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 […]

Garrett Cooper (OF, MIA) - Fantasy Baseball Draft Sleepers

BALLER MOVE: Draft target ~pick 400 CURRENT ADP: ~464 overall ANALYSIS: Cooper's 2021 season was cut short due to a sprained left elbow which required surgery. Before the injury, Cooper had hit nine home runs while hitting .284 over 71 games (250 plate appearances). Cooper also improved his walk rate to 12%, which is the […]

Jarren Duran (OF, BOS) - Fantasy Baseball Draft Sleepers

BALLER MOVE: Draft target ~pick 350 CURRENT ADP: ~386 overall ANALYSIS: Duran torched Triple-A last year and wound up getting the call to make his MLB debut in mid-July. He went on to disappoint over 33 games in the majors, slashing .215/.241/.336 with two home runs. However, fantasy managers shouldn’t be discouraged by that small […]

Nathaniel Lowe (1B, TEX) - Fantasy Baseball Draft Sleepers

BALLER MOVE: Draft target ~pick 190 CURRENT ADP: ~237 overall ANALYSIS: I promise this isn’t because Lowe went a perfect 8-for-8 on stolen-base attempts in 2021. It’s neat, but please don’t pencil those again! Anyhow, Lowe should be a beneficiary of Corey Seager and Marcus Semien hitting up top, with a chance at 100 RBI near the heart of […]

Willie Calhoun (OF, TEX) - Fantasy Baseball Draft Sleepers

BALLER MOVE: Draft target ~pick 350 CURRENT ADP: ~383 overall ANALYSIS: Those of us who believe in Calhoun feel like we’re stuck in a Samuel Beckett play, but instead of waiting for Godot, we’re waiting for Willie to finally put everything together. In defense of the Calhoun believers, the raw hit skills are just so […]

Lucas Sims (RP, CIN) - Fantasy Baseball Draft Sleepers

BALLER MOVE: Draft target ~pick 190 CURRENT ADP: ~244 overall ANALYSIS: Cincinnati doesn’t owe Sims the job, I know, but his stretch run last year should give him the upper hand. Despite logging zero saves following his August return from an elbow injury, Sims would post a 32/3 K/BB with seven earned runs in just […]

Ian Happ (OF, CHC) - Fantasy Baseball Draft Sleepers

BALLER MOVE: Draft target ~pick 170 CURRENT ADP: ~190 overall ANALYSIS: Ian Happ finally got his opportunity once the Chicago Cubs traded most of their starting lineup prior to the trade deadline. He did not disappoint down the stretch. In the month of September, Happ produced a 167 wRC+ across 121 plate appearances with eight […]

Dylan Bundy (SP, MIN) - Fantasy Baseball Draft Sleepers

BALLER MOVE: Draft target ~pick 375 CURRENT ADP: ~412 overall ANALYSIS: After Bundy was traded to the Angels, he flourished during the 2020 season. In 65.2 innings, he posted a 3.29 ERA and 2.95 FIP, posting career-bests in strikeout rate, walk rate, and home-run rate. Heading into 2021, the expectation was that he had finally […]

Frank Schwindel (1B, CHC) - Fantasy Baseball Draft Sleepers

BALLER MOVE: Draft target ~pick 190 CURRENT ADP: ~226 overall ANALYSIS: During the month of September, Schwindel produced a 160 wRC+ and a 1.2 fWAR across 134 plate appearances. The plate appearances are just as noteworthy as the production. Schwindel, 29, had seen a total of 15 career plate appearances prior to 2021. However, he […]

Jesus Aguilar (1B, MIA) - Fantasy Baseball Draft Sleepers

BALLER MOVE: Draft target ~pick 260 CURRENT ADP: ~285 overall ANALYSIS: Aguilar built off his success in the shortened season and enjoyed another strong campaign in his first full year with the Marlins. The slugger hit 23 doubles and 22 homers while posting a .788 OPS. He also recorded a .329 OBP and struck out […]

Shortstop: Fantasy Baseball Rankings and Sleepers

Anthony Aniano's 2022 fantasy baseball third base rankings and SS draft sleepers who can be sneaky later-round picks. He breaks down and compares the ADPs of six different MLB players at the shortstop position. Fantasy baseball players should consider drafting these players in the middle and later rounds of their drafts this MLB Season. Be […]

Starling Marte To Play Sunday

Updating a previous report, New York Mets outfielder Starling Marte (oblique) will play in Sunday's Grapefruit League game, according to manager Buck Showalter. Marte has been dealing with a sore left oblique since the start of camp, but he hit off a tee earlier this week and got into a minor league game on Wednesday. […]

Jesus Sanchez (OF, MIA) - Fantasy Baseball Draft Sleepers

BALLER MOVE: Draft target ~pick 205 CURRENT ADP: ~225 overall ANALYSIS: The Marlins' young slugger was absolutely tearing up Triple-A pitching when he received his second call-up to the big league level. Sanchez continued his success putting together a strong performance in the second half of the season. Over 40 games following the break, he hit […]

Tommy La Stella Continues To Make Progress

San Francisco Giants infielder Tommy La Stella (Achilles) is running the bases and taking part in full baseball workouts at camp. He will be re-evaluated next week for spring training game activity. La Stella underwent surgery on his Achilles last October, and he still has a chance to be ready for Opening Day if he […]