MLB News
Joey Loperfido Optioned To Triple-A
Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Joey Loperfido has been optioned to Triple-A Buffalo on Friday. Loperfido had a real shot at making the Opening Day roster, but really struggled with the bat in camp. He went 6-for-29 with two RBI, so he'll head to the minors to work on his game. The 25-year-old was traded to Toronto last season from Houston in part of the Yusei Kikuchi trade. Loperfido does have the potential to be an everyday player in the MLB, but might need a little more work in the minor leagues.
1 hour ago
Matt Strahm To Pitch On Saturday
Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Matt Strahm (shoulder) is scheduled to throw in a minor-league game on Saturday. If that goes well, Strahm would hopefully be cleared to pitch during Monday's spring training contest. The organization is hopeful that Strahm will be ready to go in time for Opening Day. The veteran southpaw is coming off an excellent season with the Phillies last season. He registered a 1.87 ERA, 0.75 WHIP, and 79/11 K/BB ratio across 66 games with Philly. The 33-year-old is expected to immediately slide into high-leverage spots in the Phillies bullpen.
1 hour ago
DJ Herz Heading To Minors
Washington Nationals starting pitcher DJ Herz has been optioned to Triple-A Rochester on Friday. An interesting development as the Nats have decided to roll with Mitchell Parker as their fifth starter to begin the season. Herz wasn't great last season, but he did have some solid moments with the Nats. Herz posted a 4.16 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, and 106/36 K/BB ratio across 19 starts with the Nats in 2024. Obviously, Herz won't offer fantasy value in the minors, but dynasty managers should continue to hold the southpaw. He does have decent potential and should get another chance in the Nats rotation at some point this upcoming season.
2 hours ago
Will Wagner Heating Up At The Plate
Toronto Blue Jays infield prospect Will Wagner has begun to heat up at the plate. During Thursday's spring training contest, Wagner went 2-for-2 in the batter's box with two walks. Through 14 games this spring, Wagner has held a solid .265/.359/.412 line with five doubles and a 4:6 BB:K. The 26-year-old is currently competing for a depth role in the Toronto infield. Last summer, Wagner made his MLB debut and held a promising .305/.337/.451 slash line with six doubles and two long balls across 24 games. During this brief stint, Wagner generated an elite .317 xBA with a .360 xwOBA. Through 83 career games at the Triple-A level, the Liberty University product has posted a strong .337/.445/.465 line with 18 doubles. Given his solid play this spring, fantasy managers should expect Wagner to open the season as the No. 2 option at several positions in the infield. However, if he continues to impress, he could carve out a role as the designated hitter if Anthony Santander sees most of his time in left field.
2 hours ago
Shinnosuke Ogasawara Optioned To Minors
Washington Nationals starting pitcher Shinnosuke Ogasawara has been optioned to Triple-A Rochester. The left-hander signed a two-year, $3.5 million deal with the Nats this offseason. Before that, Ogasawara was posting solid numbers in Japan. This past season, Ogasawara 3.12 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and 82/22 K/BB ratio across 24 appearances with the Chunichi Dragons. The expectation is that the 27-year-old will contribute to the Nats pitching staff at some point. For now, the Nats want him to continue getting in more work at the minor league level.
2 hours ago
Richard Fitts Expected To Be No. 4 Starter In Rotation
According to Ian Browne of MLB.com, Boston Red Sox pitching prospect Richard Fitts is expected to open the 2025 campaign as the No. 4 starter in the rotation. The Red Sox have numerous injuries in their rotation, which paved the way for Fitts to not only earn a starting role but to be the fourth option. Currently, Brayan Bello (shoulder), Lucas Giolito (hamstring), and Kutter Crawford (knee) are all slated to open the season on the injured list. Fitts has performed well during camp, holding a 2.45 ERA with a 1.30 WHIP across 14 2/3 innings. During this stretch, he has tallied 14 strikeouts and served up six free passes. Last summer, the 25-year-old made his MLB debut and held an impressive 1.74 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP across 20 2/3 innings of work. Fantasy managers in deeper formats should consider targeting the Auburn product late in their drafts, as he should provide stable ratios with decent strikeout upside.
