18 hours agoAfter a scary non-contact injury while fielding a routine ground ball during Thursday's action, the Philadelphia Phillies announced that first-baseman Rhys Hoskins (knee) tore his ACL. A subsequent MRI revealed that he had a left knee anterior cruciate ligament tear, which would require an ACL reconstruction. The timetable is unknown as of now, but Hoskins is doubtful to play in 2023. The 30-year-old was having quite a productive spring as displayed by his .355/.474/.806 slash line with four home runs. Hoskins is a premier first baseman in the game and such a devastating injury makes an impact on the entire league. As a replacement, Darick Hall is likely to fill the void at first base for the upcoming season.--Rephael Negnewitzky - RotoBallerSource: Philadelphia Phillies

18 hours agoAfter struggling in his first look at the majors last September, Cincinnati Reds third baseman Spencer Steer has flipped the script this spring. In 39 at-bats, he owns a blistering .913 OPS, including six extra-base hits. He's showcasing why the Reds targeted him as a core piece in the Tyler Mahle trade. Cincinnati has yet to confirm Steer as their starting third baseman, but all signs point to him as the overwhelming favorite. Steer smacked 23 home runs and posted an .879 OPS across 106 games between Double-A and Triple-A last season, demonstrating offensive upside that should excite the Reds and fantasy managers.--Kevin Hickey - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - C. Trent Rosecrans

19 hours agoBuilding off an impressive 11-game debut with the Cleveland Guardians last September, outfielder Will Brennan's spring performance has seemingly cemented him a spot on the 2023 Opening Day roster. In 37 at-bats, he owns a .786 OPS with a home run and three stolen bases. The likely path forward is a bench role, with Brennan serving as Cleveland's fourth outfielder. If Oscar Gonzalez's struggles continue, a more significant opportunity may soon emerge for Brennan. The 25-year-old showcased his offensive prowess with an .850 OPS and 20 stolen bases across 129 games between Double-A Akron and Triple-A Columbus in 2022. A full-time role would make Brennan a prime breakout candidate in fantasy.--Kevin Hickey - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Mandy Bell

19 hours agoWith several Milwaukee Brewers infielders participating in the World Baseball Classic, the organization's fifth-ranked prospect capitalized on expanded playing opportunities this spring. In 34 at-bats, shortstop Brice Turang owns a .780 OPS with a home run and three stolen bases. The offseason departure of Kolten Wong leaves the starting second base job up for grabs, meaning Turang may have a clear path to a regular starting job. Turang posted a .772 OPS with 34 stolen bases in 131 games at Triple-A Nashville last season. His positional flexibility further illustrates his ability to impact the Brewers in the short term.--Kevin Hickey - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com

19 hours agoAtlanta Braves pitching prospect Jared Shuster continues to excel this spring, sitting on a 1.45 ERA and 18 strikeouts across 18 2/3 innings pitched. As Atlanta's top prospect, he may not have to wait much longer for his first taste of the big leagues. The Braves MLB rotation has one spot remaining up for grabs, and Shuster's performance has positioned him firmly in the conversation. Combining stints in Double-A and Triple-A last year, Shuster boasted a 3.29 ERA, 1.048 WHIP and 9.4 K/9 across 139 1/3 frames. Shuster appears ready for the next level, and his arrival should be on fantasy managers' radars.--Kevin Hickey - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com

19 hours agoThe Los Angeles Angels' top minor-league prospect, catcher Logan O'Hoppe, has built a solid case to make the team's Opening Day MLB roster. Through 41 spring at-bats, he owns a .779 OPS, building off a 26-home run and .960-OPS campaign with Double-A Reading and Double-A Rocket City last season. Matt Thaiss has performed similarly strong this preseason and is O'Hoppe's stiffest competition for the backup catcher role to Max Stassi. Thaiss is out of minor-league options and remains a slight favorite, but O'Hoppe possesses far superior offensive upside.--Kevin Hickey - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Rhett Bollinger

20 hours agoThe Philadelphia Phillies acquired infielder Esteban Quiroz from the Chicago Cubs on Thursday in exchange for cash considerations. Quiroz will be assigned to minor-league camp to close out spring training. The 31-year-old will provide the Phillies with more infield depth in 2023. He made his major-league debut with the Cubs last year and hit .275 (11-for-40) with three RBI, three runs scored and a stolen base in just 14 games. Quiroz has spent most of his playing career in Mexico and owns a .270/.398/.518 slash line with a .915 OPS, 43 home runs, 168 RBI, 161 runs scored and nine stolen bases in four minor-league seasons.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Phillies Twitter

