2 weeks agoCincinnati Reds right-hander Graham Ashcraft (calf) is listed as the team's starter for Friday's Cactus League contest against the Cleveland Guardians. Ashcraft had to be removed early from his last spring start due to cramps in his calf, but he looks to be good to go to get back on the bump later this week in a night game in Arizona. The hard-throwing 25-year-old may be better served as a reliever, but the rebuilding Reds will use him in their rotation after he went 5-6 with a 4.89 ERA (4.21 FIP), 1.42 WHIP and 15.3 percent strikeout rate in 19 starts in 2022 in his rookie season. Ashcraft needs to improve his secondary pitches before he's to be considered as anything more than an NL-only asset.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com

2 weeks agoColorado Rockies outfielder Kris Bryant (back) is serving as the designated hitter and is batting third in Wednesday's Cactus League lineup against the Los Angeles Dodgers and left-hander Clayton Kershaw. Bryant dealt with back stiffness the last couple of days, but he's back in there on Wednesday. The 31-year-old veteran also missed considerable time in 2022 in his first year with the Rockies due to a back injury, so it's understandable that the Rockies aren't taking any chances with him in spring training. The four-time All-Star played in just 42 games last year, but he hit .306 with five home runs and 14 RBI in 181 plate appearances. Bryant will come cheap in drafts this year because of last year's injuries and his drop in power, so he could be a nice late-round value pick if he stays on the field in 2023.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com

2 weeks agoLos Angeles Dodgers outfield prospect Andy Pages has been reassigned to minor league camp. The 22-year-old struggled this spring with just four hits in 17 at-bats with three RBI. Despite the demotion, the Cuban product has a bright future ahead of him as a power hitter with a strong eye at the plate. This past season, Pages hit .236 with 26 longballs and 80 RBI in 132 games. Pages should open the season in Triple-A, but a strong showing there would only add to his impressive minor league career. As with many of the Dodgers prospects in a loaded farm system, there just isn't enough space or playing time on the big-league roster. Dynasty managers should consider giving Pages a look, but managers in redraft leagues can avoid for now, while keeping his name on file in the event he is dealt or the Dodgers suffer injuries at the big-league level and give the power-hitter a promotion.--Daniel Burdeen - RotoBallerSource: MLB Pipeline

2 weeks agoBoston Red Sox third baseman/designated hitter Justin Turner (face) is scheduled to take batting practice on Friday. Turner is ahead of schedule while needing 16 stitches after taking a pitch to the face in spring action early last week, and he could be cleared to return to Grapefruit League games if all goes well with his hitting session on Friday. The 38-year-old should open the 2023 regular season as Boston's primary designated hitter while also filling in at first and third base. Turner is no longer in his prime, but he still has excellent plate discipline and can provide modest counting stats for fantasy managers in a corner infield or DH spot in deep mixed leagues.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Jen McCaffrey

2 weeks agoLos Angeles Dodgers second base prospect Michael Busch has been optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City. Busch, 25, hit .261 with one home run and three this spring. Busch has been one of the Dodgers top prospects over the past few seasons, but there hasn't been a spot for him at the big-league level. In 2022, Busch hit a healthy .274 with 32 home runs and 108 RBI between Double-A and Triple-A. Busch continues to perform well on the farm, but fellow prospect infielder Miguel Vargas has leaped him for a big-league roster spot. If Vargas or veteran infielder Max Muncy struggle out of the gates, Busch may be in line for a promotion. For now, he remains a hold in dynasty leagues and can be ignored in redraft leagues.--Daniel Burdeen - RotoBallerSource: MLB Pipeline

2 weeks agoArizona Diamondbacks first baseman Christian Walker (hip) is back in the team's Cactus League lineup against the San Francisco Giants and right-hander Sean Hjelle on Wednesday. Walker is starting at first base and is hitting cleanup. The 31-year-old was removed from Monday's game as a precaution after being hit by a pitch on his left hip, but it was obviously nothing serious. With Walker back in there after missing just one game, he should be just fine for Opening Day at the end of March. He hit a career-high 36 home runs and contributed 94 RBI for fantasy managers in 2022. Walker isn't the sexiest fantasy name, but he's a fine target at first base once the big names come off the board.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Baseball Press

2 weeks agoToronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (knee) is back in the Grapefruit League lineup on Wednesday against the Pittsburgh Pirates and right-hander JT Brubaker. Guerrero is playing first base and batting third in the lineup. It will be his first game action since being removed early on March 3 due to some minor knee inflammation. The Blue Jays have taken it slow with their star first baseman, but it's looking like Vladdy will be ready for Opening Day later this month, as long as he doesn't suffer a setback in the next couple of weeks. In one of the best lineups in baseball and in one of the more hitter-friendly home ballparks, Guerrero is RotoBaller's top-ranked fantasy first baseman.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Baseball Press

2 weeks agoBoston Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that right-hander Corey Kluber will be the team's Opening Day starter against the Baltimore Orioles on March 30. Cora said that he informed Kluber of the decision back in January. With left-hander Chris Sale (wrist) recovering from injuries that cut his season short once again in 2022, the BoSox will go with the 36-year-old Kluber to kick things off this year. Kluber has bounced around the league in recent seasons and isn't the same pitcher that made three straight All-Star appearances from 2016-18 with the Cleveland Guardians. The two-time Cy Young winner is now an injury risk for fantasy managers and had a below-average strikeout rate in 2022.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Boston Globe - Alex Speier