2 hours ago
Justin Martinez Gets Five-Year Extension
Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Justin Martinez will be sticking around with the organization for a few more seasons. The two sides have agreed on a five-year, $18 million extension on Friday. The deal also includes two player options for $7 and $9 million for 2030 and 2031. This deal will lock up Martinez through his pre-arbitration and arbitration years. The expectation is that Martinez is going to be the primary closer in Arizona. He registered a 2.48 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, and 91/36 K/BB ratio across 64 appearances with the D-Backs last season. Fantasy managers can safely assume that Martinez should be getting plenty of save chances in Arizona to start the season.
2 hours ago
Johnathan Rodriguez Sent To Triple-A
The Cleveland Guardians have optioned outfield prospect Johnathan Rodriguez to Triple-A Columbus. Rodriguez was competing for a starting role in the outfield but fell short, given his struggles during camp. Across 13 contests, Rodriguez held a modest .217/.375/.391 slash line with just one home run and one double. Last summer, Rodriguez made his MLB debut and posted a .129/.325/.161 slash line across 13 MLB contests. He tallied just one extra-base hit but held a solid 5:9 BB:K. At the Triple-A level, Rodriguez flashed his upside as he hit for a strong .301/.390/.540 line. Across 118 games, Rodriguez went deep 29 times and added 18 doubles. He swiped eight bags and held a 64:128 BB:K. With Rodriguez opening the season at Triple-A, fantasy managers should expect Will Brennan and Jhonkensy Noel to see most of the starts in right field.
2 hours ago
Jerar Encarnacion Exits Early On Friday
San Francisco Giants outfielder Jerar Encarnacion (head) exited Friday's contest early after diving for a ball. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status, as the team did not provide an update. Encarnacion has enjoyed a strong spring training as he has posted a .302/.309/.547 slash line with seven doubles and two home runs. Last season, he logged a career-high 35 contests at the MLB level. During this stint, Encarnacion posted a .248/.277/.425 slash line with five doubles and three home runs. However, he generated an elite .275 xBA with a .501 xSLG, which suggests that he should see significant positive regression during the 2025 campaign. He is currently competing for the designated hitter role. If he were to miss the remainder of camp, the Giants may opt for him to begin his campaign at the Triple-A level.
2 hours ago
Michael McGreevy Shines On Friday
St. Louis Cardinals pitching prospect Michael McGreevy tossed five shutout frames on Friday afternoon against the New York Mets. McGreevy allowed just one hit and tallied four punchouts. This outing continued McGreevy's impressive camp. Through 16 2/3 innings, the right-hander has posted a stellar 1.08 ERA with a 0.60 WHIP. McGreevy has tallied 12 punchouts and has not served up a free pass. The UC Santa Barbara product is competing for a spot in the rotation, and given his production in camp, he continues to improve his chances. Last week, there were reports that the Cardinals were interested in potentially using a six-man rotation at the start of the season, which would almost guarantee McGreevy a starting role. Last season, the 24-year-old made his MLB debut and tossed 23 innings with a strong 1.96 ERA with a 0.78 WHIP. If he were to make the starting rotation, he would have value in deeper formats.
2 hours ago
Adrian Del Castillo Optioned To Triple-A
The Arizona Diamondbacks have optioned catching prospect Adrian Del Castillo to Triple-A Reno. Del Castillo was competing for the No. 2 catching role behind Gabriel Moreno. However, the team will instead have him continue his development at the top level of the minor leagues. Last summer, the 25-year-old made his MLB debut and posted an impressive .313/.368/.525 slash line across 25 games. During this stint, he tallied five doubles and went deep four times. He added 19 RBI and held a 7:28 BB:K. He flashed a similar upside with Triple-A Reno last season as he posted a .312/.399/.603 line with 36 doubles and 26 long balls. With Del Castillo opening the season at Triple-A, fantasy managers should expect Jose Herrera and Rene Pinto to continue to compete for the No. 2 catching job. Del Castillo is monitoring in NL-only leagues as he carries high power upside.
