MLB News
Ronald Acuna Jr., Spencer Strider Officially Placed On Injured List
The Atlanta Braves officially placed outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (knee) and right-hander Spencer Strider (elbow) on the injured list, the team announced. Acuna was put on the 10-day IL, while Strider is on the 15-day IL. Additionally, infielder Nacho Alvarez Jr. (wrist) and catcher Sean Murphy (rib cage) were put on the 10-day IL. All the moves were backdated to March 24. Despite tearing both of his ACLs now, RotoBaller has Acuna ranked as the No. 16 fantasy outfielder in 2025. The 27-year-old former MVP and four-time All-Star is expected to make his season debut at some point in May, barring a setback once he resumes playing in games. Strider, meanwhile, is recovering from internal-brace procedure on his right elbow last April, but he's further along and is expected to make his 2025 debut in April. He was able to make two Grapefruit League starts.
1 hour ago
Ryan Johnson Makes Angels Opening Day Roster
Right-handed pitching prospect Ryan Johnson has made the Los Angeles Angels' Opening Day roster despite having not pitched at all in the minor leagues after being taken in the second round last year, sources tell ESPN's Jeff Passan. Johnson becomes the second pitcher to make his MLB debut without pitching at all in the minors since left-hander Garrett Crochet. The Halos have been known to be aggressive in promoting their young prospects, but this is taking it to another level. The 22-year-old right-hander gave up five runs while striking out 10 and walking only one in 11 1/3 Cactus League innings this spring. The hard-throwing youngster has the strikeout upside to eventually settle into a late-inning role in the team's bullpen, but growing pains should be expected given his extreme lack of experience.
2 hours ago
David Villar Designated For Assignment
The San Francisco Giants designated infielder David Villar for assignment on Tuesday and added relief pitcher Lou Trivino to the 40-man roster in a corresponding move. Villar will be available for other clubs to claim off waivers after spending his three big-league seasons in San Francisco and hitting just .200/.288/.400 with 15 home runs, 40 RBI and 39 runs scored in 109 games and 358 plate appearances. If the 28-year-old former 11th-round pick in 2018 out of the University of South Florida goes unclaimed, it's possible he'll return to the Giants in the minors. Villar hit a career-best .257 (9-for-35) but only had one home run and four RBI in a career-low 11 games in the majors. Although he has appeared at second base, Villar is mostly a corner infielder.
2 hours ago
Cam Smith Makes Astros Opening Day Roster
Houston Astros prospect Cam Smith, who is starting in right field and batting fifth for the second straight day in Tuesday's exhibition against Triple-A Sugar Land, has officially made the team's Opening Day roster despite playing in just 32 minor-league games, according to three league sources. The 22-year-old is expected to start in right field on Thursday on Opening Day against the New York Mets. His 32 minor-league games played before making a big-league roster are the third-fewest of any player in MLB's draft era. Smith slashed .342/.419/.711 in spring training and exceeded all expectations after he was the key player in return when the Astros traded Kyle Tucker to the Cubs in the offseason. There are questions about his defense, but last year's 14th overall pick has been prolific on offense and will be relevant in all fantasy leagues as long as he plays regularly in 2025.
2 hours ago
Jasson Dominguez, Ben Rice Make Opening Day Roster
New York Yankees outfielder Jasson Dominguez and first baseman Ben Rice officially have made the team's Opening Day roster, according to manager Aaron Boone. It shouldn't come as a surprise to fantasy managers that either player is on the big-league roster to start the year. Dominguez, 22, is the much bigger name in fantasy and will open his first full season in the majors as New York's starting left fielder. As long as he stays healthy, the Martian should be a lock for 20 homers and 20 steals. He hit .267 (16-for-60) with three homers, 12 RBI and five steals in 19 spring games. Although he hit just .207 (18-for-87) in his first 26 big-league games the last two years, Dominguez should be locked into starting fantasy lineups anytime he's active. Rice, 26, clubbed five homers in 19 Grapefruit League games. The power is there, but the playing time might not be as he tries to get at-bats at first, DH and catcher.
