Josh James Could Be Swingman On Astros Staff

Houston Astros pitcher Josh James could play multiple roles on the Astros pitching staff this season. James has enjoyed a solid spring and has experience as a starter and out of the bullpen. The 28-year-old struggled mightily last season but the right-hander will get a clean slate to start again. With pitchers like Cristian Javier […]

Kyle Schwarber Wraps Up Strong Spring

Washington Nationals outfielder Kyle Schwarber ended his spring hitting .250/.390/.583, his best spring by OPS since 2018. Although it's just a spring stat line, it does represent the kind of hitter Schwarber is: He will take his walks and whack homers, but the batting average isn't great. The newly-acquired Schwarber will be Washington's everyday left […]

Omar Narvaez Performing Well In Spring Training

Milwaukee Brewers catcher Omar Narvaez has performed well this spring with a .290 batting average to go along with three home runs and eight RBI. Narvaez was acquired from the Mariners prior to the 2020 season, but was a major disappointment in his first year with the Brewers. The catcher hit just .176 with two […]

Jose Urquidy To Start Season In Rotation

Houston Astros pitcher Jose Urquidy is ready to open the season in the starting rotation. Urquidy made a strong impression last season, posting a 1.01 WHIP and a 2.73 ERA through five starts during the shortened season. The 25-year-old now hopes to put a full season together for an Astros team that is looking to […]

Sam Huff Has Powerful Future

Texas Rangers catcher Sam Huff will open the year at the alternate training site but that doesn't mean that he won't make a big impact in the majors in 2021 and beyond. Huff had a rough spring with just one hit in 12 at-bats and he also struck out six times. The 23-year-old rookie spent […]

Kole Calhoun Could Return For Arizona's Home Opener

Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Kole Calhoun (knee) could be back in the lineup by the Diamondbacks' home opener on April 9, according to Zach Buchanan of The Athletic. Calhoun has been out since the beginning of Spring Training after undergoing surgery to repair a partially torn meniscus in his right knee, and now Buchanan reports that […]

Cristian Javier Could Surprise In '21

Houston Astros starter Cristian Javier is expected to be ready to make his first start of the season. Javier missed a portion of Spring Training due to health and safety protocols and has made only a couple of appearances during exhibition play. But the expectation is for Javier to make his scheduled turn in the […]

Ronald Guzman Could See Time At DH

Texas Rangers first baseman Ronald Guzman lost his starting role at the position to Nate Lowe but the injury to Khris Davis (quad) could allow Guzman to see regular playing time. He actually outperformed Lowe this spring (OPS of 1.001 vs .646) but he finds himself without a guaranteed home in the everyday lineup. Along […]

Trent Grisham, Austin Nola To Open Year On IL

San Diego Padres outfielder Trent Grisham (hamstring) and catcher Austin Nola (finger) will start the 2021 season on the injured list, according to Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union Tribune. There had previously been some optimism that Grisham would be ready by Opening Day, but as it's gotten closer to Opening Day it has […]

Tyler Chatwood Will Work Out Of Bullpen In 2021

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Tyler Chatwood is expected to work as a reliever with his new club this season. Chatwood began his career as a starter for the Colorado Rockies, but bounced between the starting rotation and bullpen over the past three seasons with the Chicago Cubs. The right-hander has pitched well this spring with […]

Ryan Pressly To Be Astros Closer

Houston Astros pitcher Ryan Pressly is expected to be the closer for the team to start the season. Pressly has pitched only twice during exhibition action but finished last season as the team's closer. Pressly was solid last year, converting 12-of-16 save opportunities with a 3.43 ERA. The 32-year-old has been an integral cog in […]

Patrick Sandoval Ready For Role In 'Pen

Los Angeles Angels pitcher Patrick Sandoval will open the season in the Angels bullpen. Sandoval has enjoyed a solid spring, striking out 18 hitters through 14 innings pitched. Sandoval endured a rocky season in 2020, posting a 5.65 ERA with a whopping 10 home runs through only 36 2/3 innings pitched. The Angels hope to […]

Dustin Johnson Withdraws From Valero Texas Open

Dustin Johnson withdrew from the Valero Texas Open Monday afternoon. Johnson added the Valero to his schedule late last week after being eliminated from the WGC-Dell Match Play, but has apparently reconsidered that decision. The 2020 Masters champion didn't cite an injury and likely decided to gear up for his title defense by preparing at […]

Chad Kuhl Named Opening Day Starter For Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Chad Kuhl will take the mound on Opening Day against the Cubs, according to Mike Persak of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Kuhl has looked solid on the mound this spring, going 2-1 with a 3.38 ERA and 11 strikeouts in eight innings of work. Last season, Kuhl posted a career-high 22.3 percent […]

Ty Buttrey Hopes To Produce Out Of Bullpen

Los Angeles Angels pitcher Ty Buttrey is hoping to become a cog in the team's bullpen for the 2021 season. Buttrey has enjoyed a solid spring thus far, posting a 3.86 ERA with seven strikeouts in seven innings pitched. It was a bumpy ride for the right-hander last season, posting 1.41 WHIP and a 5.81 […]

