MLB News
Roki Sasaki Officially Added To 40-Man Roster
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Roki Sasaki was officially added to the 40-man roster on Monday ahead of the team's Tokyo Series set to run March 18-19. This was expected all along, but the move was more of a formality. Baseball's No.1-ranked prospect tossed seven innings of scoreless ball in Cactus League action, allowing three hits and three walks while striking out seven batters. He's expected to start Game 2 in Japan against the Cubs, and we'll get our first chance to see him in a regular season game, but even if he pitches well, don't expect him to go deep into the contest. Looking ahead, the 23-year-old should be a solid source of wins, ERA, WHIP, and strikeouts for fantasy this season, but some caution is warranted as he very well could face workload restrictions throughout the year.
1 hour ago
Jacob Wilson Belts Two Home Runs, Collects Five RBI On Monday
Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson popped a pair of home runs in a 2-for-3 day at the plate in Monday's 7-6 Cactus League win over the Mariners. They were the 22-year-old's third and fourth home runs of the spring, and the five RBI he collected brings the total to 12 through 15 games. The former 2023 first-round draft pick made quick work of the minors, ascending all the way to the majors by the second half of 2024, although a hamstring injury in his debut limited the right-handed hitter to just 14 games in the big leagues. Still, he rarely struck out in the minors, posting a measly 7.7 percent K%, then continued to hold his own in the majors, logging just a 9.7 percent K% in 92 at-bats. Set to be the Athletics' Opening Day shortstop, he should be in for a solidly productive season. With an NFBC ADP of 365, the Athletics' No. 1-ranked prospect can be had at the end of most drafts, and although his main contribution for fantasy might be batting average, perhaps the newfound power stroke can add a few more home runs and RBI than expected.
1 hour ago
Javier Assad Officially Placed On 15-Day Injured List
The Chicago Cubs officially placed right-hander Javier Assad (oblique) on the 15-day injured list on Monday before their season-opening, two-game series in Tokyo, Japan, against the Los Angeles Dodgers this week. In additional moves, the Cubs optioned right-hander Daniel Palencia to Triple-A Iowa and designated right-hander Keegan Thompson for assignment. Assad suffered a mild left-oblique strain early in spring training and didn't have enough time to get ready for the Tokyo Series, but he could be ready in early April if he can avoid any setbacks as he gets ramped back up. However, by that time, the Cubs could just use him as a long reliever out of the bullpen. The 27-year-old went 7-6 with a 3.73 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 124 strikeouts in 147 innings over 29 starts in 2024 in his first full year as a starter. Assad could take another step forward in 2025, but his lack of strikeout upside doesn't make him very attractive in mixed fantasy leagues.
1 hour ago
Daylen Lile Highlights Trio Of Reassignments For Nationals
Washington Nationals outfield prospect Daylen Lile was reassigned to minor league camp on Monday, along with infield prospects Cayden Wallace and Yohandy Morales. Lile is the highest-ranked prospect of the bunch, coming in as the Nats' No. 10 prospect, followed by Wallace at No. 11, and Morales at No. 13. None of them did much of note with the bat this spring, although none have gotten a taste of Triple-A pitching yet during their time in the minors. Each has an expected ETA of 2026 per MLB.com's Top 30 Prospects list for the Nationals, and we'll want to see them perform well this season at the highest level of the minors before we start considering them for fantasy.
2 hours ago
Matt Shaw Added To Major-League Roster
Chicago Cubs third baseman Matt Shaw was officially added to the Cubs' 40-man roster and 26-man roster prior to the club's first game in Tokyo, Japan. This doesn't come as a shock, as the team announced last week that he would be making the Opening Day roster. Shaw is one of the game's top prospects, as he slashed .284/.379/.488 with 21 home runs and 31 steals in 121 games between Double-A and Triple-A in 2024. He also showed off excellent plate discipline with an 11.9% walk rate and 18.2% strikeout rate. His profile looks very nice for fantasy, as he has 20/20 upside if everything breaks right for him in his rookie year.