2 weeks agoDespite a strong showing in Spring Training, the Pittsburgh Pirates have optioned catcher prospect Endy Rodriguez to Triple-A. It's a bit of a surprise to see the 22-year-old sent down with his main competition coming from veteran defensive specialist Austin Hedges. Rodriguez hit .412 this spring with one RBI and hit .323 with 25 homers and 95 RBI between High-A and Triple-A this past season. The versatile catcher has also seen time in the outfield and second base. With a very patience eye at the plate and low strikeout rate, Rodriguez has the makings of a future big leaguer, sooner than later. Dynasty managers would be wise to hold Rodriguez and managers in redraft leagues should keep an eye on his status once the season starts with his ability to hit the ball at one of the harder positions to fulfill.--Daniel Burdeen - RotoBallerSource: Pittsburgh Pirates

2 weeks agoWashington Nationals manager Dave Martinez said that starting pitcher Cade Cavalli (elbow) "felt something behind his throwing elbow" in his Grapefruit League start on Tuesday and is scheduled to have an MRI exam on Wednesday. Cavalli injured his right shoulder in his MLB debut last year and missed the rest of the season, so hopefully this new injury isn't as serious. The 24-year-old right-hander was in the running to open the 2023 regular season in the Nationals' starting rotation, but this injury is likely to put him on the injured list to kick things off. Cavalli has big stuff on the mound but will need to show better command and control of his pitches before he becomes attractive in all mixed leagues.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Washington Post - Andrew Golden

2 weeks agoCincinnati Reds shortstop prospect Elly De La Cruz has been reassigned to Triple-A Louisville. De La Cruz is the Reds top prospect, but had a rough spring hitting .200 with one home run and five RBI in 20 at-bats. Despite his rough spring, De La Cruz is one of the more exciting shortstops in the minor leagues and hit .304 with 28 homers, 86 RBI and 47 stolen bases this past season between High-A and Double-A. The 21-year-old shows impressive power out the shortstop position, but needs to work on his defense. Despite the reassignment, it wouldn't be surprising to see the youngster up in the big leagues this season with his main competition being defensive specialist Kevin Newman. De La Cruz should already be rostered in dynasty leagues and he makes for an intriguing stash in redraft leagues.--Daniel Burdeen - RotoBallerSource: Cincinnatti Reds

2 weeks agoThe Cincinnati Reds have assigned corner infielder Christian Encarnacion-Strand to minor league camp. Encarnacion-Strand was lights out this spring with a .557 batting average and led the Cactus league with four homers and 13 RBI. The catcher turned corner infielder was one of the returns in the Tyler Mahle deal made at last year, but has only played 48 games above High-A. The 23-year-old can still make an impact for the rebuilding Reds, but will work on his defense and getting some more seasoning on the farm. This past season, he hit .304 with 32 homers and 114 RBI between High-A and Double-A. With a strong power profile and showing he should be taken seriously this spring, managers in all formats should take notice for his arrival at some point in 2023.--Daniel Burdeen - RotoBallerSource: Cincinnatti Reds

2 weeks agoBoston Red Sox corner infielder Bobby Dalbec started at shortstop in Tuesday's Grapefruit game against the Tigers. Manager Alex Cora said of the 27-year-old. "I think he's a plus defender. The more we can expose him at short, second if we have a chance, we'll do that." Dalbec struggled in 2022, slashing just .215/.283/.369 with 12 home runs and 39 RBI in 353 plate appearances. He is off to a hot start this spring, but he currently is on the outside looking in for a starting role in the infield. His power potential is still there, and if he can provide defensive value at a number of positions, he may be able to work his way into the lineup. Until then, fantasy managers will have to pass on Dalbec.--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: Alex Speier - Boston Globe

2 weeks agoSeattle Mariners outfielder Jarred Kelenic has brought an increased focus to spring so far, and it has shown. The 23-year-old, while still playing with high intensity, has produced a stellar .448/.484/1.000 slash line with four home runs, nine RBI and three stolen bases in 31 plate appearances. Fantasy managers are well-acquainted with Kelenic, as the former top prospect has had a highly disappointing career to this point. However, he is still young and possesses intriguing power and speed. If he can corral his strikeouts and finally bring his spring production into the regular season, he could be a fantasy steal. His current average draft position is 287.--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: Ryan Divish - Seattle Times

2 weeks agoNew York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Tuesday that he plans to start utilityman Isiah Kiner-Falefa in center field this upcoming weekend. The 27-year-old made 131 starts at shortstop and four at third base last season while slashing .261/.314/.327 with four home runs, 48 RBI, and 22 stolen bases. IKF entered this spring competing with prospects Oswald Peraza and Anthony Volpe for the starting role at shortstop. The Yankees are currently dealing with a number of injuries and Falefa has shown the ability to play a number of positions over the course of his career. While multi-position eligibility is a plus, IKF really only contributes steals and average to fantasy managers, and even that contribution could be limited depending on his playing time.--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: Bryan Hoch - MLB.com