2 hours ago
Eloy Jimenez To Start The Season At Triple-A
Tampa Bay Rays outfielder/designated hitter Eloy Jimenez will start the 2025 regular season at Triple-A Durham. Jimenez started to come on strong of late at the plate in Grapefruit League action, but it wasn't enough for him to beat out Curtis Mead, who has been one of the best overall hitters this spring. The 28-year-old Dominican has hit .235 (8-for-34) with a homer, double, four RBI and a run scored in 12 spring games played. Jimenez continues to fall after slashing a combined .238/.289/.336 with a career-low .626 OPS, six home runs and 23 RBI in 98 games in 2024 with the Chicago White Sox and Baltimore Orioles. The oft-injured outfielder continued to deal with injuries last year and made two separate trips to the injured list. Jimenez hits the ball hard when he makes contact, but he hit too many ground balls last year and hasn't displayed an ability to stay healthy long enough to make any real impact.
3 hours ago
Curtis Mead Makes Rays Opening Day Roster
Tampa Bay Rays infielder Curtis Mead has made the team's Opening Day roster, according to manager Kevin Cash. Mead essentially beats out Eloy Jimenez for one of the team's final roster spots out of camp thanks to an impressive Grapefruit League performance this spring. Entering play on Friday, Mead has hit .543 (19-for-35) with a homer, double, three RBI, a stolen base and six runs scored in 13 contests. The 24-year-old Australian's stock is certainly rising for those in deep-mixed and AL-only leagues despite the fact he's only hit .244/.300/.312 with a .613 OPS, two home runs and 12 RBI in 62 games since he debuted in the big leagues in 2023. The former highly-touted prospect in the Phillies system might initially only see playing time in Tampa against lefties, but if he continues to swing the bat like he has in spring training, more playing time will surely come. Stash him in AL-only formats for now.
3 hours ago
Zach Neto Ahead Of Schedule In Recovery From Shoulder Surgery
The Sporting Tribune's Jack Janes writes that Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto (shoulder) has been able to do just about every defensive drill in camp that the rest of the team is doing outside of throwing. His throwing program didn't allow him to throw across the diamond until he reached 120 feet, which he accomplished this past week. The 24-year-old finally started throwing to first base last Sunday and said his arm is feeling good. Neto has also been swinging the bat in batting practice and in the cages as he recovers from offseason shoulder surgery that will cause him to start the 2025 season on the injured list. "Honestly, I feel really great with my shoulder and where it's at. I'm feeling way stronger since when I first walked in here," Neto said. Kevin Newman is expected to start the year as the team's starting shortstop, but it might not be long before Neto makes his 2025 debut.
3 hours ago
Hayden Wesneski Getting X-Rays On His Foot
Houston Astros right-hander Hayden Wesneski (foot) is getting X-rays on Friday after he was hit on his left foot by a comebacker in a minor-league game on Thursday, according to MLB.com's Brian McTaggart. The good news is that Wesneski was seen doing drills in camp on Friday, so it doesn't sound like a serious injury. The 27-year-old will open his first year in Houston as the team's No. 5 starter, and he could get some nice run in that role after Luis Garcia was recently shut down with right-elbow soreness. Wesneski has more fantasy appeal in deeper leagues as a matchup-based streamer as a starter, but his stuff has played better in a relief role in his first three big-league seasons with the Chicago Cubs. He went 3-6 in 2024 with a 3.86 ERA (4.51 FIP) and 1.14 WHIP with 67 strikeouts and 21 walks in 28 outings (seven starts).
