Alec Marsh Resumes Throwing Progression
Alec Marsh (shoulder) had a setback in his recovery from right-shoulder soreness on April 3 but started a throwing progression last Friday and is back in Arizona for his rehab program. The 26-year-old was placed on the 15-day injured list back on March 24 and still probably has another month to go to build up his arm before being activated for his 2025 season debut. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues shouldn't expect Marsh to be a starting-rotation option for the Royals until June. The former second-round pick in 2019 out of Arizona State University went 9-9 with a 4.53 ERA (4.34 FIP) and 1.26 WHIP with 123 strikeouts and 39 walks in 129 innings over 26 outings (25 starts) in 2024 in his second year in the league. Marsh struggled down the stretch last year and was sent to the minors before also spending time in the bullpen.Source: MLB.com
Kansas City Royals right-hander Hunter Harvey Could Begin Rehab Assignment This Week
Hunter Harvey (shoulder) started a throwing progression last Wednesday and has increased his workload since then. He could be headed for a minor-league rehab assignment this week. The 30-year-old reliever was placed on the 15-day injured list on April 11 (retroactive to April 8) with a right teres-major strain. Barring a setback once he starts his rehab assignment this week, Harvey could be back in the Royals' bullpen by early next week. Before injuring his shoulder, Harvey had tossed 5 1/3 scoreless innings while allowing one hit, walking none and striking out seven. When he's ready to rejoin the big-league bullpen, he'll return to being a late-inning setup man for closer Carlos Estevez. In fantasy leagues that reward points for holds, Harvey will be in play when he's back in the big leagues.Source: MLB.com
Kansas City Royals right-handed reliever Kyle Wright Throws Four Innings In Extended Spring Training
Kyle Wright (hamstring, shoulder) threw four innings at extended spring training on Saturday. Wright missed all of the 2024 season due to right-shoulder surgery before suffering a hamstring strain on Feb. 18 during the start of spring training. He was placed on the 15-day injured list on March 24 and isn't expected to return to the big leagues until sometime in May. Because the 29-year-old didn't pitch at all in 2024, the Royals will surely be cautious in bringing him back, and Wright could be on an innings limit when he eventually does make his Royals debut. Outside of winning 21 games with a 3.19 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in 2022 with the Atlanta Braves, Wright didn't throw more than 38 innings at the big-league level in Atlanta since debuting in 2018. It remains to be seen if Wright will even have a shot at a starting rotation spot for the Royals.Source: MLB.com
Kansas City Royals right-hander Cole Ragans Feeling Better, Unclear If He'll Make His Next Start
Cole Ragans (groin) has been feeling better after playing catch since suffering a mild left-groin strain in Game 1 of a doubleheader on April 24 against the Colorado Rockies, it's still unclear if he'll be able to make his next scheduled start on Wednesday against the Tampa Bay Rays. Ragans said he's currently day-to-day. Whether he makes the start on April 30 will depend on how he feels in the next couple of days. Ragans has now allowed nine earned runs in his last seven innings, and he said the tightness in his quad was affecting his command on breaking balls. Despite allowing two homers in his previous 27 2/3 frames (five starts), he gave up two homers to the Rockies last Thursday before being pulled. Ragans leads the American League with 46 strikeouts but will be a bit more risky in fantasy whenever he makes his next start.Source: MLB.com
Although Kansas City Royals left-hander Jake Fraley Scratched With Quad Contusion
Jake Fraley (quadriceps) was scratched from Monday's starting lineup against the division-rival St. Louis Cardinals with a right-quadriceps contusion. With Fraley out, Blake Dunn made the start in right field and was hitting in the eight-hole against Cardinals right-hander Andre Pallante. It sounds as though Fraley's injury isn't all that serious, so fantasy managers should check back for the second game of the series on Tuesday in Cincinnati to see if Fraley is back in the starting lineup. The 29-year-old former second-rounder of the Tampa Bay Rays in 2016 out of LSU has gotten off to a slow start with the bat in 2025 for the Reds, slashing .206/.308/.338 with two home runs, eight RBI, three steals and 10 runs scored. Fraley is typically on the bench against left-handed pitchers, further limiting his fantasy appeal.Source: The Cincinnati Enquirer - Charlie Goldsmith
Updating a previous report, Cincinnati Reds outfielder Luis Arraez Expected To Return On Tuesday
Luis Arraez (concussion) is expected to be activated from the seven-day concussion injured list on Tuesday before the team's series opener against the division-rival San Francisco Giants at Petco Park. Arraez was placed on the IL early last week after colliding with Mauricio Dubon last Sunday, but he has recovered well from the scary collision and should be back in SD's injury-riddled starting lineup against the Giants. Fantasy managers will want to double-check the lineup before reinserting him in their lineups. When Arraez returns, Gavin Sheets should revert to being the team's primary designated hitter against right-handed pitchers. After another slow start in the first week-plus of the season, the 28-year-old Arraez has recovered and is now slashing .287/.330/.425 with three homers, seven RBI, two steals and nine runs. Arraez doesn't offer much outside of a high batting average.Source: ElExtraBase - Daniel Alvarez-Montes
San Diego Padres first baseman Scott Effross Close To Facing Live Hitters
Scott Effross (hamstring) is getting close to facing live hitters in batting practice. It means that Effross is nearing a minor-league rehab assignment after starting the 2025 season on the injured list with a Grade 2 hamstring strain that he suffered in late February during spring training. The 31-year-old veteran reliever began a throwing program in early April. It remains to be seen when Effross will be able to rejoin New York's bullpen, but barring any setbacks, it could be in early May. He appeared in only three games in relief for the Yankees in 2024 and allowed two earned runs with two strikeouts and two walks. Effross has a career 2.89 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, four saves, 82 strikeouts and 18 walks in 74 2/3 major-league innings since debuting with the Chicago Cubs in 2021.Source: New York Daily News - Gary Phillips