2 hours ago
Kevin Ginkel Likely To Start On Injured List
Arizona Diamondbacks right-handed reliever Kevin Ginkel (shoulder) is likely to start the 2025 regular season on the injured list due to shoulder inflammation, according to manager Torey Lovullo. Ginkel began dealing with inflammation in his shoulder at the end of camp, but he's not expected to have an extended stay on the IL. The 31-year-old veteran is entering the seventh season of his MLB career, with all previous six campaigns coming in the desert. He went 8-3 in 2024 with a 3.21 ERA (2.85 FIP), a 1.20 WHIP, a career-high five saves, a career-high 77 strikeouts and 15 walks in 70 relief innings for the Snakes. Ginkel also picked up a career-best 18 holds and should once again be useful in fantasy leagues that count holds as one of Arizona's primary late-inning setup men in front of closing options Justin Martinez and A.J. Puk.
2 hours ago
Triston Casas Out On Tuesday With Hand Injury
Boston Red Sox first baseman Triston Casas (hand) is out of the starting lineup on Tuesday against the Sultanes de Monterrey for an exhibition contest after he tried to barehand a bad-hop ground ball with his right hand on Monday night, according to MLB.com's Ian Browne. X-rays on Casas' hand came back negative, so he avoided a serious injury, and it seems likely that he'll be able to play on Opening Day on Thursday against the Texas Rangers. Fantasy managers are still waiting for a potential breakout for the 25-year-old former first-rounder after he was forced to miss almost four months in 2024 due to torn cartilage in his left rib cage. He wasn't the same hitter when he returned and finished with a .241/.337/.462 slash line with an .800 OPS, 13 homers and 32 RBI in just 63 games. The jury is still out, but Casas is still a low-end starting first baseman in fantasy for his power upside.
2 hours ago
Vidal Brujan Could Start On Injured List
Chicago Cubs infielder Vidal Brujan (elbow) is dealing with a right-elbow injury after banging it on the outfield wall while trying to make a catch in Cactus League action over the weekend. The Athletic's Sahadev Sharma reports that Brujan could start the year on the injured list. In his first camp with the Cubs, the 27-year-old Dominican hit just .222 (8-for-36) with a homer, double, triple, three RBI, five stolen bases and five runs scored in 16 spring training games. When healthy, he figures to serve as a utility infielder across the diamond for the Cubs, limiting his fantasy appeal to basically NL-only leagues. In his four major-league seasons to this point with the Tampa Bay Rays and Miami Marlins, Brujan has struggled at the plate, slashing .189/.261/.270 with a .531 OPS, five homers, 40 RBI and 14 steals in 201 games played.
3 hours ago
Ben Brown To Open As Cubs Fifth Starter
Chicago Cubs right-hander Ben Brown will open the 2025 season as the team's fifth starter, according to The Athletic's Sahadev Sharma. Brown will be afforded a rotation spot to open the season after Javier Assad (oblique) was injured in spring training. The 25-year-old appeared in relief in the season opener in Tokyo, Japan, last week against the Los Angeles Dodgers and was hit with a loss after giving up three runs (two earned) over 2 2/3 innings. Brown didn't fare too well in spring training, either, posting a 6.75 ERA with 13 hits allowed (one homer), one walk and nine strikeouts in eight innings over three Cactus League outings (two starts). He held his own in his rookie season in 2024 with a 3.58 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 64:19 K:BB in 15 outings (eight starts) before a neck injury cut his season short. There's some intriguing swing and miss to Brown's arsenal, particularly his knuckle-curve, making him worth a dart throw in deep-mixed leagues for depth.
3 hours ago
Vinnie Pasquantino Feeling Good, Plans To Play Thursday
Although Kansas City Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino's (hamstring) status for Opening Day on Thursday against the division-rival Cleveland Guardians is in question after he picked up a Grade 1-plus right-hamstring strain in spring training on Saturday, he said he plans on playing on Thursday. The 27-year-old isn't a speed player, so a slight hamstring pull doesn't affect him as much, and he could be deployed as the designated hitter to begin the year. The Royals are off on Friday, although the team could back-date a 10-day injured list stint three days, meaning he could return as soon as April 2. Pasquantino won't play in the two exhibition games against the Rangers on Monday and Tuesday, but he hit in the cages on Monday "without feeling the hamstring at all," manager Matt Quatraro said. If he can up the intensity of his swings on Tuesday without feeling pain, he could be cleared to start on Thursday.
