David Bednar Making Spring Debut Thursday

Pittsburgh Pirates closer David Bednar (lat) is making his Grapefruit League debut on Thursday against the Toronto Blue Jays. The 29-year-old reliever came down with lat tightness earlier this month, which is why he hasn't pitched in a Grapefruit League game until Thursday. Now that he's getting into spring training action, he's optimistic that he'll […]

Kyle Tucker Could Hit Third

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada said that he's considering hitting outfielder Kyle Tucker third behind outfielder/designated hitter Yordan Alvarez this year. Their ability to handle left-handed pitchers factors in, but so does third baseman Alex Bregman's ability to hit with runners in scoring position in the cleanup spot. Tucker still hit in the third-hole 37 […]

Jose Altuve Reaches Base Twice Thursday

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve reached base twice during his team's Grapefruit League contest versus the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday. The veteran, fresh off a five-year contract extension, doubled to lead off the game before coming around to score on a Kyle Tucker single. He would also draw a fourth-inning walk and also […]

Yandy Diaz Slugs A Homer Thursday

Tampa Bay Rays infielder Yandy Diaz clubbed a home run during his team's Grapefruit League contest versus the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday. Diaz's third home run of the spring led off the game while he also added a double in the top of the fourth inning. The 32-year-old is hitting .313 (10-for-32) with those three […]

Dominic Hamel Struggles With The Long Ball Thursday

New York Mets pitching prospect Dominic Hamel struggled in his second Grapefruit League appearance versus the Detroit Tigers on Thursday. The club's No. 14 ranked prospect, as per MLB Pipeline, yielded four earned runs on the back of four solo home runs as part of his six hits allowed in just three innings of work. […]

Brandon Pfaadt Struggling In Limited Spring Action

Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Brandon Pfaadt has been roughed up in a small sample so far in Cactus League action. He's made just three outings and pitched a total of only 5 2/3 innings but has allowed seven earned runs on eight hits, including a homer, and one walk in that time while only striking out […]

Eloy Jimenez Suffers Bruised Foot

Chicago White Sox outfielder Eloy Jimenez (foot) has suffered a bruised right foot after fouling a pitch off of it on Wednesday. The oft-injured 27-year-old is listed as day to day at this point. It's been a productive spring to this point for Jimenez in Cactus League action as he is hitting .356 with one […]

Xander Bogaerts - Fantasy Baseball Draft Values and Sleepers (2024)

BALLER MOVE: Target in drafts ~pick 85 CURRENT ADP: ~93 ANALYSIS: In his first season with the San Diego Padres in 2023, shortstop Xander Bogaerts had a solid year, slashing .285/.350/.440 with 19 home runs, 31 doubles, two triples, 58 RBI, a career-high 19 stolen bases, and 83 runs scored in 665 plate appearances over 155 games […]

Royce Lewis - Fantasy Baseball Draft Values and Sleepers (2024)

BALLER MOVE: Target in drafts ~pick 45 CURRENT ADP: ~64 ANALYSIS: Royce Lewis had a mini-breakout in 2023. In 239 plate appearances, the 24-year-old hit 15 home runs, recorded 52 RBI, and had a .309 batting average to boot. If we use his 2023 numbers to project the results of a full 600 PA season, […]

Auction Draft Targets Under $5: Hitters - Fantasy Baseball Auction Leagues (2024)

Welcome RotoBallers to our salary cap league strategy article targeting hitters with an average auction value (AAV) of under $5. In the salary cap draft format, fantasy baseball managers are not bound by the rules and structure of the snake draft. The ability to put your money toward the players you prefer feels liberating. But […]

Justin Verlander Won't Pitch In Grapefruit League Game

Houston Astros right-hander Justin Verlander (shoulder) faced hitters in camp on Wednesday in a live batting practice session. Verlander looked good while throwing 20 pitches, according to manager Joe Espada. However, Verlander will not pitch in a Grapefruit League game or in the two exhibition contests at Minute Maid Park next week before Opening Day […]

Kevin Gausman May Avoid Injured List Stint

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Kevin Gausman (shoulder) threw a two-inning simulated game in camp on Wednesday as he tries to recover from right-shoulder fatigue that has sidelined him from Grapefruit League action. He reported feeling good afterward and is scheduled to make his spring debut on Monday. If he continues to progress, there's a chance […]

David Bednar "Optimistic" He'll Be Ready For Opening Day

Pittsburgh Pirates closer David Bednar (lat) threw live batting practice on Monday and said that his next step is likely to appear in games. "I'm staying day-by-day as much as I possibly can," Bednar said. "But each day has been feeling good. I'm optimistic." Bednar has yet to appear in a Grapefruit League game this […]

Sonny Gray Could Start On First Road Trip

St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said that right-hander Sonny Gray (hamstring) will pitch two innings against minor-league hitters on Friday on a back field at the team's spring training complex. If Gray passes that test, he could be slotted in for his first regular-season start on the team's West coast road trip from March […]

Shohei Ohtani Not Facing Discipline

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani is not currently facing discipline, nor is he believed to be under active investigation by the league, according to an MLB official. Ohtani's long-time interpreter Ippei Mizuhara was fired by the Dodgers on Wednesday following accusations of "massive theft." Ohtani went 1-for-5 with a sacrifice fly in the […]

