2 weeks agoThe New York Mets are planning to start right-hander Max Scherzer on Opening Day against the Miami Marlins on March 30 and Justin Verlander in the home opener on April 6. Scherzer is more injury-prone than ever before in his career and will turn 39 this July, but when healthy, he's still one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball. The three-time Cy Young winner and eight-time All-Star went 11-5 with a career-best 2.29 ERA (2.62 FIP), 0.91 WHIP and 30.6 percent strikeout rate in 145 1/3 innings over 23 starts in his first year in Queens in 2022. Scherzer should be drafted as a fantasy ace yet again and will be a must-start every time he toes the rubber as long as he's healthy.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: New York Post - Mike Puma

2 weeks agoNew York Yankees left-hander Carlos Rodon's (forearm) rehab for a forearm muscle strain is going well, and his next step will be medical clearance to resume throwing from a shutdown that began on March 9 and is supposed to last up to 10 days. He will begin the season on the injured list but may end up missing only two or three starts if there is no more forearm discomfort once he resumes throwing. "I'm optimistic about the injury itself and the long-term prognosis of it," manager Aaron Boone said. It makes it a little easier to swallow drafting Rodon this spring, although he's not out of the woods yet. The 30-year-old southpaw was great in his only season with the Giants in 2022 with a 2.88 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and career-high 237 strikeouts in 31 innings, and he was signed to a big free-agent deal to bolster the top of New York's rotation alongside Gerrit Cole.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NJ Advance Media - Randy Miller

2 weeks agoNew York Yankees catcher Jose Trevino (wrist) is dealing with a right wrist sprain. "I just feel some inflammation there, but I feel good. I feel pretty confident where I'm at right now," Trevino said. He expects to resume swinging a bat again in a couple of days and said he's "very confident" he'll be ready for Opening Day. Trevino has been held out of spring training action since March 9, but he doesn't seem worried about his availability for Opening Day. There's a chance we could see him back in spring games by next week. The 30-year-old was a first-time All-Star in his first year in the Bronx in 2022 and hit .248 with a career-high 11 home runs, 43 RBI and 39 runs scored in 115 games. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect huge things from Trevino, but he'll have plenty of value as the team's starter with some pop in his bat.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Bryan Hoch

2 weeks agoCleveland Guardians starting pitcher Shane Bieber has been his usual phenomenal self this spring, and that trend continued Tuesday. Bieber threw 4 2/3 innings, giving up two runs while striking out five. His spring ERA now sits at 1.86. The Opening Day starter allowed four hits without a walk. His main blemish was a two-run home run to Angels right fielder Jared Walsh in the first inning. The home run came with two outs in the inning, so Bieber followed up with four scoreless innings, something he had been doing all spring. Before Tuesday, Bieber had pitched five scoreless innings in his two spring starts. RotoBaller's 43rd overall ranked player, Bieber is on pace for another season as a fantasy ace.--Justin Raffone - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com

2 weeks agoSan Francisco Giants shortstop prospect Marco Luciano has been reassigned to minor league camp. A stress fracture in his back prevented the talented shortstop from participating in the Cactus League, but he is now healthy. The 21-year-old out of the Dominican Republic was added to the 40-man roster this offseason and is universally a Top-20 prospect. This past season, Luciano hit .269 with 11 homers and 36 RBI in 65 games between Rookie Ball and High-A. Despite starting the season in the minor leagues, Luciano's potential should help Giants fans get over the Carlos Correa offseason situation when he makes it to the show, likely in 2024. For now, Luciano is a must roster in dynasty formats, but managers in redraft leagues can avoid him for now.--Daniel Burdeen - RotoBallerSource: Alex Pavlovic

2 weeks agoThe Minnesota Twins have optioned starting pitcher prospect Simeon Woods Richardson to Triple-A. Woods-Richardson, 22, was the big get from the Toronto Blue Jays for starting pitcher Jose Berrios a few seasons ago and made his big-league debut in one start for the Twins last season. Originally praised for his high velocity, Woods-Richardson has lost some ticks on the radar gun, but that has improved his command. Overall, Woods-Richardson is a name to monitor in both dynasty and redraft leagues for his potential, but can be ignored for now with him losing out on an Opening Day roster spot.--Daniel Burdeen - RotoBallerSource: Do-Hyoung Park

2 weeks agoChicago White Sox starting pitcher Dylan Cease topped out at 95 mph in his last Cactus League appearance, but he was sitting at 95-97 mph in his first inning of work on Tuesday against the Oakland Athletics. His slider hasn't been very sharp, though, which led to him giving up two runs in his first inning of work. The 27-year-old right-hander has now allowed 11 hits and 13 runs (12 earned) while walking eight and striking out six in three Cactus League starts. He was much better last year with a 2.20 ERA over 184 innings, so fantasy managers should take his spring results with a grain of salt. With better command, Cease could once again be one of the best pitchers in baseball in 2023.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - James Fegan

2 weeks agoLos Angeles Dodgers top prospect Diego Cartaya has been reassigned by the organization. Cartaya, 21, is the prize of a loaded Dodgers farm system, but struggled in limited action this spring with just one hit over 11 at-bats. Despite being added to the 40-man roster this offseason, it's no shock that Cartaya will start the season on the farm with All-Star catcher Will Smith behind the dish at the big-league level. Cartaya hit .254 with 22 homers and 72 RBI this past season between Single-A and High-A. Despite being one of the top prospects in the game, he is only a name for dynasty managers to consider at the moment.--Daniel Burdeen - RotoBallerSource: MLB Pipeline

2 weeks agoLos Angeles Dodgers top pitching prospect Bobby Miller has been reassigned to minor league camp. Miller, 23, was in camp with the Dodgers, but didn't make an appearance in the Cactus League. The right-hander has shown high velocities with both a four seam and two seam fastball and also mixes it up with a plus slider and changeup. This past season between Double-A and Triple-A, Miller went 7-7 with a 4.25 ERA and 145 strikeouts in 112 1/3 innings. With starting pitchers Noah Syndergaard and Tony Gonsolin both being injury prone, it wouldn't be a surprise at all if Miller makes his debut in 2023. Dynasty managers should already be rostering the right-hander and he makes for an exciting option in redraft leagues when he makes it to the show.--Daniel Burdeen - RotoBallerSource: MLB Pipeline

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