2 hours ago
Randal Grichuk Leaves Game With Ankle Soreness
Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Randall Grichuk (ankle) exited Monday's game with left-ankle soreness. Luckily, nothing is alarming and it's just something to monitor, according to manager Torey Lovullo. Grichuk is set to get part-time playing time in the outfield and as the designated hitter as part of a part-time platoon in 2025. He was productive in his role last season, slashing .291/.348/.528 with 12 home runs, 46 RBI, and 40 runs in 279 plate appearances. He did his job as a platoon man, as he delivered a .914 OPS against lefties and also put up a respectable .802 OPS against righties. He's likely to be left to that same limited role this season, barring injuries to his teammates.
2 hours ago
Clayton Kershaw, Tony Gonsolin, Michael Kopech Placed On 15-Day Injured List
Los Angeles Dodgers pitchers Clayton Kershaw (toe), Tony Gonsolin (back), and Michael Kopech (shoulder) were all placed on the 15-day injured list on Monday night. These were part of a flourish of roster moves the Dodgers made prior to their opening game in Tokyo, Japan. None of these moves came as a surprise, as these injuries have been known for a while. Kershaw is expected to require an extended absence as he recovers from toe surgery, but Gonsolin and Kopech figure to be in the mix much sooner. Kopech is an arm the Dodgers will definitely be eager to get back after he posted a 1.13 ERA and 0.79 WHIP in 24 innings after being dealt to them last season from the Chicago White Sox.
2 hours ago
Kyle Teel, Edgar Quero Reassigned To Minor-League Camp
Chicago White Sox catching prospect Kyle Teel has been reassigned to minor-league camp, along with a host of other players, including fellow catching prospect Edgar Quero. Teel is ranked as the team's No. 2 prospect (MLB No. 32), while Quero comes in at No. 6 (MLB No. 65). That will leave Korey Lee and Matt Thaiss to handle duties for the big-league club, neither of which has had a wRC+ better than 86 to this point in their major-league careers. Teel was a 2023 first-round draft pick, formerly of the Red Sox organization, who hit well until his short stint at Triple-A in 2024 (.255). But he was still able to log a .374 on-base percentage due to his strong 16.3 percent walk rate and showed well this spring, going 5-for-20 with a pair of home runs and a 4:4 BB:K. Quero fared a bit better in '24, slashing .295/.382/.463 during his time at Triple-A, but didn't do much with the bat this spring. Both have an ETA of 2025, according to MLB.com's top-100 prospect list, so we'll see who gets the call first. Whoever it is could make for an intriguing waiver-wire pickup if they earn immediate playing time, especially in deeper leagues.
2 hours ago
Angel Perdomo Traded To The Angels
Relief pitcher Angel Perdomo was traded from the Atlanta Braves to the Los Angeles Angels on Monday in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations. He has looked good this spring and figures to slot into a spot in the Angels' bullpen. The lefty missed all of 2024 while recovering from Tommy John surgery but was productive in 2023. He posted a 3.72 ERA and 1.10 WHIP with 44 strikeouts in 29 innings. Although it was a smaller sample, his 37.6% strikeout rate, 2.75 xERA, and .183 xBA all graded out as elite. He should serve as a solid middle reliever behind the Angels' high-leverage arms of Kenley Jansen, Ben Joyce, and Brock Burke.
2 hours ago
Spencer Strider Shines In First Spring Training Start
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider (elbow) made his long-awaited spring debut on Monday, tossing 2 2/3 perfect innings while striking out six. Although the competition he faced wasn't the toughest, it was encouraging to see his pitches at work following the injury. His fastball topped out at 98 mph and his breaking balls looked as dominant as ever. He only made it two starts into 2024 before requiring a season-ending internal brace procedure on his UCL. In 2023, he posed a 3.86 ERA and 1.09 WHIP while striking out a whopping 281 batters in 186 2/3 innings. His 3.09 xERA and .205 xBA also both ranked in the top-10 percent of the league. Strider could very easily be one of the best pitchers in the sport once again in 2025, which would make him one of the best values on draft day. Expect his ADP to continue to rise as he makes more spring appearances.
2 hours ago
Noah Murdock Earns Opening Day Roster Spot
Athletics right-handed pitcher Noah Murdock was notified on Monday by manager Mark Kotsay that he made the team's Opening Day roster. The 2019 draft pick earned the spot based on his performance this spring according to Kotsay. The 6-foot-8 hurler allowed three earned runs on two hits and a 5:7 BB:K in seven-and-two-thirds innings of relief. The tall righty owns a solid 23.4 percent K% and 9.45 K/9 during his minor league career but also carries a high 13.3 percent BB%. Still, the A's could have been impressed by his extreme ground ball rate, posting a 59.7 percent rate between Double-A and Triple-A last season, then registering a 75.0 percent GB% this spring. The 26-year-old will make his MLB debut once the season begins and is expected to fill a low-leverage role that won't be conducive to fantasy productivity. As such, Murdock will be off the fantasy radar until that changes.
