Jordan Hicks Impresses in His Major League Debut

St. Louis Cardinals rookie relief pitcher Jordan Hicks made his major league debut on Opening Day and was impressive, pitching a scoreless inning while allowing one hit and striking out one. Hicks reached 102 mph with his fastball and showed a good slider as well. With Greg Holland signed, the small chance Hicks had of […]

Clayton Richard Kicks Off 2018 with Quality Start on Opening Day for Padres

Making the start on Opening Day for the first time of his career, San Diego Padres starting pitcher Clayton Richard stifled the Milwaukee Brewers revamped offense, allowing one run on six hits and one walk over seven innings of work. Richard was pinch hit for by outfielder Hunter Renfroe in the bottom of the seventh, who […]

Yadier Molina Smashes an Opening Day Home Run

St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina hit a home run on Opening Day, finishing the game 1-for-3 with a walk, a run scored, and two RBI. Molina opened up the season batting sixth in a Cardinals lineup that should score plenty of runs this season. He's a well-rounded fantasy asset who should provide consistent production […]

Jose Martinez Gets 2018 Off to a Strong Start

St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Jose Martinez got off to a great start on Opening Day, going 3-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBI. Martinez smashed a home run in the sixth inning and had a pair of singles to go with it. Most importantly, Matt Carpenter started at third base, giving Martinez a […]

Brian Anderson Drives In Two Against Cubs On Thursday

Miami Marlins third baseman Brian Anderson got off to a hot start to the 2018 season by getting two base knocks and driving in two runs against the Chicago Cubs on Thursday. Anderson began the season in place of the injured Martin Prado, and he didn't disappoint. Anderson finished the day 2-for-3 and even scored […]

Lewis Brinson Goes Hitless On Opening Day

Miami Marlins outfielder Lewis Brinson went hitless against the Cubs on Opening Day. Brinson, who was ranked as Miami's No. 1 prospect before the season started, went 0-for-5 and left two men on base from the leadoff spot. The former Milwaukee Brewer prospect saw limited big-league action last year, compiling a measly .106 average with […]

Dan Jennings Signs With Brewers

Free-agent left-handed relief pitcher Dan Jennings has signed with the Milwaukee Brewers and is pending a physical after being released by the Rays. Jennings is most likely being brought in as a result of lefty Boone Logan being placed on the disabled list and will serve as a middle reliever for the Brewers for the time […]

Jose Urena Disappoints In Opening Day Start

Miami Marlins starter Jose Urena was disappointing in his first start of the season on Thursday. Urena began the new season by surrendering a first-pitch homer to Chicago's J.A. Happ before loading the bases and walking in another run in the inning. Urena settled in after allowing three runs in the first inning, but ultimately […]

Hunter Strickland Named Giants Closer

Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports that San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Hunter Strickland will be the team’s closer. Mark Melancon (elbow) was placed on the 10-day disabled list earlier in the day with a flexor strain in his right elbow. Strickland allowed zero runs this spring and should be added in all leagues. He'll have […]

Amed Rosario Comes Up Big On Opening Day

New York Mets shortstop Amed Rosario, a former top prospect, has something to prove in 2018 after a somewhat lackluster MLB debut last summer. With one game in the books, Rosario showed why scouts thought so highly of him. He finished 2-for-4 with two RBI in the Amazins 9-4 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals, coming […]

Noah Syndergaard Strikes Out 10

New York Mets starting pitcher Noah Syndergaard had himself quite the 2018 debut against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday. Thor began the campaign by throwing 85 pitches across six innings, allowing four earned runs on six hits while striking out 10 without any walks en route to a 9-4 win (but not a quality […]

Kyle Schwarber Hits Home Run Thursday

Chicago Cubs outfielder Kyle Schwarber went 1-for-3 with a home run on Thursday. Schwarber has high expectations this season after transforming his body, and after a nice spring it’s nice to see him start 2018 on the right note. Schwarber will certainty offer fantasys owners power, but he is a candidate to be pulled late […]

Anthony Rizzo Hits Home Run Thursday

Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo hit a home run in the top of the third inning on Thursday. Rizzo finished the game 1-for-4 with two runs scored. He remains one of the more consistent fantasy players for this season.

Ian Happ Starts 2018 With A Home Run

On the first pitch of the Major League season, Chicago Cubs outfielder Ian Happ hit a home run off of Marlins starter Jose Urena. Happ was a monster this spring and so far he hasn’t slowed down. He finished the game 1-for-5 and did strike out three times, but the power is real and Happ […]

Jon Lester Struggles On Opening Day

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jon Lester had an Opening Day to forget on Thursday. Lester only lasted 3 1/3 innings and allowed four runs (three earned) while walked three batters and striking two. Lester had a rough 2017 season but had a nice spring and is looking to recover in 2018. He'll square off versus […]

