2 hours agoColorado Rockies closer Daniel Bard continued to lack control and velocity in Monday's 12-8 Cactus League win over the Brewers. The veteran pitched 2/3 of the eighth inning, striking out two but also allowing a run on two hits and two walks. Bard has not appeared to be the pitcher who earned 34 saves with a 1.79 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and 28.2% strikeout rate this spring, as he has struggled both with the Rockies and with Team USA. The fantasy closer landscape has narrowed in recent weeks due to a number of injuries, and Bard is still a considerable fantasy option given what he did last season. However, fantasy managers will not go into the season with a ton of confidence. Bard will be worth keeping an eye on for the first few weeks of the regular season to see if he can correct himself.--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: Thomas Harding - MLB.com

2 hours agoSan Francisco Giants manager Gabe Kapler said Monday that catcher/outfielder Blake Sabol has made a "fantastic impression" with the team this spring, per SF Chronicle's John Shea. The 25-year-old is expected to be one of three catchers on the team's roster, the other two being Joey Bart and Roberto Perez. Sabol does not have any big-league experience to this point, but he has hit .348 with three home runs, 10 RBI, and two stolen bases this spring and can also play outfield. The Giants tend to mix and match their lineups and currently have a number of outfield injuries, which could provide Sabol with routine playing time early on. This could make him worth keeping an eye on in deeper two-catcher leagues.--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: John Shea- SFChronicle.com

2 hours agoLos Angeles Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon continued to hit this spring in Monday's 5-4 Cactus League win over the Dodgers. The 32-year-old went 3-for-3 with three singles and a walk. After being one of fantasy baseball's higher-end third baseman for years, Rendon has been a bit of an afterthought from 2021-22 after putting up poor numbers and dealing with a number of injuries. The fact that he has hit .500 this spring with two home runs and eight RBI is an encouraging sign that he may be healthy and ready to return to form. The veteran is currently being drafted at pick 225, making him the 20th third baseman off the board. Given his current ADP and potential return, at a shallow position, Rendon is definitely worth a look.--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com

2 hours agoLos Angeles Angels starting pitcher Tyler Anderson had a decent final spring start in Monday's 5-4 Cactus League win over the Dodgers. Anderson pitched 5 1/3 innings, allowing two runs on four hits (including two home runs) and a walk with five strikeouts. The outing brought Anderson to a 1.35 ERA and 0.90 WHIP with nine strikeouts over 13 1/3 IP in three outings. The 33-year-old had a career season in 2022 with the Dodgers, going 15-5 with a 2.57 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, and 19.5% strikeout rate in 178 2/3 IP. Despite this and his encouraging spring numbers, Anderson's current draft position is at about 270, so he is definitely worth a look at the end of fantasy drafts.--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com

2 hours agoLos Angeles Dodgers shortstop Miguel Rojas said Monday that he credits his new two-strike approach to his successful offensive spring. The 34-year-old veteran has slashed .273/.333/.477 with two home runs and five RBI in 44 at-bats. Rojas said, "I used to be really protective with two strikes, now I have a little bit more freedom." He should serve as the starting shortstop for the Dodgers, although he will likely bat at the bottom of the lineup. Despite the strong lineup he will hit in and his strong spring, Rojas won't really offer fantasy managers much unless they need an injury replacement in deeper leagues.--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: Dodger Insider - Twitter.com

2 hours agoThe Detroit Tigers optioned outfielder Akil Baddoo to Triple-A Toledo on Monday, among other roster moves. The 24-year-old generated some fantasy buzz after displaying pop and speed potential in 2021, but he slashed just .204/.289/.269 with two home runs, nine RBI, and nine stolen bases in 225 plate appearances last season. He did have an overall successful spring offensively, batting .250 with three HR and three stolen bases in 48 at-bats. Baddoo may be worth keeping in mind in deep roto leagues later on in the season, but he will not be a fantasy factor to start the season.--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: Jason Beck - MLB.com

3 hours agoThe Detroit Tigers acquired utilityman Zach McKinstry Monday from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for relief pitcher Carlos Guzman. The 27-year-old is out of Minor League options, so the Tigers are expected to carry him on their Opening Day roster. Right-handed pitcher Freddy Pacheco (elbow) was recalled from Triple-A Toledo and placed on the 60-day injured list with a right elbow sprain in a corresponding move. McKinstry only slashed .199/.273/.361 in 185 plate appearances with the Dodgers and Cubs last season, but he played second, third, shortstop, and outfield. While he may serve a useful role for the Cubs, he can be avoided in fantasy leagues.--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: Jason Beck - MLB.com

4 hours agoCleveland Guardians starting pitcher Triston McKenzie is dealing with a right teres major muscle sprain and will be shut down from throwing for at least two weeks. According to the Guardians, it may be up to eight weeks before McKenzie is able to make his 2023 season debut. It's tough news for Cleveland and fantasy managers that already took McKenzie in drafts this spring. The 25-year-old right-hander will now begin the season on the injured list, and fantasy managers need to keep him stashed until he's ready to return. It's unclear who will join the team's starting rotation with McKenzie on the shelf. He was excellent for the Guardians in 2022, going 11-11 with a career-best 2.96 ERA (3.59 FIP), 0.95 WHIP and 25.6 percent strikeout rate in 31 appearances (30 starts) during the regular season.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Mandy Bell

