Taijuan Walker Opening On Injured List
Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Taijuan Walker (shoulder) is opening the season on the 15-day injured list with an impingement in his right shoulder. Walker doesn't need an injection or an MRI exam, though, and is hoping he doesn't have to miss much time. The 31-year-old felt discomfort while throwing a bullpen session last weekend and has... Read More
James McArthur (KC, RP) - Closers and Saves Waiver Wire Adds
BALLER MOVE: Add in 15+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 14% of Leagues ANALYSIS: McArthur boasts more upside than William Smith, that’s for sure. He finally broke into the majors as a 26-year-old and posted a robust 2.78 FIP/2.80 xFIP/2.65 SIERA sabermetric profile underneath the 4.63 ERA. James McArthur is making a strong case to close games... Read More
Max Scherzer Throws Bullpen Session
Texas Rangers right-hander Max Scherzer (back) threw a bullpen session on Tuesday. He said his arm is feeling good and described this period as "early February" for him if he didn't have the rehab for his back injury. Scherzer said there are still hurdles to jump through, but he said he respects the process of... Read More
Brusdar Graterol, Blake Treinen "A Ways Away" From Returning
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that relief pitchers Brusdar Graterol (shoulder) and Blake Treinen (lung) are "a ways away" from returning from the injured list. Both players are playing catch but have yet to start throwing bullpen sessions. Graterol is dealing with right-shoulder inflammation, while Treinen suffered a bruised lung when he was... Read More
Clayton Kershaw "Ahead Of Things" Timetable-Wise
Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw (shoulder) said he is feeling good about his recovery and is out to 120 feet in long toss. Manager Dave Roberts thinks that Kershaw is also "ahead of things" timetable-wise. His next step will be throwing bullpen sessions, but it's to be determined when that will take place. The... Read More
Walker Buehler Ahead Of Schedule
Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Walker Buehler (elbow) is "coming sooner than I think we anticipated," according to manager Dave Roberts. Buehler will either head to Triple-A Oklahoma City or Arizona next to continue building his arm up. The 29-year-old threw four simulated innings before the team's exhibition game on Monday against the Los Angeles Angels... Read More
Corey Seager Active On Opening Day
Texas Rangers shortstop Corey Seager (hernia) is starting at shortstop and batting second on Opening Day on Thursday versus left-hander Justin Steele and the visiting Chicago Cubs. It was uncertain earlier this spring if the two-time World Series MVP would be ready for Opening Day, but those concerns were mostly put to rest when he... Read More
Nick Senzel Scratched On Opening Day
Washington Nationals third baseman Nick Senzel (finger) was a late scratch on Opening Day on Thursday against his former team, the Cincinnati Reds, on the road after he injured a finger while taking grounders during batting practice. With Senzel out, Ildemaro Vargas will now make the start at the hot corner while batting eighth against... Read More
Oneil Cruz Batting Sixth On Opening Day
Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Oneil Cruz is hitting sixth on Opening Day on Thursday against the Miami Marlins and left-hander Jesus Luzardo. Cruz is probably going to hit leadoff for the Bucs against right-handed pitchers, but he's going to start in the six-hole on Opening Day against a southpaw. It's not what fantasy managers really want... Read More
Victor Scott II Batting Eighth In Opening Day Lineup
St. Louis Cardinals center fielder Victor Scott II is slotted to bat eighth on Opening Day on Thursday on the road as he faces up against Tyler Glasnow and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Scott was named to the major-league roster earlier this week as a result of Dylan Carlson (shoulder) being placed on the injured... Read More
Alex Bregman Batting Cleanup Against The New York Yankees
Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman will be batting cleanup on Opening Day as he faces southpaw Nestor Cortes and the New York Yankees. Bregman was a popular target in drafts this offseason with an ADP of 59.0. The 29-year-old has been a staple in the Houston lineup for several seasons and should once again... Read More
Trevor Megill - Closers and Saves Waiver Wire Adds
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 6% of Leagues ANALYSIS: It’s astounding that Trevor Megill's rostered rate can sit so far below that of Joel Payamps and Abner Uribe. He was a dog in the second half, posting an electrifying 32:5 K:BB in just 20 IP after the break. Sounds like the... Read More
Maikel Garcia Leading Off For Kansas City
Kansas City Royals third baseman Maikel Garcia is slotted in the lead-off spot as he faces the Minnesota Twins and Pablo Lopez on Opening Day. This is a promising sign for the young 24-year-old as he will have plenty of opportunities to score as Bobby Witt Jr., Vinnie Pasquantino, and Salvador Perez are batting behind... Read More
Michael Kopech - Closers and Saves Waiver Wire Adds
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 13% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Michael Kopech is throwing triple-digit heat after being transitioned to the bullpen. Don’t go thinking he’ll be THE guy because Pedro Grifol has made it clear that he’ll throw these relievers wherever he wants. But building up Kopech’s trade value with some... Read More
Kevin Ginkel - Closers and Saves Waiver Wire Adds
BALLER MOVE: Add in 10+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 17% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Monday evening saw the Arizona Diamondbacks announce Paul Sewald had a Grade 2 left oblique strain and would open 2024 on the IL. We likely won’t see him until May, which should elevate the entire bullpen leverage ladder up a notch. Diamondbacks’... Read More
