MLB News
Max Scherzer Progressing With Thumb Injury
Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet reports that Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Max Scherzer's (thumb) thumb responded well to his 62-pitch Grapefruit League outing against the Minnesota Twins on Saturday. The 40-year-old pitched four shutout innings, allowing two hits and a walk while striking out four. Scherzer has been battling a thumb injury but appears to be progressing. If he experiences no setbacks, the former first-round pick is slated to pitch in the team's third contest against the Baltimore Orioles next Saturday. Scherzer is an intriguing late-round arm in fantasy drafts, selected on average just inside the top 300 players. While he may not be the same dominant pitcher he was in the past, the veteran could return some value if he can stave off the injured thumb.
1 hour ago
Josh Rojas, Michael Tauchman To Open Season On IL
Chicago White Sox outfielder Mike Tauchman (hamstring) and infielder Josh Rojas (toe) are set to begin the season on the injured list. Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reported the news. Tauchman has struggled in camp, and it's unclear when he picked up the hamstring ailment. Due to the injury, fellow outfielder Austin Slater projects to get more time in right field. On the other hand, Rojas has been battling a hairline fracture in his right big toe and was the favorite for playing time at second base. It's unclear who will start in his stead, meaning any combination of Brooks Baldwin, Lenyn Sosa, or prospect Chase Meidroth could get time at the keystone position.
1 hour ago
Logan Allen Penciled In As Guardian's Fifth Starter
Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports that pitcher Logan Allen will be the Cleveland Guardians' fifth starter in the rotation. Triston McKenzie will begin the year in the bullpen. The 26-year-old wasn't particularly effective during the 2024 season, bolstering a 5.73 ERA in 97.1 innings (20 starts). However, he's had a strong spring, authoring a 1.89 ERA and 1.05 WHIP across 19 innings with a 19:4 K:BB ratio. Allen is an afterthought in drafts right now, which is fair based on his production a season ago. Still, his changeup and sweeper generated whiffs at 27.1% and 33.1%, respectively, with Cleveland last year. If he can get his fastball to play up, he could provide some value for fantasy managers while he's got a spot in the rotation.
1 hour ago
Tylor Megill On Tap For Mets' Second Game
Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports that New York Mets pitcher Tylor Megill will begin the season in the team's rotation. Per DiComo, he'll get the nod for the Mets' second game with the Houston Astros. Megill showed flashes of brilliance in 2024 and was particularly effective over seven starts (39 innings) post-All-Star break, compiling a 3.00 ERA and 1.18 WHIP with 42 punch-outs. The 29-year-old will get a chance to show his stuff again with fellow pitchers Sean Manaea (oblique) and Frankie Montas (lat) battling injuries. Megill has tweaked his arsenal a bit and noted that he plans to rely on his fastball more heavily, which should be a boost for him. For now, he's a late-round dart throw in fantasy drafts with some sleeper appeal, depending on how long he sticks in the rotation.
1 hour ago
Brooks Lee To Start Season On IL
Minnesota Twins shortstop Brooks Lee (back) will begin the season on the 10-day injured list, per Bobby Nightengale of The Minnesota Star Tribune. On Thursday, Lee was scratched from the Twins' lineup with lower back tightness and is still battling the injury. He did not participate in on-field pregame drills on Saturday. Lee was projected to see a good amount of playing time with teammate Royce Lewis (hamstring) starting the year on the IL, but he'll now recover from his own bout with injury. The 24-year-old hit for good contact in the minors and displayed strong enough plate discipline to profile as a potential impactful asset despite the ineffectiveness during his 2024 debut. He's a late-round option in drafts, selected outside of the top 200. Teammate Edouard Julien will pick up the slack at second base.
2 hours ago
Victor Robles' X-Rays Come Back Clean
Seattle Mariners outfielder Victor Robles' (hand) X-rays were deemed negative. Though he is not in the lineup on Sunday, he's hitting in the cages, per Shannon Drayer of SeattleSports.com. Robles left Saturday's outing against the Chicago White Sox after getting plunked in the hand with a pitch and looked to be seriously hurting. Fortunately, it appears he can be considered day-to-day. The 27-year-old was a different player last season upon his arrival to Seattle, hitting an eye-popping .328 with 30 steals after the move. Robles is currently hovering around the top 200 picks off the board (~OF30) and projects to give fantasy managers the most considerable boost in the average and steals categories.
2 hours ago
Matthew Liberatore Named Cardinals Fifth Starter
St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Matthew Liberatore has been named the team's fifth starter. The Arizona native was decent in spurts a season ago but could never put it all together consistently. He spent most of his 86 innings out of the bullpen (six starts) in 2024, but the Cardinals will give him another go in the rotation. Liberatore has been solid this spring, compiling a 1.62 ERA and 0.78 WHIP in 16 2/3 innings of work (one start). It's unclear whether or not the former first-round pick will impact fantasy this season, but it's certainly intriguing that the Cardinals continue to give him chances in the rotation. He's nothing more than a late-round lottery ticket at this point and can be found by fantasy managers on waiver wires until he proves he's worth a roster spot.
