MLB News
White Sox Claim Greg Jones, Cut Oscar Colas
The Chicago White Sox claimed infielder/outfielder Greg Jones off waivers from the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday and optioned him to Triple-A Charlotte. In a corresponding move, the team designated outfielder Oscar Colas for assignment. The Rockies acquired Jones in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays last March, and the 27-year-old made his big-league debut in Colorado, going 1-for-5 with a home run and an RBI in just six games. He hit .269/.346/.460 with 16 homers and 46 steals in 406 plate appearances at Triple-A Albuquerque. Jones should have a better shot at sticking in the majors with the rebuilding White Sox and could be worth stashing in AL-only leagues for his speed. Colas, 26, hasn't developed as the White Sox envisioned he would and has hit .223/.271/.309 with five homers, 23 RBI and 81 strikeouts in 301 trips to the plate over 88 games in 2023 and 2024.
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Shane Smith To Be In Opening Day Rotation
MLB.com's Scott Merkin reports that Chicago White Sox right-hander Shane Smith has earned a spot in the team's starting rotation to begin the 2025 regular season. Smith will be making his major-league debut when he toes the rubber for the first time. The 24-year-old Wake Forest product earned the rotation spot this spring by posting a 3.38 ERA and 0.84 WHIP with 11 strikeouts and four walks in four Grapefruit League starts covering 10 2/3 innings. He ends up beating out right-hander Bryse Wilson for the fifth rotation spot. Smith, a Rule 5 draft pick, must stick on Chicago's MLB roster all year or be offered back to the Milwaukee Brewers. In 32 appearances (16 starts) for Double-A Biloxi and Triple-A Nashville last year, he had a 3.05 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 113 K's and 29 walks in 94 1/3 innings. Smith is in play as rotation depth in AL-only leagues.
1 hour ago
Juan Yepez To Start The Year At Triple-A
Washington Nationals first baseman Juan Yepez did not make the Opening Day roster out of spring training and will begin the 2025 season at Triple-A Rochester, a source told ElExtraBase's Daniel Alvarez-Montes. Yepez wasn't able to stand out in the Grapefruit League by hitting .244 (11-for-45) with one double, no homers, five RBI and two runs scored in 19 contests. The 27-year-old Venezuelan was much more impressive in his first season with the Nats in 2024, slashing .283/.335/.429 with a .764 OPS, six home runs and 26 RBI in 62 games played. If Yepez isn't hitting, he's not much use to Washington, as he doesn't stand out on defense and is mainly an option at either first base or designated hitter. There's just not much upside here for fantasy purposes, as Yepez is most likely to be a bench bat with below-average power whenever he returns to the majors.
1 hour ago
DJ Herz Moved To 60-Day Injured List
The Washington Nationals announced on Wednesday that they have moved left-hander DJ Herz (elbow) to the 60-day injured list to make room for right-handed pitching prospect Brad Lord on the major-league roster. Herz is dealing with a sprained UCL in his left elbow and now won't be able to make his 2025 season debut until at least June. Depending on how the 24-year-old southpaw recovers, there's a chance we won't see him at all this year. It's a big blow to the former eighth-round pick of the Chicago Cubs in 2019 after he made his major-league debut in D.C. last year. In his first 19 starts in the majors, Herz went 4-9 with a 4.16 ERA (3.71 FIP) and 1.26 WHIP with 106 strikeouts and 36 walks in 88 2/3 innings. With the possibility of missing most or all of 2025, Herz should only be stashed in deep dynasty/keeper formats.
1 hour ago
Javier Sanoja Makes Opening Day Roster
Miami Marlins infielder/outfielder Javier Sanoja has made the team's Opening Day roster, sources tell ElExtraBase's Daniel Alvarez-Montes. Sanoja breaks camp with the big-league squad after hitting .314 (11-for-35) with three doubles, seven RBI and eight runs scored in 14 Grapefruit League games this spring. The 22-year-old's versatility is key, and he'll give the Fish an extra option in the outfield with Jesus Sanchez (side) opening the year on the injured list. Sanoja made his big-league debut in Miami last year and went 8-for-35 (.229) with two doubles, two RBI and three runs scored in only 15 games played. He's a much more attractive real-life player than a fantasy one, as Sanoja's defensive versatility and ability to make contact at the plate are his strong suits. In 111 games for Triple-A Jacksonville last year, he had six homers and 14 stolen bases.