3 hours ago
A's Option Esteury Ruiz, J.T. Ginn To Triple-A
The Athletics optioned outfielder Esteury Ruiz, right-handers J.T. Ginn, Elvis Alvarado and Grant Holman and third baseman Darell Hernaiz to Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday. Ruiz, 26, led all of baseball with 67 stolen bases in his first year with the Athletics after being acquired in a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers, but he struggled in 2024 and was optioned to the minors. Ruiz finished last year with a .200/.270/.382 slash line, a .652 OPS, two home runs, eight RBI and only five steals in just 29 games played in Oakland. He still has plenty of speed, but he's fallen way down the team's outfield depth chart and will have to work his way back to the big leagues in 2025. Ginn, 25, lost out on a starting rotation spot in camp by posting an ugly 7.62 ERA and 1.85 WHIP with 16 strikeouts and eight walks in five Cactus League appearances. He'll provide rotation depth in Vegas to open the year.
4 hours ago
Patrick Sandoval Steadily Progressing In His Rehab
The Athletic's Jen McCaffrey writes that Boston Red Sox left-hander Patrick Sandoval (elbow), who had a modified Tommy John surgery and internal-brace procedure a year ago, remains on track to return in the second half in 2025. Sandoval said he's steadily progressing in his rehab and is up to throwing from 90 feet and is doing three sets of 25 throws three times a week. He's set to increase his progression to four days a week in the next week or so as he builds up stamina toward bullpen sessions. The 28-year-old southpaw is still far from game action but is trending in the right direction after signing a two-year, $18.25 million deal with Boston over the winter. Because Sandoval won't pitch much in his first year in Beantown, he can pretty much be avoided in all single-year fantasy leagues to open the 2025 campaign.
4 hours ago
David Hamilton The Front-Runner For Second Base Job?
The Boston Red Sox have yet to make any decision on a starter at second base in camp, but The Athletic's Jen McCaffrey writes that it seems like David Hamilton has a strong case for the starting job. Although Alex Cora said it's still an open competition among Hamilton, Vaughn Grissom and prospect Kristian Campbell, the skipper has spoken highly of Hamilton, particularly on defense. The 27-year-old's glove plays, but he also stole 33 bases in 98 games in 2024 and had 70 steals in 119 games in 2022 at Double-A. Campbell was initially seen as the front-runner, but he's a work in progress on defense and has gone 5-for-33 at the plate with 13 strikeouts. Hamilton has hit .250 with three doubles and two homers in spring training. Grissom is 6-for-32 (.188) with two doubles in 12 games and hasn't separated himself like Hamilton. Fantasy managers in AL-only and deep-mixed leagues could target Hamilton for his speed.
4 hours ago
Sean Newcomb A Candidate For Rotation Spot
MLB.com's Ian Browne says not to rule out Boston Red Sox left-hander Sean Newcomb for an Opening Day starting rotation spot with Brayan Bello (shoulder), Lucas Giolito (hamstring) and Kutter Crawford (knee) all opening the regular season on the injured list. "He's been solid. The cutter has made a difference. Throwing strikes, that's the most important thing. This is a guy we've seen from the last few years against us. It always caught my attention. They've done a good job, the pitching department, adding the cutter, kind of like a strike stealer or avoiding barrels. And so far, so good. He's in the hunt. He's caught our eyes," manager Alex Cora said. The 31-year-old southpaw and former first-rounder in 2014 by the Los Angeles Angels has given up only one run in 9 2/3 spring innings and is competing with Quinn Priester and Richard Fitts for the final rotation spot out of camp. The fact Newcomb doesn't have minor-league options left could help his cause.
