MLB News

Detroit Tigers shortstop Javier Baez is penciled in as the center fielder for Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Braves. The Tigers will need a center fielder in the absence of Parker Meadows, who is expected to be out at least until May, but Baez does not seem like the answer with less than five innings of outfield experience on his MLB resume. Wenceel Perez was expected to fill in for the injured Meadows, but Perez is not in the lineup on Saturday. Trey Sweeney is expected to be the Tigers' shortstop this season, with Baez potentially filling in at third base and shortstop when needed, but playing some outfield hints at an all-around utility role. Currently only eligible at SS on Yahoo, the potential addition of 3B and even OF could add some fantasy appeal, however, the 32-year-old bottomed out with a .224 wOBA and 43 wRC+ last season, so the appeal would be limited to deep AL-only leagues.

Detroit Tigers outfielder Parker Meadows (arm), who has been shut down from throwing since Feb. 22 as a result of a nerve issue in his right arm, will require at least four more weeks of rest, according to manager A.J. Hinch. Meadows was expected to open the season on the injured list, but this pushes his timetable well beyond the 10-day window that was anticipated. A return sometime in May looks like the most optimistic outcome at this point. Wenceel Perez looks like the beneficiary of Meadows' absence. Last season, Perez slashed .242/.300/.383 with nine home runs, 37 RBI, and nine stolen bases across 112 games. With some ability to produce across categories and currently penciled in as the leadoff hitter for Detroit, the switch-hitter offers some fantasy value in deep leagues, at least while he's getting regular playing time.

New York Yankees first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (back) will return to the lineup on Saturday for the team's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies. The veteran was pulled from a game on March 17 due to back soreness but the team was hopeful he'd return this weekend. The 37-year-old will lead off for the Yankees on Saturday, a role he could see regularly this season when the team faces left-handed pitching according to manager Aaron Boone. The Phillies will deploy left-handed pitcher Jesus Luzardo on Saturday. The 7x All-Star owns a career .323/.423/.586 slash line against LHP, compared to a .279/.368/.488 against RHP. The former MVP has seen a dwindling batting average and power numbers the last couple of seasons with a corresponding increase in strikeout and chase rate but has been solid this spring, slashing .313/.389/.688 with three home runs. He's still a viable fantasy option as long as he's healthy and is expected to be ready for Opening Day at this point, although the days of being an elite producer are likely over.

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho (shoulder) will begin the season on the injured list, according to manager John Schneider. While it was thought this was going to be the case all along, it was confirmed by Schneider on Saturday. Varsho had been working as the team's DH this spring and was posting good results, slashing .276/.333/.793 with four home runs in 29 at-bats. While that type of pace should not be expected during the regular season, the left-handed hitter has some decent pop in his bat, slugging as many as 27 home runs in 2022 and 18 last season. The 28-year-old also has good speed, reaching double-digit steals each of the last three seasons. He won a Gold Glove in 2024 as well, so the Jays would rather him play both sides of the ball (not just DH), which is why he'll begin the season on the IL as he recovers from September rotator-cuff surgery. The IL stint is not expected to be a long one, while it leaves Nathan Lukes, Myles Straw, and Alan Roden as potential short-term replacements. If needed, Varsho could be stashed in an IL spot for fantasy. Otherwise, he'd be a viable waiver-wire pickup if available when he returns.

Detroit Tigers pitching prospect Jackson Jobe has earned a spot in the rotation for the upcoming campaign after a spring season that saw him allow five earned runs in 12 1/3 innings pitched (3.65 ERA) on seven hits (four home runs) and four walks while striking out eight batters. The Tigers sent RHP Keider Montero to Triple-A and manager A.J. Hinch stated that veteran RHP Kenta Maeda will work out of the bullpen in 2025, freeing up the final spot for Jobe. The former third-overall draft pick spent most of last season at Double-A, although a left hamstring strain caused him to miss time in the middle of the season, but he was eventually promoted to Triple-A and ultimately made his MLB debut for the Tigers in September. The righty even made two relief appearances in the postseason for Detroit. The No. 5 prospect in baseball is armed with a strong four-pitch arsenal that includes a four-seamer that can touch triple digits at times. With his upside, the 22-year-old is worth rostering in all fantasy leagues especially given his low price tag in drafts, however, it's worth noting that he is only eligible at RP on Yahoo to begin the year.

Detroit Tigers pitcher Kenta Maeda was unable to earn a rotation spot this spring and will begin the season in the bullpen, according to manager A.J. Hinch. Despite Maeda's sterling 1:19 BB:K over 12 2/3 spring innings, the veteran allowed eight earned runs during that time (5.68 ERA) on 13 hits, four of which were home runs. The righty began last season in the rotation but was relegated to the bullpen after his July 9 start, the sixth time in 16 starts to that point that he'd given up at least five earned runs. He posted a 7.42 ERA as a starter in 2024 (70 1/3 innings) and a 3.86 ERA as a reliever (42 frames). If the 36-year-old can have similar success with strikeouts as he did in Grapefruit League play, his ERA from '24 suggests he might be a solid relief option for Detroit in '25, but the Japanese pitcher is probably only a viable fantasy option in deep AL-only leagues. Casey Mize and Jackson Jobe will take the final rotation spots for the Tigers.

Infielder Garrett Hampson exercised the opt-out clause in his minor-league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday to become a free agent, according to the New York Post's Jon Heyman. Hampson should draw some interest on the open market before Opening Day next Thursday after he hit .289 (11-for-38) with a double, triple, seven RBI, three steals and 10 runs scored in 16 Cactus League games this spring. The 30-year-old veteran spent the first five years of his MLB career with the Colorado Rockies before playing for the Miami Marlins in 2023 and the Kansas City Royals last year. He hit .230/.275/.300 with a career-low .576 OPS, no home runs, 16 RBI, seven steals and 16 runs scored in 113 games for the Royals last season. Hampson is a career .240/.301/.362 hitter with only 29 homers, 129 RBI and 64 steals in 630 games played.