Sam Dyson And Hunter Strickland Could Get Save Opportunities

With San Francisco Giants closer Mark Melancon (elbow) placed on the 10-day disabled list, Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle reports that relief pitchers Sam Dyson and Hunter Strickland are most likely to replace Melancon. Dyson filled in for Melancon last year, while Strickland excelled this spring and gave up zero runs. Free-agent signee […]

Cody Reed Will Serve As Fifth Starter

The Cincinnati Reds will use left-hander Cody Reed as their fifth starter for the time being. Reed was originally assigned to Triple-A but will return to the majors to help solidify the team's starting rotation. Cincinnati originally planned to go without a fifth starter but will need one due to the rainout on Opening Day. […]

Carlos Martinez Struggles on Opening Day

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Carlos Martinez struggled in his Opening Day start on Thursday, lasting just 4 1/3 innings while allowing five runs (four earned) on four hits and six walks. He struck out five and hit a batter. Martinez needed 90 pitches to get his 13 outs, only throwing 54 of them for […]

Danny Salazar Officially Heads to the Disabled List

Cleveland Indians right-handed pitcher Danny Salazar (shoulder) was officially placed on the disabled list with a rotator cuff injury. Salazar missed spring training and just started throwing off a mound a few days ago. He'll probably miss at least April, but could be back in May if things go well. His role once he returns is […]

Mike Trout to Bat Second

Los Angeles Angels superstar Mike Trout is slated to hit second this year. It looks like second baseman Ian Kinsler will be the regular leadoff hitter, although third baseman Zack Cozart will man the one-hole on Opening Day with Kinsler out. Kinsler and outfielder Justin Upton will provide very sound protection for Trout, who is in line […]

Michael Brantley Officially Placed on the Disabled List

Cleveland Indians outfielder Michael Brantley was officially placed on the 10-day disabled list with a right ankle injury. Brantley is well on his way back from an offseason surgery performed to strengthen the ligaments around his ankle. He made his first Cactus League appearance last week, but the team did not want to push him […]

Ian Kinsler Expected to Play Friday

Los Angeles Angels manager Mike Scioscia confirmed that second baseman Ian Kinsler (groin) should only miss Opening Day and is planning to be in the lineup Friday. It was thought all along that this was a very minor injury for Kinsler, and that appears to be the case. In his absence, Zack Cozart is leading off […]

Abraham Almonte Designated for Assignment

Cleveland Indians outfielder Abraham Almonte was designated for assignment on Thursday. He only managed a .174/.269/.304 slash line in 14 Cactus League games. He's a versatile defender with experience, so he'll likely draw some interest on waivers from other teams. If he goes unclaimed, he'll likely report to Triple-A Columbus and serve as outfield depth […]

Cleveland Reassigns Mike Napoli to Minor League Camp

The Cleveland Indians reassigned first baseman Mike Napoli to minor league camp. Napoli was released by Cleveland but quickly re-signed once he accepted the fact that he would need to start the season at Triple-A Columbus. He'll serve as depth and should be up on the Cleveland roster sooner or later. It looks like Napoli's […]

Michael Conforto Could Return By April 5

The New York Mets had long been communicating a May 1 target return date for outfielder Michael Conforto (shoulder), but as spring progressed it became clear he would be ready long before that. On Thursday, general manager Sandy Alderson told the media that Conforto could be ready to return as early as April 5. That’s obviously […]

Ken Giles Ready To Bounce Back From Poor Postseason

Houston Astros closer Ken Giles has enjoyed a strong spring training and hopes his poor postseason will be a thing of the past heading into the season. Giles had a fantastic regular season, posting a 2.30 ERA with 34 saves, and 83 strikeouts in 62 2/3 innings. Giles was as locked down as it gets […]

Odubel Herrera The Odd Man Out On Opening Day

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Odubel Herrera is not in the starting lineup on Opening Day on Thursday. Manager Gabe Kapler said he considered the matchups, starter Aaron Nola as a ground-ball pitcher and the upcoming matchups in his decision not to start Herrera. Aaron Altherr gets the nod instead in center field for the opener, and […]

Huston Street Retiring

Former Los Angeles Angels closer Huston Street, after not finding a job this offseason, appears to have called it a career. Street was hampered by injuries the last two seasons, only throwing 26 1/3 innings combined. The 2005 American League Rookie of the Year finishes his career with 324 saves and a 2.95 ERA. He […]

Joey Lucchesi to Start Friday in Place of Injured Dinelson Lamet

With San Diego Padres starter Dinelson Lamet starting the year on the disabled list, lefty Joey Lucchesi will start for San Diego on Friday against the Milwaukee Brewers, according to MLB.com beat writer AJ Cassavell. Lucchesi was 1-0 with a 1.54 ERA and 0.85 WHIP over 11 2/3 innings this spring before he was reassigned […]

Phillies Won’t Name Closer

When asked about the Philadelphia Phillies options in the ninth inning when the team is in the lead, Phillies manager Gabe Kapler said, “We’re going to go with our dudes.” It doesn’t sound like the Phillies will announce a closer, but relievers Hector Neris, Pat Neshek and Luis Garcia would appear to be the likely candidates […]