Dodgers Expected To Use Five-Man Rotation Until Shohei Ohtani Returns

Los Angeles Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said on Friday that he expects the team to use a traditional five-man starting rotation until right-hander Shohei Ohtani (elbow, shoulder) returns, at which point the Dodgers will move to a six-man rotation. It means that L.A. will roll with an eight-man bullpen for the start […]

Will Smith "A Little Behind" Due To Ankle Issue

Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith (ankle) is "a little behind" in camp while dealing with an ankle issue, according to manager Dave Roberts. The skipper added that Smith has been running on an Alter-G treadmill. Although Smith's injury doesn't sound too serious, the 29-year-old backstop will need to be ready earlier than other players […]

George Valera To Run This Week, Resume Swinging Soon

Cleveland Guardians outfielder George Valera (knee) is 19 weeks removed from surgery on his right knee patellar tendon and has been able to successfully add throwing and hitting to his rehab progression. He is taking soft toss and is throwing out to 75 feet. Valera is expected to begin running on the field this week […]

Sam Hentges, Daniel Espino Progressing From Shoulder Surgeries

Cleveland Guardians pitchers Sam Hentges (shoulder) and Daniel Espino (shoulder) both continue to progress from their shoulder surgeries in spring training. Hentges is five months post right-shoulder anterior capsule repair and is likely to begin a return-to-throw progression in March. The timeline for a full recovery from his surgery is typically 12 to 14 months. […]

Nic Enright Dealing With Lat Strain

Cleveland Guardians right-hander Nic Enright (lat) is currently recovering from a low-grade right-lat strain and is likely to resume throwing in the upcoming week with a projected full return to game activity in April. Enright is behind the other pitchers in spring training because of his injury and figures to get a late start to […]

Trevor Stephan Could Throw Off A Mound In Late February

Cleveland Guardians right-hander Trevor Stephan (elbow) continues to progress after undergoing right UCL reconstruction in March of last year. He has been able to progress his throwing distance out to 120 feet at the team's spring training complex in Arizona and is currently throwing five days a week. Stephan will likely start throwing off a […]

Shane Bieber To Start Mound Progression In Mid-February

Cleveland Guardians right-hander Shane Bieber (elbow) continues to recover from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in April of last year at the team's spring training complex in Arizona. He has been able to progress his throwing to five days per week and his throwing distance out to 120 feet. Bieber will initiate his […]

Francisco Alvarez Revamps His Swing

New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez revamped his swing in the offseason with help from former Mets designated hitter J.D. Martinez. "He wants to be a complete hitter, not just a power hitter," manager Carlos Mendoza said. Alvarez hit 25 homers as a rookie in 2023, but he hit just 11 last year in 342 […]

Eli White To Work As Infielder This Spring

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Justin Tuscano reports that Atlanta Braves outfielder Eli White, who is out of minor-league options, will spend most of spring training working in the infield to give him a chance to display his versatility. If White can impress the coaching staff on the dirt in camp, it will give him a much […]

Ronald Acuna Jr. Won't Play In Spring Games, Could Run Less In 2025

Atlanta Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos said that outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (knee) won't play in any spring training games but might serve as the designated hitter in some games on the backfields. There has been no discussion of Acuna DHing at all during the regular season once he comes off the injured list, and […]

Kendall Graveman Agrees With Diamondbacks On One-Year Deal

Free-agent reliever Kendall Graveman (shoulder) agreed with the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday on a one-year deal worth $1.35 million, according to MLB.com's Steve Gilbert. The deal is pending a physical. If he reaches all of his incentives, the deal could be worth as much as $3.3 million. Graveman had right-shoulder surgery in January of last […]

Marcelo Mayer Takes Batting Practice On Thursday

According to Christopher Smith of MassLive.com, Boston Red Sox shortstop prospect Marcelo Mayer (back) was able to take batting practice on Thursday. This is a great sign, as Mayer ended the 2024 campaign on the injured list due to a lumbar strain. Mayer was also able to begin baseball activities in the offseason. Seeing him […]

Joe Ryan Completes Bullpen Session

According to Bill Ladson of MLB.com, Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Joe Ryan (shoulder) completed a 36-pitch bullpen session on Thursday and did not face any setbacks. Manager Rocco Baldelli noted that the right-hander look in "midseason" form. Ryan ended the 2024 season on the injured list due to a Grade 2 teres major strain he […]

Guardians Sign Jakob Junis To One-Year Deal

According to Kiley McDaniel of ESPN, the Cleveland Guardians have signed right-handed pitcher Jakob Junis to a one-year contract worth $4.5 million. McDaniel noted that Junis could work as both a starter and a reliever for the Guardians. Last season, Junis logged 67 innings with the Milwaukee Brewers and Cincinnati Reds. During the season, he […]

2B Fantasy Baseball Draft Targets and Avoids - Second Base ADP Analysis for 2025

Hello RotoBallers! In this piece, we will analyze the current average draft position (ADP) on NFBC drafts and identify which second baseman we should target or avoid at their current draft position. While fantasy players should not follow ADP too closely and base their entire strategy on it, it does provide a solid benchmark for […]

2025 Fantasy Baseball Hitter Values for Steals - September Speed Surgers

With the rule changes in 2023, MLB teams as a whole and certain players in particular have been more apt to swipe a bag. Here, we'll take an in-depth look at three hitters who took a step forward in their speed numbers in September, hoping to provide us with a glimpse of what 2025 could […]