Mike Ford Signs Deal With Reds
First baseman Mike Ford officially signed a deal with the Cincinnati Reds after agreeing to a minor-league deal earlier this offseason. Ford is slotted to be in a bench role while Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Jeimer Candelario hold down first and third base, respectively. The veteran could slot into the lineup to provide injury relief throughout... Read More
Edouard Julien Riding Pine On Opening Day
Minnesota Twins second baseman Edouard Julien will have to wait to make his 2024 debut as Kyle Farmer will man second base. The left-handed bat looks to be on the strong side of a platoon role for now as the Twins are facing southpaw Cole Ragans today. However, with the talent that Julien flashed last... Read More
Bryan Reynolds In Opening Day Lineup
Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds (back) was dealing with back discomfort earlier in the week but is confirmed to be starting in the Opening Day lineup on Thursday against the Miami Marlins and left-hander Jesus Luzardo, batting in the two-hole. The switch-hitter was held out of the final three games of spring training. Reynolds will... Read More
Connor Joe Leading Off For The Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Connor Joe will man right field and will be leading off for the Pirates Opening Day game on Thursday against the Miami Marlins. Joe will get the call as the Pirates face southpaw Jesus Luzardo. If the 31-year-old can get off to a hot start, he could be the everyday leadoff man... Read More
Kyle Farmer Starting At Second On Opening Day
Minnesota Twins infielder Kyle Farmer, not Edouard Julien, is starting at second base and batting seventh on Opening Day on Thursday with the team facing left-hander Cole Ragans and the Kansas City Royals. In addition to Julien starting on the bench, which was common last year against lefties, too, Alex Kirilloff and Matt Waller will... Read More
Louie Varland (MIN, SP/RP) - Fantasy Baseball Pitcher Waiver Wire Adds for Week 1
BALLER MOVE: Add in 10+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 38% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Minnesota’s No. 5 spot is now Varland’s with Anthony DeSclafani’s injury. Disco never should’ve been ahead of him anyway. Louie Varland is ready to take the final spot in the #MNTwins starting rotation. 🔥⚾️ pic.twitter.com/8XKZVLUtxE — SKOR North - Minnesota Sports (@SKORNorth) March... Read More
Luis Severino (NYM, SP) - Fantasy Baseball Pitcher Waiver Wire Adds for Week 1
BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues ROSTERED IN: 43% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Severino only mustered 90 messy innings last year, posting a 6.65 ERA (6.14 FIP) and 1.65 WHIP with a career-worst 18.9% strikeout rate and 10.8% K-BB mark. The latter hadn’t been below 20% since 2016, for reference. Luis Severino, 98mph 🔥 pic.twitter.com/9ALBR58qV0 —... Read More
Gavin Stone (LAD, SP) - Fantasy Baseball Pitcher Waiver Wire Adds for Week 1
BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues ROSTERED IN: 43% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Due to injuries, Stone will open in the Dodgers’ valuable rotation after showing massive control improvements this spring. Gavin Stone is pleased with his spring performance.https://t.co/p9fmQ2OuDE pic.twitter.com/xIICS8ifFd — Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) March 26, 2024 His walk rate has sat around 10% since advancing... Read More
Jordan Romano Not Expected To Be Out Long
The Toronto Blue Jays don't expect to be without closer Jordan Romano (elbow) for an extended period as he recovers from right-elbow inflammation that sidelined him for the final couple weeks of spring training. Once he's cleared to start throwing off a mound, Romano is expected to make a quick transition back to the majors... Read More
Yankees Put Gerrit Cole On 60-Day Injured List
The New York Yankees officially placed right-hander Gerrit Cole (elbow) on the 60-day injured list on Thursday with right-elbow inflammation. Cole has avoided structural damage in his right elbow, but he's still expected to miss at least one to two months. It remains to be seen if last year's American League Cy Young winner will... Read More
Elly De La Cruz Batting In Six-Hole On Opening Day
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz will hit sixth on Thursday on Opening Day versus the Washington Nationals and right-hander Josiah Gray. Cruz had been hitting mostly second for the Reds in spring training action, but outfielder Will Benson will be slotted there for the first regular season game in 2024. It's not exactly... Read More
Giants Option Marco Luciano, Blake Sabol
The San Francisco Giants optioned shortstop Marco Luciano and catcher Blake Sabol to Triple-A Sacramento on Thursday. Many folks expected Luciano to open the year as San Fran's starting shortstop, but instead he'll open the year in the minors after missing some time with an injury in spring training. Veteran Nick Ahmed will open the... Read More
Anthony DeSclafani Goes On 60-Day Injured List
The Minnesota Twins placed right-handers Anthony DeSclafani (elbow) and Josh Winder (shoulder) on the 60-day injured list on Thursday. The Twins also put right-handers Jhoan Duran (oblique), Josh Staumont (calf), Justin Topa (knee) and Zack Weiss (shoulder) and left-hander Caleb Thielbar (hamstring) on the 15-day IL to open the year. DeSclafani is dealing with a... Read More
Anthony Rendon Hitting Leadoff On Opening Day
Los Angeles Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon is hitting leadoff for the Angels on Opening Day on Thursday against the Baltimore Orioles and right-hander Corbin Burnes. Manager Ron Washington experimented with using Rendon in the top spot in the batting order in spring training, and now he'll be there for the first game that counts... Read More