Taylor Ward Back In Thursday's Spring Lineup

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Taylor Ward (knee) is back in Thursday's Cactus League lineup against the division-rival Seattle Mariners and is serving as the designated hitter and batting leadoff. Ward developed some knee soreness in camp earlier in the week but will be returning to the lineup for the first time since Monday after several […]

Guardians Re-Sign Tyler Naquin As A Pitcher

The Cleveland Guardians re-signed Tyler Naquin to a minor-league deal on Thursday as a pitcher, according to MLB.com's Zack Meisel. The 33-year-old was originally drafted by Cleveland as an outfielder with the 15th overall pick in 2012 out of Texas A&M University, and he played in the big leagues with the organization from 2016-2020 before […]

Jack Leiter Showing Increased Velocity

Texas Rangers right-hander Jack Leiter, the second overall pick in 2021, had an extra two mph on his four-seam fastball when he arrived to spring training this year, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan. Leiter sat at 98 mph and touched 100 mph in his first Cactus League outing. The former Vanderbilt star's fastball was demolished […]

Sean Burke Expected To Be Part Of Rotation?

ESPN's Jeff Passan writes that the Chicago White Sox, who set an MLB record for most losses in a single season in 2024, ended last season believing that pitching prospect Sean Burke would be part of their starting rotation in 2025. The 25-year-old right-hander, who stands at 6-foot-6 and 230 pounds has also looked good […]

Junior Caminero Probably "Day-To-Day"

Updating a previous report, Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash said third baseman Junior Caminero (back) had "just a little tight back" and is "probably very day-to-day" after he was pulled early from Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Philadelphia Phillies. Cash also added that the team doesn't expect Caminero "to miss too much time." […]

Justin Steele Scratched With Illness

Chicago Cubs left-hander Justin Steele (illness) was scratched from his scheduled Cactus League start on Thursday against the Kansas City Royals due to flu-like symptoms. Right-hander Ben Brown, who is competing for a spot in the Opening Day starting rotation, will replace Steele. It's not a big deal for Steele, and he should be ready […]

Jac Caglianone Could Play Outfield To Accelerate His MLB Debut

ESPN's Jeff Passan writes that Kansas City Royals first base prospect Jac Caglianone will get repetitions in the outfield this year and could find himself playing corner-outfield spot to accelerate the timeline for his major-league debut to potentially this summer. As things currently stand, the Royals have a logjam at first base with Vinnie Pasquantino […]

Grayson Rodriguez Dealing With Triceps Soreness

Baltimore Orioles right-hander Grayson Rodriguez (triceps) is dealing with right-triceps soreness and is being evaluated in camp, according to manager Brandon Hyde. The Orioles are expected to have more of an update on Rodriguez after the tests come back. The 25-year-old's velocity was notably down during his Grapefruit League outing on Wednesday against the Minnesota […]

Zebby Matthews Leaves Outing On Thursday With Injury

Minnesota Twins right-hander Zebby Matthews (ankle, foot) left Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the New York Yankees after making a nice play on a slow chopper near the foul line. Matthews' right ankle/foot slipped as he was making the play, but he was able to walk off the field under his own power. We'll have […]

Jordan Westburg Returns To Spring Lineup

Baltimore Orioles infielder Jordan Westburg (back) is back in the Grapefruit League lineup on Thursday night against the Pittsburgh Pirates and is starting at second base and batting fifth, according to The Baltimore Sun's Matt Weyrich. This will be Westburg's first game in spring training since dealing with lower-back soreness last Wednesday. It was a […]

Junior Caminero Leaves Early With Back Tightness

Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero (back) left Thursday's Grapefruit League contest against the Philadelphia Phillies with what the team is calling lower-back tightness, per the Tampa Bay Times' Marc Topkin. Before being pulled, Caminero struck out in both of his plate appearances. Although the Rays may just be being extra cautious with one […]

Cristopher Sanchez Adds Cutter, Throwing Harder

Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Cristopher Sanchez's average sinker velocity last year was at 94.5 mph, but he sat at 96 to 99 mph with the pitch in his first start this spring thanks to added weight on his 6-foot-5 frame, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan. Sanchez was an All-Star in 2024 and posted a 3.32 ERA […]

Sandy Alcantara Will Be On Innings Limit Early On

ESPN's Jeff Passan write that Miami Marlins right-hander Sandy Alcantara (elbow), who is back after missing all of last year due to Tommy John surgery, will be on an innings limit early this year. The 2022 National League Cy Young winner has looked like his old self in spring training, throwing sinkers at 98-100 mph, […]

Matt McLain Generating Buzz In Camp

One MLB evaluator said this week that by the end of the 2024 season, Cincinnati Reds second baseman Matt McLain and shortstop Elly De La Cruz will be the best second base/shortstop tandem in baseball. McLain, a former 17th overall pick in 2021 out of UCLA, actually had a better rookie season in 2023 than […]

Jeremy Pena Working On Plate Discipline

The Houston Chronicle's Matt Kawahara writes that Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena has been working on his plate discipline leading into the 2025 season and lowering his chase rate. In 1,842 regular-season plate appearances in his three years in the big leagues with Houston, Pena has only walked 90 times compared to 375 strikeouts in […]

