MLB News
Ben Rice Seeing Work Behind The Plate
According to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com, New York Yankees first baseman Ben Rice worked out with the catching group on Wednesday. Hoch noted that the coaching staff said Rice is in the "backup catcher mix." Rice spent most of his minor league career as a catcher but primarily played first base when he made his MLB debut last summer. Across 50 MLB games, Rice logged 49 of those games at first base. Across his first taste of the majors, the 25-year-old posted a .171/.264/.349 slash line with seven home runs. Under the hood, he generated a strong .459 xSLG with a strong 11.2 percent walk rate. However, he struck out at a hefty 27.0 percent rate. At Triple-A, Rice performed very well as he held a .294/.428/.661 slash line with 12 long balls across 30 games. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor Rice's status during spring training as he could become the No. 2 backstop behind Austin Wells.
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Bryan Ramos Has A Sore Elbow
Chicago White Sox third baseman Bryan Ramos (elbow) isn't worried about the sore right elbow that he's dealing with at the start of spring training. Ramos said he feels it more when he's throwing than when he's swinging a bat. The 22-year-old Cuban infielder might be limited to designated-hitter duties early in Cactus League games if his elbow is still bothering him then, but this doesn't sound like an injury that will put him in jeopardy of missing Opening Day in late March. In his big-league debut for the Pale Hose in 2024, Ramos hit only .202 (20-for-99) with three homers, 11 RBI, 13 runs scored and 22 strikeouts in 108 plate appearances over 32 games played. Ramos was more impressive in his second stint in the majors in September. With Josh Rojas and Miguel Vargas ahead of him on the third base depth chart, expect Ramos to open 2025 at Triple-A Charlotte.
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JT Brubaker Throws Live BP Session
New York Yankees right-hander JT Brubaker (oblique) was scheduled to throw a live batting practice session at camp on Wednesday. Brubaker had Tommy John surgery in April of 2023 and has not pitched in a big-league game since 2022 with the Pittsburgh Pirates, when he went 3-12 with a 4.69 ERA (3.92 FIP), 1.46 WHIP, a career-high 147 strikeouts and 54 walks in 144 innings over 28 starts. The 31-year-old isn't facing any restrictions in spring training this year with the Yankees after suffering an oblique strain while rehabbing in July of last year. Sixty-one of Brubaker's 63 appearances in his three big-league seasons with Pittsburgh came in a starting role, but he's most likely to occupy a long-relief role in the Bronx if he's on the big-league roster in 2025. The fact that he's out of minor-league options helps his chances of earning an Opening Day roster spot, but fantasy managers can ignore him almost everywhere.
1 hour ago
Andrew Nardi Dealing With Lower-Back Inflammation
Miami Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said that left-handed relief pitcher Andrew Nardi (back) is dealing with lower-back inflammation. As a result, Nardi will be behind the other pitchers at spring training. The 26-year-old southpaw missed the final five-plus weeks of last season due to an elbow injury as well, but hopefully his new back isn't serious enough to land him on the injured list to begin the 2025 regular season. Nardi had an ugly 5.07 ERA in 59 relief outings (49 2/3 innings) for the Fish last year, but hi 3.33 FIP, 70 strikeouts and only 18 walks show that he should be able to bounce back in 2025 in a high-leverage relief role if he can stay healthy. He also had an above-average 33.3 percent strikeout rate and 15 holds in 2024. It's unclear if Nardi will eventually be in the mix for saves, but at the very least, he should have fantasy appeal in holds leagues.
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Drey Jameson Confident He'll Be Ready For Opening Day
Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Drey Jameson (elbow), who was scheduled to throw a bullpen session at camp on Wednesday, is confident that he'll be ready to go on Opening Day. Jameson said there's "no question" he'll be ready. The 27-year-old had Tommy John surgery in September of 2023, which caused him to miss the entire 2024 season. He resumed throwing off a mound last July, so it's not all that surprising that he's ramping up even further this spring. The D-backs could bring him along slowly in spring training, but barring a setback with his right elbow, Jameson could win a spot in a low-leverage relief role for Arizona if he makes the Opening Day roster. Jameson has a upper-90s heater and wipeout slider that work well in relief. He had a 3.32 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, one save and 37 K's in 40 2/3 innings over 15 outings (three starts) for the Snakes in 2023. For now, Jameson is merely one to watch in deeper formats.
