8 mins agoOakland Athletics outfield Esteury Ruiz pinch-hit and went 0-for-1 in Thursday's Opening Day loss versus the Cleveland Guardians. Ruiz came on for outfielder Lawrence Butler in the bottom of the eighth and popped out. Ruiz was a managers special in the speed department entering this spring, but really struggled in the Cactus League, while Butler was red-hot and earned not only an Opening Day roster spot, but also the start. Ruiz can be a difference maker in the speed department for managers, but that's dependent on his playing time and right now it looks like he is part of a platoon with the A's outfielders. Managers shouldn't give up on Ruiz yet, but may have to look other places for consistent speed on an everyday basis.Source: MLB.com
15 mins agoCleveland Guardians starting pitcher Shane Bieber was dominant in his Opening Day victory against the Oakland Athletics on Thursday. Yes, it was the Oakland A's lineup, but Bieber was straight up filthy over six innings. In his quality start, he allowed four hits, zero runs, one walk and struck out 11 on the evening. Bieber was great this spring in the Cactus League and that carried over last night. Bieber is still just 28, but has a lot of mileage on his arm. Managers shouldn't expect this type of dominance every start, but he is off to a good start and will look to keep it going versus a much tougher Seattle Mariners lineup on the road.Source: MLB.com
22 mins agoBoston Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen recorded his first save of the season in Thursday's victory against the Seattle Mariners. The veteran allowed a walk, but also recorded a pair of strikeouts. Despite dealing with back issues this spring, Jansen was ready and looked good to go on Opening Day. Even at age 36, Jansen remains a solid option for managers out of the bullpen. The veteran was rumored to be on the trade block this offseason, so it would not be the worst idea for Jansen managers to consider rostering Chris Martin if the Red Sox get off to a slow start and the rumors pick back up.Source: MLB.com
28 mins agoBoston Red Sox starting pitcher Brayan Bello picked up his first victory of the season versus the Seattle Mariners on Opening Day this Thursday. The 24-year-old got the nod with the Red Sox dealing with injuries in their rotation and he delivered five strong innings. In those five frames, he allowed five hits, two runs, zero walks and struck out two on the evening. Both runs would come off a Mitch Haniger two-run home run. Managers would like to see more strikeouts for the youngster, but zero walks is just as important to see in the stat line. The Red Sox signed Bello to a six year, $55 million extension this offseason and they as with fantasy managers should have big hopes for the right-hander in 2024. Bello will look to improve to 2-0 in a must-start matchup against the Oakland Athletics in his next outing.Source: MLB.com
34 mins agoSeattle Mariners Opening Day starting pitcher Luis Castillo struggled in his first game of the season on Thursday against the Boston Red Sox. Castillo pushed through five innings and allowed six hits, four runs, two walks and struck out five on the evening. The 31-year-old is coming off another strong season and managers should not be concerned as of now, despite spending a high draft pick on the right-hander. Castillo remains a top tier option with ability to rack up strikeouts and limits walks. He will look to get into the win column versus the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday.Source: MLB.com
41 mins agoBoston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers went 2-for-5 with a two-run homer in Thursday's Opening Day victory against the Seattle Mariners. The 27-year-old is coming off an impressive Grapefruit League and remains one of the most talented hitters in all of baseball. It seems like he has been around forever, but he is still just entering his prime and that's scary to think about. With his ability to help pretty much everywhere but the speed department, Devers should easily be a top-20 player in 2024.Source: MLB.com
46 mins agoSeattle Mariners utilityman Dylan Moore pinch-hit and went 1-for-2 with a two-run homer in Thursday's loss versus the Boston Red Sox. Moore came on for Dominic Canzone in the bottom of the seventh inning to make the game within one run, but it would not be enough. Moore, 31, can play all over the field, but doesn't have an everyday role. 2023 was his first year in the big leagues that he didn't eclipse 10+ stolen bases and without those, his value is even more minimal. Despite the nice performance, he doesn't carry enough opportunity or offer enough outside of position versatility to be rostered in even the deepest of leagues.Source: MLB.com
51 mins agoThe Pittsburgh Pirates have placed veteran catcher Yasmani Grandal (foot) on the 15-day injured list with plantar fasciitis. The veteran came over from the White Sox this offseason to mentor fellow backstop Henry Davis. At age 35, Grandal is no longer the defensive specialist he once was and his offense has also started to decline. There is no timetable for his return, but he only played in two Grapefruit League games this spring and will need to shake off the rust before returning to the big leagues. Even when healthy, Grandal can be left on the wire in almost all formats. Catcher Jason Delay will take over the backup duties to Henry Davis with Grandal sidelined.Source: Pittsburgh Pirates