Robert Suarez Picks Up First Save Of The Season

San Diego Padres right-hander Robert Suarez picked up his first save of the 2024 season in Korea on Thursday in the team's 15-11 win over the division-rival Los Angeles Dodgers. Suarez picked up the save by recording four outs. The 33-year-old gave up one hit and struck out two batters to earn his first save […]

Undervalued Third Basemen to Outperform ADP for Fantasy Baseball Drafts (2024)

A couple of weeks ago, I gave a rundown of our third base rankings and tiers. Player by player, I went down the list and briefly touched on what they accomplished in 2023 and what might be in store for the season ahead. For the most part, there were no big surprises, but as I […]

Jonathan Aranda Has Broken Finger

Tampa Bay Rays designated hitter Jonathan Aranda (finger) has a broken right ring finger and will open the season on the injured list. Aranda injured his finger on Tuesday in camp while fielding a ground ball. The 25-year-old will have surgery to have a pin placed in his broken right ring finger and will likely […]

Kodai Senga To Begin Throwing Within A Week

New York Mets right-hander Kodai Senga (shoulder) is scheduled to begin throwing within a week, according to manager Carlos Mendoza. Senga got an MRI exam on Tuesday and doctors cleared him to begin activity. The Mets will wait until he passes their internal strength tests before he does so to make sure he's ready, according […]

Will Benson - Fantasy Baseball Draft Values and Sleepers (2024)

BALLER MOVE: Target in drafts ~pick 274 CURRENT ADP: ~353 ANALYSIS: With Cincinnati Reds outfielder TJ Friedl (wrist) set to open the 2024 season on the injured list with a fractured right wrist, Will Benson could see additional playing time to start the season, per MLB.com's Mark Sheldon. Manager David Bell said, "It's all going to work out. […]

Mid-Round Shortstop (SS) Fantasy Baseball Draft Values and Targets in 2024

Welcome officially to the 2024 fantasy baseball season! Spring training is in full force, and fantasy managers are gearing up for another exciting season in MLB. Once you reach the middle rounds of drafts, everyone is looking to draft players who can provide a great return on value. You can start taking calculated risks on […]

Tyler O'Neill - Fantasy Baseball Draft Values and Sleepers (2024)

BALLER MOVE: Target in drafts ~pick 185 CURRENT ADP: ~276 ANALYSIS: Tyler O'Neill didn't have a great 2023, slashing .231/.312/.403 with nine homers and five steals over 266 PAs. Injuries cost him some time, but the Cardinals also benched O'Neill regularly when healthy. It prevented him from getting into a rhythm and showing what he […]

Fantasy Baseball Injury Reports for Hitters - Updates for Aaron Judge, Matt McLain, Josh Jung, Nathaniel Lowe, Byron Buxton, more

The 2024 MLB season began with the Los Angeles Dodgers taking on the San Diego Padres this week, but a ton of fantasy baseball drafts are still taking place between now and the official Opening Day. Unfortunately, there are plenty of key hitters dealing with bumps and bruises ahead of the league-wide beginning of the […]

Fantasy Baseball Injury Reports for Pitchers - Updates for Kevin Gausman, Walker Buehler, Sonny Gray, Eduardo Rodriguez, Edward Cabrera, Braxton Garrett, and more

The MLB regular season has already begun, but the bulk of the fantasy baseball campaign is still ahead. In the heart of fantasy draft season, it's important to monitor the latest injury reports and updates around the league. We have you covered. Let's take a look at injured pitchers Kevin Gausman, Walker Buehler, Sonny Gray, […]

Christian Walker Hits First Home Run Of Spring

Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Christian Walker went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in a Cactus League matchup versus the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday. His homer would be the first this spring for the slugger. He now has four RBI this spring with a .290 batting average over 31 at-bats. Walker year in and year […]

Sean Murphy Hits First Grapefruit League Home Run

Atlanta Braves catcher Sean Murphy went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Wednesday's Grapefruit League matchup versus the Toronto Blue Jays. It was Murphy's first homer of the spring. The 29-year-old is now hitting .292 this spring and has also drove in six runs over 24 at-bats. Coming off a 21-home run season in […]

Manny Machado Goes Yard In Victory

San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado went 1-for-4 with two runs, two walks and a three-run homer in Thursday's victory against the Los Angeles Dodgers. It was the second straight game that the veteran has been the designated hitter with Tyler Wade drawing the start at third base. Machado hit .370 in the Cactus […]

Jake Cronenworth Racks Up Four Hits In Victory

San Diego Padres first baseman Jake Cronenworth went 4-for-4 with four RBI and a triple in Thursday's victory versus the Los Angeles Dodgers. He also scored two runs on the day. Cronenworth is coming off a down season in 2023 that saw him hit his fewest home runs (10) since his debut in 2020 and […]

Mookie Betts Drives In Six

Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop/outfielder Mookie Betts had a huge game on Thursday versus the San Diego Padres. Betts went 4-for-5 with two runs, six RBI and one walk. He also belted his first homer, a two-run rocket off Michael King in the fifth inning. Betts is always one of the strongest performers in the league […]

Joe Musgrove Hit Hard In Season Debut

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Joe Musgrove struggled in his first start of the season in Thursday's victory against the rival Los Angeles Dodgers. Musgrove only lasted 2 2/3 innings and allowed seven hits, five runs, two walks and two strikeouts. The 31-year-old only threw six innings this spring in the Cactus League and was […]