MLB News
Kris Bubic Notches Eight Strikeouts In Strong Win On Monday
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Kris Bubic was fantastic in his first start of the season, striking out eight Brewers without giving up a run in the Royals' 11-1 win. The outing was great to see for the 27-year-old, who has spent most of the past two seasons in Kansas City's bullpen. It also was a great turnaround after a subpar Spring Training in which Bubic threw for a 5.40 ERA. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect Monday's outing to be the norm for Bubic going forward as ATC projections expect him to throw for a 4.16 ERA. However, there are worse options fantasy managers could find on the waiver wire. If he's available on the waiver wire then fantasy managers should pick him up if space is available. His next scheduled start is Sunday against the Baltimore Orioles, most certainly a tougher test than the Milwaukee Brewers.
0 hour ago
Martin Perez Dazzles Twins On Monday, Throws Six Hitless Innings
Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Martin Perez was masterful on Monday, throwing six hitless innings and picking up the win in Chicago's 9-0 victory over the Twins. Perez did walk three batters but ultimately was spectacular in his White Sox debut. It's a great sign to see for the 33-year-old after putting up a 4.53 ERA in 2024. ATC projections still expect Perez to pitch to a 4.59 ERA this season, but if today's performance is any indication then there may be some silver linings to the many opportunities the White Sox are likely to give Perez this season. Fantasy managers should look to add Perez if he's on the waiver wire, though they shouldn't expect him to be a driving force to their lineup's success.
0 hour ago
Bryan De La Cruz Draws First Start Of Season On Monday Night
Atlanta Braves outfielder Bryan De La Cruz is in Monday night's lineup against the Dodgers, getting his first start of the season. De La Cruz will bat seventh and face Dodgers' starter Tyler Glasnow. The 28-year-old only has two at-bats this season and hasn't received much opportunity so tonight will be a good chance for him to make an impact as the Braves look for a spark to get them their first win of the season. De La Cruz hasn't had much success against Glasnow in his career going 0-3 against him. Fantasy managers shouldn't rush to get him into their starting lineups and DFS managers should do what they can to avoid him until he proves himself.
0 hour ago
Reynaldo Lopez Lands On 15-day IL With Shoulder Inflammation
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Reynaldo Lopez (shoulder) was placed on the 15-day IL with right shoulder inflammation on Monday, backdated to March 29th. In a corresponding move, Bryce Elder was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett. Lopez gave up three runs on nine hits in his only start this season against the Padres. The 31-year-old had been seeing a decrease in velocity this Spring, suggesting the injury may have been nagging him for longer than just one start. In his absence expect Elder to get starts in Atlanta's rotation. Elder is no stranger to the Braves rotation and posted up a 3.81 ERA in 31 starts in 2023, though he performed much worse in 2024 with a 6.52 ERA in 10 starts. Fantasy managers should exercise caution before adding Elder in their league.
0 hour ago
Max Scherzer Visiting With Hand Specialist On Monday
Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Max Scherzer (thumb) visited with a hand specialist on Monday to discuss his thumb inflammation that landed him on the 15-day IL. Scherzer plans to return to Toronto soon and discuss next steps with team trainers and doctors according to manager John Schneider. The 40-year-old signed a 1-year, $15.5 million contract with the Blue Jays this offseason. He has dealt with this thumb injury in the past and the recurring nature of the injury should cause some worry for fantasy managers. In his absence, expect Yariel Rodriguez to get more starts for Toronto.
0 hour ago
Jose Ramirez Back In Lineup For Cleveland On Monday
Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez (wrist) is back in the Guardians' lineup for Monday night's matchup against the San Diego Padres. Ramirez left Saturday's game with a wrist injury from stealing a base but has avoided serious injury and is ready to go. The 32-year-old will look to get his first hit of the year against Padres starter Kyle Hart, who has a 15.55 ERA in 11 IP. Fantasy managers and DFS managers alike should do all they can to get Ramirez in their lineup.
