7 mins agoColorado Rockies manager Bud Black said Monday that he is not concerned about closer Daniel Bard's struggles throughout the World Baseball Classic. The 37-year-old has a massive 43.20 ERA over three games with Team USA; however, Black is not concerned that Bard may be experiencing the yips as he has previously in his career. Bard was a solid fantasy closer in 2022, earning 34 saves with a 1.79 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and 28.2% strikeout rate. It is worth noting that Bard did not pitch from 2014-2019 due to struggles with throwing and pitches his home games in Coors Field, which may be of some concern to fantasy managers. Despite this, he appears to have solid job security entering the season and does possess strikeout upside, making him a worthwhile mid-tier closer option to start the season.--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: Kyle Newman - Denver Post

17 mins agoThe Colorado Rockies optioned third baseman Nolan Jones to Triple-A Albuquerque on Monday, per the Communications Department's Twitter account. The 24-year-old, who was acquired from the Guardians in November had batted just .186 in 43 spring at-bats. However, he has intriguing power potential and can play first base and outfield. Jones will not start the season with the Rockies, but his multi-position skills could help him eventually re-join the team, especially if he hits well in Triple-A. Jones' power in Coors Field could be a fantasy asset, but fantasy managers will have to wait on that possibility for now.--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: Colorado Rockies Communications Department - Twitter.com

28 mins agoWashington Nationals starting pitcher Patrick Corbin said Monday that he is "as confident as I've ever been" this spring. It showed in Monday's 3-2 win over the Mets, as Corbin pitched six innings of one-run ball, allowing five hits and no walks with five strikeouts. The veteran has compiled a respectable 3.86 ERA over 14 innings this spring with 13 strikeouts and a 1.14 WHIP. While the Nationals sound cautiously optimistic about Corbin's performance to this point, it has been several seasons since he has been a higher-end fantasy option, yet alone a mediocre one. Fantasy managers should wait to see extended success from Corbin before thinking of trusting him.--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: Mark Zuckerman - MASNSports.com

37 mins agoLos Angeles Angels starting pitcher Patrick Sandoval looked sharp for Team Mexico in Monday's 6-5 semifinal World Baseball Classic loss to Team Japan. The 26-year-old got the start and pitched 4 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing four hits and a walk with six strikeouts. Sandoval has been an intriguing option so far in his career and took a big innings jump in 2022, logging 148 2/3 IP over 27 starts. He compiled a stellar 2.91 ERA with a 1.34 WHIP and a 23.7% strikeout rate. Sandoval is currently being drafted at about pick 214 overall despite the promise he has shown, making him a solid value for fantasy managers to target in drafts.--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com

45 mins agoMilwaukee Brewers infielder Luis Urias had a solid game at the plate for Team Mexico in Monday's 6-5 semifinals World Baseball Classic loss to Team Japan. Urias played second base and went 2-for-4 with a single and a three-run home run. The 25-year-old hit .278 in the WBC but has hit just 2-for-14 during the rest of the spring. Urias slashed a lackluster .239/.335/.404 with 16 home runs and 47 RBI in 2022, but he can play second, short, and third base, which should help him get routine playing time. Urias' multi-position eligibility and the lineup he hits in make him worth a look in deeper roto leagues.--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com

2 hours agoBoston Red Sox outfielder Masataka Yoshida played a huge part in Team Japan's come-from-behind 6-5 victory over Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic semifinal on Monday evening. Yoshida went 3-for-4 with a game-tying, three-run home run, a run scored and a walk to help Japan advance to the championship game on Tuesday against Team USA. The 29-year-old will play in one more game for his country in the WBC before rejoining the Red Sox for his first major-league season after signing a five-year, $90 million deal. Yoshida is unlikely to be as good as he was in Nippon Professional Baseball, but he does make a lot of contact and rarely strikes out, so he could have a solid batting average floor. He will be an everyday player in Boston, but he doesn't have a strong glove and lacks a ton of power upside.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com

3 hours agoTeam Japan manager Hideki Kuriyama won't rule out Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani being available to pitch in relief in a potential championship game against Team USA in the World Baseball Classic final on Tuesday. First, Team Japan must come from behind to beat Team Mexico in the semifinals on Monday night. The 28-year-old two-way star would probably only pitch an inning in relief on Tuesday if Japan advances to the championship. If it weren't for New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge breaking the American League single-season home run record last year, Ohtani likely would have taken home AL MVP honors. Ohtani is RotoBaller's top-ranked fantasy starting pitcher.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Marly Rivera