Christian Walker Undergoes Ultrasound On His Oblique

Houston Astros first baseman Christian Walker (oblique) said his left-oblique injury isn't as serious as the one that kept him out for a month last season. He said he is sore on Thursday but not worse than Wednesday, which is a good sign. Walker had an ultrasound and is waiting for the inflammation to subside […]

No Structural Damage For Brandon Nimmo

New York Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo (knee) said the MRI exam he had on his sore right knee on Tuesday only showed inflammation and no structural damage. Nimmo is waiting for "the last 10%" of soreness to go away before returning to the Grapefruit League lineup in the coming days. The 31-year-old's health has to […]

Bo Bichette Could Hit Leadoff Or Cleanup

Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider is undecided on where shortstop Bo Bichette will hit in the lineup this year, but the skipper mentioned both the leadoff and cleanup spots as possibilities. "2,3 Vlad and Tony (Santander), and then from there could be Bo (Bichette).. could be Bo 1, could be Bo 4, depending on […]

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. To Hit In Two-Hole This Year

Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider said on Thursday that he plans to bat first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the two-hole this year, with new outfielder Anthony Santander behind him in the No. 3 spot. "2,3 Vlad and Tony (Santander), and then from there could be Bo (Bichette).. could be Bo 1, could be […]

Marcelo Mayer To Play On Friday

Boston Red Sox shortstop prospect Marcelo Mayer (illness) has recovered from a stomach illness this week and plans to play in a Grapefruit League game on Friday against the Miami Marlins, according to manager Alex Cora. Mayer is feeling better and will be back in action in spring training this weekend. Per MLB Pipeline, the […]

Shortstop (SS) Fantasy Baseball Draft Sleepers: Later-Round Values (2025)

Today we identify some hidden value at the shortstop position with our MLB team's fantasy baseball shortstop draft sleepers and later-round value picks for 2025 fantasy baseball drafts. Finding late-round value and drafting a player that can outperform their ADP can be the x-factor of winning that coveted fantasy baseball championship. Below are some late-round […]

10 Fantasy Baseball Bold Predictions - Rick Lucks' 2025 Picks

Welcome back RotoBallers to another edition from our yearly Bold Predictions series from the MLB team. It's one of the most exciting times of the fantasy baseball calendar: bold prediction season! As a reminder, bold predictions aren't supposed to be likely outcomes but long shots with a purpose. These predictions, in particular, all do one […]

Ceddanne Rafaela Could Return This Weekend

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that outfielder Ceddanne Rafaela (hamstring) is doing better and will do some running in camp on Thursday. If that goes well, Rafaela will be cleared to return to Grapefruit League action this weekend. Rafaela has been held out of spring training games this week after experiencing hamstring tightness […]

DJ LeMahieu Diagnosed With Calf Strain, No Timetable For A Return

An MRI exam on New York Yankees infielder DJ LeMahieu (calf) on Wednesday showed that he's dealing with a left-calf strain, per Newsday's Erik Boland. LeMahieu will be shut down from baseball activities for at least a "couple of weeks." He has yet to talk about the MRI results with the team doctor, so there's […]

Giancarlo Stanton Expected To Rejoin Team This Weekend

New York Yankees outfielder/designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton (elbows) had a second round of platelet-rich plasma injections in New York and is expected to rejoin the team in spring training camp in Florida this weekend, according to general manager Brian Cashman. However, Cashman also said Stanton won't be able to do much in terms of baseball […]

Luis Gil Out At Least Three Months

New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said it's going to be at least three months before the team gets right-hander Luis Gil (lat) back this year. The Yankees got another MRI exam on Gil this week, which confirmed what the team said originally of a high-grade lat strain and a six-week shutdown. Don't expect […]

Clayton Kershaw Progressing Well

Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw (foot, knee) said he's progressing well in his recovery from surgeries on his foot and knee and has thrown off a mound "a couple times." "It's not 100 percent yet but it's getting there. Feels good," Kershaw said. The 36-year-old future Hall of Famer had both of his surgeries […]

Will Smith Back In Cactus League Lineup On Thursday

Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith (knee) is back in the Cactus League lineup on Thursday against the Texas Rangers, doing the catching and batting sixth. Smith was hit by a pitch on his left knee in Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Cincinnati Reds and was removed as a precaution and he was just […]

3 Fantasy Baseball Draft Values - Isaac Paredes, Michael Toglia, Parker Meadows Outlooks

If you need some fantasy baseball sleeper targets or you are looking to avoid busts, then you've come to the right place! Finding value in fantasy drafts is the most important thing you can do to build a winning fantasy baseball team. Isaac Paredes, Michael Toglia, and Parker Meadows are all interesting fantasy targets this […]

Eddys Leonard Shifted To Minor-League Camp

The Detroit Tigers have assigned shortstop Eddys Leonard to minor-league camp. Leonard was competing for a depth role on the major-league roster during camp but instead, the team will opt for him to continue his development in the minor leagues. Last season, the 24-year-old received his first extended look at Triple-A and posted a .263/.326/.455 […]