0 hour ago
Freddie Freeman Absent From Lineup For Monday Night
Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (ankle) is out of Monday night's lineup. Freeman re-aggravated his ankle injury in what manager Dave Roberts is calling a "mishap" from Freeman stepping into the shower. The 35-year-old is currently considered day-to-day and should not be considered serious. Enrique Hernandez is filling in at first base and will bat eighth in the Dodgers' lineup. Hernandez only has one hit in eight PA this season, though his one hit is a HR. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues are likely the only ones who can benefit from Hernandez starting tonight. DFS managers looking for a cheap longshot may want to consider adding the 33-year-old as well.
1 hour ago
Ryan Weathers Ramping Up His Throwing Progression
Miam Marlins left-hander Ryan Weathers (forearm) is scheduled to ramp up his throwing progression this week, according to Fish On First's Kevin Barral. Weathers suffered a flexor strain in his left forearm late in spring training and was forced to open the 2025 season on the 15-day injured list. The 25-year-old southpaw should be stashed in deep-mixed and NL-only leagues, but he still has a ways to go to ramp up his arm and may not make his season debut until late April or early May, barring any setbacks. Weathers' season was interrupted last year due to injury as well, as he landed on the 60-day IL due to a left index finger strain. He looked good when he wasn't hurt, though, sporting career-best strikeout and walk rates while going 5-6 with a 3.63 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 80:24 K:BB in 86 2/3 innings over 16 starts. A rotation spot will be waiting for the post-hype sleeper when he returns from his forearm injury.
2 hours ago
Connor Norby Progressing In Baseball Activities
Miami Marlins third base prospect Connor Norby (oblique) is progressing in his baseball activities as he recovers from a left-oblique strain, according to Fish On First's Kevin Barral. Norby is progressing, but it's unclear exactly what he's doing, and he will probably remain on the injured list through at least mid-April. When the 24-year-old former second-round pick of the Baltimore Orioles in 2021 out of East Carolina University is finally ready to make his 2025 debut, he's expected to join the big-league roster and see plenty of playing time at the hot corner in Miami. In 36 games for the Marlins after they acquired him from the O's last year, Norby went 36-for-146 (.247) with seven home runs, 17 RBI and three steals. He was inconsistent, but the power/speed combination is clearly evident after he hit 26 homers and stole 16 bases in the majors and minors in 2024. Norby can provide plenty of power and speed but won't help your batting average.
3 hours ago
Braves Acquire Stuart Fairchild From Reds
The Atlanta Braves acquired outfielder Stuart Fairchild from the Cincinnati Reds on Monday in exchange for cash considerations, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Justin Toscano. In a corresponding move to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Fairchild, the team moved right-handed reliever Joe Jimenez (knee) to the 60-day injured list. Fairchild will head to the National League East to serve as outfield depth for the Braves after they learned on Monday that left fielder Jurickson Profar is being suspended for 80 games for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing drugs. While Bryan De La Cruz should become Atlanta's primary left fielder for the time being, the 29-year-old Fairchild could also see some playing time there. He's mostly a glove-first player, though, as he's slashed only .224/.308/.389 with 18 homers, 66 RBI and 23 steals in 249 games over four MLB seasons.
3 hours ago
Jurickson Profar Suspended 80 Games For PEDs
ESPN's Jeff Passan reports that Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar is being suspended for 80 games for violating the league's performance-enhancing drug policy, according to sources. Profar parlayed his career year with the San Diego Padres in 2024 into a three-year, $42 million deal with the Braves in the offseason, but he played in only four games for the Braves to open the 2025 season before being hit with an 80-game PED suspension. It's a big blow for the Braves offense, especially with former MVP Ronald Acuna Jr. (knee) not expected to make his debut until May after tearing his ACL in 2024. With Profar suspended, the Braves acquired Stuart Fairchild on Monday from the Reds to give them extra outfield depth. With Profar out for the foreseeable future, expect Bryan De La Cruz to see most of the playing time in left field in Atlanta.