1 hour ago
Marlins Acquire Tyler Phillips From Phillies
The Miami Marlins acquired right-hander Tyler Phillips from the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday in exchange for cash considerations, the Marlins announced. In a corresponding move, right-hander Seth Martinez was designated for assignment to make room for Phillips on the 40-man roster. Phillips, 27, will open the year in the big leagues with the Fish after making his major-league debut in 2024 in Philadelphia, where he allowed 28 earned runs on 45 hits (nine homers allowed) while walking seven and striking out 28 in eight appearances (seven starts) covering 36 2/3 innings pitched. He will give the Marlins some extra starting depth with Ryan Weathers (forearm) and Edward Cabrera (finger) starting on the injured list, but Phillips will begin the year as a long reliever out of Miami's bullpen. He can be ignored in fantasy for now.
1 hour ago
Brenan Hanifee Makes Tigers Opening Day Roster
Detroit Tigers right-hander Brenan Hanifee has made the team's Opening Day roster, a source told the Detroit Free Press' Evan Petzold. Hanifee essentially takes the roster spot of right-handed reliever Jason Foley, who will surprisingly start the year at Triple-A Toledo after struggling in spring training. The 26-year-old Hanifee impressed in his 10 2/3 scoreless Grapefruit League innings while striking out nine and walking three. The former fourth-rounder of the Baltimore Orioles in 2016 appeared in 21 games (three starts) for the Tigers a season ago and excelled with a 1.84 ERA (3.10 FIP) and 1.12 WHIP with 23 strikeouts and six walks in 29 1/3 innings pitched. Hanifee will likely serve in a middle-relief role for the Tigers to open the 2025 season and won't really be on the fantasy radar anywhere.
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Jake Bauers, Isaac Collins Make Opening Day Roster
Milwaukee Brewers outfielder/first baseman Jake Bauers and outfielder Isaac Collins have made the team's Opening Day roster, according to MLB.com's Adam McCalvy. Bauers, 29, hit .263 (10-for-38) with four doubles, three home runs, nine RBI and two stolen bases in 15 Cactus League games to earn a spot as a bench bat for the Brew Crew to open the 2025 season. The left-handed hitter does provide a little pop -- he has 51 long balls and 183 RBI in five major-league seasons -- but he swings and misses too much to provide a useful average, and he will need some injuries to occur to see regular playing time. Bauers will provide depth at first, in the outfield and at designated hitter. Collins, 27, will be another utility player for Milwaukee with the ability to play outfield, second and third base. He had an .861 OPS with 14 homers and 24 steals in 2024 for Triple-A Nashville.
1 hour ago
Jose Quintana Starting The Year In The Minors
Milwaukee Brewers veteran left-handed pitcher Jose Quintana agreed to be optioned to the minors to start the 2025 season in order to complete his build-up. Quintana didn't sign with the Brewers until early this month, so he was a bit behind the other pitchers in spring training. While there is no official timetable for when the 36-year-old southpaw might be ready for a big-league call-up, it's likely that he'll rejoin the major-league squad at some point in April. The Colombian hurler made only two appearances (one start) in the Cactus League this spring and allowed two earned runs while walking none and striking out two in five innings. He went 10-10 and provided the New York Mets with 31 starts in 2024, pitching to a 3.75 ERA and 1.25 WHIP with 135 K's in 170 1/3 innings. Quinana's numbers under the hood show that he was pretty fortunate, so fantasy managers should expect regression and certainly not as much volume.