3 hours ago
Victor Scott II To Be Cardinals Center Fielder
St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Victor Scott II will be the team's center fielder on Opening Day. The Athletic's Katie Woo reported the news. Scott's first taste of big-league action did not go as planned, as he hit .179 over 145 at-bats (53 games) with 11 extra-base hits. However, he's been electric this spring, hitting .366 with four home runs and five stolen bases (1.225 OPS). While that production is likely unsustainable, the 24-year-old projects to boost fantasy managers in the stolen base department. The former fifth-round pick sports an 80 grade for his elite speed and will now get everyday at-bats for St. Louis. He represents a potential cheap source of steals in fantasy drafts and he's going just inside the top 400.
3 hours ago
Graham Ashcraft Aiming To Be Reds' Closer
With his recent move to the bullpen, Cincinnati Reds pitcher Graham Ashcraft notes he's eyeing the team's closer role. "At the end of the day, if I'm in the bullpen, that's where I want to be," said Ashcraft. The 27-year-old had been considered one of the Reds' Big Three pitching prospects over recent years, though it hasn't really panned out for him in the rotation. A recent move to the bullpen could be a boon for the former sixth-round pick, and he pitched well last Thursday in that role, allowing no hits, a walk, and striking out two. Ashcraft may not begin the season pitching late in games, particularly with teammates Taylor Rogers, Emilio Pagan, and Scott Barlow offering potential ninth-inning options for manager Terry Francona. Still, if he can continue to pitch well when called upon, he may find his way there later.
3 hours ago
Alexis Diaz To Start Season On Injured List
Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Alexis Diaz (hamstring) is set to open the season on the injured list, per Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer. The 28-year-old reliever sustained a hamstring injury early in camp, and it appears he isn't entirely over it. It's possible the hamstring is to explain for how shaky he's been this spring -- owning a ghastly 13.50 ERA in 3.1 Cactus League innings. For now, one of Taylor Rogers, Emilio Pagan, Graham Ashcraft or Scott Barlow could pick up save chances in Diaz's stead. All three could be mixed and matched in high-leverage situations if manager Terry Francona opts to go in that direction. This bullpen situation will be one to monitor.
3 hours ago
Alan Roden Makes Toronto's Opening Day Roster
Toronto Blue Jays outfield prospect Alan Roden has made the team's Opening Day roster out of spring training, according to MLB.com's Keegan Matheson. Roden, a 25-year-old former third-rounder in 2022 out of Creighton University, will be making his MLB debut whenever he gets into a game to open the 2025 season. He has an opportunity to serve in a reserve role off Toronto's bench early on with Daulton Varsho (shoulder) opening the year on the injured list. However, with Varsho not far off from a return, Roden's stay in the big leagues could be a short one. The club's No. 5 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, impressed with a .391 average (9-for-23) with two doubles and two home runs in 18 Grapefruit League games. He posted strong contact rates and on-base percentage in the minors, and while he can play all three outfield positions, his future is likely at a corner spot in Toronto.
4 hours ago
Felix Bautista To Be On Opening Day Roster
Baltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said on Sunday that right-handed reliever Felix Bautista (elbow) will be on the Opening Day roster. Bautista missed all of the 2024 campaign after having Tommy John surgery in October of 2023 and there was recent concern that he might not be ready for the start of the regular season, but those concerns are now out the window apparently. However, it doesn't mean that the 29-year-old won't be eased into closing duties in the ninth inning after his long layoff. The Mountain appeared in five spring training games and should lead Baltimore in saves in 2025 as long as he's healthy, but fantasy managers may want to temper expectations for his workload early on. Before his injury in 2023, Bautista was lights-out for the Orioles, posting a 1.48 ERA and 33 saves.
4 hours ago
Jorge Mateo Not Ruled Out For Opening Day
Baltimore Orioles infielder Jorge Mateo (elbow) is staying in Florida to get additional at-bats in camp and isn't being ruled out for Opening Day on Thursday just yet, according to general manager Mike Elias. Mateo was cleared to make his Grapefruit League debut in mid-March and has gone 1-for-8 with an RBI, walk and four strikeouts in four spring games, but the 29-year-old should probably still be considered doubtful to be ready for Opening Day after undergoing UCL reconstruction on his left (non-throwing) elbow in late August of last year. The Dominican infielder led the league with 35 stolen bases in 2022 and then stole another 32 bags in 2023, but regular playing time won't be afforded to him when he's healthy, making in avoidable in all mixed fantasy leagues in 2025.
4 hours ago
Albert Suarez To Start In The Bullpen
Baltimore Orioles right-hander Albert Suarez lost out in the battle for the No. 5 starting rotation spot to left-hander Cade Povich and will now begin the 2025 season in the bullpen, according to general manager Mike Elias. It doesn't mean that Suarez won't be starting games for Baltimore this year, but his minimal fantasy value will take a hit in AL-only leagues to begin the season. The 35-year-old veteran appeared in a career-high 32 games (24 starts) a year ago and went 9-7 with a career-best 3.70 ERA (4.24 FIP) and 1.29 WHIP with 108 strikeouts and 43 walks in 133 2/3 innings pitched. Fantasy managers in AL-only leagues certainly shouldn't expect that kind of volume in 2025 in his second year in Baltimore. He figures to make most of his appearances this year in a long-relief role, but he'll still be a valuable swingman for the O's.