53 mins agoSeattle Mariners outfielder Mitch Haniger went 2-for-3 with a two-run homer, two runs and a walk in Thursday's Opening Day loss versus the Boston Red Sox. Haniger returned to the Mariners this offseason as part of the Robbie Ray trade. After a nice spring, the veteran starts the regular season out on a high. Haniger is entering his eighth season and while he has been productive, that is only when he has been able to be on the field. Outside of two seasons with Seattle that he played 157 contests, his next highest total is 96 games and that is all the way back in 2017. Managers should roster Haniger in deeper formats as he does provide good power stats, but he makes for a perfect sell-high candidate if he continues to hit well a few weeks into the season.Source: MLB.com
1 hour agoBoston Red Sox outfielder Tyler O'Neill went 1-for-3 with a walk, two runs, one stolen base and a solo home run. The home run would mark the fifth straight season that the slugger has gone yard on Opening Day, which is now a MLB record. O'Neill had a nice spring with his new club and should provide some punch in the Red Sox lineup this season. O'Neill hit 34 homers in 2021, but has dealt with injuries over the past season and has not seen the field much. As long as he can stay healthy, O'Neill makes for a very good bounce back candidate as well as an affordable power bat that can sprinkle in some steals.Source: MLB.com
8 hours agoCincinnati Reds designated hitter Nick Martini was 2-for-5 with two home runs in Thursday's 8-2 Opening Day win over the Nationals. Hitting out of the eighth spot in the lineup, the lefty also had five RBI and 2 runs scored. The former seventh-roundread more...
9 hours agoFollowing the injury to third baseman Nick Senzel, who fractured his right thumb before Thursday's Opening Day loss to the Cincinnati Reds, Washington Nationals No. 16 prospect Trey Lipscomb will be called up from Triple-A Rochester to make his major-league debut, according to a source. Some folks believed Lipscomb should have made the Opening Day roster after impressing in big-league spring training with a team-high .400 batting average, four extra-base hits, seven RBI and defensive versatility. The 23-year-old former third-rounder in 2022 out of Tennessee has average power at the plate and will probably be most useful to the Nats for his defensive versatility. With Senzel out for around three to four weeks, expect Lipscomb to split playing time at third with Ildemaro Vargas, making him worth a waiver-wire flier in NL-only leagues for infield depth.Source: MLB.com - Jessica Camerato
9 hours agoWashington Nationals third baseman Nick Senzel (thumb) fractured his right thumb on a bad hop while taking ground balls before the Opening Day contest on Thursday against his former team, the Cincinnati Reds, and could be out for three to four weeks, according to manager Dave Martinez. Senzel signed a one-year, $2 million deal with the Nats in the offseason after playing parts of five seasons with the Reds. The former first-rounder has been a bust to this point in his career, mainly due to injuries. Ildemaro Vargas replaced Senzel at the hot corner in Thursday's 8-2 loss to Cincy, but prospect Trey Lipscomb is expected to be called up from the minors and could split playing time with Vargas at third base for Washington until Senzel is able to recover from his thumb injury.Source: The Associated Press
9 hours agoTexas Rangers right-hander Jon Gray (neck) will make his first start of the season on Sunday versus the Chicago Cubs, with Cody Bradford getting the nod on Saturday. Gray was scratched from his scheduled exhibition start earlier this week due to a stiff neck, but the injury isn't serious and he will be able to take the ball for his first turn through the starting rotation. The last time the 32-year-old took the mound in spring training, he went five innings, so fantasy managers should expect Gray to be pretty limited from a pitch-count perspective on Sunday against Chicago. Gray got off to an amazing start for the Rangers in 2023 but struggled down the stretch. He pitches in a hitter-friendly home park, is injury-prone and has a hittable fastball, making him a backend fantasy starter in mixed leagues, at best.Source: RangersToday.com - Jeff Wilson
9 hours agoChicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell said that left-hander Justin Steele (hamstring) will likely go on the injured list after suffering a left-hamstring strain in his Opening Day start on Thursday evening versus the Texas Rangers. Steele will undergo an MRI exam on Friday. Counsell didn't want to speculate on whether Steele will only need a minimum IL stint. The 28-year-old southpaw suffered the injury while fielding a bunt in the fifth inning and will now have to miss at least 10 days and maybe more. It's a tough blow for the Cubs and their ace, as Steele allowed only one earned run on three hits while walking one and striking out six against the defending-champion Rangers in 4 2/3 innings of work before departing. With Steele likely heading to the IL, it's possible fellow lefty Drew Smyly will join Chicago's rotation in the near future.Source: Chicago Tribune - Meghan Montemurro