5 hours agoThe Chicago Cubs and second baseman Nico Hoerner agreed on a three-year, $35 million contract extension on Monday night, according to sources. The deal buys out one year of free agency, but Hoerner will still hit the open market at 29 years old. Hoerner served as the team's primary shortstop in 2022, but he'll move back to the keystone this year after the Cubs added Dansby Swanson in free agency. The 25-year-old impressed the team by hitting .281/.327/.410 with a .736 OPS, career-high 10 home runs, 55 RBI, 60 runs scored and 20 stolen bases in 517 plate appearances and 135 games in 2022 in his fourth MLB season. After last season and now with eligibility at shortstop and second base, Hoerner is attractive as a middle infield option in deep-mixed fantasy leagues.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan

6 hours agoSan Diego Padres starting pitcher Joe Musgrove (toe) tossed four innings in a B game in spring training on Monday and threw 65 pitches in the outing. It was a big step for the 30-year-old right-hander, who will open the 2023 regular season on the injured list for the Friars after breaking his big toe in a weight-room accident earlier in camp. He'll throw in another minor-league game this weekend in Arizona, and he's only expected to miss a couple of starts to begin the season. Musgrove was a first-time All-Star in 2022 in his second year with the Friars, going 10-7 with a career-best 2.93 ERA (3.59 FIP), 1.08 WHIP and 24.9 percent strikeout rate in 30 starts. He's a solid fantasy starter that should rack up plenty of wins and quality starts in 2023.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The San Diego Union-Tribune - Kevin Acee

6 hours agoHouston Astros general manager Dana Brown said that outfielder Michael Conforto (shoulder) is not expected to make his 2023 season debut until mid-to-late April. Brantley had surgery on his shoulder last September and didn't take part in spring training at all while also missing time with a personal issue. The 35-year-old veteran has been hitting in camp, but he's a week behind schedule and the team doesn't want to rush him back at all. Before he makes his season debut with the Astros, he'll also likely need to go on a minor-league rehab assignment. Brantley will be a lineup regular for Houston between left field and designated hitter when he's healthy, but he doesn't offer much for fantasy managers at this point in his career outside of a high batting average.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Sports Talk 790 - Michael Connor

7 hours agoHouston Astros general manager Dana Brown said on Monday that the team could put second baseman Jose Altuve (thumb) on the 60-day injured list to begin the 2023 season. Altuve suffered a fractured right thumb in the World Baseball Classic, needed surgery and won't be ready to make his season debut for at least two months, so it shouldn't be a big surprise that he might land on the 60-day IL. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect the 32-year-old second baseman to make his return until around June at the earliest.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Sport Talk 790 - Michael Connor

7 hours agoThe Chicago Cubs optioned outfielder Christopher Morel to Triple-A Iowa on Monday. Pitcher Rowan Wick cleared waivers and was sent outright to Iowa as well. The Cubs felt that Morel would benefit from regular playing time in the minors to open the year instead of being stuck in a bench role. The 23-year-old Dominican hit .269 (14-for-52) with four doubles, four home runs, eight RBI, one stolen base and 11 runs scored in 22 Cactus League games this spring, and he'll certainly see time in the big leagues in 2023, but for now he'll begin on the farm. He had 24 strikeouts in 57 plate appearances as well, so the Cubs would like to see him work on making more contact before he's called up to the big-league roster.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Jordan Bastian

8 hours agoSan Diego Padres shortstop/outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. could serve as the team's leadoff hitter after he serves the final 20 games of his suspension to begin the 2023 regular season. "Man, it just feels like there's a special kind of impact that he has leading off," manager Bob Melvin said. If Tatis were to lead off, he'd be followed in the batting order by outfielder Juan Soto, third baseman Manny Machado and shortstop Xander Bogaerts. That's a murderer's row at the top of the lineup for San Diego. Tatis looks completely healthy this spring after having wrist and shoulder surgeries last fall. He got off to a slow start at the plate this spring, but he finished by hitting a strong .300 (12-for-40) with a double, two home runs, seven RBI, 11 runs and three steals in 15 Cactus League games. Tatis is a must-stash in all leagues.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - AJ Cassavell

8 hours agoLos Angeles Angels catching prospect Logan O'Hoppe and infielder Jake Lamb have both made the team's Opening Day roster. O'Hoppe gets the nod with Max Stassi (hip) opening the year on the injured list. He'll share playing time with Matt Thaiss early on. The 23-year-old hit .281 (9-for-32) with two doubles, a homer, six RBI and four runs scored in 12 Cactus League games and will be more attractive than Thaiss in AL-only leagues as the club's No. 1 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline. Jared Walsh's headache issues have opened up a spot for Lamb on the Opening Day roster. The 32-year-old left-handed slugger will hope to see some playing time at first base when Brandon Drury needs a day off.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Los Angeles Times - Sarah Valenzuela