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Shelby Miller Makes Opening Day Roster
Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Shelby Miller has earned a spot on the Opening Day roster. This is a nice feel-good story as the veteran right-hander was brought in as a non-roster invitee. Miller looked impressive during spring training and has earned himself a spot on the 26-man roster. Miller posted an average season with the Detroit Tigers last season, but was an elite option for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2023. Miller didn't post good numbers during his first stint with the organization earlier in his career. He figures to pitch in middle relief, so regardless he probably won't offer much fantasy value.
2 hours ago
Frankie Montas Gets Encouraging MRI Results
New York Mets starting pitcher Frankie Montas (lat) underwent an MRI earlier this week that showed good healing, according to president of baseball operations David Stearns. The right-hander remains a week or two away from beginning a throwing program. The 32-year-old suffered a high-grade lat strain early in camp. The expectation is that Montas is going to be sidelined for the first month of the season. The organization is hopeful Montas can return to the starting rotation at some point in May. Montas is coming off a fairly average season in 2024, so he's not someone that must be stashed in fantasy formats.
2 hours ago
Josh Jung Should Be Fine For Opening Day
Texas Rangers third baseman Josh Jung (neck) is expected to be ready to go for Thursday's season opener against the Boston Red Sox. Jung made a precautionary exit from Monday's contest due to neck stiffness. He was back in the lineup a day later, so this appears to be a minor issue. That being said, Jung should be in the Opening Day lineup, barring any setbacks. Jung only played in 46 games last season due to injuries, but smacked 23 home runs and made the All-Star team in 2023. The 27-year-old has legit power, but the injury history could be a concern for some fantasy managers.
3 hours ago
Jared Jones Diagnosed With UCL Sprain
Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jared Jones (elbow) received an official confirmation on his injury on Wednesday. It has been announced that Jones has been diagnosed with a UCL sprain in his right elbow. That means, Jones avoided any ligament damage and won't require surgery. The plan remains for Jones to be shut down from throwing for the next six weeks. After that, Jones is going to require a few weeks to build up his arm strength and stamina. Fantasy managers should prepare to be without Jones until sometime in June. Carmen Mlodzinski will open the season in the starting rotation, but prospects Bubba Chandler and Thomas Harrington are waiting in the wings if called upon as reinforcements.
3 hours ago
Cade Cavalli To Open Season On Injured List
Washington Nationals starting pitcher Cade Cavalli (elbow) will begin the regular season on the 15-day injured list. The right-hander continues to ramp up his activities while he recovers from Tommy John surgery. Cavalli missed all of 2023 and only pitched in three games last season. Despite that, the Nationals still have high hopes for the former first-round pick. The hope is that Cavalli can contribute to the Nats roster at some point during the first half of the season. For now, Cavalli will ramp up in the minor leagues, so he'll be off the fantasy radar.
3 hours ago
Yankees Place DJ LeMahieu On 10-Day Injured List
The New York Yankees announced on Wednesday that they placed infielder DJ LeMahieu (calf) on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to March 24) with a left-calf strain. LeMahieu's fantasy stock has fallen off a cliff the last few years. He was injured earlier this month and will not be ready for the start of the 2025 regular season. The good news is that the 36-year-old veteran has been eased into baseball activities, but he's without a timetable for a return. With LeMahieu on the shelf, Oswaldo Cabrera will open the year as the team's starting third baseman. Depending on how Cabrera is playing when LeMahieu is ready to return, it's possible that LeMahieu will be relegated to a bench role as a corner-infield option for the Yanks. The former three-time All-Star and two-time batting champion played in just 67 games in 2024 due to injuries and slashed a lowly .204/.269/.259 with a career-worst .527 OPS.
4 hours ago
Kameron Misner Will Make Opening Day Roster
Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Kameron Misner has been recalled from Triple-A Durham and will make the Opening Day Roster, according to Bally Sports' Ryan Bass. Misner gets one of the final spots on the MLB roster to begin the year with Richie Palacios (finger) starting the season on the injured list. The 27-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder was the former 35th overall pick of the Miami Marlins in 2019 out of the University of Missouri. He made his big-league debut last year with the Rays but had just one hit and struck out 10 times in 15 plate appearances over eight games. Misner will get another shot at a major-league roster spot for Tampa in 2025, but he'll merely be serving as a bench option behind Christopher Morel, Jonny DeLuca and Josh Lowe. Misner is athletic and has shown a nice power/speed combination in the minors, but the playing time just isn't going to be there.