3 hours ago
Declan Cronin, Andrew Nardi Resume Throwing
Miami Marlins pitchers Declan Cronin (hip) and Andrew Nardi (back) have both resumed their throwing programs, according to Fish On First's Kevin Barral. Cronin, a 27-year-old right-hander, is recovering from a left-hip strain that he suffered late in spring training. If he can avoid setbacks with his hip, he could be an option for the Marlins' bullpen by mid- to late-April. In his first year in Miami in 2024, Cronin had a 4.35 ERA and 1.42 WHIP with 72 K's and 25 walks in 70 1/3 relief innings. Nardi, a 26-year-old lefty, is on the 60-day injured list due to lower-back inflammation that shut him down in early March in camp. He is behind Cronin in his recovery and won't be eligible to make his 2025 debut until late May. In his third season with the Fish last year, Nardi posted a bloated 5.07 ERA and 1.25 WHIP with 70 K's and 18 walks in 49 2/3 relief innings.
3 hours ago
Edward Cabrera To Begin Rehab Assignment On Tuesday
Miami Marlins right-hander Edward Cabrera (finger) will start a minor-league rehab assignment on Tuesday at Triple-A Jacksonville. Cabrera is on the injured list to begin the 2025 regular season due to yet another blister issue on his right middle finger that surfaced on March 13 during his spring training start. However, the 26-year-old is already ready to start his rehab assignment and may only need a couple of outings in the minors before he's activated and rejoins Miami's starting rotation. Cabrera is officially eligible to come off the IL on April 7. Fantasy managers in most mixed leagues can probably take a wait-and-see approach on the Dominican hurler when he's ready to return. He's been incredibly inconsistent and injury-prone in his four years in the majors and went 4-8 in 2024 with a 4.95 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 107:50 K:BB in 96 1/3 frames over 20 starts.
4 hours ago
Lance McCullers Jr. Throws Two Innings In First Rehab Start
Houston Astros right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. (forearm) allowed two earned runs and struck out three batters in his two innings of work in his first minor-league rehab start on Sunday at Triple-A Sugar Land. McCullers hit 94.9 mph on the radar gun in what was overall a positive outing, especially when considering it was his first real game action since the World Series in 2022. The 31-year-old also threw a scoreless inning in his only action in the Grapefruit League during spring training. McCullers had surgery to fix the flexor tendon in his right arm back in 2023 and hasn't pitched since after having multiple setbacks along the way. It's looking he may finally make his return to Houston's starting rotation in 2025, but he has a ways to go still, and the Astros are going to take their time. McCullers deserves to be stashed in deep-mixed and AL-only leagues, but his fantasy upside will be limited while on a strict workload this year.
4 hours ago
Bailey Ober Has Been Under The Weather
Minnesota Twins right-hander Bailey Ober (illness) allowed eight earned runs in just 2 2/3 innings in his first start of the year on Sunday against the St. Louis Cardinals. Ober struggled through diminished velocity and poor command on Sunday and in spring training, but he revealed after his poor start on Sunday that he has been battling an illness. The 29-year-old's fastball averaged 91.7 mph last year, but it fell to 89.9 mph during spring training and was only slightly better on Sunday. He threw only 33 of his 77 pitches for strikes and got only four whiffs on 28 swings while also walking three. Manager Rocco Baldelli noted the coaching staff came close to skipping or pushing Ober's start back. His next scheduled start will be on Saturday at home against the Houston Astros, giving him extra time to get healthy. Fantasy managers will be hoping Ober can bounce back after a rough first start, which is what he did in 2024.