3 hours ago
Grayson Rodriguez To Throw A Bullpen Later This Week
Baltimore Orioles right-hander Grayson Rodriguez (elbow) said that he will throw a bullpen session later this week. "Basically, spring training starts over. I've had something I've been dealing with for the last 3-4 years. It kind of flared up on me," Rodriguez said. The 25-year-old also confirmed that imaging on his right elbow showed no ligament damage, and he said he had "tendonitis in the tricep." It's good news that Rodriguez continues to make progress with his throwing program as he begins to build back up, but he still has a ways to go before eventually facing live hitters and then going on a minor-league rehab assignment. Even if he's able to avoid any setbacks with his elbow, it's likely that he will miss at least the first month of the season. Rodriguez's injury has allowed Cade Povich to open as the team's No. 5 starter. Rodriguez should be stashed in an IL spot in all fantasy leagues.
3 hours ago
Corey Seager Expected To Be Ready For Opening Day
Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager (calf) is out of Tuesday's lineup for an exhibition game against the Kansas City Royals for a second straight day, but general manager Chris Young feels confident that he will be ready to go for Opening Day on Thursday against the Boston Red Sox. Manager Bruce Bochy said on Monday that Seager wasn't dealing with a serious calf injury, so it's clear the Rangers are just being cautious with their starting shortstop with Opening Day just several days away. The 30-year-old former first-rounder hit .250 (10-for-40) with three doubles, three home runs, 11 RBI and nine runs scored in 18 Cactus League games and got plenty of at-bats this spring to be ready to roll for the regular season. Injuries remain a concern for the two-time World Series MVP, but Seager has managed to hit 30-plus homers each of the last three years and should still be considered a top-10 fantasy shortstop.
3 hours ago
Josh Jung Scratched On Tuesday
Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung (neck) was scratched from the team's exhibition game on Tuesday against the Kansas City Royals as a precaution due to neck stiffness. Jung was pulled early from Monday's contest against the Royals, but general manager Chris Young feels confident that he will be ready for Opening Day on Thursday against the Boston Red Sox. Ezequiel Duran took over for Jung at third base and will hit ninth in the batting order on Tuesday. It's something to watch for the 27-year-old oft-injured third baseman, but for now, fantasy managers have no reason to panic about his healthy to begin the regular season. However, if Jung's neck injury lingers, both Josh Smith and Duran could split playing time at the hot corner for Texas. There's plenty of fantasy upside with Jung for his power, but he's proving to be very injury-prone early in his MLB career.
3 hours ago
Rowdy Tellez Makes Opening Day Roster
Seattle Mariners first baseman Rowdy Tellez has made the Opening Day roster and was formally selected to the team's 40-man roster on Tuesday. The Seattle Times' Adam Jude writes that Tellez changed the conversation at first base and designated hitter this spring and has earned a regular role to start the 2025 season. "Rowdy's had an outstanding spring and we're excited to go north with him," manager Dan Wilson said on Monday. The 30-year-old left-handed slugger made the roster over outfielder Mitch Haniger, who was released on Monday. He impressed by hitting .298 (14-for-47) with four doubles, three home runs and five RBI in 16 Cactus League games for the M's. It sounds like Tellez will be in the lineup regular at either first base or DH against right-handed pitchers, giving him some appeal for his power in deep-mixed and AL-only fantasy leagues.
3 hours ago
Cal Raleigh, Mariners Finalize Six-Year Extension
Catcher Cal Raleigh and the Seattle Mariners are finalizing a six-year, $105 million contract extension on Tuesday, sources tell ESPN's Jeff Passan. The new deal will start this year and buys out three years of free agency. It's a big new deal for the 28-year-old left-handed-hitting backstop and will keep him in Seattle for the foreseeable future. Raleigh's 76 home runs over the last three years easily leads all MLB catchers in power production, making him a clear top-10 fantasy option at the position heading into his fifth year with the M's. In a career-high 153 games played in 2024, he slashed .220/.312/.436 with a .748 OPS, career-high 34 home runs, career-high 100 RBI, career-high six steals and 73 runs scored in 628 trips to the plate. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect Raleigh to hit for average at this point, but he's RotoBaller's No. 6-ranked catcher.