4 hours ago
Danny Jansen To Play In Simulated Game
Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash said that catcher Danny Jansen (rib) is doing better and will test his injured rib in a five- to six-inning simulated game on Wednesday. Jansen has been out the last few days due to a pulled rib muscle, but if he responds well to Wednesday's simulated game, he will be included on the team's Opening Day roster. If Jansen doesn't do so well on Wednesday, Kenny Piper will open the year as Tampa's backup catcher behind Ben Rortvedt. The good news is that even if Jansen isn't ready for Friday's season opener, it sounds like he won't have a lengthy absence to begin the regular season. The 29-year-old Jansen had a solid spring training, batting .320 (8-for-25) with two doubles, two home runs and four RBI in 11 Grapefruit League games. He has decent pop for a catcher, but Jansen's injury history makes him a No. 2 fantasy catcher.
5 hours ago
Yoan Moncada Will Be Ready For Opening Day
Los Angeles Angels third baseman Yoan Moncada (thumb) will be with the team on Opening Day on Thursday against the Chicago White Sox after recovering from a right-thumb injury, sources tell MLB.com's Francys Romero. Despite the fact that Moncada hasn't played in a game in two weeks due to his thumb injury, the 29-year-old Cuban is expected to be in the Opening Day lineup on Thursday versus White Sox right-hander Sean Burke. After yet another injury to Anthony Rendon (hip), Moncada will open the 2025 season as the Halos' primary third baseman, giving him some fantasy appeal in AL-only leagues. Moncada had 25 home runs and 79 RBI back in 2019 with the White Sox, but he hasn't had more than 14 home runs in a season since then and only played in 12 games in 2024 in his final season in Chicago.
5 hours ago
Luisangel Acuna Makes Mets Opening Day Roster
New York Mets infielder Luisangel Acuna has made the team's Opening Day roster, sources tell ElExtraBase's Daniel Alvarez-Montes. Acuna's chances of making the roster out of camp increased dramatically when Jeff McNeil went down with an oblique injury. The 23-year-old Venezuelan middle infielder, who is the younger brother of Atlanta Braves superstar Ronald Acuna Jr., made his major-league debut last year and went 12-for-39 (.308) with three home runs and six RBI in just 14 regular-season games played. He hit .250 (13-fo-52) with a double, five RBI, three stolen bases and seven runs scored in 21 Grapefruit League games this spring. To begin the 2025 regular season, Acuna, who bats right-handed, figures to be on the short side of a platoon at second base with Brett Baty. When McNeil returns from his injury, Acuna could be ticketed for a trip back to the minors.
5 hours ago
Jack Leiter To Make First Start On Friday Versus Red Sox
Texas Rangers right-hander Jack Leiter is listed as the team's probable starter for Friday's game against the Boston Red Sox. Right-hander Nathan Eovaldi gets the Opening Day nod on Thursday, while right-hander Tyler Mahle is scheduled to go on Saturday. Right-hander Jacob deGrom will close out the four-game series against Boston on Sunday. Injuries to lefty Cody Bradford (elbow) and righty Jon Gray (wrist) opened spots in Texas' Opening Day starting rotation for both Leiter and former Vanderbilt teammate Kumar Rocker. Leiter, 24, did not fare well in his first nine big-league outings (six starts) in 2024 -- 8.83 ERA and 1.71 WHIP -- but he showed improved velocity this spring and fanned 21 hitters in 20 2/3 Cactus League innings. If he can make improvements from a year ago, Leiter will be a nice sleeper play in deep-mixed fantasy leagues.
5 hours ago
Greg Jones
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White Sox
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Oscar Colás
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