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Sawyer Gipson-Long Continues To Rehab
Detroit Tigers right-hander Sawyer Gipson-Long (elbow, hip) has been throwing bullpen sessions twice a week and will throw another one on Friday as he recovers from a left hip labral repair and right UCL reconstruction. The 27-year-old had Tommy John last April and then hip surgery in July. He's not expected to make his 2025 debut until around midseason. Meanwhile, right-hander Wilmer Flores (shoulder) received a platelet-rich plasma injection in January for right-shoulder soreness. He's completing his rehab daily and is likely to start the year at Triple-A Toledo. Right-handers Alex Lange (lat), Tyler Mattison (elbow) and Ricky Vanasco (hip) all continue to rehab their respective injuries, with Lange and Mattison set to throw bullpens this Saturday. Vanasco is playing catch six times a week as he rehabs from a right hip labral repair.
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Javier Baez Expected To Be Ready For Opening Day
According to the Detroit Free Press' Evan Petzold, Detroit Tigers shortstop Javier Baez (hip) is expected to be ready for Opening Day in late March. Baez is doing full hitting and defensive drills and will continue to progress his return to play running progression upon his arrival to spring training. The 32-year-old had a right hip labral repair in September of last year but should be ready for the start of the 2025 season, barring any setbacks in spring training. It's good news that Baez should be healthy for Opening Day, but his struggles since he arrived in Detroit mean that he'll have to compete with young infielder Trey Sweeney for playing time at the 6 this year. In only 80 games in 2024, the former Cubs sensation hit just .184 with a career-low .515 OPS, six home runs and 37 RBI. Baez should remain with the Tigers in 2025, but a bench role might be on tap.
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Garrett Whitlock Hits 95 MPH During Live BP Session
Boston Red Sox right-hander Garrett Whitlock (elbow) averaged 95 mph during his live batting practice session at camp on Tuesday and said that he feels "super healthy" and expects to have a normal spring training. Whitlock is nine months removed from having an internal-brace procedure on his right elbow but is a full-go this spring as he transitions back to a full-time relief role for the BoSox. While the 28-year-old will most likely serve in a multi-inning middle-relief role in 2025, manager Alex Cora did mention him as a candidate for saves if the team uses a committee approach to the ninth inning. Whitlock had an ERA under 2.00 with a 1.14 WHIP and 17 strikeouts in 18 1/3 innings over four starts in 2024 before being shut down. He does have plenty of experience in a relief role for Boston and even has nine career saves, but he won't really be fantasy relevant in shallow-mixed leagues if he's coming out of the bullpen.
2 hours ago
Brewers Sign Tyler Alexander To One-Year Deal
The Milwaukee Brewers announced on Wednesday that they signed free-agent left-hander Tyler Alexander to an undisclosed one-year deal. In a corresponding move, left-hander Robert Gasser (elbow) was placed on the 60-day injured list. Alexander became a free agent when the Tampa Bay Rays non-tendered him early in the offseason. The 30-year-old veteran southpaw made 23 appearances (nine starts) for the Rays in 2024 and went 6-5 with a career-worst 5.10 ERA (5.08 FIP), a 1.24 WHIP, a career-high 90 strikeouts and 24 walks in a career-high 107 2/3 total innings. Home runs have been an issue for Alexander in his career, and that's not likely to change with a move to Milwaukee. He's also unlikely to have much fantasy appeal with the Brew Crew in what will likely be a relief role.
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DL Hall To Be Shut Down For A Few More Weeks With Lat Injury
Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy said on Wednesday during his first media session of spring training that left-hander DL Hall (lat) is dealing with a lat injury and will be shut down from throwing for several more weeks. The Brewers were hoping that Hall would come to spring training to compete for a starting rotation spot in 2025, but the 26-year-old southpaw's lat injury could force him back to a relief role after he finished the 2024 campaign in the bullpen. This doesn't mean that Hall won't make starts for the Brewers in 2025, but his most likely path to an Opening Day roster spot will now most likely be as a reliever. The former first-rounder struggled as a starter early last year before injuring his knee and finished with a 5.02 ERA and 1.60 WHIP with a career-high 44 K's and 21 walks in 43 innings over 13 outings (seven starts). Hall needs to get healthy before being considered a fantasy asset again in deeper leagues.
2 hours ago
Robert Garcia Dealing With Nerve Irritation In His Forearm
New Texas Rangers left-handed reliever Robert Garcia (forearm) is being held out of bullpens in camp for the next few days due to nerve irritation in his left forearm. Garcia will play catch on Thursday and go from there. "Nothing we're concerned about, but going to play cautiously here at the beginning of spring training," president of baseball operations Chris Young said. The Rangers acquired Garcia from the Washington Nationals this offseason in the deal that involved first baseman Nathaniel Lowe. The 28-year-old should be in line for high-leverage bullpen duties for the Rangers in 2025 after they lost both Kirby Yates and Jose Leclerc to free agency, although Chris Martin is expected to be the primary option for saves in the ninth inning. In a career-high 72 outings for the Nats in 2024, Garcia had 13 holds with above-average strikeout and walk rates. Don't ignore him in holds leagues if he's healthy.