Chris Paddack Expected To Open The Season In Starting Rotation

According to Bobby Nightengale of the Minnesota Star Tribune, Twins starting pitcher Chris Paddack is "seen as a part of the rotation." Paddack has battled injuries throughout the past three seasons but will enter spring training fully healthy. Given his current status, fantasy managers should expect the 29-year-old to be penciled in a rotation spot. […]

Tigers Sign David Hensley To Minor-League Contract

According to Ari Alexander of KPRC2, the Detroit Tigers have signed infielder/outfielder David Hensley to a minor-league contract. This contract includes an invitation to spring training. Over the past three seasons, Hensley has seen limited playing time in the major leagues. Last summer, Hensley appeared in 23 games for the Miami Marlins. During this small […]

What Is BABIP (for Pitchers)? Sabermetrics Glossary for Fantasy Baseball (2025)

Welcome RotoBallers to our overview of BABIP (for pitchers). This article is a deeper dive into pitcher BABIP, and is part of our ongoing series "Using Sabermetrics for Fantasy Baseball." In this article, we'll explain what pitchers can do to control their BABIP and explore how a club's defenders may influence BABIPs allowed using easily […]

First Base Fantasy Baseball Breakout Candidates: Later-Round Draft Values (2025)

First base is in a peculiar spot for fantasy baseball managers going into the 2025 MLB season. Usually an easy, reliable source of offseason production, it's become unprecedentedly top-heavy over the last few seasons. Once the notable stars (Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bryce Harper, Freddie Freeman, etc.) are drafted, managers can feel like they're grasping at […]

Simeon Woods Richardson A Leading Candidate For Fifth Starter

According to Betsy Helfand of TwinCities.com, Twins right-handed pitcher Simeon Woods Richardson is viewed as a "leading" candidate for the fifth starter role. While he is not guaranteed the spot, he is viewed as the top option entering camp. Minnesota's young pitchers, such as David Festa and Zebby Matthews, will compete for this spot alongside […]

Porter Hodge Could See Save Opportunities

According to Jordan Bastian of MLB.com, Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Porter Hodge could still see save opportunities. Earlier in the offseason, the Cubs acquired longtime closer Ryan Pressly from the Houston Astros, who is expected to be the team's top closer. However, manager Craig Counsell noted that Hodge and Pressly could form a "dynamic duo" […]

Dodgers Sign Luis Garcia To Minor-League Deal

According to Aram Leighton of Just BB Media, the Los Angeles Dodgers have signed right-handed pitcher Luis Garcia to a minor-league contract that includes an invite to spring training. The 38-year-old opened the 2024 campaign with the Los Angeles Angels before finishing the season with the Boston Red Sox. With the Angels, he was quite […]

Drew Thorpe Could Throw Off The Mound Next Week

According to Scott Merkin of MLB.com, Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Drew Thorpe (elbow) could throw off the mound at "some point" next week, depending on how well he progresses this week. Thorpe underwent surgery in September to remove a bone spur and then faced several setbacks during the offseason. Fantasy managers should continue to […]

White Sox Agree To Terms With Joey Gallo

According to Scott Merkin of MLB.com, the Chicago White Sox have signed free-agent first baseman/outfielder Joey Gallo to a minor-league contract that includes an invite to spring training. Gallo spent the entire 2024 campaign with the Washington Nationals. Across 76 games in D.C., Gallo posted a .161/.277/.336 line with 10 home runs and nine doubles. […]

German Marquez, Antonio Senzatela, Lucas Gilbreath All Healthy

According to Patrick Lyons of Just BB Media, Colorado Rockies pitchers German Marquez, Antonio Senzatela, and Lucas Gilbreath are healthy entering spring training. All three pitchers underwent Tommy John surgery during the 2023 campaign. Marquez was able to log four innings of work last season but then battled a stress reaction, which kept him sidelined […]

Johan Oviedo Throws Bullpen On Thursday

According to Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pirates right-handed pitcher Johan Oviedo (elbow) completed a bullpen session on Thursday. The 26-year-old missed the entire 2024 campaign due to Tommy John surgery. He underwent the operation in December of 2023 and has been viewed as a "full-go" for spring training. Fantasy managers should continue to […]

Henry Davis Takes Batting Practice On Thursday

According to Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pirates catcher Henry Davis (hand) was seen taking live batting practice on Thursday. The 25-year-old finished the 2024 season on the injured list with left hand inflation. However, seeing him take live BP just two days into camp is a great sign and suggests he should be […]

Reds Place Julian Aguiar On 60-Day Injured List

To make room on the 40-man roster for newly-acquired right-handed reliever Scott Barlow, the Cincinnati Reds placed right-hander Julian Aguiar (elbow) on the 60-day injured list on Thursday. The move to put Aguiar on the 60-day IL was only a matter of time after he had Tommy John surgery in October of last year. The […]

Graham Ashcraft Throws To Live Hitters

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Graham Ashcraft (elbow) was seen throwing a live batting practice session at spring training on Thursday. A right-elbow strain prevented Ashcraft from pitching in the second half of the 2024 season for the Reds, but he appears to be recovered from that injury and a full-go in camp. The 27-year-old is going […]