Platoon Watch - Five Players Who Could Earn Bigger Roles in 2019

With spring training games officially underway, it’s that time of year to keep a close eye on some position battles. Every year we see fringe players carve out roles on their respective teams during the spring. In other instances, these players lay in the weeds during the regular season and pounce on their opportunity to […]

Sonny Gray To Throw Thursday

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Sonny Gray (elbow) is scheduled to throw a side session on Thursday and could start pitching in spring games after that if everything goes well. Gray was very unproductive in his two years in New York and had a 4.90 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and 123 K's in 130 1/3 innings in […]

Nick Senzel Dealing With Hamstring Tightness

Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell said that third baseman/outfielder Nick Senzel is dealing with tightness in his hamstring. However, Bell expects that Senzel will return to spring games Thursday or Friday. Senzel is MLB Pipeline's No. 6 prospect heading into the 2019 season and has a chance to start in center field for the Reds […]

Alex Bregman Leaves With Back Stiffness Wednesday

Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman left the game with back stiffness on Wednesday, but manager A.J. Hinch said Bregman will play again on Friday. Bregman's injury isn't serious at all and the Astros are being extra cautious with their star player. This shouldn't affect Bregman's status at all as RotoBaller's No. 11 fantasy player […]

Jacoby Ellsbury To Join Team Soon

New York Yankees outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury (foot, hip) is expected to join the team on March 16 or 17. The oft-injured outfielder is highly unlikely to be ready for the start of the regular season. Ellsbury didn't play at all last season and managed to play in just 112 games for the Yanks in 2017 […]

Andrew Heaney To Start On Friday

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Andrew Heaney (elbow) is set to make his next Cactus League start on Friday, according to manager Brad Ausmus. Heaney felt good after Tuesday's bullpen session after he missed a start with elbow inflammation. The 27-year-old left-hander had a decent season in 2018, going 9-10 with a 4.15 ERA, 1.20 […]

Top 10 Starting Pitching Prospects - 2019 Fantasy Baseball Redraft Rankings

"There is no such thing as a pitching prospect." For fantasy owners who have lived and died by this mantra, this article might be a bit of a jinx. Often when the fantasy community gets in on a player, they break, or roles change. Some of this is the odds with pitching, but otherwise, the […]

Justin Upton On Track To Play In Games Soon

Los Angeles Angels manager Brad Ausmus said outfielder Justin Upton (knee) is on track to get into a game "sooner than later." The knee tendonitis that Upton has been dealing with shouldn't hurt his chances of being ready for Opening Day. The slugging left fielder hit 30 home runs and 85 RBI in 145 games […]

Join The RotoBaller Challenge - Free Leagues, Win Cash Prizes

We are happy to announce that registration is open for the third annual RotoBaller Fantasy Baseball Challenge ? Fight for the title in 12-team rotisserie leagues. Also compete for the crown against all teams and leagues for a chance to win $1,000 in cash prizes. Drafts will take place from early March to late March.   Double The Fun […]

Josh James Will Run Wednesday

Houston Astros starting pitcher Josh James (quadriceps) said he will run on Wednesday. Manager A.J. Hinch said earlier this week that James can't get off a mound until he can run pain-free. The soon-to-be 26-year-old struck out 11.3 hitters per nine innings in his first 23 major league innings last year and has plenty of […]

Steve Pearce Making Spring Debut Wednesday

Boston Red Sox first baseman Steve Pearce (illness) is making his spring training debut on Wednesday against the Pirates. The 2018 World Series MVP has been out with an illness the last week. Don't let his postseason heroics fool you into thinking he's suddenly relevant in mixed leagues. Pearce hit .284/.378/.512 but had only 11 […]

Trey Mancini Back In Wednesday Lineup

Baltimore Orioles outfielder Trey Mancini is back in the Grapefruit League lineup on Wednesday against the Rays after jamming his pinkie finger last weekend. Mancini has hit exactly 24 home runs each of the last two seasons for the Orioles, but he hit an underwhelming .242/.299/.416 in 2018. Despite playing in one of the more […]

Gregory Polanco Playing Catch And Sliding

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Gregory Polanco (shoulder) is playing catch from 120 feet and doing sliding drills, according to director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk. The plan is for Polanco to receive "game-like reps" in right field within the next week. Polanco will miss at least the first month of the season, but he's still worth […]

2019 Fantasy Baseball Bullpen Outlooks - Closer Handcuffs

We've covered each division and we've looked at the top setup men around the league. So what's next? Something that's too often overlooked in fantasy baseball yet maybe too often hyped up in fantasy football: The Handcuff. Anyone who plays fantasy football knows about handcuffs and usually spends a roster spot or two on a […]

Jimmy Nelson Throws Live BP

Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Jimmy Nelson (shoulder) threw live batting practice for the first time this spring on Monday. Nelson was delayed in camp after he felt right forearm discomfort during a bullpen session, but he's making progress once again. If Nelson is healthy for the start of the season, he should have himself a […]