3 hours ago
Lou Trivino Fully Healthy
San Francisco Chronicle's Susan Slusser reports that San Francisco Giants right-handed reliever Lou Trivino (elbow) is fully healthy after having Tommy John surgery and was able to throw live batting practice at camp on Wednesday. Trivino said his new UCL "was like changing the transmission." The 33-year-old veteran pitcher had TJ surgery in May of 2023 and was only able to make a handful of minor-league rehab outings last year. If he doesn't have any setbacks with his right elbow in spring training this year, Trivino could win an Opening Day bullpen role in San Francisco as a middle reliever, but he probably won't be on the fantasy radar at all. The former 11th-round pick by the Athletics back in 2013 out of Slippery Rock University does have 37 career saves in five MLB seasons, but he last pitched in the big leagues in 2022.
3 hours ago
Jordan Hicks Gains 14 Pounds
San Francisco Giants right-hander Jordan Hicks said he gained around 14 pounds in the offseason to prepare for a full season as a starter in 2025. Hicks said he feels that he can "take the training wheels off." The 28-year-old hurler moved to a starting role last year in his first season with the Giants and got off to a fantastic start before eventually tiring out late in the year and being moved to the bullpen. He went 4-7 with a 4.10 ERA (4.37 FIP), 1.45 WHIP, a career-high 96 strikeouts and 47 walks in a career-high 109 2/3 innings over 29 appearances (20 starts). He should be better equipped to handle an elevated workload in 2025 in his second year as a starter, but there remains plenty of risk for fantasy managers. Hicks did have two stints on the injured list due to shoulder inflammation. Fantasy managers in mixed leagues should have better options.
3 hours ago
Tom Murphy A Full-Go For Spring Training
San Francisco Giants manager Bob Melvin said that catcher Tom Murphy (knee) is a full-go for the start of spring training. Murphy signed a two-year, $8 million deal with the Giants last offseason but ended up playing in just 13 games in 2024 after spraining his left MCL in early May. The good news is that the 33-year-old veteran backstop didn't require surgery, which is why he's a full-go this spring. Now that he appears to be fully healthy in 2025, Murphy is expected to be the team's primary backup to starter Patrick Bailey. Bailey struggled against lefties last season, so don't be surprised if Murphy sees regular playing time against southpaws in 2025. At best, Murphy will be an option for fantasy managers in two-catcher leagues because of his power. He has never played in more than 97 games in a season since debuting in 2015 with the Colorado Rockies, but he did slug 18 homers in 75 games in 2019 with the Mariners.
3 hours ago
Kyle Harrison To Compete For Rotation Spot
San Francisco Giants manager Bob Melvin said that left-hander Kyle Harrison will compete with right-hander Hayden Birdsong for the fifth starting rotation spot in spring training. The San Francisco Chronicle's Shayna Rubin reports that Harrison, who had a noticeable dip in velocity in 2024, said his velocity is back where he wants it and has corrected issues with his delivery that occurred after he suffered ankle and shoulder injuries. The 23-year-old was shut down early last year due to left-shoulder inflammation, which was probably the primary cause of his drop in velocity. With good health, he should have a leg up on the final rotation spot over Birdsong and could be due for a bounce-back campaign after posting a 4.56 ERA and 1.34 WHIP with a 118:42 K:BB in 24 starts (124 1/3 innings) in his first full MLB season in 2024. RotoBaller has Harrison outside of its top-100 starting pitching rankings.
3 hours ago
Jung Hoo Lee A Full-Go For Spring Training
San Francisco Giants manager Bob Melvin said on Wednesday that outfielder Jung Hoo Lee (shoulder) is a full-go for spring training. Lee played in just 37 games in 2024 in his first year in the big leagues after injuring his left shoulder and undergoing season-ending labrum surgery in June. Before injuring his shoulder in a collision with the outfield wall, the 26-year-old Japanese outfielder hit .262/.310/.331 with a below-average .641 OPS, two home runs, eight RBI, two steals and 15 runs scored in 145 at-bats. He figures to once again be San Fran's primary leadoff hitter in 2025, which will give him plenty of opportunities to score runs for fantasy managers. Lee is an elite contact hitter, but his .310 on-base percentage was a disappointment, albeit in a small sample size. His 41.8% hard-hit rate from 2024 should translate to more power in 2025, but fantasy managers should be targeting Lee as a No. 4 or 5 outfielder going into his sophomore season.
3 hours ago
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.
4 hours ago
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.
4 hours ago
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.
5 hours ago
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.
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