3 hours agoLos Angeles Dodgers left-hander Julio Urias was removed from Team Mexico's active roster because he won't pitch again in the World Baseball Classic, but he remains with the team as they play Team Japan in the semifinals on Monday night. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Urias is expected to start Friday's Cactus League game. The 26-year-old southpaw has pitched well for both Team Mexico and for the Dodgers this spring and appears to be in midseason form with Opening Day looming in 10 days. Urias is expected to start on Opening Day for the Blue at home against the Arizona Diamondbacks, and he'll be a fantasy ace that is a must-start each time he toes the rubber.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Orange County Register - Bill Plunkett

3 hours agoLos Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Daniel Hudson (knee) said that he will begin the 2023 season on the injured list. The right-hander has been working his way back from a torn ACL from last June. He has been able to face live hitters a few times, but it appears his knee is still bothering him. The Dodgers will develop a new timetable for Hudson to get back on the mound. Until then, Brusdar Graterol and Evan Phillips figure to be the favorites for the closer role in Los Angeles.--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Fabian Ardaya

3 hours agoAtlanta Braves relief pitcher Nick Anderson has been optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett on Monday. The important thing is that Anderson was able to get through the spring healthy. The right-hander didn't pitch at all in 2022 due to injuries. In fact, Anderson has only pitched in 25 games over the last three seasons. When healthy, Anderson has been a dominant reliever, which is why the Braves took a chance on him. The organization probably wants Anderson to get a little more work under his belt before promoting him to the big league roster. He's not expected to have fantasy value in Atlanta unless he becomes a ninth-inning option.--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Atlanta Journal-Constitution

3 hours agoSeattle Mariners catcher Tom Murphy (forearm) was scratched ahead of Monday's Cactus League matchup versus the Milwaukee Brewers. It sounds like the veteran catcher was pulled ahead of this game due to left forearm tightness. This doesn't sound like a serious issue, so Murphy should be fine for Opening Day. However, Cam Raleigh has stepped up and earned the starting catcher spot in Seattle. Murphy is probably only worth looking at in two-catcher leagues.--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Ryan Divish

4 hours agoSeattle Mariners outfielder Jarred Kelenic (quad) was removed early during Monday's Cactus League game against the Milwaukee Brewers. Manager Scott Servais mentioned that Kelenic was pulled as a precaution. It sounds like the left-handed slugger is dealing with a minor quad issue. The team is considering him day-to-day, so hopefully he won't land on the injured list. The 23-year-old has been significantly rising in fantasy drafts over the last two weeks. He's hitting ,410 with four home runs and nine RBI with three stolen bases this spring.--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Ryan Divish

4 hours agoArizona Diamondbacks catcher Carson Kelly (forearm) was removed early during Monday's Cactus League matchup against the Chicago White Sox. He was hit in the hand by a pitch, but remained in the game to run the bases. Ultimately, Kelly was removed from the game as a precaution. The team plans on having Kelly undergo further testing to ensure there isn't a significant injury. The veteran catcher doesn't believe the injury is serious, but fantasy managers will have to wait until the tests come back.--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Jesse Friedman

7 hours agoAtlanta Braves infielder Orlando Arcia will be the team's Opening Day shortstop after the team sent both Vaughn Grissom and Braden Shewmake to Triple-A Gwinnett on Monday. Ehire Adrianza will serve as a utility infielder. Arcia hasn't really stood out on offense in spring training, but the Braves would like both Grissom and Shewmake to get some more minor-league seasoning before they make their debuts in 2023. The 28-year-old Arcia is much more trustworthy on defense, so he'll get the nod to open the regular season. In 67 games with Atlanta last year, Arcia slashed .244/.316/.416 with a .733 OPS, nine homers, 30 RBI and 25 runs scored in 234 plate appearances. He's merely keeping the job warm for either Grissom or Shewmake at some point in 2023.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - David O'Brien

7 hours agoThe Atlanta Braves will option both shortstops Vaughn Grissom and Braden Shewmake to Triple-A Gwinnett to begin the 2023 regular season. Grissom entered spring training as an early favorite to open the year as Atlanta's starting shortstop, but instead it's expected to be veteran Orlando Arcia. Grissom hit an impressive .291/.353/.440 with a .792 OPS, five home runs, 18 RBI, 24 runs scored and five stolen bases in his first 41 MLB games in 2022, but he didn't appear ready to handle the everyday shortstop duties this spring defensively. Shewmake is the team's No. 6 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, and the Braves will look to get both he and Grissom regular playing time in the minors to begin the 2023 season. Grissom's fantasy value obviously takes a big hit, but it would be a surprise if he's not back in the majors at some point this year.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Mark Bowman