21 hours agoHouston Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker (ankle) said he suffered a minor right-ankle sprain while playing for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic last Saturday while running the bases. "I was out there jogging around and hitting and stuff today," Tucker said. "I'll probably be good next couple days." The 26-year-old left-handed slugger is expected to be back in Houston's Grapefruit League lineup this weekend, and barring any setbacks, he should be in next Thursday's Opening Day lineup. Fantasy managers shouldn't be worried at all, and he should be taken in the first round of upcoming drafts.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Brian McTaggart

21 hours agoHouston Astros starting pitcher Hunter Brown (back), who was scratched from his Grapefruit League outing on Wednesday against the New York Mets with lower back tightness, has yet to resume throwing. There haven't been any other updates on the 24-year-old hurler, who had been expected to open the 2023 regular season as Houston's No. 5 starter. The right-handed pitcher has posted a 5.00 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, five walks and 10 strikeouts in nine innings pitched over his four spring starts to this point, but it's now unclear if he'll be ready for Opening Day next week.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Brian McTaggart

21 hours agoNew York Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo (ankle, knee) tripled in five plate appearances in a minor-league spring game on Thursday. Nimmo has been out of Grapefruit League action for the last week due to low-grade sprains in his right ankle and right knee, but Thursday's performance was a good sign for his availability on Opening Day a week from now. When healthy, the 29-year-old will hit leadoff for the Mets and is an excellent source for on-base percentage and runs scored atop one of the best lineups in baseball. Injuries have been Nimmo's downfall, but he played in a career-high 151 contests in 2022 and hit .274/.367/.433 with a league-leading seven triples, 16 home runs, 64 RBI and 102 runs scored in 673 plate appearances.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Anthony DiComo

21 hours agoLos Angeles Dodgers outfielder Jason Heyward will be part of the Opening Day roster. It's been expected that Heyward would make the team, but it was announced Thursday morning that he had indeed made it. Heyward made some adjustments to his swing this offseason, though the results haven't been there stat-wise this spring. He's 9-for-42 (.214) with two home runs and four RBI. The former top prospect isn't on the fantasy radar.--Justin Raffone - RotoBallerSource: Fabian Ardaya

21 hours agoLos Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Jimmy Nelson (elbow) won't be ready for the beginning of the year. Nelson has been pitching in spring training as he makes his way back from Tommy John, but he isn't ready for regular season game action yet. After missing all of 2022, Nelson signed a big-league deal with the Dodgers this offseason and will be an intriguing bullpen piece when healthy. With great ratios in 2021, he could be useful in deeper leagues or ones that count holds as a stat.--Justin Raffone - RotoBallerSource: Fabian Ardaya

22 hours agoSeattle Mariners catcher Tom Murphy (forearm) is batting seventh on Thursday against the Cincinnati Reds. Murphy will be behind the plate for the Mariners. He had some tightness in his forearm earlier in the week but is apparently good to go. The backstop will be behind Cal Raleigh on the depth chart and can be ignored for fantasy purposes.--Justin Raffone - RotoBallerSource: Seattle Mariners

22 hours agoSeattle Mariners outfielder Jarred Kelenic (quadriceps) is in Thursday's Cactus League game vs. the Cincinnati Reds. Kelenic will bat sixth and play left field. He was pulled from a game earlier this week with left quad tightness, but everything appears to be fine now. The lefty is hitting .410 with a .439 on-base percentage and four home runs through 39 at-bats this spring. He's been rising up draft boards after the hot start to spring, and his ADP currently sits at 262.7.--Justin Raffone - RotoBallerSource: Seattle Mariners

22 hours agoBoston Red Sox starting pitcher Kutter Crawford will be the fourth starter for the team to begin the season. James Paxton (forearm), Brayan Bello (forearm) and Garrett Whitlock (hip) won't be ready to begin the season, so Crawford will fill in one of the last spots for a few starts to open the year. He could be moved to the bullpen as soon as April, however, as the trio of starters isn't expected to miss much time. Crawford has struck out 14 in 13 1/3 innings this spring with just three walks and a 2.03 ERA.--Justin Raffone - RotoBallerSource: Alex Speier