Cody Bellinger Struggling In Spring Training

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Cody Bellinger struck out four times in a Cactus League game on Saturday and has 14 strikeouts in 19 spring at-bats so far. "Tonight was the first time I felt like things sped up on him. We just got to go back to work and keep grinding," manager Dave Roberts said. […]

Mets Have Checked In On Tony Watson

The New York Mets are among many teams to check in on free-agent relief pitcher Tony Watson, who is one of the better left-handed relievers in the last decade. The 36-year-old has a career 2.90 ERA and could help many teams if he decides to continue his career. The Mets current top southpaws in the […]

Yankees Haven't Made A Run At Brett Gardner

The New York Yankees have yet to make their late annual run at free-agent outfielder Brett Gardner. He filled in nicely last year, but at this point, the Yankees must feel fine with their outfield picture heading into the 2022 season. The Toronto Blue Jays have shown interest in the veteran outfielder, but it's unclear […]

Teoscar Hernandez Homers Saturday

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Teoscar Hernandez (wrist) hit a home run in his first plate appearance on Saturday in a minor league game. Manager Charlie Montoyo expects Hernandez to return to the team's Grapefruit League lineup on Sunday against the Philadelphia Phillies. The 29-year-old has been dealing with a sprained wrist, but he seems to […]

Trevor Story Expected To Return Monday

The Boston Red Sox expect second baseman Trevor Story to be back in camp on Monday after leaving the team recently to be with his wife, who was giving birth to the couple's child. With a shortened spring training, manager Alex Cora expects to give Story some early season off days once the season begins. […]

Updated Fantasy Baseball Shortstop Rankings - 5x5 Mixed Roto Leagues

With Spring Training upon us, and the fantasy baseball draft season in full swing, it's time to look at the shortstop position and see who may or may not be fantasy-relevant and worthy of a draft pick this season. RotoBaller's lead MLB rankers - JB Branson, Pierre Camus, Ariel Cohen, Nicklaus Gaut, and Nick Mariano […]

Updated Fantasy Baseball Draft Rankings for Roto Leagues - Ronald Acuna, Randal Grichuk, Luis Castillo, Dylan Floro, Shane Baz and More

Welcome back RotoBallers! Spring Training is upon us, and fantasy baseball drafts are about to get busy. Below are our updated 2022 fantasy baseball draft rankings and tiers for roto leagues. We will be updating these rankings constantly, and releasing updates every few days along with relevant injury updates to be aware of. Five of […]

Late-Round Starting Pitchers - Fantasy Baseball Draft Values and Targets

Welcome officially to the 2022 fantasy baseball season! Now that an MLB deal is in place, a lot more fantasy drafts will be taking place -- and we're here as always to guide you through it. Once you reach the late rounds of drafts, everyone is looking to draft players with upside that can provide […]

Daily MLB Injury Roundup for March 27th, 2022

RotoBaller has assembled a list of daily MLB injury updates to help you prepare both your seasonal and daily fantasy baseball (DFS) lineups, every day of the MLB season. Below is our updated list of injured MLB players for March 27th, 2022. Only players on teams that are scheduled to play today will appear below […]

Jon Anderson's 2022 Fantasy Baseball Draft Guide

Baseball is happening in 2022, and it is happening in full force. With the excellent news of the lockout ending, we are ready to dive full steam ahead into the fantasy baseball draft season! I have had my head deep in baseball data since before Christmas, so I wanted to come out with a miniature […]

Jesse Winker Takes Reps At First Base

Seattle Mariners outfielder Jesse Winker wore a first baseman's glove and fielded grounders from infield coach Perry Hill on Sunday, according to Ryan Divish. Acquired from the Reds earlier this month, Winker has never played the infield before, let alone first base. However, it appears the Mariners are exploring their options at the position now […]

Zac Gallen Unlikely To Be Ready For Opening Day

Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Zac Gallen (shoulder) is "unlikely to be ready to take the ball in the second game of the season," writes Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic. Hindered by a shoulder injury, Gallen threw a two-inning simulated game on Friday and should take the mound in a spring training contest soon. However, Arizona […]

Nick Castellanos Will Make Phillies Debut On Sunday

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Nick Castellanos, who signed a five-year deal last week, will make his team debut against the Blue Jays on Sunday afternoon. He's expected to start in left field. The 30-year-old demonstrated an impressive All-Star season in 2021, slashing .309/.362/.576 through 138 games with the Phillies. He added 34 homers and 100 RBI […]

Blake Treinen Not A Lock For Closer Role

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts wouldn't commit to using Blake Treinen as the team's closer this season, according to Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register. Asked about the team's plans for a closer in the post-Kenley Jansen era, Roberts said, "I think the easy answer is Blake [Treinen]. But I don't know if […]

Zack Wheeler Throws Simulated Inning

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler (flu, shoulder) threw a simulated inning against multiple batters, including Bryce Harper, on Saturday. He battled shoulder soreness for most of the offseason and came down with the flu last week, but this latest development is another very positive step in the right direction. The right-hander was stellar last season, […]

Manny Machado Dealing With Back Tightness

San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado was scratched from Saturday's Spring Training lineup due to back tightness, the team announced. Although no additional updates were provided, it's very possible that Machado's removal from the lineup was merely a precaution. Last season, he slashed .278/.347/.489 with 28 homers, 106 RBI, 63 walks, 102 strikeouts, and […]

