MLB News
Clarke Schmidt Will Start Season On Injured List
New York Yankees right-handed pitcher Clarke Schmidt (shoulder) will begin the season on the injured list. The 29-year-old has been dealing with shoulder soreness during camp. However, given that he has begun to slowly build up his workload, fantasy managers should not expect him to miss too much time. While Schmidt is sidelined, Carlos Carrasco will likely join the starting rotation. Last season, Schmidt logged 85 1/3 innings of work with a 2.85 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP. He tallied an impressive 93 punchouts but held a high 8.5 percent walk rate. He generated a 3.78 xERA with a .225 xBA, which suggests he may face some regression when he returns to the bump in 2025. Fantasy managers should consider stashing Schmidt on an IR spot on their roster, as he should provide stable ratios with decent strikeout production when he returns to the rotation.
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Jerar Encarnacion Diagnosed With Fractured Hand
San Francisco Giants outfielder Jerar Encarnacion (hand) has been diagnosed with a fractured left hand, according to the team. Encarnacion recently fractured his hand while attempting to make a diving catch in a Cactus League game and will now be forced to miss at least the next couple of weeks, and possibly more. It's a tough blow for the Giants and the 27-year-old Dominica, who was hitting .302 (16-for-53) with two home runs, seven doubles, 14 RBI and four runs scored in 20 games played this spring. Encarnacion should still have a big role for San Francisco when he's healed, primarily as their designated hitter, but this news certainly puts a damper on what had been a rising fantasy value. With Encarnacion sidelined for the foreseeable future, veteran Wilmer Flores might be the biggest beneficiary for DH at-bats to open the season in San Fran.
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Masataka Yoshida Won't Make Opening Day Roster
Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that outfielder/designated hitter Masataka Yoshida (shoulder) will start the 2025 season at Triple-A Worcester as he continues to build out his throwing program as he recovers from offseason shoulder surgery. Specifically, Yoshida won't play in the WooSox's opening home series but will likely join the team in Jacksonville on April 1. This had been the expectation for a while for the 31-year-old lefty hitter after he had surgery last October to fix a torn labrum in his right shoulder. He was able to make nine starts in the Grapefruit League and hit a solid .321 in 28 plate appearances, but he's not ready to throw, which is an issue now that Rafael Devers is opening the year as Boston's primary designated hitter. Even when Yoshida is return to make his 2025 debut for the BoSox, his playing time is likely to be limited as a platoon option in left field.
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Colin Poche Makes Nationals Opening Day Roster
The Washington Nationals selected the contract of left-hander Colin Poche on Saturday, adding him to their 40-man roster ahead of Opening Day next Thursday. Poche wasn't anything special during his 4 2/3 innings in the Grapefruit League this spring, giving up four earned runs, but the 31-year-old veteran southpaw will give the Nats some experience in their bullpen to begin the year. In a likely middle-relief role in Washington, Poche isn't going to have much fantasy appeal at all, although he did have a solid 3.27 ERA (4.16 FIP), a 1.13 WHIP, 10 saves, 158 strikeouts and 59 walks in 156 2/3 innings over 174 relief appearances for the Tampa Bay Rays over the last three seasons. He's also added 17 wins and 65 holds since the start of the 2022 season, so don't count him out as an under-the-radar contributor in holds leagues.
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Danny Jansen Dealing With Rib Injury
Tampa Bay Rays catcher Danny Jansen (rib) has been unavailable for the last few days in spring training due to a rib-muscle pull, but manager Kevin Cash is hoping that they can get him back in the Grapefruit League lineup for one of the final two spring games or Wednesday's intrasquad game. "We're trying to just manage it and keep him off the field for a couple days," Cash said. "He's in a really good spot." The 29-year-old hasn't played since Wednesday, and his availability for Opening Day next Thursday is now up in the air. It would be a shame if he's not ready, as Jansen has gone 8-for-25 with two home runs, four RBI and six runs in 11 Grapefruit League games. When healthy, Jansen is expected to be Tampa's primary backstop, but he's no stranger to missing time due to injuries in his career. If he's not ready by the end of next week, Ben Rortvedt will jump into the No. 1 catching spot.