3 hours ago
Kevin Pillar Makes Opening Day Roster
Texas Rangers outfielder Kevin Pillar will make the Opening Day roster. Shawn McFarland of the Dallas News reported that Pillar will likely be deployed as the designated hitter or in center field against left-handed pitching. Pillar inked a minor-league deal with the Rangers during the offseason. Last season, the 36-year-old spent time in the majors (100 games) split between the White Sox and Angels. Across this stint, he posted a .229/.291/.377 slash line with 16 doubles and eight long balls. While he posted a modest .173/.250/.292 line against right-handed pitching, Pillar performed quite well against southpaws, posting a strong .310/.352/.500 slash line. Fantasy managers in deeper AL-only formats should consider targeting Pillar when he faces southpaws, as he could carry value as a streaming option.
4 hours ago
Jordan Montgomery Will Undergo Tommy John Surgery
Arizona Diamondbacks left-handed pitcher Jordan Montgomery (elbow) is set to undergo Tommy John surgery. During camp, Montgomery logged just three innings of work and allowed five earned runs and held a 3:2 BB:K. During the early part of the offseason, Montgomery was dealing with a strain in his left index finger. However, with this new injury, fantasy managers should expect Montgomery to remain sidelined for the entire 2025 campaign and potentially most of the 2026 season as well. Last offseason, the Diamondbacks signed the southpaw after he won a World Series with the Texas Rangers. However, his debut season in the desert was underwhelming as he posted a high 6.23 ERA with a 1.65 WHIP across 117 innings of work. Montgomery was set to be deployed out of the bullpen in 2025. However, with him now sitting out, this could potentially open up a larger role for Ryne Nelson, who also fell short of his rotation bid.
5 hours ago
Angels Release Mickey Moniak
The Los Angeles Angels have released outfielder Mickey Moniak. The 26-year-old posted an underwhelming .179/.224/.346 slash line with one double and two home runs across 21 contests during spring training. Last season, Moniak logged a career-high 124 contests with the Angels and posted a .219/.266/.380 slash line with 17 doubles and 14 home runs. He swiped eight bags. However, he generated a poor .283 xwOBA, which placed him in the 13th percentile among qualified hitters. Moniak also drew walks at a low 5.0 percent rate and struck out at a hefty 27.3 percent rate. The 26-year-old was originally drafted with the first overall pick in the 2016 MLB Draft but has yet to take the next step in the major leagues. With Moniak off the roster, fantasy managers should expect Jo Adell to be the everyday center fielder in Los Angeles.
5 hours ago
Kumar Rocker Opening Season In Rotation
Texas Rangers starting pitching prospect Kumar Rocker has earned a role in the starting rotation. Rocker was competing for a spot during camp. During spring training, the Vanderbilt product tossed nine innings and held a 13.00 ERA with a 2.33 WHIP. However, over his final start, Rocker turned the corner as he tallied eight punchouts across four 2/3 innings of two-run ball. Fellow top prospect Jack Leiter also earned a spot in the rotation with Cody Bradford (elbow) and Jon Gray (wrist) sidelined. Rocker made his brief MLB debut last summer and held a 3.86 ERA with a 1.54 WHIP across 11 2/3 innings. In the minor leagues, Rocker posted a strong 1.96 ERA and a stellar 0.79 WHIP across 36 2/3 cumulative innings across Double and Triple-A. Given his prospect pedigree and success in the upper levels of the minor leagues, Rocker is worth adding in all 12-team formats as a high-upside starting pitcher.
5 hours ago
Jack Leiter Earns Starting Role
Texas Rangers starting pitching prospect Jack Leiter has earned a spot in the starting rotation. The former No. 2 overall selection made his MLB debut last summer and will look to take the next step in his development. During his first 35 2/3 innings in the majors, the Vanderbilt product posted a high 8.83 ERA with a 1.71 WHIP. He tallied 31 punchouts and allowed walks at a high 9.8 percent rate. During spring training, Leiter tossed 20 2/3 innings to the tune of a 3.48 ERA and a 1.55 WHIP. He tallied 21 punchouts and served up 10 free passes. While he has struggled to command his pitches, the right-hander has flashed elite strikeout upside. Last season, Leiter tallied an impressive 110 punchouts across just 77 innings of work at the Triple-A level. He is worth taking a flyer on in deeper formats due to his elite swing-and-miss potential.
5 hours ago
Ronald Acuña Jr.
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Braves
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