4 hours ago
Emilio Pagan Looks To Be Favorite For Saves In Cincinnati
Cincinnati Reds right-handed reliever Emilio Pagan could be the favorite for saves after he was seen warming up in the bullpen in the bottom of the eighth inning of Sunday's loss to the San Francisco Giants. Pagan also pitched in the first two games of the series against San Fran and recorded the save on Saturday. Manager Terry Francona refused to name a set closer to enter the year with Alexis Diaz (hamstring) on the injured list, but after the first series of the season, it looks pretty clear that Pagan is Francona's top option for the ninth. Diaz has no timeline for a return and won't necessarily be handed closing duties when he's back, considering his rough showing in spring training. In addition to Pagan, Tony Santillan might be next in line for fantasy managers scrounging for save opps. He pitched scoreless innings in the seventh and eighth with the Reds up by a run on both Thursday and Saturday.
4 hours ago
Gleyber Torres Placed On 10-Day Injured List With Oblique Strain
The Detroit Tigers announced on Monday that they placed infielder Gleyber Torres (oblique) on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to March 29) with a left-oblique strain and recalled infielder/outfielder Justyn-Henry Malloy from Triple-A Toledo in a corresponding move. Torres suffered what the team was calling a rib injury on Friday in the loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers, and he sat out of Saturday's series finale at Dodger Stadium as a result. It's a tough break for the 28-year-old Venezuelan to start his first year in Detroit, but the injury wasn't believed to be very severe, so hopefully he'll be able to come off the IL when eligible. With Torres sidelined on Saturday, Colt Keith moved to the keystone and Spencer Torkelson manned first base. That should be the setup moving forward with Torres on the shelf. Malloy will provide depth for a beat-up Tigers outfield.
4 hours ago
Eury Perez To Face Live Hitters On Tuesday
Miami Marlins right-hander Eury Perez (elbow) will throw against live hitters on Tuesday, according to Fish On First's Kevin Barral. Perez had previously been limited to throwing bullpen sessions as he continues his recovery from Tommy John surgery in April of 2024. The 21-year-old is making a big step as he advances to throwing to live hitters, but he still has a ways to go before making his 2025 debut and isn't expected to return to Miami's starting rotation until around the All-Star break in mid-July. The Marlins will continue to take it slow in his recovery from elbow reconstruction. The Dominican hurler should have a full workload eventually down the stretch in 2025 when he returns, but fantasy managers still may want to temper their expectations despite the fact that Perez showed ace potential in 2023. His upside makes him worth stashing in deep-mixed and NL-only leagues, though.
4 hours ago
Jesse Chavez Called Up, Hector Neris Cut
The Atlanta Braves announced on Monday that they selected the contract of right-handed reliever Jesse Chavez from Triple-A Gwinnett to the major-league roster and designated right-handed reliever Hector Neris for assignment in a corresponding move. The 41-year-old Chavez will give the Braves a new bullpen arm after Neris had a disastrous two relief outings in San Diego over the weekend by allowing five earned runs on five hits (one homer) while walking one and striking out one in just one inning of work. This will be Chavez's fourth different stint with the organization. In 46 appearances out of the Braves' bullpen last year, Chavez was solid with a 3.13 ERA (4.43 FIP) and 1.25 WHIP with 55 strikeouts and 19 walks in 63 1/3 innings pitched. In a likely middle-relief role, Chavez will have very little fantasy appeal.
4 hours ago
Sean Murphy Starting Rehab Assignment On Tuesday
Atlanta Braves catcher Sean Murphy (rib) will begin a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday, per The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Justin Toscano. A rib injury suffered in spring training landed Murphy on the IL to begin the 2025 regular season, but barring a setback once he returns to game action this week on the farm, there's a chance that he could come off the IL when eligible this Friday, April 4. When Murphy does make it back to Atlanta, he could be eased into the starting catching duties, but when healthy, he's the team's unquestioned No. 1 backstop. Catching prospect Drake Baldwin has been serving as the Braves' primary catcher to open the year, with Chadwick Tromp backing him up. In his first three MLB games, Baldwin is just 1-for-11 at the plate with a walk and three strikeouts.
4 hours ago
Kris Bubic
• SP
•
Royals