Bally Sports' Ryan Bass reports that the Tampa Bay Rays optioned right-handed relievers Hunter Bigg and Eric Orze to Triple-A Durham on Friday, even with Alex Faedo (shoulder) opening the year on the injured list. Both Bigge and Orze have experience pitching multiple innings in relief in the minors. Right-hander Nathan Wiles was also traded to the Atlanta Braves for cash considerations. Bigge, 26, gave up only two runs in seven Grapefruit League innings while striking out six and walking only one. Orze, 27, was even better in spring training with 10 strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings while showcasing a nasty splitter. Both pitchers should eventually be up in Tampa's big-league bullpen at some point in 2025. The hard-throwing Bigge had a save and two holds in 19 appearances with the Cubs and Rays last year and could be a deep sleeper for saves for the Rays later in the season.

Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Alex Faedo (shoulder) is expected to start the season on the injured list due to a right-shoulder injury, according to MLB.com's Adam Berry. Manager Kevin Cash said Faedo had an MRI exam that didn't show anything "too alarming," but he will be shut down from throwing for a short period. Before his injury, the 29-year-old looked to be a favorite for the final spot in the bullpen because of his ability to pitch multiple innings, his track record in the big leagues, and the fact he has no minor-league options remaining. The former first-round pick out of Florida struggled with injuries with the Detroit Tigers before posting a 3.61 ERA with 55 strikeouts in 57 1/3 innings over 39 appearances as a reliever last year. If he can move past a shoulder injury that he also dealt with late last year, Faedo could be a valuable multi-inning reliever for the Rays. However, there's very little fantasy appeal.

Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Tobias Myers (oblique) played catch in camp on Friday and didn't have any discomfort in his oblique, making a late-April return a possibility, according to MLB.com's Adam McCalvy. Myers was pulled from his Cactus League start last Saturday due to a left-oblique strain and will be forced to open the 2025 regular season on the injured list. However, the 26-year-old's MRI results delivered good news, and he might not have to wait long before making his season debut before the calendar flips to May. Expect him to begin ramping up his workload before eventually going on a short minor-league rehab assignment in April. The former sixth-round pick by the Baltimore Orioles in 2016 was a stabilizing force in Milwaukee's rotation in his rookie year in 2024, going 9-6 with a strong 3.00 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 127 K's and 36 walks in 138 innings. A below-average strikeout rate limits his fantasy upside, and regression could be coming.

Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Brandon Woodruff (shoulder) threw two innings in a minor-league game on Friday and was up to 95 mph on the radar gun, according to manager Pat Murphy. Woodruff will go with the team to New York to face the Yankees on Opening Day next Thursday and will throw an extended bullpen session in the Bronx before returning to Milwaukee for a long simulated game. After that, the 32-year-old veteran will begin a minor-league rehab assignment before eventually making his 2025 debut. There's still no timetable for Woodruff to make his first major-league start since 2023 after having shoulder surgery, and fantasy managers shouldn't expect that to happen until at least some point in March. His extended absence means he'll have limited fantasy upside in 2025 due to an innings limit, but the former ace is still worth stashing in most fantasy leagues.

Boston Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story (back), who was scratched from Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Pittsburgh Pirates due to lower-back tightness, will return to the lineup on Saturday against the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays, according to manager Alex Cora. Story had a already previously missed a week of spring training action due to a back injury, but this time around it's clearly not as serious. Barring another setback to close out Grapefruit League action, the 32-year-old veteran should be good to go for Opening Day next Thursday. The two-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger winner has played in just 163 games in three seasons since joining Boston in 2022, though, which is why fantasy managers can't trust him as anything more than middle infield depth in deeper leagues because of his propensity for injury.

The Baltimore Orioles agreed to terms on a one-year major-league deal with free-agent right-hander Kyle Gibson on Friday and placed right-hander Kyle Bradish (elbow) on the 60-day injured list in a corresponding move to make room for Gibson on the 40-man roster. Gibson's deal is for $5.25 million and will give Baltimore some more starting depth entering the 2025 season with Grayson Rodriguez, Tyler Wells and Bradish all opening the year on the injured list with elbow issues. The 37-year-old veteran could get some decent run in the team's rotation eventually, which could make him worth pursuing in AL-only formats. Gibson spent the 2023 season in Baltimore before going 8-8 with a 4.24 ERA and 1.35 WHIP with 151 K's and 68 walks in 30 starts for the Cardinals in 2024. There's not much upside, but Gibson could have some streaming appeal in DFS back in Baltimore.

The Kansas City Royals acquired outfielder Mark Canha from the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations, sources tell MLB.com's Anne Rogers. Milwaukee ships the veteran outfielder to the American League Central after he was unlikely to make their Opening Day roster out of spring training. The 36-year-old veteran went just 2-for-23 with two RBI and four runs scored in nine Cactus League games. Canha will be off the fantasy radar in all mixed leagues, but he'll provide the Royals with some outfield depth to open the regular season. The former seventh-round pick by the Florida Marlins back in 2010 out of the University of California -- Berkeley has 10 years of major-league experience. He hit .242/.344/.346 with seven homers, 42 RBI and seven steals in 125 games with the Tigers and Giants in 2024.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. UPDATE: Fitts will start the fourth game of the year against the Texas Rangers, according to manager Alex Cora.