4 hours ago
Cade Povich Earns No. 5 Rotation Spot
Baltimore Orioles left-hander Cade Povich will open the 2025 regular season as the team's No. 5 starter and will start the home opener on March 31 against the division-rival Boston Red Sox, according to general manager Mike Elias. Povich beat out right-hander Albert Suarez for the final spot in the starting rotation by posting a 3.07 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 15 strikeouts and four walks in 14 2/3 Grapefruit League innings. The 24-year-old southpaw gets an opportunity in the rotation to start the year thanks to the injury to right-hander Grayson Rodriguez (elbow), who doesn't have a timetable to make his season debut due to elbow inflammation. As a rookie in 2024, Povich went 3-9 with a 5.20 ERA and 1.43 WHIP with 69 K's and 34 walks in 79 2/3 frames over 16 starts. The former third-rounder will probably continue to be a work in progress, but he has room for growth and will be an option in AL-only leagues.
4 hours ago
Gunnar Henderson Will Start The Year On The Injured List
Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson (intercostal) will start the season on the injured list, according to general manager Mike Elias. It's a bummer for the breakout All-Star from a season ago, but the good news is that Elias thinks this will result in Henderson only missing days, not weeks. At the minimum, Henderson will only have to miss the first seven days of the 2025 season. The 23-year-old left-handed hitter suffered an intercostal strain in late February and never returned to spring training action, so fantasy managers shouldn't exactly be surprised by this news. Despite the injury, Henderson was still likely taken in the first round in most fantasy drafts after the monster year he had in 2024. With Henderson starting on the IL, Jackson Holliday is expected to start at the 6 on Opening Day, with Ramon Urias starting at second base.
5 hours ago
Ryan Pepiot To Start Opening Day For Rays
With Tampa Bay Rays left-hander Shane McClanahan (triceps) set to miss time to open the 2025 regular season, right-hander Ryan Pepiot will step in and start on Opening Day on Friday, March 28, against the Colorado Rockies, according to manager Kevin Cash. The 27-year-old went 8-8 with a career-high 3.60 ERA (3.95 FIP), a 1.15 WHIP and a 142:48 K:BB in 130 innings pitched over 26 starts in his first year with the Rays in 2024. Pepiot's season was interrupted by an infection caused by a bug bite, but otherwise he was pretty solid with nine quality starts in his 26 total starts. His fastball-changeup combination can get it done, but Pepiot might not be able to take the next step in his big-league career unless he develops a quality third pitch to keep hitters off balance. Still, there's a lot to like in fantasy, and he'll be a popular DFS play in his first start at home against the Rockies.
5 hours ago
Red Sox Grant Adam Ottavino His Release
The Boston Red Sox granted right-handed reliever Adam Ottavino his release on Sunday after he triggered his opt-out clause, a source tells MassLive's Chris Cotillo. Ottavino triggered the opt-out clause in his minor-league contract after he was informed that he wasn't going to make the Opening Day bullpen out of camp. The 39-year-old veteran struggled to a 10.80 ERA with five walks and eight strikeouts in five Grapefruit League innings in spring training, but he's likely to get picked up before long due to his 46 career saves over 14 years of big-league experience. In 60 appearances out of the bullpen for the New York Mets in 2024, Ottavino held a 4.34 ERA (3.67 FIP), a 1.29 WHIP, one save, 70 strikeouts, 23 walks and 15 holds as a late-inning setup man. Ottavino has a 3.49 career ERA and 1.28 WHIP over his 14 seasons with five different teams.
5 hours ago
Walker Buehler Scratched On Sunday With An Illness
Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Walker Buehler was scratched from his scheduled Grapefruit League start on Sunday due to an illness. Fantasy managers can breathe a collective sigh of relief. The righty will work in camp on the back fields on Monday and Cooper Criswell will start in his place on Sunday. The former first-round draft pick has looked good this spring, allowing two earned runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out 11 batters in 10 innings pitched. After a rough couple of seasons in Los Angeles and dealing with injuries, the 2x All-Star will look to get his career back on track in Boston. The 30-year-old has an NFBC ADP of 250, but has the talent to outproduce that, especially given his environment with the Red Sox.
5 hours ago
Braves Ink Jesse Chavez To A Minor-League Deal
The Atlanta Braves signed relief pitcher Jesse Chavez to a minor-league deal on Sunday. The veteran is going to pitch in Sunday's game versus the Orioles with a chance to make the Opening Day roster according to manager Brian Snitker. Despite his advancing age, the 41-year-old has been a solid reliever the last handful of seasons, posting a 2.91 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and a 17.0 percent K-BB% from 2021-24 (201 IP). Last season, though, the righty recorded a K/9 of 7.82, his lowest since 2017 (excluding 2020). If the 2021 World Series champion can make the team, for fantasy he'd likely only be worth a look in deep NL-only leagues.
5 hours ago
Max Scherzer
• SP
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Blue Jays