Tyler Rogers Exits Following Comebacker

San Francisco Giants reliever Tyler Rogers exited Saturday's Spring Training game after taking a comebacker off his lower right leg. He exited the game without throwing another pitch, but the fact that he was able to walk on his own suggests that his removal could have been merely precautionary. Indeed, the Giants can't afford to […]

Luke Maile Sidelined With Left Hamstring Strain

Cleveland Guardians catcher Luke Maile has been diagnosed with a left hamstring strain and will miss three to four weeks of game action, according to Mandy Bell of MLB.com. The veteran backstop joined the team with a chance to compete for a roster spot, but this injury represents a major obstacle. Now, the 31-year-old will […]

James Karinchak Shut Down From Throwing

Cleveland Guardians relief pitcher James Karinchak has been shut down from throwing for the next seven to 10 days, according to Mandy Bell of MLB.com. Following an MRI, the right-hander was diagnosed with a mild strain of his teres major muscle. As such, Opening Day could be in jeopardy for Karinchak, who ranks 48th among […]

Diamondbacks, Ketel Marte Discussing Extension

The Arizona Diamondbacks and outfielder Ketel Marte have been engaged in extension talks, according to FanSided's Robert Murray. He has one year (plus two club options) remaining on his contract, but it appears there is mutual interest towards striking a long-term deal. It's an important development out of Arizona considering Marte's name has been floated […]

Shohei Ohtani Scheduled To Pitch Thursday

Los Angeles Angels two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani will take the mound on Thursday for his second start of Spring Training. Originally scheduled to pitch on Saturday, Ohtani was ultimately shifted to the role of designated hitter. Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register notes that the 27-year-old "preferred" to delay his start until Thursday, adding […]

Kody Clemens Optioned To Triple-A

The Detroit Tigers optioned infielder Kody Clemens to Triple-A on Saturday. Clemens has yet to make his Major League debut but hit .247 with a .312 on-base percentage in 414 plate appearances for Triple-A Toledo last season. Primarily a second baseman, the 25-year-old also made starts at first base and in right field last season. […]

Tigers Option Zack Short To Triple-A

The Detroit Tigers optioned shortstop Zack Short to Triple-A Toledo on Saturday. Detroit looks set around the infield with Jeimer Candelario at third base, Javier Baez at shortstop, Jonathan Schoop at second base, and Spencer Torkelson the favorite to get the lion's share of the plate appearances at first base, but Short had a shot […]

Monte Harrison Released By Marlins

The Miami Marlins have released outfielder Monte Harrison, according to MLB.com's Christina De Nicola. The outfielder was previously designated for assignment. Harrison appeared in 11 games for the Marlins last season, collecting a pair of hits in 11 plate appearances. The 26-year-old also logged 308 plate appearances with the franchise's Triple-A affiliate in 2021, hitting […]

Andrelton Simmons Dealing With Shoulder Soreness

Chicago Cubs shortstop Andrelton Simmons (shoulder) is "dealing with right shoulder soreness," according to The Chicago Tribune's Meghan Montemurro. Also per Montemurro, the shortstop's "progress has been slowed since he reported to camp." Simmons joined the Cubs as a free agent after spending last season with the Minnesota Twins. The veteran hit .223 with a […]

Evan White Diagnosed With Sports Hernia

Seattle Mariners first baseman Evan White (hernia) has been diagnosed with a sports hernia, according to Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times. Also per Divish, the first baseman wants to have surgery "as soon as possible." White hit .144 with a .202 on-base percentage and a pair of home runs in 104 games in the […]

Josh Bell (1B, WAS) - Fantasy Baseball Draft Sleepers

BALLER MOVE: Draft target ~pick 105 CURRENT ADP: ~121 overall ANALYSIS: As many as 31 players are projected by Steamer to reach more HRs than Bell next year (32+). I said players, not first basemen. First basemen: six of them, all with ridiculous strikeout projections that come out at an average of 151+ per man, a […]

Patrick Sandoval (SP, LAA) - Fantasy Baseball Draft Sleepers

BALLER MOVE: Draft target ~pick 190 CURRENT ADP: ~211 overall ANALYSIS: In 2021, Sandoval made some major adjustments to his pitch mix. He had thrown just 76 innings in the big leagues prior to last season, about half of those innings coming in 2019 with the other half coming in 2020. During those two stints, […]

Tony Gonsolin (SP, LAD) - Fantasy Baseball Draft Sleepers

BALLER MOVE: Draft target ~pick 290 CURRENT ADP: ~309 overall ANALYSIS: Heading into last season many thought Gonsolin could be a breakout candidate. However, he ended up battling a shoulder injury and when he was on the mound, was mainly used as an opener. He ended up making just 13 starts and only pitched 55 […]

Tyrone Taylor (OF, MIL) - Fantasy Baseball Draft Sleepers

BALLER MOVE: Draft target ~pick 400 CURRENT ADP: ~435 overall ANALYSIS: Taylor figures to be one of the biggest beneficiaries from the NL adding the designated hitter this season. He should be able to find his way into the starting lineup on a pretty much everyday basis. While Taylor plays a passable outfield, he is blocked by […]