Amed Rosario Undergoes X-Rays On Hand

New York Mets shortstop Amed Rosario underwent X-rays on his left hand after he was hit by a pitch on Monday. However, the X-rays came back negative and he shouldn't miss much time this spring. Rosario should be fine for Opening Day. The 23-year-old hit .256/.295/.381 with nine home runs, 51 RBI and 24 stolen […]

Dustin Pedroia Expected To Make Spring Debut This Week

Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia (knee) is expected to make his spring training debut this week. He was limited to only three games in 2018 after undergoing left knee surgery in October of 2017. Pedroia could play as soon as Thursday, but manager Alex Cora may hold him out until Friday as a […]

Zack Cozart Out A Few Weeks

Los Angeles Angels third baseman Zack Cozart has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 left calf strain and will be out for a few weeks, according to manager Brad Ausmus. Cozart played in just 58 games in his first year with the Angels due to injury, and he hasn't gotten rid of the injury bug […]

Khris Davis Could Make Spring Debut Thursday

Oakland Athletics outfielder Khris Davis, who has been dealing with a left calf strain since the start of camp, is nearing game action and could make his Cactus League debut as soon as Thursday, according to manager Bob Melvin. Davis should be fine as long as he doesn't suffer any setbacks. The A's slugger has […]

Later-Round Starting Pitchers - Targets and Avoids

Once you reach the later rounds of drafts, you start thinking about upside fliers that can provide a great return on value. These are the rounds to take risks on more unknown commodities like prospects, forgotten-about veterans, players returning from injuries or players that have previously showed promise but haven't put it all together yet. […]

ADP Champ or Chump - Nathan Eovaldi and Dallas Keuchel

Somewhere Dallas Keuchel is looking at Nathan Eovaldi’s four-year contract for $67.5 million and is wondering how he remains unsigned. He might be having similar thoughts about Patrick Corbin’s six-year, $140 million contract, but at least Corbin will be 29 to start the season and is coming off a Cy Young-caliber season. By contrast, Keuchel […]

Are Elite Pitchers Undervalued?

After San Francisco Giants’ president Farhan Zaidi announced that the team might use an opener this season, Madison Bumgarner messaged Bruce Bochy: “If you use an opener in my game I’m walking right out of the ballpark.” In addition to giving us the most Madison Bumgarner quote of all time, the news prompted me to […]

Blake Snell Named Rays Opening Day Starter

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Blake Snell, the reigning American League Cy Young winner, was named as the team's Opening Day starter on Wednesday by manager Kevin Cash. The 26-year-old southpaw will make his first career Opening Day start March 28 against the Astros after going 21-5 with a 1.89 ERA and 221 strikeouts in […]

Josh Donaldson Set To Make Grapefruit League Debut On Friday

Atlanta Braves third baseman Josh Donaldson appears set to make his spring debut on Friday against the Philadelphia Phillies. He was 3-for-3 with a home run in Wednesday's simulated game. Donaldson is a bounce-back candidate for fantasy managers after he suffered through an injury-riddled 2018 campaign that limited him to just 52 games. He would […]

Salvador Perez Out For 2019 Season

A second opinion on Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez's injured right elbow from specialist Dr. Neal ElAttrache on Tuesday confirmed a partial tear of the ulnar collateral ligament. Perez is scheduled to have season-ending Tommy John surgery on Wednesday. He could be ready for Opening Day in 2020 if the surgery and rehab go […]

Jose Leclerc Signs Four-Year Extension

The Texas Rangers signed closer Jose Leclerc to a four-year, $14.75 million contract extension on Wednesday, according to sources. The deal includes two team options worth an extra $12.25 million. Leclerc was easily the Rangers best pitcher last year, going 2-3 with a 1.56 ERA and 0.85 WHIP to go with 85 strikeouts in 57 […]

Later-Round Outfielders - Targets and Avoids

Once you reach the later rounds of drafts, you start thinking about upside fliers that can provide a great return on value. These are the rounds to take risks on more unknown commodities like prospects, forgotten-about veterans, players returning from injuries or players that have previously showed promise but haven't put it all together yet. […]

Top 10 Outfield Prospects - 2019 Redraft Rankings

We're back with another list of 2019 impact prospects. Today the focus is on the outfield. With a whole host of candidates ready to make the jump to regular roles, this might be the deepest prospect position heading into 2019. With the growth of five-outfielder leagues as well, the need to know who will be […]

ADP Champ or Chump - Nelson Cruz and Shohei Ohtani

For fantasy managers, a player with only DH or Utility eligibility can be difficult to own because he creates lineup issues that limit flexibility. For the last decade, Nelson Cruz has been one of the most prolific hitters, and he’s shown few signs of slowing down, except for his shrinking defensive capability. Similarly, Shohei Ohtani […]