Carlos Rodon Earns Spot In Starting Rotation

Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Carlos Rodon will begin the season in the White Sox rotation. Rodon secured the spot with a strong spring and the recent demotion of starting pitcher Reynaldo Lopez. The veteran lefty was non-tendered by the White Sox this offseason, but returned to the only team he's known as a big […]

Jaime Barria Could Open In Bullpen

Los Angeles Angeles pitcher Jaime Barria has endured a tough Spring Training and could be in line to start the season in the bullpen. It has been tough on the mound during exhibition play, allowing four home runs (eight runs total) and 10 hits through 9 2/3 innings pitched. The 24-year-old has starter's potential but […]

Twins Agree To Five-Year Contract Extension With Randy Dobnak

Minnesota Twins pitcher Randy Dobnak has agreed to a five-year contract extension with the team. The deal, worth $9.25 million with three club options and the potential to be maxed out at $29.75 million, was made official on Monday. It's a great story, as Dobnak has one of the more unique rises to the big-league […]

Taylor Ward Wrapping Up Excellent Spring

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Taylor Ward has done all he can this spring to prove that he can be a contributor this season. In 25 exhibition at-bats, Ward has three home runs with an OPS of 1.364. The 27-year-old has failed to find that kind of success at the big league level when the games […]

Jose Iglesias Lacks Fantasy Appeal

Los Angeles Angels shortstop Jose Iglesias will look to provide a defensive presence for the Angels infield heading into the regular season. The light-hitting infielder is slashing .256/.289/.512 this spring and will try and replace Andrelton Simmons at shortstop for the Angels. To be fair, Iglesias was incredible last season for the Orioles, slashing .373/.400/.556 […]

Craig Stammen's Durability Earns Him A Roster Spot

San Diego Padres reliever Craig Stammen will once again be a part of the Friars bullpen in 2021. Projected on the roster bubble to start spring training, a plethora of injuries has secured Stammen's fifth season as a reliable middle relief option for the Friars. The 37-year-old faltered last season with a 5.63 ERA (3.36 […]

Alex Cobb In Line For Rotation Spot

Los Angeles Angels starter Alex Cobb appears to have done enough to break camp in the starting rotation. The Angels are planning on experimenting with a six-man rotation and the veteran Cobb is in line to be that sixth starter. Cobb has allowed only two runs in 7 2/3 innings this spring, allowing only four […]

Felix Hernandez Reportedly Opts Out Of Contract Monday

Baltimore Orioles pitcher Felix Hernandez (elbow) reportedly opted out of his minor league deal on Monday, per Joe Trezza of MLB.com. The 34-year-old had hoped to continue his push towards the Hall of Fame with the O's in 2021, but ended up posting a 7.94 ERA this spring and has been dealing with right elbow […]

Kurt Suzuki Could See Early Playing Time

Los Angeles Angels catcher Kurt Suzuki is enjoying a solid Spring Training with a just few days until the regular season begins. The veteran is slashing .300/.440/.300 in 20 at-bats and will serve as backup to incumbent starter Max Stassi. But Stassi has not exactly lit up exhibition pitching and Suzuki could see a healthy […]

Matt Strahm Not Close To Returning

San Diego Padres reliever Matt Strahm (knee) will begin the season on the injured list and there's no timetable for his return. He underwent right knee surgery in the offseason and didn't pitch this spring. The 29-year-old southpaw has been a steady presence in the Friars bullpen the past three seasons, posting a 2.61 ERA […]

David Fletcher To Have Late-Round Value

Los Angeles Angels second baseman/shortstop David Fletcher is in line to become an important cog at the top of the Angels lineup heading into the season. Casual fans may not know much about Fletcher but all the 26-year-old has done the past few seasons is hit. In 283 career games over the past three seasons, […]

Advanced MLB DFS Strategy: Targeting Pitchers Due For Regression

Spring is in the air and MLB regular season is only a few weeks away! Hopefully, you're using our RotoBaller rankings and preseason content to crush your season-long drafts and build some winners in your season-long leagues. If you haven't already read it, check out Jon Anderson's article about stacking hitters for GPPs and some great […]

Jarrett Allen Ruled Out Monday Against Jazz

Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (head) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Jazz. Allen suffered a concussion in Friday's game with the Lakers and was forced to miss the second half of his team's back-to-back on Saturday. Allen's absence should mean more chances in the frontcourt for Larry Nance Jr., though newly-acquired […]

Sixto Sanchez Optioned To The Alternate Training Site

Miami Marlins starting pitcher Sixto Sanchez was optioned to the team's alternate training site in Jacksonville, Florida. Sanchez got off to a late start this spring and was a little behind the rest of the starting rotation. Combine that with the fact that the Marlins want to limit his innings this season and that they […]