4 hours ago
Spencer Torkelson Could Play Regularly As DH
The Detroit Free Press' Evan Petzold writes that first baseman Spencer Torkelson could see regular at-bats this year at designated hitter. The Tigers could be rotating players around early in the year in the outfield with both Parker Meadows (arm) and Matt Vierling (shoulder) injured, which could mean more looks for Torkelson at DH if Kerry Carpenter is needed more in the outfield. The former No. 1 overall pick in 2020 out of Arizona State University hasn't lived up to his draft stock to this point, even after clubbing a career-high 31 long balls and driving in 94 runs in his second season in 2023. The 25-year-old right-handed slugger took a step back last year, though, posting a .669 OPS with only 10 home runs in 92 games played. However, he's hitting .286 (10-for-35) with four homers and nine RBI in 14 spring training games and could be a sneaky late-round flier for some power in deeper fantasy leagues.
4 hours ago
Joey Gallo Trying His Hand At Pitching
After asking for and being granted his release by the Chicago White Sox over the weekend, first baseman/outfielder/designated hitter Joey Gallo announced on X that he will now be transitioning to a pitcher. Gallo went just 2-for-20 with 11 strikeouts in nine Cactus League games for the White Sox before they cut him. The 31-year-old left-handed slugger was a former 39th overall pick by the Texas Rangers in 2012 and has 208 career home runs, but also 1,292 strikeouts in 3,403 career plate appearances over 10 big-league seasons. The two-time All-Star hit 40-plus home runs in back-to-back seasons in 2017 and 2018 with the Rangers but had really tanked offensively in recent years, slashing just .161/.277/.336 with 10 home runs, 27 RBI and 102 K's in 76 games with the Washington Nationals in 2024. Gallo will be a long shot to resurface in the big leagues as a hurler.
4 hours ago
Josh Rojas Dealing With Hairline Fracture In His Big Toe
Chicago White Sox infielder Josh Rojas (toe) is dealing with a hairline fracture in his right big toe, according to manager Will Venable. MLB.com's Scott Merkin writes that it sounds like it's a pain-tolerance situation right now, and Rojas is dealing with some pain. The 30-year-old veteran suffered the injury in Saturday's Cactus League game against the Colorado Rockies. It sounds like he is going to try and play through the injury, so Rojas currently isn't being ruled out for Opening Day next Thursday. Before the injury, Rojas was the favorite to start at second base for the Pale Hose, but if he needs to start the year on the injured list, it could be some combination of prospect Chase Meidroth, Brooks Baldwin or Lenyn Sosa seeing playing time at second. Rojas' glove is better than his bat. He's a below-average hitter and runner, making him only useful for his versatility in AL-only leagues.
4 hours ago
Michael King Named Padres' Opening Day Starter
San Diego Padres right-hander Michael King will start on Opening Day on Thursday, March 27, against the visiting Atlanta Braves, according to manager Mike Shildt. King will get the nod over right-hander Dylan Cease to kick things off in 2025 after he finished the 2024 campaign in downright nasty form for the Friars. In his first year as a full-time starter in the big leagues in San Diego in 2024 after being involved in the blockbuster trade that sent outfielder Juan Soto to the New York Yankees, the 29-year-old went 13-9 with a 2.95 ERA (3.33 FIP), a 1.19 WHIP, a career-high 201 strikeouts and 63 walks in 173 2/3 innings over 31 regular-season outings (30 starts). King excelled after basically swapping his sweeper for a harder slider and finished as the No. 16 fantasy starting pitcher. It will be interesting to see how his body handles another full workload in 2025, but you should treat him as a strong No. 2 starter.
4 hours ago
Brice Turang Down 3-5 Days After Throwing Session Doesn't Go Well
MLB.com's Adam McCalvy reports that Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Brice Turang (shoulder) tried to throw at camp on Monday, but it didn't go well. The good news is Turang's MRI exam didn't show any structural damage in his right shoulder, but he will be shut down for three to five days. McCalvy adds that the Brewers aren't worried about the 25-year-old missing Opening Day next Thursday, but they may revisit their middle-infield configuration after being very close to naming Turang as their starting shortstop. It now seems more likely that Turang will stay at second base and Joey Ortiz will move to the 6 to begin the year. Turang won the Platinum Gold Glove at the keystone last year, so this shouldn't be that big of an issue, but fantasy managers may be wondering if his shoulder injury will affect his swing at all. It's still possible that Turang is moved back to shortstop at some point, which would allow him to gain shortstop eligibility in fantasy.
4 hours ago
Roki Sasaki
• SP
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Dodgers
