MLB News

Ryan Walker  • RP  •  Giants

Ryan Walker To Be Giants Closer

San Francisco Giants manager Bob Melvin said on Wednesday that right-handed reliever Ryan Walker will open the season as the team's closer. Walker took over as the Giants' closer in the second half last year and never looked back after Camilo Doval was removed from the ninth-inning role. All in all, the 29-year-old was excellent with a 1.91 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, 99 strikeouts, 18 walks, 10 wins, 10 saves and 21 holds in 80 innings pitched for San Fran. Walker's 26.9 K-BB percentage ranked 10th in the league as well. The former 31st-round pick has been rewarded for his breakout 2024 campaign and should now be considered a top-10 fantasy closer now that he's officially been named the team's primary closer entering the 2025 season. Walker's biggest threat to closing duties if he struggles will probably be Doval if he's able to bounce back.
0 hour ago   
James McArthur  • RP  •  Royals

James McArthur To Be Delayed In Camp After Elbow Surgery

MLB.com's Anne Rogers reports that Kansas City Royals right-handed reliever James McArthur (elbow) had right-elbow surgery in the offseason, specifically having two screws put in his arm to stabilize an olecranon fracture. McArthur has just resumed his throwing program/progression and will be delayed at the start of spring training as a result. The 28-year-old could still be ready for the start of the 2025 regular season at the end of March, but he's not on the fantasy radar after blowing seven saves in 2024 and being demoted from the closer role. At best, he'll be a middle reliever for the Royals after they added Carlos Estevez this offseason and Lucas Erceg late last year. McArthur had a brutal 6.87 ERA in the second half of 2024, but that could have been mainly due to a Grade 1 UCL sprain in his elbow.
0 hour ago   
Alec Marsh  • SP  •  Royals

Alec Marsh Might Be Delayed Due To Shoulder Tightness

MLB.com's Anne Rogers reports the Kansas City Royals right-hander Alec Marsh (shoulder) experienced right-shoulder tightness this offseason. Marsh is back on track and is throwing every day, but he might be delayed in spring training slightly in regards to facing hitters, according to manager Matt Quatraro. The Royals are taking it day-to-day with the 26-year-old in camp. It's not too much of a concern for Marsh right now, but if his shoulder issues return, it could cost him a chance at the No. 5 starting rotation spot in spring training as he competes primarily with Kris Bubic. Marsh opened up 2024 solid with a 3.63 ERA and 61 strikeouts in 67 innings over his first 12 starts, but he posted a 5.52 ERA the rest of the season and was eventually demoted to a bullpen role. His strikeout rate dropped to a below-average 22.5% and he had trouble limited hard contact and homers. Marsh can be ignored in mixed fantasy leagues, even if he wins a rotation spot.
0 hour ago   
Shane McClanahan  • SP  •  Rays

Shane McClanahan 100% With No Restrictions

Tampa Bay Rays left-hander Shane McClanahan (elbow) told Bally Sports Florida's Ryan Bass on Wednesday morning that he is "100%" ready to go for spring training with zero restrictions. McClanahan was seen on Wednesday throwing warm-up tosses before his first bullpen session of spring training. The 27-year-old southpaw starter had Tommy John surgery in August of 2023 and missed all of 2024 as a result. The former first-rounder and two-time All-Star has already exhibited ace potential for fantasy managers, but his draft stock will be down in 2025 since he's expected to be limited to around 150 innings this year. In his three years in the big leagues with the Rays, McClanahan has gone 33-16 with a 3.02 ERA (3.36 FIP), a 1.10 WHIP and 456:116 K:BB in 404 2/3 frames over 74 starts. Fantasy managers should treat him as a low-end No. 3 starter/high-end No. 4 starter in upcoming drafts.
0 hour ago   
Drew Smith  • RP  •  Mets

Drew Smith Re-Signs With Mets

Right-handed reliever Drew Smith (elbow) agreed to an undisclosed one-year deal to re-sign with the New York Mets on Wednesday, a source told MLB.com's Mark Feinsand. The deal includes a club option for the 2026 season. Smith continues to rehab from a hybrid internal-brace/Tommy John surgery last July. There is a chance the 31-year-old reliever could return later this year, but it's more likely the Mets are envisioning him returning to full strength in 2026. The TJ surgery he had last summer was the second such procedure of his career. The former third-round selection by the Detroit Tigers in 2015 out of Dallas Baptist University had a nice 3.06 ERA (3.56 FIP), 1.53 WHIP, two saves, 23 strikeouts and nine walks in 17 2/3 relief innings for the Mets last year before injuring his elbow. Smith can obviously be ignored in all fantasy formats in 2025.
0 hour ago   
Cal Quantrill  • SP  •  Marlins

Marlins Agree To One-Year Deal With Cal Quantrill

The Miami Marlins agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million deal with free-agent right-hander Cal Quantrill on Wednesday, a source told ESPN's Alden Gonzalez. Quantrill will give the Marlins a young and durable rotation arm who has a propensity for generating ground balls and who isn't far removed from a nice stretch with the Cleveland Guardians from 2021-22, when he went 23-8 with a combined 3.16 ERA (4.10 FIP) and 1.19 WHIP while striking out 249 and walking 94 in 336 innings over 72 appearances (54 starts). The 30-year-old was cut by the Colorado Rockies in the offseason after going 8-11 with a 4.98 ERA and 1.52 WHIP with 110 K's and a league-high 69 walks in 148 1/3 innings over 29 starts in 2024. Because of the lack of starting options in Miami, Quantrill should be part of their Opening Day rotation, giving him some appeal in NL-only fantasy formats.
1 hour ago   
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.
1 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.
1 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.
1 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.
2 hours 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.
2 hours 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.
2 hours 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.
2 hours 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.
3 hours ago   
LEGEND