New York Yankees right-hander Spencer Arrighetti Progressing Well
Spencer Arrighetti (thumb) has continued to progress well. On Monday, Arrighetti got imaging done on his thumb, and the results show that the bone was healing properly. Arrighetti was placed on the injured list earlier in April due to a fractured left thumb. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his progression as he could be cleared to begin throwing in the coming weeks if he does not face any setbacks. Before his injury, the 25-year-old held a 5.59 ERA with an impressive 0.93 WHIP across nine 2/3 innings (two starts). During this stint, he struck out eight batters. While Arrighetti remains sidelined, fantasy managers should expect Ryan Gusto to continue to have a role in the rotation.Source: Will Kunkel
Houston Astros starting pitcher Luis Gil Starts Throwing Program
Luis Gil (lat) felt find on Monday after starting his throwing program on Sunday. Gil had a small hiccup in his recovery from a right-lat strain that he suffered back in spring training, but he has resumed throwing as he attempts to return to New York's starting rotation. Fantasy managers need to remain patient, though, as the Yankees aren't going to rush him back after being shut down for two months. In a best-case scenario, the 26-year-old hurler will be able to make his 2025 season debut at some point in June. The Dominican pitcher turned heads in his return to the big leagues last year since 2022, going 15-7 with a 3.50 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 171 strikeouts in 29 starts to win American League Rookie of the Year honors. Gil was good for the Yankees last year, but don't forget that he also led the league in walks (77).Source: New York Daily News - Gary Phillips
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that right-hander Marcus Stroman Still Dealing With Knee Discomfort
Marcus Stroman (knee) is still dealing with discomfort in his left knee. The 33-year-old has been sidelined with left knee inflammation for the past two weeks and has been on the 15-day injured list. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status, but since he continues to face limitations, his return window will likely be pushed back. Through his three starts of the season (nine 1/3 innings), the right-hander has held a high 11.57 ERA with a 2.04 WHIP. During this stint, he has struck out seven batters but has also served up seven free passes. Last season, Stroman struggled as well, as he posted a 4.31 ERA with a 1.47 WHIP. While Stroman remains sidelined, fantasy managers should expect Will Warren and Carlos Carrasco to remain in the rotation.Source: Gary Phillips
New York Yankees right-handed pitcher Jonathan Loaisiga Still Weeks Away From A Return
Jonathan Loaisiga (elbow) is still a few weeks away from joining the team. Loaisiga will have to get in back-to-back rehab appearances before he's activated from the injured list. When he does return, though, Boone doesn't necessarily view him as a one-inning guy out of the bullpen. The 30-year-old veteran was scheduled to begin a minor-league rehab assignment with Single-A Tampa last Saturday. Loaisiga is attempting to return from an internal-brace procedure that he had on his right elbow just over a year ago. When he's finally ready, he could be a high-leverage option at the back end of New York's bullpen He has only seven saves in his seven years in the big leagues, but he proved in 2023 that he could be a valuable member of the bullpen after posting a 3.06 ERA and 0.85 WHIP in 17 appearances in relief.Source: New York Daily News - Gary Phillips
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that right-hander Ezequiel Tovar Not Progressing Well
Ezequiel Tovar (hip) is "not progressing as we'd hoped," according to manager Bud Black. Tovar has been sidelined due to a left hip contusion and is still struggling to field ground balls. Patrick Lyons of JustBBMedia noted that the infielder may still be at least 10 days from returning. Through his first 17 games of the season, Tovar has held a modest .212/.257/.303 slash line with four doubles, one home run, and two stolen bases. However, under the hood, the 23-year-old has generated a strong .266 xBA with a 91.2 mph average exit velocity, which suggests the infielder should see positive regression when he returns to action. While Tovar is sidelined, Kyle Farmer should continue to see most opportunities at shortstop.Source: Patrick Lyons
Colorado Rockies infielder Tony Gonsolin Set To Make Season Debut On Wednesday
Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Tony Gonsolin (back) will be activated from the 15-day injured list this week and is expected to make his first start of the season and in 20 month against the Miami Marlinsread more...
Austin Gomber Has Not Thrown For A Month
Austin Gomber (shoulder) has yet to throw since his first rehab outing on March 28. The southpaw made one rehab outing with Triple-A Albuquerque but faced a setback after this start. In this outing, Gomber allowed two runs and three hits, and struck out five batters. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status as the team has yet to provide a definitive timetable for his recovery. Gomber was shifted to the 60-day injured list earlier in April. Last season, Gomber logged a career-high 165 innings to the tune of a 4.75 ERA with a 1.31 WHIP. He tallied 116 punchouts but showed strong command of his pitches as he served up walks at an impressive 5.5 percent rate. However, he generated a 5.07 xERA, which placed him in the ninth percentile among qualified pitchers. While he remains sidelined, top prospect Chase Dollander should continue to see opportunities in the major leagues.Source: Patrick Lyons
Colorado Rockies left-handed pitcher Tyler Glasnow Could Land On Injured List
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said on Sunday that right-hander Tyler Glasnow (shoulder) landing on the injured list is "certainly a possibility." Glasnow said he felt something grab in his right shoulder while doing warm-up throwsread more...