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Fantasy Baseball Spring Training News and Notes for 3/4/16
The Depth of the Dodgers Rotation Already Being Tested
Starter Brett Anderson continues to be well-deserving of the injury-prone label as the Dodgers announced yesterday that he would undergo surgery immediately to remedy a bulging disk in his back. This is the same type of injury that derailed his 2014 season, limiting him to only 43.1 innings that year. Anderson has gone from a decent mid-rotation piece this year to a player not even worth DL-stashing this early in the season. As his arms continue to be healthy, Anderson should stay effective upon return, as he normally does post-injury. With a return not likely before August, fantasy owners can safely ignore him until word of an impending rehab assignment hits.
But who will take Anderson's place as the team's fifth starter on Opening Day? It certainly will not be Hyun-Jin Ryu or Brandon McCarthy. The Dodgers are taking a cautious approach with Ryu as he works his way back from surgery to repair a tore labrum in his left shoulder. He is being given extra rest after recently feeling discomfort in his repaired shoulder, putting Ryu two weeks behind the other pitchers in camp and setting him up for a May return.
McCarthy meanwhile is continuing his recovery from Tommy John surgery, and while remaining on target, that target is not before July.
This makes the leading candidate out of a deep pool of choices is likely the best one for 2016, Alex Wood. Though he mostly struggled as a member of the Dodgers after coming over in a mid-season trade, the team is hopeful Wood can round out their rotation. Despite seeing his ERA raise over a full run to 3.84 and his K/9 drop over two full points to a tame 6.60 between 2014 and '15, Wood did see his groundball rate reach a career high of 49.5% in 2015, is fully recovered from a bone bruise suffered on his plant foot midway through 2015 and gets to enjoy the benefits of a full season with Los Angeles. If he can take advantage of those points, Wood will provide plenty of value for a miniature investment.
Carter Capps to Visit Dr. James Andrews Monday
After it was reported on Tuesday that reliever Carter Capps would receive an MRI after experiencing elbow soreness, we have an update from Capps himself on the situation. He is headed on Monday to see Dr. James Andrews. For pitchers, this is the kiss of death: if you come back from a visit with Andrews without needing major surgery, it is a gosh darn miracle.
This seems to all but hand A.J. Ramos the closer role for the second consecutive season, as the two of them were competing for that role in camp. Ramos proved last year that he was more than capable of putting up fantasy relevant numbers when he saved 32 games, struck out 87 and had a 2.30 ERA in 70.1 innings. If Capps were to miss significant time, Kyle Barraclough (pronounced "bear-claw", which is awesome in itself) and Brian Ellington are two pitchers would could help fill that role and provide fantasy owners with solid relief options.
Jarrod Dyson's Injury Opens Up Competition for Royals' Right Field Job
After leaving Wednesday's game with an oblique injury, Jarrod Dyson and the Royals have announced he will miss six weeks. As he was slated to be the club's Opening Day right fielder, the job now goes to the field, headlined by Travis Snider and Paulo Orlando. For a club expecting to contend, neither of those options are likely to inspire confidence.
Orlando has the higher chance of sticking of the two. His minor league track record show him as a player who could hit over .300 and steal 25 bases consistently. But as a 30 year old sophomore, he'll have to immediately improve upon last year's .249 average and three steals in 251 at-bats if he wants to stick on MLB and fantasy rosters alike. Snider likely blew his last chance at a starting gig after a disappointing time with Pittsburgh last season, but his power and previous life as a top prospect will get him some looks.
If either of these players win a starting job to open the season, they are worth the smallest of fliers in the deepest of leagues. But with Dyson looking at a May return and the Royals unlikely to sign anyone new, whoever does win isn't long for fantasy relevance regardless.
Padres Sign Reliever Matt Thornton to Minor League Deal
The Padres announced yesterday that they have signed veteran reliever Matt Thornton to a one-year minor league deal. Though he has only pitched 77 1/3 innings over the past two seasons (due to an injury-shorten 2014), Thornton's 1.98 ERA over those seasons show he still has gas left in the tank. That, along with a career littered with success, make him a shoe-in to make the club out of Spring Training. Though Thornton no longer strikes out a batter per inning, his ability to get outs and put up a solid ERA and WHIP will keep him as a fantasy relevant reliever for another season.
