When Vierling is not in the infield, he will likely see time in the outfield, both in center and right. However, if Bregman agrees to terms with Detroit, Vierling will become a full-time outfielder. Last season, the 28-year-old posted a .257/.312/.423 slash line with 16 home runs and six stolen bases. Under the hood, he generated a .256 xBA with a modest 40.9 percent hard-hit rate and a 7.5 percent barrel rate, which were both slightly below the average marks. Given Detroit's current roster, Vierling should see close to everyday at-bats and is a viable depth outfielder in deeper fantasy formats.
6 hours ago   
Gavin Stone  • SP  •  Dodgers

Gavin Stone Placed On 60-Day Injured List

According to Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register, Los Angeles Dodgers right-handed pitcher Gavin Stone (shoulder) was placed on the 60-day injured list. Stone was already expected to miss the entire 2025 campaign after undergoing shoulder surgery in October. However, this transaction opened a roster spot for Kike Hernandez, who the team signed to a one-year contract on Tuesday. Across 140 1/3 innings of work last season, Stone posted a 3.53 ERA with a 1.21 WHIP. He tallied strikeouts at a below-average 20.0 percent rate but showed strong command of his pitches with a 6.4 percent walk rate. He also limited hard contact with a solid 36.2 percent hard-hit rate, which placed him in the 72nd percentile. With Stone sidelined, fantasy managers should expect Blake Snell, Roki Sasaki, Tyler Glasnow, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Shohei Ohtani (shoulder) to see most of the starts, with Clayton Kershaw (toe) and Tony Gonsolin mixing in as well.
6 hours ago   
LEGEND