3 hours ago
Evan Carter, Leody Taveras Could Platoon In Center Field
Texas Rangers outfielders Evan Carter and Leody Taveras could start the year in a platoon in center field, according to MLB.com's Kennedi Landry. Neither player has hit lefties well, but Carter has really struggled, hitting .081/.150/.081 with three total hits against lefties in the big leagues since debuting late in the 2023 season. He has five strikeouts in seven at-bats against southpaws in spring training. The 22-year-old just hasn't had much exposure to high-leverage lefties in the big leagues in only 68 regular-season games played. He also played just 45 games in 2024 due to a back injury that the team is still managing. Carter expects to improve against lefties in time, but the Rangers might just continue avoid having him face them. Between recurring back issues and the fact that he won't play regularly, Carter's fantasy upside is limited in 2025.
3 hours ago
Trevor Story Scratched With Lower-Back Tightness On Friday
Boston Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story (back) was scratched from Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Pittsburgh Pirates due to lower-back tightness, according to WEEI's Rob Bradford. He'll be replaced by Nick Sogard, who will start at shortstop and bat eighth in the lineup. While it's unclear if this is just the Red Sox being cautious, but it should be noted that the 32-year-old veteran already missed a week of spring action due to a back issue. With Opening Day less than a week away, there's no guarantee that Story will be ready to play next Thursday. If Story has to start the year on the injured list, David Hamilton could begin the year as Boston's primary shortstop, with prospect Kristian Campbell serving as the starting second baseman. The oft-injured Story is a hard sell as a middle-infield option in deep-mixed leagues because of his inability to stay on the field for long periods of time.
4 hours ago
Sonny Gray's Velocity Down This Spring
St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Sonny Gray (forearm) admitted that he received a pain-killing injection in the flexor tendon of his right forearm late last season -- he ended the year on the injured list -- and the injury delayed his offseason program. Gray said the injury hasn't been an issue during spring training, but the delay in his throwing program could explain his diminished velocity in Grapefruit League games. The 35-year-old veteran has really struggled in spring games, allowing 18 earned runs on 21 hits (seven homers) while walking six and striking out 14 in 11 1/3 innings over four starts. Gray's velocity was down nearly two mph in his Grapefruit League start against the Houston Astros, which should be a cause for concern for the Cards and fantasy managers alike. If his velocity doesn't rebound, it's unlikely he'll have a strikeout rate north of 30% like he had in 2024. It's something to keep a close eye on.
4 hours ago
Jung Hoo Lee Hopes To Play Sunday, Could Make Opening Day Roster
San Francisco Giants outfielder Jung Hoo Lee (back) is beginning baseball activities in camp on Friday and is hoping to play in an exhibition game at Sacramento against the Athletics on Sunday, according to the San Francisco Chronicle's John Shea. Lee said it's realistic that he could be on the team's Opening Day roster for the season opener next Thursday against the Cincinnati Reds, but he also isn't trying to rush just to be available for the start of the season. White the 26-year-old's injury didn't end up being serious, he still hasn't played in any game action in over a week, which makes it unlikely that he'll be in the starting lineup on Opening Day on March 27. If he opens on the injured list, expect Luis Matos and Grant McCray to split playing time in center field. Lee is hoping to bounce back in 2025 after he played in just 37 games last year before needing season-ending shoulder injury. He's not off to a great start.
4 hours ago
Gunnar Henderson To Take Live Batting Practice On Saturday
Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson (intercostal) will take live batting practice in camp on Saturday, according to manager Brandon Hyde. Henderson is running out of time to be ready for Opening Day next Thursday, but the 23-year-old All-Star will take hacks against live pitching this weekend after being sidelined at spring training with a right-intercostal strain. He has only seen action in three Grapefruit League games, so fantasy managers that already used a first-round pick on Henderson have to be a bit worried that his lack of activity in camp could lead to a slow start in 2025. The good news is that if he's forced to open the year on the injured list, hopefully it won't be long before he's able to make his season debut in April. In just his third MLB season, Henderson broke out in 2024 with 37 homers, 92 RBI, 21 steals, 118 runs and a .281/.364/.529 slash line in 159 regular-season games.
4 hours ago
Joey Loperfido
• LF
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Blue Jays