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Spencer Steer To Open Season On The Injured List
The Cincinnati Enquirer's Gordon Wittenmyer reports that Cincinnati Reds corner infielder/outfielder Spencer Steer (shoulder) will open the season on the injured list. While Steer's shoulder injury isn't considered serious -- he played in a minor-league game on Thursday -- the Reds are playing it safe and holding him out to open the 2025 regular season. The 27-year-old was initially shut down due to his ailing shoulder in late February, and he just hasn't had enough at-bats to be trusted in the starting lineup early on. However, barring a setback on a minor-league rehab assignment to start the year, Steer should definitely make his season debut in the big leagues by the end of April. With Steer opening on the IL, the biggest beneficiary to open the regular season is likely to be Austin Hays in left field.
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David Hamilton Appears To Be Odd-Man Out At Second Base
Boston Red Sox infielder David Hamilton, who was considered the front-runner for the starting second base job earlier in spring training, now appears to have lost out on the job to prospect Kristian Campbell, who is making his second straight start at the keystone in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays. "We have a pretty good idea of what we're going to do (at second). We just have to be patient," manager Alex Cora said Friday. Campbell, Hamilton and Vaughn Grissom had been competing at second in camp, with Grissom being optioned to Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday. It's expected that Hamilton will make the roster as a utility infielder if he loses out to Campbell. "There's a pretty good chance he's going to be on the team," Cora said of Hamilton. In AL-only leagues, Hamilton may be worth stashing for his speed.
1 hour ago
Kristian Campbell Getting The Start At Second Base On Saturday
Boston Red Sox prospect Kristian Campbell is starting at second base and is batting leadoff for Saturday's Grapefruit League game. It's the second straight day that Campbell is starting at the keystone, suggesting that he may be the favorite to open the 2025 regular season as the starter at second over David Hamilton. Manager Alex Cora said that he has a "pretty good idea of what we're going to do" at the position, but the club has yet to make their plans official to the media. Hamilton is expected to make the Opening Day roster, but it will likely be as utility infielder. The 22-year-old Campbell broke out in the minors in 2024 with a .329/.437/.551 slash line with 20 home runs and 24 steals in 115 games over three different levels. He should definitely be rostered in dynasty/keeper leagues, but fantasy managers in deep-mixed and AL-only leagues may want to temper expectations in his rookie season, especially in the power department.
1 hour ago
Casey Mize Appears Locked Into Rotation Spot
Detroit Tigers right-hander Casey Mize appears set to open the season in the team's Opening Day starting rotation after the team optioned pitchers Keider Montero and Ryan Kreidler to the minors on Saturday morning, according to The Athletic's Cody Stavenhagen. Additionally, top pitching prospect Jackson Jobe will be in the rotation to begin the year. Veteran Kenta Maeda will start in the bullpen, while Alex Cobb (hip) is expected to miss at least the first month. Mize, 27, looked great this spring with a 1.13 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, 18 strikeouts and seven walks in 16 Grapefruit League innings. The post-hype prospect was the first overall pick in the 2018 draft, but so far he's disappointed due to injuries and with a 4.36 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 226:85 K:BB in 291 innings for Detroit. Mize is worth the low cost in AL-only leagues to see if he can finally put it all together.
1 hour ago
Javier Baez Starting In Center Field On Saturday
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.
1 hour ago
Parker Meadows Needs Four More Weeks Of Rest
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.
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Paul Goldschmidt Returns To The Lineup On Saturday
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.
2 hours ago
Daulton Varsho To Begin The Season On Injured List
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.
2 hours ago
Jackson Jobe Earns Fifth Rotation Spot For Detroit
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.
3 hours ago
Kenta Maeda Will Work Out Of The Bullpen In 2025
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.
3 hours ago
Garrett Hampson Exercises Opt-Out Clause With Arizona
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.
15 hours ago
Hunter Bigge To Start The Year In The Minors
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.
15 hours ago
Alex Faedo Expected To Open The Year On The Injured List
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.
15 hours ago
Tobias Myers Throws Pain-Free On Friday
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.
15 hours ago
Brandon Woodruff Throws Two Innings In Minor-League Game
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.
15 hours ago
Clarke Schmidt
• SP
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Yankees
